The Minnesota Vikings' quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, is having a difficult start to his career, with a low ranking among NFL quarterbacks after two games. Coach Kevin O'Connell acknowledges the challenges and development McCarthy faces, while the team remains supportive. McCarthy will miss the next game due to an ankle sprain.
Key Facts
J.J. McCarthy ranks 32nd out of 33 qualifying NFL quarterbacks in ESPN's QBR.
He has completed 58.5% of his passes, with three touchdowns and three interceptions over two games.
The Vikings have struggled offensively, ranking 31st in total yards through two weeks.
Coach Kevin O'Connell emphasized the developmental phase McCarthy is in as a young quarterback.
McCarthy sustained an ankle sprain and is ruled out for Week 3.
Carson Wentz will start as quarterback against the Cincinnati Bengals.
McCarthy previously ended his rookie season with a meniscus tear.
Teammate Adam Thielen expressed confidence in McCarthy’s abilities, despite current challenges.
Brian Thomas Jr., a wide receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars, has had a slower-than-expected start to the 2025 season. Jacksonville's head coach, Liam Coen, revealed that a wrist injury, which was not made public before, might have affected Thomas's performance.
Key Facts
Brian Thomas Jr. is a notable wide receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Thomas had 19 targets but only caught five passes for 60 yards in the first two games of 2025.
Head coach Liam Coen mentioned Thomas had a wrist injury that might have affected his performance.
The wrist injury was not listed on the team's injury report before the game.
Thomas made a significant impact in his rookie season, which set high expectations for 2025.
It is unclear how serious the wrist injury is for Thomas or how long it might affect him.
Jayden Daniels, quarterback for the Washington Commanders, is dealing with a knee sprain after a tough game against the Green Bay Packers. His ability to play in the upcoming Week 3 game against the Las Vegas Raiders is uncertain. If Daniels cannot play, Marcus Mariota may start as quarterback.
Key Facts
Jayden Daniels plays as a quarterback for the Washington Commanders.
Daniels sustained a knee sprain in a game against the Green Bay Packers.
His status for the upcoming game against the Las Vegas Raiders is unknown.
During the game, Daniels was tackled by Kingsley Enagbare and injured his knee.
Marcus Mariota is the potential replacement quarterback if Daniels cannot play.
The Commanders recently signed Chase Edmonds to their practice squad as another player, Austin Ekeler, is out for the year with an Achilles injury.
Daniels staying healthy was a key focus for the team this season, which led to trading for top lineman Laremy Tunsil.
The Commanders' next game is on Sunday during Week 3 of the NFL season.
Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors are having contract talks that haven't reached an agreement. Kuminga can either accept a one-year deal to become a free agent later or sign a two-year deal with a second-year team option, which he is hesitant to do. Tensions exist as both parties figure out Kuminga's role and future with the team.
Key Facts
Jonathan Kuminga is a restricted free agent for the 2025-26 season.
He's expected to return on a one-year, $7.9 million deal, leading to free agency later.
Kuminga also has a two-year, $45 million offer from the Warriors with a team option in the second year.
There's uncertainty about Kuminga's role, causing tension between him and the team.
Warriors owner Joe Lacob asked Kuminga if he wants to stay, indicating uncertainty about both parties' commitment.
The situation has led to speculation about the Warriors' valuation of Kuminga.
Joe Lacob traveled to Miami to meet with Kuminga, showing an intention to resolve the contract situation.
A former NFL executive has suggested that the Minnesota Vikings consider trading for quarterback Kirk Cousins from the Atlanta Falcons. This idea comes after the Vikings' new starting quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, had mixed performances in his initial games. McCarthy, who is dealing with an ankle injury, is seen as the team's long-term plan.
Key Facts
J.J. McCarthy is the new starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings.
McCarthy has shown both promise and struggles in his first games.
Former NFL executive Joe Banner suggested the Vikings trade for Kirk Cousins.
Kirk Cousins previously played for the Vikings from 2018 to 2023.
Cousins currently plays for the Atlanta Falcons and had a solid performance last season.
McCarthy completed 58.5% of his passes for 301 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions in his first games.
McCarthy is expected to miss the third game due to a sprained ankle.
The suggestion to trade for Cousins is aimed at strengthening the Vikings' chance to succeed immediately.
Caesars Sportsbook offers a promotion where new users can receive 20 profit boost tokens by signing up with a specific promo code and betting $1 on a Monday Night Football game. These tokens can double winnings on bets up to $25 for the next 20 bets. This offer is part of a special promotion for the football season.
Key Facts
New users who sign up with the promo code NEWSWK20X receive 20 profit boost tokens.
Users need to place an initial bet of $1 on a Monday Night Football game to qualify.
These tokens allow users to double their winnings on up to $25 bets.
The tokens are valid for 7 days after they are added to the user's account.
The promotion is available for users 21 and older in eligible states.
The initial $1 bet does not need to be a winning bet for users to receive the tokens.
Monday Night Football games include Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Houston Texans and Los Angeles Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders.
Newsweek may receive a commission for sign-ups through the links in the article.
The Toronto Blue Jays are leading the American League East and are considered strong contenders for the playoffs. An ESPN survey found that some players and baseball executives see the Blue Jays as the "team to beat" in the American League playoffs. The Blue Jays have not reached the American League Division Series (ALDS) since 2016.
Key Facts
The Toronto Blue Jays are currently leading the American League East division.
Toronto is ahead of the New York Yankees by four games, holding a tiebreaker advantage.
The Blue Jays aim to reach the World Series, which they haven't done since 1993.
An ESPN survey asked players, scouts, and executives about their postseason favorites.
The Blue Jays received the most votes in the survey as the "team to beat" in the AL, but the results were not unanimous.
Toronto received six votes as the AL favorite, while the Detroit Tigers got five votes, and the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox each received three votes.
The Blue Jays aim to secure a division win to get a first-round bye in the playoffs.
Former WWE wrestler David Otunga suggests that the wrestling group The Nexus should reunite to face John Cena before he retires at the end of this year. He recalls their previous match at SummerSlam in 2010, where The Nexus lost to a team led by Cena, which Otunga believes halted their momentum.
Key Facts
David Otunga, a former WWE wrestler, spoke about reuniting The Nexus for a match against John Cena.
Otunga was part of The Nexus, a group known for shaking up WWE with their debut in 2010.
The Nexus lost a significant match against Team WWE, led by Cena, at SummerSlam 2010.
Otunga believes the SummerSlam outcome negatively impacted The Nexus's success.
John Cena is currently in his final months before retiring from wrestling.
The Nexus was originally formed by rookies from the first season of NXT, a WWE training show.
There is ongoing fan debate about the controversial finish of the 2010 SummerSlam match.
Mondo Duplantis set a new pole vault world record, jumping 6.3 meters to win a gold medal in Tokyo. This is his 14th time breaking the world record and his third consecutive world title.
Key Facts
Mondo Duplantis broke the pole vault world record with a jump of 6.3 meters (20 feet, 8 inches).
He achieved this on his third attempt during the competition in Tokyo.
This is Duplantis's 14th time breaking the world record.
Duplantis secured his third straight world title with this jump.
He previously set a record of 6.29 meters in Budapest last month.
Seven out of twelve competitors cleared a height of 5.90 meters in the competition.
Emmanouil Karalis from Greece won the silver medal with a jump of 6.00 meters.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has an ankle sprain and will not play in the upcoming game. Carson Wentz will start as quarterback while McCarthy recovers. The Vikings play the Cincinnati Bengals, who are also using a backup quarterback due to an injury.
Key Facts
J.J. McCarthy, quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, has an ankle sprain.
Due to his injury, McCarthy will miss at least one game.
Carson Wentz will replace McCarthy as the starting quarterback.
The Vikings will face the Cincinnati Bengals, who also have a backup quarterback due to Joe Burrow's injury.
McCarthy was named NFC Player of the Week after a strong performance against the Chicago Bears.
In the game against the Atlanta Falcons, McCarthy was sacked three times and fumbled three times.
The Vikings' starting left tackle, Christian Darrisaw, is also out with a knee injury.
The Los Angeles Lakers are considering a trade with the Miami Heat for Andrew Wiggins, a forward. A team insider mentioned that the Lakers may have to give up a first-round draft pick, which they are hesitant to do. The deal might not happen until mid-December, when more players are eligible to be traded.
Key Facts
The Lakers are linked to a potential trade with the Miami Heat for Andrew Wiggins.
Los Angeles wants more defense and scoring, and Wiggins is a potential target.
The Lakers may need to give up a first-round draft pick to make the trade happen.
Lakers insider Jovan Buha doubts that players like Rui Hachimura and others are enough for the trade.
The team might wait until mid-December before making a move, when additional players become trade-eligible.
Wiggins has a $30 million player option for the 2026-27 season.
The Champions League, a major European football tournament, is starting its new season. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) are the current champions, and experts from BBC Sport have shared their predictions for the new season. Liverpool is highlighted as a strong contender to win the tournament.
Key Facts
The Champions League is starting its 71st edition.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) won the tournament last season.
This season includes 36 teams, featuring six English clubs: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur.
Liverpool has bolstered its team with new players like Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.
BBC Sport pundits largely favor Liverpool as potential winners.
The final will take place at Puskas Arena in Budapest next May.
The BBC will broadcast Champions League highlights every match week on various platforms.
The tournament follows an expanded league format, introduced last season.
The article discusses player prop bets for two NFL games in Week 2's Monday Night Football. It focuses on rushing yard prop bets for Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert and running back Omarion Hampton. The article provides analysis about their previous performances and expectations for the upcoming games.
Key Facts
The article looks at NFL Week 2 Monday Night Football games featuring the Buccaneers vs. Texans and Chargers vs. Raiders.
It highlights player prop bets related to rushing yards for Justin Herbert and Omarion Hampton.
Justin Herbert is expected to exceed 17.5 rushing yards, based on past performances.
Herbert ran 32 yards in Week 1 on seven carries and previously ran 42 yards against the Raiders.
Omarion Hampton is anticipated to rush over 55.5 yards.
Hampton ran 48 yards on 15 carries against the Chiefs, a strong defensive team.
The Chargers' offensive line has improved with changes and a healthy Mekhi Becton.
The Raiders' defense allowed an average of 116.9 rushing yards per game in the previous season.
The New York Jets are preparing backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor to play in case Justin Fields, who recently suffered a concussion, cannot play in their next game. Taylor, a seasoned quarterback, stepped in during the last game after Fields' injury and performed effectively.
Key Facts
The New York Jets have started their season with two losses.
Justin Fields, the Jets' starting quarterback, suffered a concussion in the last game.
Fields' availability for the next game is uncertain.
The Jets are preparing Tyrod Taylor, a veteran quarterback, to play if Fields cannot.
Taylor completed seven of 11 passes for 56 yards and a touchdown in the recent game.
Taylor has played in the NFL for 15 years and is in his second season with the Jets.
The Jets aim to avoid a third straight loss with Taylor potentially leading the team.
Armand Duplantis set a new world record in men's pole vault by clearing a height of 6.30 meters. This is his 14th time breaking the world record. The event took place at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Key Facts
Armand Duplantis is an athlete specializing in pole vault.
He cleared a height of 6.30 meters in his latest attempt.
This achievement marks the 14th time Duplantis has broken the world record in pole vault.
The record-breaking event occurred during the World Athletics Championships.
The Championships were held in Tokyo.
Duplantis had already won a gold medal at the same event before setting the new record.
The Los Angeles Chargers have placed linebacker Denzel Perryman on injured reserve due to an ankle injury. This means he will not play for at least the next four games. The Chargers face the Las Vegas Raiders next without one of their key defensive players.
Key Facts
The Chargers won their Week 1 game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Denzel Perryman, a linebacker for the Chargers, sustained an ankle injury in the first game of the season.
Perryman played only 11 games last season due to injuries.
The team placed Perryman on injured reserve, so he will miss at least four games.
Perryman made the Pro Bowl in 2021 while playing for the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Chargers will face the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday without Perryman.
The Chargers defeated the Raiders in both games last season.
Armand Duplantis set his 14th world record in pole vaulting by clearing a height of 6.30 meters during a championship event in Tokyo. He won his third consecutive world title, further cementing his status as a top athlete in the sport.
Key Facts
Armand Duplantis broke the pole vault world record by clearing 6.30 meters.
This marked his third consecutive world title win.
The event took place in Tokyo, where he first found major success four years ago.
Duplantis has won eight global men's pole vault gold medals in recent times.
He is a two-time Olympic champion.
Emmanouil Karalis, the Greek runner-up, helped during the competition by holding a fan for Duplantis.
The Japanese audience celebrated his record-breaking performance.
In Week 2 of the NFL season, the New England Patriots won against the Miami Dolphins. Rookie player Will Campbell earned a high PFF grade for his performance, showing significant improvement from Week 1.
Key Facts
The New England Patriots won 33-27 against the Miami Dolphins in Week 2.
Rookie Will Campbell, an offensive lineman, received an 81.3 pass-blocking grade.
Campbell had 31 pass-blocking snaps without allowing any quarterback pressure.
In Week 1, Campbell received a lower grade of 68.2 and allowed one sack and multiple pressures.
The performance was seen as a positive development for both Campbell and the coaching staff.
Campbell was the No. 4 overall pick in the NFL draft.
He will face the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense in the next game.
The Los Angeles Lakers are considering trading for Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason, who is known for his strong defensive skills. This potential move aims to improve the Lakers' defense as they prepare for the upcoming season. The addition of Eason could be beneficial, but there are challenges in trading with a conference rival like the Rockets.
Key Facts
The Lakers are looking to strengthen their team for the upcoming season.
Tari Eason, a forward from the Houston Rockets, is a potential trade target.
Eason is known for his defensive abilities, including steals and blocks.
The Lakers did not make major trades this past summer but added three new players through free agency.
The Rockets recently added Kevin Durant to their lineup, which may affect Eason's playing time.
Trading within the same conference can be challenging, which might complicate acquiring Eason.
Eason's addition could reduce pressure on other Lakers players like LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
The Lakers are not top favorites for the championship but hope trades could change that outlook.
The New York Jets lost to the Buffalo Bills, and linebacker Jermaine Johnson II was injured during the game. Johnson, who was a key player having made the Pro Bowl in 2023, is being evaluated for an ankle injury, but his cryptic social media posts suggest it may not be serious. The Jets hope he can return soon to help improve their defense.
Key Facts
The New York Jets lost 30-10 to the Buffalo Bills.
Jermaine Johnson II, a linebacker for the Jets, was injured and taken out of the game.
Johnson's injury is an ankle issue being evaluated.
He was a Pro Bowler in 2023 but played only two games last season due to an Achilles injury.
Johnson posted cryptic messages on social media, possibly implying the injury is not severe.
He achieved 7 1/2 sacks in the 2023 season.
The Jets' defense has struggled early in the season under Aaron Glenn's defensive coordination.
