>>Panthers Know Who Will Be First Overall Pick
(Charlotte, NC) — The Carolina Panthers know who they will be selecting with the first overall pick for Thursday night’s NFL Draft. Panthers head coach Frank Reich told the media that he and general manager Scott Fitterer “have a consensus and we are excited.” Carolina traded two first-round picks, two second-round picks and wide receiver DJ Moore to the Chicago Bears to secure the number-one selection earlier this offseason. The Panthers have met privately with top QB prospects Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Will Levis and Anthony Richardson during the pre-draft process.
>>Titans Have Pre-Draft Meeting With QB
(Nashville, TN) — The Titans are putting the finishing touches heading into tomorrow’s draft. Eric Branch with the San Francisco Chronicle reports the team had a virtual meeting with Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener. He’s expected to be a mid-to-late round pick. The Titans have the 11th overall pick in round one and number-41 in round two. The second and third rounds take place on Friday while the rest of the draft starts on Saturday.
>>Bengals Pick Up Joe Burrow’s Option
(Cincinnati, OH) — The Bengals are keeping their star quarterback for at least another year. The team announced on Tuesday it’s picking up Joe Burrow’s fifth-year option, which will pay the QB nearly 30-million-dollars for the 2024 season. Cincinnati is still trying to work out a long-term deal for Burrow. Cincy released a statement which read, “This is a mechanical step along the way, and we will continue to work with Joe and his representatives to secure his long-term future.”
>Nashville SC Hosts San Antonio FC Tonight
(Nashville, TN) — Nashville SC hosts San Antonio FC tonight in the third round of the US Open Cup. The club is coming off 1-1 draw with LAFC in the MLS over the weekend. Nashville is 3-3-and-3 on the season and has 12 points. The club is sixth in the Eastern Conference
>>Verlander To Make Rehab Start Before Mets Debut
(Undated) — Justin Verlander’s Mets debut is just around the corner. The veteran right-hander said he expects to return to the team after making one scheduled rehab start on Friday. Manager Buck Showalter would not confirm which Mets affiliate Verlander will join. If Verlander is able to get through his rehab start, which is expected to last three to four innings, his next appearance would be on May 3rd against the Detroit Tigers. The 40-year-old has been on the injured list since the end of spring training with a low-grade teres major strain.
>>East Avoids Elimination, West Forces Do Or Die Games In NHL Playoffs
(Undated) — An Eastern Conference team avoided elimination in the Stanley Cup playoffs while the West forced do-or-die games. The Islanders dispatched the Hurricanes 3-2 in Raleigh to force a Game Six in Elmont. Carolina still leads the best-of-seven series 3-2. Out West, the Stars blanked the Wild 4-0 in Dallas and are one win away from advancing to the next round. The Oilers dethroned the Kings 6-3 in Edmonton to take a 3-2 series lead heading back to LA. Two games are on the slate tonight. The Bruins will try to eliminate the Panthers in Boston while the Avalanche and Kraken face off in a 2-2 series from Denver.
>>Kings’ De’Aaron Fox Plans To Play In Game Five
(Sacramento, CA) — De’Aaron Fox is not letting a fractured index finger stop him from playing in Game Five. The Kings point guard said he plans to play in tonight’s playoff game against the Warriors in Sacramento. Fox injured his shooting hand in the fourth quarter of Game Four and was originally listed as doubtful to play in Game Five. The All-Star guard practiced on Tuesday and was seen wearing a splint on his injured finger. The Kings and Warriors head into a pivotal Game Five with the series tied at 2-2.