Minnesota’s o-line is considerably better when Christian Darrisaw is out there. Accordingly, the update from Kevin O’Connell should be seen as cause for cartwheels.

Coach O’Connell chatted alongside GM Nolan Teasley yesterday. Occasionally, the conversation demonstrated some knowledge of football being a sport that goes beyond the quarterback position. Per O’Connell, the Vikings’ star left tackle isn’t going to be hindered by injury: “No, there’s not [any limitations].” The skipper then said that Darrisaw has “had a healthy offseason” while saying that there’s an individualized plan to work toward keeping the LT1 healthy.

The Vikings’ Star Left Tackle is Healthy

Sometimes, football lingo can obfuscate rather than clarify. The proclamation that football is a matchup sport can sometimes lose its luster since it’s said so often.

There is, nevertheless, plenty of truth in the overused saying.

Boasting an elite left tackle means being able to counteract the other side’s best effort. Traditionally, a defense would put its best pass rusher on the left tackle’s side — the blind side — since most quarterbacks throw with their right hand, making it harder to see a pass rusher coming. The idea, then, is to insert one’s foremost blocker at that left tackle spot to neutralize the most potent threat against the passer.

Even better, of course, is if a team can toss the left tackle out there without there being any help.

Picture a Packers game. Micah Parsons is a monster of a pass rusher who threatens to wreck games. Seeing Darrisaw fulfill his potential could involve letting the left tackle wrestle with Parsons in a true one-on-one fashion. Not only would Parsons be neutralized — itself an ambitious, laudable goal — but Minnesota could use an extra blocker to double-team the next most dangerous pass rusher.

Sounds good, right?

— READ MORE: Kevin O’Connell Distills Quarterback Debate Down to Single Word —
— READ MORE: Vikings Rookies to Look Out for in Training Camp —
— READ MORE: Nolan Teasley Makes First Move By Handing Out $96 Million Extension —

Christian Darrisaw boasts a perfect build to be an NFL left tackle. He’s a 6’5″ and 315 pound athlete with elegant, explosive feet and efficient, electric mitts. Part of what makes him so formidable is that he can stun edge rushers with his punch without looking like he’s breaking much of a sweat. Being able to snag him at No. 23 overall in 2021 — ironically, a draft slot that has some connections to GM Nolan Teasley and Jamal Adams — was an instance of highway robbery.

Combined with LG1 Donovan Jackson, Darrisaw is at such a level that he should be capable of winning the line of scrimmage on a weekly basis. A lofty goal, no doubt, but that’s the sort of expectation that accompanies sending out a pair of 1st-Round selections on the same side of the o-line.

Lately, much praise has been kicked over to new o-line coach Keith Carter. Likewise, Frank Smith — the former OC with the Dolphins who is the Asst. HC in Minnesota — is thought of as being a key component of unlocking the running game. Boasting a terrific tackle can only help in these ambitions.

Oh, and the QB1 — whoever it ends up being — will benefit from a fantastic blind side protector.

Christian Darrisaw is 27. Health permitting, Darrisaw could be an excellent player for another five (or more) years. The Vikings’ ambition is to work toward that future by seeing the left tackle start the full 2026 season, doing excellently along the way.

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

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines returns a shot during a women’s singles match against Leylah Fernandez of Canada during day three of the Mubadala Citi DC Open 2026 at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center on July 29, 2026 in Washington, DC. Emilee Chinn/Getty Images/AFP

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala ousted defending champion Leylah Fernandez with an impressive 6-2, 7-6 (1) victory to secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the Mubadala DC Open in Washington, D.C.

Showcasing grit once again, Eala rallied from a 5-1 deficit in the second set before overwhelming Fernandez in the tiebreak to level their head-to-head series at one win apiece.

PURE HEART 💚

A remarkable comeback from Alex Eala against Fernandez in DC 😮‍💨#MubadalaDCOpen pic.twitter.com/jHgMacWOgf

— wta (@WTA) July 29, 2026

“I think I definitely had some tough moments in that match, and credit to Leylah, she put me in some really tough positions,” Eala, who previously lost to Fernandez in the Stuttgart Open in April, said. “So, I think I’m super proud of how I fought and how I stayed in there.”

On the verge of playing another three-setter, Eala responded by winning five straight games to take a 6-5 lead, but Fernandez held serve to force a tiebreak.

The Filipino tennis star wasted no time in the tiebreak, building a 3-0 advantage before Fernandez got on the board. Eala then won four straight points to close out the match in one hour and 53 minutes.

Eala will face the winner between Polina Kudermetova and Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals.

The world No. 28 came out firing in the first set with a 3-0 lead, opening the match with a love hold to set the tone. She traded holds with Fernandez before sealing the set with her second break.

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines returns a shot during a women’s singles match against Leylah Fernandez of Canada during day three of the Mubadala Citi DC Open 2026 at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center on July 29, 2026 in Washington, DC. Emilee Chinn/Getty Images/AFP

But Eala admittedly struggled in the second after Fernandez, currently ranked No. 34 with a career-high No. 13, found her rhythm and reeled off five straight games to move within a game of forcing a decider.

That was when Eala regained her composure—reminiscent of her Round of 32 win over Zheng Qinwen, when she rallied from a set down—and retook control of the match.

“I know that she was playing a little better, and maybe my level dropped a little bit. I think those are very tricky moments when you know your level has dropped, and you want to do better, but things just, for one reason or another, aren’t coming out,” Eala, who beat Zheng 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, said.

“I think patience was key there, and just trying to work it out, and have a strong mentality in terms of trying to find solutions.”

Eala eyes another semifinal appearance this year in her first tournament of the North American swing as part of her buildup to the US Open.

Back in rookie minicamp, the Vikings welcomed a veteran passer to town in an effort to keep the pigskin spinnin’. Cooper Rush has been a pro for a long time, leading to some attention about him going out for a cluster of practices meant for the NFL’s newest employees.

Kevin O’Connell demonstrated some good self awareness on the matter. In fact, he made jokes about hoping that Rush didn’t hang up the phone due to being asked about coming to the Twin Cities for an unusual arrangement.

Part of O’Connell’s hope was to build a communication avenue should there be a need for an emergency passer. Pursuing that initial plan may now need to occur at the front office level since Rush is no longer unemployed.

Look at what ESPN’s Adam Schefter said in the update: “With Atlanta QB Tua Tagovailoa dealing with a tight back and Michael Penix still not practicing due to a knee injury, the Falcons are signing veteran quarterback Cooper Rush, per sources.”

The Vikings’ Emergency QB Plan

The Falcons are being led by Kevin Stefanski. If that name sounds familiar, then that’s for good reason. Coach Stefanski got his start in the NFL with the Vikings, rising up to being the offensive coordinator before getting stolen away to be the head coach of the Browns.

— READ MORE: Kevin O’Connell Distills Quarterback Debate Down to Single Word —
— READ MORE: Vikings Rookies to Look Out for in Training Camp —
— READ MORE: Nolan Teasley Makes First Move By Handing Out $96 Million Extension —

Stefanski is now in Atlanta to work alongside a pair of southpaw passers. Most notably, there’s Michael Penix Jr.. He’s the quarterback who got chosen at No. 8 in the same draft where J.J. McCarthy went at No. 10. Part of what made that decision wild (other than the move being a huge reach) was that Kirk Cousins had just been signed to a monstrous contract. Atlanta created a mess and is still digesting the consequences.

Otherwise, there’s Tua Tavogailoa in town to battle for the starting spot.

Upon first glance, employing these two quarterbacks would appear to leave little room for a third passer. The issue is that both are working through injury, albeit of a different severity.

Marc Raimondi (ESPN) with an update on Penix: “Penix said it might be another four weeks to get cleared or maybe earlier, depending on how his body feels during camp.” Meanwhile, Tagovailoa is inching closer. Schefter sent a quick word on the matter: “Falcons HC Kevin Stefanski said QB Tua Tagovailoa ‘will be out there sooner rather than later.’”

So, the pivot is toward Cooper Rush. He’ll quickly learn his assignment while allowing for Atlanta to function in training camp practices.

Minnesota’s passer depth chart is pretty stuffed. Check out how most view things:

• QB1 Kyler Murray
• QB2 J.J. McCarthy
• QB3 Carson Wentz
• QB4 Max Brosmer

Of those options, Max Brosmer is the most insecure in his roster spot. What’s somewhat ironic is that the firmest assignment belongs to Carson Wentz. He’s close to assured of being the emergency quarterback. Where there’s room for some debate is who secures the top spot.

What threatens things is the ever-present danger of injury. The 2023 season was undermined largely by shuffling through four quarterbacks. Something similar could be said of the 2025 season due to the three different quarterbacks who were needed last year. Minnesota’s approach has been to hope for the best while planning for the worst.

In Cooper Rush, the Vikings felt as though they had a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency option sitting in free agency. Leaving him there, in free agency, meant allowing for some risk of losing him. Minnesota will need to look elsewhere for a veteran shepherd for their complex scheme if injury runs amok on the QB room yet again.

Cooper Rush, 32, has played in 42 NFL games dating back to 2017.

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

King Alexander (20/1) won the Tote Galway Plate at Ballybrit on Wednesday afternoon,

Trained by Willie Mullins, the Daniel King-ridden eight-year-old gave the Closutton trainer his third victory in the Grade 3 feature.

In a race where big-priced horses filled the first three spots, Paul Nolan’s Conyers Hill (25/1), the mount of Aldan O’Sullivan, was second, with Gorgeous Tom (25/1), from the Waterford stable of Henry de Bromhead, third at 25/1.

There was only a half-length and three-quarters-of-a-length respectively between the first three finishers in the €270,000 Wednesday feature.

Rising star Daniel King gives us his reaction to winning the Galway Plate for Willie Mullins 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/9rqMzkGHdi

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 29, 2026

Willie Mullins treble

The win completed a treble for Mullins this evening, having earlier won the maiden hurdle and the mares’ handicap hurdle.

The champion trainer began the day with the victory of Mr Hollywood (2/1 favourite) in the opening Tote Guaranteed 50k Placepot Maiden Hurdle.

The gelded bay son of Iquitos, last seen when finishing third in the Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot last month, came late on the stands’ side under Brian Hayes as the six-year-old beat Emmet Mullins’ Jeroboam Machin (10/1) and Donagh Meyler by half-a-length. Another Willie Mullins-prepared runner, Al Arrivee (3/1), the mount of Patrick Mullins, was two-and-a-half lengths further back to complete a Mullins family trifecta.

Mullins had brought up a double on the evening when the impressive French-bred Venusienne took the Tote Guarantee, Never Beaten by SP Irish EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle for rider Harry Cobden. The daughter of Capital Stud’s Authorized had a two-and-a-half length advantage over the Joseph O’Brien-trained Fratas (2/1f) at the winning line, with Emesteraye (16/1) third.

Handicap BLOT 🎯

Venusienne turns what looked a hugely competitive handicap into a procession.@CobdenHarry | @WillieMullinsNH | @Galway_Races pic.twitter.com/zH1bFlQkYN

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 29, 2026

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Berkshire is Mighty in Handicap Hurdle

Mighty Berkshire (15/2) was a popular victor in the Tote.ie Money-Back 2nd Every Race Handicap Hurdle for owner/jockey Declan Queally. The Waterford handler’s runner was only contesting his second handicap, and the addition of new headgear seemed to help the six-year-old bay gelding. Owned by the Man About Dog Syndicate, comprising members from counties in Munster, Mighty Berkshire won by a length-and-a-quarter from Noel Meade’s Golden Temple (5/1), with Macshadow Des Crai third at 14/1 under Jack Kennedy.

All change late on! 👀

Mighty Berkshire collars Golden Temple, who must have traded VERY short in-running!@Galway_Races pic.twitter.com/e2l9rwhOkY

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 29, 2026

Birthday winner for Dermot Weld

Abbotsford (7/4 favourite), owned and bred by Juddmonte Farms, gave Dermot Weld a birthday present when winning the Visit Tote26 On Course (Q.R.) Maiden over one mile four furlongs and 43 yards.

The three-year-old son of Frankel, who was gelded since finishing runner-up at Cork last May, was an easy seven-and-a-half length winner for amateur jockey Finny Maguire, son of former top National Hunt rider, Adrian.

Joey Sheridan and Minella Rockett (10/1) came late in the Tote Every Day Is A Money-Back Day Handicap to get a neck advantage over Johnny Soda (11/2) at the line, to deny Ado McGuinness another winner at Galway this week. Krasimir (15/2) was a head back in a tight finish to the 1 mile 123 yards race.

The final race of Galway Plate Day, the Bet With Tote.ie On Racing & Sports Handicap went the way of Cock And Bull (7/2jf) for Sam Coen and Emmet Mullins.

India’s teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has added another milestone to his rapidly rising career after being appointed vice-captain of the East Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy 2026. Fresh from winning the Player of the Series award during India’s tour of Zimbabwe, Sooryavanshi will serve as deputy to Ishan Kishan, who has been named captain of the East Zone side for the prestigious red-ball tournament beginning on August 23 in Bengaluru.

The vice-captaincy marks another major achievement for the youngster, who made his international debut during India’s tour of England earlier this month. Following a string of impressive performances for India and in domestic cricket, Sooryavanshi has now been entrusted with a leadership role in one of India’s premier domestic tournaments.

He is expected to open the batting alongside experienced Bengal opener Abhimanyu Easwaran, who returns as the most seasoned player in the squad with more than 100 first-class appearances.

Ishan Kishan to lead experienced East Zone squad

Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan will captain an East Zone side that blends experienced international cricketers with emerging talent. Veteran India pacer Mohammed Shami returns to the domestic circuit after missing international action since the 2025 Champions Trophy final. The 35-year-old featured for Bengal in the 2025-26 domestic season and also played 13 matches for the Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026.

The squad also includes India fast bowler Mukesh Kumar, all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed, Jharkhand batter Virat Singh, wicketkeeper Kumar Kushagra, and spin all-rounder Anukul Roy, who impressed during India A’s successful tri-series campaign in Sri Lanka earlier this year.

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Riyan Parag, Akash Deep miss out

East Zone will be without two prominent names, Riyan Parag and Akash Deep, both of whom continue their rehabilitation after undergoing surgeries. Parag is recovering from right shoulder surgery, while Akash Deep remains sidelined following back surgery. Neither player was considered for selection as they continue their recovery programmes.

East Zone Squad for Duleep Trophy 2026

Full Squad: Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sudip Gharami, Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Suraj Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan (captain), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (vice-captain), Virat Singh, Kumar Kushagra, Shikhar Mohan, Subranshu Senapati, Abhijit Sarkar, Anukul Roy and Denish Das.

Standbyes: Ayush Loharuka, Sridam Paul, Sambit S Baral, Sharandeep Singh and Swastik Samal.

The Duleep Trophy, one of India’s premier first-class competitions, gets underway in Bengaluru on August 23.

The Philadelphia 76ers figure to be at or near the top of the Eastern Conference after a busy offseason that brought in Jaylen Brown, LeBron James, and a slew of others to join Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe on a talented roster. The Sixers now have one of the best rosters in the league and should be contending for a title in the upcoming season.

That doesn’t mean it will be a walk in the park. The East is tough with a number of teams that have the talent to reach the finals. The New York Knicks are the defending champs. The Detroit Pistons won 60 games. The Indiana Pacers are getting Tyrese Haliburton back from injury. The Miami Heat have Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. The Toronto Raptors acquired Kawhi Leonard and so on, and so on.

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With that being said, the Sixers should still be at the top of the East. However, when asking former champion Jason Williams, he isn’t buying the Sixers:

The Knicks are going to be better. Miami is going to be better. Orlando Magic will finish higher than the Sixers…Atlanta will finish higher.

Please be advised that the clip below contains language that some might consider offensive.