Curtis Mead injury sends Red Sox back toward trade market
Mead fractured his wrist in his Boston debut, while Jalen Carter and Denzel Ward are set for record NFL extensions.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
3 min read
The Curtis Mead injury has turned Boston’s first major MLB trade deadline swing into an instant headache, with CBS Sports reporting that the newly acquired Red Sox infielder fractured his wrist in his debut and could realistically miss the rest of the season.
Boston had acquired Mead from the Athletics in exchange for Connelly Early, making one of the first notable moves before the deadline. Two days later, the Red Sox were already staring at another roster problem.
According to CBS Sports, the club already needed more help before Mead went down. The injury adds urgency to Boston’s search for reinforcements, and CBS Sports reported that the Red Sox are looking for a new shortstop.
What happened to Curtis Mead?
Mead fractured his wrist during his first game with the Red Sox, according to CBS Sports. The timing is brutal for Boston because he had just arrived in a deadline deal meant to help the club for the stretch run.
The wider MLB deadline picture is getting spicy, too. CBS Sports reported that the Cardinals are weighing whether to move one or two assets or take a far bigger step back, while the Tigers may be slipping far enough in the standings to make a Tarik Skubal trade part of the conversation.
NFL defenders cash in
In the NFL, two defensive stars are on track for record-setting paydays. CBS Sports reported that the Eagles are expected to give Jalen Carter a four-year, $152 million extension, a deal that would make him the highest-paid defensive tackle in league history.
The reported extension would keep Carter in Philadelphia through 2031. CBS Sports noted that the Eagles would then have one of the league’s priciest interior defensive lines, with Jordan Davis already playing on a large contract of his own.
Denzel Ward is also set to hit a historic number. CBS Sports reported that the Browns cornerback will become the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history for the second time in his career when he signs a two-year, $62.2 million extension.
That deal is being added to Ward’s current contract, according to CBS Sports, keeping him tied to Cleveland through 2029.
More sports notes from a busy board
Draymond Green is expected back with the Warriors, CBS Sports reported, on a one-year, $27.7 million deal. The report said that is the same contract Green opted out of while Golden State tried to create flexibility to sign LeBron James, who instead joined the 76ers.
Green also said he believes James avoided the Warriors because of the stigma attached to joining an established superstar such as Stephen Curry, according to CBS Sports.
In college football, CBS Sports reported that Big Ten Media Days opened in Chicago with commissioner Tony Petitti and representatives from six programs discussing the conference and the 2026 season. USC is facing high expectations under Lincoln Riley, while Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell acknowledged pressure entering a pivotal campaign.
College sports’ jersey patch era also took another leap. CBS Sports reported that Ohio State announced a JPMorgan Chase partnership worth at least $15 million per year, before Notre Dame revealed a SoFi agreement worth $18 million to $20 million.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.