NFL Catchup: Cowboys Release Milton, Tunsil Goes on IR And Nabers Injury Update

Following initial 53-man roster cutdowns, NFL teams continued adjusting their active rosters through waiver claims, injury designations and more Monday. The Dallas Cowboys made a surprise roster move in their quarterback room by waiving Joe Milton, leaving Sam Howell as the backup to Dak Prescott despite Milton's preseason performances. Meanwhile, the Washington Commanders placed left tackle Laremy Tunsil on injured reserve Monday. More NFC East news dropped as New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers stayed noncommittal about his Week 1 availability. And the Los Angeles Chargers made headlines by reuniting the Herbert brothers. Here is the latest from around the league on Monday: With Week 1 right around the corner, the Dallas Cowboys made a surprising roster move on Monday morning. The Cowboys are waiving quarterback Joe Milton to make room for running back Emari Demercado, according to ESPN. The decision clears the path for Sam Howell to serve as Dak Prescott's backup quarterback to start the season. Milton was drafted in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots out of Tennessee. Milton spent six years in college playing for both Michigan and Tennessee, but only started one full season during his redshirt senior year. With the Volunteers, Milton completed 64.5% of his passes for 2,813 yards with 20 touchdowns and five interceptions. Now with Milton’s NFL future up in the air, it will be worth keeping an eye on whether another team claims him off waivers. A player with his physical tools might not stay a free agent long and could find his way into a quarterback competition sooner rather than later. The Washington Commanders took a major roster hit on Monday afternoon. They’re placing five-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and defensive lineman Jer’Zhan Newton on injured reserve, according to ESPN. Both players could return later this season, but Tunsil faces a long recovery after tearing his triceps early in training camp. Newton faces a similar uphill battle after suffering a torn pectoral muscle during a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins. Tunsil played in 14 games last season for the Commanders after an offseason trade with the Houston Texans that brought in a true pass protector for quarterback Jayden Daniels. For a team repeatedly plagued by injuries, this season doesn’t appear to be any different. Missing Tunsil and Newton for most or even all of the 2026 season puts head coach Dan Quinn in a tough spot in a crowded and competitive NFC East. The Commanders are set to kick off their season on the road in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles. New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers progressed from individual drills to full-contact team sessions at practice on Monday, shedding his no-contact jersey. However, with New York set to open its regular season against the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 13, the wideout remains uncertain if he will be cleared in time as he recovers from a torn ACL in his right knee. "My mind is focused on playing the regular season: playing whenever that is," Nabers said after practice Monday. "There’s still some things that you still have to check off the box for you to participate. I’m still going through that, still listening to the trainers, still listening to doctors and sharing everything with them." Nabers added that he feels "real good" physically, but emphasized that final clearance remains a process between himself, doctors, and the coaching staff. "That’ll be a decision that will be made when that time comes," Nabers said regarding Week 1. "There’s certain things that, as a football player, you’ve got to mentally prepare (for) before you go into a game... I want to be able to come out there and make no mistakes and just be able to fly around and do what I do. I’m getting there, for sure." The Los Angeles Chargers signed tight end Patrick Herbert to their practice squad Monday, joining his brother, starting quarterback Justin Herbert, according to NFL Network. Patrick Herbert was waived by the Jacksonville Jaguars ahead of Sunday's 53-man roster deadline and chose Los Angeles after receiving interest from multiple teams. The Herbert brothers previously played together at Oregon during the 2019 season, helping lead the Ducks to a Rose Bowl victory. Patrick, who recorded two catches for 12 yards during Jacksonville's 2026 preseason action, joins a Chargers tight end group featuring Charlie Kolar, Oronde Gadsden, and David Njoku. The Chargers open the regular season on Sept. 13 against the Arizona Cardinals.

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Lane Kiffin Defends NFL Transfers While Steve Sarkisian Calls Moves 'Morally Wrong'

A Louisiana court ruling permitting NFL players to return to campus has ignited immediate pushback from college football’s top powerhouses. Despite heavy penalties from the SEC, Big Ten and Big 12, head coaches remain sharply divided over how to handle the roster chaos. To no one's surprise, LSU head coach Lane Kiffin is leaning right into the storm. Rather than diffusing the backlash over his latest roster additions, Kiffin doubled down during his Monday press conference, seemingly embracing the heat. "I feel like my decision should always be made in the best interest of the players that sit in this team room and not for my reputation and how the decisions play in the national media or other fanbases," Kiffin said. "I’ve never been that way and that could be wrong." Rather than backing down, Kiffin leaned directly into the chaos as he normally does. Kiffin framed college football and the NFL as two sides of the same coin, positioning the shift not as a temporary phase, but as the sport's inevitable future. "Those players and the people that hire me always know he’s constantly trying to do the best thing for them," Kiffin said. "So I struggle too. Even though that’s what you do in the NFL and there’s an argument that these players are paid like that and it’s what happened yesterday." Kiffin might back it, but Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian isn't buying in. In fact, he's questioning the very ethics of bringing former NFL players into the college game. "The fact that somebody out there is going to take a player off of an NFL roster and tell somebody who’s been doing it for nine months to go kick rocks, that doesn’t sit well with me" Sarkisian said. "I think that’s wrong. That morally is wrong." Even with the brutally honest response from Sarkisian, Kiffin took the matter to LSU’s player leadership committee before making any moves. Even if Kiffin isn’t solely to blame, he’s clearly shielding his decision behind the green light from his team. "I met with our leadership committee and every one of them was emphatic about, 'If they can help us win, bring them,'" Kiffin said. "We understand that we have a team that's practiced together all offseason, but this is how it works at the next level and this is how the real world works." Whether you side with Kiffin's cold pragmatism or Sarkisian's ethical stand, this debate is just getting started. Expect every late-season roster addition to be judged under this exact spotlight.

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2026 NFL DPOY Odds: Aaron Donald Soars After Rams Return

The 2026 Super Bowl favorites have added two former Defensive Players of the Year this offseason. After falling just short of a Super Bowl appearance last season, the Los Angeles Rams made the biggest move of the offseason by acquiring reigning DPOY Myles Garrett in a blockbuster trade with the Cleveland Browns back in June. Now, they’ve added another all-time great to their defense, and it's a familiar face. After two seasons away from football, three-time DPOY Aaron Donald is coming out of retirement and returning to the Rams for the 2026 season. The news immediately shook up the DPOY oddsboard, with Donald soaring to +4500 at FanDuel Sportsbook. Donald won the award three times during his first stint with the Rams (2017, 2018 and 2020). Could Donald make history and capture the award for a fourth time after more than two years away from the game. Let’s take a look at the odds to win the 2026 NFL Defensive Player of the Year at FanDuel Sportsbook as of Aug. 31. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Myles Garrett: +400 (bet $10 to win $50 total)Will Anderson Jr: +650 (bet $10 to win $75 total)Aidan Hutchinson: +900 (bet $10 to win $100 total)Nik Bonitto: +1900 (bet $10 to win $200 total)Maxx Crosby: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total)Jalen Carter: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)Danielle Hunter: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)T.J. Watt: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)Trey Hendrickson: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)Jared Verse: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)Brian Burns: +3300 (bet $10 to win $340 total)Quinyon Mitchell: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)Aaron Donald: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total) Here's what to know about this oddsboard: The Favorite: Garrett won the AP NFL DPOY award unanimously in 2025. The former No. 1 overall pick received all 50 first-place votes after breaking the single-season sack record with 23 sacks. Next on the oddsboard is Will Anderson Jr. In 2025, Anderson recorded 12 sacks and was fourth in the league in pass rush win rate at 23%. Aaron Donald's Return: The Rams’ all-time sack leader is back, and he’ll join Garrett on what could be a historic defense. Donald has 111 career sacks, while he and Garrett have combined for 236.5 in their careers. The biggest question is what Donald will look like after two seasons away. In 2023, his final season before retiring, Donald recorded eight sacks in 16 games after posting five sacks in 11 games in 2022. Prior to that, however, he recorded at least 12.5 sacks in four consecutive seasons from 2018-21, highlighted by a career-high 20.5 sacks in 2018. What will Donald’s snap count look like after two years away? Can he return to the dominant form that made him a three-time DPOY? The books currently list Donald at +4500 to win the award in 2026.

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5 Takeaways From NFL Cutdown Day, Preseason Week 3: Aaron Donald And OBJ Are Back

You probably heard about Aaron Donald's return to the Los Angeles Rams, but much more than that happened around the NFL this weekend. Donald grabbed headlines with his return to the Rams, but another former star returned to the team where he experienced his brightest days. Elsewhere, teams weren't afraid to stash quarterbacks. In the final week of preseason action, a couple of contenders unlocked intriguing quarterbacks, including the reigning champions and their potential secret weapon behind Sam Darnold. Here are our takeaways from the weekend in the NFL: Eric D. Williams: Sean McVay’s wait is finally over, as game wrecker Aaron Donald officially ended his two-year retirement by joining the Los Angeles Rams during the team’s final roster cuts on Sunday. Donald signed a one-year deal that could be worth up to $30 million. Donald participated in individual drills on Sunday as he reacclimates to playing football. McVay said he has not decided if Donald will play in his team’s first regular-season game in Australia against the San Francisco 49ers. "It’s going to be a day at a time for us," McVay told reporters on Sunday. "What does that mean for Australia? The first step was, ‘Are you coming back?’ If so, let’s do that. Let’s get you on the practice field. Let’s get you acclimated to your teammates, to your coaches. And then we’ll see what the ramp-up period looks like, whether he’s available, or whether we think it’s best to be able to play him in Australia." For his part, Donald said he’s thankful to be a part of this team that is a heavy favorite to win the Super Bowl. "This is a complete team with me here or without me here," Donald said in his first press conference following his decision to unretire. "For me to even have an opportunity to be a part of this team, I take nothing for granted. It’s a blessing to be retired from the game for two years and have the opportunity to come back and be a part of something special." Ralph Vacchiano: It seemed like a favor for an old friend at first, the Giants giving Odell Beckham Jr. a chance to come to camp at age 33 after having not played football for two years. Instead, it turned into a Cinderella story. Beckham rose from the bottom of the New York Giants’ roster and made the team that he never wanted to leave in the first place. He did it through hard work, proving he still had something left in his battered body, which he did through some highlight-reel moves at practice and decent play in the preseason (including a three-catch, 53-yard performance against the Jets on Friday night). Also helping his case was that the Giants lost slot WR Calvin Austin to a torn ACL last week, which probably opened up a spot for Beckham. Beckham is probably the fourth or fifth receiver on the roster, behind Malik Nabers, rookie Malachi Fields, veteran Darnell Mooney and maybe even Darius Slayton. It’s hard to imagine he’ll have much of a role when the regular season begins, but he’s brought energy to the team and to the fanbase. And he insists his Cinderella story isn’t over yet. Greg Auman: If you weren’t aware of the extreme value placed on quarterbacks in the NFL, consider that four teams – the Eagles, Falcons, Steelers and Vikings – carried four quarterbacks on their initial 53-man roster, at least one more than normal. The most famous case of this was the 2000 Patriots, and it’s unlikely that any of this year’s rookie QB4s will go on to, say, win seven Super Bowls. But last year, the Browns carried four, waited a day, then got a fifth-round pick from the Raiders for Kenny Pickett. The Eagles have made several trades of their backups for draft picks, as well. Getting a quarterback – even a backup – on the cheap is a huge value for an NFL team, so even as a quick flip to a needy team is a good use of your 53rd spot if you instead cut a marginal veteran you know you can get back in a few days. (The Browns were close to keeping four quarterbacks, placing second-year QB Dillon Gabriel on injured reserve for a month while keeping three others.) Tennessee cut Will Levis loose, and he’ll almost certainly be claimed on waivers, but the teams that miss out on him and others they can get for free might give up a future draft pick to add a QB4 who can be their QB3 or, in some cases, even QB2. Williams: When Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider selected Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe in the third round of the 2025 draft, the organization understood he needed seasoning to produce on an NFL stage. However, entering Seattle's preseason finale, Milroe had not shown a command of Seattle’s offense, with turnovers, pre-snap penalties and missed throws proving the norm when he was on the field. But on Friday night on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs, Milroe showed the potential the Seahawks saw in him in college. He finished 16-of-26 for 223 yards, with a touchdown pass to tight end Nick Vannett and no interceptions. He was sacked once and posted a 101.9 passer rating. Milroe looked comfortable in the pocket, completing passes to 10 different pass catchers and creating three chunk plays of at least 24 yards. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald wants Milroe to use his legs more because he understands the conflict a dynamic quarterback creates for a defense from his time in Baltimore with Lamar Jackson. With Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker III now with the Chiefs, the Seahawks are looking for ways to create more explosive plays. With his steady play against Kansas City, Milroe took a step in proving he’s ready for a role as a gadget player in Seattle’s offense. Steven Ruiz: I’m not ready to buy the Chargers as title contenders – there are still too many holes on the roster – but I am sold on this offense being a highly entertaining watch now that Mike McDaniel is calling plays as the team’s new offensive coordinator. The former Dolphins head coach may have lost control of his locker room in Miami, but his ability to draw up explosive plays never really wavered. Even with Tua Tagovailoa throwing ducks all over the field, Miami finished ninth in explosive play rate. Now, McDaniel is teaming up with one of the NFL’s most gifted passers in Justin Herbert. That tandem gave us a sneak peek at what might be coming this past weekend with this 65-yard strike for a touchdown. Herbert’s pass traveled 48.1 yards through the air, per Next Gen Stats. It was the longest throw any quarterback has ever made for a McDaniel-coached team. In Miami, McDaniel was accustomed to watching wide-open receivers slow down for Tagovailoa’s looping downfield throws. Watching wide receiver Quentin Johnston run under Herbert’s bomb while barely breaking stride must have been a jolt to his system. It was also the first time Herbert had ever attempted a throw of at least 45 air yards to a receiver with at least three yards of separation. These two are going to make each other’s jobs a lot easier, and given their respective talents, that should produce a lot of fireworks for the Chargers offense.

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Aaron Donald Returns: Which Stars Can He Join In Shining After Prolonged Retirement

Aaron Donald's return to the Los Angeles Rams is official. After retiring over two years ago, Donald, 35, couldn't stay away from the game he loves. Now, the question becomes whether Donald is able to play at the same level he was at when he won three Defensive Player of the Year awards. So, as Donald makes his return to football, let's take a look at which other athletes had successful returns after stepping away from the game for at least a year. Gronkowski retired after the 2018 season with the New England Patriots. He initially went out on a high note, helping the Patriots to beat the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII, his third ring with the team. He was out of the league for one full season before returning to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when his longtime teammate, quarterback Tom Brady, joined them in free agency. Brady and Gronkowski combined to win another Super Bowl before Gronkowski's career ended following the 2022 season. Gronkowski had 13 touchdown receptions over those two seasons Lynch initially retired after the 2015 season, his seventh with the Seattle Seahawks, and his 11th NFL season. At that point, his final game was the Seahawks' 28-24 loss to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX. He had won a Super Bowl ring with Seattle the year before that. Lynch also led the NFC in rushing touchdowns in 2013 and 2014. Lynch returned after one season out of the NFL, playing with his hometown Oakland Raiders for two seasons, before officially finishing his career with the Seahawks in 2019. He rushed for 891 yards in his first year back. Witten retired after the 2017 NFL season, his 15th with the Dallas Cowboys. He joined ESPN to call games for one season before returning to Dallas in 2019. He had 63 receptions for 529 yards and four touchdowns that year before joining the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020. He finished his career second to Tony Gonzalez among tight ends in all-time receiving yards with 13,046. Sanders initially retired after the 2000 season, his 12th in the NFL, but only his first with Washington. After a three-year hiatus, he did not return to play for Washington's franchise. Instead, he joined the Baltimore Ravens for two seasons. He had five interceptions over two seasons with the Ravens before retiring for good in 2006. Cunningham retired after the 1995 NFL season following a release by the Philadelphia Eagles, where he spent his first 12 NFL seasons. But one year later, then-Minnesota Vikings coach Dennis Green convinced him to return, and he spent three seasons with the Vikings. He earned a Pro Bowl nod in 1998 when he threw for 3,704 yards and 34 touchdowns. Cunningham appeared in 12 games for the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens over the next two seasons before finishing his career in 2001. Williams initially retired after his fifth NFL season, and second with the Miami Dolphins. He was only one year removed from rushing for an AFC-best 1,854 yards and 16 touchdowns, and had just led the conference with 392 carries in 2003. He returned to the Dolphins in 2005 and played five more seasons for the franchise, rushing for 1,121 yards in 2009. However, Williams was suspended for the 2006 season after violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. Williams finished his career with the Baltimore Ravens in 2011. Switching gears to the NBA, six-time champion Michael Jordan retired from the league after his first three-peat with the Chicago Bulls. Among the driving forces for the decision, Jordan's father had passed away in the summer of 1993. Jordan pursued a professional baseball career, but ultimately returned to the Bulls for the 1994-95 NBA season. He led the franchise to another three-peat. He then retired again after the 1998 season, but returned to play for the Washington Wizards from 2001-03. On top of being a six-time champion, Jordan is a Hall of Famer and sits sixth on the NBA's all-time scoring list. Pettitte initially retired after the 2010 MLB season. By that point, he had played 13 seasons with the New York Yankees, interrupted by a three-year stint with the Houston Astros. Pettitte returned in 2012 for two more years with the Yankees. Pettitte helped the Yankees win five World Series rings, including the franchise's most recent championship in 2009 and posted a 3.49 ERA over his final two seasons. Lemieux first retired in 1997 and left the NHL as the greatest points-per-game player in league history. When he returned and re-joined the Pittsburgh Penguins three years later, Lemieux continued to play at that same level. Lemieux played five seasons after his first retirement and led the NHL in points per game during that stretch. That included a 76-point season in his first year back, in which he only played 43 games.

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How Aaron Donald Can Mimic Michael Jordan With His Rams Reunion

Perhaps Aaron Donald spent some of his retirement downtime binge-watching the documentary "The Last Dance." The critically acclaimed series chronicled the inimitable career of Michael Jordan, of course, and concluded with an aging MJ resolutely leading the Chicago Bulls to a sixth championship at 35 years old. That final achievement, which capped off a second three-peat following a 17-month retirement, has preserved Jordan's legacy as the predominant choice for the greatest basketball player of all time. Donald, as a Super Bowl champion, three-time Defensive Player of the Year winner, eight-time All-Pro and 10-time Pro Bowler in his 10 NFL seasons, already has a strong case for being the greatest defensive player in football history. While some might argue for Lawrence Taylor or Reggie White as the defensive G.O.A.T., No. 99’s return to a squad loaded with stars will give him a chance to add to his legacy with even more individual and team hardware. After sitting out the past two seasons, the 35-year-old Donald signed with the Rams on Sunday and joins a frontline featuring not only the best defensive player of today in Myles Garrett, but also a pair of young, athletic pass-rushers in Kobie Turner and Byron Young. The quartet should challenge the "Fearsome Foursome" as the best defensive line in franchise history, while also perhaps making a case as one of the most disruptive units of all time. While Deacon Jones, Merlin Olsen, Rosey Grier and Lamar Lundy are certified legends based on their dominance in the 1960s, the Rams’ new-look frontline could prove just as formidable with four pass-rushing phenoms in the starting lineup. Garrett will dominate the headlines after arriving in a blockbuster offseason trade and recording an NFL-record 23 sacks last year to win his second defensive Player of the Year award. But those developments surely overshadow his effectiveness against the run and tenacity off the edge and how amazingly consistent he's been. The five-time All-Pro has eight straight seasons with at least 10 sacks, including 14 or more in each of the past five seasons, and is averaging 16.5 tackles for loss per season. Measuring 6-foot-4, 277 pounds with freakish athleticism and a dazzling array of moves that would make him a tough guard as an NBA small forward, the 30-year-old Garrett commands double-teams on nearly every snap, leading to more one-on-one opportunities for his talented teammates. While the pairing of Garrett and Donald will undoubtedly create problems for opposing offenses, the Rams’ defensive supporting cast is just as capable of wreaking havoc at the point of attack. Turner has tallied 24 sacks and 27.0 tackles for loss over his three seasons, exhibiting a businesslike game built on effort, energy and heavy hands. He outworks and outlasts blockers at the line, leading to a handful of sacks on hustle plays. Not to be outdone, Young has totaled 27 sacks, 32 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and 61 quarterback hits over three seasons. As a high-motor defender with outstanding first-step quickness and violent hands, the fourth-year pro can win with finesse or force off the edge. Young plays at a breakneck pace and wears down opponents with his "junkyard dog" mentality. With Turner and Young perfectly suited for their new roles beside Garrett, Donald can step in as a designated playmaker on the inside. Despite his advanced age and rustiness following a two-year hiatus, the future Hall of Famer can make his impact operating on a low pitch count that preserves him for the stretch run and postseason where his closing skills are needed. Just as he finished off Super Bowl LVI against the Bengals with fourth-down pressure, Donald will have plenty of chances to register a save out of the bullpen as Garrett’s sidekick on the inside. The duo’s wide array of skills will test the creativity of offensive coordinators tasked with formulating an effective pass protection plan against the Rams’ upgraded frontline. Given the tighter coverage that will also manifest in the secondary with Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watkins now manning the outside cornerback spots, L.A.'s defensive line should have more time to harass those quarterbacks who are forced to chase points after watching a scoreboard explosion from Matthew Stafford and Co. For a team operating under a "Super Bowl or bust" mentality, the addition of the reigning Defensive Player of the Year had already made the Rams the prohibitive favorite to hoist the trophy in their home stadium — again. With Donald now coming back to spearhead the charge, the eventual gold jacket recipient might add more accolades to his exceptional résumé and perhaps cement his legacy as the G.O.A.T. Just like Mike.

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Aaron Donald Ends Retirement, Set To Return To Rams For 2026 Season

One of the most feared defensive linemen in NFL history is putting the pads back on, and the preseason Super Bowl favorite has made another monster move. After spending the last two seasons away from football, Aaron Donald has decided to return, the Rams announced Sunday. Donald will play on a one-year, $20 million deal that could rise up to $30 million with incentives, according to ESPN. Donald last suited up for the Rams in 2023 before announcing his shocking retirement from the NFL in March 2024 at just 32 years old. Since then, the Rams have posted back-to-back winning seasons while continuing to strengthen their defense with new additions heading into this season. The Rams didn't let last year's loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC title game slow their timeline. They immediately loaded up for another run, executing a pair of massive trades. These included the additions of former cornerback Trent McDuffie and reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, who headlined a completely revamped defense. The move gives the Rams a legendary presence back on their defensive front. But arguably the biggest move was still waiting in the wings, as the Rams found a way to bring back the face of their franchise from retirement. Eric D. Williams: The Pittsburgh product had remained in Los Angeles after his playing career was over and reportedly worked out at the Rams' practice facility in Woodland Hills last week. Donald finished his 10-year pro career two years ago as a three-time AP Defensive Player of the Year – only J.J. Watt and Lawrence Taylor accomplished that feat. Although he has not played for two years, the 35-year-old Donald regularly posts his weight-training videos on social media and appears to be in playing shape. The fact that Donald is returning now indicates he's considering playing a full 17-game season. An eight-time All-Pro and 10-time Pro Bowl selection, Donald and Hall of Famer Barry Sanders are the only players in league history to play at least 10 seasons and get selected to the Pro Bowl in each season, per the Elias Sports Bureau. Donald’s 111 sacks put him at No. 28 on the all-time list and second among defensive tackles to Hall of Famer John Randle (137.5). Even more startling for a defensive tackle, Donald is No. 3 in league history in tackles for loss with 176. Donald changed the way defensive tackles are viewed because of his ability to create plays from the interior of the line of scrimmage with his muscle-bound frame at 6-foot-1 and 280 pounds. His combination of strength and quickness as a defensive tackle was unique and unmatched, forcing offensive lines to consistently double-team him on virtually every play. Donald now pairs with Rams’ recent addition and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to create one of the most dominant defensive lines in recent memory. The penciled-in front five for Los Angeles now includes edge rushers Byron Young and Garrett, with Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske and Donald inside. That group also includes run-stuffing nose tackle Poona Ford, along with last year's leading tackler Nate Landman and running mate Omar Speights at linebacker, with new additions in cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson joining safeties Quentin Lake and Kam Curl in the secondary. The Rams already have one of the most explosive offenses in the league, led by league MVP Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, Devante Adams and Kyren Williams. Blessed with one of the most talented rosters this century, the Rams are heavy favorites to win the Super Bowl despite losing to the defending-champion Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game last season. The Rams are working to replicate the team’s 2021 campaign when Los Angeles won the Super Bowl on their home field at SoFi Stadium, the host of Super Bowl LXI. Williams: Adding Donald alongside Garrett, Young and Turner could give the Rams the most dominant defensive line in the NFL. A pairing between Donald and Garrett once seemed like a fantasy for any team, but head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead have now turned that dream into a reality. Donald is a Super Bowl champion and three-time Defensive Player of the Year, already cementing his place among the NFL’s all-time greats. Through 10 seasons, he has recorded 542 tackles, 111 sacks and 24 forced fumbles. Bringing back Donald instantly pulls the Rams back into the Super Bowl favorite conversation. It completes a hyper-aggressive offseason for a front office that clearly has no intention of pivoting away from the 'all-in' blueprint that won them a ring in 2022. Aaron Donald announced his return in an Instagram post on Sunday with a simple caption: "We back #Rams #Ready" Donald's wife, Erica, also made a joke about her husband's return on social media. "I let him out the house y’all," Erica Donald wrote in a post on X with a laughing emoji.

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2026 NFL Win Totals Report: 'Not Normally What You See With The Chiefs'

For several years, the public betting masses took the Over on the Chiefs in NFL season win totals. And why not, with Patrick Mahomes at the helm and Kansas City a constant Super Bowl contender? However, Mahomes suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 15 last season. And that has bettors skeptical of taking Over 10.5 wins this year, even with Mahomes expected back in Week 1. "The number has stayed at 10.5, but there’s far more action on the Under," Caesars Sports head of football trading Joey Feazel said. "That’s not normally what you see with the Chiefs." Feazel serves up his insights on 2026 NFL win totals, highlighting the most notable Over and Under action. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Going Over-Board For a third straight season, the Vikings will have a new starting quarterback. Two years ago, Sam Darnold had a breakout campaign, then left for the Seahawks. Last year, J.J. McCarthy ascended to starter. Then this past offseason, Minnesota nabbed ex-Cardinals QB Kyler Murray in free agency. Murray subsequently beat out McCarthy to become the starter. Bettors engaging in NFL season win totals seemed to like that outcome. "The Vikings are one team that has been trending positive the entire offseason. Bettors are expecting Kyler Murray to be a difference maker," Feazel said. "We’ve gone from 7.5 wins to 8.5 wins, and they’re still betting the Over." In fact, Over 8.5 is now a -140 favorite, with Under 8.5 at +115. "The Vikings action is the most surprising to me. There was a good portion of months where it was extraordinary Over action," Feazel said. The Cowboys are always popular with the betting public, and that’s again the case this year, with Dallas trending much like Minnesota. "It’s the same thing with the Cowboys. We’ve gone from 8.5 to 9.5, and they’re still betting the Over," Feazel said. Dallas Over 9.5 is a slight favorite at -115, with Under 9.5 at -105. The Rams are the favorite in Super Bowl odds, at Caesars and everywhere else. So Los Angeles is drawing Over bets, as well. "There’s a lot of action for the Rams to win the Super Bowl. There’s not as much [with] in-season wins, but we still went from 10.5 to 11.5," Feazel said. "And they’re still betting the Over." Indeed, the Rams are the only team favored to surpass 11.5 wins. Caesars has Over 11.5 at -140 and Under 11.5 at +118. The Ravens are also at 11.5 wins, but Under is -160 and Over +120. Overwhelming Under Action As noted above, the Chiefs are projected to reach double-digit wins. But getting 11 or more is another story. Kansas City Under 10.5 wins is a -150 favorite at Caesars, with Over 10.5 a +120 underdog. And as Feazel said, the heavier action is on the Under. Ditto for another perennial contender, the 49ers. San Francisco went 12-5 in the regular season last year but continued to be plagued by injuries. This year, Caesars has San Francisco at 10.5 in NFL regular-season win totals, with the Under a substantial -160 favorite and Over at +130. Early bettors just aren’t seeing 11 wins from San Fran. "The 49ers seem to struggle with injuries year in and year out," Feazel said. "But the 49ers are always popular in [Super Bowl] futures, so it’s a little surprising to see Under money there." Less surprising is seeing the Dolphins take Under action. Miami is in full rebuild mode, with new coach Jeff Hafley and new QB Malik Willis, among other notable changes. The Dolphins opened at 4.5 wins, and as of Wednesday afternoon, the Under was a hefty -180 favorite, with the Over at +150. By Friday morning, Caesars dropped the Dolphins’ win total to 3.5, with Over -150 and Under +126. "There’s an expectation that this team is not going to be good at all," Feazel said. "It’s been all one-way traffic toward the Under." Bettors also aren’t expecting the Buccaneers to surpass 8.5 wins, with the Under now -145 and the Over +122. "The Bucs have some problems, with Baker Mayfield negotiations and with losing Mike Evans," Feazel said, alluding to the star wideout leaving to join the 49ers. "So Tampa is another team that they’re betting to the Under."

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SEC And Big Ten Are Considering Self-Governance, But LSU Is The Test Case

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey started with the high points, winding his way through his usual football media days state-of-the-union address. He pointed to the league winning a record 13 team national championships; that it was putting in additional programming to fight the growing influence of sports gambling; that its live viewership hours during football season accounted for 40% of those consumed by the Power Four leagues. And then, the questions began. "How real are the conversations within the SEC about potentially breaking away from the college structure as we know it?" a reporter queried. "They're real," Sankey answered flatly. "People have talked about that. They've opined about the frustrations that bring them to the point of saying we should look at something significantly different. I do not believe that is a leverage point. I think that's just honest communication." The threats of a "breakaway" are, in fact, quite real. Angst from administrators and presidents has pushed the SEC and, to a lesser degree, the Big Ten to a point where each has explored what self-governance at the conference level might look like — sentiments that have been broadcast more publicly over the past six months. Stakeholders have fundamentally taken issue with the lack of actual enforcement of rules laid out in the House settlement and by the College Sports Commission and NCAA. The solution, at least to some, is to take on more regulation at the conference-level and allow leagues to set their own rules around eligibility, revenue-sharing caps and other pieces to college sports’ ever-evolving jigsaw puzzle of a future structure. But as eligibility lawsuits litter the news cycle, the SEC, in particular, is providing an early test case for how feasible regulating anything at the league level in this new era ultimately is. And it’s a fight brewing on the bayou that has everyone paying attention. "I can’t speak for the entirety," one league source told me, "but I would say [the SEC’s] charge is to defend the rules that everyone voted on as members." There are certain places that are almost too good, too cliché, too Spielbergian to be the setting for the stories they tell. Louisiana, college sports and a good old-fashioned power struggle are certainly that. These are complicated times in Baton Rouge; times wrought with regime changes and political interference — albeit that can often be the norm around these parts. Gov. Jeff Landry was squarely involved in running off athletics director Scott Woodward and football coach Brian Kelly in October 2025. Then in March, Gov. Landry pushed to get men’s basketball coach Matt McMahon fired and to bring controversial castoff Will Wade back to town as McMahon’s successor. There was also the live mascot debacle of 2024 — another Landry-driven agenda item intended to return a living, breathing tiger to the sidelines in Death Valley. Even earlier this month, the governor’s residence played host to a meeting of LSU boosters to discuss a new-look equity approach to fundraising for the school's athletic programs. So, of course, it was in a Baton Rouge courtroom last week when a Louisiana state judge granted a handful of athletes an additional year of eligibility, including several players who had recently signed NFL contracts. To little surprise, two of those athletes — tight end Dae’Quan Wright and defensive lineman Zxavian Harris, formerly of the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints, respectively — were expected to head to LSU and play for Lane Kiffin, their former head coach at Ole Miss. These reprieves were matched in gravity and wide-ranging condemnation via a separate ruling from a different Louisiana judge on Tuesday that granted an additional year of eligibility to former All-American basketball player RJ Luis Jr. After starring for St. John's, Luis went undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz and played in three NBA preseason games. "These athletes generated value under the prior framework and should not be denied the additional year the NCAA itself created for others," attorney Darren Heitner, who represents Wright, told me. "Roster and portal management gets messy for schools, but that is a problem of the NCAA’s own making." Exiting the courtroom on Monday, a smile crested on Luis’ face in a moment captured by a local reporter. It was there in the lobby of this place of law and order that his past and future collided. Adorning a purple polo and thrusting his arms wide, Wade, the Tigers’ second-term head coach, offered Luis a full embrace with a smirk to match. No consternation here. LSU got its star. "Because of these rulings, they're either going to play for you or they're going to play for someone else around the country," Kiffin said at a press conference on Monday. "So we've made the decision to recruit [Harris and Wright] like probably most people are." That those in Baton Rouge are flashing smiles can’t be said for the rest of College Sports, Inc. The Big Ten was the first league to pass a sweeping ban on professional athletes returning to college sports. The SEC, Big 12 and ACC have since followed suit, while conversations persist elsewhere across the FBS. The SEC pulled together a call among its presidents and chancellors on Monday ahead of two days of pre-scheduled meetings between that group and the league’s athletics directors. It closed the evening by pushing out a statement condemning the situation. "Fundamentally, everybody needs to move on," a second Power Four source told me. "If you're going to support and believe in NCAA rules, then you better start playing by them yourself." These are not new issues, of course. It’s only six months past that Alabama basketball player Charles Bediako was brought back from professional basketball, granted an injunction and swiftly dismissed again. It was that action that prompted the usually buttoned-up and generally savvy Sankey to sign an affidavit supporting the NCAA against the Crimson Tide hooper. That this issue is bubbling up on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River once more, however, isn’t so much about LSU or two football players or even the omnipresent college sports villains that are Kiffin and Wade. No, this is about grander aspirations and efforts to control an ecosystem that has proved to be ungovernable as it currently exists. "We’ve got a simple choice to make: Do we want to be governed or not?," Texas A&M athletics director Trev Alberts posited during SEC spring meetings in May. "We are sending a very strong message that college athletics refuses to be governed. That's all I can say." The Big Ten and SEC have been embroiled in conversations about how to best operate within an uncontrollable world for months. Their hopes for order currently reside on Capitol Hill, where the Protect College Sports Act remains in limbo until the Senate returns from its recess on Sept. 14. That has its own challenges. Where the buck stops in the lingering eligibility lawsuits ought to provide at least some clarity around leagues’ longer-term ambitions and whether regulation at the conference level is possible. "‘Breakaway’ is a word that creates a lot of emotion," Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti said from the pulpit at his own football media days last month. "I've never heard that anybody doesn't want to play anybody else. We want to schedule more good games that our fans expect. "We’ve just got to get to a system that allows us to do that." Buried in the jargon of the SEC’s wider ban on professional athletes on Tuesday night was a note that Sankey is "authorized to enforce this expectation with penalties against member institutions." A shot across the bow, perhaps. The league’s bylaws include language that prevents players from transferring intra-conference outside the portal window. LSU’s additions of Wright and Harris would run directly counter to that edict. As would former Kentucky basketball player Mark Mitchell’s move to Missouri, which comes after he won his own eligibility lawsuit granting him an extra year two weeks ago. The SEC itself has also now been thrust into the legal proceedings. Attorneys amended their complaint in Louisiana state court on Thursday evening to include both the league and Sankey. So the standoff has started — and whether the SEC can actually enforce its own rules is where this story really begins. Laissez les bons temps rouler. Let the good times roll.

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Unproven & Unfazed Malik Willis Works To Assure Dolphins He's QB Of The Future

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — In terms of career NFL starts, the Miami Dolphins' Malik Willis will likely be the least experienced Week 1 starting quarterback in the league. Willis is 27, with four years of NFL experience under his belt. But starts? He has only six, fewer than all of last year's notable rookies — fewer than the Tennessee Titans' Cam Ward, fewer than the New York Giants' Jaxson Dart and fewer than the New York Saints' Tyler Shough. He's thrown all of 155 career passes, which is fewer than both Cleveland Browns rookie quarterbacks last year in Shedeur Sanders (212) and Dillon Gabriel (185). And yet Willis is the quarterback the Dolphins will build around this season, having signed him to a three-year, $67 million contract that includes $45 million guaranteed. It's a low number by today's gaudy quarterback contract standards, but it represents a significant investment as Miami begins a franchise rebuild with a new general manager and new head coach. That coach, Jeff Hafley, spent the last two years with Willis in Green Bay, seeing him in practice every day and seeing the potential of a former third-round draft pick who learned on the sidelines, under Mike Vrabel in Tennessee before going to the Packers. "He's become very confident, more consistent," Hafley said before a joint practice with the Giants last week. "He's taking care of the football. He's getting rid of the ball on time. He's playing in the pocket, but now, what he's starting to do is, as it gets closer, he's starting to use his legs not just to run the ball, but to step up, escape, make some throws down the field, or take off or extend plays." Hafley wanted to test his quarterback in practice one day last week, surprising him with pressure in a walkthrough, just to see how he'd handle it without warning. "I thought we had him," Hafley said. "I was like, 'All right, we got him.' They're not going to block him. And it was really cool. For the first time, I saw him; he kind of baited it, because it was to his blindside. He kind of baited him, saw him and then spun out and ran and threw a touchdown. And I was angry, because I'm the one who made the call. But I was really happy because I looked at him and kind of smirked. I was like, 'I've got no answer for that.' So he's starting to play the game a little bit, more rather than just practice." Being a starting quarterback carries an expectation of leadership, and that is new for Willis, long accustomed to being a backup and needing an injury or illness to get on the field. How do you command authority from a locker room full of new teammates who have yet to take the field with you in a real game? You go to work every day and show them how you prepare yourself. "He has been amazing," veteran Dolphins defensive lineman Zach Sieler said. "Just coming in here, hitting full stride, the energy, the great attitude he brings to the facility, the respect towards everyone in the building. The players cling to that and roll with that. Everyone's just firing on all cylinders. Seeing us grow as a team, seeing him grow as a quarterback to get more and more comfortable each day, it's been incredible." It could be a long year ahead for Willis and certainly for the Dolphins. The oddsmakers have their season win total at 4.5 wins — only the Arizona Cardinals have lower expectations — and Miami went 7-10 last year, so some kind of regression is a foregone conclusion. With that in mind, Willis' challenge in his first full year as an NFL starter is to show enough to convince the Dolphins that they don't need to use a high first-round pick on a quarterback from a deep and talented group of 2027 prospects. If Willis can sell Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan that the quarterback of their present should be the quarterback of their future, then that same high draft pick could be used on a player to help him, like Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who was born in Miami Gardens and went to high school down the road in Hollywood. In his first few months in Miami, Willis has shown good instincts as a quarterback. He led voluntary workouts with receivers during downtime to build chemistry with them, and he's using a helmet-mounted GoPro camera in practice to show where he's looking and how he's progressing through his reads during a play, reviewing reps from his own perspective in addition to normal cutups. A starting quarterback gets the largest share of practice reps, so he's savoring the chance to develop and grow faster than at any point in his career. A joint practice with the New York Giants last week, facing one of the league's most athletic front sevens, was a chance for the Dolphins to test themselves against outside competition, even if it was humbling at times. "Playing football is still fun. It's still awesome to go out there and compete and see different looks and get to play against guys you haven't been going against every day," Willis said. "We got lucky enough to get a few different style defenses. Obviously, there's different style defenses throughout the league and we hit more than our share of different types and we can see how we want to try to attack that when we get into the season. I think that was awesome." Miami has as anonymous a receiving corps as you'll find in the NFL, with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle gone and replaced by the likes of Malik Washington and Jalen Tolbert. The group became even more anonymous when the Dolphins traded Tutu Atwell to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday. Part of Willis' job is improving the people around him, and first-year offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik has been most pleased by how well he's taken to that aspect of quarterbacking. "He's been great on the field, and he's just consistently gotten better in everything that we're doing," Slowik said. "And really there's a lot that goes along with the quarterback position. You've got to handle yourself, you've got to handle the huddle, you've got to handle the guys around you, you've got to make sure that you're on your stuff, to make sure they're on their stuff. You've got to help guys out post-huddle. There's just a lot of things that naturally come with the position that he handles with ease really. So that's been pretty awesome to see. And just to see his continued improvement every day within what we're doing has been fun." There were glimpses of promise with Willis last year. He came off the bench to replace an injured Jordan Love and held his own against the Bears, going 9 of 11 for 121 yards and a touchdown and taking the game to overtime before Chicago prevailed. His lone start a week later was a loss to the Ravens, but he went 18 of 21 for 288 yards and one touchdown, rushing for another 60 yards and two more scores. It's a small sample, but he's completed 79% of his passes in the last two years. Nobody else with at least 50 passes is higher than 72%. Willis will have a chance to prove himself on a much larger scale this season, trying to find success leading a team expected to have very little of that. Hafley sees steady growth in his quarterback, with the hopes that will continue throughout the season. "Can he take another step?" Hafley said of his expectations in preseason. "Can he take another step with the playbook? Can he take another step with the execution? Can he take another step as the leader of the offense? And then can he start to become a leader of the entire team? ... I think he's a guy that has gotten better every single day, and he's just been unfazed. He's the same person. You can't rattle him, I'm pleased with where he's at. I think it will be a work in progress for the rest of camp, but I'm excited where he's at."

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Could The Cowboys Miss The Postseason? Predicting Every NFC Division Winner

Will the Seattle Seahawks be able to fend off the Los Angeles Rams and win the NFC West again? Who will win the tight battle for the NFC North? With the regular season quickly approaching, Colin Cowherd provided his division predictions and projected playoff field for the NFC on Wednesday's edition of The Herd. Highlighting a mix of returning contenders and rising rosters, Cowherd forecasted three new playoff teams across the conference while breaking down all four divisions. "I've got three new playoff teams in the NFC: the Lions, the Saints, and the Giants," Cowherd said. Here's how Cowherd predicts the placement of all four divisions in the NFC. Starting with the NFC East, Cowherd picked the Philadelphia Eagles to retain the division crown, pointing to roster continuity along the offensive line and past success under Jalen Hurts. "Jalen Hurts, since he became a full-time starter, has the winningest record in the NFL. I'm just going with this very, very well-run organization," Cowherd said. Despite losing A.J. Brown, Philadelphia added Dontayvion Wicks and drafted USC receiver Makai Lemon, returning all five offensive line starters with the seventh-easiest schedule in the league. Behind Philadelphia, Cowherd projected the New York Giants to finish ahead of the Dallas Cowboys for second place, should Jaxson Dart stay healthy. "They were one and seven last year in those one-score games, worst in the league," Cowherd said about the Giants. "And in fact, they blew five games in which they had a fourth-quarter lead. That is going to, even if it evens out, even if it doesn't totally flip, it will even out. If Jackson Dart can stay out of the blue tent, I think it's a playoff team." Following a tough year in close games in 2025, Cowherd thinks the scales will balance out for the Giants in 2026. Cowherd pointed to a trend from last season as the reason why he thinks the Cowboys could hold themselves back. "Here's the other thing, which has become a disturbing trend for the Cowboys. They were the most penalized team in the NFL last year. They did some big things well, like scoring. They did a lot of little things poorly. I have the Cowboys better, but not a playoff team." Washington was placed fourth in the division, pointing to roster turnover at key positions like left tackle and overall roster age as major obstacles for their prospects. "Washington just doesn't have enough talent. They lost Laremy Tunsil, their left tackle, who's a beast. Second-oldest roster in the NFL. I just don't like Washington right now going forward," Cowherd said. Moving to the NFC North, Cowherd went with the Detroit Lions to win the division, citing offensive firepower and draft adjustments. "I think the Lions have a combination of the best roster in the division and the easiest schedule in the entire league this year," Cowherd said. "I would argue quarterback, running back, tight end, wide receivers, they have the best group in the NFL." Cowherd added last year was considered a down year for Detroit and the offense still wound up amongst the league's best. "They were the only team to have a top-five scoring offense in the last four years. Even last year, when they struggled, it was top five." Last year's NFC North champions, the Chicago Bears, were picked to finish second in 2026 by Cowherd. "They were a great fourth quarter team last year. They probably can't quite equal that magic, but when they won the turnover battle, and nobody talks about this one, Chicago, they were 10-1 when they won the turnover battle," Cowherd said. Cowherd also pointed to Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, who does not have a history of turning the ball over. "Caleb Williams doesn't turn the ball over. He didn't in high school. He didn't in college. Even in the Eberflus year, 20 touchdowns, six picks. He is not a turnover quarterback. I have them for second." The Green Bay Packers were picked by Cowherd to finish third in the division, despite the number of key pieces they have slated to return, ahead of the Minnesota Vikings. "Not only do they get Michael Parsons back in October, but they also get Tucker Kraft back, who looks to be a star young tight end in the NFL for years to come. Christian Watson got hurt. Jaden Reed got hurt," Cowherd said. Cowherd also suggested the Packers may have reached their ceiling. "They've not been a great September team, but they've been a wild card team in the last three seasons," Cowherd said. Minnesota landed in fourth place in Cowherd's prediction, but he said this shouldn't discredit what the Vikings are capable of. "Minnesota is going to be the best fourth-place team in the NFL," Cowherd said. "Christian Darrisaw is back at left tackle. I love the coach and the defensive coordinator. There's not a lot here I don't like, but Kyler Murray's backup is either J.J. McCarthy or Carson Wentz. I don't trust either." Despite an established coaching staff and offensive line talent, backup quarterback depth creates vulnerability behind starter Kyler Murray. Cowherd also pointed out how prone to turnovers and the injury history of all three quarterbacks on the roster. The NFC South featured a surprise pick from Cowherd, with the New Orleans Saints taking first place behind quarterback Tyler Shough, thanks in part to a favorable schedule. "Second easiest schedule in football is the Saints," Cowherd said. "I thought they played very well at the end of last year. Tyler Shough, nobody paid attention, but they won four of their last five games." Cowherd added that the NFC South is usually unpredictable most seasons. "This is a division where you see teams go from last to first on a regular basis." The Carolina Panthers were picked for second place, highlighting leadership under Dave Canales and general manager Dan Morgan alongside offensive line stability for Bryce Young. "I think Carolina has the coach and the general manager for the future. Dave Canales and Dan Morgan are excellent. I think they've given Bryce Young a lot to work with." Cowherd also pointed out the inconsistencies on the offensive line last year. "They had 11 different starting O-line combinations last year, so it was a bit of a mess in front of Bryce Young. I think they'll get that corrected," Cowherd said. Tampa Bay was picked to finish third by Cowherd, who pointed to recent offensive slumps, defensive regressions, and coaching pressure following late-season struggles. "You got a coach on the hot seat. You got a new offensive coordinator, 20th-ranked defense last year. No Mike Evans. Lost seven of the nine games down the stretch," Cowherd said. "So they were a bit of a mess offensively, and they weren't great defensively." Atlanta rounded out the division in fourth place, with Cowherd citing early road schedule challenges and unanswered questions at quarterback. "I like the coach, like the owner. I think the GM is pretty sharp. There's a couple of players like Drake London, a Bijan Robinson I love, but who's the quarterback? We don't know," Cowherd said. "Cross my fingers with Michael Penix, but they start with three of their first four games on the road." In the NFC West, Cowherd selected the Seattle Seahawks to claim the division title over the Los Angeles Rams, praising Seattle's performance in road games and young core talent. "Here's what I love about Seattle: the last two years best road team in the league, and I mean a fantastic road team, 15 and two," Cowherd said. "They're returning all their best players. All of them are in their prime." Cowherd went on to highlight the Seahawks' ability to win away from home and performance against other playoff teams as key factors. Cowherd placed the Rams second as Super Bowl contenders, acknowledging both Seattle and Los Angeles rank among the top teams in the league. "They return all 11 offensive starters. There's no reason to debate this. They could win the Super Bowl. I think these two teams, in my opinion, are the best two teams in the NFL: Seahawks, Rams, one and two in my book," Cowherd said. However, the hype surrounding the Rams is not enough to convince Cowherd. "I'll take Seattle to win over the Rams. Everybody in the world's telling me the Rams are going to win the Super Bowl. The team is hearing that. You know what?" Cowherd said. "They're going to be a really really good team and win 11 games. I think Seattle could win 12." San Francisco was picked to finish third by Cowherd, pointing to an aging roster coming off major surgical recoveries and defensive pass rush struggles. "They were 20th ranked in defense. They struggled to get to the quarterback. They have the oldest roster," Cowherd said. "They are highly reliant at left tackle, running back, edge rusher, linebacker on veteran players who are coming off injuries." Arizona was projected to finish fourth in the division as the team undergoes a rebuild while playing in arguably the toughest division in football. "Arizona, bit of a mess. 0-6 against the division last year," Cowherd said. "They're playing like the Jets for next year's draft. Arizona at fourth place."

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NFL Eliminates Pro Bowl Game, Reportedly Will Keep Player Honors

The Pro Bowl is no more. After decades of format tweaks and noncompetitive play, the NFL is officially ending the Pro Bowl as a standalone event, according to The Athletic. On Wednesday, league executives presented a new vision to team owners that folds the festivities directly into Super Bowl week. Under the new format, 88 players will receive Pro Bowl honors without any replacement alternates. All physical competitions, which included tackle football, flag football and skills challenges, will be completely eliminated, leaving only the official honor itself. Instead of the traditional game, Pro Bowl selections will be invited to Los Angeles for an in-person celebration in February. The selection process remains unchanged as fans, players and coaches' votes are weighted equally to determine the 88-player roster across both conferences. The NFL's first All-Star Game was played at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles in 1939. Decades later, the Pro Bowl ended its long-standing tradition of being held in Hawaii, moving to mainland venues across the country. Over time, the event shifted from a physical contest into a friendly, non-competitive flag football game. Following years of skepticism from fans and players around the league, the tradition has officially come to an end. The game will always be remembered as one of the sport's premier annual events. However, the Pro Bowl game’s cancellation felt almost inevitable and that long-feared possibility has finally become a reality on Wednesday afternoon.

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If (Or When) The NFL Goes International, Which 5 Cities Seem Most Likely To Land A Team?

The NFL's global footprint continues to expand every year, and what was once a novelty is now up to nine games played outside the United States on four different continents. The 2026 lineup hosting NFL games — London, Paris, Madrid, Munich, Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro and Mexico City — is just another step as the league envisions a 16-game international lineup that has every team playing a game every year. So it's no surprise that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, during an interview with a German television station last week, said he has "no doubt" the league will eventually have teams entirely based in other countries. "At some point, there will be NFL teams outside the USA," Goodell said. "I have no doubt that this will happen one day." Having an international game in that 9:30 a.m. ET window — an afternoon kickoff in Europe — makes for an entire day of live football, allowing fans to go from that to the afternoon slots to prime time, with literally 14 hours of nonstop football if you want. The logistics of travel have been ironed out well enough that an overseas game isn't the scheduling hurdle it used to be, and teams playing an international game don't always choose a bye week afterward, able to recover and be back for a regular Sunday the next week. So if the NFL were to import a team to another country full-time, where might it be? The league is in a good place at 32 teams, with a proven scheduling model and playoff structure and teams in all the U.S. markets they want. At some point, it could even expand to have an international division — with four teams, visiting opponents could be scheduled for back-to-back games overseas to lessen the impact of long travel. There's talk that aviation technology will soon reduce the time required for trans-Atlantic flight, making it even less of an obstacle for teams during the season. Here are five potential landing spots for the NFL's first international team, with one clear and obvious favorite ... 5. Toronto The Buffalo Bills have played games in Toronto, which is just 100 miles or so from Buffalo, and played regular-season games there every year from 2008-13. So, if you wanted a half-measure to officially expand the United States without the travel headaches of crossing the Atlantic, the NFL could look at Toronto, which has supported MLB and NBA franchises for decades. The last Bills games there weren't at full capacity in the Rogers Centre, and the Toronto Argonauts had the lowest attendance in the CFL for the ninth straight year in 2025, averaging about 15,000 fans. Mexico City has hosted games in the past, but that too would be an unlikely spot for a full-time team. 4. Madrid Spain joined the NFL's global family last year when the Washington Commanders and Miami Dolphins drew a crowd of 78,610, earning a return trip this year for the Cincinnati Bengals and Atlanta Falcons in November. The league also agreed to a multi-year partnership with the City of Madrid in February, signaling that there will continue to be games held in Spain's capital in the coming years. The World League of American Football and NFL Europe had teams in Barcelona, but Madrid is twice as large as Barcelona and the more likely host if the league were to look at a new home in Spain. Bernabéu Stadium, home to soccer's FC Madrid, is a natural home for such a major event. 3. Paris Metropolitan Paris has about 13 million people, so in terms of filling a stadium on a consistent basis, it's not far from London or New York, though the NFL in Paris is a fairly new development. The New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers will play at Stade de France in October with a capacity of 80,000-plus, so a successful debut there should put them in the annual rotation and open up a new country to the NFL's future plans. The Saints, with their fleur-de-lis logo and French Quarter, have a natural connection to Paris, but it's too early to know how well the city would support the NFL on a more regular or even permanent basis. 2. Munich Frankly, we could've also picked Berlin as the city to represent Germany on this list. But a German city should be pretty high up here. Germany will host an NFL game for the fifth straight season in 2026, when the New England Patriots take on the Detroit Lions in Munich. It'll be the third game played in Munich, and there's another one scheduled at Allianz Arena for 2028. Berlin hosted its first game in 2025 and it's scheduled to host two more games in the coming seasons, while Frankfurt has hosted two NFL games. But Germany has a history with the NFL dating back to 1990. There's a strong, passionate backing for the NFL in Germany — you'll hear the crowd singing "Sweet Caroline" and "Country Roads" during a game and knowing every single word in a language most of them don't speak. Could an NFL team exist in Germany and split home games between multiple cities, supporting it as a nation rather than one single locale? If the league ever expanded to have a full four-team European division, this would make sense. A full-time team would almost need to be in Europe, logistically. The league adds Melbourne this year and could eventually have games in Tokyo, but the travel demands are much greater there — a direct flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne is 15 hours, compared to eight hours for New York to London or Berlin. 1. London London has a long head start on most other international options — this goes back to the American Bowl in the 1980s, when preseason games were the NFL's first outreach to expand their fanbase globally. Wembley Stadium was a regular host for these games and still does so 40 years later, so fans in London have been supporting NFL football in person for all of their lives in many cases. London's hosting expanded from Wembley to include other venues like what was then Twickenham Stadium and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, rugby and soccer stadiums adjusted for NFL football. In theory, a full-time NFL team could build a new football-focused venue as a new home, subletting it to soccer during the rest of the year instead of the other way around. London has no language barrier, easy and direct flights from major U.S. cities and a built-in base of fans that have filled stadiums for multiple NFL games a year, something no other city can boast. The time difference is an hour less than most of Europe's major cities, and the longstanding relationship with the NFL makes London a heavy favorite for any international expansion.

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49ers Owner Jed York Texted Undercover Officer Prior To His Arrest

San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York used an alias when he sent text messages over two days to a woman he believed to be a prostitute before he was arrested in a sting operation in Ohio, according to a police incident report obtained Tuesday. The report from the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force had more than two pages redacted but provided more details about what led to York's arrest and ultimately to him pleading no contest Monday to two misdemeanors. York initially responded to an advertisement placed by police on a known prostitution website on Saturday, according to the report, sending two messages that went unanswered and saying his name was "Joe" and that he wanted to visit the woman. York texted again Sunday morning and said he wanted to see the woman. He said he was staying nearby and asked for her address. He asked how much the woman charged and was told it was $160 for "full service sexual activity," the report said. York took a rental car to a mobile home park in East Palestine, Ohio, where he was given a fictitious lot number. He texted when he arrived at the mobile home park. He was then directed back to the main road, where he was stopped by marked police units. Police found York had $160 that was seized and they sent a text to his phone to determine it was the same one used to arrange the meeting. He was booked into jail and was released after posting a $5,000 bond. York was initially charged with engaging in prostitution, but prosecutors amended that to disorderly conduct. He pleaded no contest Monday to that charge and to possessing criminal tools for using his phone to respond to the ad. He was sentenced to one day in jail for both offenses to be served concurrently and was credited with one day served when he pleaded no contest. He also was fined $1,150. The $160 that was seized from him was given to the human trafficking task force as part of the plea. York also completed an online course. York has been in Ohio, where he grew up near Youngstown, for most of the summer. He had filed for divorce from his wife, Danielle, in May, according to court records. The NFL issued a statement saying the league is aware of the arrest and will review it under the personal conduct policy. Owners are subject to possible fines or suspensions for violating the policy. The team said that the "legal matter" had been resolved and that it would have no additional comment. Coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday that he has talked to York the past two days and doesn't believe the arrest will have any impact on the team. "Obviously, it’s a very tough situation," Shanahan said. "The views for the organization going forward are the same as usual. There won’t be any difference in that. But I know it’s extremely fresh. I think it’s a very, very personal situation. I got a lot of respect for Jed. I got lot of respect for Danielle. The family does mean a lot to me. With it being this personal, I’m trying as hard as I can to keep it that way." Shanahan said he doesn't expect any change in York's involvement with the team, saying he has always allowed Shanahan and general manager John Lynch to make the football decisions. Shanahan said he doesn't feel the need to address the situation with his players. Star linebacker Fred Warner said the players were aware of it but that he didn't believe it would be a distraction. "We all have social media, so we see things," he said. "But at the same time, I got a lot of love, a lot respect for Jed, and don’t feel the need to comment on the situation. I think the team is kind of the same way. It really wasn’t a conversation being had in the locker room. Of course, yeah, you notice it, but at the time, we were so hyper-focused in this building of trying to prepare for Week 1. A lot of guys are on the bubble trying to make the team. So we’re just trying to get better as a football team and that's a personal situation, and letting it stay personal with him." Reporting By The Associated Press.

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Best NFL Betting Sites: Top Sportsbook Apps (2026)

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. We’ve assembled a list of the seven best NFL betting sites to target during the offseason and ahead of the upcoming season. This guide is built to help you find the right NFL sportsbook for your approach — whether you prioritize early draft odds, competitive futures pricing, strong promotional incentives, deep prop menus or a streamlined mobile app. Compare our top picks and choose the platform that aligns with how you like to bet. With offseason storylines driving movement across draft position markets, win totals and long-term futures, sportsbook selection matters more than ever. Having the right NFL betting app can give you an edge year-round, from early offseason betting through kickoff and the Super Bowl. Best NFL Betting Sites & Mobile Apps  - Sportsbook Reviews Here’s a quick overview of our top picks for NFL betting sites and apps and what each platform does best: BetMGM Sportsbook - Best Overall NFL Betting Site Overview:BetMGM is nicknamed "King of Sportsbooks" and backs it up by offering one of the widest selections of NFL betting markets. One area where BetMGM stands out is its unmatched range of player props, offering bets on niche season-wide and single-game player stats. Pros: Cons: BetMGM NFL Betting Features & Promotions: BetMGM NFL Sign-up Bonus: Get a $50 BetMGM Reward Points Bonus + $1500 Back in Bonus Bets, If Your First Bet Doesn't Win with Code ‘FOXSPORTS’ Available States:AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, WY Why We Recommend it:BetMGM is our top recommended NFL sportsbook app thanks to its deep market selection, innovative features like the Edit My Bet tool, and boosted odds for big games. The variety of props lets you play exactly how you want to. FanDuel Sportsbook – Best NFL Betting Mobile App Overview: The FanDuel app is one of the easiest-to-use platforms. It is optimized for NFL betting and has easy navigation between game lines, props, and parlay options. It is the gold standard for U.S. Sportsbooks. Fast, reliable, well-designed. Biometric login (Face ID / Touch ID), dark mode and geolocation tools for legal state access. Pros: Cons: FanDuel NFL Betting Features & Promotions: Current FanDuel Promo Offer for New Users: Bet $5 Get $350 in Bet Reset Tokens for 7 Days Available States:AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, WY + DC & PR Why We Recommend it:This is the easiest app to use as a new bettor. It couldn't be simpler to use its interface, including learning how to place bets directly from your phone. The access to same-game parlays on the app is quick, and everything you would need is easy to find. bet365 – Best NFL Odds & Early Payout Overview: bet365 is a global heavyweight known for sharp pricing and outstanding in-play options. For NFL bettors, its Early Payout stands out: straight moneyline bets are settled as winners if your team goes 17 points ahead at any time. Pros: Cons: bet365 NFL Betting Features & Promotions: bet365 NFL Sign-up Bonus: Bet $10, Get $365 in Bonus Bets (win or lose) Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 of greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply. Available States:AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KA, KY, LA, MD, MI, MO, NJ, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA Why We Recommend it:If you value sharp NFL odds and a safety buffer against blown leads, bet365’s pricing and Early Payout are hard to beat. DraftKings – Best NFL Sportsbook Promotions Overview:DraftKings pairs a deep NFL menu with fast pricing and one of the most aggressive new-user packages during football season. For 2026, new customers get $200 in bonus bets instantly after a $5 wager. Pros: Cons: DraftKings NFL Betting Features & Promotions: DraftKings NFL Sign-up Bonus: Bet $5 and Get $150 in Bonus Bets Instantly Available States:AR, AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA (select parishes), MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NH, NY, OH, OR, PA, PR (residents only), TN, VA, VT, WY or WV Why We Recommend it:If you want quick bonus value and football-centric perks, DraftKings’ NFL promo stack is one of the strongest this season. Caesars – Best NFL Betting Rewards Program Overview:Caesars combines a clean NFL menu with Caesars Rewards tier credits on eligible wagers. The current welcome focuses on profit boosts that double your winnings on many small tickets right after you join. Pros: Cons: Caesars NFL Betting Features & Promotions: Caesars NFL Sign-up Bonus: Bet $1, Double Your Winnings Your Next 10 Wagers with Code 'FOXDYW' Available States:AZ, CO, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MO, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY Why We Recommend it:If you like spreading value across multiple NFL bets and earning hotel/entertainment rewards, Caesars delivers on both. Fanatics Sportsbook – Most Unique Loyalty Rewards Overview:Fanatics leans into FanCash, letting you convert rewards into bonus bets or merchandise. During football season, the book features repeated no-sweat style protections that refund losses in FanCash. Pros: Cons: Fanatics NFL Betting Features & Promotions: Fanatics NFL Sign-up Bonus: Bet $20, Get $350 Bonus Bets Available States:AZ, CO, CT, IN, IL, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VT, VA, WV, WY Why We Recommend it:If you want repeated protection and flexible rewards you can recycle into bets or gear, Fanatics’ FanCash model is uniquely valuable. theScore Bet – Best New NFL Betting Site Overview:theScore Bet offers a clean, content-driven sportsbook experience built directly into theScore app, making it especially appealing for users who already follow live scores, stats, and news. Its streamlined interface and integrated media experience create a seamless transition from consuming sports content to placing NFL bets. Pros: Cons: theScore Bet NFL Betting Features & Promotions: theScore Bet NFL Welcome Bonus: Bet & Get $1,000 Bet Reset Available States:AZ, CO, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV Why We Recommend it:theScore Bet stands out for its seamless integration with sports content, making it one of the easiest platforms to use for NFL betting. If you already use theScore app to follow games, it offers one of the most natural and frictionless betting experiences available. NFL Betting App User Reviews NFL Live-Betting Apps Live betting lets you place wagers after kickoff, with odds that update in real time based on the score, clock, drives, and injuries. You’ll see changing lines for moneylines, spreads, totals, player props, and drive or quarter markets. Football’s stop-start rhythm creates frequent pricing pauses, so sportsbooks can refresh odds between plays, drives, and quarters. That gives bettors many decision points throughout the game. Live-betting essentially allows you to double down, hedge bets and capitalize on slow starts. Best Sportsbooks for Live Betting NFL Sportsbook Welcome Bonuses A welcome bonus is a new-customer offer that gives you extra value when you open an account and place an initial wager. Sportsbooks use these bonuses to attract first-time users, help you try the app with lower risk, and encourage you to explore more markets. Below we'll go into the two most common types: "Bet & Get" and "First-Bet Safety Net" bonuses. NFL Bet & Get Bonus In this offer, you make a low-bar qualifying bet, then receive bonus bets regardless of outcome. It’s great if you want instant value without risking a big first wager. Use a quick-settling market to unlock the offer fast, then deploy the bonus bets on lines you actually like—totals, player props, or a small underdog flyer. Remember, a bonus-bet stake usually isn’t returned, only the winnings. For example, let's say you place a $5 qualifying wager on the Eagles moneyline for Week 1. Win or lose, you’re credited $200 in bonus bets (often split into four $50 tokens). If you then use one $50 bonus bet on the Cowboys +120 and it wins, you profit $60 (the $50 bonus stake isn’t returned). Repeat with the remaining tokens before they expire to maximize value. FanDuel, DraftKings, and bet365 all offer this type bonus. NFL First-Bet Safety Net Bonus In this offer, you take one swing. If it wins, great—you keep the profit and the promo is done. If it loses, you get bonus bets back. This can be useful for a plus-money side or a bigger confidence play. Let's say you place your first cash wager for $250 on the 49ers -2.5 (-110). If it loses, you’re refunded $250 in bonus bets (often split into five $50 tokens) that expire in about a week; if it wins, there’s no refund and the promo ends. Say you then use one $50 bonus bet on the Ravens +120 and it wins—you profit $60 (the $50 bonus stake isn’t returned). BetMGM, Caesars, Fanatics, and bet365 all offer this bonus. Popular NFL Betting Markets Here are the most popular NFL betting markets you’ll see every week, from simple picks to deeper player angles. Use this quick overview to decide when to play spreads, moneylines, totals, props, same-game parlays, and futures. Moneyline & Point Spreads A moneyline is a bet on which team wins the game outright. Favorites show negative odds (e.g., -170 means risk $170 to win $100), while underdogs show positive odds (e.g., +150 means risk $100 to win $150). A point spread adds a margin the favorite must cover. The favorite is listed with a minus number (e.g., -3.5), and the underdog with a plus number (e.g., +3.5). If the Dolphins are -3.5 vs. the Jets, Miami must win by 4 or more to cover; the Jets cover by winning outright or losing by 3 or fewer. These are the two most popular NFL bets, and odds are shown in American format (like -110 on spreads and totals). Prices move throughout the week based on injuries, weather, lineup news, and betting trends, so timing your wager can matter. Totals (Over/Under) A total (Over/Under) is a bet on the combined points scored by both teams. Sportsbooks set a number, and you choose Over (more than that total) or Under (less than that total). Example: "Over/Under 47.5" means Over wins at 48+ points, Under wins at 47 or fewer. Totals move with factors like offensive and defensive form, pace of play, quarterback and key injuries, weather for outdoor games (wind, rain, extreme cold), matchups in the trenches, and coaching tendencies. Player Props Player props are bets on individual player outcomes rather than the final score. In the NFL, common examples include anytime touchdown scorer (will a player score a TD), quarterback passing yards Over/Under (e.g., Over 259.5), and receptions for a receiver or tight end (e.g., Over 5.5 catches). Same-Game Parlays (SGPs) A same-game parlay (SGP) lets you combine multiple bets from one NFL matchup into a single ticket. They’re appealing because you can personalize a game script and chase higher payouts than a single bet. For example, an Eagles vs. Cowboys SGP might include Eagles moneyline + Jalen Hurts Over 1.5 passing TDs + A.J. Brown 70+ receiving yards; the parlay wins only if all legs hit. Odds are calculated by combining each leg’s price, so payouts climb quickly. Risk also rises with every added leg, since the probability of winning drops as you stack more outcomes. Futures Futures are bets placed on long-term outcomes that settle later in the season. Popular NFL futures include Super Bowl winner, AFC/NFC champions, and season awards like MVP, Offensive/Defensive Player of the Year, and Rookie of the Year. Odds move all year as teams perform, injuries occur, and markets react. Payouts are made only when the market concludes (for example, after the Super Bowl or when an award is officially announced). NFL Betting Sites & Apps FAQ (2026) What is the best NFL betting site in 2026? The best NFL betting site depends on how you like to bet. BetMGM stands out for overall market depth and player props, FanDuel is the easiest app to use, bet365 offers some of the sharpest odds with Early Payouts, and DraftKings delivers the most aggressive NFL promotions. Which sportsbook has the best Super Bowl betting odds? Sportsbooks like bet365, FanDuel, and DraftKings are known for competitive Super Bowl odds, especially on spreads, totals, and alternate lines. Odds can vary by sportsbook, so comparing lines before placing your bet can help you get the best price. Are NFL betting apps legal in the United States? Yes, NFL betting apps are legal in many U.S. states where online sports betting has been regulated. Availability depends on your location, and you must be physically present in a legal state and meet the minimum age requirement (usually 21). What is the best NFL betting app for beginners? FanDuel is often the best choice for beginners thanks to its clean layout, simple betslip, and easy access to spreads, totals, props, and same-game parlays. Caesars is another good option for new bettors who want a straightforward app with fewer distractions. Which sportsbook is best for NFL same-game parlays? DraftKings and FanDuel are the leaders for NFL same-game parlays. DraftKings’ SGP+ allows you to combine bets across multiple games, while FanDuel offers fast, intuitive SGP building directly from game pages. What is an NFL Bet & Get bonus? An NFL Bet & Get bonus lets you place a small qualifying wager (often $5 or $10), then receive bonus bets regardless of whether that bet wins or loses. The bonus bets can be used on future wagers, but typically only the winnings are withdrawable. What is a first-bet safety net or bet insurance? A first-bet safety net refunds your wager with bonus bets if your first bet loses. If the bet wins, you keep the profit and the promotion ends. This type of bonus is common at BetMGM, Caesars, and Fanatics. Which sportsbook is best for live NFL betting? bet365 is widely considered the best sportsbook for live NFL betting due to fast odds updates, deep in-play markets, and Early Payouts. FanDuel and DraftKings also offer strong live betting hubs with frequent cash-out options. Can I bet on Super Bowl player props and novelty bets? Yes. Major sportsbooks offer extensive Super Bowl player props, including passing yards, touchdowns, receptions, and anytime TD scorers. Many also post novelty bets closer to kickoff, such as halftime performance or game-related specials, depending on state rules. Gambling disclaimer: Only individuals aged 21 and over are permitted to gamble. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER. Gambling is subject to local state regulation and is illegal in some states. Please gamble responsibly – information relating to responsible gambling can be found here.

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Bengals Star Receiver Ja'Marr Chase Exits Practice With Apparent Knee Injury

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase reportedly exited practice Tuesday after suffering an apparent knee injury during team drills. Chase held his knee and received attention from athletic trainers on the field after going down during a play. After practice ended, Chase spoke to reporters, "It's just a freak accident. Stuff like this happens all the time. It's football. Some things are out of my control, and that was one situation that I couldn't control, but I can control now," Chase said. "If I had a game tomorrow, I'd play." Chase told ESPN 1530 Cincinnati he's "fine" and the injury was a minor "hyperextension." According to multiple reporters in attendance, Chase walked off the field under his own power. He continued to stretch his leg on the sideline and was later seen walking without assistance. Chase did not require a cart or further medical treatment on the field. The Bengals have not provided an official update regarding the injury. Losing Chase for any duration would present a challenge for the Bengals offense, as his connection with quarterback Joe Burrow has formed the core of the passing game since Chase was drafted in 2021. Behind Chase, the Bengals wide receiver depth chart includes Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas, Colbie Young, Mitch Tinsley and Charlie Jones. An extended absence for Chase would also increase defensive pressure on Higgins, who would likely see more double coverage as the top target and running back Chase Brown, another key contributor on offense. While Iosivas has stepped into a complementary role in recent seasons, the Cincinnati passing game relies primarily on Chase and Higgins to generate the majority of its production. The Bengals open their season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 13.

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TE Dae’Quan Wright Reunited With Lane Kiffin At LSU Following Court Injunction

After a stop in the NFL, former Mississippi tight end Dae’Quan Wright could be heading to LSU thanks to a court order that is creating havoc throughout college sports by allowing Wright and others an unexpected fifth year of eligibility. Wright’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told The Associated Press on Monday that the tight end had been waived by the Cleveland Browns and, if he clears waivers, will join Lane Kiffin’s roster at No. 11 LSU. If he joins the Tigers, Wright would be the first known player to return to college after playing in the NFL. He may not be the last. At a news conference Monday, Kiffin declined to discuss any specific players, but he did say of the players in the lawsuit: "They’re available to recruit. So, ourselves, like many places around the country, are recruiting them." Not doing so, Kiffin said, could lead to a situation where "we may end up playing against them." Wright signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted rookie following the draft. After Philly released him on Aug. 11, the Browns signed him. Wright didn’t play in Cleveland’s two preseason games. Wright played two seasons for Kiffin at Ole Miss. Last year, he caught 39 passes for 635 yards and five touchdowns for the Rebels. Wright was among a group of players who sued in a Louisiana court, saying a new NCAA rule granting five years of eligibility to most athletes should apply to him and others who were not "grandfathered" into the rule, which did not include those who graduated high school in 2022. In a statement released Monday evening, the Southeastern Conference said it firmly opposes professional athletes returning to play college sports. "College athletes, not professional athletes, have been at the heart of the Southeastern Conference," the statement said. "Individuals who choose to leave college athletics, sign professional playing contracts, and compete professionally should not then be permitted to return to college competition. Allowing that to occur will blur the line between college and professional sports, create significant competitive equity concerns and reduce opportunities for high school and current college athletes." The SEC concluded its statement by calling on Congress to pass a bill regulating college sports. Wright and two others who played for Kiffin at Ole Miss — former New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Zxavian Harris and Arizona Cardinals safety Wydett Williams — were among those granted a temporary restraining order last week. Former LSU and current Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Jack Pyburn also was among the plaintiffs. The players can regain their college eligibility if they terminate their pro contracts and repay any pro earnings. Pyburn’s deal with the Bucs guaranteed him $115,000, including a $15,000 signing bonus. "I’m just trying to maximize myself as a player and as a person and play my best football, wherever that is," Pyburn told The Athletic last week. A preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled for Aug. 31 in East Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The SEC has its own rule barring transfers inside the conference beyond a designated window in January. Commissioner Greg Sankey sent the schools a reminder about that rule earlier this month, though there’s no certainty on how it would play into Wright’s move to LSU in the wake of the court order. The judge in Louisiana allowed for the fifth year and also ordered the football transfer portal, normally open only in January, to reopen for a week for the players in the lawsuit. "In my opinion, knowing the information, it’s really wrong to be critical of these kids," said Kiffin, whose move from Ole Miss to LSU last season also created tension between the SEC schools. "They were granted a fifth year by a judge, saying they were wronged by the NCAA. … It’s simply that a judge decided they should have a fifth year, like everyone moving forward will have." Kiffin suggested that the current recruiting by colleges of NFL rookies is a "totally unique circumstance that came about because of the five-for-five (ruling), and players feeling like they should have known about it before, and because of all the cases around the country. I don’t think we’ll have this (situation) again." Other coaches, though, have been less supportive. "I think there’s a lot of negatives that are involved around this," Oregon coach Dan Lanning said. "Once you go to the NFL, to me, you’re in the NFL. You don’t get the opportunity to come back." Added Florida coach Jon Sumrall: "What I really struggle with is the rules are changing so daily based upon a court ruling, or what happens in a court in Colorado, or a court here, a court in Louisiana. We need to have some continuity and some consistency across the board." Tennessee coach Josh Heupel also made his feelings known Monday when asked to compare the two-game suspension given to Volunteers linebacker Arion Carter over a $427 plane ticket for a trip to an NFL training facility during the pre-draft process before he returned to college. "You guys certainly have a clear picture of how I feel about that entire situation to begin with, even before some of the madness that is college football and rosters," Heupel said. Reporting by the Associated Press.

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Browns Making Another QB Error? 7 Takeaways From Week 2 Of The Preseason

Two weeks of preseason games are in the books, and we're starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. This past week's slate of preseason games, plus joint practices, brought us more glimpses of what we could expect to see in the regular season. But it brought some drama, too. Deshaun Watson was named the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback on Monday after making pointed remarks to the team's fans following his lackluster performance on Saturday. There's also an unusual storyline developing with players who might wind up playing college football in the next couple of weeks. So, with only one more preseason week to go, here are our takeaways from the latest slate of preseason games. 1. Deshaun Watson Didn’t Deserve The Starting Job In Cleveland. He Got It Anyway. Ralph Vacchiano: Deshaun Watson showed everyone on Saturday why he shouldn’t be the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback, with a terrible on-field performance and an even worse one off the field. Then, Todd Monken gave him the job anyway. Maybe that’s a sign that the new Browns coach had nothing but bad options in his quarterback competition, but his choice still couldn’t have been any worse. He went with a 30-year-old who’ll surely be an ex-Brown next season over a somewhat promising young quarterback, Shedeur Sanders. And he did it two days after Watson was terrible in a preseason game against the Bills (5 of 12 for 36 yards and an interception) and then showed an incredible lack of self-awareness (and an abundance of immaturity) when he whined about being booed. "I think the whole world knows it has nothing to do with the performance," Watson said. "It’s a little more personal than that. So, I think that’s a disrespectful thing." OK, that’s a little rich and a lot outrageous, coming from the man who got the biggest fully-guaranteed contract in NFL history from the Browns in 2022 (five years, $230 million) even though he hadn’t played in two years and was accused of sexual misconduct by 27 women. He then rewarded that startling generosity by only being healthy enough to play in 19 games over the last four seasons — and not particularly well, either. Even without that bad moment, though, Monken still made the wrong choice. The coach had been leaning this way, multiple team sources told me, in part because the Browns’ early schedule is overloaded with road games (their first two and six of their first nine), and Monken thought Watson’s veteran presence would help his young team. But Watson’s play didn’t warrant that faith. He was just 16 of 27 for 162 yards and an interception in two preseason games. His passer rating of 61.0 was even a notch below Sanders’ 65.2. So while it’s true that there was no good option here, it’s also true that really is no upside to Watson, who is understandably reviled by what seems to be a majority of the Browns’ fan base. Starting Sanders at least would’ve given them hope that he can get better, something to look forward to other than the QB-rich 2027 draft. Instead, Monken latched on to the anchor that has been scraping the Browns along rock bottom for the last five years. Sanders will surely get a shot later this season. But as usual in Cleveland, any hope for the future is delayed. 2. Yes, The Pipeline To The Pros Goes Both Ways Greg Auman: The most backwards trend of the NFL preseason? Marginal players testing the waters of playing in NFL preseason games and  … going back to college. It seems impossible, but these days, if you can get a judge to rule the right way, traditional lines of amateurism and eligibility can disappear. The NCAA’s shift to a five-year eligibility model wasn’t intended to be backdated for athletes who had exhausted their window – and signed a pro contract, gotten paid and even played for NFL teams. But that’s really happening, leaving general managers to wonder if they’ll lose players off their roster to the allure of NIL money from colleges. Tight end Dae’Quan Wright, an undrafted rookie with the Browns, put his name in the transfer portal. Cleveland has since waived him, setting him up to play for LSU this fall. "Man, ain’t this s--- crazy?" Browns coach Todd Monken said. "I mean, I don’t even know what to say … I wondered why Lane Kiffin reached out a week ago. Now I know. I didn’t call him back, guess I should have." Speaking of LSU, consider Tampa Bay Buccaneers undrafted rookie linebacker Jack Pyburn, who had two sacks in Tampa Bay’s preseason opener. He’s also one of the players granted a temporary restraining order that could allow him to return to college football. He played at LSU last year, and that sets up the man-bites-dog possibility of an NFL player leaving early for college. The fall semester at LSU started on Monday, and NFL rosters will be cut from 90 players to 53 by 6 p.m. ET on Sunday. It’s unlikely the Bucs will keep Pyburn for their 53, but he has (had?) a good shot at their practice squad. That pays $247,500 for a full season, and Pyburn could make three or four times that much on the Van Wilder go-back-to-college route. Pyburn said after Saturday’s preseason game that his agents had told the Bucs that college was a potential "backup plan," but when pressed as to what he might decide if choosing between an NFL practice squad and going back to college, he was noncommittal. "Ultimately, that’s a decision I’m going to have to make with my family, talk to my agents and see what’s the best business decision and what’s the best option for me and my future career," he said. Yes, it’s NFL "respect my decision" season. Players would have to repay their NFL employers to regain college eligibility. Pyburn got a $15,000 bonus and $100,000 in guaranteed salary, but it’s possible that college NIL payments could also be covered by "offset" language standard in such contracts, normally intended so if NFL Team B pays a player to be on their practice squad, that subtracts from the money NFL Team A was on the hook for by their guarantee. The league will have to sort out the ramifications. Can a player already passed over once in the draft get another shot, like baseball players do? This was already happening with basketball and G League players showing up on college rosters, but for NFL teams, it’s made roster-building even more complicated by the idea that players can make more money playing football at a lower level. 3. Stetson Bennett Commands Offense, Cements Role As Rams' Backup QB Eric D. Williams: With Jimmy Garoppolo no longer on the roster, Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay’s search for someone to fill that void, should reigning MVP Matthew Stafford suffer an injury during the regular season, appears to be over. In the battle between Ty Simpson and Stetson Bennett, the Alabama product cracked the door open with a sparkling performance in a Week 1 preseason win over the Kansas City Chiefs. But Bennett may have closed the door by playing well in a 34-0 victory over the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium. The Georgia product finished with two rushing touchdowns in the first half, leading the Rams to scoring drives on four of his five possessions. Bennett finished 19 of 31 for 181 yards, with no touchdown passes and no interceptions for a 77.5 passer rating. Ty Simpson also played solidly, finishing 8 of 12 for 73 yards in the second half. Simpson led the offense on one scoring drive. However, Bennett impressed McVay by the way he led the offense, with quarterbacks coach and associated offensive coordinator Dave Ragone calling the plays – although he didn’t like Bennett reaching for the pylon with the ball on his first rushing touchdown. "I loved the fact that he used his legs," McVay said. "We’ll learn from reaching the ball into the end zone, even though I challenged that and we were successful. We don’t want to leave ourselves susceptible to losing the ball out of the end zone where it goes for a touchback. "But he did a great job. I thought he got an opportunity to really showcase a lot of his skills." 4. Daniel Jones Primed To Pick Up From Where He Left Off Last Season Ben Arthur: Watching the Indianapolis Colts quarterback at Wednesday’s joint practice with the Atlanta Falcons, it was impossible for me to tell that he tore his Achilles just eight months ago. Everything you want your passer to do — drop back, scramble, throw on the move, evade pressure — Jones looked normal in doing so. Oh, and he was carving up the Falcons’ secondary as well. With Indianapolis’ rushing attack struggling, Jones was near perfect in the pass game, targeting various receivers. We still need to see Jones move and perform in games. But all the early signs suggest that he can pick up from last season, when he was playing the best ball of his career before a broken leg slowed him down and the Achilles injury ended his season. "I think with any major rehab process, you're always kind of progressing and getting back and getting used to doing everything, building up the reps on it, building up just your conditioning level," Jones said Wednesday. "I feel really good and there's nothing I don't feel good doing." The Colts’ pass-catching situation around Jones is a bit shaky at the moment, given star tight end Tyler Warren (groin) and wide receiver Alec Pierce (offseason ankle surgery) are currently sidelined. But when they return, they’ll add to a group that features one of the league’s best slot receivers in Josh Downs and recent signee Keenan Allen, who’s been a dominant force on third down. That’s a cast of receivers Jones can find success with. "I think it could be really special, to be honest," Colts coach Shane Steichen said of the pass-catching group. "Alec (Pierce) obviously is a hell of a football player, which you guys know. [Josh] Downs, Tyler [Warren], and then adding Keenan [Allen] to the fold. I think we can do a lot with those guys and move bodies around and find matchups." 5. Let’s Have A Conversation About Chiefs Breakout Rookie WR Cyrus Allen Henry McKenna: If you’ve been following training camp for Kansas City, you’ve heard of Allen. If you’re the type who combs X for potential breakout stars in fantasy football, you’ve heard of Allen. If you’re obsessed with NFL rookies and the draft, you’ve heard of Allen. His training camp highlights have been crazy. And Andy Reid didn’t slow the hype’s momentum. "He's done a nice job," Reid said of Allen. "The quarterback trusts him." This was the first week of training camp. Allen was a sixth-round pick out of Louisiana Tech. It felt like a big proclamation, particularly given that Rashee Rice has a history of missing time due to injuries and suspensions and Xavier Worthy has failed to live up to his first-round hype. Since then, Allen has played well — steadily doing what he could to move up the depth chart. That included scoring touchdowns with the first-team when paired with Patrick Mahomes. That also included beating first-round cornerback Mansoor Delane in 1-on-1s and team drills (7x7 and 11x11), per reporters on the scene. But here’s the truth for anyone expecting the second coming of Tyreek Hill. The folks at Arrowhead Pride broke it down with depth. But it’s likely — perhaps even overly optimistic — to project 60 for Allen. And only six receivers converted 60 targets into 500+ receiving yards in 2025. But before he wows in the box score, he’ll need to land in the WR3 spot. Given that he was playing behind Tyquan Thornton and Jaylen Royals in the second preseason game, Allen appears to be WR5. For what it’s worth, Hill had 83 targets, 61 catches, 593 yards and six touchdowns in his rookie season. That would be a great year for Allen. So keep an eye on him. He’s a real playmaker. But let’s stay reasonable for a rookie in a Chiefs' offense that has a lot of mouths to feed. 6. De’Zhaun Stribling Shows Kyle Shanahan Knows How To Evaluate WRs Williams: NFL draft analysts were up in arms over the San Francisco 49ers taking Ole Miss product De’Zhaun Stribling in the second round, believing the organization had reached for a player that some consensus draft boards had going later in the draft. However, through two weeks of preseason play, Stribling has acquitted himself nicely. Stribling is tied for the league lead with 11 catches for 109 yards, with a long of 32 yards. He finished with four catches for 46 yards in a win over the Los Angeles Chargers this week. I had a chance to watch Stribling in a joint practice at the Chargers’ facility. At 6-2 and 210 pounds, Stribling is an easy mover with suction-cup hands that can make contested catches in congested areas. Along with that, Stribling has the potential for explosive playmaking ability to do something after the catch, a key attribute in Shanahan’s offense. With Ricky Pearsall out for the year and Brandon Ayiuk no longer on the roster, Stribling should find a significant role in San Francisco’s offense this season. "I love how he handles himself," Shanahan said about Stribling. "He takes coaching well and never seems to take anything personally. He’s been a real fun guy to coach so far." 7. Bills’ Thin WR Corps May Be More Of A Problem Than Ever Vacchiano: One great NFL mystery of this generation will surely be why the Buffalo Bills, with arguably the best quarterback in the league in Josh Allen, keep failing to surround him with top-end receivers. And once again, heading towards a season they hope will end in a Super Bowl, that failure is being exposed. Though they are getting a solid performance this summer from D.J. Moore, the veteran "No. 1" wideout they acquired from the Chicago Bears, the rest of the corps is falling apart. Keon Coleman, their second-best receiver last season (38 receptions for 404 yards and four touchdowns), is nursing a concerning sprained toe. Khalil Shakir, last season’s top wideout (72 receptions for 719 yards and four touchdowns), missed the joint practices and preseason game against the Browns last week with an undisclosed injury. And rookie Skyler Bell, their fourth-round pick, has missed two weeks with a groin injury. That leaves Allen right now with Moore, who cost the Bills a second-round pick in March, Joshua Palmer (22 receptions for 303 yards and zero touchdowns) last season, and … not much else. That, of course, is not how the Bills see it. One team source told me their belief is that Allen can win with almost anyone around him, and that he can take what looks like a below-average group and make them much better. They are also convinced that Moore, at age 29, can reverse his steep, two-year decline simply by playing with an elite quarterback. It’s a gamble, of course, because otherwise all the pieces are in place in Buffalo: A powerful running game led by James Cook, a top offensive line, a top-10 defense that gets a boost from the addition of edge rusher Bradley Chubb. And of course, the brilliance of Allen will always give them a shot. Still, it’s hard not to imagine what this team would look like with just one elite receiver by Allen’s side. It would make their path to Buffalo’s first Super Bowl in 33 years look a lot easier than it currently is.

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