The Minnesota Vikings’ regular season is less than 10 weeks away, and when the team gets there, the rushing offense is evidently a concern, according to ESPN. The sports media giants sized up the Vikings’ roster, including strengths and weaknesses, on Monday, and Minnesota’s running backs got the unfortunate nod.

It’s true, too. The Vikings made no significant strides to improve the ground attack, except for using a 6th-Round draft pick on Wake Forest’s Demond Claiborne.

Could Demond Claiborne Change the Conversation?

ESPN: Vikings’ Roster Weaknesses = RB

Mike Clay made Minnesota’s top roster deficiency quite clear. He wrote, “Biggest weakness: Running back. It was a bit surprising that Minnesota did little to address this position after its running backs finished 30th in both rushing yards and scrimmage yards last season.”

“Aaron Jones Sr. has been solid throughout his career, but he’s entering his age-31 season and ranked dead last among 65 qualified backs in forced missed tackle rate and elusive rating in 2025, per PFF. Jordan Mason is an effective rusher (career 5.1 YPC) but isn’t a receiving option (28 career receptions). Undersized sixth-rounder Demond Claiborne was the team’s only offseason addition of note.”

On the other hand, Clay called the Vikings’ wide receivers the top roster strength. Perhaps the groups will balance.

The Unit in July

Without early- or mid-round rookie runners like Jonah Coleman or Mike Washington, who were available to the Vikings in the draft, Minnesota will enter training camp with the group:

• Aaron Jones
• Jordan Mason
• Demond Claiborne
• Zavier Scott
• Kejon Owens

Jones and Mason figure to split the RB1 workload — like last year — with Claiborne and Scott battling it out for the RB3 job at training camp and in the preseason. Owens will either make the practice squad or get cut in late August.

In free agency, the Vikings could have explored Travis Etienne (NO), Kenneth Walker III (KC), Rico Dowdle (PIT), Isiah Pacheco (DET), or Kenneth Gainwell (TB) but took the plunge with none, instead re-upping with Jones at a reduced price. He accepted a paycut to stay in Minnesota through the end of 2026.

Other veterans like Najee Harris, Joe Mixon, and Austin Ekeler remain on the open market if injuries rattle Jones or Mason.

The Efficiency Last Year

In 2025, another season when the Vikings publicly announced they would run the ball more, they ranked 15th in Rush EPA and 13th in Rush DVOA. The efficiency passed the test, but Minnesota ranked 19th in rush playcall percentage. In fact, per the DVOA stat, the Vikings ranked 13th-best running the football while calling rush plays the 13th-least.

Therefore, a fix could be simple: commit to running the ball. It’s just that head coach Kevin O’Connell has been unusually reluctant to embrace the theory, probably because he’s a former quarterback who, when in doubt, dials up pass plays.

Thankfully, the rushing frequency spiked in December last season, and Minnesota won five straight games to close out the year. Perhaps O’Connell learned a lesson that will carry over to 2026.

Claiborne as the Big Hope

Claiborne, nicknamed “Lightning,” isn’t your average rookie running back vying for a roster spot this summer. Beyond the cool nickname, his football profile suggests he could be a game-changer. If Claiborne can inject even a fraction of De’Von Achane’s explosive energy into the Minnesota offense, it could elevate the unit to an entirely new level.

The comparisons to Achane are well-founded. Claiborne possesses a similar build and a knack for creating explosive plays. Crucially, he now has the opportunity to work with Frank Smith, who coached Achane in Miami for three years. There’s a tangible connection.

Should the Vikings finally establish a formidable ground game under O’Connell, the impact would be substantial. A dominant running attack would alleviate pressure on the quarterback and punish defenses for overcommitting to Justin Jefferson. The Vikings haven’t employed a dominant running back arguably since 2021 or 2022 when Dalvin Cook was still running wild.

While O’Connell’s play-calling genius is undeniable, he also needs to reveal his ability to construct a winning offense that isn’t solely reliant on the passing game to solve every problem. Claiborne might just be the catalyst that helps him achieve that balance.

Claiborne comps profile somewhere between Achane, Jerick McKinnon, and Nyheim Hines. Fans will begin to get a sense of his style and production in 68 days, when the regular season kicks off.

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

Gautam Gambhir and Harshit Rana (Agency Image)

Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik questioned the Gautam Gambhir-led team management after pacer Harshit Rana was promoted ahead of Shivam Dube during India’s disastrous batting collapse in the third T20I against England at Trent Bridge. India’s chase of 202 unravelled rapidly after Axar Patel was dismissed off the final ball of the fifth over, leaving the visitors reeling at 52/5. Instead of sending in Dube, the team management opted to promote Harshit Rana, a move that left Karthik stunned while on commentary. “Are you serious? Harshit Rana ahead of Shivam Dube? You can’t be serious,” Karthik said on air. Dube eventually came to the crease two overs later but failed to rescue the innings, scoring just two runs from four deliveries before being dismissed by Josh Tongue. Karthik admitted he could not understand the decision to delay Dube’s arrival, suggesting it raised questions over the team’s confidence in the all-rounder. “Do they (the team management) not trust Dube enough to send him in at this stage? Instead, they’ve promoted Harshit Rana ahead of him. I’m not sure that’s the right way to go about it,” he added. The selection call came during one of India’s worst-ever batting performances in the format. England piled up 201/7 after Phil Salt led the way with a blistering 70 off 44 balls, while Sam Curran chipped in with 41 from just 24 deliveries on a challenging Trent Bridge surface. India’s reply never gained momentum despite Vaibhav Sooryavanshi hitting two early sixes in his 13 off five balls. The visitors collapsed from 23/0 to 76 all out in just 11.4 overs, with Josh Tongue claiming 4/28 and Jofra Archer picking up 3/29. The 125-run defeat was India’s biggest by runs in T20 internationals, surpassing their previous heaviest loss of 80 runs against New Zealand in 2019. It also marked India’s second-lowest all-out total in the format. The defeat handed England a 2-0 lead in the five-match series after the opening match had been washed out. India have now lost their last four completed T20Is, following a 2-0 series defeat in Ireland. Captain Shreyas Iyer described the performance as “atrocious” after the match and admitted his side needed to “completely go back to the drawing board.” England captain Harry Brook praised his team’s all-round display, saying, “We adapted well with the bat. To carry that into the bowling was awesome.” India must now win the remaining two matches to avoid losing the T20I series.

After a month of shocks, late goals, penalty shootouts and political noise, the Fifa World Cup 2026 has reached its last-eight stage. The co-hosts are gone. Brazil are out. Portugal have departed. The United States’ exit was wrapped in controversy. Yet the holders remain alive, France still look like the team to beat, and Erling Haaland has turned Norway’s surprise run into one of the stories of the tournament.

The tournament has narrowed, but the narratives have multiplied.

France vs Morocco: favourites face their first big test

But Morocco are not just a romantic story. They are organised, disciplined and technically secure in midfield. Their 3-0 win over Canada was ruthless, and they have lost only once in 90 minutes across their last 50 matches. Noussair Mazraoui gives them defensive security, while Azzedine Ounahi’s two goals against Canada were a reminder of his ability to float through tight spaces.

• 
  Players to watch: Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Azzedine Ounahi, Noussair Mazraoui
• 
  Prediction: France to advance

Spain vs Belgium: control meets tactical revival

  Spain have moved through the tournament with less noise than France, Argentina or England, but their defensive record is extraordinary. They have not conceded a goal and have stretched their World Cup clean-sheet run to 609 minutes, a record that goes back to Qatar.

Belgium, meanwhile, produced one of the performances of the Round of 16. Amid the fallout from Fifa’s decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s ban, Belgium dismantled the United States 4-1 in Seattle. Rudi Garcia’s decision to bench Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku was bold, and it worked. Charles De Ketelaere was involved in three goals, while Leandro Trossard has been one of the tournament’s most creative players.

• 
  Players to watch: Rodri, Lamine Yamal, Aymeric Laporte, Charles De Ketelaere, Leandro Trossard
• 
  Prediction: Spain to advance

Norway vs England: Haaland, Kane and a proper team test

Norway vs England is the most eagerly awaited tie of the round, not only because of Erling Haaland against Harry Kane, but because both sides have shown different forms of strength.

Norway’s 2-1 win over Brazil was not a smash-and-grab. It was proof that they are more than a well-organised side with Haaland up front. Brazil were restricted to 34 per cent possession, their lowest in a World Cup match, and Norway looked surprisingly comfortable in the knockout spotlight despite being absent from the tournament for 28 years.

England, however, produced their own statement at the Azteca. To beat Mexico 3-2 with 10 men for the last half-hour showed adaptability and resilience. Jude Bellingham scored twice, covered huge ground, and made a decisive defensive intervention. Jordan Pickford’s first-half saves kept England alive before the chaos took over.

This is not merely Haaland vs England. Norway’s midfield of Martin Odegaard, Sander Berge and Patrick Berg gives them structure, intelligence and control. But England’s tournament muscle, Bellingham’s timing and Kane’s experience may still tilt the tie.

Players to watch: Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard, Sander Berge, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Jordan Pickford

Argentina vs Switzerland: Messi’s chaos meets Swiss discipline

Argentina are still here, but they have not travelled smoothly. They needed extra time to beat Cape Verde and then produced a stunning comeback from 2-0 down against Egypt. Lionel Messi dragged them back in Atlanta, but the match was also clouded by VAR controversy, Egyptian fury and questions over Argentina’s vulnerability.

Messi leads the Golden Boot race with eight goals, one ahead of Haaland and Mbappe. Yet Argentina’s biggest strength may not be structure. It is emotion. Lionel Scaloni’s side have repeatedly shown a strange ability to survive matches that appear to be slipping away.

They have finally broken their Round of 16 wall after exits in 2006, 2014, 2018 and 2022. Against Argentina, they will compress space, slow the rhythm and trust their defensive shape. If Johan Manzambi returns from injury, they will have more attacking threat. Without him, they may struggle to hurt Argentina often enough.

Players to watch: Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Enzo Fernandez, Gregor Kobel, Ruben Vargas, Breel Embolo

Players who could define the quarterfinals

  Haaland is the most obvious name. His goals against Brazil changed the way Norway are being viewed, from surprise package to genuine threat. He has become the central figure in the tournament’s most intriguing quarterfinal.

Bellingham is England’s emotional and tactical engine. His performance against Mexico was not just about goals. It was about timing, running, defensive recovery and presence in a hostile stadium.

Mbappe remains France’s greatest weapon. Even when he is not dominating possession, he bends the opposition’s structure around him. If Morocco leave space, he can end the contest quickly.

De Ketelaere has become Belgium’s quiet disruptor. His movement, size and elegance make him hard to track, and his role in dismantling the USMNT should not be underestimated.

Pickford and Orjan Nyland could also shape the England-Norway tie. Pickford remains one of the world’s best tournament goalkeepers, while Nyland’s performance against Brazil was central to Norway’s progress.

The under-the-radar names

  Not every quarterfinal story will be written by the scorers. Laporte has been central to Spain’s defensive record. Trossard has created more chances than any other player at the tournament so far. Sander Berge rarely gives the ball away and has become crucial to Norway’s balance. Patrick Berg’s intelligence has helped knit Norway’s midfield together.

Dayot Upamecano has been quietly excellent for France, bringing calm to a player once associated with high-profile errors. For Argentina, Lautaro Martinez’s bench impact against Egypt showed why Scaloni’s squad depth matters. For Switzerland, Kobel may again have to be the difference if they are to take Argentina deep.

Semifinalist predictions

  The most likely semifinal line-up is France, Spain, England and Argentina.

France remain the strongest all-round side and still appear to have another attacking gear. Spain’s defensive record makes them Belgium’s toughest possible opponent. England’s win in Mexico City suggested they have found new ways to suffer and survive. Argentina may not be fully convincing, but Messi and Scaloni’s side keep finding answers in chaos.

There are obvious upset routes. Morocco can frustrate France and force penalties. Belgium have shown tactical flexibility and could punish Spain if the game opens up. Norway can beat England if Haaland is fed early and Odegaard controls the tempo. Switzerland can drag Argentina into another uncomfortable night.

Are France still favourites?

  Yes, but not without caveats.

France have the deepest attacking unit, tournament experience and the ability to win different types of games. They can overwhelm teams with speed, or grind through tight matches. That combination is why they remain favourites.

Spain are the biggest threat because of their control and defensive record. If they reach a semifinal against France, that may decide the eventual champion. Argentina have Messi and belief, but also defensive cracks. England have resilience and Bellingham, but must first survive Haaland. Norway have the tournament’s most compelling striker-led surge, but the last eight will test whether their collective structure can hold under English pressure.

The World Cup has reached the point where favourites matter less than moments. A Kobel save, a Haaland run, a Bellingham header, a Messi pass, a Mbappe acceleration — any one of them can redraw the bracket.

For now, France remain the team to beat. But this World Cup has already made a habit of turning certainty into chaos.

Tennessee Bound, an undefeated mare, would likely be considered a strong favourite for the Caulfield race she is entered for. However, trainer Ciaron Maher is adopting a cautious strategy, preferring to gradually step up her competition.

As a result, the four-year-old is most likely to be seen next in Wednesday’s 1200-metre Evergreen Turf Handicap at Sandown.

The 78-rated mare is nominated for Saturday’s $150,000 benchmark 78 race over 1100m at Caulfield. However, she will compete in Wednesday’s $50,000 BM74 event carrying 59kg, with the advantage of Jabez Johnstone’s 3kg claim, a factor that Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull found too good to pass up.

“We won’t try to jump too many bars in a row with her, we’ll just go up in slight increments,” Turnbull said.

“She’s done nothing wrong since the last win. She’s an exciting prospect, she had a nice gallop away last week with Blake Shinn on, and he was very fond of her.

“She looks like she’s improved. We could have gone to Saturday, but the programming allowed us to hopefully notch another win before going to an 84.”

Tennessee Bound, a daughter of Written Tycoon and carrying the distinctive Limerick Lane colours of Gerry Ryan, is aiming to extend her winning streak to five races at the start of her career.

She progressed from a maiden win at Kyneton to a Caulfield Heath BM66 in her first preparation, also winning a BM62 race at Cranbourne, before her first-up victory in benchmark 70 grade on Caulfield’s Heath track.

Tennessee Bound has drawn barrier three for Wednesday’s 14-horse race, for which she was the $1.85 favourite on Tuesday morning.

Another daughter of Written Tycoon that the Maher stable is likely to select an easier option for is Signature Scent, who is poised to make her first start since Anzac Day at Caulfield.

The three-year-old filly is entered for the $200,000 Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m), but is more likely to be seen in the $150,000 fillies handicap over 1100m.

Following three starts in Adelaide, Signature Scent was freshened. In Adelaide, she won at restricted level, achieved a Listed third placing in the Redelva Stakes (1100m), and finished fifth in the Group 2 Tobin Bronze Stakes (1200m).

“The addition of blinkers was a huge help in Adelaide, got her back to being competitive at Stakes level,” Turnbull said.

“She only had two weeks off, so she’s got a lot of residual (fitness), been in training not so long and she’s just had that one jumpout last week, so she’s in good order.”

Secure your bets on the upcoming races with the best Australian betting sites.

England survived a ​spirited Mexico fightback to secure a 3-2 win on Sunday and book their place in the World Cup quarter-finals, ending ⁠the co-hosts’ deepest run at the tournament in 40 years despite playing most of the second half with 10 men at the Azteca Stadium.

Jude Bellingham put England ​ahead, ⁠striking twice in the space of a minute, finishing a Bukayo Saka ⁠cross before tapping in Harry Kane‘s pass ​to ⁠stun the home crowd.

Advertisement

Mexico’s Julian Quinones pulled one back before half-time, reacting quickest to a loose ball in ‌the box to fire into ‌the roof of the net and revive the co-hosts’ hopes.

England were reduced to 10 men in ⁠the second half after Jarell Quansah was sent off following a VAR review, but Harry Kane restored England’s two-goal lead with a penalty after goalkeeper Raul Rangel fouled Anthony Gordon.

Mexico’s Raul Jimenez reduced the deficit with ‌another penalty after a VAR review ​confirmed a foul from Kane on ‌Brian Gutierrez.

The match ⁠was delayed by one hour due ⁠to adverse weather conditions around the Azteca Stadium.

Advertisement

England will ‌face Norway ​in the last eight ‌in Miami on Saturday.

England’s possible route to World Cup final:

Group fixtures

17 June: England 4-2 Croatia | AT&T Stadium, Arlington

23 June: England 0-0 Ghana | Gillette Stadium, Foxborough

27 June: England 2-0 Panama | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey

Round of 32

1 July: England 2-1 DR Congo | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

Round of 16

5 July: England 3-2 Mexico | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City

Quarter-final

11 July: England vs Norway | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami

Semi-final

15 July: England vs Argentina or Switzerland | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

Final:

19 July: England vs France (most likely opponents by ranking) | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey

Trainer Craig Carmody, who previously conditioned Sir Les’ dam, Everage, to stakes success, is dedicating significant effort to refining the promising three-year-old gelding’s natural capabilities.

The All Too Hard colt demonstrated considerable promise in his first two starts, followed by a close fifth in a benchmark 72 Midway race at Rosehill Gardens on May 30th.

Carmody has opted to provide ample spacing between Sir Les’ runs, a strategy aimed at improving his ability to settle, a quality he anticipates will be on display in a three-year-old benchmark 72 race over 1100m at his home track, Royal Randwick, this Saturday.

“He’s going well,” Carmody confirmed.

“He’s had a bit of time in between runs because I just wanted to work a bit on his ability to sort of respond to pressure. He’s been sort of wanting to charge through pressure, as you’ve probably realised when he’s raced, just going a little bit hard.”

“I’ve worked really hard trying to get that going a bit better and I feel as though Chad (Lever) might get a little bit better response on Saturday from him.”

Having secured victories in his first two starts over 1000m, the 1100m distance in town will be a key indicator for Sir Les, though Carmody envisions him developing into a reliable sprinter for many seasons.

“I really needed the last month just to work on getting that response going a little bit better,” Carmody elaborated.

“And look, I’m optimistic that I’m winning that battle, so I’d love to for him to show that on Saturday that he’s listening to the bridle a bit better.”

“I trained the mother, she was a very handy two-year-old, she won what is now the Percy Sykes, formerly the Keith Mackay, we only paid twenty thousand for her and that sparked the interest in Sir Les.”

“He’s only young so I’m in no hurry to race him often, I just want to want to get some lessons into him, get some experience into him, because I think he’s going to be a very handy four-and-five-year-old sprinter.”

Consider the available racing odds for Saturday’s feature race at Royal Randwick through various online bookmakers.

Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost.

Norway coach Stale Solbakken said some of his players have been feeling under the weather ahead of their World Cup quarter-final against England on Saturday, as a month of travel, training and high-pressure games begins to take its toll on the squad.

Advertisement

Striker Jorgen Strand Larsen is one of those dealing with health issues, Solbakken added.

“We’ve really only had Jorgen who has had a fever, but then there’s been a bit of coughing and rasping scattered throughout,” Solbakken told reporters. “But there’s air conditioning, flights, changing rooms and all that. There’s 50 people (in Norway’s travelling party), so it would be strange if something or other didn’t crop up.”

Marcus Holmgren Pedersen missed the 2-1 win over Brazil in the round of 16 due to illness, though Solbakken thought the pressure of the World Cup experience may also have affected the 25-year-old.

“I think, without being a doctor, that it’s a combination of the boy being young, he’s come to the World Cup and thought, ‘I’m going to be a backup for Julian (Ryerson)’, he’s had two games and played great,” Solbakken explained.

“He’s got a lot of stimulation, his head is full, his body is full of impressions, and then the system collapses a bit.”

Read the original on HuffPost

FIFA issued suspensions to at least two key members of the U.S. Soccer Federation ahead of Monday’s World Cup matchup with Belgium, according to multiple reports.

ESPN reported that team manager Sam Zapatka and U.S. Soccer Federation Vice President of Security Frank Pannell were the two staff members barred from the match. The U.S. went on to suffer a 4-1 loss to Belgium, ending its 2026 World Cup run.

The tournament’s governing body did not provide a reason for the suspensions.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

A detailed view of the United States Soccer Federation crest logo is seen in the player and team tunnel in game action during an International friendly match between the United States and the Ecuador men’s national teams on March 21, 2019 at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando, Florida. (Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

ESPN, citing sources, also reported that the suspensions were likely tied to incidents that occurred during Team USA’s victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina last week in the Round of 32. The alleged violations involved FIFA match protocols and individuals possibly entering restricted areas. There were no known physical altercations.

USA ADVANCES IN WORLD CUP AFTER CONTROVERSIAL RED CARD VS BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

After joining the U.S. Soccer Federation in 2015, Zapatka was named team administrative manager in 2020.

While U.S. Soccer did not reveal why the suspensions were imposed, it stressed Tuesday that they were not connected to the appeal process surrounding star striker Folarin Balogun’s one-match red-card suspension.

Preparations are made to Soccer House ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Venice Beach, on June 06, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Belgium challenged FIFA’s decision to lift Balogun’s suspension, but the governing body ultimately stood by its original ruling, allowing Team USA’s forward to take the field.

President Donald Trump said Monday that he watched the controversial play and later called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to discuss the red card.

“I spoke with Gianni,” Trump told reporters at the White House.

United States men’s national team forward Folarin Balogun is shown a red card by referee Raphael Claus in Santa Clara, California, July 1, 2026. (Phil Noble/Reuters via Imagn Images)

“All I did was, I asked for a review, because I didn’t think it was a foul,” the president said. “And again, I’m good at this stuff. I didn’t think it was a foul. I thought it was two great athletes who crashed into each other and got entangled.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

With the victory over the U.S., Belgium advanced to the quarterfinals and will face Spain on Friday at Los Angeles Stadium.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.