Trainer Craig Carmody, who previously conditioned Sir Les’ dam, Everage, to stakes success, is dedicating significant effort to refining the promising three-year-old gelding’s natural capabilities.
The All Too Hard colt demonstrated considerable promise in his first two starts, followed by a close fifth in a benchmark 72 Midway race at Rosehill Gardens on May 30th.
Carmody has opted to provide ample spacing between Sir Les’ runs, a strategy aimed at improving his ability to settle, a quality he anticipates will be on display in a three-year-old benchmark 72 race over 1100m at his home track, Royal Randwick, this Saturday.
“He’s going well,” Carmody confirmed.
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“He’s had a bit of time in between runs because I just wanted to work a bit on his ability to sort of respond to pressure. He’s been sort of wanting to charge through pressure, as you’ve probably realised when he’s raced, just going a little bit hard.”
“I’ve worked really hard trying to get that going a bit better and I feel as though Chad (Lever) might get a little bit better response on Saturday from him.”
Having secured victories in his first two starts over 1000m, the 1100m distance in town will be a key indicator for Sir Les, though Carmody envisions him developing into a reliable sprinter for many seasons.
“I really needed the last month just to work on getting that response going a little bit better,” Carmody elaborated.
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“And look, I’m optimistic that I’m winning that battle, so I’d love to for him to show that on Saturday that he’s listening to the bridle a bit better.”
“I trained the mother, she was a very handy two-year-old, she won what is now the Percy Sykes, formerly the Keith Mackay, we only paid twenty thousand for her and that sparked the interest in Sir Les.”
“He’s only young so I’m in no hurry to race him often, I just want to want to get some lessons into him, get some experience into him, because I think he’s going to be a very handy four-and-five-year-old sprinter.”
Consider the available racing odds for Saturday’s feature race at Royal Randwick through various online bookmakers.
France‘s World Cup campaign has already tested their firepower, patience and nerves, but Thursday’s quarter-final against Morocco will offer Didier Deschamps‘ side something different: their first full football examination of the tournament.
The meeting is a rematch of the 2022 World Cup semi-final when France ended Morocco’s historic run in Qatar, but this time the North Africans arrive not as surprise outsiders but as a confident, gifted side who have been open about their ambition to win the tournament.
France reached the last eight after a 1-0 win over Paraguay, a game that demanded character and patience more than fluency. Paraguay sat deep, slowed the rhythm and forced France to find a way through a packed defensive structure.
Deschamps’ team did enough, with Kylian Mbappé scoring his seventh goal at this World Cup, but the performance also underlined that the knockout stage is beginning to ask harder questions of a side whose attacking talent has carried them through much of the tournament.
Against Morocco, the challenge will be different. Mohamed Ouahbi’s side have shown they can suffer, control spells of possession and punish opponents with speed and precision.
Their 3-0 win over Canada in the last 16 confirmed the impression of a team growing into the tournament after coming through the group stage unbeaten.
Morocco had already shown their level in a demanding group, collecting seven points from matches against Brazil, Scotland and Haiti, and their performances have backed up their stated belief that they are not merely here to repeat the emotional charge of 2022.
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France, by contrast, have yet to face a side with Morocco’s blend of technical quality, athletic intensity and self-belief. Sweden were brushed aside in the last 32, while Paraguay provided resistance without posing the same footballing threat Morocco are likely to bring.
The quarter-final should offer the clearest indication yet of whether France’s attacking quartet can continue to bend the tournament to their will against opponents capable of hurting them in transition and testing their defensive balance.
They will probably be without midfielder Aurélien Tchouameni, who has been suffering from a muscle injury, while Morocco are expected to be without key striker Ismael Saibari.
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Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola have given France one of the most dangerous forward lines at the World Cup, but Morocco’s organisation and confidence should provide a more complete measure of the team behind the big names.
England and Norway renew a rivalry better known for one famous piece of commentary rather than football when they meet in the World Cup quarter-finals in Miami on Saturday.
It was 45 years before Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland were illuminating the current tournament that a Norwegian by the name of Bjorge Lillelien delivered the speech that has assumed legendary status.
Norway, nowhere near the dangerous force they are now in September 1981, had just beaten an England side boasting players of the class of Bryan Robson, Glenn Hoddle, Kevin Keegan and Trevor Francis 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier.
The win was a seismic shock, regarded as a national embarrassment for England and Norway’s greatest triumph at Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo.
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Lillelien was not going to let the opportunity to pile on the agony for England pass him by as he directed a message aimed at the country’s political and sporting figures – especially then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
A reserved man in private, he warmed up by accusing Polish referee Jerzy Kacprzak of being “close to receiving English citizenship” by playing what he felt was too much added time as Norway protected their lead.
When Kacprzak finally blew the whistle, Lillelien was ready to let rip on the airwaves as the main radio commentator for the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, known as NRK.
A slightly edited version of his wonderfully excitable commentary is: “Lord Nelson. Lord Beaverbrook. Sir Winston Churchill. Sir Anthony Eden. Clement Atlee. Henry Cooper. Lady Diana. We have beaten all of them.”
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And then came Lillelien’s most famous words.
“Maggie Thatcher. Can you hear me? We have a message for you. We have knocked your boys out of the World Cup. Maggie Thatcher. As they say in your language, in the boxing bars around Madison Square Garden New York, your boys took a hell of a beating.”
He then repeated for good measure: “Your boys took a hell of a beating.”
The last line, in particular, has been repeated – and altered to suit the occasion – ever since Lillelien delivered it.
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England did, contrary to Lillellen’s claim, qualify for the 1982 World Cup in Spain, but no matter.
Social media did not exist in 1981. The impact and traction of his commentary, had it happened now, would be mind-boggling.
Lillelien, who was a hugely popular figure, died six years later aged 60, but has been immortalised by those words, which he always insisted were spontaneous, not prepared.
The emotional speech has been preserved forever by the wonders of YouTube, helped by Lillelien, fluent in English, switching from his native tongue when he said: “Maggie Thatcher. Can you hear me?” and “your boys took one hell of a beating.”
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England’s defeat was one of the biggest shocks in their history, having won the first qualifier 4-0 at Wembley a year previously.
In Norway’s moment of triumph, Lillelien’s colourful commentary meant those who represented England in that defeat will never be allowed to forget it.
Every time England meet Norway, Lillelien will be remembered with affection by everyone except those who still have to suffer those painful recollections.
People love to say “you can’t predict baseball,” and here’s another chapter in the long history of that being the case. There’s a major-league player who just became the first in the expansion era (1961-present) to record a hit in 12 consecutive plate appearances, tying the overall MLB record. He was in the No. 9 hole for the Royals, one of the worst teams in baseball, on Tuesday evening. His name? Tyler Tolbert.
Tolbert was a career .247 hitter in 85 at-bats at the big-league level before he started this streak. In seven minor-league seasons, he is a career .246 hitter. If we were tasked with predicting who could get a hit in 12 straight plate appearances, we’d get deep into the hundreds before we even thought about him. But that’s why they play the games.
Things started innocently enough on Saturday against the Phillies with a weak infield hit. He then singled on a grounder with eyes to right field before being removed from that game. On Sunday, he didn’t even play. Monday, he was back in the lineup as Kansas City closed out its series with Philadelphia. Tolbert singled on another grounder, doubled on a line drive to the gap to drive home a run, before powering up for a home run. It was the first of his career.
He singled two more times to go 5 for 5.
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Then came Tuesday evening in New York in a wild 16-12 win over the Mets. Tolbert was slotted ninth in the Royals’ lineup. He hit a two-run home run in the second inning.
Hey, when you’re hot, you’re hot.
Tolbert would single in the fourth, reach on another infield single in the fifth and then yet another infield single in the sixth.
And, are you ready for this? In the seventh inning, he had another infield single to tie the all-time record. This was in the midst of the Royals turning a 9-4 deficit to the Mets into a 16-9 lead, by the way.
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That’s 12 consecutive plate appearances with a hit for Tolbert. That tied him for the MLB record.
The MLB record for consecutive hits in at-bats is 12, which was done by Johnny Kling in 1902, Pinky Higgins in 1938, Walt Dropo in 1952 and Juan Miranda in 2024. If we made the requirement plate appearances, it’s just Kling and Dropo at 12. And now Tolbert has joined the latter group.
Tolbert came to the plate again in the ninth inning with a chance to break the record, but he flied out to right field. He was unable to hold it all for himself, but he still made history and became part of the MLB record book.
Tolbert’s batting average this season was .200 before the streak. It is now .396. Gotta love those small-sample jumps.
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Further, Tolbert has back-to-back five-hit games. The list of players in MLB history with back-to-back five-hit games isn’t very long. It had previously only happened twice: Hi Myers for the Brooklyn Robins in 1917 and Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente with the 1970 Pirates. Tolbert has joined them with two straight five-hit games.
Despite the impasse, it appears Larkin is holding firm on which teams he would like to go to.
St. James added that “no offers from those teams have intrigued” the Red Wings.
Larkin, who is signed for five more years with an $8.7 million AAV, has a full no-movement clause. The 30-year-old has played 11 seasons with the Red Wings, reaching the playoffs only once in his rookie year.
Larkin’s three preferred teams have been busy this off-season. The Panthers landed Brady Tkachuk in a blockbuster trade with the Ottawa Senators, while the Wild acquired centre Blake Coleman from the Calgary Flames. The Golden Knights traded scoring winger Pavel Dorofeyev to the New York Rangers but remain tight against the salary cap ceiling after signing defenceman Rasmus Andersson to a long-term deal with an $8.5-million AAV.
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Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman is said to be looking for players who can help his roster now, not draft picks and prospects who are years away from reaching the NHL.
Therefore, as the summer drags on, the possibility of Larkin returning to Detroit for a 12th season increases.
“Dylan has five years remaining on his contract,” Yzerman said after the draft. “My job as the manager of the Detroit Red Wings is always to do what is in the best interest of the Detroit Red Wings, and I will act accordingly to that. I cannot make any guarantees, or did not make any guarantees, that that request could or would be met.”
Argentina superstar Lionel Messi continues to defy age, producing one of the finest performances of his career as Argentina came from two goals down to stun Egypt 3-2 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 clash in Atlanta. Messi set up CristianRomero‘s goal to spark Argentina’s comeback before finding the net himself less than five minutes later to level the scores and set up a nervy finish. However, Argentina breathed a sigh of relief in stoppage time when Enzo Fernandez headed home Lautaro Martinez‘s cross to complete a remarkable turnaround and seal their place in the quarter-finals.
Former Sweden captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic was full of praise for Lionel Messi, saying the 39-year-old channeled his inner beast to guide the defending champions when all hope seemed lost.
“Messi became an animal and nobody could catch him. He just went on, went on and this is the one I saw, the one we’re used to seeing and that we are still seeing,” Zlatan said on Fox Sports.
Zlatan, a former Barcelona teammate of the Argentine forward, also went to explain how this World Cup means the world to Messi, despite having already lifted the trophy four years back in Qatar, who was seen crying in the end after the final whistle.
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“You can still see also emotionally how much it means for him. Remember that he’s already won this World Cup. He already won a lot of trophies, the Ballon d’Or, everything. I can sit here and give his CV and it looks perfect. But he still wants it and that is impressive. Look at that,” he added.
Messi’s goal was his eighth of this year’s World Cup and moved him to the top of a tight Golden Boot race.
It also extended his scoring streak to a record nine consecutive World Cup matches dating back to Argentina’s title run in 2022. Tuesday’s goal was his 13th in that nine-game span.
(With AP Inputs)
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Delhi vs Mumbai IPL 2026: Fans Flood Arun Jaitley Stadium for High-Voltage Clash
There were more than five hours on the clock and yet Novak Djokovic was still not done. As Centre Court shook, Djokovic’s 11-year-old son, Stefan, watched on with his head in his hands, up way past his bedtime but gripped by what his 39-year-old father was producing. Felix Auger-Aliassime stood over a forehand and sensed his moment to strike, but Djokovic, in a flash, sprang to his right deep behind the baseline, extending the point and the Canadian third seed’s torment. Auger-Aliassime netted and it broke him; the decisive point in the match tiebreak that settled the longest Wimbledon quarter-final ever, a victory that Djokovic ranked as one of his finest on Centre Court.
“These are the moments I still play for,” said Djokovic. If the scoreline – 7-6 (10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (10-4) – was scarcely believable in itself, the sight of Djokovic stretching his limbs and denying the 25-year-old Auger-Aliassime, in five hours and 15 minutes, was sheer madness. It equalled the longest match of Djokovic’s Wimbledon career, eight years on from the 2018 semi-final with Rafael Nadal that was held overnight. Djokovic managed this in one epic, gruelling sitting and just five minutes before the 11pm curfew. When the moment required it, he once again raised his level, booking a semi-final with defending champion Jannik Sinner on Friday.
Djokovic soaks in the applause of Centre Court after an astonishing win over Auger-Aliassime in five hours and 15 minutes (AP)
The celebrations were memorable, the victory too – a battle Djokovic prevailed from in front of his children on Centre Court adding to the sweetness. And yet the message afterwards from Djokovic was that he is not done yet. The records – an eighth consecutive Wimbledon semi-final, the 15th of his career – did not matter. “Right now, it’s all business,” Djokovic confirmed. The pursuit of the grand slam record and a 25th title is what fuelled his extraordinary fight and refusal to submit, and yet it is still two rounds away. “I wish it was finals so I don’t need to worry about how the body will feel tomorrow,” Djokovic said.
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And there could lie the problem. At this stage of his career, and since the gold medal match against Carlos Alcaraz at the 2024 Olympics, Djokovic’s finest victories have arrived before the final. Last season, the quarter-finals of grand slams fell in the the sweet spot where Djokovic was fresh enough to compete against younger opponents, but late enough in the tournament where he knew he needed to step it up. He did, in defeating Alcaraz at the Australian Open, Alexander Zverev at the French Open, Flavio Cobolli at Wimbledon and Taylor Fritz at the US Open. Outlasting Auger-Aliassime at Wimbledon is another added to the list.
Djokovic, though, arrived at those semi-finals and found that he was physically cooked, unable to recover for the next challenge. The exception came at the Australian Open in January, and was memorable in itself with Djokovic ending Sinner’s reign in Melbourne by beating the world No 1 in five sets. But that followed a different sort of tournament for Djokovic, after his fourth-round opponent Jakub Mensik withdrew and Lorenzo Musetti retired from their quarter-final due to injury while leading by two sets. Djokovic arrived into his semi-final with Sinner fresher, but after he prevailed he still ran into Alcaraz in final, where he eventually ran out of gas.
Djokovic will have an extra day to recover before he plays Sinner on Centre Court on Friday in a rematch of last year’s semi-final. It may prove to be invaluable. “Let’s see. Let’s see,” Djokovic said. “I have an extra day, which is good.” Sinner, by comparison, has won his last four matches in straight-sets and has not been pushed past the three-hour mark since his opening-round scare against Miomir Kecmanovic last week. Djokovic, meanwhile, has only played one match in under three hours. Djokovic may be matching the heroics of fellow 39-year-old Lionel Messi, yet he wished he could play 90-minute matches like him, too.
Djokovic denied the third seed Auger-Aliassime with another quarter-final victory that rolled back the years (Getty)
And it is the brutal reality of sport that there is no trophy for Djokovic for reaching another semi-final, or for Auger-Aliassime for falling just a few points short after more than five hours in one of the greatest matches in Wimbledon history. But in another sense, tonight felt as if the recognition for Djokovic and his latest victory against the younger generation actually could have been enough, with Centre Court rising to its feet for the match tiebreak and this marathon quarter-final. “I still want to go at least one more step further,” he said. “But this was as good as a final for me.”
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There was no doubt, however, that Djokovic, the man who has nothing to prove, once again left behind something special on Centre Court. Even if recent history repeats itself and Djokovic arrives into his semi-final showdown with Sinner spent from his marathon efforts in the previous round, he will always have the roar of Wimbledon as he shone bright yet again on the biggest stage. Then again, there is no Alcaraz on the other side of the draw. This dominant version of Sinner has been beaten once and can be beaten again. Who would rule Djokovic out on the evidence of this unbelievable night.
Manchester United have work to do in the transfer market in the coming weeks as Michael Carrick hopes to strengthen his side ahead of their return to the Champions League
Manchester United could make a move for Aurelian Tchouameni(Image: Baptiste Fernandez/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Welcome to our Manchester United transfer blog for Wednesday, July 8th.
United have been proactive to kickstart their summer transfer business by agreeing a £35million deal with Atalanta to sign Ederson. The midfielder should see his move confirmed soon following Brazil’s exit from the World Cup to Norway.
Despite that, strengthening Michael Carrick’s midfield remains the order of the day. The club decided against spending the lavish sums to sign Mateus Fernandes, Sandro Tonali and Elliot Anderson and are looking to be smarter in the market.
Alternatives won’t come cheap, however. Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni is said to be of interest, while Bournemouth have slapped an £80million valuation on Alex Scott.
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Among the other players linked with Old Trafford are Sander Berge, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Felix Nmecha. Unsurprisingly, there will be no shortage of competition with the likes of Newcastle and Arsenal said to be in the market.
Central midfield is not United’s only area of interest. Netherlands and West Ham star Crysencio Summerville has been associated with adding to the club’s attacking depth, with talks said to be ongoing over a possible £50m move.
Marcus Rashford’s future also needs to be resolved following the end of his Barcelona loan. The England star is set to return to United following the World Cup as the parties work out a plan.
In terms of outgoings, Andre Onana has returned to Trabzonspor on another season‑long loan, while Casemiro has departed following the expiration of his contract.
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Stay tuned with the latest rumours and updates from United here with us…
United eye defender
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While midfield is the club’s priority, United are apparently eyeing a move for a new full-back.
Borussia Dortmund and Norway defender Julian Ryerson is said to be on the club’s radar, according to Bild. The German side are planning to continue with him for now but it will be interesting to see how this develops.
The interest could also be an indication of Patrick Dorgu being considered an attacking option.
Julian Ryerson is of interest to Manchester United(Image: GSI/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
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Another target
Manchester United are keeping tabs on Fulham midfielder Sander Berge, per the Athletic.
The Norway star is preparing to face England this weekend after impressing on his nation’s route to a first World Cup quarter-final. And the 28-year-old has turned enough heads to make his way onto United’s shortlist, should they miss out on their main targets, it is claimed.
Fulham midfielder Sander Berge challenges Dominic Calvert-Lewin for the ball at Craven Cottage. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
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Santos meetings
Manchester United have already had two meetings with Andrey Santos’ agent Giuliano Bertolucci, per Fabrizio Romano.
The communication started in February and March, with ‘good feedback’ between the two parties.
Baleba wants move
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Brighton star Carlos Baleba remains interested in a move to Manchester United, according to Fabrizio Romano. The midfielder was wanted by United last summer but was priced out of a move by the Seagulls.
It is claimed his value has dropped to around £70m 12 months on, with the prospect of a move ‘cold’ at the moment.
But Baleba is said to be ‘super keen’.
Carlos Baleba in action against Manchester United last season(Image: Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images)
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Man Utd to test PSG
Transfer guru Ekrem Konur reports that Manchester United and their Premier League rivals are interested in testing Paris Saint-Germain’s resolve to keep Ibrahim Mbaye this summer.
With the Senegal star interested in an exit, PSG are said to be willing to consider bids around £30m. However, it is claimed that offers are being prepared in the region of £21m.
Ibrahim Mbaye of PSG(Image: Getty Images)
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Scott latest
While United have been perturbed by the transfer fees for some of their midfield targets, Bournemouth’s £80m valuation of Alex Scott has not yet seen them end their interest.
United remain in the race, with reports suggesting they have held talks over a move. The Cherries still want to extend his contract, however.
Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott has been linked with a move to Manchester United(Image: Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images)
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Midfield shortlist
United have an eclectic mix of midfield alternatives. With the club’s shortlist narrowing, seven names now feature, according to the Sun.
Chelsea star Andrey Santos makes it, as does Wolves’ Joao Gomes. Nico Gonzalez, Boubacar Kamara, Habib Diarra, Yasin Ayari and Jacob Ramsey are all noted as options too.
Some surprises there.
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Man United have been linked with Andrey Santos(Image: Getty Images)
United willing
More on Tchouameni, reports suggest that United are willing to stump up in excess of £85m.
However, the Frenchman will be required to take a pay cut to facilitate that. But, United are fully prepared to get a deal done if Real Madrid confirm they are open to agreeing a trasfer, it is claimed.
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Aurelien Tchouameni of France in World Cup action against Sweden.(Image: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
Tchouameni ‘contact’
Manchester United are expected to make contact with Real Madrid for Aurelien Tchouameni in the coming days, per reports.
A deal will only be sanctioned by Los Blancos if the price reaches €100million (£85m).
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Aurelien Tchouameni is still a firm transfer target for Manchester United(Image: (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images))
Good morning!
Thanks for joining us for another day of Manchester United news and transfer updates.
Could today be the day Ederson gets over the line?
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan said his team was treated unfairly and “suffered an injustice” in the wake of his team’s stunning 3-2 loss to Argentina in a round of 16 match in Atlanta on Tuesday.
Egypt held a 2-0 lead until Argentina’s Cristian Romero scored in the 79th minute. Lionel Messi tied it four minutes later and Enzo Fernandez scored the game-winner two minutes into stoppage time.
However, Hassan took issue with referee Francois Letexier on several counts.
Egypt had a goal that had initially put them up 2-0, but it was disallowed following a VAR review. And the Pharaohs were upset that a hard tackle in the penalty box late in stoppage time was not reviewed.
“I’m not convinced with this outcome. I’m not convinced with the way things unfolded during this match,” Hassan said. “I would do not want to try to put it nicely here with beautiful wording, selective wording, and saying hard luck, and so on and so forth.
“We have been treated unfairly today. We have suffered injustice.”
Hassan said Egypt had objected to Letexier being the referee, referring to his “background”. Letexier is from France.
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Nine minutes into extra time, Hassan was issued a yellow card after objecting to the lack of a VAR review.
“I was just saying this is unfair. I was saying maybe he’s carrying a scar,” Hassan said of their interaction. “Maybe he has something to hide. Whoever has something to hide sometimes fails to hide what he is hiding.”
Hassan vowed not to watch another match during the 2026 World Cup after his team came within minutes of upsetting the defending champions.
“We looked better compared to the reigning champions,” Hassan said. “We were better in everything, but the result, the outcome, was influenced by internal factors on the pitch, inside the game, and external factors ahead of the game.
“There seemed to have been pressure exercised from the Argentinian side on the referee that had brought about this outcome.”
As the drama intensified, Letexier issued a red card to one of Hassan’s staff members. By the end of the match, Egypt had been issued five yellow cards while Argentina had none.
“Ordinary life, normal life is unfair, OK, but why isn’t there any fairness in sports? Within football,” Hassan said.
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Despite his team holding a two-goal advantage late into the match, Hassan also questioned the noon start time in Atlanta. The only other match of the day was the final round of 16 match between Colombia and Switzerland at 4pm ET in Vancouver.
“I dare to say that whoever schedules those matches is someone who doesn’t and has never played football. It has nothing to do with football, because you never schedule a football match for 12pm, at noon,” Hassan said. “At noon you go for a stroll, you go to get some fresh air, to maybe go on a brunch, but you do not go to play football. You do not go onto the pitch.
“When are the players supposed to eat? Are they supposed to have their meal at 7:30am in order to be capable of playing at noon? Is this someone trying to outsmart everyone else?
“There have been a lot of things to be questioned on and off the pitch. Negative aspects all around. It’s just about credibility, lack of credibility with how things unfolded.
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“I’m proud of my players. But we have not received what we deserve.”
Oct 23, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (27) rushes the ball against Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Odafe Oweh (98) during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings’ regular season is less than 10 weeks away, and when the team gets there, the rushing offense is evidently a concern, according to ESPN. The sports media giants sized up the Vikings’ roster, including strengths and weaknesses, on Monday, and Minnesota’s running backs got the unfortunate nod.
It’s true, too. The Vikings made no significant strides to improve the ground attack, except for using a 6th-Round draft pick on Wake Forest’s Demond Claiborne.
Could Demond Claiborne Change the Conversation?
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones reacted after scoring a touchdown against the Chicago Bears, adding another highlight to a physical NFC North road matchup. On November 24, 2024, at Soldier Field, Jones celebrated in the second half as Minnesota’s offense found the end zone in Chicago against a division opponent. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images.
ESPN: Vikings’ Roster Weaknesses = RB
Mike Clay made Minnesota’s top roster deficiency quite clear. He wrote, “Biggest weakness: Running back. It was a bit surprising that Minnesota did little to address this position after its running backs finished 30th in both rushing yards and scrimmage yards last season.”
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“Aaron Jones Sr. has been solid throughout his career, but he’s entering his age-31 season and ranked dead last among 65 qualified backs in forced missed tackle rate and elusive rating in 2025, per PFF. Jordan Mason is an effective rusher (career 5.1 YPC) but isn’t a receiving option (28 career receptions). Undersized sixth-rounder Demond Claiborne was the team’s only offseason addition of note.”
On the other hand, Clay called the Vikings’ wide receivers the top roster strength. Perhaps the groups will balance.
The Unit in July
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Without early- or mid-round rookie runners like Jonah Coleman or Mike Washington, who were available to the Vikings in the draft, Minnesota will enter training camp with the group:
Aaron Jones
Jordan Mason
Demond Claiborne
Zavier Scott
Kejon Owens
Jones and Mason figure to split the RB1 workload — like last year — with Claiborne and Scott battling it out for the RB3 job at training camp and in the preseason. Owens will either make the practice squad or get cut in late August.
In free agency, the Vikings could have explored Travis Etienne (NO), Kenneth Walker III (KC), Rico Dowdle (PIT), Isiah Pacheco (DET), or Kenneth Gainwell (TB) but took the plunge with none, instead re-upping with Jones at a reduced price. He accepted a paycut to stay in Minnesota through the end of 2026.
Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason warmed up before a home matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium, preparing for another Sunday role in Minnesota’s backfield. On October 19, 2025, in Minneapolis, Mason went through pregame work as the Vikings readied for Philadelphia and another physical NFC test. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
Other veterans like Najee Harris, Joe Mixon, and Austin Ekeler remain on the open market if injuries rattle Jones or Mason.
The Efficiency Last Year
In 2025, another season when the Vikings publicly announced they would run the ball more, they ranked 15th in Rush EPA and 13th in Rush DVOA. The efficiency passed the test, but Minnesota ranked 19th in rush playcall percentage. In fact, per the DVOA stat, the Vikings ranked 13th-best running the football while calling rush plays the 13th-least.
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Therefore, a fix could be simple: commit to running the ball. It’s just that head coach Kevin O’Connell has been unusually reluctant to embrace the theory, probably because he’s a former quarterback who, when in doubt, dials up pass plays.
Thankfully, the rushing frequency spiked in December last season, and Minnesota won five straight games to close out the year. Perhaps O’Connell learned a lesson that will carry over to 2026.
Claiborne as the Big Hope
Claiborne, nicknamed “Lightning,” isn’t your average rookie running back vying for a roster spot this summer. Beyond the cool nickname, his football profile suggests he could be a game-changer. If Claiborne can inject even a fraction of De’Von Achane’s explosive energy into the Minnesota offense, it could elevate the unit to an entirely new level.
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The comparisons to Achane are well-founded. Claiborne possesses a similar build and a knack for creating explosive plays. Crucially, he now has the opportunity to work with Frank Smith, who coached Achane in Miami for three years. There’s a tangible connection.
Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne carried the football against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium, flashing the speed that later made him a Vikings intrigue piece. On November 23, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Claiborne worked through second-quarter action for the Demon Deacons in a late-season ACC road matchup versus Miami. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images.
Should the Vikings finally establish a formidable ground game under O’Connell, the impact would be substantial. A dominant running attack would alleviate pressure on the quarterback and punish defenses for overcommitting to Justin Jefferson. The Vikings haven’t employed a dominant running back arguably since 2021 or 2022 when Dalvin Cook was still running wild.
While O’Connell’s play-calling genius is undeniable, he also needs to reveal his ability to construct a winning offense that isn’t solely reliant on the passing game to solve every problem. Claiborne might just be the catalyst that helps him achieve that balance.
Claiborne comps profile somewhere between Achane, Jerick McKinnon, and Nyheim Hines. Fans will begin to get a sense of his style and production in 68 days, when the regular season kicks off.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
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