The NBA trade deadline isn’t until Feb. 5, but trade season intensifies on Dec. 15 when a large group of players become eligible to be moved. The Phoenix Suns have been a pleasant surprise early on, but how active should they be in the pursuit of a roster upgrade?

PHoenix Suns trade rumors

The Suns have been linked to Sacramento Kings star Domantas Sabonis, but there’s also a long list of complementary players that could be more realistic targets for Phoenix.

Among that list of players is a group of big men that Gil McGregor and Stephen PridGeon-Garner discussed through the lens of the Suns’ trade needs.

The PHNX Suns team discusses the approach the team should take as the deadline nears. Follow the show @PHNX_Suns, @ErikRuby, @GilMcGregor_, @StephenPG3 & @Espo

0:00– Intro

3:30 – Recapping Last Nights Game vs The Lakers

18:06 – Lets Talk Devin Booker’s Return

29:45 – In The NBA, Dec 15th Means MORE TRADES

40:10 – What Should The Suns Be WILLING To Give Up?

45:45 – Are The Suns In Or OUT On Kuminga and Sabonis

52:20 – WHO HE TRADE FOR?

1:01:00 – The Two Minute Report Has DROPPED…

The Eagles were able to break their losing stream on Sunday against the Raiders, the offense put up 31 points and the defense forced the first shut-out in Philly since 2018. It was a well-round performance by the team, but the defense was still the highlight — they held Las Vegas to under 75 yards of offense, were able to rotate guys and keep them fresh, and Brandon Graham set a franchise record for being the oldest player to record a sack (and he got two).

After the game, quarterback Jalen Hurts kept his answers about the Eagles offense short and to the point, answering many by just highlighting that they found a way to win. And while the QB didn’t care to elaborate much about his impressive performance, he did make sure to give the Eagles defense — and Brandon Graham — their flowers.

“A great defensive performance. I don’t think that’s something that you can dismiss or undervalue, [to] not look forward, to give up 75 total yards of offense and lead the game with a goose egg on the board. You couldn’t ask for anything more. So, glad we were able to compliment them on the other side of the ball today.”

Over the years, Jalen Hurts formed quite a bond with Brandon Graham, and had some thoughtful words to describe the 15-year veteran who recently came out of retirement and notched two sacks in Sunday’s game.

“Awesome. Awesome, awesome. Two of them at his age and being able to come back. I think someone like Brandon, he serves more value than just his presence and his leadership. He’s still a hell of a player, and I’m glad he’s able to feel that personally for himself and set the tone in a way for our team.”

Hurts and the Eagles offense have relied on the defense a lot this season to get to 9-5, but it was nice to see that the pressure wasn’t on that side of the ball much on Sunday.

LA Galaxy have officially completed a blockbuster move for one of the league's top defenders, as the Western Conference side welcome Philadelphia Union center-back Jakob Glesnes to SoCal.

The former MLS Defender of the Year is the latest big name to depart the 2025 Supporters' Shield winners, joining Tai Baribo, who will reportedly travel down I-95 to join up with D.C. United.

Glesnes, 31, has been a key presence for the Union since arriving from Norwegian Eliteserien outfit Strømsgodset in 2020, helping the club to two Supporters' Shield honors, an appearance in the MLS Cup finals in 2022, banking MLS All-Star selections on three occasions (2022, 2023, 2025) along the way.

"We are thrilled to welcome Jakob and his family to Los Angeles," said Galaxy GM Will Kuntz.

"In his six years in MLS, Jakob has established himself as one of the best center-backs in the league and a back-line leader on multiple Supporter's Shield winning teams. We look forward to having Jakob join the group in January as we prepare for the 2026 campaign."

The deal will set the Galaxy back north of $1m GAM + performance-based add-ons.

Glesnes' addition to the Galaxy ranks could be a catalyst for the club to bounce back from a dismal 2025 campaign that saw the six-time MLS Cup winners finish 14th in the West.

📸 Zoe Davis - 2025 Getty Images

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bears had just wiped out the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Caleb Williams wasted no time turning his attention toward the next game.

Chicago and Green Bay will meet for the second time in three weeks when the Packers visit Soldier Field on Saturday night. And Williams is ready for the rematch.

“I’m definitely excited,” he said after beating Cleveland. "I’m excited for the moment. They’re coming here, and it’s another game for us. But I’m excited.”

The NFC North-leading Bears (10-4) won five straight games and nine of 10 before losing 28-21 at Lambeau Field two weeks ago, when Williams underthrew Cole Kmet on an interception in the end zone in the closing minute. Chicago fell behind the Packers in the division and dropped from first to seventh in the conference.

The Bears bounced back in a big way against the struggling Browns, winning 31-3 in one of the coldest games ever at Soldier Field. With the Packers (9-4-1) losing at Denver, Chicago regained the division lead.

The schedule is about to take another tough turn, with Green Bay visiting and a trip to San Francisco before Chicago hosts Detroit in the finale. The Bears at least won't have to deal with Micah Parsons after the Packers' superstar pass rusher tore his left ACL in the third quarter at Denver.

Even so, a win over Green Bay is hardly a sure thing for Chicago. The Packers have dominated the NFL's longest-running rivalry the past few decades. And if Williams wants some payback for the most recent meeting, that's fine with coach Ben Johnson.

“I’m glad Caleb didn’t like how the last one ended,” he said Monday. "None of us should. No one likes to lose. And so the only way you can shake that feeling is to look to stack more victories. And so that’s our intent.”

The defense. Chicago held Cleveland to 192 yards and sacked Shedeur Sanders five times in his fourth start. The Bears also had three interceptions, leading to two touchdowns and a field goal, and extended their league-leading totals in INTs (21), takeaways (30) and turnover differential (plus-20).

The way the Bears dominated, it was hard to find fault with their performance.

WR DJ Moore. If Moore seemed like a forgotten man the previous week, well, consider this quite a reintroduction.

He went from being targeted just three times and catching one pass for a 4-yard loss to contributing 69 yards and two touchdowns with leading receiver Rome Odunze missing his second straight game because of a lingering foot injury. That included a highlight-reel grab on a 22-yarder in the third quarter. Williams rolled toward the right sideline and Moore went up in a crowd in the back of the end zone to haul in the pass.

Moore, who is second on the team with 43 receptions and 567 yards, is on pace to finish with 689 yards. His career low is 788 yards in 2018 as a rookie with Carolina.

K Cairo Santos. In seven seasons with the Bears, Santos had never missed a field goal of 39 yards or less. He was 84 for 84 before a 35-yarder nicked the right upright in the second quarter, a bad miss even with the Browns' Myles Garrett coming in off the edge. Santos is 21 of 26 on field goals this season.

Johnson said “all options are on the table” with Odunze after he aggravated his foot injury in warmups and was a late scratch. It's been bothering him since October, and the team had been managing the situation by having him sit out some practices. “There may be a case where we have to protect him from himself a little bit and just make sure we get him right and he’ll be able to help us down the road," Johnson said. ... The Bears opened a 21-day practice window on LB Tremaine Edmunds (groin), who has missed the past four games. He was hurt in Chicago's Week 11 win at Minnesota. ... WR Luther Burden (ankle) is day to day after he was hurt on Sunday.

3 — The three points were the fewest allowed by Chicago since a 29-3 victory over the New York Giants in Week 17 of the 2021 season. The previous low this year was 14 in wins over Dallas in Week 3 and New Orleans in Week 7.

The Bears will try to beat the Packers for the second time in three meetings and get some payback for the loss in Week 14. Chicago won at Lambeau Field in last year's finale, ending an 11-game losing streak against Green Bay.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

The Bills showed yet again that when they are down, that doesn't mean they are out.

Buffalo left Foxboro on Sunday with another win to improve to 10-4, staging another exciting come-from-behind thriller to beat the Patriots 35-31.

Down 21 points early in the game, Buffalo came stampeding into the winner's circle.

BILLS COMPLETE THE COMEBACK TO TAKE DOWN DRAKE MAYE AND END THE PATS' 10-GAME WINNING STREAK 😱 pic.twitter.com/xxLYTSVara

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 14, 2025

The win over New England splits the season series and keeps the division crown and playoff seeding possibilities alive for Buffalo, and QB Josh Allen's play keeps the reigning Most Valuable Player conversation for this year's MVP honors.

"We don't blink," he said to a CBS sideline reporter after the game. TE Dawson Knox said the same about the team, "No one in here blinks."

Allen elaborated further on the topic during his postgame press conference.

"We stayed the course," the QB said. "Stayed together, didn't ride the highs, didn't ride the lows. Just told ourselves at halftime, you know, we really felt like we were hurting ourselves in the first half. Going out there and just trying to execute each and every given play."

The Drake Maye-led Pats team came out swinging offensively, putting up a 21-point three-touchdown lead early and racking up 31 total points to try and get an AFC East-clinching win against the longtime kings of the division.

While the two offenses traded blows with three lead changes in the fourth quarter, Allen and the Bills stormed back with five straight touchdown drives to take a 35-31 lead.

With minutes left to play, the Buffalo defense came out and said 'Maye-be-not', getting the stop on the New England QB and their offense to give Buffalo the Ball with under two minutes on the clock. On the ensuing possession, Ty Johson got the game-sealing first down on a running play to run out the clock and close things out.

"A resilient, tough football team," is how head coach Sean McDermott described them to the press. "When you're down like we were at halftime, I thought the staff did a great job making adjustments and the players executed."

When asked about Allen's comeback after the game, longtime AFC opponent and new Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel found himself at a loss for words.

“That’s why they pay him $60 million. I don’t know what to tell you.”

Never doubt #JamesCookie#BillsWin 🍪🍪🍪 ❤️💙

— James Cook (@thegreat__4) December 14, 2025

This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Bills' Josh Allen on Patriots: 'We stayed the course'

Cameron Menzies has apologised for angrily punching a drinks table after his five-set defeat by Charlie Manby in the first round of the PDC World Championship.

The 26th seed from Scotland hit the underside of the table three times before holding his hand up in apology to the Alexandra Palace crowd as he left the stage.

Menzies, 36, was pictured with blood pouring from a gash on his right hand.

He had led 1-0 and 2-1 in sets before highly rated English debutant Manby, 20, fought back and clinched victory with his seventh match dart.

In a statement released after the match, Menzies said: "First of all, I would like to apologise for what happened. I am sorry that I reacted in the manner that I did.

"It's not an excuse, but I have had a lot of things on my mind recently and I suppose it all just became too much at the end.

"It has not been an easy time for me with my uncle Gary passing away recently. I saw him four days before he died and he gave me a look which told me how much he thought of me.

"Had I won the game against Charlie, my second match would have been on the day of Gary's funeral and that hasn't been lost on me.

"Let me say again, that's no excuse for what I did on the stage. It was the wrong thing to do and I don't want it to take anything away from Charlie. He played well.

"This is not how I would like people to view me. Yes, I can get emotional at times, but not like that and that wasn't right."

Professional Darts Corporation chief executive Matt Porter said: "I spoke with Cameron and his management before he left the venue, and he knows there is support available from the PDC and the PDPA [Professional Darts Players Association].

"Any incident of this nature is reported to the Darts Regulation Authority for review, but our main priority is the player's health and wellbeing."

It is the second year running that Menzies has been knocked out in the first round, after he broke down in tears during and following his exit to Leonard Gates last December.

Menzies later revealed his father Ricky had been ill in hospital at the time.

Players can be sanctioned under Darts Regulation Authority rules for aggressive, disruptive or abusive behaviour.

Former World Championship semi-finalist Wayne Mardle said on Sky Sports: "The frustration boiled over, the anger and the anguish of losing, but you've got to control that. That's what conducting yourself in the right way is all about.

"He let himself down and I'm sure he'll be punished accordingly by the Darts Regulation Authority, but hopefully the Professional Darts Players Association are there for him.

"You've got to control yourself and he didn't and you can't do that anywhere, let alone on the biggest stage of them all. I hope he can correct his behaviour and move forward."

Seeds Clayton and Wright go through

Two-time champion Peter Wright made it through to round two with a straight-set win over Noa-Lynn van Leuven.

The 55-year-old Scot, wearing a festive-themed outfit, landed a 152 checkout in the first set and was taken to a deciding leg in the second, before closing out victory comfortably in the third.

Wright, who will face German Arno Merk in round two, told Sky Sports: "I know I didn't play well but I will play well in the next round. You've got to grow into the tournament."

Wright, the winner in 2020 and 2022, has struggled for form in recent times and has slipped to 30th in the PDC world rankings as a result.

He reached the quarter-finals last year, ending Luke Humphries' title defence on his way to the last eight before losing to Stephen Bunting.

Van Leuven, who became the first transgender player to appear at the PDC World Championship last year, was one of five players from the Women's Series to qualify for the event at Alexandra Palace.

Welsh fifth seed Jonny Clayton averaged just above 93 in a 3-1 win against English debutant Adam Lipscombe, while Dutch 29th seed Dirk van Duijvenbode came through the deciding set of an entertaining match with Belgium's Andy Baetens.

Northern Ireland's Brendan Dolan, Austria's Mensur Suljovic and Max Hopp of Germany were also victorious on Monday while Englishman Connor Scutt edged out Australian veteran Simon Whitlock 3-2.

Among the players in first-round action on Tuesday are England's Chris Dobey, a semi-finalist last year, and Wales' 2021 world champion Gerwyn Price.

• World Darts Championship 2026 schedule and results
• World Darts Championship - Draw, seeds, prize money

Monday's results

• Brendan Dolan 3-1 Tavis Dudeney
• Cameron Menzies 2-3 Charlie Manby
• Mensur Suljovic 3-1 David Cameron
• Peter Wright 3-0 Noa-Lynn van Leuven
• Martin Lukeman 1-3 Max Hopp
• Dirk van Duijvenbode 3-2 Andy Baetens
• Jonny Clayton 3-1 Adam Lipscombe
• Connor Scutt 3-2 Simon Whitlock

Tuesday schedule

From 12:30 GMT:

• Alan Soutar v Teemu Harju
• Nick Kenny v Justin Hood
• Scott Williams v Paolo Nebrida
• Chris Dobey v Xiaochen Zong

From 19:00 GMT:

• Ricardo Pietreczko v Jose de Sousa
• Danny Noppert v Jurjen van der Velde
• Gerwyn Price v Adam Gawlas
• Niko Springer v Joe Comito

• The Alexandra Palace wasp is back - but where are they coming from?
• Bunting to face Kumar after historic Indian win

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have a commitment from cornerback Zay Hasan.

Hasan is 6'0", 190 pounds and will be heading to South Bend from Raleigh, North Carolina.

The class of 2027 member chose Notre Dame over Ohio State, Tennessee and Florida State.

Rivals.com have Hasan listed as a four-star recruit and at No. 27 on their list of the 2027 Rivals 300.

BREAKING: Elite 2027 CB Zay Hasan has Committed to Notre Dame, he tells me for @rivals⁰⁰The 6’0 190 CB chose the Fighting Irish over Ohio State, Tennessee, & FSU⁰⁰He’s ranked as the No. 27 Recruit in the 2027 Rivals300⁰⁰“Best in NC play in ND ☘️”⁰⁰https://t.co/G7Dj4dFIyFpic.twitter.com/SGg5RA67rN

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 15, 2025

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes and opinions.

Follow Tim on X: @tehealey

This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Notre Dame will welcome cornerback Zay Hasan to campus

Go check out these Feed posts from BravemanNC (Addition of James Karinchak) and ThrowItAgain (All that Jazz). Once you’re done checking those out, come on in and chill out for the night.

Here’s a random clip:

The Cleveland Cavaliers had a chance to win late in Sunday’s overtime loss to the Charlotte Hornets. They were up three with 13 seconds left. The Hornets had a chance to tie the game with a late three-pointer on their final possession of regulation.

The Cavs haven’t been in this position often this season. Last season, Kenny Atkinson demonstrated that he would prefer his team to foul when up by three points late. They didn’t on Sunday. Brandon Miller hit a game-tying three after Darius Garland fell to the ground after taking a bump from Miller.

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Cleveland went on to lose the game in overtime. According to Atkinson, Miller shouldn’t have had a chance to take the game-tying three-pointer.

“Yes,” Atkinson said when asked if he thought about fouling up three on the final possession. “We’re a foul team (when in this position).

Atkinson didn’t go as far as saying Garland messed up. He thought that Garland drew an offensive foul on the play that led to the three.

“I don’t know, I thought DG (Garland)…was in really good position,” Atkinson said. “I’m not criticizing the refs. I still don’t understand how you can go through [a] guy’s chest when they’re in a legal guarding position. They just won’t call it, and the smaller guy really gets penalized for moving the feet, getting in the right position, [just for the offensive player to] go through your chest.”

That said, Atkinson didn’t want his team in a position to be relying on a call like that late.

“But yeah, we’re a foul team,” Atkinson concluded.

The Cavs had a chance to win the game at the end of regulation, but Donovan Mitchell missed a midrange jumper. They then went scoreless in overtime.

There are a lot of things to blame for why the Cavs lost on Sunday. Not being able to send the Hornets to the free-throw line late was just one of the contributing factors.

“Gooch” is back.

During the UFC Vegas 112 broadcast last weekend, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) officials announced that No. 8-ranked Flyweight Kyoji Horiguchi will face No. 5-ranked Amir Albazi in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 113, scheduled for Sat., Feb. 7, 2026, inside the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Horiguchi (35-5) returned to the Octagon last month after nearly a decade away from the promotion and made an immediate statement. The Japanese standout dominated Tagir Ulanbekov at UFC Qatar, becoming the first fighter to finish the notoriously durable Russian (watch highlights).

Following the victory, Horiguchi called for a Flyweight title shot against teammate Alexandre Pantoja — a bout the then-champion appeared willing to accept. However, with the Flyweight title picture currently in flux, those plans were put on hold, opening the door for Horiguchi to test himself against the division’s elite.

Now, he’ll get his opportunity against a Top 5 contender. Horiguchi enters the matchup riding a six-fight win streak, with three of those victories coming by way of finish.

Albazi (17-2) hasn’t competed since 2024, sitting out all of 2025 after withdrawing from a scheduled bout against Tatsuro Taira just days before their planned August showdown.

The 31-year-old endured a grueling 16-month layoff between 2023 and 2024, battling injuries that included heart surgery and another injury that could have left him paralyzed if untreated. Albazi’s last fight saw his six-fight win streak snapped by former champion, Brandon Moreno, at UFC Edmonton in 2024, marking his first UFC loss.

Here is what UFC Vegas 113 looks like so far:

• Mario Bautista vs. Vinicius Oliveira
• Amir Albazi vs. Kyoji Horiguchi
• Farid Basharat vs. Jean Matsumoto
• Rizvan Kuniev vs. Ryan Spann
• Marc-Andre Barriault vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk
• Uran Satybaldiev vs. Julius Walker
• Wang Cong vs. Eduarda Moura

To checkout UFC’s upcoming schedule of events click here.

The Chicago Bears put last week’s loss in Green Bay behind them, focused on the job at hand, and beat the Cleveland Browns 31 to 3. Previous Bear teams may have fallen into the trap of looking ahead to the rematch with the Packers, but that’s not the culture head coach Ben Johnson has built with this group. The 2025 Bears allowed the sting of losing in Lambeau to fuel them all week, and they took it out on the hapless Browns.

The Bears did what good teams are supposed to do, and they crushed a lesser opponent.

I can’t wait for Saturday night, but let’s put a bow on the Browns game.

Check out JB and me on our latest show, embedded right here (or on YouTube), live at 6:00 p.m. CT.

Podcast version right here:

Here’s our usual bullet point outline of Bear & Balanced.

• Intro: We’ll both share some general thoughts about the game.
• Trench Tribute: This is our weekly pick for the best Bears lineman.
• Caught up in a numbers game: This segment features one number or statistic from the game that we found interesting.
• Sweet Tweets: We’re both active on social media — so be sure you’re all following us at @gridironborn & @wiltfongjr — and we highlight one Twitter interaction/Tweet each week. We’re both on Bluesky here and here as well.
• The Caleb Corner: We talk about quarterback Caleb Williams before we take our commercial break.
• The 3 Bears: You all know the story of the Three Bears, don’t you? In this porridge-themed portion of the show, we give our picks for the Bear that was hot, the Bear that was cold, and the Bear that was just right in the game against the Browns.

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As we barrel toward the Jan. 9 WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement deadline, negotiations don’t seem to be making much progress. In a new update from The Athletic’s Ben Pickman on Monday, the WNBA players’ union is currently proposing a revenue-sharing percentage of 30%, over double the league’s previous offer of 14%. On top of that disparity, the league and its players also cannot seem to agree on a similar number of games to be played in a season, as well as benefits like non-birthing parent leave.

While some of the proposals from the WNBPA may have to be adjusted or scrapped altogether in negotiations, one that 100% should stay is the pitch for a development program. Something like this would revolutionize women’s basketball and be so beneficial to both the players and the league as a whole. This is the first we are hearing of this specific proposal, and it’s a good one.

Players hope to establish WNBA development program

One new proposal from the players that Pickman included in this latest update was the introduction of development players in the WNBA. They are asking for each team to be able to sign up to two development players per season, who would be paid a stipend as well as a pro-rated salary on days they are called up to the active roster. There would be a limit to how many days these players could be active on the roster, and if teams wanted them for longer, they could sign them to a rest-of-the-season contract.

It’s similar to the way the NBA handles two-way contracts on the men’s side. The difference is that the WNBA doesn’t have a G-League, so the players wouldn’t be playing for two teams. Instead, they’d be involved in practices and called up when needed. In the NBA, two-way players also have a limit on how many days they can be active on the NBA roster, and can be converted to standard contracts as well.

The reported proposal from the league also includes an increase in minimum roster requirements for the league. They are suggesting raising the minimum roster requirement to 12 players from the current 11 players. Adding two development players and full rosters would increase that to 14 players. The players also want every roster spot in the league to be guaranteed, and reading into this latest update gives the impression that these development players would also be guaranteed in at least their developmental roles.

Not only would the introduction of development players be an excellent choice for the WNBA, but it’s also a revolutionary concept for women’s basketball as a whole.

Solving the WNBA’s depth problem

Another big negotiating point in these talks has been the length of the season and how many games will be included in each WNBA season. There is no way the WNBA can extend the season to 50-plus games (which is the current proposal, per TheAthletic) in a year with 11-player rosters — the effects of a 45-game season were already on display this past season. There were a lot of injuries — including to the league’s stars like Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier, and Breanna Stewart, who all missed significant time this summer.

The NBA plays 82-game seasons with 15-person rosters. The WNBPA’s current proposal of 12 players + two development players makes sense for a 50-plus game season.

As it currently stands, most WNBA teams have 11 rostered players, and can start signing hardship players when they dip below 10 healthy players. With no feeder teams or system, teams then dip into free agency to get players to fill those 10-day hardship contract spots. This causes players to bounce around from system to system on these 10-day deals. There is no consistency in being able to bring in players who know your system. Having a deeper roster, plus development players to call up when needed, would mean teams could bring in players who know their system, making the whole process smoother — and might even make those games, and the process of building rosters, more fun to follow for fans.

More opportunities for players out of college

The WNBA currently holds a three-round draft every year, where teams can pick from NCAA and international prospects to add to their teams. Even currently, about two-thirds of players drafted don’t end up making rosters by the time the season starts, just a few weeks later.

It almost makes the draft a little pointless beyond the first round and a half, except for a few standouts that get lucky. Once players are waived from training camp, they either try to hang around in hopes of being picked up on hardship contracts during the season, start training to play overseas in the fall, or move on from playing basketball entirely.

The WNBA introducing a development system league-wide could be revolutionary for these young fringe players who don’t get the chance to develop. When you think about adding 2 new expansion teams at 12 players each, plus 2 development players for each team, that’s 54 new roster spots that could be added to the WNBA in 2026 alone. 54 more players that will get the chance to play for teams, or at the very least, get the chance to develop their skills in hopes of making a roster in the future.

With the women’s college basketball game growing at the rate it is, and the amount of parity and skill we are seeing in the NCAA, that is just going to give more of those deserving players a chance. This also opens up the potential for more international players to come into the WNBA, which would continue to globalize the league.

This new system not only makes the WNBA’s later draft rounds relevant again, but it would mean fewer talented players would get waived from rosters before their careers have even had the chance to begin.

Philip Rivers made his highly anticipated return to the NFL on Sunday, starting for the Indianapolis Colts five years after he played his last professional snap in 2020.

The Colts couldn't get the win as a heavy underdog against the Seattle Seahawks, falling 18-16 on a late field goal in a game in which Seattle didn't score a touchdown. Rivers certainly looked rusty, but his stat line of 18 of 27 for 120 yards, a touchdown and an interception didn't exactly reflect a 44-year-old who retired five years ago.

With Daniel Jones on the injured reserve and Riley Leonard week-to-week nursing an injury, it could be the Rivers show the rest of the way in 2025. However, a quarterback more than 20 years his junior could be gunning for his job.

Backup Anthony Richardson has been on the injured reserve since Week 6 after fracturing an orbital bone in his eye during pregame warmups, but according to multiple reports on Monday, he's been cleared to resume football activities.

The Colts still haven't designated Richardson to return from the IR, and coach Shane Steichen said that Rivers will start next Monday night against the 49ers. Steichen said that the team is "just starting to work him back into physical activity," adding that it "didn't bring (Rivers) here to sit on the bench."

Anthony Richardson Sr. (orbital fracture) has been cleared but nothing on starting his return to practice window.

Don’t get vibe Colts feel AR is close to playing a game.

Steichen on Rivers: “Didn’t bring him here to sit on the bench.”

Here’s what Steichen had to say on AR: pic.twitter.com/oao8vffyi5

— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) December 15, 2025

It seems that Indy isn't rushing Richardson back into the fold, and that could mean that Rivers will get the opportunity to start the rest of the way as the Colts look to salvage a playoff bid.

However, if Richardson is indeed able to return to the field before the end of the regular season, it will create an interesting decision for the coaching staff.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Anthony Richardson returning to Colts could end Philip Rivers comeback

With one game remaining in Week 15, there have been 53 games decided by a game-winning score in the final two minutes of regulation or in overtime, including the game-winning 47-yard field goal with two seconds remaining by New Orleans kicker Charlie Smyth, marking the 53rd such game.

Six teams won in Week 15 after trailing by at least 10 points, which tied the most in a single week in NFL history. Six teams in Week 5 of 2025, Week 13 of 2013, Week 14 of 2011, Week 13 of 2002, Week 4 of 1999, and Week 8 of 1984. The Buffalo Bills overcame a 21-point deficit to the New England Patriots to defeat them by a score of 35-31.

The Atlanta Falcons overcame a 14-point deficit to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to defeat them on Thursday Night Football. The Chargers, Rams, Saints, and Seahawks each overcame a 10-point deficit to win their Week 15 games. The Week 15 slate was considered the best overall schedule of games throughout the 2025 NFL season.

After Week 15, only two teams have clinched playoff spots so far. The Los Angeles Rams clinched with their win over the Detroit Lions, and the Denver Broncos clinched a spot with their victory at home over the Green Bay Packers.

The NFL playoffs will look a little different this year without the likes of the Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals, or the Dallas Cowboys, who had very high hopes coming in. The Chiefs' playoff hopes were dashed for the first time since 2015. A season that has gone down to the wire on many occasions has taken its toll on some of the league's elite talents, but some new sheriffs may be earning a playoff badge in town in the near future.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Some new sheriffs are in town in the NFL, and they look to stay put

Buccaneers' Jalen McMillan gets honest about 'scary' neck injury originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Yes, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers might have lost to the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night, but it wasn't all bad for fans.

Because they got to see Jalen McMillan for the first time this season after suffering a neck injury in preseason, and the second-year receiver didn't disappoint.

He hauled in two catches for 38 yards in his return, and it was good for the soul seeing Jalen back playing the game he loves.

But we might now have a bigger appreciation for Jalen and what he went through over the past few months, as on Monday, he was honest about what he went through with his neck injury.

“It was dark for me at first,” McMillan said. “At first, I felt good, and I thought it was just a minor injury, and then the doctor said I almost got paralyzed. So, it scared me a little bit. There was doubt too because I didn't know if I was going to be playing again."

More:Bucs fans will love Tristan Wirfs' NFC South message after Falcons loss

McMillan opens up on neck injury

The fact that McMillan was nearly paralyzed is a seriously scary thing, and that's just from a physical standpoint.

Dealing with that news mentally was no doubt a big challenge for Jalen, and he detailed that it was a hard time in his life.

"I kept having to try to wake up with a positive attitude, and I didn't for like two weeks," McMillan added. "I was just sad and depressed, but then a mode switched, I was able to wake up, do positive things, find small wins, celebrate the small wins throughout the day."

Now with his first game of the year under his belt, the hope is that Jalen will use this as a springboard for the rest of the season and help fire Tampa Bay into the playoffs.

With the journey Jalen went through over the last few months, he gained a new appreciation for the game he loves, because it was so close to being taken away from him.

More Buccaneers news:

• Baker Mayfield shoulders blame for Buccaneers' collapse against Falcons
• Bucky Irving's frustrating lack of usage near goal line explained by Bucs reporter
• Todd Bowles points finger after Bucs' loss to Falcons and it wasn't at the coaches
• Buccaneers vs. Falcons final score, results: Kirk Cousins, Falcons storm back from 14-point deficit to shock Buccaneers

Browns' HC Kevin Stefanski briefly addresses Sanders' future originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

On Sunday, the Cleveland Browns experienced yet another loss, dropping their record to 3-11 in a season highlighted by quarterback drama.

Shedeur Sanders started his fourth game in a row after appearing in the second half of their 23-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens during Week 11 after previous starter Dillon Gabriel suffered a concussion in the second half.

In that brief stint, Sanders did not have a good outing, only completing four out of 12 total pass attempts, but threw for over 200 yards and a touchdown in their win on the road over the Las Vegas Raiders.

• Browns' Shedeur Sanders is under pressure more than any QB since 2009
• Shedeur Sanders' wristband issue receives ridiculous explanation from Browns' Kevin Stefanski
• Shedeur Sanders is currently the worst quarterback in football

However, since then the team has lost three straight and yesterday, was the worst start of the prodigies' young career as he got sacked five times and threw three interceptions while only putting up a 30.3 passing rating.

During the post game interviews, he basically was told to "stay in a rookie's place" by Super Bowl champion safety, C.J. Gardner-Johnson who caught his third pick of the game.

Last week, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that Sanders will remain the starter for the rest of the season, and after the rough performance by the "perfect timing" signal call, Stefanski was asked if he still stands by his decision, in which he replied with one word, "Yes."

To be fair to Browns and Sanders, they are not the only team the Bears' defense has given problems to throughout this season; the Bears' defense leads the league in takeaways, averaging 2.10 turnovers per game.

Pat Fitzgerald is beginning his pursuit of the 2027 recruiting class, identifying targets to offer in the next class. On Monday, a couple of in-state offers went out, including a Grand Rapids native.

Lundon Hampton, a 6-foot-2, 190-pounder that plays both running back and defensive back, receiving an offer as an athlete from Fitzgerald. Previously a standout at Jackson Lumen Christi, he currently is at Kenowa Hills.

He currently does not have a ranking on the recruiting services, but does hold power conference offers from Cincinnati and Pitt. He holds FBS offers from Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Marshall, Southern Miss, Toledo and Western Michigan.

After a great conversation with coach @coachfitz51 I am super blessed to receive an offer from Michigan state university @Donfellows2@CoachBlackwell_@AllenTrieu@247Sports@MarcSutherland_pic.twitter.com/pJymTGfLyo

— Lundon Hampton (@HamptonLundon) December 15, 2025

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Rex_Linzy

This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: 2027 in-state athlete gets Michigan State football offer

A month after signing its head coach, Sporting Club Jacksonville signs its first two players for its men’s professional soccer team. The club announces the signing of defender Dida Armstrong and midfielder Luc Granitur.

“Dida and Luc are players who fit the identity we want to build from day one,” says Sporting JAX men’s head coach Liam Fox. “They’re hungry, intelligent, and committed to representing this club and community the right way. I’m excited to get to work with them as we begin our first season.”

“Building the first roster in club history is about more than talent. It’s about character, mentality, and identity,” says Sporting JAX Head of Soccer Mark Warburton. “Dida and Luc represent the type of players we want to build this team around. They are driven, competitive, and committed to growing with this club. These signings set the standard for what Sporting JAX football will look like moving forward.”

Amrstrong, the son of former U.S. Men’s National Team defender and National Soccer Hall of Famer Desmond Armstrong, spent four seasons with MLS NEXT Pro team St. Louis CITY2.

“Being part of the first men’s team in club history is a huge honor,” says Armstrong. “Sporting JAX is building something special, and I’m excited to compete, grow, and help set the standard for this group from day one.”

Granitur is no stranger to the Jacksonville area. He just wrapped up a decorated collegiate career at the University of North Florida where he was the captain of the team that took home the 2025 ASUN Championship, as well as receiving ASUN All-Conference First Team honors.

“Staying in Florida and representing my home state means a lot to me,” says Granitur. “From the vision of the club to the support of the community, Sporting JAX is the perfect place to start my professional career. I’m excited to help build this team and give the fans something they can be proud of.”

Sporting JAX makes its USL Championship debut in March 2026.

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It’s transfer portal season.

Though the NCAA football transfer portal does not open until Jan. 2, two days after Utah plays Nebraska in the Las Vegas Bowl, players are already announcing their intentions to enter the portal once it opens.

Last season, the portal was open from Dec. 9-28, but this year, it has been pushed back and will be open from Jan. 2-16. With the elimination of the spring transfer window, this will be the only time for players wishing to transfer to do so.

Here’s who’s transferring to Utah, who’s leaving, and a look at the incoming 2026 recruiting class, updated regularly.

Transferring from Utah

• Isaac Wilson, QB, sophomore. 2025 stats: 12 snaps, 3 rushing yards.
• Drew Cowart, QB, freshman. 2025 stats: Did not play.
• Jaylen Moson, CB, freshman. 2025 stats: 3 snaps.
• Christian Thatcher, LB, freshman. 2025 stats: Did not play on defense.
• Jaxson Jones, DE, freshman. 2025 stats: Did not play on defense.
• Bryan Spotwood, WR, sophomore. 2025 stats: Did not play on offense.
• Omar Shah, RB, sophomore. 2025 stats: Did not play on offense.
• Devin Green, RB, sophomore. 2025 stats: Did not play on offense.
• Justin Stevenson, WR, redshirt sophomore. 2025 stats: 31 snaps, no receptions.
• Brendan Zurbrugg, QB, redshirt freshman. 2025 stats: Did not play on offense.

Key players who have announced their return to Utah

• Byrd Ficklin, QB, freshman: 2025 stats: 301 yards, 3 TD, 0 interceptions passing; 503 yards, 10 touchdowns rushing.

Transferring to Utah

Utah’s 2026 high school and junior college signing class

• Kelvin Obot, offensive tackle, five-star, 6-5, 300, Fruitland High (Fruitland, Idaho).
• Salesi Moa, athlete, 6-1, 190, four-star, Fremont High (Ogden, Utah).
• Mataalii Benjamin, offensive tackle, four-star, 6-7, 315, Lehi High (Lehi, Utah).
• LaMarcus Bell, running back, three-star, 5-11, 190, Lake Oswego High (Lake Oswego, Ore.).
• Moses Sparks Jr., interior offensive line, three-star, 6-4, 280, V. Sue Cleveland High (Rio Rancho, N.M.).
• Fameitau Siale, defensive end, three-star, 6-4, 260, O’Dea High (Seattle, Wash.).
• Preston Pitts, linebacker, three-star, 6-4, 213, Clear Falls High (League City, Texas).
• LaGary Mitchell, linebacker, three-star, 6-2, 200, Meridian High (Meridian, Idaho).
• PJ Takitaki, defensive end, three-star, 6-4, 230, Lehi High (Lehi, Utah).
• Michael Johnson, quarterback, three-star, 5-11.5, 165, Douglas County High (Douglasville, Ga.).
• Kane Archer, quarterback, three-star, 6-1, 205, Greenwood High (Greenwood, Ark.).
• Major Hinchen, cornerback, three-star, 6-2, 175, La Quinta High (La Quinta, Calif.).
• Rowdy Pearce, interior offensive lineman, three-star, 6-3.5, 285, Midland Christian High (Midland, Texas).
• Aisa Galea’i, cornerback, three-star, 6-1, 185, Orem High (Orem, Utah).
• Dylan Waters, cornerback, three-star, 6-1, 175, Fort Bend Marshall High (Missouri City, Texas).
• Bear Fisher, tight end, three-star, 6-5, 235, Queen Creek High (Queen Creek, Ariz.).
• Tayson Reid, linebacker, three-star, 6-1, 225, Snow College (Ephraim, Utah).

On the night Ruben Amorim delivered the surprise of the season by jettisoning his beloved 3-4-3 formation, Manchester United contrived to put part of his new shape in the scoreline. A 4-4 was not a tribute to Amorim’s unexpected switch to 4-4-2 as much as the consequence of an extraordinary evening of frenzied attacking, poor defending and flawed goalkeeping as two sides traded free kicks and comebacks.

“Crazy game,” said Amorim. “It was fun for everyone at home.” Entertaining mayhem at their home could come at a cost to United. Ahead 1-0, 2-1 and 4-3, they missed the chance to go fifth and extended an undistinguished run on their own turf. Ten-man Everton won at Old Trafford, relegation-threatened West Ham drew and so, in ludicrous fashion, did out-of-form, goal-shy Bournemouth. What could have been nine points at Old Trafford is instead just two.

And yet to concentrate on the wider ramifications would be to overlook the eight goals that came amidst the bemusing, confusing drama. It may have been fitting that the last of them came from Bournemouth, Eli Junior Kroupi coming off the bench to procure Andoni Iraola’s side a point. It still required two saves from Senne Lammens to stop David Brooks turning that into 5-4 triumph for Bournemouth.

Even so, it was the first time United scored four goals in a league game without taking three points since Sir Alex Ferguson’s final match, a 5-5 draw with West Bromwich Albion.

“Today was inspiring but there is also the feeling of frustration from not winning,” said Amorim. His change of shape aided United in attack but malfunctioned defensively. There was an illogical look to a back four with two left-footers in the middle and a centre-back at right-back. There were personnel issues, with Ayden Heaven struggling. United lost three leads. “We are lacking in quality when we defend our goal," said Amorim. "We need to close the game." Instead, it was ludicrously open.

“People enjoy more to see Manchester United this season,” said Amorim. And, indeed, when playing 4-4-2. While they had also scored four at Wolves, they looked liberated, freed from Amorim’s tactical straitjacket. Energetic and attacking, they had 11 shots in the first 25 minutes alone, 25 in total, an xG of 3.27. They got more players forward; indeed Amad Diallo, not a natural wing-back, was given a more advanced role in a lopsided 4-4-2 and that felt a reason why he could open the scoring from a yard.

Yet for much of the evening, it seemed a case of chaos rather than structure. Bruno Fernandes has long had a galvanising influence but can alter games with force of personality. He provided United’s second goal – a seventh assist of the Premier League campaign giving him more than anyone else in the division – and scored the third with a wonderful free kick, his own third goal in eight days.

Amorim may taken particular pleasure from United’s fourth goal: a combination of two of his summer signings with Benjamin Sesko, making his comeback after injury, setting up Matheus Cunha to score just his second goal since his £62.5m arrival.

United received a helping hand from Djordje Petrovic, who was culpable for their first two goals. He parried Cunha’s header to Amad to finish and then allowed Casemiro’s effort to slip through his hands.

Nevertheless, their attacking endeavours offered vindication for Amorim’s formation change. It felt an admission he had been wrong for 13 months. It looked that United were being hindered by dogma. Yet, unpractised in a shape previous managers preferred, they could not defend.

After bringing a back four, they conceded four. Antoine Semenyo and Evanilson arrived in the midst of goal droughts. By the time the former struck, Bournemouth had gone 294 minutes without a goal. Two players and the team all ended their waits.

Much of the credit should go to Andoni Iraola. There were two tactical rethinks: one by Amorim before kick-off, one by Iraola after it. The Portuguese had put Leny Yoro in a contest with Semenyo, so Iraola swapped him to the opposite flank. It was as a right winger that he levelled, surging clear to drive in a shot.

But United led at half-time and, when they do in a league game at Old Trafford, they have not lost since 1984; or, in other words, in Amorim’s lifetime. Nine awful minutes put that record under threat. Thirty seconds after the interval and played onside by Heaven, Evanilson latched on to Justin Kluivert’s pass to score a first goal in 11 games. “We need to start the second half in a different way,” said Amorim.

It got worse as Marcus Tavernier curled in a low free kick, conceded by Casemiro with a desperate foul on the eventual scorer. Lammens was also culpable as he probably should have saved it.

So Bournemouth became the first side in top-flight history to score at least three goals in three consecutive trips to Old Trafford. They had only struck five times here in their history before getting 10 in three visits. “Man United, it’s happened again,” chorused the visiting fans after Tavernier struck. “It had everything,” reflected Iraola. “Moments where you think it's a loss. Moments where you think we have this one.”

Unlike in the last two seasons, Bournemouth did not win. This time, however, they got four goals, courtesy of Junior Kroupi. For United, a 4-4-2 brought a 4-4. The system, Amorim said, was “for you to discuss, not me”.

It had seemed the great certainties were death, taxes and his insistence on 3-4-3. Even the Pope, he had said, could not make him change that. Whether or not papal intervention is required, however, a newly flexible manager’s next task is to get United winning at Old Trafford again.

I think it’s more than a little bit funny that we get a nice quiet Monday on the schedule immediately after Finals Week, or at least Finals Week at Marquette. I get that, mathematically, it makes sense because there were a lot of Saturday and Sunday games, but it’s still a bit funny that now there’s some quiet time.

Anyways, Big East play is in full swing for both men’s and women’s basketball this week. It’s the first full week of games in the men’s division, while it’s a return to league action for the women. There’s still some non-conference games of note floating around in here, too, especially over the weekend.

Let’s get to the highlights, shall we?

Tuesday, December 16: Butler Bulldogs at #5 Connecticut Huskies (7:30pm Central, Peacock) — Officially, this is the team in first place in the Big East putting their spot on the line. Butler and Providence opened up men’s play on Saturday, and the Bulldogs got a double overtime win to stand as the only team in the league with a win. Will they still be undefeated come sunrise on Wednesday?

Wednesday, December 17: Creighton Bluejays at Xavier Musketeers & Georgetown Hoyas at Marquette Golden Eagles (5:30pm & 7:30pm Central, FS1) — I wanted to put both of these games on the list and then I realized that both games are kind of similar, right in the vein of what Phantom Island co-host Steven Godfrey calls an “Anxiety Bowl.” Xavier’s the best off of the four right now, but a win won’t make them feel comfortable and a loss would make them wonder what’s going to go wrong next. The other three are all desperate for good news and desperately afraid of more bad news.

Wednesday, December 17: Marquette Golden Eagles at #1 Connecticut Huskies (6pm Central, Peacock) — Look, I’m not going to try and convince you that Skylar Forbes & Co. are anything other than a double digit underdog here…. but it is the two 2-0 Big East teams squaring off and the teams that were picked 1-2 in the league this season facing off for the first time. That’s not nothing, right?

Friday, December 19: RV Seton Hall Pirates at Providence Friars (5:30pm Central, FS1) — Shaheen Holloway has Seton Hall as the unofficial #28 team in the country. A win here plus a little bit of luck could have SHU ranked next week something that seemed impossible 8 weeks ago.

Friday, December 19: Seton Hall Pirates at Villanova Wildcats (6pm Central, ESPN+) — You’ll note that I didn’t say “only two unbeaten teams” when talking about MU/UConn. There are five undefeated teams in the Big East right now, it’s just that the other three are 1-0. Here’s two of them!

Friday, December 19: RV Villanova Wildcats vs RV Wisconsin Badgers (6pm Central, Fox) — It’s a big spot for a win for a Wildcats team that seems to be trending in a good direction but lacks a notable quality win. I’m also fascinated to see if the Badgers will draw in Fiserv Forum for a regular season game on a Friday night after their exhibition visit to Milwaukee did not go well.

Saturday, December 20: #22 St. John’s Red Storm vs RV Kentucky Wildcats (11:30am Central, CBS) — This is part of the CBS Sports Classic, and it’s at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. This would be a good spot for St. John’s to kick the Wildcats in the pants, but UK’s coming off a quality win over Indiana at Rupp Arena last weekend.

Saturday, December 20: #1 Connecticut Huskies vs #11 Iowa Hawkeyes (12:30pm Central, Fox) — Someone finally woke up last year and scheduled a women’s basketball Champions Classic. This is one half of the (hopefully now annual) event at Barclays Center, and honestly, it’s rude that this game is opening up for Tennessee/Louisville…. although not as rude as not getting South Carolina involved, to be honest.

Saturday, December 20: Xavier Musketeers at Georgetown Hoyas & Marquette Golden Eagles at Creighton Bluejays (7pm Central on FS1 & 7:30pm Central on Peacock) — HEY LOOK. THE TWO ANXIETY BOWLS JUST CHANGED OPPONENTS AND HOME/ROAD ARRANGEMENTS. SURELY THIS WON’T CAUSE CONSTERNATION FOR ANYONE INVOLVED.

Here’s the full Big East men’s basketball schedule for the week! All times Central, of course.

Here’s the full Big East women’s basketball schedule for the week! All times Central, of course.

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Manchester United were pushed to their absolute limit as they drew 4-4 with Bournemouth on Monday night.

While Man United dominated proceedings and restored their lead on four occasions, it was a match of end-to-end action whereby the visitors constantly clawed their way back without fail.

Ultimately, it was a hard-fought game for United, but fans will surely see it as two points dropped given their team’s superior performance on the night.

Still, the final scoreline is not the only area of frustration for some United players.

The Mainoo dilemma

Kobbie Mainoo has constantly struggled to get minutes under manager Ruben Amorim, and tonight was no exception.

Amorim decided to bring the youngster on as a substitute, yet he only came on in the 61st minute.

Sadly, this has been a recurring problem for him, with Mainoo yet to start a Premier League match this season.

But while this might frustrate the player, it seems that his family members have also been affected by his lack of playing time.

Mainoo’s brother breaks his silence

Mainoo’s brother Jordan was present at Old Trafford for United’s thrilling clash, but it seems that he is unhappy with Amorim for his treatment of the 20 year old.

As shown in a photo shared on X by freelance journalist Aadam Haladh, Jordan Mainoo was wearing a black t-shirt with a basic yet blunt message: “Free Kobbie Mainoo.”

Kobbie Mainoo’s brother Jordan at Old Trafford tonight. pic.twitter.com/Mfx07mjaJr

— Aadam (@AadamHaladh) December 15, 2025

While Mainoo has constantly been linked with a transfer away from United, he has so far been quiet about his feelings at the club.

Still, with his brother making a vocal statement with his t-shirt, it appears that Mainoo could be running out of patience if he shares his family member’s feelings.

Featured image George Wood via Getty Images

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The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

HILLSDALE COUNTY — Week 1 winter sports athlete of the week awards have been chosen.

Will Carleton Academy junior David Maier won the reader' choice athlete of the week award. Hillsdale junior Brody Arnold won the Daily News Choice athlete of the week award.

Arnold helped lead Hillsdale wrestling to two opening season dual wins at home in Week 1 of the 2025 winter sports season. He also earned first place in the 144-weight class at the Brandon Walker Memorial Invite. He earned a tech fall of 18-2 in the championship dual to earn the podium finish.

More: Margin of victories, defeat vary wildly in Week 2 of prep hoops action

Maier was nominated after leading Will Carleton boys basketball to two opening season wins against Jackson Christian (48-44) and Tekonsha (64-33). Maier led the team with an average of 22 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.5 steals across both games. This included four 3s in a 24-point night against Tekonsha.

In addition to the two junior student-athletes, there were multiple honorable mention honorees for Week 1 that were nominated. Nominations can be submitted by every Sunday to the Hillsdale Daily News.

Honorable Mentions

• Jack Huffman - Hillsdale Academy Boys Basketball: The Colts played two games to start the season and highlighted Jack Huffman as a standout scorer in each of their matchups. In the game against Concord, Huffman led the team with 16 points. He added an additional 15 in the 70-47 victory over North Adams-Jerome.
• Ava Gimenez - Hillsdale Girls Bowling: Gimenez helped the Hornets varsity girls bowling team defeat Dundee at home in Week 1 in a 29-1 match point final. Gimenez led the team with a high score of 163 and a 277 series. In their opening season match against Clinton, Gimenez had a 285 to lead the series high for the Hornets.
• Caleb Blonde - Jonesville Boys Basketball: The junior guard led the team in scoring in both of their Week 1 wins. Blonde led the team with 13 points, seven assists and five steals in its 64-39 win over Arbor Prep. Jonesville held on to a 73-69 win over Homer with Blonde's 26 points and eight assists.
• Blake Ryan - Jonesville Wrestling: The senior grappler had two pinfall wins during an opening Quad meet at Hillsdale, including a win to help the team beat Homer. At the Concord Invite, Ryan won his way to a first place medal at 120-pounds, taking down four grapplers on his way to the podium finish. He helped his team earn fourth place at the invitational.
• Gavin Gutting - Litchfield Boys Basketball: The sophomore made his return to the basketball court an impressive one. Gutting helped the team beat Calhoun Christian 54-43 with 17 points, 14 rebounds and four steals.
• Brayden Wright - Reading Boys Basketball: Reading senior captain Brayden Wright led the team in scoring during Week 1. He scored 18 points in both of its first games. His triple-double of 18 points, 10 rebounds and 10 steals helped lead the Rangers to a 67-48 victory over Camden-Frontier.
• Isaac Westfall - Reading Wrestling: Isaac Westfall defeated both of his opponents at the Hillsdale quad meet in Week 1, including an 18-2 tech fall win. He would go on to win the Concord Invite 215-pound weight class tournament.

This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Brody Maier and David Maier win Hillsdale County Week 1 winter awards

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — There’s a good reason why Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter has been on those lists of prospective head coaching candidates all season long.

The past two weeks, including a 16-13 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, have only served to solidify why the 42-year-old Minter will be in demand.

With quarterback Justin Herbert dealing with a broken non-throwing hand behind a makeshift offensive line and working with an erratic run game, Minter’s defense has stepped up to put the Chargers (10-4) on the brink of a playoff berth.

“It has just been great,” coach Jim Harbaugh said. “Just calling a great game and coordinating and getting us ready for it.”

In a 22-19 overtime win against the Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 8, the defense forced five takeaways, didn’t allow a red-zone touchdown in two opportunities and held strong on third down (4 of 13).

To complete the Chargers' season sweep of the Chiefs, the defense came up with five sacks, allowed 2.3 yards per carry and was generally able to limit Patrick Mahomes.

Minter successfully deployed linebacker Daiyan Henley as a spy after Mahomes scrambled for a 12-yard touchdown on Kansas City’s opening drive, helping keep the Chiefs out of the end zone for the final 53:52. Those sorts of adjustments have Minter in line for a promotion in short order.

“I’m Jesse Minter’s biggest fan,” Harbaugh said. “I don’t know of anybody who’s a bigger fan of Jesse Minter than I am. In fact, the Harbaughs love the Minters.”

The son of longtime college and NFL coach Rick Minter, Jesse got his first NFL seasoning under John Harbaugh in Baltimore starting in 2017 before joining Jim Harbaugh at Michigan in 2022.

Minter then followed Harbaugh to Los Angeles after helping the Wolverines winning the national championship, and he has overseen two outstanding defenses for the Chargers. They rank second in yards allowed (279.1) and sixth in yards per play (4.95) this season, elevating their performance just in time for the stretch run.

If the defense can maintain this strong form into January, other teams might have to wait a little longer before trying to hire Minter.

After struggling to come away with takeaways to start the season, the defense has 10 interceptions in the past five games, including picking off Jalen Hurts and Mahomes five times in its last two outings.

Herbert and the offense are doing just enough to pull out victories, but it’s hard to see a meaningful path to Super Bowl contention without significant improvement. Herbert was sacked four times and took 12 more hits, while the running back duo of Omarion Hampton and Kimani Vidal generated just 3.48 yards per carry.

Edge defenders Tuli Tuipulotu and Odafe Oweh each had two sacks as the Chargers’ defensive front had its way with a depleted Chiefs offensive line. Tuipulotu is up to 12 sacks this season, and Oweh has six in nine games since being traded to Los Angeles.

RG Mekhi Becton’s first season with the Chargers continues to be a major disappointment, with another injury leaving him platooning with the recently acquired Trevor Penning on Sunday. Los Angeles can easily get out of Bector’s two-year contract in the offseason, and the 26-year-old has not given a compelling reason to be brought back.

S R.J. Mickens sustained a shoulder injury that, combined with Tony Jefferson’s ejection, left the Chargers short-handed at the position. Harbaugh said there would be more information on Mickens’ status by Wednesday.

2013 — The Chargers swept the season series against the Chiefs for the first time since 2013. Keenan Allen was a rookie wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers that year, which was also Andy Reid’s first as Kansas City's coach.

The Chargers, who play at Dallas on Sunday, will almost certainly need AFC West leader Denver to stumble against Jacksonville to have any chance of extending the division race another week.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Two AFC hopefuls clawing for postseason oxygen square off under the lights Monday night, with the 6–7 Miami Dolphins rolling into Iron City to challenge the 7–6 Pittsburgh Steelers.

With the playoff race turning into a weekly survival test, there’s almost no room left for mistakes. Miami needs a win to stay within striking distance in a jam-packed wild-card chase, while Pittsburgh is aiming to tighten its grip on a spot and give itself a little cushion heading into the final stretch.

With our Dolphins vs. Steelers predictions locked in, we’ll walk you through all the ways you can catch Monday Night Football, including how to stream the game through the best legal sports betting sites.

Read on for more details and to discover the best sign-up offer in case you don't have an account already.

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ESPN has exclusive television coverage of this late-night Monday Night Football tilt. Joe Buck will be the play-by-play announcer with Troy Aikman as an analyst and Erin Andrews and Lisa Salters, and Laura Rutledge as the sideline reporters.

If you don't have a cable subscription, ESPN now offers ESPN Unlimited, a direct-to-consumer streaming tier with full access to ESPN’s linear networks like ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN on ABC, and many more. The platform serves up more than 47,000 live events per year, including MNF.

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For those who'd rather listen to the action, tune into the national feeds provided by Westwood One Sports and SiriusXM NFL Radio (Channel 88).

In Miami, fans can catch the game on WBGG 105.9 FM. In Pittsburgh, Steelers coverage is available on WDVE 102.5 FM & WBGG 970 AM

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This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes produced a top performance yet again, but it wasn’t enough as the team was held to a 4-4 draw by Bournemouth.

United earn a point

United enjoyed a fast start to the game at Old Trafford, creating goalscoring opportunities and pinning Bournemouth back inside their own half.

The Red Devils got a deserved lead when Amad headed in on the goal line after an excellent delivery from Diogo Dalot. United should have scored more but they were level when Antoine Semenyo capitalised on a mistake from Luke Shaw and Mason Mount to beat Senne Lammens.

United responded well and restored their advantage through Casemiro just before the break.

However, Ruben Amorim’s men collapsed immediately after the restart, surrendering the initiative to a resurgent Bournemouth.

The visitors were level again when Evanilson broke into the box and fired into the bottom corner. Things went from bad to worse for United when Bournemouth went ahead from a Marcus Tavernier free-kick after a Casemiro foul.

United refused to stay down and got back to it. Fernandes restored parity with a stunning free-kick from the edge of the box before Matheus Cunha completed the comeback when he finished a fine piece of play. It looked like United had clinched all three points but there was another twist when substitute Eli Junior Kroupi scored another equaliser to ensure the spoils were shared.

Fernandes’ performance

As he has so often, Fernandes delivered a brilliant performance, and United can thank their skipper for salvaging a point from the contest.

Beyond his sublime strike, Fernandes completed 41 of the 52 passes he completed. 11 of these were delivered into the final third. He touched the ball 79 times.

The Portuguese playmaker registered an impressive 10 defensive contributions. He created five chances and managed six crosses.

Fernandes fired three total shots and assisted Casemiro’s goal.

Bruno Fernandes’ game by numbers vs. Bournemouth:

79 total touches
52 passes attempted
41 passes completed
11 passes into the final third
10 defensive contributions
6 crosses
5 chances created
3 shots
1 assist
1 goal

Deserved to be on a winning team. ⚽️🅰️ pic.twitter.com/goA4Czu91U

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 15, 2025

The 31-year-old certainly deserved to be on the winning side. For him and his teammates, all attention now shifts to Aston Villa.

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

The Portuguese couldn't control his temper.

Getty Images

Portuguese international footballer João Cancelo has found himself at the centre of an airborne controversy after a video emerged on social media documenting a tense mid-flight confrontation.

The clip, which circulated widely on platform X, appears to show the 31-year-old Al Hilal and Portugal defender engaged in a dispute with a fellow passenger. According to sources familiar with the incident, the altercation began when the passenger, whose identity remains unknown, began recording Cancelo without seeking his consent.

Eyewitness accounts suggest Cancelo initially approached the individual and made a civil request to cease filming. After this request was reportedly ignored, a brief verbal exchange ensued. The situation then escalated physically, with the video showing Cancelo seizing the passenger's arm and taking possession of the mobile phone to stop the recording.

Joao Cancelo assaulted a man for filming him on the flight pic.twitter.com/HdmMIqp2Kl

— Troll Football Media (@Troll__Footbal) December 15, 2025

Neither Cancelo nor his representatives have issued an official statement regarding the incident at this time. The defender, who completed a high-profile €25 million move from Manchester City to Saudi Pro League champions Al Hilal last summer, has been a key figure for the club. In his debut season, he has made 44 appearances, contributing 3 goals and 14 assists under a contract that secures his services until 2027.

The event has sparked debate regarding the boundaries of privacy for public figures, even in non-public spaces like commercial aircraft cabins, and the appropriate means of addressing unsolicited filming.

The staff member who had an affair with Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore was not fired from her job because of it, unlike Moore, who was dismissed on Dec. 10. She previously concealed the relationship from the university, which received a tip about it and looked into it and even searched her phone, according to the Detroit Free Press.

After breaking up with Moore on Dec. 8, she finally came clean and told the university about the relationship Dec. 10, triggering Moore’s firing the same day.

Yet she’s still employed by the university, the university confirmed Dec. 15.

So why wasn’t she fired, too, if only because of an apparent lack of prior honesty about the relationship?

The university responded to this question from USA TODAY Sports Dec. 15 by pointing to university Policy No. 201.97.

That policy itself is the product of a different scandal at Michigan. It also stresses the importance of the power balance in supervisor-employee relationships and why employees are treated differently than supervisors when it comes to secret affairs. This is the policy Moore violated to get himself fired.

What is the policy that got Sherrone Moore fired but kept staffer employed?

Policy No. 201.97 governs supervisor-employee relationships at the university. It states a supervisor may not, “implicitly or explicitly, initiate or attempt to initiate an intimate relationship with a supervisee.”

The staff member involved with Moore was his executive assistant. It’s not clear who initiated the relationship, which went on for multiple years, according to the prosecutor in Moore's criminal case. But even if she initiated it, the policy still requires the supervisor, not the employee, to disclose the relationship to university officials. Upon disclosure, the university then would implement a management plan to remove the supervisor’s power over that employee.

“Recognizing that Intimate Relationships exist or may develop in the workplace that are not initiated by a Supervisor and are free from coercion and abuse of power, immediate disclosure of the relationship by the Supervisor is required,” the policy states. “Failure of the Supervisor to disclose an Intimate Relationship is a serious offense and cause for discipline, up to and including dismissal from employment.”

Moore did not previously disclose it, which alone is a policy violation that could have cost him his job.

Why is the employee not required to disclose the affair?

The supervisor’s influence over the employee gives the employee reason to fear retaliation if the employee doesn’t obey the supervisor's wishes. That could mean loss of job or pay.

In this case, Moore allegedly retaliated in a different way after she went against his wishes and reported the affair, according the prosecutor. Moore showed up at her apartment to confront her, leading him to get arrested on charges of stalking and home invasion.

The university doesn’t want to put employees in that position.

The policy recognizes the power supervisors have over employees gives them the opportunity to abuse it in these situations. It puts the onus on them for that reason — to disclose it and avoid initiating intimate relationships.

“Intimate Relationships initiated by a Supervisor are at high risk of being unwelcomed and experienced by the Supervisee as sexual harassment,” the policy states. “Supervisors are therefore responsible for understanding how their statements and conduct may reasonably be interpreted by persons who do not share their same level of power.”

How this policy came about

The policy came in response to a different scandal in 2020 involving university provost Martin Philbert, the second-highest administrator at the school. He was accused of sexually harassing multiple members of the university community, including university employees and graduate students who worked in his lab.

After the university hired a law firm, MartinHale, to investigate, the firm produced a report that included some recommendations. One of those recommendations was to develop a standalone policy “explicitly focused on consensual relationships between employees in positions of unequal authority.”

“Philbert engaged in multiple sexual relationships with subordinate employees,” the report stated. "Such relationships between employees — though they may be consensual — create the potential for actual and perceived conflicts of interest, exploitation, and favoritism where the employees occupy unequal positions of authority, and may disrupt the workplace environment.  Moreover, such relationships can involve issues of sexual harassment and retaliation.”

The university didn’t have a specific policy to address this previously and instead relied on its nepotism policy to address issues of favoritism and discrimination from employees' “close personal relationships,” the report noted.

The university responded by adopting Policy No. 201.97 in July 2021. Less than five years later, it led to the firing of the football coach “supervisor” while sparing the “employee” in a relationship of unequal authority.

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why Sherrone Moore was fired by Michigan but staffer wasn't

It’s easy to forget, but the Red Storm need to take care It’s easy to forget, but the Red Storm needs to take care of another game before their much-hyped matchup against Kentucky in Atlanta on Saturday. For the fourth time in five seasons, St. John’s will open its Big East schedule against the DePaul Blue Demons at their on-campus home of Carnesecca Arena.

Game information

Who: No. 22 St. John’s Red Storm (6-3) vs. DePaul Blue Demons (8-3)

When: Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Carnesecca Arena, Queens, New York

TV: Peacock

Radio:ESPN New York 880 / 1050

Series History: St. John’s leads all-time series, 35-22. The Red Storm has won each of the last seven meetings by an average margin of 22 points. Their most recent loss to DePaul came on February 27, 2022, and their last home defeat against the Blue Demons was on February 20, 2021.

KenPom Predicted Score: St. John’s to win 84-67 (94 percent chance of win)

Injury news

There is no injury news to report for St. John’s entering Tuesday night’s game.

What to watch for in the Storm

Win-dy City – St. John’s has won its last five Big East openers, with four of those victories coming against DePaul at their on-campus home of Carnesecca Arena, where they haven’t lost a single game in three seasons. They can make it a fourth if they take care of DePaul and Harvard in the next two weeks.

Midway Monster – Chicago native Bryce Hopkins has done the most with the fewest minutes per game he’s averaged since his freshman year at Kentucky. While only logging 23.9 minutes per contest, Hopkins is averaging 14.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and is shooting a career-best 52.4% from the field.

Within the Big East, Hopkins ranks fifth in offensive rating (127.1) and fourth in win shares per 40 minutes (.233). Could Hopkins’ minutes increase as the Red Storm begin conference play and he builds more familiarity in Rick Pitino’s system?

Cutting Loose – While Ian Jackson’s new hairstyle was all the talk this weekend, he still didn’t look like a new man on the court against Iona. Jackson did score 14 points, pulled down a season-high five rebounds, and dished out three assists, but he also turned it over 5 times and only shot 1-of-7 from three.

Even though it wasn’t a complete performance, his presence allowed Oziyah Sellers and Joson Sanon to comfortably play off-ball and combine for seven made triples. If Jackson improves and becomes an effective point guard, he can change the entire trajectory of this season.

Scouting the Blue Demons

There have been worse days on the north side of Chicago, but DePaul would have certainly loved to turn a corner in Chris Holtmann’s second year, which they haven’t.

The Blue Demons are ranked 121st in KenPom, a 43-spot drop from their preseason ranking, putting them at the bottom of the Big East conference. The Blue Demons hold some fine victories against Georgia Tech on a neutral court and Wichita State on the road, but a brutal 13-point defeat to Buffalo and a narrow four-point win against 347th-ranked Arkansas Pine Bluff tanked their metrics. In their only game against a top-50-ranked KenPom opponent so far, they were run off the floor by LSU in a 33-point loss.

DePaul’s KenPom metrics are more favorable this season, though there is a significant caveat: these results came against the fourth-easiest non-conference schedule in the country. The Blue Demons are middle of the pack offensively, ranking 171st, and are better defensively, ranking 80th. They hold opponents to an effective FG rate of 47.2% and a turnover percentage of 20.6%, which rank 60th and 45th in the country, respectively.

The Blue Demons are operating inside the arc more frequently this season, with triples only accounting for 40.7% of total attempts compared to 46.2% a season ago. More than two-thirds of their made buckets have come off assists, ranking seventh nationally in assists per field goal made.

Fortunately for DePaul, they can hit another gear with three of their top four scorers returning. Senior C.J. Gunn serves as the team’s triggerman and leads the Blue Demons with 14.2 points per game, using his 6-foot-6 frame to bury tough jumpers over smaller defenders. His efficiency vaulted from shooting 30.3% from three to 36.0% this season. Gunn recorded 16 of his team-high 18 points in the first half to help the Blue Demons overcome a 16-2 deficit and knock off Wichita State this weekend.

Alongside Gunn in the backcourt is junior point guard Laydon Blocker, who is averaging 11.1 points on a less-efficient 40% from the field and 30% from three, and is supplying a modest team-high of 3.5 assists per game. Blocker is becoming more of a defensive threat, swiping 1.9 steals per game. The Little Rock, Arkansas native tends to attack downhill, though he is a pretty average scorer at the basket (61.5% on attempts at the rim).

Holding down the frontcourt is senior NJ Benson, who is scoring 11.3 points per game and pulling down 6.5 rebounds per game. Although undersized at 6-foot-8, Benson ranks third in total rebound percentage (17.1%) and fourth in block percentage (5.4%) among Big East players. Benson leads all Blue Demons with a 72.6% field goal percentage.

Radford transfer Brandon Maclin has been a regular starter for the Blue Demons, but he has missed his last three games due to a shoulder injury. In eight games, the 6-foot-5 senior guard is averaging 7.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 steals, and is shooting 42.9% from the floor and 36.8% from three.

Like CJ Gunn, senior Kaleb Banks began his college career at Indiana and played there for two seasons before eventually finding himself at DePaul. Banks is a two-way forward who won All-AAC honors with Tulane a season ago, where he averaged 14.7 points and 6.7 rebounds after starting in all 32 games played.

However, he is having a disappointing start to his senior year and was relegated to the bench after his first two games. So far, the 6-foot-7 wing is averaging 7.7 points and 2.7 rebounds, and is shooting 48.1% from the field and 41.4% from deep.

Sophomore forward Théo Pierre-Justin replaced Banks in the starting lineup, but he hasn’t made much of an impact, only averaging 4.0 points and 2.7 rebounds. The French international will be a game-time decision on Tuesday due to a shoulder injury.

The first two guards off the bench are freshman Kruz McClure and Colorado transfer RJ Smith. Ranked as the 146th-best prospect in the 2025 class, McClure is already making an impact for DePaul, scoring 8.0 points per game and shooting 38.5% from three. He logged a career-high 22 points against LSU, making 3-of-6 from deep.

RJ Smith comes to Chicago after starting 16 games at Colorado a season ago. Smith is averaging 7.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. While he projects as a marksman at guard, Smith is going through a shooting slump. After shooting 44.8% from the field and 38.6% from three when he played for the Buffaloes last season, Smith is only shooting 38.5% from the field and 35.1% from three through 11 games for DePaul. Assuming Brandon Maclin cannot play, Smith will make his fourth straight start of the season on Tuesday.

Prediction

Tuesday’s game is not only one St. John’s can’t lose, but also one they need to dominate to keep their top-20 metrics afloat. The Johnnies have to build momentum heading into their game against Kentucky and start Big East play with a statement, which they will do.

St. John’s wins, 90-62.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams have largely been a two-wide-receiver team all season, so Davante Adams' hamstring injury is likely to reveal whether Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford have another wideout they actually trust.

Or maybe the Rams (11-3) will just lean even further into the three-tight-end sets that have been McVay's preferred scheme recently on the way to the top of the NFC standings.

Either way, a difficult trip to Seattle on Thursday night likely got even tougher when Adams aggravated his hamstring injury in the fourth quarter of an impressive 41-34 comeback win over the Detroit Lions.

Although the playoff-bound Rams gave no update on Adams' condition Monday, the star receiver seems unlikely to play in Los Angeles’ showdown with the Seahawks (11-3) for the overall NFC lead.

“We’ll probably just go out there with 10 guys and just see what happens,” offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said with a grin Monday. “No, I’m just kidding. You guys have seen how valuable he’s been for us in so many different ways. ... He’s still playing at that high clip, and we’re just hoping for the best.”

Adams' absence would leave McVay's offense without the NFL's leader in touchdown receptions and the vital counterpoint to No. 1 target Puka Nacua.

“(Adams) is an outstanding football player, a huge part of our offense and a guy that has put it in the end zone a bunch for us this year," MVP favorite Stafford said after passing for 368 yards and two TDs against the Lions. "That’ll be a tough one. ... I have a lot of faith and trust in the other guys that we have in our locker room and our coaching staff to put us in a great position.”

But that trust is questionable when looking at pure numbers: Stafford has targeted Nacua and Adams a combined 243 times in 14 games, while the four wideouts getting sporadic playing time behind Nacua and Adams have seen just 58 combined targets — only about four throws per game.

Three Rams tight ends and running back Kyren Williams have all caught more passes than wide receiver Jordan Whittington, who has 17 catches. Xavier Smith has 14 catches, while rookie Konata Mumpfield and $10 million veteran Tutu Atwell — who missed most of two months with injury — have just five receptions apiece.

These meager numbers are no coincidence, given McVay's wholehearted embrace of offensive sets with three tight ends over the past two months. Los Angeles is running that scheme at the highest rate in NFL history, which has even meant fewer snaps for Nacua and Adams, let alone their backups.

The only other team with double-digit victories relying so heavily on just two wide receivers this season? It's the Seahawks, whose tertiary wideouts have been targeted only 53 times this season — although that number is rising since Rashid Shaheed's arrival to join Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp, who was replaced in Los Angeles by Adams.

The running game is on a roll, topping 150 yards in three consecutive games after hitting that mark just twice in the first 11. Williams surpassed 1,000 yards for the third straight season, while Blake Corum has had the three most productive games of his career in the past three weeks.

The defense had an ugly first half against Detroit, allowing 8.5 yards per play while Jared Goff diced up the secondary for 221 yards on the way to a 10-point lead. Los Angeles' halftime adjustments have been excellent this season, but the Lions were a couple of plays away from a 31-point first half that would have been daunting.

Stafford’s confidence in his tight ends showed against the Lions when Colby Parkinson caught two more touchdown passes. After a quiet Rams debut in 2024, Parkinson has rounded into a receiving threat over the past six weeks, catching 22 passes for 230 yards and six TDs with Tyler Higbee sidelined by injury.

The Rams' cornerback play has receded to the level many expected this season. Emmanuel Forbes Jr. and Cobie Durant both struggled against Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Josh Wallace looked overmatched at times while playing instead of healthy scratch Ahkello Witherspoon. Quentin Lake's injury absence has been felt — but this time, the Rams were able to outscore their biggest weakness.

DL Braden Fiske left the locker room with a limp, but the Rams didn't provide injury updates Monday.

93.7 — Nacua's yards receiving per game during his career. That's the most in NFL history, surpassing the pace set by Minnesota's Justin Jefferson. Nacua also became the second receiver in Rams history with two 100-catch seasons Sunday, joining Torry Holt.

The Rams face their biggest game of the year on a short week, and a loss would badly damage their hopes of claiming McVay's first No. 1 playoff seed. It's a major test of will for a team that got outgained 414-249 in its 21-19 win over the Seahawks last month.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL

Former LSU, Auburn QB enters transfer portal seeking 7th year of eligibility and 7th school originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

A seventh year of eligibility at a seventh different school?

Sure, why not -- that's just the college football world that we're living in now.

That's exactly what TJ Finley is seeking. The quarterback, who early in his college career played for both LSU and Auburn, isn't done.

Finley is intending to enter the transfer portal and seek a seventh year of eligibility, according to On3 Sports.

It's been a winding college journey for Finley.

He played in five games for LSU in 2020, throwing for 941 yards and five touchdowns.

In 2021, it was on to Auburn, where he played in 13 games across two seasons.

Finley was at Texas State in 2023, his biggest season, throwing for 3,439 yards and 24 touchdowns.

It was on to Western Kentucky for 2024, playing in just three games.

In 2025, Finley played in seven games at Georgia State, throwing for 1,244 yards and six TDs.

Finley had initially committed to play at Tulane in 2025 before he was arrested on a charge of illegal possession of stolen things. After the case played out, he ended up at Georgia State instead.

It's not clear whether Finley will be granted another year of eligibility, or which new school would want him now, but he's trying.

MORE: Dylan Raiola transfer portal decision leaves Nebraska glory in the past

Memphis Grizzlies’ leading scorer Ja Morant will be playing his second game back, but big man Zach Edey won't be available.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers might not have leading scorer James Harden, who was a surprise addition to the injury report.

Our Grizzlies vs. Clippers predictions and free NBA picks look for Memphis to get the road win and cover on Monday, December 15.

Grizzlies vs Clippers prediction

Grizzlies vs Clippers best bet: Grizzlies +4.5 (-110)

The Memphis Grizzlies have weathered the injury storm well, going 7-3 without Ja Morant. They lost their first game since his return, which Zach Edey missed with an ankle injury that will keep him out for a month.

The four-point home loss to Utah was just Memphis’ second this season to a team with a losing record, and the Grizzlies have covered five of their last seven and four of their last five on the road.

The Los Angeles Clippers are on a three-game losing streak and have lost eight of nine. The team just finished a five-game road trip, but the home floor hasn’t been much of a relief for L.A. this season, losing seven straight at the Intuit Dome.

Despite that, Los Angeles is a 4.5-point favorite against Memphis. It's failed to cover its last three as a favorite and is 1-6 ATS in its last seven in that position.

The cover will be even tougher for the Clippers tonight if James Harden is unavailable.

Harden is averaging 26.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 8.2 assists. He played 40 minutes against Houston, but apparently suffered a calf contusion in the game. He’s listed as questionable, although he reportedly wasn’t limited at Sunday’s practice.

Grizzlies vs Clippers same-game parlay

The Grizzlies play at the ninth-quickest pace in the league, but they’ll be facing a Clippers team that is 28th in tempo. L.A. has only had a total point Over/Under this high in four games this season and has cleared it just twice.

The Clips have gone Under in three of their last four, while the Grizzlies have done so in four of their last six.

Jaylen Wells stepped up his scoring in Morant’s absence, averaging 18.3 points in the last seven games Morant missed. For the season, he averages 10.8 with Morant in the lineup and 14.3 without him. He won’t necessarily lose opportunities with Morant back, however, and had 19 against Utah in the last game.

Grizzlies vs Clippers SGP

• Grizzlies +4.5
• Under 228.5
• Jaylen Wells Over 11.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: All's Wells that ends Wells

As Cedric Coward’s rookie season has gone on, he’s become more of a scoring option, which also makes him more dangerous as a passing threat. He’s averaging 2.8 assists per game, but in the last three outings, he’s dished out 14, while scoring in double figures each time.

Grizzlies vs Clippers SGP

• Grizzlies +4.5
• Under 228.5
• Jaylen Wells Over 11.5 points
• Cedric Coward Over 2.5 assists

Grizzlies vs Clippers odds

• Spread: Grizzlies +4.5 | Clippers -4.5
• Moneyline: Grizzlies +145 | Clippers -170
• Over/Under: Over 228.5 | Under 228.5

Grizzlies vs Clippers betting trend to know

[Stat]. Find more NBA betting trends for Grizzlies vs. Clippers.

How to watch Grizzlies vs Clippers

Grizzlies vs Clippers latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

Lions head coach Dan Campbell gave an update Monday on the status of cornerback Amik Robertson, who left Sunday’s game against the Rams with a hand injury.

Campbell said he is hopeful Robertson can play this week but that the team needs to see how he moves around in practice.

“Hand injury, so it’s something that could affect him a little bit,” Campbell said. “But I think we’d like to believe he’s going to have a chance to play here. But until we get through practice, we won’t entirely know.”

Robertson is just the latest in what has become a string of injuries to the Lions’ secondary that includes safeties Brian Branch (Achilles), Kerby Joseph (knee) and Thomas Harper (concussion) along with cornerbacks Terrion Arnold (shoulder) and Ennis Rakestraw (shoulder). D.J. Reed just returned after missing six games with a hamstring injury.

Rock Ya-Sin ended up playing 64-of-72 snaps as a result of Robertson’s injury. He’ll be in line for more work if Robertson can’t go Sunday against the Steelers.

This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Dan Campbell gives update Monday on Amik Robertson’s hand injury

Oklahoma State quarterback Zane Flores plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, per On3’s Pete Nakos. Flores just wrapped up his third season in Stillwater, getting playing time in 2025. However, a new regime coming to town means Flores will also look for a new opportunity.

Flores played high school football at Gretna (NE), where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 467 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Nine games played resulted in 1,490 yards, three touchdowns, and seven interceptions for Flores. He completed just under 60% of his throws, coming in at 59.8%. In a season where quarterback was a roller coaster for Oklahoma State, Flores emerged as the team’s leading passer.

Plenty of eligibility remains for Flores wherever he lands. A medical hardship waiver was secured for the 2024 season after not seeing any action. Add in a redshirt the previous year and Flores just wrapped up his redshirt freshman campaign. Three years of eligibility are expected for him.

“That’s one thing about Zane, he’s so level-headed,” Oklahoma State wide receiver Terrill Davis said of Flores leading into the Oregon game. “He’s a great leader and you can just tell in practice. Like, he goes out there and does the job. He leads the team well. So, we’re excited to have Zane.”

Flores committed to Oklahoma State over other notable power conference programs, including Kansas, Kansas State, and Missouri. Mike Gundy was the head coach at the time, helping develop Flores all the way until his firing in late September. Eric Morris is now in charge at Oklahoma State, getting hired via North Texas.

More on Oklahoma State, quarterback situation during 2025 season

Five different quarterbacks threw a pass for Oklahoma State during the 2025 season. One of those was Sam Jackson, who was not originally on the team to play the position. Different injuries and coaching decisions played a big role.

Hauss Hejny was announced as the starter for the opener vs. UT Martin but wound up only throwing 10 passes on the year. Five of those were completed for 96 yards and a touchdown. Noah Walters attempted 14 throws, followed by Banks Bowen‘s five.

Morris will be hoping for a little more stability at quarterback heading into 2026. Unfortunately, it does not appear as if Flores is part of those plans.

Devyne Rensch spoke at a press conference after the victory against Como.

“My initial limited playing time? We’re professionals, we always have to be ready. I always work hard. I’m here to help the team and give the fans something to cheer about.”

“Whether I start or come on as a substitute, I try to give my all; in fact, I fight even harder. The coach has now made me play two games in a row, and I think I’ve responded well.”

“For me, it’s not a problem. I can play with my left foot, with my right foot, even today we saw that Wesley and I switched. For me, it’s the same. Whoever plays is fine, we know how to play, we know where the spaces are.”

“Every game is important. It’s a big game against Juve, it’s important, they’re a great team, but if we play like today we can get the three points. Now it’s important to regain our energy and analyze Juve.”

The Wisconsin Badgers have taken some hits in the linebacker room, and that continued on Monday as former starter Christian Alliegro is entering the transfer portal after three years with the program.

Alliegro, a junior this season, had 49 tackles and four sacks, earning an honorable mention on the All-Big Ten list. He had been a first-year starter this season with Tackett Curtis, but began to rotate with freshman Mason Posa after suffering a broken hand.

Alliegro’s toughness was a part of his tenure at Wisconsin, as he had a physical play style as a 6’4, 245-pound linebacker. Wisconsin wanted him back in 2026 to complement Posa and Cooper Catalano, but the junior will hit the transfer portal for his final year of eligibility.

He finishes his Badgers career with 124 tackles and eight sacks, while making 11 starts over the past two years.

Wisconsin is already losing former starter Tackett Curtis, who also lost out on his starting role, but the Alliegro blow is a much more significant one, given the team’s plan for 2026.

Now, the Badgers may need to find some depth in the portal to fill behind Posa and Catalano.

The New York Knicks will attempt to find a way past the imposing 7ft 4in (2.23m) frame of San Antonio Spurs prodigy Victor Wembanyama on Tuesday as they bid to end their 52-year trophy drought in the NBA Cup final in Las Vegas.

The Knicks head into Tuesday's final at the T-Mobile Center brimming with confidence after polishing off Eastern Conference top seeds Orlando with ease in Saturday's semi-finals.

That win has left the New York franchise within touching distance of a first piece of silverware since the team's 1973 NBA Finals victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Blocking their path, though, is the fit-again Wembanyama, the 21-year-old French giant who was instrumental in helping San Antonio upset the in-form Oklahoma City Thunder in Saturday's Western Conference semi-final.

Wembanyama played limited minutes in the defeat of Oklahoma City, appearing from the bench in the second quarter to haul San Antonio back into contention after they had trailed by 11 points at the end of the first quarter.

Knicks talisman Jalen Brunson said New York would attempt to drag Wembanyama out of position defensively.

"You've got to find ways to pull him away from the basket, and you've got to obviously be smart," Brunson said of Wembanyama. "You can't just go in there and think no one is going to come and affect the shot.

"He's great at what he does, and we've just got to be smart as a team, playing off two feet and reading where he is and just trying to get the best shot as possible."

- Team effort -

Karl-Anthony Towns echoed Brunson's assessment of Wembanyama.

"He's (7-4), and he's very talented," Towns said. "For us, we're going to have to do a good job of executing our defensive game plan and offensively, as well."

Knicks coach Mike Brown said neutralising Wembanyama would require a team effort.

"You're not going to be able to guard a guy like that one-on-one," Brown said. "You try to put length, size, physicality at the point of attack when it comes to him, but it's got to be five guys guarding the basketball at all times.

"We have some pretty good defenders with length, and hopefully they can try to make it as difficult as possible with him, knowing that they have help behind them."

Wembanyama's introduction from the bench on Saturday sent a surge of excitement rippling through the T-Mobile Arena crowd, who later showered the Frenchman with chants of "M-V-P."

Wembanyama, meanwhile, said San Antonio's defeat of Oklahoma City augured well for the chances of the Spurs emerging as genuine rivals to the Thunder in the Western Conference.

"I think we're not quite there yet, but it's a good sign that people see that it's possible," Wembanyama said. "I don't think anybody right now can claim to have a rivalry with them in the league. They're in their own tier.

"But in the future if we can provide a stage this good and we reach that level, of course it would be great to have a rivalry because if you're at the top and you have a rivalry, it means you're in the best position to win titles."

Wembanyama said while a San Antonio victory on Tuesday would "not be super significant step" it would still carry some significance.

"It's a high-stakes game that both teams are going to be very invested in winning," Wembanyama said. 

"It just shows that we are preparing and we will pass the next step for more significant games in the playoffs."

rcw/bsp 

How did an undefeated Nebraska volleyball team lose to Texas A&M? What's next for the nation's most popular team? Those are the questions Huskers head coach Dani Busboom Kelly must answer heading into the 2025 offseason.

"I think we maxed out," Busboom Kelly said after Nebraska's stunning loss to the Aggies. "That's always the goal ... As a coach, I don't feel upset. I know we didn't make the Final Four. We're not winning a national championship, but we maxed out today.

"And when we can walk away from the last game of the season and feel like we gave it our all, and look back and have no regrets, that's what I'm really proud of and hope that these players don't have any regrets either."

The Cornhuskers lost, 3-2, in an elite-level chess match (25-22, 25-22, 20-25, 35-37, 15-13) at Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Sunday, falling short of the Final Four and a reverse sweep.

Texas A&M head coach Jamie Morrison said before the match he wasn't "scared" of Nebraska, and his game plan against the No. 1 team in the country showed it. Morrison and the Aggies iced star middle blocker Andi Jackson (six kills and .045 hitting percentage), daring the Cornhuskers to beat them with anyone else. The Aggies finished the day with 30 total team blocks and nine service aces, had three players with double-digit kills and held the Huskers to .050 hitting during the final set.

More: NCAA volleyball winners, losers: Texas A&M's grit, Nebraska eliminated

Nebraska, which hadn't been down two sets since late August, fought as hard as it could. The Huskers survived being pushed to 10 set points and three Aggies match points during fourth set of the match, with help from Harper Murray (career high 25 kills on .255 hitting, three aces, nine digs) and Rebekah Allick (15 kills on .480 hitting, four blocks).

It wasn't enough as Busboom Kelly's team ran out of steam when it mattered most. Making matters worse, setter Bergen Reilly wasn't 100% playing with an illness, backup setter Campbell Flynn broke a finger just days before and was out for the season, and opposite hitter Allie Sczech hurt herself in warmups and was out for the match.Afterwards, Allick, a senior, was so overcome with emotion she could barely speak through her tears. That's when Murray stepped.

"[Rebekah Allick] has put her heart and soul into the program. You can tell by her face how much she cares," Murray said, fighting back tears herself. "I don't even care if we win or we lose because what I tried to tell [her] in the locker room is she's going to take away the memories and the relationships that we made. Winning and losing ― yeah, it's a part of volleyball and it sucks, but ― she put her heart and soul into this program for four years, and she's leaving behind a great legacy."

More: Nebraska volleyball loss shocks world, fearless Texas A&M defeats giant

Eventually, Allick did speak, sharing a message for the players that will return. She revealed that she wanted them to "lead by example" and referenced a relationship with former Huskers libero and 2024 AVCA National Player of the Year finalist Lexi Rodriguez. According to Allick, Rodriguez may not have always had the answers but she was intentional with how she showed up for her teammates, down a "random" handhold or hug.

"Never feel like you have to bear it all," Allick said. "It's not all on you. Just go do your thing. You don't [have to] make it a big show. Just go be yourself."

Nebraska has four seniors, including Allick, who will be moving on from the program. Allick has a student-athlete partnership with League One Volleyball (LOVB), so she could sign a deal to play with LOVB. Outside hitter Taylor Landfair and Sczech are headed to Major League Volleyball. Landfair was drafted with the 28th overall pick in the 2025 MLV Draft by the Indy Ignite, and Sczech, drafted a pick laters, is staying in Nebraska to join the Omaha Supernovas. Nebraska middle blocker and libero Maisie Boesiger has not revealed if she will keep playing.

Assuming the team keeps its core next season, it will return four seniors, one junior, one redshirt sophomore and seven true sophomores. Nebraska will have six players from its starting lineup back, leaving the Huskers with more than enough pieces to make another run toward a sixth program title. What's more, Nebraska volleyball will be boosted by the roaring sounds of 10,000 fans next season. The university announced plans earlier this month to expand John Cook Arena by 2,000 seats.

"We played our hearts out and had a lot of things against us this week," Busboom Kelly said, "and we still were that close."

Close enough to have another championship in its sights for 2026.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: What's next for Nebraska volleyball? Reloading for the 2026 title run

Alex Pereira doesn’t seem to believe he’s going to get a coveted spot on the upcoming UFC White House card in June.

While UFC CEO Dana White has repeatedly stated that matchmaking for the historic event won’t happen until at least February, the reigning light heavyweight champion is seemingly convinced he’s not fighting there. On Monday, Pereira dropped a message on Instagram alongside a photo with White that casts doubt on his inclusion for the event currently scheduled on June 14 from the front lawn of the White House.

“Looks like the White House is a NO GO!!!” Pereira wrote with no further explanation.

Pereira has been pushing for a showdown against Jon Jones at the UFC White House card, which is being coordinated as part of President Donald Trump’s plans to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.

Jones, who briefly retired after passing on a fight against Tom Aspinall, announced his plans to fight again with hopes that he would lands a spot on the White House card. He’s continued to talk about his interest in fighting Pereira at the White House, although his requests have largely fallen on deaf ears.

While UFC matchmakers aren’t expected to start booking the card any time soon, White has stated that he doesn’t have a lot of trust in booking Jones for such an important event, especially given his past history with issues inside and outside the cage that have prevented him from competing.

As for Pereira, his exclusion could point towards a potential title fight being booked prior to the UFC White House card in June. The Brazilian reclaimed the 205-pound title with a blistering finish over Magomed Ankalaev in October after falling to the Russian seven months earlier.

Rumors swirled for weeks that Pereira could possibly get booked against Carlos Ulberg sometime in early 2026 after the New Zealand born contender picked up his ninth consecutive win in a row with names like Dominick Reyes, Jan Blachowicz and Volkan Oezdemir on his resume.

That fight being booked could explain why Pereira doesn’t believe he’s going to be competing at the White House in 2026.

The Detroit Red Wings placed forward Jonatan Berggren on waivers Monday, a move that further underscored the lasting damage caused by the organization’s 2018 NHL Draft class and reinforced the growing belief that it stands as one of the worst drafts in franchise history.

Berggren, who was selected 33rd overall early in the second round, now appears likely to be claimed by another organization, which would make him the latest high draft pick from that class to leave Detroit without ever establishing himself as a meaningful long term contributor during a period when the Red Wings were in desperate need of young talent to anchor their rebuild.

Detroit entered the 2018 draft holding the sixth overall selection and used it on forward Filip Zadina, who had fallen out of the top five amid concerns regarding his overall projection that the Red Wings chose to overlook, a decision that became immediately controversial when defenseman Quinn Hughes was selected with the very next pick and went on to develop into one of the NHL’s premier blueliners.

The opportunity cost of that decision only deepened as other players available shortly after Detroit’s selection, including Evan Bouchard, Noah Dobson, and K’Andre Miller, each progressed into reliable and impactful NHL defensemen, while Zadina’s tenure in Detroit ultimately ended without him fulfilling the role of a top line scorer and eventually saw him return to Europe, where he now plays in the Swiss National League.

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

Despite already missing on a franchise altering opportunity at the top of the draft, the Red Wings still possessed three more picks within the first 36 selections and used the 30th overall pick at the end of the first round to select center Joe Veleno before turning to Berggren at 33rd overall and defenseman Jared McIsaac three picks later at 36th overall.

None of those selections produced lasting value for the organization, as Berggren has now been placed on waivers, Veleno is currently with the Montreal Canadiens and on pace for just nine points this season, and McIsaac never appeared in an NHL game before continuing his professional career overseas in Slovakia.

The extent of Detroit’s missteps becomes even more glaring when examining the players selected shortly after those picks, as the second round alone featured future NHL regulars and impact contributors such as Kirill Marchenko, Alexander Romanov, Ryan McLeod, Kevin Bahl, Sean Durzi, Jack McBain, and Martin Fehérváry, all of whom were available when the Red Wings were making their selections.

Detroit’s difficulties continued into the third round, where the organization selected defenseman Alec Regula, who is currently working into the lineup as a seventh defenseman for the Edmonton Oilers, while players chosen later in the same round, including star goaltender Lukas Dostal and forward Jakub Lauko, have gone on to carve out more stable NHL roles.

In the fourth round, the Red Wings selected Ryan O’Reilly, a player not to be confused with the longtime NHL star of the same name, and while that selection failed to yield NHL results and currently sees O’Reilly playing in the ECHL, several players taken later in the round such as Martin Pospisil, Paul Cotter, and Philipp Kurashev have since become contributors at the NHL level.

Red Wings List Patrick Kane Day-to-Day, John Leonard Set For Major RoleThe Detroit Red Wings have listed veteran winger Patrick Kane as day-to-day while the recently called up John Leonard is expected to fill his spot in the second line.

The trend persisted throughout the remainder of the draft, which ultimately produced numerous star players and dependable role players across the league, yet Detroit emerged without a single piece or even a reliable long term contributor from a class in which they held four of the first 36 selections.

The cumulative result was a complete failure at one of the most critical moments of the organization’s rebuild, as the draft conducted under then general manager Ken Holland and director of amateur scouting Tyler Wright squandered premium assets and left the franchise with virtually no return on investment. That failure reverberated through the following seasons and contributed heavily to Detroit’s prolonged playoff drought, as the absence of impact talent from the 2018 class created a developmental void that stalled progress and forced the organization to rely on future drafts to compensate for lost time.

When Steve Yzerman took over as general manager the following season, he inherited a system that lacked meaningful contributions from the previous draft, yet in his first opportunity at the podium in 2019 he managed to reverse course by selecting Moritz Seider, Albert Johansson, and Elmer Söderblom, all of whom are currently playing in the Red Wings lineup.

Had Detroit managed to secure even one or two impact players from the 2018 draft, the trajectory of the rebuild could have been dramatically different by the time Yzerman arrived, but instead the franchise was left navigating the consequences of a draft class that provided no lasting benefit and now stands as a stark reminder of how costly missed evaluations can be at the highest level.

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The latest AP Poll for women’s basketball was announced earlier today.

Texas women’s basketball, led by head coach Vic Schaefer, stuck at No. 2, behind UConn.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS

Austin American-Statesman: Texas Women’s Basketball: How the Longhorns brought ‘the monster’ out vs Baylor

Austin American-Statesman: Why seeing Emma Halter go hurts for Texas volleyball, Jerritt Elliott

Austin American-Statesman: Texas vs Michigan: 3 questions that could be answered by Citrus Bowl

Austin American-Statesman: Golden: Should Texas be worried about Sarkisian leaving for Michigan?

247Sports: With starting linebackers Anthony Hill & Liona Lefau set to depart, the future is now for Texas at LB

247Sports: The 247Sports True Freshman All-American Team: College football’s best first-year players in 2025

247Sports: Three takeaways from No. 2 Texas women’s hoops’ most lopsided win over Baylor in 25 years

Inside Texas: Looking to Texas football’s future: Kade Phillips is next in line of phenomenal Texas CBs

Inside Texas: Who’s going to play linebacker for Texas versus Michigan?

Inside Texas: These Texas players were flat-out robbed of national honors

Inside Texas: Looking to Texas football’s future: Justus Terry and becoming a standard down stalwart

ICYMI IN BURNT ORANGE NATION

Texas falls short in Elite Eight loss to Wisconsin, 3-1

No. 5 UConn suffocates Texas in 71-63 victory

Texas safety Michael Taaffe declares for NFL Draft

Texas LB Liona Lefau leaves team

Texas hires former Florida RB coach Jabbar Juluke

RECRUITING ROUNDUP

Austin American-Statesman: Texas defense reportedly loses 2 Longhorns to transfer portal

Dallas Morning News: 2026 NCAA Football Transfer Portal: Tracking moves for Texas Tech, SMU, other area schools

247Sports: The Stampede: A dozen priority targets to know in the 2027 class

247Sports: Horns247 Staff Roundtable: Our ideal transfer portal addition for Texas football

247Sports: Louisiana State Championships Recruiting Notebook: Standout performers, intel from the Superdome

Inside Texas: UIL State Championship Games: Texas targets and rising prospects to know

Inside Texas: Texas laying in wait for potential high value portal entrant

Inside Texas: Inside Scoop: Latest on Malakai Lee, 2027 Florida de-commit on the market, and 2028 to watch

SEC SHOWDOWN

Dallas Morning News: 2025 AP All-America teams: Aggies, Red Raiders earn first-team nods

Dallas Morning News: Takeaways from 2026 SEC schedule reveal: Nine-game schedule, Texas’ odd draw, more

Good Bull Hunting: Three Aggies named AP All Americans

Rock M Nation: Luther Burden’s career day interrupted by injury

And The Valley Shook: SEC, LSU announce 2026 football schedule

Red Cup Rebellion: Early thoughts on Ole Miss’ 2026 football schedule

Rocky Top Talk: Five-star Tennessee signee Faizon Brandon wins second straight state title

Roll ‘Bama Roll: A tale of two halves, Tide gets blown out, 96-75

Dawg Sports: Breaking down Georgia’s 2026 football schedule

A Sea Of Blue: Mark Pope ditched the analytics, and it may have saved Kentucky basketball’s season

WHAT WE’RE READING

SB Nation: NFL winners and losers: The Chiefs are out, and have reached their crossroads

SB Nation: College football’s 10 best bowl game matchups for 2025-26 that aren’t in CFP

SB Nation: The Jaguars could be AFC’s playoff sleeper, or fraud hiding in plain sight

NEWS ACROSS LONGHORN NATION AND BEYOND

• Excellency at work.

On the same day that starting safety Brandon Jones was placed on injured reserve with a pectoral injury, the Denver Broncos lost a reserve safety to another team.

The New York Jets poached safety Keidron Smith off the Broncos' practice squad on Monday, signing him to their active roster. Smith (6-2, 210 pounds) has been with Denver since December of the 2023 season, mostly on the practice squad. He made nine appearances in 2024 but did not play in any games with the Broncos this season.

After placing Jones on IR, the team's remaining safeties on the active roster are Talanoa Hufanga, P.J. Locke, Devon Key and JL Skinner. After losing Smith to New York, Denver has one safety -- Delarrin Turner-Yell -- remaining on the practice squad. The Broncos are now entering Week 16 with an open spot on the practice squad.

Broncos practice squad

1. QB Sam Ehlinger
2. RB Sincere McCormick
3. RB Deuce Vaughn
4. WR Michael Bandy
5. WR A.T. Perry
6. WR Elijah Moore
7. WR Kyrese Rowan
8. TE Marcedes Lewis
9. TE Caleb Lohner
10. TE Patrick Murtagh (international)
11. OL Joe Michalski
12. DL Jordan Miller
13. OLB Garrett Nelson
14. ILB Levelle Bailey
15. CB Jaden Robinson
16. S Delarrin Turner-Yell

The team's active roster is full after the Broncos filled Jones' old spot by claiming running back Cody Schrader off waivers on Monday.

Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.

This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: NFL news: New York Jets poach safety from Denver Broncos

Leonardo Fernandez via Getty Images

Boxing should be an easy sport to get right.

If you have two fighters competing at the right time, in the right place, with meaningful stakes like a legitimate world championship or two on the line, then broadcasters — and more importantly, fans — respond to that, both at the gate and at the box office online.

Sure, politics has, in the past, gotten in the way. But there’s also a modern curse that ensures a promoter’s best-laid plans often go to waste.

Premier Boxing Champions and TGB Promotions were the latest fight firms to show why organizers should not over-marinate big fights.

The promotional duo hosted a marquee double-header in May, featuring Caleb Plant and Jermall Charlo — big-name rivals — in separate bouts on the same card in Las Vegas. The idea was that both men would excel on the card, in their respective super middleweight fights, and thus tee-up an even bigger show with themselves in the main event for later in 2025.

And herein lies one of the biggest problems in boxing, even though it is also one of the very things that make it so watchable. Combat sports is typically the theater of the unexpected. And we can barely go through a big fight night without some kind of chaos reigning supreme.

So, really, it should have been no surprise to see Charlo play his part by finishing Thomas LaManna, only for Plant to immediately lose by split decision to Jose Resendiz.

And, just like that, the Plant-Charlo tentpole lost its luster.

Footage in 2023 of Plant slapping Charlo on the chops ahead of a feral brawl that spilled from the T-Mobile Arena hallways to the external Plaza in Las Vegas is no longer used as promotional footage to build an all-American rivalry with clear needle. Instead, it remains another relic of what could have been.

This isn’t just to crap on PBC and TGB, because it is a wider issue in the sport.

The gold standard of cautionary tales was Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao coming together for a 2015 fight, rather than competing — at least once and if not twice — in their prime windows of 2009-2011. Drug-testing disputes, network rivalries and a fear of losing leverage ensured the fight came too late, when both were past their athletic primes. By the time Mayweather vs. Pacquiao finally arrived, they delivered a show that generally underwhelmed for the millions who tuned in.

It's time boxing organizers learned that risk increases far faster than the value they can extract from a marquee fight. Momentum often only decays. A single upset loss can destroy years of planning, and fans get increasingly fed up at being taken for granted. In no other major sport would the biggest rivalry be delayed for a decade on the assumption that nothing could possibly go wrong.

It’s why, when Ring Magazine announced this past week that Riyadh Season intends to host the long-awaited fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, it didn’t break the internet with the knockout blow that pairing would've delivered had it been booked years and years ago.

And it’s not because it’s not a big fight. It is, kind of. But there are no meaningful stakes — and more importantly, it’s not even happening next.

Steven Paston - PA Images via Getty Images

Joshua must first dispatch Jake Paul in Miami on Dec. 19. And that should be easy enough to do, so one would assume we could just see "AJ" box Fury in February.

But, no. This is boxing, silly goose.

The fight you want to see isn’t happening next. And it’s not even happening next-next.

Joshua and Fury will each return to the ring, likely in February and April respectively, for a set of tune-ups against different opponents, before they tangle against one another, presumably at Wembley Stadium in London, toward the end of 2026.

But, come on. We’ve been here before, and it never works out well for the fans.

Joshua vs. Fury could have been the British heavyweight version of Terence Crawford vs. Errol Spence Jr. But now it has no titles on the line and it’s essentially a fight not to determine a unified champion, but who can be regarded second-best in this era after Oleksandr Usyk.

There are also no guarantees that Joshua, nor Fury, even win their respective tune-ups.

Daniel Dubois drilled Joshua in his last fight, and Usyk bested Fury in back-to-back bouts in 2024.

You have to look outside the top-10 rankings to find opponents who carry minimal risk of upsetting next year’s supposed mega-fight, and once you do that, you tell the sport’s fans that these tune-ups are designed less to test ambition than to protect the plan.

Worse still, if either "AJ" or "The Gypsy King" fail to mesmerize against opponents they would've annihilated in their primes, it provides further proof that the Joshua vs. Fury fight is arguably happening when it’s at its most meaningless.

Neither has a title, will never win a belt again, and one of, if not both of them, will retire immediately after.

The tragedy is that Joshua vs. Fury was once a forward-looking fight that could have defined an era. Instead, in 2026, it’ll be a cash-out if it even happens, disguised as unfinished business, and further proof that boxing — a sport that should be easy to get right — is, in fact, even easier to get wrong.

Former England seamer Steven Finn reckons spin will "play a big part" in the third Ashes Test but can still understand why Shoaib Bashir has been left out.

England have decided to stick with spin-bowling all-rounder Will Jacks for Adelaide even though they have previously backed Bashir as their frontline spinner.

England skipper Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum felt Bashir had the attributes to succeed in Australia, mainly a high release point and the ability to extract bounce from the surface.

However, Finn said the decision to pick Jacks, who played his first Test in three years in Brisbane, was a rational one despite investing time into Bashir.

"You have to pragmatic in the situation. I don't think you can preempt, especially on a tour like this, someone playing months or years out," Finn told BBC Radio 5 Live's Ashes third Test preview show.

"I think it was anticipated Jacks would get the nod especially given his batting prowess. The management have to pick the XI they think can deliver."

Bashir has taken 68 wickets in 19 Tests for England but only returned from a finger injury at the start of the tour and bowled expensively in matches outside the Tests.

Finn also said there was a "human element" to not selecting Bashir and suggested there was "probably more going on behind the scenes".

"It's going to be 37c and a good pitch. It wouldn't be a surprised if spin played a big part," added Finn, who played 36 Tests and 69 one-day internationals.

"But if you throw someone into this environment and they are not quite ready we have seen how harsh it can be."

The Denver Nuggets return to Ball Arena looking to snap a rare four-game home skid as they host the Houston Rockets tonight. It’s an unusual spot for a Denver team that typically thrives at altitude, but the urgency should be there from the opening tip.

This matchup also sets up as an offensive showcase. Both teams rank among the NBA’s most efficient scoring units, and my Rockets vs. Nuggets predictions and NBA picks point toward a fast-paced, high-scoring affair in Mile High.

Rockets vs Nuggets prediction

Rockets vs Nuggets best bet: Over 236.5 (-110)

The Houston Rockets are 13-9 to the Over this season, and the Denver Nuggets are 16-8 to the Over. Houston is 8-4 to the Over as the road team, and Denver is 7-3.

The Rockets have hit the Over in two straight, and Denver has done so in eight of its last nine. Denver sports the top offensive rating in the Association at 124.4, and Houston is tied for third at 121.4.

The Nuggets average the most points per game at 125.5, and Houston ranks fifth at 120.6. The teams have combined for 9.6 more points than tonight’s implied point total.

With both teams mostly healthy, I expect plenty of points as Kevin Durant and Nikola Jokic square off in this battle of Western Conference heavyweights.

Rockets vs Nuggets same-game parlay

Denver is 0-4 across its last four at home, but Ball Arena has been one of the best home courts in the NBA in recent seasons. The Nuggets have played four straight and seven of their last 10 on the road, so a return home should be just what the doctor ordered to get back on track. I'll back the home team to snap its current skid.

Jokic has failed to record a triple-double in four straight games, but I expect him to be at his best in this heavyweight matchup. The Joker is averaging a triple-double for the second straight season, and he's reached that milestone in 11 of 24 games, including six of 10 at home. 

Rockets vs Nuggets SGP

• Over 236.5
• Nuggets -1.5
• Nikola Jokic to record a triple-double

Our "from downtown" SGP: Triple-double Joker!

KD finished with just 16 points on 5-for-14 shooting in his last game, though he scored 25+ points in four of five games before that dud. He's averaging 24.8 points per game this season, and he's reached 25 points in 10 of 20 games, including six of 10 on the road. 

Rockets vs Nuggets SGP

• Over 236.5
• Nuggets -1.5
• Nikola Jokic to record a triple-double
• Kevin Durant Over 24.5 points

Rockets vs Nuggets odds

• Spread: Rockets +1.5 | Nuggets -1.5
• Moneyline: Rockets -105 | Nuggets -115
• Over/Under: Over 236.5 | Under 236.5

Rockets vs Nuggets betting trend to know

The Rockets have cashed the fourth-quarter Over in 32 of their last 45 games for +17.1 units and a 33% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Rockets vs. Nuggets.

How to watch Rockets vs Nuggets

Rockets vs Nuggets latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

Steve Kerr states the painfully obvious amid Warriors' struggles this season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Heading into the 2025-26 NBA season, the Golden State Warriors probably viewed themselves as championship contenders. At the very least, they expected to be better than .500 as a team. However, that hasn’t been the case.

Nearly two months into the season, the Warriors sit one game below .500 at 13-14, which is good for eighth in the Western Conference standings. They would be in the Play-In tournament if the season ended today.

When it comes to Golden State’s struggles this season, head coach Steve Kerr pinned the blame on himself with one simple statement.

"I'm not doing my job well this year," Kerr said following Golden State’s 136-131 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night – their second straight loss.

Golden State’s struggles aren’t solely on Kerr, but blame is often assigned from the top down, so it’s fair to start there. Kerr’s inability to find a consistent role for, and maximize, Jonathan Kuminga continues to be an issue for the Warriors.

In addition to Kuminga, Kerr thinks that the coaching staff hasn’t done a great job of putting Jimmy Butler in position to succeed this season, especially when Steph Curry isn’t on the floor.

"I thought we did a better job last year putting him in position to attack and create shots for people," Kerr said. "We need to get back to that type of control of the game where we are going to him in the half court."

This story will be updated. 

Bucs fans will love Tristan Wirfs' NFC South message after Falcons loss originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Many Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans are still furious after their team's 29-28 loss to the Atlanta Falcons back on Thursday night, and in truth, they have a right to be.

After being up 28-14 in the fourth quarter, Tampa Bay mentally disintegrated and allowed Kirk Cousins and Co. back into the game for a stirring win.

But the loss should also sting the locker room.

We know about Todd Bowles's explosive rant post-game, which, for most, was right on the money, and for left tackle Tristan Wirfs, he wants his team to use the loss as motivation to rally and claim the NFC South.

“Yeah, I hope so because it's something like that stings,” Wirfs said. “Losing two at home to two divisional opponents like that, it should sting. I hope it just gives everyone a little motivation. Honestly, you just got to get into the dance. Obviously having a winning division and playing at home is big time."

More:Buccaneers reveal biggest hurdle in claiming NFC South

Football gods shine on Bucs in Week 15 

The loss to the Falcons handed the Carolina Panthers all the initiative ahead of their game against the New Orleans Saints, and a win for Dave Canales' team would have handed them the ascendancy in the race for the division.

But a 20-17 loss to Kellen Moore's team kept the Buccaneers in the fight, and with two of their final three games against the Panthers, the division will come down to those two games.

First on the road in Carolina, before ending the season at Raymond James Stadium to potentially clinch the division.

So, it is all laid out perfectly for the Buccaneers, who, according to Wirfs, shouldn't be short on motivation in Week 16.

More Buccaneers news:

• Baker Mayfield shoulders blame for Buccaneers' collapse against Falcons
• Bucky Irving's frustrating lack of usage near goal line explained by Bucs reporter
• Todd Bowles points finger after Bucs' loss to Falcons and it wasn't at the coaches
• Buccaneers vs. Falcons final score, results: Kirk Cousins, Falcons storm back from 14-point deficit to shock Buccaneers

It is officially roster management season, and it is affecting schools all over the country, including Michigan State. Now, another Spartan defender has announced his intent to transfer out of East Lansing.

Marcellius Pulliam will be leaving the Spartans for the transfer portal. He only played in four games this season, keeping this season in tact from an eligibility standpoint. This was his second season in East Lansing after transferring in from Miami (FL). He had 12 tackles in his time with the Spartans.

At 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds, Pulliam is a native of Tyrone, Georgia. He is expected to have two years of eligibility remaining.

NEW: Michigan State LB Marcellius Pulliam plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, @PeteNakos reports.

Pulliam is a former Miami transfer. https://t.co/92Uz1ficcEpic.twitter.com/HYkFy3qbdp

— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal) December 15, 2025

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Rex_Linzy

This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Junior linebacker transferring from Michigan State football

Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin was robbed of a touchdown in the second quarter of Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers when the officiating crew whistled Franklin down by contact despite the receiver not actually touching the ground.

Facing 2nd-and-5 at Green Bay's 17-yard line with just under three minutes remaining until halftime, quarterback Bo Nix threw a screen to Franklin, who ran 10 yards before being swung down by Packers safety Javon Bullard. The game officials, who were led by referee Brad Rogers on Sunday, whistled the play dead at the seven-yard line.

A look at the replay, however, reveals that Franklin never actually touched the ground as he landed on top of Bullard:

Troy Franklin mayyyyyy not have hit the ground 👀 pic.twitter.com/X0A0HDEnO5

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 14, 2025

TROY FRANKLIN WASNT DOWN!! pic.twitter.com/xeD7wmnujc

— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) December 14, 2025

Refs robbed Troy Franklin of a touchdown.

Absolutely ridiculous.

pic.twitter.com/YYV8RdOxYK

— Zack Kelberman (@KelbermanNFL) December 14, 2025

Troy Franklin went Butt to Belly! Should have been a TD, but Denver got it 2 plays later pic.twitter.com/1XkA8f2T8J

— ThatsGoodSports (@BrandonPerna) December 14, 2025

Nice run aftger catch by Troy Franklin. Shoulda been a TD. He wasn't down but whistle blew. Bad whistle. Shoulda been a TD.

— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) December 14, 2025

Troy Franklin wasn't down. Shoulda been a TD

— Romi Bean (@Romi_Bean) December 14, 2025

Troy Franklin wasn’t down. HUGE miss by the officials.

— Predominantly Orange (@PredomOrange) December 14, 2025

That was a Troy Franklin TD smfh

— Mile High Mario (@VetanzeTherapy) December 14, 2025

Unbelievable. Troy Franklin robbed of a touchdown by the officials

— Sayre Bedinger (@SayreBedinger) December 14, 2025

Man, Troy Franklin got robbed of one there.

He was never down.

Should've been a TD.

— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) December 14, 2025

Fortunately, Franklin being robbed of a score did not end up costing the Broncos points as Nix threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Lil'Jordan Humphrey two plays later. And Franklin ended up scoring a touchdown -- that stood -- in the third quarter. Denver went on to win 34-26, so no harm done in the end.

Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.

This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: NFL: Early whistle cost Broncos WR Troy Franklin a TD vs. Packers

Jamie Carragher has urged Mohamed Salah to reconsider any immediate departure from Liverpool for Saudi Arabia, advocating for the Egypt international to secure a fitting Anfield send-off.

Despite his recent strong criticism of Salah for claiming he was "thrown under a bus" by manager Arne Slot, Carragher believes the forward is unlikely to remain at the club beyond next season.

He implored Salah to set aside his differences with Slot and return from the Africa Cup of Nations at the end of January, thereby preserving his legacy and ensuring the conclusion his career at the club deserves.

pic.twitter.com/HYHrhwEciH

— Mohamed Salah (@MoSalah) December 13, 2025

Carragher told Sky Sports: “I don’t see Mo Salah playing for Liverpool next season. The big thing in my mind is, are we going to see Mo Salah from now until the end of the season?

“If he’s thinking of moving on, I would urge him to think again. And the reason I say that is, if Mo Salah is to move from Liverpool now, the talk is he would go to the Saudi League.

“Liverpool in the second half of the season could get to the FA Cup final, the Champions League final. Can you imagine Mo Salah in Saudi watching Liverpool come out in Budapest in the Champions League final?”

Salah was left out for Liverpool’s midweek win at Inter Milan following his outburst but returned in Saturday’s victory over Brighton and applauded the Anfield fans after the game.

Carragher added: “He (Salah) deserves a guard of honour, he deserves a mosaic in the Kop. He deserves to bring his wife and kids on the pitch in his last game and actually celebrate him for what he’s done as a Liverpool player.

“So put your differences with the manager aside for four months and….get this great big send-off.”

LIVE

Diallo opens the scoring, Semenyo equalizes before Casemiro puts United ahead at Old Trafford

Manchester 2-1 Bournemouth / Premier League (Credit Photo : X)

Manchester United lead Bournemouth 2-1 at halftime thanks to Amad Diallo and Casemiro. Bournemouth had drawn level through Antoine Semenyo.

Manchester United and Bournemouth are going head-to-head this Monday, December 15, 2025, at Old Trafford in Matchday 16 of the Premier League. Amad Diallo struck early (13th minute), netting his second goal of the season for the Red Devils.

AMAD DIALLO OUVRE LE SCORE POUR UNITED FACE AUX CHERRIES 🍒

Avant de s'envoler pour la CAN, l'Ivoirien met les Red Devils sur les bons rails face à Bournemouth sur CANAL+FOOT 🖥️#MUNBOU | #PremierLeaguepic.twitter.com/FPy8BORFkh

— CANAL+ Foot (@CanalplusFoot) December 15, 2025

Bournemouth managed to pull one back before the interval thanks to Antoine Semenyo. The Ghanaian brought the teams level in the 40th minute after being set up by Adam Smith. However, Casemiro restored United's lead just before the break.

📹🚨| Antoine Semenyo levels for Bournemouth #MUFCpic.twitter.com/O93kWz6y3b

— UtdJoshua (@UtdJoshua03) December 15, 2025

In a recent report, Fichajes revealed that Tottenham Hotspur are eyeing a move for Atletico Madrid talent Pablo Barrios. It has been stated that Spurs are ready to launch a £70m offer to acquire the services of the Spanish midfielder. You can have a look at how much this £70m is worth in this inflation adjusted SIP calculator.

Barrios’ Impressive Form In La Liga

The 22-year-old has enjoyed a decent campaign at the Madrid club so far and deserves credit for producing a run of eye-catching displays for them at the centre of the park. Barrios has scored three goals and grabbed one assist in 25 appearances for Los Blancos this season across multiple competitions.

The Spanish sensation has offered solid protection for his teammates at the back and deserves credit for making 19 tackles, 14 blocks, 21 interceptions and 12 clearances in La Liga. He has even distributed the ball relatively well based on his pass completion rate of 85.5% in the Spanish first division (stats via fbref.com).

His current contract at the Wanda Metropolitano will expire in the summer of 2030. Hence, it won’t be easy for Spurs to sign him on the cheap next year.

MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 26: Pablo Barrios of Atletico Madrid looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Atletico de Madrid and FC Internazionale Milano at Estadio Metropolitano on November 26, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Is Barrios A Good Fit For Tottenham Hotspur?

Barrios is a good tackler of the ball and can scan the danger well to secure the ball back for his team inside his half. He usually clears the danger when required and is a good passer of the ball as well.

The Spaniard can even contribute by scoring and creating a handful of important goals for his team. However, the jury is still out on whether he can adapt to the physicality and high intensity of the Premier League if Spurs manage to bring him on board next year.

We can expect Barrios to bring more quality and depth to Tottenham’s midfield department. He is more than capable of fighting for a regular starting role at the North London club in the coming years.

At 22, the best is yet to come from Barrios as long as he continues to improve with each season. Therefore, he would be an excellent fit for Tottenham’s needs in the long run. However, Spurs have to give him some time to adjust to life in England before they can get the best out of the player.

The German coach wants to significantly strengthen his team.

Getty Images

In their ongoing quest to bolster the backline, FC Barcelona have cast their net towards the Bundesliga, identifying a potential cost-effective solution for their defensive worries. The club's sporting department, led by Deco, has set its sights on Borussia Dortmund's versatile full-back, Julian Ryerson, as a primary target to add depth and competition on the flanks.

The information comes from reputable German journalist Patrick Berger of Sky Sports, who revealed via social media that the 28-year-old Norwegian international has emerged as a concrete option for the Blaugrana. The club's hierarchy reportedly views Ryerson as a potential alternative who could provide cover and challenge for the right-back position, currently occupied by Jules Koundé.

🔵🔴 FC Barcelona is looking for a (cost-effective) backup for Jules Koundé and have #BVB full back Julian Ryerson (28/🇳🇴) on their list; first talks have taken place between Ryerson camp and Barça. But nothing advanced or concrete at this stage.

Ryerson‘s contract at Dortmund…

— Patrick Berger (@berger_pj) December 15, 2025

Sources suggest that initial contact has already been established between Barcelona's representatives and the player's camp to sound out the feasibility of a move. However, discussions remain in a preliminary phase, with no formal offer presented to Dortmund at this stage.

Ryerson, who made the switch from Union Berlin to Signal Iduna Park in January 2023 for a modest fee of €5 million, has developed into a reliable and tactically astute asset for Die Schwarzgelben. His consistent performances over 121 appearances, contributing 7 goals and 11 assists, have solidified his reputation. With a contract binding him to Dortmund until 2028 and a market value estimated at €20 million, he represents the profile of an experienced, financially accessible target that aligns with Barcelona's current strategic needs in the transfer market.

One Manchester City academy prospect is due a return to the Premier League side after struggling to gain professional experience at League Two side Chesterfield.

Will Dickson signed scholarship terms with City in 2021 and scored 19 goals for the club’s Under-18 side which won the league three seasons ago. The 21-year-old was then rewarded with a professional contract at the Etihad Stadium in July 2023. 

As part of one of the greatest academies in the world, Dickson is a forward who hopes to follow a similar path to the likes of Phil Foden and Cole Palmer, who have established eye-catching success at Manchester City and Chelsea respectively. 

The young striker has been on loan at Chesterfield since the end of August but even while scoring one goal and providing a single assist in 13 starts across all competitions, his time at the club has been in doubt as of late.

Dickson’s main highlight came against Newport Country earlier in the season, when he scored a tremendous goal in a 4-1 win, running from inside his own half before cutting inside and finishing low into the back of the net.

But since that contribution, he has found regular minutes hard to come by and his time at the club is due to come to an end on January 5, according to the Derbyshire Times. A conversation is as such likely pending over the player’s next steps, which will most certainly come away from his current club.

The striker has started three times in the EFL Trophy this season but has hardly played in the English fourth tier having not started since the 6-2 hammering at Colchester United in October. 

Born in Liverpool, Dickson is viewed as a versatile striker who has not stopped scoring since he first joined City in 2015. Following his scholarship four years ago, he was promoted to the Elite Development Squad for the 2023/23 season and scored 18 goals from 38 games. 

An injury set the forward back and put his resilience into question at the beginning of the following campaign, but he eventually jostled through and proved to be an important figure in the EDS side. 

That season, Dickson collected five goals from 12 appearances before being sent out on loan for the first time in his career, to Scottish Premiership side Motherwell in January last season. 

He went on to gain valuable experience at the Scottish outfit, making seven appearances although he was often used as a substitute throughout his loan spell – ultimately playing 124 minutes for the club.

Chesterfield could be seen as a step-up in intensity from Motherwell and even though his current loan move is likely to end soon, it is a certainty that another stay will likely provide the striker with more experience to get him used to the highest levels of the game.

Reports from The Sun put Josh Sargent firmly on West Ham United’s radar as January edges closer, while the club weighs possible changes up front amid growing doubts over Niclas Fullkrug’s future. As results dip, Nuno Espirito Santo looks for a striker who can settle quickly, so the club now looks beyond its current options.

West Ham’s plan:

At present, Fullkrug and Callum Wilson are struggling to offer a consistent threat, so the manager keeps pushing for a different type of forward. On the other hand, the club have tied its recruitment plans to possible departures. As things stand, talk around Andrea Pinamonti, Santiago Gimenez, and Promise David keeps doing the rounds, yet the Sargent rumour is gaining the most traction as the forward is posting steady Championship performances.

West Ham scouts are keeping a close eye on the Norwich City forward, and although six league goals hardly jump off the page, his comfort with English football still counts for plenty.

On top of that, Norwich have set a £15 million asking price, and West Ham see that figure as manageable if player sales open space.

WATFORD, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 6: Josh Sargent of Norwich City celebrates scoring his teams first goal 0-1 during the Sky Bet Championship match between Watford and Norwich City at Vicarage Road on December 6, 2025 in Watford, England. (Photo by Sally Rawlins/Getty Images)

Ultimately, a return to the Premier League could appeal to Sargent, and if discussions move forward, West Ham may see him as a practical option rather than a statement signing, especially as they try to stay clear of deeper trouble this season.

Will he be a good signing for the Hammers?

Josh Sargent feels like a sensible fit for West Ham because the club needs dependability more than flair right now, and his profile matches that situation well. After several overseas forwards struggled to adapt, West Ham now favours players who already know the English game, so Sargent’s Championship form and physical presence quickly stand out.

He works hard off the ball, holds his own in duels, and keeps defenders occupied, which suits games that turn messy and nerve-racking. Last season at Norwich showed he can score when a team sets up to suit him, and that record brings a measure of comfort. Still, questions remain because his previous Premier League spell failed to gain momentum, and injuries have repeatedly broken his flow.

Even so, West Ham face an immediate issue rather than a sweeping rebuild, so they need someone who can make an impact without delay. If Nuno Espirito Santo defines Sargent’s role clearly and keeps him fit, the move looks sensible, steady, and capable of helping the club move away from danger.

Bryce Mitchell remembers losing to Ilia Topuria at UFC 282 back in late 2022, then watching “El Matador” parade around in overalls to mock “Thug Nasty” after the fact.

Well, now it’s time for Mitchell to do some mocking of his own.

The former featherweight — who now competes at 135 pounds — hit Topuria with a couple of low blows after the current lightweight champion claimed he was being extorted with allegations of domestic abuse.

Allegations that forced a temporary timeout.

“Remember when I fought Ilia, he won, and then afterwards, he got a pair of overalls and was making fun of me, because I run a farm and I run around in overalls, and he thought that was hilarious? Well, I got something for you,” Mitchell said on Instagram. “This is called the ‘Wife Beater Special.’ That’s right. I got my wife beater on for Ilia Topuria. That b*tch puts his hands on a woman. You know, I grew up without a dad, never seen my dad, never will see my dad. And you know what? I’d rather not see my dad than have my dad there beating on my mom. Let me tell you something, that’ll get you killed around these parts, son. That sh*t ain’t no joke. There ain’t nothing funny about it. I just had to let you know you’re a straight up b*tch for that. And your brother’s a b*tch too. I’ll fight him. I’ll beat his ass. You got lucky — I was sick, or I would have beat your ass; and, look, you don’t deserve to get to see your kid, son, because you put your hands on their mother. You’re a coward. That sh*t is sickening.”

Mitchell blames a battle with the flu for underperforming against Topuria.

“But anyways, bro, who am I to judge? I fall short of the glory of God, too,” Mitchell continued. “Ilia, you need to repent, return to Jesus Christ, and if you repent, you won’t rot in hell, bro. But you better really mean it and you better really repent and probably stop drinking, too. You probably got a drinking problem, man. But return to Jesus Christ, you will be forgiven. And if not, you’re going to rot in hell, bro, because that’s where women beaters go. Wives ain’t like belts, okay? It ain’t the more the merrier. You’re supposed to have one man, one woman, to become one, okay? You’re out, running around, working on your third wife now. Hell, you think they’re championship belts and you’re trying to get three or four. You’re an idiot, dude. You need to take notes from a guy like me.”

Yes, we should all strive to walk the same glorious path as “Thug Nasty.”

With Topuria on the sidelines until further notice, the promotion will ask lightweight contenders Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett to battle for the interim lightweight belt at UFC 324 next month in Las Vegas. As for Mitchell, he remains unbooked following his decision win over Said Nurmagomedov in Abu Dhabi.

In the world of sports, we’re constantly looking ahead to what’s next. When’s the next game? What’s the next league-defining trend? Where will the biggest star sign in free agency? Who’s the next dynasty or big thing?

That last question is what brings us here, one more time after "The Last Time." 

While wrestling does often look ahead — mainly in storylines and major events — the myriad unique personalities and styles in the industry present difficulties in making those one-for-one comparisons like we would with Shohei Ohtani and Babe Ruth or Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady.

Even so, we’ve had some very clear torch-passing moments in wrestling. Shawn Michaels to Stone Cold Steve Austin at WrestleMania XIV. The Rock to John Cena at WrestleMania 29. Sting to Darby Allin at AEW WrestleDream. These moments help us delineate eras in an industry that evolves in real time, all the time.

With Cena’s final match taking place this past Saturday, there’s a void — several, really — in the world of professional wrestling that may or may not be filled in the coming weeks, months and years. Let’s dive into who has the best chance of filling those jorts.

Cody Rhodes

WWE via Getty Images

Technically, Rhodes has a leg up on the competition since Cena already proverbially passed the torch to him at SummerSlam earlier this year. In terms of being the face of WWE, Rhodes is the perfect fit — and has been for some time now — to replace Cena.

The American Nightmare has all of the makings to be WWE’s QB1 for the foreseeable future. His work in the ring and on the microphone are top-notch, he’s a merchandise machine, he’s got an incredibly catchy entrance theme (don’t undersell this aspect of being a major star) and he’s over with essentially every demographic that you can come up with.

So, what’s the issue?

First, it’s Rhodes' age. Cena is walking away at 48, AJ Styles is planning his retirement tour and will turn 49 during it. I’m not saying Rhodes — or Cena or Styles for that matter — are headed for Green Grove (IYKYK), but if you listen to them talk about the wear and tear and their ability, it’s not something these guys can do forever. Rhodes debuted in WWE in 2007 — nearly 19 years ago — we’re closer to the end than it may seem, even with this remarkable run he’s been on.

Second, Rhodes might need to turn or quasi-turn heel at some point to keep fans enthralled. We saw this with Roman Reigns and even with Cena in the middle portion of his career. Fans will tire of the unbeatable, superhero-esque babyface at some point. The world of wrestling just doesn’t buy into good and evil like it used to. Kayfabe isn't kayfabe like the old days, but Cena probably leaves WWE as the Last Real Babyface than Last Real Champion.

Charlotte Flair

WWE via Getty Images

If we’re just looking at the numbers here, Flair is as close to a lock as you can get in wrestling to surpass Cena’s record 17 championships. If you count her two NXT Championship reigns, she’s technically already at 16. Assuming we’re just going with main roster titles, Flair’s 14 puts her just three away from tying Cena in just over a decade of wrestling on Raw and SmackDown.

It will be fascinating to see how WWE books Flair for the remainder of her career, especially when we get to the 15th and 16th reigns. Remember, Cena sat tied with Ric for eight years before he won the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 41. Will Flair want to pass her father? Will WWE treat “17” with the same sanctity that “16” was for so many years?

What also stands out here is that Flair has already endured that “champion/superhero fatigue” referenced earlier. Her skill is undeniable, but fans have easily turned on her a la Cena and Reigns in the past. This recent run with Alexa Bliss has been incredibly revitalizing for Flair and as we get into these historic chases, the storytelling opportunities should elevate her even further.

Rhea Ripley

WWE via Getty Images

In our preview of Cena’s final match last week my Uncrowned colleagues Kel Dansby and Robert Jackman both mentioned Ripley as potentially having a Cena-esque career arc in terms of uniting the gap between WWE and Hollywood.

I can’t say I disagree.

Ripley has charisma for days and owns any room or arena she walks into. She has a look and physique that makes her an easily credible action star — or villain — in a blockbuster film or prestige TV series. We’re even seeing her flash her comedy chops of late during her partnerships with Dominik Mysterio, Damian Priest and Iyo Sky. These factions and angles almost certainly don’t reach the same heights sans The Eradicator.

The biggest test is how would a move to Hollywood be received? To a degree, fans tend to turn on WWE stars when they enter the world of acting. Based on her current status, can you see that happening to Ripley? If she moved part-time, does anyone get a bigger pop when their music hits after an absence?

The answer to both of these questions for me is no, and that’s what makes her a perfect fit.

MJF

Ricky Havlik

Cena spent the past 23 years in WWE. It’s the kind of run that will unlikely be replicated any time soon, especially as we see more competition emerge in the world of pro wrestling.

Funny, then, that we'll look to WWE’s direct competition for the heir apparent to Cena in the loyalty department.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman, aka MJF, is one of AEW’s “Four Pillars.” Alongside Sammy Guevara, Jungle Jack Perry and Darby Allin, MJF has been with Tony Khan’s promotion since the start and reached the pinnacle of the company on several occasions.

MJF is the total package as a performer — albeit in a very different vein from Cena as he’s primarily a heel — and despite being one of the most hyped free agents in recent memory, has committed to AEW. MJF has not just raised AEW’s profile from his work on their own programming, but with his acting work in “Happy Gilmore 2” and “The Iron Claw” as well.

While he’ll undoubtedly spark more bidding wars in the future, it’s hard to see MJF leaving AEW, much like it would have been nearly impossible to envision Cena working in TNA, Ring of Honor or New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

Replacing Cena is a mammoth and, quite frankly, unfair burden to place on any individual wrestler's shoulders. If we've learned anything over the past two decades, it's that Cena's impact is impossible to overstate. 

Wrestling is better now because of Cena. 

Wrestling will continue to grow in part because of these four stars who will carry on his legacy for years to come.

Florida football is expected to hire Kentucky co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Chris Collins, according to a report from CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz and Brandon Marcello.

Collins will be serving as the Gators' defensive backs coach under new head coach Jon Sumrall. He acknowledged a transition on social media over the weekend, sharing a message expressing gratitude to Kentucky and its fan base.

"Thank you again for everything. It's been a blessing, and it's been fun," Collins stated in his appreciation for the University of Kentucky.

He spent the past five seasons with the Wildcats, the last two as co-defensive coordinator, where he built a reputation as one of the SEC's more respected defensive backs coaches. Kentucky's defense finished near the top of the SEC in several key categories in recent seasons.

Before arriving at Kentucky, Collins coached safeties at Georgia State and also held assistant roles at Appalachian State, Western Carolina and Catawba College. A former Western Carolina player himself, Collins has steadily climbed the coaching ladder with an emphasis on player development and recruiting.

Collins would represent another step in Sumrall's effort to establish a defensive foundation built on discipline and consistency as the Gators prepare for their next chapter.

He'll be joining his fellow Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White as a part of Florida's new-look coaching staff.

Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida football expected to hire Chris Collins from Kentucky

Few coaches have influenced football as significantly as Pep Guardiola.

From Mikel Arteta leading Arsenal to the top of the Premier League, to Vincent Kompany's Bayern Munich dominating the Bundesliga, the Catalan counts some of the game's finest managers among his proteges.

Another two of his disciples, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca and Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy, will be reunited when their teams meet in an EFL Cup quarter-final on Tuesday.

Barry-Murphy succeeded Maresca as manager of the Manchester City Elite Development Squad in 2021, with the Italian rejoining the club as Guardiola's first-team assistant coach a year later.

The two had a season together in Manchester before Maresca was appointed Leicester City boss, guiding the Foxes to Premier League promotion in his first season.

Coincidentally, Barry-Murphy then also followed Maresca to Leicester, albeit six months after the former Sevilla midfielder had left to take the top job at Chelsea.

Two years into Maresca's tenure at Stamford Bridge – and at a turbulent time for the Italian – he takes his Club World Cup champions to League One leaders Cardiff.

"He [Barry-Murphy] is doing a great job. They are top of the league, they are playing nice football and winning games," says Maresca.

"It's a dangerous game, a tricky game, so we need to have attention. We need to be careful because, again, we can achieve something important. That is the third semi-final in 18 months [for Chelsea under Maresca]."

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Maresca has endured a fraught few days at Chelsea. The 45-year-old described the 48 hours before Saturday's 2-0 win over Everton as the "worst" of his reign, a cryptic but apparently pointed remark aimed at his club's owners.

While Maresca was irked to be asked to clarify those comments on Monday, the mood was decidedly more relaxed at Cardiff City Stadium, where Barry-Murphy fielded questions about his friendship and working relationship with his Chelsea counterpart.

"He's always been there for me and his staff, my admiration for him and his staff is obvious," said Barry-Murphy.

"He's a brilliant guy, my wife is a huge fan. Sometimes I think she prefers him to me. She's a big fan of his wife and children, I should add.

"But when the game comes around, you have to be able to also compete against a club like Chelsea and understand that ourselves, we're a very, very big club with a huge support base and trying to give those fans something to feel exhilarated by tomorrow.

"I think he's the coach of the highest calibre, and he's proven that in the short time he's been there. He's obviously taken lessons in the Premier League and now done an incredible job with Chelsea."

Although they are operating at different levels, there are similarities in the ways that Maresca and Barry-Murphy see the game.

Like Guardiola, both men want their teams to dominate and attack, often by controlling possession and playing expansively.

The obvious difference on Tuesday will be that Maresca will have at his disposal a squad of enviable depth which won the Uefa Conference League and Club World Cup earlier this year, while Cardiff are playing in the third tier of English football for the first time in 22 years, albeit successfully.

"I think he has a very clear idea how he wants to see the game played. I think we all have different parts that make us all individual," says Barry-Murphy.

"One of the biggest things I took from Man City was you always have to have your own way of doing things, your own beliefs. I'm my own man and I want to do things my own way."

It is not only Maresca who Barry-Murphy will know in the opposition dugout at Cardiff City Stadium, the Irishman having coached several Chelsea players at their previous clubs.

"It's a little bit unusual because of the crossover between the amount of players who've been at Manchester City and even back in the day at Rochdale, where I was manager of Robert Sanchez, or he managed me. No, I love him," Barry-Murphy jokes.

"I was at Leicester last season and Facundo Buonanotte was there, brilliant player on loan from Brighton. Then there's Romeo Lavia, Cole Palmer and Liam Delap - who's suspended - at Manchester City. All those guys, unusual connection."

Maresca has promised to make changes for this game, given Chelsea's Premier League and Champions League commitments.

No matter how much he rotates his squad, though, Chelsea will still be overwhelming favourites, even if that tag does not sit easily.

"These are the worst games," says Maresca. "Football is full of these kinds of games where the favourite one, they can lose.

"That's why the focus has to be on Cardiff."

For Cardiff, there is nothing to lose.

Four points clear at the top of League One, playing attractive football with a team packed full of local young talent and welcoming former Champions League winners to their home on Tuesday, the Bluebirds have rediscovered their joy this season.

"The biggest thing always I learned from the players is there's different spells in my career where an occasion like tomorrow night was quite a daunting task," says Barry-Murphy.

"You think about the difficulties you may face, but the young players here have got no fear.

"They really attack every single situation that they come up against and try and overcome every obstacle.

"No matter what happens tomorrow, I'm sure the players will give every single thing they have for the club and come out the following day better players for it."

Chapecoense paid a beautiful and fair tribute to Atlético Nacional with its NEW jersey, launched this Monday (15).

Ten years ago, Chape's plane suffered an accident that left 71 dead (19 of them players) in Colombia.

Nos nossos dias mais difíceis, o verde das nossas cores nos uniu. Dez anos depois, em um ato de memória e respeito, a camisa OF.1 da temporada 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 será um símbolo de história e gratidão.

Uma homenagem à grandeza de um clube que, do outro extremo do continente, acendeu a luz… pic.twitter.com/vHnvEihNvr

— Chapecoense (@ChapecoenseReal) December 15, 2025

Chapecoense was to compete in the final of the 2016 Copa Sudamericana against Atlético Nacional - who gave up the title.

As a result, Chapecoense was considered the champion of that Copa Sudamericana, securing a spot in the 2017 Copa Libertadores.

Former defender Neto, one of the survivors of the accident, was the model at the jersey launch. Check out more images:

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

With DJ Lagway and Dylan Raiola out, Arch Manning now in a class of his own originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

With the news of Nebraska's Dylan Raiola and Florida's DJ Lagway transferring, Arch Manning is now in a class by himself.

The transfer activity among elite five-star high school quarterbacks from the 2023 and 2024 recruiting classes has become commonplace. In fact, Manning is the only one out of eight top signal-callers who has not entered the transfer portal, according to CBS Sports' Emily Proud.

Nico Iamaleava made the jump from Tennessee to UCLA in the offseason. Dante Moore was there in Westwood before him but vacated for Oregon. Jackson Arnold went from Oklahoma to Auburn and could be on the move again. Malachi Nelson took a similar path from USC to Boise State before UTEP. Heisman Trophy finalist Julian Sayin went from Alabama to Ohio State after Nick Saban encouraged his move.

Eight 5⭐️ QBs between the 2023 & 2024 classes... Only 1 has never entered the transfer portal - Arch Manning.

2023: Manning, Nico Iamaleava, Dante Moore, Jackson Arnold, Malachi Nelson
2024: DJ Lagway, Dylan Raiola, Julian Sayin

— Emily Proud (@emily_proud) December 15, 2025

Manning's commitment to Texas is noteworthy. Since arriving on campus, he has worked through the continued volatility in college football’s quarterback ranks.

The nephew of NFL Hall of Famers Peyton and Eli Manning was one of the most anticipated recruits in recent memory. Despite high expectations, he has remained at Texas while many other highly-rated QBs have opted to pursue opportunities elsewhere. It's a broader trend in college football, where movement has accelerated.

When you consider the past four Heisman Trophy winners are all transfers, including Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, expect this to be a normal part of college football.

More college football news: 

• Deion Sanders buyout, contract details as Colorado Buffaloes coach
• Fernando Mendoza won't keep the Heisman Trophy if he wins
• Why LSU should be extremely nervous about Michigan firing Sherrone Moore
• Jim Harbaugh trends after comments on Sherrone Moore's firing
• Diego Pavia asks Donald Trump to fix the College Football Playoff

Bears' Ben Johnson reveals concerning Rome Odunze update originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Chicago Bears are sitting atop the NFC North after a Week 15 win, but their 10-4 record doesn't feel as great, thanks to some major uncertainty surrounding Rome Odunze.

He came into the week banged up, but was initially not on the team's inactive list for Week 15. There was hope Odunze would play. But then, shortly before game time, Odunze tweaked something and was ruled out of the Week 15 matchup.

The day after the big Week 15 win, Bears head coach Ben Johnson, as Courtney Cronin of ESPN shared, revealed a concerning update on Oduzne's future with the Bears this season.

Bears' Ben Johnson shares concerning Rome Odunze update after injury setback

"Ben Johnson said 'all options are on the table,' regarding Rome Odunze's foot injury and whether the team will shut him down for a stretch of time to get him healthy, ready for a potential playoff run." Cronin shared.

Johnson explained further, "There may be a case that we need to protect him from himself a little bit so he can help us down the road."

Odunze is facing a potential major decision this season. If Johnson and the medical staff decide so, the Bears might end up shutting Odunze down for the rest of the regular season.

More: Why Rome Odunze isn't playing today for Bears with shocking injury news

This concerning report from Cronin indicates that the Bears are strongly considering Odunze's short-term future with the team. He should be okay for the playoffs based on the wording from Johnson, but the regular season might be a different question.

So far this season, Odunze has 44 receptions for 661 yards and six touchdowns. It's been a productive year two, but since the bye, he's significantly slowed down.

But in the last two weeks, the injury to Odunze's foot has kept him out, and now, it poses a risk of him missing more time.

The setback on Sunday before the Cleveland Browns matchup was major news in the moment, and it's now potentially leading to Oduzne being shut down for a portion of the season to get healthy.

More Bears News:

• Packers' Matt LaFleur, Bears' Ben Johnson entertain NFL fans with drive-by handshake
• NFC playoff picture: What Packers' loss to Broncos means for Bears
• Myles Garrett compares Caleb Williams to some of the most elite QBs in the NFL
• Ben Johnson becomes just the 3rd Bears HC to accomplish this feat
• Rounding up Bears Week 16 NFL power rankings after blowout win over Browns

The Washington Commanders have officially shut down starting quarterback Jayden Daniels for the rest of the 2025 NFL season, head coach Dan Quinn told reporters on Monday afternoon. That leaves former Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota as the Commanders' starter for the final three games.

Mariota has already appeared in 10 games for Washington this season, passing for 1,600 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions. The former No. 2 overall pick has rushed for another 298 yards and one touchdown on the ground. As for Daniels, the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year has been battling an elbow injury all season.

With the Commanders eliminated from playoff contention, there was no reason to risk Daniels' long-term health. Mariota has gone 2-5 in seven starts this season. The Falcons faced off against Mariota in a Week 4 win over the Commanders at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Mariota spent one season with the Falcons back in 2022. After trading Matt Ryan away during the 2022 offseason, Atlanta signed Mariota as a free agent and selected quarterback Desmond Ridder in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft.

In 13 starts for the Falcons, Mariota passed for 2,219 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also rushed for 438 yards and four touchdowns before losing his job to Ridder for the final four weeks of the season.

Dan Quinn said they will sit Jayden Daniels for the final 3 games.... Certainly felt like this is where the Jayden Daniels situation was trending once they said he re-aggravated his left elbow.

— John Keim (@john_keim) December 15, 2025

Atlanta is also dealing with an injury to its first-round quarterback. Michael Penix Jr. suffered a partially torn ACL back in Week 11 and underwent a successful reconstruction. The Falcons are hoping to get Penix back in time for the start of the 2026 NFL season.

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Former Falcons QB Marcus Mariota to start final 3 games

Illinois may never stop adding Balkan-born players to their roster.

Jonathan Givony is reporting that Illinois has earned a commitment from Croatian forward Toni Bilic. The 6’9, 20-year-old is arriving during the semester break and is eligible to play immediately.

Bilic was a member of Croatia’s FIBA U18 team in 2023 and was a part of their U20 team in 2024. He has played for Cedevita Junior since 2022.

Illinois now has six Balkan players on their roster. Tomislav Ivisic, Zvonimir Ivisic, and Toni Bilic all hail from Croatia. Andrej Stojakovic was born in Greece. David Mirkovic is from Montenegro. Mihailo Petrovic is Serbian.

One of the best targets available to Liverpool is now back on the market. Here's their chance to do something special.

Liverpool will be in the market for centre-backs in 2026. There’s not really any choice there after how 2025 has gone.

The Reds hoped to add Marc Guehi to their squad, for one. They’d all but agreed a deal to sign him from Crystal Palace, too, only for the Eagles to collapse the deal right at the last moment.

Now, that didn’t necessarily leave Liverpool short as they still had four senior centre-back options. Giovanni Leoni’s knee injury changed things, though.

The squad has just three options available to them and Joe Gomez has struggled with fitness, often leaving the squad with two. On top of that, Ibrahima Konate’s contract expires at the end of the season and Liverpool are struggling to agree terms for a new one.

The door couldn’t really be open any wider for a new defender to come in, then. And one of Liverpool’s best options appears to be back on the market.

Dayot Upamecano could leave Bayern Munich

Foot Mercato reports that Dayot Upamecano could leave Bayern Munich after all. The Frenchman is also out of contract this summer but it had been reported that he was remaining in Bavaria.

Instead, the suggestion here is that both Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are keen to sign Upamecano and would offer him a lot more money than Bayern can. The latter haven’t actually met his requirements, while PSG have made it clear that they would be willing to.

• Listen to Sportsound live from Ibrox
• Fernandez nods in Sterling cross for opener
• Gassama slots in low for Rangers late on but flagged for offside
• Rangers move above Motherwell into third; Hibs stay fifth
• Get involved below

Scottish Premiership: Rangers hold on to edge into third spot as Hibs defeated

Steelers cut ties with speedy WR before Monday Night Football originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were active on their WR depth chart before Monday Night Football against the Miami Dolphins to close out Week 15.

To make room for Marquez Valdes-Scantling being signed to the active roster, the Steelers had to release Ke'Shawn Williams.

The move was reported just after 4 p.m. ET by ESPN's Brooke Pryor.

Williams is a speedy 5-foot-9 wide receiver who split his college career between Wake Forest and Indiana after coming out of the Philadelphia area.

MORE: ACL recovery timeline impacts when Patrick Mahomes, Micah Parsons will return

This is the first season in the NFL for Williams, who hasn't caught a pass.

Instead, his role has been as a return man.

Williams has played in eight games. 

He has 18 kick returns this season for 425 yards, with a long return of 37 yards.

MORE: Bills may not win the AFC East — but they sent a clear warning to the rest of the NFL

Williams has also returned 11 punts for 112 yards, with a long of 17.

He has fumbled twice, which isn't ideal.

The Steelers have used Williams for just nine offensive snaps in his eight games.

There's always a chance Williams gets signed back to the Pittsburgh practice squad, or a different team looking for a returner could pounce on the opportunity.

More NFL news:

• Jaxson Dart has a 50% head injury problem
• Trevor Lawrence had a game never before done by an NFL quarterback
• A Travis Kelce retirement hint is coming
• Micah Parsons' injury doesn't look good
• Patrick Mahomes' injury has fans asking Tom Brady ACL question
• Commanders' All-Pro puts down fans' draft order concerns

Per Houston Texans’ head coach Demeco Ryans, stud defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr. suffered a pectoral injury in yesterday’s victory against the Arizona Cardinals.

This will be a solid test for the culture of Ryans’ defense. The “next man up”, whether that’s Naquan Jones, Junior Tafuna, Marlon Davidson or someone else, will need to hit the field with the same sold out for the swarm intensity that’s made this the NFL’s #1 defense this year.

Edwards had participated in 14 games so far this season, contributing 13 tackles, 6 solo stops and 1.5 sacks. The 11 year vet also had 4 hits on opposing quarterbacks, not to mention his intangible assistance to the rest of the Texans dynamic front 7.

Rest up Mario, we’ll leave the light on!

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Vikings edge rusher Jonathan Greenard will have season-ending surgery on a left shoulder injury he aggravated in the game at Dallas, coach Kevin O’Connell announced Monday.

The Vikings (6-8) were eliminated from playoff contention before their 34-26 victory over the Cowboys on Sunday night.

Greenard missed two games last month with the injury before returning for the last two games. The 2024 Pro Bowl pick had a sack and three hits on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott before he was hurt again in the fourth quarter during a fourth-down stop by the Vikings.

Though Greenard's sack total dropped from 12 last season to just three this year, his ability to generate quarterback pressure and stop the run continually set the tone for the defense. O'Connell called the 28-year-old Greenard a “foundational player.”

Left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who was inactive on Sunday for his fourth game missed this season, is still being assessed on a daily basis, with no plan to shut him down, O'Connell said. Swelling in his surgically repaired left knee last week kept Darrisaw from practicing.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan interim football coach Biff Poggi had a Zoom call with the program's signees and their parents just hours after Sherrone Moore was fired last week, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Monday.

Poggi told the players and their parents that athletic director Warde Manuel hoped to have a new coach hired by the end of the month, said the person, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share details from the call.

Moore's firing left the No. 18 Wolverines scrambling to retain recruits and give current players reasons to stay out of the transfer portal.

That's going to be quite a challenge.

Michigan has begun practicing for their bowl game with Poggi and assistants, none of whom know if they will be a part of the team's staff in 2026.

The Wolverines announced less than two weeks ago that 27 prospects signed commitments to play football for the maize and blue and the class was ranked No. 11 by 247Sports.

Two of those players, however, asked for and were granted their release by the school.

Matt Ludwig, a four-star tight end from Montana, has already switched his commitment to Texas Tech and Bear McWhorter, an offensive lineman from Georgia, opened up his recruitment last week.

“In light of recent events, I've made the very difficult decision to withdraw,” McWhorter posted Friday on Instagram.

Moore was fired Wednesday after the school said an investigation uncovered evidence of his inappropriate relationship with a staffer. He was later jailed for two nights and charged with three crimes.

While a search firm helps Michigan quickly look for a new coach, other colleges are taking advantage of the opportunity to make offers to the Wolverines' signees because they're in a 30-day window to potentially get released.

“Every day that a new coach isn’t in place, there's a risk in more players asking for their release and current players planning to go in the portal,” Allen Trieu, 247Sports national recruiting analyst, said in a telephone interview. "Time is of essence, if the primary goal is to keep the recruiting class in place.

“Those families are waiting with bated breath — as many are who are invested in Michigan football — to see who the next coach is going to be."

Current players, including starting quarterback Bryce Underwood, will have a chance to enter the transfer portal between Jan. 2-16 if they don't like the direction of the program or how they fit with the new coach.

“It's a very unique time,” Trieu said. “You have a coaching staff, not knowing if they'll be back, preparing for a game while trying to hold onto signees and current players — and everybody is inpatient.”

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The Boston College football team is facing a potentially ugly offseason after going 2-10. They will look for answers in the transfer portal, but first we have to talk about the players who are jumping ship for greener pastures. Surprisingly, not too many big names are expected to leave the program so far, although partly because BC doesn’t have that many big names to begin with. Quarterback Dylan Lonergan, defensive tackle Sterling Sanders, and linebackers Bam Crouch and Jason Hewlett are the only truly notable departures that we know of so far. Here’s a breakdown:

• QB Dylan Lonergan
  • Read more about Lonergan here.
• WR/RB Datrell Jones
  • Jones was a highly-regarded 3-star recruit out of West Roxbury that just couldn’t break into any playing time at either RB or WR. He redshirted in 2023, played in one game against Duquesne in 2024, and then did not appear in a game this season.
• WR Nate Johnson
  • After playing in 8 games in 2023, Johnson redshirted the 2024 season and didn’t appear in a game for the Eagles in 2025.
• OL Jadon Lafontant
  • After redshirting in 2024, Lafontant appeared in just one game in 2025. He was a 3-star recruit out of Greenwich, CT.
• DT Sterling Sanders
  • A big loss for the BC defensive line. Sanders is a former 4-star recruit who only spent one season on the Heights, appearing in just one game against Fordham before being out for the remainder of the season with an undisclosed injury.
• LB Daveon Crouch
  • Crouch is potentially BC’s biggest loss in the transfer portal so far. He was the leader of the defense, a team captain, and was expected to be a key veteran for the team in 2025 before injuries derailed his season.
• LB Jason Hewlett
  • Hewlett was one of my picks as a breakout star for Boston College this season, but his season was also derailed by injuries. The former 4-star recruit wasn’t able to get much playing time at Michigan, but had many of the physical skills to serve as a speedy LB next to Bam Crouch after transferring to BC last offseason. After playing in just two games this season, against Michigan State and Pitt, Hewlett is set to hit the transfer portal again.
• CB Ashton McShane
  • McShane has been a regular part of the secondary at BC since 2023, starting several games and coming in as a back-up at various points. That position group has been a pretty weak one for the Eagles under Bill O’Brien, and McShane was at least providing some continuity from the Hafley era to the current staff. His departure is more a depth issue than anything.

This Chicago Bears announcement just made their defense even scarier originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Yesterday, the Chicago Bears absolutely handled the Cleveland Browns, blowing them out of the water 31-3. 

They recaptured first place in the NFC North and looked to be firing on all cylinders on both offense and defense. Even without Rome Odunze for the second straight game, the offense looked incredible, led by a record-setting performance from Caleb Williams. 

More: Caleb Williams makes NFL history against Cleveland

Even though the offense got seemingly whatever they wanted on Sunday, the story of the day might have been just how dominant the defense looked. 

They intercepted rookie Shadeur Sanders three times, sacked him five times, and held them to just nine total first downs all game. 

More: Did Jaylon Johnson just pull off the craziest interception of the year against Shedeur Sanders?

This defense is getting fired up at just the right time, and after the news today, they're set to get even scarier. 

Tremaine Edmunds set to return from IR

It was announced today by the Chicago Bears that they have activated LB Tremaine Edmunds off the injured reserve list as he begins to ramp up.

Per Ian Rapoport, there is even a very real chance he's able to return by Saturday to play the Green Bay Packers. 

Help is on the way: The #Bears are opening the 21-day window for LB Tremaine Edmunds, as begins to ramp up. Real chance he returns Saturday vs the #Packers.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 15, 2025

Tremaine Edmunds has been stellar for Chicago this season. He not only leads the team in tackles, but also has four interceptions on the year, which ties him for 3rd in the NFL. 

With the Packers losing a slew of their best players to injury against the Denver Broncos and the Bears getting healthier and healthier by the week, the NFC North title is looking more and more like a lock for Chicago by the day. 

Two divisional games are yet to be played, so nothing is set in stone, but day by day, the clouds begin to open up more and more for Chicago. 

More NFL News: 

• Ben Johnson becomes just the 3rd Bears HC to accomplish this feat

• Myles Garrett compares Caleb Williams to some of the most elite QBs in the NFL

• Jay Cutler shares his thoughts on Ben Johnson and coming out of retirement

• Bears' Nahshon Wright makes his thoughts on impending free agency crystal clear

• How long are the Bears going to be without Kyler Gordon?

LIVE

Casemiro’s late goal sends Red Devils into the break 2-1 up vs Bournemouth

(Video) Manchester United vs Bournemouth: First-Half report, goals & stats

Manchester United head into the break with 2-1 advantage over Bournemouth at Old Trafford following action packed first half in matchday 16 of the Premier League that delivered goals.

The hosts struck early through Amad Diallo before Bournemouth responded via Antoine Semenyo, only for Casemiro to restore United’s lead with stoppage time goal just before the interval.

How the first half Goals unfolded

• 1-0 Amad Diallo (13’)

United capitalised on defensive confusion inside the Bournemouth box after dangerous delivery, with Amad reacting quickest to bundle the ball home and give the Red Devils early edge.

Bournemouth punished United’s defensive lapse as Semenyo fired in powerful equaliser ending his goal drought and swinging momentum back in the visitors’ favour heading toward half time.

A crucial late strike saw Casemiro convert United’s sustained pressure into a decisive goal restoring the lead deep into stoppage time and sending Ruben Amorim’s side into the dressing room ahead.

pic.twitter.com/AeuJ0m4RaK

— 🔔 Follow:@CenterOfGoals 🎥 (@KnightsMar37802) December 15, 2025

pic.twitter.com/pOjPtlUajF

— iONLY4K - 37 (@SAULCALLL) December 15, 2025

pic.twitter.com/MphggkENU5

— iONLY4K - 37 (@SAULCALLL) December 15, 2025

Tactical flow & first half analysis

Man United started aggressively dictating the tempo during the opening half hour and creating multiple chances through Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro & Bryan Mbeumo.

Despite United’s territorial dominance, Bournemouth remained dangerous on the break , and made their moments count when space opened up.

Halftime stats (SofaScore)

• Total Shots:

Manchester United 17 – 7 Bournemouth

• Shots on Target:

Manchester United 4 – 3 Bournemouth

• Saves:

Manchester United 2 – 2 Bournemouth

• Total Passes:

Manchester United 180 – 168 Bournemouth

• Accurate Passes:

Often, when two teams are fighting for a division title, both of them have the same amount of pressure on them, but that's not the case in the NFC South.

For instance, the AFC North race between the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6 as of Dec. 15) and the Baltimore Ravens (7-7) is a battle of two squads in similar situations.

The Steelers won their last Super Bowl almost 17 years ago.

The Ravens won theirs almost 13 years ago. For more than a decade, each franchise has enjoyed considerable regular-season success, but both have become known for falling short in the postseason.

If Baltimore misses the playoffs, calls for the franchise to move on from longtime coach John Harbaugh will get louder, and the same could be said for longtime Steelers coach Mike Tomlin.

Now, in the NFC South, where both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers sit at 7-7, there will be serious questions about Todd Bowles' future if the Bucs don't win the division.

In Carolina, there's a good chance Dave Canales is near the top of the Coach of the Year voting even if the Panthers don't make the postseason.

BetMGM had Carolina's projected win total at 6.5 before the season, so the fact that the Panthers have won seven games with three left suggests that this year is already a success.

Canales isn't on the hot seat, but although Bowles says he isn't concerned, it's fair to wonder what Bowles' future might be if this season doesn't end well.

“I don’t think I worry at all,” Bowles said Thursday night. “It doesn’t creep into the locker room. Players play and coaches coach. I have more years behind me than I do ahead of me. I think we’re in a situation where we’re right back in it, and our only focus is on winning a ball game.”

But it's hard to ignore the possibility.

“The first thing I thought [after Atlanta won]: ‘Todd Bowles, Hot Seat,'” NBC's Mike Florio said Thursday night after the Bucs' embarrassing collapse against the Falcons at home. “Got to be. Got to be."

Florio went on to say he was merely informing the fans of a worst-case scenario in Tampa Bay should Bowles be let go if the South goes further South.

“This is the way it goes. This isn’t we’re trying to upend someone’s life. This is, we know how this works, and we’re trying to get ahead of what’s coming," Florio said. "This is part of our obligation to get you ready for it, so you don’t say, ‘Oh, damn,’ when it happens. And there’s no reason to be surprised when it happens, because it happens.”

The Chargers boosted their chances of making the playoffs to 95% after their win over the Chiefs on Sunday.

While it seems like a sure thing, Los Angeles can make it official and clinch their second consecutive postseason spot this upcoming weekend.

L.A. can secure at least a Wild Card berth if the following happens:

• The Chargers win their game against the Cowboys, and the Texans lose or tie against the Raiders.
• The Chargers win or tie against the Cowboys, and the Colts lose their game against the 49ers.
• The Chargers win against the Cowboys, and the Colts tie against the 49ers.
• The Chargers tie against the Cowboys, the Texans lose against the Raiders, and the Colts tie against the 49ers.

At 10-4, the Bolts currently hold the fifth seed. And if the season ended today, they would face the fourth-seeded Steelers, who lead the AFC North.

The Chargers travel to Dallas to face the Cowboys on Sunday, December 21, at 10:00 am PT.

This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: How the Chargers can clinch a playoff berth in Week 16

Every 170 'Big Fish' checkout at the 2026 PDC Darts World Championship: van Duijvenbode joins list hitting epic fifth set checkout originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The 2026 PDC Darts World Championship is well underway, with big moments already taking place on the Ally Pally stage.

Some of those big moments include big checkouts, which we've seen a couple of so far, regarding 170 checkouts.

Every 170 checkout at the 2026 PDC Darts WC

Here is every fish that has been reeled in so far at Ally Pally this year.

Rob Cross - first round

Not only did Cross hit a 170, but he did it to clinch the win in his match against Cor Dekker.

BIG FISH TO WIN IT!!! 🎣

Take a bow, Rob Cross! 👏

Cross takes out 170 to wrap up a comfortable 3-0 win over Cor Dekker!

📺 https://t.co/59TualjgND#WCDarts | R1 pic.twitter.com/3LYwyB3HZ5

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 12, 2025

Gabriel Clemens - first round

It was early on in the match, but Clemens found the 2x T20, BULL combo finish to set the tone early against Alex Spellman.

CLEMENS FINDS DER GROSSE FISCH!! 🎣

Reel it in Gabriel... The 170 checkout is found by the German Giant!

📺 https://t.co/59TualjgND#WCDarts | R1 pic.twitter.com/1i9KmYmd10

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 13, 2025

Brendan Dolan - first round

Dolan sent Ally Pally into a frenzy with a huge 170 checkout to win the second set of his match against Tavis Dudeney.

BRENDAN BAGS THE BIG FISH! 🎣

Brendan Dolan - take a bow! 👏

The History Maker produces a moment of magic to double his lead against Tavis Dudeney!

📺 https://t.co/59TualjgND#WCDarts | R1 pic.twitter.com/vV1UDni5pY

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 15, 2025

Dirk van Duijvenbode - first round

We have a second big fish on Monday, as DVD hits a massive one to open up the last-set decider in his match with Andy Baetens.

THE BIG FISH FROM VAN DUIJVENBODE 🎣

The big Dutchman reels in the Big Fish for the fourth time on the Ally Pally stage!

He LOVES a 170 😍 pic.twitter.com/hMnTUVbOCA

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 15, 2025

More darts articles:

• Watch: Moment 71-year-old Paul Lim picks up historic win at 2026 PDC Darts World Championship
• 2026 PDC Darts World Championship: Draw, schedule, format and prize money
• 2026 PDC Darts World Championship first round predictions, betting odds: Picking winners in all 64 matches
• World Darts Championship 2025/26 prize money: How much winner will earn, total prize fund for PDC event
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Is Jaylen Warren playing today? Latest Steelers news provides update for RB's late injury status originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Pittsburgh Steelers added Jaylen Warren to the injury report on Monday ahead of a primetime clash with the Miami Dolphins to close out Week 15.

It was brutal timing for the move, given it's the final day of the week for fantasy football players and that the Steelers really need a win on Monday night.

It left the rest of Monday as a test for how Warren might be doing. Is he OK?

Two things throughout the day provided good signs.

MORE: ACL recovery timeline impacts when Patrick Mahomes, Micah Parsons will return

Is Jaylen Warren playing today?

There are two signs that signal Warren will play Monday night.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero posted this on X: 

"Jaylen Warren woke up sick and is getting fluids, but I'm told he's optimistic about playing tonight."

MORE: Bills may not win the AFC East — but they sent a clear warning to the rest of the NFL

And when the Steelers made their practice squad elevations, they didn't elevate a RB, even though two were available to be called up.

That suggests that Pittsburgh expects to have its normal core backfield available.

Warren's workload is more uncertain, and maybe Kenneth Gainwell gets more touches.

But it sounds like when the inactive report comes out at 6:45 p.m. ET, Warren shouldn't be on it.

More NFL news:

• Jaxson Dart has a 50% head injury problem
• Trevor Lawrence had a game never before done by an NFL quarterback
• A Travis Kelce retirement hint is coming
• Micah Parsons' injury doesn't look good
• Patrick Mahomes' injury has fans asking Tom Brady ACL question
• Commanders' All-Pro puts down fans' draft order concerns

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow might have a limp, but the team isn’t going to shut him down. 

According to WLWT’s Jaron May, Burrow had a notable limp at Paycor Stadium on Monday, the day after the loss to the Baltimore Ravens that dashed the team’s playoff hopes for good. 

Speaking with reporters, though, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor made it clear that the team would not be choosing to shut down Burrow for the season. 

The reason? Burrow wants to win. 

RELATED: Joe Burrow's mindset, past frustrations with Bengals hinted in report

On the same day the Washington Commanders chose to shut down quarterback Jayden Daniels for the final three games of the season, the Bengals won’t do the same with Burrow. 

The obvious concern with Burrow is the fact he came back early from the Grade 3 turf toe at all this year. Now, exposing him to injury over the final three games while eliminated is a risk, to say the least. 

As for the limp, no further comments on the topic, but it was pretty notable near the end of the game on Sunday, too, so it’s something to watch. 

RELATED: NFL insider floats idea of Bengals' Al Golden getting another chance

This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Joe Burrow spotted limping, but Bengals aren't shutting him down

Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck has become one of the most coveted central defenders in Europe off the back of his form and contract situation. However he will not be the ‘bargain’ that some might have anticipated.

Schlotterbeck has been cited as a target for both Real Madrid and Barcelona in recent months, while Bayern Munich are also interested in Schlotterbeck as an alternative to Dayot Upamecano, should the Frenchman leave in the summer. It appears that Schlotterbeck has decided not to renew his deal with Dortmund, which expires in 2027.

Real Madrid and Barcelona find out Nico Schlotterbeck demands

Image via Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

In theory, that situation would force BVB to consider a sale at a reduced price, but BILD (via Sport) say that the German giants will not allow him to leave for less than €50m. On the other hand, Schlotterbeck’s demands are also not cheap. His current salary works out around €14m gross per annum, and Bayern are open to offering him €15m per season.

However the asking price has been set at €20m per season, with a signing bonus of €20m. As pointed out by Sport, it means that the total package for a five-year contract would work out at €120m, not including a transfer fee. Should they meet Dortmund’s asking price next summer, the total package will be €170m.

Flick: "Whether to stay or not will be Ter Stegen's decision. I respect him a lot because he's a fantastic goalkeeper and a very good person. It hasn't been decided yet what will happen."

— barcacentre (@barcacentre) December 15, 2025

Schlotterbeck prefers Real Madrid move

Of course, any of the teams interested will no doubt try to bring those demands down, and it may simply be a starting price set by his agent. Even so, it is enough to cause issues for Barcelona’s salary limit.

A secondary issue for the Catalan side is that Schlotterbeck would reportedly prefer a move to Los Blancos. Real Madrid are also in the race for Upamecano though, and that may save them from having to compete with their arch rivals. Los Blancos appear to be in a strong position, after reports that they have reached an agreement on personal terms with Upamecano.

Colorado at Seattle — TNT

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV.

Long Island University at Mississippi State — SECN+

Morgan State at LSU — SECN+

Sam Houston at Alabama — SECN+

Troy at Jacksonville State — ESPN

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV.

Tampa Bay Lightning blueliner Darren Raddysh is on pace to shatter previous career highs.

My Panthers vs. Lightning predictions see Raddysh remaining productive with Victor Hedman still on the sideline.

Find out more in my NHL picks for Monday, December 15.

Panthers vs Lightning prediction

Panthers vs Lightning best bet: Darren Raddysh Over 0.5 points (-115)

The Tampa Bay Lightning are dealing with a cluster of injuries on defense. Ryan McDonagh, Erik Cernak, and, most notably, Victor Hedman are sidelined, leaving a lot of extra responsibility on Darren Raddysh's plate.

He has played on the top pairing at even-strength and taken over as the quarterback of the No. 1 power play in place of Hedman. He’s made the most of the opportunity.

Raddysh produced at least one point in 10 of the last 13 without Hedman. He has piled up 18 points in that span and put forth more multi-point efforts (five) than pointless performances (three) along the way. He is playing incredible hockey.

Over the last 10 games, the Lightning rank Top-7 in generating shots and expected goals at 5-on-5 as well as on the power play.

All of the star forwards are back healthy and Raddysh is most responsible for getting them the puck. Clearly, he’s doing a good job.

With the Panthers playing a very high-event brand of hockey, struggling to defend at 5-on-5, and taking a healthy chunk of penalties, this is a good matchup for Raddysh to build on his recent success.

Panthers vs Lightning same-game parlay

Jon Cooper has stacked the top line and reunited Jake Guentzel with Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov. Guentzel couldn’t ask for better linemates and has piled up the assists when rested, picking up at least one helper in five of his last seven following an off day.

Anton Lundell has averaged 3.1 shots on goal per game over his last 10 after a rest day. With the Lightning missing half of their regular defense core, the volume should continue to be there for Lundell on Monday night.

Panthers vs Lightning SGP

• Darren Raddysh Over 0.5 points
• Jake Guentzel Over 0.5 assists
• Anton Lundell Over 1.5 shots on goal

Panthers vs Lightning odds

• Moneyline: Panthers +125| Lightning -145
• Puck Line: Panthers +1.5 (-200) | Lightning -1.5 (+165)
• Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+115) | Under 6.5 (-135)

Panthers vs Lightning trend

Darren Raddysh has 11 points over his last six games without Victor Hedman dressed. Find more NHL betting trends for Panthers vs. Lightning.

How to watch Panthers vs Lightning

Panthers vs Lightning latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

A 2-0 week that featured a pair of victories over SEC teams was not enough for UConn men’s basketball to move up in this week’s AP poll, as the 10-1 Huskies stayed at No. 5 for the third week in a row. UConn got revenge on Tuesday over then-No. 18 Florida in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden, then closed its non-conference slate with a home win over Texas on Friday night.

St. John’s is once again the only other Big East school to join the Huskies in the top 25, at No. 22, but Seton Hall and Villanova also received votes. Arizona, UConn’s only loss of the season, remains at No. 1 after defeating Alabama in a neutral-site game in convincing fashion. The Huskies have four wins this season against teams currently ranked in the poll in No. 10 BYU, No. 17 Illinois, No. 18 Kansas, and No. 23 Florida.

The Huskies open up Big East play this week with a pair of matchups before Christmas. Butler comes to Hartford on Tuesday night fresh off a double overtime victory against Providence in its conference opener on Saturday. Then, UConn makes its first conference road trip of the year when it visits DePaul in Chicago on Sunday.

Looking at net rating, UConn dropped one spot from a week ago to No. 8 despite the 2-0 record and picking up another Quad One win over Florida. Butler, No. 43 in NET, will be a Quad Two opportunity, and DePaul (No. 147 in NET) is likely going to be a Quad Three game. In KenPom, UConn ranks No. 7 overall, No. 17 in offensive efficiency and No. 8 in defensive efficiency.

Tyler Shough probably was not on many fantasy draft boards back in September, but here we are in December, and the New Orleans Saints might have stumbled into something interesting. After Sunday’s 24-32 performance for 272 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions against the Carolina Panthers in a 20-17 win. Shough is quietly putting together a résumé worth noticing. He added 32 yards on the ground and looked calm, confident, and surprisingly polished for a rookie who started the season buried on the depth chart.

In his seven starts, Shough has completed 66.7 percent of his passes while throwing for 1,468 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions. Those are not MVP numbers yet, but they tell the story of a player learning fast. The rookie out of Louisville came into the league with questions about durability and consistency. Now the conversation around him in New Orleans is shifting from "Can he play?" to "Can he grow into the job?"

Pro Football Focus recently gave Shough his highest game grade of the year, citing improved pocket presence and faster reads. The ball is coming out quicker, and he is using his legs just enough to keep defenses honest without turning every play into a footrace. For a city that has spent the past few years searching for its post-Drew Brees identity, that might be enough to keep the gumbo simmering.

Still, the draft always tempts, and some wonder if they get a top pick and the right QB lands their way- what do they do? If a top prospect like Fernando Mendoza or Dante Moore slides to their pick, do the Saints take one just in case? Maybe. That is the beauty and curse of having a promising rookie. You believe in the upside, but you also know how fragile momentum can be.

For now, New Orleans has reason to celebrate. Tyler Shough has given Saints fans something they have not had in a while: hope. He does not need to be the next Drew Brees , he just needs to keep winning football games and slowly improve. If he keeps stacking performances like Sunday, the front office might find itself drafting something else entirely, like an offensive lineman or another weapon for their young quarterback’s growing arsenal.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Saints rookie QB Tyler Shough brings a new era to the Big Easy

The Kansas City Chiefs need to shake up their cornerback room this offseason. Adding new talent to replace free agents and addressing concerns about depth at the position need to be points of emphasis for the front office. Fortunately, the 2026 NFL draft features a large pool of cornerbacks capable of contributing as rookies.

Arkansas Razorbacks cornerback Julian Neal possesses an ideal combination of height, weight and arm length. His size empowers his physical playing style. Neal’s technique in press coverage is still inconsistent, but he re-routes wide receivers with powerful punches. He delays receivers at the line of scrimmage and pushes outside releases toward the sideline to squeeze throwing lanes.

Julian Neal (Arkansas) is a top 10 CB on my board.
- 6-2/208
- roadblock in press
- disciplined eyes reading the WR's hips in man
- erases perimeter blocks
- only 1 missed tackle in 2025 pic.twitter.com/nkMFhqbtuE

— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) October 19, 2025

Neal’s patience in press coverage helps him avoid over-committing. He stays poised, allowing him to attach at the receiver’s hip and stay in phase throughout the route. Neal doesn’t fall for double moves. Even when he loses off the line of scrimmage, his hips are smooth enough to help him correct and re-attach to the receiver.

Neal sometimes needs an extra step to gather himself to drive on comebacks and curls, and he occasionally hooks receivers on digs. However, his change of direction and smooth movement skills limit how much receivers separate from his coverage. Neal needs to improve his comfort with layered routes when operating in zone coverage.

Neal quickly triggers on routes and uses his size to force incompletions at the catch point. He attacks stalk blocks on outside runs and screens to create problems on the edge. Most cornerbacks struggle in this area, but Neal sets a reliable edge and finishes run stops as a wrap-up tackler.

Neal currently projects as a third round selection but could rise into the second round depending on the pre-draft process and which prospects return to school.

Neal recently accepted an invitation to compete in the East-West Shrine Bowl. The annual All-Star game brings together some of the year’s best draft prospects to compete in practices and an exhibition game in a week-long event witnessed by scouts and front office executives.

This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: 2026 NFL draft scouting report: Arkansas Razorbacks CB Julian Neal

The details of an exchange between Real Madrid pair Xabi Alonso and Vinícius Jr. during the club’s latest outing have come to the fore online.

This comes after the latter made his way off the pitch in Los Blancos’ La Liga meeting with Deportivo Alavés on Sunday.

Real Madrid are of course fresh off a much-needed return to winning ways yesterday evening, emerging on the right side of a 2-1 result at Mendizorrotza.

Winger Vinícius for his part featured from the off in the fixture, and played a crucial part in his side’s eventual triumph, laying on the assist for Rodrygo’s late winner.

Shortly after, however, the 25-year-old was left fuming with the team of officials.

Surging into the hosts’ penalty area courtesy of a trademark run, Vinícius went to ground under a challenge on the part of Nahuel Tenaglia.

All associated with Real Madrid immediately called for a spot-kick to be awarded, but these cries, led by Vinícius himself, went unanswered.

As the Brazilian departed the field of play upon being substituted in the game’s dying moments, Xabi Alonso was therefore quick to back his attacking star.

As per a report from Marca, citing Movistar, Los Blancos’ headmaster assured Vinícius:

“It was a clear penalty.”

And Viní responded to his manager by explaining:

“He didn’t call it because it was me. A clear penalty!”

Conor Laird – GSFN

Bayern Munich is anticipating the possible departure of Serge Gnabry due to his contract expiring in the upcoming summer, so they’ve sent scouts out and managed to land on this Jagiellonia Białystok talent:

Bayern sent scouts to Poland last Thursday for the Conference League game between Jagiellonia Białystok and Rayo Vallecano in order to watch 17-year-old left winger Oskar Pietuszewski. Bayern have been monitoring the U21 Poland international for some time and attended several Jagiellonia matches

– Weszło as captured by X account @iMiaSanMia

For some, his name may be confused with the McLaren Formula 1 driver (Oscar Piastri). For Bayern, however, it looks like they are in “pole position” to…monitor his progress, not sign him (yet).

So, will the Bavarians get to that checkered flag or will they DNF on this transfer like they did for the most part of summer 2025? We’ll see how this plays out over the coming months.

Is Chiefs' Travis Kelce retiring? ESPN analyst drops huge update originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Last offseason, the future of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was up in the air. 

We didn't know if he would ride off into the sunset with Taylor Swift or keep playing. Travis chose the latter.

But now, another year of wear and tear on his body, the Chiefs are out of the playoffs, and his good friend, Patrick Mahomes, tore his ACL on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers, and he will now miss a large chunk of the 2026 season.

So, there is a real thought that Kelce was already nearing the end of his career, but given the events of the past 24 hours, that is now even more on the table.

And according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, who was a guest on the Pat McAfee Show, there is a real possibility that Mahomes and Kelce have played their last down together in the NFL.

"We'll see what he ultimately decides at the end of the year," Schefter said. "I think his future is very much up in the air. I think it's distinctly possible that one of the greatest NFL connections of all time, Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, may have played their last down together, which is hard to imagine, but that's a real possibility here."

More:Chiefs reveal Patrick Mahomes mood after ACL injury

Chiefs' dynasty officially ended in 2025

There's no doubting that the Kansas City Chiefs, as we know them, aren't the same team going forward.

Given the Chiefs' salary cap and the futures of players like Kelce, Chris Jones, and others, there will likely be a lot of personnel turnover in the offseason as well.

It was a great run the Chiefs had, and the 2026 season does feel like a reset for the franchise, and there will be a lot of rumors flying around over the futures of several stars, most notably Kelce.

He's done everything in football and has a thriving life outside of the NFL with Taylor, so if there ever was a time for the future Hall of Famer to call it quits, this feels like the right time.

And Schefter feels it too.

More Chiefs news:

• Andy Reid reveals locker room mood after season ends vs. Chargers
• Chiefs' Andy Reid offers brutal 4-word injury update on Patrick Mahomes
• Long live the AFC king - Chiefs' season ends in horrific way vs. Chargers
• What happened to Patrick Mahomes? Chiefs QB injured vs. Chargers

The Los Angeles Angels had a historically bad 2025 season from the plate, striking out 1,627 times last year, enough for the second most in the history of baseball. The Halos also ranked dead last in the MLB in batting average at just .225.

It’s safe to say the Angels’ lineup needs some improvement in 2026 if the club wants to get back to winning ways for the first time in over a decade. With general manager Perry Minasian and new manager Kurt Suzuki under contract for just this next season, both will be motivated to win ball games in 2026.

To win more games than last season, 72, the Angels need to address their lineup issues. After a season of being a home run or bust team, it’s clear that the strategy isn’t working in Anaheim. The Angels have already traded one of their best bats in Taylor Ward, to the Baltimore Orioles for right-handed pitcher Grayson Rodriguez.

With the emphasis on power-hitting seemingly being phased out under Suzuki’s management, the Angels should pursue a proven contact-hitting infielder in free agency. Luis Arraez is exactly that, and he’s one of baseball’s best at doing it. A three-time batting champion, Arraez enters free agency at just 28 years old.

He’s spent the last season and a half with the San Diego Padres, batting .304 during his time with the fellow SoCal team. Though he’s seen some regression in his numbers over the last couple of seasons, Arraez is just a couple of seasons removed from a Silver Slugger-winning, .354 average season in 2023.

The Angels could certainly benefit from Arraez’s ability to make contact. In 2025, the Halos’ batting average leader was first baseman Nolan Schanuel at .264. For that number to be the team’s highest, it’s a sign that there are serious contact issues in the lineup. Arraez would immediately become the team’s leader in the category.

The value of getting on base can’t be overstated. Providing players like Mike Trout, Zach Neto, or Jo Adell with a runner on base when they step up to the plate greatly improves the chance of scoring a run. The Angels saw far too many moments with zero runners on base last season, limiting their ability to score runs unless it came from a home run. Arraez is the perfect player to address such a need.

Though he played the majority of last season at first base, Arraez has played more career games at second base than at any other position. With a flaring hole at the second base position, the Halos could fix two areas of need with one signing.

Because Arraez didn’t have his greatest campaign in 2025, it could mean the Angels have a better chance at signing the seven-year veteran as he attempts to rebuild his value and prove his worth to a contending team. Even if the Angels serve just as a stepping stone for Arraez, they’d still be benefiting themselves with his addition to the lineup in Anaheim.

The Player: Drew Dalman was a 4th-round pick out of Stanford by the Falcons. After four years in Atlanta, he signed a three-year deal as a free agent with Chicago. Some reports note that he took less money to play with Caleb Williams and to work with Ben Johnson. 

The Case For Him: Dalman was a solid player for Atlanta, but he seems to have found the next level in the Windy City. He has a career-low error rate per Sports Info Solutions, and Pro Football Focus has him as the 4th-highest-graded center in the league. Along with the other Chicago interior offensive linemen, he’s in the top ten of all IOL players for pass block win rate per ESPN.  

The Case Against Him: Part of the low sack rate allowed by the offensive line is arguably due to the elusiveness of the quarterback and not the integrity of the line itself.

Rebuttal: His play is a big part of why Chicago is in the top five of most major rushing metrics like rushing yards per game and rush yards per attempt. It’s not his fault that the quarterback he works with is also an escape artist.

Vote for Dalman here, and while you’re there check out the other Bears who lead in their position groups (voting rank per Tom Pelissero in parenthesis):

Defensive Line: Defensive End-Montez Sweat (#8)

Defensive Back: Free Safety-Kevin Byard (#1), Cornerback-Nahshon Wright (#2), Strong Safety-Jaquan Brisker (#9)

Offensive Line: Guard-Joe Thuney (#1), Center-Drew Dalman (#2), Tackle-Darnell Wright (#4), and Guard-Jonah Jackson (#7)

Skills Players: Quarterback-Caleb Williams (#7), Tight End-Colston Loveland (#8), Wide Receiver-Rome Odunze (#10), Running Back-D’Andre Swift (#10)

Special Teams Players: Special Team Player-Josh Blackwell (#3), Long Snapper-Scott Daly (#3), Returner-Devin Duvernay (#4), Punter-Tory Taylor (#8)

The Steelers made a flurry of roster moves ahead Monday night’s matchup against the Miami Dolphins.

Along with the previously-reported signing of wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the 53-man roster, the Steelers announced they have released wide receiver Ke’Shawn Williams in a corresponding move. Williams briefly had a role as Pittsburgh’s starting return man earlier in the season.

Additionally, Pittsburgh has elevated offensive tackle Jack Driscoll and defensive lineman De’Marvin Leal from the practice squad to the active roster ahead of the game. Both will revert back to the practice squad following Monday.

The Driscoll elevation comes following a rash of injuries at offensive tackle for Pittsburgh. Broderick Jones and Calvin Anderson are on injured reserve, and Andrus Peat was ruled out for Week 15. The Leal elevation could be in response to T.J. Watt being ruled out with a lung injury given Leal’s outside linebacker versatility, or it could be a sign that rookie defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, who is currently questionable, won’t suit up against the Dolphins.

Stay tuned to BTSC ahead of Pittsburgh’s Monday Night Football kickoff at 8:15 p.m. EST.

Will Dolphins be eliminated from playoffs if they lose to Steelers on Monday Night Football? originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Miami Dolphins deserve credit for completely turning their season around. After a 2-7 start, they looked dead in the water. The thought of them even being mentioned in the playoff conversation was laughable.

The Dolphins didn’t throw in the towel though. Instead, they buckled down and turned their season around by winning four straight games to climb into the postseason picture in the AFC. But, that dream could come to an end against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football.

Dolphins will be eliminated from playoff contention with loss to Steelers 

If they’re able to best the Steelers and win a fifth straight game, they’ll keep their slim playoff hopes alive. But with a loss, they'll be officially eliminated from contention. 

Here's a brief breakdown of exactly what a loss to Pittsburgh would mean for Miami's playoff hopes from the Orlando Sentinel: 

If Miami was to lose, falling to 6-8, it would only have a chance to catch the Houston Texans, who currently hold the final playoff spot in the AFC at 9-5. That would take three Dolphins wins to finish the season and three Texans losses. But even then, the Texans would own the conference record tiebreaker. ... A Dolphins loss would mean they can’t catch up to either the Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Chargers and Jacksonville Jaguars — all who are 10-4.

If the Dolphins are able to beat the Steelers on Monday night, there’s a world where they could conceivably catch the Texans for the final playoff spot in the AFC. In order for that to happen, the Dolphins would have to win out, and the Texans would have to lose all three of their remaining games, or lose two and tie one.

That situation isn’t impossible, but it’s extremely unlikely, so Dolphins fans shouldn’t hold their breath.

This story will be updated.

The Chicago White Sox rolling out a new right fielder on Opening Day has become a yearly tradition at this point. 

Right field has been a problem area for more than a decade, and the recent track record is staggering. Over the last eight seasons, the White Sox have had eight different Opening Day starters at the position.

The carousel began after 2018, the final year of Avisail García. In 2019, Daniel Palka got the nod after a strong second half the year before. That experiment quickly unraveled—Palka opened the season 9-for-84 and never took another major-league at-bat.

In 2020, Nicky Delmonico started in right field. He appeared in just six games that season and was out of baseball shortly thereafter.

The same fate followed Adam Eaton in 2021. He opened the year as the White Sox’s right fielder, was later traded to the Los Angeles Angels, and played his final big-league game that same season.

The White Sox hoped A.J. Pollock would bring some stability in 2022. While Pollock appeared in 138 games, his production fell off sharply from the year prior.

Romy González got the Opening Day start in 2023 and is now finding success with Boston. In 2024, it was Kevin Pillar, who has since retired. And in 2025, Austin Slater held the role before being traded to the New York Yankees at the deadline and eventually landing back on the free-agent market.

That brings us to 2026—the ninth straight season Chicago will feature a different Opening Day right fielder. And as the calendar turns, it remains a complete toss-up who that player will be.

Mike Tauchman appeared to be the favorite entering the offseason after turning in a solid 2025 campaign. Instead, the White Sox surprisingly non-tendered him, making him a free agent.

It’s difficult to know everything that went into that decision, but the logic seems clear: the White Sox likely viewed Tauchman and Andrew Benintendi as redundant players—both left-handed hitters whose defensive value has diminished with age.

Benintendi is owed $17 million this season and isn’t going anywhere. So Chicago chose to move on from Tauchman, seemingly prioritizing athleticism and defense in the outfield.

GM Chris Getz has already stated that Braden Montgomery, the organization’s top prospect, is not expected to be on the Opening Day roster. Montgomery looks like the long-term solution in right field, but he doesn’t provide an immediate answer.

So who does?

Internal Options

Brooks Baldwin deserves real consideration. The White Sox transitioned Baldwin from a utility role into the outfield in 2025, and the switch-hitter showed signs of growth.

His season-long .697 OPS won’t generate buzz, but from July 3 through the end of the year, Baldwin hit .268 with nine doubles, eight home runs, and an .804 OPS. If the White Sox don’t add a significant free-agent bat, Baldwin could get the first crack at everyday at-bats. He’s just 25 years old and capable of taking another step forward.

The other high-upside internal option is Everson Pereira. The 24-year-old was acquired earlier this offseason and brings plenty of raw tools.

Pereira hasn’t found success at the big-league level yet—he’s batting .146 in 50 career MLB games—but his minor-league track record is far more encouraging. He’s posted an OPS north of .850 in Triple-A in each of the last two seasons and hit 21 home runs last year.

There’s real power here. If the White Sox believe they can help him make key adjustments, Pereira could get a legitimate runway out of spring training. That outcome wouldn’t be surprising.

Free Agent Possibilities

Getz has acknowledged publicly that corner outfield remains an area of need, which makes it hard to believe the White Sox will enter the season without an addition.

Adolis García would’ve topped my list, but that door is closed after he agreed to a one-year deal with the Phillies.

Ryan O’Hearn remains my favorite fit this offseason. He’s a left-handed bat who can play first base or a corner outfield spot, understands the strike zone, and consistently delivers professional at-bats.

The market for O’Hearn should be competitive, and if Chicago signs him, he’d likely see more time at first base than in the outfield. Still, I wouldn’t rule out Will Venable getting creative—possibly even using O’Hearn in right field on Opening Day.

There are other names worth monitoring.

Max Kepler isn’t a star, but he brings some left-handed power and solid defense. He hit 18 home runs last season and posted a .816 OPS with Minnesota in 2023. He’s also been a notorious White Sox killer over the years.

Austin Hays has long intrigued me as well. He posted a .768 OPS with Cincinnati last season while providing veteran leadership to a young playoff team. I liked the fit even more when Tauchman was still under contract, as the platoon potential made sense, but Hays would still represent a clear upgrade over Chicago’s current options.

And don’t overlook Jesse Winker. His recent career has been a roller coaster—some strong seasons, some forgettable ones. He enjoyed success in 2024 but spent much of 2025 injured. Winker wouldn’t cost much and offers left-handed upside, even if he’d be the least exciting addition of the bunch.

Those are the clearest options on the table right now. If the Opening Day right fielder doesn’t come from that group, it likely means the White Sox pulled off an unforeseen trade.

Whoever it ends up being, Chicago needs to stabilize this position sooner rather than later. Braden Montgomery may ultimately do that—but until then, right field remains a glaring question mark.

And for a position that’s supposed to be a power source in a lineup, a revolving door continues to limit the White Sox’s offensive ceiling.

Isaac Ellis, a three-star combo guard in the 2027 class, has committed to Louisville, he told Rivals.

The 6-foot-1 junior originally committed to South Carolina in June before reopening his recruitment last month and reclassifying from 2026 into 2027. He’s the younger brother of South Carolina freshman Eli Ellis, who is averaging 10.2 points per game for the Gamecocks this season.

Like his older brother, Isaac brings plenty of scoring punch. He’s putting up 30.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 2.0 steals per game while shooting 46.8% from the floor and 34.5% from three. Ellis plays for Moravian Prep (NC), competing under the YNG Dreamerz name in the Overtime Elite league.

Ellis on his commitment to Louisville

Isaac Ellis took an unofficial visit to Louisville on Saturday and left committed to the program. He discussed his decision to choose the ‘Cards with Rivals.

“I love the culture and the entire staff… everybody preaches on family and culture but you can kind of sniff out when they are faking it. On my visit I could tell everything they preach on they follow, it was a super great culture a lot of energy and a really high standard.”

Pat Kelsey played a large role in Ellis’ commitment.

“It wasn’t your normal college basketball locker room or practice, everything is super detailed and they do things at a really high level on all aspects. I love coach Pat, he is an everyday competitive guy and he pumps his guys with energy all the time. He is who he is and he’s okay with that and that’s someone I wanted to play for.”

Louisville’s culture played a major role in his decision, and in the end, it was simply an opportunity he couldn’t turn down.

“It’s a super successful culture in every aspect of what they do. That’s what I wanted to be a part of… I’m thankful coach gave me this opportunity and I’m so excited to be a part of the family.”

More on Ellis

According to the Rivals Industry Rankings, Ellis is ranked No. 189 nationally in the 2027 class. He also checks in as the No. 5 combo guard and the No. 9 overall prospect in North Carolina.

Before his initial pledge to South Carolina, Ellis picked up offers from Oklahoma State, Murray State, App State, Indiana State, Radford, Eastern Kentucky, Queens, and High Point.

Off the floor, Ellis has built a massive social media presence, with more than one million followers on TikTok and over 400,000 on Instagram.

Ellis is Louisville’s second commitment in the 2027 class, joining local three-star power forward Ferlandes Wright.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Durable and dependable over four seasons, Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne could be available to other teams in March.

Etienne is closing in on 1,000 yards rushing for the third time and already tied his career high with 12 total touchdowns, including three TD receptions in a 48-20 romp over the New York Jets on Sunday.

“When you’ve got a guy like him that can make people miss in space, that’s got great hands, vision out on the perimeter, just finding different ways to get him the ball,” coach Liam Coen said. “He just continues to ascend.”

Etienne has been as steady as anyone for the Jaguars (10-4), who have reached double-digit wins for just the second time in the last 18 seasons. But it might not be enough to keep him in Jacksonville.

The Jaguars drafted Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen as potential replacements at the position, making it more likely that Etienne hits the open market rather than return on a long-term deal or on a franchise tag that would guarantee him roughly $14 million in 2026.

So the 26-year-old Etienne, a first-round draft pick in 2021, could be playing his final month in Jacksonville.

His recent performances — he has nine touchdowns in his last six games — have moved him into sixth on the team’s all-time TD list with 31. He’s three shy of passing tight end Marcedes Lewis for fifth.

“I feel like I’ve been working in the shadows, at practice catching balls and doing it in practice over and over again,” Etienne said. “But coach has the confidence to go out there and call it. I feel like that’s the difference. …

“He gets the ball in the playmaker’s hands. He just has confidence in us.”

The Jaguars haven’t allowed a sack in consecutive weeks, giving Lawrence enough time to get the ball down the field. Lawrence connected on six passes longer than 30 yards in wins against the Jets and the Indianapolis Colts, including three to Brian Thomas Jr.

“We are starting to click at the right time,” Thomas said.

Third-down defense could improve. The Jets moved the chains eight times on 13 third-down plays, a 53.3% conversion rate. Jacksonville is allowing opponents to convert 41.9% of the time on the crucial down, which ranks 26th in the league.

Lawrence has accounted for 10 touchdowns — and no turnovers — in his last three games. He has nine passing and one rushing.

He became the first player in NFL history to have five or more passing TDs, at least 50 yards rushing and a rushing touchdown in the same game against the Jets. His 136.7 passer rating against the Jets was the best of his five-year career.

“It’s a weapon for me being able to move and extend plays and get out of the pocket and run or make a throw and extend the place and still get the ball downfield,” he said. “It’s easier to do the more comfortable and confident you are in the system and just trusting what you see. I think you’re seeing that more and more the last few weeks.”

Lawrence now has 23 TD passes on the season, two shy of tying his career high set in 2022.

Second-year defensive tackle Maason Smith, a second-round draft pick from LSU in 2024, has drawn the ire of coaches the last two weeks. He jumped into the neutral zone on a second-and-7 play against Indy last week and was flagged for taunting against the Jets.

It’s the kind of undisciplined effort that could lead to fewer snaps down the stretch, especially with the emergence of journeyman Matt Dickerson. The 30-year-old Dickerson made his first start in seven NFL seasons Sunday.

LT Walker Little (concussion) was inactive against the Jets, but could return this week against Denver. Three backups were injured in the game: Tuten (finger), DE Danny Striggow (ankle) and LB Jack Kiser (hamstring).

84 — The number of points Jacksonville scored in back-to-back wins against the Jets and the Colts. It’s the third most in consecutive weeks in franchise history, following 92 points in 2000 (Cleveland and Arizona) and 90 in 2015 (Tennessee and Indianapolis).

The Jaguars would clinch an AFC playoff spot with a victory at Denver (12-2) on Sunday combined with a loss by either Houston (9-5) or Indy (8-6).

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Rulani's MCA seal progression to next stage of cup competition

Photo: Rulani Mokwena

Rulani Mokwena's MC Alger progressed to the Algerian Cup Round of 16 after a 2-1 victory over USM Khenchela at the weekend.

MCA broke the deadlock six minutes from the first whistle, thanks to Amine Messoussa. The visitors leveled matters five minutes later to make it 1-1 at half-time.

Mokwena's men restored the lead through Soufiane Bayazid, who has now scored in back-to-back games to make it five goals in 14 matches across all competitions.

Meanwhile, the South African mentor has been tasked with defending the Algerian Ligue 1 title, win domestic cup titles and guide the team to the latter stages of the CAF Champions League.

MCA currently sit atop the log standings with a four-point gap over second-placed MC Oran, who have played three games more.

Mokwena's men remain the only team yet to taste defeat after nine league outings, and have scored 12 goals, while conceding just four.

The Algerian champions have, however, had a slow start in the Champions League as they sit third with one point after losing their group stage opener, before drawing the second match.

LONDON (AP) — Darts fans and competitors get dressed in costume for the World Darts Championships at Alexandra Palace in London. One competitor lost his cool after a tough loss in a first-round match.

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

Nick Woltemade is actually having a great time at Newcastle United. The new signing is clearly the number one striker, showing good performances and enjoying enormous popularity among the Magpies fans.

However, the DFB striker was extremely popular with the fans of FC Sunderland last weekend as well‒ which is ironically Newcastle's biggest rival!

In the Wear-Tyne Derby, the cheeky newcomer defeated the CL participant with a 1-0 victory. The "goal of the day" was scored by none other than Woltemade, but with a precise header into his own net.

On his later walk out of the stadium, the 23-year-old got his first taste of the biting sarcasm of English football fans.

woltemade leaves sunderland to cheers and chants of 'hero'. top level banter #woltemade#hero#sunderland#owngoal#northeastpic.twitter.com/epwbusbpGM

— away day lads (@awaydayladsfs) December 15, 2025

The Sunderland supporters gave Woltemade plenty of ironic applause on his way to the team bus and loudly sang of him as their "hero".

Welcome to the island, Big Nick!

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

📸 Stu Forster - 2025 Getty Images

The 10-4 Los Angeles Chargers head to AT&T Stadium as a road underdog to face the 6-7-1 Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, December 14.

My early Chargers vs. Cowboys predictions and NFL picks expect Los Angeles to dominate the time of possession for a fourth consecutive game and hand Dallas a third straight loss in Week 16.

Chargers vs Cowboys predictions

Here are our early thoughts on the spread and total for this week’s game. We will have a full game preview (with a best bet and SGP) later in the week.

Early Chargers vs Cowboys spread pick: Chargers +1.5

-105 at FanDuel

The Los Angeles Chargers have consecutive outright wins as an underdog, while the Dallas Cowboys have lost outright in back-to-back games as a favorite. Los Angeles has also won six of seven to improve to 10-4 for the campaign, while Dallas is all but officially eliminated from the postseason at 6-7-1.

Additionally, just when it looked like the Dallas defense might be turning the corner, the Cowboys have given up 78 points while allowing the fourth-highest EPA per play the past two weeks.

Dallas now sits 30th in defensive DVOA while allowing the third-highest EPA per play and second-most points per game (30.0).

There’s no denying the potential the Cowboys have on offense, but the Chargers have allowed the ninth-fewest points per game (20.3) and sport the second-longest drive average in the NFL. So, I anticipate the Chargers will lean on the running game to set quarterback Justin Herbert up for success against the susceptible Dallas defense.

A lot of Herbert’s advanced metrics are down this season, but he’s still 11th in dropback success rate during the highlighted 6-1 stretch, and he’s also been instrumental in winning consecutive games against the reigning AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs and Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles over the past two weeks.

Early Chargers vs Cowboys total pick: Under 49.5

-105 at FanDuel

I expect Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh to try and steer clear of a road shootout. 

As noted, Los Angeles looks to shorten the game with clock-churning drives, and the Bolts have dominated the time of possession in three consecutive games while rushing the ball 110 times alongside Herbert’s 75 passing attempts.

It’s a recipe for success, and with the Cowboys allowing the seventh-most yards per carry and surrendering the third-most rushing first downs, Harbaugh and the Los Angeles rushing attack are set up to once again control the game and time of possession in Week 16.

Additionally, the Bolts have played to the Under in four of their past five, and this is the highest total of the season for Los Angeles.

Chargers vs Cowboys odds

• Chargers vs. Cowboys spread: Cowboys -1.5
• Chargers vs. Cowboys moneyline: Chargers +110, Cowboys -130
• Chargers vs. Cowboys Over/Under: 49.5

How to watch Chargers vs Cowboys

• Chargers vs. Cowboys matchup
• Date: Sunday, December 21, 2025, 1:00 p.m. ET
• City: Dallas, TX
  
• Venue: AT&T Stadium 
• TV: FOX

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

With Collin Klein departing for the head coaching job at Kansas State next season, Texas A&M knew they needed to find a new offensive coordinator for 2026. They didn’t have to look very far, as Mike Elko announced on Monday afternoon that the Aggies will elevate WR Coach/Co-OC Holmon Wiggins to the full time OC position. Elko said they spoke to five external candidates before offering the position to Wiggins, and it was the only offer they extended.

 Wiggins came to Aggieland after five seasons at Alabama as the wide receivers coach, including three seasons as the assistant head coach of offense. Given that he’s been in the program since Elko came aboard, you certainly have to expect that continuity will be the biggest plus of this hire, both from a scheme perspective as well as recruiting. However it will be his first time as the playcaller, so it’s safe to say he is a bit of an unknown, at least to those outside the Bright Complex.

Collin Klein is still with the program, and will continue to serve as OC throughout A&M’s College Football Playoff run, which begins at 11 a.m. this Saturday as the Aggies host the Miami Hurricanes at Kyle Field.

Is Tyler Shough the guy for the New Orleans Saints? He just might be. Conducting a game-winning drive against a division rival in back-to-back weeks will go a long way towards building up his confidence. If the rookie quarterback is the team's best option under center for these last three games and 2026, it's going to be important to surround him with more help.

With that in mind, here's our latest seven-round 2026 mock draft for the Saints:

Round 1, Pick 7: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

We've got a while to go before learning which receiver stands at the top of the 2026 draft class, but Tate has nearly as many fans as Arizona State star Jordyn Tyson. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound wideout can be a physical compliment to Chris Olave while giving Tyler Shough another reliable target. Tate went 12-of-14 on contested catches this year for the Buckeyes and is 22-of-32 on them in his career. His catch rate and average depth of target have climbed higher year by year. He could be a great weapon in New Orleans.

Round 2, Pick 39: LG Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon

Pregnon might be the best player on one of the best offensive lines in the country. He hasn't given up a sack since his freshman year at Wyoming -- he was nearly flawless at USC in 2023 and 2024, and at Oregon in 2025, a stretch of more than 1,400 snaps in pass protection. He has experience at both guard spots, predominately the left side, and would be a Day 1 starter for the Saints. Will he actually be available outside the first round? We'll see.

Round 3, Pick 71: RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame

His teammate Jeremiyah Love has drawn most of the attention, but Price has been running well for Notre Dame, too. He scored 11 touchdown runs with 24 rushes of 10 or more yards this season. Whether or not this is it for Alvin Kamara, the Saints need more juice in the backfield, and Price has it in spades. Get him in the mix with Devin Neal, Evan Hull, and maybe a free agent like Tyler Allgeier or Jerome Ford and see if the Saints can support Shough with a stronger run game.

Round 4, Pick 130: CB Malik Muhammad, Texas

This pick comes from the Seattle Seahawks' trade for Rashid Shaheed, and the Saints could be finding another starting cornerback in the fourth round after landing Quincy Riley in 2025. Muhammad is someone the coaching staff knows well (their defensive pass game coordinator Terry Joseph coached him at Texas for two years before joining the Saints) with the size and skills to compete in the NFL. He's played well in the zone coverage looks Brandon Staley favors. Alontae Taylor is a free agent in 2026 so there will be room for someone like Muhammad in the secondary behind Riley and Kool-Aid McKinstry.

Round 4, Pick 138: DT Albert Regis, Texas A&M

This is a projected compensatory pick the Saints should get for losing Paulson Adebo this past spring. And they should use the opportunity to get younger at one of their oldest position groups. Regis could be a better fit for Staley's scheme than youngsters like Khristian Boyd and John Ridgeway III, who have been healthy scratches behind Nathan Shepherd, Jonathan Bullard, and Jonah Williams. The Saints can't be playing that many guys on the wrong side of 30 and still give up 130 rushing yards per game.

Round 5, Pick 146: EDGE Clev Lubin, Louisville

Lubin had a great year for Louisville after transferring from Coastal Carolina -- he racked up 59 quarterback pressures and 7 sacks, with 11.5 tackles for loss in 12 games. He also batted down five passes and forced a fumble. He's exactly the type of opportunistic playmaker the Saints should add to their rotation with Chase Young, Carl Granderson, and if he re-signs, Cameron Jordan. Chris Rumph II being a free agent opens snaps for a new addition like Lubin.

Round 5, Pick 169: C Logan Jones, Iowa

Here's the other pick coming in from the Seahawks trade. Jones won the Rimington Award for the nation's best center and started 39 games for the Hawkeyes over the last four years. The Saints have to invest in a better backup plan for Erik McCoy given how many games he's missed to injuries. Iowa has been a major pipeline for NFL talent by developing well-coached linemen. It remains to be seen if Jones will really be on the board this late in the draft but he's definitely worth taking.

Round 6, Pick 185: S Bishop Fitzgerald, USC

Fitzgerald had a good year at USC after transferring from NC State. He cut down on his missed tackles, picked off a career-high five interceptions, and didn't give up many big gains through the air. The Saints need more youth at safety with Jordan Howden entering a contract year and Justin Reid turning in an up-and-down performance. Add him to the group and see how he can help.

Recapping our draft

• Round 1, Pick 7: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
• Round 2, Pick 39: LG Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
• Round 3, Pick 71: RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
• Round 4, Pick 130: CB Malik Muhammad, Texas
• Round 4, Pick 138: DT Albert Regis, Texas A&M
• Round 5, Pick 146: EDGE Clev Lubin, Louisville
• Round 5, Pick 169: C Logan Jones, Iowa
• Round 6, Pick 185: S Bishop Fitzgerald, USC

We accomplished most of our goals here. The offensive line gets a new starter and a high-end backup at a key position. Shough gets more weapons. Personnel continues to get turned over defensively. It would have been nice to add an edge rusher earlier on but Lubin might be a sleeper in this draft class. And not addressing tight end feels like a mistake. It isn't likely the Saints will spend big after paying Juwan Johnson more than $10 million per year in his new extension, but they did try to get Noah Fant last offseason, so you never know.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2026 mock draft: Saints support Tyler Shough by picking Carnell Tate

The Texas Longhorns suffered a significant blow on Monday when reports emerged that junior linebacker Liona Lefua was not with the team at practice and is expected to enter the NCAA transfer portal, according to reports from Inside Texas and Horns247.

It’s the type of loss the Longhorns haven’t suffered often during the Steve Sarkisian era — the departure of a two-year starter expected to play a prominent role on next year’s team.

As a member of the 2023 recruiting class out of Laie (H.I.) Kahuku, Lefua pledged to Texas following a June official visit over Utah and Oregon. Lefau held 26 total offers, including Arizona, Arizona State, BYU, Cal, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Stanford, Tennessee, Texas Tech, and USC, among others. When Lefau signed with the Horns, he was a consensus four-star prospect ranked as the No. 405 player nationally and the No. 32 linebacker, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

As a true freshman in 2023, Lefau appeared in all 14 games, playing almost 300 special teams snaps across five units and flashing his upside with eight tackles.

The following season, Lefau broke into the starting lineup with 63 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, and one forced fumble. The Hawaiian developed a reputation as a sterling teammate, sure tackler, and made plays in pass coverage with three pass breakups in addition to his interception.

During Lefau’s junior season, now cut short before the Citrus Bowl with the 6’1, 227-pounder’s departure from the program, he still started every game and remained productive with 69 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, and three passes broken up, but saw his overall snap count decrease as sophomore Ty’Anthony Smith earned more playing time.

Despite Smith’s emergence, with junior linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft, Lefau once again projected as a starter for Texas, but now there’s increased pressure on co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Johnny Nansen to land a starting-caliber linebacker when the NCAA transfer portal opens in January.

Here is a look at how new coach Pat Fitzgerald is assembling his Michigan State football staff, according to various reports. The school has not officially announced any of the moves as of Monday, Dec. 15.

Co-defensive coordinator: Joe Rossi (retained)

Previous coach Jonathan Smith hired Rossi away from Minnesota before the 2024 season after the Pittsburgh native spent seven seasons with the Gophers. Rossi also coached linebackers the past two seasons but will cede those responsibilities under Fitzgerald.

CHILES PLAY: Michigan State football QB Aidan Chiles entering transfer portal

Co-defensive coordinator/linebackers: Max Bullough (from Notre Dame)

Fitzgerald is bringing in the former MSU All-American linebacker and rising coaching star to work alongside Rossi. Bullough, who coached his former position group with the Irish the past two seasons, will also take on that same role with the Spartans. The Traverse City native has updated his X bio with his new roles at MSU.

Defensive line: Winston DeLattiboudere III (from Arizona Cardinals)

The former Minnesota defensive end played under Rossi (2015-19) and served on his staff coaching defensive linemen with the Gophers in 2023. After Rossi left for MSU, P.J. Fleck promoted DeLattiboudere to assistant head coach in 2024. The 27-year-old DeLattiboudere also worked at Akron after serving as a graduate assistant at Charlotte and Oregon and had two NFL fellowships with Green Bay and Jacksonville. Legi Suianuoa, who followed Smith from Oregon State, coached MSU’s interior defensive linemen the past two seasons, while Chad Wilt mentored the Spartans’ edge rushers.

Tight ends: Brian Wozniak (retained)

The Loveland, Ohio, native and former Wisconsin tight end arrived at MSU with Smith from Oregon State in 2024 and served as both a position coach and recruiting coordinator. Wozniak played for the Badgers from 2009-13 under Bret Bielema (now the coach at Illinois) and Gary Andersen (for one year). His only coaching jobs have been under Smith, starting as a graduate assistant with the Beavers in 2015 and spending six seasons coaching tight ends in Corvallis before following him to East Lansing.

Strength/conditioning: Joel Welsh (from Central Michigan)

Welsh spent the past five years with the Chippewas after three years at Delaware State and four years as an assistant at Iowa (2012-16). He would replace Mike McDonald, who arrived with Smith from Oregon State in 2024. Welsh has updated his X bio with his new roles at MSU.

Chief of staff: Jacob Schmidt (from Northwestern)

A former walk-on running back and two-time captain under Fitzgerald with the Wildcats (2007-11), Schmidt immediately joined Northwestern’s staff in 2012 after he graduated and rose to director of operations after nine seasons as director of player development. He joined the school’s NIL collective, TruNU, in 2022 and has been in that position the past three years. Schmidt has updated his X bio to include his new role at MSU.

This will be updated as Fitzgerald's staff comes together.

Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him @chrissolari.

 Subscribe to the "Spartan Speak" podcast for new episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan State football coaching staff updates under Pat Fitzgerald

Here is a look at how new coach Pat Fitzgerald is assembling his Michigan State football staff, according to various reports. The school has not officially announced any of the moves as of Monday, Dec. 15.

Co-defensive coordinator: Joe Rossi (retained)

Previous coach Jonathan Smith hired Rossi away from Minnesota before the 2024 season after the Pittsburgh native spent seven seasons with the Gophers. Rossi also coached linebackers the past two seasons but will cede those responsibilities under Fitzgerald.

CHILES PLAY: Michigan State football QB Aidan Chiles entering transfer portal

Co-defensive coordinator/linebackers: Max Bullough (from Notre Dame)

Fitzgerald is bringing in the former MSU All-American linebacker and rising coaching star to work alongside Rossi. Bullough, who coached his former position group with the Irish the past two seasons, will also take on that same role with the Spartans. The Traverse City native has updated his X bio with his new roles at MSU.

Defensive line: Winston DeLattiboudere III (from Arizona Cardinals)

The former Minnesota defensive end played under Rossi (2015-19) and served on his staff coaching defensive linemen with the Gophers in 2023. After Rossi left for MSU, P.J. Fleck promoted DeLattiboudere to assistant head coach in 2024. The 27-year-old DeLattiboudere also worked at Akron after serving as a graduate assistant at Charlotte and Oregon and had two NFL fellowships with Green Bay and Jacksonville. Legi Suianuoa, who followed Smith from Oregon State, coached MSU’s interior defensive linemen the past two seasons, while Chad Wilt mentored the Spartans’ edge rushers.

Tight ends: Brian Wozniak (retained)

The Loveland, Ohio, native and former Wisconsin tight end arrived at MSU with Smith from Oregon State in 2024 and served as both a position coach and recruiting coordinator. Wozniak played for the Badgers from 2009-13 under Bret Bielema (now the coach at Illinois) and Gary Andersen (for one year). His only coaching jobs have been under Smith, starting as a graduate assistant with the Beavers in 2015 and spending six seasons coaching tight ends in Corvallis before following him to East Lansing.

Strength/conditioning: Joel Welsh (from Central Michigan)

Welsh spent the past five years with the Chippewas after three years at Delaware State and four years as an assistant at Iowa (2012-16). He would replace Mike McDonald, who arrived with Smith from Oregon State in 2024. Welsh has updated his X bio with his new roles at MSU.

Chief of staff: Jacob Schmidt (from Northwestern)

A former walk-on running back and two-time captain under Fitzgerald with the Wildcats (2007-11), Schmidt immediately joined Northwestern’s staff in 2012 after he graduated and rose to director of operations after nine seasons as director of player development. He joined the school’s NIL collective, TruNU, in 2022 and has been in that position the past three years. Schmidt has updated his X bio to include his new role at MSU.

This will be updated as Fitzgerald's staff comes together.

Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him @chrissolari.

 Subscribe to the "Spartan Speak" podcast for new episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan State football coaching staff updates under Pat Fitzgerald

Catoosa didn’t need a buzzer-beater or a late surge to finish the weekend strong.

The Lady Indians used a balanced scoring effort and a decisive third quarter to roll past Miami 62-39 Saturday morning in the seventh-place game of the Big Dawg Shoot-Out inside the James E. Sooter Activities Center at Vinita High School.

Catoosa [4-3] took control early and never let go.

After leading 18-7 at the end of the first quarter and 30-17 at halftime, the Lady Indians blew the game open with a 20-point third quarter that stretched the margin beyond reach.

Jacquelyn Cornwell led the way with 15 points, setting the tone offensively, while Kloie Bristol added 14. Brooklyn Johnson chipped in 11, and Olivia Bowen finished with 10 as four Catoosa players reached double figures.

The Lady Wardogs [0-5] were paced by Rhyan Long, who poured in a game-high 21 points, but they struggled to find consistent offense beyond her. Paisley Young added 7 points, while the rest of Miami’s scoring was limited to 5 points or fewer.

The win marked the second meeting between the teams this season, with Catoosa also earning a dominant 71-18 home victory on Dec. 2. Miami showed more resistance this time, particularly in the fourth quarter, but the outcome remained the same.

The Lady Indians will return home to finish out the 2025 portion of their schedule, hosting Hilldale at 6 p.m. Tuesday before welcoming McLain at 6 p.m. Thursday.

CONSOL. SEMIS: VINITA 40, CATOOSA 22

For two quarters, Catoosa went toe-to-toe with Vinita.

Then came the third.

The Lady Indians watched a tightly contested game unravel in a decisive third-quarter swing as the Lady Hornets erupted for 22 points, turning a tied game at halftime into a runaway while handing Catoosa a 40-22 loss Friday afternoon in the Big Dawg Shoot-Out consolation semifinals at the James E. Sooter Activities Center.

After the teams were knotted at 6 following the first quarter and deadlocked again at 11 at halftime, Vinita seized control coming out of the break.

The Lady Hornets [2-4] outscored the Lady Indians 22-0 in the third quarter, capitalizing on defensive pressure and transition opportunities to build a commanding 33-11 advantage that effectively decided the outcome.

Catoosa found some offense again in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 points, but the damage had already been done.

Bowen led the Lady Indians with 6 points, while Cornwell and Hadley McGrew added 5 apiece. Lucy Martinez scored 4, and Brooklyn Johnson finished with 2 in a balanced but limited offensive effort.

Vinita was powered by the Hency sisters, with Sara Hency pouring in a game-high 19 points and Ayla Hency adding 17. The duo accounted for nearly all of the Lady Hornets' scoring, especially during the pivotal third-quarter run that flipped the game on its head.

For Sequoyah girls basketball, Saturday afternoon was a lesson about how costly slow starts can be.

The Lady Eagles couldn’t dig out of an early hole and dropped a 58-39 decision to Kiefer in the third-place game of the Big Dawg Shoot-Out inside the James E. Sooter Activities Center at Vinita High School.

The Lady Trojans [4-1] seized control early, jumping out to a 15-7 lead after one quarter and extending that margin to 33-11 by halftime.

Kiefer consistently beat the Lady Eagles to spots on the floor and capitalized on early scoring opportunities, putting them in catch-up mode for most of the game.

Sequoyah [3-3] showed signs of life after the break, outscoring the Lady Trojans 28-25 over the final two quarters. The Lady Eagles were especially competitive in the fourth, where they poured in 18 points, but the deficit was too large to overcome.

Kristen Holt led Sequoyah with 18 points, and Lanie Thompson added 10 points while Emmyn Gibson chipped in 8. Abilene McGee rounded out the scoring with 3 points.

Kiefer’s balance proved to be the difference.

Coley Rowton led all scorers with 20 points, while Claire Hoover added 15. Posey LaBouff reached double figures with 10 points, giving the Lady Trojans three players in double digits and consistent scoring pressure across all four quarters.

The Lady Eagles return home to the Olan Graham Field House at 6 p.m. Tuesday to host Kansas before closing out the 2025 portion of its schedule at 6 p.m. Thursday on the road against Rogers County rival Inola.

Sequoyah didn’t leave any doubt from the opening tip Saturday morning.

In fact, by the time the first quarter ended, the Eagles had already turned the seventh-place game into a one-sided affair.

Behind a blistering start on both ends of the floor, Sequoyah rolled to a 65-20 victory over Salina in the Big Dawg Shoot-Out seventh-place game inside the James E. Sooter Activities Center at Vinita High School.

The Eagles erupted for 23 first-quarter points while holding the Wildcats to just 5, setting the tone for a dominant performance that never wavered. Sequoyah followed with 17 points in each of the next two quarters, pushing the margin to 57-13 entering the fourth before easing to the finish line.

Defense fueled the surge.

Salina [0-5] managed just 1 point in the third quarter and never found a rhythm against the Eagles' pressure.

Offensively, Sequoyah showcased balance and depth.

Gabe Paura led the way with 13 points, while Mason Weeks added 11 and Lyrick Prater chipped in 10. Gunner Allison scored 7, and Acee Proctor contributed 5 as 11 different Eagles found the scoring column.

The Wildcats were led by Drake Stealer with 7 points in a tough outing for Salina, which struggled to generate consistent offense against Sequoyah’s length and activity.

The win allowed the Eagles to close the tournament on a high note and even their record at 3-3, providing momentum as they head back into regular-season play.

Sequoyah returns home to the Olan Graham Field House at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to host Kansas before closing out the 2025 portion of its schedule at 7:30 p.m. Thursday on the road against Rogers County rival Inola.

CONSOL. SEMIS: KIEFER 74, SEQUOYAH 72 [OT]

Sequoyah had every chance to steal it and nearly did.

However, one extra period proved just enough for Kiefer to escape with a hard-earned win Friday morning.

Despite a game-high 25 points from Weeks and a furious fourth-quarter rally, the Eagles dropped a 74-72 overtime decision to the Trojans in the Big Dawg Shoot-Out consolation semifinals inside the James E. Sooter Activities Center at Vinita High School.

Sequoyah trailed by as many as 14 points late in the third quarter before erupting for 26 points in the fourth, flipping the momentum and forcing overtime after outscoring Kiefer 26-17 in the period.

Weeks spearheaded the comeback, repeatedly getting downhill and finishing through contact as the Eagles refused to go away.

The rally erased what had been a steady Trojan advantage built over the first three quarters. The Trojans [4-1] led 18-11 after one quarter, 33-24 at halftime and 45-36 heading into the final frame before Sequoyah’s surge brought the game back to life.

In overtime, however, Kiefer made just enough plays to survive. The Trojans scored 12 points in the extra session, edging the Eagles' 10 to seal the win.

Weeks’ 25-point performance led all scorers and kept Sequoyah within striking distance throughout. Prater added 10 points, while Wittaker Callery chipped in 9. Derick Cole and Proctor each scored 8 as the Eagles showed balance and resilience in the comeback effort.

Kiefer was paced by Aaron Hall with 15 points, followed by Cash Worley with 11 and Ethan Counts with 10. Wyatt Tucker and Jackson Wells added 9 apiece.

The Trojans went on to win the consolation championship, placing fifth with a 47-43 victory over Vinita.

Braves' manager Walt Weiss delivers fiery message to fans after Brian Snitker era, playoffs missed originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Atlanta Braves said goodbye to Brian Snitker at the end of the regular season, which was surprising given the sense that he would want to finish on a higher note. As usual, Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos turned to a familiar face, hiring Walt Weiss, who has been involved with the organization for some time.

“The Atlanta Braves hired Walt Weiss as manager Monday, turning to their longtime bench coach in hopes of a turnaround after they missed the playoffs for the first time in seven years. Weiss, 61, managed the Colorado Rockies from 2013 to 2016, going 283-365 and never finishing higher than third place. He inherits a talented Braves team that finished 76-86 and was ravaged by injuries,” ESPN’s Jeff Passan wrote.

The additions to Weiss’ staff are younger than usual, signaling a possible shift in direction. While the assistants are relatively young, they are notable names with impressive track records.

“The recent additions to Walt Weiss' Braves coaching staff bring a much younger dynamic than any Atlanta coaching staff in recent memory. Jeremy Hefner turns 40 in March, while Antoan Richardson is 42. Tony Mansolino and J.P. Martinez are both 43,” Braves reporter Grant McAuley posted.

Weiss is stepping into his first managerial role since leading the Rockies. However, being familiar with the Braves organization and its roster gives him confidence and enthusiasm to get started.

“I’ve never been more ready to do this in my baseball career,” Weiss said, reflecting on his second chance to manage.

He knows the Braves are eager to return to the postseason after missing it last season, and he recognizes the challenges ahead, particularly in a tough division that includes the Philadelphia Phillies.

Still, Weiss’ excitement should energize Braves fans. He is ready to get started, and there seems to be a new buzz surrounding Atlanta baseball.

More MLB news:

• Braves manager Walt Weiss hints at massive Ronald Acuna Jr. decision for upcoming season

• Mets sign Braves World Series champion to join Juan Soto amid Pete Alonso, Edwin Diaz departures

• Phillies signing Rangers' Adolis Garcia forces $20M decision on $100M 2-time All-Star veteran

• SI predicts Braves trade $45M veteran after creating distrust with organization to fill major void

• Royals predicted to trade for Dodgers' $66M 2-time World Series champion after losing Mike Yastrzemski

• Mets predicted to trade for $87M 3-time All-Star, World Series champion to replace Pete Alonso

• MLB reporter warns Mets of Juan Soto doomsday season after failing to re-sign Pete Alonso

• Dodgers' Dave Roberts signals major shift for Freddie Freeman's workload after offseason injury

• Dodgers' Andrew Friedman pours cold water on $400M World Series champion after Edwin Diaz signing

John Cena's retirement match took place days ago in Washington, D.C., and though neither Vince McMahon nor Donald Trump were in attendance, several members of the President's cabinet were reportedly on site. In addition to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Linda McMahon was present, according to F4W Online's daily update.

In addition to McMahon's presence, the report confirmed that WWE wanted to have the President in attendance. Trump was said to be attending the Army vs. Navy Football game in Washington D.C. that day and opted out of making it to see both shows. As for McMahon, the report didn't clarify whether she was solely backstage or watched the show from a spot that wasn't televised instead.

Interestingly, Vince McMahon did appear during a video package played for Cena after his match against GUNTHER, and when the moment came, Cena notably became emotional. In recent months, Cena has been very vocal about his admiration and love for McMahon, with him expressing that the former WWE Chairman was his biggest mentor during his early days in the industry. Mentions and footage of Vince had largely been left out of WWE since he was ousted last year amid a sex trafficking and assault scandal. Additionally, both Vince and Linda McMahon are defendants in the WWE "ring boy" lawsuit, which a judge recently ruled would continue to move forward.

Read more: Ronda Rousey: I Got 'Death Throes Of Vince McMahon' In WWE Instead Of 'Triple H Era'

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Read the original article on Wrestling Inc.

Crewe Alexandra forward Omar Bogle says he can see a future for himself again after a battle with addiction to painkillers and alcohol.

The 32-year-old forward's reliance on prescription drugs began after using them to ease the pain of a back injury last year.

Bogle did not realise the scale of his addiction until it was pointed out by his agent and believes that without him he would not have seen his 32nd birthday in July.

"He just said 'when I'm looking at you, I can't see anything behind your eyes'," Bogle told BBC Radio Stoke.

"I've known him for over 10 years, so he's family to me now, but like everyone else, he didn't know the extent what I was doing.

"I knew I was using ridiculous amounts, but when they (doctors) tell me that 'you've overdosed a gazillion times and you should be dead' and all these things, I didn't know it was to that extent."

'Shame and guilt drive you to use more'

The former Grimsby striker also had to battle depression and suicidal thoughts as well as addiction as his life unravelled.

"It's the shame and guilt that you get from knowing that you're doing something that you probably shouldn't be doing, or living your life in a way that you probably shouldn't be, coupled with things not going right in your life at the time as well," he recalled.

"It was coupled with, I'm not playing well, I'm not performing well, I continue to keep getting injured, and my relationships are going wrong in my life.

"The shame and guilt you get from that is enough to drive you to use more."

After the wake-up call from his agent, Bogle sought help and checked into a rehabilitation unit on 2 July.

He kept it quiet from everyone at the club aside from his chairman Charles Grant and manager Lee Bell, but praised both their support and that of his team-mates on his return.

"My team-mates have been amazing," Bogle said. "Effectively they're more than just my team-mates, some of them are really good life friends."

'Things are looking up in all aspects of life'

Now, four months post-rehab and six months sober, Bogle said he is just grateful to be healthy again.

And he advises anyone going through similar issues to seek out the ear of a trusted friend.

"To be able to resonate with someone else that's going through it, that's like a massive weight off your shoulders," he added.

Having scored in his first two matches back for Crewe in November, Bogle is now recovering from another injury, but this time with a fresh outlook.

He now has the perspective of someone who is enjoying the graft in regaining his fitness and someone eager to grasp a second chance.

"I'm great. Someone would have asked me that six or seven months ago, I would probably have said the same thing, but now I genuinely feel really good," he said.

"Things are looking up for me, in all aspects of life, to be honest, and I can see a future for myself again."

When the NFL schedule was released, many circled the Week 16 matchup between the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs because of the potential battle between Patrick Mahomes and Cam Ward. 

Unfortunately, while the game will go on, the matchup between quarterbacks will not, after Mahomes suffered a devastating season-ending injury late in the Chiefs’ Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. As many feared when he went down, the star quarterback tore his ACL and will be lost for an extended period, putting his start to the 2026 season in jeopardy. 

It was the latest setback for the Chiefs in 2025, who were eliminated from playoff contention with Sunday's loss. They will now likely turn to veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew this week against the Titans. The journeyman was Mahomes' primary backup and entered the game in the waning seconds against the Chargers, throwing his first passes of the season, going 3-for-5 for 22 yards with an interception. 

PATRICK MAHOMES KNEE DOES NOT LOOK GOOD AT ALL.

🙏🙏🙏

It has been a horrific season for Kansas City.

pic.twitter.com/H6hEBZaHxn

— MLFootball (@MLFootball) December 14, 2025

Ward will enter the contest after a solid outing against the San Francisco 49ers, going 18-of-29 for 170 yards and two touchdowns, marking the first time in his young career that he threw for multiple touchdowns in back-to-back weeks. 

The Titans will host the Chiefs on Sunday at Nissan Stadium. Unfortunately, instead of the potentially exciting Mahomes-Ward battle, football fans will be treated to the Minchew-Ward matchup in Week 16. 

This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: NFL deprived of Cam Ward vs. Patrick Mahomes matchup after Week 15 injury

Nick Kenny is having his "best year on the tour" since he regained his professional tour card in 2023.

The Welshman has beaten former World Champions Peter Wright and Rob Cross on PDC's ProTour, qualified for the World Darts Championship for the second consecutive year and won a tour card for 2026.

"It's a bad thing to think about when you're playing darts," Kenny said in response to being asked if regaining his tour card had relieved any pressure for him.

"Some of the better players are, without being disrespectful, thick isn't the word, but they just don't think.

"They're a bit like, just throw the darts, but I'm a bit methodical, I'm a bit of a thinker.

"But the best thing to do is just not to be on it all the time because it'll just ruin your head."

The 32-year-old impressed in last year's tournament, defeating Stowe Buntz and darts icon Raymond van Barneveld before losing to eventual finalist Luke Humphries in the third round.

"I remember watching him [van Barneveld] in the old BDO days. I was always fascinated with the difference in the thud on the board," Kenny recalled.

"It was surreal beating him. He didn't play well, but he's one of the top five players of all time."

Currently ranked 54th in the world, Kenny has been drawn against Englishman Justin Hood in the first round on Tuesday.

"Justin is a good player, he wouldn't have wanted me and I didn't really want him, and I'm his mate as well. It's like little and large," joked the 32-year-old from Cwmbran.

"He's only about five foot to be honest, he's tiny, and I'm six foot two, we had a little joke when the draw came out."

Playing in his fourth World Championship Kenny believes his experience will help him reach the second round, where he could face world number six Danny Noppert or World Championship debutant Jurgen van der Velde.

"My experience should come through in that first round, I'm not saying I'm going to win, all I want to do is play well and if I play my game and take my doubles, then I should win in my eyes.

"I think Justin is actually a favourite to beat me, but I've got a job to do Tuesday, and if I was to win then we'd look forward to Danny or Jurgen."

If there is no drastic turn of events, everything points to Endrick leaving Real Madrid in the coming days to join Olympique Lyon on loan in the winter transfer window.

In fact, reports earlier today suggested that Endrick would be linking up with his new team immediately after Christmas and be presented as their new signing on New Year’s Day.

Real Madrid consider Endrick’s exit as positive

Now, according to MARCA, within Real Madrid, Endrick’s loan move to Lyon is viewed as necessary and in a very positive light.

At Valdebebas, Endrick is considered a strategic investment for both the present and the future. As such, they understand that the best way to protect that value is to give him minutes and continuity away from the Bernabeu, where that is currently almost impossible.

A loan would not only prevent the teenager’s development from stalling, but also help to relaunch himself within European football, where several clubs continue to monitor his progress.

Loan departure imminent (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

Endrick himself shares Real Madrid’s view. He believes that leaving in the winter window is key to fighting for real playing time, gaining confidence and continuing to develop at the highest level.

Moreover, regular football in a top European league could be fundamental in keeping him on Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti’s radar ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Lyon, for their part, value Endrick’s potential and ability to make an impact. They believe they can offer him an ideal environment in which he can take on a leading role from the outset, after making only two appearances, totalling 22 minutes, at Real Madrid this season.

There are a few details still to be resolved, but everything indicates that Endrick will leave Real Madrid temporarily to sign for Lyon, with all parties viewing the move as a very positive one.

Chelsea will face off against Cardiff City at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday night as they look to secure a good result on the road in the EFL Cup. The Blues managed to earn a solid 2-0 win over Everton in the Premier League last weekend, which should keep them in good spirits ahead of this game.

Enzo Maresca will set his players up in a 4-2-3-1 formation and is expected to make a whole host of changes to his first team for this game. Tyrique George will get the nod to lead the line for the West London club up top.

4-2-3-1 Chelsea Predicted Lineup To Face Cardiff City

Defence

Filip Jorgensen will feature in between the sticks for the Blues as he looks to keep a clean sheet in midweek. Tosin Adarabioyo will function alongside Benoit Badiashile at the centre of the Chelsea backline as they look to keep things solid at the back during the game.

Josh Acheampong will fill in as the right-back, while Jorell Hato hopes to catch the eye on the other side as the left-back. Both of them will get the freedom to go forward and express themselves inside the opponent’s half.

Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah will have to settle for a spot on the bench as they offer cover for the defensive positions.

LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 13: Enzo Maresca, Manager of Chelsea, reacts during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge on December 13, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Midfield

Moises Caicedo and Andrey Santos will anchor the midfield for the London giants as they look to win the 50-50 battles at the centre of the park.

The gifted trio of Jamie Gittens, Facundo Buonanotte and Estevao will play just ahead of them as part of the Chelsea attack. All three of them need to be at their best if the Blues are to earn a convincing win this weekend.

Pedro Neto and Cole Palmer will be named on the bench as they wait for their chance to shine in the second 45 minutes if needed.

Attack

Tyrqiue George will spearhead Maresca’s attack up top. He would be eager to get his name on the scoresheet versus Cardiff this weekend.

Joao Pedro will be rested on the bench and might come on to make an impact in the final quarter of the game if Chelsea are in need of a goal by then.

La Liga outfit Athletic Club have on Monday announced an injury setback in the club’s first-team ranks.

This comes amid confirmation that defender Yuri Berchiche is set for an incoming spell on the sidelines.

The left-back for his part featured from the off on Sunday, as Athletic Club locked horns with Celta Vigo in a La Liga clash.

En route to a disappointing 2-0 defeat for the Basques, however, Berchiche was forced into a premature departure early in the 2nd-half.

As much came owing to a sudden muscular problem.

And as alluded to above, 24 hours on, an insight into the nature of the issue has been forthcoming online.

As per a statement across Athletic Club’s website and social media platforms:

‘Yuri Berchiche was substituted in the 51st minute of yesterday’s match against RC Celta after suffering an injury to the hamstring muscle in his right leg. His recovery remains to be seen.’

🚑 MEDICAL-REPORT I Yuri Berchiche 👇@ImqEuskadi I #AthleticClub 🦁

— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) December 15, 2025

Conor Laird – GSFN

Fantasy RB Handcuff Rankings Week 16: Jawhar Jordan explodes, Michael Carter leads Cardinlas in rushing, Jacory "Bill" Croskey-Merritt returns originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

JUMP TO:

• RB fantasy depth charts 2025
• RB handcuff rankings
• Fantasy RB news this week

Many fantasy football managers continue to fade the top options at running back in the early rounds, instead opting to deploy strategies including Zero-RB, where you punt the position for at least four rounds or through the top 20 or so options at average draft position (ADP).

Regardless of whether you're trying Zero-RB, Hero RB (one major RB drafted in the first half of the draft), or Robust RB (old-school approach of going heavy on the position), knowing the backups to chase and stash in your draft and on the waiver wire is a necessary step.

Enter the fantasy RB handcuff grid, where we track depth chart movement among every NFL backfield and itemize how it influences each team's fantasy football backfield picture during the season.

Keep scrolling to see where every NFL running back group stands. We will update this every week throughout the season. 

Fantasy Football RB Handcuffs Depth Chart

Here's the key for symbols used in the fantasy NFL RB handcuffs grid:

• Fantasy RB1: The top back in name for that team's backfield
• Top Handcuff: The likely next in line should an injury or coach's decision remove the RB1. Though it's not always a direct replacement of the role, this column lists the best bet to have more volume in place of the established RB1.
• Sleepers & Role Players: The first name(s) listed are the most intriguing dart throws in the backfield if you need to dig deeper.
• (co): Committee
• WW: Waiver-wire pickup this week
• 🏥: Injured

Updated Dec. 15:

2025 RB handcuff rankings: Top 50 backs to add or stash

This Top 50 list of the best backup running backs to draft may include some overlap from ongoing RB competitions, but this ideally would be a list of direct backups to draft or pick up off the waiver wire.

Assume PPR value for these handcuffs, but the rankings can be considered universal.

Updated Dec. 15:

See which RB handcuff pickups we recommend in our Week 15 waiver wire.

Fantasy RB Week 16 News

• Trey Benson will miss the remainder of the season after not being activated from the IR. While Bam Knight is not considered the handcuff, Michael Carter was the leading rusher for the Cardinals. 
• If Woody Marks and Nick Chubb miss in Week 16, there is a legit argument to start Jawhar Jordan against the Raiders. Jordan went off for 101 rushing yards in Week 15. 
• While it has been just two weeks, Omarion Hampton has seemingly started to increase his role once more. In Week 15, he worked as the lead back in the Chargers' offense.  
• With Chris Rodriguez out, we saw the Jacory "Bill" Croskey-Merritt that everyone fell in love with at the beginning of the season. 
• Blake Corum has become a legit flex play even with a fully healthy Kyren Williams. Corum, heading into Week 16, is our No. 1 handcuff in fantasy football. 
• With Bucky Irving completely back, Rachaad White and Sean Tucker have close to no value for fantasy.
• Alvin Kamara is dealing with an MCL sprain, and now Devin Neal is banged up, too. Evan Hull should be monitored moving forward.
• Neither Rico Dowdle nor Chuba Hubbard looked fantastic in Week 15. A touchdown saved Dowdle's day, and Hubbard was held to just 38 yards.
• While it's not a committee, Tyler Allgeier is a thorn in the side of all Bijan Robinson owners. The Falcons seem to use Robinson in between in 20s, and Allgeier gets the more valuable goal-line work.
• While it may be strange, Kenneth Walker seems to be the backup RB in the Seattle backfield. The talent says otherwise, but the usage cannot be ignored any longer.  

What is a fantasy football handcuff running back?

Handcuff RBs are extremely valuable in fantasy football leagues. They are backup running backs for real-life NFL teams who would be in line to produce big fantasy stats should the starting RB suffer an injury, be the target of an opposing coach's decision for playing time, or miss games for any other reason.

Therefore, drafting these handcuff running backs in the middle and late rounds of fantasy drafts -- and targeting them on the fantasy waiver wire -- is a popular, proactive move that could increase your chances of making your league's playoffs and winning a fantasy title.

For example, take top-ranked running back Bijan Robinson for the Atlanta Falcons. Should he suffer an injury and miss time his backup is Tyler Allgeier. 

Due to his skill set -- a big, bruising back who's also mobile -- and his head coach Raheem Morris' high opinion of his performance, Allgeier would be in line to assume a volumnious workload for every game Robinson misses.

Lucking into situations like this requires preparation, which means drafting and adding ("stashing") running backs who could explode in value with an increased opportunity.

Paying attention to these RB handcuff rankings provides fantasy players with opportunities to improve their teams with forward-thinking player strategy.

There are six Russian sliders on the entry list for this weekend's World Cup luge races in Lake Placid, New York, all hoping to accumulate enough standings points to earn a berth at this winter's Milan Cortina Olympics.

They are scheduled to be part of official training on Tuesday, in a session that also will include athletes from Bosnia and Herzegovina, China, Croatia, Finland, Britain, Canada, South Korea, Ireland and Estonia. The Russians are on the start list as AIN, or Individual Neutral Athletes.

Ukrainian athletes — who have made clear that they aren't comfortable with the notion of Russians being allowed to compete — are all in a different session of training Tuesday, the first day of official preparations at the Mount Van Hoevenberg track.

Training continues Wednesday, followed by a Nations Cup race — essentially a qualifier for the World Cup races — on Thursday. It's likely that the Russians will slide in the Nations Cup race before getting spots in the World Cup men's and women's singles luge events in Lake Placid.

Russians have not taken part in a World Cup luge race since January 2022, part of the response that the International Luge Federation — and other sport governing bodies — had to that country's invasion of Ukraine.

The International Olympic Committee wants Russians — in many sports — to have the opportunity to compete as neutral athletes at the Milan Cortina Games. Luge, like some other sports, originally refused to allow any Russians to take part this year, then amended those decisions after appeals.

The race in Lake Placid is the third of five races that will count toward Olympic qualifying, and the Russians need some results to enhance their odds of grabbing a berth for Milan Cortina. None of the Russians is expected to be a contender; of the six trying to compete now, only two have previous experience on the World Cup circuit.

The last two qualifying races for luge, in Latvia and Germany, may be difficult for the Russians to enter because the process of getting visas for those countries could be problematic. The Russians said last week that the U.S. granted them visas to come to races in Utah last weekend and Lake Placid this weekend; they skipped the Utah race for reasons that remain unclear.

Meanwhile, International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation said last week it was deeming nine Russians eligible for its races this season. None of those sliders is entered in this weekend's World Cup skeleton races in Latvia.

___

AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

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Kevin O’Connor is joined by Blake Griffin to break down the impact of Wemby in the Spurs’ victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup semifinals. Did the Spurs find the formula for stopping OKC? Is Victor Wembanyama on track to become the greatest of all time?

Next, Blake Griffin shares his favorite dunks, how his game evolved throughout his career and the evolution of the NBA. Then, he shares his experience of being traded during his career path and his reaction to the Clippers sending Chris Paul home.

Later, the duo discusses Jalen Brunson's performance against the Magic in the NBA Cup semis and their top candidates for Rookie of the Year this season.

Plus, who will be crowned the champions of the NBA Cup this year?

(0:45) Wemby vs. OKC in NBA Cup semis
(5:01) Did Spurs unlock formula for stopping OKC?
(8:26) Could Victor Wembanyama become the GOAT?
(14:28) Blake Griffin’s greatest dunks
(18:36) Evolution of Griffin’s game
(26:18) Evolution of the NBA
(31:58) Griffin’s experience when traded by Clippers
(37:33) Reaction to Chris Paul sent home by Clippers
(44:30) Jalen Brunson vs. Magic in NBA Cup semis
(47:49) Rookie of the Year candidates this season
(51:50) Blake Griffin life after basketball
(58:31) NBA Cup Final predictions

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

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Colorado football extended an offer to class of 2027 three-star running back SaRod Baker on Monday.

The Buffs joined a crowded offer sheet that includes 19 other programs, including Sacramento State, making him a target of the new Colorado offensive coordinator, Brennan Marion. Baker also holds offers from Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, SMU, TCU, Texas Tech, among others.

247Sports currently ranks the DeSoto, Texas native as the No. 68 running back and the No. 99 prospect from Texas. Baker seems likely to set up some official visits this spring.

#AGTG Blessed To Earn A Offer From The University of Colorado @BrennanMarion4@CUBuffsFootball@adamgorney@MikeRoach247@ChadSimmons_@CoachSweeny@CoachRollerson@samspiegs@GPowersScout@CoachBryant_@iCoachTheHAWGS@FootballDesotopic.twitter.com/pWrjrSIEhM

— SaRod Baker (@SaRodBaker12) December 15, 2025

Deion Sanders and the Buffs currently have just one commitment to their 2027 recruiting class, which is considered a big win for this early in the cycle. Defensive back Dolph McDonald committed to the Buffs alongside his older brother Xavier (class of 2026).

Adding a top 70 running back to the mix would be a big get for Colorado, especially with Marion's Go-Go offense reliant on the running game.

Follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads and Instagram.

Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado football recruiting offers 2027 running back SaRod Baker

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Nate Tice is joined by the Athletic's Dane Brugler to break down all the 2026 NFL Draft prospects to keep an eye on throughout the upcoming College Football Playoff. The duo start by diving into the top prospects to watch in each of the playoff games coming up this weekend: 12 James Madison @ 5 Oregon, 9 Oklahoma @ 8 Alabama, 11 Tulane & 6 Ole Miss and 10 Miami @ 7 Texas A&M. Nate & Dane empty their notebook on big-name players to keep an eye on like Dante Moore, Rueben Bain, Cassius Howell, Fernando Mendoza, Peter Woods and many more.

Nate & Dane wrap up the show with the teams on bye this week: 1 Indiana, 2 Ohio State, 3 Georgia & 4 Texas Tech. They discuss whether QB Fernando Mendoza projects as the future first overall pick, 

(7:10) - 12 James Madison @ 5 Oregon

(23:25) - 9 Oklahoma @ 8 Alabama

(34:50) - 11 Tulane & 6 Ole Miss

(37:50) - 10 Miami @ 7 Texas A&M

(57:50) - Fernando Mendoza & Indiana

(1:12:05) - More bye teams: Ohio State, Georgia, Texas Tech

(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

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KNOX – When it was all over, Myles McLaughlin just wanted to be alone.

One of the only things that could bring a smile to McLaughlin’s face in the aftermath of coming one step short of the high school football state finals was a trip to the country in Starke County, surrounded by nothing but peace and quiet.

Myles McLaughlin, the record-setting high school football player, was Myles McLaughlin the deer hunter on that November day. And he has the picture of the 10-point buck to prove it.

“I don’t think he even slept after that (semistate game),” his mother, Suzann McLaughlin said. “He just went straight to the woods and got the deer he wanted. I think his peace is in the woods. I think he sat and appreciated everything and took it all in.”

McLaughlin, the record-setter and deer hunter, has another title to his name: 2025 IndyStar Indiana Mr. Football. The annual award, presented by the Indianapolis Colts, was awarded to McLaughlin on Monday at the school.

McLaughlin, who broke the state record and nearly set a national high school record for career rushing with 11,839 yards, received 64.5% of the votes from the Indiana Football Coaches Association to outdistance Heritage Hills’ quarterback Jett Goldsberry, who received 18% of the vote from the 1,850 eligible voters. Warren Central defensive lineman Jerimy Finch Jr. was third with 7.8%, followed by Decatur Central’s Kasmir Hicks in fourth (6%) and Fort Wayne Northrop’s Jerquaden Guilford in fifth (3.7%) among the five finalists.

“It’s something that I never could have imagined,” McLaughlin said of winning Mr. Football. “I still don’t really know what is going on right now, but it feels nice.”

McLaughlin, who was a quarterback in name only in Knox’s run-heavy offense, did set a national single-season record as a senior with 4,846 yards and 71 rushing touchdowns. He led Knox to a 13-1 season and the program’s second regional title in three years (the only two in the program’s history) for coach Russ Radtke.

As the season progressed, McLaughlin picked up national attention from people he never imagined, including from Baltimore Ravens’ running back Derrick Henry, whose national high school rushing record of 12,124 yards still stands, to Rob Gronkowski.

For an 18-year-old kid from a quiet, blue-collar community of 3,630 residents, it was unexpected attention.

“It was awesome, but pressure came with it, too,” McLaughlin said. “I felt like I had the whole world on my back. But it was a good way. It wasn’t bad. I enjoyed the time I had with that and I’m enjoying (Mr. Football) for sure.”

McLaughlin, who signed with Murray State earlier this month, is the first Mr. Football from Knox and the first from Starke County. Radtke, who has 426 wins in his 49 years as coach, said he appreciated McLaughlin’s ability to turn a small hole or crease into a big play. McLaughlin ran for 1,579 yards and 26 TDs as a freshman, followed by 2,584 yards and 35 TDs as a sophomore and 2,830 yards and 42 TDs as a junior.

“There were times where you’d think, ‘Well, this isn’t going to work and we’re going to have to change it,’” said Radtke, who is 55-22 in six seasons at Knox. “But (McLaughlin) could audible on the field and come up with plays. How well he worked with his offensive line was phenomenal. In 50 years, I’d never seen that group of orientation of 11 young men on the field and alternates and subs who all worked together. It was fun to watch and fun to be a part of it.”

It did not end the way McLaughlin hoped. After beating Angola 28-21 in the Class 3A regional, Knox lost 35-0 to Fort Wayne Bishop Luers in the semistate. McLaughlin was held to a season-low 78 yards on that night when nothing seemed to go right. It was one game short of where McLaughlin hoped to finish his high school career, playing at Lucas Oil Stadium for a 3A state title.

“I felt like we accomplished a lot,” he said. “But that game just didn’t sit right with a lot of us. And it won’t for the rest of our lives, obviously. But we did a lot of great things that our school had not done. So, that was awesome.”

Josh McLaughlin, Myles’ father, had the Knox career rushing record before his son shattered that mark as a sophomore. Father and son have a unique connection going back to when Myles was a 5-year-old playing Pop Warner.

“He was one or two years younger than everyone he started out with just because of friends,” Josh said. “He did better that way. Everyone always wondered why I played him up and just told them it was going to make him tougher and a better player. But I just can’t even come up with the words (for winning Mr. Football). It’s huge for our school, our community. Things like this don’t happen around here normally.”

Myles was not only a record-setting rusher but also played safety and finished with 15 interceptions and 200 total tackles (136 solo) for his career. He had eight interceptions and 66 tackles as a senior. McLaughlin passed for 1,148 yards and 17 TDs in four seasons, including 307 yards and three TDs as a senior.

But the rushing numbers attracted the national attention. Josh McLaughlin, even coming into the season, thought Charlie Spegal’s all-time state record of 10,867 yards would be out of reach. As Myles piled up the 300- and 400-yard games, the record of the former New Palestine standout came into view.

“Then,” Josh said, “it started to become a thing.”

Tracking McLaughlin’s numbers became a Friday night ritual by the midpoint of the regular season. But as he piled up the yards, he also made fans of opposing coaches.

“People need to quit asking where’s he gonna play (in college) or who is he gonna play for,” Griffith coach Phil Mason said in November. “Whoever gets him made a great decision. I’ll take 20 Myles McLaughlins any day, and I don’t think there’s a high school coach in the county who won’t say that.”

Myles’ younger brothers Mason, a sophomore, and Madden, a seventh grader, will have a chance to chase a few of his records in coming years. Good luck with that. But the numbers are just numbers. The designation of Indiana Mr. Football is something McLaughlin, and Knox, can always wear with pride.

 “As the years went on, I just wanted to win a state championship,” McLaughlin said. “That didn’t happen. But this was another big goal that I worked for. A lot of work went into this.”

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.Get IndyStar's high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter. 

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Mr. Football Myles McLaughlin voted state's top player