Cubs get unfortunate Kyle Tucker news ahead of Braves game on Monday
The Chicago Cubs are headed into the final stretch of the MLB regular season as a team that is firmly in a playoff position. However, slugger Kyle Tucker continues to battle a calf injury, and it has led to speculation by fans as to why he hasn't had an IL stint yet.
Well, manager Craig Counsell cleared the air on the injury front, and also provided a big update on Kyle Tucker ahead of the team's upcoming series vs. the Braves.
Kyle Tucker is unlikely to return to the lineup on Monday
Due to his calf strain, Kyle Tucker is unlikely to return to the Cubs' lineup on Monday, as they open up a new series against the Braves.
This would mark Tucker's fourth consecutive game out of the lineup with calf tightness.
CBSSports was on the report:
"Manager Craig Counsell said following Sunday's 6-3 loss to Washington that he doesn't think that Tucker will be in the lineup Monday, but that the team is "starting to approach availability" with the outfielder. Tucker can continue to be considered day-to-day for the time being."
So while some have been calling for an Injured List stint, Counsell indicated that he may be close to returning.
Tucker has not missed many games for Chicago this season. Although he's struggled over the past couple of months, he's still played in 133 games and has an OPS+ of 148.
Notably, the biggest free agent in the 2026 class, Chicago, is being cautious with its top slugger as the playoffs approach rapidly. This is ultimately when Tucker's true value will be assessed.
He's smashed 22 home runs in those 133 games, and has driven in 73 runs.
His calf tightness situation will continue to be monitored closely, but if he doesn't return to the lineup in the coming days, there will certainly be cause for larger concern.
Raiders’ Geno Smith Gets Notable Reaction After Win Over Patriots
The Las Vegas Raiders have a reliable QB1 in Geno Smith as the veteran signal-caller led the Silver and Black to a road win in Week 1 over the New England Patriots.
Smith completed 24 of 34 passes for 362 passing yards and one touchdown. The veteran quarterback’s lone touchdown was a 26-yard strike to Tre Tucker in the first quarter.
Meanwhile, he connected with tight end Brock Bowers five times for 103 yards. Late in the fourth quarter, Smith also threw a 36-yard pass to rookie Dont’e Thornton, helping the Raiders secure the win.
With Smith hitting the ground running as the Raiders’ quarterback, CBS Sports analyst Danny Kanell had major praise for him and believes this success can be sustainable for the entire season.
“I love Geno’s story,” Kanell said on “CBS Sports HQ.“ “He’s taking the long road. What he did in Seattle was phenomenal. And then to show them, he was a playmaker. I mean, the touchdown pass was a beautiful anticipation ball to Tre Tucker, the one where he blooped it over, and it was a great touch pass.
“Then how about him making plays where he’s outside the pocket, the fourth down conversion, where he’s rolling to his left and then knows where to go with the football, throws it all the way back across the field to his right, which is not the most advised pass. It’s ill-advised to try to make a couple of those. He’s a playmaker. He’s got some game left in him, where I think it could make the Raiders an interesting story this season.”
Jakobi Meyers Gives Raiders QB Geno Smith Love
One of the receivers who benefited from Smith’s performance against the Patriots was Jakobi Meyers. The veteran receiver recorded eight receptions for 97 receiving yards for an impressive afternoon in New England. After the win, Meyers also had high praise for the Raiders’ new quarterback.
“He’s just a dog, man,“ Meyers told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. “He just wanted to win by any means, and that’s a guy you could get behind. Big salute to Geno. He played hard today. I appreciate him so much.”
Geno Smith Isn’t Getting Too High on His Performance
Following the win over the Patriots, Smith told CBS Sports he’s pleased to start his time in Las Vegas on a strong note. While many are praising the former Seattle Seahawks quarterback, he’s staying grounded and taking each game one at a time.
“Just one win,“ Smith said. “We’ve got a long ways to go. Happy we got to win, but we got to work tomorrow. I’m ready for work… I think we just stuck with the game plan. I thought we did execute it better in the second half. It’s a four-quarter game. They’re a good team as well. I mean, it’s the NFL. They’re going to win some as well. But we stuck with it, no one panicked, and we kept going, and we figured it out.”
Las Vegas now shifts focus to Week 2, where it will take on the Los Angeles Chargers in an AFC West matchup. Both teams come into the game riding a win, with the Chargers having beaten the Kansas City Chiefs in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
