Most backup competitions are viewed through the lens of what happens if the starter gets injured. The Philadelphia Eagles battle behind Saquon Barkley carries more immediate importance.Barkley rushed 280 times for 1,140 yards and seven touchdowns in 2025, one year after accumulating 482 regular-season and postseason touches during Philadelphias championship run. He remains the centerpiece of the offense, but asking him to absorb another overwhelming workload would create unnecessary risk. The Eagles need a second running back capable of taking meaningful snaps without forcing the offense to abandon its identity.Tank Bigsby enters camp as the favoriteBigsby produced 356 yards and two touchdowns on 63 carries after joining Philadelphia last season. His 5.7-yard average demonstrated the explosive insurance he can provide behind Barkley.That ability was clearest against the New York Giants, when Bigsby rushed for 104 yards on nine carries while Barkley produced 150 yards. Philadelphia did not have to choose between protecting its starter and maintaining an explosive rushing attack.Bigsbys power makes him the favorite for the primary backup role, but Will Shipley offers a different skill set. The former fourth-round pick can contribute as a receiver and kickoff returner, giving offensive coordinator Sean Mannion flexibility when rotating personnel.Dameon Pierce brings starting experience after rushing for 939 yards as a Houston Texans rookie in 2022. His production has declined since then, but his physical style could translate well behind Philadelphias offensive line.Carson Steele may have the most specialized path. At 6-foot and 228 pounds, he can compete as a fullback and short-yardage runner while contributing on special teams.The winner can help extend Barkleys impactManaging Barkleys workload does not mean placing him on a strict carry limit. It means identifying situations in which another runner can handle a series, protect a lead or absorb short-yardage contact.The Eagles need Barkley at his best in December and January, not chasing unnecessary touches during the opening weeks. A trustworthy backup would allow Philadelphia to manage that calculation without sacrificing production.Bigsby offers the strongest combination of proven power and explosiveness. Shipley provides versatility, while Pierce and Steele bring physical alternatives. Whoever emerges will not merely be Barkleys emergency replacement. He could become an essential part of keeping Philadelphias most valuable running back healthy and dangerous for an entire season.This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles RB2 competition could help preserve Saquon Barkley

Panthers DL Cam Jackson embraces Tershawn Wharton's coaching originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.CHARLOTTE, N.C. As Carolina Panthers defensive line coach Todd Wash orchestrated a series of NFL training camp drills Sunday, injured lineman Tershawn "Turk" Wharton handled the secondary instruction.Standing in back of the line, second-year pro Jared Harrison-Hunte listened, with his eyes wide open, as Wharton detailed his movements during his previous turn on the practice fields behind Bank of America Stadium. Utilizing hand movements to demonstrate different ways to disengage offensive linemen, Wharton acted like a future coach."Yeah, I can see Turk being a coach," Panthers defensive lineman Cam Jackson said with a laugh Sunday. "Turk is like that. He was like that with me last year (as a rookie)."Still now, I go to him and ask him like, 'Hey, Turk. What do you think I need to fix on this play to do better?"He'll sit there and tell me."Panthers' Cam Jackson learns from coachingOn the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list, Wharton appears to be doing what he can to help. His neck surgery in May surprised the Panthers' front office and disrupted part of their offseason roster plans. While his absence was offset a bit when general manager Dan Morgan drafted Lee Hunter in the second round last April, Wash and Wharton continue to coach up the position room's prospects like Jackson, Hunter, Harrison-Hunte and undrafted rookie Aaron Hall."He'll tell me, 'You gotta stay a little lower and shuck him.' Or, 'You got to take this foot step,' " Jackson said. "It's just good having a guy like Turk around, especially right now."A two-time Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs,Wharton signed a three-year, $45 million contract with the Panthers before 2025 and posted 11 solo tackles and two sacks. Multiple injuries forced the six-year veteran to miss eight regular-season starts.MORE:Dave Canales quotes: Panthers coach talks NFL training camp, playersDuring Friday's practice, Wharton worked on individual conditioning drills. The position remains low on numbers with nose tackle Bobby Brown III (hamstring) on the active/NFI list and edge Nic Scourton (knee) lost for the season after Thursday's training camp-opening injury. The injuries pushed Jackson up to No. 4 on the DL depth chart, behind Derrick Brown,LaBryan Ray andHarrison-Hunte.As the Panthers prepare to open the preseason by appearing in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 6, Jackson, who registered nine total tackles in nine games last season, continues to embrace Wharton's instructions."Justsoaking him in like a sponge," Jackson said. "Just taking in all the information from him, so when we get out here, I can just do it."More NFL news:Panthers' Xavier Legette creating NFL training camp consistencyPat Jones II set to continue Panthers 'journey'Panthers RT Taylor Moton diagnosed with scary medical conditionPanthers re-sign Brady Christensen, bolster OL versatilityEntering Panthers' training camp, RB Trevor Etienne, WR Jimmy Horn Jr. face challenging journeys

Pitcher Luis Contreras, who made 14 appearances for the Houston Astros over the last two seasons to cap an eight-year career, announced his retirement from professional baseball in a heartfelt Instagram post on July 26.Today, I officially retire from my playing career and begin my journey as a coach, Contreras wrote on Instagram. Baseball has given me far more than I ever could have imagined. Now its my turn to give back. I cant wait to pour everything Ive learned into the next generation and help others chase their own dreams.MORE: MLB agent Scott Boras doesnt plan to retire until after he turns 100Contreras retires with a 0-0 record and 7.50 ERA in his MLB career.A native of Maracaibo, Venezuela, Contreras signed with the Chicago Cubs in April 2015. He was released in May 2016, and spent the next three years out of affiliated baseball.MORE: Mets announce death of franchise legend, All-StarThe Milwaukee Brewers gave him a second chance in 2019, and Contreras quickly worked his way through the minor leagues as a relief pitcher.Contreras reached Triple-A for the first time as a 26-year-old in 2022. He posted an 8.00 ERA in his first cup of coffee at the level, but fared better in 26 games in 2023 (4-2, 4.76 games with the Nashville Sounds).The right-hander elected free agency after the 2023 season and signed with the Astros that November. In June 2024, he got his first shot at the big leagues following a dominant performance (1.40 ERA, 26 percent strikeout rate, 9.1 percent walk rate in 19.1 innings) at Triple-A Sugar Land.Contreras kept rolling, allowing no runs in four low-leverage appearances out of the bullpen to start his career. Then came an ill-fated game in Minnesota on July 5, 2024, in which the Twins turned six hits and a walk into six runs against Contreras. He spent the rest of the season in the minors.MORE: Former Mets outfielder, reality show contestant, trending toward retirementIn nine appearances for the Astros last year, Contreras did not allow a run in five of them. The other four didnt go so well, and he posted a 6.75 ERA before he was designated for assignment in an August roster crunch.The Astros allowed Contreras to walk in free agency after last season. He did not find new employment in affiliated baseball after a brief stint in the Venezuelan Winter League last offseason.

The 2026 football season for theFlorida State Seminolesis nearly here. Ahead of a critical season for FSU, here is a look at one of FSU's top running backs.Samuel Singleton Jr. is entering his fourth season with the Seminoles and is poised for his biggest role yet. He has improved his production every season and has been praised several times over the offseason for the work he has done to improve his game. With Ousmane Kromah looking to take a step as a sophomore and Quintrevion Wisner transferring in, FSU has a crowded running back room, but Singleton brings some explosiveness to the group. He ended the season strong and will have a good chance to be one of FSU's top two running backs in 2026, something that seemed unlikely entering the offseason.Get to know running back Samuel Singleton Jr. before the 2026 season by checking out hisFSUfootball player profile below.Samuel Singleton Jr.'s player profilePosition:Running BackHometown: Charleston, South CarolinaHigh School: Fleming IslandHeight:5-11Weight:205Class:Redshirt JuniorSamuel Singleton Jr. as a recruitRecruiting class: 2023Overall rank: No. 389Position rank:No. 28State rank:No. 73Rating:Four-starOther schools in the mix:Florida Gators, Clemson Tigers, Tennessee VolunteersSamuel Singleton Jr.'s career statsSeasonGamesCarriesYardsTDsYPC2025115136047.120249219304.42023285607.0Total228050946.4Samuel Singleton Jr.'s PFF Report CardSeasonOffensiveRunningPass BlockingReceiving202585.183.361.161.2202465.666.946.961.6202371.269.3-59.7Follow us@FSUWireon Xand like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage ofFlorida Statenews, notes, and opinions.This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: Samuel Singleton Jr.'s 2026 FSU football player profile

TAROUBA, Trinidad (AP) Pakistan collapsed to 267-8 at lunch after Justin Greaves bowled four consecutive wicket maiden overs as West Indies made a strong comeback in the first cricket test on Monday.Greaves impeccable seam bowling led Pakistan to lose five wickets for 15 runs in the late part of the morning session on Day 3 after Shan Masood (109) struck a century in his first test since losing the captaincy.Pakistan still trails West Indies by 44 runs after the home team was bowled out for 311 in its first innings.Masood and Salman Agha (20) added 45 runs to Pakistans overnight 199-3 before Shamar Joseph broke through when he squared up Agha and had the off stump uprooted.Greaves then sliced through the middle order with his incisive bowling in a sensational Pakistan lower-order collapse before lunch.Masood, who struck 12 boundaries in his seventh test hundred and first against the West Indies, got a thin inside edge off Greaves and saw his off stump knocked out as Pakistan lost both set batters at the same score of 244.Greaves continued to challenge with his immaculate length and had Aamer Jamals middle stump cartwheeling and then pinned Ali Usman plumb leg before wicket for a seven-ball duck.Greaves ended the session with 4-27 when Mohammad Rizwan recklessly tried to cut the seamer and was caught behind for 12 just before the break.Earlier, Agha had a nervy start to the day and on just 1 successfully overturned an lbw decision off fast bowler Kemar Roach. Agha continued to struggle against the three-pronged pace bowlers before settling in and hit three boundaries.Masood, 88 overnight, grinded out a century off 163 balls when he drove Joseph off the back foot on the off side for a single before Greaves' quadruple strike saw Pakistan losing its way.___AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

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Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy is having the kind of season coaches and fans dream of when they talk about an older player recapturing the magic.He was named an All-Star this year, his third time overall but first such honor since the 2021 season.Jul 21, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Max Muncy (13) rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies in the fourth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn ImagesSpeaking with Bill Ladson of MLB.com, Muncy acknowledged that part of this strong season is due to him avoiding the injuries that have plagued him in recent years.What also helped, though, was a mindset change.It allowed me to play stress freeMuncy told Ladson that one of the biggest changes he made was to stop focusing on outcomes and instead control what he could control.I had to stop worrying about the results, he said. I just wanted to have fun playing baseball and have an opportunity to play the game that I grew up loving. Before I was so worried about what was going on, things I couldnt control. I took a total 180 on my mindset. It allowed me to play stress free.View this post on InstagramA post shared by Dodgers Nation (@dodgersnation)That stress free attitude has equaled results.Muncy has 20 homers on the year and recently passed Ron Cey for second-most home runs in LA Dodgers history.Its a milestone that Muncy admits he never would have thought hed reach.I was just hoping for another chance to play and see where it took me. I had no expectations other than to keep having fun, he said of taking his minor-league deal with the Dodgers in 2017.An all-around playerBeyond his success at the plate, Muncy emphasized the progress hes made on defense as well.Ladson pointed out that Muncy is ranked fourth among MLB third basemen with eight defensive runs saved, per the Fielding Bible.Thats what Im most proud about this year, he said. Im finally playing defense at a level I always felt like I was able to do. It has been a lot of hard work and learning how to get over the fear of making mistakes. Thats a tough thing to do. Thats what Ive been able to accomplish this year.

Nashville SC is reinforcing its midfield ahead of a final push for the Supporters' Shield.NSC announced the signing of 21-year-old Senegalese defensive midfielder Famara Camara on July 27 from Norwegian second-division side Ranheim IL for an undisclosed fee. Camara will occupy an international roster spot after signing through June 2029, with an option through June of 2030, pending confirmation of his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 Visa.More: Orlando City SC tops Nashville SC to end historic streakMore: Locals see Premier League's Liverpool and Sunderland put on a show | EstesFamara is a talented midfielder who has the ability to impact games on both sides of the ball,NSC President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Mike Jacobs said in a release.He will join a talented midfield corps here in Nashville and complement that group reallywell.The 6-foot-1 Camara turned professional last year and has since logged 40 appearances for Ranheim IL, recording a goal and two assists. He's also featured for Senegal's U20 national team, playing a part in the team's third-place finish at the 2023 African Games.Of his 40 club appearances, 13 have come this year, with Ranheim IL currently in-season. He joins an NSC midfield which includes Bryan Acosta, Shak Mohammed, Matthew Corcoran and Eddi Tagseth.Harrison Campbellcan be reached athcampbell@usatodayco.comand follow him on X (formerly Twitter)@hccamp.This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville SC signs Famara Camara, 21-year-old defensive midfielder

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) Bob Walls was getting set to tee off on the first hole at his home course last week when his partners interrupted his pre-shot routine.Get back here, man, James King said.We're playing blues today, Dawn Dozier added.Walls wasn't having it.When youre over 100, you can hit from anywhere you want," he told them.Then, with a silky smooth swing from the forward white tees, he thwacked the ball down the right side of the fairway just short of the green on the 180-yard hole.Not bad for a 103-year-old. Actually, pretty incredible.A record 6.3 million Americans 65 and older played golf in 2025, the National Golf Foundation reported this month. The NGF does not track the number of centenarians, but there undoubtedly are few, if any, who play as well and as often as Walls.Walls is fit and trim and looks 30 years younger. He has survived a heart attack, has had multiple heart surgeries and overcame a transient ischemic attack (mini stroke). He credited good genes both of his parents lived into their late 90s for his longevity, along with staying active.The notion that he's a freak of nature doesn't register with him.I dont feel 103. I dont act 103, he said. "To me its no big deal.Born in St. Marys, Kansas, in 1923, Walls moved to Omaha in 1947 after he served in World War II. He spent most of his working years owning and operating a janitorial service.He retired at 74 and, with friends' encouragement, took up golf. Steve Hogan, who was Nebraskas first Black PGA professional, taught Walls how to play at what was then Miller Park. The two became close friends, and Walls honors Hogan's memory by volunteering seven days a week at the course, which was renamed Steve Hogan Golf Course after his death in 2008.Walls spends five or six hours riding around in his open-top cart with a bucket of seed-and-sand mix on the passenger side. He fills divots and repairs ball marks, picks up trash and fishes other golfers errant shots out of the lagoon with his ball retriever.Always strapped on the back of the cart is his golf bag, because he never knows when the mood will strike to stop and play a hole or maybe work on his game.Outside the clubhouse are a couple of training devices Walls made to help young players get a feel for the golf swing arc. He has worked with kids in the First Tee program and gives lessons to adults for $50 per hour. The course holds an annual tournament, the Bob Walls Invitational, to raise money for equipment for neighborhood kids.When he gets home from the course each day, he often gets on his iPad and watches hours of training videos.When I visited him for his 101st birthday, I wasnt even in the door and the first thing he said to me was that he was breaking down his whole game, changing this, changing that, Dozier said. Hes always working on his game.Walls has still got plenty of game. He regularly shoots in the low 30s on the par-3 Hogan course. In fact, the other day he shot 31 to win a match against course manager Mike Rice.The first time I beat him and I havent beaten him very often I had to have a hole-in-one to do it, Rice said. Whod ever thought a 103-year-old gentleman could knock a ball 180 yards consistently every day and have enough energy and strength to do it?Walls spends the fall and winter in Phoenix and is on a course or practice range every day there, too.Golf is the first thing I think about when I wake up in the morning, he said.He fusses over his stance, swing plane and the direction his shoulders are pointing at his finish. Recently, he's been working on getting more consistent with his lob wedge so he doesn't have to rely so much on his sand wedge.Hes going to hit right down the middle and the next shot is going to be on the green, King said. He's not going to do anything to hurt himself. Sweet and easy. Thats what I love about his game. And he practices, too. Every day he hits a few balls, and I know he does because I'm down here most every day. I love playing with him. I think hes one of kind.___AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports