Getting sacked is often viewed as a negative statistic for an NFL quarterback, but it doesnt always tell the full story. Sometimes its the result of poor offensive line play, sometimes its a quarterback holding onto the football too long, and often its a combination of both.DraftKings recently shared an interesting graphic highlighting the only three quarterbacks who were sacked 50 or more times during the 2025 season. The numbers themselves are eye-opening, but the biggest surprise is how different each teams season turned out.MORE: Former NFL first-round pick ready to break outThe three quarterbacksJacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) puts pressure on Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) during the first quarter in an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]Here are the 3 quarterbacks to reach the 50-sacks mark in 2025: Geno Smith (Raiders) 55 sacks | Team record: 3-14 Cam Ward (Titans) 55 sacks | Team record: 3-14 Justin Herbert (Chargers) 54 sacks | Team record: 11-6At first glance, Herberts inclusion is surprising. While Smith and Ward both played on teams that finished with just three wins, Herbert guided the Chargers to an 11-6 record despite facing constant pressure throughout the season.Herbert Stands Out. The contrast couldnt be more dramatic.Las Vegas and Tennessee struggled all season long, and their quarterbacks spent much of the year under siege behind inconsistent offensive lines. For the Chargers, however, Herbert overcame similar circumstances and still helped lead his team to one of the better records in the AFC.It serves as a reminder that sack totals dont always define quarterback play. Sometimes theyre simply a reflection of the environment surrounding the player.Still, no quarterback wants to be on this list. If the Raiders, Titans, and Chargers hope to improve in 2026, keeping their franchise quarterbacks upright will be one of the biggest priorities heading into the new season.Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter

2. Bundesliga: Relegated Heidenheim beat promoted Osnabrck in seven-goal thrillerHeidenheim started their 2. Bundesliga campaign with a 4-3 win over Osnabrck. Frank Schmidts side led 3-2 at the end of the first-half after Osnabrck cancelled out their first two strikes.New signing Marcel Costly assisted Budu Zivzivadzes opener in the tenth minute. The Georgian striker started the season with the form he had at the closing stage of their Bundesliga campaign as his second goal was nullified for an offside.The 3. Liga champions then leveled the score from a set-piece opportunity in the midpoint of the first-half. Center-back Niklas Wiemann headed home after Konrad Fabers initial delivery from a corner-kick parried away by Heidenheims defense.It was the turn of Osnabrck to fail to clear their lines when Costly restored Heidenheims lead five minutes later. Another five minutes later, Faber produced his second assist of the game when David Kopacz caught everyone by surprise with a stunning strike from outside the box.However, the newcomers were behind once again as Jonas Fhrenbachs corner-kick was converted by Jan Schppner in the injury-time of the first-half. The next goal also came from another corner-kick, but it didnt arrive until the 89th minute.Heidenheim led by two goals for the first time as debutant Costly registered his third direct goal involvement with a perfect delivery to Marvin Pieringer. A couple of minutes later, Marnon Busch was penalized for a handball from Robin Meiners free-kick. Osnabrcks last season top-scorer netted the seventh and last goal of the game from the resulting spot.Osnabrck pushed for yet another equalizer in injury-time, but the hosts held on to grab all three points in the opening matchday. Heidenheim will face Hertha away from home next week as both teams will hope to maintain their perfect start to the season. Osnabrck host Magdeburg, who lost 6-1 at home to Eintracht Braunschweig.

The NFL has all 32 teams in training camp, while 30 of them are approaching their first preseason games. Thursday night featured a thrilling Hall of Fame Game, and now the first official week of the preseason is approaching. Some teams, like the Las Vegas Raiders, have players who are clearly ready to get on the field.The Raiders became the center of a rather interesting training camp scuffle. While these incidents arent uncommon, it is unusual to see Kirk Cousins get his temper fired up, especially with a teammate like Maxx Crosby.MORE: Kirk Cousins, Maxx Crosby get into heated exchange at Raiders practiceNow, a former NFL player has given his take on the Cousins-Crosby confrontation. Will Compton offered a rather interesting take on who he thinks would actually win an escalated fistfight.Jun 3, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) hugs quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) during organized team activities at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Knowing both of these guys Kirk Cousins would beat the tattoos off of Maxx Crosby. Compton said on X.It was already a little uncharacteristic to see Cousins let his frustration get the best of him. To suggest hed take things that far with Crosby is also borderline baffling. Its not to say that Cousins couldnt, but it just doesnt seem like his personality to go to that extent.MORE: NFL analyst sets massive expectations for Justin Herbert, Los Angeles ChargersCrosby is an intense EDGE defender who didnt mind testing Cousins. He is one of the NFLs most relentless competitors to grace the field. Cousins, especially after his Netflix debut, doesnt seem like someone ready to put up his dukes.Jun 3, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) speaks during a news conference during organized team activities at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Then again, no one expected to see reports of this scuffle pop up on their news feeds. The Raiders are set to open their preseason against the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday.New head coach Klint Kubiak will get his first opportunity to see his team in a live competitive atmosphere outside of training camp. Its unclear if Cousins will play in the first preseason game or see the field during the preseason at all.Crosby likely wont play in the first game due to his respected veteran status on defense. Regardless, Cousins and Crosby will likely have this well behind them by the time the Raiders take the field Thursday.

Why Napoli cannot sign Arsenals Gabriel Jesus on loan this summerSerie A Napoli face a roadblock in their attempt to sign Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus this summer.According to todays edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport via Calcio Napoli 24, Napolis interest in acquiring the services of Arsenal man Gabriel Jesus on a loan deal ahead of the new season cannot proceed due to the Brazilians contract tenure with the Premier League champions.The Partenopei have entered the market to search for a striker following Romelu Lukakus decision to leave the club. Jesus has been eyed by sporting director Giovanni Manna as the potential successor to the Belgian, but they must consider the external factors that will determine a transfer.Jesus has only one year left on his current contract with Arsenal, and therefore, he cannot leave on a season-long loan spell elsewhere. While he will be available to speak for a free transfer with any club in January, Napoli cannot wait that long to materialise his signing.Another problem is Jesus salary at Arsenal, where he earns 9 million net per season. Napoli cannot afford this figure right now, and will be required to speak to the player directly to lower it to agree on personal terms before they approach the Gunners for a possible transfer.Trambak Bhattacherjee | GIFN

Some Hall of Famers become legends before they even start their pro careers

Returning from an injury is always emotional, especially one as severe as Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell suffered back in December of 2024. Dell tore his ACL, MCL and LCL, along with dislocating his kneecap and suffering significant meniscus damage, which required multiple surgeries and forced him to miss the entire 2025 season while rehabbing. For 18 months, fans pondered if the forrmer third-round pick would ever return to full form. Fast-forward to Wednesday and Dell was back in training camp. While he is not working out in full capacity, his participation in camp is a positive sign for his availability for the 2026 season and beyond. Tank Dell on his return so far, via @AaronWilson_NFL:Its nothing short of a blessing, its great.Mentally, its about trusting the work you put in to put your foot in the ground. When I got out here, I wasnt scared.pic.twitter.com/UHrTQh2mpC Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) August 7, 2026As much as the physical recovery was challenging, Dell mentioned the internal struggle as a focal issue, too. "I'll say mentally, it's just about trusting that the work you put in prior to going out there to do those things, Dell said. Prior to going out there to put your foot in the ground, trusting the process with the training staff and what they had set out for me so that when I got out here I wasn't scared and I was talking to my doctor and I was just asking him questions and he was just telling me to let loose, trust it and be you because it's 100% stable. When he told me that, I just came out and was putting my foot in the ground. I didn't care about it, I tried not to think about it, because during your process the mental aspect of it is the hardest thing you have to get over. If I went out there iffy about what I'm doing, then I probably would never be able to come back to what I want to be. I was just out there, just trusting it, putting my foot in the ground, trying to be explosive and it's working in my favor."The Texans' regular season starts on Sept. 13 against the Buffalo Bills. Tank Dell on his relationship with Jared Wayne:I told him like ease up yo. Its football. I know it was a genuine mistake. I told him its good, God got me, ease up, go have fun, play football, Ill be back. It was cool, its no hard feelings, thats my brother so we pic.twitter.com/IkRxHGYSwi Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) August 8, 2026It is unknown if Dell will be available for this game. But whenever he returns to the field, it will be emotional for him as well as the rest of the team.This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans WR Tank Dell opens up about mental aspect of his rehab process

BEREA, OHIO - JULY 30: Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes looks on during the Cleveland Browns Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2026 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesGeorgia Techs football season kicks off on Thursday, September 3 against Colorado, finishing the home & home series that began last year out in Boulder with a 27-20 win for the Jackets. Last years was the first between the schools, retroactively becoming the 1990 National Championship Game as the two schools did not actually play in 1990 when chasing the national title.Both teams will look quite different this time around. Of course on Techs side, the offense has new leadership between offensive coordinator George Godsey and new starting quarterback Alberto Mendoza. For Colorado, they bring back Carrollton, GA native Julian Lewis at quarterback, who did not play in last years game in favor of Kaidon Salter. Lewis only played in four games late year, completing 55% of his passes and throwing for 299 yards in a start against West Virginia.On the whole, Colorado is not predicted to be competitive in the Big 12 with predictions around the college preview woorld putting them at around 3-4 wins. Deion Sanders team is in a full rebuild after version 1.0 of his Buffaloes with Travis Hunter playing both ways and Shedeur Sanders at QB (who both for some reason got their uniform numbers retired immediately after graduating). Last month at Big 12 media days, Lewis noted to what I can assume was a very startled audience that in 2025, Lewis didnt really plan for defenses. My play, Im actually looking at the defenses now. Last year, we wasnt really looking at defenses much, just kind of high school free-balling, just out there playing football. But its a lot bigger than that now, so it should be fun.Knowing Brent Key has been huge in making sure Techs team is fully prepared both physically and in the gameplan, this rings as a major advantage for Tech. Colorado did get a couple pickups that should make life easier for Lewis. New offensive coordinator Brennan Marion comes from Sacramento State where hed been the head coach the last two seasons and before then was the OC at UNLV. They also brought in Danny Scudero, a San Jose State transfer who led FBS in receiving yards last season but was only 74th in receiving EPA according to gameonpaper.com. Along with Scudero, Colorado brought in 42 other players in the transfer portal, effectively resetting the entire team with limited returning production. Knowing that, it makes it hard to say how good Colorado might be, but at least in week 1 they will be much more behind the 8-ball compared to Tech. While Brent Key does come in with two new coordinators, many returning faces from Kyle Efford to Jordan Allen to Malachi Hosely allows Tech to maintain plenty of key leadership guys. Plus, Mendoza is coming off a national championship. He had to prepare for the most important games of last year all the same as his Heisman trophy winning brother, Fernando. Preparing for defenses was necessary for him. The quality standard at Colorado has never shown, even on their best days, that they can hold up to extremely disciplined teams like Tech.

Tony Romos job at CBS called into question amid uncontrollable concerns originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Tony Romo built his second career as one of the most recognizable voices in football, calling games alongside Jim Nantz on CBS since 2017. That partnership now hangs in serious doubt.Arrests last month have turned into something far bigger than a single offseason headline, and fallout is now reaching executives who decide who sits in the broadcast booth.CBS places Tony Romo on leave after his arrestCBS placed Romo on indefinite leave following his July 23 arrest, and industry insiders increasingly believe he will not return to lead analyst chair.The situation first drew wide attention through a recent post detailing the New York Post's reporting on how CBS insiders now view Romo's future with the network.Romo was arrested in Milwaukee County on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated after being pulled over on Interstate 43, and he performed poorly on standardized field sobriety tests, according to the arrest report. "Tony Romo is on leave from his role at CBS Sports until further notice," the network said in a statement announcing the decision on July 31.J.J. Watt has already stepped in alongside Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson, and multiple outlets have reported that CBS executives were initially inclined to keep the situation from becoming a bigger story. One media insider described the arrest bluntly. "I don't want to act like it's not a big deal, because it is," the source said. "But it's not going to get him fired." That read has reportedly shifted since bodycam footage of the stop circulated widely online.Romo remains under contract through 2030 on a deal worth roughly $180 million, and legal experts note first offense citations rarely trigger automatic termination clauses in talent contracts like his.Where CBSs broadcast booth stands heading into seasonRomo's uncertain future adds another storyline to an offseason already packed with roster and broadcast news across the league. Elsewhere, several networks are finalizing preseason broadcast schedules and coverage teams before games begin later this month.Other front offices have also been busy shaping their rosters heading into the season, with several teams fielding questions this week about depth chart decisions similar to the kind CBS now faces in its own broadcast booth. Reporting on the situation has continued to note that Romo has stayed largely silent publicly, reportedly contacting the network shortly after his arrest and scaling back his own public appearances.Romo has a court date set for September 21, a date that would fall during the second week of the NFL regular season. Whether he ever calls another game for CBS remains an open question the network has yet to answer directly.More NFL news:Cowboys Dak Prescott reveals how hes coping after split from ex Sarah Jane RamosDak Prescotts latest comment leaves a major question hanging over the NFCDak Prescotts touching Cowboys moment reminds fans of his lossCowboys QB Dak Prescotts family photo with ex-fiancee draws attentionBrowns' Shedeur Sanders delivers blunt message to critics after media scrutinyJerry Jones softens hard line on Cowboys stadium flaw he long refused to fix

Day 8 ofIndianapolis Colts'training camp practices will begin on Saturday at 10:00 AM ET.There will certainly be plenty to watch for over the next month of practices and preseason games, with playing time and roster spots up for grabs at several position groups as theColtsenter anow-or-never season, and GM Chris Ballard knows it.We will update this article as Saturday's practice unfolds.Who's in, who's out#Colts who appear to be out today:WR Josh DownsWR Laquon Treadwell (hamstring)RB DJ Giddens (hamstring)S Hunter Wohler (hamstring)LB CJ Allen (hamstring)DT Tim Smith Jake Arthur (@JakeArthurNFL) August 8, 2026LB Bryce Boettcher going through drillsSkills and drills with #Colts rookie LB Bryce Boettcher. pic.twitter.com/AmM1Nl6KhN James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) August 8, 2026Practice No. 8 is underwayDay 8 for the #Colts. Another practice in full pads. pic.twitter.com/iBuLGA97qt Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) August 8, 2026This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Live updates, notes from Day 8 of Colts training camp practice

What WNBA rulebook actually says about Enes Kanter Freedom, other men playing in women's basketball league originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Enes Kanter Freedom is the latest athlete to push back on the suggestion that trans women should be allowed to play women's sports.The NBA journeyman-turned-right wing activist announced that he was declaring for the 2027 WNBA Draft on Friday, claiming that he and his team found a loophole allowing for him to play in the women's league."I know my presence on the court will stir up strong opinions. I am definitely not here to mock, make fun of, or disrespect any community or personal choices," Freedom said. "Im simply asking that the current rules be applied equally to everyone the rules that represent the very values many WNBA players and coaches have publicly advocated for."Freedom's declaration had the sports world talking. Here's what you need to know about whether he actually can be considered eligible to play in the WNBA.MORE:Meet France's transgender basketball player getting WNBA buzzCan Enes Kanter Freedom play in the WNBA?Freedom's latest publicity stunt doesn't appear likely to land him in the WNBA.Article 13, Section 1 of the WNBA's collective bargaining agreementstates that "only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA."Article 34, Section 6 of the collective bargaining agreement vows to strike out discrimination. Through the edict, the league, its teams and the players union promised to not discriminate against or in favor of any player "because of religion, race, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status or activity or lack of activity."The NBA's collective bargaining agreement features the same clause, outlined in Article 30, Section 5.There has been just one transgender and nonbinary player in WNBA history: Layshia Clarendon, who played for the Fever, Dream, Sun, Liberty, Lynx and Sparks across her 12-year career.Freedom, who played 11 seasons in the NBA, has made trans athletes the target of his scorn before. In 2023, he flirted with "putting on a wig, identifying as a woman" and attempting to embark on a WNBA career during a rant on X."Is that when the outrage will begin? Is that fair to all the women who spent their whole life chasing their goals? Where are all the Women Rights Activists and Feminists?!" Freedom said.Freedom retired from the NBA in 2022 and has not played professional basketball since.MORE:What to know about WNBA transgender rallies, protestsWNBA gender eligibility rulesArticle 13, Section 1 of the WNBA's CBA states only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA." The league doesn't have a public-facing policy regarding transgender athletes, making no specific reference to their eligibility in the CBA.That's par for course in North American women's sports. Neither the NWSL nor the PWHL's CBAs contain specific references on gender eligibility or transgender participation. As is the case with the WNBA and NBA CBAs, NWSL and PWHL's agreements feature clauses that declare that the treatise will be applied "without discrimination."MORE:Why Sophie Cunningham doubled down on transgender athlete stanceWNBA transgender player policyThe WNBA does not presently have a public-facing policy regarding the eligibility of trans athletes. The league's CBA, signed in March, contains no mention of transgender athletes' eligibility.Proponents for a stricter policy often suggest that athletes should be subjected to "gender verification tests." Former NWSL defender Elizabeth Eddy requested for the league to implement a new process to determine eligibility. Eddy called on the NWSL to require only people born with ovaries to be eligible to play in an op-ed released in 2025. She also suggested the league test players via the SRY gene test, which was used at the World Athletics Championships last year.Such tests can prove faulty and dehumanizing. Zambian soccer star Barbra Banda was left out of the 2022 African Cup of Nations after failing to meet the competition's gender rules due to elevated testosterone levels. Her test wasn't handled properly. She has continued to be subjected to anti-Black and transphobic abuse in the years since the results of her test went public, with transphobe J.K. Rowling calling her a man in a social media post in 2024. Both the NWSLand the Orlando Pride were forced to put out statements denouncing the language directed towards Banda during games.MORE:History of WNBA players who can dunkAre there transgender players in the WNBA?Layshia Clarendon made history as the first active nonbinary and trans player to play in the WNBA. The 12-year veteran, who uses all pronouns, announced they were trans and nonbinary shortly after the end of the 2020 season.A one-time All-Star in 2017, Clarendon averaged 7.6 points, 3.2 assists and 2.7 rebounds across his WNBA career. He became the first active WNBA player to undergo top surgery in 2021.Clarendon retired from the WNBA in 2024.I want Trans people to know and see that weve always existed & no one can erase us!, Clarendon wrote on Instagram at the time of their operation. I want people to remember that my freedom is your freedom because none of us are free until we are all free!!!"In addition to their on-court exploits, Clarendon also served as the WNBPA's first vice president in 2016. They played a pivotal role in helping facilitate the WNBA's collective bargaining agreement in 2020 a building block for the most recent CBA deal that saw salaries soar.Existing outside of the binary for me is freedom, Clarendon wrote on Instagram in 2020. I know that as Andrea Gibson says, my pronouns havent even been invented yet. I know that we all have masculinity and femininity inside of us and mine show up equally and wholly and fully To the Trans Community, I see you, I love you, I love us. We are whole, we are enough, we are f badass."MORE:What to know about newly named WNBA expansion team Cleveland SirensWhat WNBA has said about transgender athletesOn Friday, the WNBPA released a statement extolling the virtues of justice, equity and inclusion while saying the union"will not be used as political pawns.""We embrace justice equity, diversity, and inclusion," the statement read. "Those are the values that unite this Union and allow it to protect women's sports while creating transformational change. Hate, abuse, and demonization of any person or group of people, including transgender people, only fuel fear, division, and harm. We will continue to have hard conversations. But we will not be used as political pawns."It was the latest in a string of supportive comments issued by notable WNBA figures towards trans people. Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve, Storm big Stefanie Dolson and Valkyries star Gabby Williams offered backing for trans athletes, who have been subjected to additional vitriol following Cunningham's remarks.I would welcome a trans athlete on my team or against my team, anytime," Williams said. "I dont think its a problem in the world. Its just another way to kind of attack trans people. Weve seen players like Layshia Clarendon, who stepped into that forefront, and have been brave enough, and courageous enough, to step up. So I guess thats the next battle we have to fight as athletes.