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Marcus Rashford handed Barcelona twist after huge injury scare and Man United boost

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Barcelona could be forced to deal with a huge Raphinha injury blow which will almost certainly impact Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford could be set for a major Barcelona twist after Raphinha appeared to suffer an injury playing for Brazil. At half-time of their friendly defeat to France, the Barca winger was replaced by Luiz Henrique with fears over another hamstring issue.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed as much after the game as the Brazil boss explained why he was taken off at the interval. He said: ”Raphinha played very well, then he had a problem at the end of the first half and we had to change him, his muscle bothered him a little and I think they’re going to evaluate him tomorrow.”

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Since returning from injury, Raphinha has started eight of the last nine Barcelona matches which has seen Rashford’s minutes decrease significantly. The 28-year-old, who is on a season-long loan from Manchester United, has played just 28 minutes across Barcelona’s last four games.

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Rashford started the two games that Raphinha missed out entirely and thus would more than likely return to the team if he has picked up an injury. Barcelona have four big games after the international break, with Rashford’s role seemingly set to change.

That could arrive at the perfect time as he looks to secure the England starting spot on the left of Thomas Tuchel’s starting XI. A glimpse on his position in the pecking order is likely to emerge over the coming days during friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.

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The Catalan club have been impressed by his displays this season and are keen to activate the £26million buy-option clause included in his loan switch. However, it has been claimed that they are actively trying to pay a fee below that.

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United do find themselves in a strong position though, with clubs in the Premier League and around Europe making enquiries over his availability, as per ESPN.

Rashford returning to Old Trafford has also not been ruled out with United in a commanding position either way. On one hand, a player very near the top of his game could be back in the squad or United sell to the highest bidder this summer.

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Any final decision over his future is expected after the World Cup with Rashford’s full focus likely to be on that after hoping to finish the season strong.

Barcelona currently sit top of La Liga, clear of Real Madrid by four points and are also in the Champions League quarter-finals where they will take on Atletico Madrid.

Hansi Flick’s side have already faced their domestic rivals over two legs this season with Atletico winning 4-3 on aggregate. During the second leg win for Barca, Rashford played up front with his versatility opening up more avenues for minutes.

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Donald Trump reacts to Tiger Woods car crash: ‘He’s got some difficulty’

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U.S. President Donald Trump said Tiger Woods has ‘some difficulty’ after the golfer was involved in a rollover car crash in Florida on Friday afternoon.

Woods, 50, crashed his Land Rover on Jupiter Island, in the same town where he lives, just after 2pm local time after clipping a machinery truck at speed and was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence.

The 15-time major champion, along with the other driver, emerged from the incident uninjured with Martin County sheriff John Budensiek admitting “this could have been a lot worse”.

This is the third major crash Woods has been involved in and the second time it has led to a DUI arrest, with authorities suspecting that he was “impaired” by medication after he passed a breathalyser test but refused to take a urine sample.

Tiger Woods was arrested and taken to jail following the rollover crash
Tiger Woods was arrested and taken to jail following the rollover crash (AP)
Tiger Woods’ Land Rover rolled over in the crash (Martin County Sheriff’s Office via AP).
Tiger Woods’ Land Rover rolled over in the crash (Martin County Sheriff’s Office via AP). (AP)

The American was previously taken into custody for driving under the influence in Florida in 2017, after which he checked himself into a clinic for prescription medication.

Trump commented on Woods’ crash and said he “feels so badly” for his close friend.

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“He’s got some difficulty,” Trump said, speaking before the Martin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Woods’ arrest. “There was an accident and that’s all I know. He’s a very close friend of mine, he’s an amazing person, an amazing man. Some difficulty, I don’t want to talk about it.”

Tiger Woods (right) alongside Donald Trump at the White House
Tiger Woods (right) alongside Donald Trump at the White House (Getty Images)

Woods will remain in county jail for at least eight hours under state law until he can be released on bond.

Woods was also in a high-profile rollover crash in California in 2021, which left him with serious injuries. Authorities said he was driving at least twice the 45mph speed limit when he SUV struck a tree, causing the vehicle to fly through the air and land on its side.

At the 2021 Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, Woods said: “I’m lucky to be alive and also have a limb,” revealing it was 50-50 as to whether part of his right leg would require amputation.

Woods had been working his way back to golf from a seventh back surgery last September and his status for next month’s Masters remains unclear.

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He admitted he got his “a*** kicked” after returning to golf in the virtual league with his team Jupiter Links, who lost in the TGL Finals.

His last official tournament was The Open in 2024, rupturing his Achilles tendon in March 2025 which that kept him off the course all season prior to back surgery.

And while Woods has lifetime eligibility to play at The Masters, as a previous five-time winner of the green jacket, Trump had previously suggested a decision had already been made.

“I love Tiger, but he won’t be there,” Trump said while appearing on “The Five” on FOX News. “He’ll be there, but he won’t be playing in it.”

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Florian Wirtz inspires Germany past Switzerland

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Seven goals, 14 substitutions, no cards — there were a lot of storylines in Germany’s draw in Basel. With two and a half months left to the World Cup though, most of the focus is on who will make the squad.

One man who doesn’t need to worry is Florian Wirtz. The 22-year-old is one of the first names on the teamsheet let alone in the squad, and against Switzerland he delivered just the latest masterclass in his young career.

Wirtz emerges as leader by example

Jonathan Tah’s first-ever Germany goal came from a Wirtz cross. It was Wirtz who saw Serge Gnabry make the darting run through the middle for Germany’s second. The Liverpool man’s curling, dipping finish put Germany ahead the first time and a delicately placed finish on the edge of the box put Julian Nagelsmann’s team ahead for the last time. Germany had won 4-3 and without Wirtz, they would have had nothing on the scoreboard.

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“Flo’s [Wirtz] goals were exceptional,” Nagelsmann told RTL afterwards. “We know he is super creative.”

“You saw his class today,” Leon Goretzka said. “You can see it from his first touch for his second goal, and to place the ball in the top corner like he did was superb.”

The 22-year-old thrilled with Jamal Musiala at Euro 2024, prompting the combined nickname “Wusiala.” 

In Cologne when Germany needed a breakthrough in a tough World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland, it was Wirtz who found it. When Germany needed a big result against Slovakia, it was Wirtz who helped get Germany going. While the start to his Liverpool career was bumpy, he has since found his form in a side that remains somewhat inconsistent. But wearing Germany’s new dark blue away kit inspired by the country’s 1990s training tops, the man bought in the following decade proved why he is becoming a leader by example.

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“It probably was,” Wirtz said when asked if this was his best Germany game.

Perhaps the part that Nagelsmann will be most impressed with will be the impact Wirtz’s performance had on his team. When he took control, his teammates appeared to respond. His performance lifted that of those around him. It got Germany back on their feet every time they were knocked down.

“I’m not worried because we are really a good team with a really good defense,” Wirtz said. “You can see that we haven’t played together for a while but we have to work on that. I think all three goals were a bit preventable but it’s about winning and if we win by one more goal than the opposition then that’s also fine.”

Germany's team celebrate a goal
Germany still looked shaky at the back, but were aided by a sharp attackImage: Pascal Kesselmark/Just Pictures/Sipa USA/picture alliance

Wirtz can’t stop defensive issues

Despite an impressive amount of tracking back, not even Wirtz could stop a remarkably efficient Swiss side. Murat Yakin’s team finished the game with three goals from three shots on target. It was the kind of efficiency Germany could only dream of, but even if there was a touch of misfortune from Germany’s perspective, it was also a familiar sight to see Nagelsmann’s side struggle defensively.

Germany’s build-up play left a lot to be desired, with Nico Schlotterbeck twice making mistakes that led to goals for the Swiss. Just days after 33-year-old Antonio Rüdiger appeared to have been handed the new role of being a back-up defender, Schlotterbeck’s outing might have made Nagelsmann think again. After all, for a side whose defense has been heavily criticized and deemed to be short of world-class quality in too many positions, errors in build-up play are a disaster. The 18th best side in the world proved as much, and left a reminder of what any of those inside the top 10 would do.

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Afterwards though, it didn’t feel like a night for musing over familiar defensive woes. Wirtz wrestled back the narrative and made it about the hope behind Germany’s attack. Two quick corners are the sign of a well-versed side. Kai Havertz, returning for the first time since November 2024, showed signs of a player finding form and fitness. Serge Gnabry, who scored a fine goal with the final kick of the first half, can be counted as a squad regular again. Some of the passing moves were slick and exciting to watch. And then there was Wirtz, the man who is making Germany fans dream big.

Edited by: Wesley Dockery

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IPL 2026: Defending champions RCB begin title defence against SRH at Chinnaswamy | Cricket News

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IPL 2026: Defending champions RCB begin title defence against SRH at Chinnaswamy
Ishan Kishan and Virat Kohli (Image credit: BCCI/IPL)

BENGALURU: Until June 3, 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru carried the tag of underachievers — a team that spent 17 previous seasons chasing an elusive trophy. On a muggy night in Ahmedabad, that narrative finally shifted. Built less on individual stardom and more on collective performances, RCB shed their long-standing baggage and got the monkey off their backs.When they return to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday evening, they do so with a title to defend, a reputation to protect and expectations recalibrated. Against fellow southerners Sunrisers Hyderabad, RCB begin their campaign as defending champions — a feat only Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians have managed to follow up with a successful title defence.

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RCB’s big changes ahead of IPL: New rules, tribute & squad update

While it is a long season ahead, a strong start will be crucial. Chinnaswamy hasn’t always been a fortress for RCB, and against an SRH side packed with explosive batters, the challenge is immediate.On paper, the two teams share striking similarities. Both boast formidable batting units, both are without their premier Australian quicks, and they will rely on a blend of experienced Indian names and promising youngsters. The conditions only add to the intrigue. The last completed IPL game at the venue last season — RCB’s clash against CSK — saw a staggering 424 runs scored, with the hosts defending 215 by just two runs. If the surface stays true to its batting-friendly reputation, bowlers from both sides could be in for a long evening.RCB have largely retained the core that delivered their maiden title, using the mini-auction to plug specific gaps. The additions of Venkatesh Iyer and England’s Jordan Cox bring flexibility, while young Indian recruits like Mangesh Yadav and Vihaan Malhotra add depth and future promise.

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Their batting remains their biggest strength. With Virat Kohli and Phil Salt expected to set the tone at the top, Jacob Bethell’s recent form adds another dynamic layer. The middle order is stacked with experience and firepower in Rajat Patidar, Devdutt Padikkal, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David and Venkatesh Iyer. The team management, in fact, faces the enviable headache of narrowing down a balanced playing XI.However, the absence of Josh Hazlewood — their most impactful bowler last season — could be a significant setback. The Australian pacer, still working his way back from injury concerns, only rejoined the squad on Thursday and will sit out of the match. His absence puts the onus on Bhuvneshwar Kumar to lead the attack, especially in conditions that traditionally offer little margin for error. RCB are also without Sri Lankan quick Nuwan Thushara, who is yet to clear the fitness test in his home country. In Hazlewood’s absence, New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy could be handed an IPL debut. He is expected to slot into an otherwise Indian-heavy bowling unit, with youngsters Mangesh Yadav and Rasikh Dar pushing for inclusion. The spin department, featuring Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma, will also have a key role in controlling the middle overs.SRH, meanwhile, look equally formidable with the bat. Led by Ishan Kishan, they have a destructive line-up comprising Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Reddy. However, their bowling appears relatively undercooked in the absence of regular skipper Pat Cummins, even though they can call upon the experience of Harshal Patel, Brydon Carse and Jaydev Unadkat.Away from the on-field contest, it will be a sombre homecoming for RCB. The players will wear black armbands in memory of the 11 lives lost in the stampede during last year’s title celebrations — a tragedy that continues to cast a shadow over the team and the venue.

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2026 NCAA Tournament schedule: March Madness bracket, game dates, locations, tip times and TV channels

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Check out the master schedule for the NCAA Tournament so you can watch all the March Madness 2026 action

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2026 Texas Children’s Houston Open Saturday tee times: Round 3

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The 2026 Texas Children’s Houston Open continues on Saturday, March 28, with the third round at Memorial Park in Houston, Texas. You can find full Texas Children’s Houston Open tee times for Saturday’s third round at the bottom of this post.

It’s been nearly seven years since Gary Woodland claimed his last title, and it was a major: the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. Since then, Woodland has endured brain surgery to remove a tumor and has experienced lasting PTSD from the procedure, the difficulty of which he shared recently with Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard.

Revealing his struggles publicly appears to have resulted in some improvement on the course. The 41-year-old finished T14 at last week’s Valspar Championship — his best finish since finishing T11 at last year’s Charles Schwab Challenge — and is posting some of his best rounds of the year in Texas.

After 36 holes at the Houston Open, Woodland holds the solo lead at at 13 under par — three shots clear of his closest competitors, Nicolai Hojgaard and Jackson Suber, who are 10 under. If he can hang on until Sunday, Woodland will claim his fifth career PGA Tour title.

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Woodland, Hojgaard and Suber will play in Saturday afternoon’s final grouping at 12:55 p.m. ET.

You can watch Saturday’s third round of the 2026 Texas Children’s Houston Open from 1-3 p.m. ET on Golf Channel, followed by the NBC broadcast from 3-6 p.m. ET. PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ will provide exclusive early streaming coverage starting at 8:15 a.m. ET on Saturday in addition to featured group coverage.

Check out the complete Round 3 tee times and groupings for the Texas Children’s Houston Open below.

Hoping to wager on the Texas Children’s Houston Open? Sign up for Fanatics Sportsbook with code “SUBPAR” to receive a special welcome offer.

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2026 Texas Children’s Houston Open tee times for Saturday: Round 3 (ET)

Tee No. 1

8:20 a.m. – Lee Hodges, Jordan Smith, Adrien Saddier
8:30 a.m. – Ben Griffin, Garrick Higgo, Tom Hoge
8:40 a.m. – Erik van Rooyen, Matthieu Pavon, Danny Willett
8:50 a.m. – Luke Clanton, John Parry, Danny Walker
9:00 a.m. – Eric Cole, Kevin Roy, Matt Kuchar
9:11 a.m. – Mac Meissner, Jesper Svensson, Peter Malnati
9:22 a.m. – Sam Burns, William Mouw, Kurt Kitayama
9:38 a.m. – Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Andrew Putnam, Chris Gotterup
9:49 a.m. – Steven Fisk, Davis Riley, Harris English
10:00 a.m. – Brice Garnett, Emiliano Grillo, Sungjae Im
10:11 a.m. – Michael Brennan, Takumi Kanaya, Jimmy Stanger
10:22 a.m. – Shane Lowry, Chris Kirk, Harry Hall
10:33 a.m. – Austin Eckroat, Matti Schmid, Bronson Burgoon
10:44 a.m. – Thorbjørn Olesen, Tony Finau, Ricky Castillo
11:00 a.m. – Johnny Keefer, Pontus Nyholm, Denny McCarthy
11:11 a.m. – Tom Kim, Rasmus Højgaard, Beau Hossler
11:22 a.m. – Stephan Jaeger, Sudarshan Yellamaraju, Aldrich Potgieter
11:33 a.m. – Max McGreevy, Adrien Dumont de Chassart, Vince Whaley
11:44 a.m. – Paul Waring, Rico Hoey, Alex Smalley
11:55 a.m. – Jhonattan Vegas, Sahith Theegala, Jeffrey Kang
12:11 p.m. – Matt Wallace, Keith Mitchell, Chad Ramey
12:22 p.m. – Zecheng Dou, Sam Ryder, Jake Knapp
12:33 p.m. – Sam Stevens, Adam Scott, Karl Vilips
12:44 p.m. – Min Woo Lee, Jason Day, Michael Thorbjornsen
12:55 p.m. – Gary Woodland, Nicolai Højgaard, Jackson Suber

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WNBA’s Connecticut Sun set to relocate to Houston following $300 million sale, per reports

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The Fertitta family has agreed to a deal to purchase the Connecticut Sun for a record-breaking $300 million and move the WNBA franchise to Houston, according to reports from Paper City Magazine and ESPN. A sale would be subject to approval by the WNBA’s Board of Governors, and it was not official as of Friday evening. 

If the deal is approved, the Sun would reportedly play the 2026 season in Connecticut before moving to Houston in 2027. The team is expected to play at the Toyota Center, home of the NBA’s Houston Rockets, and be renamed the Houston Comets, taking on the name of the original WNBA franchise in the city, which existed from 1997 until 2008. The original Comets, led by Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes and Tina Thompson won the league’s first four championships and were the first WNBA dynasty. 

In June of 2025, after the WNBA announced further expansion to Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029) and Philadelphia (2030), commissioner Cathy Engelbert said that the league had its “eye on” Houston as a city that could eventually get a team. 

“There are a variety of cities that obviously bid, and one of those I wanted to shout out — because they have such a strong history in this league and their great ownership group — is Houston,” Engelbert said at the time. “The Houston Comets were just an amazing one, the first four inaugural championships in the WNBA. So I would say that’s the one, obviously, we have our eye on. [Owner] Tilman [Feritta’s] been a great supporter of the WNBA, and we’ll stay tuned on that.”

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The Sun have played in Uncasville, Connecticut at Mohegan Sun Arena since 2003, when the franchise was purchased by the Mohegan Tribe and relocated from Orlando. The Sun were the first franchise run by a non-NBA owner and were the first to turn a profit. 

“The people at Mohegan Sun, I think they stepped up when they were needed and brought a team to Connecticut, as Connecticut deserves to have a team because we’re a proven [area] where people will support women’s basketball,” UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma said Friday. “Moving, I think it leaves a void.”

The Sun made the playoffs in 16 of 22 seasons in Connecticut and reached the Finals four times, but lost each time. While the Sun have been successful on the floor, the organization has fallen behind its counterparts off the floor. Notably, the Sun have often practiced at a local community center, and the franchise is the only one that has not announced any recent plans for a new practice facility. 

Connecticut’s lack of facilities and amenities became a major issue last winter when its entire starting lineup from the 2024 season, including stars Alyssa Thomas, Brionna Jones and DeWanna Bonner, left in free agency. The Sun went 11-33 last season, finished in 11th place and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016. 

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In August of 2025, the Mohegan Tribe agreed to sell the franchise to then-Boston Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca for $325 million. As part of the deal, the franchise would have been relocated to Boston. After league pushback, however, the sale did not go through. 

“Relocation decisions are made by the WNBA Board of Governors and not by individual teams,” the WNBA said in a statement at the time. “As part of our most recent expansion process, in which three new franchises were awarded to Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia on June 30, 2025, nine additional cities also applied for WNBA teams and remain under active consideration. No groups from Boston applied for a team at that time, and those other cities remain under consideration based on the extensive work they did as part of the expansion process and currently have priority over Boston. Celtics’ prospective owner Bill Chisholm has also reached out to the league office and asked that Boston receive strong consideration for a WNBA franchise at the appropriate time.”

The last time a WNBA team was sold was in 2021, when Larry Gottesdiener led a group that bought the Atlanta Dream for under $10 million. 

The 2026 WNBA season will go ahead as scheduled after the league and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association came to terms on a historic new collective bargaining agreement. Opening night is set for May 8, and the regular season will run through Sept. 24. 

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Vikings QB Move Is Getting Buzz as a Top Value Play

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Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell at the New York Giants in 2025.
Dec 21, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

There was only one question people really wanted answered this offseason when it came to the Minnesota Vikings: the Big Vikings QB Decision. We finally got our answer when Kyler Murray was signed. And now that decision is being hailed as one of the best value moves of the offseason.

The Murray Move Is Drawing Value Praise

Injuries and poor play at QB derailed the Vikings’ 2025 season, and entering the 2026 season with just JJ McCarthy and Max Brosmer wasn’t going to cut it. The Vikings raised their ceiling by signing Murray, and doing so to a one-year, $1.3 million contract brings very little downside. He might not have lived up to his first-overall draft pick status, but he is a highly capable quarterback with seven seasons in the league as a starter.

Vikings QB Kyler Murray
Quarterback Kyler Murray sits in the front row as Jonathan Gannon is introduced as the new head coach of the Arizona Cardinals during a news conference at the Cardinals training facility in Tempe on Feb. 16, 2023.
Nfl New Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Jonathan Gannon. © Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK.

Adding a player like that to your QB room at a basement price while another franchise is forced to pick up the tab after the Arizona Cardinals released him is excellent work from the Vikings. The great value is undeniable, which is why Murray’s move to Minnesota made the list for Pro Football Focus’ best value signings of the 2026 free agency.

PFF Gives the Vikings QB Move a Strong Endorsement

PFF put forward their best value signings of free agency. Murray was on there alongside Tariq Woolen, signing for the Philadelphia Eagles, Devin Bush, signing for the Chicago Bears, Rasheed Walker, signing for the Carolina Panthers, and Jaylinn Hawkins, signing for the Baltimore Ravens. Here is what PFF had to say about Murray and the Vikings.

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Releasing Kyler Murray with a post-June 1 designation meant the Cardinals were able to spread his dead cap hit across the next two seasons. But that only marginally softens the blow for Arizona, which is still saddled with a $47.5 million dead cap charge in 2026 (15.4% of the cap).

Additionally, due to offsets stemming from Murray’s release, the Vikings were able to pick up the former first-overall pick at the veteran minimum, leaving the Cardinals to pay the remainder of his guarantees next season (over $35 million).

There is virtually no downside to adding a highly capable option to your quarterback room at a basement price while another franchise is forced to pick up the tab. While Murray hasn’t lived up to his lofty billing,

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has a strong track record for quarterback development (see: Sam Darnold). If O’Connell can bring the best out of Murray, this signing could morph into a long-term affair. The Vikings need viable options at quarterback after ranking 31st in PFF passing grade (47.6) this past season. Put plainly, running it back with J.J. McCarthy (60.1 PFF passing grade, 35th out of 43 qualifying quarterbacks) and Carson Wentz(50.0, 40th) isn’t going to cut it. Don’t be surprised if Murray wins the job in camp. 

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It’s difficult to argue that the Vikings aren’t getting good value here, even if you aren’t a big fan of Murray. You won’t get a better QB for such a little outlay. Understandably, the praise for this move from the Vikings has been coming in from all angles.

The Long-Term Vision

Murray got a no-franchise-tag clause in his contract, meaning this season is almost a dress rehearsal for both parties ahead of a big decision in a year. If Murray can have Darnold-like success playing for Kevin O’Connell, then the Vikings can’t make the same mistake twice. Murray will be on track for a big deal in 2027. If it doesn’t work out, then it costs Minnesota basically nothing to find out.

Sep 25, 2022; Glendale, Ariz., U.S.; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is grabbed by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Leonard Floyd (54) during the second quarter at State Farm Stadium. Nfl Los Angeles Rams At Arizona Cardinals

The Vikings will then reassess McCarthy’s status and decide whether to take another look at a QB in the draft or pursue a different veteran passer.

Murray should be good enough to succeed on this team, and as long as he stays healthy, I expect we will be talking about a contract extension in due course.


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Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.

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Italy seal 2-0 win over Northern Ireland in WC qualification playoff semis | FIFA World Cup 2022

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Italy finally won a match in the World Cup playoffs. Now the four-time champion needs to win one more to avoid failing to qualify for a third straight time. The Azzurri beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in the European semifinals on Thursday.


Sandro Tonali broke the deadlock with a half-volley early in the second half for Italy at home in Bergamo and then set up another goal for Moise Kean.


“After taking the lead, we cleared our minds,” Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso said. “We put in a good performance. This should be a confidence boost for Tuesday. We have to win. We have no other choice.” 
Also advancing to the playoff finals scheduled for Tuesday were Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sweden, Poland, Turkey, Kosovo, Denmark and the Czech Republic.

 

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Italy next visits Bosnia and Herzegovina needing another victory to reach the upcoming tournament in North America and avoid going at least 16 years without even playing a match at soccer’s biggest event.


Bosnia beat Wales, and the Czech Republic beat Ireland in penalty shootouts.


The other finals matchups are: Sweden vs. Poland; Turkey vs. Kosovo; and Denmark vs. the Czech Republic.


Italy was eliminated by Sweden over two winless legs in the playoffs for the 2018 World Cup then was stunned by North Macedonia in the semifinal round in 2022.

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Italy’s World Cup struggles go back all the way to 2010 and 2014, having failed to advance from its group on both occasions.


The Azzurri’s last World Cup knockout match was when they won the title in 2006 by beating France in a penalty shootout.


Italy produced seven shots on goal while Northern Ireland had none.


For the second goal, Tonali’s cross-field pass set up Kean, who made an expert control and finish.

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“We didn’t have many moments of quality, but we did well to make the most of them when we did,” Tonali said. “We focused on not giving them their strengths and were concentrated on the set plays, so when we do that, it’s unlikely we’ll concede to this kind of team.


“We’ve been feeling positive since the coach arrived, we’ve got to continue like this, there’s no other option but to win,” Tonali said of Gattuso, who replaced the fired Luciano Spalletti in June.


Gyokeres scores three for Sweden


Viktor Gyokeres hit a hat trick to send Sweden past Ukraine 3-1 despite not having scored for his country since 2024. Until Thursday, Gyokeres was scoreless and Sweden winless in a miserable qualifying group campaign.


The game was played in Spain because Ukraine hasn’t hosted international games since the Russian invasion of 2022.

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“Viktor Gyokeres made the difference tonight,” Ukraine coach Serhiy Rebrov said. “He showed his quality and proved he’s one of the best strikers in Europe.” 
Sweden will face Poland after 37-year-old Robert Lewandowski scored a crucial header in a 2-1 win over Albania, keeping alive the Barcelona striker’s bid to reach a third World Cup.


Albania took the lead through Arber Hoxha just before halftime after a defensive blunder by Poland. Lewandowski’s header at a corner got his team back into the game before Piotr Zielinski’s goal put Poland in front.


Kosovo is a game away from its first-ever World Cup after twice recovering from a goal down to upset Slovakia 4-3. That sets up a playoff with Turkey for a World Cup spot.


Gustav Isaksen scored twice in two minutes in a Denmark’s 4-0 win over North Macedonia.

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Bosnia and Czechs win penalty shootouts


Bosnia advanced after 40-year-old Edin Dzeko leveled the score and 18-year-old Kerim Alajbegovic converted the winning spot-kick in a 4-2 penalty shootout win over Wales following a 1-1 draw.


The Czech Republic awaits next for Denmark after beating Ireland 4-3 on penalties. Ireland gave up an early 2-0 lead in the game, and was also leading the shootout before failing to convert either of its last two attempts.


Lucescu’s Romania eliminated


In an early match, Turkey beat Romania 1-0 and will face either Slovakia or Kosovo for a spot at its first World Cup since a third-place run in 2002.


Turkey took the lead shortly after the break when Ferdi Kadioglu was set up in front of the goal with a long, accurate pass from Arda Guler, a 21-year-old winger for Real Madrid who could become one of the World Cup’s younger standouts.

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Vincenzo Montella’s Turkey squad reached the quarterfinals of the 2024 European Championship.


Romania’s elimination means that 80-year-old Mircea Lucescu won’t get a chance to coach at the World Cup for the first time. Lucescu captained Romania at the 1970 World Cup. He previously coached Turkey.


Nicolae Stanciu hit the post for Romania in the second half in Istanbul.


“We knew it would be a tough match. Lucescu knows us well and prepared accordingly,” Turkey captain Hakan Calhanoglu said. “In the first half, we could have made better runs in behind. In the second half, Ferdi scored with a ball in behind. … From then, it was ours.

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Thomas Tuchel’s England experiment yields few answers after disconnected performance at Wembley

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By the time the World Cup really gets going, and Thomas Tuchel’s senior players maybe have that extra bit of energy from this week off, England might well feel the benefit of this game.

It’s hard to make a substantial list of who else did, though.

Even Ben White, who marked his return with a poached goal, gave away the penalty from which Uruguay‘s Federico Valverde equalised for a 1-1 draw.

There were very few England fans actually left by that point. Some of those that had stayed still greeted White’s goal with some boos, given the debate about his recall. Among that crowd, perhaps some of the children getting to enjoy a big occasion at Wembley benefited. Maybe Marcus Rashford, Djed Spence and Toni Livramento, who had some of the better performances in an otherwise disparate and disconnected team display.

The latter was inevitable given that it was the first time many of these players appeared together, and it made for one of those international friendlies that was occasionally difficult to keep concentrating on. The opposition didn’t even look like a Marcelo Bielsa team on the night, certainly nothing like the one remembered with such adulation by those Leeds United fans present.

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There were already a lot of empty seats as early the 70th minute. It looked more than half empty by the time Valverde fired into the corner.

If Mikel Arteta was one of those trying to watch, he certainly won’t have enjoyed it, outside his right-back’s goal. Noni Madueke had to go off injured after 37 minutes – in what may well be the most consequential development of the night. Pep Guardiola would meanwhile have watched Phil Foden get scythed through by Ronald Aruajo, leaving the playmaker writhing in pain.

Noni Madueke was injured in the first half after a collision with Rodrigo Aguirre
Noni Madueke was injured in the first half after a collision with Rodrigo Aguirre (Getty)

The only wrinkle there is that Foden is in one of those spells where he isn’t in the same form and consequently isn’t really in the Manchester City team. The fact he was in this team was almost warning enough, given the nature of it.

There would now be real questions over whether Foden will make Tuchel’s World Cup, except the manager has repeatedly made a point of saying he sees him as an alternative to Harry Kane.

As regards being a 10, though? That doesn’t look likely. Cole Palmer also came on to little effect.

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Foden, along with some of the other players who have previously been England regulars, must have looked around and wondered what he was doing here.

Some of it had the appearance of a C team. There were quips about the side having two Tottenham Hotspur players, but that is a bit unfair on both Spence and Dominic Solanke.

Ben White was booed on his introduction but scored the opening goal from a late set piece
Ben White was booed on his introduction but scored the opening goal from a late set piece (Reuters)

The nature of the team is of course entirely deliberate, since Tuchel did come up with a creative solution to the problem of an exhausted squad and the need to experiment.

Hence we had this almost game-show style element, where these players were attempting to work together as a team, but were also competing with each other.

All of them were trying to show they should be staying around next week, when Tuchel replaces some of them with the senior players so they can get some fine-tuning in Tuesday’s friendly against Japan.

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The problem was that the very nature of the team ensured it didn’t look like the right setting for that.

Tuchel will of course have a different perspective. There will be certain aspects he wants from individuals, and the actual test will be how well they executed specific demands.

Rashford pressed well. Maguire was assured, as Uruguay occasionally tried to play the ball in behind.

Thomas Tuchel’s experimental team selection yielded few answers to which players will make the World Cup squad
Thomas Tuchel’s experimental team selection yielded few answers to which players will make the World Cup squad (PA)

Perhaps the most pertinent question, however, is how many of these players you can actually see starting in the World Cup?

Livramento maybe. Maguire perhaps, depending how the defence develops. Tuchel did want to see him in a different style of back line, but this game just wasn’t enough of a test. When Uruguay did finally lift it at the end, though, Maguire was often there to clear.

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There was otherwise so little football played.

England admittedly had a good spell at the start, with the odd flash. It maybe is quite indicative, however, that the game was marked by set-pieces.

Harry Maguire was an assured prescence in defence and pushed his case for World Cup inclusion
Harry Maguire was an assured prescence in defence and pushed his case for World Cup inclusion (Getty)

This was the source of White’s goal, which also represented the third shot on target of the night.

None of this is to actually criticise Tuchel. He is right to rest his players.

There is something of an incongruity to how low the stakes were for this match, in the middle of an exhaustingly intense club season. That is surely why Arteta will be frustrated.

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Tuchel was right to cater for that. He may want his best team to have some fine-tuning, but he also wants those players actually fit and fresh for the World Cup. A week off can genuinely make a huge difference.

As for this experiment of a match, it won’t exactly make much of an imprint on the memory.

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Sportscaster Jim Gray says Tiger Woods’ DUI arrest a ‘cry for help’

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Tiger Woods was taken into custody after a rollover crash on Jupiter Island, Florida, Friday, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.

At a press conference, Sheriff John Budensiek said the five-time Masters winner was traveling at “a high rate of speed” when his vehicle collided with another car, causing it to roll over onto the driver’s side. 

Budensiek added that Woods appeared to have exited the vehicle by “crawling” out of the passenger side.

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Fox News contributor Jim Gray said Woods’ crash and subsequent arrest mark the latest chapter in what he called an ongoing “sad story.”

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Tiger Woods at TGL

Tiger Woods of Jupiter Links Golf Club before a match against the Los Angeles Golf Club at SoFi Center March 23, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.  (Adam Glanzman/TGL/TGL Golf via Getty Images)

“It is a sad story, and it continues to be a sad story. We’ve all been thrilled with him watching him playing golf. He’s a national treasure (and) an international icon, perhaps the greatest ever. Jack Nicklaus has more majors, but Tiger (is) widely acclaimed, is the greatest golfer ever,” Gray said Friday on “Special Report.”

TIGER WOODS STEPPING BACK INTO COMPETITIVE GOLF AS MASTERS LOOM

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“To see this happen, not only once but twice, now the third time … and to have been able to survive the last time and to now go through it again, it just leads you to wonder who is surrounding him. Why does he keep getting in these circumstances? And he’s been so great with his driver on the course, perhaps he should get a driver to drive him.”

Tiger Woods vehicle rollover crash Florida

Golfer Tiger Woods stands by his overturned vehicle in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026.  (Jason Oteri/AP)

Authorities said Woods “exemplified signs of impairment.” He blew “triple-zeroes” for alcohol but refused a urine test.

“DUI investigators came to the scene here, and Mr. Woods did exemplify signs of impairment. They did several tests on him. Of course, he did explain the injuries and the surgeries that he had. We did take that into account, but they did do some in-depth roadside tests,” Budensiek added.

“We really weren’t suspicious of alcohol being involved in this case, and that proved to be true at the jail. … But when it came time for us to ask for a urinalysis test, he refused. And, so, he’s been charged with DUI, with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test.”

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Gray described the incident as a troubling pattern.

“It’s just another cry for help, it’s screaming out. At some point, somehow, some way, somebody has to get to him to get him this help. Get him a driver, get out from behind the wheel. When you’ve had this many surgeries, obviously we see this with professional sports all the time, numerous surgeries leads to just tremendous pain. 

“And with that pain you’ve got to somehow try to curtail it, and it leads people down this path. I can’t speak to whether or not he’s gone down that path. I haven’t spoken to his doctor, and I haven’t spoken to him about it. 

“But we do know from habits and from the patterns that we see from others and his own pattern, that something is drastically off here. Thankfully, he hasn’t hurt himself as bad as he did the last time, and he didn’t hurt anybody else.”

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The Masters begins April 9 at Augusta National, and Woods recently said he has not ruled out playing in the season’s first major.

In the 14 majors since he won the green jacket in 2019, Woods has failed to muster a top 20 finish. It’s his longest such streak since failing to finish in the top 20 in the first six majors of his career in 1995 and 1996. In his last 26 majors, he has only four top 20 finishes.

Since finishing tied for ninth at the 2020 Farmers Insurance Open, his best finish in his 18 official events since then has been a tie for 37th at the 2020 PGA Championship.

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“He’s given us so many thrills and so much joy. I think it would be a joy for all of us for us to see him get himself back together. To get through the pain. He’s had surgeries on his back, his neck, his Achilles, his knee … so on and so forth. 

“They’ve all added up. Just to be able to see him smile and to be a part of the game and to be around his children and to be able to function normally would be a great joy for us going forward. He doesn’t have to live up to himself and what he’s done on the golf course in the past. That’s set in stone, and it’s set forever.”

Woods has not competed in a professional golf tournament since 2024, when he competed in just five events — the Genesis Invitational and the four majors. He withdrew from the Genesis, finished dead last in the Masters and missed the cut in the other majors.

Fox News’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report.

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