After a chaotic Week 1, the runaway train that is the NFL barrels into the Week 2 slate. As is often the case, one of the key storylines in any given week is injuries, and Week 2 is no exception. 

The NFL opening weekend, unfortunately, handed out its fair share of injury news. Kyler Murray’s Vikings debut was cut short due to a concussion he suffered in the first quarter; the Chargers saw standout receiver Ladd McConkey go down in their upset loss to the Cardinals, and Sam Darnold is dealing with a soft tissue injury that forced him out of the opener in the first quarter and will sideline him for Week 2. 

On top of that, Patriots wideout A.J. Brown (ankle), Eagles left guard Landon Dickerson (knee), and Rams pass rusher Myles Garett (knee) all landed on IR. 

Needless to say, there’s a lot to catch up on when it comes to injuries and, as most teams hit the practice field for the first time on Wednesday, we’ll get some key updates. Below, we’ll dive into each team’s initial injury report, and we’ll provide the final injury report and game statuses for Thursday night’s contest between the Lions and Bills. 

Detroit Lions at Buffalo Bills

• Thursday, 8:15 p.m. (Stream: Amazon)

Lions game statuses: OG Christian Mahogany (hip), OT Blake Miller (knee) OUT; CB D.J. Reed (foot) QUESTIONABLE
Bills game statuses: S Cole Bishop (knee/groin), RB TY Johnson (hamstring), DL T.J. Sanders (knee/illness) QUESTIONABLE

The Lions’ injury report for “Thursday Night Football” is worrisome, as starting right tackle Blake Miller (knee) and starting left guard Christian Mahogany (hip) have officially been ruled out. Plus, veteran defensive back D.J. Reed is questionable with a foot injury after being a limited participant in practice on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Bills safety Cole Bishop (knee/groin), running back Ty Johnson (hamstring) and defensive lineman T.J. Sanders (knee/illness) are all questionable to play on Thursday. All three were limited participants in practice Wednesday. 

Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons

• Sunday, 1 p.m. (Fox, Stream: Fubo, try for free)

Panthers pass rusher Patrick Jones II, who missed the season opener with a back issue, sat out of practice on Wednesday, as did defensive tackle Bobby Brown III. Wide receiver Jalen Coker, who caught eight passes for a whopping 138 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday, was limited with an ankle injury. He was seen in a walking boot earlier this week but is aiming to play on Sunday. 

Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears

• Sunday, 1 p.m. (Fox, Stream: Fubo, try for free)

For the Bears, defensive tackle Neville Gallimore (illness) and offensive tackle Darnell Wright (knee) missed practice on Wednesday. Running back Kyle Monangai (hamstring), cornerback Malik Muhammad (ankle), defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo (shoulder), running back D’Andre Swift (ankle/knee), offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo (knee) and safety Xavier Woods (groin) were limited. 

Philadelphia Eagles at Tennessee Titans

• Sunday, 1 p.m. (Fox, Stream: Fubo, try for free)

Titans starting linebacker Cedric Gray has cleared concussion protocol after missing the season opener vs. Chicago, and he was listed as a full participant in practice on Wednesday. Fellow linebacker James Williams was limited with an elbow issue. 

Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots

Steelers offensive tackle Troy Fautanu (ankle) and tight end Darnell Washington (personal) missed practice on Wednesday. Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. were limited. Porter is an interesting case because Pittsburgh says it’s non-injury related, with a “conditioning” tag. He did not suit up last Sunday due to a back injury, but is famously seeking a contract extension. 

For the Patriots, offensive tackle Dametrious Crownover (knee) and cornerback Carlton Davis III (neck) missed practice on Wednesday. Center Ben Brown (knee), defensive end Dre’Mont Jones (foot) and linebacker Robert Spillane (knee) were limited. 

Green Bay Packers at New York Jets

• Sunday, 1 p.m. (Fox, Stream: Fubo, try for free)

Defensive tackle Warren Brinson was the lone Packer to miss practice on Wednesday due to a calf injury. Offensive lineman Zach Bako-Bewele (knee), offensive guard Aaron Banks (knee), defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (knee/concussion), linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper (Achilles), pass rusher Barryn Sorrell (foot), pass rusher Lukas Van Ness (concussion) and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt (ankle) were limited participants. 

Jets rookie wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (ankle), safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (groin), running back Kene Nwangwu (back) and pass rusher Joseph Ossai (foot) did not practice on Wednesday. Cornerback D’Angelo Ponds (calf) and linebacker Jamien Sherwood (knee) were limited. 

Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

For the Browns, offensive guard Teven Jenkins is still sidelined with his back injury. Center Parker Brailsford (thumb), defensive tackle Maliek Collins (quad), offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins (back) and offensive tackle Dawand Jones (head) were limited participants on Wednesday. 

New Orleans Saints at Baltimore Ravens

To be announced.

Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans

To be announced.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos

Jaguars running back LeQuint Allen Jr. (hip), wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (thumb), linebacker Foye Oluokun (wrist), wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (shoulder) and offensive guard Cole Van Lanen (knee) were limited participants in practice on Wednesday. 

For the Broncos, running back RJ Harvey (hamstring) and wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. (foot) missed practice on Wednesday. 

Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers

To be announced.

Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys

• Sunday, 4:25 p.m. (Fox, Stream: Fubo, try for free)

Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu (groin) and tight end Chig Okonkwo (hamstring) missed practice on Wednesday, while pass rushers Dorance Armstrong (knee), K’Lavon Chaisson (knee), Charles Omenihu (ankle) and Odafe Oweh (calf) were limited participants. Defensive tackle Daron Payne (knee) and wide receiver Jaylin Lane (groin) were also limited. 

In Dallas, safety Malik Hooker (forearm) and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring) missed practice on Wednesday. Pass rusher James Houston was limited with a shoulder injury. 

Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals

• Sunday, 4:25 p.m. (Fox, Stream: Fubo, try for free)

To be announced.

Miami Dolphins at San Francisco 49ers

• Sunday, 4:25 p.m. (Fox, Stream: Fubo, try for free)

To be announced.

Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs

• Sunday, 8:20 p.m. (NBC, Stream: Fubo, try for free)

To be announced.

Novak Djokovic (Image: AP)

Novak Djokovic is set to return to a tournament where he has never lost a match, with the 24-time Grand Slam champion confirming his participation in the China Open after an 11-year absence. The Serbian, who boasts a perfect 29-0 record and six titles at the Beijing event, will make his comeback after a difficult US Open campaign that ended with a first-round defeat.Djokovic announced his return on social media on Wednesday, sharing a message in both Chinese and English to express his excitement about playing in front of Chinese fans again.

Djokovic recalls Beijing success ahead of China Open comeback

Djokovic expressed his excitement about returning to Beijing and thanked Chinese fans for their continued support throughout his career.“I am very happy to announce that I’m coming back to Beijing after many years to play at the China Open. I’m so excited to be back and to perform in front of you all at the National Tennis Centre, one of the nicest venues in tennis, a place where I have incredible memories and great successes throughout my career,” he said in a video shared on Instagram.“I want to thank all the Chinese fans for their years-long love and support,” he added.Djokovic has won all 29 of his matches at the China Open, lifting the singles trophy in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.His last appearance came in 2015, when he defeated Nadal 6-2, 6-2 in the final. Djokovic had been the defending champion in 2011 but withdrew from the tournament due to a back injury, leaving his unbeaten record in Beijing intact.

Djokovic looks to bounce back after US Open disappointment

Djokovic’s return to Beijing comes after a disappointing campaign at the US Open, where he suffered a shock first-round exit against Argentina’s Mariano Navone. The fourth-seeded Serbian lost 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a four-hour, 36-minute encounter at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.Djokovic started strongly and took a two-sets-to-one lead but struggled physically as the match progressed. Navone capitalised on the Serbian’s difficulties to take the final two sets and seal a memorable victory.The defeat marked Djokovic’s first opening-round loss at a Grand Slam since 2006, making his upcoming China Open appearance an opportunity to return to winning ways at a familiar venue.

Babar Azam turns to domestic cricket after 7 years (ANI Image)

Pakistan captain Babar Azam is set to return to domestic first-class cricket for the first time in nearly seven years, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) keen to see him back in action following Pakistan’s disappointing Test tour of England.Babar to represent Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) against Kingsmen Academy in the ongoing President’s Trophy Grade-I competition, starting September 18. His return comes after Pakistan suffered a 0-3 series whitewash in England and the PCB made sweeping changes to the touring squad and coaching staff.

PCB wants Babar back in red-ball cricket

Babar has not played domestic first-class cricket since 2019, when he represented Central Punjab in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. OGDCL sports head Farah Batool said the PCB had sent his name to the team for inclusion as a guest player.“Babar’s kit has been ordered and he will decide whether to play in the match from September 18 or from September 24 in the third-round game,” Batool said.

Shaheen, Haris among centrally contracted players in action

Babar is not the only centrally contracted Pakistan player featuring in domestic red-ball cricket after the England tour. Fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf have also turned out for their respective teams in the President’s Trophy.Shaheen has represented KRL, claiming four wickets in an innings, while Haris picked up a five-wicket haul for PTV. Haris, who has played only one Test, against England in 2022, when he suffered an injury after bowling 13 overs, has expressed his willingness to return to Pakistan’s Test setup.“If I can be useful for Pakistan because of my pace, I would gladly play Test cricket,” he said.The fast bowler, who is primarily known for his T20 performances, had declined to play the Test series in Australia in December 2023, citing the need to manage his workload. His central contract was also suspended for a period before being restored.

Babar’s captaincy under scrutiny after England whitewash

Babar was reappointed Pakistan’s Test captain in July and has since overseen a 1-1 series draw against the West Indies and a 0-3 defeat to England. The PCB’s decision to make seven changes to the squad and remove head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul after the second Test at Lord’s reportedly came without consulting or informing Babar.Pakistan’s defeat in the second Test came inside three days, prompting major changes ahead of the final match of the series.

Heisman Trophy odds: New threat to Darian Mensah for the award emerges appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

As we head into Week 3 of the 2026 college football season, the newest Heisman Trophy odds show that Miami quarterback Darian Mensh remains the favorite for the prestigious award. However, there are several big-name players coming after his top spot, including stars like Jeremiah Smith, Arch Manning, and CJ Carr.

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The Hurricanes have now beaten their first two opponents (Stanford and Florida A&M) by a combined score of 122-13, with Mensah orchestrating the wildly dangerous offense to perfection. The Duke transfer is leading the pack with +575 Heisman Trophy odds heading into the ‘Canes’ matchup with Wake Forest on Friday.

This race is far from over, though, as big names are looming after the Ohio State-Texas instant classic shook up the favorites board.

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OSU wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is now right behind Mensah at +750. Those odds improved slightly from the previous week, when he was +800. It also pushes Smith above his own QB, Julian Sayin, who now has just the seventh-best odds at +1600.

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Following Mensah and Smith are Texas Arch Manning (+900), Notre Dame QB CJ Carr (+1100), Miami WR Malachi Toney (+1200), and Ole Miss Trinidad Chambliss (+1400). In addition to the top five, including football royalty like Manning and Carr, what is most interesting here is that Mensah’s true sophomore teammate is on the list. While Mensah and Toney are both top Heisman candidates now, that may become a problem when the votes start coming in, as voters will have to decide which player deserves more credit for Miami’s success.

Outside of the top seven, Week 3 risers include Mississippi State QB Kamario Taylor (+15000 to +2000), Georgia QB Gunner Stockton (+3300 to +2200), and SMU QB Kevin Jennings (+7500 to +4000). Players who dropped after Week 2 include Oregon QB Dante Moore (+1100 to +4000), who went from tied for third to tied for 13th after the Oklahoma State Cowboys upset the Ducks.

Related: Kyle Shanahan, Mike Macdonald skyrocket up Coach of the Year odds after big Week 1 wins

Related: Houston vs. Texas Tech prediction, odds, pick for top 25 Big 12 clash in Week 3

2026/27 United Rugby Championship: five key questions ahead of new season

One of club rugby’s leading competitions gets under way on 25 September. While the teams are finalising their preparations for the opening fixtures, 1xBet.ie review assesses the Irish sides’ chances and looks at the key storylines ahead of the new campaign.

Can Leinster defend their title?

Leinster have won the last two URC titles and look the favourites to be crowned champions again. However, they face another battle on two fronts, with their European ambitions as strong as ever. A packed schedule will require regular changes to the starting XV, so their chances of retaining the trophy will also depend on the players called upon to deputise for key figures between major matches.

Will Munster return to title race?

Munster will have to start the new campaign without Jack Crowley, who is still recovering from injury and is not expected to return until 2027 at the earliest. In his absence, the experienced JJ Hanrahan could take on the role of main playmaker, and Munster’s performance in the first half of the season will depend largely on him.

They need to find a way to win consistently without Crowley and prevent their rivals from pulling too far ahead. If Munster remain among the leaders by the time he is back, a title challenge would become a realistic prospect.

Will home advantage help Connacht go further?

Last year, Connacht showed just how difficult they can be to beat in Galway. At the redeveloped Dexcom Stadium, they defeated Glasgow Warriors 15–10 and Munster 26–7. Away from home, however, Connacht looked less assured. In the quarter-final against the same opponents, they couldn’t repeat that success and lost 33–21 to Glasgow. For Stuart Lancaster’s side, that provides an added incentive in the battle for a top-four finish. A home quarter-final would significantly improve Connacht’s chances of going further than they did last season.

Which new signings will have the biggest impact?

Following Jack Carty’s retirement, Connacht needed a new leader in attack. Ciarán Frawley, who has joined from Leinster, could take on that role. He has already worked with Stuart Lancaster in Dublin, so adapting to the coach’s demands should not take long. Munster have also strengthened their front row by signing Marnus van der Merwe, formerly of Scarlets. The South African is particularly effective at the set-piece when competing for possession.

After a year in France, Jamie Ritchie is back in the URC, where he represented Edinburgh for more than a decade. The former Scotland captain will now line up for Edinburgh’s rivals, Glasgow Warriors.

Thomas du Toit’s return to the Sharks is another notable move. He spent most of his career there before joining Bath, and the Rugby World Cup winner with South Africa should provide a significant boost to the front row as the team looks to make the play-offs again after finishing tenth last season.

Who will challenge our clubs?

Irish teams are not the only contenders for the trophy this year. The Bulls have reached the final in each of the last two campaigns, losing to Leinster on both occasions. The South Africans will now be determined to take the next step and finally win the competition.

Glasgow Warriors should not be written off either. The 2024 champions reached the semi-finals again last season, losing to the Bulls. This time, the Scottish side will be looking to go one better.

The upcoming URC promises plenty of surprises. It is even more exciting to follow the championship on the official website and via the 1xBet.ie app, where new customers can use promo code URC26 and receive 48 EUR for a bet of 10 EUR or more.

Stay at the heart of the action and root for your favourites with 1xBet.ie!

LiveScores Now Available at IrishScores.com

NEW YORK – If you’ve ever wondered what hype looked like, a few minutes in and around Cavan Sullivan’s orbit will do the trick. The 16-year-old may have walked into the EA Sports FC 27 launch party quietly on Tuesday, but in no time, he was swarmed with attention he seemed to be prepared for and was ultimately unfazed by, perhaps because he had enough people in the room whisking him away from those obligations in short order.

The buzz was a reminder rather than the point itself. Two days removed from scoring off a backheel and nutmegging a goalkeeper in San Diego, the latest in his tally of five goals and seven assists following MLS’ World Cup break, the Philadelphia Union attacker has earned the spotlight. He claimed Tuesday that he has no idea if his first senior call-up to the U.S. men’s national team is on its way, though he’ll reportedly be on Thursday’s squad, per ESPN, instead characterizing his current priorities differently.

“I’m just working to develop my game and get better day by day and hopefully keep proving myself, proving [to] the world what I can do in the games and just having fun,” he said.

After a North America-set World Cup that gripped U.S. audiences, Sullivan’s impressive run of form has allowed him to fill the attention vacuum seamlessly. He is tied for first on goal contributions post-World Cup with Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi, who had already collected three LaLiga titles and two UEFA Champions League trophies before Sullivan was born. The 16-year-old said he was unaware of that commonality with Messi, though he did not hesitate to link it to the Union’s unbeaten run that has been intertwined with his own uptick in form.

Call it What You Want: A weekly podcast where Jimmy Conrad, Charlie Davies and Tony Meola cover all things USMNT and the state of the beautiful game in the United States. Catch the show YouTube live every Tuesday and Thursday at 10 a.m. ET.

“I didn’t know that,” he admitted. “That’s pretty cool. Like I said, I’m just trying to show what I can do. I told people that the goal contributions will come with the games but as always, the wins are most important, and 10 unbeaten is pretty special.”

The connection to the Union is obvious – Sullivan essentially blew up as soon as he was given an important role with his boyhood club, his promotion only coming this summer. The youngest player to make his MLS debut at 14, his integration into the Union’s first team was understandably slow but Sullivan has been handed a bigger role by interim head coach Ryan Richter, who succeeded Bradley Carnell after he was fired just before the World Cup. Sullivan has made his moments count since, attributing it to the vibe shift in the Union locker room.

“I think it was sort of just a spirit thing, a belief thing,” he said about the tonal change for the Union, who were below the playoff line before the World Cup and now have a three-point cushion on the flip side of the line. “A healthy competitiveness. Locker room filled with excitement to show up to training and excitement in the games. When we score, we celebrate. Sometimes we plan our celebrations and we just have fun.”

A few weeks shy of his 17th birthday, there’s a certain humor in the idea that Sullivan had to wait until the back half of the MLS season for his opportunities. Carnell restricted him to an average of 42.2 minutes per game, a 13-game stretch in which he notched just one goal and two assists. His post-World Cup outings are an example of a player meeting his moment, albeit after leaning into the serious side of a skillset that is built around exuberance and flair.

“I think just like the rest of the group,” he said about surviving the Union’s early season rough patch and the situation around his playing time, “just head down, driven, and continue to work hard … I have this winning mentality. I just really love to win, ever since I was a kid so that’s where the competitiveness comes from. I think it’s just [that] my drive is natural.”

There’s a professionalism to the way he characterized himself on Tuesday, perhaps a tacit acknowledgment that USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino and his staff are “watching everything” as they prepare to integrate younger players into the player pool. Sullivan, though, did not have a reason to hide his ambitions of representing the national team sooner rather than later, especially as a natural generational shift takes place on the long road to the 2030 World Cup.

“Obviously, everyone dreams of playing for the USA,” he said. “As a kid living in America, it’s the biggest goal, it’s the biggest honor so it would be a blessing to be able to represent. All four of the Sullivan brothers had dreams of playing for the USA. [Older brother] Quinn’s already done it so that was a pretty awesome moment for the family.”

England women’s all-time record try scorer Amy Hardcastle has announced her international retirement.

The St Helens centre, 37, scored 30 tries in 29 appearances for her country, having made her international debut in 2009.

England head coach Stuart Barrow described her as “one of the defining players of her generation”.

She leaves the international game a month before the start of the Rugby League World Cup – having featured at the past three tournaments – but will continue to play at club level.

Hardcastle was the only England player selected in the Women’s Team of the Decade, picked by the NRL in 2020 to highlight the outstanding players of the 2010s.

“Representing England has been the greatest honour of my rugby league career,” she said.

“To wear the national shirt, play alongside so many incredible team-mates and represent my family, clubs and community has meant everything to me.

“After a lot of reflection, I feel now is the right time to step away from the international game. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved and how far women’s rugby league has come during my career.

“I’d like to thank every coach, team-mate, member of staff and supporter who has been part of my international journey.

“I’ll be the biggest cheerleader for the girls who are selected to fly to Australia, and I wish the squad and Stuart Barrow every success at the Rugby League World Cup.”

England’s opening match of the World Cup is against Wales in Perth on 17 October.

Paying tribute to Hardcastle, England head coach Barrow added: “She has been an outstanding ambassador for the sport, a role model for young players and someone who has consistently driven standards on and off the field.

“Throughout her international career, Amy has shown professionalism, resilience and an unwavering commitment to the England programme.

“She has performed on the biggest stages, inspired team-mates and helped elevate the profile of women’s rugby league both nationally and internationally.”