As the week progressed, there was a less confident tone that Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook would play in Sunday's home game against the Seattle Seahawks due to a sprained ankle, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Cook, who was listed as questionable, missed practice all week because of the injury. He was getting hours of treatment throughout the day on Saturday in an attempt to make it back, but it was considered "unlikely" he would play, a source said. Cook was injured with 9:52 remaining in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 34-33 loss to the Arizona Cardinals when he was tackled low by defensive end J.J. Watt. He was momentarily replaced by backup running back Alexander Mattison but returned for the Vikings' final two series. Cook finished with 131 yards on 22 carries. Sunday will mark the first game with fans at U.S. Bank Stadium in 636 days.

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego police are investigating the deaths of a woman and her 2-year-old son Saturday after they fell from the third level of Petco Park, just as thousands of baseball fans were heading inside for a Padres game, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. The woman, 40, and the boy were pronounced dead at 4:11 p.m., about 20 minutes after police were alerted to the incident, Lt. Andra Brown told the newspaper. The pair fell from the third level concourse -- the equivalent of six stories high -- to the sidewalk below on Tony Gwynn Drive, Brown said. Their names were not released; both lived in San Diego. The mother and child had been at a dining/concession area on the concourse level prior to the fall, Lt. Adam T. Sharki said. The child's father was at the ballpark when the deaths occurred, police reported. "We are aware of the incident on Tony Gwynn Dr. and first responders are on scene," Padres vice president of communications Craig Hughner said in a statement....

LAS VEGAS -- Alexander Volkanovski's status as the best featherweight in the world has been solidified. After escaping several close submissions attempts, Volkanovski poured on the damaging blows to beat Brian Ortega via unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 50-44) Saturday night in the main event of UFC 266 at T-Mobile Arena. Volkanovski retained his UFC featherweight title with the victory in one of the best championship MMA fights of 2021. "All them doubters," Volkanovski said in his postfight interview. "I'm gonna keep proving you wrong time and time again." The ringside physician had to check the cuts on Ortega's bloody face before the fourth and fifth rounds before letting the bout go on. Volkanovski said this week that he wanted badly to finish the extremely durable Ortega. He didn't do that, but this win was an impressive one -- one of his best performances in the UFC. Volkanovski waded riskily into Ortega's dangerous guard on the ground several times in the...

LAS VEGAS -- Robbie Lawler came over to a sitting Nick Diaz and grabbed his hands. The two put their foreheads together as a sign of respect. Lawler and Diaz, two aging fighters revered for their classic MMA fights, went to battle again on Saturday night at UFC 266 at T-Mobile Arena. The two pushed a relentless pace -- especially considering they are both closer to 40 years old than 30 -- but in the end, Lawler was the victor via TKO at 44 seconds of the third round. "Thank you for bringing the best out of me," Lawler said he told Diaz afterward. "I have a lot of respect for you. Hopefully your life is gonna get together and good things are going to happen to you." Lawler, the former UFC welterweight champion, landed a combination, culminating with a hard right hand to Diaz's nose that dropped him. Referee Jason Herzog asked Diaz if he wanted to continue, and Diaz shook his head. Herzog waved the bout off. "That's what I expected," Lawler said in his...

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. -- The goal for Europe became clear as a tense afternoon played out along Lake Michigan on Saturday: Get the score to 10-6 going into final-day singles. That is a magic number for Europe, and memories both good and bad would be sure to come flooding back depending on which side of that outcome you lived on several years back when the United States' Ryder Cup team was stunned by a final-day comeback that matched the best in the event's history. It didn't happen. And an unlikely, almost surreal day of singles is necessary for Europe to retain the Ryder Cup. Led by the team of Collin Morikawa and Dustin Johnson, the United States won two matches in the afternoon four-ball session to take a commanding 11-5 lead with 12 singles matches to play. The Europeans need nine points to retain the Cup. And the Americans need to win just 3½ points to win for just the second time in six Ryder Cups; there has been no singles session in which a team did not win at...

LAS VEGAS -- Not that anyone was questioning it, but Valentina Shevchenko's reign is as strong as ever. Shevchenko (21-4) defended the UFC's flyweight championship for the sixth time on Saturday, in the co-main event of UFC 266 inside T-Mobile Arena. The 125-pound title fight came to a quick and decisive finish four minutes into the fourth round after Shevchenko hurt Murphy with punches and finished her on the ground with strikes. The TKO came after Shevchenko, of Kyrgyzstan, hurt Murphy with a counter right hook to the chin. The shot wobbled Murphy, 38, and before she knew it, Shevchenko followed with a left head kick and a long flurry of punches. Murphy retreated to the fence, where she ultimately fell to her back. Referee Keith Peterson intervened moments later. With the victory, Shevchenko tied former bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey for the most consecutive title defenses by a female champion. Her seven wins in title fights are second all time among...

Ohio State linebacker K'Vaughan Pope was escorted to the locker room in the second quarter of Saturday's Buckeyes game against visiting  Akron after a blowup on the sideline. Pope, according to LetterMen Row, tried to enter the game in the second quarter but was waved off by Buckeyes linebacker  Teradja Mitchell. Once back on the sideline, Pope walked toward the locker room before being walked back to the sideline by an Ohio State staffer. According to the report, Pope then threw his gloves into the stands and attempted to take his jersey off on the sideline. A few Ohio State coaches had conversations with him before he was then escorted by a staffer back into the locker room.   When asked if Pope was still on the team after the Buckeyes' 59-7 victory, Ohio State coach Ryan Day wasn't committed to an answer. "I just got off the field," Day said. "So, I'm going to have to figure out exactly where that all stands right now." In a since-deleted...

Ohio State linebacker K'Vaughan Pope was escorted to the locker room in the second quarter of the Buckeyes game against Akron after a blow-up on the sideline. Pope, according to LetterMen Row, tried to enter the game in the second quarter but was waved off by Teradja Mitchell. Once back on the sideline, Pope walked towards the locker room before being walked back to the sideline by an Ohio State staffer. According to the report, Pope then threw his gloves into the stands and attempted to take his jersey off on the sideline. A few Ohio State coaches had conversations with him before he was then escorted by a staffer back into the locker room.   When asked if Pope was still on the team after the game, head coach Ryan Day wasn't committed to an answer. "I just got off the field," Day said. "So, I'm going to have to figure out exactly where that all stands right now." In a since deleted tweet, Pope wrote "f--- Ohio State" while the game was still happening. He...

A woman and child died after falling from the third level of Petco Park shortly before Saturday's Padres game, San Diego police said The 40-year-old woman and 2-year-old boy were pronounced dead at 4:11 p.m. PST, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Their names were not released by police. The fall happened as fans were heading into the ballpark for the 4:15 p.m. game against the Atlanta Braves. "We are aware of the incident on Tony Gwynn Dr. and first responders are on scene," Padres vice president of communications Craig Hughner said in a statement. "Due to the ongoing investigation, we are not able to comment further at this time. All media inquiries should be directed to SDPD." Police said it's unclear if the fall was an accident or intentional, according to the newspaper.

Elvis Andrus suffered an undisclosed left ankle injury rounding third base before scoring the winning run in the  Oakland Athletics' 2-1 home victory over the  Houston Astros on Saturday. A's manager Bob Melvin said Andrus felt a pop in his ankle and was taken for X-rays. "We won a game, that's good, [but] we may lose one of our toughest guys," Melvin said. "We've got our fingers crossed that it's not something significant." Andrus singled to lead off the Oakland ninth, then scored without a throw on  Starling Marte's double into the gap in right-center field when center fielder Jose Siri's throw back to the infield was low. Andrus stumbled as he rounded third and fell onto home plate to score the winning run. He was checked by the training staff and had to be helped off the field. Andrus is batting .243 with three homers and 37 RBIs this season.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz, who injured both ankles in Week 2, will start on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, sources told ESPN's Chris Mortensen on Saturday. Wentz practiced on Friday for the first time this week, and will be relied upon Sunday as the Colts search for their elusive first win. While heavily taped, he moved around pretty well during the portion of practice open to the media. In his first season with Indianapolis, he is 45-of-69 for 498 yards and three touchdowns with an interception. The most alarming stat with Wentz is that he has been sacked six times and hit an additional 21 times in those two losses. The backup plan for Sunday is still unknown, be it Jacob Eason or Brett Hundley under center. Wentz has played a full season only twice since entering the NFL as the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2016.

Georgia State coach Shawn Elliott insinuated that No. 23  Auburn benefitted from some home cooking from SEC officials when a late review upheld a questionable Tigers' reception which set up the game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Trailing by five at home on Saturday, Auburn quarterback TJ Finley threw a 19-yard pass to  John Samuel Shenker. The play was reviewed and a replay appeared to show the ball hit the turf. Instead, officials confirmed that it was a catch, setting up first-and-goal. Three plays later, Finley scrambled and threw a 10-yard touchdown to Shedrick Jackson to take the lead with 45 seconds left. Auburn held on to win  34-24. Elliott, who is familiar with SEC officiating having been an assistant at  South Carolina from 2010 to 2016, insinuated that Auburn benefitted from having SEC referees calling the game. "They had a little bit of help on that review where the ball was incomplete," Elliott said....

For the first time in six years,  Clemson finds itself outside the College Football Playoff race after a stunning 27-21 double-overtime loss at  NC State on Saturday afternoon. The offensive struggles that plagued the Tigers in their first three games continued once again, as they failed to gain any rhythm or consistency on offense. Now, they no longer control the Atlantic Division in the race for a seventh straight ACC title, and at 2-2 have almost certainly been eliminated from playoff contention. No two-loss team has ever made the playoff. "We've got to own it," coach Dabo Swinney said afterward. "It's where we are right now. We need to get back to work on Monday, continue to learn, continue to grow, continue to fight, and continue to stay together. Let's just find a way to win a game, find a way to get on track and see if we can build some momentum in our season.   "But it hurts. Everybody's hurt. There's a lot of guys in that locker room who have...

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. -- The goal for Europe became clear as a tense afternoon played out along Lake Michigan on Saturday: get the score to 10-6 going into final-day singles. That is a magic number for Europe, and memories both good and bad would be sure to come flooding back depending on which side of that outcome you lived on several years back when the United States' Ryder Cup team was stunned by a final-day comeback that matched the best in the event's history. It didn't happen. And an unlikely, almost surreal day of singles is necessary for Europe to retain the Ryder Cup. Led by the team of Collin Morikawa and Dustin Johnson, the United States won two matches in the afternoon four-ball session to take a commanding 11-5 lead with 12 singles matches to play. The Europeans need nine points to retain the Cup. Or, the Americans need to win just 3½ points to win for just the second time in six Ryder Cups. There has been no singles session in which a team did not win at...

CHICAGO -- The St. Louis Cardinals set a franchise record with their 15th consecutive victory, a come-from-behind 8-5 win over the Chicago Cubs Saturday. "It's hard to do something in this organization that's never been done, as historic and rich with tradition and success that this organization has," manager Mike Shildt said. "What I love about it is, it speaks to the team aspect of it." The 15 wins in a row are tied for the fourth-longest streak in MLB history. Another victory against the Cubs on Sunday will tie St. Louis with the 1977 Kansas City Royals for the third-longest win streak. The 2017 Cleveland Indians won 22 games in a row while the 2002 Oakland Athletics won 20. "It's an incredible feeling," reliever T.J. McFarland said. "The complete elation of knowing every time we come to the field, that we're going to win." The Cardinals were down 4-2 going into the seventh inning but put up three in the seventh and three...

LONDON -- Oleksandr Usyk shook up the heavyweight division to become a two-weight world champion with a unanimous points decision win over Anthony Joshua for the WBA, IBF and WBO world heavyweight titles Saturday. The Ukrainian's footwork kept him out of trouble while his accurate jab and quick combinations piled on the points as he won by the judges' scores of 117-112, 116-112, 115-113 in front of Joshua's 66,227-strong home crowd at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs), 34, hurt Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs), 31, in the third and seventh rounds and almost finished off the English boxer amid a furious attack late in the 12th round. Joshua will want a rematch, but he failed to seriously threaten Usyk, who was quicker to the punch and more elusive. Joshua, the naturally bigger man who has lost the titles for a second time in two years, is now counting the considerable cost of another shock defeat that ends his hopes of fighting English rival Tyson Fury for all four...

CHICAGO --  Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly is "pretty optimistic" that quarterback Jack Coan won't miss next week's showdown against No. 8 Cincinnati after leaving Saturday's 41-13 victory against No. 17 Wisconsin with a left ankle injury. Coan, facing his former team at Soldier Field, limped off after Notre Dame's second possession of the third quarter with the score tied 10-10. After a quick visit to the medical tent, he was taken to the locker room. Kelly said X-rays were "clean" and Coan's injury doesn't appear serious. "It's a soft-tissue injury," Kelly said. "It doesn't even respond like a high ankle sprain, so we're pretty optimistic that we'll be able to see him back next week." The No. 12 Fighting Irish (4-0) host Cincinnati on Oct. 2. Against the Badgers, Notre Dame fell behind 13-10 before scoring 31 unanswered points in the final 14:01 -- starting with a 96-yard kick return touchdown by Chris Tyree -- as Kelly surpassed...

LAS VEGAS -- The Miami Dolphins on Saturday placed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on injured reserve, keeping him sidelined for at least the team's next three games. Tagovailoa fractured his ribs in Miami's loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 2 and he had previously been ruled out of this week's game against the Las Vegas Raiders. The earliest he can return to the field now is the Dolphins' game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 6, which will be played in London. He will also miss games against the Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jacoby Brissett is penciled in as Miami's starting quarterback for the time being, with Reid Sinnett, who was called up from the practice roster on Saturday, serving as the backup. Brissett has started 32 games in his NFL career, including 30 for the Colts in 2017 and 2019. Brissett, who is in his first season with the Dolphins, has drawn praise from teammates throughout the...

LAS VEGAS -- The Miami Dolphins have placed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on injured reserve, a league source confirmed to ESPN on Saturday, keeping him sidelined for at least the team's next three games. Tagovailoa fractured his ribs in Miami's loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 2 and had previously been ruled out of this week's game against the Las Vegas Raiders. The earliest he can return to the field now is the Dolphins' game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 6, which will be played in London. He will also miss games against the Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jacoby Brissett is penciled in as Miami's starting quarterback for the time being with Reid Sinnett backing him up. Brissett has started 32 games in his NFL career, including 30 for the Colts in 2017 and 2019. Brissett, who is in his first season with the Dolphins, has drawn praise from teammates throughout the week for his leadership and...

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. -- Brooks Koepka had sharp words for a pair of rules officials who wouldn't give him a free drop during a foursome match at the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits on Saturday morning. After Koepka's teammate, Daniel Berger, hit his tee shot into native grass on the 15th hole, Koepka called over PGA rules official David Price, arguing that his club would hit a drain when he swung. Despite Berger and Koepka lobbying for relief for several minutes, Price turned down the request. Koepka then asked for a second official and, after another brief discussion, European Tour rules official Mark Litton agreed with Price. Koepka, a four-time major champion, pointed at Price and Litton and said, "If I break my wrist, it's on f---ing both of you guys." Koepka managed to hit the ball onto the 15th green; it was unclear if his club hit the drain. The American team two-putted for par to tie the hole. They ended up losing their match to Spain's Jon Rahm...

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. -- The feistiness that gives life to the Ryder Cup returned in a couple of notable instances Saturday, ratcheting up the intensity and leading to some head-shaking reactions. But the result was more of the same. Europe looked to close the gap at Whistling Straits but in the end won just one of the foursome matches and saw its deficit widen by two more points, making what was already a crucial afternoon session even more important. With 12 of the 28 points decided, the U.S. leads 9-3, with the team of Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia getting the only point for the Europeans. And even they needed to overcome a three-hole deficit to get that win over Brooks Koepka and Daniel Berger. "We need more," Garcia said. "What we did is not enough. Not in the situation we are in." The U.S. won the session 3-1 for the third straight time to increase its lead to a whopping six points. With 16 points remaining, Europe needs to win 11 of them to forge a...

FRISCO, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys linebacker Keanu Neal will be out for Monday Night Football against the Philadelphia Eagles and is likely to miss the Oct. 3 game against the Carolina Panthers as well. Neal was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list at the start of the week as a close contact, which forced a five-day quarantine that is mandated only for unvaccinated players. On Saturday, coach Mike McCarthy said Neal had tested positive, which prompts a new 10-day isolation period. If Neal's status was changed Thursday, he could be eligible to play against the Panthers if he is symptom-free. However, by that time, he will have gone two weeks without a practice. Of the players the Cowboys have had on the reserve/COVID-19 list so far this season, all have been vaccinated and none returned sooner than 10 days. "He will not be available Monday, but we'll see how it goes," McCarthy said. "We definitely haven't ruled him out for Carolina yet." Neal's...

PHILADELPHIA -- Eagles tight end Zach Ertz was activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday, the team announced. Ertz, 30, returned to practice for the first time since being placed on the reserve list Monday, increasing the chances that he plays against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN). Per NFL protocols, players who are vaccinated and asymptomatic can return after providing two negative test results 24 hours apart. Ertz played Sunday in a 17-11 loss to the San Francisco 49ers and finished with one catch for 6 yards on two targets. He has three catches for 40 yards this season. Coach Nick Sirianni said he has built out two plans -- one that included Ertz playing and another should he be sidelined. The Eagles have had a tough week on the injury front. Defensive end Brandon Graham ruptured an Achilles tendon against the Niners and will miss the remainder of the year. Guard Brandon Brooks will be...

Miami quarterback D'Eriq King won't play against Central Connecticut on Saturday because of a shoulder injury, while starting safety Gurvan Hall Jr. will also sit out while serving a one-game suspension for a team rules violation. King wasn't expected to play after coach Manny Diaz listed his status as doubtful earlier in the week. He was injured against Michigan State last week, but stayed in and finished the game. Without King, Miami will start freshman quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, and also get Jake Garcia playing time as well.

Northwestern kicker Stefan Demos told a teammate to allow no one to talk to him Saturday as he stood on the field waiting for Eastern Michigan's timeout to expire and his opportunity to win the game with a 49-yard field goal to arrive. Demos was trying to visualize the kick and didn't want to be disturbed while doing so. Still, not everyone heeded Demos' desires, given that it was only his second game as the Wildcats' starting place-kicker. "A couple people tried to talk to me," Demos remembered. "I probably walked away or told them to shut up." Despite his own team's distractions, Demos remained calm as could be under the circumstances. The ball snapped, he kicked and Northwestern went ahead 27-24 with :06 remaining. "I was definitely nervous and definitely excited and definitely relieved when I saw it go through," said Demos, who had kicked a 45-yard game winner in high school. "As soon as I kicked it, I knew. I hit it pretty well. It was one of those where I definitely...

PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz was activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday, the team announced. Ertz, 30, returned to practice for the first time since being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday, increasing the chances that he plays against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN). Per NFL protocols, players who are vaccinated and asymptomatic can return after providing two negative test results 24 hours apart. Ertz played Sunday in a 17-11 loss to the San Francisco 49ers and finished with one catch for 6 yards on two targets. He has three catches for 40 yards so far on the year. Coach Nick Sirianni said he has built out two plans -- one that included Ertz playing and another should he be sidelined. The Eagles have had a tough week on the injury front. Defensive end Brandon Graham ruptured an Achilles tendon against the Niners and will miss the remainder of the year. Guard ...

PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt has been downgraded to out for Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals, the team announced Saturday. Watt injured his groin in the first half of a Week 2 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders and didn't return in the second half. "I think it was a tweak here or there and then tried to push through it," Watt said Friday, describing the injury's origin. "Just trying to be smart at the end of the day, ultimately. It's a long season." Watt, who has three sacks and two forced fumbles this season, was a limited participant in practice all week and was listed as questionable on Friday's injury report. "This isn't going around and playing pee wee football," Watt said. "This is playing against guys doing this for a living, so trying to be smart. At the same time, knowing your body more than anything. I felt like I did a good amount this week to leave the door open for Sunday." The Steelers,...

PITTSBURGH -- Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt has been downgraded to out for Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals, the team announced Saturday. Watt injured his groin in the first half of a Week 2 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders and didn't return in the second half. "I think it was a tweak here or there and then tried to push through it," Watt said Friday, describing the injury's origin. "Just trying to be smart at the end of the day, ultimately. It's a long season." Watt, who has three sacks and two forced fumbles this season, was a limited participant in practice all week and was listed as questionable on Friday's injury report. "This isn't going around and playing Pee Wee football," Watt said. "This is playing against guys doing this for a living, so trying to be smart. At the same time, knowing your body more than anything. I felt like I did a good amount this week to leave the door open for Sunday." The Steelers, though, shut...

Mike Yastrzemski hit a three-run homer, one of four long balls by  San Francisco, to help the National League West-leading Giants beat the  Colorado Rockies  7-2 on Friday night and become the season's first 100-win team.  Doing so in 154 games, the Giants have reached 100 wins in their fewest games in the live-ball era (since 1920). It's the first time they have been the first team in MLB with 100 wins since moving to San Francisco in 1958. San Francisco leads the  Los Angeles Dodgers by 1 game. The Giants have won 16 of 21.   Kervin Castro (1-0) tossed two innings for his first major league victory, and the Giants reached 100 wins for the first time since going 100-62 in 2003. "It's a big accomplishment, but we're looking for more," San Francisco pitcher  Alex Wood said. The Giants haven't won the NL West since 2012, when they captured the second of three World Series titles in a five-year span. Coming into the season, they were...

CHICAGO -- The St. Louis Cardinals matched a team record with their 14th straight win Friday night after sweeping a doubleheader with the Cubs. The streak broke a tie with the New York Yankees and Oakland Athletics for the longest one this season and rocketed the Cardinals into control of the second National League wild card, leading  Philadelphia by five games. "We're aware," Friday's Game 1 starter, J.A. Happ, said. "The good thing to see is the focus. That's the stuff [win streaks] that happens when you're on a good team and things are going well." St. Louis rode Tyler O'Neill's and Paul Goldschmidt's 30th homers and Jose Rondon's pinch-hit two-run shot for their 8-5 win in Game 1 while O'Neill's three-run shot and a pair of solo homers by Lars Nootbaar powered their 12-4 victory in Game 2. The 14 consecutive wins are tied for the most since the Cardinals joined the National League...

CHICAGO -- The St. Louis Cardinals matched a team record with their 14th straight win on Friday night after sweeping a doubleheader with the Chicago Cubs. The streak also broke a tie with the New York Yankees and Oakland Athletics for the longest one this season.   "We're aware," Friday's Game 1 starter, J.A. Happ, said. "The good thing to see is the focus. That's the stuff (win streaks) that happens when you're on a good team and things are going well." St. Louis rode Tyler O'Neill's and Paul Goldschmidt's 30th homers and Jose Rondon's pinch-hit two-run shot for their 8-5 win in Game 1 while O'Neill's three-run shot and a pair of solo homers by Lars Nootbaar powered their 12-4 victory in Game 2. The 14 consecutive wins are tied for the most since the Cardinals joined the National League in 1892. They also won 14 in a row in 1935. Happ was asked if the team can appreciate the length of the win streak...

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. -- For the first time in his Ryder Cup career, Rory McIlroy will sit out a session of the event when play resumes Saturday morning. McIlroy, 32, is one of the European Ryder Cup team's leaders, having competed in all 24 sessions from 2010 through 2018 and compiling an 11-9-4 record while the team won four of five times. But McIlroy struggled Friday, losing in the morning session with Ian Poulter to Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele 5 and 3. In the afternoon, with Shane Lowry, he lost to Tony Finau and Harris English 4 and 3. The U.S leads 6-2. European captain Padraig Harrington spoke to the media before the pairings were released and would not reveal whether McIlroy was playing. "He's already a leader," Harrington said. "You saw him out there after a tough day, he was out following those matches and supporting his team. He is very much a leader amongst his peers, and I couldn't have asked more...

The NBA has denied Andrew Wiggins' request for a vaccination exemption, leaving the Golden State Warriors swingman ineligible to play home games until he meets San Francisco's vaccination requirement. The ruling was announced Friday, hours after the New York Knicks said their entire roster is vaccinated, making all their players eligible to play in their home games. Because of local coronavirus regulations in New York and San Francisco, the Knicks, Brooklyn Nets and Warriors are required to be vaccinated to play in their home arenas unless they have an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wiggins sought an exemption from the NBA for religious reasons. "The NBA has reviewed and denied Andrew Wiggins' request for religious exemption from the San Francisco Department of Public Health's order requiring COVID-19 vaccination for all participants age 12 and older at large indoor events," the league said in a statement. "Wiggins will not be able to...

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. -- The grandstands were packed before the sun came up over Lake Michigan, and by the end of the day, those who filled them and the surrounding property were singing, dancing and enjoying one of the more remarkable days in recent U.S. Ryder Cup history. Smiling American golfers were part of the scene too. The narrative often skews negative when it comes to the U.S. and this biennial competition, but it was nothing but positive Friday at Whistling Straits, where the Americans built a surprising 6-2 lead, the biggest first day advantage since 1975. It is just the fourth time that the Americans won the opening two sessions since the Ryder Cup expanded to include all of Europe in 1979; it also happened in 1979, 2008 and 2010. Led by Dustin Johnson and Xander Schauffele, who each went 2-0 with different partners, the U.S. surged ahead, going 3-1 in the morning foursomes competition and then not easing off in the afternoon four-ball, again going...

CHICAGO -- The St. Louis Cardinals tied the New York Yankees and Oakland Athletics for the longest win streak of the season by virtue of an 8-5 victory over the Chicago Cubs in Game 1 of a doubleheader on Friday. The 13 consecutive wins is the second longest for the Cardinals since they joined the National League in 1892. They won 14 in a row in 1935. "We're aware," Friday's Game 1 starter,  J.A. Happ, said after the game. "The good thing to see is the focus. That's the stuff (win streaks) that happens when you're on a good team and things are going well." The Cardinals were aided by three two-run home runs. First baseman Paul Goldschmidt hit his 30th of the year in the third inning. Pinch hitter Jose Rondon went deep in the fifth, while outfielder  Tyler O'Neill hit his 30th, also in the fifth inning. His blast gave the Cardinals three 30-homer hitters for just the second time in franchise history, as third...

Lawrence Frank reiterated that Kawhi Leonard has a "significant rehab" from his ACL injury and that "no one knows" the time frame for when the LA Clippers star will return and whether he will play this season. Leonard underwent surgery to repair a partial tear in his right ACL on July 13 and is expected to be out for an extended period of time. "Oh, we don't even breach that," Frank, the Clippers' president of basketball operations, said when asked if he anticipates Leonard playing this season. "I think at this point, it's just no one knows when you're dealing with a recovery from an ACL [injury], the time frame. "Even just to save you guys [from asking] throughout the year, is no one knows. You just attack it day by day. He has a very detailed plan with a great group, and we'll just let his body and the doctors tell us when it's the right time." Leonard injured his knee during the fourth quarter of Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the ...

Lawrence Frank reiterated that Kawhi Leonard has a "significant rehab" from his ACL injury and that "no one knows" the timeframe for when the LA Clippers star will return and whether he will play this season. Leonard underwent surgery to repair a partial tear in his right ACL on July 13 and is expected to be out for an extended period of time. "Oh, we don't even breach that," Frank, the team's president of basketball operations, said when asked if he anticipates Leonard playing this season. "I think at this point, it's just no one knows when you're dealing with a recovery from an ACL [injury], the timeframe." "Even just to save you guys [from asking] throughout the year, is no one knows. You just attack it day by day, he has a very detailed plan with a great group and we'll just let his body and the doctors tell us when it's the right time." Leonard injured his knee during the fourth quarter of Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Utah...

DALLAS -- The New Orleans Saints are on the mend, returning four players who missed last week's loss to the  Carolina Panthers because of injuries. But they still expect to be without three assistant coaches Sunday at New England because of COVID-19 protocols and seven starters because of injuries/suspension. The Saints announced that tight ends coach Dan Roushar and defensive line coaches Ryan Nielsen and Brian Young will miss Sunday's game after they all tested positive for COVID-19 last week and have not yet met the criteria for returning. The Saints were missing a total of eight coaches and nine starters in last Sunday's lopsided 26-7 loss at Carolina. Since then, five coaches returned to practice this week (WR coach Curtis Johnson, RB coach Joel Thomas, offensive analyst Jim Chaney, offensive assistant Declan Doyle and special teams assistant Phil Galiano). No new coaches tested positive this week. Last week, the Saints got one of their assistant coaches back...

FRISCO, Texas -- One by one, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has crossed off different thresholds in his return from a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle that he suffered last year. Monday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles represents another one: his first contest at AT&T Stadium since the injury. "I think it will be more special just because of the amount of Cowboys fans that will be there versus the away games," Prescott said after Friday's practice. "I mean, obviously the first two they traveled great and felt the energy and felt that, but just knowing that the support that they've given me over these past, I guess, going on a year, was important, was something that I felt. And knowing when I run out there once again, whether it's pregame, whether it's in a moment within the game, just to be able to see up there and know that after COVID and what we all went through last year, to have them all back, yeah, it will be...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. --  Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey will miss at least a few weeks because of the strained hamstring he suffered in Thursday night's 24-9 victory at Houston, coach Matt Rhule said Friday. Rhule didn't rule out placing McCaffrey on injured reserve as the Pro Bowl running back undergoes more tests to determine the severity of the strain. "They are still doing a bunch of diagnostic testing, so I can't tell you if that is one, two, three or four weeks," Rhule said. First-round draft pick Jaycee Horn will be out considerably longer, possibly the season, after breaking three bones in his right foot. The cornerback and his family are in the process of deciding the best course of action, whether that is surgery or allowing the injury to heal on its own. "It breaks my heart seeing these guys work so hard and get hurt," said Rhule, who didn't rule out injured reserve for Horn or safety Juston Burris (groin...

The NFL has informed wide receiver Josh Gordon that he is being reinstated, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Friday, with the former All-Pro expected to be eligible to play as early as Week 4. Gordon was suspended indefinitely in December 2019 for violations of the league's policies on substance abuse and performance-enhancing substances. That was Gordon's sixth suspension since the 2013 season and his fifth for some form of substance abuse, according to ESPN Stats & Information. He submitted his reinstatement letter to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in July, and sources told Schefter last week that the NFL Players Association gave its recommendation for his reinstatement. "We are grateful that the NFL appreciates the work that Josh put in and now he has earned another opportunity to be part of this league," Gordon's agent, Zac Hiller, told Schefter. "We are proud of Josh, and I know all the fans can't wait to see him on Sundays." Gordon, 30, had been conditionally...

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without starting outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul and kick returner Jaydon Mickens for Sunday's game at the Los Angeles Rams, coach Bruce Arians announced Friday. He also called wide receiver Antonio Brown, who was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list earlier this week, "very questionable," although it's unlikely he will play. Brown would need to be completely asymptomatic for 24 hours and pass two COVID-19 tests 24 hours apart before he'd be permitted to travel, per NFL rules. Pierre-Paul has been dealing with hand and shoulder injuries. Mickens has been dealing with an abdominal injury. Neither practiced this week. Rookie first-round draft pick Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, whom the Bucs selected with the 32nd-overall pick out of Washington, will get his first NFL start, having served in a rotational role in the first two games. Mickens' injury may pave the way for rookie wide receiver ...

LAS VEGAS -- UFC star Jon Jones was arrested Friday morning by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, just hours after a past fight of his was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. Jones is being charged with misdemeanor battery domestic violence and injuring or tampering with a vehicle, a felony, Officer Larry Hadfield of the Las Vegas Metro PD told ESPN. He is currently being held at Clark County Detention Center, according to online inmate records. His total bail is $8,000, but Jones is on a 12-hour hold, per records.  He is scheduled to have his first appearance in Las Vegas Justice Court on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Jones was arrested at 5:45 a.m. Friday at a resort near Las Vegas Boulevard and Flamingo Road, Hadfield said. "It's hard to bring this guy to Las Vegas, for any reason," UFC president Dana White said. "This city is not good for Jon Jones, and here we are again." White added: "It's not even shocking anymore. When we bring him here, it's almost expected....

CHARLOTTE, N.C. --  Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey will miss a few weeks because of the strained hamstring suffered in Thursday night's 24-9 victory at Houston, a league source confirmed to ESPN on Friday. The injury occurred early in the second quarter when McCaffrey pulled up on a 2-yard run around the left side. He spent 22 minutes in the sideline medical tent before walking to the locker room under his own power. Rookie Chuba Hubbard and veteran Royce Freeman finished the game as Carolina ran its record to 3-0 for the first time since the 2015 season, which ended with a trip to the Super Bowl. Hubbard, a fourth-round draft pick out of Oklahoma State, is expected to be first up for next week's game at Dallas. He has 62 yards on 19 carries this season. The Panthers are working out former Cleveland Browns and Texans running back Duke Johnson on Friday, a source told ESPN's Adam...

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons will be without starting wide receiver Russell Gage Jr. and top cornerback A.J. Terrell when they try to pick up their first win of the season Sunday against the New York Giants. Terrell suffered a concussion breaking up a pass in the second half of Sunday's 48-25 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gage injured an ankle against the Buccaneers but finished the game. Atlanta could go in multiple directions to replace Gage. It could use more two-tight-end/two-running-back sets and line up either running back Cordarrelle Patterson or one of its tight ends, Kyle Pitts or Hayden Hurst, outside. In two-receiver sets, the Falcons could use a combination of Olamide Zaccheaus and Tajae Sharpe opposite top receiver Calvin Ridley. "You just got to have solutions. That's the name of the game," Falcons coach Arthur Smith said. "You've got to have contingency plans....

MIAMI -- Miami Dolphins wide receiver Will Fuller is expected to make his team debut Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders, head coach Brian Flores said Friday. The former Houston Texans receiver served a one-game suspension to begin the season but was set to join the team in Week 2 before missing Miami's loss to the Buffalo Bills for personal reasons. Fuller returned to the team Monday and didn't miss any practice this week. "Will has worked hard -- we expect him to play," Flores said. "Will's looked good this week." If Fuller does make his debut this week, he'll be catching passes from backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who is starting in place of an injured Tua Tagovailoa. Flores said the team was still putting the final touches on its game plan, but part of that plan could be using Fuller to stretch the field. Since entering the league in 2016, Fuller's 14.32 air yards per target ranks fifth highest among NFL players...

BEREA, Ohio -- Odell Beckham Jr. is officially back. The Cleveland Browns star wide receiver will make his season debut Sunday against the Chicago Bears, coach Kevin Stefanski announced Friday. "He had a good week," Stefanski said. "He's ready to go." Working his way back from last year's season-ending left knee injury, Beckham sat out Cleveland's first two games this season. Beckham, who suffered a torn ACL on Oct. 25, had been a limited participant through training camp and practice the first two weeks of the season. He has been a full participant in practice since Wednesday, and Stefanski said Beckham had "no limitations" this week and "took every rep." For the first time this season, Beckham was not on Cleveland's injury report Friday. "I've worked extremely hard to not only get back, but improve and be better than I ever have been," Beckham said Thursday. "I'm definitely looking forward to it. It's been a long time. A long time in that cave. ......

LAS VEGAS -- The UFC featherweight title will officially be on the line Saturday. Alexander Volkanovski, the champion, weighed in at 144.5 pounds Friday morning and challenger Brian Ortega was 144 pounds at the official weigh-in here at the UFC Apex. The two will meet in the main event of UFC 266 at T-Mobile Arena. Volkanovski vs. Ortega was initially scheduled for UFC 260 in March, but Volkanovski tested positive for COVID-19 and the bout was pushed off. The two were coaches opposite each other on a heated season of "The Ultimate Fighter" over the summer. ESPN has Volkanovski ranked No. 6 on its pound-for-pound list of MMA fighters. At featherweight, ESPN has Volkanovski ranked No. 1 and Ortega at No. 3. Volkanovski (22-1) is a perfect 9-0 in the UFC. The Australia native has not fought since a split decision win over Max Holloway at UFC 251 in July 2020, his first title defense. Volkanovski, 32, has not lost since May 2013, his fourth pro fight. He beat...

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. -- The United States took an early lead at the Ryder Cup on Friday behind the strong play of Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele, who ran over Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter in their foursomes match at Whistling Straits. The U.S. won three of the four matches, with Cantlay and Schauffele racing to a 5-up lead over what was supposed to be the solid team of McIlroy and Poulter. They didn't lose a hole until the 10th and cruised to a 5 and 3 victory. The Americans lead 3-1 after the first session, with four-ball (best ball) to take place in the afternoon. "The start wasn't great,'' McIlroy said of falling five holes down. "I don't know if anyone could have beat Xander and Patrick today. "They played good, four birdies in a row. Geez, they played great. They were a great pairing today and all you can do is praise them for the way they played.'' Europe has not won the opening session at the Ryder Cup dating to 2006, but still managed to...

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz, who suffered two sprained ankles in Sunday's game against the  Los Angeles Rams, returned to practice Friday. Wentz, whose status for this Sunday's game vs. the Tennessee Titans has been up in the air, took the practice field with both ankles heavily taped. The more severe sprain happened to his right ankle with less than eight minutes left in last week's 27-24 loss to the Rams. He sprained his left ankle earlier in the game. Wentz is 45-of-69 for 498 yards and three touchdowns with an interception through the first two games of the season, both losses. The most alarming stat with Wentz is that he has been sacked six times and hit an additional 21 times in those two games. Wentz has played a full season only twice since entering the NFL as the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2016. Second-year quarterback Jacob Eason will start against the Titans (1-1) if Wentz is inactive. ESPN's Mike Wells...