Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews will miss Tuesday's game against the New Jersey Devil...

<p>Toronto Maple Leafs forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5586" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5586">Auston Matthews</a> will miss Tuesday's game against the New Jersey Devils and is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.</p><p>Matthews picked up the injury Sunday on a blocked shot against the Detroit Red Wings.</p><p>The former Hart Trophy winner has been quiet this season by his standards, posting 15 goals and 12 assists in 33 appearances. He scored once in five games before getting hurt against the Red Wings.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Matthews' laborious season comes on the heels of a career-low 33 goals last year. The 27-year-old has been good for 40 or more for most of his career.</p><p>Despite extended droughts from many of Toronto's top offensive skaters, including Matthews, the Leafs rank eighth in the NHL with 3.26 goals per game. However, they sit last in the Atlantic Division entering play against the Devils with 40 points, nine behind the first-place Red Wings.</p>

TORONTO, CANADA - DECEMBER 13: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs warms-up before facing the Edmonton Oilers at the Scotiabank Arena on December 13, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

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Matthews day-to-day with lower-body injury

Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick called out his players in emphatic fashion Thursday after...

<p>Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick called out his players in emphatic fashion Thursday after a lopsided loss to the Houston Rockets.</p><p>"We don't care enough right now," the second-year coach told reporters, per <a href="https://x.com/ArashMarkazi/status/2004398478537941294?s=20">The Sporting Tribune's Arash Markazi</a>. "That's the part that bothers me a lot. We don't care enough to do the things that are necessary, we don't care enough to be a professional."</p><p>The Lakers suffered their third consecutive defeat and their sixth in a 10-game stretch with the 119-96 Christmas Day beatdown from the Rockets.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Los Angeles won 15 of its first 19 games of the season but is coming out of Christmas with a 19-9 record. Defense has let the the Lakers down recently, with the team allowing 122.8 points per game over its last six losses.</p><p>"Guys will say they want to win. The care factor to me is like, 'Do I care enough to actually do what I'm supposed to do and just do it consistently?'" Redick said. "And that's really what the championship habits are. And that's what we don't have right now."</p><p>Redick's frustrations bubbled before Christmas, with the former sharpshooter dropping this line after Tuesday's loss to the Phoenix Suns:</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">JJ Redick took a SHOT at one of the Lakers players:<br><br>“We had a guy the other day who plays a lot, who didn’t know what a flood was in the middle of a game.”👀 <a href="https://t.co/6vKGSaKxCB">pic.twitter.com/6vKGSaKxCB</a></p>— Logion Noops (@LogionNoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/LogionNoops/status/2003705491181179351?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The 41-year-old said coming out of the Rockets loss that he's prepared to ruffle some feathers at Saturday's practice.</p><p>"It goes back to what I said the other night: it's a matter of making the choice, and too often we have guys that don't want to make that choice. And it's pretty consistent who those guys are. ... The meeting is going to be uncomfortable. I'm not doing another 53 games of this."</p><p>The Lakers are back in action Sunday against the Sacramento Kings. It's unclear if they'll have guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/96101" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/96101">Austin Reaves</a>, who aggravated his ailing calf against the Rockets and sat out the second half.</p>

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 25: Head coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers calls a play during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena on December 25, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

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Redick slams Lakers: 'We don't care enough right now'

Golden State Warriors guard Jimmy Butler felt a spark when an argument between teammate Draymond ...

<p>Golden State Warriors guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/2809" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/2809">Jimmy Butler</a> felt a spark when an argument between teammate <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/2982" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/2982">Draymond Green</a> and head coach Steve Kerr boiled over Monday night.</p><p>"I like that," Butler said Thursday after the Warriors defeated the Dallas Mavericks, per <a href="https://x.com/anthonyVslater/status/2004362633072550128">Anthony Slater of ESPN</a>. "Y'all yell at each other. Turned me on a little bit, I'm not gonna even lie. I like that, I like that confrontation. It's good for us."</p><p>Green and Kerr got into a heated exchange during a timeout Monday against the Orlando Magic. The episode led Green to leave the bench and go to the locker room while Kerr drew up a play for the rest of the team.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Kerr said Wednesday that he and Green <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3436764" href="https://thescore.com/news/3436764">apologized</a> to each other and the team for the incident. He added that the blowup wasn't his "finest hour," but Butler said he didn't see a problem with it.</p><p>"That's just part of the game," Butler said. "When you've been together for so long, y'all gonna have arguments. It ain't gonna be quiet all the time, it's OK. You got two fierce competitors that have won it together and that want to continually win. ... I expect that to happen, that's OK. We move on from it."</p><p>The Warriors went on to beat the Magic despite the exchange, and stretched their winning streak to three games by knocking off the Mavericks. Green started against the Mavs and played 28 minutes, one more than his season average.</p><p>Green and Kerr are in their 12th season together, and the Warriors have won four NBA championships in that span. Butler joined Golden State last season in a midseason trade.</p>

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - DECEMBER 25: Jimmy Butler III #10 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on December 25, 2025 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE

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Butler: Draymond-Kerr blowup 'turned me on a little bit'

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander called on the Oklahoma City Thunder to self-reflect after falling to the ...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/60411" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/60411">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander</a> called on the Oklahoma City Thunder to self-reflect after falling to the San Antonio Spurs for the third time in two weeks on Christmas Day.</p><p>"You don't lose to a team three times in a row in a short span without them being better than you," the reigning NBA MVP said Thursday. "We have to get better. We have to look in the mirror - and that's everybody, from top to bottom - if we want to reach our ultimate goal."</p><p>The Spurs rolled to a <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3437001" href="https://thescore.com/news/3437001">15-point victory</a> in Oklahoma City two days after beating the defending champions in San Antonio. The Spurs also silenced the Thunder in the semifinals of the NBA Cup on a neutral court.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Oklahoma City is 0-3 against San Antonio but 26-2 against the rest of the league this season. The Spurs are 23-7, giving them the second-best record in the Western Conference.</p><p>"They're just a good basketball team," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "They know how to play, they have talent, they play the right way, they play together. When you mix those things together for any basketball team, you win games."</p><p>Gilgeous-Alexander scored 22 points in the latest Spurs-Thunder battle, going a modest 7-of-19 from the field and 1-of-6 from three-point land. He poured in 33 points and 29 points with better efficiency in the other two losses.</p>

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - DECEMBER 25: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket during the first half against the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center on December 25, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

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SGA says 0-3 mark vs. Spurs is no fluke: 'We have to get better'

The NFL dropped its 2026 Pro Bowl rosters Tuesday, which means it's time to go over those who wer...

<p>The NFL dropped its 2026 Pro Bowl rosters Tuesday, which means it's time to go over those who were wrongfully omitted.</p><blockquote><p>👉 <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3435225" href="https://thescore.com/news/3435225"><strong>Tap here to see the Pro Bowl rosters</strong></a></p></blockquote><p>We present our five biggest snubs, in no particular order:</p><h3>Jared Goff, QB, Lions</h3><p>The Lions are in danger of missing the playoffs, but Goff is enjoying a great year and has better numbers across the board than Sam Darnold. Goff has only five interceptions to Darnold's 13 (third-most among all quarterbacks) and boasts a higher completion percentage, more passing yards, more passing touchdowns, and a higher EPA/play. Despite the lack of team success around him, Goff deserved a Pro Bowl nod.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Devin Lloyd, LB, Jaguars</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/804559/cropped_GettyImages-2239660283.jpg?ts=1759803513" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/804559/w220xh124_GettyImages-2239660283.jpg?ts=1759803513 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/804559/w320xh180_GettyImages-2239660283.jpg?ts=1759803513 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/804559/w640xh360_GettyImages-2239660283.jpg?ts=1759803513 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/804559/w768xh432_GettyImages-2239660283.jpg?ts=1759803513 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/804559/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2239660283.jpg?ts=1759803513 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Mike Carlson / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Long snapper Ross Matiscik is the Jaguars' only Pro Bowler this year, which is surprising considering Jacksonville is 11-4 and battling for the AFC's top seed. A bunch of players on the roster could've made it, but Lloyd is the obvious snub, especially since he's outperformed Roquan Smith and Azeez Al-Shaair this year. Lloyd's eight quarterback hits and five interceptions lead all linebackers, according to PFF. He's also recorded the fourth-most pressures (23) and fifth-most hurries (14) among all players at his position.</p><h3>Nahshon Wright, CB, Bears</h3><p>With five interceptions, three fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles, Wright has delivered impact plays all season. And plenty of them have been game-changers - like the strip he created against the Packers near the goal line last week in a contest Chicago won in overtime. Moreover, the first-year Bear has anchored a secondary that played most of the campaign without high-priced cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who's appeared in just five games due to injury. Wright's been a godsend for Chicago, and his production in an elevated role helped the team punch a postseason ticket for the first time in five years.</p><h3>Bernhard Raimann, OT, Colts</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/815073/cropped_GettyImages-2235942156.jpg?ts=1766509558" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/815073/w220xh124_GettyImages-2235942156.jpg?ts=1766509558 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/815073/w320xh180_GettyImages-2235942156.jpg?ts=1766509558 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/815073/w640xh360_GettyImages-2235942156.jpg?ts=1766509558 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/815073/w768xh432_GettyImages-2235942156.jpg?ts=1766509558 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/815073/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2235942156.jpg?ts=1766509558 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Justin Casterline / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>We're not here to tell you Raimann is the greatest offensive tackle to ever step foot in the AFC, but he certainly deserved a spot over Joe Alt. No disrespect to the Chargers tackle - he's a great player when healthy - but six appearances shouldn't be enough for a Pro Bowl selection. Meanwhile, Raimann has been a steady presence at left tackle for the Colts, an asset in both pass protection and run blocking. He's allowed just 25 pressures on 478 pass-block snaps, which is better than the Bills' Dion Dawkins, who's conceded 31 pressures on 486 such reps, per PFF. Raimann has also taken fewer penalties. But this isn't about Dawkins, who received a well-earned nod. This is about Raimann. He's been out there nearly every week and should've been rewarded over someone who hasn't.</p><h3>Cam Heyward, DL, Steelers</h3><p>Heyward is having one of the best years of his career and should've been recognized for his terrific production at age 36. He leads all defensive tackles in hurries (39), ranks second in tackles (42), and is third in batted passes (five), per PFF. Additionally, Heyward has an outstanding 1.6% missed-tackle rate, by far the best mark among players at his position. As the leader of a Steelers defense likely headed to the postseason, it's incredible he's playing so well this late into his career.</p><blockquote><p>👉 <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3435225" href="https://thescore.com/news/3435225"><strong>Tap here to see the Pro Bowl rosters</strong></a></p></blockquote>

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5 biggest snubs from NFL's Pro Bowl rosters

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and Buffalo Bills superstar Josh Allen highlight th...

<p>Los Angeles Rams quarterback <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/680" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/680">Matthew Stafford</a> and Buffalo Bills superstar <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/94699" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/94699">Josh Allen</a> highlight the 2026 Pro Bowl rosters that the NFL unveiled Tuesday.</p><p>Multi-time MVPs <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/89514" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/89514">Patrick Mahomes</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/97162" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/97162">Lamar Jackson</a> were left out from the AFC. Mahomes has now missed the cut in back-to-back years after being a perennial lock from 2018-2023.</p><p>The Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks tied for the most selections with six. The New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings, and New Orleans Saints were kept without a single nod.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The 2026 Pro Bowl Games will feature a flag football contest in San Francisco between the AFC and NFC that will air Feb. 3 in advance of Super Bowl LX. 49ers icons Jerry Rice (NFC) and Steve Young (AFC) will serve as the coaches.</p><p><em>* denotes starter</em></p><h3>AFC Offense</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Position</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Team</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>QB</td>
<td>Josh Allen*</td>
<td>Bills</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>QB</td>
<td>Drake Maye</td>
<td>Patriots</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>QB</td>
<td>Justin Herbert</td>
<td>Chargers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RB</td>
<td>Jonathan Taylor*</td>
<td>Colts</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RB</td>
<td>De'Von Achane</td>
<td>Dolphins</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RB</td>
<td>James Cook</td>
<td>Bills</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>FB</td>
<td>Patrick Ricard*</td>
<td>Ravens</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WR</td>
<td>Ja'Marr Chase*</td>
<td>Bengals</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WR</td>
<td>Nico Collins*</td>
<td>Texans</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WR</td>
<td>Zay Flowers</td>
<td>Ravens</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WR</td>
<td>Courtland Sutton</td>
<td>Broncos</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TE</td>
<td>Brock Bowers*</td>
<td>Raiders</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TE</td>
<td>Travis Kelce</td>
<td>Chiefs</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OT</td>
<td>Garett Bolles*</td>
<td>Broncos</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OT</td>
<td>Dion Dawkins*</td>
<td>Bills</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OT</td>
<td>Joe Alt</td>
<td>Chargers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>G</td>
<td>Quinn Meinerz*</td>
<td>Broncos</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>G</td>
<td>Quenton Nelson*</td>
<td>Colts</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>G</td>
<td>Trey Smith</td>
<td>Chiefs</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>Creed Humphrey*</td>
<td>Chiefs</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>Tyler Linderbaum</td>
<td>Ravens</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><h3>NFC Offense</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Position</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Team</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>QB</td>
<td>Matthew Stafford*</td>
<td>Rams</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>QB</td>
<td>Dak Prescott</td>
<td>Cowboys</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>QB</td>
<td>Sam Darnold</td>
<td>Seahawks</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RB</td>
<td>Jahmyr Gibbs*</td>
<td>Lions</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RB</td>
<td>Christian McCaffrey</td>
<td>49ers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RB</td>
<td>Bijan Robinson</td>
<td>Falcons</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>FB</td>
<td>Kyle Juszczyk*</td>
<td>49ers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WR</td>
<td>Puka Nacua*</td>
<td>Rams</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WR</td>
<td>Jaxon Smith-Njigba*</td>
<td>Seahawks</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WR</td>
<td>George Pickens</td>
<td>Cowboys</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WR</td>
<td>Amon-Ra St. Brown</td>
<td>Lions</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TE</td>
<td>Trey McBride*</td>
<td>Cardinals</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TE</td>
<td>George Kittle</td>
<td>49ers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OT</td>
<td>Penei Sewell*</td>
<td>Lions</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OT</td>
<td>Tristan Wirfs*</td>
<td>Buccaneers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OT</td>
<td>Trent Williams</td>
<td>49ers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>G</td>
<td>Joe Thuney*</td>
<td>Bears</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>G</td>
<td>Tyler Smith*</td>
<td>Cowboys</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>G</td>
<td>Chris Lindstrom</td>
<td>Falcons</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>Drew Dalman*</td>
<td>Bears</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>Cam Jurgens</td>
<td>Eagles</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><h3>AFC Defense</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Position</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Team</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>DE</td>
<td>Myles Garrett*</td>
<td>Browns</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DE</td>
<td>Will Anderson Jr.*</td>
<td>Texans</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DE</td>
<td>Maxx Crosby</td>
<td>Raiders</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DL</td>
<td>Chris Jones*</td>
<td>Chiefs</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DL</td>
<td>Jeffery Simmons*</td>
<td>Titans</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DL</td>
<td>Zach Allen</td>
<td>Broncos</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OLB</td>
<td>Nik Bonitto*</td>
<td>Broncos</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OLB</td>
<td>T.J. Watt*</td>
<td>Steelers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OLB</td>
<td>Tuili Tuipulotu</td>
<td>Chargers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ILB</td>
<td>Roquan Smith*</td>
<td>Ravens</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ILB</td>
<td>Azeez Al-Shaair</td>
<td>Texans</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CB</td>
<td>Derek Stingley Jr.*</td>
<td>Texans</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CB</td>
<td>Pat Surtain*</td>
<td>Broncos</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CB</td>
<td>Christian Gonzalez</td>
<td>Patriots</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CB</td>
<td>Denzel Ward</td>
<td>Browns</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>FS</td>
<td>Jalen Ramsey*</td>
<td>Steelers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Kyle Hamilton*</td>
<td>Ravens</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Derwin James</td>
<td>Chargers</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><h3>NFC Defense</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Position</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Team</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>DE</td>
<td>Aidan Hutchinson*</td>
<td>Lions</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DE</td>
<td>Micah Parsons*</td>
<td>Packers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DE</td>
<td>DeMarcus Lawrence</td>
<td>Seahawks</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DL</td>
<td>Jalen Carter*</td>
<td>Eagles</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DL</td>
<td>Leonard Williams*</td>
<td>Seahawks</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DL</td>
<td>Quinnen Williams</td>
<td>Cowboys</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OLB</td>
<td>Brian Burns*</td>
<td>Giants</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OLB</td>
<td>Jared Verse*</td>
<td>Rams</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OLB</td>
<td>Byron Young</td>
<td>Rams</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ILB</td>
<td>Jack Campbell*</td>
<td>Lions</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ILB</td>
<td>Zack Baun</td>
<td>Eagles</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CB</td>
<td>Jaycee Horn*</td>
<td>Panthers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CB</td>
<td>Devon Witherspoon*</td>
<td>Seahawks</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CB</td>
<td>Quinyon Mitchell</td>
<td>Eagles</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CB</td>
<td>Cooper DeJean</td>
<td>Eagles</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>FS</td>
<td>Kevin Byard*</td>
<td>Bears</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>FS</td>
<td>Antoine Winfield Jr.</td>
<td>Buccaneers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Budda Baker*</td>
<td>Cardinals</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><h3>AFC Special Teams</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Position</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Team</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>P</td>
<td>Jordan Stout*</td>
<td>Ravens</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>K</td>
<td>Cameron Dicker*</td>
<td>Chargers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>KR</td>
<td>Chimere Dike*</td>
<td>Titans</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ST</td>
<td>Ben Skowronek*</td>
<td>Steelers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LS</td>
<td>Ross Matiscik*</td>
<td>Jaguars</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><h3>NFC Special Teams</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Position</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Team</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>P</td>
<td>Tress Way*</td>
<td>Commanders</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>K</td>
<td>Brandon Aubrey*</td>
<td>Cowboys</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>KR</td>
<td>Rashid Shaheed*</td>
<td>Seahawks</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ST</td>
<td>Luke Gifford*</td>
<td>49ers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LS</td>
<td>Jon Weeks*</td>
<td>49ers</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure>

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USC standout Makai Lemon will skip his senior campaign and enter the 2026 NFL Draft, he announced...

<p>USC standout <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/184784" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/184784">Makai Lemon</a> will skip his senior campaign and enter the 2026 NFL Draft, he announced Wednesday.</p><p>Lemon is fresh off taking home the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top wide receiver.</p><p>The Trojans will now forge ahead without their top two receivers, as Ja'Kobi Lane previously declared for the draft following a 745-yard, four-touchdown season.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Lemon posted 1,156 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns, putting him in the top six of the FBS in both categories. His ascension continued after he broke out with 764 yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore.</p><p>Lemon projects to be one of the top wide receivers in the draft along with the likes of Arizona State's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/171566" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/171566">Jordyn Tyson</a> and Ohio State's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/184267" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/184267">Carnell Tate</a>. Tyson has already announced his decision to turn pro, while Tate is widely expected to declare once the Buckeyes' season ends.</p>

EUGENE, OREGON - NOVEMBER 22: Makai Lemon #6 of the USC Trojans warms up before the game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Eugene, Oregon.

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USC's Lemon enters draft after winning Biletnikoff Award

Eight-time Pro Bowl quarterback Philip Rivers is doing the unthinkable at age 44, returning to th...

<p>Eight-time Pro Bowl quarterback <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/1955" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/1955">Philip Rivers</a> is doing the unthinkable at age 44, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3423221" href="https://thescore.com/news/3423221">returning to the NFL</a> to join the injury-ravaged Indianapolis Colts after a whopping five-year retirement.</p><p>Why is this happening? What else could the Colts have done? We're here to answer those questions and more, so let's get started with the first burning question.</p><p><strong>How did we get here?</strong></p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/97984" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/97984">Daniel Jones</a> tore his Achilles on Sunday against Jacksonville, putting him out for the rest of the season. His backup, former first-round pick <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/188125" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/188125">Anthony Richardson</a>, is recovering from a broken orbital bone that he suffered in October, and he hasn't been cleared for football activities. Third-stringer <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/210166" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/210166">Riley Leonard</a> is battling a knee strain, leaving his status against Seattle up in the air. Indy also has <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/93784" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/93784">Brett Rypien</a> on its practice squad, but ... well, click on his name and press "Career" for more info.</p><p><strong>Will this work?</strong></p><p>Never say never, but the chances are extremely slim. It's hard enough playing quarterback in the NFL at any age, let alone when you're 44 and you've been gone for half a decade. Rivers is familiar with Colts coach Shane Steichen, who was his quarterbacks coach for a few years with the Chargers, but this is nothing more than a lottery ticket, especially since the rest of the league is near peak form at this stage of the season.</p><p><strong>Which other QBs have come out of retirement in recent memory?</strong></p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/50696" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/50696">Teddy Bridgewater</a> is the most recent case, but he returned as a backup. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/1333" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/1333">Tom Brady</a> did it, but he was only retired for 40 days in the offseason, so that hardly counts. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/184" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/184">Jay Cutler</a> retired in May 2017 and was set to become a game analyst for Fox Sports, but he came back to join Miami a few months later when <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/21390" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/21390">Ryan Tannehill</a> suffered a season-ending injury. Cutler had one of his worst seasons, then went back into retirement. And of course there were the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/1271" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/1271">Brett Favre</a> sagas that led him to the Jets in 2008 and Vikings in 2009.</p><p><strong>Has anyone come back from this long of a hiatus?</strong></p><p>Steve DeBerg returned five years after he retired, joining Atlanta in 1998, so yes. He made one start, going 9-for-20 for 117 yards and an interception before being benched, and the Falcons lost the game 28-3 (yup, that was seriously the score).</p><p>Other notable hiatuses:</p><ul>
<li>Tommy Maddox was out of the NFL for six years between the late 1990s and early 2000s, but he played in the Arena Football League and the XFL for part of that time.</li>
<li>Deion Sanders retired for three seasons, returning for a pair of campaigns with the Ravens in the 2000s.</li>
<li>Prior to the modern era, Bronko Nagurski spent nearly six years in retirement before rejoining the Bears. He came back in 1943 when Chicago had players serving in World War II.</li>
</ul><p><strong>What other options did Indy have?</strong></p><p>Tannehill, whose name came up earlier in this piece, is the highest-profile quarterback out there, though he recently told <a href="https://www.escapistmagazine.com/ryan-tannehill-exclusive-interview-retirement-titans-dolphins/">D.J. Siddiqi of The Escapist</a> that he doesn't expect to play again. Other free agents include <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/158579" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/158579">Taylor Heinicke</a>, who nearly led Washington to an upset of Brady and the Buccaneers in the playoffs during Rivers' last season, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/174062" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/174062">Desmond Ridder</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/188280" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/188280">Dorian Thompson-Robinson</a>.</p><p><strong>Is the Colts' remaining schedule QB-friendly?</strong></p><p>No, not at all. Indy closes out the season with the Seahawks, 49ers, Jaguars, and Texans. The 49ers are the only ones ranked in the bottom half of the league in defense.</p><p><strong>What has Rivers been doing for the last 5 years?</strong></p><p>The 44-year-old has been coaching football at St. Michael Catholic High School in Alabama, fulfilling a dream he had long before he hung up his spikes. He led the Cardinals to the Class 4A state semifinals this season.</p><p><strong>What happens to his Hall of Fame bid?</strong></p><p>Rivers is a semifinalist for the 2026 class. If he stays on the Colts' practice squad, he'll remain up for induction. If he signs to the active roster, his eligibility clock will reset, meaning it'll be another five years before he can appear on the ballot.</p>

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Answering the burning questions about Philip Rivers' comeback

The Pittsburgh Steelers and cornerback Darius Slay mutually agreed to part ways, the veteran's ag...

<p>The Pittsburgh Steelers and cornerback <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/53740" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/53740">Darius Slay</a> mutually agreed to part ways, the veteran's agents told <a href="https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/1995956016316645882">ESPN's Adam Schefter</a> on Tuesday.</p><p>The team made Slay inactive despite him being healthy Sunday against the Buffalo Bills after penciling him into the starting lineup throughout the first half of the season.</p><p>Slay landed with the Steelers on a one-year deal in free agency following a decorated five-year run with the Philadelphia Eagles that culminated in a Super Bowl last season. The 34-year-old made six Pro Bowls over stints with the Eagles and Detroit Lions before going to Pittsburgh.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Slay is interested in continuing his career, according to Schefter, but he'll need to clear waivers before he can choose a team to join for the stretch run.</p><p>The Mississippi State product posted three pass breakups and no interceptions with the Steelers, who are 6-6 heading into a Week 14 tilt with the Baltimore Ravens.</p>

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 26: Darius Slay #23 of the Pittsburgh Steelers walks the field prior to an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers at Acrisure Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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Steelers move on from Slay after scratching him vs. Bills

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone fired back at Toronto Blue Jays broadcaster Buck Martinez, w...

<p>New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone fired back at Toronto Blue Jays broadcaster Buck Martinez, who in September declared the Yankees are "not a good team."</p><p>"I feel like the last couple months (we) really started to play really well," Boone told reporters Friday in Toronto on the eve of the ALDS opener, courtesy of <a href="https://x.com/snyyankees/status/1974236022528508270">SNY</a>. "Contrary to some thoughts up here, we're a really good team."</p><p>Martinez, a TV color analyst for the Blue Jays, aired his criticisms of the Yankees on a Sept. 9 broadcast, right after the Yankees had taken two of three from Toronto.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"The Yankees, they're not a good team," Martinez said. "I don't care what their record is. They have a lot of wild pitches, they make a lot of mistakes in the field, and they don't run the bases well. If they don't hit home runs, they don't have a chance to win."</p><p>The Yankees and Blue Jays finished the regular season tied for the best record in the American League at 94-68, but Toronto won the head-to-head series 8-5. As a result, the Blue Jays claimed the AL East title, while the Yankees were forced to host the Boston Red Sox in the wild-card round. New York won that series in three games to advance to the division series.</p><p>"I know Buck had some thoughts, that's all I was responding to," Boone said. "He's wrong."</p><p>New York will send Luis Gil to the mound to open the series, while Toronto will counter with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/3634" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/3634">Kevin Gausman</a>. Boone has already named <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4259" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4259">Max Fried</a> his Game 2 starter, whereas Blue Jays manager John Schneider hasn't announced his pitcher.</p>

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 30: Manager, Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees addresses the media before the game against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on September 30, 2025 in New York, New York.

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Boone brings receipts from Blue Jays broadcaster to ALDS

Carlos Ulberg notched his ninth straight victory with a first-round knockout of Dominick Reyes to...

<p>Carlos Ulberg notched his ninth straight victory with a first-round knockout of Dominick Reyes to cap off UFC Fight Night in Perth, Western Australia on Saturday.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FEurosport%2Fvideos%2F1208945217706763%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=476&amp;t=0" width="476" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></figure><p>The victory cemented Ulberg's status as a legitimate title threat in the light heavyweight division. Uneventful decisions against established contenders Jan Blachowicz and Volkan Oezdemir put a damper on the Kiwi's previous two wins.</p><p>Ulberg controlled the Octagon against Reyes and never faced danger, leaning away from the couple of high kicks that his opponent attempted. Ulberg occasionally connected on jabs, but the late-round sequence marked the only real power shots of the bout.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Reyes had his three-fight winning streak come to a screeching halt. The American had been authoring an incredible turnaround story, rebounding from three consecutive knockout losses to rattle off wins over Dustin Jacoby, Anthony Smith, and Nikita Krylov. But he's now been knocked out four times since giving Jon Jones one of his most difficult title defenses in 2020.</p><p>Ulberg indicated after the fight that he plans to travel across the globe to Las Vegas, where Alex Pereira will rematch Magomed Ankalaev for the 205-pound championship next week. Ulberg is a candidate to face the winner, though Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree Jr. are also in action next week and one of them could emerge as the next challenger.</p><p>Unlike Prochazka and Rountree, Ulberg has never fought for UFC gold. "Black Jag" entered the Perth event ranked third in the division, while Reyes came in ranked seventh. Ulberg is 13-1 since turning pro in 2011, with his lone loss coming against Kennedy Nzechukwu in March 2021.</p>

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Carlos Ulberg of New Zealand punches Dominick Reyes in a light heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at RAC Arena on September 28, 2025 in Perth, Australia.

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Ulberg KOs Reyes in Perth to stretch winning streak to 9

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed broke his collarbone in Thursday's 28-17 win over the...

<p>Green Bay Packers wide receiver <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/188198" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/188198">Jayden Reed</a> broke his collarbone in Thursday's 28-17 win over the Washington Commanders, head coach Matt LaFleur revealed postgame, according to <a href="https://x.com/RobDemovsky/status/1966354340941279550">ESPN's Rob Demovsky</a>.</p><p>Reed will undergo surgery next week, according to <a href="https://x.com/RapSheet/status/1966551239862128990">NFL Network's Ian Rapoport</a>. The Packers hope that their talented wideout can return in November.</p><p>Reed suffered the injury in the first quarter, coming down hard on his shoulder on a deep ball from <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/104659" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/104659">Jordan Love</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here is the play on which Packers WR Jayden Reed broke his collarbone. <a href="https://t.co/8PnRMA9IRk">pic.twitter.com/8PnRMA9IRk</a></p>— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1966355320520819128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The 25-year-old is coming off his best season as a pro, putting up a career-high 857 yards in 2024. He also had six touchdowns on 55 catches.</p><p>A second-round pick in 2023, it took Reed little time to find his role in the Packers' offense. He caught 64 passes for 793 yards and eight scores as a rookie. </p><p>Green Bay has a receiving group that features the likes of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/174240" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/174240">Romeo Doubs</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/188369" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/188369">Dontayvion Wicks</a>, and first-round rookie <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/209932" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/209932">Matthew Golden</a>, among others.</p>

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 20: Jayden Reed #11 of the Green Bay Packers looks on during pregame warmups before an NFC divisional round playoff football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on January 20, 2024 in Santa Clara, California.

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Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer will meet with Micah Parsons to discuss the disgru...

<p>Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer will meet with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/161667" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/161667">Micah Parsons</a> to discuss the disgruntled edge rusher's etiquette throughout Friday's preseason finale.</p><p>Parsons was the only Cowboys player not to wear a jersey against the Atlanta Falcons. He also momentarily laid down on a medical table behind the Cowboys' bench.</p><p>"Without talking to Micah, I need to figure out what he was doing and why he was doing it," Schottenheimer told reporters Saturday, according to <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/46060281/cowboys-coach-schottenheimer-meet-parsons-sunday">ESPN's Todd Archer</a>. "So, until I talk to him, I'm obviously not going to talk about it."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Parsons has been sitting out practice since early August, shortly after he requested a trade. He's cited back tightness for his absences, though Schottenheimer said his MRI came back "pretty clean."</p><p>Parsons' discontent stems from sour contract negotiations. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has stoked the saga throughout training camp, in part by blaming Parsons' agent for nixing a verbal agreement between him and the player.</p><p>The Cowboys open the season Sept. 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Schottenheimer said he expects his star defender to be available.</p>

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 22: Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys lays on a training table during the second half of the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Atlanta Falcons at AT&T Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Arlington, Texas.

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A new era in the UFC is upon us.  The promotion announced Monday its U.S. distribution is shiftin...

<p>A new era in the UFC is upon us.</p><p>The promotion <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3323495" href="https://thescore.com/news/3323495">announced</a> Monday its U.S. distribution is shifting from ESPN to Paramount in 2026 after signing a new seven-year, $7.7-billion media rights deal.</p><p>The deal will effectively end the UFC's long-running pay-per-view model. Paramount will distribute 13 numbered events and 30 Fight Nights per year on its streaming platform, Paramount+, with some marquee events also simulcast on CBS.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>What does all of this mean for the UFC, its fighters, and its fans? Here are some of the questions lingering after this blockbuster announcement.</p><h3>1. Will card quality be affected?</h3><p>It's no secret that the UFC's card quality has dropped off over the last few years. Fight Night events that used to be full of ranked contenders now often feature a rotating cast of Dana White's Contender Series alums with one or maybe two big fights at the end. That's especially true when the promotion is at the UFC Apex, where it has a minimal number of tickets to sell (though <a href="https://x.com/arielhelwani/status/1954985545719058869">that's apparently changing</a>).</p><p>The one consistent bright spot throughout the ESPN era has been pay-per-view events. Some cards have been better than others, but generally speaking, the UFC has kept a high bar for its premium product - because it needs to sell pay-per-views and keep ESPN happy. Just look at this weekend's UFC 319 show in Chicago: a title fight in the main event, a total of 11 ranked fighters, and several notable veterans and prospects on the undercard. Not bad at all.</p><p>Now that numbered events will be included in a flat monthly fee on Paramount+, there's reason to believe the UFC will be less motivated to put out an attractive product. Assuming the $1.1 billion per year from Paramount is guaranteed, what will incentivize<strong> </strong>the UFC to create the biggest and best fights as often as possible? There's a real chance that some of the numbered events and Fight Nights will be indistinguishable in a world where the UFC has nothing to sell.</p><h3>2. What happens to fighters who collected PPV points?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/777698/cropped_GettyImages-1233916586.jpg?ts=1743170736" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/777698/w220xh124_GettyImages-1233916586.jpg?ts=1743170736 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/777698/w320xh180_GettyImages-1233916586.jpg?ts=1743170736 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/777698/w640xh360_GettyImages-1233916586.jpg?ts=1743170736 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/777698/w768xh432_GettyImages-1233916586.jpg?ts=1743170736 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/777698/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1233916586.jpg?ts=1743170736 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>UFC fighters realize ultimate financial freedom when they become champions and start receiving a cut of pay-per-view revenue, also known as pay-per-view points. It's normally part of a fighter's contract. Conor McGregor's deal apparently ties him to pay-per-view points even when he isn't a champion. So what happens now? Will the UFC offer inflated purses to offset the change in models, will fighters earn bonus money based on viewership numbers, or is something totally different in the works?</p><p>UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is seeking answers like the rest of us.</p><p>"Is it amazing news for guys who are getting pay-per-view points like yours truly?" Aspinall said of the UFC's new deal during an appearance Monday on "<a href="https://x.com/arielhelwani/status/1954991586808586378">The Ariel Helwani Show</a>." "How does that work? I have no idea."</p><h3>3. Is pay-per-view <em>really</em> dead?</h3><p>TKO Group president Mark Shapiro started Monday by <a href="https://x.com/arielhelwani/status/1955073650832576964">calling</a> pay-per-view "a thing of the past." But by the end of the day, UFC CEO Dana White was saying the promotion could still hold a "one-off" pay-per-view event and "pay-per-view is not dead."</p><p>So which is it? Perhaps White's tune will change in five months once the ESPN deal is officially over and there are no pay-per-view events left to sell. But the UFC CEO sure does sound like a big fan of the pay-per-view model who would love to go back to it at some point. Or he's just stubborn and trying to get used to the new normal like everyone else.</p><h3>4. How many numbered events land on CBS?</h3><p>Shapiro told CNBC that "likely all" the numbered cards will be simulcast on CBS, the linear TV network owned by the same parent company as Paramount. But White later said on CBS Sports HQ that he expects only four tentpole events per year to be on the network.</p><p>Though it might be a while before we get a firm answer, White's estimate makes the most sense. The UFC will want to put its biggest events on CBS to maximize viewership, but Paramount will want the vast majority of UFC events to be on its streaming service to help boost subscriptions. One CBS card per quarter sounds about right.</p><h3>5. How much will Paramount+ prices go up?</h3><p>The idea that you can pay $7.99 a month for Paramount+ (or $12.99 a month for the ad-free version) sounds too good to be true after years of forking out arms and legs to watch pay-per-view events. Paramount+ should see a massive increase in subscribers when the UFC transitions in 2026, but it'll be a matter of time before prices also spike. Paramount just committed to spending $7.7 billion, more than its entire parent company is worth in market capitalization, and the network needs to come up with that money somehow.</p><h3>6. Where will the UFC's other programming land?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797281/cropped_GettyImages-2177523907.jpg?ts=1755010472" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797281/w220xh124_GettyImages-2177523907.jpg?ts=1755010472 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797281/w320xh180_GettyImages-2177523907.jpg?ts=1755010472 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797281/w640xh360_GettyImages-2177523907.jpg?ts=1755010472 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797281/w768xh432_GettyImages-2177523907.jpg?ts=1755010472 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797281/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2177523907.jpg?ts=1755010472 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Chris Unger / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Dana White's Contender Series, "The Ultimate Fighter," and Road to the UFC <a href="http://x.com/erichterrr/status/1955055061547037130">are not included</a> in the Paramount package, which means the UFC is actively shopping those distribution rights. Once these series are no longer on the same platform as the UFC itself (Contender Series and "TUF" are currently on ESPN), it will be fascinating to see whether that has an impact on viewership and overall buzz. Those series may need to fight for favorable treatment at a different outlet that needs programming but is less invested in the success of the UFC and, more broadly, mixed martial arts.</p>

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - MAY 08: UFC President and CEO Dana White is seen on stage during the UFC 315 press conference at Bell Centre on May 08, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec.

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6 questions hanging over UFC's move to Paramount

Victoria Mboko still holds Naomi Osaka in high esteem after her National Bank Open opponent omitt...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wta/players/10227" href="https://thescore.com/wta/players/10227">Victoria Mboko</a> still holds <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wta/players/8967" href="https://thescore.com/wta/players/8967">Naomi Osaka</a> in high esteem after her National Bank Open opponent omitted any mention of her from a brief consolation speech.</p><p>"I still think Naomi is an incredible player, and it doesn't ever change what I think of her," the Canadian said Thursday after winning her first career WTA title, according to the <a href="https://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/tennis/article1088386.html?taid=6895419bed3a6a0001a654c9&amp;utm_campaign=trueanthem&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter">Montreal Gazette's Harry North</a>. "She's still a really nice girl and I still look up to her."</p><p>Mboko, who entered the tournament ranked 85th, capped off a magical run in Montreal by defeating Osaka in three sets in the final. Osaka was bidding for her first championship since the 2021 Australian Open.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Osaka cruised in the first set before dropping the final two. She imploded in the third set, and failed to congratulate the 18-year-old in her on-court speech, which is customary in professional tennis. Osaka didn't attend a press conference afterward, but did offer Mboko congratulations through questions and answers provided by the WTA later on.</p><p>"I think Victoria played really well," Osaka said. "I completely forgot to congratulate her on the court. Yeah, I mean, she did really amazing."</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Naomi Osaka after losing to Victoria Mboko in Montreal final<br><br>“I don’t really wanna take up too much time. I’ll just say thank you to everyone. Thank you to my team, the ball kids, organizers, &amp; volunteers. I hope you guys had a good night.” <br><br> <a href="https://t.co/2FG17imqmK">pic.twitter.com/2FG17imqmK</a></p>— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheTennisLetter/status/1953614115479671107?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>In an old interview that resurfaced before the final, Mboko called Osaka an idol of hers. Osaka is a four-time Grand Slam champion and former World No. 1. She reached the final as an unseeded player, stringing together some of her best tennis of the season.</p><p>Mboko won't play in Cincinnati following the headline-grabbing success in her home country, and will instead rest before the US Open, the fourth and final Grand Slam of the calendar year.</p>

MONTREAL, CANADA - AUGUST 07: Victoria Mboko of Canada addresses the spectators following her victory against Naomi Osaka of Japan during the Women's Singles Final match on day twelve of the WTA 1000 National Bank Open at IGA Stadium on August 7, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

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Mboko: No ill will over Osaka's runner-up speech

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford made another trip to a back specialist Saturday wit...

<p>Los Angeles Rams quarterback <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/680" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/680">Matthew Stafford</a> made another trip to a back specialist Saturday with an injury continuing to sideline him at training camp.</p><p>"What I don’t want to do is set a timeline," Rams coach Sean McVay told reporters, according to <a href="https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2025-08-02/matthew-stafford-rams-quarterback-back-injury">Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times</a>. "I know he's making good progress. He saw Dr. (Steven) Watkins again. ... Everything is in good shape."</p><p>Stafford, who's dealt with a litany of injuries throughout his career, is week-to-week while nursing his bad back. McVay previously <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3317668" href="https://thescore.com/news/3317668">expressed optimism</a> that Stafford will be ready for the regular season.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Nevertheless, Stafford is set to miss a third straight week of practice, which will include a joint session Tuesday with the Dallas Cowboys. McVay left the veteran's status up in the air for the following week when the Rams are booked to practice with the Los Angeles Chargers.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/43662" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/43662">Jimmy Garoppolo</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/188322" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/188322">Stetson Bennett</a> have been splitting reps at camp with Stafford unavailable.</p><p>The 37-year-old Stafford signed a revised contract with the Rams in March, securing $84 million over the next two seasons.</p><p>The Rams open the regular season Sept. 7 against the Houston Texans.</p><p> </p>

Los Angeles, CA - July 29: Quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) of the Los Angeles Rams during the Los Angele Rams training camp on the campus of Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.

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Tom Aspinall will defend the undisputed heavyweight championship for the first time against Ciryl...

<p>Tom Aspinall will defend the undisputed heavyweight championship for the first time against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 on Oct. 25 in Abu Dhabi, UFC CEO Dana White announced Tuesday.</p><p>Aspinall was recently promoted from interim heavyweight champion after Jon Jones retired and relinquished his belt. His fight versus Gane will serve as the main event.</p><p>Aspinall has been out of action since defending the interim belt against Curtis Blaydes last summer. He finished Blaydes in the first round, giving the Englishman three consecutive victories within the first 90 seconds of a bout.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Gane is coming off a controversial win over Alexander Volkov in December 2024. He won by split decision, but many observers - including White - believed Volkov should've been awarded the victory.</p><p>Gane will fight for the undisputed title for the third time in six fights. He lost to Francis Ngannou as the interim champion in January 2022, and lost to Jones when the title was vacant in March 2023.</p><p>The UFC tried for months to book a title unification bout between Aspinall and Jones, but the latter retired instead. White said that Jones agreed to face Aspinall before changing his mind and ending his career.</p>

Tom Aspinall becomes heavyweight champion after beating Curtis Blaydes during the Heavyweight bout at the Co-op Live Arena, Manchester. Picture date: Sunday July 28, 2024.

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Max Holloway spoiled Dustin Poirier's retirement fight Saturday, taking a unanimous decision to r...

<p>Max Holloway spoiled Dustin Poirier's retirement fight Saturday, taking a unanimous decision to retain the BMF belt in the main event in New Orleans.</p><p>The judges scored the bout 48-47, 49-46, and 49-46. Holloway avenged two previous losses to Poirier by taking the trilogy encounter.</p><p>The lightweights fought in front of a raucous crowd that was firmly behind Poirier, a Louisiana native. Poirier announced months ago that this would be the final fight of his legendary career.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Holloway and Poirier rocked each other early in the fight, with Holloway scoring a knockdown in the first round and Poirier returning the favor in the second. Poirier went for his notorious guillotine submission after decking Holloway, but "Blessed" escaped and eventually wobbled his way to the stool for Round 3.</p><p>Holloway outlanded Poirier throughout the final three rounds, landing numerous combinations as opposed to the single strikes that Poirier offered. Holloway pointed to the ground in the final 10 seconds of the fifth round to propose an impromptu slugfest, just as he did at UFC 300 when he knocked out Justin Gaethje. Poirier obliged, and both landed shots as the final horn sounded.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">FOREVER LINKED 🤝<a href="https://twitter.com/BlessedMMA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BlessedMMA</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/DustinPoirier?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DustinPoirier</a> go the distance at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC318?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC318</a>! <a href="https://t.co/j2o03hFE3G">pic.twitter.com/j2o03hFE3G</a></p>— UFC (@ufc) <a href="https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1946801215506874685?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Poirier wrapped up his career with a 30-10 (1 NC) record. The 36-year-old recorded signature wins over the likes of Holloway, Gaethje, Conor McGregor, Eddie Alvarez, and Anthony Pettis. He captured the interim lightweight championship in the second Holloway meeting. He fought for the undisputed 155-pound championship three times and the BMF title twice.</p><p>Holloway, meanwhile, bounced back from the first knockout loss of his career. Ilia Topuria, now the lightweight king, stopped him last October in a featherweight title fight. Holloway is 27-8 and has featherweight and BMF title defenses under his belt.</p>

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 19: Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier talk after the BMF championship bout during the UFC 318 event at Smoothie King Center on July 19, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

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Holloway retires Poirier, keeps BMF belt at UFC 318

Paulo Costa defeated Roman Kopylov by unanimous decision to lock down just his second win in the ...

<p>Paulo Costa defeated Roman Kopylov by unanimous decision to lock down just his second win in the last five years Saturday at UFC 318 in New Orleans.</p><p>The judges scored the fight 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28.</p><p>"The Eraser" rebounded from losses to Sean Strickland and Robert Whittaker. His only other win in this decade came against Luke Rockhold in 2022, a fight that marked Rockhold's final bout in the UFC. Costa picked up his first ranked victory since beating Yoel Romero in August 2019.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Costa controlled nearly all 15 minutes against Kopylov. He kicked Kopylov's legs and body early and often, keeping his explosive opponent at bay. He hit Kopylov with a straight right hand in the first round to send the Russian's mouthpiece flying, marking the highlight of the affair.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">STRAIGHT RIGHT SETS UP THE KNOCKDOWN 😤<br><br>[ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC318?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC318</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/BorrachinhaMMA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BorrachinhaMMA</a> ] <a href="https://t.co/4vDdech2rr">pic.twitter.com/4vDdech2rr</a></p>— UFC (@ufc) <a href="https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1946784219499278499?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Costa called out Khamzat Chimaev in his postfight interview, renewing a feud that was supposed to result in a fight in 2023. Costa had to withdraw from that matchup because of an infection in his elbow that required surgery.</p><p>Chimaev is scheduled to face Dricus Du Plessis for the middleweight championship in August at UFC 319.</p><p>Costa entered the UFC 318 co-main event ranked 13th, one spot ahead of Kopylov.</p>

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 19: Paulo Costa of Brazil punches Roman Kopylov of Russia in a middleweight bout during the UFC 318 event at Smoothie King Center on July 19, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

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Former two-division Bellator champion Patricio "Pitbull" Freire notched his first win in the Octa...

<p>Former two-division Bellator champion Patricio "Pitbull" Freire notched his first win in the Octagon with a unanimous decision against Dan Ige on Saturday at UFC 318 in New Orleans.</p><p>All three judges gave Freire the first two rounds while awarding the final one to Ige in the featherweight contest.</p><p>Freire was making his second appearance in the UFC. He lost to Yair Rodriguez in his debut in April, spoiling a highly anticipated move to the promotion after a decorated run in Bellator.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Freire used takedowns to claim the opening stanza, which featured only 13 significant strikes between the two fighters. The Brazilian hurt Ige in the second round and tried to force a stoppage, but Ige warded him off and pushed the battle into the third round. Overall, Freire struggled to pull the trigger for long stretches despite managing to come out on top.</p><p>Ige entered the matchup ranked 11th in the featherweight division, putting Freire in line to join the top 15 in the updated rankings.</p><p>The 38-year-old Freire previously held the featherweight and lightweight titles while fighting in Bellator.</p>

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 19: Patricio 'Pitbull' Freire of Brazil punches Dan Ige in a featherweight bout during the UFC 318 event at Smoothie King Center on July 19, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

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'Pitbull' defeats Ige to pick up 1st win in UFC

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Brenden Deeg

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Daniel Valente

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