Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe will not play in the Spanish Super Cup due to a knee injury. The team will face Atletico Madrid in the semifinals without their top scorer. Mbappe is expected to be out for at least three weeks.
Key Facts
Kylian Mbappe, a Real Madrid player, has a knee sprain and won't play this week.
Real Madrid did not include Mbappe in their squad for the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Mbappe got his knee injury last week and will likely miss three weeks of games.
Real Madrid will compete against Atletico Madrid on Thursday in the semifinals.
Real Madrid's coach, Xabi Alonso, is under pressure because his team is currently behind Barcelona in the league.
Before his injury, Mbappe equaled Cristiano Ronaldo's record for most goals in a year for Real Madrid.
Mbappe's teammate, Vinicius Junior, has not scored as often this season as he did last year.
The Cleveland Browns have decided to keep quarterback Deshaun Watson for the 2026-27 NFL season. General Manager Andrew Berry expressed satisfaction with Watson's recovery from an injury but did not rule out evaluating new quarterbacks in the future.
Key Facts
The Cleveland Browns fired head coach Kevin Stefanski on January 5.
Deshaun Watson signed a five-year contract worth $233 million with the Browns in 2022.
Watson has played only 19 games due to injuries and other issues.
He suffered his second Achilles tendon tear recently and is recovering.
Browns GM Andrew Berry stated that Watson is expected to stay on the team for the 2026-27 season.
Berry noted Watson's positive progress in recovery and his involvement with the team.
Watson's contract for the 2026-27 season has a base salary of $80 million and it is his final contract year.
The Browns are considering their options for future quarterbacks, including the 2026 NFL draft class.
The Oregon Ducks football team is dealing with a key player, Jayden Limar, entering the NCAA transfer portal just days before their College Football Playoff semifinal against Indiana. Another important player, Jordon Davison, might miss the game due to an injury, leaving the team short on running backs.
Key Facts
Oregon’s Jayden Limar announced he will enter the NCAA transfer portal.
Limar was a key player and recorded a significant play in the last game.
Jordon Davison, another important running back, broke his clavicle.
There are doubts about Davison’s availability for the semifinal game.
Oregon is down four running backs from the start of the season.
The transfer portal is open until January 16, allowing players to move schools.
Oregon still has two active running backs, Noah Whittington and Dierre Hill.
Joe Burrow, quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals, highlighted the need for team improvements after the Bengals finished the season with a 6-11 record and missed the playoffs. Burrow emphasized the importance of free agency to strengthen the team, especially considering the Bengals' defensive struggles and his past injuries.
Key Facts
Joe Burrow plays quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Bengals finished their season with a 6-11 record.
Burrow missed part of the season due to a toe injury.
Cincinnati's defense ranked 31st in the league.
Burrow stressed the importance of improving the team through free agency.
The Bengals have $69 million in cap space to use in the offseason.
Burrow is under contract with the Bengals until 2029.
Cincinnati has not made the playoffs for three years, despite a Super Bowl appearance in 2022.
A promotional code called NEWSWEEKXL offers new users a bonus for participating in daily fantasy sports on the Sleeper platform. The offer includes either a $20 bonus or a $100 deposit match to use for making picks in NBA and College Football Playoff games. Participants must make picks from players on at least two different teams.
Key Facts
The Sleeper promo code NEWSWEEKXL offers a $20 bonus or a $100 deposit match for new users.
This promotion focuses on NBA games and upcoming College Football Playoff matches.
To use the offer, participants must make at least two picks involving players from two different teams.
Users can choose between different payout options: 'max play' or 'flex play'.
Some current NBA match picks include stats like Tyler Herro's points and Donte DiVincenzo's assists plus rebounds.
Signing up requires entering the promo code and some personal information.
The Las Vegas Raiders are looking to improve their team after a rough 3-14 season. They might consider signing Alec Pierce, a wide receiver from the Indianapolis Colts, who recently had a strong season with over 1,000 receiving yards. The Raiders have the financial flexibility this offseason to make significant roster changes.
Key Facts
The Las Vegas Raiders ended their season with a 3-14 record.
Coach Pete Carroll was fired after just one season with the team.
The Raiders have significant financial resources to make new player signings in the offseason.
Alec Pierce, a wide receiver from the Indianapolis Colts, caught 47 passes for 1,003 yards and scored six touchdowns last season.
Pierce leads the NFL in yards per catch for the past two seasons.
Pierce was drafted by the Colts in the second round in 2022.
The Raiders also need a new quarterback for the 2026 season.
The Colts likely cannot afford to keep Pierce due to salary cap limitations.
DraftKings is offering a welcome bonus for new users who bet on NBA or other sports games. Users can bet $5 to potentially win $300 in bonus bets if their first bet wins. There are specific conditions for the bets to qualify for the bonus.
Key Facts
DraftKings is providing a $300 welcome bonus for new users.
To participate, users must bet $5 on an initial wager with odds of -500 or longer.
The welcome offer applies to NBA, NHL, and other sports markets.
Users need to create a new DraftKings account to access the bonus.
The NBA features six games on which users can bet on a given night, including Heat vs. Timberwolves and Mavericks vs. Kings.
Users may also receive a $50 bonus from DraftKings Pick6 in states where sports betting is not legal.
The bonus bets must be used within seven days if won.
FanDuel is offering a promotion for new users. By placing a $5 bet on sports like the NBA, NFL, or College Football Playoff, new users can win a $300 bonus if their bet is successful. This offer allows users to try betting with minimal risk.
Key Facts
FanDuel offers a promo for new users: bet $5, win $300 bonus.
To get the bonus, you need to place a $5 bet and win.
The offer applies to sports like NBA, NFL, and College Football Playoff.
Users can sign up and bet without needing a promo code.
The FanDuel Sportsbook app is available for easy access.
Secure payment methods include credit cards, Apple Pay, and PayPal.
NFL games for Wild Card Weekend are part of the betting options.
Newsweek may earn a commission if users sign up through its links.
The Toronto Blue Jays have signed several players, which makes it unlikely they will re-sign infielder Bo Bichette. They recently signed Kazuma Okamoto and may focus on getting outfielder Kyle Tucker instead of Bichette.
Key Facts
The Toronto Blue Jays signed pitcher Dylan Cease for seven years at $210 million.
They signed Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto to a four-year, $60 million contract.
Sports insiders believe that these signings make it less likely the Blue Jays will re-sign Bo Bichette.
Ernie Clement's playing time is uncertain with the new signing of Okamoto.
The Blue Jays might try to sign outfielder Kyle Tucker instead of Bichette.
This shift may allow Bo Bichette to potentially join the World Series champion Dodgers.
Stephanie Vaquer, a WWE Women's World Champion, appeared on "Raw" with a walking boot due to an injury. Despite concerns that she might lose her title because of the injury, reports suggest she won't miss much time and her wrestling rivalry with Raquel Rodriguez continues.
Key Facts
Stephanie Vaquer is currently the WWE Women's World Champion.
She appeared on WWE's "Raw" with a walking boot, indicating an injury.
There were concerns she might have to vacate her title, but this is not expected.
Vaquer's injury led to a storyline segment with Raquel Rodriguez.
Vaquer is involved in a rivalry with Raquel Rodriguez and possibly with The Judgment Day faction.
Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez are also involved in related WWE storylines.
The WWE event "WrestleMania" season is upcoming, where Vaquer may have notable matches.
Coach Mike Tomlin led the Pittsburgh Steelers to a win against the Baltimore Ravens, securing a playoff spot. The game was intense, with the Steelers scoring late and the Ravens missing a last-minute field goal. The victory allows the Steelers to compete in the playoffs against the Houston Texans.
Key Facts
Pittsburgh Steelers played against Baltimore Ravens in a crucial game.
The game determined whether the Steelers would advance to the playoffs.
Coach Mike Tomlin motivated his team with a strong message during the game.
The Steelers scored late in the game but missed an extra point, leading by only two points.
The Ravens had a chance to win with a field goal, but the kicker missed.
The Steelers' win means they will play against the Houston Texans in the playoffs.
This marks a potential playoff return to the Super Bowl for the first time in nearly 20 years for the Steelers.
Lamar Jackson of the Ravens worked hard to keep his team in the game.
The Ole Miss quarterback, Trinidad Chambliss, announced he will stay at Ole Miss instead of transferring to LSU, contingent on receiving a waiver for a sixth year of college football eligibility. Chambliss is preparing for an important game and wants to continue his college career with Ole Miss, expressing gratitude towards the university and community.
Key Facts
Trinidad Chambliss is the quarterback for Ole Miss.
He has applied for a sixth year of eligibility with the NCAA.
Chambliss announced he will stay at Ole Miss if the waiver is approved.
Rumors suggested he might transfer to LSU, but he chose to remain at Ole Miss.
Chambliss expressed appreciation for the Ole Miss program and community.
He will play in an upcoming semifinal game against the Miami Hurricanes.
Former coach Lane Kiffin reacted positively to Chambliss’s decision.
This article explains how to use the promo code "NEWSWEEK" on the Underdog sports betting platform to get a $75 bonus. To receive the bonus, users need to make an initial $5 play on sports like NBA games, College Football Playoff, or NFL wild card games. The article includes details on how to sign up and some popular NBA picks for the day.
Key Facts
Use the Underdog promo code "NEWSWEEK" to get a $75 bonus after a $5 entry.
The bonus applies regardless of the outcome of the initial $5 play.
Users can choose from various sports for their initial $5 entry, including NBA, college football, and NFL games.
Popular NBA picks for the day include over/under bets on player points and other statistics for players like Anthony Edwards and LeBron James.
The promotion offers flexibility in making picks, allowing users to choose between different play options like max payout or flex play.
To sign up, users enter their personal information, make a deposit, and place a $5 play.
Newsweek may earn a commission if users sign up through the article's links.
Trinidad Chambliss, a college football quarterback, has decided to stay with Ole Miss for another year if the NCAA allows it, despite interest from LSU. He recently led Ole Miss to a victory in the Sugar Bowl and set a record for the longest string of completed passes. Chambliss will face the Miami Hurricanes in the Fiesta Bowl on January 8.
Key Facts
Trinidad Chambliss has chosen to remain at Ole Miss instead of transferring to LSU.
Chambliss led Ole Miss to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
He set a record in the Sugar Bowl for the longest completion streak, helping Ole Miss beat the Georgia Bulldogs.
If the NCAA grants him an extra year, Chambliss will continue as quarterback for Ole Miss.
Chambliss is considered a potential first-round pick for the NFL draft but prioritizes staying at Ole Miss.
The Rebels, under coach Pete Golding, successfully retained Chambliss and have acquired new players through the transfer portal.
Chambliss and Ole Miss will play against the Miami Hurricanes in the Fiesta Bowl on January 8.
The Boston Red Sox signed pitcher T.J. Sikkema to a minor league contract and invited him to their spring training. Sikkema was previously with the Cincinnati Reds and was originally drafted by the Yankees.
Key Facts
The Red Sox signed T.J. Sikkema to a minor league contract.
Sikkema was invited to the Red Sox's major league spring training.
In 2025, Sikkema reached the Triple-A level with the Cincinnati Reds.
He originally played for the Yankees, drafted 38th overall in 2019.
Sikkema was traded to the Kansas City Royals in 2022.
He played in Cactus League games for the Royals in 2023.
Sikkema, 27, is a left-handed pitcher who uses four types of pitches.
He became a free agent for the first time after the 2025 season.
Michigan's new head football coach, Kyle Whittingham, confirmed quarterback Bryce Underwood will remain with the team instead of transferring. Whittingham discussed Underwood's potential and development plans on "The Rich Eisen Show."
Key Facts
Kyle Whittingham is the new head coach of Michigan's football team.
Quarterback Bryce Underwood decided to stay with the Michigan team rather than enter the transfer portal.
Underwood recently played in the Citrus Bowl, where Michigan lost to Texas.
In his last season, Underwood had 2,428 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions.
Whittingham praised Underwood's attitude and potential as a player.
Michigan's offensive coordinator, Jason Beck, will work on refining Underwood's skills.
The NCAA Transfer Portal opened recently, allowing players to move between teams.
The Los Angeles Lakers are considering a trade to improve their defense before the trade deadline. They are interested in Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis, who is known for his defensive skills and three-point shooting. The Lakers are struggling defensively this season and see Ellis as a potential solution.
Key Facts
The Lakers currently have the sixth-best record in the NBA but struggle with defense.
They rank 24th in defensive rating, allowing 117.4 points per 100 possessions.
The Lakers are also at the bottom of the league in several other defensive statistics.
Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis is known for his strong defense and three-point shooting ability.
Ellis has a career 41.6% success rate in three-point shooting.
His current contract is low-cost, which fits well within the Lakers' budget.
The Lakers are interested in trading for Ellis to strengthen their team defensively.
The Philadelphia Phillies are not expected to re-sign outfielder Harrison Bader, despite his strong performance last season. It is predicted that Bader will sign a two-year, $30 million contract with the Kansas City Royals.
Key Facts
Harrison Bader is a free agent outfielder who had a successful season last year.
The Phillies have opted not to pursue re-signing Bader, possibly due to their current roster configuration.
Ryan Finkelstein predicts Bader will sign with the Kansas City Royals.
The predicted contract for Bader is for two years and worth $30 million.
The Kansas City Royals could use Bader's experience as a veteran player in their lineup.
Kyle Isbel currently plays center field for the Royals but struggles with batting.
The Royals are looking for affordable talent and see Bader as a good fit without engaging in pricey bidding wars for other stars.
Seattle Mariners' player Eugenio Suárez is expected to leave the team as a free agent. Predictions indicate he might sign a two-year, $40 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks to fill their third-base position.
Key Facts
Eugenio Suárez is a baseball player currently with the Seattle Mariners.
He is becoming a free agent and may join the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The predicted deal for Suárez is two years, worth $40 million.
The Diamondbacks have an opening at third base where Suárez could play.
The Diamondbacks had previously traded Suárez, but now might re-sign him.
Signing Suárez would give the Diamondbacks a veteran player as their prospects develop.
If the Diamondbacks struggle in the future, they might consider trading him again.
A former Texas wide receiver, Parker Livingstone, has chosen to transfer to the Oklahoma Sooners, intensifying the Red River Rivalry. Livingstone was a key player for Texas, catching 29 passes for 516 yards and six touchdowns in 2025.
Key Facts
Parker Livingstone, a wide receiver, is transferring from Texas to Oklahoma.
Livingstone caught 29 passes for 516 yards and six touchdowns last season.
He was considered one of the top transfer players, ranked No. 68 overall and No. 16 among receivers.
Livingstone still has three years of college eligibility remaining.
He had a strong relationship with Texas quarterback Arch Manning and was expected to stay.
Livingstone reportedly turned down a substantial NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) offer from Texas.
Now at Oklahoma, he will play with quarterback John Mateer.
