Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) evades pressure from Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jonathan Allen (93) during second-half action at U.S. Bank Stadium on Dec. 7, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Daniels escaped the collapsing pocket as Washington’s offense tried to extend the play against Minnesota’s defensive front. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings officially cut ties with Jonathan Allen on Wednesday, and about 24 hours later, the Cincinnati Bengals swooped, signing the veteran defensive tackle to a two-year deal.
Cincinnati moved quickly after Allen hit the market.
Allen did not work out in Minnesota, but he’ll hope to get back on track with Zac Taylor’s team.
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The Bengals Scooped Up Allen — Fast
Perhaps Minnesota will find a rookie DT in the draft.
A row of Cincinnati Bengals helmets sits along the sideline before kickoff against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on Nov. 7, 2024, in Baltimore, Maryland. The equipment view captured the calm moments before the AFC North matchup as players prepared to take the field. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images.
Allen to CIN
Allen is a Bengal, as ESPN’s Ben Baby wrote Thursday, “Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and the Cincinnati Bengals have agreed to a two-year, $26 million contract, sources told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Thursday. Allen’s deal can be worth up to $28 million through incentives, the sources told Fowler. Allen, 31, was another cap casualty of the Minnesota Vikings and was officially released Wednesday after the start of the 2026 league year.”
“Allen is the second major acquisition the Bengals have made to improve their defensive line. Cincinnati also signed former Seattle Seahawks edge rusher Boye Mafe to a three-year deal worth $60 million. At $13 million annually excluding incentives, Allen slots in as one of the most expensive players on Cincinnati’s defense.”
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He banked $23 million guaranteed last offseason with Minnesota, so Allen is quietly stacking successive contracts on the back nine of his career. There’s also a chance that his new deal in Cincinnati offsets some of the money the Vikings owe him. Stay tuned for clarity.
The New DT Group for Bengals
With Allen in the house, Cincinnati’s DT corps now looks like this after 3.5 days of free agency:
B.J. Hill
Jonathan Allen
Kris Jenkins Jr.
T.J. Slaton Jr.
McKinnely Jackson
Jordan Jefferson
Howard Cross III
That feels like a group that may use a pick early in April’s draft on a defensive tackle, as plenty will be on the board.
Cincy Jungle‘s Jason Marcum noted Thursday, “This will also hopefully keep the Bengals from drafting a defensive tackle at pick No. 10 because of need. Maybe the best player available will be at that position, but it’s no longer an immediate need that the team could have felt forced into addressing with that draft capital.”
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BengalsWire‘s Chris Roling assigned the move a ‘B’ grade and explained, “The Bengals are quite a bit more dynamic up front and have dramatically improved the secondary so far in free agency. Allen’s arrival doesn’t rule out another front-seven addition in the top 10 of the draft, either.”
“There’s risk with Allen. But the aggressive move at a serious need for the third time so far is really good to see and adding all three up makes for an impressive few days of free agency.”
Allen’s 2025 Campaign
Allen did not live up to his three-year, $50 million contract in Minnesota last offseason, prompting some purple fans to declare that the veteran is washed and incapable of regaining the top-tier form he had a few years ago. He put together a terrible Pro Football Grade of 53.2, struggling mightily in stopping the run (45.4), while recording a 64.9 mark in rushing quarterbacks.
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Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) escapes pressure from Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jonathan Allen (93) during second-half action at U.S. Bank Stadium on Dec. 7, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Daniels avoided the collapsing pocket as Washington attempted to extend the play against Minnesota’s defensive front. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
All told, Allen ranked 6th in tackles among all DTs, 10th in stops, 11th in quarterback hits, 25th in sacks, and 27th in quarterback pressures.
It’s worth noting that some pundits claim that Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores’s scheme is not an ideal setup for defensive tackles, though men like Jalen Redmond or Christian Wilkins over the years might disagree.
Vikings’ Future at DT and Money Saved
To bolster their defensive tackle depth, Minnesota still has several options to explore.
Free agency still offers experienced possibilities. Veterans like Dalvin Tomlinson, Calais Campbell, David Onyemata, D.J. Reader, and Larry Ogunjobi remain available, potentially providing the Vikings with proven depth.
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The draft presents another viable strategy, and Minnesota is well-positioned to select an interior lineman early if the front office chooses. Prospects such as Peter Woods (Clemson), Caleb Banks (Florida), Kayden McDonald (Ohio State), Lee Hunter (Texas Tech), and Christen Miller (Georgia) are among the defensive tackles expected to draw attention near the top of the draft.
Washington defensive end Jonathan Allen (93) celebrates after recovering a fumble against the Philadelphia Eagles during fourth-quarter action at FedExField on Dec. 15, 2019, in Landover, Maryland. Allen reacted with teammates following the turnover as Washington’s defense delivered a key late-game play. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images.
Beyond the projected starters, the depth chart is open for competition. Levi Drake Rodriguez has shown improvement as a run defender and could be in line for an expanded role. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins received a bit of playing time as a rookie, and undrafted defensive tackle Elijah Williams impressed during training camp and the preseason. Additionally, Minnesota acquired UFL defender Jaylon Hutchings in January.
The aforementioned Redmond, returning on a tendered deal, is a lock to start once again in 2026.
Allen turned 31 in January. Cincinnati is expected to win nine or ten games in 2026, according to oddsmakers.
What a difference a year makes in the NFL. The new league year and free agency began this past week, and the Vikings spent most of that time jettisoning the expensive free agents they signed at this time last year. Their two big signings of 2025 on the defensive line, tackles Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen, were released on Wednesday (with Hargrave moving on to the Green Bay Packers), and now the Vikings must fill those holes and others on their roster.
The biggest potential free agent for the Purple, however, is quarterback Kyler Murray, who was released by the Arizona Cardinals on Wednesday. Most observers have the Vikings as the odds-on-favorite to land him. (But, at press time, Murray was scheduled for a visit and a physical at TCO Performance Center, and no signing had yet been announced.)
The Vikings did sign former Pittsburgh cornerback James Pierre, whom defensive coordinator Brian Flores knew from his time with the Steelers. Plus, they restructured several big contracts to get under the cap, resigned Eric Wilson, Aaron Jones and long snapper Andrew DePoala (who no longer has a punter/holder to snap to as Ryan Wright bolted for New Orleans), and placed free agent tenders on Ivan Pace and Jalen Redmond.
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As the free agent frenzy continues around the league, the fellas at the Vikings Territory Breakdown podcast—Joe Oberle, senior writer at vikingsterritory.com and purplePTSD.com, and Mark Craig, NFL and Vikings writer for the Star Tribune and startribune.com—will have it all for you. Tune in and check out the latest. Skol!
Joe Oberle is a veteran sportswriter/editor/reporter and has covered the Vikings since 2008. The author of three books, he … More about Joe Oberle
OKLAHOMA CITY — Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander broke Wilt Chamberlain’s record for consecutive games with 20 points or more, extending his streak to 127 on Thursday night.
The Oklahoma City Thunder guard hit two free throws in the third quarter against the Boston Celtics to reach 19 points. With the crowd on its feet, Gilgeous-Alexander pump-faked several times and drilled a jumper over Baylor Scheierman from beyond the free-throw line with 7:04 left in the period to push his total to 21.
Chamberlain’s record had stood until 1963, and early on, it looked like Gilgeous-Alexander might struggle to break it. The Hamilton native didn’t score until halfway through the first quarter, but he had 10 points by the end of the period and 17 at halftime.
Gilgeous-Alexander won his first MVP award last season, and his consistency for the defending champion Thunder could lead to a repeat. He won the scoring title last season and ranks second in scoring this year. Oklahoma City has the league’s best record.
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Coach Mark Daigneault credited Gilgeous-Alexander for his steady focus.
“That’s the impressive thing about him,” Daigneault said before the game. “Human nature is that you have success, you ease a little bit, and he’s the opposite. He tastes it, he wants more, he wants to come back for seconds.”
Chamberlain scored at least 20 in 126 straight games from 1961 to 1963. He had 20 or more in every game of the 1961-62 season for the Philadelphia Warriors, which included his record 100-point game in 1962. Chamberlain’s streak ended on Jan. 20, 1963, when he was ejected after just four minutes for the San Francisco Warriors against the St. Louis Hawks.
Gilgeous-Alexander tied the record on Monday, when he scored 35 points against the Denver Nuggets. He also had a career-high 15 assists and nine rebounds and hit the decisive 3-pointer in the closing seconds.
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“He puts the work behind it, does it consistently,” Daigneault said. “He’s a perfectionist when it comes to his craft. He’s got an unbelievably high bar for himself, and yet, he’s incredibly empathic with his teammates.”
Gilgeous-Alexander has five games with at least 50 points during the run, including a career-high 55-point effort against the Indiana Pacers in the second game of this season. He was last held under 20 when he scored 18 on Oct. 30, 2024, against San Antonio.
Gilgeous-Alexander passed Chamberlain’s second-best streak of 92 games earlier this season. The Thunder entered the night with a 102-24 record during Gilgeous-Alexander’s streak.
It’s been a week of scoring feats in the NBA. Miami’s Bam Adebayo scored 83 points on Tuesday, the second most behind Chamberlain’s 100-point game.
As Team India embarks on a new cycle that will culminate in the ODI World Cup next year, will Sanju and Ishan’s T20 WC heroics be good enough for them to be candidates in the set up?The bubbly of euphoria of the T20 World Cup triumph was still spilling over when Gautam Gambhir was asked whether the current Indian white-ball generation is the best in business. The coach was at his pragmatic best when he said: “I am not so sure when you’ve lost two bilateral ODI series recently.”Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The indications were quite clear. The T20 World Cup win is all fine but it’s time to look forward because India will be judged in the next one-and-a-half years on its ODI performances. Reason: The ODI World Cup in South Africa in October-November 2027.While the Indian T20 team has been a force of nature in the last couple of years, the ODI team has stuttered a bit. While the Mr Matchwinner for India, Jasprit Bumrah hasn’t played a single ODI since the 2023 World Cup final, the results haven’t always been that convincing.
Gautam Gambhir reflects on India’s World Cup win and backing Sanju Samson in the tournament
In 2024, India lost an ODI series in Sri Lanka, one in Australia in 2025 and one at home to New Zealand earlier this year. In between, there was a Champions Trophy triumph in Dubai, but those matches were played in designer spinfriendly conditions which won’t be replicated in South Africa.That brings us to a pertinent question — is India lacking something in the ODI format?Given the way new-age whiteball cricket is being played, one may be tempted to say it is the explosivity in the batting department that can be an area of discussion. Of course, ODIs are not T20s — which is mostly sixth gear cricket — and you need a little bit of balance in the 50-over format. Still, it won’t be a bad time to ask whether some of the T20 superstars who have the wherewithal to play the longer format should be looked at in ODIs in the lead-up to the World Cup.
The two obvious names that can come up for immediate discussion are that of Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan. Sanju made the difference at the most crucial stages of the T20 World Cup while Ishan is a proven player in 50 overs — boasting of a highest score of 210 in ODIs. Sanju, on the other hand, has an impressive ODI average of 56.66 and a strike-rate of 99.60.Former India batter WV Raman feels Sanju has all the elements in his game that can make him a success in ODIs. “He is a terrific player and whatever problems he was having with his temperament, he has addressed that. I am convinced that Sanju has the game to succeed in ODIs,” Raman told TOI.But then, the question begs: Where is the vacancy? Sanju is essentially an opener and India’s two current ODI openers are Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. Rohit has been a little up and down in the only format that he plays, while Shubman is team captain. Former national selector Devang Gandhi added the name of Yashasvi Jaiswal to the list. “Next in line is Jaiswal and if a slot opens up, how can you give somebody a go ahead of him? I have nothing against Samson, but let him go back to domestic one-day cricket get runs, and then try for an ODI comeback. That’s how the selectors should think,” Gandhi said.Raman, though, is a believer of backing a player when he is in form. “It’s for the team management to find a place for Sanju. For me, Sanju is good enough for ODIs,” Raman said.Ishan, meanwhile, may have a little more flexibility in finding a place. The Jharkhand left-hander can play in top-three as well as lower down the order. Additionally, like Sanju, he is a keeper as well and can be a deputy to KL Rahul. “But then, there’s Rishabh Pant. What has Pant done wrong to be dropped from the ODI set-up? These are very talented young players we are talking about and they should be handled with care,” Gandhi said.Indian cricket will dive deep into IPL in a couple of weeks’ time and as per the recent trend, performances in the two-month tournament will become a serious benchmark for selection across formats.Ishan, playing at No. 3 for Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Sanju, opening the batting for his new side Chennai Super Kings, will have the opportunity to break every selection door down.Gandhi, though, argues that shouldn’t be the case.“Don’t forget, there are hardly any close-in fielders in T20s. The aim of every bowler is containment. It’s not always the case in ODIs,” the former India opener said.
For the complete match list, venues, and timings, check the full IPL 2026 schedule, fixtures, and team-wise match dates here.
Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has called on the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to step down after Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The former midfielder described the situation as a serious disappointment for Nigerian football, noting that the Nigeria national football team will miss the global tournament for the second time in a row.
Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the tournament ended last November after a penalty shootout defeat to the DR Congo national football team in the second round of African qualifying. The loss confirmed that the three-time African champions would not take part in the competition in North America unless an unlikely late ruling from FIFA changes the outcome.
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For a country often regarded as one of Africa’s leading football nations, the failure has drawn strong reactions from former players and supporters across the country.
Mikel, who played 89 times for Nigeria and featured at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2018 FIFA World Cup, admitted that the result was painful considering Nigeria’s rich football history.
“When you have a country as big as Nigeria with such a huge population and football culture, not qualifying for the World Cup twice in a row is very painful,” he said.
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The former Chelsea FC midfielder was also part of the Nigerian side that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, the nation’s third continental title.
According to him, the repeated failure should lead to serious reflection within the federation.
Mikel insisted that those in charge of running the sport must take responsibility for the poor results and allow new leadership to bring fresh ideas to rebuild the national team.
“I’ve said it many times — the people running the FA should all resign,” he said.
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“It’s the second time we’ve failed to qualify for the World Cup, and there has to be accountability.”
The former midfielder also warned that Nigeria could lose its position among Africa’s top football nations if urgent reforms are not introduced.
He pointed to the progress made by the Morocco national football team as an example of how proper planning, investment, and long-term development can improve a country’s performance on the international stage. ⚽
Former NFL star and professional boxer Le’Veon Bell has been making quite the headlines lately, grabbing the attention of the WWE Universe. The star recently made some comments about The Vision’s Logan Paul, which ended up sparking a lot of speculation about his potential debut at WrestleMania.
The footballer turned boxer revealed that Paul had promised him a contract for a boxing match multiple times in the past, but didn’t end up fulfilling his end of the bargain because of his ongoing deal with the Stamford-based company. This led to speculations of Bell making his way to WWE for a match against The Maverick in the squared circle on The Grandest Stage of Them All.
Thanks for the submission!
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While the speculations were not expected to come true, during a recent episode of the Busted Open podcast, Bell revealed that he was set to be in attendance on The Grandest Stage of Them All this year. This has made a potential confrontation between Paul and Bell even more possible.
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“They [WWE] haven’t. They haven’t. It’s just literally all me. Regardless if they contact me or not, I’m still gonna be there. I’mma either be front row and I’m gonna be there. I might pull up as a masked man. You might not even know I’m there. If I’m there, you might not even know I’m there….I’ll be there. I will be there,” Bell stated [H/T Fightful]
Le’Veon Bell recently apologised to WWE Superstars
Following his recent appearance on the Busted Open, Le’Veon Bell also made a public apology for his comments on the athleticism of the WWE Superstars in the past.
The star, in a post on X/Twitter, accepted that professional wrestling was a craft and that the stars performing are some of the greatest athletes on the globe. Bell has managed to earn the respect of the professional wrestling fans, and a potential confrontation with Logan Paul at WrestleMania 42 seems to be the future.
Time will now tell what the company has in store for the stars.
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Mason Greenwood left Manchester United in 2024 and is currently playing for Marseille in Ligue 1
22:25, 12 Mar 2026Updated 22:40, 12 Mar 2026
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Marseille sporting director Medhi Benatia was reportedly keen on offloading former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood after concerns about his commitment and work rate. That’s according to reports in France who claim the 38-year-old wanted to sell the striker prior to finishing as joint Ligue 1 top-goalscorer with 21 goals last season.
Greenwood finished level with PSG’s Ousmane Dembele, scoring six goals in eight matches towards the end of the campaign to help Marseille qualify for the Champions League.
La Provence claim Benatia wanted to sell the 24-year-old due to his lack of defensive contribution, with Greenwood reported to have avoided the sporting director around the club.
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It was a view shared by former boss Roberto De Zerbi, who dropped Greenwood from the Marseille starting line-up against Lens and PSG in March last year.
At the time, De Zerbi said: “I expect more from him. He has to do more, because what he is currently showing is not enough.
“If he wants to achieve his ambition of becoming a champion, he has to be more consistent, sacrifice more and be more determined.”
The former Brighton boss later said: “Greenwood is a very good person whom I love, as I love his father. He’s had a bit of a tough time lately because he had a daughter who was born, and I don’t think he’s used to playing such an intense season and being a main player. I think he paid for it physically.
“That is to say that he didn’t push himself and wasn’t 100% as I wanted in training, in terms of what I expect from a player like him.
“His physical condition has declined a little, but my project in Marseille is not only to qualify for the Champions League, it is also to create something like what Luis Enrique has created (at PSG). He has created a team, a group of strong players, but with a soul.”
Greenwood would go on to become a key player for the Ligue 1 side and has scored 25 goals in 37 appearances in all competitions for Marseille this season.
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Several high profile European clubs including Barcelona, Napoli and Atletico Madrid have been credited with an interest.
North Carolina football is less than two weeks from opening summer camp ahead of its second season under seven-time Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Belichick.
Belichick led the Tar Heels to a 4-8 record in his first season in Chapel Hill, but a string of off-field headlines largely overshadowed the team.
The controversy has carried into the offseason, apparently prompting at least one prominent UNC football alumnus to forgo attending games in person when the 2026 season begins this fall.
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Marquise Williams, who earned All-ACC honors during his four-year run with UNC, announced his plan to skip games this year.
Marquise Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels warms up before a game against the Clemson Tigers at Bank of America Stadium Dec. 5, 2015, in Charlotte, N.C.(Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
“I will not be attending any UNC football games this year!” Williams wrote Thursday on X. “The things I’m hearing man I would have never thought.” He added a broken heart emoji but did not elaborate on exactly what put him off.
Williams still lives in North Carolina and serves as quarterbacks coach at Louisburg College. He ranks sixth on UNC’s all-time passing yards list.
While Williams’ exact reasoning remains unclear, much of the chatter surrounding the program has centered on Belichick, 73, and his 24-year-old girlfriend, Jordon Hudson.
Marquise Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks to pass against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during a game at Carter-Finley Stadium Nov. 28, 2015, in Raleigh, N.C.(Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
During last year’s widely discussed “CBS News Sunday Morning” interview, Hudson faced accusations that she attempted to exert control during the former NFL coach’s sit-down. The interview was part of a promotional tour for Belichick’s new book, “The Art of Winning — Lessons from My Life in Football.”
The viral moment sparked questions about Hudson’s involvement in both his personal and professional life and whether it could affect football operations.
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Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels and Jordon Hudson before a game against the Richmond Spiders at Kenan Memorial Stadium Sept. 13, 2025, in Chapel Hill, N.C.(Lance King/Getty Images)
North Carolina football general manager Michael Lombardi recently addressed the scrutiny and outside criticism that surrounded the program last season, defending the team’s response amid what he characterized as inaccurate accounts.
“All during those stormy times, all during when the boat was getting capsized, when people were attacking us with fake rumors and fake stories all over — nobody’s corrected them yet, but that’s OK, we understand — our players hung together,” Lombardi told the “Pat McAfee Show” last week.
Chelsea’s Pedro Neto apologized for shoving a ball boy late in his team’s 5-2 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 match.
The ball had just gone out of play down the right in stoppage time when the Portugal winger tried to get it quickly and shoved the ball boy in the chest as he appeared to be trying to hold onto the ball.
The ball boy tumbled backward into an advertising board.
“I want to come out and apologize for what happened on the pitch,” Neto told TNT Sports after the game. “I’ve spoken with the ball boy. With the emotions of the game, we were losing, I wanted to pick up the ball. I gave him a little push. I saw that I hurt him and I am sorry, as I’m not like this.”
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The boy got back up and appeared unharmed. He was comforted by some PSG players as others indulged in some pushing and shoving, while other PSG players scolded Neto.
Neto said he gave the boy his No. 7 jersey.
“I gave him my shirt as well,” Neto said. “He was happy that I gave him the shirt and said sorry like, 35 times.”
Neto was not punished by the referee over the incident.
“I saw there was an altercation,” Chelsea coach Liam Rosenior said. “I haven’t seen (the incident). If there is wrongdoing on our part, I apologize on behalf of the club (and) Pedro has done so in interviews.”
Rosenior said he should have helped his players focus better after the incident, which was followed moments later by PSG’s fifth goal.
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“It’s on me,” he said. “We have to manage the moments better.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — The science confirms it: We are more distracted today than at any point in our history.
According to studies from the renowned researcher Gloria Mark of the University of California-Irvine, the average attention span on a digital device has dropped more than 60 percent in just two decades — from 120 seconds in 2004 to less than 45 seconds in 2024. It’s a phenomenon called “popcorn brain,” and it is shared in separate studies by researchers from across the world of academia.
But the latest challenge of digital decline arrived on television screens on Thursday at the Players Championship in a far different way: through Justin Thomas’s return to the lead after a six-month absence from tournament golf.
“I felt like it really was just all mental,” Thomas said Thursday after an opening-round 68 at the Players Championship. “I had a little bit of fatigue out there. I had a hard time keeping my focus the whole — just like I did going back out after the rain delay. I said to [caddie Matt “Rev” Minister], I was like, I’m very spacey.”
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Thomas’ “mental” remark was in reference to his return last week at Bay Hill — more on that in a moment — but his attentional struggles continued on Thursday, and understandably so: The two-time major champ returned to the Players for just his second event since spinal surgery in the offseason that robbed him of the early portion of his season. It’s not hard to imagine how, after spending at least some of his time away from golf enjoying the fruits of the endless scroll, Thomas’ return to the relentless focus of a five-plus-hour tournament round would be a challenge.
At last week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, Thomas showed signs of that struggle, struggling just to break 80 in both rounds of a missed cut en route to last place at the limited field event.
“Look, I wasn’t expecting to go be in contention and have a chance to win the golf tournament. I fully believed that I could. Like, I was hitting all these shots and doing things well enough to, but I knew it was going to be tough mentally being out there and playing,” he said Thurday. “But when you kind of post two pretty humiliating scores, it’s hard to give yourself too much grace.”
It’s not often a round of golf qualifies as a sigh of relief, but considering the state of affairs at Bay Hill, Thomas left TPC Sawgrass on Thursday just one shot off the lead set by Maverick McNealy … and feeling decidedly relieved.
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“My main goal is getting through these weeks,” he admitted. “Really feeling like I’m not having to try so hard to be in a good place at Augusta.”
“A lot of confidence comes from doing it in competition,” Thomas said. “It helps when you’re able to do things a lot in practice. But at the same time, all the clutch putters feel as good as they do because they made that many when it matters. A basketball player like MJ made so many of those shots, and he was comfortable because he made so many of those shots in games.”
As Thomas explained, returning to tournament golf is a strange emotional experience. Technically, your golf swing can be in great shape, and mentally, you can feel ready to go — but until you’ve been through the heat of battle, you just don’t know how you’re going to perform.
On Thursday at the Players, Thomas felt what it was like to be back in the driver’s seat again. Keeping focus may have required some extra effort, but he held strong, getting in the house with three birdies on his last five holes.
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And as he walked off the course after the round, not even he could deny the joy he felt at just staying in the fight. The score was nice, but the feeling? That had his attention.
“I kind of had a deep breath to myself walking off 9 and even said internally, I needed that,” Thomas said. “I feel confident with things. But again, until it happens in competition, it’s kind of hard to fully buy into you’re ready.”
Emma Raducanu reacts during the Transylvania Open 2026 Singles Final at BT Arena in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, on February 7, 2026. (Photo by Flaviu Buboi/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Emma Raducanu will not feature for the Great Britain Billie Jean King Cup team in their upcoming qualifier against the Australia Billie Jean King Cup team next month.
The tie is scheduled to take place at Melbourne Park on April 10–11, but Raducanu has opted out of the fixture as the European clay-court season approaches.
This will be the third consecutive time the 2021 US Open champion has not played for Britain in the Billie Jean King Cup.
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Great Britain will instead be led by Sonay Kartal, while Harriet Dart, Jodie Burrage, and 17-year-old debutant Mika Stojsavljevic have been named in the squad.
Several other key British players will also be absent. Katie Boulter and Fran Jones are both unavailable for the trip to Australia.
Team captain Anne Keothavong said the team still has strong experience despite the changes.
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“We’ve got players with great experience in this competition in our team and it’s an exciting opportunity for Mika to join the senior team for the first time,” she said.
Great Britain have reached the semi-finals of the competition in the last two editions, and Keothavong could still add another player to the squad before the tie in Melbourne.
