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Eight-year veteran safety Xavier Woods signed a new contract with the Tennessee Titans. Woods, a former sixth-round pick, spent the 2024 season with the Carolina Panthers but also played for the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings.
Xavier Woods, Tennessee Titans, Agree to Contract
The 2024 season was something of a disappointment for Xavier Woods. Following a great 2023, the safety struggled to recapture his magic under first-year head coach Dave Canales. Starting and appearing in all 17 games, Woods finished his season with three interceptions, six passes defended, 119 tackles, two tackles-for-loss, and a 57.0 PFF grade. While the Panthers missed the playoffs, they showed life down the stretch with a resurgent Bryce Young under center.
Xavier Woods originally entered the league as a sixth-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Selected by the Dallas Cowboys, the Louisiana Tech product appeared in all 16 games while making four starts. While on the field, the rookie finished his inaugural season with one interception, three passes defended, 42 tackles, one tackle-for-loss, and a 72.4 PFF grade.
After impressing in a smaller role, Woods became a full-time starter in 2018. The defensive back was ready for the increase in responsibility, finishing the season with two interceptions, nine passes defended, 56 tackles, and a 68.0 PFF grade.
Xavier Woods continued to start for Dallas throughout the course of his rookie contract. Following his four years with the Cowboys, the safety signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings. This proved to be a wise investment, as Woods started all 17 games while recording three interceptions, 10 passes defended, one sack, and 108 tackles.
Woods parlayed his one-year deal into a three-year contract with the Carolina Panthers. During his first year in his new home, the safety started and appeared in 15 games while recording no interceptions, six passes defended, 86 tackles, and a 63.5 PFF grade. He followed this up with a fantastic 2023, hauling in two interceptions, seven passes defended, 61 tackles, and an 80.3 PFF grade in 14 games.
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Jaydon Blue injury update: Major news emerges on Cowboys RB after Thursday practice exit
According to Nick Harris of The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue suffered a bone bruise in his heel on Thursday. Blue was stepped on during practice, initially looking at an ankle sprain. Thankfully, the MRI came back with some positive news. “Cowboys RB Jaydon Blue’s MRI revealed a bone bruise in his heel after it was stepped on in today’s practice, according to a @startelegram source,” Harris said via X. “No ankle sprain. Good news for the young back who has emerged as an offensive playmaker in camp.” Blue previously told Harris that an ankle injury was what he suffered. Questions about the running back’s availability for Saturday’s preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams are now present. Something to watch as kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT from SoFi Stadium. Dallas took Blue in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, hoping to address its running back situation. Blue played his college ball inside the Lone Star State, suiting up for the Texas Longhorns. Plenty of guys at the position have come out of Austin and found quick success. Blue is hoping to be the next one. For now, there is an injury for him to deal with. No exact timeline has been provided per a report or by a team official. Hopefully, Blue is able to get things cleared up quickly and get his first taste of the NFL before Sept. 4’s season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. More on Jaydon Blue, Cowboys running back situation Running back was a position the Cowboys needed to desperately figure out this offseason. Rico Dowdle, the team’s leading rusher, was no longer on the roster. Behind Dowdle, Dallas did not have much else. A nice mix of veteran presence and youngsters was needed. Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders provide the former, while Blue was a part of the draft class alongside Phil Mafah. A combination of those four figures to be on the opening night roster. Exactly how head coach Brian Schottenheimer splits up the carries is not yet known. Blue’s injury certainly does not help the situation. Cowboys players, in general, have been going down throughout training camp thus far. Making sure everyone is healthy will be critical heading into the season. Especially an explosive back like Blue, someone who can change the outcome of any game in just the snap of your fingers.
Pistons Predicted to Send Tobias Harris to Nets for Former Champion Forward in Offseason Trade
The Detroit Pistons have had an interesting offseason thus far as they try to build off an impressive season last year. Of course, the Pistons went from having the worst record in the NBA the prior two seasons to making the playoffs as the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference last season. Now with most of their core led by Cade Cunningham, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson set to return next season, they are looking to take advantage of a weakened East and clinch a top playoff spot. Despite this, the Pistons did lose Tim Hardaway Jr., Dennis Schroder and likely Malik Beasley in free agency, though they did sign Duncan Robinson and Caris LeVert. Detroit could still look to make more moves before the start of next season and Sports Illustrated’s Jackson Caudell and Rohan Raman recently released a mock trade that would land the Pistons a former NBA champion. Pistons predicted to land Michael Porter Jr. from Nets In the trade, the Pistons would acquire Michael Porter Jr. from the Brooklyn Nets for Harris, Marcus Sasser, Bobi Klintman and a top-10 protected 2027 first-round pick. Brooklyn would also send Day’Ron Sharpe to the Atlanta Hawks for Vit Krejci and three second-round picks. This is an interesting trade for the Pistons to make and one that does not make a ton of sense as they would be moving on from two key players from last season in Harris and Sasser. Despite this, adding a knockdown shooter in Porter Jr. to their lineup along with a player who has championship experience from his time with the Denver Nuggets could be a solid addition to their roster. For Porter Jr., he is a great scorer who would provide some much-needed spacing in the Pistons’ starting lineup and would also slot in as their likely second option behind Cunningham. Porter Jr. has also improved defensively over the past few seasons, though swapping Harris and Sasser for him would be a major risk for the Pistons to take, especially with Porter Jr.’s injury history. While that may be the case, adding Porter Jr. next to their young core of Cunningham, Thompson, Duren, Jaden Ivey and Ron Holland II could make the Pistons a contender next season and for years to come.
Warriors Rumors: Jonathan Kuminga, Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, Seth Curry
The Golden State Warriors’ offseason continues to revolve around one question. Namely, what happens with Jonathan Kuminga? Golden State currently has just nine players signed to standard contracts, and the Kuminga standoff is slowing the rest of its roster moves. Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report reported that the Warriors are keeping Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II in a holding pattern until Kuminga’s situation is resolved. Malcolm Brogdon and Seth Curry remain on the team’s radar, with Javonte Green also a possible addition. The Kings and Suns have both explored sign-and-trade deals for Kuminga, but the Warriors haven’t been impressed with what’s been offered. Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints noted that those talks haven’t reached a serious stage, and there are no other known suitors at the moment. Warriors Stuck For Now? Cap expert Yossi Gozlan explained in his Third Apron column that Golden State is “probably stuck” until the Kuminga situation plays out. The Warriors are believed to have deals in place with Horford and Melton, but those signings can’t be finalized while Kuminga is still unsigned. If Golden State uses its taxpayer mid-level exception, it would be hard-capped at $207.8 million — opening the door for a rival with cap space to swoop in and make Kuminga a near $30 million per year offer the Warriors couldn’t match. Gozlan views a sign-and-trade as the most practical solution for both sides. If Kuminga re-signs, Golden State would likely aim for a deal in the $22–23 million per year range, which would allow the team to use the taxpayer MLE and add three more players on minimum contracts while staying below the hard cap. For now, all signs point to Kuminga remaining with the Warriors to start next season, but the impasse continues to hold up the rest of Golden State’s plans. More NBA News Rumors
Padres Officially Release Veteran After Disappointing Season
The San Diego Padres announced Wednesday that they released veteran catcher Martin Maldonado, who was designated for assigment last week. The writing was on the wall when the Padres acquired Freddy Fermin from the Kansas City Royals at last Thursday's trade deadline, upending their catching tandem. Fermin, 30, immediately got the opportunity to take the lion's share of innings behind the plate that he was never going to get in Kansas City. The Padres designated Maldonado for assignment in a corresponding roster move, ending the 38-year-old's tenure in San Diego. Maldonado hit .204 with four home runs and 12 RBIs in 64 games, splitting time with Elias Diaz. The 2019 American League Gold Glove Award winner, Maldonado has played 1,230 games for seven different organizations since his 2011 debut. Maldonado is a career .203/.277/.343 hitter with the Milwaukee Brewers (2011-16), Angels (2017-18), Houston Astros (2018-23), Royals (2019), Chicago Cubs (2019), Chicago White Sox (2024) and Padres (2025). More to come on this story from Padres on SI.
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