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MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Twins clinched the American League Central title with an 8-6 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night.  It's Minnesota's third AL Central title in the last five seasons, having also won the division in 2019 and 2020. Overall, the club has now won nine Central titles and 13 divisional titles (it won the AL West four times before MLB went to three divisions in each league).  Alex Kirilloff homered and drove in three runs, and the Twins held on late to win. "We've got a lot of work to do," manager Rocco Baldelli said. "But tonight, we have fun. Tomorrow, we work again." Pablo Lopez (11-8) pitched six innings for Minnesota, allowing three runs on five hits with seven strikeouts. Jhoan Duran gave up a run in the ninth but got the final out with the bases loaded to secure his 27th save of the season. After the Twins squandered an early 3-0 lead, Kirilloff's 10th homer snapped a 3-all tie in the sixth and Minnesota won for...

NEW YORK -- When the New York Yankees clubhouse opens to media after games, it's customary for that day's starting pitcher to address reporters before any other players speak. But Friday night, minutes after the power-hitting Aaron Judge again inked his name into the franchise's record books, one of the newest Yankees, starter Luke Weaver, was willing to buck postgame tradition. "Don't you guys want to talk to Judge?" Weaver said, while shooting a head nod toward his towering teammate who grinned back at him across the room. Although being facetious, Weaver was willing to defer to Judge because of the slugger's three-homer performance that sparked a 7-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks that -- for at least one night -- kept the Bronx Bombers' anemic season alive a little while longer. As Judge eventually said of the Yankees' long-slim postseason chances: "We're not out of it." In his desperate, last-ditch hope for salvaging New York's...

The UFC has added a pair of marquee fights to its final pay-per-view event of 2023. English lightweight Paddy Pimblett (20-3) will make his first appearance of the year opposite former interim champion and fan favorite Tony Ferguson (25-9). Additionally, top 10 welterweights Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson (17-6-1) and Shavkat Rakhmonov (17-0) have agreed to square off. UFC president Dana White announced the bouts Friday night. They will take place at UFC 296 on Dec. 16 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Pimblett, 28, is 4-0 in the UFC, although many observers felt he should have lost his most recent fight against Jared Gordon last December. Fighting out of Liverpool, Pimblett has been out all year due to an ankle injury he suffered during that fight. Pimblett will have a massive opportunity against Ferguson, who is regarded as one of the best lightweights of the last decade despite a six-fight skid. In 2020, Ferguson was scheduled to challenge ...

Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. became the fifth player in major league history to have 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a season, entering the exclusive club when he led off Friday night's game against the host  Washington Nationals with his 40th homer. Acuña sent a 3-2 slider from Nats lefty  Patrick Corbin over the left-field fence for his eighth leadoff homer of the season. He joined Alfonso Soriano (2006), Alex Rodriguez (1998), Barry Bonds (1996) and Jose Canseco (1988) as the only members of the 40-40 club. "It's elite company, that's for sure," manager Brian Snitker said. "I'm just glad I got a front-row seat to watch it." Acuña, one of the leading contenders for National League MVP honors, entered the game with 68 stolen bases, tops in the majors. He is the only player ever to have a 40-60 season, and in fact, no one before this season had ever achieved a 40-50 season. "It's pretty incredible, and just think of how many players have...

Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. became the fifth player in major league history to have 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a season, completing the feat when he led off Friday night's game against the Washington Nationals with his 40th homer. Acuna sent a 3-2 slider from Nats lefty  Patrick Corbin over the left-field fence for his eighth leadoff homer of the season. He joins Alfonso Soriano (2006), Alex Rodriguez (1998), Barry Bonds (1996) and Jose Canseco (1988) as the only members of the 40-40 club. Acuna, one of the leading contenders for National League MVP honors, entered the game with 68 stolen bases. He is the only player ever to have a 40-60 season, and in fact, no one before this season had ever achieved a 40-50 season. Acuna, 25, entered Friday batting .335 with 101 RBIs and an MLB-best .414 on-base percentage.

CINCINNATI -- The Bengals are adding a familiar face to their quarterback room amid uncertainty surrounding Joe Burrow's health. Cincinnati signed Reid Sinnett to the practice squad to give the Bengals additional depth in case Burrow is unavailable for Monday's game against the Los Angeles Rams due to a calf injury. Friday marked Burrow's first practice participation of the week, but he was still limited. Sinnett's addition comes one day after Will Grier, Cincinnati's No. 3 quarterback, left the Bengals' practice squad to join the New England Patriots' active roster. This is the second time this season Sinnett signed with Cincinnati to backfill the roster. In July, Sinnett joined the Bengals after Burrow initially strained his right calf at the beginning of training camp. The former University of San Diego quarterback was No. 3 on the Bengals' depth chart while Burrow recovered from his injury. When Cincinnati cut its roster to...

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Chicago police are investigating a burglary that took place at Soldier Field overnight Wednesday. The burglary of maintenance equipment was discovered Thursday morning, Luca Serra, the director of marketing and public relations of Soldier Field, told ESPN. Stolen were ride-along mowers and John Deere Gator utility vehicles that belong to a contractor, not the stadium or the  Chicago Bears. The offenders ripped the protective fence line off its foundation to get the equipment. The estimated value of the theft and damage is $100,000. The Chicago Police Department said detectives are investigating the theft. No one has been arrested, police said.

Aaron Rodgers is focused on the New York Jets and his Achilles rehab, but old habits die hard: He still likes poking the Chicago Bears. Rodgers, a guest Friday on "The Pat McAfee Show," said he sent Packers quarterback Jordan Love a text message after Green Bay beat the Bears in Week 1 at Soldier Field. "I said congratulations on keeping the ownership in place," Rodgers said, smiling. "That was pretty awesome for him." In 15 seasons as the Packers' starter, Rodgers compiled a 24-5 record against the Bears, famously screaming, "I still own you!" after scoring a game-clinching touchdown at Soldier Field in 2021. Love, in his first start as Rodgers' successor, passed for 245 yards and three touchdowns in the Packers' 38-20 win.   The day after the congratulatory text, Rodgers tore his left Achilles tendon on the fourth play of the Jets' opener, resulting in season-ending surgery two days later. Updating his rehab, Rodgers, 39, said he's out of...

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers are planning to keep coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch around for a long time. To that end, the Niners announced multiyear contract extensions for Shanahan and Lynch on Friday. The deals come on the heels of San Francisco's 30-12 win against the New York Giants on Thursday night that improved the Niners to 3-0 on the season, the team's second such start in the past four years. Shanahan and Lynch arrived in San Francisco together in 2017, signing matching six-year contracts to take on their respective roles for the first time. After a down-to-the-studs rebuild the first couple of years, the Niners have become one of the league's most consistently successful teams. Over the past four seasons, the Niners have appeared in a Super Bowl, been to two other NFC Championship Games and compiled 45 regular-season wins (tied for fourth-most in the NFL) and six playoff victories (second). After going through...

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. --  Inter Miami coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino has confirmed that Lionel Messi will not be fit for Sunday's game against Florida rival Orlando City, after revealing that the World Cup winner is still dealing with a scar tissue problem suffered while with the Argentina national team earlier this month. Miami returned to training Friday without Messi and his former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba, who both left Wednesday's 4-0 win over Toronto FC before the end of the first half, just four days after they skipped the team's trip to Atlanta. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) "Basically, Leo is still dealing with his old scar tissue, and Jordi with muscle pain," Martino said at a news conference Friday. "They are both day-to-day." The veteran Argentine coach added that he has full faith in Messi to pull himself from games when it's necessary. "The truth is I...

ASHBURN, Va. -- Washington Commanders tight end Logan Thomas won't play Sunday because of a concussion suffered last week. Thomas entered the concussion protocol after Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson hit him at the end of a catch in the end zone. Jackson was ejected for a helmet-to-helmet hit. Washington (2-0) can match its best start since 2005 with a win at home vs. Buffalo (1-1) on Sunday. Thomas caught six passes for 65 yards in the first two games; three of those receptions resulted in first downs. Thomas has been Washington's best tight end as a combination of blocker and pass-catcher. But he missed 11 games two years ago with a hamstring injury and then a torn ACL in his left knee. He missed four games last season because of various injuries. "It's hard for us just because we know how dynamic he's been," Washington coach Ron Rivera said. "When you lose guys like that, that are productive contributors, the other guys...

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- If the Ravens want to record their best start in seven years, they will have to do so without nearly one-third of their starting lineup. Baltimore ruled out seven starters for Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts: wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (ankle), offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (knee), center Tyler Linderbaum (ankle), running back Justice Hill (foot), cornerback Marlon Humphrey (foot), safety Marcus Williams (pectoral) and outside linebacker Odafe Oweh (ankle). None practiced at all this week. "We thought we would have a couple of guys back this week, [but] they'll be working for next week," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said after Friday's practice. "I feel good about the guys that are going to get an opportunity to play this week. They're excited." Baltimore had one significant injury in training camp with Humphrey before injuries piled up in the first two weeks of the...

FRISCO, Texas --  Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy acknowledged that the loss of cornerback Trevon Diggs for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during Thursday's practice is a blow, but said the organization's goals do not change. "Obviously you feel sick [for] him," McCarthy said Friday on a conference call. "It's definitely a punch to the gut for our football team, but this is an opportunity for our defensive depth to stand up and continue to move forward." McCarthy said he has had a couple of conversations with Diggs since the injury, including one Friday morning. Diggs suffered the injury during one-on-one red zone drills on the team's grass practice field. A decision on when he will have surgery has not been made. As to whether McCarthy would alter the team's practice routine because of the injury, he said: "When you see the video, it's something that can happen anywhere. Two guys going for the football and it looks like he...

Ret. Marine Corps. Gunnery Sgt. Tiffany Hudgins talks about her achievement in the Invictus Games and how competing helped her heal from a brain injury.

BEREA, Ohio -- Browns running back Kareem Hunt will play Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski said. The Browns signed Hunt on Wednesday following the season-ending left knee injury to All-Pro Nick Chubb. Hunt will back up Jerome Ford, whom Stefanski reiterated will be Cleveland's lead back going forward. "He's ready to play, he's in good shape," Stefanski said Friday of Hunt. "How much and doing what will be determined over the next 48 hours. But I think he's comfortable with everything." Hunt had been with the Browns the previous four seasons but was not re-signed in the offseason. While playing a complementary role next to Chubb, he rushed for 1,874 yards from 2019 to 2022 with the Browns. "I came ready to play and win. I'm just ready to go out there and showcase my talent," Hunt said Wednesday after signing. "I know what I bring to the table. ... I'm willing to come in and do whatever it takes just to...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young will miss one to two weeks with a sprained ankle suffered in Monday night's loss to the New Orleans Saints, coach Frank Reich said on Friday. The top pick of the 2023 NFL draft will be replaced by veteran Andy Dalton, starting with Sunday's game at Seattle. Despite Carolina's 0-2 start under Young, Reich said the former Alabama star will return as the starter when healthy regardless of how well Dalton does. Reich didn't rule out next week's home game against Minnesota, noting Young already has been cleared medically to travel to Seattle. "Bryce has done well this week,'' Reich said. "I'm optimistic he's on the right path. Whatever the soonest he can get back is, he will get back. And when he gets back, he'll be our guy.'' But Reich says he is confident in Dalton, calling him one of the "32 best quarterbacks in the NFL.'' "This guy [is] playing at a high level,'' Reich said. "The...

INDIANAPOLIS -- Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson will miss Sunday's game after sustaining a concussion in Week 2, coach Shane Steichen said Friday. Backup Gardner Minshew will start the road game against the Baltimore Ravens, with Sam Ehlinger serving as his backup. Richardson did not practice this week after self-reporting concussion symptoms in the second quarter of Sunday's victory over the Houston Texans. It's believed he sustained the injury on a 15-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, during which he hit his head after being tackled as he crossed the goal line. A source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that Richardson is optimistic about playing in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Rams, assuming he passes through the protocol. The Colts and Richardson have been cautious this week in their discussions about his return. Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in this year's draft, has already had a couple of injury issues,...

The Atlanta Braves placed left-hander Max Fried on the 15-day injured list Friday in the hopes that a blister on his index finger can heal ahead of the postseason. Fried pitched in Thursday's 10-3 win over the Washington Nationals on extra rest because of the blister. He said he felt great while pitching -- allowing just one run and three hits in six innings while striking out seven -- but noted the blister eventually became a problem. "Toward the end, the finger filled up with a little bit of fluid. Drained it. Kind of take it day-by-day," Fried said. "It's something that obviously happens often. It's more about managing it and dealing with it." The Braves have clinched the National League East and entered Friday with the best record in baseball at 98-55. The NL Division Series begins Oct. 7, giving Fried two weeks to recover before Atlanta plans to have him pitch Game 1 or 2. Spencer Strider is expected to pitch the other...

CINCINNATI -- The Bengals are adding a familiar face to their quarterback room amid uncertainty surrounding Joe Burrow's health. Reid Sinnett has been signed to the team's practice squad, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The move comes one day after Burrow did not practice because of a calf injury and the team's reserve quarterback, Will Grier, was signed to the New England Patriots' active roster. Sinnett signed with the Bengals after Burrow initially suffered his strained right calf at the beginning of training camp. The former University of San Diego quarterback was the Bengals' No. 3 quarterback while Burrow recovered from his injury. When Cincinnati cut its roster to make the 53-man limit at the end of training camp, Sinnett was waived and not re-signed to the practice squad. The Bengals opted to go with Grier, who was released by the Dallas Cowboys. Sinnett had previously been on the practice squads of the Tampa Bay...

Sean Doolittle, a two-time All-Star reliever who helped the Washington Nationals to a World Series title, has announced his retirement. Doolittle revealed his decision in a social media post Friday, writing that he had a "full heart" as he said farewell "after 11 incredible seasons playing the sport I love." He said he felt very welcome in Washington, where he first pitched from 2017 to 2020, earned his second All-Star honor in 2018 and recorded a save in Game 1 of the 2019 World Series as the franchise won its first and only championship. "The 2019 World Series title will always be the highlight of my career because we were able to share it with you," Doolittle wrote, addressing Nationals fans. "I don't have the words to tell you how grateful I am for your support during my time here in DC." He is set to hold a news conference Friday before the Nationals host the Atlanta Braves. Doolittle also thanked the Oakland Athletics, for whom he pitched in...

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones, who was named a first-team All-Pro as a punt returner last season, was placed on injured reserve Friday. Jones injured a shoulder in Sunday night's 24-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins while attempting to tackle receiver Jaylen Waddle in the second quarter. Jones tore a labrum, according to a source, with his timetable to return to be determined, according to coach Bill Belichick. Players on injured reserve can return after four games, but Belichick made it sound like the Patriots expect it to be a longer absence. Asked if Jones' injury is viewed as season-ending, Belichick said Friday: "He's on IR for right now. He'll be out for a while. It's unfortunate. He had a really good rookie year [in 2022]. Explosive player." The 5-foot-8, 188-pound Jones finished second in the NFL last season with a 12.5-yard punt return average, and was second in total return yards with 1,007. He was seventh...

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones, who was named a first-team All-Pro as a punt returner last season, was placed on injured reserve Friday. Jones injured his shoulder in Sunday night's 24-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins while attempting to tackle receiver Jaylen Waddle in the second quarter. Jones tore his labrum, according to a source, with his timetable to return to be determined, according to coach Bill Belichick. Players on injured reserve can return after four games, but Belichick made it sound like the Patriots expect it to be a longer absence. Asked if Jones' injury is viewed as season ending, Belichick said Friday: "He's on IR for right now. He'll be out for a while. It's unfortunate. He had a really good rookie year. Explosive player." The 5-foot-8, 188-pound Jones finished second in the NFL last year with a 12.5-yard punt return average, and was second In total return yards with 1,007. He was seventh in...

Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson joked that her college coach, Dawn Staley, always needled her about defense, even though she won awards for it while starring at South Carolina. But Wilson has made that teasing a lot harder to do. Wilson was named the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year for the second season in a row Friday. She is the eighth player in league history to win the award more than once. Wilson is a strong candidate for the league's MVP honor, which she won in 2020 and 2022. "Now she's more like, 'All right, you got it.' And I'm like, 'Thank you, Coach Staley,'" said Wilson, the No. 1 draft pick in 2018. "I always appreciate her. She helped me. She motives me to this day. "Winning [a defensive award] in college, I was like, 'OK, cool.' But winning at this level feels different, because these are pros, world-class elite women. I'm excited to share it with my teammates." Wilson gave credit to Kiah Stokes, saying the Aces center deserves to have...

Arizona State will start Notre Dame transfer Drew Pyne at quarterback against No. 5 USC on Saturday, a source told ESPN. Pyne will make his first career start at ASU, having overcome a hamstring injury suffered in camp and a muscle issue that he suffered in the Fresno State game last Saturday. Both of the quarterbacks who have started games for ASU this year -- Jaden Rashada and last week's starter Trenton Bourguet -- are out for the Sun Devils. Rashada and Bourguet are two of the 10 players -- projected starters or players who've started -- who are out for Arizona State. A source told ESPN that coach Kenny Dillingham will call the plays against USC, something he'd hinted at earlier in the week after taking over the playcalling in practice. "It's been about creating a sense of urgency in practice," a team source told ESPN. "It's more an urgency thing than an actual playcalling thing." Arizona State turned the ball over eight times...

ANDALUSIA, Spain -- U.S. team captain Stacy Lewis saw something good in Solheim Cup veteran Lexi Thompson's game in practice rounds at Finca Cortesin earlier this week, even if she hadn't seen it from Thompson during most of the LPGA Tour season. Lewis' gamble to start Thompson in the opening session of the 18th Solheim Cup -- and leave two-time major championship winner Lilia Vu and rookie Rose Zhang on the bench -- paid off in a big way Friday morning, as the Americans swept the foursome (alternate shot) matches to take a 4-0 lead over Europe. It is the first time the U.S. has started 4-0 in the Solheim Cup. It had never swept a foursomes session before Friday. The teams will head back out on the course later Friday for four four-ball (best ball) matches. The team that won the opening session has captured the Solheim Cup in eight of the previous 11 instances (there were also six ties). Europe is trying to win the event a third straight time, which it...

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Just before halftime of Thursday night's game between the San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants, Niners left tackle Trent Williams appeared to throw a right-handed punch to the facemask of Giants defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson. After Niners guard Aaron Banks shoved him, Robinson quickly struck Williams in the neck area as he walked back toward the line of scrimmage. Williams immediately retaliated with the punch to Robinson's face mask. The scuffle between Williams and Robinson drew penalty flags for unnecessary roughness on both players, forcing Niners quarterback Brock Purdy to kneel again to end the half. But given the punch, the Giants appeared to wonder why Williams wasn't ejected. NFL senior vice president of officiating Walt Anderson spoke to a pool reporter after San Francisco's 30-12 win, noting that his crew reviewed the play using available video to see if any further action needed to be...

Senior Kon Knueppel announced his commitment to the Duke basketball team Thursday, giving the Blue Devils their third top-50 commitment in the 2024 class. Knueppel had just finished a string of visits, including to Alabama two weekends ago, followed by trips to Wisconsin, Virginia and Duke in quick succession. He also had been to Marquette. Knueppel boosted his stock considerably over the spring and summer, skyrocketing from outside the ESPN 100 to inside the top 25. He was the leading scorer on the Nike EYBL circuit, averaging 22.5 points in 13 games with the Phenom University grassroots program. He had four games of 30 or more points, including a 37-point effort against JL3 Elite -- a game in which he also grabbed eight rebounds and made six 3-pointers. Knueppel wasn't just a scorer, averaging 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in addition to shooting 46.7% from 3-point range on more than eight attempts per game. A 6-foot-5 shooting guard out of Lutheran...

Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, said in an interview with Fox News that aired Wednesday that he doesn't care about allegations of sportswashing made against his country. "If sportswashing [is] going to increase my GDP [gross domestic product] by way of 1%, then I will continue doing sportwashing," he said, according to Foxnews.com. "I don't care." Through its Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia has been increasingly aggressive in its involvement in global sports in recent years, highlighted in the United States by the creation of LIV Golf, which recruited high-profile players from the PGA Tour, eventually leading to a union between the two. Critics have argued these types of investments are done to launder Saudi Arabia's image to the rest of the world. However, bin Salman contends that is not the case. "One percent growth of GDP from sport and I'm aiming for another one-and-a-half percent -- call it whatever you want, we're going to get that...

The Tampa Bay Rays are calling up top infield prospect Junior Caminero, bolstering their roster for a stretch run that will cap one of the best seasons in franchise history, sources told ESPN. Caminero, who turned 20 in July, will make the jump from Double-A, where he ascended after 36 dominant games this season at High-A. Between the stops, Caminero is hitting .324/.384/.591 with 31 home runs and 94 RBIs in 117 games. A shortstop and third baseman, Caminero joins a Rays team that at 94-60 is 1½ games behind Baltimore for the American League East lead. The No. 5 prospect in Kiley McDaniel's midseason rankings, Caminero is regarded for not just his offensive production but the elite exit velocities he has produced since the fortuitous November 2021 trade in which Tampa Bay acquired him from Cleveland for right-hander Tobias Myers. Even though he was not in the big leagues by Sept. 1, Caminero will be eligible to join the Rays' postseason roster because he was...

As Oregon State and Washington State prepare for their top-25 matchup Saturday amid the strong possibility of being stripped of their Power 5 status next season, OSU athletic director Scott Barnes indicated he is curious about the possibility of promotion/relegation in college football. A promotion/relegation model, which is used in most professional soccer leagues around the world, allows teams to move up and down through different divisions or leagues based on their on-field performance each season. A proposal to adopt a similar structure within college football was recently drafted by Boise State associate athletic director Michael Walsh, according to Front Office Sports. "As you think about the future of even media rights, I think a sort of relegation model, either in unequal distribution, a contraction of teams and/or peer relegation will take place. I think that's coming," Barnes said in a joint news conference with presidents and athletic...

Julie Ertz wore the captain's armband as she led the United States onto the field ahead of an easy 3-0 friendly win over South Africa in her final match for the national team. Before the game on Thursday night at Cincinnati's TQL Stadium, Ertz was honored by U.S. Soccer and presented with a commemorative jersey with the No. 123 on it, representing the number of caps the veteran midfielder earned in a U.S. jersey. The Americans dominated the opening half-hour and finally broke through when Lynn Williams headed the ball over the line following a corner kick before Trinity Rodman smashed home another 60 seconds later on a lightning-fast counter by the U.S. Minutes later, Ertz's career was over as she handed the armband to Lindsay Horan, hugged her teammates and left the field in tears for substitute  Andi Sullivan. "Really excited that we scored kind of right before [I was subbed]. It just felt like a really good ending to say bye," Ertz said...

SANTA CLARA, Calif. --  New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley said Thursday he does indeed have a high ankle sprain. Barkley, who revealed the injury in an interview with Amazon, was hurt in Sunday's 31-28 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. It was initially believed to be an ordinary sprain, but Barkley clarified the injury before Thursday night's game against the San Francisco 49ers, saying it was a high ankle sprain while adding it was not as severe as it could have been. A source told ESPN's Adam Schefter this week that Barkley was expected to miss three weeks. Not playing Thursday night was more of a pain management issue. Giants coach Brian Daboll said earlier in the week Barkley had made "considerable progress" and was a fast healer. Barkley told Amazon he will benefit from the 11 days between Thursday night and the Giants' Week 4 game against the Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 2. A two-time Pro Bowler, Barkley had 29 carries for 114 yards...

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Nick Saban, his Alabama football team ranked outside the top 10 of the Associated Press poll for the first time since 2015, is as realistic as he is resolute. Even after six national championships, Saban understands the restlessness that surrounds his program. It goes with the territory when you build the kind of dynasty he has in the SEC, one that some in the college football world suggest could be crumbling. "The standard here doesn't change, but this is also a test of your humility," Saban told ESPN on Thursday. "You say, 'Hey, I don't care what anybody says. I know what the expectations are.' But, I mean, how many people have been able to go 16 years and not have a bump in the road?" No. 13 Alabama (2-1) faces No. 15 Ole Miss at home Saturday. That's after the Crimson Tide slopped its way last week to a 17-3 win over South Florida, which went 1-11 a year ago and gave up 41 points to Western Kentucky in its 2023 season...

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is inactive for Thursday night's game against the New York Giants because of a shoulder injury. Aiyuk had been listed as questionable for the game. The 49ers announced Thursday they have elevated receiver Chris Conley from the practice squad for the game. Aiyuk suffered the injury on his first catch in Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams, a 30-23 49ers victory. He finished the game with three catches for 43 yards. Aiyuk leads the 49ers this season with 172 receiving yards and two touchdown catches in two games. He has 11 receptions, tied with Deebo Samuel for the team lead. He was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week after Week 1, when he had eight receptions for 129 yards and two touchdowns in the 49ers' 30-7 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

FRISCO, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys star cornerback Trevon Diggs suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his left knee during Thursday's practice. Diggs suffered the injury during a one-on-one period in practice and was briefly spotted inside the team facility on crutches before undergoing an MRI, which revealed the tear. It is a massive loss for a Cowboys defense that is ranked No. 1 in the NFL in yards allowed and points per game through two weeks. Since entering the NFL in 2020, Diggs has 18 interceptions -- tied for the most in the NFL with J.C. Jackson of the Los Angeles Chargers. Meanwhile, Cowboys Pro Bowl center Tyler Biadasz hurt a hamstring during Thursday's practice and is undergoing an MRI to determine the extent of the injury, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Another source told Schefter, "Tyler will be OK." Cowboys star edge rusher Micah Parsons reacted to the Diggs news with a post to X: According to NFL Next Gen Stats...

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is not expected to play Thursday night against the New York Giants because of a shoulder injury, a league source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Aiyuk is listed as questionable for the game. The 49ers announced Thursday they have elevated receiver Chris Conley from the practice squad for the game. Aiyuk suffered the injury on his first catch in Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams, a 30-23 49ers victory. He finished the game with three catches for 43 yards. Aiyuk leads the 49ers this season with 172 receiving yards and two touchdown catches in two games. He has 11 receptions, tied with Deebo Samuel for the team lead. He was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week after Week 1, when he had eight receptions for 129 yards and two touchdowns in the 49ers' 37-7 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

FRISCO, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys star cornerback Trevon Diggs suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his left knee during Thursday's practice, multiple sources told ESPN. Diggs suffered the injury during a one-on-one period in practice and was briefly spotted inside the team facility on crutches before undergoing an MRI, which revealed the tear, according to sources. It is a massive loss for a Cowboys defense that is ranked No. 1 in the NFL in yards allowed and points per game through two weeks. Since entering the NFL in 2020, Diggs has 18 interceptions -- tied for the most in the NFL with J.C. Jackson of the Los Angeles Chargers. Meanwhile, Cowboys Pro Bowl center Tyler Biadasz hurt a hamstring during Thursday's practice and is undergoing an MRI to determine the extent of the injury, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Another source told Schefter, "Tyler will be OK." According to NFL Next Gen Stats data, Diggs has allowed just three catches...

PHILADELPHIA -- Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown acknowledged his "emotions were high" during last week's victory against the Minnesota Vikings but said his animated sideline interaction with Jalen Hurts was not indicative of an issue between himself and his quarterback. "The little sideline discussion, I want you all to know that's what it was -- it was a discussion," Brown said at his locker stall Thursday afternoon. "This is a game that we both love, and I want everybody to understand that sometimes emotions run high. That doesn't mean it's the end of the world. That doesn't mean I'm beefing with Jalen." Television cameras showed an exchange between Brown and Hurts at the start of the fourth quarter. Coach Nick Sirianni interjected and had a word with Brown as Hurts walked away. Hurts proceeded to target Brown three times on the following series, including on a 25-yard touchdown pass that was nullified by a penalty. Multiple teammates suggested...

FRISCO, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys fear that star cornerback Trevon Diggs has a torn ACL in his left knee, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Diggs suffered the injury Thursday during a 1-on-1 drill in practice and was briefly spotted inside The Star on crutches, sources told ESPN. "Some of you saw him leaving the field, so prayers to him," Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott said. "Simple as that." Diggs signed a five-year, $97 million contract extension with the Cowboys during training camp -- a deal that included a $21.25 million signing bonus and $42.3 million guaranteed. After missing four games with a foot injury in 2020, Diggs has missed just one game in each of the last two years. In the first two games of the season, Diggs, a Pro Bowl selection each of the last two years, has forced a fumble, intercepted a pass and has three pass breakups while being credited with six tackles for what is currently the No. 1 ranked defense in yards and points per...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers are expected to be without quarterback Bryce Young for Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks after the top pick of the 2023 draft missed his second straight practice Thursday with an ankle injury, the team said Thursday. Veteran Andy Dalton took all the first-team snaps both days. "For me, obviously -- absolutely," Dalton said of enjoying being back in the spotlight again. "It's always nice because I have had a certain way of operating in my career, and when you go from starting to being the backup, that is one of the things that you miss. "When you get a chance to take ownership of what you're doing, and to know how you want it to look and how you want it to feel and see it executed, that is what makes football fun." Young injured the ankle during Monday night's 20-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints. The Panthers are 0-2; every other team in the NFC South is 2-0. Offensive...

FRISCO, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys star cornerback Trevon Diggs left Thursday's practice because of an injury to his left knee. Diggs suffered the injury during a 1-on-1 drill and was briefly spotted inside The Star on crutches, sources told ESPN. He was scheduled to have an MRI to determine the severity of the injury, according to sources. "Some of you saw him leaving the field, so prayers to him," Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott said. "Simple as that." Diggs signed a five-year, $97 million contract extension with the Cowboys during training camp -- a deal that included a $21.25 million signing bonus and $42.3 million guaranteed. After missing four games with a foot injury in 2020, Diggs has missed just one game in each of the last two years. In the first two games of the season, Diggs, a Pro Bowl selection each of the last two years, has forced a fumble, intercepted a pass and has three pass breakups while being credited with six tackles for what is...

CHICAGO -- After Connor Bedard participated in his first official practice as a Chicago Blackhawks player Thursday as NHL training camps opened, the 2023 No.1 draft pick said he's learning about his new home. "The fans are unbelievable so far and it's a beautiful city," Bedard said, before adding one other observation: "The drivers are intense here." Bedard grew up in British Columbia and played his junior hockey in Regina, Saskatchewan. He said he's spent most of his time in Chicago so far either at the rink, at his house or at teammates' homes. "But if I get out here or there, I get recognized a little," Bedard said. It's something the 18-year-old is starting to get used to. As Bedard left the media room after his first on-ice session, escorted by security, he stopped to sign an autograph for a kid wearing a No. 98 Bedard jersey. Yet Bedard's goals remain modest. He repeatedly has told reporters he's just trying to make the team. After that, his goals are "to...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers may be without quarterback Bryce Young for Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks after the top pick of the 2023 draft missed his second straight practice Thursday with an ankle injury. Veteran Andy Dalton took all the first-team snaps both days. "For me, obviously -- absolutely," Dalton said of enjoying being back in the spotlight again. "It's always nice because I have had a certain way of operating in my career, and when you go from starting to being the backup, that is one of the things that you miss. "When you get a chance to take ownership of what you're doing, and to know how you want it to look and how you want it to feel and see it executed, that is what makes football fun." Young injured the ankle during Monday night's 20-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints. The Panthers are 0-2; every other team in the NFC South is 2-0. Offensive coordinator Thomas Brown said Young's...

Satou Sabally told Dallas Wings coach Latricia Trammel this past offseason that after a tumultuous previous two years in the league, she wanted 2023 to be her season. This week has further solidified a fulfillment of that goal: Two days after Sabally helped the Wings win their first playoff series since the franchise's relocation to Dallas, she was named the WNBA Most Improved Player on Thursday. Sabally earned 37 of 60 votes from a national collection of sportswriters and broadcasters, while the Los Angeles Sparks' Jordin Canada garnered 18. The 6-foot-4 forward, who grew up in Gambia and Germany before coming to the United States to attend college at Oregon, has averaged career highs across the board in 18.6 points (on 43.5% shooting), 8.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game, while compiling 14 double-doubles, fifth-best in the league, and recording the Wings' first triple-double. Her 3-point shooting improved from 23.3% last year to 36.1% this...

Lionel Messi said he resents not having been recognised by Paris Saint-Germain for his World Cup triumph, especially as all of his Argentina teammates were honoured by their respective clubs. Messi scored twice in the final and also converted a penalty in the shootout as Argentina won 4-2 on penalties against France at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Regarding his return to Paris after the World Cup, Messi told ESPN's Migue Granados: "I was the only player of the 25 that didn't get a [club] recognition." He then added: "It was understandable ... because of us [Argentina], they [France] didn't retain the World Cup." Messi, who left PSG in June after his contract expired, found it difficult to adapt to Paris and admitted there was a "fracture with a significant group of the PSG fans" during his two seasons at the club. Asked whether he would have liked not to...

CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow remains day-to-day with a right calf injury, coach Zac Taylor said Thursday. Burrow's availability for the Monday night game against the Los Angeles Rams remains uncertain. Cincinnati is looking to give Burrow as much time as he needs in order for his injured calf to feel healthy enough to play. "Soreness is an issue right now, so giving him some time is best," Taylor said. "That's all I'll say about today." On Cincinnati's final offensive drive of the Week 2 loss against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, Burrow reinjured the calf he strained at the beginning of training camp. The injury prevented him from being a full participant at practice for roughly six weeks, but he still played in the season opener, a 24-3 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Taylor said it will be ideal if Burrow can practice ahead of Monday if he were to play. As for concern about his workload given the quarterback's...

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles called an impromptu news conference Thursday to address the fallout from a litany of events at Halas Hall on Wednesday that began with quarterback Justin Fields expressing frustration over how he's being coached and ended with the sudden resignation of defensive coordinator Alan Williams. Poles voiced support for coach Matt Eberflus and Fields, adding, "No one in our entire building, none of our coaches see Fields as a finger pointer at all." "First and foremost, to hit it straight on, we have adversity right now," Poles said. "Slow start, 0-2, not where you want to be. We've dealt with life issues. We've dealt with injuries, and that's all real and that's a part of what we do and what we got to deal with. "To make it really, really clear, I know the outside noise, but no one in our building is panicking. No one is flinching at any situations, not our owner, not our president, our head coach, not myself,...

ANDALUCIA, Spain -- Justin Thomas won't be the only struggling American golfer under a microscope at an international team competition this month. Lexi Thompson, one of the LPGA Tour's biggest stars over the past dozen years, has struggled mightily this season, missing the cut in eight of her 11 starts. U.S. team captain Stacy Lewis apparently still has plenty of confidence in Thompson, who will be paired with Megan Khang in the opening match Friday of the 18th Solheim Cup. Sweden's Linn Grant and Maja Stark will be their European opponents in a foursomes (alternate shot) match at Finca Cortesin. The American duo of Danielle Kang and Andrea Lee will play France's Celine Boutier and England's Georgia Hall in the second match. World No. 3 golfer Nelly Korda and U.S. Women's Open winner Allisen Corpuz will face Ireland's Leona Maguire and Sweden's Anna Nordqvist in the third match, followed by Ally Ewing and Cheyenne Knight taking on...

BEREA, Ohio -- Deshaun Watson says that "sooner or later" he and the Cleveland Browns offense will begin to click after a rough start. The quarterback also said he hasn't lost any confidence despite struggling over his eight games in a Browns uniform. "I'm always going to have confidence. That's just the person I am," Watson said Thursday. "Me losing confidence, that's not something I'm going to do." During the Browns' 26-22 loss Monday, the Pittsburgh Steelers defense turned two of Watson's turnovers into touchdowns, including T.J. Watt's game-winning scoop-and-score after a fourth-quarter fumble. Watson attributed the struggles to not "being on the same page with everybody else" offensively. He said season-ending injuries to right tackle Jack Conklin (knee) in Week 1 and All-Pro running back Nick Chubb (knee) in Week 2 contributed to the miscommunications, but "we're coming along." The Browns traded for Watson in the 2022...

Milwaukee Bucks star Khris Middleton has heard the comments Giannis Antetokounmpo has made over the past several weeks. But unlike the rest of the NBA universe, which has been caught off guard by Antetokounmpo's open acknowledgement of uncertainty about his future, Middleton said it was simply an extension of the things Antetokounmpo has consistently been saying for years. "I think it's kind of business as usual either way," Middleton told ESPN in a phone interview. "It doesn't affect me personally. I don't think it affects us as a team. I think this is something he said almost every year he's come up in contract extension talks. "We always want him back for sure. Let's be for sure and let everyone know that. We want this guy to come back because he's one of the best players in the world. He's one of the best players in franchise history. So when he says things like that, I think he just wants to challenge the team, the organization, to keep putting us in position...