NFL

Cowboys sign FB Hunter Luepke to two-year, $7.5 million contract extension

Luepke is the last of an (almost) dying breed — the fullback. Playing over 300 snaps last season, Luepke was a sporadic piece of the Cowboys’ offense. His role likely won’t increase further, but his talent level still can. It’ll have to for him to live up to this contract.

Grade: C

NBA

Mavericks sign PF P.J. Washington to four-year, $90 million contract extension

The value of this extension is a bit lower than what I would’ve expected. Despite a crowded frontcourt rotation of Anthony Davis, Cooper Flagg, Dereck Lively and Daniel Gafford, Washington will still heavily factor into the Mavericks’ plans. Only 27, Washington should team with Cooper Flagg as Dallas’ starting forwards of the future.

Washington averaged 14.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game last season.

Grade: A-

MLB

Nationals 10, Marlins 5

This was unequivocally the Nasim Nunez game. The shortstop entered yesterday with over 100 career at-bats and zero home runs, but an unexpected power surge changed that. Nunez smacked not one, but two homers in this win, a shocking feat for the 5-foot-8, 165-pound shortstop.

Eury Perez vaulted onto the scene as a rookie in 2023, posting a 3.15 ERA over 91 1/3 innings. That performance made the right-hander one of the top young talents in MLB, but his career has been on a downward trend since. Undergoing Tommy John surgery last year certainly hampered Perez’s progress, and it’s been evident in his play this season.

After allowing seven earned runs across four innings in this loss, Perez’s ERA is now 4.66. It’s fair to expect improvement — and maybe even a return to his rookie form — in 2026, but this year has been a disappointment for the 22-year-old.

Tigers 6, Mets 2

I was confused by the line on this game. Detroit, despite Casey Mize being on the hill, was an underdog, so I prudently bet on — and profit boosted — the Tigers. Easy win.

It has not been easy, however, for Ryan Helsley since getting dealt to the Mets. The righty was one of the best closers in MLB across several seasons with the Cardinals, but his time in New York has been a nightmare.

Helsley pitched just 2/3 innings in this game and allowed three earned runs. His ERA with the Mets is 11.45. Ouch.