Colorado Avalanche forward Zachary L'Heureux is sidelined for an extended period after an upper-body injury sustained on Oct. 13 against the Dallas Stars. Initially listed day-to-day, his status has now been upgraded to week-to-week, and head coach Jared Bednar says the recovery is "long‑term" with no clear timeline. L'Heureux, who has logged just three games this season (one assist and a fighting major), was placed on long‑term injured reserve retroactive to Oct. 10. The 23‑year‑old was acquired from Nashville in June 2024 alongside Fedor Svechkov, and his absence leaves the Avalanche lacking depth at left wing.
The NFL hits a record‑pace viewership milestone through Week 8, averaging 18.45 million viewers—up 3% from last season and the highest for this point in the Nielsen people‑meter era (since 1988). CBS leads the surge, posting a 19.56 million average (5% rise) and the network’s biggest audience ever, bolstered by the Chiefs‑Broncos showdown (28.18 M viewers). Thursday Night Football on Prime Video climbs 13% to 17.56 M, while Monday Night Football hits an eight‑week high of 18.6 M. Sunday Night Football remains the top primetime draw at 22.6 M, though down from last year. The data reflects new Nielsen “Big Data” methodology and growing out‑of‑home viewing.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton announces that wide receiver Pat Bryant will be activated from injured reserve this Saturday, ending a three‑week practice window after spraining his ankle in Week 4 against the 49ers. The 23‑year‑old, a former Illinois standout and 2024 Second‑Team All‑Big Ten honoree, has logged four games this season with nine catches for 133 yards and a touchdown. Bryant is under a four‑year, $6.58 million deal that includes a $1.43 million signing bonus and a $1.5 million 2026 cap hit.
The Maple Leafs see a mixed injury update ahead of a tough five‑game home stretch. John Tavares returns to practice after missing nine games with a lower‑body injury and is expected to rejoin the lineup Saturday against Montreal, reclaiming a spot on the top power‑play unit and pushing rookie Gavin McKenna to the second unit. Meanwhile, forward Kirill Marchenko remains out; despite initially saying he’d be back in two weeks following his Oct. 26 lower‑body injury, insider Darren Dreger now reports he’s another two weeks away. The Leafs must navigate games versus the Canadiens, Devils, Avalanche, Wild and Oilers without Marchenko.
The Utah Jazz sit near the bottom of the Western Conference after eight games, trailing a Trail Blazers‑led West and even a Play‑In bound Nuggets squad. Their biggest issue is defense: a 115.1 rating ranks 24th league‑wide. Coach Will Hardy’s lineups favor offense, sidelining elite defensive groups like Okogie‑Hayes‑George‑Bailey‑Peterson. Bench players such as Isaiah Collier (114.6), Svi Mykhailiuk (118.8), Brice Sensabaugh (121.5) and Lauri Markkanen (121.3) also post weak defensive numbers, and Jaren Jackson Jr. posted a 129.1 rating in limited action. The author warns that a coaching and rotation overhaul is needed before the season spirals further.
The Carolina Panthers announce they will be without four starters for the Week 9 clash with the Denver Broncos: OLB Jaelan Phillips (hamstring), guard Damien Lewis (knee), LB Bobby Okereke (foot) and cornerback Will Lee (hamstring). Phillips, a former Miami standout now on a four‑year, $120 M deal, has logged five games with 10 tackles and 2.5 sacks this season. Okereke, a recent free‑agent signing, has recorded 49 tackles and an interception in seven outings. The injuries leave Carolina shorthanded on defense and the offensive line.
PlayerProfiler’s Week 9 dynasty fantasy guide recommends buying Denver QB Bo Nix, who’s posted back‑to‑back QB1 weeks, averaging 14.8 points and facing favorable matchups through the playoffs. Conversely, it advises selling Steelers RB Jaylen Warren despite his elite 20.1 PPR average, because returning back‑up Rico Dowdle could curb his upside. The piece highlights Nix’s climb to QB25 (QB18 on KeepTradeCut) and Warren’s top‑tier efficiency stats, giving managers clear trade targets before Week 9 kicks off.
Nikola Jokic has seen the post play become more physical. The Nuggets can move him to the midrange and still have an advantage.
The Indianapolis Colts, sitting 2-6, may field a surprise NFC suitor for All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor as the NFL trade deadline looms. ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed an unnamed “mystery team” has reached out, noting he’s hearing team names he’s never heard before. While the Broncos, Giants, Seahawks and Vikings have been linked, speculation now points to the San Francisco 49ers, fresh off their 2022 Christian McCaffrey trade and with a history of acquiring Indy players like DeForest Buckner. A move could see Taylor join McCaffrey in Shanahan’s backfield, creating a potent duo. The trade remains unconfirmed, but it could reshape the Colts’ rebuild and boost a playoff contender.
Nikola Jokic sparked a dominant, blowout win for the Denver Nuggets over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, reminding fans of his three‑time MVP form. Host Ryan Blackburn breaks down Jokic’s performance, the team’s current rotation minutes, and previews the Nuggets’ upcoming four‑game road trip. The episode, part of the Pickaxe and Roll podcast, offers detailed analysis, analytics and insider commentary for hardcore Nuggets supporters, with links to the full audio on BLEAV, Apple, Spotify and the Mile High Sports YouTube channel.
The Denver Broncos rank 10th in red zone touchdown percentage, but the midday show says the Broncos still lack a go-to target near the goal line, and their best option in Courtland Sutton has barely been used
The Ravens lost with a third-string quarterback, but Palmer says they aren't blowing it up, and the Broncos may not chase the big name either
NBA insider Zach Lowe hints that Jamal Murray could become a trade target if the Denver Nuggets underperform early in the 2026-27 season. Murray dropped 35 points in a 118-110 loss to Portland, and Denver sits 4-3 after a win over Toronto. With Murray entering the second year of his $207.8 million four‑year deal (earning $50.1 million this season), Lowe says a mediocre Western Conference finish could “crack” the roster. He remains confident in Nikola Jokić, but warns that a run‑of‑the‑mill Nuggets may consider moving Murray despite his recent performances.
The Jeffrey Simmons deal shows that a GM's appetite for a big move is really a verdict on his QB, and the Broncos verdict on Bo Nix is still pending
Giannis Antetokounmpo's future should be the talking point, not Nikola Jokic's with the Denver Nuggets.
The Colorado Avalanche have slipped to a 4‑2‑1 stretch after a 5‑4‑1 start, and head coach Jared Bednar pins the drop on discipline and a faltering penalty kill. Colorado now takes 1.9 more penalties per game, forcing the unit to log roughly four extra minutes on the ice and leading to a 10.2% rise in shorthanded goals against. Star defenseman Cale Makar and forward Parker Kelly are seeing increased kill time, raising fatigue and injury risk. The article argues the Avs must curb infractions quickly or face lasting season‑long repercussions.
Four running backs are primed for breakout weeks in NFL Week 9, making them top fantasy targets. Chase Brown (Cincinnati) could capitalize on a Falcons defense that ranks fourth in fantasy points allowed to backs and has yielded nine rushing TDs. Rookie Jonah Coleman (Denver) faces a Panthers line that gives up a league‑worst 140.7 rushing yards per game and 12 TDs, promising a potential 100‑plus yard showing. Kyren Williams (Los Angeles) remains the ninth‑ranked RB with 548 rushing yards and 242 receiving yards, and a weakened Rams passing attack could boost his workload against Washington. Quinshon Judkins (Cleveland) steps up as the Browns' QB situation falters, confronting a Saints defense that is 29th against the run and tops the league in fantasy points surrendered to RBs. Each player offers a high upside for fantasy managers looking to cash in on Week 9 matchups.
With Lamar Jackson out, the Ravens' season is spiraling. These teams could be in play for their star RB.
The concern meter may have been relatively low for the Colorado Avalanche a week ago, but that tone has shifted. Getting crushed by the Columbus Blue Jackets and losing in…
A new rumor suggests the Memphis Grizzlies could pull off a blockbuster trade for Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray as they accelerate a rebuild that’s already yielding a 6‑2 start and a league‑high 120 PPG. The Grizzlies, who have amassed 11 first‑round picks and could include Ty Jerome and Jerami Grant in a deal, aim to add Murray’s 25‑point, 5‑rebound, 7‑assist average to boost young stars Cam Boozer, Cedric Coward and rookie Karim Lopez. Nuggets executives, citing Murray’s rising value and the need to reshuffle around Nikola Jokic, reportedly entertain offers despite his $110 million contract and past injuries. The trade could propel Memphis back into a West‑top‑five contention picture.
Jimmy Herget’s 2026 campaign spirals from a promising start to a 5.70 ERA and 0‑6 record, raising doubts beyond his stats. After a stellar 2.48 ERA in 2025, the right‑hander logged 51 appearances (3 starts) for Colorado, posting a 1.53 WHIP but battling personal life changes, a paternity leave, bereavement leave, and a shoulder impingement. Early April he shone, striking out Ramón Laureano, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill in 14 pitches, yet a mid‑May slump and a July‑August run of six outings yielded 13 earned runs in 4.1 innings. New cutter usage and a missing slider contributed to inconsistency. The piece ranks Herget at the bottom of the Rockies’ 2026 WAR list (0.1 rWAR), highlighting the challenges that marred his season.
The Colorado Avalanche fall 4-3 in overtime to the Nashville Predators but show a marked boost in effort. Jaden Schwartz nets his seventh goal and Parker Kelly adds his third, earning Colorado a point despite bad bounces, close calls and a disputed tripping penalty. Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood makes 22 saves, while coach Jared Bednar praises the tighter defensive play and improved penalty kill. The win‑or‑lose moments spark optimism, with analysts noting the team’s growing consistency.
Steelers outside linebacker Jack Sawyer warns that defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day may miss the rest of the season after a triceps injury landed him on IR on Oct. 22. Though he was eligible to return for Week 12 versus Denver, Sawyer suggested “maybe at all.” Joseph-Day has logged 10 tackles and a game‑changing fumble recovery in six games, but his versatility across the line makes his potential loss a blow. Rookie Gabriel Rubio and Kevin Jobity have been stepping up as both Joseph-Day and fellow IR player Derrick Harmon rehab.
The Nuggets were right to trade Peyton Watson. They could have been facing some of the same issues the Cavs are going through.
Anthony Davis targeted Jamal Murray in a new episode of his show "Foul Play," in which he pranks athletes with hilarious hidden-camera setups