Hardik Pandya could be on his way out of Mumbai Indians after a disastrous outing in the Indian Premier League in IPL 2026. While MI finished ninth in the points table, Hardik also had a challenging campaign, even from an individual standpoint, scoring just 146 runs in 8 innings and taking only 3 wickets. Recently, the MI captain’s Instagram story fueled rumours of his exit from the franchise, with fans hinting that a move to CSK could be on the cards for the star all-rounder.
In the picture posted on his Instagram story, there was a laptop where a film was playing, a notebook, a pen and his mobile phone. However, what caught the attention of fans was the time displayed on the phone screen. The time showed ’07:07′ and it did not take the internet much time to connect it to MS Dhoni.
Reacting to a recent post from a fan who asked whether CSK should re-sign pacer Matheesha Pathirana if the Kolkata Knight Riders decide to release the Sri Lankan, former India cricketer R Ashwin dropped a cryptic message. The veteran spinner hinted at the specific players the franchise should target to bolster their squad next season.
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While doubling down on Pathirana’s retention, Ashwin also suggested the names of England Test captain Ben Stokes and a mystery player labeled “07:07.” Fans were incredibly quick to link the cryptic player to Hardik, referring to the all-rounder’s recent Instagram post.
Hardik had rejoined MI ahead of IPL 2024 after an all-cash trade deal with Gujarat Titans, a franchise he had led to the title in 2022.
However, since his return to Mumbai, the powerhouse franchise has failed to qualify for the playoffs in two of his three seasons at the helm, including a dismal ninth-place finish in the 2026 edition.
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IPL 2026 News | RCB Outplay CSK For 2nd Win On Trot, Ruturaj Gaikwad & Co Suffer 3rd Loss
Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (27) carries the football during action against the Green Bay Packers on Jan. 4, 2026 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Mason handled an expanded offensive workload late in the regular season as Minnesota leaned on its rushing attack during another important NFC North showdown against Green Bay. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers-Imagn Images
Startup dynasty fantasy football drafts are ongoing, and redraft leagues will get cracking in three months. During those events, it might be a decent idea to take a flyer on Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason.
Mason’s RB2 case depends on volume, efficiency, and whether Aaron Jones finally gives up touches.
The veteran tailback is on tap for RB1-RB2 duty in 2026, and he made a list of potential “sleepers” published by Fansided last week.
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Minnesota’s Backfield Could Create Real Fantasy Value
Mason could be an undercover stud in 2026.
Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (27) rushes the football against the Washington Commanders during the second half on Dec. 7, 2025 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Mason handled an important role in Minnesota’s ground attack as the Vikings leaned on their rushing offense during a late-season NFC matchup against Washington. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Fansided: Mason Is a Fantasy Sleeper
Justin Carter at Fansided tossed out eight sleepers for your upcoming drafts, and on Mason, he explained, “Mason’s first season with the Minnesota Vikings was solid. He rushed for a career-high six touchdowns and came close to his previous career high in rushing yards despite playing just 44 percent of Minnesota’s offensive snaps, with Aaron Jones serving as the team’s lead back for the 12 games Jones was healthy and active for.”
“Now, Jones is a year older. He has over 1,500 career carries. He missed time last year with a variety of injuries. And he’s backed up by one of, IMO, one of the best backup running backs in the league. This is a situation where fantasy managers could get a massive reward if the Vikings end up using Mason as the starting running back at some point.”
Carter continued, “There’s one issue that caps his upside a bit, though: he’s a complete non-factor as a receiver. Mason had 159 carries last year, but just 16 targets. That’s, uhh, a pretty big disparity, and it wasn’t a result of game planning.”
“Jones had 132 carries — fewer than Mason due to missing five games — but was still targeted 41 times. Still, in standard and even half-PPR, Mason is a great player to throw a dart at later in your fantasy draft.”
His 2025 Output
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How productive was Mason in Year No. 1 with the Vikings? Quite is the answer. He logged 159 carries for 758 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns, paydirts that were ultra-refreshing because the 2024 Vikings almost refused to score rushing touchdowns altogether. Mason also caught 14 passes for 51 yards, a modest mark.
His problem? Attention. Touches. Emphasis. Like this year, Minnesota has Aaron Jones lined up to share the RB1-RB2 workload, a one-two punch of experience and dependability. Jones isn’t the type of guy teams put on the bench, so the pair basically coexist.
Had Mason been granted the touch load of an RB1 — like Travis Etienne, for example, in Jacksonville — in the arena of 260 rushing attempts, here’s what Mason’s stat line would look like:
When the offseason began in January, a large faction of Vikings fans expected the club to release Jones, who battled injuries in 2025 — and battles some form of injury nearly every season. Jones will be 32 this winter, and age-32 running backs aren’t often hot commodities.
Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (27) carries the football against the Chicago Bears during the second half on Sep. 8, 2025 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. Mason fought through contact from Bears safety Kevin Byard III (31) while helping Minnesota establish offensive balance in an early NFC North showdown. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
But Jones accepted a paycut to stay in Minnesota, keeping in the mix for 2026. That flattened Mason’s broad outlook this season. Had Jones departed, Mason would’ve been the next man up by default and possibly a bellcow RB1.
Until it happens, Mason will encounter a familiar narrative: the guy just needs more rushing attempts. When he gets the ball, he chips off about 5 yards per carry. He can’t blossom as a true-blue RB1 unless he gets 200-300 carries.
The Fansided theory evidently operates on the pretense that Mason will get closer to RB1 duty, rather than the shared setup on the docket right now.
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RotoBaller‘s Patrick McGrath on Mason: “With a healthier offensive line and improved quarterback play, his second season with the Vikings could be marginally more productive even if his role remains largely unchanged.”
“At 27 years old, Mason is RotoBaller’s dynasty RB52, and while the breakout calls have quieted, he is still capable of playing out the final year of his contract as an occasional flex option with notable insurance upside.”
Other Vikings Sleepers?
For fantasy football sake, the Vikings don’t have too many sleepers — everyone already knows that Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, and Kyler Murray are draftable.
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Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (27) carries the football against the Houston Texans during first-quarter preseason action on Aug. 9, 2025 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mason picked up early rushing yards as Minnesota worked to establish rhythm on the ground during the exhibition matchup against Houston. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
But if push came to shove for a Vikings-themed fantasy sleeper list, it would probably look like this:
Second-year pass-catcher Tai Felton could bloom, too, but the probability of that shrank when interim general manager Rob Brzezinski signed Jennings.
Mason turned 27 on Sunday.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
Widely touted as one of the best managers in Premier League history, Pep Guardiola has stepped down from his role at the helm of Manchester City on May 26. After ten glorious years, during which the 55-year-old oversaw 593 games – more than any other in the club’s history – fans said goodbye to Guardiola at a trophy parade and after-party.
Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina reacts to a point against Hungary’s Anna Bondar during their women’s singles match on day 2 of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Suzanne-Lenglen at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 25, 2026. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP via Getty Images)
Elina Svitolina fought back to defeat Anna Bondár 3-6, 6-1, 7-6(3) in a dramatic first-round battle at the French Open.
She was down 1-3 in the deciding set and facing an opponent who had beaten her in their last two meetings, but somehow found another level when the match got tight.
The Rome champion once again showed why she is one of the toughest players on tour.
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Svitolina has now won seven matches in a row and improves to an incredible 13-0 record in first-round matches at Roland Garros.
After the match, she joked about how many times she has faced Bondar.
“Anna, we played many times. I’m literally tired to play against her,” Svitolina said with a smile.
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She also praised the crowd for helping her through the battle.
“These kind of battles are never easy… I’m really overwhelmed with emotions to be fair.”
The win gives Svitolina her 30th victory of the 2026 season as she continues her strong run on clay heading deeper into Paris.
Introduced by Update 3 in Build a Ring Farm, the Striped Starfruit is a valuable crop that belongs to the Exotic rarity. All players can obtain it for their farm without making seed rerolls because it has replaced the Horned Melon in the Seed Collector. A single unit of Striped Starfruit has a base sale value higher than most of the other Exotic-rarity crops, including Kiwi, Moonflower, and Passion Fruit.
Here’s everything to know about the Striped Starfruit in Build a Ring Farm.
Getting the Striped Starfruit seed in Build a Ring Farm
The Seed Collector (Image via Roblox)
There are a couple of ways to get the Striped Starfruit. Primarily, it can be acquired from the Seed Collector machine in the middle of the map. Any player can submit seeds in this machine, earn points, and reach milestones to unlock rewards.
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A total of 180,000 points have to be earned to acquire a single Striped Starfruit seed. Notably, the rarity, level, and mutation of a seed submitted in the Seed Collector affect the number of earned points. You can easily gain thousands of points by depositing mutated seeds belonging to the Secret rarity.
Only 60,000 points can be amassed in a day. If you attempt to gain more points, the machine will refuse to accept any seeds.
To submit any seed, equip it, approach the Seed Collector, and hold the E key. The deposited seed will be converted into points. A bar at the top of the machine will move to indicate your progress to the final reward, which is the Striped Starfruit.
The Trucker Event (Image via Roblox)
Another method to get Striped Starfruit is the Trucker Event. When the event is active, the Trucker NPC arrives in a red truck and surveys the farms of all players on the server. It then grades these farms according to their number of upgrades, rarity of crops, and overall production value.
Trucker gives rewards based on the grades given to the farms. If you get an S+ rank, there is a high likelihood of the NPC rewarding you with rare seeds and items, such as the Cosmic Spray, Super Fertilizer, and Striped Starfruit seed.
Details of the Striped Starfruit in Build a Ring Farm
All details of the Striped Starfruit (Image via Roblox)
A Striped Starfruit plant produces round fruits with green and yellow colors. At Level 1 and when possessing no mutations, a single unit of Striped Starfruit sells for a whopping 130,000 Cash. You can increase its sale value by using Cash on upgrades as well as sprays that offer mutations.
Cosmic mutation currently gives the highest multiplier. Apply this mutation on the Striped Starfruit by using a Cosmic Spray, which is an item purchasable from the Gear Shop and Plant Rush shop.
Compared to other Exotic-rarity crops, the Striped Starfruit is average. Its base sale value is surpassed by Pepper, Trucker’s Delight, Void Fruit, and Dragonfruit.
The Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche hoped to turn the tide in the 2026 Western Conference Final after losing the first two games at home with the return of two-time Norris Trophy winner Cale Makar and for 20 minutes in Game 3, it appeared they did. But the wheels came off after that, and now they must attempt to avoid being swept with the possibility of being without their Hart Trophy finalist.
With Nathan MacKinnon’s status uncertain due to an apparent knee injury, the Avalanche look to extend the series when they visit the Vegas Golden Knights for Game 4 at T-Mobile Arena on Tuesday. The 2026 Maurice Richard Trophy winner with a career-high 53 goals, MacKinnon was hit on the inside of his right knee while blocking a shot in the second period of Game 3 and played sparingly the rest of the way.
Fans who want to wager on the 2026 NHL Playoffs can use the latest BetMGM promo code.
Colorado was clinging to a 3-2 lead at the time of the injury after having scored three times in the opening period, obviously energized by the return of Makar after the defenseman missed the first two games of the series with an upper-body injury. MacKinnon notched an assist on captain Gabriel Landeskog’s goal 3:21 into the contest and Nazem Kadri doubled the lead less than four minutes later before Jack Drury scored while short-handed with 6:45 remaining in the session.
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But the Golden Knights stormed back to even the game in the second, beginning with captain Mark Stone’s power-play goal 19 seconds in. Stone was back in the lineup after being sidelined for five contests with a lower-body injury.
William Karlsson and Keegan Kolesar also tallied in the middle period and Tomas Hertl snapped the 3-3 tie at 8:21 of the third before Brett Howden scored into an empty net in the final minute to seal the comeback victory and pull even with teammate Pavel Dorofeyev for the postseason lead with 10 goals.
Stone, Karlsson and Hertl each added an assist while Mitch Marner and defenseman Kaedan Korczak notched two apiece for Vegas, which is one win away from the third Stanley Cup Final appearance in the franchise’s nine-season history. The odds certainly are in the Golden Knights’ favor as teams facing a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven series the round before the Stanley Cup Final are 0-49 all-time.
Ivan Barbashev has scored two goals and set up another in the series for Vegas, Howden has tallied twice and Marner collected three assists. Marner leads all players this postseason with 21 points while Jack Eichel, who along with Hertl has a goal and two assists against the Avalanche, is second with 18.
Landeskog has produced two of Colorado’s six goals in the conference final while Kadri and Ross Colton both have recorded a tally and an assist. Blue-liner Devon Toews leads the team with three points – all assists – in the series.
Despite MacKinnon’s questionable status, the NHL betting odds at the major sportsbooks see the Avalanche as favorites in Game 4, as they are listed at -115 on the money line. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights are priced at about -105. Learn how to read betting odds here.
WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL GAME 4
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TEAM
DRAFTKINGS
FANDUEL
CAESARS
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BETMGM
Colorado Avalanche
-115
-115
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-115
-115
Vegas Golden Knights
-105
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-104
-105
-105
Game 4 Best Bets
Golden Knights money line (-104, FanDuel)
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Whether it be because of the absence of Makar or the caliber of their opponent or both, the Avalanche did not resemble the team that went 8-1 over the first two rounds of the postseason. They appeared to be back on track after one period of Game 3, but things went sideways. Even if MacKinnon is in the lineup on Tuesday, he likely won’t be at full strength and Colorado’s morale has to be at an all-time low following the team’s collapse on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights are 18-4-1 overall since John Tortorella replaced Bruce Cassidy as head coach in late March and 2-0 this postseason when they’ve had the opportunity to close out a series. I like their record in that situation to remain unblemished.
Pavel Dorofeyev Over 0.5 points (-135, BetMGM)
Dorofeyev had his six-game point streak halted in Game 3, thanks in part to a somewhat controversial call. The 25-year-old Russian right wing had an apparent first-period goal waved off as the officials ruled he batted the puck into the net with his hand and the decision was upheld after video review, although the puck appeared to hit the shaft of his stick in one camera angle. Nevertheless, Dorofeyev has landed on the scoresheet in nine of his last 12 postseason contests and I believe he’ll do so again in Game 4.
Philadelphia general manager Howie Roseman has swung the roster-shaping pendulum toward the defense in 2026 and beyond, quietly maneuvering through free agency while adding upside veterans on one-year deals. On offense, Dallas Goedert is back, but Nakobe Dean (Raiders), Reed Blankenship (Texans), Jaelan Phillips (Panthers), and Adoree’ Jackson (free agency) have all departed. Marcus Epps is back, and the Birds added longtime veteran J.T. Gray to the backend after trading Sydney Brown. While there are new names to know, the bulk of a Super Bowl-caliber roster remains, and has been infused with star pass rusher Jonathan Greenard.
During the NFL draft, Philadelphia added five offensive players, with their first five picks going to offensive players who’ll play key roles in the future. Of the five, only Makai Lemon and Eli Stowers appear set for Day 1 roles. Markel Bell, Micah Morris, and others may not seed the field until 2027 at the earliest. On defense, the Eagles added Texas Tech safety Cole Wisniewski and New Mexico pass rusher Keyshawn James-Newby, with an intriguing International Pathway Program participant, Uar Bernard, sandwiched in between.
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With OTAs set to begin and the mandatory mini-camp fast approaching, we’re ranking the Eagles’ non-quarterback position groups from least to most concerning
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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JULY 28: Cooper DeJean #33 and Quinyon Mitchell #27 of the Philadelphia Eagles line up for a drill during the Philadelphia Eagles Training Camp at NovaCare Complex on July 28, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
1. CB
# 27 Quinyon Mitchell#33 Cooper DeJean#2 Riq Woolen#7 Kelee Ringo#23 Jakorian Bennett#32 Jonathan Jones#22 Mac McWilliams#41 Tariq Castro-Fields
After losing Jaelan Phillips, Reed Blankenship, and Nakobe Dean, the strength of this defense will be at cornerback. Philadelphia has gone from uncertainty at the position to being absolutely loaded after landing Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen on a one-year deal worth up to $15 million. The move allows Cooper DeJean to remain a versatile weapon. At the same time, Michael Carter II could transition to safety, which allows the Birds to keep Jakorian Bennett and Kelee Ringo in reserve roles.
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The Eagles’ revamped defense will give some of the top passing offenses a run for their money, matching up with outside pass catchers and in the slot. Woolen possesses unmatched measurables for a cornerback as he’s tall, athletic, physical, fast, and has top-flight ball skills. Even more impressive, he produced the second-highest lockdown percentage (65%) in the NFL this past season. According to NBC Sports Philadelphia and Sharp Football, the Eagles used man coverage on 24.5% of their snaps last season. That ranked 12th in the NFL, whereas the Seahawks’ man usage (15.2%) ranked 27th.
DeVonta Smith (1,008) and A.J. Brown (1,003) are the only Eagles WR duo to produce 1,000+ receiving yards each in the same season, but the duo will be split up at some point after June 1. Looking to add more to the offense, the Eagles traded up to secure Makai Lemon. The explosive Hollywood Brown had 49 catches for 587 yards and 5 TDs last season. Darius Cooper is the player most impacted by Brown joining the roster. At the same time, Johnny Wilson will look to regain his training camp form from 2025, before he suffered a significant knee injury. This depth chart could drastically change around June 1. The addition of Dontayvion Wicks via trade makes things even more interesting.
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3. Offensive line
LT: #68 Jordan MailataLG: #69 Landon DickersonC: #51 Cam JurgensRG: #56 Tyler SteenRT: #65 Lane Johnson
The Eagles’ offensive line suffered multiple injuries in 2025 but will look to rebound under the new offensive line coach. The Eagles have hired Chris Kuper as offensive line coach. The Vikings didn’t retain Kuper after four years in the same position. During Kuper’s tenure, Minnesota ranked 32nd in pressure rate allowed on the interior in three of the last four seasons, including 2025, a ranking that led to his dismissal. Landon Dickerson was excellent in 2024 but finished the 2025 regular season with a 60.3 PFF pass-blocking grade, which ranked only 51st among 81 qualifying guards. Jordan Mailata didn’t replicate his elite 2024 campaign, but he was still Philadelphia’s best offensive lineman. His 83.8 PFF overall grade ranked seventh among all offensive tackles. Lane Johnson, 35, is a future Hall of Famer with a resume that includes six Pro Bowls, two first-team All-Pro nods, and a pair of Super Bowl wins. Johnson’s value is clear: the Eagles were 8-2 with him in the lineup this season, versus 3-4 without him. During his tenure in Philadelphia, the team’s record is 94-41-1 when he plays and 15-27 when he doesn’t.
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4. Defensive line
#98 Jalen Carter#90 Jordan Davis#97 Moro Ojomo#95 Ty Robinson#94 Byron Young#96 Gabe Hall
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Philadelphia has an elite trio with Carter, Jordan Davis, and Moro Ojomo, with Byron Young and Ty Robinson as capable backups. Despite two badly injured shoulders, Carter was the Eagles’ lone Pro Bowl starter. In 12 games this season, he had 33 tackles, 41 QB pressures, 11 quarterback hits, and three sacks. Ojomo’s 71.0 PFF grade was the 80th best in the NFL last season, but he’s much improved, and Ojomo saw his snap count increase to 60 percent in his third year. He started nine games for the Eagles this season and played in all 17, finishing second on the team in sacks.
Ojomo will enter the final year of his deal with a $3,624,446 cap hit. Jordan Davis just signed a three-year, $78 million deal.
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5. Running back
#26 Saquon Barkley#8 Tank Bigsby#28 Will Shipley#39 Dameon Pierce#34 Carson Steele
Barkley played in 16 games (16 starts), running for 1,140 yards on 280 carries (4.1 avg.) with 7 TDs, adding 273 receiving yards on 37 catches (7.4 avg.) With two touchdowns, he became the first Eagle since LeSean McCoy in 2013-14 to post back-to-back 1,000+ yard rushing seasons. A key trade acquisition, the hard-running Bigsby participated in 16 contests (one start) with the Eagles, recording 356 rushing yards on 63 carries (5.7 avg.) and 2 touchdowns. Will Shipley will try to regain his momentum, while the Eagles added former Texans running back Dameon Pierce for more competition.
Last spring, the Eagles traded up a spot in the draft to pick Jihaad Campbell, whose playing time slowed when Dean returned to the lineup. Dean has departed, and Campbell will miss the off-season due to shoulder surgery. Linebacker depth is one of the strengths for the Eagles, and they’ll have Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Smael Mondon Jr. looking for breakout moments. Chance Campbell is on the roster, and the Eagles just added former Ravens linebacker Chandler Martin on a two-year deal.
Ebiketie joins Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka as athletic, hybrid pass rushers who can get after the opposing quarterbacks. The Eagles could still add Brandon Graham to this group. A solid run defender and explosive pass rusher, Smith missed seven games in 2025, logging 31 tackles, 3 sacks, one forced fumble, 33 QB pressures, 24 QB hurries, and a 67.7 PFF grade in 12 games. Hunt became the first Eagle to lead the team in both sacks (6.5) and INTs (3) in the same season. He is the second Eagle to have 6.0+ sacks and 3.0+ INTs in a season, joining Seth Joyner (1991-92). Tryon-Shoyinka earned a 72.2 overall PFF defensive grade, and a pass-rush grade of 67.6, with a run-defense grade of 66.2. Tryon-Shoyinka generated 8 total pressures, 0 sacks, 6 hurries, and 2 QB hits. In 12 games during the 2025 campaign, Greenard had 47 quarterback pressures and a pass rush win rate of 23.3 percent. Pro Football Focus rated Greenard as the 18th-best pass-rush graded player (77.6) among 118 qualifying edge rushers.
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8. Tight end
#88 Dallas Goedert
#87 Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt#83 Johnny Mundt#81 Grant Calcaterra#87 Stone Smartt#84 E.J. Jenkins
#36 Cameron Latu
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#45 Dae’Quan Wright
Dallas Goedert is back on a one-year deal. Goedert started 15 games, catching 60 passes for 591 yards and a career-high and Eagles franchise high 11 touchdown catches. Philadelphia drafted his successor, landing Eli Stowers in the second round. A Former college teammate of Jalen Hurts at Oklahoma, eaching the end of his rookie contract. Calcaterra played in 62 games with 22 starts. Mundt will play the third tight end, run-blocking role. Cameron Latu will assume the role of fullback. In a reduced role behind Mason Taylor, Smartt caught seven of nine targets for 52 yards while appearing in 15 games for the Jets in the 2025 season.
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Smartt played mostly on special teams and drew at least one target in only three of his 15 appearances for the Jets. He spent the previous three seasons with the Chargers and has just one touchdown catch in 53 regular-season NFL games.
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9. Safety
#24 Drew Mukuba#35 Michael Carter II#29 Marcus Epps#48 J.T. Gray#31 Andre’ Sam#49 Brandon Johnson
#21 Cole Wisniewski, S, Texas Tech
#37 Tucker Large
#36 Maximus Pulley
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The Eagles traded Brown to Atlanta and quickly re-signed Marcus Epps and added J.T. Gray. Mukuba is a guaranteed starter in Year 2, despite returning from a season-ending injury as a rookie. The second safety spot is up for grabs after Reed Blankenship’s departure. Epps is a solid contributor, but he’s aging and not a dominant game-changer. Gray is a special teams standout, while Sam and Johnson are back after spending 2025 on the practice squad.
Unlike my father, who never touched a golf club and didn’t think his progeny might want to either, I tried to get my kids into the game. Mission un-accomplished. Both are grown and neither plays. But I love them anyway, and I think the feeling is mutual.
In that spirit, I’ve drawn up a list of 5 golfy items they might consider giving me for Father’s Day.
Sun Mountain Pathfinder PX4 Push Cart
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Sun Mountain Pathfinder PX4 Push Cart
An update of the Pathfinder 4, the PX4 has many of the same winning features, plus several updates. Like the Pathfinder 4, the PX4 folds/unfolds in two easy steps and has built-in storage. The new single-piece handle allows the cart to be pushed with one hand and the updated console tray has dual-umbrella attachments. The two front wheels extend to accommodate larger bags (a 5mm Allen wrench can make this adjustment). This cart includes a drink holder. Details: All-new accessory console holds balls, tees, cell phone, scorecard, etc. For additional storage, the cart has a mesh basket and a velour-lined valuables pouch. Dual umbrella holders allow an umbrella to be placed on either side of the console. Bags are secured to the cart with adjustable length bungee cords. E-Z Latch System allows the cart to fold in two easy steps. Extendable axles on the front wheels to accommodate larger bags. Weight : 17.2 lbs Wheels : 4
With age comes wisdom. Or at least an understanding of one’s limits. Though I’m still capable of lugging my own bag, I feel better — and play better— when I wheel my clubs around. This fresh update of the Pathfinder does its job without calling attention to itself. It’s lightweight, easy-folding and furnished with all kinds of helpful extras, including a new console for balls, scorecard, cell phone and such. It also has a single-piece handle that allows you to push and steer effortlessly with one hand.
Over the years, I’ve developed what I think of as a decent short game, the Darwinian result of missing tons of greens. Recently, though, my chipping hit a setback when my trusty 56-degree wedge went missing. My old wedge was a Vokey. I loved its look and feel. This latest iteration has a similarly sleek profile, along with deeper spin-milled grooves. Each one is 5 percent larger by volume, so they’re easier to clean and more effective at imparting spin. They’re also heat-treated, which makes them longer-lasting. Of course, that only helps if you don’t lose the club.
Theragun Elite
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Therabody Theragun Elite
Theragun Elite Premium. Effective. Elevated. The Theragun Elite is our quietest smart percussive therapy device. Elegantly designed, lightweight, and fully personalized for your body’s needs. Thanks to its unparalleled power, the Theragun Elite is your ultimate wellness partner. Now more personalized than ever with our guided app experience to reduce your deep muscle tension, whether it comes from everyday life, work, or workouts. Unrivaled Power. Remarkably Quiet™. Proprietary brushless motor with QuietForce Technology™ delivers renowned Theragun power, while being quieter than ever. Bluetooth Enabled Smart Percussive Therapy™ The Therabody app connects seamlessly via Bluetooth to deliver customized wellness routines pulled from your activity data. Our app will guide you through each wellness routine, showing you all the unexpected ways our device can help enhance your life. 16mm Amplitude 16mm amplitude that reaches 60% deeper into the muscle than consumer-grade vibration massagers to stimulate circulation, generate heat, and release your deepest tension. Features Proprietary brushless motor with QuietForce Technology™ Smart Percussive Therapy™with Bluetooth connectivity 3 built-in app-guided preset routines OLED screen Customizable speed range (1750-2400 PPMs) Force meter Delivers up to 40 lbs of no-stall force Wireless charging enabled Internal lithium-ion battery (120 minutes) Theragun Triangle ergonomic handle design 1-Year warranty Includes Hard case 5 easy-to-clean closed-cell-foam attachments in pouch Dampener – Used mostly for tender or bony areas. Perfect for overall use. Standard Ball – Perfect for overall use on large and small muscle groups. Cone – Used mostly for pinpoint muscle treatment, including the hands and feet. Thumb – Used mostly for trigger points and the lower back. Wedge – Perfect for shoulder blades and IT bands and commonly used for “scraping” and“flushing,” which help to decrease the amount of lactic acid in muscles. Power adapter
The older I’ve gotten, the easier it’s become to shake off the pain of an ugly score. Muscle aches are another matter. They keep getting worse. Hot baths help. So does stretching. But for instant relief, available anywhere, I’m partial to this portable masseur. Lightweight and Bluetooth-enabled, its driven by a quiet, brushless motor that allows the mechanism to do its soothing work at a speed and intensity of your choosing. The accompanying app is another bonus, generating customized wellness routines based on your activity data and guiding you through each step of recovery.
Personalized Titleist Pro V1s
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Titleist Pro V1 2025 Double Digit Personalized Golf Balls
h2>THE GREATEST COMBINATION OF SPEED, SPIN AND FEEL For players who prioritize total performance. New faster high gradient core Speed amplifying high-flex casing layer Spherically-tiled 388 tetrahedral dimple design Soft cast urethane elastomer cover Product Features New faster high gradient core delivers more speed and iron and wedge spin for more control Low long game spin from a speed amplifying high-flex casing layer Penetrating and consistent flight from a spherically-tiled 388 tetrahedral dimple design Excellent greenside spin from a soft cast urethane elastomer cover Player Benefits Extraordinary Distance Increased Drop-and-Stop™ control Very low long game spin Penetrating trajectory Consistent flight Very soft feel What’s New – (what performance attributes have improved) 2025 Pro V1 and Pro V1x produce more speed off the tee, more control with irons, more spin with wedges and more opportunity to shoot lower scores. Player Profile For players who prioritize total performance. Available Colors and Play Numbers White golf balls are available with play numbers 1-4, 5-8, and all the same play number 00 or 1- 99. High optic yellow golf balls are available with play numbers 1-4. Not available for purchase or shipment to Australia.
It’s been estimated that 1 to 3 billion golf balls go missing around the world each year. Because I plan to keep contributing to the count, I could always use replenishments. Pro VIs have long been my preference, and these days, you can get them personalized. Though I’d never want to print my name on golf balls — why leave evidence of my ineptitude in streams and woods wherever I play? — I like the idea of a cheeky phrase. Dad Bod Distance. Warning-Track Power. World’s Best Dad and Worst Golfer. My kids can choose.
Del Campo 1776 socks
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Del Campo 1776 Socks
Perfect for cookouts, July 4th energy every day, and spontaneous USA chants.
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Cliché? Maybe. But socks are a Father’s Day staple for a reason. Simple and affordable, they’re essential items on and off the course, so much a part of life that we take them for granted until we run out of our last good pair. Del Campo’s are made out of breathable fabric, with a cushioned heel and toe for comfort and an athletic fit. I like the version with a smiley-face logo, but they also come emblazoned with an American flag, just in time for July 4th. What more could you ask for in a Father’s Day stocking stuffer?
Former heavyweight boxer Axel Schulz says losing to steroid cheat Francois Botha hurt more than missing out on a massive rematch with George Foreman.
Schulz famously lost a controversial decision to Foreman in 1995 in a fight many believed he deserved to win. A rematch was ordered, but Foreman instead vacated the IBF title, costing Schulz a second fight that could have earned him millions.
But according to Schulz, the real frustration came later that year against Botha.
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The German heavyweight lost a split decision to Botha in front of a record television audience in Germany, only for the South African fighter to later test positive for steroids and be stripped of the title.
“I was more upset by that one than I was fighting Foreman again,” Schulz said.
Schulz never received a rematch despite the failed drug test, something he clearly still feels strongly about decades later.
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The 57-year-old also believes the controversy helped push boxing toward stronger anti-doping rules in later years.
Today, Schulz works as a boxing analyst and businessman in Germany.
Alexandra Eala of Philippines returns to Iva Jovic of the U.S. during their first round men’s singles tennis match at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
MANILA, Philippines–Alex Eala suffered a first-round exit in the French Open singles tournament after losing to Iva Jovic, 6-4, 6-2, on Tuesday.
Despite a gritty showing, Eala only led once–a 1-0 advantage in the second set–in a match that lasted one hour and 40 minutes.
Jovic responded with back-to-back games before Eala held to love to level at 2-2.
That proved to be Eala’s final stand, as the American teen, currently No. 17 in the world, won four straight games to close out the match and advance to the second round against Emma Navarro.
Iva Jovic of the U.S. reacts as she plays against Alexandra Eala of Philippines during their first round men’s singles tennis match at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
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It was the first singles meeting between Eala and Jovic, who are also close friends and sometime doubles partners. The two embraced at the net after the match.
Eala bowed out early in her second straight Roland Garros main-draw appearance, but she is set to compete in the doubles tournament with partner and fellow rising star Victoria Mboko.
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The Filipino tennis star, ranked No. 37 in the WTA, put up a strong fight in the opening set, rallying from a 5-1 deficit.
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She broke twice to pull within 5-4, but Jovic broke back to seal the set.
Eala continues her French Open campaign as she and Mboko face the pair of Filipino-American Leylah Fernandez and Diana Shnaider.
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Usyk’s reputation has always felt untouchable, through a combination of his bewitching boxing, his refreshingly-upstanding personal nature, and that drive to give his beleaguered Ukraine something to celebrate in the face of inconceivable horrors.
Oleksandr Usyk during his tough clash with Rico Verhoeven (Reuters)
So, when the unified champion opted for a voluntary title defence against Rico Verhoeven, a kickboxing icon with just one pro boxing match to his name, it would have felt harsh to even bat an eyelid. Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua both boxed UFC star Francis Ngannou over the last three years, and “AJ” even fought a YouTuber in Jake Paul six months ago. It was unexpected that Usyk would tread similar terrain, but after beating Fury, Joshua and Daniel Dubois twice each, he had earned a supposedly-easier outing.
That brought him to Saturday and to the pyramids of Giza, whose very existence have often raised unanswerable questions about invention and labour. And against Verhoeven, Usyk laboured in a way we have not seen before, with his usual invention distinctly lacking.
Yes, Verhoeven was bigger. Yes, as a non-boxer – but with the great Peter Fury in his corner – he approached this fight without the pressure that has consumed many of Usyk’s opponents. As Chris Algieri put it: he fought like a big man on the inside, and a small man on the outside.
But those aspects alone do not account for Verhoeven’s impressive display in Egypt, where this writer had him 97-93 up after 10 rounds, before Usyk’s late, controversial KO win. For as good as Verhoeven was, Usyk fought sluggishly and agitatedly.
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You could argue there’s an element of chicken and egg to this: was Usyk sluggish because he was struggling with Verhoeven’s application of weight, and was he agitated by the Dutchman’s movement – those twitchy feet and the constant circling away from Usyk’s southpaw power hand? To give Usyk his due credit, he eventually found his timing, range and rhythm, with uppercuts proving decisive as a tiring Verhoeven reverted to a higher, closer guard. It was one such shot that dropped Verhoeven, 37, in round 11.
And while much of the ensuing controversy (rightly) centred on the referee stopping the fight after the bell, there is an imperfect counter-argument that Verhoeven was given extra time to recover from the initial knockdown, as he was allowed to re-insert his mouthguard while in his corner. Two wrongs don’t make a right, of course, so have a third anyway: the scores were 95-95, 95-95, and 96-94 in Verhoeven’s favour after 10 rounds.
Usyk dropped Verhoeven late in round 11 before a controversial finish (Getty)
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In any case, as Steve Bunce wrote in these pages: “The first thing Usyk said when he was interviewed in the ring was not about the fight, but about a conversation he had with his daughter that very day. ‘She is in a bomb shelter,’ he said. Have we become so immune to human disaster that we hear that and still question why a man did not look and fight like he normally does?”
The problem for Usyk is that fans are fickle and unforgiving.
If the 39-year-old opts for a rematch with Verhoeven, his almost-impenetrable reputation will degrade slightly from two successive bouts with a kickboxer, at the expense of his mandatory challenger, Agit Kabayel, getting his rightful shot. Yet if Usyk chooses to face Kabayel, a sour taste will be left in many a mouth, with Verhoeven hard done by.
For what it’s worth, Kabayel’s promoter Frank Warren said “we’re not going to stand for” Usyk vs Rico 2, and Usyk vs Kabayel (perhaps in the latter’s native Germany) would be a strong match-up. On paper, it would be a tougher test for Usyk than the first Verhoeven fight, or even a rematch, in which the Ukrainian would likely figure out the kickboxer more quickly.
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Agit Kabayel is the WBC’s mandatory challenger to Usyk (Getty)
But boxing matches aren’t won on paper, if you’ll pardon a cliche. Verhoeven gave Usyk a tougher test than Joshua, Dubois and Fury, and with the multiple controversies that muddied the end of Saturday’s main event, the Dutchman deserves another shot at Usyk.
Yes, Verhoeven will likely get a big-name opponent in his next boxing match – because he will stay in the sport – but we saw how that went for Ngannou. He dropped Fury and was unlucky not to be awarded a points win over the “Gypsy King”, but he was annihilated by Joshua a few months later. Styles make fights, if you’ll pardon a second cliche.
Perhaps a solution is for Usyk to box Verhoeven again, and to vacate his WBC title so Kabayel can fight another contender for that belt. Usyk could then face Kabayel, if the latter is victorious, in 2027. At that point, Usyk will be 40 years old with just one fight left in his plan for three final bouts, the first of which was his duel with Verhoeven.
Yet based on Saturday, there is an argument that Usyk should get out sooner rather than later. He did have nothing left to prove, yet all of a sudden that has changed. All of a sudden, he is in a no-win situation for the first time.
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