Happy Friday! Bryan Deardo here, jumping into your inbox to share highlights from a busy Thursday in the world of sports, especially as football season is heating up.
This article is the written version of the CBS Sports HQ AM newsletter, your essential daily sports guide. You can subscribe to get it delivered to your inbox each morning.
Eagles’ backup QB Tanner McKee dazzles in preseason opener against the Bengals
Tanner McKee threw for 193 yards and two touchdowns, completing 14 of 17 passes in the first half against Cincinnati’s defense. He even ran for a touchdown against the Bengals’ starters, proving the Eagles made a smart move trading Kenny Pickett to Cleveland. McKee has shown great potential and could be considered one of the top 32 quarterbacks in the NFL, although he’s currently backing up Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts.
Honorable Mentions:
- Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter, who plays both receiver and cornerback, looks promising ahead of Jacksonville’s preseason game against the Steelers. Hunter, last year’s Heisman Trophy winner, excelled at both positions in college.
- Thursday also marked the 38th birthday of Penguins star Sidney Crosby, celebrated with a ranking of his top 10 pro hockey moments, featuring three Stanley Cup triumphs but also one moment hockey fans would rather forget.
Bad News:
Chargers’ Pro Bowl left tackle Rashawn Slater will miss the entire 2025 season after tearing his patellar tendon in practice. Slater recently signed a four-year deal, making him the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history. The Chargers must quickly find a replacement, with Trey Pipkins being an internal option, though most of his experience is at right tackle.
Other Injury Updates:
- Colts QB Anthony Richardson dislocated his pinkie in the opening game against the Ravens, which complicates his battle to secure the starting role over Giants’ first-round pick Daniel Jones.
- Yankees’ recent struggles spark questions, explained by Mike Axisa.
- Steelers veterans Cam Hayward and Chris Boswell are both seeking new contracts.
- Cowboys rookie Jadon Blue left practice early with an injury after a strong camp showing.
- A cryptocurrency meme coin group took responsibility for an unusual incident in a WNBA game involving inappropriate objects thrown onto the court.
Archie Manning Sends Message to NFL Teams
Archie Manning, former Saints QB and father and grandfather of NFL quarterbacks Peyton, Eli, and Arch Manning, addressed NFL teams, warning them that Arch Manning will not “tank” to enter the draft early—he plans to stay at Texas for two more years. Arch Manning is highly anticipated this season and will be tested against the defending national champion Ohio State on August 30.
We also put together a list of NFL teams most likely to pursue Arch Manning if he declared early, including the Steelers and Rams, both relying on aging future Hall of Fame QBs.
Top 10 NFL Preseason Storylines to Watch
Tyler Sullivan ranked the top 10 storylines for the 2025 NFL preseason. Leading the pack is Mika Parsons’ holdout with the Cowboys and the possibility that Dallas either trades or keeps star pass rusher TJ Watt. Other highlights include James Cook’s ongoing holdout and rookie QB Chedur Sanders’ upcoming preseason debut tonight.
College Football Top 25 Storylines
Chip Patterson outlined the 25 most compelling storylines heading into the 2025 college football season. The season promises to be one of the most exciting ever, headlined by a loaded first week featuring Texas vs Ohio State, No. 5 Notre Dame vs No. 10 Miami, and No. 6 Clemson vs No. 9 LSU. This opening weekend looks far from the usual slow start with some teams napping mid-third quarter.
Weekend Sports Viewing Highlights:
- Golf’s St. Jude Championship
- English Championship: Birmingham City vs Ipswich Town
- NFL: Panthers vs Browns, Vikings vs Texans, Packers vs Jets, Bears vs Dolphins, Chargers vs Saints
- MLB: Yankees vs Astros, Rangers vs Phillies, Cardinals vs Cubs
- Basketball: Freedom of the Wings, BIG3 Week 9, Heat vs Sky, Liberty’s Links
- Soccer: Inter Miami vs Orlando City
Fan Take:
This roundup highlights critical moments that signal the shifting dynamics in football and beyond, emphasizing how preseason performances and injuries can dramatically influence team trajectories. For baseball fans, the evolving NHL and NFL scenes offer broader context for the competitive spirit and physical demands athletes face, underscoring why staying updated across sports enhances the appreciation of the game’s intensity and unpredictability.
