Dec 20, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) and Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw (71) celebrate after the touchdown in the second half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports www.gotshotbyquinn.com
The 2025 season didn’t go according to plan for the Minnesota Vikings. They might have finished with a winning record, but the playoffs stopped looking like a realistic ambition early in the season. If the Vikings are to return to the playoffs in 2026, then there are five Vikings who need bounce-back seasons in 2026.
The five players in question had down years in 2025 for a variety of reasons, from injury to loss of form to wider team issues holding them back.
The 5 Vikings Facing the Most Pressure to Rebound in 2026
Whether it’s down to themselves or a wider improvement from the whole team, these five Vikings need to have a bigger impact in the Vikings’ 2026 season.
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Justin Jefferson
For most wide receivers, a 1000-yard season would be something to celebrate. For a man of Justin Jefferson’s abilities, it amounts to a disappointment. Jefferson caught 84 of 141 targets for 1048 yards and two touchdowns.
Sep 29, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) catches a pass near the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images.
That was a career low in both yards and TDs, including the season when he appeared in only 10 games because of injury. It left Jefferson without All-Pro or Pro Bowl recognition for the first time in his career, outside of his injury-hit 2023 season.
Jefferson’s career started at a record pace as he broke record after record, but the Vikings’ 2025 offense was blighted by inconsistencies at the quarterback position that affected everyone, and even Jefferson wasn’t immune to the consequences. Minnesota has turned to Kyler Murray in the hope of getting their offense back on track this season. If Murray can prove to be accurate, something he has been during his career, then Jefferson should be back in reach of the really big seasons that Vikings fans have become used to.
Christian Darrisaw
The season never seemed to get going for Christian Darrisaw. Not recovered in time for the start of the season because of a knee injury that happened during the 2024 season.
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Darrisaw first appeared in the Vikings’ Week 3 game against Cincinnati, but he still didn’t look right, and his knee continued to be an issue as he was named on the injury report week after week. His final appearance came in Week 14, after which Darrisaw was placed back on Injured/Reserve and shut down for the season.
The hope will have been to get ready for the 2026 season so he can get back to his best. Darrisaw was cementing himself as one of the best tackles in the game over his first four seasons in the league. However, he looked a shadow of that player last year and the Vikings offensive line suffered because of it. A fully healthy and firing Darrisaw in 2026 will be a major boost for Minnesota.
Byron Murphy Jr.
Byron Murphy got a payday on the back of a Pro Bowl season that saw him lead cornerbacks in interceptions in 2024. The same production wasn’t there for Murphy in 2025, as interceptions dropped from 6 to 2 and passes defended from 14 to 7.
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) hypes up the crowd after intercepting Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco during third-quarter action of a Nov 3, 2024 matchup at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The defensive takeaway provided a momentum boost for Minnesota in the home contest. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
James Pierre has been signed to add depth at the position, and CB is a position that may or may not be addressed in the draft. Murphy is still the Vikings’ best CB, and the team will lean on him heavily again this season. They will hope he can get back to his 2024 form.
T.J. Hockenson
After coming to Minnesota via a trade with Detroit, T.J. Hockenson looked to be just what the Vikings needed at tight end. Then an injury towards the end of the 2023 season derailed everything, preventing Hockenson from reaching the first 1000-yard season of his career in the process.
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Hockenson eventually returned in the 2024 season but hasn’t looked quite the same, failing to reach 500 receiving yards in the last two seasons. He was heavily touted as a cut candidate this offseason, but Hockenson took a pay cut to stay in Minnesota. Much like Jefferson, the hope will be that better play at QB will help Hockenson return to his best and most productive football.
Blake Cashman
Injured in the opening game of the season, Blake Cashman didn’t return to the Vikings’ line-up until Week 7. Cashman certainly wasn’t bad last season, but after an injury disrupted the start of his season, he never quite hit the heights he did in his first season with his home-state club.
Dec 29, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Camryn Bynum (24) celebrates recovering a fumble by Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin via Imagn Images. with Blake Cashman pictured.
It’s another case of hoping a fully healthy version of a player can play for 17 games and be at their very best. Cashman is an integral part of Brian Flores’ defense, making everything else tick. The 30-year-old is set to hit free agency next year and will want a strong season behind him when he sits down at the negotiating table.
Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.
Bayern Munich secured yet another Bundesliga title after beating Stuttgart 4-2 at home on Sunday.
Top scorer Harry Kane scored his 32nd goal of the season after coming on as a second-half substitute as the Bavarians won their 35th German league trophy.
“To finish the league off in the way we have with the goals we scored… credit to the lads… we still have a lot to play for… but all the hard work, this makes it all worth it,” said Kane.
Bayern Munich cruise to title
The win moved the Bavarian giants an unassailable 15 points clear of second-placed Borussia Dortmund with four games to spare.
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Germany captain Joshua Kimmich, who won his 10th league title with Bayern, called the victory “very special.”
“The way we did it, we were very consistent…and we haven’t achieved that form so often. I hope 10 more titles come on top of this,” he said.
The “Meisterschale” (“champions’ shield” in English) trophy is expected to be handed out after Bayern’s final game of the season at home to Cologne on May 16.
Vincent Kompany (center) became Bayern Munich head coach after Thomas Tuchel’s exit in 2024Image: Martin Agüera/kolbert-press/picture alliance
Another dominant campaign
Bayern have only suffered one defeat in the league this season, at home to fellow Bavarians Augsburg in January, and a league-low of four ties so far.
They have also scored 109 goals so far this season — another record.
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Bayern already clinched the Super Cup in August, also against Stuttgart, and will take on Bayer Leverkusen in the German Cup semi-final on Wednesday.
In Europe, Vincent Kompany’s team has reached the Champions League semi-finals, where they meet holders Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg on April 28.
“It is April 19 and we are in every competition. We have had lots of success with every player in the squad. We go to Leverkusen knowing anything can happen, but with real belief,” Kompany told DAZN.
Kompany, whose only previous job as head coach was at Premier League side Burnley, took over in 2024.
The Jets defense recorded only 26 sacks (31st) last year. The best way to improve your entire defense is to add defenders who can pressure QBs. Bailey was one of the best rushers in college football, a tone-setter who fits Aaron Glenn’s archetype and gives this defense the juice it desperately needs.
The NFC West is a QB gauntlet, with two Super Bowl-winning signal-callers (one MVP) and a third (Brock Purdy) who has already made a Super Bowl with a 67.3% career winning percentage. Defense is a must, and Reese is a violent, rangy defender.
Arguably the best player in the draft, Love can have a three-down impact on every offensive possession. If Tennessee wants to see growth from second-year QB Cam Ward, adding the best offensive weapon in the draft will help his development and give this offense an identity piece.
A young QB’s best friend is good protection. The Giants brought back Jermaine Eluemunor to protect the right side, but Mauigoa is too good to pass up here. If needed, he can become an All-Pro guard and turn what was once a weakness into a strength for the G-Men.
One of the more versatile offensive linemen in the draft with hot tape. Injuries and depth were issues for Cleveland last year on the O-line, and adding Fano helps erase those concerns. His versatility is the selling point.
Washington needs a WR2 with real upside, and Tate gives them a long-term answer while helping stabilize the uncertainty at the position outside of Terry McLaurin.
Cornerback is a huge need after losing Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. Delane is plug-and-play with inside-outside versatility and gives Kansas City immediate help.
When healthy, Jordyn Tyson could be considered the best WR in this draft, and it sounds like he’s healthy. Malik Nabers, Isaiah Likely and Tyson — good luck slowing that trio down.
New Orleans trades back and still gets its guy. Bain is a Saints-type DL — violent, heavy-handed and a disruptive presence. The Big Easy won’t be easy for visiting QBs this year with his addition.
Baltimore loves unicorns, and Sadiq is a matchup nightmare who gives Lamar Jackson a new dimension. We’ve all seen the magic Jackson and Mark Andrews create, but Sadiq is a different magician. His tricks happen fast — 4.3 fast — and it’s hard to pass that up.
Ioane is the safest interior offensive lineman available. Last year, Tampa Bay’s running game was inconsistent, and Baker Mayfield took a beating at times. Ioane instantly improves both areas and gives the Bucs the O-line stability they need.
Minnesota needs a pass rush in a division full of high-end QBs, and Mesidor fits Brian Flores’ style. When you’re facing Jordan Love, Jared Goff and Caleb Williams, defensive pressure is a must.
Cooper is a football player who happens to play WR, a perfect fit for Sean McVay. He loves smart, tough, versatile receivers, so this is very on-brand.
Protecting Patrick Mahomes is the only correct answer. In 14 games, he was sacked 34 times, the second-most in his career, so keeping him upright is a must. Proctor has All-Pro traits.
Pittsburgh’s passing game lacked juice a year ago, and Concepcion brings a cooler full of it. He’s instant electricity with a four-down impact and gives the Steelers the explosive playmaker they need.
Interior pressure is the Chargers’ biggest defensive hole, especially in the AFC West. Woods is a high-upside swing, and his potential makes this a slam-dunk selection for L.A.
We saw last year how important the O-line is in Philly. Injuries and lack of depth derailed the entire offense. With Lane Johnson’s future uncertain after the 2026 season, this gives them a clear succession plan moving forward. Smart, boring, correct.
You never question linebackers from Georgia — they’re pro ready — and Buffalo needs a defensive leader. CJ Allen is smart and violent, which fits what Jim Leonard wants.
Houston stacking defensive talent is terrifying, and Banks is a luxury pick with massive upside. The rich get richer, and his potential in this defense won’t be fair for the AFC South.
Hood is one of the more patient CBs in this draft at the line of scrimmage and is very comfortable in press, reminding me of Jaylon Johnson. He fits the Cowboys’ new defensive identity and could be a Day 1 starter.
Miami’s secondary overhaul continues, and this revamped group could use the versatility Thieneman brings. The 4.35-second 40-yard dash he ran in Indy matches the speed you see on film.
Quarterback is a major need, and Simpson is the consensus No. 2 QB in this draft, so Arizona couldn’t afford to wait and risk missing on him. Simpson at 31 feels like the most realistic outcome for the Cardinals.
This is a Seahawks defender through and through: bendy and violent with a non-stop motor. Thomas is relentless and physical, and it won’t take long for him to fit in.
Erling Haaland and Gabriel endured a war on Sunday as Manchester City beat Arsenal 2-1 to take control of the Premier League title race
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland said he would never feign injury to get another player sent off after a controversial incident involving Arsenal centre-back Gabriel. With the Blues leading 2-1 thanks to Haaland’s second half strike, tempers flared when Haaland pushed the defender after a free kick was awarded in his favour.
The two players then squared up to each other with Gabriel appearing to be the aggressor as he moved his head towards Haaland. Instead of going to ground, the City man continued to face off with the Arsenal defender before both sets of players piled in to separate them.
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When asked about the incident at full time, Haaland told Sky Sports: “If I fell on the floor there, which I will not do unless someone really attacks me, then it would be red card. I’m not sure, I haven’t seen the situation. It is what it is, I will not fall on the floor. For me I don’t know why he comes up to my face.”
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Once the incident had settled, both Haaland and Gabriel were booked. Former Premier League referee Mike Dean said on commentary the defender was ‘very, very lucky’ not to be sent off and former Manchester United captain Gary Neville was equally confused by the decision.
Post-match, he told Sky Sports: “If Gabriel had scored later on or had some impact on the game, Pep Guardiola would’ve been fuming. It’s accepted in football you can put your head against each other, but once you push it forward, it’s usually a red. I was happy he didn’t send him off. I got sent off for it against Steve McManaman, I leant my head forward.”
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Former City and Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira added: “I really enjoyed that battle [between Haaland and Gabriel]. In the last couple of years those two players have been really hard for each other, but the referee managed it really well.
They were competitive, they were difficult, but these are the kind of games we want to see, that we enjoy watching. I don’t think Gabriel deserved a red card.”
On the game itself, Haaland concluded by paying tribute to Bernardo Silva who was awarded Man of the Match. “I told him, when he headed [a late cross beating Viktor Gyokeres to the ball] out: ‘You were like f****** [Fabio] Cannavaro today,” he said.
“Today, Bernie, I’m not going to make it emotional, you were amazing today as well. Every game is a final. On Wednesday we have a new final. When we have stopped speaking here, it’s about recovering for the Burnley game. Because the Burnley game just as important as this game. We need to stay focus, stay humble.”
BOSTON — Jayson Tatum had 25 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists in his first playoff game since rupturing his right Achilles tendon last season, and the Boston Celtics rolled past the Philadelphia 76ers 123-91 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round matchup on Sunday.
Jaylen Brown scored 26 points and Neemias Queta added 13 for the second-seeded Celtics.
Tatum scored 21 points in the first half, playing in just his 17th game this season following surgery last May to repair his Achilles tendon.
Boston never trailed, building a 35-point lead as coach Joe Mazzulla gave minutes to 12 players. The Celtics connected on 16 3-pointers.
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Game 2 is Tuesday night in Boston.
Tyrese Maxey had 21 points and eight assists for the 76ers, who played without Joel Embiid. The 2023 MVP continues to recover following an appendectomy on April 9. It’s unclear when he will be able to return.
Paul George scored 17 points and V.J. Edgecombe added 13. Philadelphia was 4 of 23 from three-point range.
Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton was caught voicing his frustration in a hot mic moment before being ejected for arguing a check swing call during Saturday’s loss to the Cincinnati Reds.
The incident went down in the seventh inning after first base umpire Hunter Wendelstedt ruled that Reds star Elly De La Cruz didn’t swing, resulting in a ball on the pitch with the Twins leading, 4-2.
Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton walks to the dugout during the first inning of the Boston Red Sox game in Minneapolis on April 13, 2026.(Abbie Parr/AP)
“No swing?” could be heard shouted from the dugout, although it wasn’t immediately clear who shouted it. De La Cruz hit an RBI single on the next pitch, and Rece Hinds scored to narrow the Twins’ lead.
Shelton’s displeasure could be heard from the dugout, and just a few moments later, home plate umpire Nic Lentz ejected him.
The broadcast picked up Lentz telling Shelton, “I wasn’t going to hear it anymore.”
Shelton charged at him, denying the accusation and repeatedly shouting, “I’m not even f—ing talking to you,” and, “I didn’t say anything to you.”
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Manager Derek Shelton of the Minnesota Twins argues with home plate umpire Nic Lentz at Target Field in Minneapolis on April 18, 2026.(David Berding/Getty Images)
After the game, Shelton said the comment that got him tossed was made when his head was down.
“I had my head down when I made the comment I made,” he said, via The Minnesota Star Tribune. “He evidently thought I was making the comment at him, but I had my head down and I was not looking at any umpire after I made it.
“You guys can make the determination on the check swing what you think, but when I made the comment I made, I had my head down. I’ve been ejected a lot of times. In that one, I was not directing anything at anything except frustration down at our bench.”
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Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton argues with umpire Laz Diaz over a pitch challenge during the Orioles game, March 29, 2026, in Baltimore.(Gail Burton/AP)
This was the second time Shelton was ejected this season. Last month, he became the first manager to be ejected over the new Automated Balls and Strikes (ABS) system during a loss to Baltimore.
This latest win represents Maher’s second in the Mornington Cup, building on Right You Are’s 2023 success that led to a fifth placing in the Caulfield Cup some six months later.
Kings Valley ($6.50), guided by Lachlan Neindorf, edged out Pounding ($10) by a head, as Suntora ($10) ended up 1-¼ lengths further adrift in third.
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According to Jack Turnbull, National Assistant Trainer for Maher’s team, the Saturday result could be pivotal in Kings Valley’s development.
“He didn’t go about it as you would like,” Turnbull said.
“He was on and off the bridle, but he had an economical run and got the right splits when he needed to.
“We’ve been trying to get to 2400 metres, but he’s been a fierce horse to train and race, so we worked the horse down into the race today and it’s worked out really well.
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“Credit to the horse as I think he will go to the next level over this trip because he’s not slow with good change up speed.”
Securing the ‘Golden Ticket’ to the Caulfield Cup prompts the group to consider the most suitable strategy for advancing Kings Valley to the prestige event.
He indicated indecision between Maher potentially wrapping up the campaign or continuing to polish the stayer’s competitive demeanor.
“We always wanted to get to this stage before having to think about that,” Turnbull said.
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“We are in a really good position now.”
Rising in his saddle after the winning line, Neindorf conveyed that this achievement outweighed his dual Group 1 successes in his native South Australia.
“This might sound outrageous, but it probably means more to me winning one of these than any of my Group 1’s,” Neindorf said.
“Just for the simple fact when I first came over as an apprentice, I lived in Mornington and then when I went back (to Adelaide) I had to build myself from the ground up and it felt like I was trying to build a skyscraper.
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“I’ve come back a second time and based myself in Mornington again and this is now more so home than home in Adelaide.
“It means a lot to win this Cup today.”
For the best betting sites, punters should review options ahead of the 2026 Caulfield Cup where Kings Valley eyes glory.
Former Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch is facing two misdemeanor charges after he was arrested in Athens early Sunday. The arrest of the star receiver comes just days before he is projected to be a second-round pick in this week’s NFL Draft.
Branch, who turned 22 just last month, was arrested by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and booked into the Athens-Clarke County Jail just before 1:30 a.m. on two charges.
Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch celebrates with wide receiver Colbie Young after scoring a touchdown during the Sugar Bowl and College Football Playoff quarterfinals at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La., on Jan. 1, 2026. Ole Miss defeated Georgia 39-34.(IMAGN)
The former Bulldogs star was charged with obstructing public sidewalks/streets – prowling and obstruction of a law enforcement officer. He was released after more than two hours in jail after posting $39 in bonds.
ESPN reported that Branch attended Georgia’s spring game on Saturday. His brother, Zion Branch, is a safety for the team after both transferred there in 2025.
Branch transferred after two seasons at Southern California and immediately became quarterback Gunner Stockton’s favorite target. He finished the season with a team-high 811 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.
Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch runs during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., on Feb. 28, 2026.(Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
In January, he announced his plans to declare for the draft.
“DAWG NATION, thank you for your unwavering support. You welcomed me with open arms. Having the opportunity to play between the hedges and winning the SEC Championship is a story only God could’ve written, and for that, I am forever grateful,” he wrote in a statement shared on social media.
Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Zachariah Branch celebrates after a touchdown catch against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., on Nov. 28, 2025.(Brett Davis/Imagn Images)
Manchester City swung the race for the championship in its favor by beating Arsenal 2-1 on Sunday thanks to a second-half winner by Erling Haaland.
Haaland’s league-leading 23rd goal of the campaign in the 65th minute allowed City to trim the gap to Arsenal, the long-time front-runner, to three points. City has a game in hand at relegation-threatened Burnley on Wednesday, after which Pep Guardiola’s team is likely to have overturned its goal-difference deficit to Arsenal and taken the lead with five rounds remaining.
“Panic on the streets of London” read a banner held aloft behind one of the goals after the final whistle – a reference to a 1980s song by The Smiths and a nod to Arsenal’s end-of-season implosion that has seen Mikel Arteta’s team lose four of its last six games in all competitions, including two straight in the league.
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This might be a familiar sinking feeling for Arsenal fans, who have seen their team finish as runner-up for the past three Premier League seasons.
“Two weeks ago, this didn’t look very likely, this scenario,” City captain Bernardo Silva said.
An often-frenetic match exploded into life when Rayan Cherki gave City a 16th-minute lead with a weaving run and finish, only for Arsenal to draw level in bizarre circumstances two minutes later after Gianluigi Donnarumma’s clearance was charged down by Kai Havertz and rebounded into the net from close range.
Haaland and Arsenal pair Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes struck the goal frame, before Haaland slotted home a low shot from Nico O’Reilly’s cross, dealing a huge blow to Arsenal’s hopes of a first league championship since 2004.
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City is expected to beat next-to-last Burnley, but has a tougher run-in than Arsenal that includes trips to Everton and Bournemouth and a final-day meeting with Aston Villa.
“Every game is a final,” Haaland said.
Unlike City, which is unbeaten in 10 league games, Arsenal is struggling for form and also has to balance playing in the Champions League after reaching the semifinals.
“It’s a new league now – everything is still to play for,” Arteta said.
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Liverpool and Aston Villa look to be headed for the Champions League after grabbing stoppage-time winners on Sunday.
Virgil van Dijk headed home in the 10th minute of added-on time to earn Liverpool a 2-1 victory at Everton in a Merseyside derby featuring a record-tying goal from Mohamed Salah.
Salah, who is leaving Liverpool at the end of the season after nine trophy-filled seasons, marked his final derby by slotting in a low finish in the 29th minute. His ninth Merseyside derby goal drew him even with Liverpool great Steven Gerrard for the most in the Premier League era (since 1992).
It was Liverpool’s other stalwart, Van Dijk, who sealed the win by turning in a corner by Dominik Szoboszlai.
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There was so much stoppage time because Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili was forced off on a stretcher after sustaining an injury attempting in vain to save a 54th-minute shot by Beto that brought Everton level.
Villa, meanwhile, beat Sunderland 4-3 thanks to Tammy Abraham’s goal in the third minute of stoppage time.
Fourth-placed Villa moved 10 points ahead of sixth-placed Chelsea. Liverpool is in between them, but stretched its advantage over Chelsea to seven points.
The top five in the Premier League will qualify for the Champions League.
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Morgan Gibbs-White scored a second-half hat trick as Nottingham Forest rallied to beat Burnley 4-1 and further boost its survival hopes.
Forest moved five points clear of third-to-last Tottenham in the relegation zone, while next-to-last Burnley slipped closer to the drop to the Championship.
INDIANAPOLIS — Caitlin Clark looked right at home inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday.
She wore her favourite Indiana Fever practice gear, stretched and ran with teammates and, of course, flashed her trademark smile. And while she didn’t line up any three-pointers during the open portion of the team’s first training camp practice, everyone knows those will be back — in time.
For now, just getting back to work in her adopted hometown served as a welcome respite after enduring so many frustrating twists during her injury-plagued 2025 season.
“It’s hard, it’s very isolating to come to practice every single day and spend two hours getting treatment and rehab and then you come out here and you have to show up and be the best teammate you can be,” she said. “I think that taught me a lot about what I can do if I’m not on the court, and I got to be their biggest fan. I think that was a great experience for me because through a lot of my career, everyone else was my biggest fan. That doesn’t mean I wasn’t cheering for my teammates. It was like I was playing the most minutes, I had the ball in my hands and when you’re not doing that you have to find another way to impact the team.
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Clark did her part last year, serving essentially as the WNBA’s highest-profile coach on game days while working relentlessly behind the scenes to get back to full strength. But the NCAA Division I’s career scoring leader never fully recovered from what turned out to be a season-ending injured right groin just before the All-Star break.
The seemingly indestructible Clark appeared in just 13 games, missed the All-Star Game and the surrounding weekend’s festivities in Indianapolis, and embraced the Fever’s inspirational playoff run, which ended one win short of the WNBA Finals despite a rash of injuries.
So getting Clark back to practice Sunday was a victory for her and the Fever. Now comes the hard part — keeping her healthy.
“The biggest thing is just making sure we’re mindful it’s Day 1,” coach Stephanie White said. “It’s not like she has to go out there and go through everything. I think with her, Kelsey (Mitchell), with AB (Aliyah Boston), just being mindful of getting them in and out, and we need to get other people integrated anyway, so I think it will give us a good opportunity to do that.”
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Clark didn’t just spend the offseason rehabbing. She worked as a television broadcaster and as a sports photographer during an NBA game before returning to action while representing the U.S. during the recent World Cup qualifier in Puerto Rico. That gave her a chance to knock off some rust and get back into playing shape.
But things have changed since Clark last appeared in a WNBA game.
There’s a new collective bargaining agreement in place, a deal that helped her All-Star teammates Boston and Mitchell recently sign million-dollar contracts. Longtime rival Angel Reese has been traded to Atlanta, and the league has added two expansion teams as it prepares for its second straight 44-game schedule.
It was about this time last year, Clark said Sunday, she sensed something was off. A few weeks later, she missed Indiana’s first pre-season game, her first absence in six years, with a left leg injury that marked the start of her injury-plagued season.
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The good news for Clark fans: She declared herself 100 per cent and said she had no restrictions entering camp. That could set her up for a comeback year — presuming a slightly different approach helps her stay healthy in 2026.
“I’ve been playing pickup, playing live all the time. Eventually, skill workouts get a little boring, so you just want to play and play and play,” she said. “I’m the person that doesn’t want to miss a rep, I want to be out there every single time. Like I just love competing and none of that has changed. But I think just being a little smarter with my body and understanding what it takes — I think especially through camp days — taking care of my body is probably the most important thing.”
While the Major League Baseball season is only just underway, some clear storylines are forming for the year.
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For the New York Yankees, the biggest storyline is the breakout of Ben Rice. He was already great last season, but he’s taking his play to a new level in 2026.
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Amid such a breakout, MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch is calling for Yankees fans to believe this breakout is for real, and that Rice is a future All-Star, and a lefty-hitting counterpart to Aaron Judge on the right side of the plate.
Yankees fans should believe in Ben Rice’s breakout
“Yankees: Ben Rice is a future All-Star,” Hoch writes. “The next step in Rice’s development will come with increased opportunities against left-handed pitching.”
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Rice had a .255 batting average and an .836 OPS across 138 games last season. It was a great year, but there was room for improvement.
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And he’s shown exactly that so far in 2026. While it’s only been 20 games, with limited playing time against lefty pitching, Rice has dominated this season.
He is currently hitting .339 with a ridiculous 1.242 OPS to begin the season. While not a super-long sample-size, Rice’s production has been extensive enough to believe in.
He already has seven homers and 17 RBIs with six doubles this season, and could be headed towards an elite season for the Yankees.
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But, there is one issue: his chances against left-handed pitching. Aaron Boone has held Rice back from getting reps against lefties, and while those chances are sure to come at some point, Yankees fans are running out of patience.
Rice, the 27-year-old slugger, looks to be a future All-Star even if he’s not playing every game as a starter. He’s one of the best hitters in baseball this season, and his breakout is one Yankees fans should believe in. Rice is actually this good.
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