Yahoo Sports

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Colts were booed repeatedly in Sunday's embarrassing 26-20 loss to the Tennessee Titans, and neither coach Shane Steichen nor quarterback Daniel Jones had an issue with it.

"We've got to give them something to cheer about," Steichen said after his team blew a 13-0 halftime lead to the previously winless Titans on Sunday. "I don't blame them for booing one freaking bit."

Jones echoed his coach: "We didn't play well enough today. We've got to play better and give them something to cheer about. That's on us to play better."

There was also a brief "Fire Ball-ard" chant late in the game about, of course, general manager Chris Ballard, who is in his 10th season in charge of the organization.

Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts coach Shane Steichen and QB Daniel Jones were asked about fans booing; here's what they said

Nuggets player who will shock NBA world with breakout 2026-27 season appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Denver Nuggets are coming into the 2026-27 season hoping to regain their status as one of the Western Conference’s contending teams following a disappointing playoff flameout in the opening round against the Minnesota Timberwolves. In order to do so, the Nuggets are going to need some of the players on the back-end of their roster to potentially have a breakout season and solidify their depth.

The Nuggets have quite a few young players on the roster who could conceivably make a big impact on the team. Spencer Jones is fresh off a new contract and job security after playing the past few seasons on a two-way deal. DaRon Holmes II’s rookie season was over before it began due to injury, but since then he’s been unable to crack the rotation. But one player who had already shown flashes during preseason and could be a potential draft steal is rookie Trevon Brazile.

Trevon Brazile poised for Nuggets breakout seasonJon Endow-Imagn Images

Yes, Brazile is a rookie and thus, does not have any NBA experience. He’s still a candidate for a potential breakout season considering he was passed over by every single team, some more than once, before being selected with the No. 35 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)

Brazile was originally drafted by the San Antonio Spurs, but had his draft rights traded to the Nuggets for Tarris Reed Jr. The idea that the Nuggets could have nabbed a steal was initially on display during NBA Summer League.

He suited up in three summer league games in Las Vegas, and averaged 18.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocked shots in a little over 27 minutes. He shot 45.5 percent from the field, 47.4 percent from the 3-point line and 80 percent shooting from the free-throw line. That momentum has carried over to the preseason.

Nuggets head coach David Adelman has given Brazile regular rotation minutes during all five preseason games, and even started him in place of Aaron Gordon in the preseason finale against the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 16. He responded with 12 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocked shots while shooting 5-of-7 from the field and 2-of-3 from the 3-point line in 27 minutes.

Really bullish on Trevon Brazile's ability to contribute for the Nuggets as a rookie this season. His versatility as a finisher and defender, plus his athleticism, already make him a good fit for Denver, but if he can consistently knock down threes… whew pic.twitter.com/gcNjqeDrTl

— Finn Kuehl (@finleykuehl) October 17, 2026

His breakout preseason performance came just two nights prior against the LA Clippers when he finished with a team-high 22 points off the bench. He shot 8-of-10 from the field and 3-of-4 from 3-point range in team-high 25 minutes.

If this is any indication on how Brazile’s game will translate to the NBA, pencil him in for one of the All-Rookie teams. And there are two key reasons as to why this is such a welcome sign for the Nuggets. One, they can afford to get Aaron Gordon some rest. And two, it helps ease the loss of Peyton Watson.

Brazile is almost built in the same mold as Gordon is. He’s a versatile defensive player and good finisher in the paint. He hits the glass hard. And he’s showing the ability to be a stretch-four who can consistently knock down the 3-point shot. He’s also incredibly athletic on a team that has lacked youth and athleticism.

Normally, candidates for breakout seasons are players that have already been in the NBA, but for the Nuggets, it just might be a rookie for them. If Brazile does have a huge year, it would definitely be shocking for the NBA world considering every front office didn’t think highly enough of him to draft him in the first round. It’s likely his age and having played five seasons of college basketball played a factor. But they missed out on one of the most NBA ready rookies.

Related: Nuggets’ Cam Johnson ejected from Lakers clash after elbowing Austin Reaves

Related: Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic makes the pass of the preseason on Trevon Brazile slam dunk

The Jets slipped back into the loss column Sunday, falling just one touchdown behind AFC East-rival New England Patriots behind a series of missed opportunities and costly mistakes by the O-line. 

But one silver lining may be found in rookie Omar Cooper Jr., who made quite a statement as he took the field for the first time in over a month.

The 22-year-old wideout has been on IR since Week 1, when he sustained a high ankle sprain in the process of recording a 30-yard catch-and-run for his first NFL reception. He returned to the Jets lineup Sunday, leading all players — on both teams — in receiving yards (103) for his first career 100-yard game. Garrett Wilson's 44 were the second-highest on the Jets.

"It was a great feeling," Cooper said after the game. "It felt good to finally be back out there."

Cooper, drafted 30th overall in this summer's NFL Draft, caught six of his seven targets Sunday, including a 48-yard pass that resulted in New York's first touchdown of the day. He almost recorded his first NFL touchdown on the Jets' opening drive, but it was waved off after an offensive pass interference call on Tim Patrick.

Though he's played less than two full games so far, he already seems to be someone quarterback Geno Smith can rely on.

"I think Omar did a tremendous job at coming back from injury," Smith said. "He fought just to get back out there, and what he did was showcase who he is: He's a playmaker. He's a guy who finds ways to make catches. The tough catches — he makes them look easy. Really impressed with the way that he performed, and looking forward to building on that."

Running back Braelon Allen agreed, noting that even though the Jets need "to stop playing against the Jets," Cooper was a bright spot on the teams's offense.

"He's shown flashes [of his ability], obviously, the one catch that he had the first week," Allen said. "Battled his way back and made some big plays for us today."

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Jaguars HC Liam Coen’s blunt take on Brian Thomas Jr. benching screams trade appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Brian Thomas Jr.’s time with Jacksonville might be coming to an end following his noticeable lack of activity and Liam Coen’s comments in the Jaguars’ 34-31 loss to the Houston Texans in London on Sunday.

Coen is going through his second season at the helm for the Jaguars. After leading them to the playoffs in 2025, he looks to elevate their status to serious contenders.

However, they have figure out issues. One of them involves Thomas, who has been unable to build on his promising rookie campaign in 2024. He regressed in the Jaguars’ offense under Coen in 2025, going from 87 catches for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns to just 48 receptions for 707 yards and two touchdowns.

Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)

Thomas’ impact declined once again. Six games into the season, he only has nine catches for 105 yards and a touchdown. In Jacksonville’s latest game against Houston, Thomas didn’t record any catches with the 15 snaps and two targets he got from Trevor Lawrence. Coen decided to not play him for the entire second half, answering a question about it after the game.

“Guys have to step up and make plays,” Coen said, per reporter Ryan O’Halloran.

How Liam Coen, Jaguars performed against Texans

Liam Coen seems to be turning to other receiving options with more trust than he does in Brian Thomas Jr. The Jaguars’ playoff hopes are depending on great production, which Thomas just isn’t giving this season.

Trevor Lawrence had a strong performance despite the defensive lapses from the team. He completed 24 out of 41 attempts for 306 yards and four touchdowns and one interception.

Chris Rodriguez Jr. led the rushing attack with 11 carries for 55 yards. Jakobi Meyers topped receivers with five catches for 83 yards, Travis Hunter had four receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown, while Bhayshul Tuten caught four passes for 48 yards and two touchdowns.

The Jaguars will look to bounce back in their next matchup, being at home. They are on a bye next week before resuming action by hosting the Indianapolis Colts in Week 8 as kickoff commences on Nov. 1 at 1 p.m. ET.

Related: Louis Riddick, entire NFL Network broadcast booth left befuddled by ‘phantom’ call that screwed Jaguars

Related: Jaguars’ Travis Hunter joins exclusive list in NFL history with receiving TD, INT vs. Texans

ATLANTA — Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson pulled his defensive starters early in the fourth quarter Sunday and then watched the Atlanta Falcons score 16 straight points to pull within one score.

The Falcons got the ball back with 3 minutes, 34 seconds on the clock, at which point Johnson needed a big play from his defense.

He got one in the form of cornerback Kyler Gordon’s strip-sack of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. on third-and-long. Seeing his first game action since the Bears’ playoff run ended in January, Gordon recorded three sacks despite playing limited snaps on defense.

His third one sank any last hopes the Falcons had of a comeback. The Bears recovered the fumble and held on for a 31-23 win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

It was a long, winding journey for Gordon even to be on the field. He missed nearly the entire offseason program and all of training camp as he recovered from a calf injury. At one point in September he spent some time away from the team to rehab with his own trainers.

But Gordon returned to practice Sept. 30, and in his first game back he was a clear difference maker for coordinator Dennis Allen’s defense.

The Falcons made the game interesting in the fourth quarter, but the Bears dominated in all three phases through the first three while building a 31-7 lead early in the fourth.

Quarterback Caleb Williams, making his return after a three-game absence due to a hamstring injury, completed his first 12 passes and helped the Bears jump out to a 14-0 first-quarter lead. He threw a touchdown pass to tight end Colston Loveland on the opening possession, and the Bears never trailed.

Defensively, the Bears stifled Penix through three quarters, while running back Bijan Robinson was largely a nonfactor.

The Bears special teams even joined in on the fun. Two special teams miscues by the Falcons led to points for the Bears offense.

In the first half, special teams ace Josh Blackwell recovered a muffed punt by Falcons returner Zachariah Branch at the 10-yard line, which set up a D’Andre Swift touchdown run.

In the third quarter, Zavier Scott forced a Branch fumble on a kickoff return, and Nick McCloud recovered. That takeaway led to a Cairo Santos field goal.

Williams threw for 305 yards on 30-of-36 passing with one touchdown. Swift scored two rushing touchdowns, while backup running back Roschon Johnson scored one. Luther Burden III led all pass catchers with eight receptions for 95 yards, while Loveland finished with six catches for 65 yards and a touchdown.

But after Ben Johnson pulled his defensive starters in the fourth quarter, the Falcons took advantage with a 91-yard touchdown drive and a 2-point conversion.

On the next Bears possession, Roschon Johnson coughed up the football. Atlanta moved quickly to score again with Penix throwing a touchdown pass to Kyle Pitts and a 2-point conversion to Drake London. That made it a one-possession game at 31-23 with 5:41 to go.

Gordon’s third sack came moments later to seal the win. The Bears improved to 4-2 and will play the New England Patriots on Thursday night at Soldier Field.

____

The Tennessee Titans did just enough to pull off their first win of 2026, beating the Indianapolis Colts 26-20 in Week 6.

The win wasn't pretty, with too many missed opportunities and an inconsistent offense, but it was a win. Cam Ward again had an uneven afternoon, missing too many throws and looking out of sync, but the unit did just enough in the second half to pull out the victory.

Defense and special teams stole the show, building momentum and setting the offense up for the win with game-changing plays. Led by Amani Hooker and Jeffery Simmons, the Titans forced three turnovers and sacked Daniel Jones six times. Special teams had their best game of 2026, with splash plays in every area.

Here's a look at some studs and duds from Sunday's 26-20 win over the Colts.

Stud: S Amani Hooker

Hooker returned after missing Week 5 and led the Titans' defense against the Colts. The veteran defensive back notched his second interception of the season and led Tennessee with 13 tackles. The Titans were thin at safety with Kevin Winston Jr. sitting out with a quad injury, and Hooker did his part.

Dud: QB Cam Ward

Ward again struggled to get anything going. The second-year quarterback was inaccurate and out of sync with his receivers all afternoon. He finished 11-of-22 for 102 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He did enough in the second half to help lead Tennessee to victory, but he needs to be better.

Stud: DT Jeffery Simmons

Simmons did everything he could to will the Titans to victory. The veteran defensive tackle was a menace all afternoon, recording six total tackles (three solo) and two sacks. But his forced fumble and recovery kicked off the second half, helped shift momentum, and started the comeback. The Titans needed someone to step up, and Simmons did, recording his first multi-sack game since 2022.

Dud: WR Elic Ayomanor

Ayomanor was targeted only twice, but he dropped a crucial second target that could have changed the complexion of the game. He has looked good for most of the season, but still has some work to do with his hands.

Stud: S Tony Adams

Filling in for Kevin Winston Jr., Adams again stepped into the lineup and proved to be a difference-maker. He finished second on the team with 12 total tackles (eight solo) and one sack, and he provides a physical presence on the back end.

Dud: OC Brian Daboll

The Titans' offense lacks an identity, and it falls squarely on Daboll's inconsistent play-calling. Tennessee cannot get anything going, and Cam Ward looks completely out of sync in this system. Daboll is either run-heavy or pass-heavy, with no balance, which only sets the defense up for failure. The Titans did enough to win, but it wasn't because of Daboll.

Studly dud: K Joey Slye

Slye made all his kicks in the afternoon, including two clutch fourth-quarter attempts that proved the difference. But he continued to struggle with his kickoffs and again proved inconsistent in the field-position battle.

More studs:

• LB Anthony Hill Jr.
• CB Marcus Harris
• DE Jermaine Johnson
• DE Jacob Martin
• LB Cedric Gray
• WR Carnell Tate
• RB Tony Pollard
• WR Chimere Dike
• DE Femi Oladelo
• P Tommy Townsend

More duds:

• TE Daniel Bellinger
• RB Tyjae Spears
• WR Calvin Ridley
• TE Gunnar Helm
• DE Truman Jones

This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Studs and duds from Tennessee Titans' Week 6 win over Indianapolis Colts

UCLA‘s national recruiting push under first-year head coach Bob Chesney has produced another significant victory. Tupelo (Miss.) linebacker Kaiden Buchanan has committed to the Bruins, choosing UCLA over LSU, Notre Dame and Kentucky. The decision comes after Buchanan’s second trip to Los Angeles, where he watched UCLA defeat Wisconsin 17-7 and improve to 6-0.

The Bruins entered the weekend as Buchanan’s leader. He traveled across the country looking for confirmation that UCLA was the right fit.

He found it.

“When I went to the game, I saw the linebackers flying around making plays, and I just knew it was for me,” Buchanan told Rivals. “The relationships I had with the coaches, I just knew it was home for me.”

Buchanan had already established a strong connection with UCLA during his first visit June 20. The relationships continued growing throughout the summer and into the season, eventually pushing the Bruins ahead of the competition.

“I’d say relationships is what had them on top. We text almost every day, FaceTime, just talking, chopping it up. And really the educational part of it, too. All that had them at the top.”

The defensive scheme also played a significant role in his decision.

“I’d say their defensive system was a big part of my commitment. The system is made for a linebacker to thrive, how they have it, the relationships and the education part of it.”

The visit ultimately confirmed what Buchanan had already been feeling.

“I had that feeling before I even came,” Buchanan said. “At the end of the visit (Sunday), I told the staff. Everybody was excited. I came back upstairs, everybody was congratulating me.”

Chesney’s impact on the program has been another major selling point. UCLA’s unbeaten start has generated momentum on the recruiting trail, but Buchanan’s belief in the head coach extends beyond what the Bruins have accomplished on Saturdays.

“He really isn’t just about football,” Buchanan said of Chesney. “He’s about everything after football as well. When I came in June, he was telling me what plans they have, and they’ve executed so far.”

Buchana is UCLA’s first 2028 commit.

Aaron Donald built a Hall of Fame-caliber career by disrupting offenses from the interior defensive line. Even after announcing his retirement, the former Los Angeles Rams star remains part of conversations about the NFL‘s greatest defensive players.

MORE: Rams are in trouble after losing new kicker Blake Grupe to injury during Cardinals game

The Rams selected Donald with the 13th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. He went on to spend 10 seasons with the franchise, becoming one of the league’s most dominant defensive tackles and helping Los Angeles win Super Bowl LVI.

Donald finished his career with 111 regular-season sacks, according to the Rams’ official retirement announcement. That total places him among the most productive interior defenders of his era, an impressive achievement given the double-teams and crowded spaces defensive tackles regularly face.

Aaron Donald and J.J. Watt Built Remarkable Careers

J.J. Watt also established himself as one of the defining defenders of his generation. Watt recorded 114.5 career sacks, leaving him ahead of Donald on the official career sack leaderboard.

The comparison extends beyond their sack totals. Both players won the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year award three times, an achievement shared by only a select group of defensive stars. Their ability to influence games through pressure, tackles for loss and disruptive plays made them difficult matchups for opposing offenses.

Donald earned eight first-team All-Pro selections and 10 Pro Bowl appearances during his career. He also won the 2022 Super Bowl with the Rams, delivering the decisive pressure on Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow during the closing moments of the championship game.

The Rams have continued to celebrate Donald’s achievements, including through their official team account on X.

Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald (99). Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

Although Donald’s playing career reached its initial conclusion in 2024, his legacy remains firmly established. Any claim that he is actively closing the gap on Watt’s sack total would require confirmation of a return to NFL action and updated statistics.

For now, Donald’s 111 career sacks and collection of individual honors provide a strong foundation for his place among the most accomplished defensive tackles in NFL history.

—Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter—

The last-place Tennessee Titans are still in contention to finish in first place in one race: Getting the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.

But with their 26-20 win against the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 18, the Titans improved to 1-5 and pushed them to third in terms of where they currently are in the NFL draft order. The Titans last held the No. 1 pick in 2025.

According to tankathon.com, the Los Angeles Chargers (0-5) would have the pick based on their strength of schedule, which is the weakest among the two remaining winless teams in the NFL. The Miami Dolphins (0-5), who did not play this week, is the other teams without a win this season.

Tennessee chose quarterback Cam Ward out of Miami with the first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

2027 NFL Draft order

Here's the updated first-round order for the 2027 NFL Draft as Week 6 results come in. The draft order is according to Tankathon, which calculates strength of schedule differently from the NFL:

1. LA Chargers (0-5) .566 strength of schedule
2. Miami Dolphins (0-5) .615 SOS
3. Tennessee Titans (1-5) .490 SOS
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-4) .511 SOS
5. Arizona Cardinals (1-4) .516 SOS
6. Washington Commanders (1-3-1) .474 SOS
7. Houston Texans (2-4) .463 SOS
8. Philadelphia Eagles (2-4) .473 SOS
9. Indianapolis Colts (2-4) .489 SOS
10. New Orleans Saints (2-4) .533 SOS
11. NY Jets (2-4) .533 SOS
12. Atlanta Falcons (2-4) .579 SOS
13. Dallas Cowboys (2-3) .442 SOS
14. LA Rams (2-3) .517 SOS
15. Seattle Seahawks (3-3) .528 SOS
16. Cincinnati Bengals (3-2) .473 SOS
17. Las Vegas Raiders (3-2) .484 SOS
18. 18. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) .500 SOS
19. NY Giants (3-2-1) .426 SOS
20. Detroit Lions (3-2) .511 SOS
21. Green Bay Packers (3-2) .522 SOS
22. Baltimore Ravens (4-2) .462 SOS
23. Denver Broncos (4-2) .517 SOS
24. New England Patriots (4-2) .533 SOS
25. Carolina Panthers (3-2) .505 SOS
26. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2) .459 SOS
27. Cleveland Browns (4-2) .479 SOS
28. Chicago Bears (4-2) .533 SOS
29. Buffalo Bills (4-1) .500 SOS
30. San Francisco (5-0) .433 SOS
31. Kansas City Chiefs (4-0) .457 SOS
32. Minnesota Vikings (5-0) .505 SOS

Would the Titans take another quarterback if they have the first pick in the NFL Draft?

That doesn't seem likely, but with 11 games remaining this season, Cam Ward has plenty of time left to show the Titans and first-year coach Robert Saleh what they have.

Side note: Five of Mel Kiper's top 10 prospects for the 2027 draft are quarterbacks, though Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith tops the list.

Side note II: Tankathon's mock draft has the Titans taking Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker No. 1 overall.

Would the Titans opt for a receiver with top pick?

That may make more sense than drafting a quarterback again, depending on whether or not Cam Ward progresses. Giving Ward a weapon such as Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith, considered the best receiver prospect who is draft eligible, could help in his development.

Would the Titans trade the first pick in the NFL Draft?

This scenario would make more sense than any other options, simply because the Titans could fill a lot more holes with the multiple picks/players they'd receive in return.

Teams have traded first pick in the NFL Draft 13 times since 1967, when the common draft era began.

Remaining Tennessee Titans schedule

• vs. Cleveland Browns, Oct. 25
• at Cincinnati Bengals, Nov. 1
• vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, Nov. 15
• at Dallas Cowboys, Nov. 22
• at Jacksonville Jaguars, Nov. 29
• vs. Washington Commanders, Dec. 6
• at Detroit Lions, Dec. 13
• vs. Indianapolis Colts, Dec. 20
• at Las Vegas Raiders, Dec. 27
• vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, Jan. 3
• at Houston Texans, TBD

How is NFL draft order determined?

NFL Draft order is decided by the reverse order of each team's finish in the regular season and postseason.

The team with the worst record gets the No. 1 pick. Every pick after that, through pick 20, is determined by regular-season records from worst to best.

How do NFL Draft tiebreakers work?

Should teams have identical records, the first tiebreaker is strength of schedule, meaning the team whose opponents had the worst combined winning % receives the higher pick.

If that number is identical, the second tiebreaker is division/conference, meaning head-to-head games, common opponents, strength of victory.

The final tiebreaker, should the first two not work, is a coin toss.

Who are the 2027 NFL Draft top prospects?

ESPN's Mel Kiper's top 10 prospects as of Oct. 15, are:

1. Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
2. Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State
3. Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
4. Darian Mensah, QB, Miami
5. Colin Simmons, Edge, Texas
6. Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss
7. Chris Cole, LB, Georgia
8. CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame
9. Dylan Stewart, Edge, South Carolina
10. Austin Simmons, QB, Missouri

How many times have the Titans made No. 1 overall pick in NFL draft?

The Titans/Oilers have had the first overall pick in the NFL Draft three times.

• 1973: Johnn Matuszak, DE (Oilers)
• 1978: Earl Campbell, RB (Oilers)
• 2025: Cam Ward, QB (Titans)

Have the Titans ever traded the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft?

Yes, twice.

The Titans traded the pick in 2016 to the Los Angeles Rams, who took quarterback Jared Goff.

The Titans received two first-round picks, two second-round picks and two third-round picks in return. One of those picks was used to take Derrick Henry.

The Oilers traded it in 1973 to the Cowboys, who picked Hall of Famer Ed "Too Tall" Jones.

The Oilers received defensive lineman Tody Smith and receiver Billy Parks in return.

Would the Titans draft Arch Manning with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft?

While another quarterback named Manning playing for a football team in Tennessee would be cute for a movie script, the reality is, Texas quarterback Arch Manning, nephew of former Tennessee Vols quarterback Peyton Manning, has done nothing to prove himself worthy of being the top overall pick.

Paul Skrbina is a sports enterprise reporter covering the Predators, Titans, Nashville SC, local colleges and local sports for The Tennessean. Reach him at pskrbina@tennessean.com and on the X platform (formerly known as Twitter) @paulskrbina.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Where Titans land after first win for NFL draft order

With the Rays’ win Saturday night, we are guaranteed this series goes back to Florida for Game 6, which will happen tomorrow — no travel day due to Friday’s rainout.

4 p.m. CT: Rays at Guardians (Series tied 2-2)

TV: TBS. Announcers: Brian Anderson, Jeff Francoeur, Ron Darling and Lauren Shehadi.

Drew Rasmussen, RHP vs. Parker Messick, LHP

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com preview

Astros have 2 clear trade candidates during MLB offseason originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Houston Astros fired general manager Dana Brown in August and have recently parted ways with manager Jose Espada. 

The upcoming offseason should be a significant one for the AL West club, which won the division despite a mediocre 81-81 record. 

The Athletic's Chandler Rome wrote that Houston's front office, specifically owner Jim Crane, could look to shed payroll this offseason. 

Who might Houston be willing to trade? 

"Expect [Isaac] Paredes and [Christian] Walker to be discussed as potential trade pieces, though moving Walker could require Crane paying down a substantial portion of the $20 million he’s owed next season," Rome wrote.

"Pitcher Cristian Javier, slated to earn $21,000,000, could be in the same conversation." 

Paredes, who hit 25 home runs and drove in 94 runs, has a $13.35 million 2027 club option that the Astros will most likely pick up, per Rome. He can play either corner infield spot. 

MORE: White Sox reportedly have 'no urgency' to sign Munetaka Murakami to an extension

Meanwhile, Walker is a three-time Gold Glove Award-winning first baseman who connected for 29 homers with a .727 OPS. He's eight years older than Paredes and would be more of a financial commitment for an interested club. 

Houston could also try to find a trade suitor for Javier. But he's thrown just 134.2 innings since the start of the 2024 season due to injuries. 

Crane may have to get creative if the Astros want to solve their logjam in the infield or decrease payroll in 2027. 

More MLB news:

• Reds' $70 million trade mistake is why third base is their biggest roster hole
• Brewers' Jacob Misiorowski made MLB playoff history three times with 104+ mph pitches
• How Mets could have advantage over Dodgers in free-agent pursuit of Tarik Skubal
• Most strikeouts in an MLB Postseason Game: White Sox made dubious history in loss to Guardians
• Red Sox's top offseason need highlights a big power-hitting problem

Despite holding a 21-14 lead at one point, the Seminoles were defeated in double overtime, 43-35, by the then-No. 3 Miami Hurricanes.

While FSU did not receive any votes in the AP Top 25 after Week 7, just three ACC teams are now ranked. The Miami Hurricanes are at No. 1 after last night's win.

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons have jumped up to No. 17, while the SMU Mustangs are at No. 23. In addition, there are no ACC teams in the "others receiving votes" category as of now.

Miami now has the No. 1 spot after defeating FSU, perhaps shockingly, as they have not defeated a single ranked opponent this season, along with BYU climbing up to No. 2 after defeating then-No. 2 Notre Dame. Ohio State is at No. 3, while Notre Dame and Georgia round out the top five. The biggest risers, Florida, climbed up 12 spots to No. 20 after taking down Texas. As such, the Longhorns were the biggest fallers, dropping 12 spots to No. 19, still above Florida.

FSU will look to try to break into the top 25 when they welcome the Clemson Tigers (4-2, 2-1 ACC) to Tallahassee on Halloween. They have a chance to get into the "others receiving votes" category if they can take care of business against them. The game will air on ESPN on Saturday, Oct. 31 at a to-be-determined time and network.

Follow us @FSUWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida State news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jacob on X at @jsmith_sports.

This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: Is FSU ranked in the AP Top 25 after losing to Miami?

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner is questionable to return against the Tennessee Titans.

He is dealing with a calf injury.

On the Titans' first possession of the second half, Gardner exited the game. According to Jake Arthur, it appeared that the injury occurred to Gardner's left leg. After being looked at by the training staff, Gardner headed to the locker room.

Cam Taylor-Britt then took over for him at outside cornerback.

Sauce Gardner (calf) questionable for return. #TENvsIND

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) October 18, 2026

Gardner missed several games last season with a calf injury. At this time, it is not known if this injury is the same.

This season, Gardner has allowed nine completions on 17 targets for 195 yards with three pass breakups.

We will update this article as new reports come in.

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts CB Sauce Gardner exits game v. Titans with injury

Massara: Juventus must ‘invest differently’ as Italian football ‘has worsened’

Juventus Chief Football Officer Frederic Massara isn’t yet focusing on the January transfer window, but insists the Bianconeri and other Serie A clubs must ‘ invest differently’ and be ‘more creative’ than in the past.

Juventus host Lazio at the Allianz Stadium this evening.

You can follow the build-up and live action as it happens on the LIVE BLOG.

Juventus vs. Lazio – Massara’s pre-match interview

FROSINONE, ITALY – AUGUST 23: Frederic Massara Chief Football Officer of Juventus FC looks on during the Serie A match between Frosinone Calcio and Juventus FC at Stadio Benito Stirpe on August 23, 2026 in Frosinone, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)

“It’s an important match as we aim for consistency in attitude as well,” Massara told DAZN minutes before kick-off via TMW.

Randal Kolo Muani and Nick Woltemade scored in Juventus’ 2-1 win over Celta Vigo in the Europa League on Thursday, but multiple sources claim coach Luciano Spalletti still wants a new, classic centre-forward in the January transfer window.

“We have plenty of time before January, and we also have Ekhator in attack,” Massara said.

Randal Kolo Muani dribbles with the ball as Juventus are defeated 1-0 by Cremonese in a training ground friendly at Continassa on October 2, 2026 (picture via www.juventus.com)

“Playing with two strikers is an option. Kolo Muani starts tonight, but they might play together during the match.”

Spalletti is serving a one-game ban tonight and will be replaced by his assistant coach, Marco Domenichini.

Massara, however, faced more questions about Juventus’ transfer strategy in the January window.

“We are experiencing a particular moment in the international market; the situation has even worsened for Italian football,” he said.

WALSALL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 06: Frederic Massara, Sporting Director of AS Roma, looks on prior to the pre-season friendly match between Aston Villa and AS Roma at Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium on August 06, 2025 in Walsall, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

“We are less competitive than other leagues, so we need to invest differently. We need to get used to being more creative in finding effective solutions.”

Juventus have grabbed 11 points in six Serie A matches so far, scoring nine goals and conceding five times.

CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 17: Jo Adell #7 of the Cleveland Guardians hits a Single during the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in game four of the American League Championship Series at Progressive Field on October 17, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Guardians need to figure out a way to head back to Florida with one more win under their belt.

Last night was a bit of a fever dream. Was that bad defense Bazzana come back to haunt us? Was that Matt Festa for two innings? Was that Junior Caminero finally getting to Daniel Espino? Was that David Fry getting another important at-bat and coming up empty? Is this July Guardians baseball?

It’s time to shake the cobwebs from our minds and try again today.

Keys to an ALCS Game Five Guardians Win

1. Parker Messick Has a Legacy Outing

No way around it… for a good shot at winning today, Messick will need to bring it and have his best start of the playoffs. Yandy Diaz and Junior Caminero will be ready to jump him. Pitching to Patrick Bailey for the first time, Messick will have to have plenty of conviction and moxie as well as his good stuff to push the Guardians to a 3 games to 2 lead. These are the kind of opportunities that every player wants and can build a legendary career.

2. Adell Will Need to Hit Rasmussen

Rasmussen has slight reverse splits for his career. He strikes out more than one batter fewer per inning against lefties than he does right-handed hitters. These strikeout numbers have been even more profound this season. Now, left-handed hitters have hit for more power against him, so it does make sense to have them in the lineup… but the Guardians will only have one RHH to start today – Jo Adell. Aside from not letting Rasmussen settle in and get them out in front on his changeups late in counts, something tells me the Guardians will need a contribution from Jo Adell early to have a chance at getting to Rasmussen and into the Tampa Bay pen early. They need to try to see the Tampa best relievers today and win after seeing the Rays’ inner circle of trust yesterday.

3. Defense Will Need to Lock In

Boys, a pennant is on the line. We can’t have the mental and physical lapses in focus we had yesterday to beat these Rays. No one is going to hand you a pennant; you have to go out and take it from them.

4. Be Mindful of Reliver Familiarity

With Erik Sabrowski, Hunter Gaddis and Cade Smith both not pitching yesterday, expect a heavy dose of those three. At this point in the series, it is advantageous to try to use the former mostly against a part of the order they have yet to see in this series. This goes especially for Shawn Armstrong, Daniel Espino and Tim Herrin if they are used. Five from Parker SHOULD be enough today, but forcing Rays hitters to face your guys only for their first or second time in this series could be a big deal for Stephen Vogt and the Guardians.

Feed off what should be a lively Guardians’ crowd today and get the job done. Immortal glory in sports is within your grasp and tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.

OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI - OCTOBER 17: Pete Golding of the Mississippi Rebels before the game against the Missouri Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Ole Miss has spent the last two weeks proving it is worth its top ten ranking, and the Associated Press voters rewarded its efforts moving the Rebels up two spots in its latest poll.

The Rebels (5-1, 3-1 SEC) are now No. 7 nationally and the second highest ranked team in the SEC after Georgia at No. 5. The conference is well represented with nine teams in the top 25.

Not a single team stayed put in this week’s AP Top 25.

Miami is No. 1 for the first time since 2002 and BYU climbs to No. 2 after a historic weekend of upsets. See where your team landed: https://t.co/7dTTUiSC1jpic.twitter.com/kIqcyb3Ewk

— AP Top 25 (@AP_Top25) October 18, 2026

The rankings currently look a little retro with Miami, BYU, Ohio State and Notre Dame in the top four. The Fighting Irish dropped only a couple spots after losing on the road to BYU while Georgia dropped four spots losing at home to unranked Auburn.

Ole Miss’ week seven foe Missouri fell nine spots after the 31-3 dominant win by the Rebels. The one loss on the Rebels’ resume looks better now that Florida is ranked No. 20.

Still ahead of the Rebels is a road trip to No. 19 Texas and a home game with No. 5 Georgia, but the unranked teams like Auburn, Oklahoma and Mississippi State have proven absolutely capable of knocking off anyone this season. A season of chaos in the SEC and Big Ten could hurt the two conferences in the CFP selection process or potentially award the first ever 9-3 team in the 12-team playoff.

With Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Georgia entering bye weeks, there will likely not be much movement in the top 5 in the next week. BUT if there’s anything that likely won’t happen, this season is proving it CAN and WILL happen.

The Pittsburgh Steelers played the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Florida in Week 7. The Buccaneers took a 13-3 lead into halftime, but the real concern for the Steelers was the health of key personnel. Specifically, head coach Mike McCarthy who suffered an ankle injury just before halftime.

McCarthy was on his way to chat with CBS’s sideline reporter AJ Ross when he turned his ankle. McCarthy was spotted limping and had to slow down to the point where he got some help walking. McCarthy then headed to the blue medical tent. According to the broadcast he spent the entire halftime in the blue tent receiving medical attention instead of addressing his team in the locker room.

Here’s video of McCarthy heading into and leaving the blue tent.

Mike McCarthy (ankle) QUESTIONABLE #Steelers #NFL https://t.co/EijrUvY7R8

— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) October 18, 2026

McCarthy will continue to coach through the pain in the second half.

—Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —

Both TreVeyon Henderson and Will Campbell will play for the Patriots in Week 6 Getty

The New England Patriots have not had the sort of injury luck they benefited from for much of the 2025 campaign, but they have managed to overcome their woes in this department for a pair of big wins over the Buffalo Bills and Las Vegas Raiders in recent weeks. And now, it appears as if they are finally getting healthy.

The Pats confirmed on Saturday that star wide receiver A.J. Brown would be activated off of injured reserve and play in his first game since Week 1, but the statuses of two more important pieces on offense, TreVeyon Henderson and Will Campbell, remained up in the air. With the team’s list of inactive players being revealed, we now know that both Henderson and Campbell are active for this game as well.

TreVeyon Henderson, Will Campbell Active for Patriots in Week 6

Patriots inactives for NYJ vs. NE. pic.twitter.com/ifdz2pdPIH— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 18, 2026

Part of what made New England’s run to the Super Bowl last year possible was the fact that it simply managed to stay healthy for the majority of the year. As rookies, Henderson and Campbell both immediately played big roles on offense, with Campbell becoming the starting left tackle and Henderson forming a strong running back duo alongside Rhamondre Stevenson.

In Week 5, it seemed like the Pats’ injury luck was going from bad to worse when both Henderson and Campbell were forced out of the game early with ankle injuries. While the game was a blowout in favor of New England, it’s never encouraging to see a player leave the game early and then not return, so the initial expectation was that these guys would have to miss some time.

This article was originally published on HEAVY

The post Patriots Make Final TreVeyon Henderson, Will Campbell Injury Decisions for Week 6 appeared first on HEAVY.

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Jim Furyk has signaled a clear shift in tone regarding Patrick Reed, suggesting the controversial former captain’s star is welcome back into the fold. The U.S. captain confirmed on Sunday that he is ready to move past the friction that defined the 2018 Ryder Cup. Reed has not played in the biennial event since the American team suffered a crushing defeat in France. Now, with a year remaining until the 2027 contest at Adare Manor, Furyk is focusing on assembling the strongest possible squad, regardless of past grievances.

The path to reconciliation is paved with specific comments made by Furyk to the Telegraph Sport. He added that he is “looking forward to welcoming our best team of 12.” This olive branch comes after years of silence and public criticism from both sides. According to GolfMagic, Reed had previously admitted he felt “blindsided” by Furyk’s pairing decisions in 2018 and described sitting him out of the foursomes as “not smart.” The tension peaked when Jordan Spieth reportedly asked Furyk not to pair him with Reed, preferring to play with Justin Thomas instead. Although Team USA fell 17½-10½, Reed recovered some dignity by winning 3&2 against Tyrrell Hatton in the singles despite the controversy. Reed will return to the PGA Tour next year after winning twice on the European-based circuit this season, keeping his eligibility alive for automatic qualification.

The Weight of History

Reed’s potential return carries significant baggage. He was overlooked for the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits and again two years later in Italy, with his move to LIV Golf likely contributing to those snubs. GolfMagic reports that Furyk told the Telegraph his sole aim is assembling the strongest team, suggesting current form outweighs prior drama. The captain’s willingness to have a conversation suggests a pragmatic approach to team building. Should he secure a spot or qualify, Reed must join a scouting mission to Adare Manor two months prior to the 2027 Ryder Cup. This trip is a critical step for any team member to get a feel for the course conditions and layout. The atmosphere at the first tee has become a spectacle in its own right, with fans queuing long before dawn, as noted by Irish Golfer Magazine regarding the evolution of the event over the last two decades. A return for Reed would add a layer of intrigue to an already electric environment.

Furyk’s comments suggest that the door is open, but it is not wide enough to walk through without effort. Reed must prove his form on the course to earn a spot on the team, either through automatic qualification or a captain’s pick. The captain’s role is to balance chemistry with talent, and Furyk seems willing to test that balance with Reed. The 2018 experience was painful for the U.S. side, but the landscape of professional golf has changed drastically since then. With LIV golfers having played on the DP World Tour under certain conditions, as reported by AOL.com, the lines between tours have blurred. If Reed is one of the players Furyk considers, it would signal a major shift in how the U.S. handles players with complex recent histories. The captain’s focus remains on the 2027 event at Adare Manor, where the team room dynamic will be crucial. A conversation between Furyk and Reed could clear the air, allowing both to focus on the goal of winning back the trophy.

Next Steps for the Team

The immediate next step for Reed and Furyk is that scheduled conversation to discuss the potential partnership. Reed will need to maintain his performance on the PGA Tour to keep his name in the mix for the 2027 squad. If he secures a spot, the reconnaissance trip to Adare Manor will be the next concrete milestone. This trip is set to take place two months before the 2027 Ryder Cup.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara reached a career milestone while putting his team in the lead for the first time on Sunday.

Kamara took a short pass from Tyler Shough and carved through the Giants defense for a 31-yard touchdown. The score capped the first possession of the second half and put the Saints up 17-10 with 12:21 to play in the third quarter.

The catch was Kamara's first of the day and it moved him over 5,000 receiving yards for his career. Per the Fox broadcast, he's the sixth player in NFL history with 5,000-plus rushing yards as well as 5,000-plus receiving yards.

The Giants had a 10-0 lead in the first half, but they'll now have to play catchup to avoid falling to 3-2-1 on the season.