The Minnesota Vikings will get training camp underway in less than 10 weeks, and fans now know the full schedule, which kicks off in Minneapolis on September 13th against the Green Bay Packers. In the backdrop, VikingsTerritory is here for a peek at the current rumor mill.

Minnesota’s rumor mill has fresh angles involving a wide receiver, a safety, and a former draft pick.

Every weekend, we post two batches of rumors, and this is the first edition, with June right around the corner.

Three Vikings Angles Surface before Summer Camp

The Purple Rumor Mill for May 23rd, 2026.

Rumor: Jordan Addison makes sense as a trade candidate for the Indianapolis Colts.

FanSided‘s Jake Beckman identified one player per team to target via trade, and for Indianapolis, Addison evidently moved the needle.

He explained, “The Colts are in a very tough spot right now. IF (and that’s a big IF) Daniel Jones is healthy enough to play at the beginning of the season, he’s going to need his receivers to get open early and often. The problem is that right now, his wide receivers are Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.”

“That’s not remotely close to the caliber of a receiver room that they’re going to need… and there isn’t really anyone out there who is going to give that wide receiver room a shot of adrenaline. However, the Vikings did just sign Jauan Jennings.”

Any Addison trade fodder this offseason has been fan- or media-driven. There’s no credible intel to suggest a deal is in play.

Beckman added, “If they wanted to move on from Addison, who has had a litany of legal issues, they absolutely could. It’s unprecedented for a team to trade a player right after they exercise his fifth-year option, but this is a pretty unique situation that both teams are in.”

The problem? The Vikings probably aren’t trading Addison. They would’ve done that already this offseason.

Rumor: Theo Jackson could be released later this summer.

Bleacher Report‘s Moe Moton outlined a surprise cut candidate for each NFL team last week, and for the Vikings, Jackson got the treatment.

He explained, “Last season, Theo Jackson moved up on the Minnesota Vikings’ safety depth chart, playing 60 percent of the team’s defensive snaps. After a step forward in his development, Jackson may be less productive as the Vikings’ No. 3 safety.”

“He could lose his roster spot if rookie third-rounder Jakobe Thomas shows promising signs in the next phases of the Vikings’ offseason program.”

After Camryn Bynum departed for the Indianapolis Colts last offseason, the Vikings quickly designated Jackson as his replacement. Jackson played in 14 games, starting eight, where he accumulated 47 tackles, a forced fumble, and two quarterback hits. However, he also allowed a high passer rating of 131.5.

While Jackson finished the season with a 68.4 Pro Football Focus grade, Ward’s grade was slightly higher at 70.4. Furthermore, Brian Flores began relying more on Ward as the season concluded, indicating that Minnesota’s safety strategy could shift significantly in the upcoming season.

It’s worth noting that Jackson’s job could be in further jeopardy if Harrison Smith decides to return for Year No. 15.

Rumor: Janarius Robinson has a shot at becoming the newest New England Patriot.

Robinson could fire up his fifth NFL team in five years. NBC Sports‘ Josh Alper wrote Tuesday morning, “The Patriots will be checking out a potential addition to their defense on Tuesday. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that defensive end Janarius Robinson will be working out for the team.”

“Robinson spent last season with the Chiefs, but he did not appear in any games after fracturing his foot in the offseason. Robinson was a Vikings fourth-round pick in 2021 and moved on to the Eagles in 2022, but spent most of both seasons on injured reserve.”

Through three months of free agency, Robinson has no known intrigue from EDGE-needy teams. That could change any day.

Do the Patriots need more EDGE assistance? From a role player and fringe roster bubble commodity like Robinson — likely not. Nevertheless, here’s a glance at Mike Vrabel’s outside linebackers at the moment.

• Harold Landry III
• Dre’Mont Jones
• Gaba Jacas
• Namdi Obiazor
• Bradyn Swinson
• Quintayvious Hutchins
• Jesse Luketa
• Xavier Holmes

If signed, Robinson would probably slide onto the depth chart behind Jacas, a 2nd-Round rookie, and above Obiazor, a 6th-Round rookie.

The Vikings drafted Robinson in Round 4 of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

Tim Bradley has assessed the nuances of a clash between Devin Haney and Keyshawn Davis, believing one man to be the clear favourite in their potential welterweight encounter.

Following his comprehensive performance against Brian Norman Jr last November, many would regard WBO champion Haney as the top dog at 147lbs.

‘The Dream’ was able to outpoint and dethrone Norman with minimal difficulty, scoring an early knockdown before becoming a three-division world champion.

Previous points victories over the likes of Vasyl Lomachenko and Regis Prograis, too, have only cemented Haney as one of the finest active fighters in the sport.

Davis, meanwhile, is yet to fully establish himself as a pound-for-pound star, despite having previously dethroned Denys Berinchyk – with a fourth-round stoppage, no less – to become the WBO lightweight champion in February 2025.

A ring return last January then saw ‘The Businessman’ defeat Jermaine Ortiz at 140lbs, scoring a 12th-round finish after dismantling his opponent with body shots.

But now, coming off a unanimous decision victory over Nahir Albright, who he faced in a rematch last week, Davis is expressing an interest in moving up to 147lbs and challenging Haney.

Based on their last respective performances, though, Bradley has said on his YouTube channel that he would make Davis a sizable underdog.

“I’m telling you right now: I don’t care to see the fight. I think it’s an ugly fight. But who would be the favourite?

“[Based on] their last performances, Devin Haney would be the favourite. Haney has more experience; Haney’s been fighting [professionally] since he was 17 years old. Fighting grown men out there in Mexico.

“He’s won [an undisputed championship and has] been in there with legends [like Lomachenko].”

Along with his experience, Bradley highlights the mentality of Haney as a key factor against Davis, who narrowly missed weight in his first encounter with the scales ahead of the Albright fight.

Far more drastic, however, was his failed attempt last June, when the American was stripped of his WBO title after weighing over 4lbs above the lightweight limit.

MCG will play host to Friday’s
Round 11 AFL game between Richmond Tigers and
Essendon Bombers. The game kicks off at 7:40 pm with Essendon Bombers heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Richmond Tigers vs.
Essendon Bombers
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Friday May 22, 2026 at 7:40 pm

Where: MCG

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Richmond Tigers vs Essendon Bombers Odds

Richmond Tigers vs Essendon Bombers Preview

Richmond and Essendon renew their Dreamtime rivalry at the MCG on Friday night, with both clubs desperate to avoid sinking deeper into the bottom end of the ladder. Sitting at 1-9, the traditional rivals enter the 22nd edition of the marquee fixture under pressure after difficult campaigns. Essendon was outclassed by Fremantle last week after a wasteful first half effectively ended the contest early, while Richmond showed patches of fight despite another injury-hit performance against St Kilda. Adem Yze’s side continues to battle a growing casualty ward, with Campbell Gray the latest Tiger sidelined. Essendon has had the edge in recent Dreamtime clashes, winning the last three meetings, including a comfortable 23-point triumph in 2025. With pride, momentum and ladder position all at stake, both sides will view this as a major opportunity to reset their seasons.

Alas Pilipinas Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons in action during the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Nuvali Challenge. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

SANTA ROSA, Laguna—Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons are prioritizing the Philippine bid in the 2026 Asian Games by opting to stay with Alas Pilipinas beach volleyball squad instead of returning to their respective Premier Volleyball League squads for the next conference.

With the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya set from Sept. 19 to Oct. 4 in Japan, the Southeast Asian Games gold medalists said their focus is now on gaining more international exposure and experience through overseas tournaments as part of their buildup for the continental meet.

“I’m thankful to our (team) managements for allowing us to focus on beach volleyball until after the Asian Games,” Pons said. “We’re really looking forward to the tournaments we’ll be joining abroad because they’ll give us more exposure and experience to further improve our game as preparation for the Asian Games.”

Rondina and Pons will miss the PVL on Tour and will return to their respective club teams in the Reinforced Conference, with Rebisco—which owns Choco Mucho, where Rondina plays, and Creamline—giving them clearance and full support to represent the country on the sands.

“We’re still really looking forward to the positive things and the experience we’ll gain from joining international tournaments,” Rondina said. “We’ll continue training and preparing for everything we need to work on. Our biggest goal is really the Asian Games.

“Right now, we’re just waiting and praying that everything pushes through as planned.”

Pons and Rondina missed the Round of 24 in the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Nuvali Challenge after a heartbreaking 20-22, 22-24 loss to Switzerland’s Annique Niederhauser and Menia Bentele on Thursday at Nuvali Sands Courts. But they remain proud of their run against world-class players.

Alas men Ranran Abdilla and Ronniel Rosales couldn’t finish their Nuvali Challenge campaign, as Rosales had a sudden spike in blood pressure at the start of the second set and eventually gave up a 21-10, 3-2 result to Hagen Smith and Ryan Ierna.

Abdilla said that their team decided to withdraw from the do-or-die match as a precaution for Rosales, handing the walkover win to England’s Frederick Bialokoz and Issa Batrane.

“We already talked about it, and of course, this wasn’t something we wanted to happen. Situations like this really happen sometimes,” said Abdilla. “Actually, I experienced something similar last year, too. So I think it’s really about acceptance and learning from it.”

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylin Williams (6) and guard Jared McCain (3) hug after Game 3 in the Western Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series against the San Antonio Spurs Friday, May 22, 2026, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Down 15-0 not even three minutes into Game 3 of the Western Conference finals on Friday night, Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault went to his bench for the first time.

And everything changed in an instant, a harbinger of what was to come.

The Oklahoma City bench keeps getting better in these Western Conference finals — and, with all respect to MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the backups are the reason the Thunder are two wins away from a return the NBA Finals.

READ: NBA Playoffs: Spurs, Thunder battle injuries in West finals

OKC’S BENCH DROPPED 76 POINTS IN GAME 3!

Jared McCain: 24 PTS (postseason career-high)Jaylin Williams: 18 PTS (postseason career-high)Alex Caruso: 15 PTSCason Wallace: 11 PTS

Thunder win Game 3 to take a 2-1 series lead in the Western Conference Finals 🍿 pic.twitter.com/954MldKnMb

— NBA (@NBA) May 23, 2026

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The Thunder got 50 points from their reserves in Game 1, then 57 in Game 2 — and on Friday, the bench mob struck again, scoring 76 points and keying Oklahoma City’s 123-108 win over the San Antonio Spurs for a 2-1 series lead.

The 76 bench points were the most by a team in a conference finals game since the NBA went to the 16-team playoff format in 1984. The previous mark was 69 by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1985. Only two Thunder starters scored in double figures — Gilgeous-Alexander had 26 points and Chet Holmgren had 14.

The bench more than made up for that.

Jared McCain scored 24 points for the Thunder; that’s a playoff career best. Jaylin Williams — that’s the forward, with Thunder guard Jalen Williams out with hamstring issues again — hit five 3-pointers and scored 18; that was also a playoff career high. And Alex Caruso had 15 points, giving him 63 in this series; that’s the best three-game scoring span of his career.

READ: NBA Playoffs: Wembanyama disappointed as Spurs fall to Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder guards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) and Alex Caruso (9) high-five during the first half of Game 3 in the Western Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series against the San Antonio Spurs Friday, May 22, 2026, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Oklahoma City’s bench contributed 62% of the scoring for the Thunder in Game 3 — something no team had done in a winning effort during a conference finals game in the last four decades.

Caruso was the first sub for the Thunder after the Spurs scored the game’s first 15 points. He instantly settled things down and most of that San Antonio lead was gone by the end of the first quarter.

Oklahoma City controlled the majority of things the rest of the way. After being down 15 at the start, the Thunder won by 15 at the end.

The race for qualification to next season’s EPCR Investec Champions Cup has become one of the most confusing and fascinating subplots of the BKT United Rugby Championship season.

While supporters naturally assume the top eight teams in the final URC standings qualify automatically for Europe’s top competition, the reality is far more complicated due to EPCR regulations surrounding trophy winners.

Under normal circumstances, the top eight teams in the final BKT URC table secure qualification for the following season’s Investec Champions Cup.

However, EPCR rules also guarantee Champions Cup qualification for any club that wins either the Investec Champions Cup or the EPCR Challenge Cup, even if that side finishes outside the league qualification positions.

How Ulster Could Change Everything

The current complication centres around Ulster, who finished ninth in the URC standings but have reached this weekend’s EPCR Challenge Cup Final.

If Ulster win the Challenge Cup, they automatically qualify for next season’s Investec Champions Cup despite finishing outside the URC top eight.

That qualification place would come from the URC’s allocation of eight Champions Cup spots.

As things currently stand, that would mean Connacht, who occupy eighth place, would lose their Champions Cup place and instead drop into the EPCR Challenge Cup.

The Further Connacht Twist

However, the story does not end there.

If Connacht were then to go on and win the BKT United Rugby Championship title itself, they would qualify automatically for the Investec Champions Cup as URC champions.

In that scenario, Connacht would effectively regain a Champions Cup place despite losing the original top-eight allocation.

That would then create another shift in qualification places, with the side that finished seventh in the table — the Fidelity SecureDrive Lions — dropping into the EPCR Challenge Cup instead.

Why The System Is Causing Confusion

The situation has created considerable confusion among supporters because league finishing position alone no longer guarantees European qualification.

Instead, qualification is now directly tied to a combination of:

• Final URC table positions
• EPCR Challenge Cup winners
• Investec Champions Cup winners
• URC playoff winners

As a result, teams can technically finish inside the top eight and still miss out on Champions Cup rugby depending on results elsewhere.

For Connacht supporters especially, the permutations have added another dramatic layer to an already tense playoff campaign.

The URC is expected to formally confirm all final EPCR qualification places once the remaining European and URC knockout fixtures are completed.

Potential Qualification Scenarios

• Ulster lose Challenge Cup Final: Top eight URC teams qualify normally.




• Ulster win Challenge Cup Final: Ulster qualify for Champions Cup and Connacht drop into Challenge Cup.




• Ulster win Challenge Cup + Connacht win URC: Connacht regain Champions Cup qualification as URC champions, while the Lions would move into the Challenge Cup.

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Damian Priest was put in a dangerous situation tonight on WWE SmackDown. However, a former AEW champion saved him.

Royce Keys has been turning a lot of heads ever since he made his WWE debut at the 2026 Royal Rumble. Royce even won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on SmackDown before WrestleMania 42. Hence, Solo Sikoa has been interested in recruiting him to the MFTs. However, Keys hasn’t shown any interest in joining Solo’s faction. Last week on SmackDown, Royce competed against Gunther in a number one contender’s match for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Solo came out to ringside to help Keys and even handed him a steel chair. However, Keys threw the chair at Solo. This distraction helped Gunther win the match.

Tonight on WWE SmackDown, Damian Priest faced off against Solo Sikoa in a singles match. After Solo won the match, the MFTs continued to assault Priest. Royce Keys came out to make the save, and he sent Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga out of the ring. He then came face-to-face with Solo, who backed out of the ring. When the former AEW star went to help Priest up, the former World Champion grabbed him by the throat, but stopped after realizing it was Keys.

Dominik Mysterio never wants to take Damian Priest’s finishing move

Damian Priest’s finishing move is the South of Heaven chokeslam. It is a variation of the infamous chokeslam. However, Priest manages to get a bit more impact since he falls to a seated position when hitting the move. Therefore, Dominik Mysterio never wants to be on the receiving end of it.

During an interview with GiveMeSport, Dominik said that he doesn’t want to take the South of Heaven chokeslam since it is not fun.

“Probably Damian Priest’s South of Heaven. He’s just so tall, and he gets you even higher up there, so your bump is actually like 10 feet tall. So he’s just, it’s not a fun one for sure.”

It will be interesting to see what’s next for Priest.