Dalvin Cook
The Dalvin Cook era in Minnesota has come to an end, with the Vikings releasing the Pro Bowl running back on Friday morning. The decision was a money one, as the 27-year-old Cook was scheduled to take up $14.1 million in cap space this season. Cook will be 28 when the season begins.
Cook has battled injuries for much of his career and had shoulder surgery in February. He did, however, have four straight 1,000-yard seasons from 2019-2022. In 2022, he had 264 carries for 1,173 yards and eight touchdowns, as well as 39 receptions for 295 yards and two touchdowns.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that the Miami Dolphins are interested in bringing Cook into their offense, but either way, he will not be out of a job for very long, because, well, he’s really good.
NBA Finals
The NBA Finals continue Friday night with Game 4 between the Denver Nuggets and the Miami Heat. The Nuggets hold a 2-1 series lead, after Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray dominated in Denver’s 109-94 Game 3 victory. Jokic had 32 points, 21 rebounds (21!) and 10 assists, while Murray had 34 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
Jimmy Butler’s 28 points led the Heat, but it was Denver’s rebounding performance that was a killer for Miami. The Nuggets had 58 of them. The Heat had 33. Miami is going to want to clean that up, because going back to Denver tied is much better than going back to Denver down, 3-1. That’s my expert analysis.
Game 4 tips off at 8:30 pm ET/5:30 pm PT from Kaseya Center and the game will be on ABC.
Stanley Cup Final
The Vegas Golden Knights were thisclose to going up, 3-0, on the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final, but the Panthers had other plans. They decided instead on a late-game rally that led to overtime that led to a 3-2 victory in Game 3. To be fair, that probably was way more fun for them.
The puck drops on Game 4 on Saturday night at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT from FLA Live Arena and will be on TNT.
DeAndre Hopkins
Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is looking to offer his pass-catching services to a receiver-needy team, and it sounds like two visits are on the schedule. Per multiple reports, Hopkins is visiting the Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots next week, while there’s also talk that he wouldn’t mind reuniting with Houston. They do have a hot shot, new head coach in DeMeco Ryans, after all.
Hopkins, who was released by the Arizona Cardinals on May 26, finished the 2022 season with 64 receptions for 717 yards and two touchdowns.
MLB Injury Updates
- Boston Red Sox LHP Chris Sale is moving from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL with a stress reaction in his shoulder blade.
- Philadelphia Phillies’ relief pitcher Jose Alvarado has been reinstated from the 15-day IL.
- The Houston Astros have placed OF Yordan Alvarez on the 10-day IL (oblique).
- Minnesota Twins LHP Caleb Thielbar is going back on the 15-day IL with a right oblique strain that he’s been battling for a bit. The move comes two days after he’d come off the injured list with the same injury.
- The New York Mets will be without Pete Alonso for 3-4 weeks, as he recovers from a bone bruise and left wrist sprain.
