NFL

Colts WR Josh Downs out for four to six weeks with high ankle sprain

Anthony Richardson will need Downs on the field in order to thrive this season, but if last year’s third-round pick doesn’t miss any games, this injury is no big deal. In fact, more practice and preseason reps with the first-team offense for Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell can only help the Colts.

NCAAF

2025 five-star WR Kaliq Lockett commits to Texas

Few can coach offense as well as Steve Sarkisian, and the head coach’s system becomes even more dangerous with high-level wide receiver play. In 2024, Texas landed four-star wide receiver Ryan Wingo, and now adds Lockett, the No. 20 player for 2025 and an even better prospect than Wingo was. The Longhorns’ 2025 class is down compared to their 2024 group, but it can still finish in the top 10 with a strong closing.

Texas RB CJ Baxter out for season with torn LCL and PCL

Get ready to carry the load, Jaydon Blue. Baxter, one of Texas’ best players, recorded 659 rushing yards and five touchdowns in 2023 as a freshman, and was expected to lead the Longhorns’ backfield this year. Due to this injury, Texas could become more pass-heavy. With Quinn Ewers under center, that’s not a bad idea. Texas should still be viewed as a top-five team.

NBA

Jazz sign PF Lauri Markkanen to five-year, $238 million contract extension

This extension is a no-brainer for the Jazz, a display of how far Markkanen has come. When Utah received the forward from the Cavaliers in 2022, Markkanen was just a piece of a package used to acquire Donovan Mitchell. Now, the 27-year-old is an All-Star and the face of the Jazz — a player worth building around. Last season, Markkanen averaged 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.

In and of itself, this deal is huge, but perhaps even more important is when it was signed. August 6th was the only day Markkanen could sign this extension and be eligible to be traded at the 2025 trade deadline. Because the forward signed this contract on August 7th, the soonest Utah can deal its franchise player is next summer, creating a level of security for Markkanen — and the team.

The Jazz have made it clear. The club intends to win and improve with what it has on hand, and that’s Markkanen and a talented, but unproven group of young players. Therefore, it’ll be difficult for Utah to tank its way into the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes. That’s fine, however, as the Jazz have a borderline star under team control for five more years. Not every team can say that. For the next few seasons, player development and internal growth are the names of the game for Utah as it fights its way through a brutal Western Conference.

Grade: B+

MLB

Diamondbacks 7, Guardians 3

I’ll be the first to say it — the Diamondbacks are going back to the postseason. Okay, probably.

It’s only August 8th, but Arizona, along with the Padres, is breezing past its competition for the wild-card spots. At 62-52 and playing great baseball, it’s tough to see the Mets, let alone the Cardinals, Pirates, or Giants, catching the Diamondbacks. Circumstances change quickly in MLB, but I expect the National League postseason teams to be the Dodgers, Phillies, Brewers, Padres, Diamondbacks and Braves.