Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Nick Rallis had some optimistic rebuttals for reporters during press conferences after training camp last week. Yet, many of Rallis' critics will only be satisfied with how the defense responds on the field in 2026, and not how he responds at the podium.The Cardinals finished the 2025 NFL season ranking No. 19 in opponent time of possession, a dissatisfactory output that shouldn't totally fall on the shoulders of Rallis. Injuries plagued the Cardinals secondary, including the absence of defensive back Sean Murphy-Bunting who miss all of last season. Additionally, starting linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. was sidelined after a brutal injury suffered on Nov. 3. Both Wilson and Murphy-Bunting will be in the lineup this upcoming season contingently, unless something bizarre happens, and starting safety Budda Baker will return for redemption as well and this likely is where Rallis is looking to hang his hat. Rallis was forced to play from behind the majority of the 2025 NFL season, and the one-dimensional offensive attack of former offensive coordinator Drew Petzing had the Cardinals ranked No. 30 in rushing yards per game. Tired legs meant treachery for the team, and Rallis should be able to turn it around with the complimentary initiatives set by LaFleur on offense.Ultimately, Rallis knows his personnel, and he's ready to redeem himself and be a compliment to the mastermind of newly hired head coach Mike LaFleur. With an improved rushing attack, and the potential of rookie running back Jeremiyah Love, Rallis should be able to deploy his dynamic pass rush to help shorten the opponent time of possession statistics in 2026.Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify,YouTubeorApple Podcasts.This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Cardinals DC Nick Rallis has the expertise but will he execute?

Wide receiver George Pickens' signature on the franchise tag on April 29 all but guaranteed he would attend the team's mandatory minicamp and report to training camp. Indeed, Pickens was at the minicamp on June 16-18, and on Monday, he was with the team as players reported to training camp in Oxnard, California.The Pro Bowl wide receiver will play the 2026 season on the one-year, fully guaranteed $27.3 million franchise tag. Pickens signed the non-exclusive tag on April 29.He will be the only player in the NFL to play on the franchise tag.Pickens will need another season like last season to potentially become one of if not the highest-paid at his position. He earned his first Pro Bowl in his first season in Dallas in 2025, making 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns.

Jul 9, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark against the Phoenix Mercury at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesOver the 2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend, league commissioner Cathy Engelbert spoke about the league taking measures to protect players from the harassment they receive online.The racism, the misogyny, the homophobia, the harassment, and threats directed to our players have no place in sport or anywhere else, Engelbert said.Theres more work to do, and we need to make sure were doing it, she added.Earlier this season, Las Vegas Aces star Chelsea Gray shed light on a racist message she had received from a fan after an Indiana Fever game, leading to the fan losing his job.I think as one of the main faces of our league, too, it creates a dialogue that needs to be had. It puts pressure on Cathy, who weve been begging to step up for us in these spaces, Chicago Sky veteran Natasha Cloud said of the situation, via Front Office Sports.Now I think it demands her to actually take some initiative and to do something about it. I dont know what it is that shes going to do, but I also think that simple statements of not condoning (expletive) is also really good for public relations as well.Unfortunately, players arent the only ones being harassed. A longtime WNBA reporter posted on X on Monday that she may skip Tuesdays Storm-Fever game after receiving death threats.I had grown used to turning my credential backwards during Fever games here in Seattle so fans wouldnt recognize me, she posted, but now Im fully afraid to go to the game tomorrow and might just skip it completely since I received multiple d3ath threats from this group last week. It sucks. Thats what they want. For us to not feel safe in our safe space anymore.I had grown used to turning my credential backwards during Fever games here in Seattle so fans wouldnt recognize me, but now Im fully afraid to go to the game tomorrow and might just skip it completely since I received multiple d3ath threats from this group last week. It sucks. Roberta (@robertawbb) July 27, 2026As great as the WNBAs growth has been since the arrival of superstars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, its clear that it has also attracted fans who are more interested in spreading hate than appreciating basketball. Hopefully, Engelbert and the league find a way to protect everyone in and around its product.The post Im fully afraid: WNBA reporter scared to cover Caitlin Clark game after receiving death threats appeared first on The Comeback: Todays Top Sports Stories & Reactions.

Conor McGregor has not undergone surgery, much less started physical rehabilitation for what he says is an injured ACL and meniscus in his right knee.But McGregor, 38, on Monday, July 27 used a post on Instagram to suggest the approximate date of his next UFC bout after his short-lived comeback fight July 11.What was to be a generational beating is now to be reset, McGregor wrote. IFW 2027 The Last Dance.IFW appears to refer to International Fight Week, which typically is held in June or July and sponsored by the UFC. The Last Dance appears to refer to the final fight on his UFC contract.Lenee Breckenridge, Senior VP of Communications for the UFC, did not return messages from USA TODAY Sports asking if the UFC will confirm that McGregor will fight during International Fight Week 2027.View this post on Instagram

Jul 5, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Sproat against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesAfter playing a week and a half at home following the All-Star Break, the Brewers are on the road and spending a week on the west coast. They will open their trip against the Giants as they start a three-game series tonight.Brandon Sproat opens this road trip for the Brewers. Hes been pitching better over the last month and a half, posting a 3.46 ERA in June and a 3.86 ERA so far in July. One issue is that he hasnt been pitching deep into games lately. In his last three starts, hes only pitched 11 2/3 innings and pitched into the fifth inning just once. In his last start against the Mets, he allowed two runs on four hits and four walks in 4 2/3 innings. He threw 99 pitches in that start.For the Giants, Tyler Mahle gets the start tonight. Similar to Sproat, Mahle struggled to start the season but has been pitching better in the last month after returning from a left hamstring injury. He has a 3.76 ERA and 3.72 FIP in his last five starts. In his last start, he allowed three runs in five innings against the Royals. He allowed five hits and one walk while striking out four.There was one roster note prior to tonights game. After being designated for assignment on Sunday, the Brewers officially released Lance McCullers Jr. today. This ends his short stint with the Brewers, and he becomes a free agent Here are the lineups for tonights game. The Brewers are starting the series with their regular lineup, with Jake Bauers starting in right field and Andrew Vaughn at first base. First pitch is at 8:45 p.m.Baseball by the Bay: https://t.co/eycfmE2vgm: WTMJ@NicoletLaw x #ThisIsMyCrewpic.twitter.com/MnKkBqd17F Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) July 27, 2026Tonight's #SFGiants lineup : 6:45 p.m. PT: @OracleParkSF: @NBCSGiants: @KNBR | KSFN#SFGiants | @CocaColapic.twitter.com/MxbXXmTolu SFGiants (@SFGiants) July 27, 2026

A University of Pittsburgh football player is launching a new campaign to help young kids.Throughout the football season, quarterback Mason Heintschels Have a Heart campaign will raise money and awareness to advance care for children with heart conditions at the UPMC Childrens Heart Institute.Heintschel announced the new campaign on Monday afternoon.The kids here really deserve all the love and support that they get and what better way to use my platform and my resources to help them in any way that I possibly can, Heintschel said.Heintschel says the campaign was created in honor of his childhood best friend who passed away when they were young.Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

Crespi is back on the practice field as it looks to keep up its momentum in 2026 after a 10-1 season.(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times)In a sign of how high school football practices in Southern California have changed over the last 20 years, Crespi athletic director Brian Bilek was holding a beeping device on Monday to determine what modifications might be needed to practice in heat. It was 100 degrees in Encino, but the reading from the wet-bulb device measuring heat and humidity gave out a number that allowed for practice to take place with precautionary measures.This is the most important duty for athletic trainer or athletic director right now. Its reading the Wet Bulb. Crespis Brian Bilek gives a tutorial. pic.twitter.com/MGtPYblgzu eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) July 27, 2026Southern Section players were in shorts and wearing helmets around the Southland. City Section teams began five days of mandatory acclimation periods to get players into shape.Its an annual ritual that once had programs practicing twice or even three times a day. CIF rules that restrict tackling to two days per week and a maximum of 45 to 90 minutes a day were adopted in an effort to protect players from concussions and injuries.By the weekend, when the shoulder pads come on, coaches will be breaking out in smiles watching their freshmen players trying to figure out the routine for the first time.Crespi coach Brad Vonnahme grew up in the Central Valley and coached at Fresno State. He described the weather from those days as toasty. Mondays environment, though, was probably the hottest opening day in his four seasons at Crespi.Its a big year for the Celts. Theyve improved each season after Vonnahme was put in charge of a rebuilding project following Crespis 0-10 season in 2022. The Celts have responded with records of 2-8 and 5-6 before their 10-1 mark last season. This year, theyve upgraded their schedule, adding rival Sherman Oaks Notre Dame for a season-opening nonleague game Aug. 21. Asked if his team can continue to climb, Vonnahme said, I think we can. But most importantly, we have to try. Everybody wants us to continue to elevate.Crespi's Russell White carries the ball during a game against St. John Bosco on Nov. 7, 1986.(John McCoy / Los Angeles Times)This season marks 40 years since Crespis greatest team, led by running back Russell White, won the Division 1 championship over St. John Bosco in 1986. It remains the only San Fernando Valley team to win a Division 1 football title. Many of the players are expected to attend the Notre Dame game for a recognition ceremony.Crespi returns a number of players who were standouts as sophomores, led by quarterback Chase Curren. Theyll need to be bigger, faster and stronger. If all goes well, they will play Salesian on Oct. 30 to decide the Del Rey League title.A strong group of teams will be traveling to Hawaii next month, so theyll be getting ready a little faster for football and surfing. Chaminade, Edison, Beaumont, San Clemente, San Juan Hills, Newport Harbor, El Camino Real and Villa Park are among the teams with Hawaii trips.Athletic directors are back from vacation and will be busy trying to clear players who transferred. Making sure paperwork is correct is one of the most important tasks, because one mistake can lead to forfeits.Sign up for the L.A. Times SoCal high school sports newsletter to get scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Several Pittsburgh Pirates found themselves on the clock on Monday.Nick Gonzales, Konnor Griffin and Esmerlyn Valdez worked behind the counter at the Sheetz on Neville Island.They helped in the store operations, including food prep and window washing.Griffin said he had fun during the experience.We have a big partnership with Sheetz. Getting to get out, come surprise some guests, hand out gift cards, sign some autographs, its a great time.He said the team is working to stay locked in as they race for a playoff.Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

Jul 27, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Squirrel runs on the field during the seventh inning of the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Baltimore Orioles at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn ImagesNot an ideal outcome to the series opener against the Orioles as the Tigers lost 8-5. But hey, there was wildlife!After losing their last two games over the weekend to the Royals, the Tigers really needed to win some games. Unfortunately, they were facing off against the Orioles, a sub-.500 team struggling in the AL East, and we know from this season the Tigers just cant seem to get it together when playing against other struggling teams. So this was going to be a tricky series, because baseball makes no sense and nothing is reasonable. The Tigers had Keider Montero on the mound against Kyle Bradish for the Os.Pete Alonso got a one-out double, followed by Gunnar Henderson with a single. This put runners on the corners, so when Taylor Ward hit into a force out, Henderson was eliminated but Alonso scored. The Os would have to settle for just the one run, but they were on the board first. Kevin McGonigle started the home half with a single. Then, with one out, Colt Keith singled. Two outs followed, though, leaving the baserunners stranded and the Tigers scoreless. Jackson Holliday opened the second with a double. Then Coby Mayo reached thanks to a fielding error from Keith. This bumped Holliday to third, so a Jeremiah Jackson groundout was all it took to score another run. With two outs Dylan Beavers singled to score Mayo. Alonso got a single, but no additional runs scored. In the home half, Zach McKinstry got things started with a triple. Then a Hao-Yu Lee sac fly brought in the first Tigers run of the game. Two outs followed, but the Tigers were on the board. Taylor Ward walked to start the third but was then eliminated in a force out off the bat of Leody Taveras. Holliday singled, pushing Taveras to third. Mayo then singled to bring in another run for the Orioles. Jackson was hit by a pitch (allegedly), but Chadwick Tromp hit into a double play to end the inning. McGonigle got a leadoff single for the second time in the game, but a lineout, followed by a double play off the bat of Keith, swiftly ended the inning. Montero got the first 1-2-3 inning of the game for the fourth, which was much-needed. Riley Greene got a leadoff double in the bottom of the inning. Spencer Torkelson singled, but it was only enough to get Greene to third. A wild pitch allowed Torkelson to advance to second, then McKinstry walked to load the bases. Lee came through again with a single to score Greene. With one out, Matt Vierling hit a sac fly, scoring Torkelson. The two runs helped put them within one run of tying at the end of the inning. within striking distance pic.twitter.com/Ow6lMbcIUG Detroit Tigers (@tigers) July 28, 2026In the fifth, Taveras hit a one-out solo home run. Holliday then singled, and that was it for Montero for the game. Usually reliable, it was an unusually rough outing for him. Brenan Hanifee came out to replace him with a runner on first. Coby Mayo then homered, because the Tigers just want to make this last week before the trade deadline the most painful week of our lives. Hanifee got the next two outs, but the home run made Monteros final line for the game 4.1 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HR on 80 pitches. Normally I can pull out some positives even from the most disappointing outings, but this one was just pretty bad. Dillon Dingler got a leadoff single to start the home half. Keith then doubled. With one out, a Torkelson sac fly scored Dingler. McKinstry then singled, scoring Keith. That was it for Bradish, who was replaced by Yennier Cano. Cano got the final out of the inning. Tyler Holton came in and a pinch-hitting Tyler ONeill won the battle of the Tylers with a leadoff home run. With one out, Henderson walked, and that was it for the short leash on Holton. Drew Anderson replaced him and got the final two outs of the inning. With two outs in the bottom of the inning, a black squirrel took to the field and became the most appealing part of watching this game. Bless ya, little guy. The Os made a pitching change while the squirrel ran around the outfield. Someone made a makeshift sign for the squirrel. Grant Wolfram was the new Orioles pitcher while the squirrel was joined by a mourning dove. The final out ended the inning which is a bummer because watching the squirrel was truly the most fun Ive had for this whole game.In the seventh, the squirrel settled between third and home. After Holliday got a leadoff single, the squirrel moved into the infield for a bit before making its way back to right field. With one out, Holliday got mowed down trying to steal second by some nice, accurate throwing by Dingler. After the Os were out, the entire Tigers ground crew banded together, with help from Leody Taveras, and worked as a dysfunctional and barely capable unit to finally catch the squirrel in a towel and certainly relocate it to some nice patch of trees somewhere downtown. Be well, furry little buddy. In the bottom of the inning the Tigers went 1-2-3 despite bringing in Gleyber Torres to pinch-hit for Keith. Jacob Waguespack was the new pitcher in the eighth and gave up a one-out walk to Colton Cowser. Paws brought out a Free the Squirrel! sign that got a chant going, and we learned the squirrel escaped and was not free in the belly of the stadium. Cowser stole second, but the Tigers got out of the inning with no additional runs scored. Your browser does not support the video tag.Andrew Kittredge came in against the Tigers in the bottom of the inning, giving up a leadoff single to Torkelson. A frustratingly incredible catch by Cowser got the first out of the inning. Torkelson advanced to second on a wild pitch. The Tigers werent able to take advantage of a runner in scoring position, though. Taylor Ward walked to start the ninth but was swiftly eliminated in a double play from Taveras. Waguespack got the final out of the inning, and turned it over to the lineup to try to stage a comeback. Rico Garcia came on for the Os in the bottom of the ninth. McGonigle got a one-out walk, in theory, but the Os challenged the ball call and it was overturned for strike three. With that opportunity shot, there wasnt much left in the tank, and Dingler was the third out of the game. The Tigers dropped their third game in a row.Final: Orioles 8, Tigers 5

Spurs receive surprising placement in Bleacher Reports starting lineup rankings originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Following their first NBA Finals appearance since 2014, the San Antonio Spurs are widely considered to be one of the NBAs top contenders entering the 202627 season. However, some questions may remain regarding the Spurs starting lineup.Bleacher Reports Greg Swartz released his latest starting lineup rankings Sunday, and San Antonios projected starting five ranked just No. 6 overall. The top five teams on the list were as follows:Philadelphia 76ersOklahoma City ThunderNew York KnicksIndiana PacersDenver NuggetsSwartzs projected starting lineup for San Antonio featured DeAaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie, and Victor Wembanyama. The group was the most commonly used combination by Mitch Johnson last season, and the Spurs were 213 in games where that five started.Swartz highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the group, particularly in the backcourt. He pointed to Castle and Dylan Harper as representing "the backcourt of the future" for the Spurs but noted that current starting point guard De'Aaron Fox "may not like the idea of being a sixth man." He also wrote that recent free agent addition Tobias Harris could challenge Champagnie for the starting power forward role.While its understandable why some of those teams were ranked ahead of San Antonio, critics of the ranking could point to the Spurs run to the NBA Finals last season as evidence they should have been ranked higher. The teams ranked ahead of San Antonio are all extremely talented and have compelling cases for their spots on the list. However, several of them will also have to reintegrate key starters who missed significant time due to injuries, including Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun for Denver, Isaiah Hartenstein and Jalen Williams for Oklahoma City, and Tyrese Haliburton and Aaron Nesmith for Indiana.With Wembanyama leading the way, the Spurs have one of the leagues highest ceilings. Their overall rotation is undoubtedly a strength, with pieces like Harper and Harris set to have huge roles regardless of their starting status. Whether San Antonios starting five remains the same or evolves throughout the season, the Spurs appear poised to contend for a title, making their ranking one of the more debatable placements on the list.MORE San Antonio Spurs News:Spurs receive strong marks for offseason moves as championship pursuit continuesVictor Wembanyamas status for FIBA qualifiers revealed ahead of 202627 NBA seasonVictor Wembanyama joins NBA 2K history with reported cover athlete selectionKarl-Anthony Towns reveals why he said Victor Wembanyama can't guard him in theFinals