Getty Free agent defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.
Welcome to the roundup of must-see sports news from Saturday, highlighted by a massive day in the NFL that featured some big trades and unexpected cuts, including the Houston Texans shipping former No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney to the Seattle Seahawks.
We’ll also take a look a look at a thrilling Top 25 tilt between Oregon and Auburn to open up the first full weekend of college football and some action at the U.S. Open between two of the sport’s youngest stars, Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff.
All this and more as we get you up to speed with the sports world on this Sunday!
ROCKET-FUELD ACTION: Houston Makes Two Big Trades With Miami and Seattle
GettyHouston Texans LB Jadeveon Clowney.
Houston had one of its busiest days in franchise history on Saturday, reshaping its roster with a pair of massive trades.
The day started with the Texans dealing former No. 1 overall pick and star pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney to the Seattle Seahawks. The Texans received a 2020 third-round pick, DE/OLB Barkevious Mingo and LB Jacob Martin back in exchange, according to ESPN.
Clowney is an impact player on the edge, having made his third consecutive Pro Bowl last season. In 2018 he had 47 tackles, nine sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He also had 16 tackles for loss. Seattle was in need of an elite pass-rushing option after trading Frank Clark to the Kansas City Chiefs in the offseason for draft picks.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is happy Clowney will no longer be hunting him on the field.
Me: So you telling me you’re not chasing me anymore?
@ClowneJD : “Nah bro…all other QBs”
Me: okay we’re cool we’re cool.. 😎
Welcome to the squad bro! 🏈🏈🏈
But the Texans weren’t done just yet. Later in the day, Houston reached a deal for franchise cornerstone offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Kenny Stills. The Texans sent two first-round picks plus a second-rounder in the deal. There were also some lesser-known players involved in the trade.
Official terms of now completed trade:
Houston receives:
T Laremy Tunsil
WR Kenny Stills
2020 4th round pick
2021 6th round pick
Miami receives:
2020 1st round pick
2021 1st round pick
2021 2nd round pick
T Julien Davenport
CB Johnson Bademosi
As NFL Insider Ian Rapoport pointed out, the Dolphins have stockpiled picks in their rebuilding process. They have four first rounders, four second rounders and also two third-rounders in the next two drafts.
In the next two drafts, the #Dolphins have four 1st rounders, four 2nd rounders, and then two third-rounders with a potential third-rounder comp pick coming. That… is a LOT.
What adds an extra layer to the trade is that there were reports that Dolphins players “would revolt” if Tunsil was traded. It could be a tough situation for first-year head coach Brian Flores to deal with.
Also on the trade front, the Los Angeles Chargers gave disgruntled running back Melvin Gordon permission to “seek a trade.”
CUT IT OUT: Some Big-Name Veterans Among NFL Roster Cuts
GettyLeSean McCoy spent the last four seasons with the Bills.
It’s known as the cruelest day of the NFL season for a reason. Cut day arrived and some well-known veterans were among the casualties. Heavy compiled a complete list of the cuts over the day.
Running back LeSean McCoy was the biggest surprise, being let go Bills. Buffalo has a slew of capable backs, including talented rookie Devin Singletary.
McCoy had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons before struggling last year. He started 12 games, rushing for a career low 514 yards and three touchdowns. McCoy’s longest rush of 2018 was just 28 yards.
“It was very difficult,” Bills GM Brandon Beane said. “I believed in LeSean the whole time and again, it was down to the last minute we decided to go in this direction.”
Another surprise cut was was Demaryius Thomas, who was let go by the Patriots. The five-time Pro Bowler is still recovering from an Achilles’ injury suffered at the end of the 2018 season. He played in one preseason game and showed up in a big way, catching seven passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns. There’s a chance that the Patriots resign Thomas and it could be contingent on the status of Josh Gordon, who recently returned from an indefinite suspension.
Some other surprising cuts included: Josh Doctson (WR, Redskins), Hard Knocks star Keelan Doss (WR, Raiders) and 2019 third-round pick Jachai Polite (LB, Jets).
COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS BACK: Auburn Tops Oregon in Thrilling, Last-Minute Comeback
The majority of college squads started their seasons on Saturday and the premier matchup of the weekend was between No. 11 Oregon and No. 16 Auburn.
The Ducks led for nearly the entirety of the game, but true freshman quarterback Bo Nix led the Tigers in a massive comeback effort, connecting on a 26-yard touchdown pass to Seth Williams with nine seconds left to give Auburn a 27-21 victory.
“He has some savviness to him, there’s no doubt,” Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said of the young quarterback after the game. “When the game is on the line, you’ve got to make plays, and that’s the one thing he showed.”
Nix didn’t have a stellar night, finishing 13-of-31 passing, with nearly a third of his completions (4) coming on the game winning drive. He finished with 177 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert — who is anticipated to be one of the top picks in next year’s draft — was 28-of-37 passing for 242 yards with a touchdown.
Here are the full top 25 results from this week:
- No. 1 Clemson 52, Georgia Tech 14
- No. 2 Alabama 42, Duke 3
- No. 3 Georgia 30, Vanderbilt 6
- No. 5 Ohio State 45, Florida Atlantic 21
- No. 6 LSU 55, Georgia Southern 3
- No. 7 Michigan 40, Middle Tennessee 21
- No. 10 Texas 45, Louisiana Tech 14
- No. 16 Auburn 27, No. 11 Oregon 21 (Arlington, Texas)
- No. 12 Texas A&M 41, Texas State 7
- No. 13 Washington 47, Eastern Washington 14
- No. 14 Utah 30, BYU 12
- No. 15 Penn State 79, Idaho 7
- No. 17 UCF 62, Florida A&M 0
- No. 18 Michigan State 28, Tulsa 7
- No. 19 Wisconsin 49, South Florida 0
- No. 20 Iowa 38, Miami (Ohio) 14
- No. 21 Iowa State 29, Northern Iowa 26 (3OT)
- No. 22 Syracuse 24, Liberty 0
- No. 23 Washington State 58, New Mexico State 7
- No. 24 Nebraska 35, South Alabama 21
- No. 25 Stanford 17, Northwestern 7
No. 9 Notre Dame and No. 4 Oklahoma have yet to play. The Fighting Irish play Monday against Louisville, while Oklahoma takes on Houston on Sunday night.
EMOTIONAL MATCHUP: Naomi Osaka Comforts Coco Gauff After Ending Her U.S. Open Run
The match between Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff didn’t turn out to be that thrilling on the court, with the top-seeded Osaka rolling over the teen sensation in straight sets, 6-3, 6-0 in the third round of the U.S. Open on Saturday.
But the highlight of the night came after the match, when Osaka comforted an emotional Gauff, 15, following the loss.
“She told me it’s better than crying in the shower,” Gauff said after the match. “After the match, I think she just proved that she’s a true athlete. For me, the definition of an athlete is someone who on the court treats you like your worst enemy, but off the court can be your best friend. I think that’s what she did tonight.”
DON’T MISS THESE STORIES: Rounding Up the Top Headlines
GettyLeBron James is looking to trademark the term “Taco Tuesday.”
- Broncos Sending Rookie Quarterback Drew Lock to Injured Reserve
- Surprising Cuts Follow Browns Big Trade With Titans
- Chiefs Trade Carlos Hyde to Houston Texans
- LeBron Files to Trademark Term ‘Taco Tuesday’
- Twins Break All-Time Single-Season HR Record
WHAT’S ON TAP IN THE SPORTS WORLD
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Houston vs. Oklahoma
When high-powered Sooners meet up with Houston, expect points. Last season, Oklahoma led the nation in scoring offense last year and the Cougars were No. 7.
When: Today, 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
TENNIS: U.S. Open, Round of 16
The biggest stars in tennis will be on the court for their Round of 16 matchups at the U.S. Open. Roger Federer will take on David Goffin to open the day, Novak Djokovic has a meeting with Stan Wawrinka on the schedule and Serena Williams will take on Petra Martić on the women’s side.
When: Today, with coverage starting at 11 a.m.
TV: ESPN/ESPN2
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Notre Dame vs. Louisville
For the second year in a row, Louisville opens its season against a top 10 opponent, welcoming the No. 9 Fighting Irish to Cardinal Stadium. It will be the first game for Louisville head coach Scott Satterfield, who came over from Appalachian State in the offseason.
When: Monday, 8 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Missed yesterday’s roundup? Click here.