Sports Round‑Up
NFL – Falcons focus
Falcons roster moves & injuries
- Roster cuts: Atlanta made a round of cuts while trimming toward a 53‑man roster. Veteran defensive lineman Morgan Fox was a surprise release despite 120 career games, and offensive players like QB Ben DiNucci, RB Elijah Dotson and WR Jesse Matthews were also waived Source: atlantafalcons.com. Center Jake Hanson went on injured reserve Source: atlantafalcons.com. These moves leave depth questions on both lines.
- Offensive line concerns: Starting right tackle Kaleb McGary suffered a left‑leg injury during practice and is expected to miss “significant time.” Coach Raheem Morris said an injured‑reserve designation is likely Source: atlantafalcons.com. Backup tackle Storm Norton is also out 6‑8 weeks after ankle surgery Source: atlantafalcons.com. Veterans Elijah Wilkinson, Brandon Parker and rookie Jack Nelson are options to fill the void Source: atlantafalcons.com.
- Preseason winners and concerns: Undrafted rookie WR Nick Nash (6 catches for 87 yards) impressed enough to be a practice‑squad candidate Source: atlantafalcons.com; cornerback Dee Alford showed versatility by playing outside corner Source: atlantafalcons.com; and RB Elijah Dotson averaged 6.2 yards per carry Source: atlantafalcons.com. On the other side, kicker Younghoe Koo missed a 51‑yard attempt, drawing attention to the kicking battle Source: atlantafalcons.com.
Around the league
NFL transactions and injuries across the league provide context for how other teams are shaping up for Week 1:
| Team / News | Key details |
|---|---|
| Bills cuts | Buffalo waived six players, including RB Elijah Young and WR Grant DuBose Source: nfl.com. |
| Browns injuries | Cleveland hopes QB Kenny Pickett and C Ethan Pocic will be ready for Week 1 after injuries Source: nfl.com. |
| Cowboys update | CB Trevon Diggs came off the physically‑unable‑to‑perform list Source: nfl.com. |
| Chiefs trade | Kansas City traded a conditional pick to the Jets for DT Derrick Nnadi Source: nfl.com. |
| Eagles & Vikings | Philadelphia acquired QB Sam Howell from Minnesota and released safety Lewis Cine Source: nfl.com. The Vikings in turn signed veteran QB Carson Wentz and released Brett Rypien Source: nfl.com. |
| Giants & Buccaneers | New York waived safety K’Von Wallace; Tampa Bay cut WR Rakim Jarrett and S Shilo Sanders Source: nfl.com. |
Other notable preseason tidbits include Miami coach Mike McDaniel praising rookie RB Ollie Gordon II after an 8‑carry, 43‑yard outing Source: nfl.com, and Raiders QB Aidan O’Connell fracturing his right wrist, sidelining him 6‑8 weeks Source: nfl.com. In Cleveland, veteran Joe Flacco looked sharp while rookie Shedeur Sanders struggled (3‑of‑6 passing and five sacks) in the Browns’ finale Source: nfl.com.
WNBA – Atlanta Dream surge & playoff outlook
The Atlanta Dream gave local fans reason to celebrate. On August 23, they defeated the New York Liberty 78‑62 behind Allisha Gray’s 19 points and Brionna Jones’ 17, building a 26‑point lead and cruising to their franchise‑record 24th win Source: cbssports.com. New York was missing stars Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, and Atlanta dominated the boards and controlled turnovers Source: cbssports.com. The Dream have now won nine of their last 11 games.
Elsewhere in the league that day:
- The Las Vegas Aces beat the Washington Mystics 91‑81 as A’ja Wilson poured in 36 points and 13 rebounds Source: theplayoffs.news.
- The Connecticut Sun topped the Chicago Sky 94‑84 behind 23 points each from Tina Charles and Bria Hartley Source: theplayoffs.news.
Playoffs approaching
The WNBA playoffs begin on September 14, 2025. The league’s official schedule shows the best‑of‑three first round running from Sept 14–22, semifinals Sept 24–Oct 5, and the best‑of‑five WNBA Finals potentially extending to October 17 Source: wnba.com. If the Dream maintain momentum, they could secure home‑court advantage; games will be nationally televised on ESPN and ABC Source: wnba.com.
Boxing – Chaos, contracts and Atlanta spotlight
Interim flyweight title ends in chaos
In a wild fight in Orlando, Yankiel Rivera Figueroa and Angelino Cordova fought to a majority draw for the WBA interim flyweight title. The bout featured rabbit punches, head clashes, point deductions and even a hip‑toss. Scores were split 115‑112 for Cordova and 113‑113 twice Source: boxingscene.com, leaving both men unsatisfied and the interim belt unresolved.
Upcoming bouts
- Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Erickson Lubin (Nov 8, Fort Worth) – Ortiz will defend his WBC interim junior middleweight title after negotiations with WBO champion Xander Zayas fell through. Lubin is ranked No. 1 by the IBF and seeks redemption Source: espn.com.
- Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis (Nov 14, State Farm Arena, Atlanta) – Influencer‑turned‑boxer Jake Paul and WBA lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis agreed to a catch‑weight bout to be streamed globally on Netflix. Paul must cut weight drastically, while Davis returns following a domestic‑assault case; details like round length remain unresolved Source: espn.com. Hosting the fight in Atlanta should generate huge local interest.
- Canelo Álvarez vs. Terence “Bud” Crawford (Sept 13, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas) – Canelo (63‑2‑2) will defend his undisputed super‑middleweight titles against unbeaten four‑division champion Crawford (41‑0). The main card begins at 8 p.m. ET, ring walks at 11 p.m., and the bout streams exclusively on Netflix Source: espn.com. Canelo has sharpened for the challenge by sparring with unified welterweight champion Jaron Ennis, who offers switch‑hitting speed and power that mimic Crawford’s style Source: boxingnews.com.
Soccer – World Cup build‑up and Club World Cup finale
2026 World Cup draw & USMNT friendlies
Looking ahead to 2026, FIFA announced that the World Cup group‑stage draw will take place on December 5, 2025 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Hosts USA, Mexico and Canada are pre‑assigned to Groups D, A and B respectively, and 42 of 48 teams will be known at that time Source: ussoccer.com. Six playoff spots will be decided in March 2026.
The U.S. men’s national team will tune up with friendlies against South Korea on Sept 6 in New Jersey and Japan on Sept 9 in Columbus, Ohio. South Korea leads its qualifying group, while Japan enters on a 12‑match unbeaten run Source: mlssoccer.com.
Club World Cup 2025 finale
Atlanta will host multiple matches of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup 2025 next summer, but the 2024‑25 tournament concluded with a surprise result: on July 13, 2025, Chelsea FC beat Paris Saint‑Germain 3‑0 at MetLife Stadium. Cole Palmer scored twice (22nd and 30th minutes) and João Pedro added a goal before halftime. PSG’s Joao Neves was sent off for pulling Marc Cucurella’s hair, and Chelsea’s pressing overwhelmed the star‑studded Parisians Source: oceaniafootball.com.
PGA Tour – Tour Championship drama at East Lake
As of Aug 24, the PGA Tour Championship in Atlanta is in its final round at East Lake. Tommy Fleetwood entered the day at –17 after rounds of 64‑63‑67, with Russell Henley two strokes back at –15. Keegan Bradley and Patrick Cantlay are at –14, while stars like Scottie Scheffler, Robert MacIntyre, Akshay Bhatia and Cameron Young lurk further behind Source: pgatour.com. The third round saw Cantlay birdie four of the last five holes to catch Fleetwood Source: pgatour.com, setting up a Sunday shootout. Final results will be known later today, but the home‑course energy at East Lake adds to the tension.
Final take is that Tommy Fleetwood won his first PGA title here in the ATL…
Final thoughts
The coming week offers Atlanta fans a smorgasbord of sports. The Falcons must patch their offensive line while the rest of the NFL finalises rosters and deals. The Dream are peaking at the right time ahead of the WNBA playoffs. Boxing will take over State Farm Arena in November with Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis, while Canelo‑Crawford looms as a super‑fight. Soccer eyes the 2026 World Cup draw and the Club World Cup returning to Atlanta next summer. And across town at East Lake, the Tour Championship will crown a new FedExCup champion. 404 Sports Bar & Grill will be buzzing all week—grab a seat and enjoy.
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