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After 34 regular-season PGA Tour events, we now have a playoff field. The 2026 FedEx Cup Playoffs participants were decided Sunday evening at the conclusion of the Wyndham Championship and there are now just 70 men standing. 2026 FedEx Cup Playoffs top 70A familiar name leads the way: world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. He'll headline the field at the upcoming FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis, Tennessee. No. 2 Matt Fitzpatrick, No. 3 Cameron Young, No. 4 Wyndham Clark and No. 5 Chris Gotterup round out the top five. Rory McIlroy, if you were wondering, checks in at No. 12. Jackson Koivun, who shot a final-round 71, held on to nab the 70th and final spot in the postseason.Scottie SchefflerMatt FitzpatrickCameron YoungWyndham ClarkChris GotterupCollin MorikawaSi Woo KimSam BurnsTommy FleetwoodLudvig ÅbergXander SchauffeleRory McIlroyJacob BridgemanAkshay BhatiaRussell HenleyRyan GerardMin Woo LeeKristoffer ReitanAlex FitzpatrickHideki MatsuyamaJ.J. SpaunRyan FoxViktor HovlandJustin RoseAlex SmalleyTom KimGary WoodlandRickie FowlerAdam ScottJ.T. PostonRobert MacIntyreNicolai HøjgaardKurt KitayamaBud CauleyAaron RaiBen GriffinSepp StrakaMichael ThorbjornsenJustin ThomasJake KnappNico EchavarriaPatrick CantlayRyo HisatsuneSahith TheegalaEric ColeAlex NorenMichael BrennanMatt McCartyKeith MitchellMaverick McNealyHarris EnglishMax HomaSungjae ImJordan SpiethSam StevensPierceson CoodySudarshan YellamarajuHarry HallCorey ConnersDaniel BergerMichael KimShane LowryNick TaylorJordan SmithBrian HarmanPatrick RodgersAldrich PotgieterRicky CastilloMatti SchmidJackson KoivunFirst 10 out of 2026 FedEx Cup Playoffs?Steven FiskBeau HosslerMatt WallaceKeegan BradleyMac MeissnerAndrew PutnamDavis ThompsonJohnny KeeferJackson SuberAustin SmothermanOthers of note: Jason Day (82), Brooks Koepka (94), Tony Finau (98).This article originally appeared on Golfweek: See the 70 golfers who qualified for 2026 FedEx Cup Playoffs

BYU running back Journee Tonga, a late addition. to the Cougars' fall roster, carries the ball during fall camp in Provo on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. | Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo In this day and age of social media, rarely does a name pop up on the roster of a major college football program without any forewarning whatsoever from the myriad of recruiting bloggers and recruiting services out there.But that is what happened earlier this week as the name Journee Tonga appeared on the 2026 BYU football roster beside the number 20 and the note that Tonga is a 5-foot-8 running back from Leuzinger High in Lawndale, California. BYU's Journee Tonga waits for the snap during practice Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, in Provo. | Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo Who is this guy? That’s what reporters who have covered BYU for years asked each other and BYU coaches after the school posted its roster online on Wednesday and handed out printed copies minutes before the first practice of preseason training camp concluded.A BYU football spokesperson confirmed Thursday that Tonga is a preferred walk-on, meaning he’s not on scholarship.We will let BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick tell you more:“He’s a high school player we really liked. He’s from Los Angeles (area) and a really good student,” Roderick said. “Like, he’s a super student, a really sharp kid who got into school here on his own. He’s picked up the offense really fast. I am excited to see what he can do. He was a very good high school player.”That’s putting it mildly. Tonga was named the Daily Breeze All-Area Player of the Year last December while playing the role of a Swiss Army knife, kind of like what former BYU quarterback Taysom Hill has done in the NFL. Tonga played quarterback for the Olympians as a sophomore, then as a junior, he ran for 2,267 yards and 29 touchdowns, averaging 9.3 yards per carry.As a senior, he ran for 1,334 yards while also playing quarterback (again) for three games when the starter was injured, and as a slot receiver. All told, Tonga rushed for 4,030 yards and 48 touchdowns in his three-year high school career and had 791 receiving yards.“You can never underestimate the heart of a champion,” Leuzinger coach Jason Miller told the Daily Breeze. “Whenever we have needed him or had to have it for the last two years, he came through.”After Day 1 of the Cougars’ fall camp, senior superstar running back LJ Martin was also impressed with Tonga, a three-star prospect who had only one scholarship offer, from San Jose State. Tonga apparently committed to BYU last January, according to KSL Sports, but was not listed among BYU’s signees in February of 2026.“He knows the playbook pretty well already for someone his age,” Martin said. “So I am really impressed. I think he’s going to be really good.”The newcomer Tonga — it is unclear whether he is related to former BYU greats Khyris Tonga and Manase Tonga — joins fellow true freshman Devaughn Eka in BYU’s running backs room along with expected primary contributors Martin, sophomore Sione Moa and senior Preston Rex.“Sione Moa is full go, 100% ready. He looks great,” Roderick said, “and then I am really excited about the improvement that Preston Rex has made since last year. He got thrown into a tough situation. He wasn’t really a running back, and he had to learn to play it on the fly and he did make some good plays for us last year in the open field.”With a full year under his belt, Rex “really looks more like a running back now,” Roderick continued. “He really knows what he’s doing out there, and then Devaughn Eka has done some great things. Devaughn Eka will get some playing time this year. He’s been impressive as well.” BYU running back Journee Tonga, a late addition. to the Cougars' fall roster, carries the ball during fall camp in Provo on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. | Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo

Photo by ATTILA KISBENEDEK / AFP via Getty ImagesJose Mourinho has made a huge statement about Bernardo Silva, and it is something that fans cannot miss.Mourinho has criticised Silva’s fitness after his first appearance for Real Madrid.Silva made his debut in a 2-1 pre-season win over Ferencvaros, featuring in the second half following his summer move from Manchester City.The Portugal international joined on a free transfer after his contract expired, arriving with high expectations after a trophy-laden spell in England.Photo by David Balogh/Getty ImagesJose Mourinho questions Bernardo Silva fitness after Real Madrid debutMourinho did not hold back when evaluating Silva’s first outing.Speaking after the match, he said, ‘He is very important, but the poor guy is one of those players who benefits mentally from not doing anything during vacation, and he arrived for pre-season at a fairly low physical level.‘He has to improve. But he is an incredible player.’It was a typically blunt verdict from the Real Madrid manager.Despite praising Silva’s quality, Mourinho made it clear that his current condition is not where it needs to be ahead of the new season.He also revealed that he had to adjust Silva’s role during the game.Mourinho explained that he moved him into a more advanced position after noticing a lack of physical sharpness in midfield.That decision underlines the work still required for Silva to reach full fitness.Meanwhile, Silva himself struck a more positive tone after the game.Speaking to club media, he said he was ‘very happy’ to make his debut and stressed the importance of building rhythm during pre-season.He also admitted there are ‘many things to improve’ as he settles into his new surroundings.With that in mind, the coming weeks will be key for both player and club.What’s positive is that Silva comes with 76 goals and 75 assists from 460 games for City. He captained the club to FA Cup and Carabao Cup glory last season.Real Madrid continue their pre-season schedule with the next game against Deportivo lined up, giving Silva more chances to build match fitness ahead of the La Liga season.For Mourinho, the priority will be ensuring his new signing is ready when competitive action begins against Espanyol on August 23.Read more:Four Chelsea players join Xabi Alonso for a round of golf at former LIV Golf venueErling Haaland left amused as fans flock to Sicily holiday locationMan City send firm message as Barcelona’s Rodri bid hits roadblock

The waiting lounge of the new commercial terminal of the Montreal Metropolitan Airport is seen in Saint-Hubert, Quebec, Tuesday, March 24, 2026. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)2026-08-09T22:17:07Z TORONTO (AP) — A Porter Airlines flight in Canada was canceled last week after a young child refused to sit down and buckle up, forcing the plane back to the terminal and delaying it past the airport’s runway closure.The Toronto-based airline said Sunday the parent and crew repeatedly tried unsuccessfully to secure the child in the seat before returning the plane to the terminal in Victoria International Airport in British Columbia to remove the parent and child.Porter said removing the parent and child and their baggage delayed the Toronto-bound flight on Thursday past the airport’s 12:30 a.m. runway closure, forcing the remaining passengers to disembark.Porter apologized to the other passengers, who were rebooked on a flight the following day. 获取更多RSS：https://feedx.net https://feedx.site

President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Morristown Airport, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, in Morristown, N.J. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)2026-08-09T22:12:55Z WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump announced Sunday that his new White House counsel will be Will Scharf, the staff secretary who as the Trump-appointed head of the National Capital Planning Commission helped secure approval for the $400 million ballroom project.Trump said that, beginning Sept. 1, Scharf will be replacing David Warrington, who will be leaving the administration to join the private sector. Trump noted that Scharf previously served as a federal prosecutor and represented him in a number of cases, including at the Supreme Court.“Will is Tough, Strong, and Smart! He also loves our Country, and respects the Law,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Will Scharf will do a great job as White House Counsel!”The shakeup in the White House counsel’s office comes at a critical juncture — just months ahead of the midterm elections, where Trump’s Republican Party will be fighting to hold on to control of Congress. Democrats have vowed to pursue investigations into Trump and his administration if they are successful in November. The White House counsel’s job is to advise on legal and policy questions related to the presidency. The office is the primary White House contact for the Justice Department, and it handles presidential pardons, works on judicial appointments and reviews legislation. The office also helps investigate and manage congressional investigations into the administration and lawsuits against the president when he is sued in his official capacity.Trump in July 2025 had named Scharf as chair of the National Capital Planning Commission, the executive branch agency with jurisdiction over construction and major renovations to government buildings in the region. Trump’s ballroom won final approval from the NCPC in April, though a divided federal appeals court ruled Friday that construction on the project must stop because Congress had not approved it. Trump has vowed to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Read More The project is already well on its way and has begun to rise above ground on the east side of the White House.

Hopes were dashed over the weekend for a breakthrough on the Strait of Hormuz.

We’ve seen a lot of interiors inspired by trips around the globe. It makes sense to want to bottle that feeling the adventure left you with and spread it around your home. Take homeowners Caroline and Julien, for example: They wanted the kitchen in their London house to reflect their Miami Beach holiday. The best person for the job? Designer Justine Guillermou. The couple hired the color-forward designer to help revamp their home, which was “a lot of white and gray. READ MORE...

Ty Gibbs — winner: "I just had to keep my head down and stay in it. I appreciate my team. Just people that want to support each other. We have a big step from last year. I really appreciate all my teammates, too. I wouldn’t be here without all my teammates as well. Week in and week out, just help keep developing the program. Obviously, we’re all up front for a reason. I really appreciate Denny, Chase and Christopher for all their help, obviously."Christopher Bell — second: "This is what you call a bad second-place finish for sure. I don’t know what else to say. Ty did a great job managing the race. I could tell he was slipping and sliding around similar to two weeks ago with Corey Heim, he just didn’t make mistake. P2."Erik Jones — 35th: “We needed a few perfect weeks, and it needed to start here today for our Toyota team, and obviously that didn’t happen. Just unfortunate with how early it is – lap three – I’m just trying to settle in and get going. You don’t expect it either in the top-10, top-five, you don’t think you are going to get caught up in something crazy like that. It’s a bummer. It’s a huge mountain now for here on out to get to the Chase, so we will see.”Tyler Reddick — 36th: “There wasn’t much. It was quick or I probably could have saved it. Just got out of shape in an area – corner entry – where I thought we were pretty secure all weekend. I feel awful for our Toyota team. For us to take ourselves out is one thing, but to take out a fellow Toyota teammate when they are racing for the Chase – pretty much ended their day as well. It is the type of stuff you don’t do to yourself, and you don’t do to a teammate.”WILL BE UPDATED

When the Vikings landed Justin Jefferson in the 2020 NFL Draft after the Philadelphia Eagles landed Jalen Reagor, they laughed. They knew they had landed someone special, and six years into his career, he has shown he is among the best wide receivers in recent NFL history. Jefferson spoke recently to the co-hosts of the Bent Outta Shape podcast, former Vikings Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr. They asked him about the differences in his route running, such as what the easiest and hardest routes to run. Jefferson told them, "The hardest routes are the most simplest routes. A curl, speed out, really a deep curl, you know, just pushing depth, and getting that speed, and being able to drop your weight and stop on a dime. Favorite, uh, post-corner, corner, post... tuddy."Justin Jefferson breaks down his favorite routes to run on @BentOuttaShape_pic.twitter.com/H9122yI9Ux— SleeperVikings (@SleeperVikings) August 7, 2026Jefferson has had at least 1,000 receiving yards in every NFL season in his career, and he hopes ot keep that up. He also hopes that more corners and posts are in his future with whoever wins the Vikings' quarterback battle. This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Vikings' Justin Jefferson shares what are his toughest routes

Denny Hamlin is closing in on the NASCAR Chase top seed after a top-five finish on Aug. 9 at Iowa.Hamlin finished fifth, behind winner (and teammate) Ty Gibbs among four Joe Gibbs Racing Toyotas in the top six positions.Tyler Reddick ceded second to Gibbs after a Lap 4 crash ended the No. 45's day before it really started.Austin Cindric's points cushion for the final Chase spot is down to 29 points ahead of Ryan Preece.Here's the updated NASCAR Cup Series points standings:IOWA RESULTS: Who won NASCAR Cup Iowa race? Winner is Ty Gibbs, plus full resultsNASCAR points standings, Cup Series points update after Iowa raceUnofficial after Iowa Corn 350, 23 of 26 regular-season races complete; top 16 drivers make the Chase following the Daytona summer raceDenny Hamlin 923 points, +426 to 17th place (locked into Chase)Ty Gibbs +323 (locked into Chase)Ryan Blaney +316 (locked into Chase)Tyler Reddick +306 (locked into Chase)Chase Briscoe +166Christopher Bell +162Chase Elliott +160Carson Hocevar +147Chris Buescher +140Kyle Larson +132William Byron +103Daniel Suarez +100Joey Logano +89Bubba Wallace +68Shane van Gisbergen +47Austin Cindric +29Ryan Preece -29 behind 16thRoss Chastain -47Brad Keselowski -48Erik Jones -50Michael McDowell -72AJ Allmendinger -88Todd Gilliland -105Zane Smith -109Riley Herbst -140Ricky Stenhouse Jr. -143Austin Dillon -144John Hunter Nemechek -153Alex Bowman -213Josh Berry -229This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: NASCAR points standings: Cup Series points update after Iowa race, Chase picture

Next up in the opponent preview series is the Penn State Nittany Lions. The team that Rutgers (and several other teams around the region) love to hate the most, and the team that handed the Scarlet Knights a truly bitter and heartbreaking defeat 40-36 in Piscataway a season ago. Similar to Rutgers, Penn State is going through a bit of a transition as they settle into the Matt Campbell era after letting go of longtime head coach James Franklin midseason following some surprising losses.However, an easier Big Ten schedule might mean that the Nittany Lions gain their confidence by the time the Knights head into the Lions’ den in late November. This could be Rutgers’ hardest road game of the season, as the Knights will previously face Boston College, Maryland, Northwestern, and Wisconsin away from SHI Stadium. Rutgers will have had their chances at several Big Ten wins by this point, but how will the Nittany Lions look in their first year under Campbell?Penn State OffenseThe Nittany Lions will have a whole new look in 2026, with the offense featuring several former Iowa State Cyclones, including quarterback Rocco Becht, running back Carson Hansen, and wide receivers Chase Sowell and Brett Eskildsen. The running back room will have a solid one-two punch, with Hansen rushing for 950 yards with the Cyclones while Ohio State transfer James Peoples will look to be his explosive counterpart with the ability to support the passing game from the backfield.Penn State has often struggled lately at wide receiver, but Sowell and Eskildsen combined for over 1,000 receiving yards from Becht last year. In addition, sophomore Koby Howard flashed last season despite limited action and will likely start in the slot for the Lions.At tight end, PSU returns Andrew Rapplayea, but brings in 6’ 7” pass-catcher Benjamin Brahmer and several other TEs from the Cyclones. The offensive line appears to be set with left guard Trevor Buhr, right guard Cooper Cousins, and right tackle Anthony Donkoh. At left tackle, former five-star recruit Malachi Goodman looks to be the top option, but there is an open competition, while Texas State transfer Brock Riker has the potential to be a solid center and anchor the offensive line.Penn State Defense/STOn defense, the Nittany Lions lost some of their high-end starters across their lineup, but they will be replaced by capable seniors and multiple transfers coming in. At defensive tackle, a couple of transfers in Armstrong Nnodim and Keanu Williams look to anchor the middle, while talented sophomore Yvan Kemajou is the leading candidate to start on one end of the line. Senior transfer Ikenna Ezeogu will compete for the LDE spot, while on the opposite side, returning sophomore Max Granville will compete with Alexander McPherson, who transferred in from Colorado. At linebacker, star player Tony Rojas will return after tearing his ACL, while former Iowa State linebackers Caleb Bacon and Kooper Ebel will join him in State College.In the secondary, the starters appear set, with Daryus Dixson pairing up with Audavion Collins as the outside cornerbacks, while nickel corner Zion Tracy will be a ballhawk in the slot position. The safety positions feature a pair of transfers from the Cyclones, with full safety Jeremiah Cooper and strong safety Marcus Cooper Jr. looking to be the last line of defense in Happy Valley.Penn State has one of the top kickers in the game in Ryan Barker, who made 18-19 field goals and 44-45 extra points for the Nittany Lions last season. Mississippi State transfer Nathan Tiyce will take over at punter, while Koby Howard and Iowa State transfer Cam Wallace are among the top return options.Schedule and Game AnalysisPenn State’s schedule is beneficial, which should give Matt Campbell’s squad a solid shot at competing for the College Football Playoff in Year 1. Their nonconference slate includes games against Marshall, at Temple (which will feel like a home game in Philadelphia), and back at home against Buffalo, which should all be easy wins.The Big Ten slate opens with a Wisconsin team that finished 4-8 last year, and then a tricky road trip to the new stadium in Evanston to take on Northwestern, which tripped up Penn State last season in Happy Valley. After that, PSU faces its toughest stretch when it hosts USC in what will likely be the whiteout game before traveling to Ann Arbor for a high-profile clash against the Michigan Wolverines.Penn State will get a chance to rebound against Purdue before traveling west to Seattle for a tough game against Washington. One week before Rutgers, Penn State takes on Minnesota, and it will look to string some wins together as the Lions visit Maryland to take on the Terrapins to end the season. Rutgers has just two wins all-time against Penn State, the last coming in 1988, and the Knights have yet to defeat the Lions upon entering the Big Ten (although they came close in 2014, losing 13-10). Rutgers had their shot to take down PSU at home and were pushing back the Lions’ defensive line by three, and unfortunately, the most inopportune Kaliakmanis fumble returned for a touchdown changed the course of the game and season.This year, the Scarlet Knights will look to erase those memories and could be coming off of some momentum depending on how the games at Wisconsin and versus Nebraska go. If they can head into Happy Valley with a firing offense and solid defense, there is a chance that Rutgers can snap their long losing skid to Penn State.To support me and my work, please follow @arnavsarkar1000 on X!

Jun 11, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent (17) stretches during Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Bad weather in the area forced the Chicago Bears inside the Walter Payton Center for practice today, so, for the second time this year, fans were sent home. My advice for fans traveling a long way for practice: have a backup plan. Don’t just drive in for a 90ish-minute practice that may get canceled if it’s raining. Camp is an enjoyable experience, and the Bears have several vendors and events lined up to make it a fun, family-friendly time, but last-minute cancellations are always a possibility. As for the on-field action at today’s practice, would you believe that multiple beat reporters praised second-year linebacker Ruben Hyppolite? 1) “Nice day for Ruben Hyppolite out there. He made a few really nice plays, including getting into the backfield.” 2) “Ruben Hyppolite had his best practice of camp. Very active on defense.“ 3) “Made some plays. Sniffed out a screen to Loveland, made the tackle.” But we also had this: “Ruben Hyppolite times fast but struggled covering Cole Kmet on routes.”The Bear Report’s Zack Pearson shared, “Mixed day for the offense overall. Big play ended practice as Tyson Bagent hit Kaden Davis for a long touchdown. The WR made a nice catch in coverage. Good ball.” He also wrote, “Early in practice, Caleb Williams found Jahdae Walker deep for a 61-yard touchdown. The very next play, Case Keenum hit Kaden Davis for a 60-yard touchdown. A lot of that was YAC.” He also shared that corner Tyrique Stevenson, who was dinged up yesterday, was back and picked off Caleb in a drill. CHGO’s Adam Jahns said that the blitzes from defensive coordinator Dennis Allen “gave Caleb Williams and Co. plenty of problems in one team period today at practice.”Also, in case you missed it, with Allen in Canton yesterday for Drew Brees’ Hall of Fame induction, Al Harris took over as the defensive coordinator during practice. “First-team offense sloppy near the end of a long, physical practice,” per the Chicago Tribune’s Sean Hammond. “Bagent and Kmet were on fire at the end of a team drill with the 2s.”The Athletic’s Dan Wiederer wrote that “D’Andre Swift looks GOOD. Strong camp to date. Sealed a win during a situational 4-minute offense period with two chunk runs. Burst and vision there.”And here’s your reminder that we’re just talking ’bout practice.A few other nuggets from the day.With Cam Lewis out, Xavier Woods, who was just signed on Friday, was starting at safety alongside rookie Dillon Thieneman early in practice. Lewis had been running with the ones with Coby Bryant sidelined. Woods picked off a Caleb pass on “an extended play prayer,”Other Bears not at practice today were wideout Luther Burden III, corners Jaylon Jones and Terell Smith, left tackle Braxton Jones, linebacker D’Marco Jackson, and defensive end Montez Sweat.Linebacker T.J. Edwards is still ramping up since his return and was not in team drills.Rookie wide receiver Zavion Thomas went down with a knee injury and did not return. (link)With Braxton out, Kiran Amegadjie was with the ones at left tackle, but Jedrick Wills Jr. rotated in. (link)Rookie Malik Muhammad II was getting number one nickel reps with Jaylon Jones out. He was also in on Dennis Allen’s dime packages today. (link)Jahdae Walker worked with the starters at receiver with Burden out.Rookie defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg was mixed in with the ones again. In case you missed it, the Bears signed another defensive back today. And a few videos and pics from the day.Tyrique Stevenson is BACK at Bears practice pic.twitter.com/xBjOseSiNR— CHGO Bears (@CHGO_Bears) August 9, 2026New #Bears Beanie Bishop (#25) and William Wright (#16). Brandon Hill (not shown here) is #9. #DaBearspic.twitter.com/2dDblcDVvG— Josh Buckhalter (@JoshGBuck) August 9, 2026Chicago Bears wrapped up an indoor practice Sunday afternoon. No Luther Burden, Montez Sweat, Braxton Jones, T.J. Edwards, D’Marco Jackson, Cam Lewis, Terell Smith, Jaylon Jones, Kyron Hudson. Kiran Amegadjie worked at first team LT, Jedrick Wills was with second team. pic.twitter.com/n4Uh4swGyv— Michal Dwojak (@mdwojak94) August 9, 2026Tyson Bagent ➡️ Colston Loveland pic.twitter.com/pDfzfVq20D— CHGO Bears (@CHGO_Bears) August 9, 2026Best thing I saw at #Bears practice was D’Andre Swift sliding after getting a first down to run the clock in a drill in which the offense was ahead late in the game. pic.twitter.com/hNDjnqFhaM— Patrick Finley (@patrickfinley) August 9, 2026Another Sunday closer ⏳ pic.twitter.com/dZCDAaqxHw— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 9, 2026That way 👈 pic.twitter.com/a5jF2oYCYP— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 9, 2026

Trent McDuffie bolstering the Los Angeles Rams secondary is one of the biggest positional upgrades for any team this NFL offseason. And the two-time All-Pro has taken to his new team quite quickly.“It feels like home,” McDuffie said this week in an interview with the Rams’ social media team. “When I put that Rams helmet on, it was like a feeling that I should be here, a feeling of almost community. The fans, I’ve known them forever, I grew up here … they’ve welcomed me into this team and this culture with open arms.”It’s hard to ask for more from a blockbuster acquisition than what McDuffie has already given this Rams franchise. Obviously, he’s a stud of a player, whether that means he’s playing in the slot or on the boundary. But the fact that he wants to be a part of this organization and has already embraced it is a welcome addition, too.Even with an interview segment that’s gone viral this week about being made about his trade away from the Kansas City Chiefs in the moment, McDuffie had previously admitted a desire to play for the Rams one day. Sometimes things work out exactly how they’re supposed to.And if you’re one who likes to buy in on vibes, McDuffie’s aforementioned interview is only going to further sell you on this group.“They’re so smart, and they just love ball,” McDuffie said, regarding his teammates. “Everybody’s out here working hard, no doubt, but they’re enjoying it, and that makes it a little bit more special when you come out here and enjoy playing football.”This is the time of year when everyone should be excited about their team. Training camp is the football equivalent of the old baseball axion that “hope springs eternal.” If you’re already feeling down about your situation, it’s probably not going to be a fun fall for your franchise.But for a team that has a target on its back and one, singular goal in mind this season, it’s not nothing that things feel so positive right now. Sports culture in this country lauds the “businesslike mentality” a great deal, but threading the needle of intense focus and giddy excitement can only be a positive. There’s no downside to boosting morale.How does all of that translate to the football field? The camaraderie, the energy, that positive feelings, that’s all coalescing with the best roster in football. And as played out as the phrase “iron sharpens iron” is, that’s something McDuffie and these Rasm are living by.“I’m going against the two best receivers in the league with Davante [Adams] and Puka [Nacua],” McDuffie said. “Each day that they come out on this field, they’re ready to work and you know you have to be at your best. And that’s what I love. If I have to come out here every day and be at my best, one, we’re going to raise the standard, two, I’m going to get them better, three, they’re going to get me better.”When a new team leader is bringing this kind of excitement and passion for the game, it’s hard not to buy all the way in.

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 08: Mason Miller #22 of the San Diego Padres points to a pass ball during the ninth inning of a game against the Houston Astros at Petco Park on August 08, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images Houston Astros (60-58) at San Diego Padres (61-57), August 9, 2026, 5:20 p.m. PSTWatch: NBC/PeacockLocation: Petco Park – San Diego, Calif.Listen: 97.3 The FanSunday night showdown. pic.twitter.com/gKKlgTtubP— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 9, 2026All in tonight.⚾️: 7:20 PM CT 📺: NBC/Peacock🎙️: ESPN | @SportsTalk790 & 740 AM | Spanish: 102.9 HD2 #ChaseTheFight x @reliantenergypic.twitter.com/KPU3lVcPJZ— Houston Astros (@astros) August 9, 2026Please remember our Game Day thread guidelines.Don’t troll in your comments; create conversation rather than destroying itRemember Gaslamp Ball is basically a non-profanity siteOut of respect to broadcast partners who have paid to carry the game, no mentions of “alternative” (read: illegal) viewing methods are allowed in our threadJoin the conversation!Sign up for a user account and get:Fewer adsCreate community postsComment on articles, community postsRec comments, community postsNew, improved notifications system!

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 09: Troy Melton #52 of the Detroit Tigers pitches in the bottom of the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on August 09, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Tigers didn’t need eight runs in this one. Troy Melton spun another shutout performance, and great work from Kenley Jansen and Tyler Holton carried the day late. The Tigers broke a 1-1 tie in the top of the 10th inning with a clutch knock from Hao-Yu Lee, and Holton shut the door to wrap up a 7-9 road trip. Right-hander Troy Melton has busied himself recently by staking a claim as the Tigers #1 starter. He came into this one looking to extend his scoreless innings run. Melton last allowed a run on July 23 against the Royals. He blanked the Orioles and the Mariners each for seven innings in his last two outings. He’d have some tough competition in Logan Webb.The two starters really did lock up in an old fashioned pitchers duel. Spencer Torkelson singled in the second inning for the game’s first hit, but he was stranded. Drew Gilbert smoked a triple off of Melton with two outs in the bottom of the second, but Melton got Daniel Susac to ground out to Colt Keith at third to turn them away. In the bottom of the fourth, Melton finally got into some trouble as Willy Adames led off with a single. Melton struck out Osleivis Basabe, but Drew Gilbert lifted a relatively shallow fly ball to Zach McKinstry in right, and the versatile utilityman cut down Basabe at the plate to end the inning. That play really took the wind out of the Giants sails.View LinkFinally in the top of the sixth, McKinstry led off with a single, and Kevin McGonigle followed suit. McKinstry took third on the play, and that was well as Gleyber Torres grounded into a double play, but got the run home. Tigers 1-0. Melton cruised through the bottom of the sixth, retiring his eighth straight batter after the single from Adames in the fourth.Finally in the seventh, Devers led off with a single and that was the end of Melton’s day. Kyle Finnegan took over and got Basabe to ground into a force of Devers at second, though the speedy second baseman avoided getting doubled off. Basabe then stole second and Eduardo Valencia’s throw was high and got into center field, allowing Basabe to take third. Gilbert hit a little dribbler to Keith, but his only chance was to barehand it and he couldn’t make the play. Basabe scored to tie the game up, but Finnegan dug in and struck out the next hitter. Drew Sommers entered and punched out Grant McCray to send us to the eighth. Webb still wasn’t out of the game in the eighth. Valencia one-hopped one over the left center field wall for a two-out double, but he was stranded.Christian Koss dumped a leadoff single into center field to start the bottom half. Bryce Eldridge pulled a ground ball deep in the hole with McGonigle playing up the middle, and there was no play available though McGonigle did manage to snare it. So, Sommers was in a real tight spot two on and no outs. The Giants did the Tigers a favor by having Jung Ho Lee, one of their best pure hitters, try to bunt. He failed and Sommers punched him out, but Willy Adames fought off a few tough pitches from the big lefty and walked to load the bases.With many expecting doom, Sommers spotted a perfect first pitch sinker on the inner edge to Devers. A breaking ball right over the middle drew a ground ball to Torres, and he flipped to McGonigle and on to first to double off Devers as Sommers stranded the bases loaded. A huge play right there and Sommers was hype.Old friend Dylan Smith had us wincing in the top of the ninth as he punched out the side, but Kenley Jansen entered looking to send this to extras and he too punched out the side, getting Basabe, Glbert, and Cavanaugh all swinging. Way to return serve there from the future Hall of Fame closer, who has only allowed one run since late June. Lefty Sam Hentges took over for the Giants in the top of the 10th. Riley Greene was on second, and Hao-Yu Lee pinch-hit for Colt Keith. On a 3-2 fastball in, Lee inside outed a soft single over Devers at first, and Greene raced around to score with a good read on the ball. View LinkSpencer Torkelson singled to center and Lee went first to third aggressively. Max Clark grounded one to Adames, but beat out the double play turn as Lee scored from third. 3-1 Tigers. Another old friend, Jason Foley, entered for Hentges and he punched out Valencia. Zach McKinstry drew a walk, but Foley punched out McGonigle to end the top half.Tyler Holton entered to save this one, and he did so with emphasis. He whiffed Buddy Kennedy on a good changeup, then locked up Koss with a cutter to strike him out on three pitches. Last up with Eldridge, and once again, Holton needed just three pitches, whiffing him on a cutter to end it.View LinkGreat win on a day where this long west coast trip finally seemed to be taking a toll on the bats. Of course, Mr. Webb is pretty good as well. Troy Melton continued his outstanding season, and the bullpen came through with a big time performance. The Tigers now have an offday Monday before a huge homestand begins on Tuesday against the Guardians and the AL Central leading White Sox.

Earlier this week, Atlanta locked in Bijan Robinson with a 3-year extension worth up to $75 million.Breaking: Bijan Robinson and the Falcons reached an agreement on a three-year extension worth up to $75 million, sources tell @AdamSchefter and @RapSheet.Robinson will receive $51 million guaranteed, including $37 million at signing. pic.twitter.com/Aaur8PrSTn— ESPN (@espn) August 4, 2026The deal follows Robinson’s standout production, including leading the NFL in scrimmage yards during the 2025 season. After signing Drake London and Kyle Pitts to long-term extensions earlier this offseason, Robinson’s record-setting deal cements the three former first-round picks as the foundation of the Falcons offense. Atlanta knows Robinson can lead the franchise and has decided to finish what it started building three years ago.Robinson, London, and Pitts Are the FoundationEvery successful NFL team eventually reaches the same challenges. Drafting stars and keeping them together can prove difficult, yet the Falcons have now accomplished both.Bijan Robinson has established himself as one of the NFL’s most productive young running backs through three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. In 51 games, he has rushed 805 times for 3,910 yards at a 4.9-yard average with 25 rushing touchdowns. He also adds 198 receptions for 1,738 yards and 9 receiving touchdowns, totaling 5,648 yards from scrimmage and 34 touchdowns. BIJAN ROBINSON 93 YARDS!LARvsATL on ESPN/ABCStream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/OTqGarUX9F— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2025Across his career, Robinson has shown efficiency, dual-threat versatility and durability. He posted back-to-back 1,400-yard rushing seasons and emerged as a complete threat in the aerial game. That’s more than enough justification for the Falcons to set records for his extension.Robinson’s impact cannot be discussed without mentioning Pitts and London. London has developed into one of the league’s best possession receivers. Pitts, after years of inconsistent quarterback play and injuries, remains one of the NFL’s most physically gifted tight ends and a matchup nightmare when healthy.Individually, each player is worth building around:Drake London (Wide Receiver)London is the clear WR1 and primary downfield target.In June 2026, the Falcons signed him to a four-year, $141 million extension. Through 2025, he had recorded 309 receptions for 3,961 yards and 22 touchdowns. Despite inconsistent quarterback play and some missed time in 2025 (68 catches, 919 yards, 7 TDs in 12 games), he has consistently ranked among the most productive receivers in the NFL.Drake London one-hands it for the hat trick! ATLvsNE on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVntpic.twitter.com/cK3oVvGdv2— NFL (@NFL) November 2, 2025Kyle Pitts (Tight End)Pitts, the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history, signed a three-year extension worth about $54 million.After an inconsistent start to his career, he delivered a strong 2025 season with 88 receptions, 928 yards, and a career-high five touchdowns, ranking near the top of the position in production. At 6-foot-6 with elite athleticism, he creates matchup problems as both a traditional tight end or when split out wide.After review it's a… touchdown! Kyle Pitts with his THIRD of the night ATLvsTB on Prime VideoAlso streaming on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/Qhap3iexGS— NFL (@NFL) December 12, 2025Importance of the TrioTogether they give the Falcons one of the most talented young skill-position groups in the league. ESPN ranked them among the top handful of playmaking trios after their collective 2025 production.The new front office led by Matt Ryan, general manager Ian Cunningham, and coach Kevin Stefanski has prioritized locking all three up, committing hundreds of millions of dollars to keep the core intact.The Quarterback Problem Threatens EverythingThere’s a reason some fans remain skeptical, as skill positions alone don’t win championships. The Falcons can lock up Robinson, London and Pitts for the next five seasons, but if the quarterback situation doesn’t improve, none of those players can reach their full potential.The Falcons tried to fix the position in 2024. Atlanta signed Kirk Cousins to a massive four-year, roughly $180 million contract shortly after he recovered from a torn Achilles. Weeks later, the Falcons shocked many by selecting Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall in the draft.Cousins started most of the year but never fully regained his pre-injury form. He was eventually benched late in the season in favor of Penix, who showed some moments in limited play.The Cousins–Penix plan was doomed from the go. @MarkZinno says the Falcons’ front office screwed it up by abandoning its long-term plan the moment things got tough. @putemupcdukes fires back that Atlanta's plan had to change when Kirk Cousins blew 4 games "and his arm fell off." pic.twitter.com/wLmwumaKJV— 92.9 The Game (@929TheGame) November 10, 2025Penix entered 2025 as the starter. He had mixed results, completing under 60 percent of his passes in his career starts, and ranking poorly in bad-throw percentage. His season ended with a torn ACL (his third major injury when including college), after which Cousins returned. The team finished 8-9, and the disappointing results led to the firings of head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot.Heading into 2026 under a new staff, the Falcons released Cousins and signed Tua Tagovailoa to a short-term deal. Penix continues recovering from his latest ACL tear and has faced delays in returning to full 11-on-11 work, while Tagovailoa has dealt with back tightness.This has created competition at the bottom of the depth chart, leading to moves such as signing Cooper Rush. Analysts have frequently ranked the Falcons’ quarterback room among the league’s worst.The Falcons Have Their Core — Now They Need a QuarterbackBijan Robinson’s extension may be the final step in the long-term franchise plan. The Falcons have identified the three players they believe will define the next era of their offense and made sure all three remain in Atlanta.The quarterback must elevate one of the league’s most talented offensive trios into one of its most dangerous offenses. For the first time in years, the Falcons know exactly who they want to build around, and now they have to prove they built around the right players.Success will be considered only if the Falcons win the division and make a respectable playoff run. The offensive trio is once-in-a-generation talent, and the Falcons need to realize their potential.The post Atlanta Locked Up Its Offensive Trio, but the Hard Part Is Not Over appeared first on The Lead.

Motorsport photoAlex Palou is once again on the top step of the podium, winning at Portland with Felix Rosenqvist second and Will Power third. The margin of victory was 4.1 seconds.Rinus VeeKay earned another impressive result for Juncos Hollinger in fourth, and Kyle Kirkwood finished fifth.Rosenqvist led the first 30 laps of the race, with Palou moving ahead through the first sequence of pit stops. Palou took the lead for the final time on Lap 87 of 110 after Power made his stop, and he never looked back.19 of 25 starters finished on the lead lap, and Marcus Armstrong was the only DNF. Read Also: Alex Palou dominates in Portland to extend IndyCar championship lead cla # driver team laps time gap int mph pits retirement pts 110 Alex PalouChip Ganassi Racing1101:55'03.4235 112.6613 53260 Felix RosenqvistMeyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian1101:55'07.54024.11674.1167112.5933 42326 Will PowerAndretti Global1101:55'11.48608.06253.9458112.5293 36476 Rinus VeeKayJuncos Hollinger Racing1101:55'20.000216.57678.5142112.3913 32527 Kyle KirkwoodAndretti Global1101:55'22.801819.37832.8016112.3453 30628 Marcus EricssonAndretti Global1101:55'23.455620.03210.6538112.3353 2873 Scott McLaughlinTeam Penske1101:55'24.847621.42411.3920112.3123 2682 Josef NewgardenTeam Penske1101:55'25.525922.10240.6783112.3014 2597 Christian LundgaardArrow McLaren1101:55'29.173525.75003.6476112.2423 22108 Kyffin SimpsonChip Ganassi Racing1101:55'32.701829.27833.5283112.1853 20115 Patricio O'WardArrow McLaren1101:55'36.513533.09003.8117112.1233 191212 David MalukasTeam Penske1101:55'37.447334.02380.9338112.1083 181319 Dennis HaugerDale Coyne Racing1101:55'45.973242.54978.5259111.9703 17149 Scott DixonChip Ganassi Racing1101:55'46.873343.44980.9001111.9563 161545 Louis FosterRahal Letterman Lanigan Racing1101:55'52.356648.93315.4833111.8683 151647 Mick SchumacherRahal Letterman Lanigan Racing1101:56'02.430759.007210.0741111.7063 141718 Romain GrosjeanDale Coyne Racing1101:56'02.527659.10410.0969111.7043 13186 Nolan SiegelArrow McLaren1101:56'02.896359.47280.3687111.6984 121920 Alexander RossiEd Carpenter Racing1101:56'04.13001'00.70651.2337111.6793 11204 Caio ColletA.J. Foyt Enterprises1091:55'05.80561 Lap1 Lap111.5983 102114 Santino FerrucciA.J. Foyt Enterprises1091:55'19.32791 Lap13.5223111.3804 92277 Ray Robb StingJuncos Hollinger Racing1091:55'20.60731 Lap1.2794111.3594 82315 Graham RahalRahal Letterman Lanigan Racing1091:55'42.28311 Lap21.6758111.0124 72421 Christian RasmussenEd Carpenter Racing1061:55'35.36634 Laps3 Laps108.0643 62566 Marcus ArmstrongMeyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian3346'50.767077 Laps73 Laps83.0111Mechanical5 To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.

Michael Brennan reacts after winning the Wyndham Championship golf tournament in Greensboro, N.C., Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)2026-08-09T22:51:38Z GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Michael Brennan had another Sunday opportunity and delivered in a big way. He made five straight birdies to pull away from Beau Hossler and close with a 6-under 64 to win the Wyndham Championship and reach the PGA Tour’s lucrative postseason.Brennan came into the final tournament of the regular season at No. 105 in the FedEx Cup, a disappointing year with only one top 10. Now his season gets extended by at least one week — maybe longer based on how he’s playing — after his second PGA Tour title in two years.Brennan was one shot behind Hossler when he ran off five straight birdies starting on the fourth hole, all of them inside 8 feet. That turned a deficit into a three-shot lead at the turn when Hossler took a bogey on the ninth hole.Then it was a matter of hanging on for the 24-year-old Brennan, a Virginia native who played his college golf about 30 miles away at Wake Forest. “I don’t want to be done playing golf,” Brennan said. “Unfortunately, I’ve had a couple of tough Sundays. Outside of that, I had been playing really solid. This is my sixth week in a row. I’m perfectly happy running on fumes next week.”The FedEx Cup playoffs start Thursday with the FedEx St. Jude Championship at the TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee. Only the top 70 players advance, and Brennan shot up to No. 47. Jackson Koivun, who left Auburn in June and won the 3M Open in only his third start, narrowly hung on to the 70th spot and goes from college to the postseason in only two months.But he had to sweat it out after closing with a 71. Matt Wallace and Davis Thompson were still on the course and in range of finishing high enough to bump Koivun out of the top 70. But they failed to hole all the key putts, and Koivun made it with eight points to spare. Read More A bogey might have been enough to knock him out of the postseason. But on the 18th hole at Sedgefield Country Club, Koivun piped his drive straight down the middle, leaving a wedge from the fairway and an easy par. Known for his composure, he was emotionally invested in every outcome down the stretch, a rare sight from the last two months.“It’s just it’s a different type of nerves when you know you don’t have your stuff and you’ve got to go out there and execute some shots,” Koivun said. “I think that kind of sparked some emotion in me. Yeah, it’s easier to get comfortable when you’re playing well. It was just kind of a different feeling for me today.” Brennan started feeling the nerves, too. He was four shots behind in a tie for fourth going into the final round of the 3M Open and shot 74 to finish out of the top 20. Last week at the Rocket Classic, he was in the final group and one shot out of the lead when he went the wrong direction again, closing with a 73 to tie for 15th.He delivered in the final event of the regular season, and it was his mother who came onto the 18th green to celebrate who reminded Brennan the victory also sends him to the Masters. He made his Masters debut this year going from the PGA Tour Americas straight to the big leagues when he won the Bank of Utah Championship last fall.Brennan made birdie on the final hole to finish at 22-under 258, matching the tournament record at Sedgefield shot three other times, most recently last year by Wake Forest grad Cameron Young. Ben James, the No. 1 player from the PGA Tour University ranking who has a card already secure for 2027, fell out of contention on Saturday but roared back with a 61 to finish third. Brennan was the only player to move into the top 70, replacing Steven Fisk, who was at No. 69 but missed the cut at the Wyndham Champion and fell to No. 71.Also failing to advance to the postseason was Brooks Koepka, the first player to rejoin the PGA Tour after being at LIV Golf. Koepka needed a fourth-place finish and was saddled again by poor putting that led to a tie for 67th. The five-time major champion had only one top 10 this year.“It’s just all on the greens. I don’t know what they deal is, got zero confidence,” Koepka said. “There’s going to be a lot of changes here soon.“I think it’s pretty pathetic that I can’t get through (to the postseason),” he said. “To be in the prime of your career and be as good as I think I am, I think that’s very pathetic, disappointing. Just need to go home and completely reevaluate everything.”___AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Ryan Blaney leads the field at the start of a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)2026-08-09T23:11:08Z NEWTON, Iowa (AP) — Ty Gibbs used late pit strategy and held off teammate Christopher Bell over the final 20 laps to win the NASCAR Cup Series race Sunday at Iowa Speedway.Gibbs — the 23-year-old grandson of former NFL coaching great and NASCAR team owner Joe Gibbs — won by 0.253 seconds over his JGR teammate for his second victory of the season and his career.Gibbs and Bell each pitted with 60 laps remaining in the 350-lap race, but while Bell took four tires, Gibbs just went with two, and came out ahead. And when leader Ross Chastain pitted on Lap 330, Gibbs took over the top spot and fought off a late charge by Bell.Gibbs, who had an issue in the pits on his first stop of the day when his jack fell too early during the tire change, fell back to 28th before charging back.Gibbs picked up his first career win April 12 at Bristol. He came into the race ranked fourth in the season standings, and moved into second — 103 points behind Denny Hamlin. It was the seventh second-place finish of the season for Bell, who led 108 laps. Pole-sitter Ryan Blaney, who won the inaugural 2024 Cup Series race at the 0.875-mile oval, was third after leading a race-high 129 laps.Josh Berry finished fourth. It was Berry’s best finish of the season, and only his third top-10 finish. Hamlin finished fifth after having to start at the rear of the field because of unapproved adjustments to his car. Hamlin, who complained of brake problems during practice Saturday, had the brake rotors and cooling unit replaced in his car, but continued to have brake problems during the race.Chase Briscoe was sixth. Chastain recovered to finish seventh. AJ Allmendinger was eighth, followed by defending race winner William Byron. Austin Dillon was 10th.Up nextThe Cup Series moves to Richmond Raceway on Saturday night.___AP NASCAR: https://apnews.com/hub/nascar-racing

The Johnston County Little League 12U softball team defeated Kentucky 2-0 on Sunday to win the Little League Softball World Series championship.North Carolina has now sent three teams to the Little League Softball World Series championship game in the last four years, winning two of those finals.It's the first national title for Johnston County, and it came after a near-perfect season for the team from state champion to national champions."All these girls are, have played travel ball, different teams, different schools, but we were able to unite under Johnston County and able to convince people to play and get involved, and we kind of started with four girls and kept working our way up, and brought some girls over from different rec programs in the area and just kept building and building and building and got here," said Johnston County head coach Ben Catarozzoli.Johnston County won all five games in the tournament, outscoring its opponents 29-7.Pitching ace Anna-Lynn Clark recorded 41 strikeouts throughout the LLWS.For fans who couldn't make it in person, a watch party was held Sunday in Johnston CountyThe Little League Softball World Series belongs to North Carolina! 🏆What a tournament 🙌 pic.twitter.com/a93oX8K0V9— ESPN (@espn) August 9, 2026"It's amazing," one fan said. Another yelled, "Bring the championship back to Archer Lodge. Let's go, JoCo!"Johnston County defeats Kentucky 2-0 in Little League Softball World Series finalA celebration is in the works once the team returns to Johnston County, an official told ABC11.SEE ALSO |Miss North Carolina USA controversy sparks discussion about social media's lasting impactMake sure to download the ABC 11 mobile app |ABC11 North Carolina Apps for Connected TV, Mobile News, Echo

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chicago Cubs’ grind through 17 consecutive games without an off day ended on a high note.The offense broke out against Kansas City Royals starter Randy Dobnak and the bullpen, and left-hander Matthew Boyd allowed just two runs over seven innings in a 10-2 victory to secure the series victory. The Cubs (69-50) enter Monday’s off day — their first since July 23 — with a 12-5 mark over the 17-game stretch.The lack of off days required manager Craig Counsell to find ways to build in rest for their regulars. That meant Pete Crow-Armstrong was the designated hitter for a second consecutive game and the third time in five games as Counsell attempted to “recharge some batteries the best I can right now.”The Cubs’ series win keeps them rolling. Their 35-16 (.686) mark since June 11 is second-best in the big leagues during that span behind the Boston Red Sox — after the Cubs had posted a majors-worst 7-22 stretch prior to this run.“Our starters have performed exceptionally well, and that’s been the key to this thing,” Counsell said of playing 17 straight. “You don’t survive it without good starting pitching, and the number of quality starts, whether it be length or lack of runs given up, it’s been impressive for sure, and it’s got us through this, and it’s helped us win games. Because the length the starter is able to give you contributes to what happens the next day in the bullpen, and they’ve done a heck of a job.”As the Cubs head into a much-needed off day Monday before finishing the trip with three games against the Washington Nationals, there are three takeaways from their series at Kauffman Stadium.Rotation, led by Matthew Boyd, keeps deliveringFor as much as injuries have tested the Cubs’ starting pitching depth and forced upgrades to be acquired at the trade deadline, their stronghold on the top National League wild-card spot can be attributed, in large part, to the rotation.Boyd cruised through the first six innings Sunday and ultimately exited after seven with the Royals managing only two runs. In his seven starts since coming off the injured list July 7, Boyd owns a 2.35 ERA while pitching into the seventh inning in five of his last six outings.“Any time you do that, it means you’re having some quick innings or you’re getting everybody out,” Counsell said. “So, he did both today.”It hasn’t always looked great for the rotation this season through all the injuries they’ve battled, but during their stretch of 17-straight games, the Cubs’ starters posted a 2.90 ERA. It’s an especially notable effort given that 10 of those games were on the road and they faced the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field in that span.“Really can’t ask for much more,” Boyd said. “It was awesome. It’s a tough stretch, especially at this time of year with the heat and the weather and the competition. But guys responded to the task at hand each day, and that was really, really special. And it speaks to the quality of this group. I think our best baseball is still ahead of us.”The Cubs’ rotation could get even tougher as right-handers Kevin Gausman (two runs in seven innings Friday) and Clay Holmes (four runs in four innings Saturday) get settled in with their new team.Ian Happ busts out of slump in a big wayIan Happ, riding an 0 for 22 stretch in Saturday, was stuck in one of the worst slumps of his career.He entered that game with a .167/.286/.245 slash line and just one home run in his previous 30 games. Counsell had started limiting Happ’s exposure to left-handed pitchers with his struggles particularly pronounced from the right side of the plate.Happ, though, finished the last two games of the series strong, slugging home runs on back-to-back days and finishing with five hits — two home runs, one double and three RBIs — in that stretch. The Cubs certainly will need more from the veteran left fielder in the last seven weeks of the season and into the playoffs, but the hope is his production the last two games against the Royals is a sign he’s getting on track.“When you’re in a slump, you want results, you want a good swing,” Counsell said. “He had three balls on the screws (Saturday), so very good night. … Hopefully we’re getting the good Ian back and I know it’s been frustrating for him. But this is a good hitter. This is a guy that’s having a good year against right-handed pitching and he’s going to do good things for us.”Miguel Amaya makes the most of limited playing timeThere haven’t been many opportunities for catcher Miguel Amaya to settle in with regular at-bats this season.With Carson Kelly getting the majority of playing time, Amaya has had to stay locked in offensively despite inconsistent at-bats. In his first start since Tuesday, Amaya collected two hits in Sunday’s win, including a three-run home run in the seventh to put the game away. The long ball snapped a 38-game home run drought for Amaya.“I was happy for Miggy,” Counsell said. “He’s had a good offensive year, and when you don’t play that much and you play at the frequency Miggy’s playing, the offensive year he’s having, it’s a really good year, and then to get a big hit today and a home run on the board, I’m happy for him.”Making his 47th start behind the plate Sunday, Amaya has made the most of his limited opportunities. His 107 wRC+ ranks seventh on the Cubs (minimum 150 plate appearances) while posting a fifth-best .349 on-base percentage.“It’s not easy not being playing every day, and then go out there and perform the right way,” Amaya said. “Just trying to stay locked in and do as much work as I can in the cages and on the field when we have batting practice. Staying on the same page with the hitting coaches, trying to keep consistency on the offensive side, but I’m a competitor. I’m going to go out there and compete every single pitch, every single at-bat, and thank God I’ve been having good results.”____

Photo by Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty ImagesAre we finally seeing Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar together?Neymar could be set for a move to Inter Miami as talk of a reunion with Messi and Suarez gathers pace.The Brazilian forward is approaching a key moment at Santos, with his contract due to expire on 31 December.That has left his future uncertain, with no decision yet made on whether he will stay or move on. One thing is for sure that fans won’t mind witnessing ‘MSN’ together again.Photo by Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty ImagesNeymar’s Inter Miami links raise prospect of Messi and Suarez reunionMarca reports suggest Inter Miami have emerged as a possible destination for Neymar as he considers his next step.The MLS side already have Messi and Suarez, which has opened the door to a potential reunion of the famous MSN trio.That front three played together at Barcelona between 2014 and 2017 and became one of the most memorable attacks in modern football.However, there is still no agreement in place between Neymar and Inter Miami at this stage.But one cannot ignore that Neymar’s situation at Santos has recently drawn attention.Photo by Ricardo Moreira/Getty ImagesAccording to reports, he briefly left the club’s training centre without permission and missed a recovery session before returning the following day.Santos opted not to punish the forward, but the incident has added to the uncertainty around his future.Neymar has also kept his options open, with the possibility of a transfer, staying put, or even retirement all still on the table.He recently retired from the Brazil national team after the team’s failure in the World Cup.With Neymar’s availability in mind, Miami presents an attractive opportunity given the chance to link up again with familiar faces.The potential move carries both excitement and questions.Neymar is now 34, and his recent career has included injuries and limited continuity, despite his undeniable talent.He only made two appearances in this year’s World Cup under Carlo Ancelotti, where he was called up for a “last dance”.The Brazilian battled calf injuries to make substitute appearances, scoring his final international goal via a penalty against Norway in the Round of 16.But one can believe that Neymar could still do his magic with Messi and Suarez by his side.The MSN trio scored a combined total of 364 goals together at Barca. Until Neymar’s departure to PSG in 2017, they also provided 173 assists and won 9 major trophies, including a historic treble in 2015.For Inter Miami, bringing him in would be a major statement but also a calculated risk. Moreover, Miami recently signed Casemiro, Neymar’s former Brazil teammate.For now, the situation remains open.Neymar is still under contract at Santos, and the final decision on his future rests firmly with him.Read more:Jose Mourinho aims dig at Bernardo Silva after Real Madrid debutFour Chelsea players join Xabi Alonso for a round of golf at former LIV Golf venueErling Haaland left amused as fans flock to Sicily holiday location

CHICAGO (AP) — Colson Montgomery’s 26th homer, a three-run shot, capped Chicago’s four-run third inning and the White Sox held on to beat the Cleveland Guardians 5-3 on Sunday.Munetaka Murakami and Randal Grichuk each doubled in a run as the White Sox won their second straight, increasing their AL Central lead to 3 1/2 games over second-place Detroit. Cleveland and Minnesota fell four games back.Brenton Doyle had two hits to help Chicago win its 61st game, one more than in 2025 when the team finished last in the American League at 60-102.Steven Kwan had two hits for the Guardians (58-61), who lost for the fifth time in six games. Kwan and Murakami extended their on-base streaks to 25 games, tied for the longest active run in the majors.The game was delayed by rain for 2 hours, 23 minutes, after the first inning with the Guardians ahead 2-1. Both managers replaced their starters — Chicago’s Davis Martin and Cleveland’s Joey Cantillo — when play resumed.White Sox left-hander Hagen Smith took over in the second, making his major league debut. Smith (1-0) tossed two scoreless innings for the win, but walked the bases loaded in the third before Brayan Rocchio lined out to third to end the threat.Trevor Richards, the sixth Chicago reliever, allowed a run in the ninth on two walks and José Ramirez's sacrifice fly, but earned his third career save and first this season.Cleveland lefty Tim Herrin entered in the bottom of the second, followed by Craig Yoho with two outs in the third. Yoho (2-1) allowed four runs on two hits and four walks while getting only one out.After Grichuk’s double down the left-field line tied it at 2, Montgomery lined a cutter to right to put Chicago ahead 5-2.Up nextGuardians: RHP Tanner Bibee (4-11, 3.85 ERA) faces Tigers RHP Drew Anderson (4-4, 4.01) on Tuesday in Detroit.White Sox: RHP Sean Burke (7-6, 3.08 ERA) starts against Cincinnati LHP Nick Lodolo (3-2, 4.60) on Tuesday in Chicago.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - AUGUST 07: Hezly Rivera competes on the balance beam during the 2026 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships at Mortgage Matchup Center on August 07, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)Getty ImagesHezly Rivera won the all-around title at the 2026 U.S. Championships on Sunday in Phoenix, coming from behind to defeat teammate Claire Pease in a fierce battle that came down to the wire. After falling from the uneven bars on day one, Hezly Rivera did not take the lead until the eighth and final rotation in Phoenix. Slowly chipping away, routine after routine, the defending U.S. Champion showed impressive mental endurance to clinch her second-straight championship. With her win, the 18-year-old joins an elite club of American gymnasts who won multiple U.S. titles, including Olympic Champions Simone Biles, Shawn Johnson, and Nastia Liukin. Four different athletes won the four individual events. U.S. Classic champion Reese Esponda claimed her first national title on floor after a two-day masterclass. Olympic and World vault medalist Jade Carey claimed her third U.S. vault title. Rivera defended her balance beam title, while Claire Pease won her first U.S. title, on uneven bars. Final All-Around Results (Top Five) 1. Hezly Rivera (WOGA): 111.9502. Claire Pease (WOGA): 110.8003. Charleigh Bullock (Capital): 110.5504. Reese Esponda (WCC): 108.9005. Jade Carey (Oregon State): 108.750Phoenix Play-By-PlayRotation One: Pease Takes Control, Blakely StumblesBeginning the competition on vault, Jade Carey showed her trademark power – perhaps too much today, hopping twice on landing. For her second vault, Carey showed improvement from night one, landing her “Lopez” vault with a small hop. A World and Olympic vault medalist, Carey is a favorite to win her third U.S. vault title here.Tied for first heading into tonight’s competition, Claire Pease began her night on bars. Pease handled her difficult inbar work with ease, taking a small hop forward on her dismount for a massive 14.350.While the top contenders began their meets, 2025 Junior U.S. Champion Caroline Moreau impressed on the balance beam. Scoring only a 12.800 on night one, Moreau nailed her exercise for a massive 14.300 – the highest score thus far in the competition. Though unlikely to contend for the all-around podium, Moreau put USA Gymnastics leadership on notice. Hezly Rivera began night two on the event that unraveled on night one: the uneven bars. Though the Olympian almost lost control of her routine on her final handstand pirouette, she pulled through the routine to salvage a strong exercise.Minutes later, first-place Skye Blakely took to the floor exercise. With Rivera on the rise, Blakely could not afford any major mistakes. However, the Florida Gator mistimed her punch on her first pass, falling to the floor. Though Blakely was able to laugh off the mistake, the damage would be significant. She scored just 11.900, dropping her to fourth place with athletes still to go. In third-place after night one, Charleigh Bullock began her night on the balance beam. In her first routine of the night, she’d face her biggest test. Though the 16-year-old had some nerves, she fought through the exercise for a solid opener.After One: 1. Claire Pease: 69.950, 2. Hezly Rivera: 68.850, 3. Charleigh Bullock: 68.700, 4. Jade Carey: 68.650, 5. Skye Blakely: 67.500. Rotation Two: Esponda Shines, Rivera ClimbsWith a sizable full-point lead over her teammate Hezly Rivera, Claire Pease and Rivera headed over to beam, Charleigh Bullock to floor, Jade Carey to bars, and Skye Blakely to vault. Blakely left her floor error behind her on vault, cruising through her easy Lopez vault. On bars – her weakest event – Jade Carey fought through a late pirouette to nearly nail her full-twisting double layout dismount. Both remained on the outside, but in the hunt. Reese Esponda scored a massive 14.450 on floor in night one – one more routine of that caliber and she would win gold. Launching into her massive tumbling, Esponda landed without a flicker. Captivating the audience with her power and eerie music, Esponda delivered another winning routine for her second 14.450. Even with many athletes yet to go, she would undoubtedly win her first U.S. title. Over on beam, defending U.S. all-around champion Hezly Rivera looked to keep her comeback effort on track. Rivera stunned on beam in night one, but was slightly less secure on tonight’s effort. Nonetheless, she hit the routine for a higher score than night one. Third-place Charleigh Bullock then took to the floor, looking to hone in on her execution due to lower difficulty than her competitors. Bullock did just that, earning a solid 13.550 from the judges, a .100 improvement from night one. Current leader, Claire Pease, was the last of the top gymnasts to finish the rotation. Despite the eyes of the arena on her, Pease floated through her difficult combination, nailing her dismount with veteranlike confidence. Pease earned a 13.800, losing ground on Rivera but good for the lead. After Two: 1. Claire Pease: 83.750 2. Hezly Rivera: 83.250, 3. Charleigh Bullock: 82.250 4. Jade Carey: 82.050, 5(t). Skye Blakely: 81.450 & Reese Esponda: 81.450. Rotation Three: Rivera Retakes LeadThough Pease maintained her lead heading into the second half of the meet, Rivera’s beam routine halved Pease’s once-sizable lead, setting up a thrilling final two rotations.Charleigh Bullock went first of the top group, showing off her immense power. Bullock struggled to find a clean landing, but still delivered a strong score due to superior execution. Over on bars, Skye Blakely moved to one of her best events. Blakely cruised through her difficult release moves, closing her effort with a perfectly stuck dismount and a beaming smile. Currently in second place, Hezly Rivera moved to the floor. The Olympian looked confident, nailing her first two tumbling passes with almost no landing errors. Rivera earned a huge 14.300, putting significant pressure on her younger teammate. From one Olympian to another, Jade Carey went to beam, looking to cleanly execute one of her lower scoring events. While her effort on the balance beam was clean, Carey stumbled out of her dismount, incurring significant deductions for a 12.900. Looking to hold her lead, Claire Pease opened her floor routine with an out-of-bounds deduction. With Rivera on her heels, she had to be nearly perfect. Pease characteristically bounced out of many of her passes, posting just a 13.200. With only vault to go for the two WOGA teammates, Hezly Rivera took a sizable lead. Hezly Rivera has not led this entire weekend and just took a .600 lead going into the final rotation.After Three: 1. Hezly Rivera: 97.550, 2. Claire Pease: 96.950, 3. Charleigh Bullock: 96.450 4. Skye Blakely: 95.700, 5. Reese Esponda: 95.600: Rotation Four: Rivera Closes the DealJade Carey opened the final rotation in Phoenix on her best event: floor. Carey nailed her first two tumbling passes, drawing roars from her home crowd. Dismounting with a small hop, Carey concluded a solid return to the elite stage in Phoenix. Finishing her night on balance beam, Skye Blakely fell twice on balance beam, ending her bid for a national title on the event and effectively ending her contention in the all-around race. All eyes turned to Hezly Rivera on vault. If Rivera could land on her feet, she would win her second-straight U.S. Championship. Seconds later, it was all but official. Rivera nearly stuck the vault, her coach Valeri Liukin beaming with pride.She immediately received a fist bump and hug from her top competitor and teammate Claire Pease. Pease vaulted shortly after, hitting her Yurchenko double to secure a likely silver medal. After Four: 1. Hezly Rivera: 111.950, 2. Claire Pease: 110.800, 3. Charleigh Bullock: 110.550, 4. Reese Esponda: 108.900, 5. Jade Carey: 108.750This article was originally published on Forbes.com

Don Nelson, the NBA's three-time Coach of the Year and a five-time champion, has died at the age of 86, his family said in a statement."On Sunday morning our beloved husband, dad, grandfather and great-grandfather Don Nelson peacefully went to be with the Lord, surrounded by his loving family," the statement said. "Throughout his last week, friends and family encircled him with love, sharing the blessing of his friendship and revisiting treasured memories."As a player, Nelson played 11 of his 14 seasons with the Boston Celtics, winning five NBA championships before going on to coach after he retired from playing.He last coached for the Golden State Warriors in 2010 and retired as the NBA's winningest coach. Over his 30-year career, he coached four teams, including the Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks.Nelson also served as general manager for all three franchises and is one of two coaches in NBA history to have at least 250 wins with the three teams.Dallas Mavericks Governor Patrick Dumont said Nelson helped transform the franchise and brought "a winning culture" to the city."Don Nelson was a true original whose impact on the Dallas Mavericks and the game of basketball will endure for generations ... His influence can be seen throughout Mavericks history and across the NBA today," Dumont said.Nelson introduced what is now known as the point forward, and his up-tempo style of offense created a buzz. He said the idea of shifting from the dominant big men of the 1970s to an offense focused on speed and the fast break came from his playing days under Celtics Hall of Fame coach Red Auerbach."The league really hadn't seen an offense like the one we were running, and the results were undeniable," Nelson wrote in 2016 in The Players' Tribune.Nelson was best known for his stint in Oakland, where he drafted Stephen Curry and was credited with helping build the Warriors' ascent."'Nellie' was one of the most innovative and influential coaches in NBA history and an iconic figure in Warriors history. He was a true basketball visionary who saw the game differently and was never afraid to challenge conventional thinking," the Warriors said in a statement posted to social media. Nelson will be remembered for his authenticity, personality and passion for basketball, the organization said.In a statement, Curry said, "The story is [Nelson] never liked rookies, but from Day 1, he challenged me and gave me an opportunity to be my best self on the court ... He had an immeasurable impact on the sport and will go down as one of the greatest minds in the history of the game.""Don Nelson revolutionized NBA basketball through his fearlessness, ingenuity and deep conviction," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. "He brought an unmistakable personality to everything he did, and his impact on our sport will continue to be felt for generations."The Celtics, in a statement, highlighted Nelson's playing career and said it would be a mistake to let his coaching career overshadow his gameplay.In Game 7 of the 1969 NBA Finals against his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers, Nelson "converted one of the most famous shots in playoff history—a foul-line jumper which dropped through the basket after hitting the back rim and bouncing several feet straight up," the organization said."The Celtics extend our deep condolences to Nelson's family, loved ones, and everyone he touched through his rich and impactful life in basketball and beyond," the statement said. "The shot, taken with just over a minute to go in the game and the Celtics clinging to a 103-102 lead, was an essential play in helping secure Boston's 11th NBA title in 13 seasons."Nelson won all five of his playing titles with the Celtics, and in 1978, two years after his final season as a player, his number 19 was raised to the rafters in Boston.In 2000, Nelson revealed a prostate cancer diagnosis and later said he had his cancerous prostate removed, with doctors having found no sign that the disease had spread.Nelson's cause of death wasn't revealed. He is survived by his children and his wife, Joy.

CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians were forced to go to their bullpens after rain caused a 2-hour, 23-minute delay just ahead of the second inning on Sunday at Rate Field.When the game resumed, the Sox turned to 2024 first-round draft pick Hagen Smith.The lefty struck out three and walked four over two scoreless innings in his major-league debut, aiding the Sox in a 5-3 victory in front of 31,263.Colson Montgomery hit a tiebreaking, three-run home run during a four-run third inning for the Sox, who won two of three in the important series. With the victory, the first-place Sox (61-56) hold a 3 1/2 game lead over the second-place Detroit Tigers (58-60) in the American League Central. The Guardians (58-61) and Minnesota Twins (58-61) are both four games back.The Sox also surpassed their win total from last season (60-102).Sunday turned into a bullpen game for the Sox and Guardians, with Smith receiving his first opportunity.The Sox called up Smith and fellow pitching prospect Tanner McDougal from Triple-A Charlotte before Saturday’s game, optioning pitchers Noah Schultz and David Sandlin to Charlotte and designating pitcher Wikelman González for assignment.Smith received a huge ovation as he walked to the dugout after warming up on Sunday.He entered with the Sox trailing 2-1.The Guardians scored twice in the first against starter Davis Martin.Steven Kwan began the game with a single. Chase DeLauter then walked. José Ramírez singled to right field. Braden Montgomery didn’t field the ball cleanly and Kwan scored on the error. DeLauter went to third on the miscue and scored on a sacrifice fly to center by Nathaniel Lowe to give the Guardians a 2-0 lead.The Sox scored once in the bottom of the first against Guardians starter Joey Cantillo. Sox leadoff batter Brenton Doyle singled, stole second and scored on a double by Munetaka Murakami.Miguel Vargas followed with a hustle double on a fly ball to shallow right field that DeLauter couldn’t snag. Murakami advanced to third on the play. Cantillo struck out the next three batters, limiting the Sox to just the one run.Rain arrived just before the second inning. Both starters were taken out after the lengthy delay, with Smith entering for the Sox and Tim Herrin for the Guardians.Smith struck out Brayan Rocchio, the first batter he faced, swinging. He walked Patrick Bailey, but struck out the next two batters for a scoreless inning. The Guardians loaded the bases with two outs in the third inning — each reaching by a walk. Smith got Rocchio to line out to Vargas at third base to end the inning.The Sox made the most of their chance in the bottom of the third. Vargas drew a two-out walk against reliever Craig Yoho, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on a double by Randal Grichuk to tie the score.Braden Montgomery walked. Colson Montgomery then crushed a 1-1 cutter over the right-field wall for his 26th home run of the season. The three-run home run gave the Sox a 5-2 lead.Relievers Sean Newcomb (1 1/3 innings), Huascar Brazobán (1 2/3 innings), Bryan Hudson (one inning), Jordan Hicks (one inning) and Trevor Richards (one run in one inning) made the lead hold up as the Sox finished 6-7 during a 13-game stretch against the New York Yankees (2-2), Tampa Bay Rays (2-1), Boston Red Sox (0-3) and Guardians (2-1).____

Boston Red Sox catcher Adley RutschmanThe Boston Red Sox made a blockbuster trade on Aug. 3 to acquire Adley Rutschman from the Baltimore Orioles.Rutschman was on the injured list with wrist inflammation when the Red Sox got him, but he could make his Red Sox debut very soon. He went on a rehab assignment, and it looks like after just two rehab outings, the Red Sox are ready to get him in their lineup."Adley Rutschman will fly to Toronto with the Red Sox tonight, work out with the team tomorrow and could be active as soon as Tuesday," wrote MLB.com's Ian Browne on X on Sunday.The three-time All-Star went 1-for-5 with a double and 2 walks during the two games he played for the WooSox. He also caught one runner stealing with a perfect strike to second base. The numbers during his rehab assignment are not nearly as important as how Rutschman feels after playing.Looking for the perfect gift for a baseball player in your life? Check out our brand new baseball lifestyle brand!The Red Sox have been one of the Best teams in baseball for over a month now and will be adding a three-time All-Star to the lineup now. Rutschman is a switch hitter who has a .251/.331/.433 slash line with eight homers. His home run numbers are down this year, but he is still a major upgrade over what the Red Sox have had at catcher so far this season.More MLB: Austin Wells Starting To Heat Up For Yankees

Former Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold is drawing interest around the NFL.According to Jordan Schultz, Arnold visited with the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. It marks his second known visit since becoming available, after previously meeting with the Houston Texans.Schultz also reported that Arnold has interest from additional teams.Arnold Looking for His Next OpportunityArnold was released by the Lions before training camp amid a serious legal situation, ending what had once been viewed as a promising future in Detroit.Now, the former first-round pick is beginning to explore possible opportunities elsewhere.Seattle is the latest team to take a closer look.The Seahawks have historically placed a premium on athletic, physical defensive backs, so Arnold’s background and draft pedigree make him a logical player to evaluate if they believe he can help their secondary.Multiple Teams Showing InterestThe fact that Arnold has already visited Houston and Seattle suggests there is still some league-wide interest in seeing whether he can restart his NFL career.A visit does not guarantee a contract, but it does show teams are willing to gather more information and evaluate the possibility.For Arnold, the next step is finding a team willing to give him another opportunity.Bottom LineTerrion Arnold’s post-Lions future is starting to take shape.The former Detroit cornerback visited the Seahawks on Sunday after previously meeting with the Texans, and more teams are reportedly showing interest.Whether Seattle becomes his next stop remains to be seen, but Arnold is clearly generating attention on the open market.

Demi Vollering won the 2026 edition of the Tour de France Femmes (NICOLAS TUCAT)Dutch rider Demi Vollering took the Tour de France Femmes overall title in style on Sunday, winning the hilly final stage to extend her lead on nearest rival Kasia Niewiadoma, who finished second overall after a tense struggle.The 29-year-old also won the 2023 title and earned her second one by timing the nine-day slog to perfection, carving out solo wins on the final two stages, which both ended in Nice."It's a dream to live this life," Vollering said after hoisting her bike above her head at the finish line."I knew my level and even when Kasia won on Mont Ventoux I was still confident," added Vollering, who has also finished second on this race three times in its five editions since being relaunched in 2022.Vollering's FDJ-United Suez are the first French team to win the race, earning her high praise from team boss Stephen Delcourt."Through her high standards, sensitivity, authenticity, and the way she brings others along with her, she is redefining what it means to be a modern leader," he said."She inspires her teammates, she inspires the fans, she inspires an entire generation ... She doesn't just win races; she shows the way forward."Vollering had to carve out this win.Niewiadoma took the yellow jersey on Friday's climb of Mont Ventoux, setting up a pulsating finale.Vollering then edged into the overall lead on Saturday, attacking late on a small hill and edging into an eight-second overall advantage over 2024 winner Niewiadoma.A furious Niewiadoma, however, complained she had been blocked by a teammate of Vollering's at a crucial moment, but no action was taken.Vollering said her team had been both "honest and humble" after Sunday's race, adding that her teammate Celia Gery, the alleged blocker, had received death threats on social media."Celia had a really bad night. I'm sure deep down that Kasia knows these kind of things can happen in a race," Vollering said.The scene was set for a dramatic final stage contested over four climbs of the Col d'Eze just outside Nice, where Vollering waited until the fourth ascent to pounce.Attacking near the summit, she took a 20sec lead and thundered down towards Nice, never looking back.Italy's Elisa Longo Borghini came third overall after Swiss rider Marlen Reusser fell on a descent and lost a two-minute cushion on the podium.Dutch sprinter Lorena Wiebes won the green sprint points jersey mainly thanks to her victories on the two opening stages in Switzerland.Her compatriot Puck Pieterse secured the polka dot climb jersey ahead of the final stage.The best young rider jersey was won by Germany's Antonia Niedermaier, who also finished fourth overall.bur-dmc/nf/jc