Sports news summaries — Page 102
Essential facts and source links for recent sports stories.
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Real Madrid create more with fewer passes in opening eight matches
Real Madrid have won six of eight matches in August and September, averaging 2.35 non-penalty expected goals (npxG) per 90, up from 1.60 last season despite fewer passes. Their 2–1 derby loss to Atlético saw them record a season-low 0.38 npxG. -
Bednar wants Blackwood to start for Avalanche, if he plays well
At Colorado’s training camp, coach Jared Bednar said his goal is for MacKenzie Blackwood to become the Avalanche’s starter if he plays well, while stressing flexibility. Blackwood is back after offseason surgery kept him out at the start of last season. -
Travis Etienne limited at Saints practice with hamstring injury
New Orleans Saints running back Travis Etienne was limited at Wednesday practice with a hamstring injury, his first appearance on the team's injury report this season. The Saints plan to issue two more reports, Thursday and Friday, as his Week 3 availability remains uncertain. -
Packers head to Falcons game with two linemen out and Reed’s season in doubt
Green Bay enters Thursday’s Week 3 game against Atlanta without right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele for the season and guard Aaron Banks for the game; receiver Jayden Reed’s neck injury could also end his season. The Packers are 1-1, while the Falcons are 0-2. -
Baltimore’s 4-2 win over Toronto ends Blue Jays’ playoff bid
Baltimore beat Toronto 4-2 in Wednesday’s doubleheader opener, eliminating the Blue Jays from postseason contention. Pete Alonso’s 41st home run of the season gave the Orioles a 4-0 lead, and the victory kept Baltimore alive for at least a few more hours. -
Charlotte Knights rebound to 81-68 but miss International League playoffs
The Charlotte Knights went 81-68 and tied for second in the International League East, but missed the playoffs by five games in the first half and 5½ in the second half. Their record improved from 65-85 in 2025, while their run differential swung from -100 to +126. -
No. 1 Texas heads to No. 14 Tennessee for first campus meeting
No. 1 Texas and No. 14 Tennessee, both 3-0, meet Saturday at 11 a.m. Central on ABC in the teams’ first-ever campus matchup and Texas’ SEC opener. The Longhorns face a major road test against Tennessee’s rushing attack and freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon. -
Yankees weigh Wild Card roster as Ryan McMahon’s place remains uncertain
The Yankees clinched the first AL wild-card spot and home field for next Tuesday’s best-of-three series as Tampa Bay won the AL East. Ryan McMahon could miss the roster if New York carries 13 pitchers, but a platoon with Jose Caballero is likelier. -
Astros’ possible postseason return divides a writer and his parish deacon
The Houston Astros could return to the postseason after a one-year absence, and the writer says reaching it would be remarkable given the team’s injuries and uneven results. Deacon Glenn, the writer’s parish deacon, says that would not be good enough. -
Four Steelers miss practice; Rapoport says Dowdle is day to day
Rico Dowdle (toe), Jamel Dean (ankle), Jalen Ramsey (rest) and Cole Holcomb (personal) did not practice Wednesday, per Pittsburgh’s Week 3 report. Dowdle’s injury is not considered serious, and he is day to day, according to Ian Rapoport. -
Pat McAfee paused ESPN show over post that appeared to reference Charlie Kirk’s killing
Pat McAfee paused his ESPN show in Los Angeles on Monday after reading a social media post that appeared to reference Charlie Kirk’s 2025 killing. He later shared a screenshot of the deleted post on X, without indicating any physical threat beyond it. -
Brian Burns likely to miss time after ankle sprain, Schefter says
Jaxson Dart will miss the rest of the season, while Brian Burns is likely to miss time after a low ankle sprain Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported. Burns missed Wednesday’s walk-through; Andrew Thomas and Malik Nabers participated ahead of Sunday’s Titans game. -
NC State QB CJ Bailey takes responsibility for fumble that gave Vanderbilt a late win
NC State quarterback CJ Bailey said Wednesday he was trying to run out the clock and took responsibility for his fumble on an intentional-safety play against Vanderbilt. The Commodores recovered in the end zone for the winning touchdown with one second left in a 35-31 loss. -
Three NFL mothers share bladder-leak experiences in Always x Discreet campaign
Angela Burns, Katie DeJean and Elisha Jarrett, mothers of NFL players Brian Burns, Cooper DeJean and Grady Jarrett, are sharing their experiences with bladder leaks in a new Always x Discreet campaign aimed at helping women feel confident at games and in daily life. -
Don Cooper, White Sox pitching coach during 2005 title, dies at 70
Don Cooper, former Yankees pitcher and longtime Chicago White Sox pitching coach, has died at 70, the White Sox announced Wednesday. He spent nearly two decades in the role and was on staff for Chicago’s 2005 World Series championship, sealed by an 11-1 postseason run. -
Mets reportedly move toward adding Derek Falvey in significant front-office role
The Mets are moving toward adding Derek Falvey, The Athletic reports; the former Twins president of baseball operations is expected to have a significant role in team decisions, but has not been officially hired and his title is unknown. -
Two Lions starting linemen return to limited work as Harper misses practice
Lions starting linemen Christian Mahogany and Blake Miller returned on a limited basis Wednesday and could play Sunday against the Jets. Safety Thomas Harper did not practice with an ankle injury; he said it should not be long-term, but his status for Sunday is unclear. -
Raiders won't rush Fernando Mendoza into starting role after 2-0 start
At 2-0, the Las Vegas Raiders are not rushing to replace Kirk Cousins with No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza, ESPN's Dan Graziano reported. The start has bought the team time before it feels comfortable starting him, and Mendoza may not take over until later this season. -
Medinah’s 2026 Presidents Cup guide: teams, formats and TV times
The 2026 Presidents Cup is scheduled for Sept. 24–27 at Medinah Country Club near Chicago, where the U.S. and International teams will play four-ball, foursomes and singles. Each match is worth one point; the first team to 15.5 points wins, while a 15-15 score is a tie. -
Colts report three practice absences ahead of Week 3 Texans game
Indianapolis listed cornerback Charvarius Ward (groin), receivers Ashton Dulin (ankle) and Alec Pierce (heel) as absent from Wednesday’s practice before its Week 3 game against Houston. Jonathan Taylor and Keenan Allen were limited; the report suggested both were resting. -
Washington State brings script Cougars helmets back for Arizona game
Washington State will wear its script Cougars helmets against Arizona on Saturday, returning them for the first time since the 2023 Apple Cup. The helmets will go with crimson jerseys and gray pants; kickoff is 4:30 p.m., with the game airing nationally on CBS. -
Starling Thomas V joins Arizona’s active roster as Will Johnson goes on IR
The Arizona Cardinals placed cornerback Will Johnson on injured reserve and signed cornerback Starling Thomas V from the practice squad to the active roster, the team announced. The Cardinals also signed defensive lineman Jay Toia to the practice squad. -
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. says $500 million deal reflected past performance
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. said the Blue Jays’ 14-year, $500 million contract was based on his past performance, not what he would do in the future. In a down 2026 season, he has nine home runs and a .695 OPS through more than 140 games. -
Pittsburgh names 23 players for Thursday preseason matchup with Columbus
The Pittsburgh Penguins named 23 players for Thursday’s preseason game against the Columbus Blue Jackets: 14 forwards, seven defensemen and two goalies. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. ET at Nationwide Arena, with radio coverage on 105.9 The X. -
Potter says Isak could start all four Sweden games, with recovery still to assess
Sweden manager Graham Potter says Liverpool striker Alexander Isak is fit and could start all four Nations League matches during the international break, but he will assess recovery and does not expect Isak to play every minute after an injury-hit season. -
Six of 12 high-budget public teams missed 2025 top 25; three did in 2026
Indiana topped the 12 publicly reported men’s basketball budgets at $32.04 million, but finished outside the top 25 in both 2025 and 2026. Six of the 12 teams were unranked in 2025 and three in 2026; private universities were excluded.
