Tommy Pham‘s return to the Chicago White Sox active roster began with a chance elevator encounter and ended with a go-ahead home run just hours later.

The 38-year-old outfielder was activated off the 10-day injured list Wednesday and immediately made his presence felt, hitting a three-run homer in the fifth inning of Chicago’s 6-3 series-finale loss to the Guardians — his first hit of the season with the club.

The move happened faster than planned. Manager Will Venable had intended to keep Pham on the injured list until this weekend’s series against the Tigers. But late Tuesday night, shortly after the White Sox suffered a gut-wrenching 7-6 walk-off loss on Brayan Rocchio‘s two-run double off closer Grant Taylor, Pham found himself sharing an elevator with general manager Chris Getz. Pham told Getz directly that he was ready to play.

“If I didn’t see him on the elevator, I probably would have had to wait until this weekend,” Pham said. “But every game matters right now when you’re in a playoff race. [Cleveland] is neck and neck with us, so it’s important for us to win today.”

Pham described the exchange succinctly after his homer during an in-game interview: “I told [Getz] I could play today. I said I’m ready. I went right to the source.”

A Turbulent Season

Pham’s activation caps off an unusually chaotic year. He opened the 2026 season with the Mets but went hitless in 13 at-bats before being designated for assignment. He then signed minor league deals with both the Orioles and the Phillies without ever appearing in a game for either big league club, hitting .238 across 69 total games in the Mets’, Orioles’ and Phillies’ farm systems.

The White Sox acquired Pham from Philadelphia on Aug. 31 in exchange for cash considerations. He went 0-for-1 as a pinch-hitter in his White Sox debut on Sept. 2, then landed on the injured list Sept. 6 with a left calf strain before being activated Wednesday.

“If anything, these experiences this year have prepared me for this,” Pham said. “I’ve gone way longer between at-bats than ever before, so I’ve been preparing in the cage.”

Wednesday marked Pham’s second stint with Chicago. He batted .266 with five home runs and 19 RBIs over 70 games with the White Sox in 2024 before the Cardinals, along with current teammate Erick Fedde, were dealt to Chicago in a three-team trade that brought Miguel Vargas to Chicago from the Dodgers.

To make room for Pham on the active roster, the team optioned catcher Edgar Quero to Triple-A Charlotte.

Venable credited Pham’s competitive drive for the quick turnaround. “Tommy is maybe not at 100 percent, but you appreciate the edge and the passion that he has,” Venable said. “It helps a team a lot.”

Pham, now in his 13th major league season, is a career .256 hitter with 149 home runs and 522 RBIs across stints with 10 different organizations. The White Sox remain locked in a tight playoff race with the Guardians as the season winds down.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired forward Peyton Watson in a multi-team trade finalized in August 2026, a deal that also sent veteran wing Max Strus to the L.A. Clippers and reshuffled roster pieces across four franchises.

Who Got What

The trade involved the Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, LA Clippers and Washington Wizards. Cleveland landed both Watson and forward Cam Whitmore. The Clippers received Strus. The Nuggets came away with a 2031 first-round pick from Cleveland and a 2032 second-round pick via Sacramento. The Wizards picked up guard Tre Mann, a 2027 second-round pick from L.A., and cash considerations.

Watson’s New Contract

As part of the move, Watson signed a new four-year, $88 million contract with Cleveland. That deal proved significant beyond his own arrival — it cleared the cap flexibility that helped Cleveland finalize James Harden‘s subsequent three-year, $97 million extension with the team.

Watson’s Breakout Season

Watson, a 2022 first-round pick, emerged as a legitimate contributor in Denver during the 2025-26 season, averaging 14.6 points and 4.9 rebounds across 54 games. The Nuggets had offered him a contract extension, but his representatives opted to test free agency instead. His season ended early with a hamstring injury in February that was re-aggravated in April, sidelining him for the playoffs.

Strus Heads to LA

On the other side of the deal, Strus, who spent three seasons in Cleveland, dealt with a foot injury for much of last season, appearing in just 12 games while averaging 11.2 points per game. His move to the Clippers gives him a fresh start after an injury-hampered stretch with the Cavaliers.

Why It Matters

The trade reshapes multiple rosters heading into next season, giving Cleveland added length and athleticism on the wing while positioning both the Nuggets and Wizards to add future draft capital. For the Clippers, landing Strus adds proven shooting depth as they retool.

James Harden is staying in Cleveland. The veteran guard has agreed to a three-year, $97 million contract with the Cavaliers that will keep him with the team through the 2029-30 season.

Inside the Contract

The deal includes a player option for the 2028-29 season and a trade kicker. Once completed, the contract will push Harden’s career NBA earnings past $500 million, making him just the eighth player in league history to reach that mark, joining LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, Paul George, Donovan Mitchell and Joel Embiid.

How the Deal Came Together

The agreement followed nearly two months of negotiations. Harden declined his previous player option to pursue a longer-term deal at a lower annual cost, giving Cleveland added financial flexibility. The real catalyst was the Cavaliers’ acquisition of wing Peyton Watson from Denver in a five-team sign-and-trade worth four years and $88 million, which cleared the roster and cap space needed to finalize Harden’s new contract.

Harden’s Impact in Cleveland

Harden, 37, joined the Cavaliers midseason last year and helped drive the team to the Eastern Conference Finals. He averaged 20.5 points, 7.7 assists, and 4.8 rebounds across 26 regular-season games, with his playoff numbers dipping slightly to 19.2 points, 5.5 assists, and 5.1 rebounds as Cleveland was ultimately swept by the eventual champion New York Knicks.

The Roster Around Him

Cleveland also locked in its core by re-signing Donovan Mitchell to a max extension alongside the Harden deal, though the team lost depth with the departures of Dean Wade, Max Strus and Dennis Schröder. The projected starting five now features Harden, Mitchell, Watson, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.

Why It Matters

Retaining Harden on a team-friendly, multi-year deal gives Cleveland continuity around its core after an Eastern Conference Finals run, while positioning the future Hall of Famer to chase a title with a roster that’s kept its key pieces largely intact heading into next season.

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte did not appear for Monday’s series opener against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, prompting the team to place him on the restricted list and raising fresh questions about his status heading into the stretch run.

What Happened in Boston

Marte was originally slated as the designated hitter, but the Diamondbacks delayed releasing their lineup by roughly 20 minutes on Tuesday, hoping he would show up before ultimately placing him on the restricted list. The team has cited a “personal matter” without disclosing further details. Arizona went on to lose the game 11-1.

What the Diamondbacks Are Saying

Manager Torey Lovullo addressed the situation directly but offered limited information. “All I know is that he’s dealing with a personal issue… he didn’t show up today, and he was put on the restricted list,” Lovullo said. General manager Mike Hazen added, “It was unfortunate that he wasn’t there tonight.” Teammate Geraldo Perdomo struck a supportive tone, saying, “I don’t know anything… we are a family, and we’re going to support everybody, no matter what.”

A Knee Issue Adds Another Layer

Marte’s absence comes amid an ongoing left knee issue. He was pulled from a game the previous Friday due to soreness, sat out Saturday, and returned to action Sunday before Monday’s no-show. He is reportedly heading back to Phoenix for an MRI to evaluate the knee, though the team has not confirmed results, and no timeline has been given for his return.

Why It Matters for Arizona

Marte, 32, has been a key contributor this season, posting a .760 OPS with 21 home runs for a Diamondbacks team (66-60) currently fighting for an NL Wild Card spot. His absence — for personal and physical reasons alike — comes at a critical stretch of the season, leaving Arizona to navigate the uncertainty without knowing when their star infielder will be back in the lineup.

Last summer, Martel’s home was robbed during the All-Star break.

A family rift has erupted at the top of the Los Angeles Lakers, as Jeanie Buss publicly opposes her siblings’ plan to sell the family’s remaining ownership stake in the team.

The Deal at the Center of the Dispute

Five of the six Buss siblings — Joey, Jesse, Jim, Johnny and Janie — support selling the family’s remaining 17.8% stake in the Lakers to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner for roughly $12.5 billion. The sale would push Iger and Kushner’s combined ownership from about 65% to around 83% of the franchise, following their earlier purchase of Mark Walter‘s controlling stake.

Why Jeanie Is Fighting the Sale

Jeanie Buss is the lone holdout, and her opposition centers on control rather than money alone. NBA rules require a team governor to hold at least 15% ownership, and losing the family’s stake would strip her of the governor role she’s held since 2017 — a position she’s occupied since her father, Dr. Jerry Buss, died in 2013. Through attorney Adam Streisand, Jeanie argues a 2017 court order requires her approval as co-trustee of the family trust before any sale of the remaining shares can proceed, calling any vote to sell “a breach of trust, breach of fiduciary duty” and “in contempt of court.”

The Other Side

The five siblings backing the sale pushed back publicly, saying in a joint statement that they’re ready to “exit gracefully while we still can.” Their support triggered a tag-along clause forcing a family vote on the transaction.

A Family With a History of Conflict

This isn’t the Buss family’s first internal battle. Jeanie fired brother Jim from his basketball operations role back in 2017, and siblings Joey and Jesse were dismissed from front-office positions in late 2025 after initially opposing the sale of majority control to Mark Walter — a deal Jeanie ultimately cast the deciding vote to approve.

What’s at Stake

Beyond family politics, the outcome could affect Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka, a Jeanie ally, and comes as star Luka Dončić approaches free agency in 2028. Any sale would also require NBA Board of Governors approval, and Kushner would first need to divest from the Miami Heat.

Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended from professional tennis after testing positive for cocaine, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed.

In 2021, Kyrgios was accused of assaulting his girlfriend.

Timeline of the Case

The positive sample was collected on June 22, 2026, during a lower-tier grass court event in Mallorca, Spain, where Kyrgios was competing while ranked 919th in the world. The result was confirmed positive on July 17, and the ITIA applied a provisional suspension on August 4. The case became public on Tuesday.

A Career Already in Decline

Kyrgios, 31, has struggled significantly since his standout 2022 season, when he reached the Wimbledon final. He has won just 2 of his last 10 ATP singles matches, a steep fall from his peak form. The positive test adds another setback to a career already defined by injuries and inconsistent results in recent years.

What Comes Next

Kyrgios faces a potential suspension of up to four years under anti-doping rules, though a lighter sanction is expected because the ITIA determined the cocaine use occurred outside of competition. A comparable case offers some precedent: British player Dan Evans received a one-year ban in a similar 2017 case involving cocaine.

Kyrgios Responds

Kyrgios did not dispute the finding and publicly took ownership of the situation. “I made a huge mistake and take full responsibility for it,” he said. He connected the episode to a difficult personal stretch, describing feelings of being “helpless and alone” amid ongoing injury struggles, and announced he would step away from social media for 28 days to focus on his recovery.

Why It Matters

The suspension marks one of the most significant off-court controversies of Kyrgios’s career, arriving at a moment when he was already fighting to regain his footing on tour. How the ITIA ultimately rules on sanctions will determine whether Kyrgios has a realistic path back to competitive tennis or faces an extended period on the sidelines.

Dodgers fans turned on Kyle Tucker at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, booing the outfielder after he failed to catch a catchable fly ball in right field during the series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers.

A Brutal Homestand

The miscue capped off a rough seven-game homestand in which Tucker went 0-for-19, playing in six of the seven games after sitting out Saturday. His struggles have been especially pronounced at home: Tucker is hitting just .189/.286/.272 at Dodger Stadium this season, a steep drop from his overall .232/.330/.370 line, according to CBS Sports.

The Price Tag Behind the Frustration

The boos carry extra weight given the contract attached to Tucker’s name. He’s in his first season with the Dodgers on a four-year, $240 million deal, and his overall production — 11 home runs, 54 RBIs, 66 runs, 7 stolen bases, and just 0.3 WAR — falls well short of expectations for a player of his price and pedigree.

From All-Star to Slump

Tucker spent four seasons as a productive All-Star with the Houston Astros from 2021 to 2024, hitting .280 with a 145 OPS+ over that stretch. His decline traces back to early July of last season and has carried into his debut year in Los Angeles, fueling growing frustration among fans watching a marquee free-agent addition underperform.

Manager’s Response

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts addressed the situation directly, acknowledging the tension building around Tucker. “I see kind of the frustration,” Roberts said, explaining that he gave Tucker Saturday off so he could treat it “as a work day” rather than a true rest day.

What’s Next

With the Dodgers pushing through the stretch run, how Tucker responds to the criticism — and whether he can rediscover the form that made him one of baseball’s top outfielders in Houston — will shape how the rest of his high-priced first season in Los Angeles is remembered.

Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd are stepping into the spotlight to discuss their romantic relationship publicly, choosing to share their story through a new docuseries rather than through outside speculation.

The Docuseries Behind the Reveal

The two WNBA stars opened up in interviews for Apple TV’s three-part docuseries The Dynasty: UConn Huskies, which will premiere August 21. The format gave them control over how and when they would discuss their relationship publicly, after years of fan speculation and media questions.

What They Said

Bueckers described how naturally their bond formed: “It kinda just meshed as soon as we met. She’s sweet, she’s genuine, she has a huge, caring heart.” She added that the connection went beyond friendship early on: “We kind of felt a spark a little bit different than what would just be considered a normal friendship.”

Fudd, meanwhile, explained the couple’s approach to privacy: “Paige and I are a couple, and everyone close to us that was important knew, but it was kind of one of those things… It’s just, it’s private. Not a secret, but it’s private.”

Their History Together

Bueckers and Fudd met as teammates at UConn, where they helped lead the Huskies to the 2025 national championship, with Fudd earning Most Outstanding Player honors for her performance. Their relationship became public in July 2025, when Bueckers appeared to confirm it during the WNBA All-Star Game. Both players have since gone on to star at the professional level, with the Dallas Wings drafting Bueckers in 2025 and the No. 1 overall pick in 2026 going to Fudd.

A Broader Conversation About Privacy

Their relationship became a flashpoint for a wider debate after a reporter asked Fudd about it directly at her draft press conference, prompting discussion about where public curiosity about athletes’ personal lives should end. By sharing their story on their own terms through the docuseries, Bueckers and Fudd are reclaiming the narrative around one of women’s basketball’s most closely watched relationships.

The New York Giants made two notable roster moves on Tuesday, signing running back Najee Harris while releasing wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Why the Giants Needed Harris

The move comes after running back Dante Miller suffered a preseason groin injury, leaving the Giants short on depth in the backfield, according to the team’s official site. Harris steps in as a proven veteran presence, standing 6’1″ and weighing 242 pounds, with 71 career games and 68 starts under his belt and a career average of 3.9 yards per carry.

Harris’s Path to New York

A former first-round pick, Harris was drafted 24th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021 and earned a Pro Bowl selection while rushing for more than 1,000 yards in each of his first four NFL seasons. He signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2025 but tore his Achilles in Week 3 against Denver, ending that season prematurely. The Giants signing gives him a fresh opportunity to prove he’s fully recovered.

A Familiar Face for the Coaching Staff

Giants head coach John Harbaugh is no stranger to Harris, having faced him repeatedly during his time coaching in the AFC North. “I felt like the hair on the back of my neck stood up when I saw him,” Harbaugh said, describing Harris as “a downhill runner, physical runner.”

Harris’s Mindset Heading In

A two-time national champion and Doak Walker Award winner at Alabama, Harris made clear he’s motivated to reestablish himself after the injury. “I have a lot to prove as somebody coming back from a torn Achilles,” he said.

What It Means for the Roster

Releasing Smith-Schuster clears a spot as the Giants pivot toward shoring up their running game rather than their receiving corps, underscoring how significant Miller’s injury was to their roster planning. With Harris now in the fold, the Giants add a physical, experienced ball carrier just as the season approaches — a low-risk, potentially high-reward addition if he returns to form.

Minnesota Vikings defender Jamal Adams will miss the entirety of the 2026 season after suffering a right knee injury during Saturday’s 13-10 preseason win over the New York Giants.

The injury occurred early in the second quarter as Adams, playing in coverage on a crossing route, stumbled to the turf without any contact from an opposing player. The play unfolded as Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart connected with Malachi Fields for a touchdown elsewhere on the field. Adams remained in the Vikings’ medical tent for an extended period, visited by teammates Josh Metellus, Byron Murphy Jr. and Theo Jackson, along with head coach Kevin O’Connell and defensive coordinator Brian Flores, before ultimately being carted off to the locker room. He had played just 11 snaps in the game.

O’Connell addressed the injury shortly after halftime, saying the initial exam did not look good, though the team wanted to wait for further imaging Sunday before confirming the full extent of the damage. That imaging ultimately confirmed the worst-case outcome: a season-ending injury. O’Connell spoke emotionally about Adams afterward, saying he felt his passion for the game every day and that the coaching staff was crushed for him, given the role he had been carving out for himself on the roster in such a short time.

The Vikings signed Adams, 30, just before the start of training camp, in part because of his prior relationship with new general manager Nolan Teasley, who worked alongside him during their time with the Seattle Seahawks.

A first-round pick out of LSU in 2017, Adams built his reputation as one of the league’s most disruptive safeties early in his career, earning three Pro Bowl selections and an All-Pro nod during stints with the New York Jets and Seahawks. Last season, playing for the Las Vegas Raiders, Adams transitioned into more of a linebacker role and recorded 45 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble across all 17 games, marking the first time he had played a full season since 2018.

Injuries have plagued the back half of Adams’ career, limiting him to just one game in 2022, nine in 2023, and five in 2024 before his full-season return last year. With Adams now facing a lengthy recovery at 31 and set to become a free agent again next offseason, the injury raises real questions about his professional future, while also leaving a notable void in Flores’ defensive plans for a Vikings team that missed the playoffs a year ago.

Golden State Warriors rookie forward Yaxel Lendeborg wasted little time establishing his competitive edge, throwing some pointed trash talk at Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks during a livestream over the weekend.

On his Kick stream Saturday, a fan asked Lendeborg whether he was excited for his eventual matchup against Brooks, one of the NBA’s most notorious instigators. He didn’t hesitate. “Am I excited for the Dillon Brooks matchup? I’m finna give Dillon Brooks belt, man. Stop playing, bruh,” Lendeborg said, using slang for thoroughly dominating an opponent.

The comment quickly circulated across social media and NBA outlets, adding another layer to an already spicy rivalry between the Suns forward and Golden State.

Brooks has built a reputation over the years as one of the league’s most disliked and combative players, with a particularly pointed history against the Warriors. During Golden State’s 2026 playoff run, Brooks made it clear he hoped the Warriors would advance past the Clippers so his Suns could face them, naming Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and head coach Steve Kerr as the primary reasons he wanted the matchup.

Phoenix ultimately delivered on that wish, eliminating Golden State from playoff contention last season, adding extra motivation to what’s already a heated dynamic heading into 2026-27.

Lendeborg, the 11th overall pick out of Michigan in this year’s draft, has quickly developed a reputation for candid, unfiltered commentary since arriving in the league. He’s previously admitted he once disliked both Curry and Green before joining the Warriors, remarks that reportedly irritated Green, who has said he’s looking forward to training camp so he can help rein in the rookie’s outspoken tendencies.

On the same stream where he called out Brooks, Lendeborg also laid out his own expectations for his rookie season, setting a personal bar of roughly 15 points, six rebounds and three to four assists per game, and saying anything below that would represent a disappointment by his own standards.

The 23-year-old’s confidence stems in part from a standout Summer League performance, where he averaged 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists while leading the Warriors to the Summer League championship, earning him MVP honors for the event.

Fans won’t have to wait long to see whether Lendeborg backs up his words. The Warriors and Suns are scheduled to meet twice early in the 2026-27 regular season, first on Oct. 24 in Phoenix and again on Nov. 2 at Chase Center in San Francisco.

Future Hall of Fame pass rusher Von Miller is heading home. The Dallas Cowboys announced Sunday night they agreed to terms with Miller on a one-year contract worth $5.5 million, with a maximum value of $7.5 million.

The move reunites the 37-year-old edge rusher with the region where his career began. Miller attended DeSoto High School just south of Dallas before starring at Texas A&M, and the Denver Broncos selected him second overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. He confirmed the signing on social media with a simple post reading “Hereee Weee Gooo,” accompanied by an image of himself in a Cowboys uniform, capping weeks of speculation that began when he teased the move with a photoshopped Instagram post in July.

Miller is expected to join the Cowboys at their training camp in Oxnard, California, on Monday, with Dallas set to wrap up its West Coast camp before a preseason matchup at Arizona.

Miller arrives in Dallas as the active NFL leader in career sacks with 138.5, a total built over 14 professional seasons. He was named the Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2011 after recording 11.5 sacks in his debut campaign, earned three All-Pro selections in his first six seasons, and won Super Bowl MVP honors as part of Denver’s dominant defense in Super Bowl 50. He added a second championship with the Los Angeles Rams in 2021 after being acquired from Denver in a midseason trade.

His tenure with the Buffalo Bills that followed was hampered by injuries and a domestic violence case in Dallas that resulted in a four-game suspension.

After being released by Buffalo in a salary-cap move, Miller signed with the Washington Commanders last year and turned in his most productive season since 2018, recording nine sacks, six tackles for loss and 19 quarterback pressures despite playing just 37% of Washington’s defensive snaps. It marked the first time since 2018 that he played every game in a regular season.

The signing addresses an obvious need for Dallas, which has lacked a defined identity at edge rusher since trading All-Pro Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers before the 2025 season. The Cowboys ranked 26th in the league in sack rate last season while surrendering more passing yards than any other team. Miller is expected to join a rotation that includes Rashan Gary, 2026 first-round pick Malachi Lawrence and second-year pass rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku, likely occupying a role similar to the one Jadeveon Clowney filled for Dallas in 2025 as a veteran situational piece in the pass rush.

St. Louis Cardinals rookie outfielder Joshua Báez etched his name into the MLB record books on Saturday, becoming the first player in league history to hit a home run in each of his first three career at-bats. His historic debut powered the Cardinals to an 8-4 win over the Chicago Cubs.

A Record-Breaking First Game

Báez, 23, wasted no time making an impact. His first career home run came on the very first pitch he saw in the majors, a blast off Cubs pitcher Matthew Boyd that landed an estimated 449 feet away in the left-center field bleachers. He wasn’t done there — Báez went on to hit two more home runs later in the game, each on a different pitch and to a different field, completing an unprecedented three-for-three power display in his first big-league appearance.

How It Compares to MLB History

Before Saturday, only two players had ever homered in each of their first two major league at-bats: Bob Nieman of the St. Louis Browns in 1951 and Keith McDonald, who did it for the Cardinals themselves in 2000. Neither carried the feat into a third at-bat. Báez’s performance surpasses both, giving the Cardinals a second entry in that exclusive club and a new franchise and MLB milestone in the process.

The Path to the Majors

Báez earned his call-up after a standout run in Triple-A, where he led all hitters in the league with 34 home runs, including four separate multi-homer games. That power surge made him one of the most closely watched prospects in the Cardinals’ system heading into his debut, and Saturday’s performance suggests the hype was warranted.

Why It Matters

A three-home-run debut of this magnitude is exceedingly rare in professional sports, let alone baseball, where rookies often need time to adjust to major league pitching. Báez’s instant impact gives the Cardinals a jolt of power in their lineup and signals he could be a fixture in St. Louis for years to come. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on whether he can sustain the kind of production that made his first game an instant piece of baseball history.

Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. has been suspended for the first eight games of the 2026 NFL season for violating the league’s personal-conduct policy, the NFL announced this week. The suspension begins August 30 and runs through the Falcons’ Week 8 game, with Pearce eligible for reinstatement on November 2.

Why Was James Pearce Jr. Suspended?

The ban stems from a February arrest near Miami, where Pearce was taken into custody following a domestic dispute involving his ex-girlfriend, WNBA forward Rickea Jackson. He was charged with three felonies — aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police, and resisting an officer with violence — along with a misdemeanor stalking count.

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Pearce did not appeal the NFL’s ruling, making the eight-game suspension final. Per league policy, he remains eligible to participate in all Falcons preseason activities, including exhibition games, before the suspension takes effect for the regular season.

Legal Status Still Pending

Court proceedings are separate from the NFL’s discipline. In April, Pearce agreed to a six-month pretrial intervention program, a deal that could lead to the felony and misdemeanor charges being dropped entirely if he satisfies the program’s conditions. That timeline runs roughly parallel to his NFL suspension, meaning both matters could resolve around the same point in the season.

Impact on the Falcons

Pearce, 22, was a key part of Atlanta’s pass rush after being selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. With the suspension looming, the Falcons had already begun adjusting their depth chart, listing Pearce as a third-string option heading into the season. His absence for roughly half the schedule forces Atlanta to lean more heavily on its other edge rushers as the team looks to stay competitive in a tight NFC South race.

Pearce is expected back in the lineup in early November, giving the Falcons a second-half boost if he returns to form. Until then, his case remains a storyline to watch — both for its impact on Atlanta’s defense and for how the pending legal proceedings play out over the coming months.

The Pittsburgh Steelers opened their 2026 preseason with a convincing 28-9 victory over the Green Bay Packers, but the biggest takeaway came from the performances of rookie quarterbacks Drew Allar and Will Howard.

Allar, Pittsburgh’s third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, delivered the standout performance of the night. The former Penn State quarterback completed 10 of 13 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns, while adding a rushing touchdown as the Steelers’ offense found another gear with him under center.

The rookie’s efficiency was particularly encouraging. Allar repeatedly attacked the middle of the field and showed the arm strength and mobility that once made him a highly regarded NFL prospect. His performance came after a difficult final college season at Penn State, when a season-ending ankle injury limited him to six games.

Head coach Mike McCarthy praised Allar after the game, saying the rookie played “very, very well.” McCarthy also highlighted the performances of the other young quarterbacks competing for roster spots.

Will Howard, selected by Pittsburgh in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, also showed poise in his preseason appearance. Howard completed 7 of 9 passes for 86 yards, helping reinforce the Steelers’ depth at quarterback. Veteran Mason Rudolph was similarly efficient, completing 10 of 11 passes for 93 yards.

The quarterback performances are especially intriguing because Aaron Rodgers did not play in Pittsburgh’s preseason opener. Rodgers remains the expected starter for the regular season, meaning Allar and Howard are currently competing for roles behind the veteran.

Still, Allar’s debut could have long-term significance for the Steelers. Once considered a potential first-round selection, he entered the 2026 draft after a disappointing and injury-shortened final season at Penn State. Pittsburgh ultimately selected him in the third round, giving the organization an opportunity to develop a quarterback with considerable physical upside.

The Steelers’ victory was also a strong overall offensive showing, with Pittsburgh quarterbacks combining for 332 passing yards on 27 completions in 33 attempts. Green Bay managed only nine points, while Pittsburgh’s defense consistently limited the Packers’ offense.

For now, the Steelers have no reason to rush Allar into the starting lineup. But after one impressive preseason performance, Allar has already given Pittsburgh fans another reason to watch the quarterback room closely.

Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza made an impressive first appearance in an NFL uniform Thursday night, completing 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown during the Raiders’ preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals.

Mendoza played four drives in the Raiders’ 27-14 loss to the Cardinals, giving Las Vegas fans an early glimpse of the No. 1 overall pick’s potential. His touchdown pass went to second-year wide receiver Jack Bech.

The performance was notable historically as well. Mendoza became the first No. 1 overall pick since Baker Mayfield in 2018 to throw a touchdown pass in his preseason debut.

Fernando Mendoza Shows Poise in Raiders Debut

Mendoza’s numbers were solid, but his composure appeared to attract even more attention. Raiders coach Klint Kubiak described the rookie as an “ascending player” after the game, while emphasizing that Mendoza still has plenty to learn as he adjusts to professional football.

The rookie was not completely satisfied with his performance. Following the game, Mendoza acknowledged that he needed to improve his timing and anticipation and said he planned to study the film closely. He even expressed disappointment that he had not done enough for his teammates, despite producing a touchdown on his first NFL preseason appearance.

That self-criticism did not appear to diminish the Raiders’ enthusiasm about his development.

Kirk Cousins Remains Raiders QB1

Despite Mendoza’s encouraging debut, veteran Kirk Cousins remains the expected starter entering the regular season. Cousins played only one series against Arizona and led the Raiders to a touchdown before giving way to the rookie.

That makes Mendoza’s preseason opportunities particularly important. The Raiders can give their highly drafted quarterback meaningful repetitions without immediately placing him under the pressure of starting an NFL regular-season game.

Mendoza entered the league after a spectacular college career at Indiana, where he won the 2025 Heisman Trophy and became the first overall selection in the 2026 NFL draft. His first preseason performance will inevitably fuel speculation about how quickly he could challenge Cousins for the starting job.

For now, however, the Raiders appear determined to develop him methodically.

The loss to Arizona ultimately matters little in the preseason. For Las Vegas, the bigger story was seeing its prized rookie handle his first extended taste of NFL action — and Mendoza gave the Raiders plenty of reason to remain excited about his future.

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman appears to have avoided a serious injury after a frightening fall into the Kansas City Royals’ dugout Wednesday night.

Freddie Freeman Takes Frightening Fall Against Royals

The incident occurred during the eighth inning of the Dodgers’ 4-2 victory over Kansas City at Dodger Stadium. Freeman was chasing a foul popup off the bat of Royals infielder Isaac Collins when he tumbled down the dugout stairs while attempting to make the catch.

The veteran first baseman remained down briefly as trainers from both teams rushed to check on him. Freeman eventually returned to the field and finished the defensive inning, but he was replaced by a pinch-hitter in his next at-bat and did not return to first base.

Dodgers Injury Update on Freddie Freeman

The encouraging news for Los Angeles is that Freeman does not appear to have suffered a major injury.

Freeman is listed as day-to-day with total-body soreness. He reported soreness in several areas, including his knees, shoulder, hand and wrist, but remained in good spirits following the incident.

Freeman also emphasized how fortunate he was to avoid a potentially much more serious outcome. He did not hit his head during the fall, which proved to be a crucial factor in limiting the severity of the incident.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the club was fortunate Freeman escaped without a more significant injury. His availability for the team’s next game will depend on how his body responds.

Will Freddie Freeman Play Against the Brewers?

The Dodgers now turn their attention to an important four-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers, with Freeman’s status one of the team’s biggest storylines.

Freeman was uncertain about whether he would be able to play in the series opener.

The timing is significant for Los Angeles. Freeman has been productive at the plate recently, batting .417 over his previous 19 games entering Wednesday’s contest, according to Reuters.

The Dodgers ultimately completed a three-game sweep of the Royals, with Shohei Ohtani hitting a two-run homer in the 4-2 victory.

For now, Dodgers fans have reason to breathe easier. What initially looked like a potentially devastating injury instead appears to be a painful scare, with Freeman considered day-to-day as Los Angeles prepares for its next major test.

Former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels has requested that the university return its copy of the Heisman Trophy he won in 2023, as a dispute over his old No. 5 jersey number continues to escalate. Daniels’ representatives also sent LSU a cease-and-desist letter, obtained by ESPN, demanding the school stop using his name, image and likeness for promotional purposes.

The conflict stems from LSU’s decision to allow sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett to wear No. 5 this season. Daniels first learned of the move when promotional photos featuring Pickett in the number leaked, and he personally reached out to LSU leadership before fall camp began to express his displeasure. LSU coach Lane Kiffin has since spoken directly with Daniels’ representative.

A Number Promised Twice Over

Pickett, a five-star 2025 signee out of Florida, has said wearing No. 5 was a condition of his commitment to LSU — a stipulation discussed with all three of his finalist schools, including Oregon and Miami. He wore the number throughout his high school career, but former LSU coach Brian Kelly declined to issue it to him as a freshman without Daniels’ blessing, and Pickett instead wore No. 3 en route to Freshman All-America honors in 2025. Sources say the jersey number, not financial terms, was the central point of negotiation when Pickett discussed returning to LSU this offseason.

LSU has indicated it has no intention of returning the Heisman Trophy and remains undecided on how, if at all, it will comply with the cease-and-desist letter, which the school notes is not legally binding.

LSU’s Retired-Number Policy

Under LSU bylaws established in 2007, retiring a player’s jersey number does not prevent a current athlete from wearing it in that or any other sport, at the discretion of the head coach. One source close to the program characterized number retirement as an “antiquated policy,” pointing to NFL teams increasingly favoring a ring-of-honor approach that doesn’t take numbers out of circulation.

Daniels, now entering his second NFL season, led LSU to a Heisman-winning 2023 campaign before being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. The dispute marks a notable rift between the program and one of its most decorated recent stars.

Former professional boxer Prichard Colón has died at 33, nearly 11 years after suffering a traumatic brain injury during his final fight, his father confirmed on social media Thursday.

Colón entered his October 2015 bout against Terrel Williams undefeated at 16-0 with 13 knockouts, fighting on national television in Fairfax, Virginia. Throughout the fight, Colón repeatedly complained about illegal punches landing behind his head. Referee Joe Cooper deducted a point from Williams in round 7 for the infraction after allowing earlier fouls to go unpenalized. In the closing seconds of round 9, Colón was knocked down by another shot that landed behind the head — the round’s second knockdown — though Cooper again did not rule it illegal.

>SPORTS LEGENDS WHO DIED IN 2026 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW!

A Fatal Sequence of Events

Colón’s corner removed his gloves after round 9, mistakenly believing the fight had ended. One round remained, and Colón was disqualified for failing to answer the bell for round 10. Shortly after returning to his dressing room, he became dizzy, vomited and collapsed. He was rushed to the hospital, diagnosed with a subdural hematoma, and underwent emergency surgery to relieve pressure on his brain.

Colón spent 221 days in a coma. When he was ultimately discharged in May 2016, the injury had left him unable to walk or speak, and he required continuous care for the remainder of his life. He later underwent spinal surgery and, according to his family, made limited progress in rehabilitation, including learning to communicate through a computer.

Legal Fallout

In 2017, Colón’s parents filed a lawsuit seeking more than $50 million, alleging medical malpractice against ringside physician Dr. Richard Ashby for failing to act despite Colón telling him he felt dizzy and was in pain from illegal blows earlier in the fight.

Colón’s death brings a close to more than a decade of severe health complications following the injury, and reignites longstanding questions in the sport about officiating, ringside medical response, and fighter safety when repeated fouls go unaddressed mid-bout.

Blake Snell struck out 10 batters over six innings of one-run ball Tuesday night in his return to the Dodgers’ rotation, more than three months after his last MLB appearance, as Los Angeles beat the Kansas City Royals 5-4 in 10 innings on a Max Muncy walk-off hit.

Snell allowed just three hits and a walk, retiring his first 10 batters in order and striking out the side in the first inning on three different pitches — a changeup, a four-seamer and a curveball. He ran into his only trouble in the fourth, allowing a run on back-to-back singles and a Salvador Perez sacrifice fly, but shut the door from there. He finished with 84 pitches, well beyond the 75-80 pitch target the Dodgers had set for him, and picked up a no-decision.

“That’s the Snell that we’re used to seeing,” Muncy said after his game-ending hit sealed the win.

A Tough Road Back

The outing marked just Snell’s second appearance of the 2026 season. He opened the year on the injured list with lingering shoulder fatigue, returned briefly in May, then landed back on the IL after loose bodies were discovered in his pitching elbow. He underwent a NanoNeedle Scope procedure to remove them, a surgery that expedited his recovery but still kept him sidelined until August.

Manager Dave Roberts credited Snell’s growth since his rocky May 9 season debut, when he allowed five runs in three innings. “Coming back from rehab and to kind of feel your way into the middle of a season is very difficult,” Roberts said. “I do think that he learned from the first one. We needed to win tonight, and we needed to win a series, and it started with him.”

Salt Lake City Silver Lining

Snell said a difficult final rehab start in high-altitude Salt Lake City — where he allowed three runs, four walks and two homers in 3 2/3 innings — ultimately sharpened his command by forcing him to adjust his pitch shapes. “To have that start and be that frustrated pitching… to be able to come here and just pitch and know I can throw a curveball where I want, whenever I want, and a fastball — that felt way better,” Snell said.

It was the seventh double-digit strikeout start by a Dodger this season, and Snell said his surgically repaired arm now “feels as good as it has in years.”