Every weekend, VikingsTerritory publishes two batches of Minnesota Vikings-themed rumors, the latest fodder from the week regarding the purple team’s what-ifs. Consider this the post-schedule-release edition.

Minnesota’s post-schedule rumor cycle has begun.

For Sunday, we take a look at the Vikings’ big camp battle, Cooper Rush showing up in Eagan, and the free agency competition for Jauan Jennings.

Three Vikings Storylines Begin Moving toward Training Camp

The Purple Rumor Mill for May 17th, 2026.

Rumor: Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy indeed will duke it out for QB1 in July and August.

Vikings training camp will have drama. NFL.com’s Grant Gordon wrote last weekend, “If it was assumed that Kyler Murray was going to be handed the Minnesota Vikings’ starting quarterback reins following two ill-fated years for J.J. McCarthy, that won’t be the case. Minnesota will host a good, old fashioned quarterback battle between McCarthy and Murray this offseason, according to NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero.”

“McCarthy’s struggled in his two years in the NFL since the Vikings chose him 10th overall in an already celebrated 2024 NFL Draft. Some of his struggles have been self-inflicted (12 interceptions in 10 games), while others have been the result of injuries, as he missed all of his rookie campaign with a knee injury and dealt with multiple injuries in his sophomore season.”

Pelissero personally said, “They envision it being a true competition: Kyler Murray versus J.J. McCarthy. And both these guys are going to go into this believing they’re gonna win this job.”

“I don’t know, frankly, how friendly that quarterback room is going to be. It’s going to be a very competitive quarterback room. From everything that I’ve understood, it is truly wide open; they’re keeping an open mind as a coaching staff.”

That sets the stage for a true-blue Murray v. McCarthy battle if one assumes the NFL.com boys are telling the truth.

Rumor: The Vikings now have veteran passer Cooper Rush on speed dial.

No contract came to fruition, but Rush is on the Vikings’ radar. NBC Sports‘ Mike Florio wrote this week, “Rookie minicamps routinely include more than rookies. In Minnesota, veteran quarterback Cooper Rush will participate on a tryout basis. The team has announced 57 attendees for the weekend session. Of that number, 23 have been invited to the weekend practices on a tryout basis.”

“Rush, 32, has played in 42 regular-season games with 16 starts. He has a 9-7 record. The Ravens cut him earlier this year, after making Tyler Huntley the primary backup to Lamar Jackson. Before that, Rush spent seven seasons with the Cowboys, starting eight games in 2024 and five in 2022.”

Head coach Kevin O’Connell said about Rush’s unexpected presence, “As I told Cooper, it’s almost like a free agent visit. He gets to know us, we get to know him. He’s played a lot of football over the years in the National Football League.”

“I think it can open up that world to him, or if there’s an opportunity in the future, he can make that a really positive situation for himself and become our first phone call.”

The simplest way to think of this? If injuries rock Murray, McCarthy, and Carson Wentz, Rush will probably be the first guy the Vikings call or the first guy they steal off some team’s practice squad.

Rumor: Multiple teams wanted Jauan Jennings from free agency.

Adam Schefter explained that Minnesota has genuine competition for Jennings this week.

He told Pat McAfee, “I was told that there were a few other teams. I think it was the Dolphins, the Commanders. There was somebody else that was interested. The Vikings were the only team he wound up visiting at all. The Chiefs and Commanders also were interested in Jauan Jennings.”

“Ultimately, he got a one-year deal from Minnesota worth up to $13 million; it’s about $8 million in base pay. Ideally, you want to get these deals done early in free agency, but Jennings was able to salvage a pretty good situation.”

Minnesota is an ideal situation for Jennings. O’Connell’s pass-heavy offense frequently utilizes three-receiver sets, placing Jennings alongside Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. With coverage often tilted toward the star wideouts, Jennings will inevitably find himself isolated. His physicality and reliability position him perfectly to capitalize on these opportunities.

Stylistically, the fit is equally compelling. In San Francisco, Jennings established himself as a rugged blocker and reliable chain-mover. With the Vikings, however, he’s expected to see significantly more targets than he typically did with the 49ers. O’Connell won’t relegate him to a hidden role.

Too, should Jefferson or Addison miss time, Jennings could quickly transition from a complementary weapon to a borderline WR1. At this point in his career, the landing spot could hardly be more perfect. And the Vikings evidently got lucky that he didn’t land in Kansas City, Miami, or Washington.

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While PSG have already been crowned champions, there’s still much to play for at both ends of the table ahead of the Ligue 1 season finale on Sunday. In one of the evening’s nine games, Marseille will look to salvage their season by beating Rennes to snatch a Europa League spot from the Bretons.

Mamelodi Sundowns host AS FAR for the CAF Champions League final first leg on Sunday, with the South African giants looking to go one better after losing last year’s final. The Moroccans, meanwhile, are playing in their first final since they last won the title in 1985.

On Saturday, Jannik Sinner made it 33 wins on the trot as he fended off Daniil Medvedev to reach the final of the men’s Italian Open. The Italian will have the chance to win the only Masters tournament missing from his honours list as he takes on Casper Ruud in Sunday’s final.

The women’s final was won by Elina Svitolina, who beat Coco Gauff in a three-set thriller. The Ukrainian has now won the Rome tournament three times over the course of her career.

Xabi Alonso’s appointment as Chelsea manager has been confirmed on a four-year deal.

The former Real Madrid boss will take charge of the Blues from July 1 in what is his first managerial role in the Premier League.

Callum McFarlane has been in interim charge since the sacking of Liam Rosenior last month and was on the touchline for Chelsea’s FA Cup final loss to Manchester City on Saturday.

INGLEWOOD, California — When Ronda Rousey finally got back into a mixed martial arts cage after 9 1/2 years away from her sport, she couldn’t wait even one more minute to collect another arm — and to have her own arm raised one last time.

Rousey stopped Gina Carano with her signature armbar just 17 seconds into the two iconic fighters’ double comeback bout Saturday night.

READ: Gina Carano returns to MMA after 17 years for Ronda Rousey fight

JUST LIKE THAT.

RONDA ROUSEY DEFEATS GINA CARANO VIA ARMBAR IN LESS THAN 20 SECONDS. #RouseyCarano pic.twitter.com/XFZQQlz3NF

— Netflix Sports (@netflixsports) May 17, 2026

After finishing the 44-year-old Carano with a ferocity that evoked her famous heyday, the 39-year-old Rousey reaffirmed that this was only the epilogue to her historic MMA career. She insists she is headed into retirement after ending on a dominant victory.

“I was hoping to come out as unscathed as possible,” Rousey said. “I didn’t really want to hurt her. Luckily it was beautiful martial arts, that’s what I think that was. It was art.”

Rousey (13-2) didn’t waste an instant after the opening bell, immediately charging and tackling Carano. Rousey quickly moved into position and applied her famous finishing move, wrenching Carano’s arm as the fight was stopped.

Rousey famously won eight fights in less than a minute during her meteoric rise through MMA in the 2010s. When asked if she considered waiting a bit longer to go for the finish in this comeback fight, since it was so many years in the making, Rousey laughed.

“Hell no,” she said. “My husband and my kids are watching me. I don’t want to put them through anything more than I have to.”

READ: Ronda Rousey returns to MMA with stronger support system

Carano, who hadn’t fought in 17 years, was all smiles even after the swift end to one of the longest layoffs in pro sports history. Rousey and Carano hugged and shared warm words after the finish, raising each other’s arms in victory.

“I wanted that to last longer,” Carano said. “I felt so ready. I’ve never felt that good. But I haven’t been here for 17 years … and I wanted to hit her.”

This improbable double comeback bout united two of the most important fighters from MMA’s past two decades.

Rousey became one of the world’s most famous athletes as she won the first women’s title in the UFC, which only began to promote women’s MMA because of Rousey’s undeniable talent and star power.

Rousey first became interested in MMA because of Carano, whose athleticism and star power made her into a television headliner when the nascent sport was still fighting for legitimacy and acceptance in the late 2000s.

Rousey left the sport after consecutive losses, while Carano moved on to an acting career after taking her first loss.

READ: Ronda Rousey apologizes for posting Sandy Hook conspiracy online

After having two children and settling into post-fighting life on her farm in Riverside, Rousey seriously began to consider an MMA return last year. She immediately focused on a fight with Carano, whose long-thriving career as an actor abruptly ended in 2021 with her series of controversial social media posts.

Carano was happy to finally accept the comeback she had occasionally considered, saying she used her preparations as a way to overcome multiple health problems from recent years.

“Getting in here after 17 years was a victory,” Carano said. “Fighting a legend was a victory. I feel great. But she trained. She had her game plan. I have so much love and respect for her.”

The show at Intuit Dome was the first live MMA event on Netflix, which is moving steadily into combat sports.

Rousey had repeatedly said this will be her final fight, while Carano has said she doesn’t know what the future holds. Afterward, Carano said she hasn’t closed the door on another bout, and promoter Nakisa Bidarian said he would be eager to put Carano on another show.

“I think 17 years (off) was a lot,” Carano said. “(Being) 44 is a lot. But I’m going to go look at this. I didn’t get anything out I expected to get in this fight.”

Filip Hrgovic took just three rounds to stop Dave Allen last night in Doncaster, potentially setting up a clash with rising heavyweight star Moses Itauma.

Allen’s corner threw in the towel after close to nine minutes of straight punishment, giving Hrgovic the 20th victory of his career. Post-fight, ‘El Animal’ confirmed that he is interested in taking on Itauma next, and promoter George Warren said clearly that he would be looking to finalise that fight this week.

Speaking on his YouTube channel the morning after, Allen detailed how ‘sore’ he was from the three rounds, and had nothing but praise for the Croatian.

“He was really good, to be honest. He was big, you know. We weighed the same, but he was big … He’s not a huge puncher, not massively powerful, I don’t think he could’ve knocked me out, but he’s really good. He kept catching me on the back of the head – no complaints, I was trying to duck and slide around it – but it wasn’t an illegal punch.

“He’s fast, he lets his shots go … He’s just busy as f**k. I don’t need that at my age – he and [Luis] Ortiz are the best two [I’ve faced]. I’m a decent fighter, probably not as good as I was, and I do think six, seven years ago I could’ve gone ten. I wouldn’t have beaten him in a million years.”

The Doncaster man did not give a prediction for the Itauma match-up, but hinted that there may aspects of Hrgovic’s game to exploit.

“If he boxes Itauma… I don’t know, you know. I’m not sure. He’s good. He’s there to be hit, but he does that much punching, it’s hard to get one off on him. I felt like he would’ve slowed down, but for my style and ability, I’d have taken way too much to get him there.”

Itauma’s headline slot is booked for August 8 in London, so all eyes now turn to Hrgovic and whether or not he feels fit enough – and is not hampered by the cut he suffered – to go again in less than three months.

If the contracts can be signed, many feel that Hrgovic can be the man to finally take Itauma into deeper waters. If he can’t, the young Brit’s case as a future dominant champion only strengthens.

Danny Rohl has confirmed that Rangers will work on re-signing Mikey Moore from Tottenham Hotspur this summer. (talkSPORT), external

The Rangers manager also insists striker Youssef Chermiti will be a key player next season after reports linking the 21-year-old to Porto. (Daily Record – subscription required), external

Celtic face strong competition for Bodo/Glimt striker Kasper Hogh this summer, with a host of clubs across Europe keen on the 25-year-old. (Football Insider), external

Falkirk have received “fair offers from two or three clubs” for striker Barney Stewart, with manager John McGlynn saying any fee for the 22-year-old will go towards a grass pitch and training facilities. (Falkirk Herald), external

Middlesbrough and Scotland forward Tommy Conway has been ruled out of the World Cup with an ankle injury. (Keith Downie on X), external

Aston Villa may consider selling captain and Scotland star John McGinn to Everton if they can land Wales midfielder Harry Wilson, who is leaving Fulham as a free agent. (Sun), external

Punjab Kings: Shreyas Iyer (c), Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Mitchell Owen, Vishnu Vinod, Nehal Wadhera, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Musheer Khan, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Suryansh Shedge, Arshdeep Singh, Xavier Bartlett, Yuzvendra Chahal, Lockie Ferguson, Harpreet Brar, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Pyla Avinash, Yash Thakur, Harnoor Singh, Praveen Dubey, Vishal Nishad.

RCB: Rajat Patidar (c),Tim David, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Philip Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Jacob Bethell, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Abhinandan Singh, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam Dar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma, Swapnil Singh, Nuwan Thushara, Venkatesh Iyer, Jacob Duffy, Mangesh Yadav, Jordan Cox, Vicky Ostwal, Vihaan Malhotra, Kanishk Chouhan, Satvik Deswal.

Gujarat Titans (GT) opener Sai Sudharsan overtook former Australian batter Shaun Marsh to become the fastest cricketer to reach 3,000 runs in T20s. Sudharsan reached this milestone against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens. After being hit on his left elbow by a Kartik Tyagi delivery, Sudharsan walked off the field, but later came back, producing an unbeaten 53* in 28 balls, with six fours and three sixes in GT’s 248-run chase. Sudharsan reached the 3,000 run mark in 78 innings, outdoing Marsh, who reached the milestone in 85 innings.

Currently, the 24-year-old has made 3,017 runs in 79 matches at an average of 43.72 and a strike rate of 142.17, including four centuries and 21 fifties.

Sudharsan is currently the Orange Cap holder for most runs this season, with 554 runs in 13 innings at an average of 46.16 and a strike rate of 157.83, including a century and six fifties, with the best score of 100.

Sudharsan has posted four successive 50-plus run scores for GT so far this season, the most by a batter in a season, with his 53* against KKR, 61 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), 55 against Rajasthan Royals (RR) and 57 against Punjab Kings (PBKS), he has made a massive recovery in the second half of the tournament after a poor first half, where he managed just one fifty in six innings.

Coming to the match, GT opted to bowl first, and the three-time IPL champions made them pay as after skipper Rahane (14) got out early, Finn Allen (93 in 35 balls, with four boundaries and 10 sixes) and Angkrish Raghuvanshi smashed the bowlers all over the park, putting up a sizzling 95-run stand. Following Allen’s dismissal, Raghuvanshi reached his fifth fifty of the season, pressing the accelarator during his 108-run stand with Cameron Green (52* in 28 balls, with three fours and four sixes), helping KKR reach 247/2 in 20 overs. Raghuvanshi scored an unbeaten 82* in 44 balls, with four boundaries and seven sixes.

Mohammed Siraj and Sai Kishore got a wicket each.

During the run-chase, Sai Sudharsan retired hurt early. Skipper Shubman Gill (85 in 49 balls, with five fours and seven sixes) and Jos Buttler (57 in 35 balls, with five fours and two sixes) put on a 128-run stand to put GT in the hunt. But once they were dismissed, GT could not keep the run-rate up, ending at 218/4 in 20 overs.

Sunil Narine (2/29) was the pick of the bowlers for KKR and also the ‘Player of the Match’.

GT is in second place, with eight wins and five losses, giving them 16 points. KKR is at seventh, with five wins, six losses and a no result, giving them 11 points.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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IPL 2026 News | Shami’s Sensation Leads Lucknow to First Win of Season

NEW DELHI: A social media post involving Rahmat Shah triggered widespread confusion and panic among cricket fans after many mistakenly believed the Afghanistan batter had passed away. The confusion began when Afghanistan all-rounder Karim Janat shared a condolence message on Instagram along with Rahmat Shah’s picture and a note written in Pashto.Soon after the post surfaced online, automated translation on Instagram incorrectly suggested that Rahmat Shah himself had died. Fans were left shocked and several social media users started posting condolence messages for the cricketer.However, the reports were completely false. Rahmat Shah is alive. The condolence message was actually for the death of Rahmat Shah’s mother, not the cricketer himself.The confusion stemmed from Instagram’s automated translation feature, which mistranslated Janat’s Pashto message. The automated translation read:“With great sadness, I heard the news of the passing of Rahmat Shah, the legendary player of the Afghanistan National Cricket Team. This great tragedy has deeply saddened me and all cricket fans. As a cricket player myself, I express my deepest sympathy and condolences to Rahmat Shah and his family. May Allah grant the deceased paradise, lighten his grave, and give his family the patience to bear this immense grief. Indeed, to Allah we belong, and truly, to Him we shall return,” the automated Instagram translation of Karim’s post read.However, the translation was inaccurate and changed the entire context of the original Pashto message.The correct translation of Janat’s post read:“I heard the news of the death of the respected mother of Rahmat Shah, the talented player of the national cricket team. This great tragedy made me and all cricket fans very sad. On my own behalf and as a cricket player, I express my deepest sympathy and condolences to Rahmat Shah and his respected family. May Allah grant the deceased Paradise, fill her grave with light, and give her family patience to bear this great sorrow. Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we shall return.” Rahmat Shah last played for Afghanistan national cricket team in an ODI against Bangladesh national cricket team in October last year, where he retired hurt during the match.The experienced batter has represented Afghanistan in 11 Tests, 125 ODIs and one T20I, scoring more than 5,000 international runs during his career.

Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt has seen his season and World Cup dreams come to an end after undergoing surgery on a persistent back injury.

The Netherlands international, who has been sidelined since November, had recently returned to light training but has now been forced to go under the knife to resolve the issue.

Surgery ends De Ligt’s season

Manchester United have officially confirmed that De Ligt has undergone a corrective procedure to address a long-standing back problem. The 26-year-old hasn’t featured for the Red Devils since late autumn and will now face an extended period of rehabilitation that rules him out of the upcoming World Cup in North America.

The club released a statement clarifying the situation, noting that the decision was made in the player’s best interests after intensive recovery work failed to yield the necessary results.

De Ligt shares emotional message

The former Bayern Munich star took to social media to share his heartbreak with fans, posting a photo from his hospital bed. Having initially returned to the grass in April, the defender admitted that surgery eventually became the only logical path forward after six months of frustration and setbacks.

Writing on Instagram, De Ligt said: “After 6 months of treatment and working hard to get back, surgery was the only option left. I’m disappointed I couldn’t help the team the last 6 months and obviously missing out on the World Cup but I am looking forward to doing everything to get back in front of the fans and feeling better again.”

Frustration for Michael Carrick

The timing is particularly cruel for De Ligt, who is yet to play a single minute under Michael Carrick.

Speaking to the club’s official website about his determination to return, De Ligt added: “Since November I have done everything, pushing myself in every session and exploring every option, to get back to doing what I love, playing football. I am grateful to everyone who has supported me throughout a difficult period in my career. I remain as determined as ever to represent Manchester United and play in front of our incredible supporters as soon as possible.”

A long road to recovery

The Dutch international made only 14 appearances this season before the injury took hold. Carrick had recently noted the unpredictable nature of back issues, explaining that while the player was improving, it was simply “not as quick as we all hope” and that the club would not gamble with his long-term health.

With 24 matches missed already, the focus now shifts entirely to the 2026-27 season. De Ligt’s absence leaves United with Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro to navigate the final fixtures of the season, as the club continues to wait for their big-money defensive signing to return to full fitness.