RAIPUR: On a Dec evening at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru in 2012, a young Uttar Pradesh pacer announced himself to international cricket with a dream T20I debut against Pakistan. Swinging the new ball with remarkable control, Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned figures of 3/9. More than 13 years later, in a format that has tilted further towards batters, Bhuvneshwar remains not just relevant but among the most effective, as he has shown in the IPL this season. Once a young swing-bowling prospect, he now stands as a study in craft, discipline and constant reinvention.At 36, he has 21 wickets from 11 matches and leads the IPL wicket charts this season, a significant marker in a competition where 200-plus totals no longer feel safe and bowlers are challenged every over. For Bhuvneshwar, survival in modern T20 cricket has come down to one thing: constant evolution.
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“My skills and the mental aspect of my game have changed a lot. What also changed is accepting situations quickly. The way batters are coming at you now is very different from what it used to be 10 years ago. Accepting things quickly probably helped me,” said the 36-year-old.That adaptability has become essential in a tournament that now barely resembles the IPL’s early years. Batters now attack from ball one, unconventional strokes have become mainstream and even good deliveries regularly disappear into the stands.“Five years ago, if you gave 40 runs, I used to think it was a bad day,” admitted Bhuvneshwar, who returned match-winning figures of 4/23 against MI on Sunday and struck a crucial six in the final over. “Now, if you give 40 runs, I consider it good bowling! Earlier, 200 felt like a winning score. Now, when teams chase 200, it feels like it’s ‘just 200’,” he said.Despite the changing demands, Bhuvneshwar has remained one of the league’s most trusted fast bowlers, operating in both the Powerplay and at the death. Having not played internationally since Nov 2022, the former India pacer insists there is no magic formula behind his longevity. Instead, he credits discipline and consistency for helping him stay ahead.“Motivation is overrated,” he said. “It’s discipline. You are tired, you don’t want to go, but still you have to go. That consistency — doing things day in and day out — makes you consistent on the field as well.” Age, though, has brought physical challenges. “When you are young, recovery takes less time compared to this age,” he said. “Physically, it is tougher but mentally it becomes easier because you are mature and experienced. You understand your game much better.”Even as a younger generation of fearless batters continues to redefine T20 cricket, Bhuvneshwar remains convinced that bowlers will keep finding ways to respond. “Batters do something, then bowlers evolve. That is how cricket has always worked,” he said.Bhuvneshwar’s RCB journey has also come full circle. He was around the franchise’s setup in 2009 and 2010 as a young domestic cricketer before returning in 2025 as one of the country’s most experienced pacer. “Everything changed for me,” he said. “At that time, I was a domestic player. First time into the setup, I was just looking at the glamorous side of it. I was nervous looking at other players, overseas players. But now it’s changed a lot because now a big part of being in the team is being a senior player.”
Aaron Rodgers didn’t make it back to Pittsburgh after all.
After reports surfaced this past Friday that Rodgers was expected to visit the Pittsburgh Steelers in preparation for a return to the team he played for last year, many were hopeful the months-long wait was over.
However, during his appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on ESPN this Monday, Adam Schefter said neither the Steelers nor his agent were aware of any such meeting being on the schedule.
Aaron Rodgers of the Steelers stands during the national anthem before an NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Jan. 4, 2026.(Michael Owens/Getty Images)
But then, there were the reports about where Rodgers is in the world, with the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reporting that he was in the Steel City, though he wasn’t scheduled to visit with the team. A report from 93.7 The Fan added on, saying he was in town for golf.
Either way, the decision still lingers whether Rodgers will suit up for the Steelers, but the storied franchise gave themselves some insurance if the four-time MVP quarterback decides he wants to potentially play elsewhere.
The Steelers used an unrestricted free-agent tender on Rodgers last month, which allows Pittsburgh the right to match any offer Rodgers may get from another team.
Despite doubt from some camps on Rodgers’ potential return, Schefter noted his belief he will be in the Steelers’ depth chart come training camp. The Steelers have their OTAs scheduled to begin next Monday.
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers drops back to pass against the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Jan. 4, 2026.(Getty Images)
With Rodgers at the helm this past season, the Steelers went 10-7, even earning a playoff berth after Baltimore Ravens rookie Tyler Loop’s now-infamous game-winning field goal did not get through the uprights. The Steelers ended up losing to the Houston Texans in the wild-card round, extending the team’s playoff winless streak to eight straight seasons, including three consecutive campaigns.
Rodgers, who’s slated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame once he decides to call it quits for his career, threw for 3,322 yards with 24 touchdowns to seven interceptions in 16 games for Pittsburgh in 2025.
The Steelers also revamped their team for this season, as Mike McCarthy, Rodgers’ old head coach with the Green Bay Packers, takes over for Mike Tomlin, whose generational run in Pittsburgh ended after 19 seasons (2007-25). While D.K. Metcalf and Rodgers built chemistry this past season, the Steelers also added veteran receiver Michael Pittman Jr. in a deal with the Indianapolis Colts, while adding Alabama’s Germie Bernard in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers after being sacked during the wild-card game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Jan. 12, 2026.(Michael Longo/For USA Today Network-PA/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
And while Kenneth Gainwell is gone after a solid performance with Pittsburgh, Rico Dowdle comes into the fold to work alongside Jaylen Warren at running back.
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Yet, the biggest question in football still remains: will Rodgers be a part of these new-look Steelers in 2026?
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) formed an interim committee and appointed former captain Tamim Iqbal as its head. Addressing the controversy surrounding Bangladesh’s exclusion from the T20 World Cup 2026, Tamim admitted that the situation was mishandled by the previous BCB administration and expressed disappointment over how the country lost its place in the tournament.While India celebrated a historic third T20 World Cup title, Bangladesh endured one of the darkest chapters in its cricketing history after being left out of the competition. The controversy began when Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was withdrawn from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad amid rising religious tensions in Bangladesh. Concerned about player safety, the BCB requested the ICC to move Bangladesh’s matches from India to Sri Lanka. However, with the tournament schedule already finalised, the ICC declined the proposal due to logistical complications, ultimately leading to Bangladesh’s exclusion.
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Speaking to The Indian Express, Tamim criticised the handling of the issue by the former BCB administration and felt there was still enough room for dialogue and compromise.“I was probably the first person to speak out when the T20 World Cup issue happened. The way it was handled by the previous BCB administration was not right. The ICC was lenient and there was room to find a solution. We should have found it,” Tamim said.The former Bangladesh skipper also reflected emotionally on Bangladesh’s cricketing journey and what World Cup qualification means to the country. He recalled the celebrations after Bangladesh secured qualification for the 1999 World Cup by winning the ICC Trophy in 1997.“People celebrated on the streets. That victory inspired an entire generation to take up cricket. Everyone wanted to become Minhajul Abedin Nannu, Khaled Mashud or Akram Khan. And then we gave away a World Cup opportunity without even proper discussions. There may be players in that squad who might never get another chance to play a World Cup, and that hurt me deeply,” he added.Tamim also spoke about Bangladesh’s relationship with the BCCI, insisting that ties between the two boards remain healthy. He revealed that he shares a strong personal bond with current BCCI president Mithun Manhas, having played alongside him in the IPL and domestic leagues.“I know Mithun Manhas very well. We played together in the IPL and he has visited Bangladesh many times for Dhaka league cricket. I haven’t met him officially in this role yet, but we share a very good rapport,” Tamim said.He further assured that Bangladesh remains a safe destination for international cricket and hoped India would tour the country again soon.“The security situation in Bangladesh is absolutely fine at the moment. There is no threat, especially for the Indian cricket team. Whenever India tours Bangladesh, the stadiums are packed because people love that rivalry. I personally believe there are no real issues between BCB and BCCI anymore, and a bilateral series in Bangladesh would be a great step forward,” he concluded.
Nigerian defender Enyinnaya Kazie will leave Stellenbosch FC at the end of the season after reaching the end of his contract.
The versatile right wing-back is expected to make his final appearance for the club in their last league match of the campaign against Marumo Gallants F.C. on May 23.
Kazie joined Stellenbosch from Rivers United F.C. in November 2024 and quickly settled into the team. The Nigerian defender became a regular starter and impressed with his consistent displays on both ends of the pitch.
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The 24-year-old featured in 35 matches across all competitions this season and scored two goals during an outstanding campaign for the South African side.
His strong performances have reportedly attracted interest from clubs outside South Africa, with Kazie now looking forward to continuing his career abroad after the expiration of his deal.
His exit is expected to be a big loss for Stellenbosch, considering the important role he played within a short period at the club.
Veteran running back Ameer Abdullah has been around the block a time or two. He’s putting his shoes (cleats?) on to take another lap.
The speedy ex-Vikings weapon has earned a deal to continue competing in the NFL. Check out the news update courtesy of KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, who writes, “#Jaguars signed Ameer Abdullah, re-signed Sal Wormley, placed Jordan White on the reserve/retired list, waived Ja’Quinden Jackson.”
Ex-Vikings RB Now with Jags
Right now, the Vikings are working with a running back room that boasts a nice blend of players. Most prominently, there’s the older Aaron Jones — a well-rounded player who offers excellent leadership — alongside the powerful, rugged Jordan Mason. These two are going to shoulder the majority of the burden within the ground attack.
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Further enhancing the upside is rookie newcomer Demond Claiborne, a 6th-Round selection from the 2026 NFL Draft. Claiborne is an impressive guy, in no small part due to his work ethic, resilience, and his all-world speed. Even better, there’s a new fullback in town. Adding Max Bredeson is a delight to J.J. McCarthy and all football fans who enjoy old school ball.
Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) hands the ball off to Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (27) against the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Somebody who used to carry the ball for the Vikings was Ameer Abdullah, a runner who got his start with the Lions before working for various NFL franchises. Consider where Mr. Abdullah has played:
Detroit Lions (2015-18)
Minnesota Vikings (2018-2021)
Carolina Panthers (2021)
Las Vegas Raiders (2022-2024)
San Francisco 49ers (2025)
Indianapolis Colts (2025)
Tack on the Jacksonville Jaguars as the newest team to get worked into the mix. Travelling southward makes a lot of sense. For starters, there’s the Jaguars having seen Travis Etienne move on. But then there’s the strong Vikings influence due to Grant Udinski operating as the OC.
Consider, as well, the status of LG Ezra Cleveland, QB Nick Mullens, and WR Tim Jones. Each played for the Vikings in the past. Go ahead and toss Abdullah into the mix as yet another connection.
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At 32, Abdullah is getting close to the end of his career. He’s very likely to have a ceiling sitting at RB3, a player who can helps on specials while pinch hitting on offense (though sparingly). His stats last season involve 14 carries for 60 yards (4.3 yards-per-carry average) and 1 touchdown. More promising is that he turned 17 targets into 16 catches for 99 yards, earning a 1st down on four occasions.
Oct 20, 2019; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones (11) talks with Minnesota Vikings running back Ameer Abdullah (31) after the game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Do a final tally and Abdullah shows 86 plays on offense for 2025 alongside 135 plays on special teams.
In fact, Abdullah had 19 kickoff returns last year, turning those chances into a total of 563 yards for a beefy 29.6 yards-per-return average. His best return went for an explosive 81 yards.
In Minnesota, Myles Price alongside Tai Felton are likely to handle kickoffs. Newcomer Dillon Bell has a shot. Mr. Price is very likely to be the punt returner.
The NFL will be releasing the schedule for the 2026 season on Thursday, May 14th. The Vikings and the Jaguars aren’t scheduled to play each other. At least in theory, the two sides could battle for the Super Bowl since they play within different conferences. No doubt, that possibility appears extremely unlikely, but most would have said the same about Seahawks v. Patriots in May of 2025.
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Ameer Abdullah will turn 33 in June. He stands at 5’9″ and 203 pounds.
After a debut victory at Caulfield, Natural Fling is Queensland-bound aiming at a high-prize juvenile race.
The filly under the care of Tony and Calvin McEvoy drew heavy support in the Sportsbet Feed Handicap (1100m), leading from start to finish in a convincing effort.
As the $2.10 favourite with Harry Coffey in the saddle, Natural Fling prevailed by three lengths from Jarbardar ($6), followed by Shooting Brake ($6.50) another 1-½ lengths behind in third.
The $1 million Magic Millions National 2YO Classic (1000m) on May 22 at the Gold Coast is the target identified by the McEvoy father-and-son team for the filly.
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That training partnership succeeded in the race back in 2024 with Arabian Summer at Doomben.
“She’s going to be looking to kick on up to Queensland,” Calvin McEvoy said.
“There’s a $1 million race up there to consider.
“She’s very fast and the 1000 or 1100 metres, I don’t think it matters, but I was so impressed with her attitude today and she handled it all very well and that will take her a long way.”
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Natural Fling parades in Sunlight’s colours – the mare a Magic Millions winner – with ownership including connections to double Cups victor Half Yours, and she is out of first-crop sire Home Affairs.
Sunlight and Home Affairs each won the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington to open the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
“She’s been very natural all the way along with a terrific attitude,” McEvoy said.
“Home Affairs is doing a pretty good job and it’s a really good ownership group, some of our biggest supporters, some from Sunlight and some from Half Yours.
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“She’s a filly that we have always loved, and we came here very confident, but the track was something that came up as a little bit of a query.
“She’s fast, had shown good ability in her jump-outs, but they all had to get through it.
“Harry had to use her a little bit, but she was quite dominant in the end.”
Visit the betting sites for competitive racing odds on Natural Fling’s upcoming tilt at the Magic Millions National 2YO Classic.
Awesome Championship Wrestling (ACW) will return to the MJN Center in Poughkeepsie, New York, for its Reckoning event on Saturday night in what’s expected to be a star-studded affair.
Recognizable names in pro wrestling like IWGP global heavyweight champion Andrade, NWA world historic middleweight champion Flip Gordon, ACW women’s champion Steph De Lander, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) star Indi Hartwell, Major League Wrestling (MLW) Lady Frost as well as top names on the independent scene like Richard Holliday and Ben Bishop will all be featured on the card.
The ACW tag team champions will also be among those competing at the event. Vik Dalishus and Hale Collins, the duo known as The Now, will defend the titles in a steel cage match against Sent 2 Slaughter – the team made up of Danny Maff and Shawn Donovan.
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Vik Dalishus and Hale Collins make their way down the ramp for an Awesome Championship Wrestling match.(Jay Adam Photography)
Dalishus and Collins hope to end their feud with Sent 2 Slaughter.
“Guys we’ve had to deal with in the last year and a half and our feud has actually extended outside of ACW,” Dalishus said. “We’ve feuded in several different promotions all throughout the Northeast.”
Dalishus added that Maff and Donovan crashed his wedding, turning up the temperature on the feud.
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“And they’re all bitter because we stole, well, we won their tag titles at WrestlePro,” Collins said, adding that their tag team opponents even crashed his Hall of Fame ceremony at Johnny Rodz’s wrestling school.
“It’s a very personal rivalry. They actually crashed my wedding,” Dalishus continued. “They showed up unannounced. They’ve made it very personal and we’ve responded accordingly. The very first time we were in a steel cage with them, they had our manager (Josh Shernoff) in their back pocket.
“He actually turned on us … What this steel cage is really all about is redemption to right the wrong that happened to us last time we were in a cage. We’ve said this was going to be the final chapter – whoever wins, wins, and whoever loses, that’s it.”
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Hale Collins, left, and Vik Dalishus walk with the Awesome Championship Wrestling Tag Team Championship.(Smoothlenz photography)
Dalishus and Collins are the promoters behind ACW, which has drawn high praise from wrestlers who competed in their events. They stressed why having a spot like the MJN Center is a critical component of the promotion’s success.
Dalishus recalled going to tapings of WWE’s “Monday Night Raw” in the 1990s and watching a Sensational Sherry and Luna Vachon go at each other as well as Tommy Dreamer’s House of Hardcore getting started in the building.
“That building and our careers and our lives have really intertwined in the craziest way and we’re very fortunate that Awesome Championship Wrestling has been this thing that has kinda caught on in this area and really been the next wave of professional wrestling. The WWF and the WWE coming here in the 70s, 80s and 90s and then ECW and then there was some local independent wrestling that was running the building trying to do a good job with providing big stars in the area but there was a real big gap in the last few years with pro wrestling and bringing TV stars into this area.
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Hale Collins, left, and Vik Dalishus pose for a photo.(Lifelumens – Edward-Daniel Simons Jr.)
“NXT had run the building, TNA had run the building a few times and the crowds were a little bit underwhelming and we knew when we were going to start Awesome Championship Wrestling that we wanted to do something a little bit different but also cater to all of the wrestling fans – provide something for everyone.”
As ACW has been credited with being just above a regular independent promotion with its lighting, camera work and professionalism backstage, Collins and Dalishus highlighted the impressive growth they’ve made since their first show in January 2025.
“The first show, we almost lost our butts, and then we had a great walk up,” Collins told Fox News Digital. “It was almost like the movie ‘Field of Dreams’ – ‘if you build it, it will come.’ All of a sudden, 2, 3, 400 people walked up and it was awesome. Ever since then, we’re going day-by-day, but we have goals in mind.”
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Dalishus said they’ve been “really smart” with how they’ve taken the necessary steps to get more eyes on their shows, including with a YouTube show that showcases its past matches and highlights upcoming events.
The Now bring the pain in Awesome Championship Wrestling.(Smoothlenz photography)
“Who knows where it can really go? The idea for us is to ride this roller coaster for as long as we can and see what happens,” Dalishus said. “Does it become a brand that starts to tour around the country? We hope so. We hope that it’s something that we’re able to do and we’re able to take ACW to different markets. Right now, the thing we’ve been able to leverage is that the building here, the MJN Center, is in partnership with us and that we’ve been able to really grow with a partner that’s wanting to see us succeed just as much as they want to see success. So, it becomes a big risk to start traveling outside of this home area because of the things we’ve been able to leverage with our friends and our business connections and our partnerships that we have.
“We spent a lot of time in the last year surrounding ourselves with some of the people that we’ve known throughout our time in wrestling that we trust, that are really great minds for pro wrestling and that they’re guys who bring something to the table that will help us grow at a big rate. Being able to take this thing on the road would be something that I’d really like to see us do.”
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Collins added that going on the road was “definitely a goal.”
“Everything we do, even if it’s something simple like getting the apron branded, that’s the goal. The branding is pretty good right now so let’s go to the next goal. Now, we can take the show, put it in another building, but it’ll still look like ACW. We’re thinking of every aspect and being careful as we do. As of right now, I think we’re on to something really cool and whatever we take, we put it back into the company.”
Reckoning will take place Saturday night and will include “Macho Man” Randy Savage and Mike Bell’s inductions into the MJN Center’s Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Brian Cage vs. Hammerstone vs. Flip Gordon vs. Mance Warner vs. a mystery opponent former world champion in a five-way survival match to become the No. 1 contender for the ACW National Championship.
Zack Clayton (c) vs. Dante “El Jaguar” Casanova for the AEW National Championship.
“Big Trouble” Ben Bishop vs. “Firework” Foxx Vinyer.
Leo Sparrow (c) vs. The Phoenix GKM vs. Liamo in a triple-threat match for the AEW Cruiserweight Championship.
Steph De Lander and Indi Hartwell vs. Vicious Vicki and Lady Frost.
Vincent and Dutch (The Righteous) vs. Yoscifer (w/Shir’rak) and Wrecking Ball Legursky.
Andrade vs. Richard Holliday.
Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard exchanges postgame handshakes with Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford following their NFC wild-card matchup at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Jan. 13, 2025. Greenard capped a strong debut season in Minnesota by emerging as one of the Vikings’ most disruptive defensive players throughout the 2024 campaign under coordinator Brian Flores. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
On Friday, April 24th, the Minnesota Vikings offloaded outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard and a 7th-Round pick, sending the package to the Philadelphia Eagles for two 3rd-Rounders. Two weeks later, the team’s fans claim newly signed wide receiver Jauan Jennings is a part of the deal by default.
Minnesota’s Greenard deal may have created a wider payoff than expected.
The Vikings signed Jennings last Thursday, and because the club freed up cap space with the Greenard trade, the working theory is that Jennings is indeed part of the trade.
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Jennings Gives Kevin O’Connell the Insurance Piece He Needed
Do you include Jennings in the Greenard trade fallout?
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings celebrates a touchdown on Dec. 14, 2025, during first-quarter action against the Tennessee Titans at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. Jennings continued building a reputation as one of the NFL’s more reliable complementary wide receivers, blending physical route-running, red-zone usefulness, and strong blocking traits into a valuable all-around offensive role. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images.
The New Way to Spin It
SKOR North‘s Thor Nystrom led the charge, tweeting Thursday, “Final transaction (basically) for the Vikings…Vikings get: WR Jauan Jennings, No. 98 (S Jakobe Thomas), 2027 R3. Vikings give: EDGE Jonathan Greenard, No. 244 (S Cole Wisniewski).”
Had the Vikings not traded Greenard — instead paying him $100 million over the next four years — affording Jennings may not have been in the cards, or so the theory goes.
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A Sweet Deal if So
Of course, one must be expansive in one’s thought process to include Jennings in the trade: Jennings wasn’t part of the Eagles’ roster. It’s similar to including T.J. Hockenson in the Vikings’ 2023 draft class, since the club traded for him in 2022 using 2023 draft picks.
Still, if Jennings were included pound for pound in the swap — basically Nystrom’s assertion — the deal looks all the more attractive. Minnesota already grabbed Thomas from the draft as fruit from the trade; another 3rd-Rounder will enter the mix next April.
The Vikings may not have been able to afford Jennings if they extended Greenard — unless they restructured current players’ deals and kicked the can down the road on future salary caps — so noting his arrival as fallout from the Greenard trade is fair.
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Jennings’s History
Foremost, Minnesota will get this documented production for its new wideout:
If Jennings can combine his 2024 yardage totals with his 2025 touchdown production, O’Connell’s offense will experience a rapid boost. Jennings has already proven himself as a legitimate WR3, eliminating the need for Minnesota to hope for his eventual development.
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Beyond that, Jennings offers sweet depth. Should Justin Jefferson or Jordan Addison miss time, he provides a reliable WR2 option, preventing the Vikings from having to thrust a young player into a demanding role prematurely. Call it insurance for the just-in-case.
His contributions extend to blocking, too, an oft-underappreciated aspect of the sport. Jennings stands out as one of the NFL’s premier blocking wide receivers. While this might seem like a minor detail, players primarily known for this skill often have limited offensive roles, a pitfall Jennings avoids. For instance, former Viking Trent Sherfield was a useful blocker but had a largely restricted offensive role.
Jennings, however, offers a more complete package. In 2024, Pro Football Focus awarded him a 73.8 run-blocking grade. While wide receiver blocking isn’t a primary factor in player signings and may not excite fans in May, it’s a valuable asset that Vikings coaches undoubtedly appreciate. Jennings has versatility. Think of it that way.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard tackles Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams during the playoffs on Jan. 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. Greenard quickly became one of the Vikings’ most important defenders after arriving in Minnesota, supplying consistent pressure, strong edge-setting ability, and disruptive production within Brian Flores’ aggressive defensive system. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
Ultimately, his primary appeal lies in providing the Vikings with a much more robust WR3 option and valuable depth behind Jefferson and Addison. A realistic, though difficult, consideration involves potential injuries. What if Jefferson or Addison were to suffer an injury this summer? While no one wants to dwell on such possibilities, NFL rosters are almost invariably tested.
Without Jennings, a significant injury to either Jefferson or Addison would leave the Vikings with a much thinner receiving corps. For instance, if Jefferson were sidelined, the top three receivers in September could be Addison, Tai Felton, and Myles Price. That would spell panic. Addison, Jennings, and Felton is much different than Addison, Felton, and Price.
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While some might suggest the Vikings could simply run the ball more, O’Connell has made his offensive philosophy clear: he prefers to throw the football. Jennings helps maintain that offensive identity.
Best WR Trio since the Glory Days
The Vikings have employed decent WR3s over the years, including Jalen Nailor, K.J. Osborn, Jerome Simpson, and Bernard Berrian, to name a few.
Jauan Jennings leaps into the crowd after scoring a touchdown on Sep. 14, 2025, during the San Francisco 49ers’ road matchup against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Jennings carved out a larger offensive role in San Francisco through physical play, dependable hands, and an ability to produce in high-leverage moments throughout the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images.
But with Jennings in the house, and assuming Jefferson, Addison, and he stay healthy, the current threesome is Minnesota’s best on paper since the days of Randy Moss, Cris Carter, and Jake Reed. There are still posters and shirts with “Three Deep” around in the Twin Cities.
Jefferson-Addison-Jennings won’t quite replicate Three Deep, but it’s the closest thing to it since 1999.
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Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
Gilberto Ramirez has confirmed his future after losing to David Benavidez, while also addressing the elbow controversy in their cruiserweight encounter earlier this month.
‘Zurdo’ entered their showdown as the defending unified champion, but was ultimately relieved of his WBO and WBA world titles via a sixth-round stoppage.
Despite it being his first outing at 200lbs, ‘The Mexican Monster’ showed remarkable composure and hand speed, forcing a nasty swelling to appear on his opponent’s right eye.
Ramirez, to his credit, showed tremendous spirit to battle through the pain, but was eventually beaten into submission by the naturally smaller man.
Since their contest, video footage has shown that Benavidez connected with an elbow during one of their exchanges, causing a slow-motion replay of the incident to circulate on social media.
In response, the 29-year-old has insisted that it was completely unintentional, yet a selection of observers have attempted to accuse him of using dirty tactics.
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Ramirez, however, has urged fans to not discredit Benavidez’s performance, while also explaining in a social media post that he intends to “come back stronger”.
“Saturday didn’t go the way I planned. The loss is painful – the hurt is real. But I’ll sit with it, learn from it, and come back stronger. This is not the end.
“I tip my hat to David… His success didn’t come overnight, and that only motivates me more. Don’t discredit what he brought — he was the better man that night and I have nothing but respect for him and his team for the preparation they put in. Elbow or no elbow, it’s a fight at the end of the night.
“If we ever share that ring again, I’ll be better prepared — and I will get my revenge. For now, I’m taking time with my family and enjoying the summer.”
At the age of 34, it is difficult to see where Ramirez goes from here, while a rematch with Benavidez appears far from realistic.
May 8, 2026; Sterling, Virginia, USA; Jon Rahm smiles after finishing a hole during the second round of LIV Golf Virginia golf tournament at Trump National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: John (Jack) Power-Imagn Images
It has been nearly two years since a LIV Golf member won a major, when Bryson DeChambeau hoisted the 2024 U.S. Open trophy.
Eleven LIV players are set to compete at the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink outside of Philadelphia this week. One of them claiming the Wanamaker Trophy would provide a much-need lift for the fledgling league, and there are two among the top five betting favorites.
We rank all 11 players in this week’s field and analyze their chances of snapping LIV’s major drought.
MARTIN KAYMER (+450000 at DraftKings)
Qualified By: Past Champion (2010)
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Sitting at 1,160th in the Official World Golf Ranking, Kaymer’s only major last year was a missed cut at the PGA. He has played in six LIV events this year with a best showing of T25 in Mexico City. The Cleeks Golf Club captain hasn’t been relevant on the worldwide stage in several years and currently sits 52nd in LIV’s individual standings.
ELVIS SMYLIE (+130000)
Qualified By: Special Invite
Smylie, 24, won his LIV Golf debut in Riyadh in February, but it has been mostly tough sledding since. He did finish T8 in Hong Kong but hasn’t fared better than T28 in his past six worldwide events and is coming off a T46 at LIV Golf Virginia. The Australian has made the cut in one of three previous major starts — a T72 at last year’s PGA.
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DUSTIN JOHNSON (+23000)
Qualified By: Special Invite
The two-time major champion narrowly ran his streak to 69 consecutive majors in which he’s eligible to play when he was extended an invite last week. A two-time PGA runner-up, he has six top-10 finishes in this major. But there is little to suggest that Johnson will be a factor this week. He did manage a T33 at the Masters after missing the cut in three of four 2025 majors. He also has a lone top-10 result through seven LIV events this year.
CAMERON SMITH (+35000)
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Qualified By: The Open Champion (2022)
The former World No. 2 insists his competitive fire continues to burn strongly, but his game has mostly flamed out over the past two years against elite fields. That includes six consecutive missed cuts at majors. He has a pair of top-10s on LIV this year following a runner-up at the Australian Open to close out 2025, but has gone T39 and T26 on LIV after failing to make the cut at the Masters last month.
TOM McKIBBIN (+34000)
Qualified By: Special Invite
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The 23-year-old will make his sixth major start and second consecutive at the PGA Championship. A former mentee of Rory McIlroy, McKibbin is considered one of the most talented young players on LIV. He is still quite raw on the major stage, however, and also missed the cut at Augusta last month. He did rebound to finish T5 at LIV Golf Mexico City before a missed cut on the DP World Tour and a T21 in Virginia last week.
DAVID PUIG (+12000)
Qualified By: Special Invite
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Puig, 24, placed second to Jon Rahm at LIV Golf Mexico City for his best finish to date in the league. His T60 at last year’s PGA was one of one three times Puig has reached the weekend at a major. He does have four top-10s on LIV this year and won the 2025 BMW Australian PGA Championship for his most notable victory to date.
THOMAS DETRY (+14500)
Qualified By: Special Invite
Detry has made a big impact in his debut LIV season as he sits fourth in the individual standings. The 33-year-old’s best previous finish in a major was T4 at the PGA at Valhalla two years ago, and he’s working to secure a spot in next month’s U.S. Open. Ranked 61st in the world, Detry did win the 2025 WM Phoenix Open by seven shots, so he has proven the talent to pull away from quality fields.
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JOAQUIN NIEMANN (+10000)
Qualified By: Top 15 at 2025 PGA Championship
The Chilean star has struggled so far in 2026 to find the form that saw him win five individual LIV titles last year. Niemann does have a solo fourth in Singapore and a T8 at Virginia, and he tied for eighth at the 2025 PGA before missing the cut at the final two majors of the year. Last year’s PGA was the only top-10 major finish to date for the 27-year-old.
TYRRELL HATTON (+5900)
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Qualified By: Ryder Cup participant (2025)
Hatton’s 66 tied for the low round on Sunday at the Masters, which helped him rocket up to a T3 and took a bit of the sting away from an otherwise very poor showing by LIV at Augusta. He remains 26th in the world rankings and has a trio of top-10 finishes on LIV in 2025, although he is coming off a modest 17th at Virginia. The 34-year-old has a reputation for playing well on some of the world’s most difficult courses, and he has at least one top-10 result at each of the four majors, highlighted by a T4 at last year’s U.S. Open.
BRYSON DeCHAMBEAU (+1850)
Qualified By: U.S. Open Winner (2020), Top 15 at 2024 PGA Championship, Top 70 PGA Championship points
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DeChambeau rallied to finish third in Virginia after being 12 shots off the pace of eventual winner Lucas Herbert entering the weekend. He appears to be over the wrist injury that forced him to withdraw from Mexico City following a missed cut at the Masters. DeChambeau has finished runner-up at each of the past two PGAs, including a dramatic one-shot deficit to Xander Schauffele in 2024 and tying for second-place honors five shots behind Scottie Scheffler last year.
JON RAHM (+1375)
Qualified By: U.S. Open Winner (2021), Masters Champion (2023), Ryder Cup participant (2023, ‘25)
Rahm admitted at the Masters that he has been tinkering with a few things with his swing in search of more consistency. After a T38 at Augusta, the Spaniard went on to win LIV Golf Mexico City and finished T8 at Virginia. Rahm also finished T8 at the 2025 PGA before a T7 at the U.S. Open, so he’s one of the few LIV Golf stars who have managed to stay consistently relevant on the major stage.
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Rahm, 31, has never appeared particularly concerned about critics or the current noise around LIV’s future. However, he also has a spotty track record at the PGA Championship, with his best finish to date being a T4 at Bellerive back in 2018. He does lead the current individual LIV standings by a wide margin.
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