Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti walks up the field Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, during practice ahead of the Rose Bowl game against Alabama Crimson Tide at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters CoIndiana football head coach Curt Cignetti addressed the media on Monday as the Hoosiers opened Fall camp ahead of the 2026 season.Heres everything he had to say:CIGNETTI: All right. Back at it. Day one, nobody got injured, the flow was good, the ball wasnt on the ground. Watch the tape, make a few critiques, assessments, and move on to day two.I think its a really important camp for us because we havent had the opportunity to get all of our people together. Had a lot of guys out in spring ball. The continuity, the guys that we think well be counting on now, theres going to be a lot of competition. Anybody that can play winning football will play, but we need to get the guys out there working together.Then with some of the new guys, the older guys, and a few of them were hurt, kind of get them assimilated into how we do things.The goal is being to develop players, develop position groups, individually, collectively, develop the intangibles as we get closer to Game 1, and the team mindset and identity so that were ready to play football and play the way we want to play. So today was a decent start.Q: With Stephen Daley coming back, obviously the courts kind of opened the door for players like him to return. What was that process like from your side to bring back a player like that, and what do you feel his timeline is to return from the injury he suffered last year?CIGNETTI: I think that its a potential opportunity to get better. Nobody really has a crystal ball and knows what the future holds. Stephen would have been cleared for camp. Hes in pretty good shape. Well have a plan for his return to play. Were not in a hurry, in a rush. Well bring him along, evaluate it day by day.If it works out for him long term, I think its a great thing because heres a guy you talk about helping people and opportunities. Heres a guy that played at Kent State and then came to us last fall. It really took him three to four games before he started to get the hang of it, wasnt playing a key role, then became the most dominant defensive lineman in Big Ten, led the Big Ten with TFLs at 19, suffers the injury, so ends up not getting drafted and so on and so forth.If it all works out and he can participate and help this football team, then his life could change. I know one thing about him, hell give it his best shot, he really will, and well just see what happens.Q: Just to follow up on just the idea of you talk about having a plan and I know youd never rush a player prematurely in general. But for him, how advantageous is it going into what looks like a pretty deep room so that he is going to have time to ramp up. He has a lot of depth around him, a lot of impact players and experience around him. You dont feel like anybodys ever got even hes got to press to get back too soon?CIGNETTI: Whether we had really good depth there or not, I think the return to play doesnt change a whole lot because you dont want to throw a guy out there until hes ready to where he gets hurt. There will be competition. Guys that can play winning football, theyll play.Q: Just for clarification on Daley, we saw him out there. He looked like he was going through all the drills. Is he 70 percent, 80 percent, what is he right now?CIGNETTI: I dont think I could put a percentage on it. He looks pretty good. Hes on a modified program where hell dress out for practice, participate in some individual right now, no 11-on-11, and then get with the strength and conditioning staff, who will bring him along until they feel confident hes ready to go.That could be who knows? Practice four, next week, I dont know. I dont think its going to be real, real long because he was training to be ready for next year in the league, so it looks like hes in pretty good shape.Q: Is him playing in the opener, is that even a possibility?CIGNETTI: I havent even thought of that. Im really focused on developing this team and getting up there and watching todays tape and putting tomorrows practice schedule together and taking this team as far as we can in fall camp. I havent thought that far ahead.Q. Last one from me, your thoughts, just the defensive line overall, how dominant can they become in time?CIGNETTI: We have guys that have played football that are experienced guys. You get better, you get worse, you never stay the same. You get out what you put in. Ive got two really good coaches there in Pat Kuntz and Buddha Williams, and Bryant does a great job. So theres a lot of TFLs and sacks returning, tackles, things of that nature.Look, humble and hungry is the only way I know.Q: What were your thoughts coming out of summer with the summer program under Tyson Brown. Do you like what you see, and how do the guys look?CIGNETTI: Yeah, most definitely. I think we made some very significant strides. When you look at the numbers GPS, body fat, vertical jump, things of that nature the results really speak for themselves. Very pleased.Q: Whats your opinion of going into a season not having to think about redshirts anymore? Does that kind of how does that impact like your roster management?CIGNETTI: I havent really thought about that either. I will say this, I didnt think a lot about it last year either because if a guy could help the team win, ready to play winning football, youd better play them because they could go in the portal year two or year four, year three. Now its five for five, so its a little different ballgame. Its a good rule.Q: Josh Hoover, what did you see out of him in day one, and whats the trajectory for him going forward?CIGNETTI: I was watching so many different guys, but it appeared that he finished practice well. I saw him make a few nice throws at the end. I saw Marsh make a couple plays too.Q: On A.J. Harris, what made him desirable coming out of the portal from Penn State? Whats the outlook for him throughout fall camp?CIGNETTI: Yeah, DAngelo Ponds going out early, so we needed another experienced player there. Im high on Gandy, who will be full go next week. Jamari Sharpe has really done a great job. Hes our number one guy. And A.J. Harris has the abilities. Looking for the day in, day out consistency, play in, play out consistency.Q: With the amount of guys that were out, starters that were out in the spring, trying to reintegrate them this fall, does that change how you approach how much time you want to give the ones and how much time you get to rotate with the twos and different things like that?CIGNETTI: Not a lot, I dont think. Now, our overall numbers by position do affect that rep count. Right now it appears that were in pretty good shape numbers-wise. So we always increase the reps with the ones as we go and start to decrease the reps with the threes.No, I dont I think right now its identifying who can do what, and by the end of camp, what we think the roles are going into the first game and making sure we have enough quality depth and that were utilizing our best 11 as effectively as we can.Q: I recognize the broadness of this question, but how do you judge what a good practice is? Because sometimes the nature of competition is one guy does well and another guy struggles, offense beats defense, and things like that.CIGNETTI: I kind of look at the first practice as just the flow. Did we have any major organizational snafus? Was the ball on the ground a lot? A lot of times early in camp, spring ball, working new centers, center snaps can be an issue, six, eight balls on the ground. We didnt have that today. The flow was good. The competition was good.I thought the guys did a decent job of sustaining practice. I didnt think they got overly fatigued, but I think it was a very manageable practice. And nobody got hurt.Q: Kind of a positional question. I know its early, but you had three linebackers you felt really good about last season, youve got two of those back. Who are you maybe looking at I know youve got some depth at safety too, but who are you looking at behind Rolijah and Isaiah as players that youd like to see?CIGNETTI: Were looking at a lot of them. Weve got some older guys and some younger guys, so well see who steps up. I thought Jacob Savage did some nice things at the end of spring and had a pretty good summer. Henry Ohlinger got hurt. JaDyn Williams had a nice summer. We got Utzinger and Turner and PJ Nelson and McConnell all back. So well see.Q: Have you noticed a difference between Charlie Becker between this time last year and now? Youve mentioned kind of the body of work that he has now, he put together, but how has that impacted him? How have you seen him kind of take a step forward and build on that? I know he was limited in the spring, though.CIGNETTI: Yeah, hes playing with more confidence and belief. I thought he had a pretty good camp last year. Maybe the biggest change is how we look at him. He was just a guy and he had an opportunity. He was a special teams demon for us in 24, and early in the year when he got in the games, he took advantage of his opportunities.When Sarratt got hurt, the guy was our leading receiver seven of the last eight games. Had a great summer too.Join the conversation!Sign up for a user accountand get:Improved notifications system!Fewer adsCreatecommunity postsComment on articles, community postsRec comments, community posts

Giants defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris tore his Achilles during the team's offseason program, but they put him on the physically unable to perform list rather than injured reserve to open training camp. That move kept some hope alive for a return late in the season, but that's no longer the case. The Giants placed Robertson-Harris on injured reserve Wednesday and the timing precludes him being activated this year. The Giants also waived wide receiver Beaux Collins with an injury designation on Wednesday. Collins will revert to injured reserve if he's unclaimed. Defensive backs David Long and D.J. James were signed to fill the two open roster spots. Long has played in 86 games for the Rams, Raiders, Panthers, Packers and Colts. James was a Seahawks sixth-round pick in 2024 and he played in one game for the Patriots last season.

The Washington Commanders receiver room was pretty thin after Terry McLaurin. The plan might have been to sign Brandon Aiyuk, but Aiyuks behavior including some negative social media comments about his former college teammate and current Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels effectively took that option off the table. Finally, the Commanders took a shot on a well-known star who had 1,000 yards for an AFC championship team a season ago. Stefon Diggs, who had been an unsigned free agent since the Patriots cut him early this offseason, agreed to sign with the Commanders according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. Its a one-year deal worth $12 million according to ESPNs Adam Schefter, which makes for a low-risk investment for the Commanders. Stefon Diggs will join the Commanders after playing with the Patriots last season. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: X164831 TK1)Jamie Schwaberow via Getty ImagesIts a relationship based on need. The market wasnt there for Diggs, who had 1,013 yards last season for the Patriots. Hell be in his age-33 season, has seen his production dip a bit the past couple seasons, isnt far removed from a torn ACL that ended his 2024 season with the Texans early and also had plenty of off-field headlines that might have had teams shying away. The Commanders know all the risks but they also didnt have many other options. They have McLaurin, a clear No. 1, but the No. 2 was projecting to be Treylon Burks or third-round rookie Antonio Williams. Diggs should be an upgrade. That will help Daniels, who is coming off a rough second season that was disrupted by injuries. It looked like he might enter this season without much help at receiver, after the Commanders spent most of their free-agent money on the defense. Diggs should help that as the Commanders look for more permanent solutions.

Carson Beck makes his NFL debut and Kenny Pickett starts for his fifth team in four years.Welcome to the NFL preseason. If you want to see starters play, wait until next month when the games count in the standings. Or watch joint practices.The exhibition schedule kicks off Thursday night with Beck and the Arizona Cardinals facing Pickett and the Carolina Panthers in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.The preseason is an opportunity for rookies, backups and players fighting for roster spots to get snaps and showcase what they can do. Most first-round picks wont play much. Cardinals running back Jerimiyah Love (No. 3 pick) and Panthers tackle Monroe Freeling (No. 19) are sitting out the opener.Beck, a third-round pick from Miami, will be under center for new Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur. Veteran Jacoby Brissett is Arizonas starter and Gardner Minshew is the backup.I had no clue I was going to start, Beck said. Obviously, I thought I was going to play but I really didnt have any expectations going into any of this. Obviously, our schedule is absolutely crazy right now, practice, meetings. But Im looking forward to it.Beck, who led the Hurricanes to a national championship matchup against Indiana, said he wont have any butterflies before the game.I think the last time I was nervous was maybe when I was 8 years old for our city championship in Pop Warner, Beck said. Its a game at the end of the day. Its an opportunity to go out there, have fun with your teammates and play the game that I love. Its what I love doing.Pickett, a first-round pick by the Steelers in 2022 who led Pittsburgh to a 14-10 record in two seasons, has bounced around the league.He spent the 2024 season with the Eagles before Philadelphia traded him to Cleveland last year. The Browns sent him to the Raiders during training camp and he started two games for Las Vegas. The Panthers signed Pickett to back up Bryce Young.Just want to go out there and operate a high level, Pickett said. All the hard work that were putting in practice you want to see come to life on game day and thats everyone just doing their job and executing.Carolina won the NFC South last season with an 8-9 record. But the Panthers led the 12-win Rams in the final minute of their wild-card playoff game before NFL MVP Matthew Stafford threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson with 38 seconds left for a 34-31 victory.The Panthers have been getting after each other in practice, so coach Dave Canales is looking forward to seeing his team hit an opponent.Tempers are flaring a little bit and I just have to remind them none of that helps us. It throws us out of the rhythm of practice, Canales said.Practice is everything for coaches in training camp.Fewer teams play their starters in preseason games so they have to get them ready for the regular season in practice. Joint practices teams facing opponents ahead of their exhibition game are a growing trend in the NFL.A total of 28 teams have scheduled joint practices which begin next week.The Rams have joint practices with the Cowboys and Saints coming up.Thatll be basically their preseason, Los Angeles coach Sean McVay said. Well get an opportunity to see a lot of the younger guys play in the preseason and those are great opportunities to play real football. When we put the pads on, its close, but youre still not playing tackle football. And there are a couple spots. There are always important things that you want to be able to see unfold and be able to establish some depth if, God forbid, we have the inevitable injuries that do occur. But well take it a day at a time and theres so many things.The Detroit Lions are one of the four teams that wont have any joint practices so some of their starters could see action in the preseason games.We have got to get these guys ready for a season, Lions coach Dan Campbell said. Theres a chance we play some of these guys in the preseason without the joint practices, and so Im going to do what I think is best to prepare these guys for 17 weeks, but also understand that we have got to be smart about it and we cant break them in training camp, and so the approach will stay the same, it will, and you have got to get ready, and you cant let fear of injury scare you away from what you believe in.Several key players already have been hurt in practices over the past week. The Panthers lost second-year edge rusher Nic Scourton to a torn ACL on the first day of camp. They also saw wide receiver Chris Brazzell II go down with a torn LCL.New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Bryan Bresee tore his ACL last week. Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Jalon Walker was carted off the field with a knee injury on Tuesday.___AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Wide receiver Stefon Diggs has found his next NFL team. According to multiple reports, Diggs will sign with the Commanders. A report late last month indicated Diggs was intrigued by the chance to play with quarterback Jayden Daniels in Washington and he will now get a chance to do that. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the one-year deal will be worth up to $12 million. The move to sign Diggs comes after the Commanders spent the offseason being mentioned as a landing spot for disgruntled 49ers wideout Brandon Aiyuk. Aiyuk openly discussed his desire to join the team, but Washington and San Francisco never made a trade and Aiyuk remains on the 49ers' reserve/left squad list for the time being. Diggs said this offseason that there is no No. 2 wide receiver in the league better than him and he'll now get a chance to prove it while playing with Terry McLaurin in the Commanders offense.

Liverpool Are Among The Clubs Hoping To Land This Eredivisie Full-Back: Good Option For Iraola?In a recent report, journalist Graeme Bailey revealed that Liverpool are among the clubs hoping to land Feyenoord full-back Givairo Read. It has been stated that the Reds will have to compete with Arsenal, Everton, Fulham, Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest and Roma in the race to sign the Dutch defender this off-season.Reads Impressive Rise In Dutch FootballRead enjoyed a solid campaign at the Dutch club recently as he managed to catch the eye at times for them on the right side of their backline. The 20-year-old found the back of the net twice and picked up three assists in 20 appearances for Feyenoord last season in various competitions.The Dutch sensation is currently among the most gifted full-backs in the Eredivisie. Thus, it is no wonder that the Reds are eyeing a move to secure his services in this transfer window.His current contract at the Dutch club will expire in the summer of 2029, which could make it tough for Liverpool to sign him on a cut-price deal later this year.STUTTGART, GERMANY NOVEMBER 06: Josha Vagnoman of Stuttgart is challenged by Givairo Read of Feyenoord during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between VfB Stuttgart and Feyenoord at Stuttgart Arena on November 06, 2025 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)Will Read Be A Good Option For Liverpool Boss Andoni Iraola?Read is a solid tackler of the ball and can sense the danger well to earn possession back for his side inside his half. He usually puts his foot through the ball when required and is a good passer as well from the right flank.The Dutch whizkid has already added a few goals and assists to his game. However, the jury is still out on whether he can maintain his good form in the Premier League if the Reds manage to bring him on board in this transfer window.We can expect Read to enhance the quality of Liverpool boss Andoni Iraolas attack in the long run. He has what it takes to battle with Jeremie Frimpong for a regular first-team spot at Anfield in the coming seasons.At 20, Read has a bright future ahead of him, which makes him a great option for the Reds to pursue in this transfer window. However, Iraola has to be patient with his development before he can get the best out of the gifted full-back at the Merseyside club.

The NFL is designed for parity, but the last decade has shown that some franchises have consistently found ways to win while others have struggled to stay competitive.DraftKings recently shared every teams regular-season record since the start of the 2016 season, and the numbers paint a fascinating picture of the league. There are dynasties, consistent contenders, surprising overachievers, and a few franchises that have become the subject of jokes across the NFL.MORE: Chiefs star looks better than expected early in NFL training campChiefs stand aloneAug 22, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) talks with head coach Andy Reid after a play against the Chicago Bears during the first half of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn ImagesNo team has dominated the past decade quite like the Kansas City Chiefs.Kansas City owns an incredible 118-47 regular-season record since 2016, comfortably leading the NFL and separating itself from the rest of the league. The Bills (105-59), Ravens (103-62), Eagles (101-63-1), Seahawks (101-63-1), and Steelers (101-62-2) are among the other organizations that have consistently remained in the playoff picture during that span.Overall, 15 NFL teams have posted winning records over the last 10 seasons, highlighting just how difficult sustained success is in todays league.MORE: AFC North team may already boast the NFLs best rookie class of 2026The other end of the spectrumJan 27, 2025; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets owner Woody Johnson speaks during an introductory press conference at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn ImagesNot every franchise has enjoyed the same success.The New York Jets own the NFLs worst record over the past decade at 49-116, while their MetLife Stadium roommates, the New York Giants, havent fared much better at 55-109-1.The Browns (59-105-1), Cardinals (61-102-2), Panthers (61-104), Jaguars (63-102), Raiders (68-97), Bears (68-97), and Bengals (71-91-2) have also endured difficult stretches since 2016.While every team enters each season believing it can compete, these records show just how challenging sustained success truly is in the NFL.As the 2026 season approaches, several of these struggling franchises hope to begin rewriting their story, while teams like the Chiefs will look to continue one of the greatest runs of regular-season success the league has ever seen.Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter

A whole-home remodel is one of the most rewarding investments a homeowner can make. Instead of updating one room at a time, a complete renovation transforms the entire property into a more comfortable, functional, and modern living space. However, a successful remodel requires careful planning, realistic budgeting, and experienced professionals who can manage every stage of the project. Whether...

Patriots trade idea lands former first-round edge rusher from Giants for one draft pick originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The New England Patriots made it to the Super Bowl last year, but came up short against the Seattle Seahawks. For 2026, the team is still very good and might be even better with AJ Brown now in-house.However, if there was one question mark beyond how the new-look offense gels, it would be the defensive side of the ball. Specifically, the edge rusher room is a little bit of an unknown.While it's not a terrible group, the Patriots could use one more solid edge rusher. That's why ESPN's Seth Walder proposed a trade idea with the New York Giants that would land former first-round edge Kayvon Thibodeaux with the Patriots in an interesting deal.Patriots trade idea lands Kayvon Thibodeaux"Patriots receive: Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux, 2027 fifth-round pick. Giants receive: 2027 third-round pick," Walder proposed. "... The Patriots fit the bill and then some, because Thibodeaux offers long-term upside if New England decides to re-sign him."The Patriots might not seem like an edge-rusher-needy team on paper, with Harold Landry III and Dre'Mont Jones leading the way. But, they're a bit older, and Gabe Jacas is their top depth piece.Being able to landThibodeaux in a deal with the Giants, especially if it's the one that Walder proposed, would be a massive win for the Patriots.WhileThibodeaux did only play 10 games last year and record 2.5 sacks in a bit of a disappointing season for the Giants, with the Patriots, he'd be the No. 1 edge rusher, and could benefit from a change of scenery.MORE:Ben Johnson responds to Liam Coens pointed Caleb Williams commentBesides, he's hitting free agency after 2026, and regardless of whether he comes back or not, the Patriots would walk away from this deal fairly happy.LandingThibodeaux for a season and re-signing him would mean he played well enough for the Patriots to run it back. And if he leaves, then the Patriots would receive a compensatory pick on top of the fifth-rounder they'd get in this trade idea.There's a real scenario with this trade idea whereThibodeaux lands in New England, helps lead the Patriots defense to a great year, and leaves in free agency, landing a third-round compensatory pick alongside the fifth-rounder they got in the idea Walder pitched.This trade idea from Walder would be a very nice one for the Patriots ahead of the 2026 NFL season, and if there is a real chanceThibodeaux is available, New England should be in hot pursuit of a high-upside former first-round edge rusher.More NFL news:Deion Sanders has words with Browns' Todd Monken about Shedeur SandersDeebo Samuel is back! 49ers pull off stunning reunionBo Nix, Broncos draw bold claim from NFL analystBengals training camp fight: Why JaMarr Chase threw helmet in scuffle at practiceChris Olave contract details: Saints give massive extension to star WR with history of injuries

The New York Giants made a flurry of roster moves on Wednesday, adding two defensive backs to their training camp roster and waiving wide receiver Beaux Collins, who was listed as injured. The Giants also moved defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris (Achilles) to injured reserve (IR), ending his season.Giants Roster Moves 8/5Free Agent Signings:DB D.J. JamesDB David LongWaived/Injured: WR Beaux CollinsReserve/Injured:DL Roy Robertson-Harris pic.twitter.com/cZMGRS6M8O Dan Salomone (@Dan_Salomone) August 5, 2026The two cornerbacks added to the roster were D.J.James and David Long. Both players were part of a larger group that came in for tryouts on Tuesday. James played his college ball at Oregon and Auburn and was a sixth-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks in the 2024 NFL draft. He spent the last two years on the New England Patriots practice squad and most recently played for the Orlando Storm of the UFL. He has not yet played in a regular-season NFL game. Long was a third-round pick of the Rams back in 2019 out of Michigan and has 80 NFL games to his credit. The Giants, whom he had a brief stint with in 2024, will be the 28-year-old Long's seventh stop in his seven-year NFL career.Robertson-Harris injured his Achilles earlier this year in workouts, and the Giants were hopeful that he could come back and play this season. Collins, a former Notre Dame star, was inked as an undrafted rookie free agent last summer and was the only undrafted player to make the Giants' 53-man roster. He played in nine games in 2025 for Big Blue before landing on IR with a neck injury.This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants sign former Rams third-round pick amid flurry of moves