The Jacksonville Jaguars are doing well in the NFL despite losing rookie player Travis Hunter to a knee injury. Hunter sustained a significant injury in October and will not play until 2026, but he is recovering and in good spirits. The Jaguars remain focused on clinching their division and continue to perform strongly.
Key Facts
The Jacksonville Jaguars won four of their last five NFL games.
Rookie player Travis Hunter injured his knee, tearing the LCL, which required surgery.
Despite the injury, Hunter was performing well as a cornerback before getting hurt.
Hunter's recovery progress is positive, with a video showing him walking.
The Jaguars traded several draft picks to get Hunter as the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
So far this season, Hunter recorded 11 tackles and 28 receptions.
The Jaguars aim to win against the Indianapolis Colts and hope a Houston Texans loss will help them clinch their division.
Regardless of other outcomes, winning the rest of their games will secure the division championship for the Jaguars.
Cam Cook, a top college football running back, plans to transfer from Jacksonville State after a standout season. Cook led the nation in rushing yards and was recognized with several awards. He previously played for TCU and has been linked to potential interest from major college football programs.
Key Facts
Cam Cook was the leading rusher in FBS with 1,659 yards on 295 carries.
Cook scored 16 rushing touchdowns and had 286 receiving yards in the 2025 season.
He received multiple All-America honors and was named Conference USA Player of the Year.
Cook plans to enter the transfer portal, which allows college athletes to transfer schools.
Initially, he was a highly-ranked recruit and received offers from major universities.
Cook previously played for TCU, where he led the team in rushing during the 2024 season.
Major college football programs like Syracuse and Texas have shown interest in Cook.
The Los Angeles Lakers updated that their player, Luka Doncic, is expected to play in the Christmas Day game against the Houston Rockets. Luka has been out with a leg injury, but if his workout goes well, he will participate in the game and also debut his new signature shoe. The Lakers hope his return will help improve their recent performance.
Key Facts
Luka Doncic is expected to return for the Lakers' Christmas Day game against the Rockets.
He was sidelined with a left leg contusion for several weeks.
Luka will debut his new signature shoe, the Jordan Luka 5, during the game.
The Lakers have recently lost two games in a row, dropping their record to 19-9.
This Christmas matchup is part of the NBA's annual holiday schedule that features marquee games.
LeBron James, another star on the Lakers, has scored high in recent games but couldn't prevent the losses.
The Lakers have moved down to fourth in the Western Conference standings.
Pedro Rubiolo, a 23-year-old rugby player from Argentina, has signed a new long-term contract with Bristol Bears, a rugby team in England. Rubiolo joined the team in 2024 and has helped them perform well this season. The club has not revealed the exact details of his contract extension.
Key Facts
Pedro Rubiolo is 23 years old and plays for the Bristol Bears rugby team.
He originally signed with Bristol Bears in 2024 for three years.
Rubiolo has played three games this season, helping the team rank fifth in the league.
He has 32 international caps for Argentina and has helped his national team win against New Zealand and South Africa.
The new contract with Bristol Bears is described as "long-term," but the exact length is not disclosed.
Rubiolo is noted for his strong performance, competitive nature, and commitment to improving.
Other Bristol Bears players like England's Harry Randall and Argentina's Matias Moroni have also signed new contracts.
Matthew Stafford, the quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams, is the leading candidate for the NFL's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award this year, according to a survey of NFL executives and general managers. Stafford's main competitor for the award is New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, who is also performing strongly.
Key Facts
Matthew Stafford plays for the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL.
Stafford is seen as the top candidate for the MVP award this season.
NFL executives from 30 teams participated in a survey about the MVP.
In the survey, 18 executives voted for Stafford as the MVP.
Drake Maye, from the New England Patriots, received five votes as a close competitor.
Stafford has achieved 40 touchdowns and five interceptions this season so far.
The New England Patriots are on track to win the AFC East division.
The Rams might finish third in their division, the NFC West.
The Washington Commanders have announced that veteran quarterback Johnson will start against the Cowboys on Christmas Day. The team has faced several injuries this season, which have affected their key players and playoff chances. Both the Commanders and Cowboys are out of playoff contention, but will play an NFC East game.
Key Facts
The Washington Commanders will start quarterback Johnson against the Dallas Cowboys.
Johnson is a veteran who has been in the NFL since 2009.
Johnson has previously played for teams like Tampa Bay, Cleveland, and Baltimore.
The Commanders’ previous starting quarterback, Jayden Daniels, is out for the season due to an elbow injury.
Backup quarterback Marcus Mariota is also unavailable due to hand and quadriceps injuries.
Jeff Driscoll will be the backup quarterback for the game.
The Commanders’ current record is 4-11, and they have been eliminated from the playoffs.
The Christmas Day game against the Cowboys has no playoff stakes but remains part of the scheduled NFL games.
The NFL outperformed college football in TV viewership over a recent weekend. NFL games drew significantly larger audiences compared to the College Football Playoff games. The most-watched NFL game featured the Bears vs. Packers, attracting over 21 million viewers.
Key Facts
NFL games and College Football Playoff games both aired on the same weekend.
The Eagles vs. Washington NFL game had 15.46 million viewers.
The Bears vs. Packers NFL game had 21.34 million viewers.
The Ole Miss vs. Tulane College Football Playoff game had 6.2 million viewers.
The Oregon vs. James Madison College Football Playoff game had 4.4 million viewers.
The Texas A&M vs. Miami College Football Playoff game had the highest CFP viewership with 14.8 million viewers.
The Kansas City Chiefs announced that tight end Travis Kelce has made NFL history by recording 12 straight seasons with over 800 receiving yards, despite the team being out of playoff contention. Kelce, considering retiring at age 36, remains focused on finishing strong. The Chiefs play their next game against the Denver Broncos on Christmas Day.
Key Facts
The Kansas City Chiefs are out of the playoffs for the first time in 10 years.
Travis Kelce is thinking about retiring and will become a free agent after this season.
This year, Kelce has made 68 catches, gaining 803 yards and scoring five touchdowns.
He made NFL history by joining Jerry Rice as the only players with over 800 receiving yards in 12 straight seasons.
Kelce is in his 13th season and was drafted from the University of Cincinnati.
The Chiefs’ next game is against the Denver Broncos on Christmas Day.
Chiefs' coach Andy Reid praised Kelce's impact on the team and community.
Questions have arisen about the future of quarterback Lamar Jackson with the Baltimore Ravens due to concerns about his contract and performance. The Ravens may consider renegotiating his contract to reduce salary costs or potentially trading him. This situation is part of broader considerations for changes in the team's management and roster.
Key Facts
The Baltimore Ravens might reevaluate their quarterback and head coach roles at the end of the season.
The Ravens' chances to make the playoffs are uncertain as they prepare to face the Green Bay Packers.
Lamar Jackson's contract has two years remaining, with a high salary and no guaranteed money.
Baltimore may need to extend Jackson's contract to lower his salary cap impact or trade him.
Jackson has a no-trade clause, which means he has to agree to any trade.
This season, Jackson has thrown for 2,311 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions.
He has experienced multiple injuries, including issues with his back, hamstring, knee, ankle, and toe.
Jackson has not led the Ravens to a Super Bowl during his NFL career.
Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki, a famous Japanese golfer with 113 worldwide wins, passed away from colon cancer at 78. Known for his powerful swing and style, Ozaki held records on the Japan Golf Tour and joined the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011. He was a key figure in Japan's golf scene, inspiring many future players.
Key Facts
Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki won 113 events worldwide, the most for a Japanese golfer.
He passed away at age 78 due to colon cancer.
Ozaki won 94 times on the Japan Golf Tour over 29 years.
He reached a career-high ranking of No. 5 in the world in 1996.
He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011.
Ozaki competed in 49 major golf championships, with his best result at the 1989 U.S. Open.
He led the Japan Golf Tour money list 12 times, a record.
Before golf, Ozaki played professional baseball in Japan.
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman's name has been mentioned in connection with possible NFL coaching positions. ESPN's NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reported that teams like the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans are interested in Freeman, although no team has officially requested to speak with him yet. Freeman has led Notre Dame to significant success since taking the head coach position in 2021.
Key Facts
Marcus Freeman is the current head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
There are rumors about Freeman being considered for NFL coaching positions.
Freeman has shown interest in possibly coaching at the professional level.
ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler mentioned that the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans are interested in Freeman.
No official requests have been made to speak with Freeman regarding NFL opportunities.
Freeman led Notre Dame to a 43-12 record since taking over in 2021.
Notre Dame reached a national championship appearance last season under Freeman's coaching.
The New York Yankees are considering signing Willi Castro, a versatile baseball player, as a free agent. Castro is known for playing multiple positions and has a connection to one of the Yankees' current players.
Key Facts
The Yankees are exploring offseason free agent options, including Willi Castro.
Castro was an All-Star in 2024 and made MLB history by playing 25 games at five different positions.
He played 56 games at shortstop, 39 at second base, 30 in center field, 30 in left field, and 26 at third base in 2024.
Castro also pitched in two scoreless games in 2024.
In 2024, Castro had a .774 OPS and hit seven home runs by the All-Star break.
After being traded to the Cubs, his performance dipped, resulting in a .485 OPS and a .170 batting average in 34 games.
Spotrac estimates Castro's market value at $33 million over a three-year contract.
Castro is Amed Rosario's brother-in-law, a Yankees infielder, and they have known each other since 2012.
The New York Mets signed Tyler Burch, a minor-league pitcher, to a rare two-year contract. Burch recently had Tommy John surgery and will likely miss most of the season but is expected to return next year. This move helps the Mets manage his recovery and secure his future potential as a player.
Key Facts
The Mets signed Tyler Burch, a 28-year-old pitcher, to a two-year minor-league contract.
Burch is recovering from Tommy John surgery and will not play for most of the current season.
The Mets believe Burch has potential as a middle reliever in big-league games.
Burch was with the Colorado Rockies last season but became a free agent after not playing due to his surgery.
He has played 114 games in minor leagues, mostly as a relief pitcher, with a 3.71 ERA and 186 strikeouts.
The two-year deal helps the Mets manage his rehab and prevents other teams from picking him in the Rule 5 Draft.
Manchester City is in talks to sign Antoine Semenyo, a 25-year-old forward from Bournemouth, for £65 million. Semenyo, who plays internationally for Ghana, has been attracting interest due to his strong performance in the Premier League, including goal contributions and successful dribbles. Manchester City sees him as adding value to their team, especially with other players unavailable.
Key Facts
Manchester City is negotiating with Bournemouth for forward Antoine Semenyo, who has a £65 million release clause.
Semenyo, born in London, plays for Ghana internationally.
He previously played for Arsenal, Spurs, and Millwall at youth levels before joining Bristol City in 2017.
He transferred to Bournemouth for £10 million in January 2023 and has improved since.
Semenyo has been directly involved in 16 Premier League goals since April, a high contribution rate.
His playing style is viewed as a new asset for Manchester City, especially with current player injuries.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has praised Semenyo's energy and attacking skills.
Matthew Stafford is a leading candidate for the NFL MVP award with two weeks left in the season. His strong performance has helped the Rams become a top team. Other contenders include Patriots QB Drake Maye and Bills QB Josh Allen, but their odds have decreased.
Key Facts
Matthew Stafford is currently the favorite for the NFL MVP award.
The Rams have an 11-4 record and are competing for the top spot in their conference.
Stafford's main competitors are Drake Maye from the Patriots and Josh Allen from the Bills.
Drake Maye had close odds to Stafford after a strong performance in Week 13 but has since fallen behind.
Josh Allen's chances declined after the Bills lost to the Dolphins.
Prediction markets like Kalshi and sports betting sites show Stafford is the leading candidate.
Stafford's performance includes strong stats like a high number of touchdowns compared to interceptions.
Shoaib Bashir, a 22-year-old cricket player, was left out of England's team for the fourth Ashes Test. Although he is England's top spinner according to Captain Ben Stokes, Bashir hasn't played a significant role in the series yet.
Key Facts
Shoaib Bashir made his England Test debut against India in February 2024.
He was not included in England's squad for the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne.
Former England spinner Phil Tufnell questioned why Bashir hasn't been played.
Bashir has played some cricket during the tour after recovering from a finger injury.
His recent game performances included taking 2 wickets for 151 runs and 0 wickets for 115 runs.
England captain Ben Stokes called Bashir their number one spinner, despite not playing him.
Bashir has another year on his central contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
England's cricket team is facing scrutiny over player conduct and mental well-being during their Ashes tour in Australia. Concerns arose about excessive drinking during a break between matches, and key player injuries are affecting the team. Captain Ben Stokes emphasized his focus on player welfare as they prepare for upcoming matches.
Key Facts
Captain Ben Stokes is focusing on player welfare amid reports of heavy drinking during a break in the Ashes tour.
Media reports describe the team’s behavior as similar to a "stag-do" (a party or celebration before a wedding).
Video footage on social media showed player Ben Duckett appearing drunk.
England lost the Ashes series after Australia took a 3-0 lead.
Player Jofra Archer will miss the rest of the series due to an injury.
The England and Wales Cricket Board plans to investigate the drinking claims.
England has not won a Test match in Australia since the 2010-11 series, spanning 18 matches.
England will play their next Test in Melbourne, with team changes due to poor performance and injuries.
Michigan's football team is looking for a new head coach after firing Sherrone Moore. Three main candidates have emerged: Eli Drinkwitz, Jedd Fisch, and Kyle Whittingham. Biff Poggi is serving as the interim head coach for the team's upcoming bowl game.
Key Facts
Michigan dismissed head coach Sherrone Moore about two weeks ago.
Biff Poggi has been named interim head coach for the upcoming bowl game.
Eli Drinkwitz (Missouri), Jedd Fisch (Washington), and Kyle Whittingham (Utah) are the leading candidates for the head coach position.
Michigan's search is still in the early stages, and a new coach is unlikely to be hired before Christmas.
Jeff Brohm was mentioned in rumors but is not on Michigan's initial list of coaching candidates.
Michigan last won a national championship in 2023 under Jim Harbaugh.
There is pressure on Michigan's athletic director, Warde Manuel, to make a good coaching decision.
The University of South Carolina has strengthened its women's basketball program by landing two highly regarded recruits. Jerzy Robinson, a top guard from California, and Alicia Tournebize, a skilled French forward, have both committed to join the team. These signings reinforce South Carolina's strong position in college basketball recruiting.
Key Facts
Jerzy Robinson, a top-ranked guard from Sierra Canyon High School, has committed to South Carolina.
Robinson was pursued by several major college basketball programs, including LSU, UConn, and USC.
Alicia Tournebize, a 6-foot-7 forward from France, will join South Carolina early next year.
Tournebize previously played professionally in the EuroLeague Women for Tango Bourges Basket in France.
Robinson's commitment strengthens South Carolina's presence in California, a key recruiting region.
Both recruits are part of South Carolina's highly ranked 2026 class, with three players in ESPN's Top 20.
The signings bolster the depth and talent of Dawn Staley's South Carolina team.
Michigan's interim head coach Biff Poggi stated that up to 25 players might leave the team after their bowl game on December 31. This comes after the head coach was fired, and the offensive coordinator left for another team. Poggi's comments suggest some players may enter the transfer portal or consider the NFL draft.
Key Facts
Michigan fired their head coach Sherrone Moore.
Offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey left Michigan for Missouri.
Interim coach Biff Poggi expressed concern that 25 players might leave the team.
The potential departures could happen after the Citrus Bowl on December 31 when Michigan plays Texas.
Poggi mentioned the players could either transfer to other schools or enter the NFL draft.
Just a day before Poggi's statement, the team had only three players opting out of the bowl game.
The team is experiencing uncertainty, with some questioning who will coach them in the future.
Fans on social media reacted strongly to Poggi's statement, concerned about the team's future.
