The Cleveland Cavaliers have announced that sensational rookie Evan Mobley will miss their next three games. This includes their home game against Dallas in addition to their trip to Atlanta and New York.
The possibility exists that Mobley misses more than just three games, but that is not known at this time. This injury comes at a tough time for the Cavs as the season is winding down and they are jockeying for play-in tournament/playoff position.
Bleacher Report released their consensus grades for NFL teams in free agency and they were not particularly kind to the Cleveland Browns. Considering that two of their most impactful additions have come via trade this is hardly surprising (Deshaun Watson, Amari Cooper). A trade for Chase Winovich provides some defensive line depth, but again not a free agent signing.
The Cleveland Browns received a consensus grade of D+ from three NFL writers at Bleacher Report. Cleveland’s free agency activity has been quite minimal as they appear to be waiting out the market. This strategy has been used by Cleveland before, but there were deals on the first day of the tampering period for starters the previous two years. That has not happened this year.
The flashiest signings the Browns have made have been for a backup quarterback in Jacoby Brissett and return specialist Jakeem Grant. Cleveland also brought in Taven Bryan, a defensive tackle selected in the first round by Jacksonville in 2018. Ethan Pocic was signed to provide an insurance plan at center should Nick Harris not work out.
Cleveland did also re-sign two of their own pending free agents in Chris Hubbard and Anthony Walker Jr. While not exciting, this does provide continuity on both sides of the ball. The Browns are also linked to bringing back Jarvis Landry and Jadeveon Clowney. Odell Beckham Jr. has also kept the door open for a potential Browns return. Should Cleveland bring back some or all of these former Browns it would most likely result in a better grade.
The Baker Mayfield situation more than likely playing a factor. Mayfield currently carries a cap hit just under $19 million and a trade would take that off the books. Until that money gets cleared there is about $21 million in cap space currently. Add in the post-June 1st cut gain of $9.5 million from releasing Austin Hooper it provides a lot more wiggle room for the Browns and it appears that is what the team is waiting on to add multiple large salaries to their roster.
The Cleveland Cavaliers will be missing two key starters Wednesday when they take on the Dallas Mavericks. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen are both listed as out while Rajon Rondo is considered doubtful.
Mobley suffered an injury in Monday’s win over Orlando with the x-rays on his ankle coming back as negative. Just over a week ago the return timetable for Allen was within three weeks, about two weeks more to go. Rondo has missed the last eight. games, last playing on March 12th.
The Cavaliers being without two-thirds of Tower City will definitely make things a bit more difficult when facing the Mavericks. Mobley and Allen have been instrumental for Cleveland this season, their absence will put more pressure on players such as Darius Garland to carry the load. A factor that could benefit the Cavs is that this is the second game of a back-to-back for Dallas. The Mavericks are traveling to Cleveland having defeated the Lakers Tuesday. Perhaps this could be just enough for the Cavaliers to come away victorious in a time they need it most.
Rajon Ronso has been downgraded to out.
This will test the depth of the Cavs even further.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the media Tuesday and stated that there is not a timetable for a suspension of Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. Goodell also stated that the league is taking the investigation seriously and may bring Watson to New York for an interview.
It is also not likely that Watson ends up on the commissioner exempt list. This is due to the cases being of the civil variety and not criminal.
The two grand jury non-indictments will also play a factor as they provide additional information. Goodell would also add that the league’s personal conduct policy does not rely on criminal charges.
This uncertainty about the availability and duration of possible unavailability of Deshaun Watson is exactly why the team signed Jacoby Brissett to a one-year deal. Having Brissett available to fill-in as needed gives Cleveland a comfortable backup situation. Brissett has played this role on multiple teams before making this a familiar situation for the veteran signal caller. The Browns will still have a good chance to win should they turn to Brissett for a lengthy period of time.
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Orlando Magic 107-101 Monday, but had to fight through what has become a common theme this season, injuries. Evan Mobley, Lauri Markkanen, and Lamar Stevens all dealt with injuries in the contest. Markkanen would return after his injury with Stevens playing through his. The big news was Mobley not returning after suffering an ankle sprain.
Even though this seems to be another doom and gloom injury scenario there is some good news. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the x-rays on Mobley’s ankle came back negative.
The Cavaliers being able to have Mobley back as the season winds down and the postseason begins makes a huge difference for just how far they can go.
It has been a long time, but Josh Naylor has finally returned to the lineup of the Cleveland Guardians.
The last time Naylor was in Cleveland’s lineup was June 27, 2021. Naylor would suffer a season-ending injury after a brutal collision.
Josh Naylor has appeared in 91 games over two seasons with Cleveland. Naylor has slashed .248/.296/.374 with 31 doubles, 16 home runs, 59 RBI, and a WRC+ of 82. 2022 will be an important season for the 24-year old and the Guardians as the team needs answers at multiple positions, this includes Naylor.
The Cleveland Browns are adding depth to their offensive line by signing former Seattle Seahawks center Ethan Pocic.
This signing comes after Cleveland released JC Tretter earlier this offseason, leaving Nick Harris as the only center on the roster. Even though the Browns are bringing in a center with 40 career starts in five seasons, the team still views Harris as their starter.
Ultimately this is a move to provide the team with a fallback plan should Harris get hurt or is not playing at an acceptable level.
The Guardians continue to shape their roster as Opening Day approaches, optioning Gabriel Arias to Triple-A. Additionally, Will Benson and Tanner Tully have been reassigned to Minor League camp.
It was always going to be tough for Arias to make the Guardians out of spring. Cleveland currently has Amed Rosario in addition to Andres Gimenez, Yu Chang, and Owen Miller occupying middle infield spots on the roster. Benson was always destined to start the season in the minors as the giant cluster of middling outfield talent needs to be sorted out to start the year. Tully struggled mightily in nine starts at Triple-A Columbus last season. Improvement is needed across the board before Tully gets consideration to advance beyond the minor leagues.
The Cleveland Cavaliers will be without the services of Dean Wade for the remainder of the season. Wade was initially ruled out 3-4 weeks before it was determined his season is over.
Dean Wade started a career-high 28 games this season for the Cavs, averaging 5.3 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. Cleveland losing yet another player for the season while they are in the midst of a slide does not bode well for their chances in the play-in tournament and/or playoffs should they advance.
Even with the 117-104 loss to the Toronto Raptors Thursday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers have at least secured a spot in the play-in tournament. Cleveland can finish no worse than 10th in the Eastern Conference and currently sit in sixth with a 41-32 record.
Just as the Cavaliers clinched their first non-losing season without LeBron James since 1997-98, this will be their first postseason trip without the future Hall of Famer dating back to that same season. The Cavs would lose to the Pacers 3-1 in the first round that season as the finished with a 47-35 record and sixth place in the east.
There is still time for some shuffling standings wise and a chance for the Cavaliers to avoid the play-in tournament altogether. Nine games remain for the Cavs to solidify their postseason position.
