Niles Paul had just recently moved up the Washington Redskins depth chart and was shaping up as the team’s starting tight end. His stay at the top didn’t last very long.

Per reports, Paul suffered a gruesome ankle injury in Thursday night’s game against the Cleveland Browns, when a player rolled up on his leg. Paul sustained an “ankle fracture dislocation” and per head coach Jay Gruden, will miss the entire 2015 NFL season.

Paul burst onto the scene a year ago, when he helped fill in for injured tight end Jordan Reed and amassed 39 receptions, 507 receiving yards and a touchdown. Due to his solid play and other injuries at the position in camp, Paul was handed the starting gig.

With Paul down, the Redskins are suddenly in a tough spot at tight end. Jordan Reed has struggled to stay healthy throughout his two-year career and already has hamstring issues in camp. However, Reed is a top shelf talent and currently is the only reasonably healthy tight end the Redskins have. Paul is off the table and third string tight end Logan Paulsen is also feared to be lost for the year with a toe injury.

That leaves Washington with the increasingly unreliable Jordan Reed, while they also may be forced to pursue outside sources. Not many big name tight ends are available out on the open market, as most have already latched on with teams to try to win a roster spot. Former Redskins tight end Chris Cooley had recently been entertaining the thought of making an NFL comeback, while the likes of Michael Egnew and Zach Miller could be worth a look.

If Washington doesn’t look at what’s out in free agency, they’ll be crossing their fingers Reed can get and stay healthy for the entire year. Reed has endured a rough history with concussions and has also had some nagging leg injuries in his short career. Reed is worth the trouble, however, as he’s a terrific size/speed weapon when healthy.

With or without Reed, someone else in Washington’s camp will eventually have to step up – especially if Paulsen is also done for the year. Je’Ron Hamm, Chase Dixon and Devin Mahina round out the remainder of Washington’s tight end depth chart, but until now none were serious candidates to make the team. Hamm was also injured on Thursday night (leg), leaving possibly one spit for Dixon and Mahina to fight for. Mahina may have the slight upper hand due to solid pass-catching ability, but neither is a talent to hang your hat on. The Redskins are obviously going to have to hope Jordan Reed can finally stay healthy for a full season, or possibly entertain the idea of swinging a trade.

The Indianapolis Colts had previously tried to act like they didn’t value number one wide receiver T.Y. Hilton. They brought in aging veteran Andre Johnson and drafted rookie Phillip Dorsett in the first round of this year’s draft. More than a team just trying to stock up offensive talent, they seemed to be a franchise preparing for the eventual departure of one of their key playmakers.

That just wasn’t the case. Per reports, the Colts and T.Y. Hilton have agreed to terms on a massive five-year, $65 million contract extension.

“The Ghost” isn’t leaving Indianapolis anytime soon. The @Colts and T.Y. Hilton have agreed to terms on an extension. #ColtsCamp

— Kevin Bowen (@KBowenColts) August 13, 2015

The deal comes with roughly $39 million in guaranteed cash, while registers at about $10.8 million annually. Indy did a solid job paying Hilton the type of money a number one target deserves, but stopped short of paying him the type of money Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas hauled in this summer.

To the Future

The Colts’ commitment to Hilton tell us two things. For one, they know a good thing when they see it. Hilton may not be the prototypical #1 wide receiver, but he’s a great fit for what the Colts do offensively and if nothing else has been extremely productive. Paying Hilton the money he deserves shows Indy isn’t afraid to spend on the pieces of their team that work and that have earned their rightful paycheck. Just as important, Indianapolis clearly wants to make sure franchise quarterback Andrew Luck has the pieces around him – now and in the future – to be successful. With Hilton now locked up through his age-30 season, the Colts have three young, high upside receiving talents for years down the road.

Eye on the Now

One other big thing Hilton’s contract does is allow him and the team to now focus on the big goal: winning the Super Bowl. Not only is Hilton’s contract no longer a lingering distraction for this season, but now both sides know he’s going to be here for a long time. Hilton, Luck and the rest of the offense can now just work on their chemistry and work towards that one collective goal. With Vegas already liking Indy’s chances (they’re picked to make it to the Super Bowl), finalizing a deal with their top receiving threat can only help their efforts.

The Phoenix Suns and big man Markieff Morris are headed for an ugly divorce. The team traded his twin brother Marcus Morris away to the Detroit Pistons not too long ago, and things got even worse when the team added Tyson Chandler and Mirza Teletovic in free agency. Whether the writing was on the wall or not that the Suns were preparing to part ways with both Morris brothers, the signs continue to point to things heading in that direction.

According to @Gambo987‘s sources, Markieff wants out. He wants nothing to do with the #Suns. Won’t talk to players or staff. #NBA

— Burns and Gambo (@BurnsAndGambo) August 6, 2015

It remains to be seen if the Suns can mend the fences, but with Morris battling an ongoing legal issue and his brother already being traded out of the desert, they may not want to. That being said, the versatile Morris is still a valuable trade chip, so it begs the question – where could he get dealt? Let’s take a look at seven realistic landing spots if the situation does end up in Markieff Morris being traded:

Dallas Mavericks

Dallas missed out on DeAndre Jordan and LaMarcus Aldridge, so they could be still picking up the pieces as they prepare for the 2015-16 NBA season. Their lone weakness remains down low and the addition of Morris could give them major flexibility at the four and the five. Morris leaves something to be desired as a defender, but can clean the glass and knows how to produce offense. He’d fit in great with the Mavs if he can turn his attitude around, although compensation could be tricky. Dallas simply doesn’t have a ton of assets to unload. This move would have to be all about finding someone to unload Morris on.

Detroit Pistons

Marcus Morris is in Detroit, so why not his brother now, too? It remains to be seen if the Pistons would want both Morris brothers in town, but there is no denying Markieff Morris would fit what they want to do. With Greg Monroe in Milwaukee, the Pistons still have somewhat of a need at the four and Morris could help fill that.

Denver Nuggets

Denver unloaded Ty Lawson recently and is said to be listening on just about every player on their roster. Kenneth Faried is a huge name they’d love to get rid of, while Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari also are in the mix to get traded. Morris to Denver for any combination of those players would be a nice splash move that would help both teams a great deal.

Houston Rockets

The Rockets have two solid power forwards in Terrence Jones and Donatas Motiejunas, but neither are defensive stalwarts or quite as polished offensively as Markieef Morris. Houston would probably be willing to part with Jones and maybe a pick or two to land Morris, who is a clear upgrade and the stretch four they’ve been lacking.

Sacramento Kings

Kostas Koufos is currently listed as the Kings’ top power forward, and unless they plan on moving Rudy Gay to the four spot full-time, they still have work to do down low. The Kings really have three centers trying to play the two main positions in the paint right now, and acquiring someone with the skill-set of Morris could really help them out. Compensation could be an issue, but giving away Darren Collison and maybe Omri Casspi would be a start.

Portland Trail Blazers

After losing LaMarcus Aldridge, the Blazers are walking that fine line between competing and dropping out of the playoffs. Landing a nice replacement big man like Morris could push them over the line and back into the playoff discussion. Unlike a lot of the other teams, they have young talent and some assets to trade if they feel Morris helps get them back in contention.

Toronto Raptors

One key argument is the Suns may not want to trade with any of these Western Conference teams. If that’s true, the Pistons and the Raptors might be two of the most likely trade destinations for Markieff Morris. Toronto could have a serious issue at the four spot after losing both Amir Johnson and Tyler Hansbrough, as they’re suddenly now all in on Patrick Patterson as a starter. Landing a versatile four like Morris could strengthen their starting five, while also bolstering their depth down low.

Where will Morris ultimately wind up is anyone’s guess. The odds point to Phoenix dealing him out of the conference, however, and if the Pistons are interested I can see that trade getting worked out before the season begins.

The San Francisco 49ers continue to have the offseason from hell. After watching stars like Patrick Willis, Chris Borland and Justin Smith walk away in retirement, the Niners had to say good-bye to yet another stud defensive presence on Friday afternoon. Due to countless run-ins with the law, the 49ers opted to officially cut ties with linebacker Aldon Smith, per reports.

FILED TO ESPN: 49ers to release Aldon Smith.

— Jim Trotter (@JimTrotter_NFL) August 7, 2015

Aldon Smith’s latest incident reportedly involved a hit-and-run and allegedly a DUI. Smith himself contested that he did not get another DUI, but details are still emerging involving his latest off field issues.

Regardless of what the truth ends up being, San Francisco has had enough of Aldon Smith’s antics. The 25-year old has officially been released after being handed his third alleged DUI since entering the league in 2011.

It’s a sad story that involves clear mental instability with Smith, a situation in which the Niners organization has tried helping the troubled star with in the past. It appears their efforts to assist the young defensive star have come to a close, though, and should Smith end up playing in 2015, it will be with another NFL organization.

There’s little doubt someone will take a chance on Smith, as troubled as he may be, as he’s still very much in the prime of his career and notched an impressive 19.5 sacks as recently as 2012. Prospective suitors have to pay mind to Smith’s inability to stay out of trouble, of course, as his poor decision-making and shaky mental state have led to him playing in just 18 of 32 possible games in the past two seasons.

Despite the clear concern, numerous teams seeking pass-rushing help like the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers could all express interest in Smith at some point in the near future. The ultimate slap in San Francisco’s face could be Smith going to a division rival, as the Arizona Cardinals might need his services more than anyone else, while the Seattle Seahawks could be the perfect place for him to turn his career (and life) around.

With Smith out of the picture in the Bay Area, the 49ers will have to regroup with the talent that have in-house right now. They luckily wisely drafted outside linebacker Eli Harold in the 2015 NFL Draft and the edge rusher has already made a positive impact in campe as a dominant force on the outside. Should Harold continue his steady progress, he’d be a good bet to start for the Niners. Aaron Lynch and Corey Lemonier are two other talented Niners pass rushers that could quickly find themselves in the mix to see major time on the field in 2015, as well.

Naturally, the loss of a talent as good as Smith hurts the 49ers’ playoff prospects. Already a bet to win no more than 6.5 games this year, San Francisco’s over/under could see another dip before the season starts. They’re increasingly a poor bet to compete for the Super Bowl, win the NFC West or even make the playoffs. First year head coach Jim Tomsula has a lot on his plate heading into 2015, and coming away with a successful initial run just got a whole lot more difficult.

The 2015 NFL season hasn’t even started yet and the Baltimore Ravens could already be losing one of their key defensive players. Safety Matt Elam, a potential starter this season, has reportedly suffered a serious biceps injury and is feared to be done for the year.

Head coach John Harbaugh did not express optimism when prompted about the severity of Elam’s injury, saying, “I haven’t heard on the MRI yet, but I’m not real optimistic right now”.

Elam was reportedly hurt during practice when reaching for a wide receiver that had gotten behind him in coverage. Elam then got his hand caught on the receiver and wrenched his arm, causing the biceps injury. Despite no medial reports back yet, the team fears the injury is a tear, which would knock Elam out of his third NFL season before it even begins.

Making Progress

Elam had yet to make a real impact with the Ravens, but this injury is still a downer for a young, talented player that had just begun to prove himself. Per the coaching staff, Elam had reported to OTAs earlier this summer in fantastic shape and had finally started to prepare like a true professional. There was no guarantee Elam’s new outlook or physical condition would translate into a huge role or guaranteed success, but Harbaugh and co. definitely liked what they had seen prior to the untimely injury.

Elam was thrust into a big role as a rookie, posting 77 tackles with an interception. Unfortunately, Elam struggled with eight, pass coverage and open field tackling. He had been demoted heading into this season but appeared to be gearing up to fight for a job.

Fortunate Situation

The only good news here is that due to not exactly living up to the hype through his first two seasons in the league, the Ravens prepared elsewhere at safety beyond Elam. Veterans Will Hill and Kendrick Lewis were both thought to end up being the starting safeties this year, regardless of what Elam showed in training camp and preseason. That being said, Baltimore certainly was hoping Elam could push Lewis and provide the team with stellar depth at the very worst at the position. It’s a good thing the Ravens had the depth to withstand this injury (if Elam is in fact done for the year), but it’s still bad news for a team trying to work their way back to Super Bowl contention.

Overall, this is a hit the Ravens can handle. Elam wasn’t being counted on for a significant role and if anything, this just furthers the argument that he’s a bust. Baltimore will move on with Lewis and Hill sticking as their starters and should largely be fine in the secondary.

Just a few days ago the Toronto Blue Jays made a move to beef up an already elite offense. It was a strong move (acquiring shortstop Troy Tulowotzki), but was one that raised eyebrows considering Toronto’s greatest weakness is by far their pitching.

The Blue Jays have addressed that need, too.

Per reports, Toronto has swung a deal with the Detroit Tigers that will bring pitching ace David Price to town. Daniel Norris is said to be part of a package of players headed to Toronto in return for Price, but it’s clear the Blue Jays are the winner in this deal.

Blue Jays Win the Bidding War

Toronto isn’t exactly the likeliest winning of this trade war, since high profile teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees were also seeking top shelf pitching. They did a great job securing one of the hottest names on the trade market, though, and now could be one step closer to competing for the playoffs this season.

Playoff Run?

That said playoff run is no longer a pipe dream, as Toronto is a solid 51-51 and just seven games out of first place in the ultra competitive AL East. Toronto is in an interesting spot, as a hot run to end the year could absolutely put them in position to steal the division from the first place New York Yankees. The Blue Jays already beat the Yanks in the trade department and now may have the balance of offense and defense needed to make a deep playoff run. Getting there first is the task at hand, and now Price bolsters a formerly shaky pitching rotation that also includes the likes of Marco Estrada, R.A. Dickey and Mark Buehrle. If everything goes according to plan, Toronto may finally have the arms to match their elite offense, which obviously got another boost after the trade for Tulo (homered in debut).

High Risk Addition

The key with the David Price trade is it’s this year or bust. Price is highly likely to hit the open market as a free agent following the season and Toronto can’t be sure he’ll return to the team that just traded for him. With uncertainty lurking after this season, Toronto knows the time is now to make their run. Price gives them the pitching they need to combat some of the top teams if they can make it to post-season play. Now it’s just on everyone involved to find a way to make it happen.

Brendan Haywood has been the biggest name in the NBA trade rumor mill lately, and he finally got dealt on Monday afternoon. More valuable for his contract than his actual playing ability at this point in his career, Haywood was shipped to the Portland Trail Blazers along with swing man Mike Miller to help the Cavaliers receive a trade exception.

This move was all about finances, as Cleveland gets a trade exception and an open roster spot by unloading the 35-year old big man. Portland, meanwhile, gets two free second round draft picks (one in 2019 and the other in 2020), for eating salary of two players. Both Haywood and Miller are expected to received buyouts from Portland so they can either retire or latch on with contending teams.

No-Brainer Move

It’s a win-win move for both sides, as the Cavs get a little more flexibility to finish filling out their roster. They do lose a quality floor spacer in Mike Miller, but after a severely dimished role, it doesn’t look like the Cavs are losing much sleep over the loss. The move is equally beneficial for the Blazers, who were already seemingly done piecing their roster together for the 2015-16 NBA season. They also had room to host the two extra salaries and should still be able to dump both players and still fill out their roster. In other words, they get two second round draft picks for nothing but some cash.

Mike Miller’s Next Stop

In an otherwise meaningless move, this trade could at least give Mike Miller a chance at latching on with a contender. Miller can still shoot the ball from outside and it’s possible a contending team could see him at best as a nice bench shooter, and at worst a nice veteran presence to help bring a title contender together. Miller could always opt for retirement, as well, as he’s already won two NBA titles with the Miami Heat and at 35 years old could decide to let back and knee woes signal the end of a solid career.

There were also whispers that Miller actually approved this trade due to a desire to get more playing time. That could be the case, but there have also been rumors that Miller won’t be in Portland for long. Miller will likely still play for a playoff team in 2015-16, but Haywood’s days in the league have probably come to an end. Haywood was limited to 25 appearances with the Cavs a year ago and while he could still serve as depth for a contending team, may not see many offers come his way.

Just a little over a year ago, Shabazz Napier was helping UConn win a national college basketball title. Not too long after, he declared for the 2014 NBA Draft and was chosen by team president Pat Riley, in a move that was rumored to be part of the plight to lure LeBron James back to the Miami Heat. That didn’t work, and another year late, Napier is finding himself in a new city.

Per report, the Heat have unloaded Napier, sending him to the Orlando Magic in exchange for a protected future second round draft pick. It’s a clear drop in value for a point guard that seemed to fail as a rookie, while arguably never really finding his place in Miami. Sitting behind locked-in starter Elfrid Payton, it’s arguable if he’ll ever truly get the chance to do that now that he’s a member of the Orlando Magic.

Failed Experiment

This is a failure for Miami, who spent a first round draft pick on the former UConn star, and only got a second rounder in return for their mistake. Getting rid of Napier may be the best move in the long run, however, as there is a very clear log jam at the point in South Beach. Goran Dragic is the unquestioned starter, while Mario Chalmers (also rumored to be on the trade block) and Tyler Johnson are slated to fight for backup minutes. Napier never really had a place in Miami, and the team simply realized it with this decision.

Starting Over

While the move may be a downer at first glance, Napier at least gets a chance at starting over in Orlando, where he does appear to have a solid chance to fight for backup point guard minutes behind the aforementioned Payton. That being said, Napier seemed to improve this off-season, when he took a positive step forward in summer league play.

For Orlando, this is a win-win. If Napier isn’t a top shelf talent, he can settle in as a solid backup. If he out-performs expectations, he could force his way onto the court and possibly over shadow a defensively challenged Payton that also tends to struggle with his jumper. No one in Orlando wants Elfrid Peyton to regress or get beat out for a job (and that’s not about to happen), but the depth and competition is something they sorely needed behind him. It’s a solid move for a Magic team that is continuing to build with youth and hopes to squeak into the NBA playoffs next season. Napier doesn’t guarantee they will, but if he can give them a spark off the bench behind Payton, he’ll surely be doing his part.

The Dallas Mavericks continue to pick up the pieces at the center position following DeAndre Jordan’s fake-out over a week ago. Once thought to be set at the position with Jordan in tow, Mark Cuban and co. have been in full scramble mode over the past week and a half as they’ve tried to bolster their center depth.

A trade for Milwaukee Bucks big man Zaza Pachulia netted them a serviceable starter, and the recent signing of former Mavs role player Samuel Dalembert may give them the quality depth they need at the position.

Dalembert is no stranger to the Mavericks, as the 34-year old big man spent the 2013-14 NBA season in Dallas, where he logged just over 20 minutes per game and chipped in averages of 6.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per contest.

No longer a viable starter, the aging Dalembert at the very worst gives the Mavs another suitable body off the bench that can score the basketball, rebound and protect the rim. Dalembert is a comfortable signing due to the familiarity and with a lack of quality centers left on the open market, the addition make a good amount of sense for the Mavs. It also likely signals the end of Dallas trying to chase down an upgrade over Pachulia, who can now settle in as the team’s starter.

Dalembert isn’t a difference-maker on his own, but he can help Dallas in spurts and gives them depth at a position that sorely needed it. His presence, along with Pachulia’s, doesn’t off-set the loss of either DeAndre Jordan or Tyson Chandler, but could potentially put the Mavs in a much better spot than they were just a week ago.

Dallas may have some issues at center, but overall saw their roster upgrade with off-season additions in point guard Deron Williams and shooting guard Wesley Matthews. None of the additions likely equate to a steady rise up the ranks in the brutal Western Conference, but the moves could collectively be enough to keep Dallas in the mix for one of the final two seeds in the conference.

A shaky Kansas City Chiefs defense just got a little wobblier heading into the 2015 NFL season. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, star cornerback Sean Smith will miss the first three games of the year due to a violation of the league’s substance-abuse policy. Smith reportedly plead guilty to a DUI in June and was handed two years of probation from the league. In addition, he will also miss the first three games of the season.

It’s a relatively big blow for a Kansas City secondary that was already walking a fine line with just Smith and rookie corner Marcus Peters to lean on. With safety Eric Berry still not back from his battle with cancer, Smith’s absence could leave the Chiefs incredibly short-handed for three crucial games to kick off the season. With the three-game ban, Smith is scheduled to miss bouts with the Houston Texans, Green Bay Packers and Denver Broncos. Smith will be due back in week four, when he’d make his 2015 season debut against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Not having Smith against the Texans isn’t a huge deal. Brian Hoyer or Ryan Mallett aren’t formidable passers and Houston tends to run far more than they pass. However, matchups against Aaron Rodgers and Peyton Manning could prove difficult without one of the team’s top cover men. Kansas City still has a stout pass rush to lean on, but Smith being out could force rookie cornerback Marcus Peters into heavy action, regardless of whether or not he starts year one as an impact starter.

The Chiefs boasted a strong defense a year ago and regularly shutdown opposing passing games, while keeping opponents below 18 points per game. They may not be playing at an elite level to start the season, unfortunately, as Smith drops their pass defense down a notch. That doesn’t necessarily mean the Chiefs will lose all of those games to start the year, but it’s certainly not a help for a team already facing stiff competition in a difficult AFC West division.