>>Treylon Burks Conditioning Issues Not New
(Nashville, TN) — Treylon Burks’ college coach says his conditioning issues are not new. In an interview with 3-H-L, Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman says the wide receiver wasn’t in good shape when he was a sophomore. He says Burks probably wasn’t in the best shape heading into Tennessee’s minicamp, either. The Razorbacks coach also didn’t recall Burks having an asthma issue back in college. Titans’ rookies report to training camp on Saturday.
>>Report: 49ers Give Garoppolo Permission To Seek Trade
(Undated) — The 49ers are taking a new step in their pursuit of trading Jimmy Garoppolo. ESPN reports San Francisco told the quarterback’s agents that he has permission to seek trade options from the team. This comes as Garoppolo was reportedly cleared to start practicing after recovering from right shoulder surgery this offseason. The March surgery delayed the Niners’ abilities to make a trade as the 30-year-old was unable to throw.
>>Report: Buccaneers Sign Kyle Rudolph
(Tampa, FL) — Tom Brady will be throwing to a new tight end this season. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have agreed to a one-year deal with veteran tight end Kyle Rudolph. The 32-year-old was released by the New York Giants in March after catching just 26 passes for 257 yards and a touchdown. Rudolph spent the first 10 years of his career with the Minnesota Vikings, where he made the Pro Bowl in 2012 and 2017.
>>Teams, Coaches To Be Announced For Latest Version Of XFL
(Arlington, TX) — The latest version of the XFL will announce teams and host cities this weekend. A town hall is scheduled for Sunday in Arlington, Texas, which is where the headquarters is located. The XFL is billed as a summer football league. It’s meant to be a version of the minor leagues for the NFL. It has been tried in the past, but it folded. This time, it’s led by former pro wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
>>Former NFL Receiver Charles Johnson Passes Away
(Undated) — The football world is mourning the loss of former wide receiver Charles Johnson. He was 50. Johnson was a star receiver at Colorado before being drafted in the first round of the 1994 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played five seasons in the Steel City catching 247 passes for 34-hundred yards and 15 touchdowns. Johnson also spent two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, one season with the Buffalo Bills, and one year with the New England Patriots where he won Super Bowl 36.
>>Pujols Win Muhammad Ali Award
(Los Angeles, CA) — Albert Pujols is taking home another piece of hardware. The Cardinals legend won the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award at the ESPY’s last night. The award honors an athlete who best exemplifies those who serve others in need. Pujols uses his foundation to help people with Down syndrome and people in poverty in the Dominican Republic. Meanwhile, Pujols and the 50-and-44 Cardinals return from the All-Star break to take on the Reds tomorrow night. St. Louis trails Milwaukee by a half-game in the race for the NL Central.
>>Reds Mahle Expected To Make Sunday Start
(Cincinnati, OH) — The Reds are welcoming back an important piece to their starting rotation. Tyler Mahle is expected to make his start on Sunday after landing on the I-L earlier this month with a shoulder issue. The 27-year-old has an E-R-A of 4.48 this season and has been the topic of trade discussions. The M-L-B trade deadline is on August 2nd.
>>3-M Open Round One Preview
(Blaine, MN) — Cameron Champ will be looking to defend his title at the 3-M Open in Blaine, Minnesota. Champ won last year’s tournament at T-P-C Twin Cities after shooting 15 under par. The defending champion is teeing off the first round alongside Chez Reavie and Michael Thompson. After winning last week’s British Open, Cameron Smith will not be participating this weekend.
>>Report: James Harden Re-Signs With Sixers
(Philadelphia, PA) — James Harden is staying in the City of Brotherly Love. The 76ers guard has signed a two-year, 68.6-million dollar contract with a player option for the 2023-24 season. The signing comes after the star declined a 47.4-million dollar option to give Philadelphia cap flexibility. Harden is guaranteed 33-million dollars for the upcoming year, and can decline a 35.6-million dollar option and re-enter free agency next summer.
>>Report: NBA Fines Warriors Owner Joe Lacob
(Undated) — The NBA is handing out a big penalty to Warriors owner Joe Lacob. ESPN reports the league fined Jacob 500-thousand dollars for speaking out on the NBA’s luxury tax system. Jacob called the system “very unfair” on the Point Forward Podcast this week. The NBA found the comment in violation of the league’s policy on publicly discussing collective bargaining talks.