Liverpool are not pursuing a move for Eintracht Frankfurt centre-back Nnamdi Collins, according to journalist Florian Plettenberg.

Reports had suggested that Liverpool were looking to sign Collins as they seek to bolster their defence next summer.

Collins has been attracting interest from several clubs following his brilliant display in the Bundesliga this season.

The 22-year-old made his senior debut for Germany in September’s 2-0 defeat at Slovakia in the World Cup qualifiers, showcasing his progress.

Nnamdi is reportedly open to leaving Frankfurt next summer and the Bundesliga outfit have placed a €40 million valuation on the versatile youngster.

While Liverpool are not currently in the race to sign the German defender, the Reds are still exploring the market for a new centre-back.

Ibrahima Konate is yet to sign a contract extension, prompting the club to look for alternatives should the Frenchman leave at the end of the season.

Academy graduate Jarell Quansah has been linked with a return to Liverpool. The England international joined Bayer Leverkusen for €35m last summer.

The Merseyside giants signed talented French centre-back Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes in January, but he will only join them next summer.

Liverpool’s failure to qualify for the Champions League could impact their ability to sign a top-class centre-back.

In addition, Reds are reportedly prioritising a move for RB Leipzig dazzling winger Yan Diomande due to their lack of quality in wide areas this term.

Should Liverpool sign the Ivorian who has been valued at €100m, they may not have sufficient funds left to sign a top-rated centre-back.

Stats from transfermarkt.com

The Oklahoma Sooners will have quarterback John Mateer back in the saddle under center in 2026. He returned for one more season to play under offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle during his redshirt senior year, and while he helped the OU offense improve in 2025, another step forward is needed this fall.

Mateer's leadership, escapability, and dual-threat nature were on display last year for the Sooners, but he had an up-and-down season that was impacted by a broken thumb. With a final chance approaching this season, where does Mateer stack up against the other starting quarterbacks at power conference schools?

ESPN's Bill Connelly ranked each of the projected starters at QB for the Power Four programs (teams in the SEC, Big Ten, ACC, Big 12, and Notre Dame) on Thursday. While his rankings don't include QBs at schools in the Group of Six (teams in the American, CUSA, MAC, Mountain West, Pac-12, Sun Belt, and UConn), it's still a pretty good idea of where Mateer ranks heading into his second year in Norman.

Connelly has Mateer ranked 19th out of 68 Power Four projected starting QBs in 2026, which is lower than where he ranked on these types of lists last year. Clearly, Mateer has some people to make believers again in his final season.

"Only four quarterbacks attempted more than 440 dropbacks and more than 120 non-sack rushes in 2025; only Mateer did it in 12 games. He took a physical pounding in Norman, and the correlation between what he thought he could get away with and what he actually got away with wasn't always as strong as it could have been. (Translation: He had a few extremely mistake-prone games.) But while OU's playoff run was heavily driven by defense, he still made some big plays and could do so again in 2026 now that he knows the SEC landscape a bit better. And even if he doesn't improve, he's super fun, and that's all that matters if you're a neutral, right?" - Bill Connelly, ESPN.

Mateer, Arbuckle, and the OU offense as a whole, looked a bit behind the eight-ball at times in SEC play a season ago, but now the Sooners aren't installing a new system this offseason. They get to continue to grow in Arbuckle's scheme, and Mateer gets another few months of development with a coach that knows him extremely well. That stability should lend itself to more success offensively for Oklahoma in Year 2 in the system.

Mateer's former backup, Michael Hawkins Jr., also made Connelly's list. He transferred to West Virginia in January after two seasons at OU, and Connelly believes he'll be able to beat out Scotty Fox Jr. for the starting gig in Morgantown.

"In terms of fit, this one's quite intriguing. Hawkins will have to beat out sophomore Scotty Fox Jr. for the job -- Fox had a couple of great games and a couple of horrific ones in six late-2025 starts -- but I love the vision of grabbing Hawkins, a former four-star prospect who didn't prove much with his arm in two years in Norman but could shine if he gets his legs more involved." - Connelly, ESPN.

Mateer was a big part of OU's College Football Playoff push a season ago, and the Sooners are glad to have him back for one last ride. His offseason development will be crucial, but if he looks like the player he was during the first month of last season, Oklahoma could be heading back to the CFP with a more consistent offense and a more balanced team in 2026.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X@Aaron_Gelvin.

This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Where is John Mateer in Power 4 starting QB rankings from ESPN?

For the Penn State Nittany Lions men's basketball team, nothing has looked good about this season. It all came to a head in their regular season finale against Big Ten rivals Ohio State, where they were drubbed 94-62. While concerns about the team's play arose, other noise surrounding third-year head coach Mike Rhoades emerged as well.

After all, with a 12-18 record with only three conference wins, Rhoades has not displayed an ability to get more out of his players. While it is still a young squad, fans expected more competitive fire. What they got was a fourth loss this season by a 30+ point margin. More embarrassingly for Rhoades, this all came after his first couple of seasons showed promise. He almost got the Nittany Lions to .500 in his first season on the job, and actually got them to a winning record in 2-24-25 at 16-15.

Still, hints of a team filled with inconsistency started to show. The 2024-25 season actually started out well with a 12-2 start before it cratered down the stretch. One can also point to an abysmal 7-31 mark over the last two years against power conference foes. For Mike Rhoades, there has been no answer to the struggles of this team. However, when asked about his job after last night's game, he seemed to have an air of confidence about him.

“Cause I care. I'm going to fight,” Rhoades said, according to the Daily Collegian. “There's some things you got to deal with. We'll deal with them. Try to keep building the program. It's a different landscape than it's ever been before, so you just got to continue to respond different ways to it and fight for your program and keep pushing.”

While those words are reassuring, they still come after another disappointing season under his watch.

On a related note, Penn State did make one big announcement on Thursday with a change in leadership with the women's basketball program. Carolyn Kieger is out after seven seasons at the helm of the Lady Lions, and athletics director Pat Kraft is now leading a search for a new women's basketball coach. Could he take on a search for the men's program at the same time?

Only time will tell for sure, but it could be a possibility Penn State will not want to be conducting two basketball coaching searches at the same time. And Rhoades is only coming out of his third year with the program compared to Kieger's seven seasons without an NCAA tournament appearance. Nevertheless, the pressure is on for Rhoades if he remains the head coach next season.

This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Mike Rhoades addresses uncertain future after Penn State's blowout loss

2026 Premier League Darts schedule, scores, results and updated table originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The 2026 Premier League of Darts will take place every Thursday night for 17 straight weeks, beginning on Feb. 5 and ending on May. 28.

Here are all the facts you need to know to keep up with which players are in a position to make the play-off night in late May.

2026 Premier League Darts confirmed dates, fixtures and results

Night 1 - Ultilita Arena, Newcastle (February 5)

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

Final

MORE: 2026 PDC Premier League of Darts lineup revealed: Big names left out

Night 2 - AFAS Dome, Antwerp (February 12)

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

Final

MORE: 2026 Premier League Darts prize money explained

Night 3 - OVO Hydro, Glasgow (February 19)

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

Final

Night 4 - SSE Arena, Belfast (February 26)

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

Final

Night 5 - Ultilita Arena, Cardiff (March 5)

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

Final

Night 6 - Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham (March 12)

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

Final

Night 7 - 3Arena, Dublin (March 19)

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

Final

Night 8 - Mercedes-Benz Arena, Berlin (March 26)

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

Final

Night 9 - AO Arena, Manchester (April 2)

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

Final

Night 10 - Brighton Centre, Brighton (April 9)

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

Final

Night 11 - Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam (April 16)

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

Final

Night 12 - M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool (April 23)

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

Final

Night 13 - P&J Live, Aberdeen (April 30)

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

Final

Night 14 - First Direct Arena, Leeds (May 7)

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

Final

Night 15 - Utilita Arena, Birmingham (May 14)

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

Final

Night 16 - Utilita Arena, Sheffield (May 21)

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

Final

Play-off Night- The O2, London (May 28)

Semifinals

Final

2026 Premier League Darts table, updated standings

* = one or more wins were credited via advancing against a player who withdrew

More darts articles:

• Luke Littler contract details: Teenage phenom signs richest endorsement deal in darts history
• PDC announces darts schedule for 2026: World Championship, Premier League and more
• Ranking the best PDC Darts moments from 2025: 9-darters to shocking upsets
• 7 darts players who could be in Premier League Darts one day

Zach Johnson was fitted for a Green Jacket and drank out of the Claret Jug during his PGA Tour career. Now he’s ready to drink from the fountain youth. Johnson, who turned 50 on Feb. 24, is set to make his PGA Tour Champions debut on Friday at the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational in Boca Raton, Fla. 

“Most of the guys are like, you're just here for the pro-am, right, because you're not 50 yet?” Johnson said on Thursday during a pre-tournament press conference at The Old Course at Broken Sound.

Johnson is the quintessential grinder who squeezed all the juice from the pulp and won 12 times on Tour, including the 2007 Masters and 2015 British Open. But during the last two years, he recorded just one top-10 finish – a T-8 at the 2025 Masters – and while he might dabble from time to time to play a favorite tournament against the flat bellies, he’s ready to commit to the senior circuit and already has signed up for the Cologuard Classic and Hoag Classic later this month ahead of the Masters. He’s gathered advice from the likes of Darren Clarke, Chris DiMarco and Paul Stankowski and is making the rounds to a host of familiar faces.

“Being a rook all over again, I welcome it,” Johnson said. “Stankowski's like, yeah, your late 40s you feel so old and then you get out here and it's the only profession where you go from being old to young, and there may be some truth in that.

“This is an outlet to still go do what we love to do and compete. Sounds like it's a little more chill, I've felt that. And there's less guys in the field, which is amazing.”

During the press conference, Johnson was shown a video from his Korn Ferry Tour days when he was young and dreaming of making a living at the game. 

“We were trunk slammers. I would literally carry my bag at a lot of tournaments, throw 'em in the trunk and then drive off, stop at a Subway and find a Super 8. Those are the years that mold you, and fortunately they weren't very many but at the same time I look back on it and I'm like that's what was supposed to happen,” Johnson said. “I'm grateful for that. I mean, that's what molds you, that's what builds character and certainly helps you endure.”

Johnson said he may need a little time to get used to 54-hole tournaments being a sprint and not a marathon, but he’ll go from being one of the shortest hitters on the PGA Tour to being plenty long on the Champions Tour and the rest of his game has aged well. While much of the talk has surrounded the possibility of another newly 50-year-old major winner by the name of Tiger Woods coming out, kicking butt and taking names, don’t count out that Johnson might be the more likely one to do so. 

“I haven't had a chance on Sunday in quite some time, so that's a different -- I won't say it's a different environment, I am accustomed to it, but it's just been a minute,” Johnson said. “So with that, I think I've really got to manage my emotions and expectations and do what I do because I've had success in that environment.” 

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Zach Johnson makes PGA Tour Champions debut at 50

Tom Aspinall is siding with the betting underdog in the UFC 326 main event.

Max Holloway (27-8 MMA, 23-8 UFC) attempts to defend his BMF title in a rematch against Charles Oliveira (36-11 MMA, 23-11 UFC) on Saturday (Paramount+, CBS) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Aspinall thinks the UFC's all-time leader in submission wins will be too much for Holloway on the ground.

"I think it's a good, evenly matched fight," Aspinall said on his YouTube channel. "I think that Holloway's a little bit of a better striker. That being said, Oliveira's striking has improved a lot, and something I think he's done is his mentality has improved a lot over the years.

"I think now he's much more willing to exchange. The thing is, Oliveira is much more dangerous on the ground. I think this fight will end up in a couple of grappling exchanges, and I think Oliveira will win the grappling exchanges. In my opinion, I think right now, Oliveira is going to win this one."

The UFC heavyweight champion went on to break down Holloway's keys to victory.

"The only way that Holloway can win is the way he wins most his fights which is that pressure, volume, his fitness is unbelievable, and just staying at the right range," Aspinall said. "Both guys are really tall for lightweights, but I think if he stays at the right range, keeps him at the end of his punches, doesn't overstep which he doesn't really do anyway, I think there is a way for Holloway to win on points or maybe stop him with strikes later in the fight."

However, like many of his fights have gone, Aspinall sees Oliveira weathering an early storm then submitting Holloway in Round 3.

"I think Oliveira takes this one," Aspinall said. "Although we don't see Max on the ground very often, I think he'll get a hold of him, he'll drag him down, and I think he's going to submit him."

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: How Tom Aspinall sees Charles Oliveira beating Max Holloway at UFC 326

The presidential race is officially a two-man scrap, and Joan Laporta is already swinging. Now that the electoral board confirmed a head-to-head battle between the outgoing president and Víctor Font, the pleasantries are over. Following the disqualification of Marc Ciria, who missed the cut by a painful 90 signatures, Laporta has focused his energy on dismantling his rival’s credibility.

The sharpest jabs from Laporta’s recent stops in Igualada and his sit-down with Mundo Deportivo involve a fierce defense of the current setup. Laporta sees Font’s habit of dropping names like Dani Olmo’s as a calculated attempt to “destabilize” the squad mid-season. Laporta called it a “lack of experience” from a rival who chooses to talk about transfer targets at the worst possible times.

Font had been particularly vocal about the registration sagas surrounding players Olmo, previously labeling the club’s inability to register players without improvisation as a sign of poor mangement.

Laporta threw jabs at other Font ideas, including the idea of replacing Deco with a three-person committee, which the outgoing president called “psychedelic.”

Then there is the matter of the project Laporta is staking his entire legacy on – the stadium. He argued the Spotify Camp Nou provides “present and future” security and that the members are already seeing the benefits. He didn’t miss the chance to remind everyone that Font once suggested it was the wrong time for such a massive undertaking. Laporta’s take is that it “took the courage to do it.” If Font is still stuck in a “parallel world” doubting the move, Laporta said that is his problem.

Laporta is particularly fed up with a recent complaint filed in a Spanish court by a new club member. He told Mundo Deportivo that it was a “shame” to see Font allegedly validate a move designed specifically to “stain” the election process with “falsehoods and lies.” By Laporta’s logic, Font has “discredited” himself for the presidency by backing these types of maneuvers against the club’s own workers and executives.

Font has denied being involved in the lawsuit, saying he did not think that lawsuits were effective in helping the club’s situation. However, the challenger said it was a natural consequence of Laporta’s lack of transparency as president.

Pursuing his free agency options, former Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. reportedly visited with the Detroit Lions on Thursday, according to NFL Insider Jordan Schultz.

Wills Jr. is an intriguing option for the Lions, as he was chosen No. 10 overall in the 2020 NFL draft, which was the second offensive tackle off the board behind only Andrew Thomas.

Sources: Former #Browns OT Jedrick Wills, who sat out last season to fully recover from a knee injury, has been on a tour of visits with NFL teams — including the #Patriots and today with the #Lions. Visits are expected to continue into next week.

A former top-10 pick, Wills —… pic.twitter.com/6vQiDaLXni

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 5, 2026

During his time in Cleveland, Wills Jr. started 45 games at left tackle in his first three years. Unfortunately, he suffered an MCL injury midway through 2023, which significantly hampered his ability to remain healthy ever since. As a result, he played just eight games in 2023 and five in 2024, and opted to sit out the entire 2025 season to address the issue.

When on the field, Wills Jr. was a bit of a mixed bag. As a pass blocker, he was strong in his first few years, which led Cleveland to activate his fifth-year option for the 2024 season. His play in that area declined due to complications from his MCL injury. As a run blocker, he has been average to moderate, never scoring higher than 61.7 on PFF's run-blocking grade.

Although Shultz reported that Wills Jr. also met with the New England Patriots, it is worth noting that new Lions offensive coordinator Drew Petzing was with Wills in Cleveland during the 2020-22 NFL seasons.

While Detroit doesn’t have a need for a starter right now after Taylor Decker announced he would return for the 2026 season, Wills Jr. could be a sleeper addition for the Lions, who have indicated their need to find a future replacement at offensive tackle either through free agency, the draft, or possibly via trade.

For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a like. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews

This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Detroit Lions host former Browns first-round OT on free agency visit

Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami team-mates met United States president Donald Trump at the White House to commemorate the club's MLS Cup triumph.

Inter Miami won the championship game of the nation's top-flight division, Major League Soccer, for the first time back in December.

The club, co-owned by former England captain David Beckham, received an invitation to visit the White House before their MLS match against DC United in Washington on Saturday.

Messi and his team-mates stood on stage as Trump addressed the media, celebrating their achievement after providing an update on the ongoing US and Israeli strikes on Iran.

Trump said: "My son [Barron] said, 'Dad, do you know who's going to be there today?' I said, 'no, I've got a lot of things going on'.

"He said, 'Messi!' He's a big fan of yours. He thinks you're a great person and I think you got to meet a little while ago."

Argentina icon Messi, 38, committed his future to Miami in October with a new deal until 2028.

The former Barcelona and Paris St-Germain forward became the first player in MLS history to win the Most Valuable Player award in back-to-back seasons.

Addressing Messi, Trump added: "Leo claimed the 47th trophy of his incredible career - the most of all time.

"You could have gone anywhere in the world, any team in the world, and you chose Miami. I just want to thank you for bringing us all on this ride."

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Fabio Vieira is enjoying a productive spell in the Bundesliga, where he is currently playing on loan at Hamburg, and the midfielder is reportedly keen to remain at the German club beyond this season.

Arsenal allowed Vieira to leave on loan after recognising that opportunities within their squad were limited. With intense competition for places in midfield, the Portuguese player would likely have struggled to secure regular playing time had he remained at the Emirates. In the closing stages of the transfer window, Hamburger emerged as a destination where he could gain valuable minutes and continue his development.

Loan Move Revives Vieira’s Form

Since arriving in Germany, Vieira has delivered several impressive performances and has become a key figure for his loan side on numerous occasions this term. His contributions have played an important role in the team’s progress, and his influence has not gone unnoticed.

Encouragingly for Arsenal, the midfielder has begun to rediscover the form that originally persuaded the Gunners to sign him. His creativity and technical ability are once again evident, and this resurgence could ultimately create new opportunities for his career, whether that involves a permanent departure or renewed consideration at his parent club.

Hamburger Considering Permanent Deal

According to Sport Witness, Vieira’s performances have prompted Hamburg to evaluate the possibility of securing his services permanently in the coming weeks. The German side is reportedly reluctant to allow him to return to north London and instead views him as a player who could play an important role in their long-term plans.

The report adds that the option to sign him permanently is valued at 20 million euros. However, that figure is considered too high for Hamburg, and the club are said to be hopeful of negotiating a lower fee when discussions with Arsenal eventually take place.

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5 March 2026, 21:00

Harry Kane is having one of the best years of his career — and that is saying something. In a recent interview with Bild (as reported by @iMiaSanMia) Kane was asked he would bet on himself to beat Robert Lewandowski’s Bundesliga scoring record. Kane said, “I’d rather other people bet on me. I’m certainly in a good position at the moment. But if you look closely at the record: Lewandowski even missed a few games, but he scored a lot of hat-tricks during that time. It will be difficult to beat him. I think the chances are pretty even at the moment.”

After an unprecedented four league braces in a row, Kane sits at 30 goals on the season with ten matches left. Lewandowski needed all 34 matchdays to break Gerd Müller’s long-standing record. Many thought that Müller’s record was untouchable and now just five years later, it could be broken again.

Comparing Lewandowski’s season to Kane this year, Lewandowski was at 31 goals through 24 matchdays, where Kane sits at 30 currently. Lewandowski also famously missed matchdays 27-30 that season. If Kane stays healthy, he has a good chance to top 41. Other noteworthy factors include the fact that Bayern is still competing in the Champions League and DFB-Pokal, in addition to the Bundesliga. Bayern is also up 11 points and could clinch the Bundesliga and focus on the other competitions. It is also a World Cup year and Kane will want to be in prime shape for an England World Cup run.

Kane, of course, is out against Gladbach later today.

Between 1986 and 2006 15 different Red Sox players made at least 50 appearances at second base in one season: Marty Barrett, Jody Reed, Scott Fletcher, Luis Alicea, Jeff Frye, John Valentin, Donnie Sadler, Mike Benjamin,José Offerman, Lou Merloni, Rey Sánchez, Todd Walker, Mark Bellhorn, Tony Graffanino, and Mark Loretta. Barrett would also cross the threshold in 1984 and 1985 as the primary second baseman, giving us 22 years for the sample. Like “generations” of birth (Boomer, X, Millennial etc.) there is a little fuzziness here on the 20 years but, suffice it to say, Barrett pulled of this feat 5 times, Reed 4, Frye and Offerman 3, Fletcher and Bellhorn 2 times apiece, and all the rest only crossed 50 games played once.

The last man to do it in this sample was Mark Loretta. Loretta, acquired from the San Diego Padres for backup catcher and knuckleball specialist Doug Mirabelli, played 138 games at second and made the All-Star Game. A pending free agent, Loretta was a veteran placeholder to buy one more year of development for the future. The year was 2006. The future was a guy drafted in 2004 named Dustin Pedroia.

Boston was off on the actual day of the draft, June 7th, 2004, but on the 6th, the starting lineup included the very memorable starting second baseman César Crespo while Pokey Reese played shortstop.

Dustin Pedroia would make his major league debut on August 23, 2006 and play in 31 games – 27 as a second baseman and 6 more as the shortstop. He would then play for eleven seasons as the primary second baseman. In 2018 and 2019, Pedroia was definitely supposed to man the second base position, but due to injuries sustained through an unfortunate collision, he played in only a handful of games either year. Which means we need to take another look at the position after 2017.

Here are the players who recorded 50 or more games at second base over the last eight years: Brock Holt, Eduardo Núñez, Christian Arroyo, Trevor Story, Enmanuel Valdéz, Kristian Campbell, and David Hamilton. Holt and Arroyo pulled it off two times each, the others just once. All the other seasons since 2007 only Pedroia qualifies for the list.

It’s sort of telling that Holt and Núñez split 2018 and Campbell and Hamilton split 2025, whereas 2019-2024 was just a revolving door.

But 20 years after Dustin Pedroia emerged, and almost a decade since his keystone reign came to an end, there’s a new contender: Marcelo Mayer.

You may have seen his slick defense this week:

While it’s still possible, maybe likely, Mayer starts the season in Triple-A he’s an exciting player who can possibly bring some of what Pedroia did to second base this year: stability. That’s not to say that Mayer will be the player that Laser Show was. That’s for the future to reveal. But his time at third base covering for Alex Bregman last year was stabilizing.

Of course we don’t know for sure where he’ll play this year. He is a natural shortstop. He’ll probably the second baseman but, again, Alex Cora might like him at third. Or maybe he man both spots in some kind of defensive platoon. That are a lot of moving parts so who knows. But he’s mostly been starting at second base since beginning his Spring Training games.

Pedroia was the type of player who comes once in a generation. We already have a taste of that type of player in Roman Anthony. But Marcelo Mayer could still be the second base solution for four or five years (or more! But we’re starting small). The Red Sox haven’t had that guy in the post-Pedroia era. Penciling in a surefire starter, whether as the manger or a fan imagining the lineups, is a nice feeling. Let’s root for the kid to start that clock in 2026.

Barcelona are planning to sign a new central defender this summer, as they seek to reinforce an area where they have struggled this season. Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin and Ronald Araujo have been below par on multiple occasions, while Andreas Christensen – whose contract is up in June – has struggled to stay fit.

A number of targets have been identified over the last few months, such as Nico Schlotterbeck and Marcos Senesi. But rather than an established name, Barcelona could go for an up-and-comer to compliment the likes of Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi and Ronald Araujo, which is where Luka Vuskovic comes into the equation.

Barcelona were interested in Vuskovic prior to his move to Tottenham Hotspur, and they are still keeping tabs on his situation. This season, he’s excelled on loan at Bundesliga side Hamburg, and this has prompted the Catalans to hold initial talks with his representatives, as per Sky Sport Germany.

Barcelona will face strong competition for Vuskovic

Spurs are planning to have Vuskovic in their squad for next season, but right now, there is no guarantee that they will still be in the Premier League. They still a point outside of the relegation zone, and if they were to drop down to the second tier of English football, it could prompt a mass exodus, which the Croatian defender could be part of.

Understandably, there is a lot of hype surrounding Vuskovic, who has been excellent for Hamburg. His performances have attracted interest from a number of top clubs across Europe, as cited in the report, but the fact that Barcelona are already speaking to his representatives bodes well for their chances of signing him in the summer.

It remains to be seen whether Barcelona move for Vuskovic. He would be a top addition to Hansi Flick’s squad, although it would be an ideal to bring in a Senesi-type alongside the young defender, as more experience is needed in the Catalans’ backline.

Iowa State opens postseason play Thursday evening, facing Arizona State in the second round of the Big 12 Women’s Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. The Cyclones enter as the No. 7 seed after finishing the regular season 22-8 overall and 10-8 in conference play, while the Sun Devils arrive with a 23-9 record and a 9-9 mark in Big 12 competition.

ISU defeated the Sun Devils 90-64 in Ames on Feb. 18 during the regular season and hold a 5-1 advantage in the all-time series.

The Cyclones enter postseason play led by one of the most productive offensive duos in the country. Junior center Audi Crooks averages 25.6 points per game while shooting an efficient 65.1 percent from the field. Crooks has been a model of consistency, scoring in double figures in 96 consecutive games — the longest active streak in the nation — and recording 62 career 20-point performances. Earlier this season she set a program single-game scoring record with 47 points against Indiana, also making a school-record 19 field goals.

Junior guard Jada Williams provides the primary playmaking alongside Crooks. Williams averages 15.5 points and 7.7 assists per game and authored one of the most explosive individual performances in school history when she scored 44 points against Cincinnati on Jan. 21, the second-highest single-game total ever by a Cyclone.

Together, Williams and Crooks have produced a rare offensive season. Iowa State is the only Big 12 program this century to feature two 40-point scorers in the same season, highlighting the scoring punch that has fueled the Cyclones throughout the year. Both players were rewarded with First-Team All-Big 12 honors.

The Cyclones also welcomed back an important piece late in the season when forward Addy Brown returned to the lineup on Feb. 18 after missing 11 games due to injury. Brown averages 12.2 points, 8.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game and provides versatility on both ends of the floor.

Perimeter shooting is another key element for Iowa State. Guard Arianna Jackson ranks among the nation’s most accurate three-point shooters, hitting 46.4 percent from beyond the arc this season, while Kenzie Hare adds another reliable outside threat at 41.5 percent.

Iowa State’s season has been defined by resilience. After opening the year with 14 consecutive wins, the Cyclones endured a five-game losing streak in January before responding with five straight victories — the first Big 12 team this century to follow a five-game skid with an immediate five-game winning streak.

Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. CT with the game streamed on ESPN+.

The winner advances to the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals as Iowa State begins its pursuit of the program’s fourth conference tournament championship.

Xander Schauffele has admitted his surprise at seeing Daniel Berger manage to post a 63 on the opening day of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Bay Hill always has the potential to be one of the toughest stops on the PGA Tour calendar. Scores of four, five, and nine under par have won tournaments since 2020.

So it was a huge statement of intent to see Berger take charge of the tournament with a sublime first round in Florida.

Xander Schauffele praises Daniel Berger after his opening round at the Arnold Palmer Invitational

The 32-year-old did not drop a shot and made six birdies on the back nine to open up a notable lead heading into Friday’s second round.

One of those within the chasing pack is Xander Schauffele. The two-time major champion has been trending in the right direction in recent weeks, and continued to impress with a four under par round of 68 at Bay Hill.

Schauffele admitted that he was surprised by Berger’s score. He was subsequently asked just how impressive that round must have been.

“Really good. I don’t know what the next best score is, but assuming a lot. Four back? That makes sense. 63 out here is, you’re doing, he must have hit 16 greens and birdied all the par fives and did some extra curricular with the putter,” he said.

How close Daniel Berger came to tying the course record at Bay Hill

Berger posted one of the lowest rounds in the tournament’s history on Thursday. No winner can match his opening round score this century.

The course record at Bay Hill is 62, with Andy Bean, Greg Norman, and Adam Scott all reaching 10 under par. Scott’s round came 12 years ago when he went on to finish in third place, two shots behind Matt Every.

Berger has not won on the PGA Tour since the 2021 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He has given himself a phenomenal chance of ending that run this week.

Hello, Chicago Bears fans!  Well, that was a punch in the gut, wasn’t it?  We were all shocked as news leaked on Tuesday that Drew Dallman, the Bears’ 27-year-old center, was retiring from the NFL.  Dalman, who signed a three-year, $42 million deal with the Bears last offseason after four years in Atlanta, was a Pro Bowl anchor in 2025, starting all 17 games and playing every offensive snap. His decision to walk away from the game opened up a massive hole in the offensive line interior and upended the offseason plans for a Bears team that needs to remake its starting groups on the defensive line, at linebacker, and safety.  However, it also freed up anywhere from 10 million to 14 million dollars of cap space, depending on if the Bears choose to claw back some of the bonus that was due Dallman in the wake of his sudden retirement.  With a 2026 draft class at center that is bereft of first round talent at the center position (although do go check out Josh’s article examining some intriguing center prospects in the draft this year), the Bears will likely look to fill this hole in free agency. 

The Bears have already hosted former Washington Commanders offensive center Tyler Biadasz.  Conner McGovern, the 28-year-old free agent center from the Bills, is another possibility, as he is expected to test free agency this offseason.  However, last year the Chicago Bears signed the top offensive center available in free agency when they signed Drew Dalman to a three-year contract.  I think they just might do so again. Enter Tyler Linderbaum, the 25-year-old three-time Pro Bowler from the Baltimore Ravens, who is poised to hit unrestricted free agency after the Ravens declined his $23.4 million fifth-year option last spring. Negotiations for an extension in Baltimore have stalled despite a “market-setting” offer (projected around $20 million AAV).  One of the best offensive centers in the league, Tyler Linderbaum, is going to be a free agent and available to sign with any team next week.  And given the importance that Ben Johnson clearly assigns to the position, and the need for an experienced center to pair with a young quarterback, like Caleb Williams, I think he will be their top target to sign once free agency opens.  However, it won’t be easy.  Many teams will be in on Tyler Linderbaum, including the New York Giants, where his former head coach with the Ravens has landed, and with the Ravens themselves, his current team, who will be in the mix to resign Linderbaum.  That said, the Bears are in a position to make a competitive offer for the 26-year-old former first-round pick.  Let’s take a look at what he brings to the table and how we might make a contract with him work in the team’s cap structure.

Why Tyler Linderbaum Fits the Bears Perfectly

Linderbaum, a 2022 first-round pick out of Iowa, has been one of the NFL’s elite centers since his rookie year. He’s excelled in both pass protection (allowing just 1 sack in 2025) and run blocking, with PFF grades consistently above 85.0. The Bears’ offense, already featuring young stars like Caleb Williams at QB and a solid tackle duo in Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright, would benefit from his athleticism and quickness in zone-blocking schemes. This signing addresses the post-Dalman gap immediately, providing stability for Williams’ development and boosting the run game.  Linderbaum is in fact a clear upgrade over Drew Dalman at the position. 

At 25 years-old (turning 26 in April), Linderbaum aligns with the Bears’ youth movement. He’s durable (missing only two starts in four years) and could anchor the line for the next 5-7 seasons, especially as the team pushes for playoff contention in a competitive NFC North.  Linderbaum’s work ethic and leadership (he’s been a Ravens captain) mesh with head coach Ben Johnson’s emphasis on toughness and accountability. Plus, his Midwestern roots (Iowa native) could make Chicago an appealing destination, given the proximity of Chicago to his hometown.

And Linderbaum is truly an elite player at the center position.  Tyler Linderbaum has elite athleticism and quickness (short but explosive; excels at climbing to the second level in zone/power schemes).  Like Dalman, he is a dominant run blocker, the kind of “tone-setting” mauler that Ben Johnson craves on the interior of the offensive line.  He exhibits strong physicality and body control at the point of attack in the run game.  Further, Linderbaum has been lauded for his high football IQ and leadership (three-time Pro Bowler since 2022 draft).  However, his pass protection has been inconsistent. His shorter arms (31⅛ inches) can show in one-on-one matchups, leading to higher pressure rates in 2025.

Some aspects of Linderbaum’s game that stand out on the tape: He uses a wide, sturdy base to absorb bull rushes and maintain his anchor. His ability to “forklift” defenders upward once he gets his hands inside, creating leverage by getting under their pads and driving them back, is evident on film. This helps him stall power rushers and prevent easy collapses into the pocket. Linderbaum is technically sound with initial hand strikes—he aims to land precise, violent punches to control the defender’s chest or shoulders, disrupting their rush path early in the moment of the play. He is able to mirror rushers effectively with his short-area quickness, using deliberate, powerful steps to stay square. He shows outstanding hip fluidity in mirroring inside moves or twists/stunts. He’s particularly effective picking up twists (e.g., in combo protections) and adjusting to delayed blitzers, thanks to his quick feet and elite-level processing.  He does sometimes struggle with longer, explosive interior rushers that seek to penetrate through the gap.  You see instances where defensive tackles or a blitzing linebacker is able to get under his pads and turn him aside, or even bullrush him.  He does occasionally mistime his punch or strikes, allowing defenders to win with leverage. 

His PFF overall grade for 2026, in what some viewed as a down year for Linderbaum, was 80.3 (5^th/40 centers).  His run block grade was 83.7 (4^th/40), but his pass block grade took a hit in 2026, at 63.4 (22^nd/40).  He gave up 26^th pressures in 2025, a career high for Linderbaum (and not the kind of career high you’re looking for), and had a 5.2% pressure rate allowed. He was credited with allowing 2 sacks last season, but only one QB hit.  He was called for five penalties – mostly holding in the run game.  Even in a down year relative to his past performance, Linderbaum’s pass grade was similar to Drew Dalman, who posted a 69.0 grade for the 2026 season.  And that was a Pro Bowl season for Dalman. Tyler Linderbaum is unquestionably, from a pure football standpoint, the best replacement for Drew Dalman at the center position for the Chicago Bears.  Truly elite offensive lineman, particularly as young as Linderbaum is, rarely become available in free agency.  The Bears have a chance to take advantage of this rare occurrence and turn the Dalman deficit into a Linder-boom.   

What would it take to sign Tyler Linderbaum?

But the rubber meets the road in crafting a contract that will reward Linderbaum as the highest paid center in the NFL and still fit that in the Bears cap structure.  As I’ve already noted, Linderbaum has turned down a contract roughly in the 20 million AAV range with the Ravens, although the exact specifics of that offer are not known.  So what contract could we reasonably project the Bears to sign Linderbaum to in free agency?  In this scenario, our Bears outbid the Ravens and other interested teams (e.g., the Giants) with a four-year, $82 million deal ($20.5 million AAV), including $45 million guaranteed and a $20 million signing bonus. This makes him the highest-paid center, surpassing Creed Humphrey’s $18 million AAV benchmark. The contract will have a 2026 cap hit of around $12-15 million (via void years or bonus proration). 

Fitting a Linderbaum Contract into the Bears’ Cap

The 2026 NFL salary cap is set at $301.2 million, a record high but still a challenge for the Bears, who entered the offseason with roughly -$5.3 million in effective cap space (per OverTheCap estimates). After Dalman’s retirement, however, the Bears now have room under the cap before we make any cap-related moves (approximately $7.5 million).  But to sign Linderbaum, and still make the other moves the Bears need to make this offseason, GM Ryan Poles would need to create roughly $60-70 million in space—entirely feasible through restructures, cuts, and extensions. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of potential maneuvers, based on current contracts:

Restructured Contracts
Montez Sweat (DE)
+$18.5 million
Convert base salary to bonus dropping the $25 million cap hit
Trades
DJ Moore (WR)
+$16.5 million
A trade before June 1 would result in $12 million dead cap against his total $28.5 million total 2026 cap hit
Tremain Edmunds (LB)
+$15.0 million
A trade before June 1 would result in roughly $2.5 million in dead money
Restructure Contract with Extension
Jaylon Johnson (CB)
+$8.0 million
A small extension for JJ lowers his 2026 cap hit
Dalman Retirement
Drew Dalman (OC)
+$13.0 million
Dalman’s retirement takes his 2026 contract off the books and the Bears recover most of his unearned bonus

Total Projected Space Created: $71 million.

This would still leave the Bears with roughly $50 million in 2026 cap space after adding Linderbaum’s $15 million 2026 cap hit.  Even in a scenario where the Bears have to go to $23 or $24 million AAV, Poles could shift that money into the back end of the contract, with the Bears expecting to come out from under the contracts of Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo in 2027. 

What do you think, Chicago Bears fans?  Should the Chicago Bears bet big on Tyler Linderbaum as the replacement for Drew Dalman at offensive center?  Do these cap moves look reasonable, and will it permit the Bears to make all of the moves they must make this offseason as they seek to make over their defense?  Tell us in the comments below!

With the NFL Scouting Combine firmly in the books, it’s time to give you our top-100 prospect rankings. In the comments give us your top-10 or top-50, or give us your pet-cat in this year’s class that you hope the Dallas Cowboys target in the draft. 

1. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
2. Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
3. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
4. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
5. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
6. Rueben Bain, DE, Miami
7. David Bailey, DE, Texas Tech
8. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
9. Spencer Fano, OT, Utah 
10. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana 
11. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
12. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
13. Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
14. Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
15. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee 
16. Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
17. Olaivavega Ioane, IOL, Penn State 
18. Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn
19. Makai Lemon, WR, USC
20. Caleb Banks, DT, Florida 
21. Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
22. Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson 
23. Cashius Howell, DE, Texas A&M 
24. Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
25. Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama 
26. Kevin Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M 
27. Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami
28. Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
29. Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
30. T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson 
31. CJ Allen, LB, Georgia 
32. Zion Young, DE, Missouri 
33. Emmanuel Pregnon, IOL, Oregon 
34. Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech 
35. Chase Bisontis, IOL, Texas A&M 
36. Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
37. Denzel Boston, WR, Washington 
38. Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia 
39. Blake Miller, OT, Clemson 
40. Anthony Hill, LB, Texas
41. Christen Miller, DT, Georgia 
42. Chris Bell, WR, Louisville 
43. D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana 
44. Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt 
45. Gennings Dunker, OT, Iowa
46. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
47. Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
48. Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
49. Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
50. Omar Cooper Jr, WR, Indiana  
51. Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
52. Chris Brazzell, WR, Tennessee 
53. Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati 
54. Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
55. R Mason Thomas, DE, Oklahoma 
56. Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia 
57. L.T. Overton, DE, Alabama
58. Connor Lew, IOL, Auburn 
59. Keith Abney II, Arizona State
60. Gabe Jacas, DE, Illinois 
61. Keionte Scott, CB, Miami
62. Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana 
63. A.J Haulcy, S, LSU
64. Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern 
65. Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama 
66. Kamari Ramsey, S, USC
67. Romello Height, DE, Texas Tech
68. Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson 
69. Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri 
70. Malachi Lawrence, DE, UCF
71. Keylan Rutledge, IOL, Georgia Tech
72. Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
73. Derrick Moore, DE, Michigan 
74. Max Klare, TE, Ohio State
75. Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh 
76. Dani Dennis-Sutton, DE, Penn State
77. Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska 
78. Mike Washington, RB, Arkansas 
79. Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
80. Jake Slaughter, IOL, Florida 
81. Dominique Orange, DT, Iowa State
82. Logan Jones, IOL, Iowa
83. Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
84. Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State
85. Darell Jackson Jr, DT, Florida State
86. Brian Parker II, OT, Duke
87. Joshua Josephs, DE, Tennessee 
88. Devin Moore, CB, Florida 
89. Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington 
90. Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
91. Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas 
92. Gracen Holden, DT, Oklahoma 
93. Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama
94. Skyler Bell, WR, UConn
95. Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
96. Sam Hecht, IOL, Kansas State
97. Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State 
98. Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State
99. Nick Singleton, RB, Penn State
100. Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke

Who are your top players or pet cats in this draft?

The rivalry between Cristiano and Messi goes beyond sport

Lionel Messi and Donald Trump together at the White House

The 2025 MLS Cup champions, Inter Miami CF, were welcomed this evening at the White House by President Donald Trump. This meeting allowed the President of the United States to celebrate the MLS champions.

"Today, we're thrilled to host the 2025 MLS Cup Champions, ... and it's my distinct privilege to say what no American president has ever had the chance to say before: welcome to the White House, Lionel Messi!" declared Donald Trump. This exceptional visit drew the attention of both the media and social networks.

After Cristiano Ronaldo, it's now Lionel Messi's turn to meet President Trump. A rivalry that transcends the pitch.

When Brendan Summerhill suffered a broken bone in his hand in late March last season, Arizona decided to burn the redshirt of freshman Gunner Geile. Geile would go on to play in 27 games, making 16 starts in the outfield and logging 71 plate appearances in his first season of college baseball.

He was the only first-year college player to appear in the field for the UA in 2025. Through the first 12 games of the 2026 season, the Wildcats have more than doubled that amount of action from freshmen

In Tuesday’s 7-5 home loss to Grand Canyon, the UA started two true freshmen and two redshirt freshmen, including the top three batters in the order. A fifth, redshirt freshman Jackson Forbes, homered as a pinch hitter in the 9^th inning.

To date, six true or redshirt freshmen have appeared in the field for Arizona, combining for 38 starts with 150 at-bats and 172 plate appearances. First baseman Tony Lira is one of two Wildcats to start every game, along with senior third baseman Maddox Mihalakis, while the last four games have seen the first three spots in the lineup occupied by guys who had never taken a collegiate at-bat until three weeks ago.

With that youth has come plenty of growing pains. Arizona sits at 3-9 heading into the final weekend of nonconference play. The 2025 team that would reach the College World Series (and have nine players drafted) didn’t lose its ninth game until the first week of April.

“I understand that we’re going to make mistakes and we’re going to be better for it in the end, but in the end means at the end of this year,” UA coach Chip Hale said. “They’re getting their experience, and hopefully it’ll pay off. We feel like they’re the best players right now for us to win.”

A massive youth movement was not the plan going into this season, even with the loss of six starters from the batting order. Injuries have played a big role, particularly in the outfield, where projected starting right fielder Chaz McNellis has yet to play after breaking his leg late in preseason while left fielder Easton Breyfogle has been limited to two games and is out indefinitely with a shoulder injury.

Two more outfielders were absent Tuesday, as Andrew Cain sat out with a sore hand and Carson McEntire woke up with vertigo. Both are expected to return to action Friday against Fresno State as could second baseman Tyler Bickers, who has been out the last four games.

When healthy, though, not all of those players have performed well. Only three hitters with at least 10 at-bats are batting .300 or better, all freshmen, while Mihalakis is at .080, Bickers at .167 and Cain at .200 with a combined nine RBI.

Lira has been the UA’s most consistent hitter, batting .320 with team highs in hits (16) and total bases (22), but the hottest guy at the plate has been utilityman Nate Novitske. The redshirt freshman is hitting .417 and has 11 hits in his last four games, earning MVP honors at the Las Vegas Classic.

“That’s just who he is,” Hale said. “He’s a contact guy, and he puts the barrel on the ball. That’s why, from day one, we felt like he’d be in the lineup somewhere.”

Like Lira, Novitske sat out last season and had to wait his turn. But Novitske was at every game, part of the travel roster as the emergency catcher and extra infielder, and that experience helped him prepare for when his turn came.

“I’m not gonna say it wasn’t frustrating, obviously,” he said. “I mean, no one wants to sit the bench just as a competitive kid. You want to be out there helping the team. But on the flip side of that, I learned so much. I was fortunate enough to travel in the playoffs last year, just to kind of see what winning takes.”

True freshmen Caleb Danzeisen and Cash Brennan were expected to see action this season, but maybe not as much as they’ve gotten. Danzeisen has started nine games, mostly in right fielder despite getting recruited as a first baseman/catcher, and he’s hit leadoff the last four games with five walks and a hit batsmen.

“He’s got a really good eye, number one,” Hale said of Danzeisen, a Phoenix-area native whose family owns Danzeisen Dairy. “Number two, usually with two strikes he’s really tough. Like he’ll foul a bunch off.”

Brennan, a 6-foot-4 shortstop whose older brother Payton is an outfielder for top-ranked UCLA, has shown promise at the plate and in the field though he did have a critical error in the 9^th on Tuesday that led to two runs.

“Cash has got to continue to be consistent,” hale said. “Listen, it’s a hard thing. He’s a young freshman playing one of the hardest positions to play in the field. So there’s gonna be mistakes.”

Pitching update

Arizona will go with the same starting rotation against Fresno State (7-4) as it used in Las Vegas, with righthanders Owen Kramkowski and Smith Bailey followed by lefty Luc Fladda. Bailey and Smith combined to allow one run over 13 innings in wins last weekend, while Kramkowski has struggled in his three starts.

The junior, who was projected as a Top 100 draft pick entering the season, is 0-2 with an 8.49 ERA. He has walked seven in 11.2 innings, after issuing only 18 all of 2025, and yielded three homers.

Bailey and Fladda both have ERAs under 3 and opposing batting averages below .200. Fladda, a transfer from Tulane, struck out a career-best nine last Sunday against UC Irvine.

In the bullpen, roles are starting to get defined. Righty Evan Brandt has been the fireman, coming in with runners on in all six appearances, while three other relievers have shown the ability to work multiple innings.

Senior righty Matthew Martinez has a 2.00 ERA with 16 strikeouts over nine innings, lefty Patrick Morris has an 0.84 ERA in six outings spanning 10.2 innings and lefty Maclain Roberts has struck out 12 and allowed two singles in seven innings of work. Roberts, a native of New Zealand who spent the previous two seasons at Pima College, struggled in the fall but has greatly benefitted from new pitching coach Sean Kenny.

“Sean has been really influential in him getting more confidence and becoming what we’ve seen,” Hale said of Roberts, who chose the UA over LSU.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- After missing the last eight games with a left midfoot sprain, Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg is available to play on Thursday, coach Jason Kidd said.

Flagg has missed the last eight games for the Mavericks after suffering the injury on Feb. 10 during a 120-111 loss to the Phoenix Suns. He was also sidelined for the Rising Stars Game as a part of NBA All-Star Weekend on Feb. 13 in Inglewood, California.

The No. 1 overall pick saw his game status upgraded this week on the injury report, culminating in him receiving clearance to suit against the Orlando Magic in their second stop on a six-game road trip. Kidd said Flagg will be limited to 20-25 minutes.

"He has been out for four weeks, so he is excited to get back to playing with his teammates," Kidd said during his pregame press conference. "We will see how tonight goes."

Flagg is averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals on 48.2% shooting from the field in 49 games. He is second among rookies in total scoring (999) and has the most 30-point games by a first-year player since Victor Wembanyama in 2023-24 (7).

The 19-year-old was named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month for the third straight time in January. He and Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel were the only two players to win before San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper claimed the award in February.

The Mavericks posted a 2-6 record without Flagg in the lineup, dropping to 21-40 on the season. His return figures to help the Mavericks improve offensively after the group was held to 90 points or fewer in each of their last two matchups.

"When you talk about his energy, we all know his play, understanding he is a really good basketball player, and the things that he can do," Kidd said. "He can run the offense. He can set the tone for his teammates, finding them. He can score both left, right. I thought he was shooting the ball really well before the injury. ... It is good to have him back."

This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Mavericks news: Cooper Flagg receives massive update before Magic game

A few hours after the official announcement of Walid Regragui's departure, Morocco appointed Mohamed Ouahbi as the new coach.

The one who led the Atlas Lion Cubs to an unprecedented victory at the U20 World Cup on October 19th has been promoted to head the senior team.

Following Morocco's defeat in the Africa Cup of Nations final at home, Ouahbi will have the challenging task of leading the Atlas Lions to the 2026 World Cup next June.

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

SEATTLE (AP) — The Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks and linebacker Drake Thomas have agreed to a two-year contract, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Thursday.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced. Thomas was a restricted free agent and would have become an unrestricted free agent next week.

Thomas was the second-leading tackler last season for the Seahawks, who beat the New England Patriots 29-13 in the Super Bowl for the franchise's second title. He had 95 tackles, was second on the team in tackles for loss with 10 and had 3 1/2 sacks.

An undrafted free agent out of N.C. State, Thomas became a full-time starter at weak-side linebacker for the first time in 2025.

Seattle has six remaining restricted free agents: Wide receivers Jake Bobo and Cody White, tight end Brady Russell, defensive tackle Brandon Pili, safety AJ Finley and long snapper Chris Stoll.

___

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

ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news on Thursday that former Green Bay Packers president (1989-2006) and CEO (1989-2008) Bob Harlan passed away on Thursday afternoon. According to Schefter, he remains the only man in NFL history to hire two different general managers to win a Super Bowl.

Minutes after Schefter’s report, the Packers made a statement on the passing of Harlan. Below is the team’s statement, leading into tributes to Harlan that featured words from current president and CEO Ed Policy, former president and CEO Mark Murphy, current general manager Brian Gutekunst, former general manager Ron Wolf, former head coach Mike Holmgren, former head coach Mike McCarthy, Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers and more:

Former Green Bay Packers President and CEO Bob Harlan passed away Thursday, March 5, following a brief illness. Harlan was 89.

“The Packers family was saddened to learn of the passing of Bob Harlan,” said Packers President and CEO Ed Policy. “Bob was a visionary leader whose impact on the franchise was transformational. From his inspired hiring of Ron Wolf to turn around the club’s on-field fortunes to his tireless work to redevelop Lambeau Field, Bob restored the Packers to competitive excellence during his tenure and helped ensure our unique and treasured flagship NFL franchise was on sound footing for sustained generational success.

“We send our deepest sympathies to his wife, Madeline, and the entire Harlan family.”

Harlan, who originally joined the organization in 1971, was elected President and CEO in 1989 and served as principal executive until his retirement in January 2008.

On the field, the Packers enjoyed a resurgence under Harlan’s guidance, posting the league’s best overall record, 152-88, from 1993-2007, and returning the Lombardi Trophy to Green Bay with a victory in Super Bowl XXXI. The successful period also included 13 straight .500-or-better seasons (1992-2004), an impressive accomplishment in the free agency era and the team’s best stretch since the 1930s and ’40s.

Off the field, the crowning achievement of Harlan’s tenure — the $295 million redevelopment of historic Lambeau Field — was ushered in at the beginning of the 2003 season and has stood as a key component of the team’s financial strength for ongoing success.

Harlan and his wife, Madeline, were deeply involved in the greater Green Bay community through the years, serving on many boards and donating time to many charitable causes. Both had been the recipient of multiple honors, both on a local and state basis, including Bob being honored three times by his alma mater, Marquette University, in 1997. In 2007, Harlan penned his autobiography, Green and Golden Moments: Bob Harlan and the Green Bay Packers.

In addition to Madeline, Harlan is survived by his son, Kevin (Ann) Harlan of Mission Hills, Kan., and their children: Abigail (Bobby) Sight and their daughter, Scarlett; Haley (Jerry) Mancuso and their children, JJ, Mary Madeline, and Matilda; Olivia (Sam Dekker) Harlan Dekker and their children, Harlan Wolf and Christian; and Robert (Gabriella) Harlan and their son, Francis; and by his son, Bryan (Barbara) Harlan of Chicago and their daughter, Katie; and his son, Michael (Cortney) Harlan of Verona, Wis.

Arrangements are pending.

You can also read the Packers’ obituary of Harlan, which was written by team historian Cliff Christl.

Golden Boy promoter Oscar De La Hoya took to social media to sound off on his recent legal victory over Vergil Ortiz and explains why the poor advice Ortiz has been receiving could lead him to becoming the next Mikey Garcia (with respect to losing out on most of his prime years).

“The verdict is in and Vergil Ortiz’s master plan to break his contract with Golden Boy Promotions was shot down by a federal judge in Nevada,” De La Hoya said. “I know many of you have been waiting for the details regarding all this bullsh-t, so it’s time to finally give you the facts.

“Here’s the timeline of how it all went down. I hadn’t heard from Vergil Ortiz since his fight back in November where he openly praised me for being a great guy and great promoter…Then, out of nowhere, Vergil served us with a lawsuit in January to get out of his contract. So who was behind this lawsuit? The worst manager in boxing, Rick Mirigian. Rick demanded that Vergil get paid triple what we’re contractually obligated to pay Vergil for the Boots fight.

“We were ready to make the fight, and I was lobbying to get him the most money possible. But Rick being the selfish asshole he is tried to line his own pockets and felt the grass was greener with the others who interfered on the other side. And now thanks to his poor advice Vergil’s sidelined and he’s headed to waste more money and time in mediation — and that could last years.

“Vergil, I still want to believe you’re a good guy, and you received the worst advice on the planet. We always did right by you, treated you with respect…Oh, and we had to constantly deal with your hothead father who couldn’t be less gracious or appreciative.

“I protected you like family and you turn your back on me. Vergil, I know the lies Rick is telling you and how deep you are in this bullshit. You’re going to keep racking up the legal bills and burning money. What Rick didn’t tell you is you could potentially stay on the shelf for years just like Mikey Garcia did. And that’s the way it’s heading legally. The judge already ruled against you but it isn’t too late to fix this.

“From one fighter to another, you have to change the team around you. They’re dragging you down and we all see it from the outside.”

ORLANDO, Fla. — The PGA Tour felt a little quieter, dispassionate and dull without Billy Horschel.

Horschel was back Thursday at Orlando’s Bay Hill Club in Lodge breathing energy into the morning wave of the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

His golf game also showed some life as he continues to recover from right hip surgery in May of 2025. A bogey-free 3-under-par 69 was the former Florida Gator’s best score at the API since he opened with a 67 in 2022 on his way to runner-up finish to Scottie Scheffler.

“The game’s building, it’s getting better,” he said. “I just need to be a little better with the swing. I just need more reps, I just need to groove it in a little bit more. I want everything to be perfect.

“But at the end of the day it’s about putting the ball in the hole with the least amount of shots and I did a really good job of that today.”

Horschel has ground to make up after Daniel Berger posted a 63 during unusually benign conditions at Bay Hill. The score was one off the tournament record of 62 posted by the late Andy Bean (1981), Greg Norman (1984) and Adam Scott (2014). Only Bean — like Horschel a former UF star — went on the win.

“It’s going to be an incredibly difficult and challenging week,” Berger said. “A little bit of wind, a little bit less moisture, and it’s just going to be like a U.S. Open. I think when you come to Bay Hill to play this event you know what you’re getting, and so it doesn’t shock me.

“You’re ready for it.”

Whatever lies ahead, Horschel will attack Friday’s round with the passion and personality he’s shown ever since he joined the PGA Tour in 2009.

Wearing salmon-colored pants and a white shirt over his chiseled frame Thursday, he cajoled a few putts, spoke to some shots and talked to himself. Horschel consistently chatted up and down the fairways with playing partner Ryan Fox, an affable, unflappable 39-year-old New Zealander.

“I love someone to talk to,” Fox told the Orlando Sentinel. “With Billy, you’re always going to get a chat out of him. So that was great. I like one as well.

“The self commentary going around is brilliant.”

Fox did a double-take on the 13th tee box when Horschel barked, “Stop it!” Wondering what he or his caddie had done, Fox quickly realized Horschel was admonishing himself.

“I sort of jumped,” Fox said. “And then he goes, ’Stop it, Billy. You can’t keep doing that.’ We had a laugh about it down the fairway.”

Horschel’s approach has made him both a popular and polarizing presence on the PGA Tour.

Unapologetic, opinionated and unfailingly authentic, the 39-year-old rarely hides his thoughts or feelings inside or outside the ropes.

During last week’s Cognizant Classic, he exchanged words with a spectator after a poor shot led to a triple-bogey.

“I guess you guys wanna make yourselves feel good about yourselves with a comment like that, don’t ya?” Horschel said after his pitch from behind the par-3 15th hole found water in front of the green.

On Thursday, fans cheered Horschel as he neared the finish of his round.

Orlando’s Zach Hartley yelled, “Go Gators!,” as Horschel walked up the 18th fairway.

“He’s always an entertainer,” Hartley said.

An iron shot from the right rough landed left of the green, but a deft pitch shot to a few feet led an up-and-down that completed Horschel’s round with Fox, who shot 68.

Horschel, who got into the limited-field, 72-player event on a sponsor’s exemption, hit just 7 of 14 fairways, but he found 13 of 18 greens. He surprised himself following a discouraging warm-up session because of hip tightness and discomfort.

“I didn’t know what was going to happen out there,” Horschel said. “But I hit a couple good shots early to sort of give me a little confidence. Played really nicely. Something that I can hopefully build off the next few days.”

Horschel walked away in a good position to reach the weekend after missed cuts in 2023 and 2025. Winning for the ninth time on tour is likely down the road, but he’s already well ahead of schedule.

Doctors repaired a massive tear in his labrum, shaved down some bone to open up his hip capsule and addressed two micro fractures. A yearlong recovery period loomed. The hard-charging Horschel returned in fewer than six months, but continues to get back to full speed.

“They’re all a little shocked I’ve come back as quickly as I have and I’m able to do what I am,” he said. “I try to beat timelines. I don’t listen. I think I’m different … and show the doctors.

“But there’s a reason they’re doctors and there’s a reason I’m not.”

Horschel’s abilities as a golfer, entertainer and big personality have served him well, earning him 11 professional wins and more than $40 million in earnings.

But when he was away from the game, Horschel discovered life without golf didn’t leave a hole he couldn’t fill. He set aside his obsession with the game to spend time with his wife, Brittany, and their three children, ages 11, 8 and 7.

“I saw what it’s like on the other side,” he said. “It’s pretty (expletive) good. So life’s pretty good on the other side.”

Professional golf, though, is better with Horschel.

“Golf needs its characters,” Fox said. “He’s certainly one of them. He’s good fun, and we need more guys like it.”

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — Losing the reigning Southeastern Conference Tournament MVP to a season-ending knee injury just weeks before the opening game might be enough to break some women’s basketball teams.

Then again, South Carolina isn’t just any program.

Coach Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks have displayed remarkable resiliency — not to mention capable depth — rebounding from star forward Chloe Kitts' torn ACL last October. At the time, Kitts' injury, combined with other injuries and departures, raised questions about whether South Carolina would take a step back after returning to the national championship game last season.

But Staley and the Gamecocks never flinched.

No. 3 South Carolina (29-2, 15-1 SEC) enters this week's conference tournament as the top seed after winning the regular-season title outright.

“We don’t stay in a place of despair,” Staley said of overcoming Kitts' injury. “We turn the page. You figure it out. We have a lot of good post players, not a lot of post players like Chloe, but a lot of good post players.”

Kitts was more than just a good post player, though.

She, in many respects, represented the team's identity with her toughness and physical, no-nonsense approach. She also brought a high-low game to the Gamecocks offense that Staley admitted was hard to replace.

“We’re doing it a different way,” Staley said.

It wasn't just Kitts' injury that kept Staley awake at nights this past offseason.

Star guard MiLaysia Fulwiley transferred to rival LSU and backup center Sakima Walker moved on to Cal. Te-Hina Paopao, Bree Hall and Sania Feagin all left for the WBNA. And Ashlyn Watkins made the decision to take this year off while she continued to rehab from a torn ACL.

A year ago depth was South Carolina's calling card.

Staley would relentlessly wear down opponents by running bodies at them and playing aggressive defense, which often led to easy baskets. No player averaged more than 13 points and Staley regularly played more than 10 players on any given night.

This year, four players are averaging more than 13 points, led by SEC Player of the Year candidate Joyce Edwards. Edwards' 19.8 points per game is the most by a South Carolina player since A’ja Wilson’s 22.6 points per game eight years ago.

Guard Ti’Naya Latson, who transferred from Florida State after leading the nation a year ago, has made an immediate impact along with center Madina Okot, who is averaging a double-double. Holdovers Tessa Johnson and Raven Johnson have elevated their games as well, averaging in double digits in scoring.

Behind that scoring power, South Carolina ranks third in points per game (87.2), field goal percentage (.510) and 3-point field goal percentage (.370) in the nation.

“Last year’s team we probably didn’t have players on the floor that could score — or they could score, but they didn’t consistently do it,” Staley said. “These players this year have consistently done it. And I think our individual offense is a lot better than it was last year.”

The defense, to Staley's surprise, is holding opponents to 33.8% shooting from the field, third-best in the country despite the team dealing with its share of injuries.

“(Defense) was probably the biggest question mark for me coming into the season," Staley said. "I knew we had really good offensive players. But defensively we have a way of playing that allows us to win basketball games, and I was a little bit concerned that we wouldn’t be able to play that way.”

Winning a fourth straight SEC Tournament title in a conference that features five teams ranked in the top seven in the country won't be easy.

Sure, the Gamecocks, who open tournament play Friday against No. 17 Kentucky, do have a distinct home-court advantage at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, where they are 18-1 in tournament games under Staley.

But Texas, Vanderbilt, LSU and Oklahoma are all capable of cutting down the nets.

Kitts, who averaged 16.6 points and 7.6 rebounds during the last year's tournament and shot 74% from the field, will be cheering on the Gamecocks from the bench. And her teammates will have to step up — just as they have all season.

"I have high expectations for our teams for no matter who we have,” Staley said.

___

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Premier League

Tottenham Hotspur 1 - 3 Crystal Palace FT

Tottenham's fears of a first relegation from the top flight since 1977 have increased after Crystal Palace scored three goals in 12 first-half minutes to stun them in north London.

Spurs, who played more than half the match with 10 men, have now gone 11 league games without a win.

The home side had taken the lead in the 34th minute when England international Dominic Solanke finished from close range.

But after Micky van de Ven was sent off four minutes later, Ismaila Sarr netted twice - once either side of Jorgen Strand Larsen's strike - to earn Palace consecutive league wins at Tottenham for the first time.

The defeat leaves Tottenham 16th in the table, one point above the relegation zone and without a win in 2026, while Palace climb to 13th.

After 18th-placed West Ham piled on the pressure with a win at Fulham on Wednesday, Tottenham needed a fast start.

But it was Crystal Palace who seized the initiative at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, registering a first shot on target inside 60 seconds as Adam Wharton's half-volley was palmed away by Guglielmo Vicario after Chris Richards' throw-in caused chaos in the area.

Tottenham responded with an attack of their own, ending with Mathys Tel cutting in from the left and firing at Dean Henderson.

Palace thought they had made the breakthrough in the 30th minute when Sarr's strike deflected off Pedro Porro and looped over Vicario.

However, the Senegal international's goal was ruled out after the video assistant referee judged him to have been narrowly offside after latching on to a pass from Jaydee Canvot.

The hosts responded by taking the lead four minutes later as Solanke converted Archie Gray's cut-back after the full-back's marauding run down the byeline.

Yet Tottenham proved to be the architects of their own downfall once more as Van de Ven conceded a penalty and was shown a red card for pulling down Sarr after misreading the flight of the ball.

A fourth red card of the season for the home side was arguably the most costly yet, as it allowed Sarr to restore parity with his 40th-minute spotkick, sending Vicario the wrong way from the spot.

Under-pressure interim manager Igor Tudor responded with a double change before half-time, with Conor Gallagher and Yves Bissouma replacing Souza and Randal Kolo Muani.

But Palace turned the game on its head in the first minute of stoppage time, when January signing Strand Larsen fired low through the legs of Vicario, after a perfectly-weighted pass from Wharton, to score his third goal since joining from Wolves.

Last season's FA Cup winners piled the misery on Tottenham - and cued a mass home supporter walkout - in the seventh minute of first-half stoppage time as Sarr grabbed his second after another defence-splitting pass from Wharton.

Tottenham analysis: Tudor not the man for safety push

If Igor Tudor was meant to be the firefighter to save Tottenham's Premier League season, so far he has only fanned the flames of a miserable campaign.

The Croat - appointed on an interim basis until the end of the season following the sacking of Thomas Frank last month - has lost all three of his games in charge of last season's Europa League winners.

Even after only 270 minutes at the helm of this timid and dysfunctional side, it is clear that the former Juventus and Marseille manager is not the man to guide Tottenham to safety.

This season's damage was done long before Tudor arrived, but the way his three-game spell has unfolded so far leaves the club's hierarchy facing a serious decision if this rotten run - 11 Premier League games without a win - continues.

Not for the the first time this season, Tottenham - who could lose more than £250m if relegated to the Championship - look like a team sinking.

After West Ham, Nottingham Forest and even Wolves picked up valuable points in this midweek round, Tottenham could not afford to lose.

But even when Solanke put his side 1-0 up, the players, staff, and supporters never seemed confident of holding on to a victory that could have acted as a launchpad for the remainder of the campaign.

The sight of Pedro Porro arguing with Tudor after being substituted in the second half was yet another damning sign that nothing in this part of north London is right at the moment.

Tudor does not appear to be the man to save their Premier League status.

Draymond Green recalls the 'magic' of Magic Johnson originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

When Draymond Green talks about basketball greatness, he often points back to one of the players who helped define it: Magic Johnson. During a recent discussion with Brandon 'Scoop B' Robinson about leadership, defense, and the evolution of the modern NBA, Green reflected on Johnson’s lasting impact and why he believes true greatness translates across generations.

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A post shared by 👑Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson (@scoopb)

The conversation came as Green and the Golden State Warriors continue navigating a competitive Western Conference season. With the team leaning on veteran leadership while integrating younger contributors, Green has taken on an even more vocal role both on the court and in the locker room, emphasizing discipline and the importance of building winning habits through daily work.

MORE: Wilson takes the tennis court to the desert with its latest collection

That perspective also shapes how Green evaluates players from previous eras. Both he and Johnson share deep roots at Michigan State University, a program known for producing players with high basketball IQ and a team-first mentality. Johnson led the Spartans to the 1979 national championship before launching an iconic NBA career, while Green developed into a versatile defensive leader before being drafted by Golden State in 2012.

Asked how Johnson’s style would translate to today’s NBA, Green made it clear he sees greatness as timeless. “I think greatness transcends eras so Magic would look in this era the same way he looked in his own era,” Green said. “Greatness will always transcend eras.”

Green also pushed back against the idea that rule changes or modern pace would limit a player like Johnson. “One thing is for certain and that is that Magic Johnson would win in this era,” Green said. “When you are that great, there are no eras stopping you. The era is actually created around you when you are that great.”

The comparison between the two players is not just stylistic. Both built reputations as elite facilitators who could influence the game without always being the leading scorer. Johnson revolutionized the point guard position in the 1980s with his size, passing vision, and leadership for the Los Angeles Lakers, while Green helped redefine the “point-forward” role during the Warriors’ championship run in the 2010s.

MORE: Tom Brady's new Miami megamansion isn't all that, say fans

Although their careers never overlapped—Johnson played from 1979 to 1991 with a brief return in 1996, while Green entered the league in 2012—the connection between the two remains strong. Both have represented Team USA in different Olympic cycles and remain among the most influential players to emerge from Michigan State’s basketball program.

USC men’s basketball suffered another loss in Big Ten conference play against Washington on Wednesday. The Trojans lost by a score of 91-72 and are now even more likely to miss out on the NCAA Tournament this season.

Before losing to Washington on Wednesday, ESPN’s Joe Lunardi updated his “2026 NCAA Tournament Bracketology” for men’s basketball. He already had USC listed as one of eight teams right on the outskirts of earning a tournament bid.

As of Tuesday, Lunardi had Auburn, San Diego State, VCU and Virginia Tech as the first four teams that will miss the cut off for the NCAA Tournament. Behind the four teams was USC, which ranks No. 73 on Lunardi’s list and is projected to be the fifth team to miss out on the tournament.

Now that USC has lost another game, the Trojans’ odds of making the NCAA Tournament have nearly disappeared. And even if USC makes the tournament, the Trojans will not be placed at a desirable seed.

USC has one more regular season game against crosstown rivals, UCLA, on Saturday. The Bruins are coming off a third victory over a top-10 opponent after defeating No. 9 Nebraska on Tuesday. Therefore, it is unlikely the Trojans will end the regular season with a win.

Trojans Might Be Able to Earn A Bid Depending on Performance in Big Ten Tournament

Fortunately for USC, the Big Ten is stacked with some of the top men’s basketball teams in the nation. Five Big Ten teams are currently ranked in the AP Top 25.

This means the Trojans still have a slim chance of making the NCAA Tournament if they can pull off upsets over some of these teams. If USC can take down a team like No. 3 Michigan, No. 8 Michigan State or No. 9 Nebraska, the selection committee may consider reevaluating the Trojans for the tournament.

The official bracket for the Big Ten Tournament will be announced on Sunday.

Photo Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

The post USC March Madness Hopes Likely Dashed After Recent Loss appeared first on LA Sports Report.

When the New York Yankees signed pitcher José Contreras in December 2002, the baseball world was a different place.

The number of Cuban defectors leaving the island nation to chase their dreams of playing in Major League Baseball was low. The inaugural World Baseball Classic was still four years away. And the Toronto Blue Jays were not the defending American League pennant winners.

MORE:Astros, Dominican Republic get bad news on All-Star immediately before WBC

Flash forward to 2026. The Blue Jays, like every team, are closely watching the 2026 edition of the WBC for future talent beginning this week. And a certain Contreras has their attention.

Jose’s son, Joseph, is a 17-year-old senior at his Alpharetta, Georgia high school. He’s also the youngest pitcher in the WBC, and a source of high hopes for Team Brazil. (Contreras’ mother, Isabel, is Brazilian and he has represented Brazil internationally in the Pan-American Games already.)

According to Bob Elliott on X, the Blue Jays are scouting Contreras in the tournament. They certainly aren’t alone.

If he isn’t enticed by his slot bonus in the 2026 MLB Draft, Contreras has an offer to play collegiately at Vanderbilt. He has an upper-90s fastball, his best offering in a four- or five-pitch mix that should play well in college or the pros.

Brazil plays Team USA in its WBC opener on Friday.

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The post Blue Jays scouting 17-year-old son of Yankees star in WBC: report appeared first on The Big Lead.

One of the Cowboys' recent reclamation projects has come to an end.

Dallas has waived former UFL star Perrion Winfrey, it was announced Thursday. The defensive tackle was in his first season with the Cowboys and his second stint in the NFL. Winfrey had been a fourth-round draft pick by Cleveland in 2022 and was with the Jets briefly in 2023 before a breakout spring season with the UFL's Birmingham Stallions that put him on that league's all-star squad in 2025.

Winfrey was signed back to the NFL by the Cowboys in June and made the 53-man roster after an impressive training camp. But a back injury put him on injured reserve in early September and stalled whatever momentum he had heading into the regular season.

The Dallas Cowboys have waived DT Perrion Winfrey. He appeared in one game last season after making his way back to the NFL through the UFL. The move saves the team $1.075 million toward the cap in 2026.

— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) March 5, 2026

Winfrey was finally activated in November but saw action in just one game for the Cowboys, the Week 16 loss to the Chargers. He played 40 snaps in that contest, six of them on special teams. He tallied two tackles wearing the star.

The Cowboys seriously beefed up their defensive tackle group last season with the addition of Solomon Thomas, Kenny Clark, and Quinnen Williams. Now making the transition to a new scheme under coordinator Christian Parker, it was unclear how or if Winfrey would fit in the system for 2026.

Thursday's news seems to have provided an answer.

A post on X shared Winfrey's reaction to the news of his release. "I never wanted this day to come but it's out of my control," he wrote. "I will be back stronger than ever."

Waiving Winfrey saves the Cowboys just over $1 million toward the 2026 salary cap.

Todd is on X at @ToddBrock24f7. Also, follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!

This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys waive DT Perrion Winfrey, former UFL all-star

Morocco has announced that their new head coach will be Mohamed Ouahbi.

Walid Regragui resigned as Morocco's head coach, leaving the bar very high with an Africa Cup final and a World Cup semifinal. In fact, he published a farewell video.

Subsequently, to replace him, the Moroccan Federation reached a verbal agreement with Jorge Sampaoli, according to 'Footmercato', but that agreement was never finalized.

It didn’t happen because the replacement will be Mohamed Ouahbi, who began his coaching career in the youth sector at Anderlecht before making the leap in 2022 as Morocco’s U-20 coach, and later also the U-23 coach.

📸 JAVIER TORRES - AFP or licensors

In fact, Mohamed recently led Morocco to victory at the U-20 World Cup, a title they claimed after surprising the entire world.

However, 'MARCA' points out that the possibility of Xavi Hernández eventually coaching the 'Atlas Lions' after this summer’s World Cup is not ruled out.

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

Eight of the world's best darts players will again feature in the Premier League in 2026.

Reigning champion Luke Humphries is among them, alongside world champion Luke Littler and seven-time Premier League winner Michael van Gerwen.

The league phase takes place over 16 weeks from 5 February, with the play-offs at London's O2 Arena on 28 May.

Here are the current standings and the order of play for each of the weekly nights.

Premier League Darts 2026 table

Night one fixtures & order of play

Thursday, 5 February - Utilita Arena, Newcastle

Quarter-finals

Josh Rock 2-6 Jonny Clayton

Luke Littler 4-6 Gian van Veen

Luke Humphries 6-5 Gerwyn Price

Stephen Bunting 2-6 Michael van Gerwen

Semi-finals

Clayton 4-6 Van Veen

Humphries 2-6 Van Gerwen

Final

Van Veen 4-6 Van Gerwen

• Report:Van Gerwen beats compatriot Van Veen to win opening night

Night two fixtures & order of play

Thursday, 12 February - FAS Dome, Antwerp

Quarter-finals

Luke Littler 6-5 Luke Humphries

Michael van Gerwen 6-2 Josh Rock

Jonny Clayton 6-4 Stephen Bunting

Gerwyn Price 6-5 Gian van Veen

Semi-finals

Littler 4-6 Van Gerwen

Clayton 5-6 Price

Final

Van Gerwen 3-6 Price

• Report:Price ends Van Gerwen's unbeaten start in Antwerp debut

Night three fixtures & order of play

Thursday, 19 February - OVO Hydro, Glasgow

Quarter-finals

Stephen Bunting 3-6 Gian van Veen

Luke Humphries 6-2 Josh Rock

Michael van Gerwen v Luke Littler (bye) - Van Gerwen withdraws because of medical issue

Jonny Clayton 6-3 Gerwyn Price

Semi-finals

Van Veen 6-5 Humphries

Littler 1-6 Clayton

Final

Van Veen 2-6 Clayton

• Report:Clayton beats Van Veen for third different nightly winner

Night four fixtures & order of play

Thursday, 26 February - SSE Arena, Belfast

Quarter-finals

Luke Littler 3-6 Jonny Clayton

Stephen Bunting 6-4 Luke Humphries

Michael van Gerwen 5-6 Gerwyn Price

Gian van Veen 2-6 Josh Rock

Semi-finals

Clayton 0-6 Bunting

Price 5-6 Van Veen

Final

Bunting 6-2 Van Veen

• Report: Bunting silences critics as Rock hits nine-darter

Night five fixtures & order of play

Thursday, 5 March - Utilita Arena, Cardiff

Quarter-finals

Michael van Gerwen 1-6 Luke Humphries

Gian van Veen 4-6 Jonny Clayton

Gerwyn Price 6-5 Stephen Bunting

Luke Littler 6-4 Josh Rock

Semi-finals

Humphries 4-6 Clayton

Price 3-6 Littler

Final

Clayton 4-6 Littler

Night six fixtures & order of play

Thursday, 12 March - Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham

Quarter-finals

Josh Rock v Stephen Bunting

Jonny Clayton v Michael van Gerwen

Luke Humphries v Gian van Veen

Gerwyn Price v Luke Littler

Semi-finals

Rock/Bunting v Clayton/Van Gerwen

Humphries/Van Veen v Price/Littler

Final

Rock/Bunting/Clayton/Van Gerwen v Humphries/Van Veen/Price/Littler

Night seven fixtures & order of play

Thursday, 19 March - 3Arena, Dublin

Quarter-finals

Gian van Veen v Michael van Gerwen

Stephen Bunting v Luke Littler

Josh Rock v Gerwyn Price

Jonny Clayton v Luke Humphries

Semi-finals

Van Veen/Van Gerwen v Bunting/Littler

Rock/Price v Clayton/Humphries

Final

Van Veen/Van Gerwen/Bunting/Littler v Rock/Price/Clayton/Humphries

Night eight fixtures & order of play

Thursday, 26 March - Uber Arena, Berlin

Based on league table after night seven

Quarter-finals

1 v 8

4 v 5

2 v 7

3 v 6

Semi-finals

Winner of 1/8 v Winner of 4/5

Winner of 2/7 v Winner of 3/6

Final

Night nine fixtures & order of play

Thursday, 2 April - AO Arena, Manchester

Quarter-finals

Michael van Gerwen v Stephen Bunting

Gerwyn Price v Luke Humphries

Gian van Veen v Luke Littler

Jonny Clayton v Josh Rock

Semi-finals

Van Gerwen/Bunting v Price/Humphries

Van Veen/Littler v Clayton/Rock

Final

Van Gerwen/Bunting/Price/Humphries v Van Veen/Littler/Clayton/Rock

Night 10 fixtures & order of play

Thursday, 9 April - The Brighton Centre

Quarter-finals

Luke Humphries v Jonny Clayton

Gerwyn Price v Josh Rock

Luke Littler v Stephen Bunting

Michael van Gerwen v Gian van Veen

Semi-finals

Humphries/Clayton v Price/Rock

Littler/Bunting v Van Gerwen/Van Veen

Final

Humphries/Clayton/Price/Rock v Littler/Bunting/Van Gerwen/Van Veen

Night 11 fixtures & order of play

Thursday, 16 April - Rotterdam Ahoy

Quarter-finals

Luke Littler v Gerwyn Price

Gian van Veen v Luke Humphries

Michael van Gerwen v Jonny Clayton

Stephen Bunting v Josh Rock

Semi-finals

Littler/Price v Van Veen/Humphries

Van Gerwen/Clayton v Bunting/Rock

Final

Littler/Price/Van Veen/Humphries v Van Gerwen/Clayton/Bunting/Rock

Night 12 fixtures & order of play

Thursday, 23 April - M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool

Quarter-finals

Gian van Veen v Gerwyn Price

Stephen Bunting v Jonny Clayton

Josh Rock v Michael van Gerwen

Luke Humphries v Luke Littler

Semi-finals

Van Veen/Price v Bunting/Clayton

Rock/Van Gerwen v Humphries/Littler

Final

Van Veen/Price/Bunting/Clayton v Rock/Van Gerwen/Humphries/Littler

Night 13 fixtures & order of play

Thursday, 30 April - P&J Live, Aberdeen

Quarter-finals

Josh Rock v Luke Littler

Stephen Bunting v Gerwyn Price

Jonny Clayton v Gian van Veen

Luke Humphries v Michael van Gerwen

Semi-finals

Rock/Littler v Bunting/Price

Clayton/Van Veen v Humphries/Van Gerwen

Final

Rock/Littler/Bunting/Price v Clayton/Van Veen/Humphries/Van Gerwen

Night 14 fixtures & order of play

Thursday, 7 May - First Direct Arena, Leeds

Quarter-finals

Gerwyn Price v Jonny Clayton

Luke Littler v Michael van Gerwen

Josh Rock v Luke Humphries

Gian van Veen v Stephen Bunting

Semi-finals

Price/Clayton v Littler/Van Gerwen

Rock/Humphries v Van Veen/Bunting

Final

Price/Clayton/Littler/Van Gerwen v Rock/Humphries/Van Veen/Bunting

Night 15 fixtures & order of play

Thursday, 14 May - Utilita Arena, Birmingham

Quarter-finals

Josh Rock v Gian van Veen

Gerwyn Price v Michael van Gerwen

Luke Humphries v Stephen Bunting

Jonny Clayton v Luke Littler

Semi-finals

Rock/Van Veen v Price/Van Gerwen

Humphries/Bunting v Clayton/Littler

Final

Rock/Van Veen/Price/Van Gerwen v Humphries/Bunting/Clayton/Littler

Night 16 fixtures & order of play

Thursday, 21 May - Utilita Arena, Sheffield

Based on league table after night 15

Quarter-finals

2 v 7

3 v 6

1 v 8

4 v 5

Semi-finals

Winner of 2/7 v Winner of 3/6

Winner of 1/8 v Winner of 4/5

Final

Play-offs fixtures & order of play

Semi-finals and final - schedule to be confirmed based on league standings

Premier League Darts format and points system

Premier League Darts is played across 16 initial weeks in the league stage with quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final each night.

Each of the eight players is guaranteed to face the other seven in the quarter-finals in weeks one to seven and 9-15, with week eight and week 16 fixtures done off the table. It means we will get fourth v fifth in Sheffield on the final league-stage night, with the play-off spots potentially on the line.

Players earn two points per quarter-final win, an additional point if they win their semi-final and five for winning the night.

The top four players after the group stage progress to the play-off night at London's O2 Arena on 28 May, with first facing fourth and second against third in a best-of-19-leg match. The final, which is the best of 21 legs, follows.

If players are level on points after the 16 weeks then places are decided by nights won and then matches won.

John Franklin-Myers is set to leave the Denver Broncos.

It's no surprise, but the Denver Gazette's Chris Tomasson reported Thursday that Franklin-Myers is not expected to re-sign with the club ahead of NFL free agency next week. He'll be missed in Denver, but as KUSA-TV's Mike Klis pointed out, JFM's departure could land the team a third- or fourth-round compensatory draft pick next spring.

The league has a formula for determining picks that essentially compensates teams that lost more than they gained during free agency the previous offseason. If JFM lands a massive contract (he will) and the Broncos don't offset it with another big signing this spring, the club will likely be awarded a comp pick for the 2027 NFL draft.

This year, Denver's expected to receive a pair of seventh-round comp picks for losing running back Javonte Williams and punter Riley Dixon during free agency in 2025.

The NFL's free agency negotiating window opens on Monday, and Franklin-Myers should have plenty of suitors as one of the top interior defensive linemen on the market.

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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: JFM's departure could land team a high comp pick

The New York Giants have signed special teams ace and wide receiver Gunner Olszewski to a one-year contract, per a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The decision to being Olszewski back is the Giants first signing of the 2026. The move makes a ton of sense given that Olszewski is a reliable returner and John Harbaugh is a special teams coach at heart.

Olszewski averaged 9.0 yards per return on punts and 26.2 yards per kick return last year. He also got involved with the Giants’ passing game after the receiving corps was hit by injuries. He caught 10 passes on 13 targets for 145 yards and a touchdown, all career highs.

Gunner showed some chemistry with Jaxson Dart, and while he should be expected to remain a fixture on special teams, he may see a role on offense as well.

Retaining Olszewski keeps a valuable piece of the Giants special teams as well as a useful depth piece. There’s a lot of work still to be done, but it’s a good start.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates were honored by President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday for winning last year's MLS Cup.

Miami beat the Vancouver Whitecaps in December for the Major League Soccer title, and the Argentinian superstar was named the league's MVP for the second consecutive season.

“Leo, you came in and you won, and that's something very hard to do, very, very unusual and frankly, there's a lot more pressure put on you than anyone would know, because you sort of expected to win, but almost nobody wins,” Trump said.

Messi, who entered the ceremony alongside Trump, joined Inter Miami in 2023. He did not speak during the event.

Among the other Inter Miami stars in attendance were Luis Suárez, Tadeo Allende and Rodrigo De Paul. MLS Commissioner Don Garber sat next to Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House's World Cup task force. Also attending were retired baseball star Alex Rodriguez and members of Trump's cabinet.

Inter Miami was the first MLS team to be invited to the White House during Trump’s two terms in office.

Messi, an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, led Argentina to the World Cup title in 2022. The 38-year-old is expected to play again for Argentina this summer when the tournament is hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Soccer's global showcase has been clouded by recent events, including the war with Iran and turmoil in Mexico following the death of cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera in a military operation.

Iran is part of the World Cup field of 48 teams and is set to play a pair of games at SoFi Stadium in Southern California and another in Seattle during the group stage.

Trump opened the ceremony with comments about the conflict with Iran but did not mention the World Cup.

Following military action by the United States and Israel last week, Iran’s top soccer official, Mehdi Taj, said the country could not look to playing in the World Cup with “hope.”

“I really don’t care” if Iran participates, Trump told Politico this week. “I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They’re running on fumes.”

It's not clear what would happen if Iran pulled out of the World Cup. No team that has qualified for the tournament has withdrawn in the past 75 years.

The World Cup kicks off on June 11 when Mexico plays South Africa in Mexico City.

During the ceremony, Trump spoke about how he saw Brazilian great Pele play with the New York Cosmos. He looked to Messi: “You may be better than Pele,” then asked the crowd, “Who’s better?”

Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas said his team has “changed the culture of football in the United States of America forever.”

“We can play with the big boys, we can play with the heavyweights. Our league can be one of the top leagues in the world,” Mas said. “And it is this ability to dream, to persevere, to have no obstacles ahead of us, that we will continue to be successful. And hopefully, Mr. President, this is not our only visit here celebrating an MLS Cup championship.”

It was the first White House visit for Messi. He was invited by the Biden administration to be presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom last year but could not attend because of a scheduling conflict.

Inter Miami will remain in the area to play D.C. United on Saturday.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Morocco: Achraf Hakimi pays tribute to Walid Regragui

Morocco: Achraf Hakimi pays tribute to Walid Regragui

The departure of the Moroccan national team head coach continues to spark reactions across the football world. On his social media, Paris Saint-Germain full-back Achraf Hakimi paid a heartfelt tribute to the former Atlas Lions manager, Walid Regragui.

In a message filled with gratitude, the Moroccan defender praised the work accomplished by the coach at the helm of the national team. "Thank you for the exceptional work you did as head of the Moroccan squad. Your leadership, passion, and vision have inspired not only the players, but also the entire country and millions of supporters around the globe." wrote Achraf Hakimi.

The Real Madrid academy product also highlighted the human and sporting impact of the coach, commending his faith in Moroccan talent and his ability to strengthen the squad’s unity. "Thank you for believing in Moroccan talent, for building team spirit, and for showing that with discipline, hard work, and above all with the niya, we can achieve great things." he continued.

For the Atlas Lions full-back, Walid Regragui leaves a lasting legacy in the history of national football. "You have left an unforgettable mark on the history of Moroccan football. Thank you for making us dream and for wearing our colors with such pride. Legend." the player concluded.

Lens kept their dream of an unlikely French league and cup double alive, beating Lyon 5-4 on penalties on Thursday to reach the semi-finals after their last-eight tie had ended in a 2-2 draw.

French international forward Florian Thauvin was the hero for Lens with a goal and an assist in normal time before he converted the decisive kick in the shoot-out.

Lens are Paris Saint-Germain's closest challengers at the top of Ligue 1, sitting four points behind the reigning champions.

Now they are through to the last four in the Cup, in which they will host Toulouse next month as they dream of lifting the trophy for the first time in their history.

Lens had been 2-0 up at the interval at the Groupama Stadium, with Thauvin following in to score the opener midway through the first half after Saud Abdulhamid's shot had been saved. Abdallah Sima's thunderous finish then allowed them to double their lead in first-half stoppage time.

Roman Yaremchuk hit the bar after the break before pulling one back for Lyon with a header from substitute Remi Himbert's cross midway through the second half.

It still looked like Lens would hold on until the 18-year-old Himbert equalised deep in stoppage time with goalkeeper Robin Risser caught napping.

With no extra-time in the French Cup before the final, that meant penalties, and Lyon's Moussa Niakhate was the only player to fail from the spot as his effort was saved by Risser.

That allowed Thauvin to score the winning kick and set up a semi against Toulouse, who defeated Marseille 4-3 on penalties on Wednesday after their quarter-final also ended 2-2.

Nice won on penalties at Lorient and will now go to Strasbourg, who beat Reims 2-1 on Tuesday.

as/bsp 

Record 7-5. Change on 2025: +1.5. 5-inning record: 3-8-1.

Well, that five-game winning streak sure was nice while it lasted. It ended in no uncertain fashion this afternoon at Sloan Park, both sides of the game leaving room for improvement. The D-backs found themselves held to fewer than three runs for the first time this spring, managing only six hits and three walks. Their sole run came courtesy of Pavin Smith’s second home-run of spring, which got them on the board in the fourth inning. Cristofer Torin – and I am really going to have to work on my spelling of his first name – got two hits. Brady Counsell, son of Cubs manager Craig, walked to lead off the eighth inning for Arizona. So that’s nice.

On the mound, Ryne Nelson fell behind before recording an out, starting the game off by allowing a double and then a triple. The latter then scored on a groundout, but he then steadied the ship. Nelson went 2.2 innings, allowing those two runs on three hits, with no walks and three strikeouts. Unfortunately, the next three pitchers Arizona used also got tagged, and they included Kevin Ginkel (a run on two hits with one K) and Ryan Thompson (two runs on two hits, also with one K). Nobody worked a clean inning for the D-backs this afternoon. Shawn Dubin, with a walk but also two strikeouts, probably came the closest.

Not a good day for ABS and Gabriel Montero. He cost the team both their challenges – the first behind the plate, the second at it. Home-plate umpire Trevor Dannegger had a good afternoon, being proven correct all four times his calls were challenged. Tomorrow is the first split-squad game of the spring, with half the team (including Daniel Eagan) hosting the White Sox at Salt River Fields, while the other half, led by Mitch Bratt, go to Maryvale and take on the Brewers there.

Chiefs set to repeat history in horror scenario for AFC originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Kansas City Chiefs are an interesting watch this offseason as the franchise navigates the next couple of months, missing the playoffs for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era.

With a host of changes, both on and off the field, the Chiefs aren't standing still. They are working out where their weaknesses are and are fixing them.

And that could spell doom for the AFC.

Why? Well as NFL.com's Zak Koeppel writes, the Chiefs appear to be following the same blueprint they did in 2022.

And the following year, they won the Super Bowl.

"After breaking a streak of 10 straight playoff appearances, the Chiefs now have their best opportunity to reload since drafting Patrick Mahomes in 2017. Given K.C.’s financial constraints, they look like they're replicating what they did during the 2022 offseason, when they traded traded a star player (Tyreek Hill in 2022 vs. Trent McDuffie in 2026) and used the acquired picks to bring in an elite draft class," Koeppel wrote.

More: Lions' Amon-Ra St. Brown reveals true feelings on David Montgomery trade

Chiefs armed for serious offseason business

Thanks to the Trent McDuffie trade, the Chiefs now have two first-round picks and a host of others in the later rounds.

That is more than enough capital to get this rebuild off the ground and to a point where this team can challenge in 2026.

Having a down year in 2025, the Chiefs, it appears, have wasted no time in getting their draft hand in order, and make no mistake, the rest of the NFL is shifting a little nervously in their seasons.

Because the last time Kansas City went down this path, the following year, it won the Super Bowl.

Will history repeat itself?

More NFL news:

• Why Bills WR issues aren't fixed with DJ Moore trade
• Bills tipped to add All-Pro WR for Josh Allen
• Ravens urged to sign sack monster for Jesse Minter
• ESPN poses intriguing question to Vikings over J.J. McCarthy's future
• Chiefs could turbo charge bounce back with 1 move
• J.J. McCarthy's Vikings future in serious doubt if 1 move happens
• Alex Pierce's latest comments spell doom for Colts future

The New England Patriots made to the decision to move off of wide receiver Stefon Diggs, as they will release him next week following the start of the league new year.

Cutting ties with the veteran will help New England’s salary cap, increasing their projected cap space by nearly $15 million to $57 million — while also freeing up the $22.5 million in cash owed to Diggs this upcoming season.

Now, the Patriots must use those resources to replace Diggs, who became the team’s first 1,000-yard wide receiver since 2019. That could come through free agency — perhaps with Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce close to hitting the market — through the trade market — A.J. Brown? — or later on this offseason in the NFL Draft.

Who exactly will it be? That is precisely what we want to know in this week’s SB Nation Reacts survey.

Make sure to participate in our poll, and to head down to the comment section to share and discuss your answers. As always, the results will be posted later this week.

Please sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

Former amateur rugby players with early onset dementia say they have been left with "no help and no hope".

Ex-soldier and police officer Ross Coombs, 43, who captained British Army and club teams in south Wales, has been diagnosed with early onset dementia and probable Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) - a brain disease linked to repeated blows to the head.

Ross, who recalled being told to play on after a head injury "saturated" his shirt with blood, said medical and financial support was "non-existent".

The Welsh government said former players could access support through Memory Assessment Services and the Dementia Care Pathway, adding that dementia services should "be aware of CTE risk".

The British Army, Welsh Rugby Union and World Rugby have been asked to comment.

Warning: This article contains references to suicidal thoughts

Ross started playing rugby aged nine, before joining the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) at 16 where he was quickly asked to play for the regiment.

He went on to play rugby union and rugby league for the British Army and combined services and played club games at home on weekends.

He captained Merthyr and Newbridge before moving to other clubs, including Newport, Nelson, Blaenavon, Bargoed and Monmouth.

"At one point, between rugby league and rugby union, I was playing about 50 games a year," he said.

World Rugby guidelines now limit elite players to 30 full games a season, but there is no game-wide official guidance for amateur players.

Ross suffered arterial bleeds, lost teeth, multiple head injuries and concussions while playing and described being expected to play-on after being knocked unconscious.

"It was a bit of a macho era," he said.

"One of the worst ones I can remember, and I'm left with the scars - I fractured my eye socket, cheekbone, my jaw. After the impact I continued to run around like a headless chicken."

That injury left him with metal plates in his face.

He said medical treatment was sometimes limited to a wet sponge, known in rugby circles as "the magic sponge".

After one head collision he said his shirt "was saturated in blood", but described being told to "put some vaseline on that, change your shirt and get back on".

Now living with his diagnosis, he said he was frustrated that players were not "better protected".

"It is frustrating to think that this could have been prevented - allowing people to carry on and put themselves at such a risk."

In 2024, Ross was diagnosed with early onset dementia and CTE, a brain condition thought to be linked to repeated head injuries and blows to the head.

Symptoms of CTE can include mood and behaviour changes, memory loss and problems with movement. But formal diagnosis of the condition can only happen after a person has died.

"On the surface, you try and put a brave face on - but deep down inside you know you're not right," Ross said.

He said he experienced "suicidal thoughts, depression and memory loss" and could not remember the birth of his son.

"It dawned on me - I literally can't remember being in that room - I can't remember anything from his childhood," he said.

Ross's brother, former Wales international Andrew Coombs, 41, has been diagnosed with the same conditions.

"We don't know what's around the corner for us," said Ross.

World Rugby, the WRU and the RFU previously said that they "constantly strived to safeguard" future, current and former players.

There is growing concern among former amateur players about the scale of the potential issue.

"The kind of support and care - it's just non-existent, there's just none out there," Ross said.

Another ex-player, who the BBC has decided not to name for the sake of his family, represented Wales at age grade, including U21s, and played with the biggest names in the sport as a youth player.

He said he had contemplated taking his own life because he had been left with "no help and no hope".

Some former players feared not being able to pay the mortgage or support their families if they had to finish work early.

"There is no support, there is nothing at all - I've been to see two neurologists, neither neurologist had any in-depth knowledge of CTE," Ross said.

The Welsh government said it was not currently working to identify the prevalence of CTE among former players, and was "not aware" of other research. But it said it shared 'UK Concussion Guidance' with health boards, sports clubs and governing bodies in 2023.

"One of the things that's become very important to me is making sure my family are financially sound," said Ross, who is trying to access his army and police pensions early.

Like other former players, he is also trying to access a life insurance policy.

"I tried to make a claim on my critical illness life insurance policy - under the category for traumatic brain injury.

"[I] provided them with the scan, which clearly identifies areas of neurodegeneration within the brain."

But Ross said his claim was rejected because his medical report did not contain the phrase "death of brain tissue".

Ross' insurance provider, Legal and General, apologised for "any distress or frustration" caused during the claims process, and offered £450 compensation.

It said CTE was "not covered" by the policy, adding that "policy definitions for Traumatic Brain Injury and Dementia are not currently met from the medical evidence that has been shared to date".

"Further scans have been offered by the customer's medical team, and we have told him we can consider the claim further if the results of these are provided," a spokesperson added.

Ross is one of hundreds of former rugby players - including former Wales captain Ryan Jones and England World Cup winner Steve Thompson - taking legal action against rugby's governing bodies for head injuries they say they suffered while playing.

He believes the scale of the issue has not been recognised.

"I'm 100% certain there are a lot of people very similar to me, played at the same level - without the doctors - where it was very physical, with potential neurodegeneration and CTE," he said.

"There's got to be thousands of people in the same boat as I am."

Lesley Butcher, a dementia expert and senior lecturer at Cardiff University, said many patients had "concerns about how they're going to pay their mortgage, are they going to forget their children's names, their wife's face, are they going to be able to work again?"

Lesley, a registered nurse, said the prevalence of CTE "hasn't really been established because of the complex diagnostic criteria".

"We can't actually diagnose the condition until somebody's died, which isn't particularly helpful," she said.

"It's difficult because the first point of contact is the GP - I can't make a broad statement here - but there haven't really been studies to determine how much GPs are aware of CTE.

"The health service should be geared up to identify it."

She said this could lead to "tension" and "frustration" if former players tried to access health services, insurance claims or early pensions, because "there's no actual strict diagnostic criteria".

• 'There were tears - but I had to peek behind curtain of head injuries in rugby'
• Rugby player can't remember career due to dementia

The Welsh government said: "There is no specific treatment for CTE, and a definitive diagnosis can only be made post-mortem. However, Memory Assessment Services (MAS) across Wales are working to identify dementia earlier by strengthening links with GPs and communities, promoting brain health, and supporting timely diagnosis. The Welsh Government expects dementia services to be aware of CTE risk where there is a history of head trauma".

It added: "Former players can currently access support through Memory Assessment Services and the existing Dementia Care Pathway", and said, "national work led by NHS Performance and Improvement includes delivering GP training to improve early detection of dementia".

The British Army, Welsh Rugby Union and World Rugby have been asked to comment.

World Rugby, the WRU and RFU said previously: "Acting on the latest science, evidence and independent expert guidance, we constantly strive to safeguard and support all our players - future, current, and former."

If you've been affected by the issues raised in this story, a list of organisations that can provide help and support is available via BBC Action Line.

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“No Love” is going back to what made him champion.

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt returns to action against Xiao Long at UFC 326 this weekend (Sat., March 7, 2026) inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The fight game hasn’t exactly been kind to Garbrandt since losing his title at UFC 217 back in 2017. Since then, the former champion has struggled to find consistency, posting a rough 3-7 record while enduring multiple losing streaks.

Some of those struggles have been tied to health issues. Garbrandt has dealt with vertigo since UFC 300, when he was overwhelmed by Deiveson Figueiredo and eventually submitted in the second round (watch highlights). Garbrandt believed the issue was behind him, but the vertigo returned during his most recent loss to Raoni Barcelos.

Now, heading into UFC 326, Garbrandt says that chapter is finally over — and he’s returned to the fundamentals that built his career.

“This is the best camp I’ve had in quite some time,” Garbrandt said during UFC 326 media day. “Sometimes we come up here, and you have like, ‘Oh I feel great! This is an awesome camp’, and you don’t have that. It’s great to be here fight week. To be healthy, to be excited to fight, excited to come and do all the media as well…It’s a huge confidence boost knowing that I did everything I needed to do inside this camp. As I said, I got back to my roots, the wrestling, the boxing. It’s just been great.”

Garbrandt also admitted he can’t remember the last time he felt genuinely excited heading into a fight — but this week feels different, even if his opponent isn’t exactly a household name.

Still, he expects a dangerous challenge.

“Xiao Long is a warrior. Every fight he comes to win. Everything he throws is with malicious intent to kill you,” Garbrandt said. “I don’t think a lot of people know him, but it’s a huge opportunity for him to come first fight in the States. First fight on a pay-per-view card, fighting a former world champion. I expect the best Xiao Long version that’s going to come out there.”

Despite his championship pedigree, Garbrandt currently sits as a slight underdog against Long at +135 heading into fight night.

To checkout the latest and greatest UFC 326: “Holloway vs. Oliveira 2” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.

At least one of the basketball programs will be searching for a new head coach this offseason, as Penn State announced a “change in leadership” regarding its women’s team. The announcement comes on the heels of the Lady Lions finishing 16th out of 18 Big Ten teams at 11-18 overall, and 4-14 in conference play, and missing out on the conference tournament for the second straight season.

Kieger was hired away from Marquette back in the Spring of 2019 and compiled an overall record of 84-123 in her seven years in Happy Valley. Her first four years comprised of losing seasons, albeit with the overall win total increasing every year from 7, 9, 11, to 14 wins at the end of year four. Her fifth season in 2023-24 saw PSU get off its best start ever under her tenure, being 16-5 at one point and projected to end the program’s decade-long NCAA Tournament drought. Unfortunately, the team collapsed down the stretch, losing six straight at one point and ultimately missed out on the Big Dance.

Kieger would never come close to sniffing the NCAA’s again, as things bottomed out her final two years at PSU, which led to the decision to not renew her contract, which was up this year. In a statement, Athletic Director Pat Kraft said the following:

“We appreciate Coach Kieger’s commitment and passion she brought to Penn State Lady Lion Basketball,” said Vice President for Intercolligate Athletics Pat Kraft. “Looking ahead, we remain committed to competing at the highest level, and we believe a change in leadership is necessary to propel the program toward sustained excellence.”

A search for Kieger’s successor is expected to commence immediately. After enjoying decades of success and regular NCAA Tournament appearances throughout the 1980’s, 90’s, and early-mid 2000’s, the program has only appeared in four NCAA Tournaments in the last 20 years, with the last appearance being in 2014. Hopefully, the next hire can steer the program back towards such levels of success.

A coach and former player for a Cal State men’s basketball team is facing numerous charges after he allegedly trafficked a woman across state lines and possessed guns, drugs and child pornography.

After an anonymous allegation was made in an email to Cal State Bakersfield head coach Rod Barnes, an investigation resulted in the arrest of Kevin Mays, who now faces 11 charges, as detailed by Shwetha Surendran of ESPN.

Those allegations include pimping, possession of automatic firearms and possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell.

“Separate charges cited him for possession of more than 600 images of youth or child pornography and distribution of obscene matter involving someone under 18 years old,” Surendran explained.

The fallout from the scandal resulted in Barnes and athletic director Kyle Conder leaving their positions.

Mays has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and his attorney declined to comment when reached by ESPN.

School spokesperson Jennifer Self said that the allegations don’t involve a student, but they’re still “deeply concerning.”

Self added that they’ve used the incident as an opportunity to educate those on campus about human trafficking.

“We also viewed this moment as an opportunity to take a broader look at our athletic program,” including “structural and administrative changes,” she said.

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Today, hundreds of people came to the Mandarin Pointe Shopping Center to pick up their bibs ahead of the Gate River Run on Saturday.

While runners were filled with excitement for this year’s race, a lot of the runners we spoke with were concerned about the parking changes this year.

“It’s going to be fun,” said runner Jimmy Fitzypatrick about the parking situation. “It’s going to be another race or scavenger hunt.”

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

Here is the official parking map for this year’s run:

If you look closely, you’ll see that nearly all of the stadium parking lots are not open to the public to park for the race.

This is because of the ongoing construction forthe stadium of the future.

This is causing some runners, like Jennifer Contreras, to get creative.

“We decided to get a hotel room the night before even though we live in town just to not have to worry with the parking,” Contreras said.

The stadium construction also pushed the start and finish line half a mile towards downtown at the Shipyards. There will be no parking allowed at the Jacksonville Shipyards.

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The Jacksonville Fairgrounds closing forced the expo to move roughly 15 miles south to Mandarin.

We spoke with the Race Director for the Gate River Run, Doug Alred, and asked him to break down where people can park.

“People coming off of the Hart bridge are going to have to park on the east side of the stadium. And then we’re going to run buses from that area,” said Alred. “People that come over Main Street Acosta Bridge you’re going to have to park downtown and walk to the starting line.”

Runners are encouraged to arrive between 60 to 90 minutes ahead of time to secure a parking spot and get to the race on time.

You can find more parking information for the Gate River Run by clicking here.

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Villanova is preparing for the start of the Big East Tournament, but first, the conference handed out its annual awards on Thursday — and the Wildcats saw three earn honors.

Jasmine Bascoe headlined the selections as she was unanimously selected to the First Team All-Big East for the second straight year. The sophomore guard put up 18.7 points per game to go with four rebounds and five assists. She added 1.9 steals per game as well. Bascoe ended the season as the conference’s leader in points and assists per game.

Bascoe scored 20 or more points 12 times this season, including a career-high 30 against Fairfield in November. She ended the season strong, averaging 24 points, six rebounds, and seven assists over the final three games of the regular season. Bascoe came away with eight steals in the finale against Seton Hall.

Brynn McCurry was named the Most Improved Player in the conference while also being named to the Second Team. The junior missed last season with a torn ACL. As a freshman, she averaged 2.7 points and 1.8 rebounds coming off the bench.

This season, McCurry was second on the team with 10.9 points per game and led the team grabbing 5.5 rebounds as well.

Kennedy Henry made a major impact for the Wildcats, starting all 27 games this season. She was named to the All-Defensive team in the Big East while being a unanimous selection to the All-Freshman team as well.

Henry currently has 66 steals, which ties the record for most in their freshman year. She averaged 9.4 points and four rebounds per game this season.

Villanova will enter the Big East Tournament as the No. 2 seed and will start play on Saturday against the winner of Providence and DePaul.

NBA Analyst Explains Why Celtics Still Need Jayson Tatum Despite Shocking Dominance originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Boston Celtics have been shockingly phenomenal without Jayson Tatum this season, going 41-21 in his absence. They've been stellar on both ends of the floor, ranking second in offensive rating and sixth in defensive rating.

However, they still need Tatum, especially if they want to make a deep playoff run and compete for a title this spring.

The Celtics proved that over the last week during their blowout losses to the Denver Nuggets and Charlotte Hornets. They've been a great regular-season team but still struggle against elite competition.

NBA analyst Jason Timpf explained why Boston still needs Tatum on Thursday's episode of "The Herd" with Colin Cowherd.

"This has been a very impressive season for Boston but they need Jayson Tatum."@colincowherd and @_JasonLT react to breaking news that Jayson Tatum could make his season debut Friday vs the Mavs pic.twitter.com/38rLqJBX53

— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) March 5, 2026

One reason is that Tatum gives the Celtics' defense more versatility with his ability to guard centers on switches.

"Jayson Tatum's ability to guard centers gave the Celtics the ability to switch most ball screens, and it was one of the primary driving forces behind them winning the title, most famously breaking that Dallas offense by putting Tatum on centers and switching all of those ball screens," Timpf said. "They need Jayson Tatum. He unlocks their defensive versatility."

Another reason is that Tatum helps unlock Boston's offense with his passing and scoring ability, taking a lot of the offensive pressure off Jaylen Brown.

"Jayson Tatum gives you another guy who can kind of alleviate that burden on Jaylen Brown. Specifically, Jayson Tatum is a much better passer," Timpf added. "Ultimately, it will make them more versatile on both ends of the floor and make them a much better team against the best competition around the league."

Fortunately for the Celtics, Tatum may return as soon as Friday, giving him over a month to get back in the swing of things before the playoffs.

More NBA: Celtics Fans Will Love This Dominique Wilkins-Jayson Tatum Comparison

The first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational begins today, March 5, 2026.

This is the 48th rendition of the tournament held at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida.

A staple event in the Orlando area since 1979, the Arnold Palmer International attracts spectators from around the world to Central Florida.

The four-day event runs from March 5 to March 8.

Catch WFTV Sports Director Alex Walker out at Bay Hill on Channel 9 Eyewitness News.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

Watch: Indiana guard Lamar Wilkerson surprises mom with Cadillac Escalade after Senior Night originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Indiana guard Lamar Wilkerson spent his Senior Night doing what he has done all season, delivering for the Hoosiers on the court.

But the most memorable moment of the night came after the final buzzer.

Following Indiana's 77-47 win over Minnesota at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, Wilkerson walked his mother, Kizzy, into the arena's parking garage. Waiting there was a brand-new 2026 Cadillac Escalade, complete with a large bow, a surprise gift Wilkerson purchased using his NIL earnings.

The emotional moment quickly went viral after a video of the surprise circulated on social media, posted by Daniel Flick, a basketball beat writer for the Indiana Hoosiers on SI.

Lamar Wilkerson just gifted his mom, Kizzy, a brand new Cadillac Escalade.

What an end to Senior Day. #iubbpic.twitter.com/C6mibAUPEb

— Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) March 5, 2026

Wilkerson later explained the gift was simply a way to honor the person who helped make his basketball journey possible.

"When she gave me life, she didn't have to love me, she didn't have to sacrifice her life to help me get to where I wanted to be," Wilkerson said.

The Indiana senior described the luxury SUV as a "small token" of appreciation for everything his mother has done for him.

His path to Bloomington was anything but typical.

MORE:March Madness bubble watch: Indiana leads massive night of must-win games

Growing up in Ashdown, Arkansas, Wilkerson watched his mother work multiple jobs to support their family while he pursued his basketball dreams. Long before he became one of Indiana's top scorers and one of the most recognizable players on the roster, the sacrifices came from home.

Kizzy Stewart balanced work and family responsibilities while supporting Wilkerson's development as a player. The journey eventually carried him from a small Arkansas town to junior college basketball, then to Sam Houston State, where he developed into a star.

By the time he arrived at Indiana, he had already established a reputation as one of college basketball's most dangerous shooters and a relentless worker in the gym.

After scoring 16 points in the win over Minnesota, the Hoosiers guard led his mother to the garage where the Escalade waited. The moment captured her shock and emotion as she realized the gift was hers. 

For Wilkerson, the gesture represented far more than a luxury vehicle.

It was a chance to give back.

In an era when NIL opportunities have reshaped college athletics, Wilkerson's decision to use his earnings to support his family stood out to fans across the sport.

Senior Night often celebrates the accomplishments of college athletes.

For Wilkerson, it became a celebration of the sacrifices that helped him get there.

The second matchday of the 2026 SheBelieves Cup, presented by Visa, saw a pair of 1-0 scorelines, the first points of the tournament for one team while another gained some separation in the table against a historic rival.

Colombia defeated Argentina 1-0 in the first match of the doubleheader at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Columbus, Ohio. In a rematch of the 2025 Copa América Femenina semifinal, the two CONMEBOL sides entered Wednesday's contest hungry for their first points of the tournament. After a scoreless first half, forward Linda Caicedo broke the deadlock in the 64th minute. Her first goal of the tournament was the game-winner and earned three points for Colombia.

• READ: Colombia vs. Argentina Match Recap

The second match Wednesday featured two historic rivals. The U.S. Women's National Team and Canada entered Wednesday with three points apiece to place the two sides at the top of the SheBelieves Cup table. As it is every time these two teams play each other, Wednesday's match was a competitive contest. In the second half, forward Ally Sentnor provided the go-ahead goal and game-winner for the U.S., finishing off a corner kick to record her team-high third international goal of the year.

• READ: USWNT vs. Canada Match Recap

With the results, the U.S. Women's National Team jumps to first place in the standings and will be looking for either a win or a draw to capture the program's eighth SheBelieves Cup.

2026 SHEBELIEVES CUP STANDINGS AS OF MARCH 4

Next up, all four teams head to Harrison, New Jersey for the final matches of the tournament at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Saturday, March 7:

• Canada vs. Argentina - 12:30 p.m. ET
• USA vs. Colombia - 3:30 p.m. ET

Fans can watch on TNT, truTV and HBO Max in English and Universo and Peacock in Spanish.

Newcastle United will welcome Manchester City at St. James’ Park this Saturday night as they look to secure a good result in the FA Cup. The Magpies managed to earn a hard-fought 2-1 win over Manchester United recently, which should keep them in good spirits going into this game.

Eddie Howe will set his players up in a 4-3-3 formation and is expected to make one change to his first team for this clash. Joe Willock could play from the start of this cup game.

4-3-3 Newcastle United Predicted Lineup To Face Manchester City

Defence

Aaron Ramsdale will feature in goal for the Magpies after he conceded one goal in his last outing. Malick Thiaw will continue to play alongside Dan Burn at the centre of the Newcastle backline as they look to keep things solid at the back throughout the game.

Kieran Trippier will hope to put in a solid performance as the right-back, while Lewis Hall looks to prove his worth on the other side as the left-back. Both of them will have to perform their defensive duties well before they can try to offer some support to their teammates up top.

Alex Murphy and Sven Botman will offer cover for the defensive positions on the bench.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – MARCH 04: William Osula of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammate Anthony Elanga and Joe Willock during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St James’ Park on March 04, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Midfield

Joelinton, Sandro Tonali and Joe Willock will make up Newcastle’s midfield. Their main job would be to make life difficult for the opposition in the middle of the park and engineer some decent chances on the counter.

Jacob Murphy will have to be content with a place on the bench as he waits for his chance to make an impact in the second 45 minutes if required.

Attack

Harvey Barnes will try to prove his value on the left flank, while Anthony Elanga looks to give a good account of himself as the right-sided wide player. Both of them will hope to get in behind the opponent’s backline at every chance they can get.

Anthony Gordon will spearhead Newcastle’s attack in the final third. He would be eager to get his name on the scoresheet versus the Mancunian side this weekend.

Yoane Wissa and William Osula will be available for selection on the bench and might come on to influence the game in the latter stages if the Magpies are in need of a goal by then.

Celtics Writer Wants Fans To Realize What Jayson Tatum Return Will Look Like originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Boston Celtics fans -- NBA fans, in general -- are beyond excited by the news that Jayson Tatum might make his season debut on Friday against the Dallas Mavericks.

Celtics beat writer John Karalis, however, urges caution about expectations. 

"I don't think everyone realizes exactly what's happening here with Tatum," Karalis posted to X, shortly after the Tatum intel went viral.

"This (re-entry to NBA games) is still part of the recovery, and the gap between scrimmages and NBA basketball is large. He will get winded quickly tomorrow. He will get very sore after. He will miss other games as part of this."

I don't think everyone realizes exactly what's happening here with Tatum.

This is still part of the recovery, and the gap between scrimmages and NBA basketball is large. He will get winded quickly tomorrow. He will get very sore after. He will miss other games as part of this.

— John Karalis 🇬🇷 (@John_Karalis) March 5, 2026

Karalis makes some excellent points here. It will be important for fans to give Tatum plenty of grace as he works his way back into shape.

At the same time, you can't fault the thousands of fans who have been waiting for Tatum's comeback for months. Friday night will be a celebration of Tatum's unrelenting rehab work over the past 10 months and his triumphant spirit in the face of a serious injury.

More NBA: Bill Simmons Shares Unexpected Baylor Scheierman-Jayson Tatum Theory

Bills tipped to add All-Pro WR for Josh Allen originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Buffalo Bills' receiver needs have been well-documented for the past couple of seasons, and the franchise has already swung a trade for Chicago Bears receiver DJ Moore, but more should be on the way.

Given that the Bills don't have many legitimate threats in the passing game for Allen, with just Khalil Shakir, Dalton Kincaid, and now Moore, the Bills, in my opinion, have to get more weapons.

But where should the franchise be looking?

With free agency starting in the next couple of days, Sports Illustrated's Gilberto Manzano thinks that the Bills should go after Deebo Samuel.

"Buffalo doesn’t have much cap space to splurge on a wide receiver for Josh Allen," Manzano wrote. "However, Samuel likely won’t command a high price tag as he heads into his age-30 season. He’s lost some explosiveness, but he’s still a productive playmaker, recording 72 catches for 727 yards and five touchdowns with the Commanders last season."

More: Ravens urged to sign sack monster for Jesse Minter

Samuel a shrewd option

Deebo isn't the "Deebo" we remember from his time in San Francisco, but he still offers value.

With the Washington Commanders last season, Samuel still posted 727 yards and 5 TDs, so the production is still there.

And with the Bills, Samuel could be quite the weapon for Joe Brady. His $15 million APY market value by Spotrac.com is way overpriced, and I don't see any team giving him that this offseason.

But a team-friendly deal to pair him with Moore as Buffalo's receiver additions isn't a bad move.

More NFL news:

• Why Bills WR issues aren't fixed with DJ Moore trade
• Patriots' $26 million WR named as cut candidate
• Buccaneers might already have ideal Mike Evans replacement
• ESPN poses intriguing question to Vikings over J.J. McCarthy's future
• Analyst proposes Cardinals ship Kyler Murray off to intriguing AFC team
• Door definitely not shut on Eagles trading Super Bowl champion
• Bills offered superb Keon Coleman escape route involving 25-TD WR

Where to watch Florida HS girls basketball championships: Schedule, channel, live stream for FHSAA semis, finals originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Three weeks of basketball will produce eight state champions in Florida high school girls basketball. 

The FHSAA brackets have seen numerous contenders fall by the wayside, leaving only a select few alive and vying for a coveted state title. 

There will be plenty of new faces lifting trophies when all is said and done, but some potential repeats remain in play. First on that list is the 2A tournament, which sees Miami Country Day trying to secure a fourth consecutive title across multiple classifications. Last year's 1A and 7A champions, Grandview Prep and Winter Haven, also are looking to go back-to-back. 

Elsewhere, schools that fell in last year's finals, like Bolles in 3A and American Heritage in 4A, will hope to get one more win this time. 

Plenty of action is on tap in the Sunshine State. Here's how to watch it all.

Where to watch Florida HS girls basketball championships

• TV channel: None
• Live stream:NFHS Network

The FHSAA girls basketball state semis and finals will stream live on the NFHS Network. 

The NFHS Network offers prospective customers two basic plans: an Annual Pass ($6.67 per month) or a Monthly Pass ($11.99 per month). Subscribers to NFHS Network can watch high school sports nationwide, live and on demand. 

Florida high school girls basketball state championship schedule, brackets

All state semifinal and championship games will stream live on the NFHS Network

Class 2A playoffs

Class 1A playoffs

Class 3A playoffs

Class 4A playoffs

Class 5A playoffs

Class 6A playoffs

Class 7A playoffs

Class Rural playoffs

Where to watch Illinois high school girls basketball finals: Schedule, channel, live stream for IHSA state championships originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The 2026 Illinois high school girls basketball playoffs have been taking over the state, but champions will finally be crowned this weekend.

This tournament has brought the state's best athletes together across Classes 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A. Many of Illinois' top teams have been playing their best ball during the most important stretch of the season, including Loyola Academy, Nazareth Academy, Washington and Breese Central.

With only four trophies up for grabs, these matchups are sure to be intense. Don't miss out as these high school athletes attempt to reach the pinnacle of their basketball careers.

Here is everything you need to know about the 2026 Illinois high school girls basketball finals, including TV and streaming options for games.

Where to watch Illinois high school girls basketball finals: TV channel, live stream

• TV channel: N/A
• Live stream: NFHS Network

The Illinois high school girls basketball finals will not be available to watch on a national TV channel, but fans can stream games live on the NFHS Network.

The NFHS Network offers two basic plans: an Annual Pass ($6.67 per month) or a Monthly Pass ($13.99 per month). These plans give subscribers the ability to watch live sporting events and create clips of their favorite moments from games.

Illinois high school girls basketball finals schedule 2026

Class 1A

Class 2A

Class 3A

Class 4A

Manchester United’s striker, Bryan Mbeumo, is not living up to the hype.

Bryan Mbeumo has come under fire for his recent form, putting Michael Carrick under pressure to make a call on his place in the starting line-up.

Mbeumo had another quiet night as Manchester United fell 2-1 to Newcastle, missing a couple of good chances and struggling to get involved in the game – something that hasn’t been typical of him, especially in bigger matches.

The Cameroonian’s game outside of goals and assists hasn’t really picked up either, making it harder for him to justify his place when he isn’t scoring or setting up chances. His lack of involvement is starting to stand out more and more.

With Mbeumo’s struggles now becoming a trend rather than a blip, Michael Carrick is facing a decision about whether to keep backing him or look at other options. There are two clear paths forward for the interim boss.

Amad Should Start Over Bryan Mbeumo

Mbeumo struggled to make an impact on the right against Newcastle, while Lewis Hall kept him under control throughout the match.

Some of Mbeumo’s problems on that flank have come down to a lack of support from the full-back, with very few overlapping runs giving him little space to operate in.

Given how little effect he had, Carrick might be better off turning to Amad on the right. He’d bring more width and play as a proper winger, rather than cutting inside like Mbeumo tends to do.

That switch could help balance out United’s attack and add more creativity, especially since Amad is more willing to take on defenders one-on-one.

Carrick has been positive about Amad before, and right now, his style might be what United need to get back on track.

Amad may not have Mbeumo’s goal record, but his overall play could bring better balance and more attacking options for United going forward.

Carrick’s striker dilemma: stick with Mbeumo or revert to Sesko?

Should Carrick decide to keep Mbeumo in the line-up, shifting him back to his old position up front would be the obvious move.

That would mean Benjamin Sesko dropping to the bench, which could be on the cards anyway with upcoming fixtures against Aston Villa, Chelsea and Liverpool on the horizon.

Mbeumo notched two goals and an assist in three games as a striker under Carrick—contributions he hasn’t matched while playing out wide.

The forward is more effective running into space than playing with his back to goal. He’s proven more dangerous up top, so moving him back there plays to his strengths.

Either change should help improve United’s shape. Now it’s just down to Carrick to make the call ahead of Villa.

Read more:

Dani Dennis-Sutton is a reliable EDGE defender who could fill the Lions' need. Standing 6-foot-4, 270 pounds, he offers the prototypical frame for an NFL edge rusher and has demonstrated reliability, appearing in 55 consecutive games at Penn State without a single miss.

For the analysis of Dennis-Sutton along with other 2026 draft prospects: Visit my page at JimmyLiaoMD.com

Below is my excerpt on Dennis-Sutton:

(Ages in parentheses are at start of 2026 season and are factored into the concern level. Injury info and ages based on available public information are unverified and subject to update. Games played data courtesy of sports-reference.com.)

Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE (22) - Penn State

Projected round 3.

Concern level 1/10

• 2025: 13/13. Minor unspecified injury in Game 3.
• 2024: 16/16. Played through suspected groin injury suffered in Game 7.
• 2023: 13/13
• 2022: 13/13
• High school: Missed part of season with dislocated elbow.

Dennis-Sutton compiled 34.5 TFL and 23.5 sacks in his college career which featured zero missed games.

A “groin” can sometimes be concerning for a core muscle injury or a hip joint issue, but it’s reassuring he was able to play through, plus another season afterwards. His dislocated elbow from high school is of low concern after a full college career.

Penn State Career Statistics

For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a like. Follow Jimmy on X, @JimmyLiaoMD

This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Detroit Lions NFL draft medical preview: Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE

Winthrop at Auburn — SECN+

North Florida at Alabama — SECN+

Lipscomb at Mississippi State — SECN+

Sacramento State at LSU — SECN+

Evansville at Mississippi — SECN+

Women's College Gymnastics: Alabama - Kentucky — SECN+

Women's College Gymnastics: Auburn - Michigan State — SECN+

LSU at Tennessee — SECN+

Alabama at Mississippi — SECN+

Kentucky at Auburn — SECN+

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV.

Where to watch Texas high school girls basketball finals: Schedule, channel, live stream for UIL state championships originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Semifinal rounds have come and gone, and now, title games are here. The 2026 Texas high school girls basketball finals are taking over this weekend.

Only the best high school girls programs remain in contention for a trophy. Across six conferences and 12 divisions, a dozen teams will be able to call themselves champions.

You won't want to miss out on the thrilling action in San Antonio.

Here is everything you need to know about the Texas high school girls basketball finals, including TV and streaming options for games.

Where to watch Texas high school girls basketball finals: TV channel, live stream

• TV channel: N/A
• Live stream: NFHS Network

The Texas high school girls basketball finals will not be available to watch on a national TV channel, but fans can stream games live on the NFHS Network.

The NFHS Network offers two basic plans: an Annual Pass ($6.67 per month) or a Monthly Pass ($13.99 per month). These plans give subscribers the ability to watch live sporting events and create clips of their favorite moments from games.

Texas high school girls basketball finals schedule 2026

All state championship games will be played at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

Here's a look at the finals schedule for each conference and division:

Conference 6A — D1

Conference 6A — D2

Conference 5A — D1

Conference 5A — D2

Conference 4A — D1

Conference 4A — D2

Conference 3A — D1

Conference 3A — D2

Conference 2A — D1

Conference 2A — D2

Conference 1A — D1

Conference 1A — D2

Ben White was linked with a move away from Arsenal during the January transfer window, with Everton reportedly interested in securing the defender’s signature.

Although White is widely regarded as an important member of the Arsenal squad, persistent injury problems have limited his involvement this season. As a result, the Gunners have only been able to rely on him in a handful of matches throughout the current campaign.

Uncertainty Over Long-Term Role

Arsenal are expected to consider several adjustments to their squad once the season concludes, and those changes could include the departure of some established players. The club remain focused on their pursuit of the Premier League title, and if they succeed, it would provide White with the opportunity to finish the campaign on a positive note.

Despite his contributions in previous seasons, questions have emerged regarding his long-term future at the Emirates. Arsenal have recently been linked with several defenders who could potentially strengthen the squad and compete for his position. Such speculation has naturally fuelled discussion about whether the club may be open to a transfer should the right opportunity arise.

Everton Monitoring Situation

Interest from Everton has not disappeared. According to Football Insider, there remains a realistic possibility that the Merseyside club could move for White once the season comes to an end.

The report claims that bookmakers currently believe Everton is leading the race for his signature. Should such a move materialise, White could find himself wearing the blue shirt next season, while Arsenal would likely look to reinforce that area of the pitch with the addition of a new full-back.

For now, however, the defender remains part of Mikel Arteta’s squad as the club continues their push towards what could be a historic league triumph.

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Lautaro Martinez has opened up on his ambitions, his love for Inter’s supporters, and the personal difficulties he has overcome during a wide-ranging virtual Q&A with fans organised by theresidency.io.

The Argentine striker was characteristically direct when asked about his ultimate footballing dream, and it is one that has so far eluded him despite an already decorated career.

“Winning the World Cup is the most important thing in football,” he said, via TuttoMercatoWeb. “But the dream I still want to achieve is winning the Champions League.”

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale Milano runs with the ball during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Inter captain Lautaro Martínez reflects on career so far

Lautaro also reflected on his remarkable goalscoring record for the club, having recently climbed to third in Inter’s all-time scoring charts.

“I never imagined reaching this,” he admitted.

“But with work and sacrifice, everything is achievable. Inter is passion. Wearing the captain’s armband for the first time was an indescribable emotion, just like every goal I score at San Siro.”

The Argentine was particularly warm when discussing the Nerazzurri faithful, who have embraced him unconditionally since his arrival from Racing Club.

“From the very first day I felt loved by the people here,” he said. “I feel proud of that.” He also acknowledged that his journey has not always been straightforward, citing personal difficulties alongside physical setbacks, including a metatarsal injury during his time at Racing and an ankle problem sustained during the World Cup triumph with Argentina, as moments that have shaped his character.

Currently sidelined with a muscular injury, Lautaro will be eager to return to full fitness and continue writing his name into Inter’s history books.

Bills rumor reveals wide receiver Buffalo is targeting next after D.J. Moore trade originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Buffalo Billsacquired wide receiver D.J. Moore from the Chicago Bears on Thursday, but it looks like the team isn't done adding talent to the position group.

According to Essentially Sports' Tony Pauline, Buffalo is looking for another receiver, and Green Bay Packers free agent Romeo Doubs seems to be one of general manager Brandon Beane's top targets.

"People in the league tell me the Bills will add another receiver to their depth chart via the draft or free agency despite trading for Moore.  Romeo Doubs is a name that’s been passed around in league circles as a receiver the Bills are expected to target," Pauline said.

Doubs tallied a career-high 724 receiving yards in 2025 and also had six touchdowns. The 25-year-old is an ascending player and one of the top receivers on the free-agent market.

Adding Doubs after trading for Moore would be a savvy move by the Bills. The Nevada product would be a solid No. 2 boundary receiver in Buffalo's offense, and give quarterback Josh Allen a capable receiver trio in Moore, Doubs, and Khalil Shakir.

The Bills will need to clear some cap space if they want to sign Doubs, as Buffalo is currently $31 million under the cap. Doubs is projected to land a deal worth $12 million annually, per Spotrac, but it wouldn't be shocking if he signs a contract worth closer to $15 to $17 million per year.

Doubs isn't an elite receiver, but the former fourth-round pick would be a nice fit in Buffalo and could unlock the next level of his game in an Allen and Joe Brady-led offense.

The Seattle Seahawks have inquired with the Minnesota Vikings about star pass rusher Jonathan Greenard, but so has half the NFL.

Corbin K. Smith dropped this insider hint last night which got the Seahawks twitter community amped up. How excited should this make them, though?

Re: Vikings pass rusher Jonathan Greenard... I'm told by a reporter with inside knowledge of the team that Minnesota has received inquiries from "half the league," including #Seahawks.

He's going to be in demand, but sounds like a second rounder and Day 3 pick is sweet spot.

— Corbin K. Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) March 5, 2026

The Vikings want to get in on the free agent quarterback market this offseason after J.J, McCarthy’s first two years have been marred by injury and inconsistency. They’ve been rumored to have interest in Tua Tagovailoa and Kyler Murray after they were cut by the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals, but they will likely offload salary to do so. Greenard is owed $45 million over the final two years of his current contract.

The Seahawks need pass rush help as it looks more likely than ever that DeMarcus Lawrence might retire. Boye Mafe is also likely to be paid highly as an unrestricted free agent. Losing two key members of the edge rusher group leaves holes to fill in production the size of at least one Pro Bowl-caliber pass rusher, if not another. Greenard would fill that hole pre-draft and allow the team to know where they stand heading into it (while allowing them to take another, too, unlike if they paid the steep asking price for Maxx Crosby.

Greenard is a six-year veteran who played out his rookie contract with the Houston Texans before receiving his big free agent payday with the Vikings. He gave the Seahawks fits in Week 13, producing 2 pressures on just 11 pass rush snaps.

Half the league wants him for a reason. Keep an eye out for these rumors as this trade saga doesn’t look to be dying down. It’d be a surprise not to see Greenard move in the next two weeks.

This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Seahawks target Vikings' Jonathan Greenard

While much of the focus for the Cincinnati Bengals this offseason is about free agency and the NFL Draft, there will also be players who get cut or released.

Pro Football Focus recently revealed one player they think could get cut from each of the 32 teams. For the Bengals, it’s defensive tackle T.J. Slaton. Signed as a free agent last March, Slaton was ranked as just the 112th defensive tackle according to PFF, with a grade of just 44. That’s just not good enough.

Right now, Slaton is on the books for $8.9 million. Cutting him would save the Bengals $6.4 million.

The Bengals need to address the interior of their defensive line this offseason. That much is known. Whether it be with a big splash in free agency or in the draft, they need to shore up the middle of their defensive front. They can’t keep getting gashed on the ground and not be able to generate any pass pressure up the middle.

Slaton was thought to provide that. He didn’t live up to expectations. Cutting him would enable the Bengals to devote that money to someone better and more capable of fixing their issues in the interior of their defensive line.

After winning the first Big Ten regular season title in program history, three UCLA women’s basketball stars made a special appearance in a halftime show performance with UCLA’s dance team.

Two weeks ago, graduate student guard Charlisse Leger-Walker posted a YouTube video where she and Jaquez learned the choreography for one of the dance team’s halftime performances. At the end of the video, Leger-Walker said she and Jaquez would perform at the UCLA men’s basketball game against Nebraska if the video received 1,000 likes.

The video not only reached 1,000 likes, committing Leger-Walker and Jaquez to the halftime performance. But the pair also recruited Big Ten Player of the Year and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Lauren Betts.

“Lauren and I have been wanting to take a dance class in L.A. for a long time,” Jaquez told ESPN. “We both grew up dancing, and we love to dance in the locker room and stuff. But this wasn’t just like a TikTok dance, it was the real thing. So when Charlisse came up with this idea, we were all-in.”

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A post shared by espnW (@espnw)

The Bruins just came off an undefeated Big Ten conference season and will now turn their focus to the Big Ten Tournament this weekend. UCLA has a chance to win a national championship, and Betts said the performance shows how much chemistry the Bruins have in and out of basketball.

“This team is all about fun,” Betts said to ESPN. “And this is the type of fun that we like to have. We genuinely love doing things like this together. I never thought something like this would happen but here we are. And I think it just shows the type of chemistry that this team has. Like look at us out here dancing and then winning basketball games.”

Jaquez Also Made Appearances With The UCLA Softball Team

In addition to performing at halftime with the UCLA dance team, Jaquez joined the UCLA softball team for the 2024 season.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gabriela Jaquez (@gabrielajaquezz)

She made her debut with the Bruins’ softball team as a pinch runner against Georgia in NCAA Super Regionals. Jaquez also scored one run for UCLA when then-sophomore infielder Jordan Woolery hit a three-run home run while Jaquez was on base.

Before coming to UCLA, she played on Adolfo Camarillo’s softball team alongside UCLA redshirt junior utility Rylee Pinedo.

Photo Credit: ESPN

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To borrow a line from Bob Dylan, in the AL West, the times they are a-changin’. After winning four straight division titles and seven over eight seasons, the Astros regressed last summer and surrendered divisional supremacy to the Mariners. Seattle had long possessed the pitching staff to emerge from this group, and a magical season from Cal Raleigh keyed an improved lineup that finally gave the team the offense it needed. The Mariners’ magical run got them one win away from playing in the World Series for the first time in franchise history.

Looking ahead, this is still Seattle’s division to lose. The Astros retooled over the winter but didn’t necessarily improve. The Rangers took steps to repair a disappointing offense and will hope their surprisingly effective pitching staff can exceed expectations for a second straight year. The Angels are far off the pace, and while the Athletics are trending in the right direction, they still have a long way to go.

Read more: AL East division preview | AL Central division preview

Seattle Mariners

Projected record (per FanGraphs, as of March 5): 88-74, 79.3% odds to make the playoffs, 61.5% odds to win the division

What happened last season? The Mariners plodded along, a few games over .500, for most of the season before a furious finish (17-8 in September) pushed them past the Astros to the top of the AL West. They rode their hot streak into the postseason, where they survived a memorable series from Tigers ace Tarik Skubal to squeak past Detroit in the ALDS. They followed that win with a thrilling ALCS against Toronto, and they were on the verge of reaching the World Series before George Springer sunk their hopes with a three-run homer. All told, this was the closest Seattle had ever come to going all the way. 

The magical ride was keyed by Cal Raleigh, who had arguably the greatest season ever by a catcher, producing 60 homers, 125 RBI and 110 runs. The Big Dumper was well supported by franchise cornerstone Julio Rodriguez, who overcame his typical slow start to post a 30-30 season. Randy Arozarena also had a good year, and Josh Naylor gave the lineup a spark after arriving at the trade deadline. Seattle’s talented pitching staff was slightly underwhelming overall, but there were some outstanding individual performances, especially from starter Bryan Woo and closer Andres Muñoz.

What happened in the offseason? Typically one of the most aggressive and unpredictable franchises, the Mariners were purposeful but controlled over the winter. Their major move came early in free agency, when president Jerry Dipoto retained Naylor on a five-year contract. In December, Dipoto solidified the bullpen by trading catching prospect Harry Ford, who was blocked by the presence of Raleigh, to the Nationals for lefty Jose A. Ferrer. And in early February, a three-way trade brought in Brendan Donovan from St. Louis. He’s expected to play third base but is also an option at second.

Best-case scenario for 2026: The Mariners have enough talent to finally reach the World Series. Raleigh’s booming bat and solid defensive skills at a premium position make him as valuable as anyone in baseball. Rodriguez is already a star and could still take his game to another level. The rest of the lineup is just good enough to support their two centerpieces, and it could be even better if top prospect Colt Emerson soon arrives in the majors and Donovan continues to show elite contact skills. The pitching staff has enough talent to carry the club. Woo, Logan Gilbert, Luis Castillo and George Kirby can match the top four arms on any team, and Bryce Miller should bounce back from a disappointing 2025. Muñoz is a terrific closer, and the setup crew is deep and diverse.

Worst-case scenario: The pitching staff is so deep that the floor for Seattle is pretty high. If the club were to fall short of a postseason berth, it would be due to a lack of run production. Raleigh should be excellent again, but a repeat of his magical season seems virtually impossible. Also, the bottom four spots in Seattle’s lineup look nothing like that of a contender, and there could be too many holes for Dipoto to plug at the deadline if Emerson struggles as a rookie and no one emerges from the current cast of characters. It’s worth noting that even with Raleigh’s heroics, Seattle was a fringe postseason team when the calendar flipped to September last year.

Make-or-break player: Dominic Canzone. This lineup needs more length, and Canzone is the man who has the best chance to make that happen. Unable to log a .700 OPS over his initial two seasons, Canzone was terrific last year (.840 OPS), albeit over just 82 games. Most notably, the left-handed hitter was good enough against southpaws to remain in the lineup. If Canzone can provide protection behind the stars in the top five lineup spots and Emerson can emerge as a viable infield option, Dipoto can zero in on a couple of holes at the deadline and build a lineup that can go toe-to-toe with anyone in October.

Season prediction: With the Astros taking a small step backward, the Mariners clearly have the best roster in this division. Seattle shouldn’t need a September surge to put away the AL West competition this year, and the Mariners can produce a win total that gets them another bye through the wild-card round. If the rotation stays healthy, Seattle has as good a chance as any team to represent the American League in the World Series.

Read more: AL West offseason grades

Houston Astros

Projected record: 80-82, 33.7% odds to make the playoffs, 13.6% odds to win the division

What happened last season? A summer collapse snapped a streak of eight consecutive postseason appearances. The Astros led the AL West by six games at the beginning of July before posting a sub-.500 record in each of the final three months of the season. The team had no answers when the Mariners caught fire in September and lost the final AL wild-card spot on a tiebreaker with the Tigers. The Astros’ offense slipped from 11th in runs scored in 2024 to 21st last season. The pitching staff regressed as well, falling from 6th to 11th in ERA. 

Still, there were some positives. Hunter Brown emerged as an ace, and Josh Hader was a terrific closer until a shoulder injury sidelined him in mid-August. Offensively, Jeremy Peña took a notable step forward. But the disappointments were substantial, especially from Yordan Alvarez, who was limited by injuries to 48 games and posted a .797 OPS that was more than 150 points lower than his career mark. Slugger Christian Walker was also a major letdown in his first season with the club.

What happened in the offseason? Although it’s hard to say this team improved, the front office tinkered with the roster by making a few transactions. The winter session started with a minor deal that sent Mauricio Dubon to the Braves for Nick Allen in a swap of players with similar skill sets. Mike Burrows was acquired from the Pirates to fill the rotation spot vacated by free agent Framber Valdez. Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai surprised many by choosing the Astros before his posting window expired. And Ryan Weiss was signed after two seasons in the KBO. He could grab a rotation spot or join the relief corps. In February, Houston jettisoned Jesus Sanchez in order to reclaim former Astros outfield prospect Joey Loperfido. The offseason ended on a sour note, as Hader announced that he was behind on his spring training program due to biceps inflammation.

Best-case scenario for 2026: After nearly a decade of dominance, the Astros could hang on for a couple more winning campaigns. Getting at least 140 games and a .900 OPS from Alvarez would transform the lineup. And a trio of 30-somethings — Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa and Walker — can still be impact players. With those veterans and an improved Peña, the top half of Houston’s lineup can be better than that of most teams. The pitching staff will miss Valdez, but Imai could lessen the blow by having a solid rookie season. If Hader’s arm is sound, he and Bryan Abreu will form one of the best late-innings duos in the American League.

Worst-case scenario: Things could go south quickly in Houston if a few of the veterans hit the wall. Walker already reached that stage last year, and there’s no guarantee that he’ll rebound. The same fate could soon come for Altuve and Correa, who logged an OPS under .750 in two of the past three seasons. The veterans need to hang on for another year, as youngsters Cam Smith and Zach Cole are still complimentary players, rather than centerpieces. The five candidates to fill the four rotation spots behind Brown made a combined 40 major-league starts last year, which gives this group an extremely low floor. And the bullpen will be in serious trouble if Hader experiences more injury issues. Dynasties sometimes fall off quickly, and the Astros could spend the season in the mix with the Athletics and Angels, rather than the Mariners and Rangers.

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Make-or-break player: Tatsuya Imai.The Astros desperately need Imai to have a dazzling rookie season. The 27-year-old certainly has an impressive résumé, as he produced an ERA under 2.50 in each of the past four seasons. And the cat-and-mouse game between batters and pitchers can sometimes favor a new hurler while hitters get used to his delivery and arsenal. Houston needs Imai to make use of every advantage, as he is the team’s most likely No. 2 starter. If Imai falters, the pitching-rich Mariners will lap the Astros in terms of rotation quality and depth.

Season prediction: The guess here is that the dynasty is over. The Astros had a terrific run, but they’re now going through the inevitable cycle that comes from annually trading away prospects for veterans. To surpass the Mariners or grab a wild-card spot in 2026, they’ll need several things to break their way. And even if they squeak in, their October stay will likely be brief. The lack of offseason spending was a clear sign that the front office is starting to go in a different direction, and a slow start to the season could see more veterans sent packing by the summer.

Davis Long/Yahoo Sports

Texas Rangers

Projected record: 80-82, 34.5% odds to make the playoffs, 14.2% odds to win the division

What happened last season? The Rangers wasted a terrific season of pitching en route to finishing with a .500 record. The Texas rotation led the majors with a 3.47 ERA, thanks to outstanding seasons from Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi and solid campaigns from Jack Leiter and Patrick Corbin. And despite not having a full-time closer, the bullpen was effective. Unfortunately, the offense underachieved and finished 22nd in baseball in runs scored. Corey Seager missed 60 games, while Marcus Semien and Adolis Garcia fared so poorly that they’re no longer on the roster. Joc Pederson and Jake Burger were massive disappointments in their first year with the team, and Evan Carter was limited by injuries to 63 games. 

What happened in the offseason? The front office began the winter in controversial fashion when they non-tendered longtime Rangers Adolis Garcia and Jonah Heim. Both players were key contributors in the team’s 2023 trip to the World Series but had fallen off since then. A few weeks later, Danny Jansen was signed to replace Heim as Kyle Higashioka’s counterpart. One of baseball’s most intriguing offseason deals was a one-for-one trade of Marcus Semien for Brandon Nimmo. Semien is one of the most respected players in baseball, but this deal seems like a win for Texas. After all, Nimmo is three years younger than Semien and was the better hitter the past two seasons. In January, Texas made a major splash when it traded five prospects to the Nationals in exchange for left-hander MacKenzie Gore.

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Best-case scenario for 2026: Although they’re underdogs, the Rangers have a path to the postseason. It starts with pitching, where deGrom needs to log another 30-start season, Eovaldi must maintain his step forward from last year, and Gore needs to rediscover the form that led to a 3.02 ERA in the first half of 2025. Leiter is still young enough to take a step forward, and Kumar Rocker hasn’t come close to reaching his ceiling. If everything breaks right, the Rangers could have an outstanding rotation. Offensively, the key will be for several 2025 disappointments to have bounce-back seasons. That list includes Pederson, Burger, Carter and Josh Jung. There’s also a chance that Wyatt Langford goes from good to great, and getting a healthy season from Seager would make a big difference. If most of those things happen, Texas will find itself in the race for the top spot in the AL West.

Worst-case scenario: In all likelihood, there’s too much uncertainty for this roster to break through. Due to age and injury history, deGrom and Eovaldi are major regression candidates. And the bullpen is unlikely to pull off another magic act in which they turn a group of no-name relievers into an effective group. The most likely scenario is for what was a league-leading pitching staff to fall back closer to the pack. It’s also wishful thinking to expect more than half of the lineup to fare better than last season. A more likely scenario is that a couple of hitters improve, which gives Texas a respectable lineup but nothing more than that.

Make-or-break player: Nathan Eovaldi. The Rangers lack rotation depth and will be in big trouble if either Eovaldi or deGrom spends time on the IL. Eovaldi is arguably the bigger injury risk of the two, given that he finished last season with a rotator cuff strain. There’s also uncertainty with Eovaldi in terms of his per-inning effectiveness. The right-hander was an effective starter for many years before taking his game to another level in 2025. While he’s unlikely to repeat his 1.73 ERA, achieving a mark in the low 3.00s will make him a terrific co-star alongside deGrom.

Season prediction: The Rangers seem set to fall a few games short of a postseason berth. Winning the AL West is unlikely, as the Mariners have a deeper roster, especially on the mound. And the wild-card spots will be hotly contested by the Astros and several AL East teams. Texas will likely stay in the postseason race until late September but ultimately fall short due to a lack of depth in the bullpen and lineup.

Athletics

Projected record: 79-83, 25.3% odds to make the playoffs, 9.1% odds to win the division

What happened last season? After a lengthy rebuild and an unceremonious departure from Oakland, things started to look up for the Athletics. The club posted its highest win total (76) since 2021, which was primarily the result of an offense that finished 12th in runs scored. And the A’s improved throughout the season, with a 41-34 record after July 1. Within the team success, there were some exciting individual performances. Nick Kurtz debuted in late April and instantly became one of baseball’s most feared sluggers en route to being named AL Rookie of the Year. His 1.002 OPS would’ve ranked third in baseball if he had enough plate appearances to qualify. Fellow rookie Jacob Wilson was just as dominant in the batting average department, as his .311 mark placed third among qualified hitters. There were also productive veterans, as Brent Rooker had another excellent season, Tyler Soderstrom showed notable improvement, and Shea Langeliers was one of baseball’s top hitters in the second half.

What happened in the offseason? As a team that is still rebuilding and has not yet moved into its permanent home, the Athletics were predictably quiet over the winter. They managed to swing one notable trade when they picked up Jeff McNeil from the Mets. McNeil will play second base and should be helped by the switch to a hitter-friendly home park. The rest of the roster mostly remained status quo. JJ Bleday was the most notable departure, as he was designated for assignment before joining the Reds.

Best-case scenario for 2026: Although reaching the postseason is a stretch, there’s a scenario in which this team slugs its way into September contention. The offense is still scratching the surface of its immense potential, especially with an offense-inducing home park on its side. Kurtz and Wilson should each appear in 25-30 more games than last year. Langeliers will be the second coming of Cal Raleigh if he can build on his second-half performance, and Lawrence Butler still has the breakout potential that he failed to deliver on last year. The team’s Achilles’ heel is the pitching staff, but getting 30 respectable starts from Luis Severino, Jeffrey Springs, Jacob Lopez and Luis Morales would give the offense a chance to win more games.

Worst-case scenario: While it’s a near-certainty that the 2026 Athletics will score runs, a pitching staff that finished 27th in ERA last year will likely be their undoing. Severino has been vocal about the fact that he isn’t happy with his current situation, and Lopez and Springs are the only members of the rotation who had more than a few effective starts last year. Even avid baseball fans would be hard-pressed to name anyone in the A’s bullpen, which makes sense given the lack of track record for most members. While the organization has a few pitching prospects who will debut this year, none has the skill set to make an impact right away. Aside from blind optimism, there’s no reason to expect significant improvement from this group.

Make-or-break player: Jacob Lopez. For the Athletics to reach the next level, someone needs to emerge as a true ace in the rotation. While there are no obvious candidates on the roster, Lopez has the best shot. The left-hander has significant swing-and-miss skills (11.0 K/9 rate in 2025) and in seven of his 17 starts last year, Lopez threw at least six innings while giving up two or fewer earned runs. He can be prone to homers, and his control skills fluctuated wildly from one start to the next last year. But the potential is there, with consistency being the key next step.

Season prediction: The Athletics are going to be the most exciting non-contender in baseball in 2026. Their offense will crack the top 10 in runs scored, making the team a regular headline-grabber. But the pitching staff will be their undoing, as the club probably isn’t ready to climb much higher than 25th in runs allowed. In a best-case scenario, the Athletics rise to third in the AL West and give their front office reasons to invest in pitching staff additions next winter.

Los Angeles Angels

Projected record: 73-89, 5.3% odds to make the playoffs, 1.6% odds to win the division

What happened last season? The Angels endured another disappointing season, finishing last in the AL West for a second straight year and running their streak of losing records to 10 campaigns. A poor start (9-16 in April) and finish (8-18 in September) doomed their season, but they were only two games under .500 when they took the field on July 30. The offense flashed plenty of power, finishing fourth in the majors in homers, as Jo Adell and Taylor Ward hit more than 35 each and Mike Trout and Zach Neto each went deep 26 times. But any offensive success was more than offset by a pitching staff that ranked 28th in ERA. Injuries were not the issue, as five pitchers made at least 23 starts, but none logged an ERA under 3.99 or a WHIP below 1.28. Last winter, the front office made moves designed to produce a winning team, which made it even more embarrassing for the Angels to finish behind the rebuilding A’s for a second straight year.

What happened in the offseason? As per usual, the Angels made several offseason moves but might not have improved their roster. They started with a significant trade, shipping Ward to Baltimore for starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez, who missed all of 2025 due to an elbow injury. It was a risky move to get a discounted pitcher who was once expected to be an ace and is still just 26 years old. Their second trade was a smaller one, acquiring Vaughn Grissom from the Red Sox for outfielder Isaiah Jackson. Like Rodriguez, Grissom was once expected to be an impact player; he could become the Angels’ starting second baseman. In January, the Angels replaced Ward by acquiring Josh Lowe from the Rays. Lowe flashed an exciting skill set when he hit .292 with 20 homers and 32 steals in 2023, but he experienced a steep decline while dealing with injuries the past two years. The Angels’ only notable free-agent signings were veteran reliever Kirby Yates, who was one of baseball’s best closers two years ago before struggling with injuries and ineffectiveness in his lone season with the Dodgers, and Yoan Moncada, who posted a solid .783 OPS in 84 games with the Angels last year.

Best-case scenario for 2026: You really have to squint to find a path to the postseason, but here goes nothing. The lineup could be better than the one that ranked 25th in runs scored last year, if Lowe effectively replaces Ward and Grissom hits for average. After all, Adell and Neto are on the upswing, and Trout is a generational talent who could have some kind of late-career resurgence. Catcher Logan O’Hoppe is also much better than he showed when he logged a .629 OPS last season. For the pitching staff to make significant progress, Rodriguez and Yates will have to pitch as well as they did in 2024. They’ll also get Robert Stephenson back from injury, and he could combine with Yates and Drew Pomeranz to form an effective late-inning trio.

Worst-case scenario: This could be the year that the rebuilding Athletics pull away from the Angels. Unless Lowe turns around a two-year slump, the lineup will really miss Ward. As things stand, the bottom-four hitters in the regular lineup either posted an OPS below .700 last season or didn’t appear in the majors at all. And if the gamble on Rodriguez doesn’t pay off, the Angels’ pitching staff will be much worse than the lineup. There’s no one to eat innings behind Yusei Kikuchi and Jose Soriano, who are subpar staff leaders. And the bullpen is depending on Yates in his age-39 season, Pomeranz in his age-37 campaign and Stephenson, who threw 10 innings last year. The Angels could post the worst ERA in the American League.

Make-or-break player: Grayson Rodriguez. It would be hard to give this title to anyone other than the 26-year-old, who was tabbed one of baseball’s best prospects in 2022. He fared well in his initial two seasons with the Orioles and was ascending toward ace status when he logged a 3.59 FIP and a 10.0 K/9 rate in his 2024 sophomore campaign. Then injuries caused him to miss all of 2025. If Rodriguez is healthy, the Angels will finally have a leader for their staff. But it’s an ominous sign that a Baltimore team that was looking for starting pitching this offseason chose to trade away one of the most talented arms on the roster. Make no mistake: The acquisition of Rodriguez was a huge gamble for an Angels organization that lacked the prospect capital to trade for a skilled, healthy starter.

Season prediction: In 2026, the Angels will finally succumb to the need for a full rebuild. They have tried to put band-aids on their problems for several years, all while wasting Trout’s prime years and watching his body slowly break down. This will be the year they finally give up and trade multiple veterans for younger players. There are some pieces in place for the future; Neto, Adell, Schanuel and Rodriguez are all under 27 and have considerable skills. The Angels will get off to a slow start, and if they’re smart, they’ll follow the lead of the 2025 Twins and trade away everything that isn’t nailed to the floor at the deadline, which will finally start them on the road toward sustainable success. The Angels haven’t reached the postseason since 2014, which makes it obvious that their current course isn’t working.

Driver Alex Bowman won't race during this weekend's NASCAR Cup Series event in Phoenix.

Hendricks Motorsports announced on Thursday, March 5 that Bowman had been diagnosed with vertigo earlier this week and hasn't been medically cleared to compete in Sunday's Straight Talk Wireless 500 at Phoenix Raceway. He will be replaced in the No. 48 Chevrolet by driver Anthony Alfredo.

Bowman, 32, began experiencing symptoms during last Sunday's NASCAR road coarse race at Circuit of the Americas and eventually exited the car at lap 71 due to illness. Hendrick Motorsports said the Tucson, Arizona, native underwent two days of medical evaluation this week and drove laps on Thursday in a streetcar at the Ten Tenths Motor Club road course in Concord, North Carolina before being ruled out of the Phoenix race.

NASCAR: Celebrate Dale Earnhardt's legacy with our new book, special edition

There is not yet a timetable for Bowman's return. He currently sits in 36th in the NASCAR Cup Series standings after a slow start to the 2026 season. He missed NASCAR races while dealing with health issues related to a concussion and fractured vertebra in his back in previous seasons.

“Alex has worked very hard over the last several days,” Hendrick Motorsports president Jeff Andrews said in a statement on Thursday. “We’re encouraged by the progress he’s making, but we have to prioritize his health above all else. It’s obviously frustrating for him because he’s a competitor and wants to be in the race car, especially at his home track. We’ll continue to support Alex and look forward to his return as soon as he’s medically cleared.”

Hendrick Motorsports added that it will request a medical waiver to allow Bowman to remain eligible for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series championship.

Alfredo, 26, performs extensive simulator testing for Hendrick Motorsports and Chevrolet and has 210 NASCAR national series starts, including 43 at the Cup level.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alex Bowman injury update for NASCAR Phoenix after vertigo diagnosis

Seahawks linked to 1,023-yard Super Bowl champion RB as Kenneth Walker replacement originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Seattle Seahawks are in a precarious spot with their superstar running back, Kenneth Walker III. He's a free agent and might depart after winning Super Bowl MVP.

In a free agent and draft class without great running backs, Walker is the clear top option, and surely on his way to a massive contract this offseason. That's bad news for Seattle, as he might be out of their price range.

However, the Seahawks could instead turn to a different running back named Kenneth in free agency. ESPN's Ben Solak named Pittsburgh Steelers free agent Kenneth Gainwell as a great target for the Seahawks this offseason to replace Walker.

Seahawks linked to Kenneth Gainwell to replace Kenneth Walker

"Gainwell seems like a great complement to Jordan Mason in Minnesota or Charbonnet in Seattle," Solak writes.

While the Minnesota Vikings might be a suitor for Gainwell this offseason, if he were to get the same offer, Seattle would be the better landing spot by a wide margin.

Going from one Kenneth to another would be a fun offseason storyline, but regarding their on-field production, it would be a smart move for the Seahawks.

Gainwell will cost significantly less than Walker this offseason, but he brings enough juice to the offense that he might not be a terrible replacement.

Last year for the Steelers, Gainwell ran for 537 yards and five touchdowns on 114 carries. That was around half of what Walker had last season.

More: Kenneth Walker III poised for big payday after Breece Hall's franchise tag

However, Gainwell's work comes through as a receiver. He caught 73 of 85 targets last season, going for 486 yards and three touchdowns.

Overall, Gainwell totaled 1,023 yards from scrimmage and eight total touchdowns. While not as good as Walker last year, it's good enough that he's worth taking a chance on.

He also had Super Bowl experience with the Philadelphia Eagles, putting together some solid plays during their two recent Super Bowl runs in 2022 and 2024.

If the Seahawks are looking for a good running back to replace Walker, going with Gainwell would be a smart choice. He's a good dual-threat running back and would be a nice pairing with Charbonnet next year.

More Seahawks news:

• Jake Bobo let go after Super Bowl run
• Rashid Shaheed projected to land $30 million contract in free agency
• Kenneth Walker III not franchise tagged, will hit free agency
• David Montgomery being traded to Texans makes RB market very expensive for Seattle
• Rashid Shaheed might join Klint Kubiak in leaving Seattle for Raiders
• Alontae Taylor would be perfect free agent CB to pair with Devon Witherspoon
• 49ers WR Jauan Jennings projected to sign with Seahawks

Bobby Moorehead carries a sort of quiet intensity. He’s not boisterous, he doesn’t stomp his feet on the sideline or hoot and holler.

But spend any time around the former University of Montana hooper — now second-year Bellarmine Prep boys basketball coach — and a few things become clear: there’s a seriousness there, an edge. There are few things he demands from his teams.

“You’ve gotta be tough,” he said. “You’ve gotta have grit. To me, there’s nothing more embarrassing than a loose ball being on the floor and us not being there first. To me, that’s what it’s all about.

“There’s a lot of people who just don’t want to compete. In life, in basketball, in everything, they just don’t want to compete. So for us, that’s an easy way to put ourselves at an advantage.”

Moorehead, who is a 2015 graduate of Tacoma’s Stadium High School, is quickly establishing himself as one of the elite coaches in Washington’s 3A classification.

He took Bellarmine to the 3A state tournament quarterfinals in his first season and this winter, has Bellarmine Prep in the state tournament semifinals after a 68-40 win over Edmonds-Woodway in the quarterfinals at the Tacoma Dome on Thursday.

This year’s team mirrors his coaching identity: tough, defensive-minded, scrappy.

“We love it,” senior forward Ben Heisel told The News Tribune after Thursday’s win. “(Moorehead) pushes us in practice, defense. In the game, we’ve gotta play defense. Work hard, play defense.”

Moorehead, easy to spot on the sideline at 6-foot-7, was the 4A Narrows League MVP in his senior season at Stadium, when he averaged 26.5 points and 11 rebounds. At Montana, he appeared in a school-record 134 games, including 79 starts. He started all 69 games over his final two seasons and scored 764 points during his college career.

After college, he worked as an assistant under now-retired Curtis coach Tim Kelly, part of a coaching staff that coached the Vikings to back-to-back 4A state titles with McDonald’s All-American and UW signee Zoom Diallo (now playing for UW) leading the charge.

Moorehead said his coaching philosophy is a culmination of both his playing and coaching career.

“I think you take stuff from every stop you’re at,” he said. “I had coaches in high school, so I take things from those days. I take a lot from my Montana days, obviously. We had a lot of success when I was at Montana, so there’s things that I thought were gonna translate.

“And then obviously at the high school level, learning what it means to be successful with Tim (Kelly). … learning a lot from a guy who is in my opinion, maybe the best coach in Washington history.”

The results have been immediate at Bellarmine Prep. The state semifinals appearance this season is the furthest Bellarmine has advanced in the bracket since 2012. Prior to his arrival, the program’s last state tournament appearance came in 2018.

To Bellarmine coach athletic director Kevin Meines, Moorehead has been the perfect fit for the private school that values community.

“He’s good at relationship building, connecting with the players, Meines said. “We’re a relational school.”

After seven seasons in charge, Fayetteville (Ark.) head football coach Casey Dick has resigned, according a report by the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Dick is expected to take a coaching position at Rockwall-Heath (Texas), per the report. Dick is a former Arkansas quarterback and has been at helm of Fayetteville since 2019.

In 2025, the Bulldogs went 7-5 but still finished as the No. 10 team in the Natural State, according to the Rivals Composite Rankings. Fayetteville has consistently been one of the top programs in Arkansas and is not far removed from a state championship.

Under Dick, Fayetteville went 55-28, per MaxPreps. The Bulldogs won it all in 2023, going a perfect 13-0. They had just one losing season under the former Razorbacks signal-caller.

Rockwall-Heath is coming off an 8-4 year in 2025. Last month, Hawks head coach Rodney Webb announced his retirement, resigning after spending the last three seasons in charge. They ended the year as the No. 38 team in Texas.

Dick is from Allen, Texas, less than a hour from Rockwall-Heath on the outskirts of the Dallas metro. He committed to Arkansas in May of 2004 and played for the SEC program from 2005-08.

This story will be updated.

How to Follow Arkansas High School Football

For Arkansas high school football fans, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the state, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the gridiron excitement in the Natural State.

Casemiro is expected to leave Manchester United this summer, and one player who could perfectly replace him is Sandro Tonali.

The Newcastle United midfielder clearly has everything required to fill the Samba Star‘s void.

Much like the United number 18, the Italian is physically imposing and defensively disciplined. He is combative, wins duels, recovers possession effectively, and is an excellent ball carrier—qualities that give any side control and stability.

That was plain to see on Wednesday night. Newcastle were reduced to ten men after Jacob Ramsey’s dismissal, yet the Magpies never stopped fighting, snatching a 2-1 win over United.

Truthfully, though, it was Tonali who kept them looking so composed despite the disadvantage.

The 25-year-old was everywhere, controlling the tempo, breaking down United’s attacks, and knowing precisely when to pass and when to press. He was so impressive.

Should United manage to strike a deal for his services, he would clearly offer them the balance and defensive foundation they so badly need. As the Old Trafford faithful wait to see whether a move for the Newcastle star materialises, Tonali may already have dropped a telling transfer hint.

Tonali drops transfer hint

Speaking after the win over United, Tonali was asked whether he would like to step into the leadership role vacated by Jamaal Lascelles ahead of next season. Lascelles, who served as Newcastle’s captain, left in the January window to join Leicester City.

Hinting strongly at his desire to remain at St James’ Park, the United summer target admitted he would love to fill the void the defender left behind.

On the matter, Tonali said as per Chronicle Live:

“Yeah, of course. We are a bit different because Jamaal was a great leader, he spoke every week, every game to our team, to every player.

“He was great with everybody, and alone in the private meetings — and really was a bit different to me. It would be a little bit tough because it’s not my first language, but I will try. I try to do my best. I try to help every player on the pitch. And I think this should be for every player, not just for me.”

Such a candid admission will, for many, cast doubt over any hopes of Tonali leaving Tyneside this summer. Indeed, it strongly suggests he still sees himself as part of the project at Newcastle.

Anything can happen though

Even so, the transfer market is rarely straightforward, and nothing is ever truly certain. With United determined to strengthen their midfield with top-quality options, they will likely push hard for their primary targets.

Furthermore, with Newcastle at risk of missing out on European football, they may yet need to sanction a high-profile departure to avoid falling into a difficult financial position. And perhaps that is precisely what keeps United’s hopes of landing Tonali very much alive.

Feature image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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Elimination Chamber is over, which means we're one step closer to WrestleMania 42. With just weeks to go before the big show, there's a lot of conversation about the things the WWE is doing right, and a lot more about what it's doing wrong. To touch on something about the former, I feel like they ultimately righted the ship with Danhausen.

Admittedly, scheduling his debut during the PLE might've been a misstep, but after just one Monday Night Raw, I can tell I'm going to enjoy seeing Danhausen throughout the rest of the 2026 TV schedule. In the wake of criticism about all the things the wrestling company is doing wrong, here's why scouting people like Danhausen is the right call.

The WWE Needs More Wrestlers Like Danhausen Who Can Get Over Without Championships

The WWE currently has the most talented main roster it's had in decades. From heavyweight to luchadors, the men's and women's division is chock full of technical wrestlers ready to prove they can be the top stars for the company. As such, I feel like everyone has a persona where they want to be seen as a future champion, which creates (for lack of a better term) very generic characters.

Name a WWE wrestler who would best be described as a bad ass who never gives up and will do whatever it takes to win, and you could probably attribute that to 90% of the roster. I don't necessarily blame talent for being "vanilla" with their characters, either, as who wouldn't after hearing what Michael Hayes said about Chelsea Green on WWE: Unreal?

In front of cameras on a show the world would see with their Netflix subscription, the creative figurehead said Green's character is entertaining, but not necessarily built to be a top WWE performer. Hayes later tried to walk it back, but it's clear enough by looking at who is at the top that the WWE wants its top competitors to look and act a certain way.

As such, a guy like Danhausen is not going to be in the WWE's main event. The good thing is, it seems like he's fine with that, and is content to use his gimmick to sell merchandise, do comedy bits, have feuds, and maybe once in a blue moon get a title. To me, his value to WWE right now eclipses other mid-carders looking for that chance to push to the next level, and helps him stand out in a way that, frankly, many recent returners to the brand haven't.

Danhausen Also Fills The WWE's Need For Wrestlers With Interesting Gimmicks

Remember when Kit Wilson got hot seemingly out of nowhere recently? People were pissed he wasn't in the Royal Rumble, when the guy hasn't stood out as a singles performer since Pretty Deadly joined the main roster in 2023. It wasn't because he suddenly upped his game and became a better performer than he was already; it was because he got a great theme song and a fun new gimmick.

The same is true with Danhausen, who already seems to be doing well with merchandise numbers, according to NoDQ. I believe the WWE audience is dying for more creativity when it comes to characters, and need something more than "tough wrestler who never gives up challenges other tough wrestler who also never gives up."

The fact of the matter is, the WWE needs more Danhausens than it does Cody Rhodeses at the moment. There's only so much room at the top, but there's plenty of room elsewhere for wrestlers to get over if they make the effort. Great character work and winning over the crowd is a necessary step, and he's already off to a great start.

I can't wait to see more of Danhausen in the WWE and see where his run goes. As someone who loved what I saw of him in AEW, I'm expecting his upcoming appearances to be "very evil" and "very nice."

Ravens urged to sign sack monster for Jesse Minter originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Baltimore Ravens' offseason checklist has a lot of in-house things in need of fixing, most notably Lamar Jackson's contract.

But there are other things the franchise has to do for new head coach Jesse Minter, and one is get him some new faces into the building.

With Baltimore's defense set for an overhaul with Minter as the play-caller, getting him some nice weapons in free agency or the draft is a good avenue to go down.

But who could the Ravens target? 

Sports Illustrated's Gilberto Manzano has listed Denver Broncos lineman John Franklin-Myers.

"The Ravens could be without defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, who’s contemplating retirement after sustaining a significant neck injury," Manzano wrote. "Franklin-Myers, who had 7.5 sacks in 2025, could help fill the potential void as a versatile defensive lineman who can play inside and on the edge. He flourished under the guidance of Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph for the past two seasons."

MORE:Why Bills WR issues aren't fixed with DJ Moore trade

Is Franklin-Myers the answer?

He's an answer, not "the" answer.

But coming off a career-best season in Denver, notching 7.5 sacks, Franklin-Myers could add some nice juice to Baltimore's pass rush.

Plus, he would be a cheap option, with Spotrac.com having his market value set at just $7.9 million APY.

Part of a defensive rotation in Denver that was one of the best in football, the Ravens could do with some quality defensive play at cost, and Franklin-Myers could give Minter that.

Baltimore needs defensive help, and getting Franklin-Myers would be a shrewd move for the franchise.

More NFL news:

• Chiefs solve 1 problem in cutting Super Bowl champion, but create another
• Patriots' $26 million WR named as cut candidate
• Buccaneers might already have ideal Mike Evans replacement
• ESPN poses intriguing question to Vikings over J.J. McCarthy's future
• Analyst proposes Cardinals ship Kyler Murray off to intriguing AFC team
• Door definitely not shut on Eagles trading Super Bowl champion
• Bills offered superb Keon Coleman escape route involving 25-TD WR

The San Francisco 49ers are adding an experienced defensive mind to their coaching staff for the 2026 NFL season.

The 49ers are hiring former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus to serve as the team's assistant head coach of defense, according to NFL Media's Tom Pelissero.

Eberflus' hiring comes after the 49ers lost a couple of high-profile defensive coaches during the 2026 NFL offseason. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh was hired to coach the Tennessee Titans; he then took former Jacksonville Jaguars coach Gus Bradley – who spent the 2025 season as San Francisco's assistant head coach of defense – along to be his defensive coordinator.

Eberflus will assume the post vacated by Bradley. He will work alongside 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris – who previously coached the Atlanta Falcons – to improve a San Francisco stop unit that ranked 25th in defensive EPA per play in 2025, per the NFL's Next Gen Stats, and recorded a league-low 20 sacks.

Eberflus is joining the 49ers after a one-year stint with the Cowboys. The 55-year-old's stop unit struggled during his lone season in that role, allowing a league-worst 30.1 points per game, ranking dead last in defensive EPA per play and leading to his firing at season's end.

Prior to his stopover in Dallas, Eberflus spent parts of three seasons as the Chicago Bears' coach. He posted just a 14-32 record across 46 games before being fired after a Thanksgiving loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 13 of the 2024 NFL season. He made ignominious history as the first Bears head coach to ever be fired in-season.

Before joining the Bears, Eberflus enjoyed a solid stint with the Indianapolis Colts. He coached three top-10 scoring defenses across four seasons, while his opportunistic units always ranked top 10 in takeaways.

The 49ers will be hoping that version of Eberflus shows up to help fill the holes left by the departures of Saleh and Bradley.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ex-Cowboys DC Matt Eberflus joining 49ers coaching staff

While it's been reported for weeks, the news became official for the Houston Texans on Thursday morning.

Texans defensive line coach Rod Wright was officially promoted to defensive run game coordinator, while senior offensive assistant Jerry Schuplinski was promoted to quarterbacks coach. Both moves were reported last month following the departures of tight end coach Jake Moreland and quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson.

Schuplinsk, a John Carroll University graduate, was considered the right-hand man to Nick Caley last season following the move over from the Los Angeles Rams. He has also coached quarterbacks with the New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins and New York Giants, including working with seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady.

Former New York Giants assistant offensive line coach James Ferentz was named as the team's tight ends coach, while Tiquan Underwood was added as the new assistant receivers coach. Both previously spent time in the NFL, with Ferntz starting for the Patriots while also serving as a member of the Texans' practice squad.

Houston also Taylor Embree, Alex Ward and Cole Weeks as offensive assistants and Jay Simpson and Mark Sheridan as defensive assistants.

Here's a look at the entire coaching staff for the 2026 season ahead of the start of the new league year.

The #Texans announced their new coaching staff. One unreported move was the addition of assistant wide receivers coach Tiquan Underwood.

Rod Wright also had defensive run game coordinator added to his title. pic.twitter.com/pxieXMdMtY

— Jonathan M Alexander (@jonmalexander) March 5, 2026

The Texans begin free agency on March 11.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans finalize 2026 coaching staff, including two internal promotions

Between the Class 4A and 3A girls state tournaments, 30 high school basketball games will be played in the Tacoma Dome this weekend. The News Tribune will be at all of them, providing game recaps, highlights, interviews, stats and more.

Follow along for live updates from Thursday’s quarterfinals:

CLASS 4A

Quarterfinals

No. 11 Kennedy Catholic 62, No. 5 Gonzaga Prep 52

If you’ve never heard the name Jayden Fitzgerald before or seen her play, the first time you watch you may be tempted to look at your program for more information on the standout guard.

That number 10 next to her grade in school is not a mistake.

The sophomore may be young and she may be small in stature, but the 5-foot-5 point guard is filling up the stat sheet and has the No. 11 Crusaders one game away from the 4A state championship game.

Fitzgerald scored a game-high 32 points to lead the Crusaders to a 65-52 victory over No. 5 Gonzaga Prep in Thursday’s quarterfinals.

“That’s Jayden Fitzgerald,” Kennedy Catholic head coach Michael Brooks said. “She’s the leader of our team. She’s humble. She’s the hardest worker. And she puts people in places to be successful. We’re blessed to be able to have her as our point guard. She makes everybody better and it’s a fun thing to witness. She doesn’t need the acclaim. She just wants to play as hard as she can and have everyone play that hard with her.

“It’s just cool to watch a 15-year-old be able to play that way.”

Fitzgerald led the Crusaders scoring attack in Wednesday’s loser-out win over No. 3 Chiawana with 15, but shot just 3 of 13 from the field and nine of those 15 points came from the free-throw line.

Fitzgerald shot a much better percentage on Thursday, finishing 11-for-23 from the field, including 2-for-3 from three-point range.

“They couldn’t stay in front of me, so (I) was just attacking every time,” Fitzgerald said.

The Crusaders (19-7) entered the tournament as the No. 11 seed, but that is nothing more than a number to Fitzgerald and her teammates.

“It doesn’t mean anything to us,” she said. “We expected to be in this spot.”

Kennedy led 49-46 after three quarters, but outscored the Bullpups (22-2) 16-6 in the final quarter to pull away.

“We just knew we could do it,” Fitzgerald said. “We were just being aggressive and we had to rebound. We had that stretch where we couldn’t rebound, so just rebounding.”

Fitzgerald credited rebounding with helping the Crusaders pull away. Brooks praised his team’s defensive effort and their effort on the boards.

“Being able to play man and zone and having a team that can battle and do different things, it really helps us out,” Brooks said. “We were forcing them to take some tough shots. And then rebounding. Once we were able to establish our rebounding presence, that allowed us to get out in transition.”

Kennedy Catholic will play defending state champion and top-seed Davis at 3:45 p.m. Friday with the winner of that game heading to the state championship game on Saturday.

“It’s probably going to be our hardest game,” Fitzgerald said. “But we can show up and give a battle, so we’re just all going to show up and do that for each other.”

No. 1 Davis 76, No. 10 Lake Stevens 56

The top-ranked Pirates rolled past the Vikings to return to the semifinals for a third straight season on Thursday.

Davis (22-2), which won the title in 2025, was led in scoring by junior Isa Garcia, who finished with 24 points, shooting 10-for-20 from the field and making four 3s.

“She played her normal game,” Davis head coach Akil White said. “She’s an underrated kid.

While Garcia led the team in scoring, fellow junior Cheyenne Hull had the most impressive stat line. She almost quietly finished with 22 points, 18 rebounds and seven assists.

“I think the bigger picture is just the score (of the game), Hull said. “The rebounding is kind of my biggest thing, like just get boards no matter what. When I know some people are making shots, I’ll go clean it up and get it back to them. I’m just kind of worried about playing defense. I’m not really paying attention to my (scoring).”

Hull and Garcia were joined in double-digit scoring by junior Kobe Johnson (12) and senior Deets Parrish (10).

The Pirates will play No. 11 Kennedy Catholic at 3:45 p.m. on Friday for a spot in the state championship game.

UP NEXT

No. 6 Lake Washington vs. No. 4 Woodinville, 12:15 p.m.

No. 8 Sumner vs. No. 2 Union, 2 p.m.

CLASS 3A

Quarterfinals

No. 11 Lakeside vs. No. 4 Roosevelt, 3:45 p.m.

No. 7 Evergreen vs. No. 1 Bellevue, 5:30 p.m.

No. 12 White River vs. No. 6 Eastside Catholic, 7:15 p.m.

No. 9 Stanwood vs. No. 2 Snohomish, 9 p.m.

After hiring a new head coach and offensive coordinator, the New York Giants are looking to upgrade their receiving corps this offseason. Wan’Dale Robinson is coming off a career year where he recorded over 1,000 receiving yards, but now the 25-year-old is set for free agency, and one cap-rich team already has their eyes set on him.

Meanwhile, Malik Nabers is recovering from a torn ACL. Whether the Giants retain Robinson or not, they could look to add to their core group of receivers, which also features Darius Slayton. If the Giants do add to their receiver room, they could swing for the fences to really give 2025 first-round quarterback Jaxson Dart something to work with.

According to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, one player who could be on the Giants’ radar in free agency is Mike Evans. The six-time Pro Bowl receiver could still return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a 13th season. Yet, if he leaves, the Giants and several other teams could be in play. Jones reports Evans’ salary demands could even reach the $25 million range, but he may ultimately sign for less.

Evans and Hall of Fame legend Jerry Rice are the only two players to record a 1,000-yard season for 11 years in a row. Last year was the first time Evans missed the mark, but he also played in a career-low eight games due to injury.

Thus, if the 32-year-old can’t return to full form, those considering paying him in the $20-25 million range could eventually have buyer’s remorse. On the other hand, missing out on a potential future Hall of Famer who’s been one of the NFL’s most consistent performers could cause plenty of regrets too.

Related: 3 Free Agent Receivers Who Should Be On The New York Giants’ Radar

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A pair of Bismarck natives will be the 51st and 52nd recipients of the North Dakota Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award, the highest commendation that can be given to the state’s citizens. 

Gov. Kelly Armstrong announced Thursday he selected Troy Steiner and Terry Steiner, twin brothers born and raised in Bismarck, for the award to honor their work as athletes, coaches and mentors. 

“The names Troy and Terry Steiner are legendary in the wrestling world, carrying a well-earned reputation of excellence not only in North Dakota but on both the national and international stage,” Armstrong said. 

The brothers have enjoyed individual success at every level. They began by winning a collective five state titles as students at Bismarck Century High School, together received seven All-American honors and an NCAA championship apiece while at the University of Iowa, and each enjoyed success at the 1996 Pan-American Games and numerous other national and international competitions.

Scheel recognized for joy, vision, success through North Dakota Rough Rider Award

“The people in the community of Bismarck and the state of North Dakota have lifted us up from the very beginning, and we are forever grateful,” Terry Steiner said in a statement. “Our North Dakota roots and the nurturing community that we grew up in allowed us to grow, flourish and succeed in our athletic, professional and personal lives.”

While the brothers spent their youth collecting accolade after accolade, Armstrong said their greatest mark on the wrestling world has come through coaching.

Terry, the head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Wrestling Team since 2002, has coached five of the six women who have been inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. He’s led the women’s freestyle team in six Olympic Games and has coached the United States’ first Olympic champion in women’s wrestling, Helen Maroulis, as well as the youngest American Olympic wrestling champion, Amit Elor. 

Troy, the head coach at the Gopher Wrestling Club in Minneapolis, coaches aspirational world and Olympic wrestlers. He has held coaching roles at a host of major Division I programs including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Oregon State and Fresno State.

“As competitors, coaches and mentors, Terry and Troy have built a legacy that continues to elevate North Dakota and strengthen the sport of wrestling for future generations,” Armstrong said.

First North Dakotan to fly in space awarded state’s top honor

The brothers thanked Armstrong for the selection and the people of North Dakota for helping them become who they are today.

“Growing up in North Dakota shaped who we are in every area of our lives. The values of hard work, humility, faith and community were not just taught – they were lived,” Troy Steiner said in a statement. 

The Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award honors present and former North Dakotans who have achieved national recognition in their chosen fields. The award was first established in 1961. 

North Dakota Secretary of State Michael Howe and State Historical Society Director Bill Peterson concurred with Armstrong’s choice to bestow the awards. 

The awards will be presented at a ceremony in Bismarck this fall.

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Orioles' Pete Alonso projected to do this for just the fourth time in his career originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

After spending seven seasons with the New York Mets, Pete Alonso will now be moving to the American League. He struck a deal with the Baltimore Orioles for a five-year, $155 million contract. 

They needed a little more power, and Alonso also helps balance out what was a lefty-heavy lineup. He also provides durability, playing in all 162 regular-season games over the past two seasons. 

He will be tasked with being Baltimore's primary first baseman, but could see some time at DH to give his legs a bit of rest. This leaves Ryan Mountcastle as the odd man out and could be traded at any point ahead of the deadline. 

MORE: Orioles trade proposal lands former $56 million Cy Young, sends six-year veteran starter and slugging corner infielder to Marlins

Orioles' Pete Alonso projected to do this for just the fourth time in his career

For Pete Alonso, he does not have too many problems crushing balls over the fence. He has immense power and has been a lock to hit at least 37 home runs.

The only time he did not eclipse that mark was during the 2020 season, when there were only 60 games. 

According to ESPN, he comes into the new season ranked as the 30th-best player across MLB. and with the switch to Camden Yards, Jorge Castillo believes Alonso will take full advantage. 

"Season prediction: Alonso exploits the hitter-friendly conditions at Camden Yards for his [fourth] 40-home run season and partners with Henderson to create one of the best one-two punches of any lineup in the majors."

Castillo believes that Alonso will have a 40-homer season, which would be the fourth of his career. The last time he did this was back in 2023 when he finished with 46. 

On top of that, Castillo suggests he and Henderson could combine to be an elite combination this season. 

If this comes true, Baltiore could be the team to beat in the AL East.

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• MLB analyst projects Junior Caminero's offensive numbers to take a dip
• This Ketel Marte prediction could be bad news for Diamondbacks fans
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• The historic home run milestone Jackson Merrill is chasing in his third season

After 11 excellent seasons playing professionally in Japan, Kazuma Okamoto is about to get a far broader exposure to global baseball fans.

Okamoto will make his second appearance for Japan’s World Baseball Classic squad, expected to start on the infield three years after he drove in seven runs in seven games of their 2023 run to the championship.

This time, though, far more eyes will be trained upon him now that he’s a member of the defending American League champion Toronto Blue Jays.

Fair or not, there’s a greater scrutiny for international players once a major league team and salary figure have been assigned. And as Okamoto’s arrival unfolds this March, here’s a closer look at him:

Kazuma Okamoto contract

Okamoto signed a four-year, $60 million contract with the Blue Jays Jan. 4, one day before his posting window to join a major league team expired. He received a $5 million signing bonus and $6 million this season, before earning $16 million the final three years of the deal.

Relative to superstars like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the market for Japanese talent wasn’t red-hot this year. Yet Okamoto did secure a far larger guarantee than the two-year, $34 million commitment infielder Munetaka Murakami received from the Chicago White Sox, and similar to the three-year, $54 million pact pitcher Tatsuya Imai struck with Houston.

Kazuma Okamoto statistics

Okamoto turns 30 in June and has already produced a distinguished career in the NPB. He debuted with the Yomiuri Giants in 2015, when he was 19 years old, and hit 248 homers over 11 seasons. His best all-around season came in 2023, when he hit 41 homers and produced a .958 OPS for Yomiuri, banging out 140 hits in 140 games. He led the NPB in home runs three times and is a six-time All-Star.

Okamoto, a right-handed hitter, had a career .355 OBP and .882 OPS in the NPB.

Kazuma Okamoto scouting report

While his Grapefruit League spring sample is small and should be properly contextualized, five of Okamoto’s seven batted balls have exceeded 95 mph exit velocity, including a 103.4 mph homer hit off New York Mets starter Clay Holmes that traveled 431 feet. He also hit a 104.9 mph double off Marlins lefty Thomas White before departing Florida to join Japan at the WBC.

At 6 feet and 212 pounds, Okamoto brings a physical presence to the batter’s box, combining broad shoulders and quick hands. Like many hitters, he punishes fastballs and may face an initial adjustment period against the more exotic offerings of polished major league pitchers.

Still, his on-base skills and general discipline at the plate should travel well and he’s young and athletic enough to adeptly handle defensive duties at third.

What’s Kazuma Okamoto’s role with the Blue Jays?

Okamoto will be the Blue Jays’ starting third baseman, essentially replacing Bo Bichette, the All-Star who accepted a $42 million annual salary with the Mets. Okamoto’s presence will likely bump Ernie Clement to second base – paired across from shortstop Andrés Giménez – and Addison Barger into right field.

The Okamoto-Bichette swap will certainly affect the Blue Jays’ lineup composition, as Bichette largely batted leadoff or occasionally cleanup. Okamoto’s right-handed bat enables the Jays to keep a right-left-right cadence one through nine in most lineups, as he figures to bat seventh, sandwiched between left fielder Jesus Sanchez and Giménez.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kazuma Okamoto WBC for Japan: Blue Jays slugger's stats, contract info

Lance McCutcheon finished the 2025 NFL season on the Tennessee Titans’ practice squad, three years and 2,000 miles removed from the site of his last time under the lights in a regular-season game.

McCutcheon was released by the Titans on Jan. 12. Wednesday, he decided to call it a career.

MORE:Bears’ $42 million Pro Bowler to retire at 27: report

“I just wanted to take the time to thank everyone who has played a part in this process,” McCutcheon wrote in a post to his Instagram account. “I couldn’t have accomplished anything that I did or made it where I did without the help from so many different people. The list of thanks that are owed is never ending, so THANK YOU to everyone out there that helped me accomplish my dream of playing in the NFL.

McCutcheon’s career was highlighted by 10 games with the Los Angeles Rams in 2022. He did not catch a single pass in limited playing time.

McCutcheon latched on with the Rams after going undrafted out of Montana State University. After being released by Los Angeles in August 2023, he bounced around the league, his exposure limited to the practice squad and preseason games.

McCutcheon played for or practiced with the Houston Texans (2023), New York Jets (2023-24), Pittsburgh Steelers (2024-25) and Titans (2025).

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The post Former Rams wide receiver announces immediate retirement from NFL at 27 appeared first on The Big Lead.

There’s a watershed moment that still sticks with Wild general manager Bill Guerin however many years later. He was working for the Pittsburgh Penguins at the time. They were trying to bolster their roster ahead of the stretch run.

That sparked an internal debate about whether it was worth giving up a third-round pick at the trade deadline. The rebuttal from longtime Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford was the stuff of legend.

“That third-round pick better be a pretty good (expletive) player,” he said.

Though it should be noted that Guerin didn’t specify the particulars of the move itself, the Penguins traded a third-round pick to the Edmonton Oilers on Feb. 27, 2016 in exchange for defenseman Justin Schultz.

That successfully helped the Penguins shore up their blue line. They won the Stanley Cup a few months later.

That anecdote feels relevant when considering the sticker shock some people felt after the Wild traded a second-round pick to the Nashville Predators this week in exchange for center Michael McCarron.

The rhetoric in the immediate aftermath focused almost solely on what the Wild were giving up rather than what they were getting back. Not that Guerin seemed too concerned. He took a page out of his mentor’s book when asked about the cost of doing business, saying, “That second-round pick is not going to help us right now.”

It’s good to hear Guerin say that because that’s exactly how the Wild should be operating ahead of Friday afternoon’s NHL trade deadline. They shouldn’t be thinking about the future; not when they can accomplish so much in the present.

This is the first time in maybe forever that the Wild are legitimate contenders to win the Stanley Cup. The main objective for Guerin in the short term should be doing everything in his power to maximize the opportunity in front of him.

That logic should apply to any move — big or small — that could potentially help the Wild get over the hump.

Who cares that the Wild just traded a second-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft? It will be a small price to pay as long as the 6-foot-6, 230-pound McCarron can win some faceoffs and add some sandpaper to the bottom half of the lineup.

Those criticizing Guerin for what he gave up for McCarron probably couldn’t even name who the Wild selected with their second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. The answer is winger Ryder Ritchie, who currently plays for Boston University and is still years away from contributing at the highest level.

That underscores a larger issue that spans all sports: an obsession with the future that often blinds fans from enjoying the present.

A good example of that came a few months ago when the Wild acquired superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks. There were some people concerned at the time that Guerin had to part with young defenseman Zeev Buium to make it happen. Now that deal is proving to be the best trade in franchise history by a wide margin.

That doesn’t mean Guerin has been perfect. He made a blockbuster deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets a couple of years ago, for instance, that netted defenseman David Jiricek, the sixth overall pick in the 2022 draft. He’s currently toiling away in the minors.

That didn’t stop Guerin from taking another big swing when he had the chance. That might be his best quality as a decision maker. He puts himself in position to hit home runs because he isn’t afraid to strike out.

The biggest reason the Wild finally seem to be good enough to win the Stanley Cup is because they have trio of superstars in Hughes, winger Kirill Kaprizov, and winger Matt Boldy leading the way.

The next step for the Wild (36-16-10, 82 points) is rounding out the rest of their lineup. That will be of the utmost importance ahead of a silly NHL playoff format that makes likely they’ll have to play Central Division rivals Dallas (38-14-9, 85 points) and Colorado (41-10-9, 91 points) before even reaching the Western Conference Finals.

The addition of McCarron by himself likely isn’t going to be the difference between the Wild winning and losing a Stanley Cup. The fact that Guerin was willing to pull the trigger without fear might be.

Especially if it allows the Wild reel in another big fish.

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CHICAGO (AP) — When it comes to the Chicago Blackhawks and the NHL trade deadline, it's more about goodbye than hello.

Again.

Moving toward the end of another losing season, Chicago is selling ahead of Friday's 3 p.m. EST deadline. Defenseman Connor Murphy was traded to Edmonton on Monday, and forwards Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach were shipped to the Oilers on Wednesday.

“It’s disappointing that you can’t continue to hang together and keep growing together,” Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill said. “They were all real committed to the growth of this group. With that said, certainly happy for them to get the opportunity, especially in Murph and Dicky’s case, just because of the age they’re at, you don’t know how many opportunities you get for this.”

Chicago has made just one postseason appearance since 2017, and that was the expanded playoff format after the 2020 season was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. It finished last in the Central Division each of the previous three seasons.

Selling has become the norm for the Blackhawks this time of year.

“We all kind of knew that this was part of the plan going forward,” defenseman Alex Vlasic said. "If anything, like I kind of said earlier, it is a little bit more sad just to kind of lose some of your buddies potentially.

“We talked about it as a team. We want to become a team where we're not losing anybody, we're keeping the guys that we have in here.”

Captain Nick Foligno and speedy forward Ilya Mikheyev, a terrific penalty killer, also could be on the move before Friday's deadline. The 38-year-old Foligno is in his third season with Chicago, and the 31-year-old Mikheyev is in his second year with the team.

Foligno has had some conversations about his future with general manager Kyle Davidson.

“As of right now, I'm a Chicago Blackhawk, so I'm fully invested in what we're doing,” Foligno said after practice on Thursday. “But have obviously had that honest conversation and we'll see where it goes.”

Chicago received a 2028 second-round pick in the Murphy deal, and it obtained veteran forward Andrew Mangiapane and a conditional first-round selection in the 2027 draft in Wednesday's trade. The first-round choice is top-12 protected.

Following the two deals, the Blackhawks have a total of nine picks in the first two rounds over the next two years. They drafted 11 players in the first round alone over the previous four years.

Chicago's development pipeline continues to hold the keys when it comes to the team returning to contention at some point. But the Blackhawks (23-28-10) still have 21 games left this season, beginning with Friday night's matchup with Vancouver.

Mangiapane, who turns 30 on April 4, had seven goals and seven assists in 52 games this season for Edmonton after agreeing to a $7.2 million, two-year deal with the Oilers. He was in the minors at the time of the trade.

“He gets an opportunity to have a clean slate here,” Blashill said. “He’s been a good player in this league. He’ll get an opportunity to be a good player here.”

While it's unclear if Mangiapane will be available against the Canucks, defenseman Wyatt Kaiser is expected to return after being sidelined by a lower-body injury. Defenseman Kevin Korchinski was assigned to Rockford of the AHL on Thursday.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL

Logan Paul caused a stir when he challenged NFL players to a fight. The former YouTuber hasn’t stepped into the ring in more than two years, but he is confident that nobody in the league can beat him.

On Tuesday, Tom Brady joined former teammate Rob Gronkowski for a workout session. The seven-time Super Bowl winner didn’t hold back on Paul. The WWE superstar responded with a challenge to NFL players, putting $1 million on the table to whoever wants to fight him.

MORE: Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears DJ Moore trade compensation finalized

“Not a single football player could beat me in a boxing match, that is on God,” Paul said. “I would throttle Myles Garrett. … Myles Garrett, Puka Nacua, Tom Brady, Sam Darnold, doesn’t matter. A million dollars, you come to the gym, you put up boxing gloves, we see how it goes. There’s levels to this.”

On Thursday, Buffalo Bills star Dion Dawkins responded to Paul’s challenge. Dawkins shared a series of videos of himself in the ring and an edited photo showing him knocking out Paul.

“Sure sure why not poke the bear @LoganPaul #YouAlreadyShnow,” Dawkins tweeted.

MORE: Logan Paul offers $1M to any NFL player who can beat him in a fight

Tom Brady called Logan Paul the B-word as feud escalates

Amid a feud between NFL players and WWE stars, Tom Brady sent a strong message to Logan Paul. The New England Patriots legend didn’t hold back on Paul and called him the B-word during a viral video.

“Logan Paul is a b*tch,” Brady said. “Just say he’s a b*tch. Come play with the big boys… You’re lucky you won’t get hit.”

These two will clash on the field for a football game. Perhaps this back-and-forth is just a marketing strategy, but it seems to be working. Now things could get physical between Paul and Dawkins, one of the best linemen in the NFL.

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The post Buffalo Bills star responds to Logan Paul $1M challenge appeared first on The Big Lead.

Liverpool will face off against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Molineux Stadium this Friday night as they look to secure a good result on the road in the FA Cup. The Reds suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Wolves in the Premier League recently, so they would be eager to exact some revenge by picking up the win this week.

Arne Slot will set his men up in a 4-2-3-1 formation and is expected to make some changes to his first team for this cup clash. Both Curtis Jones and Joe Gomez could play from the start of this game.

4-2-3-1 Liverpool Predicted Lineup To Face Wolves

Defence

Alisson Becker will operate in between the sticks for the Reds after shipping in two goals in his last outing. Ibrahima Konate will operate alongside Virgil Van Dijk at the heart of the Liverpool backline as they try to keep the opposition at bay during the game.

Joe Gomez will fill in as the right-back, while Milos Kerkez looks to catch the eye on the other side as the left-back. Both of them will have to pick and choose their moments to join in on the attack.

Jeremie Frimpong and Andy Robertson will offer cover for the full-back positions on the bench.

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – MARCH 03: Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, looks on before the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool at Molineux on March 03, 2026 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Midfield

Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch will probably get the nod to anchor the midfield for the Merseyside club as they focus on winning the 50-50 battles at the centre of the park.

The talented trio of Cody Gakpo, Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah could play just ahead of them as part of Slot’s attack. All three of them need to combine well if the Reds are to earn a convincing win at the Molineux this Friday night.

Rio Ngumoha and Alexis Mac Allister will have to settle for a place on the bench and might come on to influence the game in the second half if needed.

Attack

Hugo Ekitike will lead the line for the Reds up top. He would be eager to get his name on the scoresheet versus Wolves this week after failing to do so in his last outing.

Federico Chiesa will have to be content with a spot on the bench as he waits for his chance to make an impact in the final quarter if the Reds are in need of a goal by then.

To begin, an obvious statement: cutting RT1 Brian O’Neill would be an unexpected decision. Foolish, even. What can’t be completely dismissed, though, is the possibility even if there’s greater than a 99% chance he sticks around.

The Vikings have been making a variety of moves to get the finances in order. Most notably, there have been the decisions to move out DT Javon Hargrave (who doesn’t appear pleased), DT Jonathan Allen, and RB Aaron Jones. All good players who were moving toward beefy cap charges within a snug Minnesota budget. Even more fascinating is that EDGE1 Jonathan Greenard is said to be on the trade market, revealing that Minnesota’s front office isn’t scared of being bold.

The Vikings Have the Capacity to Cut Brian O’Neill for Huge Savings

Best case is an extension for Mr. O’Neill.

The 2nd-Round selection from 2018 is a fantastic athlete. He got scooped up with the aim of bringing him along slowly, but he quickly proved capable of playing. Since his rookie season, O’Neill has been a mainstay on Minnesota’s offensive line. Portions of those Mike Zimmer years had O’Neill and not a ton else among the large lads protecting the passer.

If anyone in Minnesota has earned a chance to lift the Lombardi, it’s Brian O’Neill.

The starting right tackle is moving into the final year of his contract. Left untouched, O’Neill’s cap charge is going to hit the books at $23,115,657. O’Neill, without question, is worth the number. He’s quietly among the NFL’s foremost blockers. A problem does arise, though, upon considering the broader context of Minnesota’s cap.

Consider how much can be saved with the expected cuts. Rough estimates are used for simplicity:

• Javon Hargrave: $11 Million
• Aaron Jones: $7.75 Million
• Jonathan Allen: $6.5 Million

Combined, the Vikings are liberating above $25 million with these cuts. Good progress, to be sure, but not enough to handle the entire $46,675,553 deficit that’s showing up on OTC. A simple cut involving O’Neill would mean tossing an added $19,411,765 into the mix.

Are the Vikings tempted at all? Best guess: no, not at all. Much better would be to arrive at an extension.

Opting to adjust the Brian O’Neill contract by adding more years comes with a pair of benefits.

First, an extension allows Minnesota to continue employing the rugged, athletic lineman. He’s aging well, allowing him to continue playing strong football even as he climbs into his 30s.

Second, there’s the possibility of freeing more cap space. An extension has the potential to see $14,160,000 added back into the mix. Not as good as a cut, but that’s a nice financial windfall.

Pulling the extension lever rather than the cut lever appears obvious, but the Vikings have so far resisted doing so. Maybe conversations are happening behind the scenes.

Right or wrong, the Vikings aren’t punting on competing in 2026, so they’ll be hesitant about jettisoning high-end talent. That is, of course, unless there’s a clear plan to replace the departing talent. At OT, such a replacement plan doesn’t appear to be in place.

Per PFF, Mr. O’Neill allowed 2 sacks last season. So, too, did he get dinged with allowing 1 quarterback hit and 21 pressures. He was guilty of committing 6 penalties, something he’ll look to clean up moving forward.

At 6’7″ and 310 pounds, Brian O’Neill looks as though he was built in a lab to be an NFL offensive tackle. The team captain should remain.

Liverpool are now lining up what will be an insane £80m transfer, all to replace Andy Robertson.

After almost a decade as one of Liverpool’s most reliable performers, this summer could mark the end of Scottish international's time at Anfield.

Robertson's contract expires at the end of next season, and there has been little indication that a new deal is close. In fact the club even considered selling him for a fee in January to Tottenham, which suggests a departure is pretty much guaranteed on a free transfer come the summer.

Robertson's energy, leadership and attacking output made him one of the best left-backs in Europe for several seasons but there is no denying that his powers have faded in recent campaigns.

This summer feels like the right time to part ways, although he will be sorely missed. Not just for his quality on the pitch but for his character in the dressing room.

What Liverpool are planning to do to replace him though could end up being an insane transfer. The likes of which we haven't really seen at Anfield.

Even when the Reds spend big, it's always for calculated targets, who they believe in and who justify a massive price. However, the club's latest reported move does not fit into this category.

According to Sports Boom, Liverpool are ready to make a move for Federico Dimarco of Inter Milan if Robertson leaves the club.

The Italian international has developed into one of Europe’s most dangerous attacking full-backs during his time with Inter.

He has established himself as a brilliant crosser and creator, especially in Simone Inzaghi's clever tactical set-up, prior to him leaving the Italian giants.

At 28-years-old, he is entering his prime and already has experience competing at the highest level in both Serie A and European competition. Liverpool’s recruitment staff are believed to admire his attacking threat and ability to contribute goals and assists from wide areas.

Sorry Max, you’re not done just yet.

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will be holding its UFC 326 press conference later today, streaming LIVE at 8 p.m. ET in the embedded video above. Leading the charge will be UFC 326 headliners Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira, who collide for the Hawaiian’s “BMF” belt in the Paramount+ main event this Sat. night (March 7, 2026) inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Expect UFC CEO, Dana White, to field a few questions of his own.

Today’s UFC 326 press conference festivities will also include middleweight co-headliners Reinier de Ridder and Caio Borralho, who battle for coveted real estate in the middleweight title chase. UFC 326 attractions Rob Font, Raul Rosas Jr., Drew Dober, Michael Johnson, Gregory Rodrigues, and Brunno Ferreira will also have seats on the “Sin City” dais.

Who will crown the new “BMF” champ?

“If you look at my shirt, the real BMF is my wife,” Holloway said during the UFC 326 media day. “I would love her to wrap the belt around me. So if everything goes great there, you best believe I’m going to be asking Dana White. I’m going to be like, ‘Hey Dana, let my wife do this. She’s the real BMF.’ Everybody thinks I’m the BMF because of the title. You don’t want no smoke with her, I promise.”

For more UFC 326 news and notes click here.

The New England Patriots have added edge rush ahead of the 2026 league year.

The organization officially reached agreement with outside linebacker Jesse Luketa on Thursday. As first reported by NFL insider Jordan Schultz, it is a one-year deal.

Luketa, 27, finished the 2025 season on the practice squad of the Los Angeles Rams. The 6-foot-3, 253-pound November arrival became a street free agent in February after not being retained in the NFC West on a futures contract.

Among the transactions at Gillette Stadium now, he checks in as the first external signing of March.

Entering the NFL in the seventh round of the 2022 draft at No. 256 overall, Luketa spent his initial three campaigns with the Arizona Cardinals. The Penn State product appeared in 31 games over that span.

A three-game starter, Luketa’s time in the league has included 35 tackles, three sacks and one forced fumble. He stands with 367 snaps on defense and 546 snaps on special teams, but did not see game action in 2025.

Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Luketa was a territorial CFL draft pick by the Ottawa Redblacks after closing out his Nittany Lions career as a captain and third-team All-Big Ten selection.

The new league year officially opens next Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET.

The Shotgun Throwdown is our daily open thread, a place to keep tabs on what’s happening throughout the day.

This is your space to talk through the stuff that pops up throughout the day (and night) — news, rumors, random thoughts, questions, complaints, celebrations, anything you think feels worth talking about. I’ll be dropping in anything newsworthy as the day unfolds.

West Virginia news, Big 12 chatter, realignment whispers, recruiting nuggets, coaching rumors, portal watch, TV schedule griping, or just whatever’s bouncing around your head — it’s all fair game here.

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The Cincinnati Reds are fresh off of thumping Team Cuba 19-2 in the latter’s final warm-up game before heading to the World Baseball Classic. On Thursday, they’ll jump right back into Cactus League play at home in Goodyear, this time up against the very same team that ended their 2025 season.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are in town, and they’re rolling out veteran lefty Cole Irvin to start on the day. The Reds, meanwhile, will counter with Jose Franco, who’s again looking to impress the very same brass that saw fit to add him to the team’s 40-man roster earlier this offseason.

The Reds are rolling out a strong lineup full of expected regulars featuring Elly De La Cruz.

The Dodgers, meanwhile, are sitting most all of their regulars, though Max Muncy will be in there alongside old friends Santiago Espinal (at 1B!) and Mike Siani.

First pitch is set for 3:05 PM ET, and this one will actually be broadcast on ESPN for your viewing pleasure.

Go Reds!

Anyone can have an off season, for any number of years. But what if that poor season is actually the start of an actionable trend? Today, let’s look at some hitters who underperformed in 2025 and try to reason if they’re good fantasy baseball investments for the fresh season.

Mookie Betts, SS, Dodgers

Betts had the worst season of his career in 2025, setting new lows in all three slash categories and stealing just eight bases. His fantasy value was propped up by durability (he played in 150 games) and environment (boosted by able teammates, he scored 95 runs and drove in 82). His bat speed has noticeably fallen in recent years, and his hard-hit metrics also tumbled into troublesome areas last season.

Player ascension isn’t always linear, but player decline almost always is. Betts still has the mind and approach of a winning player, but his MVP-contention days are probably gone for good as he settles into his age-33 season. I’ll need him to slip into the fourth round before I get tempted.

Bryan Reynolds, OF, Pirates

After four years of consistent fantasy production, Reynolds slumped for much of 2025, with his OPS+ dropping to 99 and his power and steals collapsing. A bad shoulder had something to do with it — although Reynolds played through the injury, he shut down the running game for good the final four months. His bat was more in line with career norms in the second half (.276/.364/.453) and the Pirates have improved their lineup for 2026. Reynolds feels like a solid value with a Yahoo ADP of 181.7.

Salvador Pérez, C, Royals

Although Pérez maintained his power stats last year, his average dropped to .236 and his OBP fell to .284, worrisome trends in an age-35 season. But appreciate the bad luck Pérez encountered — his batted-ball stats suggest he should have held a .269 average and a .534 slugging percentage (88 points higher than his actual).

The Royals give Pérez plenty of DH time and occasional first-base starts, so he’s not burdened by catching all the time. Pérez should also enjoy the Kansas City fences coming in (and down) and an upgraded lineup around him. I know betting on catchers in this age pocket isn’t an easy assignment, but Pérez is a target with a Yahoo ADP of 95.9.

Willy Adames, SS, Giants

Adames picked a perfect time for his career year — he was the 15th best fantasy hitter in 2024, coinciding with his free-agency tour. Last season’s stat depression in San Francisco was predictable, a mixture of the size of the ballpark and the pressure of the enormous contract.

[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2026 MLB season]

But Adames seemed to settle into his new situation by the middle of the year, conking 21 homers after July 1 and stealing eight bases in the last two months. Adames' batting profile and the roominess of his home stadium will always make batting average a concern, but you can angle for profit with an affordable ADP of 105.1.

Gleyber Torres, 2B, Tigers

It might appear that Torres has settled into the useful but boring part of his career — respectable average, a few homers, the occasional steal. But last year’s haul was probably unlucky, given the components. Torres bumped his walk rate and trimmed his strikeout rate and earned a .462 slugging percentage based on quality of contact — but had a .387 slugging percentage on the back of his baseball card. Given normal luck, we’re probably looking at a 23-26 homer season.

The Tigers were wise to keep Torres and his keen eye should allow him to hold the No. 2 slot in the lineup all year. Yahoo rooms are offering him at a cheap 183.4 ADP ticket.

Yordan Alvarez, OF, Astros

Hand and ankle injuries limited Alvarez to a two-month season last year, and he wasn’t much of a treat when he was able to play (career-low 121 OPS+, just six homers). The previous year, Alvarez dealt with hand, arm and oblique injuries, though he gutted through 147 games and played well enough to finish ninth in the MVP balloting.

Alvarez has the batting eye of an angel but the body of an older man, and Houston’s lineup is no longer the generous float of glory years. Still commanding a top 40 pick, Alvarez is not in my draft plans.

Luis Robert Jr., OF, Mets

Robert has been a down player for two seasons, with a laundry list of injuries keeping him out about one-third of the time. But his walk rate did rise appreciably last year and at least he offered category juice — 14 homers and 33 steals in just 110 games. And while the .223/.297/.364 slash line is depressing to look at, he was somewhat unlucky with his results, 23 points cheated in average and 62 points unfortunate in slugging percentage. He’s on a better team, he’s still just 28 and the ADP is a reasonable 152.0.

Robert isn’t a circled target on my board, but I’ll maintain an open mind when his spot comes up.

Gareth Bale reflects on his partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid

Real Madrid: Gareth Bale reveals Cristiano Ronaldo's biggest obsession

Recently interviewed, Gareth Bale looked back on the Cristiano Ronaldo phenomenon at Real Madrid.

Asked about his collaboration with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, Gareth Bale revealed: "Before a match, we always had the feeling that Cristiano Ronaldo was going to score, and that was a huge confidence boost. Scoring goals is the hardest thing in football, and Cristiano did it. Sergio Ramos was by far the greatest leader. Cristiano was a leader in his own right, but the clear team leader was Ramos."

Mitchell Layton via Getty Images

A short-handed South Alabama women's basketball team advanced in the Sun Belt tournament Thursday in Pensacola, Florida. The 12th-seeded Jaguars (15-17, 5-13 Sun Belt) rode a momentous third quarter to a 69-59 win over the eighth-seeded Texas State Bobcats (11-19, 7-11).

South Alabama's run continued less than 24 hours after a second-round brawl that resulted in a downed official, eight ejections and, eventually, four suspensions.

The Jaguars' top-three scorers — Amyah Sutton, Cordasia Harris and Daniela Gonzalez — all received a one-game ban from the NCAA "because they were deemed to have engaged in a fight," per the Sun Belt.

So did Coastal Carolina's Tracey Hueston, whom the Sun Belt also suspended for the remainder of the season, regardless of the Chanticleers' postseason fate. 

With less than six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Hueston was caught swinging, including around Marla Gearhart, the official who ultimately hit the deck. 

The altercation began after tempers flared between Harris and Hueston underneath the basket, with Hueston responding to Harris with physical aggression.

Both of them had to be held back. Gearhart tried to contain Hueston but wound up needing medical attention. Later on, she was evaluated by medical personnel at the Pensacola Bay Center and then released, the Sun Belt said in a Wednesday statement.

Despite seven South Alabama players being thrown out, the Jaguars still held off the Coastal for an 80-70 victory, their second win of the conference tourney. They had already defeated 13th-seeded App State in the first round.

South Alabama athletic director Joel Erdmann explained in a statement Wednesday that the school doesn't condone fighting and that the incident "is extremely unfortunate and unacceptable." 

But he did take issue with the final punishment ruling.

"After an extensive internal review, I do not believe the actions of all three of our student-athletes rose to the level of being classified as fighting as defined by the NCAA rule book," Erdmann said.

"This judgement has negatively impacted the tournament experience of our suspended student-athletes and stripped them of limited opportunities to compete in the postseason."

Coastal AD Chance Miller issued an apology, expressing disappointment "in the actions of one of our women’s basketball student-athletes and program" and stating that "what occurred is not reflective of how our programs are expected to compete or represent Coastal Carolina University," per CBS station WBTW News 13.

In the wake of the fracas, South Alabama persevered, in part thanks to a career-high 22 points from redshirt sophomore guard Tamara Ortiz and 12 points off the bench from freshman forward Jeriyah Baines. 

The Jaguars were trailing by five points at halftime but rallied to outscore Texas State in the third quarter 25-8.

South Alabama, once 9-17 after a 10-game skid, has now won six straight games, including three in a row in the Sun Belt tournament, and will play fifth-seeded Marshall on Friday in fourth-round action.

2026 Premier League Darts Night 5 Cardiff live results, scores and schedule: Littler's epic match-clinching 170 ends all-Welsch final hopes originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

For the second year in a row, Gerwyn Price loses a match on a 170, this time, coming from Luke Littler, who advances to the final with the win.

Night 5 of the 2026 Premier League of Darts takes place in Cardiff, Wales, with Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton's reunions as the major storylines heading into the night.

To start the quarterfinal round, we'll get a 2024 Matchplay final rematch, as Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen face off.

Next, Jonny Clayton and Gian van Veen clash in an exciting matchup, with both players currently holding the top two positions on the table.

Then, Stephen Bunting will look to continue his win streak after a positive Night 4, as he plays Gerwyn Price, who will have the crowd behind him.

Lastly, Luke Littler and Josh Rock will resume their epic rivalry, as Rock seeks to regain some control in what's been a one-sided rivalry in Littler's favor.

2026 Premier League Darts Night 5 results, scores and schedule

Here is the schedule and the results from Night 5 of the 2026 PL.

MORE: 2026 Premier League Darts Night 5 draw, match predictions and 3 storylines to watch in Cardiff

Quarterfinals

MORE: 2026 Premier League Darts schedule, scores, results and updated table

Semifinals

MORE: Watch Beau Greaves become the first woman to hit 9-darter on PDC circuit

Final

More darts articles:

• Luke Littler contract details: Teenage phenom signs richest endorsement deal in darts history
• PDC announces darts schedule for 2026: World Championship, Premier League and more
• Ranking the best PDC Darts moments from 2025: 9-darters to shocking upsets
• 2026 Premier League Darts prize money explained
• 2026 Premier League of Darts: Get to know the 8 participants
• Watch Josh Rock hit iconic Premier League 9-darter in front of home crowd in Belfast

A familiar smile came across CM Punk’s face when he recently walked into WWE headquarters in Stamford, Conn., and saw a giant photo of himself on the cover of WWE 2K26 displayed in the oversized lobby.

It’s a grin Punk has flashed time and time again since he returned to WWE in 2023 — the look of a man soaking in every moment of a second chance he once thought he would never get.

“Everything that I've done since I've come back, I like to say is kind of like extra credit,” Punk told The Sporting Tribune. “It's nothing that I thought would happen. When I left in 2014, I thought I was done. I didn't think about, ‘Oh, maybe I'll go back, and maybe in the future I’ll do this.’ No. So being in the thick of it now, being this busy, being the champ, having all this responsibility and being on the cover and all these great things happening — it's just …”

Punk paused, searching for the right word before shaking his head.

“Man, I’m just fortunate.”

Punk appearing on the cover of WWE 2K26 isn’t simply a byproduct of being the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. It’s a full-circle moment for someone in the midst of one of the greatest redemption stories in wrestling history.

He left WWE in 2014 persona non grata before being welcomed back in 2023 with open arms by a company that had evolved almost as much as Punk had over the decade they spent apart.

The last time Punk appeared on the cover of a WWE 2K game was 2013. At the time, it seemed like an honor he might earn many times over. Instead, more than a decade passed before he returned.

He is now only the second wrestler to appear on the cover of WWE 2K twice as a solo star, joining John Cena. Punk called the honor humbling and something he didn’t believe was possible just a few years ago.

“I mean, gratitude would be the word,” Punk said. “I never thought this would happen to me again. If I were a baseball player, I never thought I'd be in the batter’s box again. And to still have a fastball, see a fastball coming and be able to hit it out of the park — I’m so grateful.

“I’m firing on all cylinders. I think I’m better than I’ve ever been. And I think saying that at this stage of my career is pretty incredible. I think of guys like Terry Funk or athletes in other sports who defied what society told them was ‘too old’ and still found a way to perform at a super high level. I’m kind of that guy now. It makes me smile.”

Punk isn’t just on the cover of WWE 2K26, which is available Thursday night for early access in North America. The game also pays homage to his career with several “what if” scenarios — including one imagining what might have happened if Punk had never left WWE.

While it’s a question Punk had to consider while working on the game, he says he’s having too much fun living in the moment to regret the years he spent away.

Instead, he’s focused on helping the next generation of WWE superstars.

Since returning, Punk has embraced what he calls a “player-coach” role, working with young talent in NXT and on the main roster.

“I’m just paying it forward,” Punk said. “I’ve been on both sides of the road, and I’ve had people treat me poorly. A lot of what I do and say is based on that — I don’t want to be that guy. It’s more important to talk about the positive ones. The Harley Races, the Tracy Smothers, the Eddie Guerreros — the people who took their time to help me. I’m just paying it forward. That’s what you’re supposed to do.”

What you’re not supposed to do — at least historically speaking — is have arguably the best run of your Hall of Fame career at 47, when many of your peers are retiring.

Punk will turn 48 later this year, the same age John Cena and AJ Styles were when they announced their retirements.

“I have this newfound appreciation for what LeBron James is doing at 41 or what Tom Brady did at 45,” Punk said. “I think it’s based on the individual, but society is always going to say, ‘Oh, you’re too old.’ Since the first time I put boots on, people told me, ‘You can’t do this. You’re too small. You’re too this or that. You don’t look the part.’

“And they’re still doing it now — and I’m still proving them wrong.”

Punk will try to do it again when he faces Roman Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas for the World Heavyweight Championship.

Could it be his last WrestleMania main event? Has he thought about retirement in the middle of this unlikely second act?

“I’ve thought about it because I just watched Cena retire and I just watched AJ Styles retire,” Punk said. “But there’s no mapped-out plan. I’ve thought about it, but not in depth. Not yet.”

Devils cut ties with 3 players before NHL trade deadline originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New Jersey Devils have added some flexibility to their trade deadline plans.

On Thursday, the Devils placed three players on waivers, which should help the maneuvers they want to make by Friday's 3 p.m. ET deadline.

The three players the team announced they are waiving:

• Evgenii Dadonov
• Luke Glendening
• Maxim Tsyplakov

They could be claimed off waivers by another team.

Potentially more likely, they pass through waivers and are assigned to the AHL.

MORE: Avalanche traded away, traded for defensemen born on exact same day

If they get an AHL assignment, that actually makes them easier to trade, because an acquiring team can send them straight to that level.

Dadonov and Glendening both are very logical trade candidates. They'll be unrestricted free agents after the season.

Tsyplakov has one season remaining on his contract. He'll have a cap hit of $2.25 million for the 2026-27 campaign.

Dadonov signed a one-year deal with the Devils in the offseason, but injuries have prevented him from scoring a single point so far with the Devils.

Glendening is also on a one-year deal, and the 36-year old center has only played on the fourth line. He does win 55.6% of his faceoffs, which is notable.

Tsyplakov came to the Devils a month ago in the trade involving Ondrej Palat to the Islanders. He's played just nine games for New Jersey and not yet gotten a point.

These aren't exciting names, but their movement could suggest the Devils have something more notable in the works.

More NHL news:

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• A salary cap rule may make 2 Flames trades difficult
• Canadiens know trade cost for Robert Thomas
• Auston Matthews looks to help Leafs tank with this lame effort
• Alex Ovechkin has shared an update on his retirement plans
• Colton Parayko rejects Sabres in huge trade decision

Saints rumor could lead to future Hall of Famer signing with Bears, Packers or Patriots originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New Orleans Saints and edge rusher Cameron Jordan could be heading towards a breakup after 15 seasons.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Thursday that Jordan will hit the free agency market for the first time in his career next week, and he's willing to depart New Orleans for a new opportunity elsewhere.

"Cameron Jordan will not have a new deal in place with New Orleans by next week and now will hit free agency for the first time in his NFL career, per sources. Jordan will play a 16th NFL season and is said to be open to leaving New Orleans," Schefter said.

Jordan will be 37 by the time the 2026 campaign kicks off, but the veteran is still an impactful player who had 10.5 sacks in 2025 and started all 17 games for the third straight year.

The eight-time Pro Bowler is one of the top edge rushers on the market and will draw interest from multiple contenders, with the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and New England Patriots immediately coming to mind as possible landing spots.

Chicago must find another productive pass rusher opposite Montez Sweat, and adding an experienced player like Jordan to the defense would be a logical move by general manager Ryan Poles.

Jordan also played under current Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen in New Orleans, so there's a connection there.

Green Bay and New England could also be suitors for Jordan. The Packers' pass-rush was lackluster in 2025, and with Rashan Gary potentially out the door, Jordan would provide a boost to Green Bay's defense.

The Patriots may lose K'Lavon Chaisson in free agency, and if they do, Jordan would be a solid replacement who would form a nice pass-rushing duo with Harold Landry.

Due to his age, Jordan will be cheap to sign in free agency, but there's no denying he's still a viable pass rusher capable of starting a whole season. The Bears, Packers, and Patriots should all have interest in the future Hall of Fame.

One of the top junior high school football defensive linemen in the state of California is switching up schools for his senior season.

2027 four-star defensive lineman Marcus Fakatou tells Rivals he’s transferring from Orange Lutheran and heading to Sierra Canyon. Fakatou is ranked as the No. 3 prospect in California and No. 2 at his position, according to the Rivals Industry Rankings.

Last season at Orange Lutheran, Fakatou was a force in the front seven for the Lancers as the junior racked up 69 total tackles, 17 of those going for a loss, seven sacks, batted away two passes, forced two fumbles and blocked eight field goal attempts.

The 6-foot-7, 295-pound defensive stalwart heads to a Sierra Canyon defensive unit that’s already slated to return the likes of 2027 four-star lineman Kasi Currie and four-star safety Myles Baker, respectively.

The Trailblazers ended this past season with a 11-1 record and finished as one of the CIF Southern Section‘s best teams, ranked No. 6 in the final 2025 California High School Football Massey Rankings.

Behemoth defensive lineman with eye-catching movement skills and power. Checks in at around 6-foot-7.5, 265 pounds. Should easily get to around 300 pounds with his big frame. Primarily lines up as a big defensive end for his high school to this point, but could end up sliding inside long-term. Flashes encouraging first-step quickness and has the power to forklift offensive linemen into the backfield. Turned in a productive freshman season, notching 10 tackles for loss and five sacks against strong competition. – Charles Power, Rivals Director of Scouting and Rankings

More about Sierra Canyon High School

Sierra Canyon School, located in Chatsworth, California, is a prestigious private institution known for its academic excellence, strong athletics, and vibrant extracurricular programs. With a diverse range of AP and honors courses, the school prepares students for higher education and future success. Sierra Canyon’s athletic teams are highly competitive, frequently achieving state-level success. Emphasizing leadership, community service, and personal growth, the school fosters well-rounded students ready for future challenges.

How to Follow California High School Football

For California high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Golden State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across the state of California.

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Alex Bowman, who had to get out of his No. 48 Chevrolet during last weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Circuit of the Americas due to illness, won’t compete this weekend at Phoenix Raceway because of a vertigo diagnoses, Hendrick Motorsports announced Thursday.

Anthony Alfredo will substitute for Bowman this weekend. The Ridgefield, Connecticut, native possesses 210 NASCAR national series starts, including 43 at the Cup level. The 26-year-old Alfredo performs extensive simulator testing for Hendrick Motorsports and Chevrolet.

Hendrick will request a medial wavier for Bowman so he can remain eligible to compete for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series championship.

Bowman, 32, became ill during the COTA road course event last Sunday. He eventually told his team he was too sick to continue. The Tucson, Arizona, native exited his car on lap 71 and was replaced by Fox’s pit spotter Myatt Snider, who has competed in several NASCAR races.

This week, Bowman underwent two days of medical evaluation and drove laps in a street car at the Ten Tenths Motor Club road course, which is across from Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina.

“Alex has worked very hard over the last several days,” Hendrick Motorsports President Jeff Andrews said. “We’re encouraged by the progress he’s making, but we have to prioritize his health above all else. It’s obviously frustrating for him because he’s a competitor and wants to be in the race car, especially at his home track. We’ll continue to support Alex and look forward to his return as soon as he’s medically cleared.”

Travis Kelce may have some more football in him after all.

After months of speculation regarding whether or not the Kansas City Chiefs tight end, 36, will soon announce his retirement, ESPN Chiefs reporter Nate Taylor — a highly regarded journalist who has covered the Chiefs since 2018 — seems confident Kelce will return.

During Taylor’s Wednesday, March 4, appearance on 96.5 The Fan, the sports reporter was asked if the Chiefs’ “current roster construction” has “any impact” on what decision Kelce makes regarding his future.

“He’s coming back, guys,” Taylor said bluntly. “Every indication I’ve gotten is that Travis Kelce is looking forward to coming back. When we’ll know that for sure, that’s really his prerogative.”

“I know some people are like, ‘Well, if he hasn’t really signed before free agency starts, how does that affect free agency?’” Taylor continued. “It really doesn’t affect free agency. They can allocate that money however they want.”

According to NFL.com, the free agency negotiating window opens Monday, March 9, with the signing period officially beginning Wednesday, March 11, at 4 p.m. ET. It marks the first major phase of roster building during the offseason.

Taylor explained that the Chiefs — who recently adjusted star quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ 2026 salary to create cap room — “might” give Kelce “a two-year deal where you can spread some of that money out and give a pretty nice chunk of signing bonus to get that base salary to be manageable for 2026.”

“And hey, if you got to eat it in 2027, if he retires, you go ahead and eat it,” Taylor explained. “He’s giving you everything you could have asked for already.”

Taylor also said that Chiefs fans “have to be realistic” about this upcoming season, considering Mahomes tore his ACL in December, ending his season early.

“What you get in 2026 you hope is a lot better than what you got in 2025,” Taylor said. “And if the quarterback comes through the 2026 season healthy, hopefully you got a crew that’s ready to go in 2027 that’s young, that’s youthful, that reminds you of what you saw in 2022 and 2023 — even if Travis Kelce isn’t around for the ‘27 season.”

During a December 25 press conference following the Chiefs’ Christmas Day game, Kelce was asked if he thought the holiday matchup could be his last game at Arrowhead Stadium.

“No,” he told reporters at the time following the Chiefs’ loss. “The only time it ever crossed my mind is [when] I was driving in the other day, and I saw how much the Powerball was, and I was like, ‘Man, if I could just win that, I wouldn’t have to work another day of my life.”

As people in the room began to laugh, one person followed up by asking Kelce, “That’s what’s keeping you here?”

“No, man,” Kelce replied. “Honestly, I’ve been just focused on trying to win football games, man. I’ll let that be a decision that I make with my family, friends, the Chiefs organization, when the time comes.”

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This story Travis Kelce Is ‘Coming Back’ to the Kansas City Chiefs Amid Retirement Rumors, Reporter Claims first appeared on Star. Add Star as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Elle Ladine scored a season-high 25 points, Avery Howell added 18 points and nine rebounds and Washington defeated USC 76-64 in the second round of Big Ten Tournament on Thursday.

The eighth-seeded Huskies (22-9) will take on top seed and second-ranked UCLA in a Friday quarterfinal.

Hannah Stines scored 12 points, Brynn McGaughy added 10 and Yulia Grabovskaia collected 10 rebounds for Washington. Leading scorer Sayvia Sellers (19.2) dealt with four fouls and had just four points on free throws in 28 minutes. Other Huskies filled the scoring gap with Washington shooting 50% and dominating the boards 44-27 in outscoring the Trojans 40-14 in the paint.

Londynn Jones scored 19 points, Kennedy Smith added 14 and Laura Williams had 13 rebounds to go with nine points for the Trojans (17-13).

Big Ten freshman of the year Jazzy Davidson, who leads the Trojans in scoring, rebounding and assists, scored eight points on 2-of-13 shooting over 29 minutes. Davidson, who appeared to hurt her shoulder early on, sat out the final seven minutes.

The Huskies led by double figures throughout the second half and by as many as 23. They shot 67% in the third quarter with Ladine scoring eight points to lead 56-36. USC got as close as 10 with two minutes left in the game.

After a first quarter when the teams combined for just 14 points, Ladine scored 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting in the second including the last six points for a 32-20 halftime edge.

USC won a home meeting with Washington 59-50 in the regular season.

Up next

Washington lost at UCLA 82-67 on Feb. 19.

USC waits to see where it will land in the NCAA Tournament field.

___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

The Iowa defensive line is going to look very different in 2026.

The Hawkeyes are losing all four starters from that group last season, as Aaron Graves, Max Llewellyn, Ethan Hurkett, and Jonah Pace were seniors. There's going to be a lot of pressure on some young guys to take on a bigger role next season as Iowa looks to turn in another elite defensive season.

Bryce Hawthorne, Iose Epenesa, Joe Anderson, and Chima Chineke, among others, will see increased roles in 2026. Throw in a nice transfer portal class, and this season shouldn't see a huge drop-off in production from the defensive line. But it's always good to keep supplying depth at that position.

Iowa continued its pursuit of that on Wednesday, officially offering Carter Napier, a talented 2027 defensive lineman from Ohio.

After an amazing call with @CoachK_Bell, I am blessed to announce I have received a Big 10 offer from the University of Iowa! Go Hawkeyes!🦅🟡@TylerBarnesIOWA@Coach_Wilhite@Coach__Dwyer@Coach_LMiller@Coach__Cripe@camosnurr4@J_Stinebaugh@tritonqbacademy@buzzell_nick73… pic.twitter.com/KYOW46aOjB

— Carter Napier (@CNapier2027) March 4, 2026

Napier is from Springboro, Ohio, and Springboro High School. The 6-foot-3, 260-pound defensive lineman currently holds 11 offers, including Iowa. Pitt, Air Force, Central Michigan, and Toledo are a few of the other schools currently in pursuit of Napier's talents.

In 2025, as a junior at Springboro, Napier compiled 53 total tackles, five tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery. He was named a first-team all-conference player in 2025 and was also named to the second-team All-Southwest Ohio squad. It's clear that the talent is there for Napier, and the Hawkeyes are banking on him to only get better as his senior season approaches.

If Iowa lands Napier, he would join the three other prospects currently committed to Iowa in the 2027 class. It's a small but mighty class at the moment, but it won't be long until the Hawkeyes see more commitments.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Zach on X: @zach_hiney

This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football offers 2027 Ohio DL Carter Napier

The Chicago Bears made a big splash when they finalized a trade to send wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills ahead of free agency next week.

The Bears received a 2026 second-round pick (No. 60) from the Bills in exchange for Moore and a 2026 fifth-round selection (No. 164), which is a great deal considering Chicago frees up $16.5 million in salary cap space for 2026. The Bears needed to free up cap space ahead of free agency, and this move helps them do that while also landing a prime Day 2 pick in the process.

While Moore has played a key role on offense for the Bears in three years, he saw his role decrease last season with the emerge of receivers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III, as well as tight end Colston Loveland, who led the team in receptions and receiving yards. Meanwhile, Moore finished the season with 50 receptions for 682 yards and six touchdowns, while adding 15 rushes for 79 yards and one score.

Following the Moore trade, here's an updated look at the Bears' draft selections heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.

Bears' updated 2026 draft picks

• Round 1: No. 25
• Round 2: No. 57
• Round 2: No. 60
• Round 3: No. 89
• Round 4: No. 129
• Round 7: No. 238
• Round 7: No. 240

Bears now have four picks in the top 89

With the acquisition of the 60th overall pick from the Bills, the Bears now have four selections in the top 89 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. It gives them the opportunity to address some key needs, including defensive line, safety, offensive line and linebacker. It could also be used in a potential trade package for Maxx Crosby, who continues to be linked to Chicago. And, who knows, more draft capital could be on the way if the Bears find a trade partner for linebacker Tremaine Edmunds.

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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears trade DJ Moore: Updated 2026 draft picks

Among Texas A&M's ten commitments in the 2027 recruiting class, blue-chip safety Kamarui Dorsey, who chose the Aggies over Auburn, Florida, Florida State, and others, and is widely considered the top safety prospect in the cycle, was further reflected this week.

Standing 6'2" and 190 pounds, Dorsey's elite play during his 2025 junior season led to a bump in his overall recruiting status within Rivals' updated recruiting rankings, becoming Texas A&M's first five-star prospect in the 2027 cycle. A two-way player, Dorsey recorded 61 tackles and four interceptions, combined with 46 receptions for 846 yards, nine touchdowns, and four rushing scores during his junior campaign with Hampton.

Like cornerback Raylaun Henry, Dorsey is expected to make an immediate impact at the next level, possessing the NFL potential that Texas A&M coach Mike Elko requires of every one of his recruits and transfer additions. Elko and his staff have dominated the Georgia recruiting landscape, creating a pipeline in the Peach State that has become unrivaled.

Following a trend during the Aggies' 2025 season, Dorsey committed to Texas A&M on November 1 and has not been swayed by other programs to flip his commitment in the coming months. While Dorsey will be heavily sought after this summer, his recent interview with Rivals insider Steve Wiltfong shows a player fully committed to what Elko is building in College Station.

“What made Texas A&M right for me is that they fitted what I needed and wanted as a football player and as a regular human off the field as well,” Dorsey told Wiltfong. “When I say you could be yourself around everyone and everyone was so down to earth and wanted so much for me and their players that are there not only on the field but also of the field."

Furthermore, fellow Rivals insider Chad Simmons recently stated that Texas A&M has handled Dorsey's recruitment with "precision," as the not five-star prospect opted to visit the Aggies in January instead of the Georgia Bulldogs.

Updated Rivals Industry 5-stars after the latest Top247 rankings release‼️

33% Rivals
33% 247
33% ESPN

Read: https://t.co/utitMIKiOqpic.twitter.com/0oOLqeh1lD

— Rivals (@Rivals) March 4, 2026

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.

This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Rivals: 2027 Texas A&M DB commit Kamarui Dorsey is a 5-star prospect

Christian McCaffrey was sensational last season. The running back was the only constant in 2025. Yes, the running game suffered, but McCaffrey laid it all on the line all season and carried the 49ers offense. Now, is it a safe bet that McCaffrey can duplicate his 400-plus-touch season in 2026? It is far from a certainty, given how well McCaffrey made it through the season with the beating he took week in and week out. Still, McCaffrey will be back in the same role in 2026.

Last offseason, Brian Robinson, Jr was acquired to back up McCaffrey. Either way, McCaffrey was on the field for nearly every snap and handled just about every touch in the backfield. Is that plan sustainable again in 2026?

Here are three running back options in free agency for the 49ers to use as a 1-2 punch out of the backfield (all predictions per Spotrac):

Rachaad White, Tampa Bay, Current AAV: $1,282,500, Predicted AAV: $2,968,262

Yes, Bucky Irving took over the backfield in Tampa Bay, and the Buccaneers are fine with Irving and Sean Tucker leading their backfield in 2026. White had become somewhat of a forgotten man until he stepped in for Irving during his recovery from an injury. The running back filled in well and showed he still has juice, not only in the passing game. White finished with a career-high 4.3 yards per carry on 132 rushes for 572 yards and four touchdowns.

The 27-year-old added 40 receptions out of the backfield. With White on the field, Kyle Shanahan can call the same plays as if McCaffrey were on the field with a similar skill set in the receiving game.

Kenneth Gainwell, Pittsburgh, Current AAV: $1,790,000, Predicted AAV: $2,961,252

Same idea for Gainwell as with White. The journeyman running back made a huge impact on the Steelers in 2025. Gainwell handled a career-high 114 rushes for 537 yards and a 4.7 yards per carry clip. It’s the 73 receptions that are valuable for the former Eagles running back. With 486 receiving yards, Gainwell went over 1,000 scrimmage yards.

Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers offense checked the ball down quite a bit, but Gainwell was a perfect fit for Arthur Smith and Pittsburgh. Again, Shanahan can use Gainwell similarly to McCaffrey, keeping the defense off balance. He’s a player we’ve highlighted this offseason.