The Minnesota Vikings hired a new general manager, Nolan Teasley, earlier this month, and it didn’t take long for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s replacement to tweak the roster. Teasley onboarded a new tight and defensive tackle, with about six weeks to go before the start of training camp.

NBC Sports‘ Josh Alper wrote Tuesday, “The Vikings did some roster shuffling on Tuesday. They announced that they have signed tight end Marshall Lang and defensive lineman Jahvaree Ritzie.”

“The two players are joining the team at the end of the offseason program and will have more work to look forward to at this summer’s training camp. The Vikings waived offensive tackle Caleb Etienne and defensive lineman Monkell Goodwine in corresponding moves.”

Here’s what to know about those additions.

Vikings Add More Size to Both Sides of the Ball

Marshall Lang (TE)

Lang is a big tight end who will firmly fit on the roster bubble. He spent five seasons at Northwestern, gradually increasing his involvement after a quiet freshman year. From 2022 to 2024, he developed into a reliable receiving option, concluding his college career with 48 catches, 491 yards, and 4 touchdowns. While these statistics aren’t utterly spectacular, they were sufficient to attract NFL interest. He was also a teammate of new Vikings offensive tackle Caleb Tiernan at Northwestern.

His physical attributes are also a plus. Lang stands 6’4″, weighs approximately 250 pounds, and possesses solid athletic test results. His size is adequate for a backup tight end role. Following the 2025 NFL Draft, Seattle initially signed him, then cut him in August, re-signed him, and cut him again. New England also cycled him through their practice squad, eventually signing him to a futures deal before releasing him in April 2026.

His career path thus far has been typical for an undrafted tight end: bouncing between practice squads and aspiring to some long-term staying power, without securing a permanent NFL roster spot. The Vikings are likely evaluating him as a low-risk option, considering his size and blocking potential. That’s what June free-agent signings are for.

Lang has never taken an NFL snap in the regular season.

Jahvaree Ritzie (DT)

Ritzie, a developmental defensive lineman, brings enough collegiate production to add a bit of intrigue to the Vikings’ summer roster.

He played four seasons at North Carolina, appearing in 51 games and evolving from a rotational player into a significant contributor on the front seven. His senior season was particularly impressive: 40 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, an interception, 2 pass deflections, and 2 forced fumbles.

Undrafted in 2025, Ritzie initially signed with the Patriots, landed on their practice squad, and was released in early September. Pittsburgh later signed him to a futures contract in January but waived him in May.

Ritzie obviously isn’t a can’t-miss superstar. His journey reflects the typical NFL grind for players on the roster bubble: possessing good size and some college highlights, experiencing short tours with teams, and continuously searching for the right fit. For Minnesota, his appeal is apparent. Ritzie offers power and sufficient pass-rush production to warrant a closer look. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores can always utilize another big player capable of disrupting opposing offenses. Flores did the same thing in recent months by signing Isaiahh Loudermilk, Eric Johnson, Smith Vilbert.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein noted on Ritize before the 2025 NFL Draft, “Ritzie put together solid production in his first season as a full-time starter. He plays with adequate early hands and good base width to take on blocks but sets shallow anchors against add-on blockers that prevent him from effectively defending his turf.”

“Ritzie isn’t quick enough or explosive enough for me to project disruption from him in either phase. He might be fighting for a back-end roster spot in camp.”

Like Lang, Ritzie does not have regular season experience.

The Updated TE Room

The Vikings have a full house at tight end, which is why Lang must stand off the page at training camp and in the preseason to have a shot at the active roster. Here’s the pecking order in mid-June:

• T.J. Hockenson
• Josh Oliver
• Ben Yurosek
• Gavin Bartholomew
• Bryson Nesbit
• Marshall Lang

Lang will basically have to outperform Yurosek or Bartholomew in the coming months, a task most wouldn’t consider insurmountable. Minnesota, too, could keep four tight ends on the 53-man roster, strengthening Lang’s case for the first regular season action of his young career.

The former Seahawk could be a prime candidate for the practice squad.

The DTs

Minnesota has been on a heater in adding new interior defensive linemen since April. The club cut ties with Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in March, but that was just the beginning. Here’s the group at the moment:

• Jalen Redmond
• Caleb Banks
• Domonique Orange
• Levi Drake Rodriguez
• Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
• Isaiahh Loudermilk
• Eric Johnson
• Smith Vilbert
• Taki Taimani
• Elijah Williams
• Jahvaree Ritzie

Ritize faces an extremely long shot to make the active roster, mainly because Redmond, Banks, Orange, Rodriguez, and Ingram-Dawkins seem uncuttable. However, like Lang, a practice squad assignment is within reach.

Lang will turn 25 in October, and Ritzie celebrated his 23rd birthday in January.

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

Kang Sohwi and South Korea in action during the AVC Women’s Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Kang Sohwi and South Korea are determined to continue rebuilding their winning culture after losing their spot in the Volleyball Nations League.

Kang led the South Korean’s perfect title run in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Cup in Candon City over the weekend.

The Korean captain emerged as the tournament Most Valuable Player and Best Outside Hitter, dropping 14 points to sweep Chinese Taipei, 25-19, 25-19, 25-22, on Sunday night.

Kang said one of the team’s biggest motivations was losing its place in the VNL last year.

“While we were in the VNL, we were losing very many games. Our confidence were really low that I felt that the value and the value of the wins in the AVC every time we won, we tried our best to take the ranking points and I’m really happy that we were able to achieve this goal in this competition,” said Kang through an interpreter.

“There were very hard moments, but with all the national team members here, I’m really happy that we were able to have this very meaningful and valuable result today,” she added.

After a perfect campaign, the Koreans hope to continue earning ranking points and building chemistry ahead of the Asian Games in September.

“Every time we won in each game, our teammates had this fire in their eyes that we’re able to do it. And I was able to catch their expression showing confidence. I hope we’ll bring this good energy into the Asian Games; probably, we’ll have a good result then,” said Kang.

Kang also expressed her gratitude to the Filipino fans in Candon, who supported South Korea throughout the tournament.

“They were very passionate, and in the championship match, there were many fans rooting for South Korea. We really had a happy time playing volleyball here,” she said.

Neymar has returned to limited training as he bids to return to fitness in time to feature for Brazil at what could be his last World Cup.

The superstar forward has been out of acting nursing a calf problem sustained while playing for Santos in May, and underwent tests on Monday to determine the progress of his recovery.

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He is not expected to play in Brazil‘s second Group C outing against Haiti on Friday, with the Selecao desperately needing an injection of attacking spark after putting in an underwhelming display in their opening 1-1 draw with Morocco.

Elsewhere, Lamine Yamal has stepped up his return to full fitness after making his return to action in Spain‘s goalless draw with Cape Verde off the bench – will he start their next match against Saudi Arabia?

Canada, meanwhile, were without captain Alphonso Davies in their 1-1 opening-game draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina, while US star Christian Pulisic was withdrawn at half-time from their win against Paraguay. England have also suffered their first casualty of the tournament after Tino Livramento was forced to withdraw from the squad.

See below for a full list of key injuries at this year’s World Cup.

Neymar sustained a grade two calf injury just three weeks out from the tournament.

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The 34-year-old missed the opening match against Morocco and underwent tests on Monday to determine the progress of his recovery.

He has only just returned to partial training with Brazil and is not expected to feature against Haiti on Friday in Philadelphia.

The 18-year-old star injured his left hamstring and had been out since 22 April, but he has now made his return to action after coming off the bench in Spain’s goalless draw with Cape Verde.

Spain boss Luis de la Fuente insisted he was in “perfect condition” with Yamal no doubt eager to start for the European champions against Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

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Fellow Spain winger Nico Williams also returned off the bench against Cape Verde, as did Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino who had been sidelined for much of the year so far.

The co-hosts’ star player shone in the first-half of USA’s 4-1 win against Paraguay in Los Angeles but was withdrawn by Mauricio Pochettino at half-time due to a calf problem. However, the knock is not thought to be too serious.

“He received a kick in his calf and he felt tight at the end of the first half,” Pochettino said. “We didn’t want to take any risks. It was difficult for him to walk, but we hope that it is not a big issue and he can be ready for the next one.”

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Pulisic later told reporters: “I just got a bit of a kick in the first half, so I’m really hoping that it’s nothing. Taking a little bit of precaution today, but I’m hoping I’ll be fine the next few days.”

The United States next face Australia in San Francisco on Friday, with Pulisic currently in individual training. A team spokesman described Pulisic as “day to day” after his second straight day on his own.

Canada’s captain and star player had to sit out their 1-1 draw against Bosnia on Friday in Toronto and there are doubts whether he will be fit for their next match against Qatar in Vancouver on Thursday.

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Bayern Munich‘s Davies sustained a hamstring injury in May and the team remained tight-lipped about his recovery during Tuesday’s training session.

“Mentally, it was very draining, suffering these injuries,” Davies told reporters ahead of Canada’s opener. “I was going ‌into a hole where I ⁠was doubting myself, but I had that time off (during the ⁠injuries) and I thought about why I’m doing this, and how important this ‌is to me.”

Saka did not start England’s friendly win against Costa Rica but did put lingering concern surrounding his fitness to one side as he came on in the closing stages.

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The Arsenal winger has been managing an Achilles problem. He said he is having to take a “gamble” on his fitness but is still “ready to go” ahead of England’s opener against Croatia.

Thomas Tuchel will have to decide whether he is fit enough to start the Three Lions’ opener against Croatia on Wednesday.

“He was available and made himself available in the end of the season, and did this brilliantly, but he was managed in-between matches and that continues a little bit at the very moment, so we’re building him up,” Tuchel said last week.

Manchester City defender Dias will miss Portugal’s opener against DR Congo in a hefty blow for Roberto Martinez’s side.

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He has been dealing with an injury in training in recent days and Martinez confirmed that Portugal “won’t take any risks” against the African nation, with Dias still “not fully fit”.

England have been dealt their first real injury blow of the campaign after Newcastle defender Livramento was ruled out for the tournament with a calf injury.

Tuchel could have called up a raft of other full-back options, including Real Madrid’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly and Newcastle’s Lewis Hall. However the England manager chose to bring Trevoh Chalobah, a centre-back, into the fold.

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Chalobah will not be available in England’s opener against Croatia.

Another confirmed absentee, Tottenham forward Kudus will miss the World Cup because of a quadricep injury.

The 25-year-old has not featured since January, in a blow to Ghana – who are in England’s group.

Liverpool defensive midfielder Endo injured his foot in February and has been ruled out of the World Cup – and the 33-year-old has immediately retired from international duty.

“Since my injury, I’ve done everything I possibly could up to this point, so I have no regrets whatsoever,” he said. “From here on, I’ll be cheering for the Japan national team as one of the fans.”

The Arsenal defender had been out since March due to a groin problem, but came on in the second half of the Champions League final against PSG.

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However, the Dutch FA believe Timber had “not recovered sufficiently” to take part in the tournament in a “medically responsible manner.”

As such, Timber has left the Dutch squad and been ruled out of the World Cup.

The 18-year-old was expected to be one of the young stars of this tournament but suffered a torn thigh muscle in training, ruling him out of the World Cup.

It was heartbreak for Scotland’s creative midfielder Gilmour, as he suffered an injury in their warm-up victory against Curacao.

The 24-year-old Napoli player picked up a knee injury in the 4-1 win, with teammate Scott McTominay saying he was “absolutely devastated” by the news.

Gilmour was, however, in camp to support his teammates ahead of their opening win against Haiti on Saturday.

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From the show

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France beat Senegal in their opening World Cup match (3-1). With a brace, captain Kylian Mbappé is now the all-time leading goalscorer for France, with 58 goals.

Sports fans are in for another packed weekend of live action, with GAA Championship fixtures, FIFA World Cup 2026 matches, rugby finals and semi-finals, Royal Ascot and Queen’s Club tennis all available across TV and streaming platforms.

The weekend schedule includes major All-Ireland SFC and SHC fixtures, Tailteann Cup action, FIFA World Cup games live on RTÉ2, the Gallagher Premiership Rugby final, French Top 14 semi-finals, Royal Ascot on Virgin Media One and the Queen’s Club men’s singles final.

Friday 19 June

• 19:25 – Kildare v Tyrone, All-Ireland Minor Football Semi-Final – TG4
• 20:00 – USA v Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 – RTÉ2
• 20:05 – Toulouse v Racing 92, Top 14 Semi-Final – Premier Sports 2
• 23:00 – Scotland v Morocco, FIFA World Cup 2026 – RTÉ2
• 01:30 – Brazil v Haiti, FIFA World Cup 2026 – RTÉ2
• 04:00 – Turkey v Paraguay, FIFA World Cup 2026 – RTÉ2

Saturday 20 June

• 09:45 – Adult Handball Semi-Finals – Spórt TG4 YouTube
• 12:50 – Donegal v Mayo, Munster SFC Round 3 – TG4
• 12:55 – Tyrone v Meath, Leinster SFC Round 3 – Spórt TG4 YouTube
• 14:00 – Barbarians v South Africa, Rugby Test Match – Premier Sports 2
• 14:45 – Armagh v Waterford, Ulster SFC Round 3 – TG4
• 14:55 – Tipperary v Kildare, Leinster SFC Round 3 – Spórt TG4 YouTube
• 15:00 – Down v Fermanagh, Tailteann Cup – RTÉ2
• 15:00 – Northampton v Exeter Chiefs, Gallagher Premiership Final – ITV4 / TNT Sports 1
• 15:45 – Cork v Derry, All-Ireland Minor Football Semi-Final – TG4 Player
• 16:00 – Kerry v Armagh, All-Ireland SFC – GAA+
• 17:00 – Offaly v Wicklow, Tailteann Cup – RTÉ News
• 17:00 – South Africa v AUNZ Invitational XV, Rugby Test Match – Premier Sports 2
• 18:00 – Netherlands v Sweden, FIFA World Cup 2026 – RTÉ2
• 18:15 – Mayo v Meath, All-Ireland SFC – GAA+
• 19:00 – Clare v Dublin, All-Ireland SHC – RTÉ1 / GAA+
• 19:25 – Kildare v Tyrone, All-Ireland Minor Football Semi-Final – TG4
• 20:05 – Montpellier v Stade Français, Top 14 Semi-Final – Premier Sports 1
• 21:00 – Germany v Ivory Coast, FIFA World Cup 2026 – RTÉ2
• 01:00 – Ecuador v Curaçao, FIFA World Cup 2026 – RTÉ2
• 05:00 – Tunisia v Japan, FIFA World Cup 2026 – RTÉ2

Sunday 21 June

• 13:15 – Dublin v Donegal, All-Ireland SFC – RTÉ1
• 13:20 – Queen’s Club Men’s Singles Final – BBC One Northern Ireland HD
• 15:30 – Cork v Offaly, All-Ireland SHC – RTÉ1 / GAA+
• 16:00 – Monaghan v Westmeath, All-Ireland SFC – GAA+
• 17:00 – Spain v Saudi Arabia, FIFA World Cup 2026 – RTÉ2
• 20:00 – Belgium v Iran, FIFA World Cup 2026 – RTÉ2
• 23:00 – Uruguay v Cape Verde, FIFA World Cup 2026 – RTÉ2
• 02:00 – New Zealand v Egypt, FIFA World Cup 2026 – RTÉ2

Royal Ascot Live on Virgin Media One

Royal Ascot continues from Wednesday to Saturday, with live coverage each day from 1:30pm to 6:30pm on Virgin Media One.

FIFA World Cup 2026 on RTÉ2

The FIFA World Cup 2026 continues throughout the weekend, with all listed matches live on RTÉ2. Key fixtures include USA v Australia, Scotland v Morocco, Brazil v Haiti, Netherlands v Sweden, Germany v Ivory Coast, Spain v Saudi Arabia and Belgium v Iran.

Weekend Highlights

• Dublin v Donegal in the All-Ireland SFC
• Clare v Dublin and Cork v Offaly in the All-Ireland SHC
• Northampton v Exeter Chiefs in the Gallagher Premiership Final
• Toulouse v Racing 92 and Montpellier v Stade Français in the Top 14 semi-finals
• Queen’s Club Men’s Singles Final
• Royal Ascot live on Virgin Media One
• FIFA World Cup 2026 matches live on RTÉ2

SportsNewsIreland.com will continue to provide live sport listings, fixtures, previews, TV information and match coverage throughout the weekend.

The first ODI had a lot of promise for India as Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey took three wickets each. Ishan Kishan adapted well to a new role while Nitish Kumar Reddy’s breakthroughs showed his progress as an all-rounder. With 2027 ODI World Cup in focus, these matches will be crucial for the team management to come up with the perfect composition.

Sky is knocking 20% off its entire range of Glass TVs to mark the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Until June 17, shoppers can upgrade to the Sky smart TV that’s ‘designed for football’ from £4.50 per month when taken alongside a Sky TV and Netflix package.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — On Tuesday afternoon in northern New Jersey, one of the planet’s most famous athletes did what all the greatest do so often: deliver when they’re expected to, even when the opponent is doing everything it can to prevent it from happening.

It’s an exhilarating thing to watch, made all the more beautiful to see on a flawless 75-degree day alongside more than 80,000 other witnesses. 

Kylian Mbappé is already one of the game’s elites, and yet there’s still so much more of his phenomenal career to go. It’s easy to forget as he embarks on his third World Cup (with a winner’s trophy and runners-up medal to his name already) that he’s still only 27 years old. That’s what makes this, right now, such a special moment for the World Cup on American soil. On Tuesday, he promptly announced his return to the grandest stage in soccer in emphatic fashion, putting on a second-half showing that reminded us yet again that the best of the best in every sport just have that knack for finding a way to Do Their Thing, leaving us slack-jawed as they change what’s hoped for into what is.

Mbappé deftly scooted home the first goal of France‘s game against Senegal in the 66th minute, breaking the seal in Group I’s first match. But it was the balletic blitzer’s second goal that boomed home from around 30 yards out in the game’s final minute of extra time, to make it 3-1 France, that sets him apart from most of the rest of the sport.

After Senegal scored a late goal in stoppage time to make the game 2-1, it took Mbappé less than two minutes to end the matter with the World Cup’s most bombastic goal through the first six days of this 48-team tournament. His beautiful clinching boot was a thunderclap message to the rest of the World Cup field and doubly set the tone for France in its first game of what’s hoped to be a strut to the World Cup final in this very stadium a little more than a month from now, on July 19. 

As someone who attended both, I can also say: Tuesday’s showing was the best performance at MetLife Stadium since Oasis’ epic two-nighter here last summer. On this day, Mbappé would not acquiesce. 

It was riveting for the spectacle, but special for the historic element. Mbappé’s two goals lifted him atop the all-time French table. His lifetime tally of goals for the French national team now logs at 58, placing him above France’s longtime stalwart, Olivier Giroud for most in that country’s history.

Mbappé is also, now, at 14 World Cup goals, tied for third-most all-time with Gerd Müller and only trailing Ronaldo‘s 15 (for now) and Miroslav Klose‘s 18. He’s got an outstanding chance to hold the record by the start of the knockout stage, let alone at the end of the tournament … if Lionel Messi doesn’t relent. The Argentinian legend matched Mbappé less than six hours later on Tuesday by dropping two goals in the late game against Algeria in Kansas City. 

And as for the scenes? If you have the means to attend at least one World Cup match, you have to. As I made my way through the crowds on the concourse level and into the seats, I saw kits from at least a dozen countries. In what’s fast becoming a running theme, Mexico was particularly prominent here. But of course, the crowd was heavily draped in blue, red and white. The French showed up early, taking over MetLife Stadium.

I typically cover basketball games for CBS Sports, but living in the northeast, I’ve been to a handful of NFL games as a fan at both MetLife Stadium and its predecessor, Giants Stadium. I was in the stands on a Sunday night in 2006 when Chicago Bears speedster Devin Hester brought back the second-most famous return of his Hall of Fame career, a 108-yard house call after a missed field goal.

I remember the roar and awe of the crowd on that night as it watched the most brilliant return man in NFL history tap into his greatness.

That roar and awe was even greater on Tuesday, and it was like that not just because of the World Cup — but because of Mbappé. The event’s return to the United States for the first time in 32 years is going to reignite this country’s passion not just for soccer (potentially on a level that’s never been seen here), but for the epic theater that this incredible global event will provide — and its stars will make it marquee.

Mbappé has a keen sense for the moment. France got off to a terrible start, only managing one shot on goal in the first half to Senegal’s five.

By the game’s end, it was 11-6 in France’s favor. The expected goal battle tilted toward the favorite, with France pulling ahead 1.79 to 0.56. Despite a slow start, France was clearly the dominant side by match’s end.

That’s because France is arguably the most loaded team in this event. They are stacked with attackers. They can sub in some of the most gifted players in the world. Bradley Barcola of Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain scored France’s second, the other substiute for France, Premier League runner-up Rayan Cherki. While other highly rated countries have been a tad sluggish to start, with other top-tier favorites Brazil and Spain dropping points, Les Bleus are immediately off and booming. 

It all starts with Mbappé, whose celebrity reach was palpable around the stadium from start to finish. The crowd’s collective response every time the ball hit his foot was like a jerk to the senses. He practically tilts the field while simultaneously flaring your attention. There is a magnetism to him that few athletes carry.

And any possession feels like it could end with a blast of dynamite. 

In Group I, France are the overwhelming favorite to leave with three wins and stomp into the knockout stage. Despite that inevitability, Mbappé’s presence makes France must-see every game, no matter the opposing side.

To get to see this was something I’ll never forget, and I’m saying this about an opening match in group play with more than a month remaining in this terrific tournament. You can’t just wave off greatness when you see it. It stays with you. The only athletes I’ve ever watched in person who could compare to Mbappé’s presence, crowd control and greatness are Michael Jordan and Tom Brady. And while he’s not on that level yet, could he get there in the next decade?

Or.

Could he get there in the next month?

If Mbappé is indeed that great, he’ll take what could be and change it into what is.