Curtis Mead Requires Immediate Injury Update in Red Sox Debut originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Curtis Mead's second trip to the plate with the Boston Red Sox ended in trouble.He was hit by a pitch and had to leave the game with his injury.Could their new slugging infielder from the Washington Nationals already be hurt? This was his debut on Monday night in Sacramento against the A's.Curtis Mead left the game in his Red Sox debut after being hit by a pitch on the handMead was acquired from the Nationals on July 25th pic.twitter.com/DXhS6aEY6b Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 28, 2026Boston had just given up young lefty Connelly Early to get Mead. An injury absence right off the bat would be a brutal outcome.Thankfully, it appears it could've been worse.MORE:Why the Red Sox were willing to trade Connelly EarlyCurtis Mead injury updateThe Red Sox provided two official updates while Monday's game was still ongoing.The first was that Mead had sustained a left wrist contusion.The second was that X-rays came back negative.Both of those are better outcomes than any kind of bone break in the wrist.Mead may have to miss a little time, but on paper, nothing about those official announcements suggests a terrible outcome.Boston will surely be careful, but it appears they've dodged major trouble.More Red SoxLatest Red Sox news2026 Red Sox schedule2026 Red Sox rosterComplete history of Red Sox championships

Patriots' Mack Hollins Open to New Position for 2026 NFL Season originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The idea actually makes perfect sense, even if it's a bit surprising at first.Mack Hollins is open to playing tight end for the New England Patriots during the 2026 NFL season.Yes, Hollins has always been a wide receiver in the NFL.But think about it:The Patriots probably have seven WRs for six depth chart spots.The Patriots are thin at tight end.Hollins said over the weekend that he'd be happy to be "a hybrid tight end" in the Patriots offense.The Pats have Hunter Henry, but free agent signee Julian Hill got hurt, and Eli Raridon is a third-round rookie."I'm just a ballplayer. I just want to win games. If you put me in the backfield, I'll run the ball if that's what it's going to be," Hollins toldMass Live. "I think people say I'm like a hybrid tight end because I put my hands on D-Ends and they don't move as well. I got muscles and I can block."MORE:Is Tom Brady having a mid-life crisis?Hollins is a good pass catcher, too. He had 46 grabs for 550 yards in 2025.A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs will be leading the WR depth chart now, though.'Pop' Douglas, Kyle Willliams, Kayshon Boutte and Efton Chism III could all deserve wideout snaps, too.Hollins is listed at 6-foot-4 and 221 pounds.He's always been regarded as a strong blocker, to the point that he's annoying for other teams to play against.Moving him inside would be unusual, but it could actually work out for the Pats.More PatriotsLatest PatriotsnewsTom Brady's Patriots legacy: How legendary QB set new standardComplete history of Patriots championships

Next weekend, the Pro Football Hall of Fame welcomes the Class of 2026. This year, five NFL legends will be recognized for their accomplishments on the field as their stories become immortalized forever in Canton, Ohio. Off the field, another distinguished honoree will also be recognized. During the Enshrinees Gold Jacket Dinner, Sandy Grossman will become the first television director to receive the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award from the Pro Football Hall of Fame.Grossmans recognition marks a historic first for the Hall. Over a broadcasting career that spanned more than five decades, he directed coverage of a record 10 Super Bowls, 18 NBA Finals, five Stanley Cup Finals and multiple Olympic Games opening and closing ceremonies.Grossman retired in 2012 and passed away in 2014 in Boca Raton, Florida, at the age of 78. Earlier this year, his son, Dean Grossman, received the call informing him that his father would finally receive one of footballs highest honors.I got a text from Rich [Desrosiers] at the Hall asking if I was available to speak in about an hour. So, he called me along with Joe [Hawkins] and Jim [Porter]. I told them I had never been to the Hall of Fame before, and they told me Im going to get on a plane this year because my father will be winning the Pete Rozelle Award, said Grossman. It was very emotional. I hung up and started to cry.The Long Road To The HallEarning a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame is one of the most difficult accomplishments in football, whether as a player or broadcaster. The selection process for the Pete Rozelle Award is equally demanding. Candidates require an extensive case for consideration, and only one recipient earns the reward each year.For Dean Grossman, the journey lasted 12 years following his fathers death. During that time, he worked tirelessly to make the case that Sandy Grossmans contributions deserved Hall of Fame recognition. Those efforts finally paid off, making the phone call even more meaningful.Sandy Grossman Super Bowl (Courtesy: Dean Grossman)It took a couple of days to sink in. When the press release came out, thats when it really hit me, explained Grossman. I printed the press release and went to the cemetery. I handed it to my father by placing the release in the cracks of the wall where hes buried. Because I wanted him to know that we did this. He did this from what he did in his career, but we made it happen because we never forgot.Grossman said his father never talked about one day entering the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Recognition was never his motivation. Instead, he approached every broadcast with one objective: deliver NFL viewers the very best pictures, sounds and overall viewing experience possible.Before becoming one of the NFLs most respected directors, Grossman established himself as the lead director of NBA broadcasts, where he pioneered the use of music during game breaks. Today, that production element remains commonplace across sports television.He later became the networks lead NFL director and spent 21 seasons alongside John Madden and Pat Summerall. Madden credited Grossman with being the first director to widen the standard camera shot to include the outside linebackers, an innovation that enhanced viewers understanding of the game and reflected Grossmans constant pursuit of improving the broadcast.For years, Dean Grossman heard the same message: his fathers resume was Hall of Fame worthy. He advocated for his father with Hall of Fame officials and others connected to the selection process. Still, as time passed and other deserving candidates were recognized, he began to wonder if the call would ever come.Every year, it was your dad is on the short list. Hes going to get there, just not this year, explained Grossman. It got to a point where every year I was asking the same questions and still getting denied. I know how so many players on that short list feel when they continually get denied Its the highest of honors that someone in production with the NFL can receive.Once the call arrived, the planning began.Honoring The MomentGrossman knew the date, time and location of the ceremony. But everything else still had to be arranged. Flights, hotel accommodations and event logistics quickly became priorities. As a sports broadcasting agent with strong relationships throughout the NFL and television industry, coordinating those details came naturally.The most difficult task, however, was writing the speech.Sandy Grossman (Social Screengrab)How do you summarize an extraordinary 50-year career in less than three minutes? More importantly, how do you tell the story of not only a pioneering television director, but also a devoted husband, father and grandfather?I spoke to several people about the speech looking for advice. The best advice I received was write from the heart, says Grossman. Im speaking about my father on the biggest stage an NFL director can receive an award. I wanted to make sure it was perfect.Grossman spent the past three weeks writing and rewriting his remarks. The first draft looked nothing like the final version. He sought feedback from people who worked alongside his father, trusted colleagues and respected mentors. He even used ChatGPT to provide another layer of feedback. Just in case there were ideas others didnt suggest.The first draft was a resume. It was boring and way too long. Then I went back and edited it and shared it with a select group of people, said Grossman about the writing process. I knew it was a great speech when my fiance read it and had goosebumps and started to cry.Wanting to ensure every aspect of his fathers life and career was accurately captured, Grossman shared the final draft with the group for one final review.I then forwarded it to Dick Stockton. He called me and said the speech is absolutely brilliant and not to change a single thing, said Grossman. Its really spoken from the heart about the father he is, and the director he was. The innovations he introduced and why I felt he was deserving of this honor.Grossman also wanted his attire to reflect the significance of the evening.For the first time in his adult life, he commissioned a custom suit. Inside the jacket is a custom-designed piece of artwork featuring a silhouette of his father directing a game, his signature and the Pro Football Hall of Fame logo.Sandy Grossman Jacket Picture (Courtesy: Dean Grossman)Its something that I wanted to do. I will always remember this memory, and he will always be there with me, us, and my family, said Grossman. It came out amazing. Im sitting on a dais with Roger Goodell, with family, clients, and executives there for my father in Canton. This is a big deal.A Lasting ImpactAlthough Sandy Grossman will soon be forever enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he will always simply be Dad to Dean Grossman.No matter how devoted he was to directing NFL broadcasts, Sandy Grossman never allowed his career to overshadow his family. As the Hall of Fame journey reaches its conclusion next weekend, Dean hopes the lasting memory centers on love, family and a lifelong passion for telling footballs greatest stories.He was a kid from North Jersey. A humble and genuine person who loved the NFL, explained Grossman. He knew his job was to provide the best pictures to the fans of the NFL. I just want people to know my father did everything he could to provide those pictures, but also be the best father and grandfather as well.Next weekend, five football icons will slip on gold jackets and take their place among the games greatest players. Their touchdowns, tackles, celebrations and championships will forever be preserved as part of football history.For decades, Sandy Grossman helped make those moments unforgettable for millions of fans watching from their living rooms.He never scored a touchdown, threw a pass or hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. Instead, he framed the moments that defined the NFL, allowing generations of fans to experience the games biggest stages with greater emotion, clarity and appreciation.It is fitting that the Pro Football Hall of Fame is now recognizing the man who spent a lifetime ensuring footballs greatest stories were seen exactly as they deserved.For Dean Grossman, the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award is more than validation of an extraordinary broadcasting career. Its confirmation that the humble father and grandfather he knew at home will forever be remembered alongside the legends whose stories he helped tell.In Canton, Sandy Grossmans name wont simply honor a pioneering television director. It will stand as a lasting reminder that behind every iconic NFL moment is someone whose vision helped make it timeless.Sandy Grossman Grandkids (Courtesy: Dean Grossman)Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries.Sign upfor our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.John MamolaJohn Mamola is Barrett Medias sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medis Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.linktr.ee/johnmamolaThe post Inside Sandy Grossmans Long Road to Immortality at the Pro Football Hall of Fame appeared first on Barrett Media.

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - MAY 24: Marc Cucurella of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Chelsea at Stadium of Light on May 24, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesWorld Champion Marc Cucurella bid farewell to his former club Chelsea in an emotional video on Monday. Cucurellas transfer to Real Madrid was already finalized at the start of the World Cup. However, the left back took the moment to say goodbye to Chelsea, where he played for four seasons. Thank you pic.twitter.com/eCTQhCdPJm Marc Cucurella (@cucurella3) July 27, 2026After 4 seasons together, its time to say goodbye. Ive had time to reflect and remember everything weve experienced together. I arrived here as a kid with the dream of winning lots of trophies and playing in the Champions League. We had a tough start, thats true. But with hard work and effort, we managed to turn things around. Thanks to this club and its high expectations. Today I can honestly say that London will always be my home. And you will always be part of my story, Cucurella said. I wont forget hearing my song on those magical nights at Stamford Bridge. The titles Ive won along this journey and all the love youve shown me. Now I leave the club as a man.Ive fulfilled many of my dreams thanks to you, and I want to thank you all for that. To the coaches and staff for all the advice they gave me. To my teammates for everything weve lived through together that I wont forget. And to everyone who works at Cobham for making me feel at home from the very first day.I truly hope to see Chelsea where you belong and deserve to be.Once a Blue, always a Blue.Cucurella will join Jose Mourinhos training sessions in a few weeks since he went all the way to the final of the World Cup.

  According to the latest report published by Data Bridge Market Research, the Middle East and Africa Biotechnology Market  CAGR Value The Middle East and Africa biotechnology market size was valued at USD 51.52 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 117.02 billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 10.80% during the forecast period A number of...

Watch Ceddanne Rafaela's Frustration Before Realizing He Hit Grand Slam originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.On the swing that accounted for all four of the Boston Red Sox runs on Monday night in Sacramento against the A's, Ceddanne Rafaela thought he'd made an out.He was hitting with the bases loaded, and he lofted a fly to left field, and he was ticked off.Rafaela chucked the bat onto the ground in disgust as he jogged toward first base.When he finally picked his head up, though, he learned that he had actually left the building.It was a grand slam for the All-Star, the first of his career.And it was pivotal, because the Red Sox won on this night, 4-2:Ceddanne Rafaela thought it was a flyout. Nope. Not in Sacramento. pic.twitter.com/c7yiY8aJBq Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) July 28, 2026MORE:Why the Red Sox were willing to trade Connelly EarlyThe A's are playing in a Triple-A ballpark in Sacramento while they await their final move to Las Vegas, and it's a stadium that is known to have the ball fly out of it.It can be frustrating for pitchers, particularly those on the A's who have to make their home starts there.For Rafaela, it's a place that quickly removed frustration.He likely thought he missed a homer because his launch angle was 40 degrees. He knew he'd gotten under it just a tad.The exit velocity was 98.4 miles per hour -- maybe enough to get a more optimal launch angle out in most ballparks.Here, though, even the higher loft on the fly ball wasn't an obstacle.Rafaela had a grand slam, and eventually, the Red Sox had a win.More Red SoxLatest Red Sox news2026 Red Sox schedule2026 Red Sox rosterComplete history of Red Sox championships

Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesLeBron James or Giannis Antetokounmpo might have joined the New York Knicks this summer if the 2026 NBA Finals hadnt ended the way they did.The Knicks have returned to the NBAs mountaintop after an arduous 53-year journey, where the franchise went from being called one of the worst in the NBA to now proving theyre the best.If the 2025-26 season didnt end in New Yorks favor, the summer of 2026 might have seen them make major additions to take the final step towards a championship.LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo wanted to save the KnicksSam Quinn pointed out that both James and Antetokounmpo had to settle for their No. 2 choices, with LeBron heading to the 76ers and Giannis heading to the Heat.The two most famous players that moved this offseason, LeBron and Giannis, both wanted to be Knicks and are now playing for their backup teams because the Knicks won the title.James interest in joining the Knicks was basically confirmed by his agent, Rich Paul, who said that LeBrons 24 days of decision-making likely never wouldve happened if the Knicks werent champions and wanted James to join the franchise.Photo by Harry How/Getty ImagesLeBron is expected to live in New York during his time with the 76ers and travel to the teams training facility in Camden, New Jersey, and to games in downtown Philadelphia.Giannis was rumored to be the Knicks primary trade target since last offseason, with the rumors of a Karl-Anthony Towns for Antetokounmpo swap even creating internal tensions in the locker room.However, all those talks were definitively ended after Towns played a crucial role in ensuring the Knicks finally became champions.Instead of trying to fix something thats clearly not broken, the Knicks decision to trust their core paid off, and now James and Antetokounmpo will be looking to steal New Yorks crown on their new Eastern Conference teams.Read more:LeBron James jersey number confirmed after signing with the Philadelphia 76ersDave Portnoy blasts governors LeBron James Day decision as a slap in the face to Philadelphia legendsWhat NBA expansion franchise in Vegas could be called as billionaire bidder drops hint

Curtis Mead was dealt to the Red Sox on Saturday for Connelly Early.AP Photo/Scott MarshallCurtis Meads debut with the Boston Red Sox did not go as planned on Monday night.Mead left the Red Soxs 4-2 win over the Athletics early after being hit in the hand by a pitch. Mead was up to bat in the fourth inning of the contest at Sutter Health Park when a pitch from Athletics starter Jack Perkins came up and drilled him directly in his left hand.Mead was clearly in significant pain as he walked it off, and he was quickly replaced by Anthony Seigler.Curtis Mead left the game in his Red Sox debut after being hit by a pitch on the hand Mead was acquired from the Nationals on July 25th pic.twitter.com/DXhS6aEY6b Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 28, 2026Further specifics of the injury are not yet known.Mead was only dealt to the Red Sox on Saturday night in a one-for-one deal with the Washington Nationals. In return, the Red Sox sent pitcher Connelly Early to Washington.Mead entered the night with a .254 batting average with 17 home runs and 48 RBI this season.The Red Sox scored all of their runs in the sixth inning on Monday night, thanks to a grand slam from WHO Rafaela. That snapped a very slow start for Boston, which didnt manage a single hit until that frame.The win pushed Boston to 55-50 on the year, and marked their third win in four games after having a franchise-tying 15-game win streak snapped last week.The Athletics, now 44-62, will host the Red Sox again on Tuesday in the second game of their four-game series.

Jul 27, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics left fielder Tyler Soderstrom (21) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images | Ed Szczepanski-Imagn ImagesThe As got a great pitching performance from their starting pitcher tonight. Unfortunately one swing of the bat was enough for the surging Red Sox to get past the Athletics tonight in the series opener in Sacramento.The Athletics struck first tonight and it didnt take long. Facing left-hander Jake Bennett for the Red Sox, the second batter of the game for the As connected on a solo blast as Tyler Soderstrom inflicted some lefty-on-lefty damage with his 17th of the year:Soderstrom continues his 10-game hitting streak with a homer pic.twitter.com/yMS3Ne2kiW Athletics on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) July 28, 2026That also extended his team-leading hitting streak to 10 games, and he now has 4 long balls in his last 15 games. That gave his starting pitcher some early room to breath. It was right-hander Jack Perkins on the bump tonight making his second start of the second half. After walking the first batter of the game, the young gun locked in. Over the first five frames tonight Perkins issued just two walks (one of which was immediately wiped out on a double play) and a hit by pitch. He looked as good as he had all year and looked confident on the mound doing it. And yes, he had a no-hitter going through five.Boston got their first hit with a leadoff double in the sixth. A pair of ground balls and Perkins was almost out of it unscathed but a walk prompted a pitching change from the manager. Perkins would depart with a 1-0 lead but responsible for the two runners on base.Jack Perkins: 5 2/3 IP, 1 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 69 pitchesThats the type of performance the As were hoping to see from their young right-hander. Hindsight is 20/20 but it would have been nice to let him work through the jam, especially considering his relatively low pitch count.Alas, lefty Jose Suarez came on in relief of Perkins and gave the game away. Another walk loaded the bases and Boston center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela connected on a hanging slider for a go-ahead grand slam. Suddenly it was 4-1 Boston.The As got one of those runs back in the bottom half of the frame though as new starting catcher Jonah Heim connected for his 10th long ball of the year to cut it to 4-2:Heim Time goes yard and brings the A's within two pic.twitter.com/qqsJOiztbx Athletics on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) July 28, 2026Still, the club was down two runs and needed more to catch up. The As went down in order in both the seventh and eighth innings before they managed to get the tying run on base in the ninth against Boston closer Aroldis Chapman. Sadly rookies Henry Bolte and Alika Williams struck out to end the late rally and secure the defeat in front of the home crowd.Another tough loss, which drops the club to 44-62. Perkins was pitching great tonight and probably deserved a win. Alas, its hard to win a game when you only collect six hits. Soderstrom and Heim did their jobs at the top of the lineup but the 5-9 hitters went a combined 2-for-16 with two singles. Not a great performance from the offense tonight, even without Nick Kurtz and Shea Langeliers.The series continues tomorrow night, same time same place. Its going to be a battle of left-handers as Gage Jump gets the ball for the Athletics while Boston will turn to Jake Bennett. Jump is set for his third start here in the second half; his first one was solid but he got roughed up for six runs against the Diamondbacks last time out so hell be looking for a bounce-back performance. Bennett meanwhile comes into this one on a roll, posting a pristine 1.64 ERA over his previous seven starts. Not an easy assignment for either lineup tomorrow so runs will surely be at a premium.

There's an interesting twist in the battle for the two starting safety spots in the San Francisco 49ers secondary. We anticipated that both the free safety and strong safety jobs would be up for grabs. However, ESPN's Nick Wagoner noted after Monday's practice that there appears to only be a battle going on at one position instead of two. With only two training camp practices down there's still plenty of time for changes at both spots, but the early rotations are intriguing. Wagoner noted on Twitter that Ji'Ayir Brown is getting all the first-team reps at free safety and even intercepted a pass against quarterback Brock Purdy in Monday's session. The spot next to him has seen a rotation of Malik Mustapha and Marquese Sigle. Going into camp it looked like Sigle would have a real shot to unseat Brown who's been the starter for 26 of 34 games the last two years. Now it appears the second-year safety out of Kansas State could be in line to unseat Mustapha, who has 22 starts in 28 career games. Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris was asked about the starting safeties in a press conference following Monday's practice. His answer contained a lot of words, but no insight into how the battle is playing out so far.Let's be honest, the secondary practice, they've all looked the part," Morris said. "They've all done some really good things. Obviously, there's always going to be corrections. That's what you need coaches for. That's what we're out there for. That's the really good part. It is a lot of fun to watch guys compete at a very high level. You're talking about Tig [Brown], you're talking about Sig [Sigle], you're talking about Malik, you're talking about some of the young guys that were brought in. Ashtyn [Davis] just being brought in. There's some young guys here that have done some really good things, like moving people in the back end. You see Siran [Neal] back there a little bit. Watching guys be able to compete at a very high level is a lot of fun.Pads won't come on until the second week of camp and that's where the rubber meets the road in a race for starting jobs. Brown getting the only early first-team free safety reps could mean the team is leaning toward him being the starting FS in Week 1. It could also mean they're giving him every opportunity to keep the job before opening up the battle to other players on the roster. Morris' non-answer didn't give us any insight, so we'll have to continue keeping an eye on how that safety rotation is going to see how the coaching staff feels that group may shake out come Week 1.More 49ers: 49ers among preferred landing spot for Pro Bowler who requested tradeThis article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Early 49ers safety battle in training camp comes with surprising twist