May 14, 2026; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) watches as Montréal Canadiens center Joe Veleno (90) takes a shot on goal during the first period in game five of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
The Carolina Hurricanes are waiting in the wings in the Eastern Conference Final after sweeping each of its first two series.
The Montreal Canadiens can lock up its first berth in the final four since the 2020-21 campaign, when the divisions were realigned for one season.
The Habs own a 3-2 series lead over the Buffalo Sabres headed back to Bell Center tonight, as the Atlantic Division champs try to force a Game 7 back at home.
We’ll break down two plays for the Saturday action. Remember to monitor the odds throughout the day, as the sides and totals market is constantly changing.
Here are the free NHL picks for Saturday, May 16. Odds Courtesy of DraftKings.
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Best NHL plays today
Canadiens -1.5 (+155) vs. Sabres
Canadiens/Sabres Under 6.5 Goals (-122)
Canadiens -1.5 (+155) vs. Sabres – 8:00 p.m. ET
All three of Montreal’s wins in this series have come by at least two goals, capped off by a 6-3 triumph in Game 5. The Canadiens allowed three goals in the first period before storming back to score four unanswered goals.
In the three victories, the Habs posted 5, 5, and 6 goals, which is a huge improvement from the 2.28 goals per game scored in the first round series win over Tampa Bay.
Buffalo owned the third-highest goal differential in the Eastern Conference this season (+47), but sits at 0 in the playoffs thanks to several blowout losses to Montreal.
Montreal C Alex Newhook has shined in this round with five goals, while Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield each compiled 3 goals apiece. Look for the Habs to close this out at home in blowout fashion.
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Sabres/Canadiens Under 6.5 Goals (-122) – 8:00 p.m. ET
There have been plenty of goals scored in this series, but tonight is the highest total between these division rivals at 6.5. Game 5 saw five goals in the opening period and a series-high 9 goals, but it was only the second time these squads combined for more than six goals.
Buffalo seems to run out of gas after these quick starts, scoring only once in the third period in this series. Montreal goalie Jakub Dobes has allowed two or fewer goals in three of five home playoff games, while four games at Bell Center have been decided by one goal.
The Sabres can’t afford to get into a shootout here with the Canadiens with their season on the line. Buffalo yielded two or less goals in four of five road playoff games, resulting in three Unders. Look for Game 6 to remain below this number in Montreal tonight.
The 2025/26 FA Cup reaches its decisive moment tonight as Chelsea and Manchester City go head-to-head at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, May 16. Beyond the prestige of lifting the world’s oldest domestic trophy, there is also a significant financial reward awaiting the winner and runner-up of tonight’s final.
Winner’s Prize Money: £2.12 Million for the champions
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The team that emerges victorious at Wembley will take home a direct prize of £2,120,000 for winning the FA Cup final. This remains the single biggest payout from any individual match in the competition.
However, the financial reward does not stop there. When combined with earnings accumulated from earlier rounds of the tournament, the champions will secure a total of £3,912,500 in prize money from their FA Cup campaign.
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This makes lifting the trophy not just a historic achievement, but also a highly lucrative one.
Runner-Up Prize Money: £1.06 Million consolation
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The losing side in tonight’s final will not walk away empty-handed. The runner-up will receive a guaranteed payment of £1,060,000, which represents exactly half of the winner’s final match reward.
While significantly lower than the champions’ earnings, it still reflects the importance and financial value of reaching the final stage of the competition.
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Bigger rewards beyond the final
The financial implications extend beyond just prize money from the match itself. The FA Cup winner also earns a place in the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League league phase, unless they have already qualified for a higher European competition.
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Manchester City have already secured Champions League qualification, meaning the European spot would be passed down the league table if they win. Chelsea, currently ninth, could depend heavily on an FA Cup triumph to secure European football next season.
In addition, the winners will also qualify for the 2026 FA Community Shield, where they will face the Premier League champions in the traditional season curtain-raiser.
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As Chelsea and Manchester City prepare for battle at Wembley, the stakes are not just about silverware, they also include millions in prize money and crucial European qualification.
The third and penultimate day of the PMGO 2026 Season 1 South Asia Finals wrapped up on May 16, 2026. All 16 participants have played their 15 matches in the first three days of the event. These squads will engage against one another in their remaining five matches on Day 4, scheduled for May 17. The top-three teams will get a spot in the Main Event.
Horaa Esports, from Nepal, maintained their pace on Day 3 and jumped to first place in the overall standings. The experienced squad has accumulated 181 points in 15 matches. The club grabbed fourth Chicken Dinners and 116 eliminations in the first three days.
Overall standings of PMGO 2026 S1 SA Finals after Day 3
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Here is the leaderboard after 15 matches:
Horaa Esports – 181 points
4thrives Esports – 167 points
Trained To Kill – 152 points
DRS GAMING – 142 points
Abrupt Slayers – 102 points
AS i8 Esports – 97 points
XOTICS – 77 points
ZC Gremlin Storm – 77 points
LF Esports – 76 points
Galactic Spirit – 65 points
CMF Esports – 62 points
313 Esports – 61 points
Seventh Element – 55 points
A1 RG Esports – 55 points
Koxav Esports – 53 points
Red Saints – 48 points
Pakistani squad 4Thrives Esports slipped to second place with 167 points and two Chicken Dinners on Day 3. The renowned lineup has clinched 117 eliminations in 15 games. Trained To Kill, a Nepalese team, occupied the third spot with 152 points, including 87 eliminations. The team has grabbed three Chicken Dinners.
DRS Gaming had a great run in the first 15 games of the PMGO SA Finals. The Nepali squad took the fourth position with 142 points and three Chicken Dinners. Abrupt Slayers ranked fifth with 102 points despite not winning any Chicken Dinners.
Pakistani teams ASI8 and XOTICS Esports came sixth and seventh with 97 and 77 points, respectively.
ZC Gremlin Storm, hailing from Bangladesh, finished eighth with 77 points, including 55 eliminations. Loyalty First, a Pakistani team, came ninth with 76 points and one Chicken Dinner. Bangladeshi squads Galactic and CMF finished Day 3 of the Finals in the 10th and 11th spots with 65 and 62 points, respectively.
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313 Esports ended up in 12th place with 61 points after a mediocre run in the first three days of the PMGO SA Finals. Seventh. Elements and A1 RG Esports garnered 55 points each. Pakistani squads Koxav and Red Saints are in the bottom two with 53 and 48 points, respectively.
The fourth and final day of the PMGO 2026 SA Finals will be crucial for all the participants. All 16 teams wil try their best to secure a spot in the top three and advance to the Main Event, scheduled to take place June 2026 in Indonesia.
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“After so many years in this sport, my motivation is still the same: to challenge myself, represent Mexico, and continue building my legacy.
“Mbilli is undefeated, and a great fighter, and I respect that. But my focus is always on my preparation, performance, and giving the fans another great night of boxing.
“On September 12 in Riyadh, we begin a new chapter with the same discipline, ambition, and vision that has carried me throughout my career.”
Mbilli secured the interim WBC belt by beating Maciej Sulecki in June of 2025 and reatined it after an entertaining draw with Lester Martinez on the Canelo vs Crawford undercard. When Crawford retired, 29-0-1 Mbilli was elevated to full champion.
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In his own statement, the new champion promised ‘the fight of the decade’.
“My last fight was the fight of the year. In September, against Canelo Alvarez, it will be the fight of the decade. And when the fight is over, the world will witness a historic victory for me.”
The fight will top the bill of a card titled ‘Mexico vs the world’, with undercard details expected to be revealed at next week’s launch press conference in Egypt.
Melquizael Costa is looking to continue his climb up the featherweight ladder as he squares off against Arnold Allen in the headline a Fight Night card from the Meta Apex in Las Vegas. Catch the action on Sportsnet 360, with preliminary coverage beginning at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT.
As the 108th PGA Championship finishes up this weekend at Aronimink Golf Club outside of Philadelphia, the men’s major season will officially be half over. And the next PGA Championship will be a year away. That one will be in Texas, at a (mostly) brand-new venue that’s going to play a massive role for the PGA of America going forward.
Scroll below to check out where the next nine PGA Championships are heading, beginning with the Lone Star State.
The next 9 PGA Championship venues
2027: PGA Frisco (Frisco, Texas)
The 2027 PGA will be the biggest event to date held at the new PGA of America headquarters in Frisco, Texas, which opened just a handful of years ago. PGA Frisco is anchored by two championship courses, a short course, a massive practice facility and a sprawling Omni resort. The 2027 PGA will be at Fields Ranch East, designed by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner. The course has already hosted the 2023 Senior PGA Championship and last year’s KPMG Women’s PGA.
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2028: The Olympic Club, Lake Course (San Francisco)
This longtime USGA tournament host gets its first PGA Championship in 2028, although it’s no stranger to big events. Webb Simpson won the last of five U.S. Opens there in 2012, and Olympic hosted the U.S. Women’s Open in 2021. Even bigger things are coming yet — like the 2033 Ryder Cup.
It’s the first time a major returns to the famed New Jersey course since Jimmy Walker won the PGA Championship in 2016, and it’s also the first time the Lower Course will host a major since Hanse completed his renovation of the A.W. Tillinghast design in 2021.
The last time Congressional’s Blue Course hosted a major, Rory McIlroy avenged a final-round Masters collapse by winning the 2011 U.S. Open a couple of months later by eight strokes. Since then, Congressional has hosted a Women’s PGA Championship and Senior PGA Championship. It will host another Women’s PGA in 2027 before the 2030 men’s PGA.
2031: The Ocean Course (Kiawah Island, S.C.)
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The last time a PGA Championship was at the Ocean Course — which was also host to one notable Ryder Cup, the 1991 “War on the Shore” — 50-year-old Phil Mickelson turned back the clock and became the oldest major champion in history with his victory in 2021. The Ocean Course also hosted the 2012 PGA Championship, won by McIlroy.
2032: Southern Hills Country Club (Tulsa, Okla.)
Southern Hills is no stranger to PGA Championships, and it will host its sixth in 2032. Tiger Woods won there in 2007, and Justin Thomas was the latest champ, when he won in 2022 to claim his second PGA Championship title.
Southern Hills in Tulsa, Okla.
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2033: Bethpage Black (Farmingdale, N.Y.)
The PGA Championship returns to big, bad Bethpage Black, the gnarly course’s first PGA of America event since the 2025 Ryder Cup. It will be Bethpage’s first PGA since Brooks Koepka won in 2019.
2034: PGA Frisco (Frisco, Texas)
See above. We told you there were big plans ahead for PGA Frisco. The PGA Championship returns there just seven years after its first.
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2035: Oak Hill Country Club, East Course (Rochester, N.Y.)
The New York club has hosted majors and U.S. Amateurs for decades, and this will be just the latest chapter. Koepka won the last PGA Championship there, held in 2023.
Chris Newsome (with ball) comes through for Meralco. —PBA IMAGES
In a game packed with haymakers from start to finish, Meralco nipped Magnolia, 105-102, in overtime of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals at Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
The fourth-seeded Bolts, who lost their twice-to-beat advantage after falling to the Hotshots in Game 1, thus clinched a semifinals of the import-laden conference, where they will face either TNT or NLEX.
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“They beat us two times, could’ve been a third tonight,” said coach Luigi Trillo.
“This win is a testament to how the boys responded for us. They were told at halftime that we were right there, and eventually these guys pulled through.”
Costly miss
In overtime, with the score tied at 100-all, Bong Quinto—who struggled mightily early in the game—knocked down a midrange jumper to give Meralco a 102-100 lead with 37.9 seconds remaining.
Jerom Lastimosa, who had played hero for most of the extra period, missed a costly free throw that left Magnolia trailing, 102-101.
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Meralco drew split charities from Quinto and CJ Cansino for a 104-101 lead. A costly turnover by Lastimosa on Magnolia’s next possession ultimately kept the game out of reach for the Hotshots.
Meralco led by five late in the fourth quarter, 84-79, before Magnolia unleashed an 8-3 run to tie the game at 87-all with 2:41 remaining.
Chris Newsome then took matters into his own hands for the Bolts, scoring at the 1:05 mark before Lastimosa answered with a triple to put Magnolia ahead, 90-89, with less than a minute left.
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“For us, it was about showing heart, going out and playing every possession like it was our last,” said Newsome, who finished with 18 points and five assists.
“You have to be able to execute well in playoff basketball. I’m glad our guys stuck to it today.”
Timely triple
When Magnolia appeared to have the momentum, the Bolts turned to Quinto for a timely triple that pushed Meralco back in front, 92-90, with 29.5 seconds to go.
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Lastimosa, who finished with 28 points, refused to go quietly, converting a breakaway layup to tie the game at 92-all with 9.6 seconds remaining.
With a chance to win it in regulation, Newsome launched a short jumper that missed by inches, sending the game into overtime.
Marvin Jones finished just shy of a double-double with 28 points and nine rebounds. Cansino and Cliff Hodge added 18 and 16 points, respectively, for the Bolts.
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Clint Chapman and Mark Barroca scored 26 and 22 points, respectively, in the Magnolia loss. INQ
NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. – Nick Taylor’s coach gave his pupil a singular thought for Saturday at the PGA Championship – just commit to the shots he needed to hit. Taylor’s ball-striking has long been elite and there was no sense, now, in waffling on anything.
Kudos to Taylor, who must be a tremendous listener.
He ended up gaining more than four shots to the field in both the approach-the-green and tee-to-green ball-striking statistics on Saturday, specifically and thanks to a bogey-free 65 in the third round at Aronimink Golf Club. Taylor’s the only golfer in the top 10 of the leaderboard whose scorecard was free of blemishes on Saturday, and the Canadian is firmly in the mix at the PGA Championship.
Taylor sits at 4 under for the tournament and as the final group made the turn, Taylor was just one shot back of the lead heading into Sunday’s finale.
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With a knowing look, Mark McCann – Taylor’s coach – told Sportsnet “we all know” what happens when Taylor gets close to the lead late on Sunday. Indeed, Taylor’s last three victories on the PGA Tour have come in playoffs including the epic 2023 triumph at the RBC Canadian Open.
Just play, we’ll handle the rest
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There’s been a bit of beloved nostalgia through May for Taylor, who three weeks ago switched back to the same putter he used to win in Canada. Since the change, he’s notched two top-15 finishes in a row on the PGA Tour and this week at Aronimink he sits fourth in strokes gained: putting.
The day for Taylor started spectacularly even before the first shot was hit as he was paired with fellow Canadian Corey Conners for the third round. Taylor is sharing a home with Conners this week, they had breakfast together and drove into the course together. Why not?
They both had it going early, with Conners making four birdies in a row on Nos. 3-6 and adding another on the par-4 10th. The train fell off the tracks quickly for Conners through the back nine – he gave all those birdies back with four bogeys in a row on Nos. 12-15 and then stumbled into the house with two more bogeys on Nos. 17 and 18 to shoot a 2-over 72.
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Taylor Pendrith, the other Canadian who made the cut, shot a 3-under 67 and currently leads the field in birdies.
Taylor, however, was able to stay in his own steady bubble while Conners was struggling late.
“Everything was very good today,” Taylor said. “The iron game was definitely kind of back to myself, in a sense, where it’s the strength of my game, and today gave myself a lot of opportunities. Just hit a lot of greens, gave myself relatively routine pars. It was a steady day. It was comfortable pairing with Corey.
“Bogey-free round around here is no easy task, so I’m proud of that today.”
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Taylor was seemingly quick to praise all aspects of his game Saturday – which was completely valid considering that he trotted around Aronimink without a square on his scorecard. Driving, he explained, was another thing he’d worked hard on the last few weeks after a realization at the Cadillac Championship two weeks ago.
He was in contention there, a signature event on the PGA Tour, but just “didn’t drive it well enough” to keep climbing the leaderboard.
“To compete at events where it was a little more penal off the tee with rough, (I) worked hard on that the last couple of weeks. I feel like it’s gotten better every day and that’s definitely been a key this week,” Taylor said.
Taylor got into the clubhouse at 4 under alongside Matti Schmid and Jon Rahm, while Rory McIlroy was amongst the group just one further back at 3 under. McIlroy was tied for 105th after his 4-over 74 on Thursday and no one has come from further back after the first round in major championship history to eventually hoist the trophy Sunday night.
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In 14 of the last 15 PGA Championships, the eventual winner was either leading or within two shots of the lead at the end of the third round.
“I think it’s just setting yourself little targets,” McIlroy said of his focused effort to climb out of the hole he dug after Thursday. “(On Friday) I set myself a target of getting back to even-par for the tournament, didn’t quite get there, was one shy. Again today, set myself a target of if I could get to 5-under par, one better than the leaders going out (again) didn’t quite get there, but I think just setting yourself these little targets, it helps you just lock in and focus on yourself and not really think about anything else that’s going on.”
There was plenty of volatility in the leaderboard Saturday at the PGA Championship and while there are some big names within shouting distance of the top of the leaderboard, there’s a Canadian with a tremendous chance to win the whole thing.
“Luckily I’ll have a chance tomorrow, whatever that will be,” Taylor said, “and we’ll kind of take it from there.”
Minnesota Vikings safety Theo Jackson (26) lines up defensively during NFC Wild Card action against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Jan. 13, 2025. Jackson contributed to Minnesota’s secondary rotation during the postseason matchup as the Vikings attempted to slow the Rams’ passing attack on the playoff stage in Arizona. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
Heading into each summer, every NFL team has players on the roster bubble — that’s just the way it goes. The following list is the Minnesota Vikings’ version for 2026.
Minnesota’s summer roster math could get uncomfortable for some dudes.
The club currently employs 90 players, a number that will be dwindled to 53 by the end of August. Ranked in ascending order of impact, there are the roster-bubble guys in 2026 (No. 1 = highest-profile bubble guy).
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Five Vikings Facing Pressure before Training Camp
Who’s your top roster-bubble candidate?
Tennessee Titans defenders Cedric Gray and Jarvis Brownlee Jr. bring down Minnesota Vikings tight end Ben Yurosek during preseason action on Aug. 22, 2025, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. Yurosek continued battling for a roster role during exhibition play as Minnesota evaluated depth options at tight end ahead of final roster cuts later in the preseason process. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles-The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
5. Ben Yurosek (TE)
The easiest way to think of Yurosek, an undrafted free agent from 2025, on the roster bubble is to peek at the depth chart:
TE1: T.J. Hockenson TE2: Josh Oliver TE3: Ben Yurosek TE4: Gavin Bartholomew TE5: Bryson Nesbit
Minnesota used a 6th-Round pick on Bartholomew last season, but he didn’t play at all due to injuries. If Bartholomew is the real deal, well, Yurosek isn’t needed. The Vikings would have to keep four tight ends to accommodate Yurosek.
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Two things are certain: Hockenson and Oliver won’t be cut. That leaves Bartholomew versus Yurosek for TE3. Bartholomew’s draft stock suggests that he’s the frontrunner.
4. Dwight McGlothern (CB)
Minnesota added two new cornerbacks this offseason to complicate McGlothern’s life: veteran James Pierre and rookie Charles Demmings.
Pierre and Demmings will not be released amid roster trimdowns in August. Not happening. That leaves McGlothern on the bubble, a familiar spot because he’s usually right there at the 53-man cut-off or eyeing the practice squad.
Thankfully for his sake, the Vikings did not re-sign Jeff Okudah. McGlothern turns 24 this offseason, so if he wants to forge a serious NFL career, now is the time for him to make some noise.
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3. Zavier Scott (RB)
Two words: Demond Claiborne. The Vikings drafted Claiborne from Wake Forest in Round 6 last month, and he will be included on the regular season roster, almost no matter what.
That forces a tricky situation for Scott, who finally got regular season playing time last year as an RB3. The Vikings will probably need to keep four halfbacks to keep Scott’s job safe.
From a May perspective, Scott feels like an odd man out or a practice squad guy once again.
2. Walter Rouse (OT)
Remember the tight end depth chart? Here’s the OT version in May:
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Christian Darrisaw
Brian O’Neill
Ryan Van Demark
Caleb Tiernan
Walter Rouse
Caleb Etienne
Tristan Leigh
When the club finalized the 2025 53-man roster, it kept four offensive tackles. Right now, Rouse can reasonably be considered the OT5. Due to the additions of Van Demark and Tiernan, Rouse will face serious competition this summer, whereas in years past, he was just a shoo-in because of skimpy OT depth.
Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Walter Rouse warms up before practice during training camp on Aug. 2, 2024, in Eagan, Minnesota. Rouse entered camp as a developmental offensive lineman competing for depth-chart positioning while Minnesota continued evaluating long-term options along the offensive front during preparations for the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Rouse must pray that the Vikings want five OTs in September. Otherwise, it’s a practice squad fate around the bend.
Our Kyle Joudry noted on Rouse in late March, “Sometimes, teams allow veterans to leave since there’s an in-house young fella who is ready to step up. Look at the decision to say goodbye to Jalen Nailor. Doing so offers a hint that there’s optimism for what Tai Felton can do.”
“Is the same true for Walter Rouse? It doesn’t appear so. The Vikings sent over $4.27 million to steal away OT3 Ryan Van Demark from the Bills. The offensive tackle was a 6th-Round selection in 2024. A modest rookie season was to be expected, but not as much rolling into his sophomore year.”
Joudry remarked on Rouse’s roster uncertainty before Minnesota drafted Tiernan.
He concluded, “Rouse got some early work but then was inactive for a good portion of the season’s second half. Quite possibly, Minnesota lets the competition play out, but the Vikings have taken some actions that suggest a more pessimistic view of Rouse’s outlook. Seeing him get subtracted won’t be super surprising.”
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1. Theo Jackson (S)
Jackson’s path to playing time has become significantly more challenging, even before clarity emerges regarding Harrison Smith’s future.
Minnesota Vikings safety Theo Jackson reacts during an NFC wild-card matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on Jan. 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Jackson continued carving out a larger defensive role late in the season as Minnesota leaned on its secondary depth during postseason action against the eventual NFC playoff representative. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Vikings’ 3rd-Round selection of safety Jakobe Thomas introduces another young safety with a similar skill set to Jackson’s. This further problematizes an already difficult situation for Jackson, whose playing time diminished late in the 2025 season when the Vikings benched him in favor of Jay Ward. Consequently, even if Smith were to depart, Jackson still faces a formidable uphill battle for a roster spot or significant snaps.
Should Smith return for his 15th season, Jackson’s prospects would be even bleaker. He could find himself fighting for any playing time during the season or simply striving to secure a place on the team by September. Jackson, as a roster-bubble guy, is really a if-this-then-that situation regarding Smith. Jackson’s job security may change if Smith returns.
All told, Jackson posted a 68.4 grade from Pro Football Focus last year, while his teammate Ward notched a 70.4 grade. Brian Flores may deploy Ward in 2026 instead of Jackson.
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Iran are scheduled to play all three of their group matches in the United States but the team’s participation in the June 11 to July 19 tournament has been in question since the US and Israelattacked Iran in late February.
“We’ve had an excellent meeting and constructive meeting together with the Iran FA,” Grafstrom said during a visit to Istanbul. “We’re working closely together and looking very much forward to welcoming them in the FIFA World Cup.”
Iran holds farewell ceremony for 2026 World Cup football team
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A member of Iran’s national soccer team attends a farewell ceremony ahead of their departure to the 2026 World Cup in Tehran, Iran, May 13, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS.via REUTERS – Majid Asgaripour
The US and Canada, who are co-hosting the World Cup with Mexico, classify the IRGC as a “terrorist entity” and have made it clear they will not admit people with links to the elite military force.
Grafstrom declined to provide details on the visa situation for Iran’s players, but said the two sides had the opportunity to discuss some of the operational matters and had a positive exchange.
Taj told Reuters that FFIRI had a very good meeting with Grafstrom and other FIFA officials.
“I am pleased that they listened to Iran’s points, all 10 points that we had raised, and they offered solutions for each of them. I hope, God willing, that our national team can go to the World Cup without any problems and achieve very good results there,” he said.
Asked if FIFA had secured assurances on entry and visa arrangements for Iran’s players, Grafstrom declined to elaborate.
“We’ve discussed all relevant matters, but I think it’s not the place to discuss the details,” he said. “Overall, a very positive meeting and we’re looking forward to continuing the dialogue.”
Iran had asked for their World Cup matches to be switched to Mexico but FIFA President Gianni Infantino insists that all games must be played at the grounds originally scheduled.
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Iran’s squad will leave Tehran for a training camp in Turkey on Monday before moving on to their US base at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona in early June.
Iran are scheduled to get their World Cup campaign under way against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. They are also due to play Belgium and Egypt in Group G.
Progressive gains have accompanied each season, leading trainer John Moloney to seek further strides from Hearcomesthestar at her Flemington engagement.
Hearcomesthestar holds six triumphs across 28 starts plus eight more podium finishes, though Stakes competition has eluded top results.
Her single Listed placing came at Geelong this year, and Moloney hopes Hearcomesthestar grabs Black Type in the Listed Straight Six (1200m) on Saturday.
Moloney took the Straight Six in 2005 using Songs Of Vienna, akin in profile to Hearcomesthestar.
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“I won this race with Songs Of Vienna and she was there at the right time,” Moloney said.
“So, it’s probably not a bad race to go after with this mare, especially as The Goodwood was run last week in Adelaide where all the good sprinters went around.
“It’s a chance race for a horse like her to get some Black Type.”
Winning her Sandown debut in May 2023, Hearcomesthestar has faced Stakes annually since, hovering midfield.
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Strength and maturity have brought steady betterment to Hearcomesthestar, per Moloney.
Mares like Bella Nipotina, Black Caviar, Pride Of Jenni, and Via Sistina exemplify this age-related uplift for Moloney.
“She has steadily got better from prep to prep to where she is now,” Moloney said.
“A little bit stronger, a little bit better, not by big margins but just each time she has come back into training there has been improvement, so to take on some Black Type racing, as we are on Saturday, it’s worthwhile.
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“I’m not saying we’re Bella Nipotina or Via Sistina, or mares like that, but they seemed to get better with age.
“They trained on, so it’s amazing, that if they are looked after, they can keep producing pretty good runs.
“Here’s hoping she can keep finding that little bit extra for these types of races.”
Her Bendigo fresh-up effort, closing from last for third behind Stoli Bolli, boosted Moloney’s confidence.
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“It was fantastic,” Moloney said.
“The way she got home from the back, to make up that ground with 59 (kilos) on her back.
“We’re meeting the winner again, Stoli Bolli, and I would like to think that wherever it finishes, we won’t be far away again with reasonable luck.”
Check racing betting markets for the Straight Six via top betting sites at betting sites.
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