Browns coach Todd Monken originally hoped to name a starting quarterback by the offseason program. That didn't happen, with the competition continuing into training camp.Monken finally has revealed his timeline for a decision.He told Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network that Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson will each start a preseason game. The next week will determine who starts Aug. 15 at Chicago and who starts the Aug. 22 home game against the Bills.The leader likely starts the final preseason game on Aug. 27 against the Patriots.Watson has played only 19 games since arriving in Cleveland in 2022. He hasn't played since October of 2024, twice tearing his Achilles since.Sanders earned Pro Bowl honors as a rookie despite starting only seven games and completing 56.6 percent of his passes for 1,400 yards, with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Confidence has never been in short supply for three-time Glory Kickboxing World Champion Marat Grigorian, and that self-belief shows no signs of wavering as he heads into his next test at The Inner Circle 25.The Armenian knockout machine carries that same conviction into the first round of the eight-man ONE SAMURAI Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament against Russian standout Mamuka Usubyan.Their clash will be part of several exciting matchups on the Asia primetime spectacle inside Bangkoks Lumpinee Stadium, which will broadcast live exclusively to subscribers at live.onefc.com.View this post on InstagramGrigorian arrives on the back of a three-fight winning streak. Two of those victories ended in highlight-reel fashion, first against Abdelali Black Diamond Zahidi, then against Kaito at ONE SAMURAI 1 this past April in Tokyo.Sandwiched between those finishes was a hard-fought win over Rukiya Demolition Man Anpo at ONE 173, a rivalry that carried its own share of fireworks.Leading into each of those fights, the Hemmers Gym standout spoke with the same unwavering self-belief he carries into this one.He said:Im really prepared to destroy him. I will break him mentally and physically. When I step in the ring, I want to fight. I want to hurt my opponent. I want to give everything I can possibly give.Im always confident in myself because I know what I bring to the table. I always work hard for my fights. Its just the mentality that I have. Im fearless, and I love fighting.View this post on InstagramBold as his words are, Grigorian has done his homework on the man who will stand across from him inside the mecca of Muay Thai this week.Usubyan enters this matchup riding a seven-fight winning streak that stretches back to 2023, a run that includes a perfect 4-0 run on the global stage against Rajadamnern Stadium Muay Thai World Champions Shadow Mavinn and Khunsuek Superbon Training Camp, and ISKA Kickboxing World Champion Enzo Kartoum.None of those credentials, however, have changed his read on how this fight unfolds:Hes a good fighter. Hes doing very well. He has good power and good moves. But whenever anyone shares the ring with me, including him, theyd just prefer to get points. I think he will want to play it safe.Also, I dont think he has enough firepower inside the pocket. Ive noticed that he cant handle pressure. He starts running away, going backward, and makes big mistakes whenever he faces pressure.View this post on InstagramShould the Russian choose to pick his shots from range rather than engage, Grigorian is fully prepared to bring the kind of unbridled aggression and power that has defined his 70-win career.He stops short of guaranteeing a finish, but there is little doubt in his mind about which direction this fight is heading.The multi-time World Champion continued:I wont predict, but Im ready for both [a win on the scorecards or a knockout]. If hes ready to fire and trade, then it will be a nasty fight and a very interesting one.But a knockout will always be nice. I will go through him with my power and pressure. Ill hunt him with a lot of punches. He has never faced someone like me this kind of power, level, and skill.View this post on InstagramGrigorian Chasing Tournament GloryBeyond the personal stakes of the matchup itself, stepping into a stacked eight-man tournament is a format that holds a special place in Marat Grigorians heart. It is nothing new for the Armenian powerhouse, either.Most notably, the Hemmers Gym athlete knocked out future ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon in just 29 seconds during the final of the Kunlun Fight World MAX Tournament in 2018. He was also part of the second edition of the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix.That history clearly still fuels him heading into this latest chapter:Im very happy to be part of this. Its a beautiful tournament with a lot of talented guys. I love these tournament-style formats.These kinda competitions are a large part of why I fell in love with the sport from being a fan to a fighter who participated in a few tournaments. For this one, I really want to win it.View this post on InstagramBesides his quarterfinal clash against Mamuka Usubyan, the ONE SAMURAI Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament features three intriguing bouts Liu Spirit Dragon Mengyang vs. Masaaki Noiri, Kaito vs. Mohammad Siasarani, and Kosuke Unstoppable Phoenix Takagi vs. Luo Chao.Grigorian expects each one of those battles to be just as intense as his own, and he is well aware that the tournaments eventual winner will earn a shot at Superbons gold.That incentive is not what is driving him this time around, though.He pointed out:I dont really care about facing Superbon anymore. Now, the goal is to put on good fights every time Im in the ring and win this tournament thats the most important thing for me right now.View this post on InstagramSource

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Bobby Witt Jr. had three hits and two RBIs in his return to the lineup Tuesday night, leading the Kansas City Royals to an 8-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins. Witt, who missed two weeks with back tightness, went 3 for 5 with a two-run double and scored twice. Randy Dobnak (2-0) allowed one run and three hits in five innings against his former team to help the Royals stop a four-game losing streak.Josh Bell homered late for the Twins, who have lost three in a row. They remained a game behind Cleveland for the final American League playoff spot.Witt hit a single in his first at-bat and Jac Caglianone followed with another. Salvador Perez, honored before the game for becoming the franchises home run leader, pushed the first run across with a sacrifice fly. Michael Massey added an RBI double.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - AUGUST 04: Dominic Canzone #8 of the Seattle Mariners catches a fly out hit by Javier Bez #28 of the Detroit Tigers (not pictured) in the second inning at T-Mobile Park on August 04, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Kevin Ng/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesMore game thread!

Eleven down, three to go in the UNM Lobo mens basketball nonconference schedule.The team announced on Tuesday a Nov. 10 home game against the Little Rock Trojans (formerly Arkansas Little Rock).The Trojans went 12-20 last season and at 9-11 finished 7th in the 11-team Ohio Valley Conference. They had a final KenPom.com rating of 310 and final NET rating of 309.UNM will have an 18-game Mountain West schedule and 14 nonconference games, the first of which will be Nov. 2 in the Pit vs. Utah Tech. There will also be three exhibition games, two of which are already known.Of the three remaining nonconference games to still announce, at least one is expected to be a non-Division I opponent for a home game in the Pit.Reach Geoff Grammer at ggrammer@abqjournal.com or follow him on Twitter (X) @GeoffGrammer.Lobo mens basketball schedule 2026-27 (so far)Exhibition: at Oklahoma State, Oct. 11Exhibition: vs. Washington State, Oct. 18 (The Pit)vs. Utah Tech, Nov. 2 (The Pit)vs. Northern Arizona, Nov. 7 (The Pit)vs. Arkansas Little Rock, Nov. 10 (The Pit)at Santa Clara, Nov. 14at Wichita State, Nov. 21vs. Mississippi Valley State, Nov. 25 (The Pit)vs. Utah State, Nov. 29 (The Pit)vs. New Mexico State, Dec. 5 (The Pit)vs. Saint Mary's, Dec. 12 (The Pit)vs. Boise State, Dec. 21 or 23 (TBD event in California)vs. Oregon State, Dec. 21 or 23 (TBD event in California)

Kickoff times for New Mexicos homes games against Mercyhurst and UTEP have been released.The Lobos will kick off against the Lakers (Sept. 12) and Miners (Oct. 3) at 2 p.m. Both games will be broadcast on MW+, the Mountain Wests new subscription-based streaming service.Start times for UNMs games at Hawaii (Oct. 17) and San Jose State (Oct. 31) have yet to be announced.Sean Reider covers college football and other sports for the Journal. You can reach him at sreider@abqjournal.com or via X at @lenaweereider.Lobo football 2027 scheduleSept. 5: vs. Central Michigan (FS1, 8 p.m.)Sept. 12: vs. Mercyhurst (MW+, 2 p.m.)Sept. 19: at Oklahoma (ESPN2, 5:30 p.m.)Sept. 26: at New Mexico State (CBS Sports Network, 1:30 p.m.)Oct. 3: vs. UTEP (MW+, 2 p.m.)Oct. 17: at Hawaii (Fox Networks, TBA)Oct. 24: vs. North Dakota State (The CW or MW+, 8 p.m.)Oct. 31: at San Jose State (MW+, TBA)Nov. 6: at Nevada (CBS Sports Network, 7 p.m.)Nov. 14: vs. UNLV (The CW, 5:30 p.m.)Nov. 20: at Wyoming (FS1, 7 p.m.)Nov. 27: vs. Air Force (The CW, 2:30 p.m.)

Two Lobos landed on a pair of watch lists Tuesday.New Mexico linebacker Jaxton Eck and defensive lineman Brian Booker were named to preseason watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Outland Trophy, respectively, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) announced Tuesday.The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is awarded annually to the national collegiate defensive player of the year.The Outland Trophy is given to the best interior lineman offense or defense in college football.Both are selected and presented in part by the FWAA.The 6-foot-1, 228-pound Eck was named Mountain West Preseason Defensive Player of the Year earlier this summer after making 128 total tackles (65 solo) last season with the Lobos. The incoming senior was also named to the Allstate American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works team, recognizing student-athletes and coaches making an impact through community service, academic achievement and leadership.Eck is the first Lobo to be named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list since Carmen Messina in 2010.The 6-3, 330-pound Booker was named preseason All-Mountain West in July after making 19 tackles and 1.5 sacks last season with UNM. The incoming fifth-year senior is the first Lobo to be named to the Outland Trophy watch list since Teton Saltes in 2020.Finalists for the Outland Trophy and Bronko Nagurski Trophy will be announced on Nov. 18 and 19, respectively.Receiving votesUNM received four votes in Tuesdays US LBM Coaches Poll, the first installment of the weekly college football top 25 selected by head coaches across the country.The Lobos received the fifth-most votes of any Group of Six team, trailing Boise State (24), UNLV (17), Memphis (9) and James Madison (6). Western Michigan (3), Navy (3), San Diego State (2), Hawaii (1) and Jacksonville State (1) also received votes.Ballots for voting coaches have not been made public. UNM head coach Jason Eck is listed as a voter in this years poll.Sean Reider covers college football and other sports for the Journal. You can reach him at sreider@abqjournal.com or via X at @lenaweereider.

According to reports, Luka Doncic is set to hold a minicamp for his Los Angeles Lakers teammates in his native Slovenia. Even better, he will reportedly pay for his teammates to make their way to Slovenia for that minicamp.This will be an important event for the Lakers, given that they have so many new players on their roster for the upcoming season. One player who could play a key supporting role is Cameron Carr, the promising rookie guard who was the No. 24 pick in June's NBA draft.According to NBA insider Marc Stein, every player on the roster will attend Doncic's minicamp except Carr, who is required to participate in an official NBA orientation for rookies."The aforementioned Doni has chartered a plane and is paying the full bill to fly and host every single Lakers teammate in his native Slovenia later this month. Im told that 16 of the 17 players on the Lakers roster not named Doni from Austin Reaves to Walker Kessler to Bronny James to two-way signees Arthur Kaluma, Chris Maon and AK Okereke --have all committed to attend."League sources say it would have been 17 of 17 if just drafted swingman Cameron Carr wasnt required to participate in an official NBA rookie orientation that conflicts with what Doni is calling a 'team bonding trip.'"The Lakers thought highly enough of Carr during the draft to swap the rights to their No. 25 pick for the rights to him. At Baylor University last season, he averaged 18.9 points and 5.8 rebounds a game while shooting 49.4% from the field and 37.4% from 3-point range.He is very athletic and can jump out of the gym, and despite standing a modest 6-foot-5, he has an impressive wingspan of just over seven feet. Projections of how he will do in the pros range from being a high-level 3-point specialist who will also be a good help defender to possible All-Star potential after a few years.This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Cameron Carr won't attend Luka Doncic's Lakers minicamp

After a series split in Omaha, the St. Paul Saints returned home Tuesday with a 15-5 drubbing of the Louisville Bats at CHS Field.St. Paul hit four home runs. Matt Wallner connected for his 20th of the minor league season and Aaron Sabato later added his 20th with the Saints. Ben Ross hit his 10th and Gabriel Gonzalez had his 12th.Walker Jenkins, Kaelen Culpepper, Ross and Gonzalez each had three hits as St. Paul finished with 17 hits. Eight of the nine starters recorded a hit.Wallner got the scoring started with his homer, a three-run shot that plated Jenkins and Culpepper, in the first inning. Sabatos homer in the seventh was also of the three-run variety with Jenkins and Wallner on base ahead of him.Aaron Rozek started on the mound for the Saints, giving up two runs on five hits and a walk in four innings.The series continues at 1:07 p.m. CDT on Wednesday.Related Articles Randy Dobnak handcuffs Twins again in 8-2 loss to Royals Loons lag in letdown Leagues Cup opener Takeaways from Day 6 of Vikings training camp Twins ownership pleased with deadline haul Why the 2027 Minnesota high school boys basketball state tournament will be played in April

Tyrese Maxey initially hid LeBron James' signing for the 76ers from VJ Edgecombe originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Ever since LeBron James announced that he was leaving the Los Angeles Lakers, the Philadelphia 76ers were one of the contenders to sign him. They had the cap space, and the prospect of playing with Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid was enticing to James.That was further amplified by the 76ers' ambitious move to trade for Jaylen Brown. It was an easy decision from there because this 76ers team could lead to them competing for a championship with LeBron. As the youngest player on the starting lineup, VJ Edgecombe grew up learning from LeBron, so he was excited even before the four-time Finals MVP picked Philly.Tyrese Maxey tried hiding the LeBron James news from VJ EdgecombeIt is normal for a young player like Edgecombe to be excited about having James on the roster. He was born two years after LeBron was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers, so he has only known an NBA with the King in it.As he grew up, VJ got to watch LeBron as one of his basketball heroes. Now, he has the opportunity to compete for a championship with him on the 76ers and in the same starting lineup. That is huge for any player, but VJ has earned his way to this unique opportunity.MORE:VJ Edgecombe is ready to be all-ears with Jaylen Brown and LeBron JamesBefore the news dropped, it seems Maxey had knowledge of the situation. Edgecombe revealed that his backcourt partner was well aware of LeBron signing with the 76ers, and he hid it from Edgecombe because it was such an amazing bit of news to get."Thats one of the reasons why I started playing ball. When he was in Miami, but I aint know him. But I keep calling Tyrese, and I was like, 'Are we getting Bron? Are we getting Bron?' And Tyrese is like, 'Bro, I dont know.' Like, 'I dont think so.' But he knew the whole time. But he aint want to tell me. Thats what I feel. I might be wrong," Edgecombe said to ESPN's ChineyOgwumike.There will come a time when Maxey will reveal how he knew, but in the meantime, the 76ers' players are excited that they have some high-level basketball coming to town. With Brown and James joining the team, the expectations are higher, but it seems a young player like Edgecombe is ready for the new opportunity.More NBA news:Jaylen Brown speaks about what excites him about playing alongside LeBron James in PhillyDraymond Green defends Kevin Durant's claim about the 76ers being a superteamLeBron James' response to Jaylen Brown promising a 76ers championshipJaylen Brown feels the Celtics disrespected him with the tradeRich Paul talks about how talking negatively about LeBron James gets the clicks