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2. Trump calls judge in East Potomac case a 'crazed lunatic' as interior official testifies on who ordered hundreds of trees cut at historic golf course  WUSA9
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'Princess Diaries' Erik von Detten Sued Over Alleged Elder Abuse  TMZ

Terry McLaurin Commanders Dan Quinn Getty

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said that wide receiver Terry McLaurin’s injury could be “significant.”

McLaurin left the Commanders’ 23-17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter with an apparent knee injury, one that Quinn says has the team in “fear” for the worst possible outcome.

Dan Quinn Worried About Terry McLaurin’s Injury

Speaking to the media following the Commanders’ loss to the 49ers, Quinn admitted that there is “fear” amongst the team’s staff that McLaurin may have suffered a “significant” injury.

“The concern is that it could be significant, but we’ll do the scans tomorrow and give you an update. But it’s definitely something that there’s fear,” Quinn said.

As Quinn noted, the media will be provided an update on Tuesday once McLaurin’s medical scans are completed. But clearly, based on the way he spoke to the media tonight after the Commanders’ loss to the 49ers, Quinn is very worried that he might lose his Pro Bowl wide receiver.

Commanders Need Terry McLaurin

With McLaurin potentially being seriously injured, the Commanders could be in big trouble going forward, as he is the team’s best wide receiver and the top weapon for QB Jayden Daniels.

McLaurin has already missed time this year with a hamstring injury, so to see him potentially seriously injured here is yet another tough blow for a Commanders squad that really cannot afford to lose any more games.

Following their loss to San Francisco, the 49ers are just 1-4-1 on the season and in last place in the NFC East.

However, the good news for the Commanders is that the rest of their division isn’t exactly lighting the world on fire, so believe it or not, Washington still has a chance to make the playoffs if they can string some wins together.

But losing McLaurin hurts, as the two-time Pro Bowler has been one of the best wide receivers in the NFL ever since he entered the league in 2019.

He has been banged up the past two seasons, playing in just 10 games last year and then parts of five this season while dealing with injuries, which clearly hurts the Commanders, who rely on him for explosive plays and scoring touchdowns.

If McLaurin is going to be out for a while, then the Commanders may have to go out and make a trade to bring in some help at the WR spot for the rest of the season.

The team still has a chance to make a playoff run if they can string a few wins together, but Daniels needs some help, as he can’t do everything on his own.

If McLaurin is indeed going to be out for some time, then the team can only hope that someone else steps up in his absence and that the rest of the players can rally around their fallen teammate and make a big run after their bye week next week as the Commanders look to turn their season around and help Quinn save his coaching job.

This article was originally published on HEAVY

The post Terry McLaurin Injury Could be ‘Significant,’ Says Dan Quinn appeared first on HEAVY.

Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings: Week 7 2026 appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Fantasy football managers entering Week 7 have plenty to consider when setting their running back lineups, from dominant workhorses to emerging alternatives benefiting from injuries. With several notable running backs dealing with injuries or uncertain availability, monitoring workload trends, and late-week updates will be essential. Here are the top picks and sleepers to consider for Week 7 of the 2026 NFL season.

Week 7 Top Fantasy Football PicksJahmyr Gibbs, DET (vs. GB)Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Jahmyr Gibbs remains one of fantasy football’s most valuable running backs. That’s after another dominant performance in Week 6. Gibbs rushed 25 times for 151 yards and two touchdowns while catching five passes for 56 yards, surpassing 200 total yards, and finding the end zone twice. That combination of rushing volume, receiving involvement, and touchdown production makes Gibbs an elite fantasy asset.

A Week 7 matchup against Green Bay presents another opportunity for Gibbs to deliver. As long as he remains healthy and maintains his current role, Gibbs belongs among the very top running backs in fantasy football. Gibbs is the clear headliner this week. He should be locked into every lineup where he is available.

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Bijan Robinson, ATL (vs. SF)

Bijan Robinson had an unusually quiet outing in Atlanta’s 31-23 Week 6 loss to Chicago. He rushed nine times for 61 yards while catching both of his targets for minus-eight receiving yards. His total offensive production fell below 70 yards for the first time in six contests. Sure, the performance was disappointing. However, it should not trigger a major reassessment of Robinson’s fantasy football value.

Robinson faces the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7. This matchup will be challenging. Still, his workload and talent keep him firmly in RB1 territory. Fantasy managers should resist the temptation to bench him after one disappointing performance. Robinson remains a must-start RB1 in all formats. Trust his established role rather than overreacting to one quiet week.

Kenneth Walker III, KC (@ SEA)

Kenneth Walker III delivered one of Week 6’s most impressive running back performances. He rushed 19 times for 128 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught two of three targets for 11 yards. That gives him additional value beyond his rushing production. His numbers demonstrate the combination of efficiency and workload that fantasy football managers want from a top-tier running back.

His recent performance gives managers little reason to hesitate. Walker is generating productive runs while receiving enough opportunities to remain a reliable fantasy starter. If that workload continues, he should have another chance to deliver RB1 numbers in Week 7 against Seattle. Walker is a high-end RB1 after his explosive Week 6 outing.

Week 7 Fantasy Football SleepersChuba Hubbard, CAR (vs. TB)

Chuba Hubbard is emerging as an appealing sleeper after seeing his carry total increase every week. His latest outing marked a season high in rushing attempts. His touchdown was his fourth of the season and sixth overall. That growing workload gives him a credible path to continued fantasy football production. Against Tampa Bay, Hubbard is worth considering as a flex option with the potential to deliver RB2 value.

Braelon Allen, NYJ (vs. MIA)

Braelon Allen rushed for 78 yards on 17 carries and caught both targets for 26 yards in Week 6. With Breece Hall sidelined by a quad injury, Allen continued to handle the bulk of New York’s rushing work. If Hall remains unavailable against Miami, Allen should continue operating as the Jets’ lead back. His combination of rushing volume and receiving involvement makes him an attractive streaming option. Of course, managers must monitor Hall’s status before kickoff.

Dameon Pierce, PHI (vs. DAL)Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Dameon Pierce could become a viable fantasy flex option as Philadelphia navigates a depleted backfield heading into Week 7. Pierce made his first start since 2023 with Houston and dominated the Eagles’ backfield touches in Week 6. The biggest concern is Pierce’s fantasy ceiling. Pierce may need a touchdown to turn his opportunities into a truly productive outing. Still, volume matters at running back. A lead role gives him a clearer path to fantasy relevance than he would have in a crowded backfield.

Injury and Late-Week Notes

Monitor Saquon Barkley (hamstring), Jeremiyah Love (ankle), Quinshon Judkins (ankle), Breece Hall (quad), Kyle Monangai (toe), David Montgomery (groin), Jordan Mason (thumb), and Josh Jacobs (personal). Jacory Croskey-Merritt has been placed on injured reserve, while Mason could return from IR this week. These situations could reshape backfield workloads before kickoff.

Week 6 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings

1. Jahmyr Gibbs, DET (vs. GB)
2. Bijan Robinson, ATL (vs. SF)
3. Kenneth Walker III, KC (@ SEA)
4. Christian McCaffrey, SF (@ ATL)
5. Kyren Williams, LAR (@ LV)
6. Jaylen Warren, PIT (@ NO)
7. Derrick Henry, BAL (vs. CIN)
8. Jonathan Taylor, IND (@ MIN)
9. D’Andre Swift, CHI (vs. NE)
10. Javonte Williams, DAL (@ PHI)

11. Chuba Hubbard, CAR (vs. TB)
12. Bucky Irving, TB (@ CAR)
13. Braelon Allen, NYJ (vs. MIA)
14. Ashton Jeanty, LV (vs. LAR)
15. Chase Brown, CIN (@ BAL)
16. Aaron Jones Sr., MIN (vs. IND)
17. Josh Jacobs, GB (@ DET)
18. Ollie Gordon II, MIA (@ NYJ)
19. Rhamondre Stevenson, NE (@ CHI)
20. Dameon Pierce, PHI (vs. DAL)

21. Woody Marks, HOU (vs. NYG)
22. RJ Harvey, DEN (@ ARI)
23. Blake Corum, LAR (@ LV)
24. J.K. Dobbins, DEN (@ ARI)
25. Tony Pollard, TEN (vs. CLE)
26. Alvin Kamara, NO (vs. PIT)
27. Kendre Miller, NO (vs. PIT)
28. Tyler Allgeier, ARI (vs. DEN)
29. Jordan Mason, MIN (vs. IND)
30. Rico Dowdle, PIT (@ NO)

Final Takeaway

Gibbs and Walker headline Week 7. Robinson remains a strong RB1 despite his recent dip. Hubbard and Allen offer the most intriguing sleeper opportunities, with Pierce a potential flex candidate. Confirm injury updates before finalizing your lineup.

Related: Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings: Week 7 2026

Related: Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings: Week 7 2026

‘Say Your Apology on Air’ — Eagles Legend Terrell Owens Calls Out Michael Robinson’s Response to Jalen Hurts Controversy

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is expected to miss the rest of the 2026 NFL season after being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his left calf and blood clots in both lungs.

After the diagnosis was announced, NFL Network analyst Michael Robinson apologized for questioning Hurts’ commitment to the team last week. However, former Eagles star Terrell Owens was not satisfied with Robinson’s written apology and called on him to address his comments on television.

Terrell Owens Criticizes Robinson’s Apology Over Jalen Hurts Comments

Owens did not hold back when reacting to Robinson’s apology on Instagram.

“Say your apology on air as you did the disrespect,” Owens wrote. “This is where getting too cute with the commentary goes wrong!”

The controversy began after Hurts was diagnosed with a superficial blood clot during an ultrasound in London on Oct. 10. He played against the Jacksonville Jaguars without limitations Sunday, Oct. 11, but further tests the following Wednesday revealed that the clot had shifted.

As a result, the star quarterback missed Philadelphia’s Week 6 matchup against the Carolina Panthers, which the Eagles lost 25-14.

On Monday, the Eagles and Hurts’ agent confirmed that further testing had revealed deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter subsequently reported that Hurts is expected to miss the remainder of the 2026 season.

Before the full diagnosis became public, Robinson questioned whether the quarterback was using his injury as a reason to sit out, given the state of the team.

“This is just me outside looking in. I don’t know nothing, guys. But it looked like they were trying to pin the outcome of this season on Jalen Hurts, just so that they can have an excuse later on to move on from Jalen Hurts,” Robinson began on “NFL GameDay Kickoff.”

“But if I’m just playing devil’s advocate here, and I’m thinking that way, if I’m Jalen Hurts… or anybody in Jalen Hurts’ camp… I’m saying, ‘Well, if everybody’s hurt, I’m hurt, too.’ To me, it looked like Jalen is kind of getting himself out of the fray… he’s pulling himself out so that this [lost season] doesn’t look like it’s on him.”

SET YOUR LINEUPS:PFN’s Free Fantasy Start/Sit Optimizer

Following the Eagles’ announcement about Hurts’ diagnosis, Robinson apologized to the quarterback, his family, the organization, and its fans.

“I want to sincerely apologize to Jalen Hurts, his family, the Philadelphia Eagles organization and fanbase for my comments last Thursday. They were unfounded, and I never should’ve speculated on a health issue of a player, nor his commitment to his team,” Robinson wrote.

Although Robinson acknowledged that his comments were wrong, Owens believes he should make the same apology “on air,” given that his original comments were made on television.

PREDICT THE NFL SEASON:PFN’s Free NFL Playoff Predictor

Hurts will be treated with blood thinners, and reports from NFL Network and ESPN suggest his recovery could take around three months. Because players cannot play contact football while taking the medication, he is expected to miss the rest of the season.

Teammate Tyler Steen said Hurts was in good spirits after the initial diagnosis, while his agent, Nicole Lynn, said Monday that he is clinically stable and expected to make a full recovery.

This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 27: Toronto Blue Jays infielder Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) is seen in the Blue Jays dugout during the first inning of an MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Toronto Blue Jays on September 27, 2026, at Rogers Centre in Toronto, ON. (Photo by Mathew Tsang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

It’s no secret that a big part of the Blue Jays’ disappointing 2026 was the result of a disastrous season by superstar first baseman Vladimir Guerrero jr. Vlad’s offensive production cratered, from an average wRC+ of 139 from 2023-2025 to 95 this past season. If the team’s going to get back into contention in 2027 and beyond, it’s going to have to start with a bounce back from Guerrero. I wanted to try to figure out what went wrong and how likely it is to be fixed for next year. Today, I’m going to look for some historically comparable collapses and see what we can learn from them. Later this week I’ll dive deeper into the stats to try to figure out what exactly went wrong.

Usually when a player’s performance falls off dramatically, the culprit is either age or injury. Neither really fits here, though. Vlad was definitely banged up this season, missing time with finger, elbow, back, and hamstring injuries plus a concussion. He also got laser eye surgery after the season. Still, he played 144 games and took 609 PA, and no one of the injuries really coincides with a huge drop off in production. Plus, he put up the best base running and defensive metrics of his career. He was clearly moving well everywhere but in the batter’s box. The nicks and dents could explain some struggles, but nothing of this magnitude. As for age, at 27 he should just be reaching his peak, not falling from it.

To find comparable stretches, I looked for period of four consecutive seasons where a batter qualified for the batting title each time (so presumably excluding catastrophic injuries) and was 30 or younger in the final season (mostly avoiding age related decline). In the integration era, there have been 1,852 such runs (excluding ones that end in a season shortened due to strike or plague). As the graph below shows, most players perform about the same in year 4 compared to the average of years 1-3. Only 11 players had declines in wRC+ as extreme as Vlad’s -45 points. Already we can see that we’re in strange waters.

I found 18 other players who experienced a drop of 40-50 points of wRC+, within 5 points of Vlad’s. Here’s what those seasons looked like:

The median is in blue, Vlad is in orange. You can see that he’s been a more volatile player than his comps even before this season, posting both the best and the worst seasons relative to average in the baseline three year period. The overall pattern is similar, though: players were mostly bouncing around in a range of plus or minus 20 points before falling off a cliff in year four.

So what happened to these guys? The next graph breaks the fall down into the impacts of power (measured as change in ISO), strikeouts, walks, batting average on balls in play (BABIP) and variance not explained by those other factors. It’s based on a regression model predicting changes in wRC+ based on the four stats mentioned before.

Most players got worse across the board. To fall off this badly you can’t just have one thing go wrong. Still, there are definite groups. Vlad’s performance was driven mostly by a power outage, while his BABIP and walks fell only slightly and he actually cut his strikeout rate a little. BABIP and ‘other’ are the things that have to the most to do with luck or outside circumstances, and they don’t seem to have been a huge factor here. That puts him closer to the likes of Travis Hafner and Albert Belle and farther from Dave May or Delino DeShields. In fact, the decline in ISO accounts for 69% of his wRC+ decline, the largest among the comps.

So this kind of decline has happened before, and to some excellent players, but it’s still rare. What can history tell us about Vlad’s likely perfromance going forward? The graph below extends the previous wRC+ chart through years 5-9.

It’s not enormously comforting. the group did bounce back, on average, but not to pre-dip norms. The median player recovered about 10-15 points of their initial 45 point drop for the next three seasons before beginning to decline due to age. For Jays fans, that’s a scary set of comps. It suggests that Vlad should be able to get back to being a decent hitter, but maybe only a decent one rather than the superstar that his $500 million contract demands.

There are some reasons for a little more optimism, though. The players in the sample who were 28 or younger in year 4 were about twice as likely to bounce back to within 10 points of wRC+ of their previous performance than those who were 29 or 30. Vlad is among the youngest players in the group. Those whose fall off was driven more then 50% by a power outage had a better than 50% chance of getting back, while those whose dip was driven by strikeouts, walks or BABIP had a less than 20% chance. Finally, some of the players who never returned to their previous level showed other signs of physical decline. Andre Dawson, for example, saw his steal attempts cut in half while moving from centre field to right, suggesting that while he didn’t actually miss time the knee troubles that would dog the back half of his career were already hurting him. There are a few other non-recoverers with similar clear signs of decline. As mentioned above, Vlad’s athleticism (never the core of his game) looked as good as it ever has. The injuries that bothered him this year were mostly from hit by pitches and other freak events, and there’s no reason to worry that his body is giving out. There appears to be a real risk that Vlad won’t be the same player he used to be, based on the history of players with similar issues, but the demographic factors look like they’re all in his favour.

Shrewsbury Town owner Roland Wycherley first began looking to attract new investors at the Shropshire club in 2021 [Nathan Stirk - Getty Images]

Shrewsbury Town owner Roland Wycherley has responded to another open letter from impatient Salop fans by saying "public pressure" is not a "constructive approach" to his process of concluding the sale of the League Two club.

Ten Town supporters' groups came together on Monday to ask for "clarity" over the timescale of the Shropshire club's proposed takeover by an American consortium, led by Miami-based Scott Davidson and two of his fellow directors at Scottish League Two club, The Spartans - Will Dotson and Craig Graham - plus former USA goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

Despite Wycherley's previous plea for patience, Town fans have become frustrated over growing speculation, reported on BBC Radio Shropshire, that Wycherley might not now want to sell - and that the club might even instead be working on an alternative deal.

But a statement released in response by the club insists "the process is continuing to move forward and is now in its final stages".

The club are particularly upset at the timing of the latest fans' letter, in the wake of an improved run of 11 points out of a possible 18 from their past six games to help Salop climb to 14th in the table - and little more than 24 hours before a key trip to bottom club Crawley Town.

The united Town fans, bracketed under the label of 'Floreat Salopia' - in homage to the Latin motto on both the Shropshire county crest and on the club badge - later responded to the club's statement by saying that "an absence of information can lead to dangerous speculation".

Meanwhile, in Monday evening's televised draw, Shrewsbury were handed a long away trip in the FA Cup first round on the weekend of 6-9 November - having been paired with Hampshire side Eastleigh, who sit 17th in the National League.

• Prospective Salop owners get dual interest clearance
• Wycherley asks for fans' patience over Shrewsbury takeover
• Davidson's US Shrewsbury takeover involves Friedel

The Shrewsbury Town board's response

"Shrewsbury Town is aware of a letter published requesting public comment on the ongoing takeover of the club.

"The letter states that "we have had no indication of progress" on the proposed takeover since Scott Davidson received approval from the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) to acquire the club. We do not agree with this assessment.

"On September 18, the club published a statement confirming that Craig Graham and Will Dotson had successfully completed the relevant owners' and directors' tests.

"A further statement on September 25 confirmed Brad Friedel had also received IFR approval.

"We believe this demonstrates the club has provided updates where publicly appropriate.

"We remain committed to progressing all matters relating to the proposed takeover through the appropriate channels as soon as possible.

"We do not believe that applying public pressure, demanding comments to rumours, or issuing threats is a constructive approach while the takeover process continues to move forward.

"The club remains committed to handling all takeover-related matters professionally, respectfully and through the proper channels. We will not be drawn into repeated public exchanges and ask that this position is respected.

"We would like to thank all supporters who continue to back the club and recognise that not every matter can, or should, be addressed publicly."

Steph Curry flapped his arms and ripped the gumshield from his mouth and stumbled towards the locker room. The open practice for the Warriors, 48 hours before the 2026/27 NBA season gets underway, delivered a chill throughout the arena. A deathly silence was palpable, knowing the precarious foundation of the Golden State’s hopes and dreams, pinned to No 30.

LeBron James’s seismic switch from Los Angeles to Philadelphia has somewhat obscured the curious situation of a 38-year-old legend’s final act.

In the immediate aftermath of Curry’s misstep, irresponsible speculation spread of an ACL tear, which would all but scupper an 18th NBA season. But news since has confirmed the issue was merely a right ankle injury, with Curry initially maintaining he was “fine” before Golden State head coach Steve Kerr cleared him for the season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night.

But this injury scare underlined a growing concern for the Warriors. And beyond an inevitable rebuild in a post-Curry world, the NBA’s grand plans for global relevance are up against the might of the NFL’s dominance and ambitious competition from other sports internationally.

And in this star-driven league, given the NFL is not necessarily built the same way, the NBA is experiencing a changing of the guard with an influx of international superstars after a soon-to-be nine-year gap since the last American MVP (James Harden in 2017/18).

The NBA was absent from the 2025 Sportico 100, which showcases the most-watched US telecasts each year, a sixth straight year, with the American gluttony for the NFL illustrated by 84 events in the list.

For those already initiated, the NBA is a compelling product and at first glance should soar in the coming years. Just look at last year’s finals and the Knicks’ first title in 53 years. The captivating nature of Jalen Brunson guiding New York past the Spurs, led by the most talented player of a generation, Victor Wembanyama, who emerged as a villain in the Big Apple, sets the table for a generation-defining rivalry.

The precarious foundation of the Golden State’s hopes and dreams are pinned to No 30, Curry (AP)

This writer witnessed how World Cup mania belatedly arrived in New York thanks to that Knicks run, underlining that the ingredients are there to muscle in on the NFL and Premier League in the relentless pursuit for content. There have been eight different champions in as many years, though the league must better harness that unpredictable nature to thrive.

A ninth could emerge in Philadelphia, with LeBron James, seeking title No 5 and aiming to snap a seven-year drought, fresh from an unlikely switch from Los Angeles Lakers to 76ers. He joins Jaylen Brown, the Robin to Jayson Tatum as Batman for so long in Boston, alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey to form the latest NBA super team.

While two-time reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the uber efficient Oklahoma City Thunder, champions in 2025, are the favourites once again.

Commissioner Adam Silver has genuine authority and ideas, with the NBA Cup adding a wrinkle to major league tradition in the United States. But even with the exciting plans to launch NBA Europe and tie franchises to the continent’s leading football clubs, something is missing.

LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers look on (Getty)

Speaking about his plans to utilise Curry, though Philadelphia’s Nick Nurse may encounter similar issues with James and the injury-prone Embiid, Kerr spoke of the awkward dilemma surrounding Curry’s usage, perhaps highlighting how the next generation of superstar American basketball players are yet to take the throne of Curry, James and more.

Curry remains one of the most compelling athletes in sport, with thousands flocking to catch a glimpse of him during his final years playing. You could feel the allure even outside of NBA circles during the 2024 Olympics two years ago, when Curry elevated his game and captivated a global audience en route to gold. I can even recall the swoosh of the net reverberating around the Bercy Arena, Paris as fans held their breath during Curry’s iconic warm-up routine.

“We’ll start trying to map out, week by week, what’s what,” Kerr said of Curry’s usage before that injury scare, with the widely-accepted greatest shooter of all time dealing with a nagging right knee injury that cost him 39 games last term.

“But to be really frank, every year we run into this [situation] where, if we have a bunch of games stacked together, back-to-backs, we have fans that buy tickets expecting to see Steph – usually Steph, sometimes other players, people expecting to see vets – and then we have a back-to-back, and we don’t play ’em. So, I would just come out and tell the fans out there to be mindful when you’re buying the tickets of the schedule. Take a look. Because we’ve got not just Steph but multiple vets we are going to try and manage, because it’s the only way we can do this.”

Golden State are not alone, but with 15 back-to-backs, the value of those Warriors games are drastically reduced both at the game and on televisions around the world, a growing issue as Silver bids to retain audiences in the regular season before the exhilarating playoffs begin on 13 April with the play-in tournament.

Steph Curry is a major doubt for the opening game of the season but appears to have avoided a season-ending injury (AP)

Until then, the numerous shooting stars in this sport’s galaxy include the NBA Cup, a Christmas Day feast of five back-to-back games, international games aplenty, including Spurs v Pelicans in Manchester, a trade frenzy building to the 11 February deadline and the ever-evolving All-Star game.

Sometimes less is more and protecting Curry, James and the league’s best veteran superstars remains paramount to the league’s ultimate success.

The 2026/27 NBA season returns to Sky Sports and NOW from 20 October

Pedri: Lamine Yamal shouldn't be compared to anyone, not even Lionel Messi

Pedri believes Lamine Yamal should not be compared to anyone, insisting that measuring the youngster against Lionel Messi is "complicated" because it means comparing him to "the best player in history".

The comparisons between Lamine and Messi have become a recurring theme, as the teenager continues to break records inBarcelona colours.

Yamal’s ascent to, arguably, a status as the world’s best player has mirrored Messi’s own rise at the Camp Nou. Barcelona teammate Pedri is the latest high-profile figure to be asked about them.

The Spaniard called comparisons with Messi an unfair burden, with the latter regarded by many as the greatest of all time.

“For me, Lamine shouldn't be compared to anyone because comparing him to Leo Messi is complicated… …comparing yourself to the best player in history is complicated.”

- Pedri

"The best player in the world"

That does not mean Pedri held back on his praise. At the same time, he labelled Yamal as football’s current number one.

Pedri is not alone in pushing back on the Messi comparison. Earlier in the day, Paris Saint-German head coach Luis Enrique rejected it too.

Enrique, who coached Messi during his time as Barcelona boss, will come face-to-face with Yamal when PSG take on the Spanish champions in theChampions League this evening.

At his pre-match press conference, he talked down the comparisons.

“Lamine-Messi comparisons? You can not compare any player with Messi, he's the best ever.”

- Luis Enrique

Yamal has started the season in exceptional form, with eight goals and six assists injust nine La Liga appearances.

In Europe, he’s been similarly devastating. Yamal has recorded a goal and four assists in only 180 minutes of Champions League football.

The teenager is a contender for the Ballon d’Or when it is announced this month, and could become the youngest-ever winner of the award, after a runners-up finish in 2025.

Genoa CFC v ACF Fiorentina - Serie A - Getty Images SportFormer mentor backs Argentine prodigy

Demichelis is adamant that his former River Plate pupil Mastantuono possesses the personality, physicality and technical ability to thrive with Los Blancos despite his temporary switch to La Viola. The tactician handed the midfielder his senior bow aged 16 in January 2024 before Madrid completed a €45 million transfer in August 2025. Now 19, the youngster moved to Italy this term in search of regular first-team football.

European adaptation requires patient approachEuropean adaptation requires patient approach

Having become the youngest player in history to feature in an official match for Argentina's senior national team at 17, the playmaker made his Santiago Bernabeu debut on August 20, 2025 as a 68th-minute substitute for Brahim Diaz against Osasuna. Although he arrived as the most expensive signing in Argentine football history on a six-year deal running until June 2031, adjusting to European football's elite level demands patience.

Highlighting the need for time while recalling the build-up to the teenager's professional breakthrough during a virtual media roundtable on Monday, Demichelis, as quoted by ESPN Argentina, said: "He needs time. You have to look back at how many South American players have joined top European clubs and gone on to succeed. Santiago Solari or Gonzalo Higuain needed time to adapt to one of the biggest institutions in the world, if not the biggest. Especially when you are that young.

"Franco didn't make his debut at 16 by magic. There's a wonderful backstory before he did. I spoke with him, with River's directors, and with his parents to see if they were prepared for what was coming, and also to understand his contract situation. Physically, he was among the top three to five players day in and day out, particularly in recovery; on top of that, he had the personality and temperament to rise to the occasion. I believe Xabi Alonso (at Real Madrid) noted his personality when he first met him."

Record release clause foresaw greatness

After watching the youngster net his maiden senior goal for the Millonario in a 1-0 win over Sarmiento in July 2024, Demichelis even urged club directors to set his release clause higher than the fee agreed for a fellow academy graduate's move to England. 

Detailing how he pushed the board to demand a record figure while backing the player's current spell in Serie A, Demichelis added: "The board took note of his situation. At that point, we had sold Claudio Echeverri to Manchester City, and they thought about setting his buyout clause at the same value. But I said no - Franco was going to be a player for Real Madrid. From there, the club did fantastic work with his agent; they set a buyout clause that was unheard of for Argentine football, and it ended up being the biggest sale in the country's history.

"I don't doubt his abilities or his personality. Real Madrid waits for no one. He has decided to go get playing time (in Italy) for now, but I have zero doubt that he is a player built for that club, both in personality and in physical and technical quality."

Impressive Florence start builds momentumImpressive Florence start builds momentum

That decision to spend the 2026-27 campaign in Florence is already paying dividends, with Mastantuono scoring three goals across his opening seven Serie A outings. Building on that productive start in Italy's top flight will be vital as he prepares to fight for a starting berth back in the Spanish capital next summer. Meanwhile, Demichelis is preparing his RB Leipzig side to face Madrid in the Champions League this week.

Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

NFL Insider reveals why Bills must live or die by Josh Allen appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Buffalo Bills have centered their Super Bowl aspirations around quarterback Josh Allen. With a 5-1 record after Week 6 win, Buffalo is making progress toward meeting its high expectations this season. NFL insider Danny Parkins believes the team must continue putting its faith in its franchise quarterback if it hopes to accomplish its ultimate goal of winning a championship.

On First Things First, Parkins explained why the Bills must accept both the rewards and risks of building their offense around Allen.

“To live by the Josh, die by the Josh,” Parkins said. “That’s how it works. You’re gonna hope that he gets hot for 3 or 4 games in the playoffs and wins you a Super Bowl as the most talented player in football and yeah, you’re gonna live with some interceptions.”

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Allen has played a crucial role in the Bills’ impressive start to the season. Through six games, he has recorded 1,504 passing yards, nine passing touchdowns and four interceptions while completing 66.7% of his attempts.

The Bills quarterback has also contributed 240 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns.

Allen’s latest outing against the Las Vegas Raiders provided another example of his influence on the team. He completed 23 of 33 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns, helping Buffalo secure a narrow 33-30 victory.

The quarterback’s ability to make exceptional plays and carry the offense gives the Bills a significant advantage, but that same approach can result in interceptions. Hence, Parkins thinks Buffalo must be willing to accept those risks and trust Allen to deliver a series of outstanding performances when the playoffs arrive.

Allen and Buffalo will next take on the Baltimore Ravens to continue their championship dream.

Related: Joe Brady strongly condemns CJ Gardner-Johnson spitting incident that got him tossed

Related: Bills’ DJ Moore, Ed Oliver injury updates are great signs heading into bye week

With a 7-1 win over Hearts at the weekend, Celtic have every reason to be confident going into their matchup against Celta Vigo this week, even though they have lost both their Europa League matchups so far.

That does mean that Celtic are under pressure to get a result against Celta Vigo. If they fail to do so, it would make qualification to the next round of the Europa League very difficult.

Unfortunately for Celtic, two of their key players have already been ruled out for their game against Celta Vigo.

We have already talked about Yang Hyun-jun not being fit in time to take on Celta Vigo this week. Unfortunately, he is not the only one in that situation.

Another Celtic player looks set to miss game against Celta Vigo

Cameron Carter-Vickers is another player we have not seen in action over the last few matches for Celtic.

Carter-Vickers grabbed the headlines with his comments following Celtic's loss against the Rangers right before the international break. A lot of fans would have been intrigued to see if that would end up having an impact on his place in Martin O'Neill's plans. But due to an injury, he has not even been available since then.

As reported by The Celtic Way, O'Neill said when asked whether Carter-Vickers would be available to face Celta Vigo: "Cameron, I think the earliest we'd be probably seeing him would be the Hibs game."

So, this is another game that Carter-Vickers is not going to be available for. And Celtic could have done with his experience on the day.

Celtic Tipped to Make January Move for 29-Year-Old GoalkeeperCeltic have been tipped to make a January move for the 29-year-old goalkeeper, amid the club's recent struggles.Who will start at centre-back for Celtic vs Celta Vigo?

Dane Murray earned a lot of praise for his performance against Hearts at the weekend. So, it is quite likely that he is going to be the one starting against Celta Vigo as well.

On the other hand, it might be a toss-up between Auston Trusty and Liam Scales in the other centre-back position.

Trusty had played the entire 90 minutes against Benfica, while Scales did the same against Hearts. So, it does look like O'Neill wants to stick to the left-footed, right-footed centre-back combination.

If you asked me, Scales is most likely to retain his place in the starting XI after the one-sided win against Hearts.

When it comes to Trusty, his combination with Murray did not really work when the two started against Benfica last week. The Celtic defence proved too easy to get through for the Portuguese side, who scored four goals and could have easily had a few more if they had been a bit more clinical with their finishing.

Then again, one cannot rule out the possibility of O'Neill deciding to rely on experience and going with the Scales-Trusty duo, which was his preferred setup for most of his last season.

Motorsport photo

Honda confirmed on Tuesday that Diogo Moreira will join the manufacturer’s factory MotoGP team next season, where he will partner Fabio Quartararo.

The announcement means that David Alonso, who agreed a deal with HRC months ago for a promotion to the premier class for 2027, will instead join LCR, the Japanese manufacturer’s satellite team, taking the seat that will be vacated by the Brazilian.

In his debut MotoGP season, reigning Moto2 world champion Moreira has delivered on the brief he was given. Not only has he proved highly consistent for much of the campaign, but he has also sent out signals that have caught the attention of Honda’s Japanese executives.

The Sao Paulo-born rider sits 15th in the overall standings – and is Honda’s second-highest-placed rider, behind Luca Marini, who has scored 34 more points than him. So far this season, Moreira has finished inside the top 10 on five occasions, with sixth place in Hungary and second in the Motegi sprint standing out as his most notable results.

Initially, Moreira is expected to work alongside crew chief Andres Madrid, who will join HRC from KTM, while Santi Hernandez, who heads up Joan Mir’s side of the garage, will oversee Alonso’s adaptation to the premier class.

“It’s an amazing feeling to join the factory team; it’s something every rider dreams of when they are young. I want to thank everyone at HRC for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to take the next step in this project,” Moreira said in Honda’s official statement.

David Alonso David Alonso

Honda’s decision to back Moreira appears entirely justified when his performances are compared with those of Alonso, the other candidate to become Quartararo’s team-mate.

The Colombian, who dominated Moto3 in 2024, began his second Moto2 campaign aiming to fight for the title, but that target has gradually slipped away as the season has progressed. His sole victory, at Assen, and four podium finishes have left him fifth in the standings, 99.5 points behind Manuel Gonzalez, who is likely to contest the intermediate-class title with Izan Guevara, currently just 5.5 points behind him.

Despite Alonso’s lack of winning form, Honda gave considerable thought to assigning him to Lucio Cecchinello’s team. One of the reasons was the pressure it faced from the Wasserman Group, the agency representing the Colombian, which consistently pushed for him to be placed in the factory team. That position ran counter to the view held by several influential figures within Honda, who felt the pressure Alonso would face in his rookie season in the premier class would be excessive.

Read Also: Why Alex Marquez hasn't been able to replicate his 2025 MotoGP form MotoGP riders say 850cc bikes will be less physical and more fun to ride

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Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho to keenly study Barcelona vs PSG ahead of El Clasico

According to a report from SPORT, it has come to light that Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho will closely analyse Barcelona’s Champions League meeting with Paris Saint-Germain in order to prepare for the El Clasico. 

The Portuguese manager is particularly interested in how Hansi Flick reorganises his defence amid injury concerns, believing Tuesday’s European showdown could reveal important clues about Barcelona’s plans for the meeting at the Spotify Camp Nou.

Mourinho is not yet shifting his full attention towards the Clasico, with Real Madrid’s own European commitments taking priority. 

However, once that fixture is out of the way, he and his coaching staff will turn their focus to assessing Barcelona’s performance against Luis Enrique’s PSG.

Barcelona’s defensive absences could influence Mourinho’s Clasico plan

The availability of Jules Kounde and Eric Garcia is expected to be a major focus of Mourinho’s analysis. 

Both defenders have featured on Barcelona’s right side this season, and their absence leaves Flick facing important decisions over how to assemble his back line for two demanding matches.

Mourinho will pay close attention to Barcelona’s UCL match against PSG. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)

The Portuguese coach already knows Barcelona’s strengths and attacking patterns well. 

Nevertheless, the PSG match offers a valuable opportunity to see how Flick responds when key defensive options are unavailable against a high-level opponent.

Mourinho will inevitably be interested in those adjustments, but Barcelona should also view the match as an opportunity to demonstrate that their system can withstand personnel changes. 

A disciplined performance would strengthen Flick’s options and give Real Madrid less reason to believe the absences represent an exploitable weakness.

Kounde’s possible return offers Barcelona hope

There remains a possibility that Kounde could recover in time to feature against Real Madrid, giving Flick greater flexibility ahead of the Clasico. 

His availability would be significant because it could allow Barcelona to restore a familiar defensive combination rather than rely on an emergency solution.

Jules Kounde might return for El Clasico. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

The team selected against PSG may therefore provide only part of the picture. 

If Kounde remains unavailable, however, Flick’s choices in Paris could offer an indication of his preferred alternatives. 

At the same time, if the Frenchman returns for Sunday, Barcelona’s defensive setup could look considerably different.

The priority for Barça will be managing the situation without taking unnecessary risks with players’ fitness. 

Two demanding fixtures in quick succession make squad management especially important, and Flick will need to balance European needs with the importance of the domestic showdown.

Jack Fitzwater has started all 11 of Exeter City's League Two games this season [Shutterstock]

Exeter captain Jack Fitzwater has extended his contract with the League One side until the summer of 2029.

The 29-year-old centre-back took over as skipper in the summer after fellow defender Pierce Sweeney left the club.

Having joined the Grecians in the summer of 2023 from Scottish side Livingston, he has gone on to make 77 appearances and has been a key part of a defence that has only conceded a League Two-best six goals in 11 games.

Fitzwater has been a regular in the Exeter side since overcoming ulcerative colitis, which he was diagnosed with during his first season at St James Park.

He had previously been contracted to the club until next summer.

• Fitzwater's pride at becoming Exeter City captain
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"I want to be a big part of the future and what the club is building, both on and off the pitch," Fitzwater told the club website.

"I think it's a good place of change right now, and there is only one place we want to go, and that's forwards and upwards. I really want to be a big part of that.

"I'm captain of the club now as well, which comes with that added responsibility. Me and my wife are happy and settled in the area, and we've made Exeter our home. We absolutely love it down here.

"That's a big thing for the next few years and is a massive part of it. If you're happy off the pitch, then hopefully it helps you perform on the pitch as well."

• All the latest Exeter City news

Niko Kovac adamant Borussia Dortmund not in crisis 

Borussia Dortmund haven’t won any games since the end of the lengthy international break. However, head coach Niko Kovac believes the team is far from crisis. 

Speaking ahead of the UEFA Champions League game against Sabah Baku, the 55-year-old coach said, “When we arrived back then, we were eleventh. You can’t compare the two. We’re second, level on points with Bayern. I can put that into perspective. We dominated Bremen, had an unfortunate 2–2 draw, and now against Union it was a clear 0–0 game. What we’re not entirely happy with are the results. Two draws and one defeat, but I’m not making a big deal out of it.”

Kovac believes the team will be able to turn results around as soon as possible: “The team has the quality to turn things round as early as tomorrow, and I’m convinced of that. So, I’ll stick to it: read nothing. That’s the easiest and best way to go about it.” 

With the recent run of poor results, doubts are resurfacing about Kovac. The coach recently extended his stay at BVB until 2029, with fans divided on whether the new contract was the right decision. 

Tuesday night’s game is an opportunity to get back to winning ways, as anything other than all three points will possibly increase the discontent around the club. 

GGFN | Brook Genene 

Nov 3, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Monday Night Football commentator Troy Aikman before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals at AT&T Stadium. © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Troy Aikman has been a popular conversation piece these last few weeks, mostly because it’s public knowledge that he’s in the final year of his broadcasting contract with ESPN and has had no negotiations with the four-letter network about an extension. Meanwhile, his long-time broadcast partner, Joe Buck, recently signed a six-year extension, keeping him around until 2032.

On Week 6 Monday Night Football, the focus was back on Aikman’s analysis as the San Francisco 49ers picked up a 23-17 win over the Washington Commanders. It wasn’t anything that would get the Hall of Fame quarterback in trouble, but it sure has generated quite a bit of discussion.

Troy Aikman’s Take on Analytics Splits Opinion Down the Middle

Analytics have become a huge part of sports, including the NFL. But don’t tell that to Aikman, who clearly doesn’t think highly of the trend.

Case in point, during the “Monday Night Football” broadcast, Aikman said, “I think analytics is a good way to lose your job as a head coach.”

That may be true, but it could also be a great way to improve a coach’s win-loss record if they can master their situational awareness.

Not everyone agreed with Aikman’s assessment of analytics.

One commenter simply said, “This is why he doesn’t have an extension.”

Another piggybacked off that take, “Says the commenter about to lose his job.”

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Yet, others agreed. One commenter said, “He ain’t wrong.”

Another defended Aikman for being willing to share his opinion, even if it is unpopular with some. “He’s free to have his own opinion, it is literally his job to give it. Weird how defensive people are about analytics.”

Another urged Aikman to “keep speaking your mind.”

However, one commenter suggested the opposite of what Aikman said is true.

“Actually it’s usually the opposite. Most of the time analytics give coaches cover with their numbers-obsessed owner overlords. Going with your gut exposes you.”

However, another argument was made that it’s not actually relying on analytics that gets anyone fired; it’s simply the act of losing games rather than winning them.

“Nobody gets fired for going for it. They get fired for losing, and the list of coaches who punted their way into unemployment on fourth and short is a lot longer than the list of analytics casualties.”

Ultimately, this feels like one of those battles that will lead to a split opinion. Can analytics help make more informed decisions? Absolutely. But blindly following them can also get a coach in trouble.

This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.