Strands Answers and Hints (February 20, 2026): Looking for hints? Find today’s Strands answers and helpful tips here!
Strands offers a fresh challenge in the NYT’s lineup of daily games, inviting players to uncover hidden words within a 6×8 letter grid. Each day brings a unique theme and grid, making it a great test of vocabulary and pattern recognition, but it can get tough at times.
Stuck on the spangram or today’s theme? We’ve got all the hints and clues you need to solve today’s Strands puzzle with confidence.
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WARNING: Spoilers ahead! Only read on if you want to know today’s Strands answers.
Today’s Strands Theme
To begin, let’s see what theme has been shared for today’s puzzle on the site.
Today’s theme is: TRUE GRIT
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Is it very vague? I’ll explain the theme a bit more so you know what to look for:
This theme encompasses textures and qualities that can create discomfort or irritation. Often associated with surfaces or materials that lack smoothness or gentleness, it evokes sensations that are abrasive or unrefined. The theme suggests a rugged nature, highlighting elements that can provoke a more intense tactile experience.
Today’s NYT Strands Hints
Still puzzled by today’s game? Here are some helpful hints to assist you:
Strands Hint 1: What are the starting letters of today’s words?
There are 7 words including the spangram.
Below are the starting letters & lengths for each of the theme words:
Starts with “A” and has 8 letters.
Starts with “C” and has 6 letters.
Starts with “H” and has 5 letters.
Starts with “P” and has 7 letters.
Starts with “R” and has 5 letters.
Starts with “S” and has 8 letters.
And today’s spangram starts with “S”.
Strands Hint 2: Where are today’s words located on today’s strands grid?
Here are some clues about their starting positions. For all words except the spangram:
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1 word starts from the top row
1 word starts from the bottom row
1 word starts from the left edge of the grid
1 word starts from the right edge of the grid
2 words start from the middle of the grid
Today’s NYT Strands Clue Words
Still puzzled by today’s game? Here are some helpful hints to assist you:
LIVRE
SIRE
RESAT
CLYPEI
SAIRER
COVE
In the next section, you’ll see today’s Strands answers! Hold up if you’d like to keep puzzling.
Today’s NYT Strands Spangram
Now for the exciting part! Here’s today’s Strands spangram:
SANDPAPER
Today’s NYT Strands Answers
These are the rest of today’s Strands answers to help you complete the game:
ABRASIVE
COARSE
HARSH
PRICKLY
ROUGH
SCRATCHY
Yesterday’s NYT Strands Answer (19 February 2026)
Still attempting to crack yesterday’s Strands (Thursday, 19 February 2026)? Or checking in from a different timezone? No worries—we’ve got you covered with the answers!
This wraps up our coverage of today’s Strands answers, hints, and spangram. If you enjoy word games, we offer answers and solvers for many NYT games. Check out:
Having claimed the Pierro Plate, Ciaron’s Star was retrieved from the paddock and now eyes a last-minute Golden Slipper attempt contingent on success in the Magic Night Stakes at Rosehill Gardens.
Her most recent run saw her finish sixth behind yardmate Spicy Miss in the Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m), after which plans shifted to wrapping up her campaign for a spell.
Yet the filly flourished in her brief downtime, encouraging trainer Ciaron Maher to reinstate her and target a place in a particularly unpredictable edition of the Golden Slipper.
Failing that, the Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m) during The Championships remains a solid backup plan.
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“The original plan was to give her a break after last start, but she had a couple of days in the paddock, and she was feeling very well,” Maher’s assistant Johann Gerard-Dubord said.
“We thought, it’s (Golden Slipper) very open this year, so she will run this week.
“If she happened to win, we could consider the Slipper, but she is second favourite for the Percy Sykes Stakes, so it’s hard to bypass that, especially because she is so well.”
Spicy Miss is already confirmed for Ciaron Maher in the Golden Slipper (1200m), while Tornado Valley’s Magic Millions placing makes him a doubtful starter, with preferences leaning towards extending his trip.
“He showed us the other day that 1200 metres is a bit sharp.”
Debutant Hellenic Belle, owned by Annabel and Rob Archibald, will tackle the Magic Night Stakes (1200m) after bypassing a softer option at Warwick Farm midweek.
With a strong barrier trial under her belt, the filly by Hellbent shows promise warranting an immediate black-type test.
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“We were in (Wednesday), but we have opted to wait and have a throw of the dice at black type first-up,” Rob Archibald said.
“We think she has got ability, whether she’s ready to do it first-up, I’m not sure. But we can’t fault her, and it’s a nice lead in to a race like the Percy Sykes Stakes if she shows she is up to that level.
“We like her, she looks talented, and we will learn a bit more about her on Saturday.”
Head Coach Andy Farrell’s Ireland side play Scotland this afternoon in the Guinness Men’s Six Nations at a sold-out Aviva Stadium (Kick-off 2.10pm).
The game is live on Virgin Media One television, with live radio commentary on RTÉ Radio One.
Captain Caelan Doris leads Ireland into their final game of this season’s Guinness Six Nations Championship.
Jamie Osborne, Rob Baloucoune and Tommy O’Brien are the Ireland back three.
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Stuart McCloskey and Garry Ringrose are again named in midfield, with Jamison Gibson-Park and Jack Crowley linking up in the half-backs.
In the front row, Tom O’Toole, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong are chosen. Joe McCarthy and Tadhg Beirne will start in the engine room.
Jack Conan is the choice for the role of blindside flanker, Josh van der Flier will start at openside, while Caelan Doris completes Ireland’s starting team at number eight.
Ireland Bench
Andy Farrell has strong options on the bench.
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Rónan Kelleher, Michael Milne, Finlay Bealham, Darragh Murray – who is in line for his Six Nations debut – and Nick Timoney make up the forward replacements.
The backline replacements are Craig Casey, Ciaran Frawley and Bundee Aki.
Trophy up for grabs
Speaking during the week as he looked forward to this afternoon’s game, Andy Farrell stated:
“It is an incredible privilege for the squad to play at home in front of a packed Aviva Stadium with a trophy up for grabs. We know about the challenge facing us on Saturday and Scotland will travel with confidence. You’ll see two teams who like to attack and we’ll look to implement our game plan to get the performance that we want. When you factor in a loud home support, and with the game taking place on St Patrick’s weekend, it really has all the ingredients for a cracking contest.”
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Ireland Team
15. Jamie Osborne, 14. Rob Baloucoune, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 11. Tommy O’Brien, 10. Jack Crowley, 9. Jamison Gibson-Park.
1. Tom O’Toole, 2. Dan Sheehan, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Joe McCarthy, 5. Tadhg Beirne, 6. Jack Conan, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Caelan Doris (captain).
When he first stepped into a boxing gym, Colm Murphy was immediately teased for having a ‘Posh Boy’ accent.
Since then, he has taken ownership of the label – originally intended to be an insult – and used it to his advantage, often fighting with a degree of ferocity that contradicts his intriguing moniker.
It is perhaps because of this that the 26-year-old has always fought with a chip on his shoulder, hoping to show the world exactly what he is made of, which equally explains why he is taking on a sizable challenge against former world title challenger Jono Carroll tonight.
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Ahead of his assignment in Dublin, Murphy recalls being underestimated by those who, in the nicest sense, could not even dream of lacing his boots.
“Growing up, I went to a grammar school where the boys played rugby, so it was unheard of for someone to box.
“But I went to my local boxing club [aged 14] in West Belfast – I’m originally from South Belfast – and I stood out with my voice and stuff like that, so they kind of took the piss out of me and called me the ‘Posh Boy’.
“None of those people box anymore, so with me turning professional and reaching a level they couldn’t reach, I now own that [‘Posh Boy’] label.”
While those at Murphy’s gym overlooked his true potential, the kids at his school seemingly gave him no chance of even entering a competitive bout, let alone having considerable amateur success and crafting a 16-0 (6 KOs) professional record.
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“People at my school laughed at me for trying out boxing – they all said I’d quit after a few months. Now they get to watch me on TV.
“It’s funny, but I’m also grateful for it. I went to a school that was a wee bit stuck-up, but everyone was really challenging.
“As a kid with learning difficulties, it ended up actually bringing out the best of me, because I was so competitive [with them].”
Having only just claimed the Commonwealth super-featherweight title – scoring a sixth-round finish over Saleh Kassim at the end of January – Murphy will now face Carroll, who fell short on points against then-IBF champion Tevin Farmer in 2019.
But while acknowledging that the 33-year-old is his toughest opponent thus far, by some distance, Murphy equally believes that he is ready for an opportunity of this magnitude.
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“When opportunities like this come up, you have to roll the dice a wee bit and take them. I know it’s a huge step-up, and it’s going to be a big challenge, but I believe I rise to these moments.
“I’ve been in with really good operators my whole life, even as an amateur, and me and Jono don’t fall far from the same tree.
“He entered the same competitions as me as an amateur boxer himself, so I think a warrior like him is going to bring out the best out of me.”
The pair will square off for the vacant IBO title, featuring on the undercard of Jazza Dickens vs Anthony Cacace tonight, with Murphy looking to continue proving his detractors wrong.
The much-awaited wedding celebrations of Kuldeep Yadav and Vanshika Chadha are set to begin with grand festivities this week
Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav is set to begin a new chapter in his life as he marries his longtime partner Vanshika Chadha on March 14, 2026, in the scenic hill town of Mussoorie, Uttarakhand. The wedding comes just days after Kuldeep was part of India’s historic triumph in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.Preparations for the grand ceremony are already underway at the historic Savoy Hotel in Mussoorie, where pre-wedding festivities have begun with traditional ceremonies including haldi, mehendi and sangeet. After the wedding, a grand reception will be hosted in Lucknow on March 17, where several prominent personalities from cricket, politics and business are expected to attend.
Star-studded Guest List
Several current and former members of the India national cricket team are expected to attend the wedding celebrations.According to reports, the guest list includes:Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Sunil Gavaskar, Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Suresh Raina, Mohammad Kaif and Piyush Chawla
Chahal and Tilak Varma share excitement
Meanwhile, fellow Indian spinner Yuzvendra Chahal arrived in Dehradun on Friday and expressed his excitement about attending the wedding of his close friend.“I am very excited for my brother’s marriage. I will dance a lot and enjoy,” Chahal said.Meanwhile, Tilak Varma said he plans to enjoy the wedding celebrations before shifting his focus to the upcoming Indian Premier League 2026 season with Mumbai Indians.“We’re going to Kuldeep’s wedding to have fun. After that, we’ll prepare for IPL,” Tilak said.
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A special moment after World Cup glory
Kuldeep’s wedding celebrations come at a particularly memorable time in his career. The spinner was part of the Indian team that recently won the T20 World Cup 2026, defeating New Zealand in the final to claim India’s third title in the tournament’s history.
Mar 7, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Real Salt Lake forward Sergi Solans (22) and forward Aiden Hezarkhani (39) celebrate a goal against the Atlanta United during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
Real Salt Lake looks to win three straight games in MLS play for the first time since last July on Saturday when it hosts an Austin FC side that has struggled in its previous trips to Utah.
Salt Lake (2-1-0, 6 points) has made a strong start on the shoulders of a youthful attack, with all four of its goal scorers so far age 23 or younger — and two of them teenagers Zavier Gozo and Aiden Hezarkhani.
That has allowed the Claret-and-Cobalt to weather the early season absence of American World Cup hopeful Diego Luna, who led RSL with nine goals in 2025 but has been hampered by a knee injury.
And after a 1-0 loss at defending Western Conference champions Vancouver in the season opener, RSL answered with a 2-1 home win against Seattle and then a 3-2 victory at Atlanta.
As encouraging as those early results have been, manager Pablo Mastroeni is even more heartened by the interpersonal dynamic he sees within his squad.
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“My thing is that, when you see these guys interact away from the field, It’s like a brotherhood,” he said following the win at Atlanta. “It’s a bunch of guys that enjoy spending time together. There’s no guy that’s bigger than the team.”
Meanwhile, Austin (1-1-1, 4 points) heads to Utah looking for a second win at RSL in its sixth trip since joining the league in 2021.
The Verde suffered multi-goal defeats there in both 2024 and ’25, and against all opponents have lost four straight MLS regular-season away matches since a 2-1 win over Sporting Kansas City on Sept. 7 of last year.
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“We know that in general it’s hard to go play there,” Austin center back Brandon Hines-Ike said this week. “It’s not a notoriously good place for us where we go. And so I think we’re very aware of that.”
Austin went down to 10 men after 25 minutes in its previous away trip, a 3-1 defeat at Charlotte FC last Saturday. Defender Guilherme Biro will serve a one-match suspension against RSL following his red card in Charlotte.
Up front, Christian Ramirez will look for his second goal in three games after he was signed off waivers for striker depth behind Brandon Vazquez, who is still rehabbing from ACL surgery performed last July.
Dec 1, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Johnny Mundt (86) celebrates his touchdown with quarterback Sam Darnold (14) against the Arizona Cardinals in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
PurplePTSD works in partnership with Vikings Territory, similarly doing their utmost to offer top-notch coverage of the Minnesota Vikings. As a result, we’re promoting five of their top articles of the past month in “The P/PTSD Perspective.” Take a peek at some of their best stuff.
Oct 30, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell congratulates tight end Johnny Mundt (86) after his first career touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.
2) Vikings Suddenly Hold Major Leverage: Good chance that Mr. Greenard sticks around. Capable pass rushers are hard to acquire. Even harder is getting capable pass rushers who are operating on strong contracts and who provide excellent leadership. Kicking over some added compensation to keep him happy makes sense.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell chats with cornerback Tavierre Thomas before kickoff at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn., Aug. 9, 2025, as the Vikings prepare to face the Houston Texans during preseason action. O’Connell surveys warmups while addressing Thomas along the sideline inside the stadium moments before the game begins. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
4) Vikings See a Young, Ascending Talent Stolen Away: The price tag is large. But, to be sure, Ryan Wright has improved a ton over his career (and may still have more development in front of him). Wish him well in New Orleans. Meanwhile, the Vikings are on the hunt for a new punter.
5) Kyler Murray Sweepstakes Looking Like a Two-Horse Race: The final race may have simply been the Vikings competing against themselves. Going to Pittsburgh made sense insofar as there’s a QB need alongside a roster that’s looking to compete. The Vikings, though, make a lot more sense.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) lines up on offense at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, during the regular-season matchup played on Oct. 24, 2021, between the Cardinals and Houston Texans. Murray surveys the defense before the snap while directing Arizona’s offense in the cross-conference contest. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports.
Carl Froch believes Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao 2 is “more exciting” than their first encounter, with the American hoping to avoid a “stain on his legacy”.
Their welterweight showdown in 2015 resulted in a clear unanimous decision victory for Mayweather, who largely controlled proceedings with his sharper movement and defensive nous.
It was later revealed, however, that Pacquiao had suffered a shoulder injury during his training camp, which only added to the frustration that their clash had arrived far too late.
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Although it is statistically the most lucrative boxing event of all time, most believe the contest failed to live up to its billing as the ‘Fight of the Century’.
As for their rematch, which takes place at the Sphere, Las Vegas, on September 19, it is difficult to know exactly what to expect from the two Hall of Famers.
Pacquiao, on the other hand, boxed to a draw against Mario Barrios, the then-WBC world welterweight champion, in July, proving that he is still capable of maintaining a considerable pace.
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For that reason, Froch has said on his YouTube channel that Mayweather must be careful not to lose his unbeaten record – which currently stands at 50-0 (27 KOs) – or else he risks diluting his legacy.
“This fight’s probably a little bit more exciting than their first fight, because Mayweather’s still unbeaten – he still keeps himself active [in the gym] – but Manny Pacquiao has just gone 12 rounds and got a draw with Barrios.
“So Manny Pacquiao can obviously still fight a little bit. Mayweather has got to be careful because, if he gets beat, he’s lost that unbeaten record, and that would be a little stain on his legacy. He’s one of the all-time greats.”
While Mayweather is risking his legacy, to some extent, by putting his unbeaten record on the line, many believe he ultimately has enough left in the tank to defeat Pacquiao once again.
2 min read Last Updated : Mar 14 2026 | 3:05 PM IST
In the span of three days, Mexico has lost two players for the World Cup.
Midfielder Marcel Ruiz tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, his club Toluca announced on Friday.
The 25-year-old Ruiz injured the joint on Wednesday in a CONCACAF Champions Cup match against San Diego of the MLS.
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Toluca said in a statement that in addition to the ligament rupture, Ruiz also suffered a meniscus tear in the same joint and will undergo surgery.
“Everyone at this club regrets what happened and we stand in solidarity with him, wishing him a speedy recovery,” the team said.
Mexico plays the World Cup opener on June 11 against South Africa.
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Ruiz was key in helping Toluca win their second consecutive championship last December.
Ruiz received his first call-up to the senior national team in 2023, and has been one of the most consistent players since Javier Aguirre took over as manager in August 2024. The midfielder has 17 matches with the national team and was expected to go to his first World Cup.
His absence adds to Club America goalkeeper Luis Malagon, who was diagnosed on Wednesday with a ruptured Achilles tendon in his left leg.
Mexico has another half-dozen players sidelined, although the most serious case is that of right back Rodrigo Huescas, who tore a knee ligament last November.
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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Sep 10, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings punter Ryan Wright (14) punts the ball during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Next week, another wave of NFL free agency will hit, but let’s take a moment to examine who went where for the Minnesota Vikings, a team with a tranquil philosophy, other than Kyer Murray, regarding adding newcomers.
A handful of ex-Vikings quickly came off the board as free agency moved into its next phase.
It’s the quietest Vikings free agency since 2020; here’s a look at who left for other ventures.
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Minnesota’s Departures Are Starting to Fill Out around the League
No real surprises, aside from the punter, on the list.
Defensive lineman Jonathan Allen discusses joining the Minnesota Vikings after signing in free agency, speaking about the transition from Washington and his expectations for the defense on March 12, 2025, during an appearance on the team’s official YouTube channel as Minnesota introduced one of its most notable defensive additions of the offseason. Mandatory Credit: YouTube
Jonathan Allen, DT Cincinnati Bengals
Allen inked a two-year, $26 million contract in Cincinnati, an advantageous development for Minnesota because Allen’s dead cap charge will become a financial wash for the Vikings next offseason.
After five days of free agency, the Bengals’ defensive tackle roster includes:
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B.J. Hill
Jonathan Allen
Kris Jenkins Jr.
T.J. Slaton Jr.
McKinnely Jackson
Jordan Jefferson
Howard Cross III
Despite this depth, the Bengals may still select another defensive tackle early in April’s draft, given the DT talent available.
Javon Hargrave, DT Green Bay Packers
This man pulled the turncoat maneuver, signing in Green Bay and adding a veteran presence to Jonathan Gannon’s defense, hoping his experience and pass-rushing skills can offset the loss of Kenny Clark, who was traded to Dallas in the Micah Parsons deal.
According to Pro Football Focus — and the eye test — Hargrave is a slightly above-average interior defender. In 2025, he earned a 70.0 pass-rushing grade and a 57.3 run-defense grade, resulting in an overall score of 68.0, ranking him 35th among interior linemen. While his pass rush remains a strength, his run defense has been less consistent.
His raw statistics bear it out. In 16 games and 537 defensive snaps (53% of the time), Hargrave recorded 52 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 6 quarterback hits, 4 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and 31 pressures. That pressure total ranked him 34th among all defensive tackles.
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Hargrave is expected to provide stability for Green Bay’s iDL, though his recent performance metrics suggest he is a middle-of-the-road NFL defensive tackle. And — there’s the inevitability that Minnesota will face him twice annually.
Jalen Nailor, WR Las Vegas Raiders
Nailor secured $35 million over the next three years from Las Vegas, the city that raised him. He’s instantly the WR1 on the Raiders’ depth chart — believe it or not — which was probably an alluring factor. Nailor has never accrued more than 500 yards in a single season. That might change in Sin City.
Nailor will also catch passes from Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, who is expected to go off the draftboard first in April. Meanwhile, there’s a decent chance that Nailor gets an old friend at quarterback if the Raiders sign Kirk Cousins for bridge passer duty.
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Regardless, Nailor got his bag.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor secures a pass while New Orleans Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor defends during third-quarter action on Nov. 12, 2023, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as the Vikings offense attacked through the air in a competitive NFC matchup against the visiting Saints. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Silver and Black Pride‘s Marcus Johnson on Nailor: “The former Michigan State receiver didn’t have a major role with the Vikings in Minnesota and has a chance to showcase his skill set with the Silver and Black. The Vikings lined him up inside and outside, which displays what his role will be with the Raiders.”
“This past season, he was in the slot 60% of the time, making a play that could move around all over the line of scrimmage. Nailor becomes a replacement for Jakobi Meyers, who was traded midseason in 2025. Nailor has upside that goes along with all the free agent signings this offseason. If he could reach his potential, he could add a hidden gem to Klint Kubiak’s offense.”
Ben Sims, TE Miami Dolphins
Following the first three days of free agency and the acquisition of Ben Sims, the Dolphins’ tight end roster includes:
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Greg Dulcich
Ben Sims
Jalin Conyers
Cole Turner
Zack Kuntz
Darren Waller, the team’s primary tight end last season, is still a free agent. However, due to Miami’s offseason coaching and front office changes, his return appears improbable.
David Njoku is another free agent to monitor. While he has had a productive career, he hasn’t attracted much free-agent attention so far. A team seeking a tight end, like Miami, could be a possible destination.
Sims played in eight games for the 2025 Vikings, catching 3 passes for 30 yards when given the chance.
Ryan Wright, P New Orleans Saints
Most fans thought Wright would return as the Vikings’ punter in 2026, and that’d be that.
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Minnesota Vikings punter Ryan Wright celebrates after drawing a penalty late in the game against the New England Patriots on Nov. 24, 2022, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, reacting with enthusiasm as the Vikings gained favorable field position during fourth-quarter action in the Thanksgiving night matchup. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
But then he swerved, signing with the New Orleans Saints for $14 million over the next four years. Wright’s career has resembled an odyssey — fantastic in 2022 as a rookie, snakebitten by struggles in 2023 and 2024, and back to majestic form in 2025.
As a result, Minnesota will need a new punter, and all signs point to a rookie, either in the last round of the draft or shortly after, from undrafted free agency.
The Vikings also lost valuable continuity in the field goal process, as Wright was Will Reichard’s holder in 2024 and 2025. Just Minnesota has a good thing going — Reichard was the best kicker in the NFL last season — a bit of disruption arose.
The Americans are making an adjustment ahead of their World Baseball Classic semifinal showdown against the Dominican Republic.
Toronto Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman will replace Clayton Kershaw for Team USA, joining the team ahead of Sunday’s game, the club announced on Saturday.
The U.S. advanced to the semis after a 5-3 win over Canada in Friday’s quarterfinal.
Hoffman, 33, has pitched two innings this spring with three strikeouts.
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During the 2025 regular season, his first with the Blue Jays, he pitched 68 innings and owned a 4.37 ERA with 84 strikeouts, 27 walks and 33 saves recorded.
He recovered his form during the post-season, though, with a 1.46 ERA across 12.1 innings, with 18 strikeouts, four walks and two saves.
He allowed the game-tying homer to Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas in Game 7 of the World Series, in which the Blue Jays would go on to lose in extra innings.
If called upon, this will be Hoffman’s first appearance in a World Baseball Classic.
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Kershaw, a three-time NL Cy Young award winner, retired at the end of last year after playing 18 MLB seasons. The left-hander came out of retirement to suit up for Team USA, but did not pitch in any of the team’s five games in the WBC.
Kershaw will remain with the team through the tournament despite being removed from the roster.
