​Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith didn’t mince words when he spoke about true freshman running back Legend Bey. "Before Legend Bey leaves Ohio State, he will be a Heisman finalist, or he'll end up winning it,'" Smith told reporters last month. "The things he's been doing in practice have been pretty special." That’s high praise coming from someone many believe to be the best player in the sport, regardless of position. And sure enough, last weekend, fans saw with their own eyes exactly why Smith gave that praise. Bey is one of a handful of young Buckeyes — and one Longhorn — I’m keeping my eye on this Saturday when No. 1 Ohio State plays No. 4 Texas. These players can not only climb the depth chart, but will be counted on as the wear and tear of the season inevitably piles up and the oft-used adage "next man up" becomes a reality. Sanchez might be the most talented player on the entire Ohio State defense, and with Matt Patricia calling the shots, that translates into a first-round NFL talent at corner for the Buckeyes. The 6-foot-2, 199-pound cornerback made just one start as a true freshman, but he played in 13 games last season. He really began to shine in the Buckeyes' win over Illinois, totaling five tackles and deflecting a pass. Look for Sanchez on the field in third down situations against Texas. He’s likely going to be lined up against wide receivers Ryan Wingo or Cam Coleman, which is truly a best-on-best matchup. Boyd is perhaps the most underrated player on the Buckeyes' offense. He left Southlake Carroll in Southlake, Texas, as the school's all-time leading receiver. But he really emerged as a national prospect after lining up against 2027 No. 1 cornerback and Texas Longhorn John Meredith III as a sophomore and putting JM3 on a poster. Meredith has been looking forward to lining up against Boyd in college ever since. Meredith reclassified after the Texas University Interscholastic League declared him ineligible for his senior season, determining that he transferred high schools for athletic purposes. He joined the Longhorns late this summer and saw limited playing time against Texas State. He’s unlikely to have a major impact on Saturday’s game, but he’s worth watching if he checks in. Meredith is a consensus five-star with a gift for closing down wide receivers in coverage and using his 6-foot-2 frame to extend his coverage range. The son of late NFL wide receiver Chris Henry is the heir apparent to Ohio State's No. 1 wide receiver position. That means he’s expected to be as productive and feared as former Ohio State receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Smith. At 6-foot-5, he has great speed, an uncanny ability to quickly unfold that frame against tight coverage and exceptional body control. Against Ball State last week, he dropped his first two targets. But his third target was a touchdown pass. He’s in good company. Smith dropped his first-ever target, too. Bey is the next box-office Buckeye. He showed us why when he took a 25-yard swing pass to the end zone in OSU's Week 1 win. In the process, he juked four Ball State defenders with one move, cut back across the field and broke a tackle for his first touchdown. That’s the good — a player who believes he can go for six every time he touches the ball. The bad is the same — a player who believes he can go for six every time he touches the ball. He demonstrated that when he didn’t listen to the up man on a kick return, brought the ball out, was tackled and left the Buckeyes with horrible field position. In one game, he appears to be a feast-or-famine player. But I believe that’s just his immaturity on display. When he grows up and stops making mental mistakes, he has the ability to be the most exciting player in the Big Ten. Read More

​This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. The second game of the NFL season is kicking off in Australia, and Kalshi is giving new users another reason to follow Thursday's international showdown. Use promo code FOXSPORTS to unlock $25 in bonuses ahead of the Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers matchup. The NFC West rivals arrive in Melbourne with plenty of superstars: Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, Myles Garrett and Kyren Williams, in company provide the firepower for the Rams. San Francisco counters with Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey, while new addition Mike Evans adds another weapon to the 49ers' offense. Fred Warner leads the defense as San Francisco looks to take down the Super Bowl favorites. Kalshi gives fans another way to track the biggest questions surrounding the matchup and the rest of the NFL season. Use promo code FOXSPORTS to unlock $25 in bonuses and get ready for Thursday's historic showdown in Australia. For more information and full terms and conditions, visit our Kalshi promo code page. How to Claim the Kalshi Welcome Bonus *Probabilities are subject to change* Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers More markets available on Kalshi. How to Watch 49ers vs. Rams Players to Watch For Los Angeles, the clearest skill position name to watch is Puka Nacua because his availability changed the shape of this matchup. He was not listed on the Rams injury report released Tuesday after dealing with a core issue, and that points to him being expected to handle his usual role against San Francisco. That matters in a game where both teams enter 0-0 and there is no 2026 production yet to lean on. With the Rams still waiting for regular season statistical leaders to emerge, Nacua stands out as a proven focal point whose health is one of the most relevant developments going into this opener. If he is moving freely, Los Angeles gets a major piece of its passing game back at full strength. On the San Francisco side, Christian McCaffrey is central because the 49ers expect him to step right back into his regular role. He was not listed on Tuesday's injury report after his status had been watched through camp, and the latest update points to him being back at 100 percent for this opener. In a Week 1 game with no 2026 team production on the board yet, that kind of clarity matters. San Francisco does not have official statistical leaders established for the regular season, so McCaffrey's role becomes one of the strongest grounded indicators of where the offense can flow early. His involvement would give the 49ers their most dependable all purpose threat and a steady way to test the Rams from the opening series. Read More

​The NFL is officially back, with the Seattle Seahawks taking down the New England Patriots on Wednesday night. However, that also means we've got injury news to deal with ahead of the rest of Week 1. Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold and Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown both received updates on the injuries that forced them to depart Wednesday's game early on Thursday. Meanwhile, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was injured during drills ahead of the team's practice, putting his status for the team's Week 1 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in doubt. Here's what you should know about what happened around the league on Thursday. Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was set to make his first start with the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, but his availability for their matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers is now in question. Tagovailoa suffered discomfort during individual throwing drills on Thursday and briefly went to the ground. While he dealt with a lower back injury early in training camp, this latest discomfort is tied to an oblique issue, NFL Network reported. Tagovailoa is reportedly day-to-day. If Tagovailoa is sidelined, Cooper Rush will be next in line to start Sunday's game for the Falcons. He told reporters he took first-team reps on Thursday after Tagovailoa went down. Michael Penix Jr. still hasn't been cleared to participate in full-contact drills. Rush has spent the majority of his career with the Dallas Cowboys and even started several games last season for the Baltimore Ravens. Across 42 career appearances, Rush has completed 61.1% of his passes for 3,766 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold took an early sack against the New England Patriots and left the game with a hip injury, but he appears to have dodged a bullet. MRI results came back positive, ruling out any major structural damage, according to ESPN. However, his timetable is still to be determined, The Ringer reported. After Darnold went down, Drew Lock stepped in and rallied Seattle from a 10-point deficit to secure the win. If Darnold misses time, Lock will take the reins starting in Week 2, when the Seahawks head to Arizona to face the Cardinals. With the win over the Patriots behind them and the Cardinals up next, all attention now shifts to Darnold. While his exact recovery timeline remains unknown, the Seahawks must prepare to navigate the coming weeks with their starting quarterback's status in question. After leaving early in the second half against the Seahawks, Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown appears to have avoided a major injury. According to NFL Network, Brown suffered a high ankle sprain and avoided a fracture in his right ankle. Brown’s ankle was rolled up on when he ran a slant route in the third quarter of Wednesday's game against the Seahawks, and he struggled to walk after the play. He left the game, did not return, and was later seen leaving the stadium in a walking boot on his right foot. The timeline for Brown’s return is unknown, as high ankle sprains can require a lengthy recovery. Signs point toward a multi-week absence, with typical recovery ranging from two to six weeks, and the Patriots are expected to take a cautious approach. Between being limited last night and leaving early with the injury, Brown put up a light stat line. He was targeted four times by quarterback Drake Maye, finishing with three receptions for 26 yards prior to his exit. After a training camp scare, Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty is officially cleared for Sunday’s season opener against the Miami Dolphins. Head coach Klint Kubiak told reporters that Jeanty is a full participant and ready to play. If Jeanty is ready to play, his first test will come against a revamped Dolphins defense led by new head coach Jeff Hafley. He ran for 975 yards on 3.7 yards as a rookie in 2025, scoring 10 total touchdowns. Fourth-round rookie Mike Washington is Jeanty's backup if the second-year running back has any flare-ups. Read More

​This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Thursday Night Football is heading overseas for a historic NFC West showdown, and BetMGM is giving new users another reason to tune in. Use promo code FOXSPORTS to unlock up to $1,500 in bonus bets and more as the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers meet in Melbourne for the first NFL regular-season game in Australia. The Super Bowl favorites come into the matchup with Matthew Stafford back leading the charge for this offense with weapons like Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams, while Trent McDuffie and Myles Garrett get ready to make their anticipated Rams debut. San Francisco brings plenty of firepower of its own, with Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey leading the offense and new addition Mike Evans adding another dangerous target. Fred Warner anchors the 49ers defense as the division rivals look to start the international matchup with a win. BetMGM's Legendary Thursday's gives fans another reason to follow a game featuring some of the NFL's biggest stars in the NFL's first game in Australia. Use promo code FOXSPORTS to unlock up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets and more on BetMGM and get ready for this divisional showdown. How to Sign Up and Claim the BetMGM Sportsbook Bonus Code y *Odds are subject to change* How to Watch 49ers vs. Rams Players to Watch For Los Angeles, the clearest skill position name to watch is Puka Nacua because his availability changed the shape of this matchup. He was not listed on the Rams injury report released Tuesday after dealing with a core issue, and that points to him being expected to handle his usual role against San Francisco. That matters in a game where both teams enter 0-0 and there is no 2026 production yet to lean on. With the Rams still waiting for regular season statistical leaders to emerge, Nacua stands out as a proven focal point whose health is one of the most relevant developments going into this opener. If he is moving freely, Los Angeles gets a major piece of its passing game back at full strength. On the San Francisco side, Christian McCaffrey is central because the 49ers expect him to step right back into his regular role. He was not listed on Tuesday's injury report after his status had been watched through camp, and the latest update points to him being back at 100 percent for this opener. In a Week 1 game with no 2026 team production on the board yet, that kind of clarity matters. San Francisco does not have official statistical leaders established for the regular season, so McCaffrey's role becomes one of the strongest grounded indicators of where the offense can flow early. His involvement would give the 49ers their most dependable all purpose threat and a steady way to test the Rams from the opening series. Read More

​This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. The NFL is heading to Australia for a historic showdown between the 49ers and Rams, and Dabble is giving new users a chance to play $5 and get $50 in bonuses when you use promo code FOXSPORTS. It's a game filled with superstars on both sides of the ball. The reigning MVP and DPOY suit up to play for the same team, key pieces return from injury and, to add to the chaos, these teams hate each other as NFC West rivals. With two NFC West rivals, a historic international setting and stars all over the field, Rams vs. 49ers could be one of the best games of the NFL season. Whether you're watching for Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie debut or waiting to see what Purdy, McCaffrey and Evans can do for San Francisco, Dabble gives new users a way to add more excitement to the showdown. Use promo code FOXSPORTS, play $5 and get $50 in bonuses for Rams vs. 49ers. How to Sign Up and Claim the Dabble Fantasy Promo Code How to Watch 49ers vs. Rams Players to Watch For Los Angeles, the clearest skill position name to watch is Puka Nacua because his availability changed the shape of this matchup. He was not listed on the Rams injury report released Tuesday after dealing with a core issue, and that points to him being expected to handle his usual role against San Francisco. That matters in a game where both teams enter 0-0 and there is no 2026 production yet to lean on. With the Rams still waiting for regular season statistical leaders to emerge, Nacua stands out as a proven focal point whose health is one of the most relevant developments going into this opener. If he is moving freely, Los Angeles gets a major piece of its passing game back at full strength. On the San Francisco side, Christian McCaffrey is central because the 49ers expect him to step right back into his regular role. He was not listed on Tuesday's injury report after his status had been watched through camp, and the latest update points to him being back at 100 percent for this opener. In a Week 1 game with no 2026 team production on the board yet, that kind of clarity matters. San Francisco does not have official statistical leaders established for the regular season, so McCaffrey's role becomes one of the strongest grounded indicators of where the offense can flow early. His involvement would give the 49ers their most dependable all purpose threat and a steady way to test the Rams from the opening series. Read More