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Former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho has questioned the medical decisions surrounding Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts after a blood clot diagnosis developed into a far more serious condition. His criticism has intensified scrutiny of the team’s medical staff and raised broader questions about player safety, medical clearance and accountability across the league.

Acho argued that the focus should be on the professionals responsible for evaluating Hurts rather than the quarterback’s willingness to play. Hurts was diagnosed with a superficial blood clot in his calf before Philadelphia’s Oct. 11 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, but medical personnel cleared him to participate. Acho has characterized the decision as negligence and malpractice, calling for greater accountability over how the situation was handled.

Sep 4, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Hurts initially reported calf problems after Philadelphia’s Oct. 4 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, when he was struck in the leg. Following an ultrasound in London, doctors identified a superficial vein thrombosis and determined that he could safely play. The Eagles said medical professionals recommended a follow-up examination within 72 hours, and the quarterback subsequently completed the game without reported limitations.

Further testing after Hurts returned to Philadelphia revealed deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli, meaning blood clots had reached both lungs. The diagnosis forced the Eagles to place their starting quarterback on injured reserve, with the condition expected to sideline him for the remainder of the 2026 season. Hurts is clinically stable and expected to make a full recovery, but his treatment with blood thinners prevents him from participating in contact activities, including football.

Former NFL Star Emmanuel Acho Reacts to Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts’ SituationFeb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) practices before Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefs at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Acho called medical professionals out after Hurts was diagnosed with a blood clot. This can be seen in a video shared by Speakeasy on X.

.@EmmanuelAcho puts cases on EVERY Eagles’ medical staff member who was negligent in handling Jalen Hurts’ blood clot

“Directing Jalen Hurts to NOT sleep and not allow his body to recover is NEGLIGENT and MALPRACTICE and WE NEED ANSWERS!”

LIVE NOW https://t.co/BBf5wHLkS0 https://t.co/o2pGXn8XxE

— Speakeasy (@speakeasytlkshw) October 20, 2026

The NFL has defended the Eagles’ handling of the situation, with chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills expressing confidence in the medical staff’s decisions. The league indicated that medical protocols were followed and that the quarterback received appropriate evaluations throughout the process. However, the NFL Players Association has called for a full investigation, arguing that the facts must be established to ensure players receive the highest standard of care. Commissioner Roger Goodell has since said the league welcomes a review of the circumstances.

Acho’s criticism has added to the growing debate over the responsibility of medical professionals when elite athletes want to compete despite potentially serious health concerns. While the league maintains that the appropriate procedures were followed, the union’s demand for an investigation reflects continuing concerns about transparency and accountability. The findings could influence how teams evaluate similar medical situations in the future, with Hurts’ health and recovery remaining the primary concern.

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The post Emmanuel Acho Questions Eagles’ Handling of Jalen Hurts’ Blood Clot Diagnosis appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.

(Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) | Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Bayern Munich and Arsenal played out a 2-2 draw at the Allianz Arena, leaving Vincent Kompany’s side with work to do if it wants to secure a top-eight finish in the UEFA Champions League league phase.

FC Bayern now have five points from their first three matches, following a draw against Arsenal, a draw against Viking, and a win in their opening fixture. That leaves the Bavarians in a position where they cannot afford to let too many more points slip away if they want to avoid the knockout phase playoffs.

Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool lead the way with nine points apiece, while VfB Stuttgart have made an impressive start with seven points. Aston Villa, Barcelona, Manchester City, and other European heavyweights are also competing for positions near the top of the table.

Champions League table after matchday 3 pic.twitter.com/mG41R0nT7x

— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) October 21, 2026

The good news for FC Bayern? There is still plenty of football to play, and the squad has more than enough firepower to climb the standings. Harry Kane continues to deliver, and the draw against Arsenal showed that Bayern Munich can compete with elite opposition.

The bad news? Dropped points are dropped points, regardless of how entertaining the match might be. The Bavarians will need to turn performances into victories if a direct route to the round of 16 is the objective.

Next up is a trip to Atlético Madrid on November 3rd. FC Bayern need to make that one count.

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NASCAR fined Zane Smith $50,000 on Tuesday for driving into the back of Carson Hocevar's car after the checkered flag at Phoenix Raceway, and the official explaining the penalty pointed less to the hit itself than to a meeting the two drivers had with the sanctioning body in July.

NASCAR's penalty report cites Section 10.5.2.5a of the Cup Series rule book, which says violations that compromise safety will be handled case by case "with the highest level of seriousness," along with Section 4.4a, the rule book's ladder of behavioral penalty levels. The report lists the fine and nothing else: no points deduction and no probation. Smith, who drives the No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford, has a few days to appeal.

Mike Forde, NASCAR's vice president of racing communications, gave the reasoning on the series' Hauler Talk podcast. Officials called both drivers into the NASCAR hauler at EchoPark Speedway in July with a simple message, he said: "If you guys can't figure it out, we will help you figure it out." By Forde's account, "they couldn't figure it out," and Phoenix was a response to "the ask that we had that we felt was largely ignored."

Lap 296 and the cool-down lap

The penalty report lays out the sequence. On Lap 296 of 312, Ross Chastain hit Hocevar entering Turn 3, which sent Hocevar's No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet into Smith and into Josh Berry's No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford. Tyler Reddick, who took the lead on the Lap 294 restart, won the race. Chastain finished ninth, Hocevar 12th and Smith 15th.

After the flag, Smith rammed Hocevar's rear bumper and followed him to pit road. In-car video posted by reporter Noah Lewis catches Smith being told on the radio that the No. 77 team says it was shoved into the No. 38 a few laps from the finish. Smith's reply: "I don't give a f*ck." Lewis followed with a replay of what he called the moment Hocevar "was pushed into Smith and others by Chastain." NASCAR's own account posted video with a caption blaming "a chain reaction in the closing laps."

Zane Smith at Sonoma Raceway in June 2026. Photo: TaurusEmerald via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

The report describes Chastain's contact and records no action against him.

Hamlin had the best seat

Denny Hamlin was running right behind the Turn 3 contact, a lap down in the free-pass spot after a cut tire and a pit road speeding penalty. A caution would have handed him his lap back, and on his Actions Detrimental podcast he admitted he was rooting for Hocevar to wreck somebody: "Just do Carson things here."

He also questioned how hard Hocevar tried to save it. When Chastain sent him into the corner, Hamlin said, "Carson didn't hit the brakes." He allowed that braking or turning left with a car already on edge in Turn 3 could have spun the No. 77 anyway. On Smith's hit after the race, he said, "That's probably a little aggressive." The hosts noted that neither car appeared damaged by it. Hamlin knows the going rate: in 2023 NASCAR fined him $50,000 and docked him 25 points after he said on this same podcast that he had deliberately pushed Chastain toward the wall at Phoenix.

What $50,000 has bought before

The number is a familiar one. Hocevar paid the same amount after Kansas last fall for spinning his tires to rejoin the race with safety workers around his car. Bubba Wallace paid it in 2024 for hitting Alex Bowman's car on a cool-down lap in Chicago, the precedent NASCAR.com's own Hauler Talk writeup cites.

The contact NASCAR left alone is the more instructive list. At Chicagoland on July 5, Smith got into Hocevar on Lap 32 and put both cars into the outside wall, costing each a lap. No penalty followed. After Charlotte on Oct. 11, NASCAR discussed the incident at length and declined to penalize Michael McDowell and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. for their post-race run-in, which it saw as heat of the moment and quickly defused. Smith's case, Forde said, "was a little bit different than that, largely because of the conversation we had."

So the wreck that put two cars in the fence in July was free, and a bump that left no visible mark in October cost $50,000, with the difference explained by a meeting in between.

The meeting that didn't take

Smith told reporters after that July session at EchoPark that "I think we both understand where we're at with everything." Asked whether he could race Hocevar without trouble, he said, "No." Hocevar said he had "never been called to the hauler after getting wrecked." The two have been trading contact since Iowa in August 2025, when Hocevar put Smith into the wall.

NASCAR's report carries no statement from either driver or either team, and it doesn't say what happens if the two meet again. Forde declined to go further while Smith's appeal window is open.

Hocevar goes to Talladega 11th in the standings, 158 points behind leader Kyle Larson, with three races left in his first Chase. He won there in April. Smith is 26th. The YellaWood 500 is Sunday.

Was $50,000 the right price for Smith's Phoenix hit, or should NASCAR have charged him for Chicagoland in July instead?

Sources: NASCAR penalty report, Oct. 20, 2026; NASCAR Hauler Talk podcast via NASCAR.com; NASCAR.com race recap, Oct. 18, 2026; NASCAR.com, July 11, 2026; Noah Lewis and NASCAR posts on X, Oct. 18, 2026; Actions Detrimental with Denny Hamlin, Oct. 20, 2026.

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Michigan football is halfway through the 2026 season and is sitting at 4-2 despite being just a score in each of the two losses away from being 6-0. But even before the final play given up to Iowa and the turnovers that gave Minnesota short fields (and the game), the Wolverines were a bit -- uneven -- to say the least.

The Week 1 game against Western Michigan required a controversial ending on a Hail Mary to see the maize and blue win. And against Oklahoma, it was a one-score win, but the Sooners haven't quite been as good as advertised either. While Iowa and Minnesota are perhaps better than expected, the Wolverines are certainly worse, with an offense that still hasn't found a rhythm, though it found one in the second half against Penn State this past week.

Now the back half of the schedule awaits, and four of the six remaining teams are ranked. ESPN evaluated all of the first-year Power Four coaches, and Kyle Whittingham gets something of a middling grade by analyst Adam Rittenberg.

Michigan needed stability after a tumultuous end to 2025, and while Whittingham has been steady in his leadership, the on-field results have been erratic, beginning with the controversial opening win against Western Michigan. The quarterback switch from Underwood to Carr might spark an offense that at least should be able to run the ball effectively to complement an excellent defense. Whittingham has been here before -- thriving on defense with mixed or poor results on offense -- and will need to see complementary football during a second-half schedule that includes three top 10 opponents (No. 3 Ohio State, No. 6 Indiana and No. 9 UCLA) and Oregon.

Rittenberg also notes that the defense has been a huge positive, while the offense might be on the right track now that Tommy Carr is leading that unit.

We'll know more about what the team will look like when it hosts defending national champion Indiana, which is coming off a self-inflicted loss against Ohio State in Bloomington. Kickoff is set for 12:10 p.m. EDT at The Big House, and the game will be broadcast on Fox.

This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: ESPN grades Kyle Whittingham's first season at Michigan halfway through

Jordan Elliott was released by the Tennessee Titans after he had a gun at the Titans' practice facility parking lot, which violates NFL policy.

Former Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jordan Elliott was released after pulling a gun in the NFL team's headquarters' parking lot but received support from Titans coach Robert Saleh (Thearon W. Henderson)

Ex-Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jordan Elliott pulling a gun at the team facility was more a cry for help than a criminal act, Titans coach Robert Saleh said on Wednesday.

Saleh made an emotional speech in support of Elliott, evoking the possibility of self-harm without being prompted but not confirming that was involved in the incident last Thursday in a parking lot.

"He's a good man, had a terrible lapse in judgement that I recognize more as a call for help than a criminal act," Saleh said.

"It's unfortunate the way it went down, but as far as Jordan is concerned in the locker room and all people here see it differently than the knee-jerk reaction of the world."

Saleh and players confirmed reports that Elliott went to his car to retrieve a gun after a practice altercation with offensive tackle J.C. Latham.

"Just pause with regards to the news that Jordan had a gun," Saleh said. "This is a man who is a father, a great husband. This is a man who has never committed a crime in his entire life.

"And he pulled a gun in the parking lot. Why did he go off the rails and grab a gun? To me, those are small signs of a cry for help. Obviously there is something greater happening."

Elliott, who has played for San Francisco and Cleveland in a seven-year NFL career, did not play last Sunday and was released by the Titans on Tuesday over what the club called an "incident".

Having a gun at an NFL facility is a violation of league rules.

"The team and the NFL did a great job of pausing and asking those questions and checking every single box with regards to getting him the help that he needs," Saleh said, noting without mentioning names two NFL players had taken their own lives in the past year.

"They may have been crying for help and everyone ignored it," Saleh said. "I'm not saying that's where (Elliott) was. I'm not going to speak on that, but these kids go through a lot."

Saleh, who said he would recommend Elliott to every other NFL team, had worked with Elliott last year when he was defensive coordinator for San Francisco and Elliott was with the 49ers.

"I will stand on the table for Jordan's character," Saleh said. "Unfortunately, rules are rules with regards to guns on property and sometimes it's far greater than the knee-jerk reaction of kicking somebody when they are down.

"My message to 31 other teams would be if you need a hell of a run-stopping D tackle who can help you on a playoff run, give me a call."

- 'Heat of the moment' -

Latham called the altercation with Elliott and its aftermath "just an unfortunate situation. Just heat of the moment, (stuff) happens, ain't really too much to say about it."

Titans defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers was credited with calming Elliott and Latham said, "I told him how much I appreciated it."

Latham agreed "100%" with Saleh about the gun incident being a cry for help.

"Never been no bad blood between us two. We never actually had an argument leading up to it," Latham said.

"I do think mental health is extremely important and that's just one of those situations where you pray for a guy like that and, if you can, reach out to him, hope for the best for him. It's nothing personal on my end."

Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons called Elliott "an unbelievable teammate" adding, "We all deal with things off the field.

"I would say just for guys in the locker room, guys around the NFL, it's OK to talk to people.

"One split(-second) decision can always affect your life... you just never know. People always talk about mental health when things happen but I think it's the truth."

js/bb

J.J. McCarthy was drafted 10th overall in 2024 to be the quarterback for the Vikings, but his path to a long run as a starter in the NFL now goes through New Jersey.

McCarthy will make his first start for the Giants in Sunday's game against the Texans and he could have an 11-game run to show the entire league what he's capable of doing. McCarthy said on Wednesday that he sees the move to the first team as "a chance to prove yourself" and that he feels more prepared for the job than he was when he took over as the Vikings' starter at the start of last season.

McCarthy said that he gained knowledge about "the nature of NFL football" in 10 starts between injuries for the Vikings and is confident he'll be able to handle things better despite only being with the Giants for a few weeks.

"I believe just experience does wonders," McCarthy said, via a transcript from the team. "Being able to be in that same situation where you might have made a mistake the last time, this time you're just going to react better and make a more well-rounded response decision in that situation. Just being around great talent and great coaches, absolutely love everyone on the offensive side of the ball and the defensive side of the ball does a tremendous job of just giving us opportunities and always making sure we stay in the game and fight to the last seconds of each game."

Jaxson Dart is still the long-term plan at quarterback for the Giants, but there will be a market for McCarthy if he shows the skills that made him a top pick two years ago and he now has to make the most of his chance to display them.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday that the league welcomes an investigation into the Philadelphia Eagles' handling of Jalen Hurts' blood clots after the players' union asked for one.

Goodell said in his news conference at the end of the NFL's annual fall meeting that Dr. Allen Sills, the league's chief medical officer, has gone through the steps that were followed and added that the union had a right to call for a review.

"Obviously, there was a medical evaluation, and I think our protocols were incredibly good there," Goodell said. "The protocols were followed. Our process is to make sure that's the case, and our chief medical officer has gone through that, so we're comfortable that what we've seen in the protocols have happened."

READ MORE | NFLPA calls for full investigation into Jalen Hurts situation

Sills on Tuesday offered a passionate defense of the Eagles medical staff. The NFL said officials were in touch with team doctors and trainers, as well as the Cleveland Clinic in London.

"The notion that there's external factors that any of our physicians would put a player in harm's way -- that's nonsense," Sills said.

The NFLPA's call for an investigation was prompted by Sills' comments as well as reports that the league would not issue any punishment to the Eagles for how they managed the process surrounding Hurts being cleared to play Week 5 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, a league source told ESPN's Tim McManus.

SEE ALSO | Jalen Hurts out for season after blood clots discovered in Eagles QB's lungs

Jalen Hurts will miss the rest of the season after doctors discovered multiple blood clots in the Eagles quarterback's lungs

"The NFLPA is not aware of any NFL investigation into the medical care provided to Jalen Hurts. In fact, the league previously informed the union that it did not plan to review the care he received," the union's statement read. "Before conclusions are drawn about how this situation was handled, there must be a full investigation into what occurred. Determining the facts is essential to ensuring players receive the highest level of care and protection going forward."

Hurts' agent, Nicole Lynn, and the Eagles released a subsequent statement Monday saying that after further testing and monitoring, the current diagnosis was deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli, meaning a blood clot traveled from his legs to his lungs. Hurts, 28, is on injured reserve and expected to miss the rest of the season, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter on Monday.

An ultrasound in London on Oct. 10 revealed Hurts had a superficial blood clot in his leg, according to a statement released by the team last week. The Eagles said their medical staff and London-based doctors reviewed the ultrasound results and "concluded that activity and mobility were important and that Jalen could safely play" against the Jaguars.

RELATED | What are deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli? Understanding Jalen Hurts' blood clots

Sources told Rapoport that Hurts was in the hospital late at night in London, and upon returning to the hotel at 3 a.m. local time, he was able to sleep until the team left for the stadium at 10:30 a.m. Upon arrival, Hurts napped until heading out to the field for pregame warmups.

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni on Monday did not go into detail about why Hurts was allowed to play in the Jaguars game after he was diagnosed with a blood clot but maintained that "the health of our players is always at the forefront of our mind" while expressing "full faith" in the team's medical experts.

"The same doctors and trainers that helped 21 of our 22 starters be available in the Super Bowl are the same guys today that deeply care about our guys, to help them," Sirianni said.

Hurts' clot is considered to be "provoked" -- meaning a favorable prognosis with treatment and care -- because he was cleated in his calf, sources told Rapoport.

Goodell downplayed the role that international travel might have had in the situation.

"The most important thing here is Jalen's health, ultimately, and the future of him," Goodell said Wednesday. "He's a wonderful young man: not just a great player, but he's someone we all care deeply about. I'm more worried about his health, ultimately, but the protocols were followed."

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Rico Dowdle (knee) was limited during practice Wednesday, Oct. 21.

SOURCE: Teresa Varley – Steelers.com

Why It Matters: Dowdle recently returned from injury and is now dealing with a new injury, so fantasy players can check on his status later in the week. He will see a limited workload if active but could still be a No. 3 running back or flex option in some leagues.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rico Dowdle limited because of knee issue

Photo by: Mark J. Rebilas

The Golden State Warriors may already be exploring an exit strategy for Kristaps Porzingis, as the veteran center’s uncertain health situation creates major questions about his future with the franchise.

According to reports from ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Warriors have begun exploring potential trade options for Porzingis as he deals with ongoing health issues and considers his future in basketball. With the 2026-27 NBA season beginning, Golden State must determine how to handle a situation that could significantly impact its plans.

Porzingis’ Health Creates Uncertainty

Porzingis has yet to participate in training camp or preseason games and remains sidelined indefinitely. The 7-foot-2 center has been working with medical professionals to address his health concerns, but there is currently no established timeline for his return.

The situation has become increasingly concerning for Golden State, especially with reports indicating that Porzingis is seriously contemplating his future in basketball. While retirement is reportedly a possibility, no final decision has been announced.

Porzingis has dealt with health problems throughout his career, limiting his availability despite his ability to make an impact when healthy. Last season, he played 32 games between the Atlanta Hawks and Warriors, averaging 16.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.

The Warriors had hoped he could become an important part of their frontcourt after acquiring him from Atlanta at the trade deadline.

Why a Trade Could Make Sense

Golden State’s decision to explore trade possibilities reflects the uncertainty surrounding Porzingis’ availability. The Warriors entered the season hoping his combination of size, shooting and rim protection would complement Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.

Porzingis can stretch the floor with his outside shooting while providing a legitimate interior presence. Those skills make him a valuable player when available, but his current situation leaves the Warriors without a clear answer at center.

His contract could also influence potential trade discussions. Porzingis signed a two-year, $40 million deal, with only $3 million of the second season guaranteed. That structure could make the contract appealing to teams interested in future financial flexibility, although finding a trade partner willing to take on the uncertainty may be difficult.

What’s Next for Golden State?

The Warriors must balance their desire to remain competitive with the uncertainty surrounding one of their biggest frontcourt additions. Trading Porzingis could open up opportunities to pursue another center, but completing a deal may depend on his health situation and what other teams are willing to offer.

For now, a trade remains a possibility rather than a completed move. Porzingis’ future will depend on his recovery, his willingness to continue playing and Golden State’s assessment of its options.

The Warriors hoped Porzingis would help strengthen their championship ambitions. Instead, his uncertain availability has created an early-season dilemma that could force the organization to reconsider its plans.

Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Utah tackle already ruled out for Saturday Houston clash appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Utah football moved to No. 7 of the ClutchPoints power rankings by staying unbeaten against Colorado. Soon the Utes will attract ESPN College GameDay to their campus for the Big 12 heavyweight showdown against No. 14 Houston. But head coach Morgan Scalley and the Utes must make a quick offensive lineman change involving Kelvin Obot.

Utah’s blindside protector is dealing with an ankle ailment. Now ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel shared where things stand on Wednesday.

“Sources: No. 10 Utah will be without starting offensive lineman Kelvin Obot (ankle) against No. 14 Houston on Saturday night,” Thamel posted on the social media website X, formerly Twitter. “Obot is a 6-foot-5, 295-pound true freshman who came to Utah as an ESPN Top 50 overall recruit in the Class of 2026 and No. 5 tackle prospect.”

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This is a key blow for a Utes team that soon faces the eighth-best defensive unit among Big 12 teams. Houston also ranks seventh in the conference with producing 13 sacks. No doubt UH coach Willie Fritz and his defensive staff want to turn up the dial on the pass rush front for this one.

Utah, however, continues to lean into its famed physical, ball control style of offense. Even amid the Utes’ transition to Scalley as head coach after several years of working under longtime leader Kyle Whittingham, who left to take over at Michigan. The now No. 10 Utes turn loose dual-threat quarterback Devon Dampier and a vaunted ground game to gash opponents while also turning up the pressure on defense.

Saturday’s showdown rises as the only game featuring two ranked teams on the same field. And this contest surely will carry major College Football Playoff implications.

Related: Maryland football rumors: Brian Kelly, Chip Kelly, 2 Indiana coaches on Pete Nakos’ hot board to replace Mike Locksley

Related: Ohio State coach Ryan Day gives cryptic hint at Julian Sayin’s replacement after devastating injury revelation

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The ramifications from Chris Ballard's firing continued to resonate throughout the Indianapolis Colts locker room Wednesday.

And everyone understood the message — win or more changes could be coming.

Two days after team co-owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon announced her decision, Colts players got a chance to reflect on the man who constructed Indy's current roster even as they tried to remain focused on Sunday's game at unbeaten Minnesota.

“Whenever you see anyone let go in this business, especially someone like him — he's a first-class guy — it's tough,” quarterback Daniel Jones said. “He cares about the players, treats all the players the right way, and you can tell he really cares. I feel lucky to have spent the time together with him and have the ultimate respect for who he is as a man. So it's tough, a tough part of the business.”

Ballard spent nearly a full decade making the tough personnel decisions, building bonds and earning the respect of his players.

He gave Jones a fresh start in 2025. Jones had sought and received his release from the New York Giants in November 2024 then finished that season on the Vikings practice squad.

Indy brought in Jones to compete for the starting job with Anthony Richardson, whose injury history and inconsistency created an opening just two seasons after Ballard used the No. 4 overall draft pick on Richardson. Indy re-signed Jones to a two-year deal in March based largely on his 10-game start last season before he suffered a torn right Achilles tendon.

Yet nobody in the team complex was more loyal to Richardson than Ballard.

“He believed in me enough to have me here, and I'm forever grateful for that,” Richardson said. “I'm trying to do my part and not make him feel like he made the wrong decision. So I'm just trying to keep getting better every week and am waiting on my opportunity.”

Many Colts fans wanted Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen gone last season. They started 8-2, then lost their final seven games and missed the playoffs for a fifth consecutive season.

Instead, Irsay-Gordon gave both a second chance with a not-so-subtle stipulation — make the playoffs, compete for a Super Bowl or face the consequences.

A 2-3 start didn't help. Neither did last weekend's performance against previously winless Tennessee. Indy blew a 13-0 halftime lead, allowing the Titans to rally for a 26-20 victory as the home fans booed loudly throughout the second half and burst into chants of “Fire Ballard.”

On Monday, Irsay-Gordon announced she was making that very move, one that has put everyone at the team complex on notice.

“I think there's pressure in this league every year, regardless of the circumstances,” Steichen said. “And as the head coach, you've got to lead this team, empower your players, guide them through every single day and put them in position and that's I way look at it — put your head down and go to work. That's all you can do.”

Steichen said he has met with assistant general manager Ed Dodds, who will replace Ballard on an interim basis.

Some fans want even more changes as the Colts have lost 11 of 13, including seven straight road games. Steichen has repeatedly said this week he is not making a quarterback switch and does not intend to make any moves with his coaching staff.

Jones has struggled mightily this season, completing just 59.6% of his throws with four TD passes and six interceptions. He's also lost three fumbles and has taken 15 sacks.

The defense ranks in the bottom five of the league in points allowed (164) and is tied with Dallas and Philadelphia for the fewest takeaways (three).

And last weekend, the Colts special teams units allowed a 58-yard punt return to set up Tennessee's tying score and a blocked punt that was returned for the go-ahead score.

But with so much to correct, the Colts know they can't afford any distractions in this turbulent, emotional week. It's time to get back to football.

“I think every single day we have to come out here and no matter what happens, we have to go out there and continue to work to get over these losses,” Camryn Bynum said. “I think that's the biggest thing, being able to move forward from the bad weeks we've had. We have to move forward because, as players, the only thing we can control is our performance on that field.”

___

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Josh Jacobs spoke to reporters on Wednesday for the first time since he was removed from the commissioner's exempt list late last week.

The Green Bay Packers running back missed the first six weeks of the season while the NFL investigated Jacobs' offseason arrest for domestic abuse in May. Jacobs was placed on the list on Aug. 30.

"Excited to be back with the team, with the guys. I want to say thank you to the organization really for supporting me throughout this whole process and how everything played out.

With that being said, I can't really get into a lot of things, like specifics of things, but obviously I'm remorseful and sorry for putting this team in this situation.

Sometimes when you go through life situations occur, and a 4-second, 3-second decision can alter your life honestly. With that being said, still a human being, man, still trying to learn, still trying to grow from the whole process. Actually learned a lot throughout this whole process, legally and just personally.

Going forward just trying to be better. I know for some people this might be a stain on me and my character. I feel like I don't have to really speak on my character. A lotta people that know me in this locker room, or that's been around me, I'll let them do that.

For me, man, I'm just trying to come back in here, play ball, learn from this mistake and move forward."

The league's investigation into Jacobs is ongoing, and the NFL said his removal from the list does not affect it.

From NFL just now: Packers RB Josh Jacobs will be removed from the Commissioner Exempt List on 10/19, eligible to play Week 7.

NFL “initiated an investigation under the Personal Conduct Policy following Jacobs’ arrest in May. The league’s review remains ongoing & is not…

— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) October 16, 2026

Jacobs was arrested in northern Wisconsin on May 26 and charged with multiple counts of domestic abuse. The charges stemmed from an incident three days prior, when Jacobs allegedly grabbed a woman trying to leave his garage and threw her to the ground.

The running back was formally charged with two of those counts, battery and criminal damage to property, the week before he was placed on the commissioner's exempt list. He pleaded no contest to both charges last month.

Jacobs filed a civil suit last week calling for an injunction and protective order surrounding the evidence, including footage of the incident, that would restrict access to records in his case. The Brown County district attorney has reportedly said that surveillance footage outside Jacobs' garage corroborates the victim's account of the incident.

In a statement, Jacobs' attorneys, Clarence F. Duchac III, David Z. Chesnoff and Richard A. Schonfeld, said he was "excited to get back to work" after being removed from the list.

"Josh has dedicated the last several months to bettering himself, and he accepts responsibility for his actions," the statement said, via The Ringer's Tom Pelissero. "Josh is grateful for the support he is receiving from his teammates, coaches, the Packers organization, and the greatest fans in the world. Since there are ongoing legal matters, he will not have any further comment."

Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur also spoke to reporters Wednesday about Jacobs' return.

"I think a lot of times you get in a situation where you might not make the right decision. I think people learn from their mistakes. He's extremely remorseful. I do believe he is a good person. I've been around him quite a bit. I believe in second chances."

LaFleur said earlier in the week that Jacobs' status for the game is still to be determined.

"We feel like he's in a pretty good spot. He's been training, but he's missed the exposure to football. [His availability] is going to be determined throughout the course of the week, see where he's at, see how he's feeling, and then we'll make a decision."

The Packers play the Detroit Lions on Sunday, and Jacobs is eligible to play if LaFleur and Green Bay believe he is ready.

Ole Miss vs. Texas prediction, odds, pick for SEC clash in Week 8 appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Texas Longhorns have lost two straight games and look to rebound as they host Ole Miss. It is time to continue the NCAA Football odds series with an Ole Miss-Texas prediction and pick.

Ole Miss comes into the game 5-1 on the season. It was a tight first game as Ole Miss faced off with Louisville in Nashville, Tennessee. Ole Miss hit a field goal as time expired to win 41-38. After knocking off Charlotte, they hosted former head coach Lane Kiffin and LSU. Trinidad Chamliss ran in a 14-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter to give Ole Miss the 32-24 victory. The next week would be a complete disaster, visiting Florida. They fell 52-28. Since then, the Rebels have defeated Vanderbilt and Missouri. It was complete domination for Ole Miss against Missouri, winning 31-3.

Meanwhile, Texas opened the season 4-0. After taking out Texas State, they had a massive comeback victory over Ohio State, winning 24-23. They would then defeat UTSA and Tennessee on the road. In the Red River Rivalry, Arch Manning struggled late. Texas had a ten-point lead at the half, but multiple late Manning turnovers led to a 27-24 win for Oklahoma. Last time out was another difficult game for Texas. Texas once again had a ten-point lead, this time facing Florida. Once again, they let their opponent back in the game. Florida held the lead to 27-17 until Manning found Cam Coleman for a touchdown, but they could not score again, and Texas lost 27-14.

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This will be just the eighth meeting between the two schools. The last time they met was in 2013, and Ole Miss won 44-23, but that win was vacated. Ole Miss has beaten Texas just one other time, defeating the Longhorns in the 1958 Sugar Bowl.

Odds provided by DraftKings

Ole Miss vs. Texas Odds

Ole Miss: +3.5 (-118)

Texas: -3.5 (-102)

Over: 54.5  (-105)

Under: 54.5 (-115)

Ole Miss vs. Texas Key Injuries

Ole Miss-  RB Kewan Lacy (Probable), RB Makhi Frazier (Probable), OL Patrick Kutas (Probable)

Texas-  DL Justus Terry (Probable), OL Jordan Coleman (Probable), OL Jaydon Chatman (Out), WR Kaliq Lockett (Out), RB Hollywood Smothers (Questionable), EDGE Colin Simmons (Out)

Ole Miss vs. Texas Betting Trends

– The Rebels are 3-3 against the spread this year, but have covered in two straight.

– Ole Miss is 11 against the spread on the road, and 1-1 as the underdog.

– The over is 3-3 for Ole Miss this year, including both times on the road.

– Texas is 1-5 against the spread and has failed to cover in five straight.

– Texas is 1-3 against the spread at home this year.

– The under has hit in four of six games for the Longhorns this year, and three of four at home

Keys to Ole Miss vs. Texas matchup

For Ole Miss, it is all about keeping on schedule. This year, when the offense has been able to keep its rhythm, it has been elite. They are ninth in the nation in points per game, 25th in third-down conversions, and 21st in yards per game. It is not a perfectly balanced offense either. They are 116th in the nation in rush play percentage, while sitting 23rd in pass play percentage, but the disparity works. Trinidad Chambliss is the reason why. He has passed for 1,676 yards this year while having 14 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He has also scored six times on the ground. Meanwhile, Kewan Lacy has been great when in the lineup, running for 352 yards and five scores. If they can keep Texas off balance, the lack of Colin Simmons in the lineup will show, and Ole Miss will put up major points.

On defense, they have to put pressure on Arch Manning. Manning has already thrown five interceptions and been sacked 17 times. Many of his mistakes have come under pressure, and Ole Miss is great at getting pressure on the quarterback. Texas is 112th in the nation in sack rate currently, while 90th in interception rate. Blake Purchase has been solid this year. He has 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble, while Will Echoles has been great at creating pressure up the middle.

For Texas, they have to put Arch Manning in positive situations. That starts with the run game. With Hollywood Smothers potentially out for this game, that will put pressure on Raleek Brown. He has run for 265 yards and five touchdowns. Meanwhile, Manning has plenty of weapons to get the ball too if he has time. Ryan Wingo has been great this year, bringing in 26 receptions for 345 yards and three scores. Meanwhile, Cam Coleman has been a big play threat all year. He has 20 receptions for 336 yards and six touchdowns. Still, Manning needs time and protection to get the ball to Coleman.

On defense, losing Colin Simmons for the game is a massive blow. He has 10.5 sacks this year with two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. They have to contain Trinidad Chambliss in this game, and that will be difficult without Simmons. It is going to start with Justus Terry. The interior defensive lineman needs to get a solid push to put Chambliss into quick decisions. They also need to force some turnovers. Texas has just .8 takeaways per game this year, and if they are not going to create short fields, it is going to be a difficult day for Texas.

Ole Miss vs. Texas Prediction and Pick

The Longhorns have struggled to cover the spread this year, going just 1-5 against the spread and failing to cover in five straight games. Further, they are coming off back-to-back losses, and Arch Manning has been struggling. Texas is also without their best defensive player. Meanwhile, Ole Miss is riding high. They just shut down Missouri and held their potent running game to under 50 yards. The line has this set up to be a one-score game, and since the start of 2024, Ole Miss is 10-1 in one-score contests, including 2-0 this year. The road environment may be difficult for Ole Miss, but the Rebels get the win in this one. Further, Texas will struggle to score as the Rebels shut down the big plays, leading to the under hitting.

Final Ole Miss vs. Texas Prediction and Pick: Ole Miss +3.5 (-118) and Under 54.5 (-115) 

Related: Indiana vs. Michigan prediction, odds, pick for college football Week 8

Related: LeBron James, Joel Embiid odds highlight fraught nature of 76ers’ superteam experiment

Como 4-1 Manchester United: Red Devils humiliated in Italy

Michael Carrick’s injury-plagued side continued to fall short after a 4-1 thrashing in the Champions League by Cesc Fàbregas’ Como.

Nico Paz opened the scoring within a few minutes, which proved to be the only goal of the first half. Anastasios Douvikas added a second early in the second half before Paz inflicted further damage, scoring Como’s third within an hour.

Jacobo Ramón added insult to injury for Michael Carrick’s side as he made it 4-0 with 15 minutes to go. Joshua Zirkzee scored a consolation goal in added time as Como ran out comfortable winners.

As it happened

Nico Paz kicked things off early for Como with an immaculate finish in the third minute. Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt were caught too deep in the Como box, allowing the Argentine ample time to take a perfectly placed shot and put the home side ahead.

Manchester United could hardly string a pass together for much of the first half, with the absence of a number of defensive players and midfielders painfully noticeable. Como pressed high consistently, and United lacked the physicality to fight back with any kind of impact.

Michael Carrick made half-time substitutions, taking off Andrey Santos and Matheus Cunha for Carlos Baleba and Amad Diallo, but his efforts proved futile as a perfectly executed one-touch sequence from the halfway line allowed Nico Paz to play in Anastasios Douvikas to flick the ball into the net for Como’s second.

The night would only continue to worsen for Carrick and his men, already shrouded in recent controversy, as Nico Paz made a tidy run and slotted a shot round Senne Lammens with ease to score his second goal of the night and put his side 3-0 up.

A dejected Bruno Fernandes was substituted for Joshua Zirkzee after 67 minutes with little complaint. Less than 10 minutes later, Kaiki took advantage of United’s weak defence, as a slow Maguire and an out-of-practice de Ligt left Jacobo Ramón unmarked following a fast counter-attack to give Como a four-goal cushion.

Zirkzee did manage to have a small impact from the bench, scoring a consolation goal for his side in the 91st minute from a high cross by Amad, but the consolation goal did little to soften the blow. The win and high scoreline leave Como in sixth, above Manchester City on goal difference, with one more goal scored. Manchester United sit in 20th, with one win and two losses from three games.

0 tackles, 67% duels lost, 1 error: Noussair Mazraoui appeared to down tools vs Como

Manchester United were thrashed 4-1 by Champions League newcomers Como in what was another horror away performance from Michael Carrick’s team this season.

The head coach’s bizarre tactical calls and lack of coaching were clearly on display while Cesc Fabregas had his team purring on the night.

United skipper Bruno Fernandes even called out Carrick after the game as the atmosphere around the club gets toxic by the minute.

The lack of effort on the part of certain players was concerning with Noussair Mazraoui downing tools right from the first whistle.

Noussair Mazraoui downed tools

The normally consistent Moroccan was abysmal on the night, failing to make a single tackle while losing 67% of all his duels.

That was not all. The versatile full-back also made an error that led to a shot and was dribbled past once. He did complete two clearances and recovered the ball back on three occasions.

match stats

On the ball, the former Bayern Munich man was equally poor, failing to find a teammate with 50% of his long ball attempts.

One cross found its mark while the Morocco international failed to beat his man on both occasions. The 28-year-old did not attempt a single shot, nor did he manage a key pass (all stats via sofascore).

Noussair Mazraoui not playing for his United future

He started as the left-sided full-back and Nico Paz ran at him and he did not put up much of a challenge.

Carrick opted to switch him to the opposite flank for the start of the second half, but that did little to change the outcome.

There was speculation regarding his future in the summer, but the ex-Ajax ace opted to stay at Old Trafford.

But with INEOS planning a defensive overhaul next summer and given his current form, the likelihood of Noussair Mazraoui staying seems remote at best.

Feature image Marco Luzzani via Getty Images

online polls

John Chayka GettyTORONTO, ONTARIO - MAY 4: John Chayka speaks at a press conference where he is introduced as as General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs at Real Sports Bar & Grill on May 4, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Michael Chisholm/Getty Images) Getty

The Toronto Maple Leafs have already made multiple meaningful moves under the leadership of general manager John Chayka, who took over the position from the terminated Brad Treliving.

Chayka has certainly made his mark on the Maple Leafs, not only overhauling the entire coaching staff but also making several additions and subtractions; his most recent major move was the blockbuster with the Columbus Blue Jackets involving Kirill Marchenko and Matthew Knies.

But are the Maple Leafs satisfied with their overall roster right now, or could they be looking to make even more moves?

The Toronto Maple Leafs Could Have Another Move Up Their Sleeve

GettyTORONTO, ONTARIO – MAY 4: John Chayka speaks at a press conference where he is introduced as as General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs at Real Sports Bar & Grill on May 4, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Michael Chisholm/Getty Images)

According to NHL Insider David Pagnotta, the Maple Leafs are looking to upgrade their defense.

“The same thing that they’ve been looking for since preseason is what they’re still looking for now, and it’s been amplified a little bit more because they’re carrying those conversations, and that’s defense,” Pagnotta said. “I mentioned this two or three weeks ago at the start of the season, they’ve been looking for a second-pair caliber defensive-minded defenseman. Somebody that can control the zone, control the puck, and exit the zone nicely with it or at least get it out of there and let the other guys do their thing, and help your netminder, whoever it is.”

Pagnotta also mentioned he liked how the Maple Leafs allowed goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, whom they acquired during the offseason through free agency, to remain in Toronto following their win over the San Jose Sharks rather than travel to Columbus.

“I like their little situation now on back-to-backs, not having to have Bob (Sergei Bobrovsky) travel,” he continued. “It’s not necessary; he wasn’t going to back up anyway, or you have the luxury of him not having to back up. So you give him a little bit of extra rest and a little bit more comfort, because he’s got to play the Rangers tomorrow.”

The Maple Leafs Made Multiple Moves Over The Summer

Among the moves made by the Maple Leafs over the summer was the acquisition and signing of defenseman Darren Raddysh, along with the addition of Emil Andrae in the trade of Joseph Woll.

The Maple Leafs also traded away defenseman Brandon Carlo, whom they acquired from the Boston Bruins at the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, to the St. Louis Blues.

This article was originally published on HEAVY

The post NHL Insider Predicts Another Big Move Could Be Coming For Leafs appeared first on HEAVY.

The wind is almost always a factor at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship. This week, it could become the story.

After a week off, the PGA Tour returns Thursday at Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton, Bermuda, for the second of four straight international stops during the FedEx Cup Fall.

And if the forecast holds, players will have their hands full, particularly this weekend.

Thursday’s opening round calls for winds of 15-20 mph with gusts of 20-25 mph. Conditions are expected to calm slightly Friday, with winds of 12-17 mph and gusts reaching 18-22 mph, although the chance of rain increases from 20 percent to 60 percent.

Then comes the weekend. Saturday’s forecast calls for sustained winds of 20-25 mph and gusts reaching 25-30 mph, along with a 70 percent chance of rain early.

Sunday could be downright nasty.

More: 2026 Butterfield Bermuda Championship tee times, how to watch first round

Tropical Weather Outlook
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
200 PM EDT Wed Oct 21 2026

For the North Atlantic...Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of America:

Offshore of the East Coast of the United States (AL93):
A storm-force non-tropical low pressure area located a few hundred… pic.twitter.com/z35186sHD7

— Hurricane Watch Net (@HurrWatchNet) October 21, 2026

The final-round forecast calls for winds of 23-28 mph with gusts of 30-35 mph. There’s also a 50 percent chance of rain early, increasing to 80 percent later in the day.

If that sounds familiar, it should.

Adam Schenk had to deal with even stronger winds when he won here a year ago, with sustained winds around 30 mph and gusts reaching 45 during the final round.

Schenk’s creativity was on full display down the stretch. He hit a layup on the par-5 17th that barely got 3 feet off the ground, flighted wedges downwind and played saucy chips back into the breeze when he found himself out of position.

At times, Schenk contorted his body and wrists to manipulate the golf ball around Port Royal, doing whatever was necessary to get it close to the hole. With his first PGA Tour victory hanging in the balance and plenty of others crumbling around him, Schenk found a way to get it done.

This year’s forecast could produce more of the same, even at a golf course that measures 6,828 yards, shortest on the PGA Tour.

Schenk returns to defend his title, while Austin Lemieux, the son of hockey great Mario Lemieux, will make his PGA Tour debut after shooting 66 in a Monday qualifier in Florida.

Willie Mack III is also in the field along with amateurs Kihei Akina, 17-year-old Miles Russell and Nixon Lauritzen. Lauritzen earned his exemption by winning the Golfweek National Golf Invitational in May.

Tim Schmitt is the managing editor of Golfweek and the golf coordinator for the USA Today Network.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Butterfield Bermuda Championship weather: Wind gusts could make for wild Sunday

The Baltimore Ravens have had plenty to sort out on defense this season, particularly in a secondary preparing for one of its toughest assignments. Facing the Cincinnati Bengals means dealing with two receivers who can punish even a small mistake, and there won’t be much room for hesitation when Joe Burrow starts looking downfield.

The Ravens have talent at cornerback; however, Sunday will put that confidence to a serious test. They need their defensive backs to hold up in coverage long enough for the pass rush to make an impact, and linebacker Trenton Simpson has made it clear which teammates he trusts to handle the challenge.

Trenton Simpson backs Nate Wiggins and Marlon Humphrey against Bengals starsNov 16, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) is sacked by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Trenton Simpson (32) during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Simpson is backing Nate Wiggins and Marlon Humphrey in the team’s upcoming game against the Bengals. As per a report from ESPN correspondent Jamison Hensley, Simpson feels that Ravens’ cornerbacks are well equipped to play against the Bengals’ receivers in their upcoming game.

“This is the game where you challenge Ja’Marr Chase, you challenge Tee Higgins. And I like our guys. I love Nate Wiggins and I love Marlon Humphrey. And I believe that those are the two guys for that opportunity. And I think they’re going to do a great job.” 

Ravens linebacker Trenton Simpson on the matchup between Baltimore's CBs vs. Bengals WRs: "This is the game where you challenge Ja'Marr Chase, you challenge Tee Higgins. And I like our guys. I love Nate Wiggins and I love Marlon Humphrey. And I believe that those are the two guys…

— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) October 21, 2026

 

It’s a bold statement in light of what  Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins have accomplished against the Ravens in their careers. Chase has accumulated 75 catches for 1,204 yards and eight touchdowns in 10 career games against the Ravens. Higgins has contributed 41 receptions for 497 yards and six touchdowns in eight games.

The reasons why Simpson’s support matters are clear. The Bengals won’t have to force the ball to just one receiver, since both can cause trouble, and Burrow has the arm to find either of them if the coverage breaks down. Ravens’ CBs will have to show discipline, compete for the ball, and prevent receivers from gaining any yards after the catch. With Wiggins on the roster, the Ravens possess a young cornerback who will have the necessary speed to keep pace with wide receivers. The cornerback has demonstrated his potential during this campaign, and playing physical at the line of scrimmage might help him to contain the Bengals’ receivers. It’s difficult to underestimate Humphrey’s experience, the toughness of the cornerback, and the many years of dealing with elite receivers.

Nevertheless, the crucial point is the decision Jesse Minter will make. Press coverage could disrupt the timing between Burrow and his receivers, while help over the top would limit the risk of a deep completion.

The Ravens could also receive a boost from T.J. Tampa, whose practice window was opened ahead of the game. His availability remains uncertain; however, another cornerback would give Baltimore more depth against a dangerous passing attack.

Simpson’s comments come after an encouraging stretch of his own. He has emerged as a more influential piece of the defense, contributing against both the run and pass. Now he is backing the players responsible for one of Baltimore’s biggest assignments.

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The post Ravens’ Trenton Simpson Makes Bold Statement About Nate Wiggins and Marlon Humphrey Ahead of Bengals Clash appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.

Bukayo Saka has suffered his latest injury setback after being forced off inside the first 10 minutes of Arsenal’s heavyweight Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.

The Gunners talisman appeared to pick up a muscular injury in his thigh as he tried to play a pass outside the Bayern box, immediately feeling his quad as he hit the deck.

• Follow live - Arsenal battle Bayern in heavyweight Champions League clash

It soon became evident the Englishman wouldn’t be able to continue as he received treatment and he was promptly replaced by Eberechi Eze, who lost his place in the starting line-up to Noni Madueke after his winner at Nottingham Forest last weekend.

A dejected Saka limped off the field in the 10th minute and Arsenal now face a nervous wait to discover the extent of his injury.

Eze went on to score the opener in Munich as he fired into the far corner, with the goal being given by VAR after initially being ruled offside.

Saka has enjoyed an influential start of the season, notching five goal contributions across all competitions as Arsenal look to successfully defend their Premier League title while going one better than their runners-up finish in Europe.

However, injury has reared its ugly head once again for the the 25-year-old, who has struggled to keep fit for prolonged stints throughout his career.

He was plagued with an Achilles issue picked up towards the back-end of last season, which limited his involvement for England at the World Cup as he tried to manage the issue.

Bukayo Saka appeared to pick up a muscular problem (Reuters)

Saka also missed over 20 games in 2025 due to hamstring issues after suffering a recurrence of the injury, first sustained in December 2024, at the beginning of last season.

Mikel Arteta is already dealing with a selection headache on the wing amid Christos Tzolis’ absence, but his woes could be about to grow if Saka is ruled out for an extended period of time.

The Spanish manager will be expected to provide an update on Saka’s status after the match.