Training camp begins today. Or, at least, the rookies are arriving at TCO Performance Center to get things rolling. Offering up a Vikings 53-man roster projection therefore feels appropriate.

I’ve offered a guess earlier, doing so for PurplePTSD in the spring. Included here is the second edition. There will be a third and final educated guess just before the cuts take place at the end of August. Feel free to hit me on social media, that god-forsaken land, with your opinion of what’s right, wrong, or at least debatable.

A Vikings 53-Man Roster Projection

Offense (25 Players)

QB:

• QB1 Kyler Murray
• QB2 J.J. McCarthy
• QB3 Carson Wentz

RB:

• RB1 Aaron Jones
• RB2 Jordan Mason
• RB3 Demond Claiborne
• RB4 Max Bredeson (FB)

TE:

• TE1 T.J. Hockenson
• TE2 Josh Oliver
• TE3 Ben Yurosek
• TE4 Gavin Bartholomew

WR:

• WR1 Justin Jefferson
• WR2 Jordan Addison
• WR3 Jauan Jennings
• WR4 Dillon Bell
• WR5 Myles Price

OT:

• LT1 Christian Darrisaw
• RT1 Brian O’Neill
• OT3 Ryan Van Demark
• OT4 Caleb Tiernan

OG:

• LG1 Donovan Jackson
• RG1 Will Fries
• OG3 Vershon Lee

C:

• C1 Blake Brandel
• C2 Michael Jurgens

Defense (25 Players)

EDGE:

• EDGE1 Andrew Van Ginkel
• EDGE2 Dallas Turner
• EDGE3 Bo Richter
• EDGE4 Tyler Batty
• EDGE5 Chaz Chambliss

DL:

• DL1 Jalen Redmond
• DL2 Caleb Banks
• DL3 Domonique Orange
• DL4 Levi Drake Rodriguez
• DL5 Ty Ingram-Dawkins
• DL6 Elijah Williams

LB:

• LB1 Blake Cashman
• LB2 Eric Wilson
• LB3 Jake Golday
• LB4 Ivan Pace Jr.

CB:

• CB1 Byron Murphy Jr.
• CB2 Isaiah Rodgers
• CB3 James Pierre
• CB4 Chuck Demmings

S:

• S1 Josh Metellus
• S2 Jay Ward
• S3 Theo Jackson
• S4 Jakobe Thomas
• S5 Tavierre Thomas
• S6 Harrison Smith (Comes Back!)

Special Teams (3 Players)

K:

P:

LS:

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

Tipperary’s Orla O’Dwyer has been named Ireland captain for the upcoming NAB AFLW Australia v Ireland match at North Sydney Oval in Sydney on 1 August.

O’Dwyer, the first Irish player to earn AFLW All-Australian honours, is one of six Brisbane Lions players selected for the inaugural match between the two nations.

The Brisbane Lions’ dual premiership star’s elevation to the captaincy recognises her outstanding contribution to AFLW, where she has become one of the most influential Irish players in the competition and is a respected figure among Ireland’s growing AFLW contingent.

The historic contest will showcase the best Irish and Australian talent in AFLW, with Ireland coached by Sydney Swans AFLW senior coach Colin O’Riordan and supported by Brisbane Lions AFLW premiership coach Craig Starcevich as senior assistant coach.

O’Dwyer said she is excited to run out with the other Irish girls and play with them in the spectacle.

“It is an incredible honour to captain Ireland and represent my country in such a historic game,” O’Dwyer said.

“Playing for Ireland means a great deal to me and to have the opportunity to lead this group against Australia in Sydney is something I will cherish.

“I can’t wait for this match to come around, it will be a special occasion for everyone involved.”

Ireland assistant coach and Lions AFLW senior coach Craig Starcevich said O’Dwyer has been an outstanding ambassador for Irish athletes in the AFLW.

“Orla is everything we want this team to represent. She leads through her actions, sets high standards and has earned enormous respect from her teammates. We could not think of a better person to captain Ireland in such a significant moment for our sport,” Starcevich said.

“Everyone at the Brisbane Lions is incredibly proud of Orla. We’ve seen first-hand the impact she has had on our club, not only through her performances but through her leadership and professionalism.

“To be named captain of Ireland in the first Australia v Ireland AFLW representative match is a fitting recognition of what she has achieved. She is a role model for young Irish athletes and will lead her country with distinction,” Starcevich said.

Ireland’s squad features many of the AFLW’s leading Irish stars, including several All-Australians and premiership players, highlighting the remarkable influence Irish athletes have had on the competition.

The Australia v Ireland match will be played at North Sydney Oval on Saturday, 1 August and marks a landmark occasion for women’s Australian Rules football internationally.

LiveScores Now Available at IrishScores.com

This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

A Super Bowl champion is dead after dying by suicide, the former NFL player’s family confirmed Thursday.

Jordan Devey, who won the 2015 Super Bowl with the New England Patriots, died by suicide, the family announced in a GoFundMe campaign posted this week.

The post said the suicide left “his family to navigate an incredibly difficult and heartbreaking time.”

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Jordan Devey walks off the field after a failed third-down conversion in the first quarter at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. (Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

The former offensive lineman had recently been coaching at Eagle High School in Idaho. The GoFundMe said Devey “was a cherished member of the Eagle community, known for his unwavering dedication to serving others.”

“He was a devoted husband to Linsey and a loving father to their four children. Jordan spent countless hours volunteering as a coach for his own children’s teams and for the athletes at Eagle High School, where he was deeply loved by the players who saw him as a mentor, role model, and friend,” the GoFundMe said.

“His commitment to uplifting those around him extended far beyond sports, as he faithfully served in his church, offering support, counsel, and friendship to anyone in need.”

Patrick Mahomes and Jordan Devey point out defensive coverages against the Cincinnati Bengals at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Oct. 21, 2018. (Getty Images)

PHILADELPHIA ATHLETES, INCLUDING NEW TEAMMATES, REACT TO LEBRON JAMES JOINING 76ERS: ‘WELCOME TO THE CITY’

Devey’s date of death is not known, but his widow posted to Instagram earlier this week on what would have been their 15th wedding anniversary.

“We have filled the walls of our homes and hearts with countless memories, joys, struggles, and triumphs. We brought 4 beautiful children into this world that have your eyes, freckles, and compassion. You were our hero and our hearts ache in your absence. We love you. We miss you. And as you said in your last words to me, ‘we’ll talk soon,’” Linsey wrote, alongside photos of herself by his bedside in the hospital and another from their wedding.

Devey had not posted on Instagram since June 1.

After playing at Memphis, Devey began his NFL career on the Baltimore Ravens practice squad before being picked up by the Patriots in 2014, starting six games and winning the Super Bowl. He then had stints with the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders and the Buffalo Bills. He started 21 of his 44 games.

Jordan Devey (64) of the Buffalo Bills looks to make a block during the second half against the Green Bay Packers at Highmark Stadium Aug. 28, 2021, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (Timothy Ludwig/Getty Images)

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Devey is the only player in NFL history to block for Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, and Josh Allen.

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Narbold appeared to be a certain winner as it surged past Rock Empire, but the latter fought back with remarkable tenacity to regain the lead in the final strides of the ATC Thank You Trainers Handicap (1600m).

Maher, though not present at Randwick on Saturday, had his trusted stable lieutenant, Johann Gerard-Dubois, confirm the trainer’s move into Crown Lodge at Warwick Farm.

“We handed the keys in for Bong Bong yesterday (Friday),” Gerard-Dubois stated.

Maher had been scheduled to occupy the 65-box Leilani Lodge stables at Royal Randwick, but Crown Lodge, which is nearly double the size, became available at Warwick Farm.

Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott were awarded the Leilani Lodge stables by the Australian Turf Club during the week and are set to move into those famous racing stables shortly.

Rock Empire ($17), guided by jockey Adam Hyeronimus, emerged as the first of many winners from Maher’s new Crown Lodge base, clinching a hard-fought win by a half-head over Narbold ($4 favourite), with The Creator ($11) finishing a length and a half behind in third.

“This was the right race for him,” Gerard-Dubois commented on Rock Empire’s performance.

“His first-up run was very good, he was strong late. He had to go to 1600m today and it would have been nice to have a run in between but the programming didn’t quite work for him.

“But he’s a very clean-winded horse and he’s a very genuine horse. He had to fight hard late but he was brave.”

Rock Empire’s win marked Maher’s 44th Sydney success this season from nearly 380 starters, guaranteeing him sixth place in the trainers’ premiership rankings.

However, with Maher now establishing a permanent Sydney base at Crown Lodge, his Sydney starters are expected to increase substantially next season, potentially challenging for a top-three spot in the trainers’ premiership.

Discover the best Australian betting sites for all your racing wagers.

United arrived in Trondheim around 6.30pm local time on Thursday, and their arrival was low-key, as it had been the weekend previously in Helsinki. There were around 100 fans waiting at the team hotel, and Harry Maguire was the first player to get off the team bus.

Maguire has worn the armband in the absence of Bruno Fernandes following his efforts at the World Cup, and he made a beeline for the excited Norwegian supporters to sign autographs and take photos.

The defender had a quiet word in the ear of Acacio Valentim, head of team operations, before he greeted fans. Maguire appeared to tell Valentim to make sure each player spent some time with United supporters.

Valentim ushered each player toward the fans as they got off the bus, but the squad were happy to oblige with autographs and selfies.

JJ Gabriel was included in a senior squad for the first time. It was surreal to see the 15-year-old receive so many photo and autograph requests, but it spoke volumes that every fan knew who he was.

Bryan Mbeumo is the last player off the bus at every game. True to form, he was the last to leave the coach in Trondheim, and he received a huge cheer as he entered the hotel after making his way along the line of fans.

United held another meet-and-greet with supporters inside the hotel. Trondheim is a small, walkable city, and United stayed bang in the centre, which gave the players the chance for a leisurely stroll on the morning of the game.

Luke Shaw posted a video of Mbeumo playing the piano on social media when the team returned to the hotel. Mbeumo is a brilliant piano player and performed ‘7 Years’ by Lukas Graham.

Carrick used the trip to Norway to meet up with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Although Carrick beat Solskjaer to the interim United job in January, the pair remain close and sources said Solskjaer was in good form.

Solskjaer keeps a deliberately low profile in his home country. His appearances in the media are rare in his homeland, and he wasn’t involved in any coverage of Norway’s World Cup quarter-final against England.

The 53-year-old helped to generate huge support for United in Norway during his playing career, but the turnout in Trondheim suggested the Reds may have overstretched their Scandinavian support this summer.

United are playing four friendlies in the region this pre-season, and the attendances have been disappointing so far. There were thousands of empty seats at the Lerkendal Stadion, which didn’t even seem half full.

The low attendance was mostly down to Rosenborg’s poor season. They are struggling in the middle of their campaign, and their supporters want the game boycotted because it was deemed an unwanted distraction locally.

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Rosenborg fans believed the game would increase the chances of relegation. It also meant their league game against Fredrikstad FK had to be rearranged for Monday, and it goes against Norwegian culture for matches to be played on Mondays, which fed into the backlash.

United have not been worried by the attendances for the opening two pre-season games. Sources have stressed the priority for pre-season was football preparation, not commercial reasons and chasing revenue.

There was a small tent selling United merchandise in the city square, but a barista in a local coffee shop had no idea that United were in town to play Rosenborg, admitting her partner supported Liverpool.

United fans could be found in the Three Lions pub, though. There was a United Q&A event in the bar, organised by the United Scandinavian Supporters’ Club, and a few season ticket holders were present.

They were all unhappy about the ticketing fiasco that has made headlines over the last week. One fan, who said he was “rusty as his seat at Old Trafford”, spoke about feeling unwanted as a season ticket holder.

United at least put on a show for the supporters who attended against Rosenborg. The players applauded each corner of the ground after the final whistle, and some took photos with fans from the bottom tier of the main stand.

A young fan was given Maguire’s match-worn shirt. Gabriel did not get onto the pitch, but he shared a special moment with his mother as he took a photo with his first senior shirt before getting on the bus.

Gabriel politely said “thank you” when he was congratulated for being in the squad as he walked through the mixed zone. United staff members have been struck by how polite and well-mannered he is.

Ayden Heaven and Mason Mount stopped to speak before leaving. United youngster Jaydan Kamason recorded two assists and stopped to chat after a request from the Manchester Evening News.

All of the players who featured against Rosenborg were given Saturday off to recharge.

Blackpool Football Academy have finally learned the date, venue and fixtures for the Nationwide League One (NLO) promotion playoff after the league organisers released the official schedule.

The Akwa Ibom champions will compete in the Slot 3 South-South promotion playoff, which will be played at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba, Abia State, from 7 to 11 August 2026.

The playoff had earlier been postponed after an appeal was filed by Jaguar FC following an NFF Disciplinary Committee decision on a protest involving Cynosure FC and a match between Abakaliki Feeders FC and Jaguar FC. The appeal forced the NLO to move the playoffs from the original dates of 29 July to 6–12 August, pending the outcome of the case.

Blackpool Academy booked their place in the playoff after winning the Akwa Ibom NLO Centre. They finished above Blessed Stars on the final day after a 1-1 draw secured top spot. The Uyo-based side then defeated Cross River champions E-World FC on penalties to qualify for the regional playoff.

In Aba, Blackpool Academy will face OYC FC, De-Sapele Lions FC and Rolly FC in a round-robin competition, with promotion to the Nigeria National League (NNL) at stake.

Slot 3 South-South Fixtures

Day One – 7 August

• Blackpool Academy vs OYC FC – 9:00am
• De-Sapele Lions FC vs Rolly FC – 11:00am

Day Two – 9 August

• OYC FC vs Rolly FC – 2:00pm
• Blackpool Academy vs De-Sapele Lions FC – 4:00pm

Day Three – 11 August

• De-Sapele Lions FC vs OYC FC – 10:00am
• Rolly FC vs Blackpool Academy – 12:00pm

The matches will be played at the Enyimba Stadium, while Ginger Sam Stadium in Ntigha will serve as an alternative venue if simultaneous matches are needed to determine qualification.

Slot 4 South-East Fixtures

The NLO also released the fixtures for the Slot 4 South-East promotion playoff, which will also take place at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba.

Day One – 7 August

• Jaguar FC vs Right2Win FC – 4:00pm
• Cynosure FC vs Ekomzy FC – 2:00pm

Day Two – 9 August

• Cynosure FC vs Jaguar FC – 9:00am
• Right2Win FC vs Ekomzy FC – 11:00am

Day Three – 11 August

• Ekomzy FC vs Jaguar FC – 3:00pm
• Right2Win FC vs Cynosure FC – 1:00pm

If there is a tie requiring simultaneous final matches, games will be split between Enyimba Stadium, Aba (Pitch A) and Ginger Sam Stadium, Ntigha (Pitch B).

With the appeal issue now settled and the fixtures confirmed, all eyes will be on Aba as clubs from the South-South and South-East battle for promotion to the Nigeria National League.

Eddie Howe has failed to ignite confidence that Newcastle will be able to keep hold of captain Bruno Guimaraes this summer amid intense interest from Arsenal.

The Premier League champions are reportedly loading up £70m offer for the Brazil international, who is yet to join up with the Newcastle squad after featuring at the World Cup.

Howe was asked about Guimaraes’ future after their 1-1 pre-season friendly draw with Gateshead on Saturday, revealing he has been in contact with the midfielder but remains unsure of where he will be come the end of August.

“I’ve spoken to him as I would do with Bruno normally,” Howe said. “He is a fantastic person and we have had some really good conversations both before, during and after the World Cup. What we speak about obviously has to remain private but he is a great player and a great person.

“Look, I don’t know what is going to happen with Bruno. That is up to other people to speculate about but also other people to have conversations about which I’m not a part of.

Off the back of a disappointing World Cup last-16 exit to Norway, Guimaraes will join Newcastle’s pre-season camp in Spain on Friday with the player currently on holiday with his family.

There have been fears that the midfielder may cause a repeat of the transfer saga that surrounded Alexander Isak last summer, who went on strike to force a move to Liverpool.

Howe has shut down these comparisons, however, and expects Guimaraes to train as normal despite wishing to move on.

“I don’t think it is fair to compare situations and what happened previously. You’ve got to look at this in its own right,” he added.

“Bruno is captain of our football club. He has been an unbelievable player and person all the time we have worked together. I speak on behalf of everyone at the football club when I say we absolutely love him and of course everyone wants him to stay.

“The plan is for him to come back on July 31, he gets an extended break because of the World Cup and is currently enjoying a holiday with his family… There is nothing to say that Bruno won’t be back training with us.”