The Minnesota Vikings had no youth in their running back room — until late Saturday afternoon. After a trade back into the 6th Round, interim general manager Rob Brzezinski drafted Wake Forest’s Demond Claiborne, and just like that, fans have a twinge of hope that a youth movement at tailback could be on the horizon.

Minnesota added burst, return value, and another backfield variable for Kevin O’Connell’s offense.

Veteran Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones will presumably get the bulk of carries early next season, but if injuries arise, Claiborne could be tapped on the shoulder.

Claiborne Adds Speed to a Backfield That Needed More Juice

One drafted halfback is better than zero drafted halfbacks.

It’s Claiborne for MIN in Round 6

Vikings fans waited anxiously during the draft’s first five rounds for a new running back — that didn’t arrive. Then, after a trade with the New England Patriots, the drought ended.

Vikings.com’s Rob Kleifield announced, “The Vikings offense added speed you can’t teach in the sixth round. Minnesota selected former Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne with the 198th pick of the 2026 NFL Draft on Saturday, jolting its backfield with a Second-Team All-ACC runner who has red-hot wheels. The Vikings vaulted up the draft board to snag Claiborne, sending No. 234 and a 2027 sixth-round pick to New England in exchange for 198, which Minnesota twice previously owned (the third time’s the charm).”

“Claiborne, 22, led Wake Forest in rushing each of the past three seasons and followed up 1,049 yards on the ground in 2024 with 907 in 2025. In total, Claiborne carried 558 times in college for 2,599 yards and 26 touchdowns, including double-digit TDs in his final two go-rounds.”

On paper, the Claiborne draft pick doesn’t quite pack the punch of Jeremiyah Love (Arizona Cardinals) or Jadarian Price (Seattle Seahawks) from earlier in the draft, but for Minnesota, it’s a step in the right direction.

Get to Know Claiborne

Claiborne is 5’10” and 190 pounds. He has 4.37 speed, and after the Vikings lost Jalen Nailor, Rondale Moore (RIP), and Ty Chandler this offseason, the club desperately needs more speed. Claiborne is that.

The strengths:

• Change-of-direction fluidity
• Special teams versatility
• Balance
• Intense breakaway speed

Weaknesses:

• Does not have prototypical size of a workhorse running back
• Fumbles
• Pass protection will need a lot of work
• Drops as a pass-catcher
• Not tackle-breaking savant

The Ringer‘s Todd McShay on Claiborne: “Claiborne is an undersized back who is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. He ran the third-fastest 40 time among running backs at the combine. He doesn’t need much of a crease to pull away in the run game, after the catch, and in the return game.”

“He can press the line of scrimmage, get linebackers to commit and make late cuts. He can make defenders miss in the hole. He’s an effective cutback runner. He uses jab steps and hesitation to shake defenders in space. He’s not a power back, but he keeps moving his feet, and he breaks tackles with contact balance. Scouts have expressed concerns about his maturity and ability to control his emotions in the past.”

Claiborne is the first running back drafted by the Vikings since DeWayne McBride in Round 7 three years ago. Minnesota still hasn’t picked a tailback in the draft’s first four rounds since 2019. That drought continues.

McShay added, “He appeared to lose his cool when he spiked the ball after dropping a pass against North Carolina last season. Claiborne’s not built to carry a heavy workload in the NFL. Claiborne is unlikely to develop into a team’s primary ballcarrier, but he has the skill set to develop into an excellent complementary back.”

“There are backs that ran as well as Claiborne and didn’t reach their upside in the NFL and he carries a mid-round grade for a reason. De’Von Achane, a 2023 third-round pick, is an optimistic comparison. Achane is faster than Claiborne, but both players are explosive and possess similar frames.”

Why the Pick Matters

Last year, the Vikings began to turn the corner into a competent rushing offense:

But here’s the main problem:

Minnesota ran the ball at the NFL’s 13th-best efficiency clip but ranked 13th-least in rushing playcall percentage. The Claiborne pick matters because he could inspire Minnesota to establish a more balanced offense.

O’Connell’s offense will not be unlocked to its fullest potential until it runs the ball at a balanced rate, at least compared to other playoff-contending teams.

NFL Comparisons

Looking for a stylistic comparison for Claiborne? Say less.

The Achane comp is important for one reason: the Vikings plucked Achane’s offensive coordinator, Frank Smith, from the last four years as their new assistant head coach earlier in the offseason. Achane is 5’9 and 190 pounds. He’s not “supposed” to be a Top 8 NFL running back at his size. But he is.

The optimistic take? Smith can massage Claiborne into some variation of Achane in Minnesota. That’s the Holy Grail scenario.

Claiborne will turn 23 in October.

Blistering fifties by Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma guided Sunrisers Hyderabad to a five-wicket win Saturday after teen prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi blasted 103 off 37 balls for Rajasthan Royals. Led by Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins, who made an impressive IPL return after a long injury layoff, Hyderabad chased down a target of 229 with nine balls to spare in Jaipur. Sooryavanshi torched the Hyderabad bowling attack after skipper Cummins won the toss and put Rajasthan in to bat. The 15-year-old Sooryavanshi hit four consecutive sixes in the opening over to set the tone, and then hit Cummins, bowling the second over, for a six off his first ball that he faced. 

He hit 12 sixes and five boundaries in his power-packed innings, which ended in the 14th over with Rajasthan at 170-3.

After his opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal (10) fell early, Sooryavanshi was ably supported by Dhruv Jurel, who hit a 35-ball 51.

South Africa’s Donovan Ferreira added a quick 33, and was the only other notable contributor for Rajasthan, who lost their momentum after Sooryavanshi departed. 

Cummins bowled four tidy overs for Hyderabad and finished with 1-27. 

Rajasthan paid heavily for missed chances early in the Hyderabad innings. 

England’s Jofra Archer opened with a fiery spell, removing Australia’s Travis Head off the fifth ball, after wicketkeeper Jurel dropped a regulation catch at the start of the over. 

Archer finished with 2-34 and was the most potent Rajasthan bowler but recieved little support.

His fast-bowling partner, South Africa’s Nandre Burger, was wicketless in 3.3 overs and gave away 50 runs. 

Kishan and Abhishek grasped the initiative and raced to 139 in the 10th over, before the latter fell for 57. Kishan followed soon after, out for 74 with Hyderabad at 166-3.

Heinrich Klaasen (29) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (36) took Hyderabad closer to the target before Salil Arora and Aniket Verma got them over the line. 

Cummins said it was a “really good win” and an ideal way to return to competition. His last outing was against England in the third Ashes Test at Adelaide in December.

“Never quite sure how it’ll come out first game (back),” he said.

Cummins also praised RR’s 15-year-old batting prodigy, calling him his new “favourite player”.

“Yeah, I think he’s my new favourite player. He hits the ball so hard, it’s great to watch. It’s good fun.

“You’ve got to be right on the money as bowler. Because if you’re not, it’s going a long way. He’s impressive.

“He’s had a great start to his career. I love the way he plays. It takes the game on.”

(WIth Added Inputs)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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IPL 2026 News | Shami’s Sensation Leads Lucknow to First Win of Season

Every QB taken in 2026 NFL Draft: Updated results originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The NFL Draft has arrived. No more conjecture or hypothetical. Five months of preparations and the biggest job interview in the world will now become real. 

Viewers have become accustomed to certain similarities. The best quarterbacks, edge rushers, offensive linemen and cornerbacks are towards the top, while running backs, safeties and linebackers are less prioritized at the top. In 2026, they throw out almost all the positional tendencies and trends. 

The 2026 Draft has been called a one-quarterback draft. While that perception is accurate, it’s not a literal representation. There is one prospect that should become a franchise quarterback.

Every other player from QB2-QB26 had less than ideal evaluations. While there is only one expected day one starter at the position, there are plenty of prospects to consider, even if they might need some development.

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Delhi Capitals batter Karun Nair was on the receiving end of brutal trolling after dropping two regulation catches of Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer, costing his side dearly in a high-scoring IPL 2026 clash. In the space of just four deliveries, Karun dropped Shreyas on 28 at long-off, and again on 35 at long-on, inadvertently allowing PBKS to chase a record 265 on a docile track. Karun’s dropped catches proved costly, as Shreyas went on to smash an unbeaten 71 off just 36 balls.

Following Karun’s horror show at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, fans mocked the veteran batter by resurfacing an old, emotional post. 

Back in 2022, Karun had famously tweeted: “Dear cricket, give me one more chance.”

Here’s how internet reacted:

“GIVE ME ONE MORE CHANCE” – KARUN NAIR’S HEARTBREAKING CONFESSION

Karun Nair said – “Dear Cricket, just give me one more chance!” After the DC horror show, this old post is viral again. From a triple century to being ignored, his mind is in total pain! pic.twitter.com/P9S1QfohI4

— Sam (@Cricsam01) April 26, 2026

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Dear Cricket

Please don’t give anymore chances to Karun Nair.#dcvspbks

— CAPTAIN (@piyushkulkarn18) April 25, 2026

Karun Nair once begged: ‘Dear Cricket, give me one more chance’ Cricket gave him chance after chance. Now it’s Tata Bye Bye https://t.co/0q3IE6gK1s pic.twitter.com/y6Dxb0DcYC

— Shakur Surve (@Shakurs17) April 25, 2026

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Dear Cricket please don’t give chance to Karun Nair

— Rohan007 (@rx07meme) April 25, 2026

In the first incident, Shreyas mistimed a shot off Vipraj Nigam toward long-off. Karun settled under the ball but was unable to hold on.

Four balls later, Shreyas miscued once again-this time off a delivery from Kuldeep Yadav-but Karun spilled the chance yet again.

Meanwhile, Shreyas has been sensational for PBKS this season, scoring 279 runs in seven matches and six innings at an average of 69.75 and a strike rate of 186.00, including four fifties and a best score of 71*.

Since joining the franchise last year, he has made 886 runs in 24 matches and 23 innings at an average of 55.18 and a strike rate of 178.38, including 10 fifties, marking an era of transformation for his T20 game.

(With ANI Inputs)

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IPL 2026 | Delhi Capitals Wins By 6 Wickets Against Mumbai Indians: Redemption For Sameer Rizvi

Franziska Kett went from hero to villain as Bayern Munich fought back to ensure they will travel to Barcelona for the decisive leg of their Women’s Champions League semi-final all square.

Kett cancelled out Ewa Pajor’s first-half opener at the Allianz Arena, but was then shown a red card for pulling Salma Paralluelo’s hair as a hard-fought first leg ended 1-1 with Bayern having to survive a late onslaught.

Barca were ahead with just eight minutes on the clock when Pajor met Esmee Brugts’ cross with a deft touch to guide the ball past keeper Ena Mahmutovic, although it took a fine save from Cata Coll to keep out Kett’s curling attempt three minutes before the break.

Brugts was denied a second for the visitors by a post and Patri Guijarro had a header cleared off the goal-line before Claudia Pina’s follow-up was saved, but the hosts were back on terms with 69 minutes gone when Kett beat Cata Coll.

Kett’s evening ended in disgrace with 11 minutes remaining and Mahmutovic had to be at her best to repel Mapi Leon’s piledriver at the end.

Defending champions Arsenal face eight-time winners Lyon in Sunday’s semi-final.

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In March, things appeared dicey for Aaron Jones and the Minnesota Vikings.

Word had circulated that the team was going to move on, but there was an 11^th-hour resolution where the veteran agreed to a pay cut to stick around the Twin Cities. The veteran is back for a minimum of one more season.

I spoke with Jones at the Vikings’ draft part at U.S. Bank Stadium. Naturally, the conversation worked into the 2026 NFL Draft. What was his message to those who were being drafted late? How do you have a ten-year career, become a starter, and go to the Pro Bowl? Aaron Jones has done all of those things.

Check out some of his response: “It’s make the most of every opportunity. That opportunity could be an opportunity to get into the cold tub, the opportunity to get in a hyperbaric chamber, extra stretching session. Just maximizing your resources that are there for you.”

Aaron Jones Offers a Message to the Rookies

Sometimes, players (and coaches) fall victim to standard football lingo.

Everyone talks about being tough, working hard, and being a team-first player. Some of that is worked into the Jones answer, but I tend to trust his sincerity. And, to be sure, the proof is in the pudding. Not the fastest, the largest, nor the highest picked, Jones has been in the NFL since going in the 5^th of the 2017 NFL Draft. Clearly, he has something figured out.

His ideas about the young fellas taking care of their body makes sense. Note that he’s talking about that as someone who is in his early 30s and not his early 20s. Maybe some of that insight has been hard earned, but the point remains that the incoming talent would be wise to soak it up from the start of their careers.

What’s also of note from his answer was his emphasis on the NFL being a business. Again, that’s the sort of saying that’s so general and overused that it has been hollowed of its meaning, but he offered further clarity to add nice insight to what he means.

Per Jones, the rookies are “always being evaluated, whether [they] know it or not.” That much is obvious when they’re in practice or playing in a game, but it goes beyond that. The way these guys carry themselves in the building matters. In meetings, it’s vital to be able to demonstrate an understanding of one’s responsibilities within specific plays. Doing so builds trust from the coaches – key to getting onto the field – while proving that work is being done to digest the playbook.

Kick it over to Aaron Jones for these precise ideas: “Even when you’re sitting in the meeting room, and they ask you a question, I’m going to show them that I’m ready, I’ve been in my playbook.” Further from Jones: “I feel like a lot of it comes down to trust.”

Being able to “show your value” is what’s now needed from the incoming talent, especially with the margin being thinner for a late-round player than a 1^st-Round player.

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Think of things this way. Tearing it up in college means earning a ticket to get into the NFL. Now that the rookies have done so, there’s now a new challenge, something else that needs to be earned. Being in the NFL is just the beginning; the focus now turns toward earning a roster spot alongside a job on Sunday. That could be on specials or possibly by getting worked into either of offense or defense. Some may even work into the starting lineup.

Aaron Jones, 31, is coming back in 2026 as a co-favorite to be the Vikings’ top running back (Jordan Mason is competing with him). At the very least, he’ll be an excellent option on 3^rd down as one of the NFL’s most underrated receiving backs. He’s a strong pass blocker and can still move the ball on the ground, so he helps keep the Vikings unpredictable.

Rookies would do well to follow the veteran’s example, mirroring his habits to arrive at a better chance of overcoming the modest expectations that are imposed on Day 3 players.

The 2026 NFL Draft finishes off today.

---

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

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Iga Swiatek’s struggles continued with a tearful withdrawal during her third-round match against Ann Li at the Madrid Open.

The former world number one, who is yet to advance beyond the quarter-finals at any event this season, revealed afterwards she is battling a virus and she had her temperature and blood pressure checked after losing the opening two games of the deciding set.

After taking pills, Swiatek initially continued, but she looked lethargic and pulled the plug trailing American Li 6-7 (4) 6-2 0-3 0-30 before walking off the court in tears.

“The last two days were pretty terrible,” said the Pole. “I think I have some virus.

“It’s been some hours fine, some hours pretty bad. I heard there is something going on between players, that the virus is somewhere on site. I’m sure I’ll be fine in a couple of days, but I had zero energy.

“I just felt really bad physically, and yesterday, even worse. I thought maybe today it’s going to be better – maybe it was, but not enough to play a match.”

Swiatek looked to have turned the contest around after losing a tight opening set but it was no surprise when she called it a day given her demeanour in the third set.

Asked if she considered not taking to the court at all, the fourth seed said: “I knew that it was going to be hard but I still wanted to try.

“In the third set I started feeling a little bit dizzy and not really coordinated. I couldn’t really drink anything because I just felt like I’m full constantly, and the energy went down drastically.”

Swiatek will now focus on recovering before turning her thoughts to the Italian Open in Rome next month, where she will hope to find form under new coach Francisco Roig ahead of Roland Garros.

“It’s sad for me that I can’t play because I was feeling really good with my game, and I was moving forward in the process,” she said.

“The tournament has just started. I couldn’t even compete today, so it’s disappointing.”

It has also been a difficult season for two-time grand slam finalist Jasmine Paolini and she crashed out in the third round, losing 7-5 6-3 to American Hailey Baptiste.

In the men’s singles, second seed Alexander Zverev dropped a set against Argentina’s Mariano Navone but recovered to claim a 6-1 3-6 6-3 victory.

The German potentially stands to benefit the most from the news Carlos Alcaraz will not play at the French Open because of a wrist injury, with Zverev set to be elevated to second seed in Paris.

But the 28-year-old, who lost an epic semi-final to Alcaraz at the Australian Open in January, insisted he takes no pleasure in the Spaniard’s absence, saying: “It’s sad for tennis.

“As he said himself, he’s so young and his career will be so, so long and I think that’s what he’s looking out for. Of course, it’s never nice if he’s missing at big tournaments, I think we need him, tennis is more exciting with him, for sure.

“In my opinion, to win a major, you have to beat the best players in the world. Of course, the last couple of months Jannik (Sinner) has been the best player and he’s obviously still there and he’s the heavy favourite now.

“I don’t want them to not be there. I’m still going to compete my hardest and I’m still going to try to win the tournament, but having them there is the better thing.”

Defending champion Casper Ruud raced to a 6-0 6-1 win over Spain’s Jaume Munar while third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime is also through to the third round.