- Raiders name veteran Kirk Cousins the Week 1 starter over No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza — Mendoza will begin the season as the backup, a rare situation for a top pick.
- Big health boost for the 49ers: Nick Bosa practiced fully and George Kittle is progressing from his Achilles injury — both could be available for the Week 1 trip to Melbourne.
- Vikings keep J.J. McCarthy on the active roster as a developmental piece after losing the starting job to Kyler Murray, with the GM praising his role and future.
The news, distilled into what matters.
- The NBA stripped the Clippers of five first-round picks, fined owner Steve Ballmer $30 million and suspended him one year; Kawhi Leonard was ordered to pay $700,000 in restitution and his uncle was banned from NBA business.
- The punishment is one of the harshest in pro sports and sits alongside other big penalties like the Astros sign‑stealing punishments, the Saints’ bounty sanctions and SMU’s “death penalty.”
- Losing half a decade of draft capital could gut the Clippers’ rebuild — a huge talking point about the team’s short- and long-term outlook.
- LSU hosts Clemson in Week 1 — Lane Kiffin's first season in Baton Rouge has seen a massive overhaul (40+ transfers) and former Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt is the new signal-caller.
- Clemson is at a crossroads after a 7–6 season and bowl loss, turning to Christopher Vizzina as the new starter under center.
- FanDuel is promoting the prime-time matchup with a new-user offer: place $1 and get $100 in Bonus Bets if at least one point is scored.
- Baltimore is the consensus favorite — many expect the Ravens to dominate the AFC North and even snag the AFC No. 1 seed, with Lamar Jackson in MVP conversations.
- The Browns are widely seen as the division long shot because of a messy quarterback situation (Watson/Shedeur speculation) and low expectations.
- Aaron Rodgers’ return is the big wildcard — some predict a down year for the Steelers, while the Bengals are viewed as the closest, thin-margin challenger and likely playoff team.
- Aaron Judge is finally nearing a return after a fractured rib — can the reigning AL MVP snap the Yankees out of a lifeless offense and help them hold off Tampa Bay down the stretch?
- Shohei Ohtani’s knee has kept him off the mound, so the Dodgers need him to flip a switch at the plate this September if he’s going to chase a fifth straight MVP.
- José Altuve? Sorry — Yordan Álvarez is the story: he’s in a real Triple Crown hunt (AVG, HR tied at 37, RBI leader), and a strong September could make history.
- College football is back — Week 1 starts Thursday with a stacked Saturday full of top teams and storylines (Lane Kiffin’s LSU debut, Arch Manning at Texas, No. 2 Oregon vs Boise State).
- Marquee matchups to watch: Indiana vs North Texas, Notre Dame vs Wisconsin at Lambeau, Louisville vs Ole Miss, and Georgia opening vs Tennessee State.
- New users can enter Kalshi promo code "FOXSPORTS" to get a $25 trading bonus for game bets and futures like College Football Playoff or national champion markets.
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