During the 2024 season, Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Levi Drake Rodriguez shared a celebration with teammate Bo Richter after delivering a key play. The moment captured the energy and enthusiasm of Minnesota’s defensive front as the young players made their presence felt. Rodriguez’s ability to disrupt and Richter’s support highlighted the team’s depth and emerging contributors on defense. Mandatory Credit: Alli Rusco, Vikings.com.
Over recent days, media outlets have leaked details of upcoming moves, suggesting a youth movement on the Vikings’ defensive line in Minnesota. It’s out with the old and potentially in with the new in Minnesota this spring.
Minnesota’s Interior Defensive Front Is Entering a Transition Phase
There have been three significant moves made at the interior defensive line position. Both Jonathan Allen and Javon Harhrave are going to be released just a year on from signing for Minnesota in big-money deals. Hargrave’s release was leaked first, along with veteran RB Aaron Jones, and both were moves I expected. The news regarding Allen came a few days later and was more of a surprise.
Minnesota Vikings defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave against the Chicago Bears in Week 1 of 2025. The two signed in 2025 free agent with Minnesota, multi-year deals for both. Mandatory Credit: YouTube
It was a big move when the Vikings signed Allen and Hargrave on the same day last March. Both were coming off injury problems, but had been very good players in the league. Surely one of them would recapture their old form? Both were ok but neither got close to being worth the two-year, $30 million (Hargrave) or three-year, $60 million (Allen) contracts they got from Minnesota.
Unless someone comes in with a trade offer, which would be a surprise at this point, their pair will be released, giving the Vikings a combined savings of $17.4 million against this year’s salary cap. Releasing Allen two years early will leave a huge dead cap hit of $17.3 million unless it is designated as a post-Jun 1, where a further saving of $4.7 million can be made, but it still leaves a hefty dead cap hit.
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The Emergence of Jalen Redmond
One reason the Vikings can feel comfortable making these moves is the emergence of Jalen Redmond. Undrafted in 2023, Redmond was signed and then discarded by the Carolina Panthers before eventually landing in the XFL. Redmond got a second chance in Minnesota and has never looked back, playing in 30 games, including 17 starts, over the last two seasons.
Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Jalen Redmond (61) during the first half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Redmond comfortably outplayed both Allen and Hargrave, which has led the Vikings to place the exclusive rights tender on him. After a six-sack season in which he showcased his all-around ability, a long contract will soon be on its way.
Soon to be 27, Redmond is suddenly the senior man on the Vikings’ defensive line, alongside Levi Drake-Rodriguez (25), Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (22), and Elijah Williams (23), making up the rest of the depth chart. All of those are well thought of in Minnesota, but there certainly needs to be someone else added to the mix.
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Adding via Free Agency or the Draft?
The question now is, do the Vikings add to the position via free agency or the draft? They probably do both, but my preference would be to add a cheap veteran via free agency – a Jonathan Bullard type – and then go early in the draft. No Jalen Carter or Aaron Donald is screaming to be picked near the top of this year’s draft – the Vikings wouldn’t be in position to get them if they were – but there are some good players.
The big names this year are Caleb Banks, Peter Woods, Kayden McDonald, and Lee Hunter, and they are the big names to look out for early in the draft.
I’m a big fan of Banks and have been banging the support for him as the Vikings pick at 18 – even more so since his impressive display at the NFL Combine. He is the only one of the four I’d take in the first round. If Minnesota goes with a different position on Day 1, then the other three are good options if available on Day 2.
A depth chart that reads Redmond, Banks, Drake-Rodriguez, Ingram-Dawkins, and Williams would signal a significant shift toward a Vikings defensive line youth movement. Depending on the group’s development, it could be an exciting prospect for a group that has been together for a significant amount of time.
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Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.
Lola Vice competes against Kendal Grey during NXT at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York on March 31, 2026.(Rich Freeda/WWE)
The match was fast-paced and featured hard-hitting action as all competitors tried to make quick work of each other.
Grey and Vice quickly picked up where they left off on Tuesday night. The two grappled for control and tried to get quick pins on each other after throwing Jayne out of the ring. No woman had the upper hand in the very beginning, but the match quickly moved outside the ring. Jayne threw Grey into the stairs while Vice hit a Meteora on the champ to take advantage.
Jayne came in with some momentum. She already defeated Grey and Vice in the past. She had her Toxic Influence stablemates, Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid, on the outside of the ring and in her corner. Grey also had the backing of Wren Sinclar, while Vice only had herself.
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Jayne tried her darndest to keep it a one-on-one match, tossing either Grey or Vice out of the ring to keep the numbers even inside of it. She showed her veteran abilities often throughout the match.
Kendal Grey competes against Lola Vice during NXT at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York on March 31, 2026.(Rich Freeda/WWE)
But Grey, who won the Iron Survivor Challenge when she was still the Evolve women’s champion, would not be beaten down – neither would Vice. The Cuban American pro wrestler used her own mixed martial arts background to keep her opponents at bay.
Just as Jayne thought she was going to get a pin on Grey, Vice – who was on the outside of the ring – put Grey’s foot on the rope to break the count. Toxic Influence got into the mix, but Sinclar hit a crossbody on the outside and sent Jayne’s partners running.
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Vice tried to put Grey into a sleeper. Jayne forced Grey out of the ring. Vice hit Jayne with a spinning backfist and pinned Jayne for the win.
It is Vice’s first title reign and she becomes a double champion with the victory as she also holds the AAA world mixed tag team championship with Mr. Iguana. She’s the first Cuban American female to hold the women’s championship in NXT.
NXT women’s champion Jacy Jayne addresses the crowd during NXT’s Vengeance Day on March 7, 2026, in Orlando, Florida.(Conor Kvatek/WWE via Getty Images)
Vice made her NXT debut in 2023 and earned her first title shot after winning the NXT Breakout Tournament.
The Boston Celtics trade-deadline acquisition will be back in the lineup on Sunday.
Centre Nikola Vucevic will return against the Toronto Raptors (3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+), the team announced.
Vucevic has been sidelined since suffering a fractured right ring finger against the Dallas Mavericks on March 6. He required surgery to repair the fracture.
The 35-year-old Montenegrin averaged 10.4 points and 21.7 minutes in 12 games with Boston after coming over from the Chicago Bulls.
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The Celtics sit second in the Eastern Conference and have already clinched a spot in the postseason.
Errol Spence Jr is on the brink of his long-awaited return after nearly three years out of the ring.
The Former unified welterweight champion hasn’t fought since his undisputed showdown with Terence Crawford back in July 2023.
Heading into the bout, it was seen as a 50-50 affair, with Spence arguably even a slight favourite, but instead it was Crawford who earned a dominant ninth round stoppage win to claim all four world titles at 147lbs.
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A number of factors have kept Spence out of action since then, including injuries and failed negotiations with other fighters, but now his imminent return has moved a step closer after his planned next opponent won his interim bout over the weekend.
Former WBO super-welterweight champion Tim Tszyu is the man in question, as he secured a one-sided unanimous decision win over Denis Nurja, and then had a callout for Spence immediately after the contest.
“Me and Errol is going to be one hell of a fight, it’s a banger. You know how I am, I don’t take a backwards step. If he wants to meet me at the front, bring it on. You know what they say, catch the big fish. Let’s go fishing.”
It didn’t take Spence long to respond, as posting on social media, he promised to deal with Tszyu convincingly.
“You think sh*t sweet [I’mma] do you so bad!”
The clash between Spence and Tszyu had reportedly been lined up to take place in June, but the Australian did suffer a cut in his bout against Nurja, which could potentially delay proceedings.
Q: Dear Chef, I’m struggling with the chipping yips. Any easy remedies? —Kyle M., Wilmette, Ill
Kyle, I feel for you. The chipping yips are a huge bummer and can happen to anyone. Even Tiger Woods suffered from them for a while, back in 2015. But he bounced back, and so can you!
Try this simple solution: Next time you’re hitting shots around the practice green, add a toe tap with your lead foot before you swing through to impact. You can do this in a variety of ways, even pausing your swing at the halfway point. The goal is to make sure you’re getting that toe tap in before you start your through swing to impact.
Not only does thinking about the toe tap help you get out of your head and ease the anxiety of the impending strike, it also encourages you to have your weight properly positioned throughout the swing.
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You’ll find much more of McLachlin’s advice at ShortGameChef.com, which provides golfers with a comprehensive resource to improve their short games. Through personalized tips, drills and expert insights, McLachlin helps players of all levels gain more confidence and a deeper understanding of their short game to lower their scores. You can browse membership options here.
The Houston Astros have placed right-handed starting pitcher Hunter Brown on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to April 2, with a right shoulder strain, the team announced Sunday. There’s no word just yet as to the severity of the injury, but anything about the shoulder is always at least slightly worrisome with pitchers.
Brown is, of course, quite important, too. The Astros entered Sunday with a 6-3 record, good for first place in the AL West here in the very early going. Brown is their ace and Opening Day starter who finished third in AL Cy Young voting last season after going 12-9 with a 2.43 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 206 strikeouts in 185 ⅓ innings.
The 27-year-old pitcher first felt something while throwing a bullpen on Friday, manager Joe Espada told reporters Sunday (via MLB.com).
So far this season in two outings, Brown is 1-0 with a 0.84 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 10 ⅔ innings. For whatever it’s worth, his velocity was down a bit last start, but it was nothing that would’ve raised any obvious red flags. It was fractional.
This marks the first time Brown has been on the IL in his major-league career.
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Brown entered Sunday fourth on the odds board for the American League Cy Young, via Caesars.
As for the Astros, the remainder of their rotation at present is Mike Burrows, Cristian Javier, Tatsuya Imai and Lance McCullers Jr. Spencer Arrighetti and Jason Alexander are in Triple-A and are reasonable options to replace Brown. Brown was lined up to start Monday, however, and Arrighetti just pitched on Friday. Alexander, meanwhile, went on Wednesday and would be on regular rest Monday — meaning Alexander fits perfectly for now and if the Astros would prefer Arrighetti they could reconfigure things later. All of that is likely dependent on how just how long Brown is expected to be out.
Right-hander Christian Roa was recalled from Triple-A to take Brown’s roster spot.
A bogey at the 18th left Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre with the narrowest of advantages after the third round of the weather-interrupted Texas Open on Sunday.
The world number 11 had seen his lead reduced from four shots to two by Swedish playing partner Ludvig Aberg through six holes when storms caused the third round to be suspended on Saturday.
When action resumed in San Antonio with players to complete both their third and fourth rounds, MacIntyre picked up a shot at his opening hole to give him a bit of breathing space over his rivals, only to drop a shot at the ninth.
The 29-year-old had looked on course for a two-shot advantage thanks to some solid play, but dropped another shot at the last for a round of 72 to see his lead down to one.
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Aberg resumed with two bogeys in his first three holes but timely birdies at the 14th and 17th kept him in contention.
Also on the same mark are American Michael Kim, who shot a third round of 66 and his compatriot Andrew Putnam and Ryo Hisatsune who had 67s.
England’s Matt Wallace moved into contention with a round of 64 as he chased a second PGA Tour career win.
Sue Bird, a Basketball Hall of Famer and WNBA legend, dismissed the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) assertion that its policy change was to protect women’s sports.
Bird agreed with American Olympic runner Nikki Hiltz, who identifies as transgender nonbinary and wrote that the IOC was “not solving a problem that exists.” The former Seattle Storm star said the policy was just “fearmongering.”
Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird pose for a photo during the 2025 WNBA All Star Skills Challenge at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., on July 18, 2025.(Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images)
“That kinda sums it up for me because what’s being presented as this huge issue that we have to protect women. It’s not,” Bird said speaking to Megan Rapinoe on their “A Touch More” podcast. “What it is is fearmongering, and you brought up the (Trump) administration, for them to get votes. That’s all this is. It’s all that it’s ever been in my opinion.
“I think the other part is a reminder. What we have always talked about and focused on is, if you open this door, if you crack this door open, it gets blown open and you’re not policing women’s bodies across the board. I feel very sad about this. So, to kind of circle back to how we started, just want to send so much love to the trans community.”
IOC President Kirsty Coventry speaks to volunteers, ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. (Daniele Mascolo/Pool Photo via AP)
The IOC said “eligibility for any female category event at the Olympic Games or any other IOC event, including individual and team sports, is now limited to biological females, determined on the basis of a one‑time SRY gene screening.”
The organization added that the policy was “evidence-based” and “expert-informed.” The testing can be conducted via saliva, cheek swab or blood sample.
A presentation at a World Athletics panel in Tokyo in September revealed that 50 to 60 athletes with male biological advantages have been finalists in the female category at global and continental championships since 2000.
Retired United States soccer player Megan Rapinoe looks on before a SheBelieves Cup match against Colombia at Sports Illustrated Stadium on March 7, 2026 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images)
The panel was led by the head of the World Athletics Health and Science Department, Dr. Stéphane Bermon, who said sex tests were necessary because of an “over-representation” of DSD (differences of sex development) athletes among finalists, per multiple reports.
Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 16: Jannik Sinner of Italy speaks during a press conference ahead of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 16, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)
Jannik Sinner gave fans a different side of himself in a recent vlog with coach Darren Cahill, mixing humor with honest reflections on his journey.
The light moment came when Cahill pressed him about his motorbike test:
Darren: “How many times have you failed your motorbike license?” Jannik: “Why do you bring this up?” Darren: “How many times?” Jannik: “We have to be specific” Darren: “How many times?” Jannik: “3 times”
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Away from the jokes, Sinner also spoke about what his life could have looked like outside tennis.
“Realistically, I would maybe work in a kitchen with my dad. He’s a cook, he used to be a cook. I couldn’t see myself being a pro ski racer because of certain reasons. I believe something realistic could be working in the kitchen with my dad & having bigger ambitions there.”
He then reflected on the moments that have defined his career so far.
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“For me there are two moments. One when I reached #1 in 2024. The other one was when I won Wimbledon. That for me, it was not even a dream. It was unrealistic when I was young to win such a big tournament. The more you go on, you believe in yourself, you try to do better. Winning that title with my parents there, my brother, great friends… it was for sure the happiest moment I’ve ever had on a tennis court.”
More drama at the London Stadium: Taty Castellanos has the ball in the back of the net after a howler from Lucas Perri, but the West Ham striker was just leaning offside in the build-up as he pursued a high hoist! My oh my.
Harry Latham-Coyle5 April 2026 18:44
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OFF TO EXTRA TIME! West Ham 2-2 Leeds
West Ham just can’t escape extra time in this competition – for the fourth straight round, they are off for some more football.
Leeds looked to have it done and dusted. Two stoppage-time goals, though, and you’d have the hosts now as slight favourites…
(Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle5 April 2026 18:36
Leeds 2-2 West Ham
Remarkable. There’s a long VAR check to look at if Axel Disasi had been endangering an opponent with a high boot but the goal STANDS. Extra time beckons – unless…
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(AFP via Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle5 April 2026 18:31
West Ham level!
Would you believe it? West Ham are level! Axel Disasi scores the equaliser in the sixth minute of stoppage time!
Harry Latham-Coyle5 April 2026 18:29
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West Ham get one back!
I may have been hasty…West Ham have narrowed the deficit! Jarrod Bowen rattles the woodwork from 20 yards and Mateus Fernandes is there to tap home the rebound.
Harry Latham-Coyle5 April 2026 18:25
Leeds and West Ham into added time
ELEVEN minutes added on at the London Stadium, where it remains 2-0 to Leeds. Hope for West Ham? (Probably not).
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(REUTERS)
Harry Latham-Coyle5 April 2026 18:23
Leeds edging closer
Full credit to Daniel Farke, by the way – it looked earlier in the season as if he’d struggle to survive with Leeds languishing in the table, but he now appears to have got them into an FA Cup semi-final and fighting hard in the Premier League.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin sent Alphonse Areola the wrong way (Action Images via Reuters)
Harry Latham-Coyle5 April 2026 18:18
Leeds on their way through?
Over at the London Stadium, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has doubled the Leeds lead from the penalty spot after a foul from Max Kilman. It’s 2-0 with 14 minutes to go – a first FA Cup semi-final since 1987 is within reach.
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(Action Images via Reuters)
Harry Latham-Coyle5 April 2026 18:08
Chelsea swat Port Vale aside as Liam Rosenior provides Enzo Fernandez update
Liam Rosenior said things are “not what people think” between him and Enzo Fernandez after the midfielder watched from the stands as Chelsea beat Port Vale 7-0 to reach the FA Cup semi-finals.
The agent of the World Cup winner, Javier Pastore, on Friday described as “completely unfair” Rosenior’s decision to remove Fernandez from the team for two matches following comments made during the international break in which he appeared to court Real Madrid.
The 25-year-old will also miss next Sunday’s Premier League game against Manchester City, which could prove to be a warm-up for a cup meeting between the teams at Wembley later in April.
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Harry Latham-Coyle5 April 2026 18:05
Christian Norgaard says Arsenal will not dwell on shock FA Cup exit
Christian Norgaard says Arsenal cannot afford to overthink their shock FA Cup exit at Southampton as the Premier League leaders look to bounce back in the Champions League.
Mikel Arteta’s men suffered an almighty shock at St Mary’s on Saturday evening as the Championship play-off hopefuls’ intensity and courage paid dividends in a famous 2-1 quarter-final triumph.
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Substitute Shea Charles’ late strike sent Southampton to the semi-finals and left Arsenal with some soul searching as the shock defeat compounded their Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City a fortnight ago.
Chris Waller proclaimed Joliestar a perfected athlete after her win in the TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) during Saturday’s Royal Randwick meeting, bringing her Group 1 count to five.
Performing at peak level, the durable mare withstood Giga Kick’s late surge to cap an unblemished three-race Sydney autumn slate, incorporating prior wins in the Expressway Stakes and Canterbury Stakes.
“Joliestar just showed the difference between her this year compared to last year,” Waller said.
“Last year she could pull out a belter of a run but wide draws and luck in running could get her beaten, too.
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“But she is a more complete racehorse now and is at the very peak of her form.”
The $3.90 favourite Joliestar furnished Waller and premier jockey James McDonald with back-to-back Group 1 scores, holding Giga Kick ($4.60) at bay by half a length, Skybird ($41) third by a neck.
Waller reached 15 Group 1 winners for 2025-26, with stable earnings hitting $61.06 million – a record still growing with time left in the season.
His career Group 1 ledger shows 195 successes, inching toward 200, a mark held solely by Tommy Smith and Bart Cummings.
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Waller and McDonald claimed their fourth TJ Smith Stakes, extending the legacy of Nature Strip’s three-peat from 2020-2022.
Inspired by Nature Strip’s Royal Ascot feat, Joliestar’s handlers are gearing up for abroad action.
“The dream of Royal Ascot is very exciting, and no doubt she’ll be a force to be reckoned with,” McDonald said.
“She has had her doubters before, but they have no leg to stand on now, she is a Grand Final winner.”
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This season, McDonald has piloted 12 Aussie Group 1s and three major overseas wins on Romantic Warrior.
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