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Cooper Flagg suffered what appeared to be a significant injury during the ACC Tournament on Thursday, but Duke has received at least some good news about its star freshman.
Flagg appeared to injure his left ankle after he jumped high into the air to grab a rebound during the first half of Duke’s game against Georgia Tech at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. His ankle bent awkwardly underneath him, and he was unable to put any weight on his left leg (video here). Flagg was eventually placed in a wheelchair to be taken for testing.
According to Duke head coach Jon Scheyer, X-rays on Flagg’s ankle came back negative. Scheyer said Flagg has a sprain and his status will depend upon managing the swelling.
Duke, the No. 1-ranked team in the country, advanced to the semifinals of the ACC Tournament with a 78-70 win over Georgia Tech. Scheyer called Flagg a “long shot” to play on Friday, but it sounds like Flagg will have a chance to return for the NCAA Tournament.
Flagg returned to the bench area on Thursday with a heavily taped ankle but did not go back into the game.
Flagg entered Thursday’s game averaging 19.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. The 18-year-old is viewed as a virtual lock to be the first overall pick in the NBA Draft. He went just 1-of-7 from the field and had 2 points and 4 rebounds against Georgia Tech prior to hurting his ankle.
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Five best NFL offseason value signings on offense: Bills get great deal with RB extension
Few know how to spend money like an NFL front office. This offseason, teams handed out over $4 billion in extensions alone, not to mention the several other billions spent in free agency. But which were the shrewdest investments? Below, we examine the best value signings at five positions on offense: quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end and offensive line. Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith Contract: Two years, $75 million ($65.5M guaranteed) Shortly after acquiring Smith in a trade from the Seattle Seahawks, the Raiders extended the 2022 Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year to a contract that raises the Raiders' floor while maintaining flexibility. Smith has a manageable $26.5M cap hit in 2026, when Over The Cap projects Las Vegas to have the third-most cap space ($78.7M) based on an estimated 5.8 percent cap increase. Since 2022, Smith has the third-highest completion percentage (68.5 percent) among 32 quarterbacks with at least 20 starts during that span. He's also tied with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes for the second-most fourth-quarter comebacks (10) and trails only Mahomes in game-winning drives. Buffalo Bills running back James Cook Contract: Four years, $48M ($30M guaranteed) Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams pierced Cook's bubble when he signed a three-year, $33M extension on Aug. 5. The Bills running back sought $15M per year, making his $12M in annual average value (AAV) a huge win for Buffalo. Over Cook's first three seasons, he's averaged 4.9 yards per carry. In 2024, he led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns. With just 533 career tackles, Cook doesn't have the wear-and-tear of other backs who've made splashes early in their careers, raising hopes that he can withstand the workload that comes with being Buffalo's featured back. Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins Contract: Four years, $115M ($40.9M guaranteed) The Bengals retained Higgins at a remarkable price, keeping him in Cincinnati at less than $30M per year, the going rate for the league's top wideouts. Per Spotrac, while Higgins is No. 10 in AAV among wide receivers, he ranks just outside the top 20 in guaranteed money. Last season, Higgins averaged 75.9 receiving yards per game, his most since 2021, and scored a career-high 10 touchdowns despite missing five games due to injury. Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride Contract: Four years, $76M ($43M guaranteed) The 2024 first-team All-Pro ranks No. 1 among tight ends in guaranteed salary. However, if he continues producing numbers more akin to WR1s — last season, he had 111 receptions, 1,146 receiving yards and two touchdowns — his contract will be one of the league's better bargains. Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley Contract: Three years, $60M ($44M guaranteed) Stanley's journey back from a devastating 2020 lower leg injury culminated in the 2019 first-team All-Pro being named a Pro Bowler for the second time in his first nine seasons last year. The No. 6 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft was rewarded with a contract that will keep him in Baltimore through his age-33 season. In terms of average annual value, his extension ranks below other left tackles who signed contracts this offseason, and not just younger players such as Rashawn Slater (Los Angeles Chargers), who was recently lost for the season, and Bernhard Raimann (Indianapolis Colts). Atlanta Falcons tackle Jake Matthews, 33, is averaging $22.5M on his current deal, while Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller, 29, is set to earn $22M per year through 2028.
Patriots have big Drake Maye concern surface at Vikings' joint practice
Defense ruled the day during the joint practice between the New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings. Per Chad Graff of The Athletic, the Patriots defense did a masterful job of disrupting Vikings second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy at Wednesday's practice. However, New England's offensive line was unable to allow Drake Maye to have enough time to finish plays. "Even with four new expected starters up front following last year’s debacle, Wednesday suggested that there will likely be some bumps ahead for this offensive line," Graff wrote. "Sure, going up against the Vikings was always going to be a difficult task. Greenard has been wrecking his own team’s practices in training camp, and everyone in New England knows how good Flores’ scheme can be. But the domination was so thorough by the Vikings’ front seven that three straight plays at one point would’ve resulted in a sack." Maye showed flashes of promise when he had time to throw downfield or was able to use his legs to buy time or scramble when pressure came. The concern is that the offensive line won't allow Maye enough time to even scramble, so he can make throws. Graff has noticed the same issues that happened on Wednesday have been a constant at training camp against the Patriots defense. With a new-look offensive line that includes first-round pick Will Campbell at left tackle, the Patriots are expected to have some bumps at training camp and in September. New England's offense probably won't look great out of the gate while the offensive line develops in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels' scheme. If and when the offensive line improves, Maye will have a chance to show off the arm that made him the No. 3 pick in 2024. For now, the offensive line is a concern much like it was last season.
NASCAR makes decision on victory celebrations after Connor Zilisch fall
One of NASCAR's brightest young stars in Connor Zilisch could miss time after falling in Victory Lane following his victory in the Aug. 9 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen. Zilisch slipped on the door of his No. 88 Chevrolet before suffering a hard fall in Victory Lane and breaking his collarbone. He underwent successful surgery on Tuesday, with a timetable for his return yet to be announced. Even in light of the viral incident, NASCAR will not restrict drivers from celebrating in a certain way moving forward, per NASCAR's Mike Forde. Drivers have long climbed on the roof or door of their vehicles on the frontstretch and in Victory Lane to celebrate victories, but accidents stemming from that action are rare. After winning the Cup Series race at Watkins Glen on Aug. 10, Shane van Gisbergen — who will likely be Zilisch's Cup Series teammate at Trackhouse Racing in 2026 — carefully climbed out of his No. 88 Chevrolet — something he does regularly, not just in response to Zilisch's fall. Zilisch did not race in the Cup Series race at Watkins Glen due to his injury. The Xfinity Series will return on Aug. 22 at Daytona International Speedway, with Zilisch leading the regular-season standings by seven points.
Underrated Panthers weapon lands in spotlight of joint practice vs Texans
The Carolina Panthers are in Houston preparing to take on the Houston Texans this Saturday. It will be their second preseason outing after a blowout loss to the Cleveland Browns. It is expected to be the final time that starters like Bryce Young, Tetairoa McMillan, and Tre'von Moehrig see the field this preseason. Ahead of that preseason outing, the Panthers will have another joint practice, this time with the Texans. They performed well in the joint session against Cleveland, but then they lost. One insider says there is one key player to watch for at said joint practice: Jalen Coker. Jalen Coker lands in crosshairs at Panthers-Texans practice According to Dave Canales, Jalen Coker is not on the bubble to make the roster. The former UDFA did well against the Browns, but they don't have the secondary talent that the Texans do. It'll be crucial for Coker to play well against elevated competition. "Coker is coming off a solid preseason showing in the opener, where he caught two of his four targets for 17 yards, including a five-yard touchdown from Bryce Young," CBS insider Tyler Sullivan said. He didn't play all that much. Coker likely makes the roster anyway, but he still needs a good showing. "The Panthers have a crowded receiver room," Sullivan added. "A strong showing against the Texans should further solidify the former undrafted free agent's status." Coker is probably going to end up being WR4 or WR5 on the depth chart behind Tetairoa McMillan, Adam Thielen, and Xavier Legette. Hunter Renfrow might land ahead of Coker, too. Additionally, it would not be a shock if he ended up pushing Legette down further. The former first-round pick hasn't had a great preseason or training camp. Coker came in for him when he got ejected against the Browns, and Coker scored the touchdown after that. Coker looked like he was the best receiver in Carolina at times last season. It's a much deeper wide receiver room that he finds himself in this year, though, so it's important for him to remind the team how good he can be.
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