As the Dallas Cowboys begin training camp in Oxnard this week, its important to know three important players for the 2026 season and three important contingency plans should said players not work out. The Cowboys seem rather confident in what many of their starters and key contributors bring this year, but a couple situations are more mysterious.Key starting spots like quarterback, receiver, running back, interior offensive line, defensive tackle, and safety are largely settled. Barring injury, the Cowboys have a good idea who will play in those spots and how well theyll perform. The same cant be said for critical positions like left tackle, cornerback and the No. 2 running back.Tyler Guyton at left tackle, DaRon Bland at cornerback and Jaydon Blue at running back are three widely different players with wildly different expectations. The first two are expected to start at their respective positions while the third one is hoped to be an oft-used, change-of-pace alternative. The Cowboys hope all three will work out in 2026, but if they struggle in camp, there are alternatives waiting in the wings.Contingency Plan for Tyler GuytonGuyton is entering a critical third season in Dallas, having yet to establish himself as the cornerstone left tackle the Cowboys hoped hed be when they drafted him in the first round. Much has been written about Guyton over the offseason, but it essentially comes down to his ability to stay on the field, and consistency in technique.If Guyton doesnt take that step in training camp this summer, the Cowboys wont hesitate to bring in fellow third year tackle Nate Thomas. Thomas doesnt have the ceiling of Guyton, but if he can show improvement and Guyton falls flat, hell be the top contingency plan for Dallas at left tackle this year.Tyler Guyton on LT battle with Nate Thomas: There's competition everywhere and I think Nate's an incredible player and we learn from each other. We're both really young and we have a specific set of skills that compliment each other. Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) June 4, 2026Contingency Plan for Jaydon BlueBlue was drafted to be a complementary gamebreaker at running back. At the time, it was unknown whether Javonte Williams or Miles Sanders would win the top job. Blues ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and take every ball to the house makes him a special weapon in the Cowboys' offense. Unfortunately, Blue found himself in the doghouse throughout most of Year 1 and he barely made an impact.Blues task is prioritizing the game. Coaches need to trust him before they can play him, so the onus is on Blue to prove hes trustworthy. If he isnt, players like Malik Davis and Phil Mafah could benefit. Davis, a proven veteran, and Mafah, a promising second-year player, are hungry for opportunities. They dont have the juice of Blue but are legitimate contingency plans should Blue fail to take a step forward.Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer talking about the RB room and pass-catching ability:"Nothing would make me and the offensive staff more ecstatic than Jaydon Blue taking the next step that we know he can take."Blue has earned positive reviews so far this offseason. Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) June 16, 2026Contingency Plan for DaRon BlandBland, 27, is a former All-Pro coming off back-to-back injured seasons. Unlike the previous two, Bland has shown he has what it takes to play the game at the highest level. The question with him is if he can ever rise to those highs again. 2026 is now or never for the veteran so its imparitive he comes back, stays back, and performs well.Bland is expected to be the CB1 in 2026, but if he cant there will be a trickledown effect on the rest of the position group. As things stand now, Cobie Durant is No. 2 in the pecking order. Behind him its anyones guess. Shevon Revel, entering his second year, and Devin Moore, a rookie, might have the inside track. Both possess lockdown man ability and offer the best upside. Caelen Carson, entering his third season, has been building buzz as well and will be given every opportunity to step up in the rotation. Bland's contingency plan isn't one man but more of a group effort. Shavon Revel PBU on Ryan Flournoy pic.twitter.com/CACO85pgqv SleeperCowboys (@SleeperCowboys) June 17, 2026How much patience?If Bland is healthy to play, hell start. Money plays in Dallas and the Cowboys are going to lean on their leader in 2026. Guyton will be given runway, but if he gets injured or gives suboptimal effort, patience will run out. Its probably not the open competition the Cowboys said it will be, but its a job that must be earned, nonetheless. Blue is more of a wildcard when it comes to patience. If he puts in the work, patience should run deep. But if he doesnt take things seriously, the Cowboys will look for alternatives quickly.Its doubtful anyone will end up permanently in the doghouse this season so even if someone gets replaced by a contingency plan early, they could reemerge to claim their spot midseason.You can follow Reid on X@ReidDHansonand be sure to followCowboys Wire on Facebookto join in on the conversation with fellow fans!This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: 3 contingency plans every Cowboys fan must prepare for in 2026

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Trade season is heating up across Major League Baseball, and contenders and sellers alike are lining up moves before the deadline hits. Here's everything to know: when it is, where to follow the news, who's drawing interest and the storylines shaping the next few weeks. When Is the MLB Trade Deadline? The 2026 MLB trade deadline is Monday, Aug. 3, at 6 p.m. ET. For years, the deadline fell on July 31 at 4 p.m. ET. The Commissioner's Office can now set the date anywhere between July 28 and Aug. 3 to avoid conflicting with that day's games. What Is the MLB Trade Deadline? The trade deadline is the last point in the season at which players on 40-man rosters can be dealt from one club to another. Players can still be placed and claimed on outright waivers after the deadline, but trades involving players on 40-man rosters are not permitted once it passes. Minor leaguers who aren't on a 40-man roster can still be traded after the deadline. For automatic postseason eligibility, a player generally must be on a club's 40-man roster, 60-day injured list or eligible restricted list as of noon ET on Sept. 1. Players on the restricted list are ineligible if they were suspended for performance-enhancing drugs during the season. A player who was already in the organization by Aug. 31 but did not otherwise qualify may still be approved as an injury replacement through a petition to the Commissioner's Office. Players acquired in September or later are ineligible for the postseason. Where Can I Follow MLB Trade Deadline News? FOX Sports is tracking every deal, rumor and report leading into Aug. 3 in its2026 MLB Trade Deadline buzz tracker, updated as news breaks. Who Are the Top Trade Candidates? Tarik Skubal, Tigers Skubal remains the biggest name heading toward the deadline. The two-time reigning AL Cy Young Award winner can become a free agent after the season. Detroit is reportedly considering a middle path in which it trades Skubal for a package containing both a controllable rotation replacement and prospects for the future, according to The Athletic. The Tigers could also retain their ace and continue pursuing a postseason spot. Mason Miller, Padres Miller enters July 27 with a 0.86 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 41 innings this season. He's under club control through 2029, so he wouldn't be a rental. The Mariners, Pirates and Yankees have been mentioned as the leading suitors if Miller becomes available. Recent reports, however, indicate that the Padres are more likely to keep him as they remain in postseason contention. CJ Abrams, Nationals Washington isn't "shopping" its two-time All-Star shortstop, but the club will listen to offers, according to The Athletic. The Yankees, Brewers and Red Sox have been linked to Abrams. The 25-year-old enters July 27 batting .297 with 27 home runs, 82 RBIs, 17 stolen bases and a .940 OPS. He hit two home runs Sunday, surpassing Ian Desmond for the most in a season by a Nationals shortstop. Abrams is under club control through 2028. Reid Detmers, Jos Soriano and Zach Neto, Angels The Angels own the worst record in the American League and are "very open" to trading controllable players if the right offers come in, according to ESPN. Soriano and Detmers are both under club control through 2028, while shortstop Zach Neto is under club control through 2029. Clay Holmes, Mets Holmes hasn't pitched in the majors since May 15 because of a fractured right fibula, but there's a greater chance the Mets trade him than extend him, according to The Athletic. The right-hander posted a 2.39 ERA across nine starts before the injury. He made his first rehab start Thursday for Triple-A Syracuse and is expected to make at least one more before returning. Freddy Peralta, Mets Peralta, who can become a free agent after the season, said he's operating under the assumption that he'll be traded. New York acquired him from Milwaukee over the winter, but he's 5-9 with a 4.99 ERA in 22 starts and has failed to complete five innings in four of his past five outings. Foster Griffin, Nationals Griffin has emerged as a prominent trade candidate because he can become a free agent after the season. The left-hander made the NL All-Star team after signing a one-year deal with the Nationals. Before joining Washington, he had not pitched in MLB since 2022 and spent three seasons in Japan. Some rival executives reportedly expect Washington to trade him, although the Nationals' position in the wild-card race complicates that decision. Heliot Ramos and Casey Schmitt, Giants Outfielder Heliot Ramos and utility infielder Casey Schmitt have drawn trade interest, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Scouts from the Mariners and Phillies attended a recent Giants game as teams evaluated San Francisco's potential trade pieces. Neither player would be a rental. Both remain under club control beyond this season, which would increase the Giants' asking price. Deal Already Done Not every move is still a rumor. The Rockies sent right-hander Seth Halvorsen to the Dodgers for right-handed pitcher Nick Frasso and outfielder Landyn Vidourek. What Are the Key Storylines to Follow? Will the Tigers Trade Skubal? Detroit enters July 27 with a 50-56 record. The Tigers are 3.5 games behind the final AL wild-card spot and six games back in the AL Central after going 6-4 since the All-Star break. Manager A.J. Hinch says the team is blocking out the trade buzz around its ace and focusing on winning games. The front office must weigh the value of a potentially franchise-altering return against another postseason push with Skubal. Are the Rays Buying Big? Tampa Bay has the best record in the American League at 62-43 and, according to one rival executive who spoke to The Athletic, could be the deadline's biggest surprise buyer. The Rays haven't made the playoffs since 2023 and enter July 27 with a three-game lead over the Yankees in the AL East. Are the Angels Selling Everything? Los Angeles enters July 27 with an AL-worst 42-64 record, and new general manager John Mozeliak says the front office is approaching the deadline with an open mind. Soriano, Detmers and Neto are the most prominent names mentioned as potential trade chips. Their remaining years of club control mean the Angels would need significant returns to move them. Are the Mets in Sell Mode? New York enters July 27 at 44-62 and in last place in the NL East. The Mets have reportedly indicated to other teams that they are prepared to sell. Holmes and Peralta appear to be trending toward the trade block, with Peralta himself acknowledging that he expects to be dealt. Will the Nationals Move Abrams and Griffin? Washington is 54-52 and only one game behind Arizona for the final NL wild-card spot, complicating its deadline direction. The Nationals aren't actively shopping Abrams, even as they listen to offers for their All-Star shortstop. Griffin's expiring contract makes him a more conventional trade candidate, but Washington's unexpected postseason contention could make it difficult to move one of its best starters.

Media members have made their unofficial picks as the Big Ten hopes to win its fourth consecutive national championship this season

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Kyle TuckerWhen the Los Angeles Dodgers signed Kyle Tucker in the offseason, many fans thought they had actually ruined baseball.However, Tucker has struggled this year, and his four-year, $240 million contract has looked like a mistake for the most part. He was the big fish in last offseason's free agency, and he ended up signing with a team looking for a three-peat. He is hitting .239 this year, with just nine home runs. However, his last few games have been a little different.He has three hits and two homers in his last three games, and it looks like he is figuring things out again. It's a very small sample size, but earlier this month he also had a four-hit game and a three-hit game. He struggled in the second half of last season, but many assumed it was because of the hand injury he was playing through. His home run numbers were down last season as well, but his home and away splits indicated that playing at Wrigley Field had a significant impact on his stats.His struggles extended into this season, but the Dodgers are so loaded it did not make much of a difference on their standing in the National League. However, if Tucker starts playing like he did in Houston and the first half of last season, the Dodgers are going to be a runaway train.Shop Our Best Offer!Looking for the perfect gift for a baseball player in your life? Check out our brand new baseball lifestyle brand!Tucker is a four-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger. He has 143 homers since the start of 2021, and there is a reason he was so sought after in free agency. He is a victim of some bad luck as well. His expected batting average is .263 this year, which is pretty much in line with his career batting average.More MLB:Roki Sasaki Has Finally Arrived For Dodgers

Tom Ince scored seven goals in 86 league appearances for Watford [Getty Images]Tranmere have signed former Watford forward Tom Ince on a two-year deal.The 34-year-old is the son of ex-Manchester United and England midfielder Paul and has scored 103 goals in 505 league appearances.He started his career with Liverpool and has also had spells with Blackpool, Hull City, Derby County, Huddersfield, Stoke and Reading."He's played at a very high level throughout his career," boss Darrell Clarke told the club website."He'll give us creativity, composure and versatility in the final third, while his experience will be invaluable to some of our younger players."Ince, who has never previously played in League Two, could make his debut for Rovers in their EFL Cup preliminary tie against Rochdale on Saturday.They start their league campaign with a home game against Shrewsbury on Saturday, 15 August.All done deals in July 2026

Real Madrid record signings: Where Yan Diomande fee ranks in Los Blancos history alongside Galacticos originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Real Madrid president Florentino Perez appears to have secured the crown jewel of the club's 2026 summer transfer window, as reports claim that young winger Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig has agreed to a transfer and is on his way to the Bernabeu.Los Blancos are looking to move on from the last two years of relatively trophyless football and enter a new era under Jose Mourinho, who has returned to lead the club from the dugout.Diomande has been considered a top European prospect for some time now as he developed into a bona fide superstar at RB Leipzig, but his starring role for the Ivory Coast at the 2026 FIFA World Cup brought his value into the stratosphere and energized the biggest European clubs to make a move.After Paris Saint-Germain seemed to have won the race for the 19-year-old, Real Madrid swooped in and reportedly beat their offers for both a transfer fee and salary, with reports now claiming that a deal is done.The Sporting News details what the fee for Diomande will be, and where it ranks in Real Madrid history, with the club famous for its ability to secure superstar talent at top dollar.MORE:Cape Verde goalkeeper finds new club after sensational World Cup performancesHow much did Real Madrid pay for Yan Diomande?With the transfer news so fresh, an accurate representation of the fee required to secure Diomande from RB Leipzig is not yet known.According to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano on July 26, Real Madrid are paying "over 100 million" for Diomande's arrival. It is not known if this amount is the base transfer value, or if it includes all add-ons as well. He followed that up shortly after by saying that the fee will be "well in excess" of 100 million ($114 million).David Ornstein of The Athletic reported back on July 24 that RB Leipzig had pushed for a 130m ($148m) valuation, but it appears that they may have lessened their demands some to make a deal. A report by Sky Sports on July 25 stated that Real Madrid had seen an initial bid of 99m ($112m) rejected, with a structure of 90.1m ($102.8m) in initial fee and 10m ($11.4m) in add-ons.Ornstein later reportedthat a second bid with afixed 100m ($114m) fee plus add-ons up to a potential 120m ($136.8m) was also rejected, but that a deal would likely be agreed to shortly after. Thus, it's likely that the deal will be worth somewhat over 120 million in total.Real Madrid record signingsReal Madrid's record signing isJude Bellingham, who joined from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2023 for a fee of 127m ($137.5m based on conversion rates at the time).If Diomande's fee reaches120m ($136.8m), it would put him third in Real Madrid history, behind Bellingham and Eden Hazard, and above Gareth Bale. If he goes above that, he could jump Hazard into second, or potentially even above Bellingham to be Real Madrid's record signing.The current transfer market has seen most of Real Madrid's record signings blow past the traditional Galacticos era. Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival back in 2009 ranks fifth all-time in club history, but the likes of Zinedine Zidane (7th), Luis Figo (12th), and Ronaldo Nazario (21st) continue to fall down the list as the inflated totals of modern transfer moves filter through each year.All transfer value information via Transfermarkt, updated as of July 26, 2026.RankPlayerDateTotalArrived from1.Jude BellinghamJul.1, 2023127 millionBorussia Dortmund2.Eden HazardJul.1, 2019120.8 millionChelsea3.Yan DiomandeJul.2026120 million*RB Leipzig4.Gareth BaleSep. 1,2013101 millionTottenham Hotspur5.Cristiano RonaldoJul. 6,200994 millionManchester United* Amount estimated based on available reports

ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 12: Ronald Acuna, Jr. (13) of the Atlanta Braves hits a RBI double during the Sunday night MLB game between the Atlanta Braves and the Cleveland Guardians on April 12, 2026 at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesThe Atlanta Braves have activated outfielder Ronald Acua, Jr. ahead of tonights game against the New York Metropolitans. Atlantas star outfielder has been on the 10-IL since June 10 due to a left hamstring strain. Atlantas intentions of activating Acua were initially reported by ESPNs Buster Olney earlier today.In a corresponding move, the Braves optioned outfielder Brewer Hicklen to Gwinnett. Hicklen had been a surprising contributor for Atlanta since debuting with the team prior to the All-Star Game.The #Braves today returned OF Ronald Acua Jr. from his rehabilitation assignment and reinstated him from the injured list, and optioned OF Brewer Hicklen to Triple-A Gwinnett. Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 27, 2026Acua, Jr.s return should bolster an offense that as rebounded after the All-Star break from a borderline disastrous June and early July. Although the 2023 National League MVP has provided only a 120 wRC+ in the 53 games he has played for Atlanta this season (the second-worst wRC+ of his career), that production level is third-highest amongst the teams regular position players behind only 2026 All-Stars Drake Baldwin and Matt Olson.Although Acua, Jr. is likely to return to his position in right field, the team could also opt to give him days at designated hitter, especially in tough fielding conditions or against tough left-handed pitchers. He has battled leg-related issues this season.