May 28, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (22) participates in OTA drills at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectWhen the Pittsburgh Steelers took the practice field for the first time of training camp, they did so without Joey Porter Jr. and Jalen Ramsey. The two most vital pieces of the Steelers secondary were placed on the PUP list ahead of the teams first practice Ramsey dealing with a knee injury while Porter was said to be nursing a bad back. As we head into Saturdays night practice at Latrobe Memorial Stadium, neither Porter nor Ramsey have taken the field, leaving Pittsburgh in need of someone to step up.Asante Samuel Jr. has done just that.Through the first week and change of training camp practices, you could make a real and compelling argument that Samuel has been the best player on the field. He has consistently made terrific plays on the ball during team period, totaling several passes broken up at all levels, including a one-on-one ball while matched up with DK Metcalf on a deep pass from Aaron Rodgers. On Thursday, I asked head coach Mike McCarthy about Samuel and how impressed hes been with him throughout this process.[Hes made a] huge first impression with me, McCarthy said. Starting back in the spring great energy all the way through the offseason program. I love his ball skills, his instincts, and his awareness. I think hes had a great offseason [and] I think hes having a better training camp.With Ramsey not on the field, Pittsburgh has also had to toy with several defenders moving around in a version of their STAR role one that Ramsey utilized in Los Angeles when he helped the Rams win Super Bowl LVI. During the offseason, defensive coordinator Patrick Graham said that Ramsey would play that STAR role in his defense. With the All-Pro cornerback off the field, that has allowed the Steelers to explore Samuels versatility. I asked McCarthy if he views Samuel as someone they can utilize both on the outside and at nickel, to which he answered with a resounding yes.I think hes definitely a position flexible player, clearly, McCarthy said.The Steelers had Samuel fall into their laps as a free agent last season due to him undergoing spinal fusion surgery in April. The surgery was performed by David Okonkwo, who is the neurosurgeon for the Steelers. Once he was cleared in early November, the Steelers were quick to sign the former second-round pick who didnt waste time showing that he was still a valuable asset.In Pittsburghs Week 15 contest against the Miami Dolphins, Samuel picked off Tua Tagovailoa to end Miamis second drive, which kickstarted a Steelers rout of the Dolphins. While Miami scored late to make the final score more respectable, the Steelers held a 28-3 lead midway through the fourth quarter. They would go on to win 28-15.Now having a full offseason and new eyes on him, Samuel looks poised on building on a solid foundation that was laid in the final weeks of the 2025 season, but not just in a supporting role. No. 22 is single-handedly forcing himself into being a major player for Pittsburgh in 2026.Let us know what you think in the comments.Be sure to bookmark Behind the Steel Curtain for all the latest news, breakdowns, and more!Steelers sign former Titans wide receiverSteelers release veteran wide receiverSteelers DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr ranked outside top 35 receiversMike Tomlin gives vote of confidence to Mike McCarthySteelers get injury update on Max Iheanachor

Jul 31, 2011; Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Brandon Morrow (23) delivers a pitch against the Texas Rangers at the Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays beat the Rangers 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect15 Years AgoBrandon Morrow pitched 8.2 no-hit innings, leading the Blue Jays to a 1-0 victory. It was likely the best pitching performance I have ever witnessed.With two outs in the ninth, Evan Longoria hit a ground ball between second and first. Aaron Hill made an outstanding effort to reach the ball and got his glove on it, but it deflected into right field. Even if he had fielded it cleanly, he wouldnt have had a play at first. Hill hoped the official scorer would call it an error, but it was ruled a hit.Morrow struck out 17 battersjust one shy of Roger Clemens franchise recordand walked only two, facing four batters above the minimum. His 100 Game Score tied for the fourth-best since the start of the lively ball era in 1920. Only Kerry Wood (105), Nolan Ryan (101, vs. the Blue Jays), and Sandy Koufax (101) have posted better scores. Thats remarkable company.He threw 137 pitchesrisky for a pitcher with his injury history. I would have taken him out after the hit, but instead, he struck out Dan Johnson to end the game. Most managers would have pulled him after the single (and 132 pitches), but Cito Gaston wanted him to finish the complete game on the mound.The no-hitter was nearly broken up in the top of the ninth when Jason Bartlett hit a fly ball to deep center, but Vernon Wells made a spectacular catch at the wall. If not for the no-hitter, Im sure Vernon would have played it off the wall instead. He ended up with a dislocated toe but missed only one game. With 17 strikeouts, our defense wasnt often tested, but Vernons catch was as good as any youll see.Offensively, the Jays managed just five hits. Their lone run came in the first inning: Yunel Escobar drew a one-out walk after DeWayne Wise lined out, moved from first to third on a groundout, and scored on a single by Vernon Wells. Morrow made that early run hold up.Another memorable moment was Jose Molinas stolen basehis only steal of the season. He would go on to steal two more the following year and finished his 15-year career with 20 stolen bases.Ultimately, it was Morrows day. In my recap, I wrote:For Morrow, it was his first complete game and his first shutout. And he is just 26; hell have more days like this.I was wrong.Brandon went on to pitch in 100 games for the Blue Jays, making 93 starts and posting a 34-31 record with a 4.40 ERA over five seasons. After Toronto, he played for the Padres, Dodgers, and Cubs. Notably, he appeared in all seven games of the 2017 World Series with the Dodgers.His final season was 2018. Over his career, he appeared in 334 games (113 starts), with a 51-43 record, 40 saves, a 3.96 ERA, 368 walks, and 877 strikeouts.The Hill play:View Link

Standout wing Jabari Smith Jr. is looking forward to how the 2026-27 Houston Rockets perform throughout Year 2 of the Kevin Durant era.Smith is preparing for the fifth season of his NBA career with the Rockets. He made his way up the ranks and had his best scoring campaign to date last season, earning a bigger role in the teams starting five.Houston underachieved expectations last season, suffering an early exit from the playoffs. The team will be healthier this time around, as Smith hopes to see the squad more comfortable after handling the first year with Durant on the roster.I think youre gonna see a team that is a little bit more used to playing with each other. We added Kevin Durant last year, just gotta adjust to playing with himobviously anybody can play with him. Just tendencies, getting Fred back will be huge for us. And I think youll just see everybody older, obviously a lot better, more mature. See a lot better team next year for sure, Smith said during his appearance on the Chiney show via ESPN.What Lies Ahead for Jabari Smith Jr. and RocketsApr 3, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) congratulates Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) after a play against the Utah Jazz during the third quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Jabari Smith Jr. and the Rockets have championship aspirations as long as Kevin Durant is on the roster. They hope for great success in Year 2 of the experiment.Smith looks forward to building on his momentum in Year 5. Throughout 77 games, he averaged 15.8 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. In the playoffs, he produced 17.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists per contest.Houston finished with a 52-30 record last season, securing the fifth seed in the Western Conference standings. However, they suffered a stunning six-game series loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round.The Rockets will have Fred VanVleet back, who missed all of last season due to a torn ACL. Not only that, but they also added Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic, bolstering the backcourt depth going forward.Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter

On the morning of Saturday, Aug. 8, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn held a news conference to provide injury updates on key players and reflect on the team's morning practice.Right out of the gate, Glenn explained that safety VJ Jones, who was drafted by the team in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft, picked up an injury which could see him miss the entirety of preseason."He has a bone bruise. He'll be out about three to four weeks," said Glenn of his rookie defensive back. "He's really building a role for himself. He'll be fine."He also shared the detailed of new injuries sustained by two more Jets players, both of them pass rushers."Two [other] guys from today's practice [were hurt]; Jonathan Kingsley with a thigh bruise, he'll be fine, and then David Bailey with his ankle, he'll be fine too."When asked about Bailey's official status, Glenn responded that he thinks that the second overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft is "day-to-day.""I need to go check to make sure. [Bailey] got up and jogged off the field."With the unfortunate news out of the way, Glenn was eager to praise his team for their hard work at training camp."This [morning] was a really good practice, the physical part of it came out, which is something I continue to monitor when it comes to how we practice.""The offense came out really fast, and the defense responded," the head coach continued. "They executed exactly the way I wanted them to execute."Glenn beamed as he reflected on his favorite moment from this morning's practice."It was third and 21 for the offense, and I heard 'let's go score'. That's exactly what I want to hear. It doesn't matter what the score is, it doesn't matter who we play, it doesn't matter where we're playing, we always have to have that mentality. I love it."He also singled out Jets wide receiver and return specialist Isaiah Williams as a player who has caught his eye during training camp."Players like that demand respect and demand reps. What makes him such a special player is that there are so many things he can do on offense. We've got to give him the ball and make sure he's involved, because he's an explosive player."Finally, ahead of the team's preseason opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - set to kick off at MetLife Stadium on Friday, Aug. 14th at 7:00 p.m. - Glenn was asked if starting quarterback Geno Smith will feature in the game."I will answer that question later on in the week (about Geno playing), but my mentality is that everybody will be playing."

UCLA defensive lineman Darold DeNgohe (92) participates in practice Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, in Los Angeles.LOS ANGELES - UCLA Bruins held practice on Aug 7, 2026 at Wasserman Football Center and The Sporting Tribune's Dakota Gray was there to capture the following images.UCLA defensive lineman Sahir West (15) participates in practice on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, in Los Angeles.Dakota GrayUCLA defensive lineman Sahir West (15) participates in practice on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, in Los Angeles.UCLA players and coaches celebrate a successful drill during practice on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, at Wasserman Football Center in Los Angeles, CA.Dakota GrayUCLA players and coaches celebrate a successful drill during practice on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, at Wasserman Football Center in Los Angeles, CA.UCLA head coach Bob Chesney greets players during stretches at the beginning of practice on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, in Los Angeles, CA.Dakota GrayUCLA head coach Bob Chesney greets players during stretches at the beginning of practice on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, in Los Angeles, CA.Dakota Gray UCLA linemen hit the pads during practice at the Wasserman Football Center in Los Angeles, CA on Aug. 7, 2026.Dakota GrayDakota Gray UCLA linemen hit the pads during practice at the Wasserman Football Center in Los Angeles, CA on Aug. 7, 2026.UCLA running back Wayne Knight (3) fields a punt during practice at the Wasserman Football Center in Los Angeles, CA on Aug. 7, 2026.Dakota GrayUCLA running back Wayne Knight (3) fields a punt during practice at the Wasserman Football Center in Los Angeles, CA on Aug. 7, 2026.UCLA wide receiver Semaj Morgan (4) works through drills during practice at the Wasserman Football Center in Los Angeles, CA on Aug. 7, 2026.Dakota GrayUCLA wide receiver Semaj Morgan (4) works through drills during practice at the Wasserman Football Center in Los Angeles, CA on Aug. 7, 2026.UCLA defensive back Malik Hartford stretches during practice on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, in Los Angeles.Dakota GrayUCLA defensive back Malik Hartford (12) stretches during practice on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, at Wasserman Football Center in Los Angeles, CA.UCLA defensive lineman Nico Davillier (11) participates in practice, Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, at Wasserman Football Center in Los Angeles, CA.Dakota GrayUCLA defensive lineman Nico Davillier (11) participates in practice, Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, at Wasserman Football Center in Los Angeles, CA.UCLA running back Jaivian Thomas (21) takes a handoff during practice on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, at Wasserman Football Center in Los Angeles, CA.Dakota GrayUCLA running back Jaivian Thomas (21) takes a handoff during practice on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, at Wasserman Football Center in Los Angeles, CA.UCLA wide receiver Aidan Mizell (1) catches a punt during practice Friday, Aug. 7, 2026,at Wasserman Football Center in Los Angeles, CA.Dakota GrayUCLA wide receiver Aidan Mizell (1) catches a punt during practice Friday, Aug. 7, 2026,at Wasserman Football Center in Los Angeles, CA.UCLA linebacker Jalen Woods (9) runs drills during practice Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, at Wasserman Football Center in Los Angeles, CA.Dakota GrayUCLA linebacker Jalen Woods (9) runs drills during practice Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, at Wasserman Football Center in Los Angeles, CA.UCLA coaches get involved in player drills during football practice at the Wasserman Football Center in Los Angeles, CA on Aug. 7, 2026.Dakota GrayUCLA coaches get involved in player drills during football practice at the Wasserman Football Center in Los Angeles, CA on Aug. 7, 2026.UCLA kicker Mateo Orosco (31) lines up a kick during practice at Wasserman Football Center on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, in Los Angeles, CA.Dakota GrayUCLA kicker Mateo Orosco (31) lines up a kick during practice at Wasserman Football Center on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, in Los Angeles, CA.

West Ham agree 7m deal to sign Manor Solomon from TottenhamWest Ham United have agreed a deal to sign Tottenham Hotspurs Manor Solomon, with the forward set to undergo his medical on Sunday, per Fabrizion Romano.The Hammers will pay 5 million up front for the Israel international (48 caps), with another 2m in add-ons after lengthy negotiations.Tottenham have approved the move, while Solomon is expected to sign a three-year contract with West Ham, with an option to extend his stay until June 2030.West Ham continue to assemble a squad capable of securing an immediate return to the Premier League after their first relegation to the Championship in 14 years.The Hammers have been keen to add more proven attacking quality to their ranks, and Solomons experience across several leagues made him an attractive option.Fiorentina had also been interested in bringing the 27-year-old back to Italy following his loan spell with the Serie A club last season.However, the Italian side had not matched Tottenhams valuation before West Ham moved to strike a deal.Solomon made a positive impression during his time in Florence, registering three goals and six assists across his spell.His Tottenham career never quite reached the heights expected when he arrived on a free transfer in 2023.A serious knee injury disrupted his debut campaign and limited his opportunities, leaving him struggling to establish himself in north London.His reputation has subsequently improved considerably through loan spells in England, Spain and Italy.He has since demonstrated attacking quality that convinced West Ham to sign him.Solomon is expected to be one of several players to depart Tottenham as the club reshapes its squad.For West Ham, the deal is a calculated gamble on a player with considerable top-level experience who has also shown in the Championship.Solomon can become a key attacking figure as the Hammers attempt to make their Championship stay as brief as possible.

'Great find for India': Brett Lee hails India wonderkid Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as Australia legend is in awe of youngster's talent originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.KEY TAKEAWAYS:Brett Lee has hailed India teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as a "great find" for the country.The Australia legend was in awe of the 15-year-old's talent and fearless strokeplay.Lee said he would relish the challenge of bowling to Sooryavanshi in his prime.Brett Lee heaps praise on India sensation Vaibhav SooryavanshiAustralia great Brett Lee has become the latest cricketing figure to fall under the spell of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, describing the India teenager as a remarkable talent and a "great find" for the country. The former fast bowler joined a growing chorus of legends left astonished by the 15-year-old.Sooryavanshi burst onto the global stage with a stunning IPL 2026 campaign for Rajasthan Royals, capped by a 29-ball 97 against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the eliminator. He finished as the tournament's MVP and broke Chris Gayle's record for the most sixes in a single IPL season.That form followed a barnstorming Under-19 World Cup, where he smashed 175 off 80 balls against England in the final, the highest individual score in any ICC global tournament final. His exploits have inevitably drawn debate about his age, a talking point Lee addressed head-on.MORE:BCCI secretary to visit COE amid fitness crisis in Indian cricket teamWhy Brett Lee is in awe of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's talentLee made clear that questions over the teenager's age were beside the point, insisting his ability alone marked him out as special. He was effusive about what Sooryavanshi has already achieved."He is incredible. Everyone offshore, away from India, asks the question if he's 15. Is he 15 is probably the biggest talking point around the world," Lee told Ranveer Allahbadia."I don't care how old he is. If he's 15, fantastic, but if he's 17 or 18, who cares. This kid can play cricket. He has been such a great find for India, and he's going to go on to achieve bigger and better things."The Australia legend was particularly struck by the teenager's fearlessness against high-quality pace. He pointed to the way Sooryavanshi took on international bowlers during his breakout IPL season."He has already lit up the IPL in such a short space of time. That 97 he got, he was up against Aussie bowlers. They were bowling gas, and he was hooking them off his nose," Lee said."He is playing proper cricketing shots and has power that he finds from somewhere. It won't be his form or batting; it'll only be his mind. He still has to be a kid. Let him be a kid and don't put too much pressure."Lee, one of the fastest bowlers the game has seen, also relished the hypothetical contest of bowling to the youngster. He suggested he would happily test Sooryavanshi with the short ball."If someone was a good hooker or puller of the ball, I used to love that because then it becomes a contest. So of course I would go into the boardroom, go upstairs and have a look. I'll put one on his badge and see what he does with it," the former fast bowler added. "He might hook me for six, but it won't discourage me from giving him another one."MORE:Fans relieved as RCB star delivers with bat amid Sai Sudharsan injuryWhy Lee's words carry a warning as much as praiseAmid the glowing tributes, the most valuable part of Lee's assessment is his plea to let the boy be a kid. It is easy to get swept up in the hype around a generational talent, but a 15-year-old carrying the weight of a cricket-obsessed nation's expectations is a genuine risk, and Lee's caution about the mental side is well judged.The cricketing verdict, though, feels settled. When bowlers of Lee's pedigree are talking about the thrill of the contest rather than picking holes in a teenager's game, it says everything about the level Sooryavanshi is already operating at.If his temperament holds up under the scrutiny, the "great find" tag may soon look like an understatement.For all the latest cricket news, opinion and commentary and to share your voice head to our Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter) pages.

MIAMI GARDENS The Miami Dolphins got reacquainted with their fall Sunday afternoon digs on Day 9 of training camp with a practice in front of fans at Hard Rock Stadium.Highlight performers:Buy Miami Dolphins tickets on StubHubFins upLB Jacob RodriguezThe second-rounder continues to impress. Rodriguez had a pass break-up early in practice and later was there plugging up a hole to deny DeVon Achane a gain up the middle. Hes still a rookie even though he plays with aggression, not hesitation, that youll normally find from a veteran.WR Tahj WashingtonThe receiving room is looking for players to step forward. Washington did that in this workout, including when he went deep to catch a ball from Cam Miller.OL Patrick Paul and Kadyn ProctorBoth linemen had multiple reps in which they held their own in one-on-one blocking drills. Paul and center Aaron Brewer form the nucleus of the line, so its to be expected. Proctor, the left guard, showed why he was a first-round pick.Fins downThe rushing attackOn a day when the defense tackled to the ground in various periods, it was tough not to notice the string of plays in which running backs went nowhere. Ollie Gordon, whom the Dolphins count on for the tough yards, found little running space, including a play when Zeek Biggers was there waiting for him.Hal Habib covers the Miami Dolphins for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at HHabib@usatodayco.comThis article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Tahj Washington goes deep as Miami Dolphins practice in stadium

MIAMI GARDENS The Miami Dolphins got reacquainted with their fall Sunday afternoon digs on Day 9 of training camp with a practice in front of fans at Hard Rock Stadium.Highlight performers:Buy Miami Dolphins tickets on StubHubFins upLB Jacob RodriguezThe second-rounder continues to impress. Rodriguez had a pass break-up early in practice and later was there plugging up a hole to deny DeVon Achane a gain up the middle. Hes still a rookie even though he plays with aggression, not hesitation, that youll normally find from a veteran.WR Tahj WashingtonThe receiving room is looking for players to step forward. Washington did that in this workout, including when he went deep to catch a ball from Cam Miller.OL Patrick Paul and Kadyn ProctorBoth linemen had multiple reps in which they held their own in one-on-one blocking drills. Paul and center Aaron Brewer form the nucleus of the line, so its to be expected. Proctor, the left guard, showed why he was a first-round pick.Fins downThe rushing attackOn a day when the defense tackled to the ground in various periods, it was tough not to notice the string of plays in which running backs went nowhere. Ollie Gordon, whom the Dolphins count on for the tough yards, found little running space, including a play when Zeek Biggers was there waiting for him.Hal Habib covers the Miami Dolphins for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at HHabib@usatodayco.comThis article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Tahj Washington goes deep as Miami Dolphins practice in stadium

After a busy day on Friday, when Washington officially announced the signing of four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs, the Commanders kicked off Saturday with even more roster moves. Washington officially announced the signing of veteran offensive lineman Max Scharping, which was reported on Friday, but GM Adam Peters wasn't done. The Commanders also signed former Tennessee Titans third-round pick Nicholas Petit-Frere and veteran offensive lineman Daniel Brunskill. Petit-Frere is a 6-foot-5, 316-pound offensive tackle who played collegiately at Ohio State. The 26-year-old spent his first three seasons with the Titans, where he appeared in 34 games and made 28 starts, mostly at right tackle. He was waived in 2025 and signed with the San Francisco 49ers. He was again waived before playing a game in San Francisco and was out of the NFL last season. Brunskill, 32, entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He has spent time with the Falcons, 49ers, Titans and Dolphins. He was released by the Dolphins last summer and did not play in 2025. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound Brunskill has appeared in 108 career NFL games, with 71 starts. He has experience at center and both guard spots. He started 24 games for the Titans in 2023 and 2024. He started 10 games at center for the Titans in 2024. We have made the following roster moves: - Signed C Daniel Brunskill, T Nicholas Petit-Frereand G Max Scharping- Released WR Chris Hilton Jr. and G Timothy McKay- Placed DT D.J. Davidson on the Reserve/Retired List pic.twitter.com/58xxgGWsYp Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 8, 2026To make room for Scharping, Petit-Frere and Brunskill, the Commanders placed DJ Davidson on the reserve/retired list and waived undrafted rookie wide receiver Chris Hilton Jr. and offensive lineman Timothy McKay. McKay was a priority UDFA in 2025, but was injured last summer. He had worked at guard and taken some snaps at center in this training camp. These moves say more about Washington's concern regarding its offensive line depth, as no starting spots are up for grabs except the battle between Chris Paul and Brandon Coleman at left guard. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders make several roster moves, including signing 3 O-Linemen