Fabio Wardley has leapt to the defence of coach Ben Davison after team-mate Moses Itauma failed in his bid to become the second-youngest ever world heavyweight champion on Saturday.

Itauma punched himself out after a dominant eight rounds against Filip Hrgovic at London’s O2 Arena, appearing visibly exhausted against the Croatian in the ninth before his corner through in the towel.

The 21-year-old had admitted pre-fight that he had never gone 12 rounds in sparring, which after the result ignited a torrent of backlash towards his gym as questions were raised about his preparations.

Wardley, who is also trained by Davison, lost his first fight to Daniel Dubois in similar fashion, gassing late on after dominating the early stages, and will now rematch “Dynamite” looking to regain his WBO title on 17 October.

But when speaking about the criticism his trainer has received, Wardley dismissed the noise as “delusional” and said he is ready to prove the gym’s worth by delivering greatness.

“I do feel like it’s my turn,” Wardley said after expressing his confidence that Itauma will return to achieve world-title glory.

“It’s my turn to do my bit for the gym. It’s my turn to prove because I’ve been overwhelmed by the amount of criticism he’s [Davison] received and just almost in shock of just like, I don’t know another trainer in British boxing that gets so much stick after a loss.

“I find it bemusing, like it’s delusional to me. If anything, that’s added a bit of fuel to me to be like, ‘Alright, fine, no worries – I’ll show you what us, the team, Ben Davison, what we can all do. I’ll prove it to you. I’ll take that on my shoulders. I’ll wear that, no problem’.”

Enjoy 185+ fights a year on DAZN, the Global Home of Boxing

Never miss a fight from top promoters. Watch on your devices anywhere, anytime.

Advertisement

Buy Now

ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Enjoy 185+ fights a year on DAZN, the Global Home of Boxing

Never miss a fight from top promoters. Watch on your devices anywhere, anytime.

Buy Now

ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Advertisement

Unlike Itauma, Ipswich fighter Wardley, 31, did not have the towel thrown in on him against Dubois in their first fight after taking significant punishment, with the bout eventually waived off in the 11th round.

Wardley, however, insists his corner handled the fight “perfectly”, adding: “I’ll repeat over and over again, the people in my corner aren’t new.

“Like Daniel and Don [Charles, Dubois’ trainer], for example. I’m not flicking from coach to coach to coach to coach to people who don’t know me. One, I’ve had Robert Hodgins, who’s been my coach since I started. And I mean that from since I first ever put on a pair of gloves. I trust that man with my life.

“Same with Ben Davison. He’s been with me for five, six, maybe coming up to seven years. I trust that man as well. So, these aren’t new people.

“These aren’t fresh people that are inexperienced or don’t know me. They’ve seen me at hard spas. They’ve seen me through hard fights and hard moments and hard occasions. They know my durability and what I can go through and how I can come out on the other side.”

Queensberry promoter Frank Warren also defended Davison, stating that the fact he’s been involved in high-profile fights opens him up to more criticism, but confirmed there will be conversations over fight management after Itauma’s failure to see out his bout with Hrgovic.

“Regarding Ben, we will have a chat,” Warren said. “There’s certain things that I’ve seen in the fight and seen on the night that obviously have got to be dealt with.

“You have to manage a fight. All he’d done, he got in the ring, he just went and put his foot down on the accelerator and pushed it in overdrive and never took it off.

“He never went out, he never sort of went back to the jab, moved around, just took it easy, calmed down. If he’d have just boxed – what was he, eight rounds up on all the cards? All he had to do was box.”

Teams across the league continue managing injuries and fine-tuning rosters as the regular season inches closer.

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey was back at practice Tuesday, while Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles addressed ongoing uncertainty surrounding cornerback Kyler Gordon’s return. 

New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson remains sidelined while rehabilitating an ankle injury and when Pittsburgh Steelers Joey Porter Jr. was asked about whether or not he will play for the Steelers in Week 1, he responded, “I don’t know.”

Keep up with the latest news from around the league on Tuesday.

After weeks of speculation, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is back on the field practicing. He was seen on a Tuesday afternoon making cuts and looking explosive during team drills, showing he’s ready for the Week 1 opener.

McCaffrey missed more than two weeks of training camp while dealing with what was described as general “tightness.” It’s unclear if the issue was related to the Achilles tendinitis that sidelined him in 2024 or simply a precaution for other injuries he’s dealt with over his career.

However, this should be an encouraging sign as he looks fully healthy heading into Australia, when the 49ers take on the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1.

McCaffrey is coming off the heaviest workload season of his career, accumulating a career-high 413 total touches. He logged 311 rushes for 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns, while adding 102 receptions for 924 yards and seven touchdowns in the passing game.

If McCaffrey stays healthy, the 49ers offense could make serious noise in a competitive NFC West. The additions of Mike Evans and rookie De’Zhaun Stribling, alongside a healthy McCaffrey and Brock Purdy, make this offense one of the most intriguing units in the league.

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles expressed uncertainty Tuesday regarding when defensive back Kyler Gordon will return to action as he continues to recover from a lingering calf injury. Gordon, who signed a three-year, $40 million contract extension in April 2025, has appeared in just five games since signing the deal and has been sidelined throughout the entire offseason. 

When asked Tuesday if he envisions Gordon playing for Chicago during the upcoming 2026 season, Poles offered a guarded response.

“I don’t know. I would hope so,” Poles said to reporters Tuesday. “I still have hope there. He’s going to have to continue to work hard and get back to playing.”

Poles declined to provide specifics on Gordon’s recovery process, confirming that the defensive back is working with team trainers while also consulting outside medical personnel.

“When people come back from injuries, there’s different things that happen,” Poles said. “Sometimes they return fast, sometimes they’re slow. So it’s really a timing thing and a healing thing and a confidence thing. Anytime you have an injury and you’re coming back from something, there’s discomfort that you have to push through, and that’s what it comes down to. So we haven’t been able to get over that hump, and we’re not progressing as fast as we would like.”

As Gordon remains on the reserve list, the Bears made additional roster moves Tuesday. 

Chicago placed safety Coby Bryant and tight end Hayden Large on injured reserve, leaving open the flexibility to designate both for return later in the season. To fill those roster spots, the Bears signed defensive tackle James Lynch and linebacker Jack Sanborn to the active 53-man roster.

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. returned to practice on Tuesday after dealing with a back injury, but remained noncommittal about whether he will play in the season opener without a new contract. 

Entering the final year of his rookie contract, Porter addressed his Week 1 availability when asked if he would suit up against the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 13.

“I don’t know,” Porter said. “I’ve got to talk to the front office and my agents about that one.”

Joey Porter Jr. is also entering the final year of his rookie deal. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

General manager Omar Khan stated Monday that the team wants Porter to remain with the franchise long-term, but Pittsburgh holds a long-standing policy of ceasing all contract negotiations once the regular season begins. While Porter acknowledged that navigating the business side has been difficult, he noted that teammates and coaches have offered support as he continues preparing.

“I could hope and think all day, but it’s really up to the front office and what they want to do with this team,” Porter said. “So all I can do is just show up every day to work and be prepared.”

New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson hasn’t practiced in over a week due to an ankle injury suffered in training camp. It’s an injury that has flown under the radar, especially with Ashton Jeanty also grabbing headlines after suffering a scary ankle injury of his own.

Henderson returned to Patriots practice on Tuesday afternoon but has not yet been cleared for full participation, ESPN first reported. While he continues to rehab a right ankle injury on the side, he was seen walking normally in the locker room, but his Week 1 status is unclear.

He is coming off a productive rookie season in the Patriots offense. On just 180 carries, Henderson racked up 911 yards and nine touchdowns, while adding 35 receptions for 221 receiving yards and a score in the pass game.

If Henderson can’t suit up next Wednesday night against the Seattle Seahawks, Rhamondre Stevenson is expected to see a full workload. Even though Stevenson is already the featured back, he could turn into a true three-down workhorse early in the season.

• Indianapolis Colts wide receivers Keenan Allen, Alec Pierce, Josh Downs and tight end Tyler Warren were all back on the practice field Tuesday. General manager Chris Ballard said Allen is expected to play in the team’s Week 1 opener, while Pierce continues to ramp up his practice workload following offseason ankle surgery. Downs returned to practice Tuesday after being sidelined with a minor calf strain.
• Quarterback Max Brosmer cleared waivers and reportedly re-signed with the Minnesota Vikings on a practice squad agreement Tuesday, one day after being waived from the initial 53-man roster.
• The Detroit Lions reportedly placed running back Isiah Pacheco on injured reserve Tuesday due to a back injury. The designation rules Pacheco out for at least the first four games of the regular season.
• Quarterback Joe Milton officially went unclaimed on waivers Tuesday following his release from the Dallas Cowboys on Monday. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer told reporters the Cowboys would “absolutely” like to have him back on the roster.

Frank Warren says that Anthony Joshua is yet to sign the contract for an all-British blockbuster fight with Tyson Fury as the wait goes on for an official announcement.

Fury suggested on Tuesday that confirmation of the hotly-anticipated showdown was close, posting a mocked-up image of himself facing off with Joshua above the words “New York City” on Instagram.

The expectation is that the bout will be hosted at the world-famous Madison Square Garden, as is the desire of Turki Alalshikh and Saudi state-owned promotional company Sela, though Joshua’s camp prefer Wembley Stadium as the venue, which would allow for the element of a home crowd.

Warren, however, says that location is no longer a factor for Fury who has penned a contract that does not hinge on where the fight takes place, with the Queensberry chief insisting that “The Gypsy King” is now just waiting on Joshua’s signature.

“The latest is Joshua’s not signed yet,” Warren said.

“It’s not for me to give him [a deadline], it’s the people who are paying the money. It’s all this stuff, as I said from the beginning, it’s about contracts. I know what the contracts say. The contracts have all got to be amended.

“Tyson’s signed. Tyson’s done. He don’t care when the fight takes place. [If] they want it in New York, they want it in Barbados, they want it on the Isle of Wight, he’s signed. He’s done.”

Warren also added that Fury signed up for the “AJ” fight as early as the beginning of this year, with plans originally being for the pair to fight in this month.

However, Joshua’s involvement in car crash that took the lives of two of his close friends last December forced the date of fight night to be rearranged.

Enjoy 185+ fights a year on DAZN, the Global Home of Boxing

Never miss a fight from top promoters. Watch on your devices anywhere, anytime.

Buy Now

ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Enjoy 185+ fights a year on DAZN, the Global Home of Boxing

Advertisement

Never miss a fight from top promoters. Watch on your devices anywhere, anytime.

Buy Now

ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Both men have since had warm-up fights back, with Fury beating Arslanbek Makhmudov by decision in April before stopping Mariusz Wach in Thailand in July, while Joshua survived a scare to beat Kristian Prenga that same month.

“He signed for the fight in January,” Warren continued. “The fight was supposed to take place in September, but what happened with AJ and his accident, that all got pushed back.

“Where we got to with it was obviously AJ had his fight back and we’d already had that one in December with Jake Paul.

“Then, it was decided to put it on in November. But one contract says one venue, the other contract says another venue, and the TV contract says another venue. I don’t do the contracts.”

College football’s first full weekend is here, bringing five consecutive days of meaningful games and enough marquee matchups to keep the remote working overtime. 

Week 1 begins Thursday night, rolls through a loaded Saturday slate and stretches into Monday evening, giving us an early look at several teams carrying College Football Playoff expectations into the 2026 season. Neutral-site showdowns, one notable ranked matchup and uncomfortable road trips headline Labor Day weekend, when preseason confidence finally collides with reality. 

This is where contenders begin building résumés, and coaches facing pressure can change the conversation. Our weekly picks are back, too, with predictions against the spread for the biggest games throughout the weekend. There will be winners, bad beats and a few early-season surprises along the way.

All odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

No. 7 Miami (-23.5) at Stanford

Hummer (Stanford +23.5): Stanford’s offense looked better in Week 0 than it has in a few seasons. The Cardinal scored 37 points against Hawaii, ran the ball reasonably well (4.7 ypc) and didn’t allow a sack. Will it look the same against Miami? Probably not. But to cover a spread this size, that unit just needs to be functional. Long-term, I think Miami is one of the no-doubt teams of the season. But I could see the Hurricanes having to work out some kinks on the O-line in Week 1 with an almost entirely new unit. It’s close for a bit, but Miami pulls away in the second half. … Miami 35, Stanford 14.

Crawford (Miami -23.5): Miami should look every bit like a national title contender Friday night with Darian Mensah directing an offense built to overwhelm Stanford. His poise, accuracy and experience should travel well, especially alongside the Hurricanes’ collection of explosive playmakers. This is the type of opener in which Miami can establish early control, create chunk plays and flex its depth. Anything less than a convincing performance would raise questions, but Mensah will give the Hurricanes a steadying presence in his first start at his new program. … Miami 34, Stanford 7.

Boise State at No. 2 Oregon (-24.5)

Hummer (Oregon -24.5): There should be no lack of motivation or awareness of this game in Eugene. We’re only two years removed from the Ducks escaping with a three-point win over Boise State early in the regular season. But I’d argue these teams are in different places. The Broncos, while still very good and a legitimate G6 playoff spot contender, lack a Heisman contender at running back in Ashton Jeanty. And Oregon, for its part, has more talent than at any point in the Dan Lanning era. I wouldn’t say this line provides much value for bettors either way. But I lean Oregon. The Ducks come out hot and avoid the trap they fell into two years ago. … Oregon 42, Boise State 17.

Crawford (Boise State +24.5): Oregon is my preseason pick to win the Big Ten, but the Broncos will keep this one within the number. It may take a couple of weeks for the Ducks to gel on both sides of the football after the debut of two new coordinators. I believe it’s one of the most undersold storylines nationally entering the season, but it won’t take this team out of the CFP title-contender group. Oregon is uber-talented, and Dan Lanning looks to become the sport’s latest first-time champion this fall. … Oregon 41, Boise State 17.

Baylor vs. Auburn (-7.5)

Hummer (Baylor +7.5): There’s a lot of new for these teams. Combined, they return just seven total starters from last year. The Tigers have an entirely new coaching staff. The Bears hired a new defensive coordinator, Joe Klanderman, from Kansas State. Given all of that … it’s worth noting the certainties, which, if you look at the history of the two offenses, are points. Alex Golesh scores them wherever he goes. Baylor OC Jake Spavital does, too. So, at least to me, this comes down to who can get more stops. Looking at the rosters, Auburn has the advantage. More difference makers, a better front seven. I don’t love a Tigers cover. But I do expect them to open the year with a win. … Auburn 34, Baylor 27.

Crawford (Baylor +7.5): This Atlanta opener carries considerable weight for two coaches operating under different pressures. Baylor needs an early win to quiet hot-seat concerns for Dave Aranda, while first-year Tigers coach Alex Golesh arrives confident his roster can finish near the top of the SEC. Expectations inside Auburn’s building are considerably higher than the national perception, making this an immediate measuring-stick play. Beat Baylor convincingly, and the Tigers generate momentum. Struggle, and questions surface before the SEC grind even begins in earnest. … Auburn 31, Baylor 24.

Clemson at No. 11 LSU (-10.5)

Hummer (Clemson +10.5): That’s an aggressive line. It’d be one thing if LSU were a proven entity entering the season. But the Tigers are a stitched-together roster of portal additions who, especially at positions like the O-line, are going to have to gel as the season goes along. And Clemson, for all of its flaws, remains an incredibly talented team. Clemson has elite receivers, a veteran offensive line and several draft picks on defense. It’s hard to win in Baton Rouge at night, and I won’t go as far as to pick an upset. But I like a Clemson cover in this game; the Tigers control the ball, play clean and keep it close. … LSU 24, Clemson 20.

Crawford (Clemson +10.5): Getting the sense I’m already picking too many favorites to cover this week, but sticking with my gut here. Clemson is rolling with unproven Christopher Vizzina at quarterback, with Chad Morris back calling plays in what should be Week 1’s most hostile environment. That said, there’s more pressure on LSU here. Lane Kiffin’s debut comes with considerable intrigue, given a wild offseason that began with signing the nation’s top-ranked portal class and ends with the program trying to add more (NFL) talent in the final hours. … LSU 30, Clemson 23.

UCLA (-1.5) at Cal

Hummer (Cal -1.5): I don’t think UCLA should be favored in this game, especially on the road. California, at least on paper, is more talented than it has been in years. The Bears spent more money this offseason than they have before, and the roster, which ranks 43rd in returning production, is pretty experienced. The Bruins, for their part, had to tear things down for Bob Chesney to build it back up. There’s some talent in LA, and returning Nico Iamaleava at quarterback helps, but it’s going to take some time for the Bruins to get where they’d like to go. Cal, using a bit of the Calimony from UCLA’s departure to the Big Ten, gets the win. … Cal 27, UCLA 24.

Crawford (UCLA -1.5): This one’s a great quarterback battle of two signal callers that will lead both of these respective teams to bowl eligibility this season. That may not mean as much as it used to in what’s become a CFP-or-bust expectation level at nearly every Power Four program, but for two first-year coaches, it’s a positive step in Year 1. I have a slight lean to Bob Chesney and the Bruins here because UCLA’s defense should be able to come up with enough stops to thwart Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. … UCLA 31, Cal 28.

No. 24 Louisville vs. No. 9 Ole Miss (-6.5)

Hummer (Ole Miss -6.5): This is probably the best game of the week. There are questions on both sides: With Louisville, it’s how new quarterback Lincoln Kienholz fares as the starter after making just 36 throws in three seasons with Ohio State. For Ole Miss, it’s, at least to me, the wide receiver room and who Trinidad Chambliss will throw to. I prefer the certainty that Ole Miss provides with elite players in several spots. Could Isaac Brown wreck the game and expose a Rebels run defense that had its problems last year? Absolutely. But I think Ole Miss comes out and makes a statement in Week 1. … Ole Miss 27, Louisville 20.

Crawford (Ole Miss -6.5): You know what you’re getting when Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy walk on the field Sunday night in Nashville. There’s promise at Louisville, too, given Jeff Brohm’s heightened success over his first three seasons. However, Lincoln Kienholz is a first-time starter at quarterback after transferring from Ohio State, and this is a big spot on the national stage. The pressure’s definitely on the Ole Miss side here, but it feels like the Rebels are equipped to handle it. Don’t give up on the Cardinals as an ACC contender by the way, regardless of this weekend’s result. … Ole Miss 35, Louisville 24.

Wisconsin vs. No. 4 Notre Dame (-20.5)

Hummer (Wisconsin +20.5): This is an early-season measuring stick for Luke Fickell in a must-win season. The question here is, can Wisconsin move the ball? It was a struggle throughout 2025 with the nation’s No. 135 offense. Could it possibly be that bad again? I don’t think so. New Badgers QB Colton Joseph brings a dynamic element as a runner, and I’d expect Wisconsin to play ball control and attempt to wear teams down with their wide-zone scheme. Notre Dame is a bad matchup for Wisconsin with an elite secondary and a deep defensive front. But with two defense-led teams think the game stays close enough for the Badgers to cover. … Notre Dame 34, Wisconsin 14.

Crawford (Notre Dame -20.5): Notre Dame enters Lambeau Field with championship expectations, which means simply beating Wisconsin is not enough. The Fighting Irish need to look the part, control the line of scrimmage and showcase the roster strength that makes them a favorite to win it all. Wisconsin could hang around early given the setting, but Notre Dame’s physicality and talent should create separation after halftime. This is a tone-setting opportunity for Marcus Freeman’s team. … Notre Dame 34, Wisconsin 10.

No. 19 SMU (-2.5) at Florida State

Hummer (SMU -2.5): I’m surprised the line is that low. The Mustangs are my pick to make the ACC title game alongside Miami, and I think they’re better than Florida State in pretty much every area. The Seminoles can run the ball, but SMU had a top-20 run defense last year. New Mexico State moved the ball reasonably well against FSU last week. SMU, for its part, returns seven starters from a top-25 offense last season. Florida State is better than people are giving them credit for entering the year. But I just think the Mustangs clearly have the better roster. … SMU 27, Florida State 21.

Crawford (SMU -2.5): My favorite play of Week 1. And if the line moves to over a field goal later this week, I still like it. There’s no sample size with the Mustangs yet, but you know what you’re getting with Kevin Jennings. He’s not going to make a critical error on the road to lose this one. I was unimpressed with Florida State at the line of scrimmage against New Mexico State, and I’m not confident Ashton Daniels will be able to manufacture enough positive plays to take down a league opponent I’m projecting to reach the CFP. … SMU 27, Florida State 20.

Two-time European champion Paris Saint-Germain sold yet another player on transfer deadline day, with Ibrahim Mbaye joining Aston Villa as the French club continues its metamorphosis from big spender to big earner.

The Senegal forward joined on a permanent transfer, both clubs said.

PSG has been the European club generating the highest transfer revenues from departures this summer, with a total of more than 400 million euros ($464 million), ahead of Premier League clubs Aston Villa and Manchester City.

PSG parted ways with a big name – France forward Bradley Barcola – in the biggest signing of the summer transfer window, but has only sold players who were used in a substitute role by coach Luis Enrique, a deliberate strategy of the club.

The 18-year-old Mbaye, a product of PSG youth academy, has 15 caps with Senegal and became the youngest African player to score at the World Cup this summer in a 3-1 defeat against France. Two years ago, he also was the youngest PSG player to make his Ligue 1 debut, aged just 16 years, six months and 23 days.

Mbaye won eight trophies with PSG, including two Champions League titles, two European Super Cups and two French League titles.

In addition to the 145 million euros ($166 million) earned with the Barcola deal, PSG sold Mbaye in a transfer package valued up to 60 million euros ($69 million). PSG also offloaded defender Noham Kamara, South Korea midfielder Lee Kang-In, striker Randal Kolo Muani and Portugal forward Goncalo Ramos.

After more than a decade during which owners spent lavishly to attract big names such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lionel Messi and Neymar, PSG has changed its approach since the arrival of coach Luis Enrique. After the departure of Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid in 2024, he asked for the recruitment of lesser known but excellent players across the squad to create competition and have second options at every position.

The strategy paid off, with successive Champions League titles.

This summer, PSG earned 400 million euros ($464 million) in player sales while recruiting Ferran Torres, Maghnes Akliouche, Mika Godts, Lucas, Digne and Alessandro Longoni for under 210 million euros ($243 million), generating close to 200 million ($232 million) in capital gains.

PSG said in October last year that it closed the 202425 season with record revenues of 837 million euros ($970 million) following its first Champions League title. Since 2011, the year that Qatar Sports Investments took over at PSG, the club’s turnover has increased ninefold.

Every so often, dreams do come true.

For a long time, Vikings fans have been petitioning Minnesota’s leadership to enhance the pass rushing department. In particular, the desire was to see a more promising EDGE3 tossed into the mix. That has finally taken place.

Vikings Fans Get their Wish

Credit to GM Nolan Teasley. The new decision maker has scooped up veteran edge rusher Kyle Van Noy.

Tom Pelissero of The Ringer sends along the update: “Veteran OLB Kyle Van Noy is signing with the Vikings, sources tell @ringer @netflixsports. Van Noy and DC Brian Flores won two Super Bowls together with the Patriots. Now they’re teaming up in Minnesota, where Van Noy will start on the practice squad to ramp up.”

The final detail — a “ramp up” — is pretty important. Essentially, the player is being given some time to get his body into shape.

Better yet, the Minnesota Vikings don’t need to cut a player on the 53-man roster right now. Van Noy can get snuggled into the practice squad. He’ll refresh himself on the Brian Flores scheme in the coming weeks and likely be active for Week 1 versus the Packers.

Afterwards, the Vikings will have a pair of free elevations from the practice squad. Seeing the veteran do well will mean earning a true contract to get onto the roster, allowing him to continue working for Coach Flores. Not too shabby, eh?

Alec Lewis (The Athletic) offered a bit more insight about the signing: “The Vikings are indeed signing edge rusher Kyle Van Noy, a source confirms @TomPelissero. The perfect signing for an edge rusher position that lacked depth for months. Tyler Batty’s torn ACL added further urgency. Van Noy has familiarity with Brian Flores & defensive terminology.

Right now, the Vikings’ top two edge rushers are Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner. Van Noy is quite likely to earn that EDGE3 job. Or, quite possibly, he’ll be the EDGE4 if Eric Wilson gets leaned on to be that third option flying off the line of scrimmage to take down the quarterback.

Kyle Van Noy, 35, is going to bite into the Vikings’ open cap room that sits at roughly $20 million. Since he’s on the practice squad, Van Noy will deplete the open space by hundreds of thousands rather than millions.

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

The Akwa Ibom State Referees Council has expressed its gratitude to former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong following the donation of officiating kits to the Council through the Troost-Ekong Foundation.

The kits were presented during the grand finale of the Troost-Ekong Foundation Secondary Schools Football Tournament in Uyo on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Nsikakabasi Akpan, the Akwa Ibom State Referees Council described the donation as a thoughtful gesture and a clear demonstration of Troost-Ekong’s continued commitment to the development of football in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.

The Council said it was “deeply grateful” for the support, adding that the donation would further support referees in carrying out their duties professionally.

Speaking after receiving the kits, Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Referees Council, Elder Joseph Bassey, praised the Troost-Ekong Foundation for the donation, describing it as a “thoughtful and valuable gesture”.

He reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to maintaining high standards of officiating and ensuring good and professional officiating in all competitions.

The Council also expressed its appreciation to the Mr Samuel Umoh-led Akwa Ibom State Football Association for its role in building and strengthening the partnership with the Troost-Ekong Foundation.

According to the Council, the partnership is already producing significant results and creating opportunities for the growth of football at different levels.

The appreciation came during a colourful grand finale which saw Etinan Institute and Community Secondary School, Aka Offot, crowned champions of the boys’ and girls’ categories respectively.

In the girls’ final, Community Secondary School, Aka Offot, defeated Methodist Secondary School, Ibiaku Ishiet, 5-0 to successfully defend the title they won in 2025.

The victory gave Aka Offot back-to-back titles in the competition organised by the Akwa Ibom State Football Association in partnership with the Troost-Ekong Foundation.

In the boys’ final, Etinan Institute defeated St Brian Model College 1-0 to claim the championship.

The grand finale also coincided with Troost-Ekong’s 33rd birthday and brought together schools, football officials, government representatives, parents, supporters and other stakeholders.

The champions received trophies, medals and cash prizes, while the runners-up were also presented with medals and cash prizes. Individual awards were presented for the best player, best goalkeeper and highest goal scorer in both categories.

All four finalists received sports equipment from the Troost-Ekong Foundation, while the Foundation also extended its support to all participating schools as part of its commitment to grassroots football development.

The Akwa Ibom State Referees Council once again thanked William Troost-Ekong, the Troost-Ekong Foundation and the Akwa Ibom State Football Association for the gesture.

“We are grateful,” the Council said.

Texas quarterback Arch Manning enters his redshirt junior season as the most celebrated and scrutinized quarterback in the country and thus is the most intriguing NFL prospect. But he’s not a shoo-in to be the No. 1 overall pick of the 2027 NFL Draft. 

There is no denying Manning’s appeal. He’s supremely talented, boasting an ideal blend of size, arm talent and mobility with the Hall of Fame bloodlines every QB-needy NFL franchise would seemingly love to build its team around. 

But is it as simple as Manning, whose 2026 season kicks off Saturday against Texas State, “just staying healthy” before earning the distinction of being the top pick next spring?

Arch Manning is aiming to become the third member of his family to be the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. (Photo by Parker S. Freedman/Getty Images)

To put it bluntly, no. In a class this gifted, no one can afford to simply rest on their résumé. Not Manning nor Ohio State phenom receiver Jeremiah Smith nor any of the top QBs.

But, if Manning can improve in three particular areas, I believe he will follow in his famous uncles’ footsteps and hear his name called first on draft day.  

1. Improve In The Quick Game

Like most quarterbacks drawing attention from NFL scouts, Manning will ultimately get drafted because of his ability to accurately throw the football long distances. It is easy to assume that if a quarterback is accurate on longer passes, he’ll also be precise on shorter throws. 

That was not the case with Manning last year, however. In fact, he was arguably at his worst on the shortest throws — a flaw that simply must be corrected if he is to earn an early first-round selection next spring. 

The so-called quick game — i.e. slants, bubble screens, pop passes — is as fundamental to the modern era of football as shooting 3-pointers is to modern basketball. 

These routes have gained importance in recent years with today’s elite pass-rushers and all the exotic scheming and blitzing done to pressure quarterbacks immediately. Signal-callers absolutely must be able to get the ball in and out of their hands efficiently. 

Manning was surprisingly inaccurate on several short throws last year, espeically early in the season. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

When operating out of the shotgun — as Manning typically did in 2025 — quarterbacks are taught to first secure the snap and then simultaneously turn their feet in the direction of the intended receiver while spinning the ball to allow their fingers to grip the laces. Once the ball is comfortably in their grasp, a quick, strong throw should be out long before the pass rush has any chance to get home. 

Experienced quarterbacks can make these throws seem like little more than extended handoffs, collecting and distributing in one fluid motion. 

Manning is as quick as you’ll see in this regard. In fact, he’s quicker than most. However, his technique was off and therefore so was his accuracy. Manning didn’t consistently pair his upper and lower body last season, failing to either grip the laces or turn his feet properly (or both), resulting in the ball spraying erratically. These issues were further exacerbated by a sloppy sidearm release that left potential pass-catchers struggling to pick up the ball in flight. With less distance for the ball to cover, receivers had a hard time locating and corralling throws that came in at the head or knee level just as often as they did near the chest, as intended. 

Manning’s inconsistent accuracy forced receivers to adjust, contributing to a whopping 22 charted drops by Texas receivers, per PFF. It also disrupted opportunities to create yards after the catch. 

Fortunately, this is a coachable skill that a lot of young quarterbacks struggle with. Manning did improve in this area over the course of last season, eventually showing both greater poise and precision. I expect he will be even better in his second year as the Longhorns’ starter. 

2. Work Through His Progressions Better

Too often last year, Manning stared down his primary target and either tried to throw him open or resorted to scrambling. While he was fairly successful at improvising, the competition will be much better in the NFL. 

It is difficult to convey Manning’s struggles in this area with statistics, but consider this: Per Pro Football Focus, Manning had 10 passes batted down at the line of scrimmage last year. Of all the quarterbacks selected in the NFL Draft in April, only fellow first-year starter Ty Simpson had this many throws knocked down — and that’s with the 6-foot-1 Simpson attempting 69 more passes at Alabama last year than the 6-foot-4 Manning did for Texas. 

It is the same story if we compare Manning to the rest of this year’s loaded quarterback class. 

There were four other quarterbacks to make the first round in my way-too-early 2027 mock draft from April, and none of them cracked double-digits in this category. 

The same goes for Notre Dame’s CJ Carr (four), Miami’s Darian Mensah (seven) and Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker (eight), who are also receiving first-round buzz heading into this season. 

Now, just as Manning’s receivers deserve some of the criticism for the aforementioned drops, at least partial blame for batted down passes belongs to his blockers.  

But Manning greatly contributed to these deflections at the line of scrimmage by too often telegraphing his throws. This allowed rushers to time their leaps and, sometimes, tip his passes for their teammates to potentially intercept.

Manning sometimes had way too many passes batted down for someone his size. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

Part of Manning’s appeal to NFL teams is his prototypical height and lightning-quick release. Frankly, there is only one excuse for a quarterback of Manning’s size and arm talent to have this many passes knocked down in Steve Sarkisian’s shotgun-based offense, and that is inexperience. 

NFL teams will forgive Manning’s “rookie mistakes” if they were, indeed, just that. But to be the No. 1 overall pick next spring, Manning must prove he can scan the entire field, efficiently moving from his primary target to second or third options while protecting the ball. 

3. Just Win, Baby (Including On The Road)

Fans would be amazed at how much value NFL teams place on wins as a starting QB. 

It isn’t that professional scouts fail to recognize the impact that a leaky defense, turnovers by others or a porous offensive line might play in determining the outcome of a game. They know that football is the ultimate team sport and, while quarterback is the most important position on the field, he’s still just one of 22 players in a given play. 

But a QB meriting strong consideration for a first-round pick — especially No. 1 overall — must demonstrate the ability to uplift his teammates. Never mind the Heisman hype; he simply needs to be great when the lights shine brightest. Manning will surely be under that spotlight (and microscope) while trying to lead a Texas program to its first national title in 21 years. 

A lot of Fernando Mendoza’s skeptics quieted down last year once he guided the Indiana Hoosiers past Ohio State in the Big Ten title game, much less past Alabama, Oregon (for a second time) and Miami in the College Football Playoff. Mendoza completed 70.0% of his passes with 10 touchdowns against just two interceptions in those five games. For the year, he completed 72.0% of his throws with 41 touchdowns against six interceptions. In other words, his performance was largely the same all year long, regardless of opponent. 

Now contrast that with Manning, who was picked off in all three of Texas’ losses last year and completed 58.8% of his passes against Oregon, Florida and Georgia with a 4:4 touchdown-to-interception ratio. (It is worth noting that each of those losses came on the road.) He threw 22 touchdowns with just three interceptions while completing 62.2% of his passes in his 10 other starts. 

Manning will face many of the best teams in college football this year, though most of those games will be in Texas. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Manning won’t have many opportunities this fall to slay any perceived road demons, at least not during the regular season, making his performance in a select few contests that much more important. Only three games on the Longhorns’ schedule — at Tennessee, at Missouri and at LSU — are outside the state of Texas. That’s not to say UT’s schedule will be comfortable, however. Matchups against fellow preseason top-10 teams such as Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas A&M and Ole Miss are sure to challenge Manning and Co. 

How he responds will not only define the 2026 Longhorns but very likely the top of the 2027 NFL Draft.

Golfing icon Tiger Woods entered a plea agreement on Wednesday to a reckless driving charge after a rollover crash in March near his home in Florida.

Woods, 50, appeared in a courtroom in Martin County where he agreed to a reduced charge after initially being charged with DUI. A judge ordered his driver’s license be suspended for five years.

Woods said little during Wednesday’s hearing and beforehand sat at the defense table, looking back at the courtroom gallery.

The golf legend previously pleaded not guilty to a driving under the influence charge. Woods was arrested after his SUV clipped a truck and rolled over on its side on a beachside residential road on Jupiter Island. A sheriff’s report said deputies found two pain pills in his pocket and he showed signs of impairment. He did a Breathalyzer test, which came out negative, but refused to take a urine test.

Neither Woods nor the person in the other vehicle were injured in the crash, according to officials. But his Land Rover caused $5,000 in damage to the truck, according to a police report. Woods had told a deputy that he was looking down at his phone and changing the radio station when he hit the truck.

Woods is among the most influential figures in golf, but his career has been derailed by multiple back and knee surgeries, car crashes and dependence on pain medication.

Woods has been involved in four crashes over the years. He took a leave from the golf tour after the 2009 crash and again after the latest crash and has yet to return to tournament play.

He left the United States to seek treatment at an inpatient treatment facility, according to court records.

More to follow…