On Sunday at TPC Sawgrass, players will be fighting for the enormous 2026 Players Championship purse, with payouts breaking seven figures for several finishers.
With 18 holes to play, Ludvig Aberg seems to have his eye on his first Players Championship trophy. With a victory, Aberg would take home the largest Players payout of them all, a gargantuan winner’s share of $4.5 million.
Aberg’s biggest winner’s prize so far in his career came at the 2025 Genesis Invitational. That week he took home $4 million for his troubles. Heading into Players week, Aberg’s career earnings on the PGA Tour stood at $22,793,388.
That means if he hoists the Players trophy on Sunday at TPC Sawgrass, he’ll increase his career earnings by nearly 20 percent.
Michael Thorbjornsen heads into Sunday in second place, three shots behind Aberg. If Thorbjornsen were to overcome Aberg and steal the win, the impact on his career earnings would be even more dramatic.
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A 24-year-old Ohio native, Thorbjornsen has already played 51 PGA Tour events in his career (Aberg, 26, has played 61 events). Over those tournaments, he’s earned $4,281,178.
A Players Championship triumph on Sunday for Thorbjornsen, which would be his first PGA Tour win, would more than double his career Tour earnings.
But if he plays well, Thorbjornsen will do just fine even if he doesn’t beat Aberg. Payouts for the top-five finishers at this year’s Players Championship all exceed $1 million.
You can see the full 2026 Players Championship payout breakdown below.
On this week’s episode of GOLF’s Fully Equipped, co-host Johnny Wunder and clubfitter Bryan LaRoche of BryanGolf discussed what a game-changer Cobra’s 3DP iron program could end up being.
“I was really close on a set of [TaylorMade P]770s, because 770 is another great iron for me, right?” Wunder said. “The only reason I didn’t pick the 770s is because I can’t make them with offset, right? I don’t want to bend them any stronger. I can’t build offset into those things.
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“But I’m getting the same performance out of the 3DP Tours. And all I said to Ben was like, ‘Can you make these with offset?’
“He’s like, ‘yeah, I have a set with offset.’ And literally handed me a set with offset.”
Wunder used to play the Callaway Apex TCB ’24 irons, which had short blade lengths and lots of offset. Schomin told him he could even have a set of 3DP Tours printed with the same look.
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It probably won’t be long before a customer can order an iron with whatever shape characteristics they want.
Will that make a fitter like LaRoche’s job harder or easier?
“That would change everything. You never are gonna strike out on a set of irons with somebody,” LaRoche said. “You’re never gonna struggle to find what you need, performance wise, and pick all the look boxes.”
It’s the time of year when WWE fans expect releases, but it seems that reports may have been wrong about one particular star.
According to a report by Fightful Select, Santos Escobar has not been released by the company for a second time; instead, it was merely that his profile was not moved over from the alumni section when he returned.
Thanks for the submission!
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Escobar, who has been performing as part of AAA since making his return, was originally part of SmackDown and Legado Del Fantasma. Figthful Select noted that Escobar isn’t exactly thrilled about the way he has been used since making his return, since he was happy to leave WWE and make his return, but he assumed he would be used more.
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It seems Los Garza have continued as a duo on SmackDown without him, and Legado Del Fantasma hasn’t been mentioned in months.
Power Struggle Between Roman & Triple H? Check Here!
Will Santos Escobar return to WWE SmackDown?
Santos Escobar has been doing great things as part of AAA since he made his return, and it seems that WWE is looking at making stars over on that brand at present.
The likes of El Grande Americano and Dominik Mysterio have both been able to find their feet on the brand and have been pushed as major names, with Escobar seemingly bringing in some experience as well.
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The company will likely depend on stars like Escobar while AAA is still pushing itself forward, and he could then make his return to the main brands after. While it’s understandable that he will be upset with the way that he has been booked, the company likely had a plan when he was brought back, and his storyline is leading towards something.
Hopefully, things will improve for Escobar in the near future, and he will at least be handed a push in AAA.
UEFA said Sunday that the game between Argentina and Spain known as Finalissima that was supposed to be held in Qatar has been cancelled after the widening Middle East war. The game between South American champion Argentina and European champion Spain was scheduled to be held in Doha on March 27. It was going to be a marquee matchup between the teams led by Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal before this summer’s World Cup in North America. But the security of the game was put into serious doubt when Iran intensified its attacks on neighboring countries in retaliation to the aerial attacks by United States and Israel that are now in their third week. “After much discussion between UEFA and the organizing authorities in Qatar, it is announced today that due to the current political situation in the region, the Finalissima between UEFA EURO 2024 winners Spain and CONMEBOL Copa América 2024 champions Argentina cannot be played as hoped in Qatar on 27 March,” UEFA said in a statement.
Argentina and Spain were to play at Lusail Stadium, which staged the epic 2022 World Cup final. Argentina won a penalty shootout against France after Messi scored twice and Kylian Mbappé got a hat trick in a thrilling 3-3 draw.
Other venues had reportedly been considered as alternatives to Doha, including Spain’s capital. UEFA, however, said all other feasible alternatives it explored “ultimately proved unacceptable to the Argentinian Football Association.”
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“The first option was to stage the match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on the original date with a 50:50 split of supporters in the stadium,” UEFA said. “This would have provided a world-class setting, befitting of such a prestigious event, but Argentina refused.”
The option of staging the event over two legs — one in Madrid on March 27, the other in Buenos Aires before the Euros and Copa America in 2028 — was also rejected. Argentina had proposed to play the match later this year after the World Cup but Spain had no available dates.
South American soccer body Conmebol said in a statement on Sunday that Argentina’s soccer federation (AFA) received an offer from UEFA to play the match in Italy on March 27, but the defending World Cup and Copa America champions countered that the game take place on March 31.
“Regrettably, UEFA said the match taking place on the 31st – only four days after their original offer – was not possible, and so the Finalissima was cancelled,” the South American confederation said. “CONMEBOL and AFA regret deeply that, despite all the efforts and the manifested interest in playing the match in a neutral ground since the first moment, it was not possible.”
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Argentina won the inaugural edition of the Finalissima in 2022 with a 3-0 victory over Italy at Wembley Stadium in London.
The violence in the Middle East, where Iran is hitting the Gulf Arab states with drone and missile attacks, has stranded travelers, upset economic markets and sent oil prices soaring.
It has also impacted the world of international sport beyond the Finalissima. Formula 1’s races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia scheduled for April have been called off due to the war, while President Donald Trump has suggested that Iran not participate in this summer’s World Cup that is co-hosted by the U.S.
The Minnesota Vikings cleared up their quarterback question this week, signing Kyler Murray to a one-year contract and putting him on track for summer competition against J.J. McCarthy, though most expect Murray to prevail. But that isn’t the only Vikings unsolved mystery.
Free agency answered the quarterback question, but several bigger questions still hover over the roster.
After the first few days of NFL free agency, Minnesota still has some big-ticket items to clear up.
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Minnesota’s Next Clues Involve the Secondary, the Draft Board, and the Interior Offensive Line
Pretend Robert Stack is narrating this to you.
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) lines up on defense during an NFC wild card matchup with the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on January 13, 2025, as the longtime defensive leader patrols the secondary during postseason action for Minnesota. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
Unsolved Mystery No. 1: Harrison Smith
Close your eyes for this: Smith is technically a free agent — for the first time ever.
The Vikings released Smith on Wednesday, a procedural move while the future Hall of Famer decides to retire or return. And that’s the unsolved mystery. Smith played great in December and January, but he turned 37 in February. That’s incredibly old for a safety.
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It’s a coin flip on Smith’s return, but conventional logic suggests that he probably would’ve retired by now. We shall see if he pressed the green button for Year No. 15.
Unsolved Mystery No. 2: The First Couple of Draft Picks
Minnesota did not do much in free agency besides signing Murray for “free” and onboarding CB3 James Pierre. They did little to clear up their early-round draft intentions.
For example, the Vikings could’ve signed a cornerback like Jaylen Watson or a safety like Nick Cross, and for the most part, fans may have put those roster spots on the back burner. That didn’t happen.
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Instead, the Vikings could quite reasonably draft a player from any of these positions on April 23rd and in Round 2 on April 24:
Center
Cornerback
Defensive Tackle
Linebacker
Safety
Wide Receiver
Mock drafts will be all over the board for Minnesota in the remaining 5.5 weeks until showtime.
Unsolved Mystery No. 3: Big Trades
Interim general manager Rob Brzezinski has three major and theoretical trade pieces as free agency winds down:
Jordan Addison (WR)
Jonathan Greenard (OLB
J.J. McCarthy (QB)
Greenard is all the rage at the moment per the trade rumor mill, with the Philadelphia Eagles allegedly interested. Minnesota is said to want a 2nd-Round pick for the premium EDGE defender.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) celebrates after recording a sack against the Chicago Bears during second-quarter action at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, on November 24, 2024, as Minnesota’s pass rush disrupts the Bears offense during the NFC North matchup. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images.
Addison and McCarthy probably won’t be traded, but they cannot be ruled out as possibilities.
Unsolved Mystery No. 4: The WR3
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Jalen Nailor is gone — and he’s not coming back, at least not for two or three years. The Las Vegas Raiders enticed him with 35 million bucks and WR1-WR2 duty.
So, Minnesota has a WR3 void, if one assumes that last year’s rookie, Tai Felton, isn’t fully trustworthy for the assignment. Felton barely played on offense in 2025, and one would think the lights could be too bright to hand him the WR3 job with so little action last year.
Still, perhaps Minnesota prepared for Felton’s redshirt rookie season. If so, he’s the new WR3 by default. Otherwise, the Vikings must sign someone like Christian Kirk, Hollywood Brown, or draft another rookie in Round 2 or 3, possibly a player like Malachi Fields from Notre Dame.
SI.com‘s Will Ragatz noted on Felton this week after Nailor skedaddled, “The Vikings were clearly high on him after his huge senior season at Maryland. He’s been developing behind the scenes with wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell. And the opportunity might be there for him to take a big step forward in 2026.”
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“It was a different coaching staff, but former Vikings WR3 K.J. Osborn went from not playing a snap as a rookie in 2020 to posting a 50-655-7 receiving line in year two. Depending on what else the Vikings do at receiver, Felton might just have a chance to emerge as a key contributor this fall.”
Unsolved Mystery No. 5: Ryan Kelly’s Replacement
Kelly formally retired earlier this week, meaning the Vikings need a new center. Minnesota has about a dozen options.
In-house, the Vikings could promote one of these men:
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Blake Brandel
Michael Jurgens
From free agency, these candidates remain and could start in 2026:
Lloyd Cushenberry III
Graham Glasgow
Ethan Pocic
Detroit Lions center Graham Glasgow (60) prepares to snap the ball during second-quarter action against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on December 25, 2025, as the Lions offense sets up a play at the line of scrimmage in the divisional matchup. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
And in the draft, Minnesota could explore one of these rookies:
Parker Brailsford (Alabama)
Pat Coogan (Indiana)
Sam Hecht (Kansas)
Logan Jones (Iowa)
Connor Lew (Auburn)
Brian Parker (Duke)
Jake Slaughter (Florida)
Coogan is intriguing and could be gettable in Round 5 or so. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein on his scouting report: “Coogan is a veteran center with good size, intelligence, communication skills and leadership that will appeal to offensive line coaches. He’s technically sound and is consistent in centering opponents while latching in with grip strength to increase stickiness.”
“He’s best in a gap scheme and inside zone, but his effectiveness can fade when the job stretches beyond the A-gaps. In protection, he lands well-timed punches and utilizes instinctive hand resets to regain positioning. However, forward lean and shorter arms will invite counters. Coogan has the potential to become a starter, but there are limitations in his game that make scheme fit and protection help important.”
Or — the Vikings could combine these plans. For example, promoting Jurgens might make sense out of the gate in 2026 while the coaching staff determines when a rookie such as Logan Jones might be ready.
Formula 1 and its governing body FIA said the Grand Prix races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will not happen in April because of safety concerns related to the Iran war.
Both countries have been struck during Iran’s response after the United States and Israel launched a wave of attacks on Iran.
The announcement was made early Sunday morning in Shanghai ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix.
“Due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East region, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will not take place in April,” F1 said. “While several alternatives were considered, it was ultimately decided that no substitutions will be made in April.”
F1 was due to race in Bahrain on April 12 and in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah on April 19.
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“While this was a difficult decision to take, it is unfortunately the right one at this stage considering the current situation in the Middle East,” said Stefano Domenicali, president and CEO of F1.
The FIA said the two races “will not take place in April” and that no replacements would be organized.
“The FIA will always place the safety and well being of our community and colleagues first. After careful consideration, we have taken this decision with that responsibility firmly in mind,” FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said.
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The FIA didn’t explicitly rule out rescheduling the races and, along with F1, did not use the words “cancel” or “postpone” in announcing the series would not be in Bahrain or Saudi Arabia next month.
Ben Sulayem said: “Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are incredibly important to the ecosystem of our racing season, and I look forward to returning to both as soon as circumstances allow.”
The promoters of the races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia said they supported the decision.
F1’s packed schedule doesn’t have any obvious open dates for rescheduled races this year.
Calling off the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian races means there will be a five-week gap from the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29 and the next race, the Miami Grand Prix on May 3. Without any rescheduling, the 22-race schedule would be the shortest since 2023.
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The two Middle East races weren’t until next month but F1 faced making a decision earlier because it typically flies in the first staff and cargo to tracks weeks in advance. F1 was also faced with the difficulty of selling tickets at short notice, which make it almost impossible to set up a replacement race in other countries.
Kimi Antonelli, the Mercedes driver who qualified on pole position for Sunday’s race in Shanghai, said his thoughts were “with the ones that are suffering from this situation” and that safety needed to be the priority, adding of the FIA and F1: “I’m sure they will do the right thing.”
The schedule is a joint matter for the FIA and for F1’s commercial rights holder and teams had signaled a willingness to follow their lead.
“I think we follow the guidance of the FIA and Formula 1, as we always do. They’ve always led us in the right direction,” Audi team principal Jonathan Wheatley said Friday. “Nobody’s going to compromise on anything that would put teams into an uncomfortable situation.”
Bahrain had already hosted two preseason F1 tests this season before Israel and the United States launched attacks on Iran. A smaller-scale test of wet-weather tires was called off in the immediate aftermath of those strikes.
A travel shutdown affecting major airports in the Middle East also caused disruption for Europe-based F1 and team staff heading to Melbourne for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
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The last time a scheduled F1 race was canceled was in 2023, when the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in northern Italy was called off at short notice due to deadly floods in the area.
In 2022, F1 continued with its race weekend in Saudi Arabia even after Yemen’s Houthi rebels attacked an oil depot during a practice session, with black smoke visible from the Jeddah circuit.
The same year, F1 canceled the Russian Grand Prix’s contract after Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine.
Chris Waller claims his fourth in a row Coolmore Classic victories, with James McDonald now one success shy of Damien Oliver’s record haul of elite wins after Lazzura’s resilient conquest in Rosehill’s key race.
Lazzura, under 58kg, emulated Sunline (60kg) from 2002 by becoming just the second mare this century to win the Coolmore Classic (1500m) with such a hefty impost, pushing McDonald’s Group 1 count to 128.
To tie Damien Oliver’s retired Australian record, he requires only another triumph, ideally coming next Saturday at Rosehill featuring his prospective ride on unblemished star Autumn Glow in the George Ryder Stakes.
McDonald downplayed the record pursuit humbly, attributing the win squarely to Lazzura’s heart and perseverance.
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“It’s a funny feeling because ‘Ollie’ (Damien Oliver) is so great, I don’t feel like I should be in that echelon just yet,” McDonald said.
“I feel very privileged to be in the position where I’m getting there slowly.
“It wasn’t me, it was her just really biting down on the mouthguard and having a really decent crack.
“I thought she was all-out with one hundred metres to go, but that will to find the line, it’s something you can’t teach them, you can’t train in them.”
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Lazzura posted a Group 1 placing in the previous year’s Surround Stakes (1400m), but Saturday’s Coolmore result was her maiden top-tier victory.
Having suffered a close loss in her fresh appearance in the Millie Fox Stakes (1300m), Waller expressed huge satisfaction at her gritty performance to secure the win.
“We had her a bit underdone first-up and rode her a pair too close. Today, we didn’t panic from the draw. We went back, got cover three-wide,” Waller said.
“I thought, following that run last start, you’re going to fold up that last hundred, but she was strong.
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“Well deserved. She has been competing against top-class rivals without much fortune on her side.”
Lazzura’s owners will guide Waller’s choice for her autumn plans, likely the Doncaster Mile (1600m) or Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) on April 4 or 11.
“I’ve got a philosophy that horses don’t just win one Group One. If they’re good enough to win one, they normally win two or three,” he said.
Lazzura at $5 fended off Arctic Glamour ($13) by a short neck, as Vivy Air ($26) charged home impressively for third a matching distance adrift.
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Favourite Savvy Hallie ($4.20) led until late fade saw her eleventh, jockey Nash Rawiller commenting she lacked the stamina for the journey yet.
“Disappointing on the day, but she will bounce back,” Rawiller said.
Visit premier betting sites to access racing odds for events like the Coolmore Classic.
Nov 25, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) catches a touchdown pass during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Harrison Barden-USA TODAY Sports
Free agency’s top dogs found new teams this week — most of them, anyway — and more of the process’s waves await. In the meantime, a handful of famous Minnesota Vikings players await their 2026 fate.
A few recognizable former Vikings still have nowhere to go in mid-March.
This happens every year — it’s the nature of the beast — so let’s take a peek at this offseason’s edition.
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Four Familiar Minnesota Names Remain Stuck in Free Agency
These are big-name ex-Vikings still looking for work.
New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) celebrates on the field after New England defeated the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC Wild Card Round at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on January 11, 2026, as the Patriots advanced in the postseason behind a late-game surge. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images.
1. Stefon Diggs (WR)
Diggs represented the New England Patriots‘ top receiving threat during their Super Bowl runner-up season, and now Mike Vrabel and Co. want nothing to do with him, even if he banked over 1,000 yards. Perhaps the strangulation charges have sullied his name.
The former Vikings miracle-maker won’t be unemployed for long, assuming his legal affairs get sorted out. Diggs proved in 2025 that he’s still productive. He’ll turn 33 in November. He’s not ancient.
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Patriots de facto general manager Eliot Wolf said this week about a reunion with Diggs, “We’re always open to trying to improve the team any way we can. If we see something out there that we think can help us out, we’ll look into it.”
NESN’s Dakota Randall on Diggs’s newfound free agency: “Diggs likely will point toward his strong stats, which were undeniably impressive for a 32-year-old coming off a torn ACL, as evidence of his considerable ‘ability.’ And that’s fair. However, it’s also true that Diggs was limited against better defenses, especially during the playoffs, and struggled to gain separation against high-end defensive backs.”
“He remains an above-average receiver, but there’s no denying his declining ability, which the Patriots surely factored in when deciding to release him. Nevertheless, the Patriots replaced Diggs with former Green Bay Packers receiver Romeo Doubs, who could be an upgrade. They also reportedly remain interested in pursuing a trade for Philadelphia Eagles star A.J. Brown.”
Diggs is the perfect WR2 for a weapon-needy team.
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2. Kirk Cousins (QB)
Cousins was supposed to factor into the 2026 offseason quarterback carousel, but that dream has resulted in a whimper. Almost all quarterback-needy teams have filled their rosters with other people. Cousins, freshly released and still handsomely paid by the Atlanta Falcons, can sign anywhere in the NFL.
The Las Vegas Raiders could sign him for bridge quarterback duty if they’re not comfortable with Fernando Mendoza in Week 1. The Pittsburgh Steelers could call Cousins if Rodgers retires. Cousins would also wait until the summer or autumn when some team’s QB1 inevitably gets hurt for the season. He’d play the savior role.
Sportsnaut‘s Matt Johnson noted on the notion of Cousins becoming a Raider: “One of the most common NFL comparisons for quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who will be selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, is Kirk Cousins,” Johnson wrote. “While that might not sound that enticing, let’s remember that Cousins boasts a career 96.8 passer rating and he’ll likely reach 45,000 career passing yards with 300 passing touchdowns in 2026.”
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“He also fits what Las Vegas is looking for. The Raiders want an experienced quarterback who can mentor Mendoza during his rookie season and temporarily serve as the starting quarterback. Cousins can start the first few games, while Mendoza gains a better feel for Klint Kubiak’s playbook and adjusts to playing under center, and then take over in October.”
3. Cam Robinson (OT)
Minnesota traded for Robinson in the middle of the 2024 campaign when Christian Darrisaw tore his ACL. Thereafter, he’s bounced around from the Vikings, the Houston Texans, and the Cleveland Browns to the open market as a free agent.
Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Cam Robinson (74) lines up during NFC Wild Card action against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on January 13, 2025, as Minnesota’s offensive line battles in the postseason matchup. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
Last year, he produced a dreadful 48.2 Pro Football Focus mark, which is about as bad as it gets for a starting left tackle. And it’s not like Robinson played just a tiny bit. He saw the field on over 700 offensive snaps for the Browns.
Henceforth, he’s probably slated for LT2 duty with his next team. Not for nothing, the Vikings could use one of those.
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4. D.J. Wonnum (EDGE)
Wonnum appeared in 16 games last year, tabulating 42 tackles, 3 sacks, 29 pressures, 1 quarterback hit, and an interception. The problem? He started 15 games. Those are numbers for a backup outside linebacker.
Carolina Panthers linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) reacts alongside cornerback Chau Smith-Wade (26) during first-quarter action at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on August 8, 2025, as Carolina’s defense celebrates a play during the preseason matchup. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images.
Sadly, Wonnum proved in 2025 that he’s not quite cut out for starting EDGE duty, a factoid Vikings fans have known for about six years. He’s a textbook depth pass rusher.
Manchester United face two of their top-four rivals in the next five Premier League matches as the battle to secure a place in the Champions League intensifies
Manchester United strengthened their hopes of securing a Champions League return after sweeping aside top-four rivals Aston Villa 3-1 on Sunday afternoon.
Casemiro gave the Reds the lead just after half-time but Villa responded to equalise through Ross Barkley. However, Michael Carrick’s side showed character to go back in front as Matheus Cunha found the net before Benjamin Sesko gave United a two-goal advantage late on to seal a crucial three points.
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The result has kept United in third, three points above fourth-place Aston Villa and Liverpool in fifth, and six points ahead of Chelsea in sixth. As England are expected to have an additional spot in the Champions League for next season, United need a maximum of 18 points from their remaining eight matches to secure a top five finish.
And a win against Bournemouth on Friday would give them a nine-point buffer above sixth place heading into the rest of next weekend’s Premier League fixtures. And with that in mind, the Manchester Evening News has taken a look at United’s next five top-flight matches compared to their rivals in the race for the Champions League…
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Iranian media said on Sunday that the captain of the women’s soccer team had rescinded her asylum application in Australia and would return to her home country.
Zahra Ghanbari will head from Australia to Malaysia and from there fly back to Iran, Tehran’s official IRNA news agency said.
IRNA said Ghanbari, who is also Iran’s all-time top female goal scorer, would now return “to the warm embrace of the homeland.”
But activists in Australia have voiced concern that the women and their families could face political persecution back in Iran after a recent government crackdown and amid an ongoing war.
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5 Iranian team members rescind decision
Seven members members of the women’s soccer delegation had initially claimed asylum after they were eliminated 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup hosted in Australia.
The players had been in the spotlight after declining to sing Iran’s national anthem at their first match — a move which led them to be branded as “wartime traitors” by some conservative commentators at home.
At their next two games, the team saluted during the national anthem, leading to speculation that they had been pressured into doing so.
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The Iranian women’s soccer team did not sing the Iranian national anthem at their first match of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in AustraliaImage: Izhar Khan/AFP/Getty Images
Amid increasing public attention and media speculation about the women’s welfare under the watch of their minders, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke personally granted humanitarian visas to six players and one members of the team’s staff.
Last week, one player announced she had changed her mind, followed by two other players and the technical staff member, who also left on Saturday.
Ghanbari is reportedly the fifth member of the group to change her mind, leaving just two who are set to remain in Australia.
It was not clear why each individual changed their mind.
Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke personally granted asylum visas to seven members of the Iranian delegationImage: Australia Ministry of Home Affairs/AP Photo/picture alliance
Australia did ‘everything we could’
Australia’s home affairs minister confirmed the initial news that some of the group had changed their minds and would return to Iran.
“The Australian government has done everything we could to make sure these women were provided with the chance for a safe future in Australia,” Burke said.
“Australians should be proud that it was in our country that these women experienced a nation presenting them with genuine choices and interacted with authorities seeking to help them.”
Most of the team departed Australia for Malaysia, where they await onward travel to IranImage: Mohd Rasfan/AFP/Getty Images
Meanwhile, Iran’s governing football body accused Australia of kidnapping the players and forcing them to defect from their home country. The Iranian Sports Ministry accused Australia of “playing in Trump’s field.”
Mexican boxing legend Marco Antonio Barrera has revealed his top five pound-for-pound fighters, making it clear who he believes sits firmly at number one.
It is generally accepted that two-division undisputed champions Oleksandr Usyk and Naoya Inoue are the crème de la crème, given their utter dominance across multiple weight classes.
Usyk, in particular, has claimed a series of monumental victories against the likes of Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois, establishing himself as the greatest heavyweight of this era.
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Inoue, too, has removed any doubt over his supremacy at 122lbs, where he will defend his undisputed crown against Junto Nakatani on May 2.
But while there is little debate to be had about Usyk and Inoue’s placement on any pound-for-pound list, the remaining spots are of course far more subjective.
According to Barrera, though, Usyk takes top spot ahead of Inoue with Dmitry Bivol, Jesse Rodriguez and Canelo Alvarez filling the other spaces.
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“Number one Usyk.
Number two Inoue; number three Bivol; number four ‘Bam’ Rodriguez; number five, I think, [is] Canelo Alvarez.”
Bivol became the undisputed light-heavyweight king in February 2025, exacting his revenge over Artur Beterbiev by scoring a career-defining majority decision victory.
Rodriguez, meanwhile, has taken the lower divisions by storm in recent years, perhaps most notably defeating Sunny Edwards and Juan Francisco Estrada in 2024.
As for Canelo, it has become harder to justify his place in the top five since the Mexican lost to Terence Crawford, who moved up two weight divisions and secured a unanimous decision victory in September.
;)
