The Bears continued to shuffle their defensive backfield on Saturday.They announced the signing of defensive backs Brandon Hill and William Wright. They also signed Xavier Woods on Friday. Hill played in two games for the Texans after being drafted in the seventh round in 2023 and returned to Houston's practice squad last season. He also spent time with the Raiders in 2025. Wright was undrafted out of Tennessee this year and he spent time with the Broncos earlier in the offseason. The Bears waived defensive backs K.C. Eziomume and Gervarrius Owens in corresponding moves. Both players were cut with injury designations and will revert to injured reserve if they go unclaimed.

The Arizona Cardinals will play 14 different teams in the 2026 regular season. They will face the Los Angeles Rams twice, once in Week 6 and then again in Week 10. The Rams are considered the favorites to win the Super Bowl this season with MVP Matthew Stafford returning and with the additions on defense of cornerback Trent McDuffie and pass rusher Myles Garrett, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. In a new episode of the podcast and part of the opponent preview series, I was joined by Rams Wire lead writer Cam DaSilva to preview the Rams in 2026. We talked about their 2025 season, the moves in the offseason, including Mike LaFleur to be the Cardinals' head coach and other moves in free agency and the draft, and we go over the expectations for the Rams for this coming season. (1:00) The Rams' 2025 season(6:20) Offseason trades, free agency and the draft(17:24) Expectations for 2026Enjoy the show!Enjoy the show with the embedded player above or by subscribing to the show onApple Podcasts, Spotify,YouTubeor your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss a show. Make sure as well to give it a five-star rating!This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: 2026 Arizona Cardinals opponent preview: Los Angeles Rams

Panthers quarterback Haynes King injured his hamstring in the Hall of Fame Game this week and they are set to add another quarterback to the roster for the coming practice week. Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer reports that they will sign Kyle Trask. Trask recently worked out for the team. Trask played for the Buccaneers when Panthers head coach Dave Canales was the offensive coordinator in Tampa. He spent four seasons with the Bucs before being released last year and spent some time on Atlanta's practice squad later in the year. Joe Person of TheAthletic.com reports that King is considered week-to-week as a result of the hamstring injury.

Indiana Fever superstar guard Caitlin Clark picked up her eighth technical foul of the season on Saturday against the Chicago Sky, which would leave her suspended for the team's next game.However, it's possible that the league could rescind this particular technical foul that would allow Clark to play in Tuesday's Fever home game against the New York Liberty.One of the game's officials called the tech in question on Clark after the latter bumped into the ref during the game. The contact seemed incidental upon replay and just part of forward momentum. Clark didn't seem to say anything after the contact, too, which led to confusion and frustration from Clark and Fever coach Stephanie White.White also got a technical foul in the moment, seemingly for questioning the officials on what happened with Clark. Caitlin Clark received her 8th technical, she will now be automatically suspended vs the Liberty Tuesday if it is not rescinded pic.twitter.com/rPZTuGsYNI Clark Report (@CClarkReport) August 8, 2026The Fever will undoubtedly appeal this technical foul, and a decision will have to come fast since the Fever's next game is in a couple of days. Would Caitlin Clark be suspended for a game if the league upholds the tech?Yes, Clark would sit for Tuesday's game against the Liberty. Can the Fever appeal to the WNBA to have Caitlin Clark's technical foul rescinded?Yes. The Fever attempted to appeal her seventh technical foul last month but the WNBA ruled it wouldn't rescind it. So we'll see if the franchise appeals and if the league takes it back, which would allow Clark to play the next game.When do the Fever play next?They play the New York Liberty on Tuesday, August 11.This article originally appeared on For The Win: Could Caitlin Clark's 8th technical foul be rescinded before suspension?

Why Caitlin Clark could be forced to serve suspension following controversial technical foul originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.WNBA fans have gotten used to seeing Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark receive technical fouls this season. During Saturday's win against the Chicago Sky, Clark made contact with a referee standing on the baseline before she was consequently whistled for her league-leading eighth technical foul.With her eighth infraction, Clark will be subject to a hefty fine and a suspension for the Fever's upcoming game this week against the New York Liberty.Here's why Clark will be suspended for a game after she earned another technical foul on Saturday afternoon.SN's WNBA HQ:Live WNBA scores|Updated WNBA standings|Full WNBA scheduleWhy is Caitlin Clark suspended?Clark, if her most recent technical is not rescinded, will be suspended for a game due to her accumulation of eight technical fouls during the 2026 season. The Indiana star has been on the receiving end of a lot of whistles due to dissent towards a referee or a related offense.During Saturday's game against Chicago, Clark ran towards the baseline before making contact with a referee standing just past the basket. Due to bumping the referee, she was whistled for an automatic technical foul.Here is a video that shows Clark's 8th offense, which some online think may have been the result of a soft whistle:Caitlin Clark received her 8th technical, she will now be automatically suspended vs the Liberty Tuesday if it is not rescinded pic.twitter.com/rPZTuGsYNI Clark Report (@CClarkReport) August 8, 2026MORE:Why has Fever player Sophie Cunningham received backlash recently?WNBA technical foul rulesLike the NBA, the WNBA has different rules depending on how many technical fouls a player racks up. Here is what happens for each technical foul:Technical foul No.Fine amountGame suspension1-3$500N/A4-7$1,000N/A8$1,50019+$1,5001 game for every two technicals (10, 12, etc.)What happens if Caitlin Clark technical is retroactively rescinded?If Clark's 8th technical is rescinded, her technical foul total will go down to seven. This means that she will not be suspended for one game.As things currently stand, the guard will be suspended for the Fever's game against the New York Liberty on Tuesday night.MORE:DiJonai Carrington implies ejection for foul on Sophie Cunningham was 'white privalge'How many career technical fouls does Caitlin Clark have?As of August 8, Clark has accumulated 16 technical fouls throughout her three-season WNBA career. Here's a quick breakdown of how many technicals the star has tallied up thus far:SeasonTechnical foulsGames played202464020252132026827TOTAL1680Caitlin Clark 2026 statsGamesMinutesPointsAssistsReboundsFG%3P%2730.021.58.03.944.1%34.1%

Chicago Sky forward DiJonai Carrington was ejected from a WNBA game Saturday, Aug. 8, after a hard foul on Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham. Not long after, Carrington posted two words to her Threads account: "WHITE PRIVILEGE @Indianafever."Carrington's foul caused tension among players and after review, officials upgraded it to a flagrant foul penalty 2, which requires a player exit the game due to unnecessary and excessive contact, according to the WNBA rulebook.Cunningham immediately had words for Carrington and was held back by a teammate. View on Threads

Wasnt expected Barcelona pair left surprised by Hansi Flicks squad callAn insight into the reaction of Barcelona pair Marc Casad and Roony Bardghji to the clubs decision to send them on their way this summer has come to the fore online.This comes amid confirmation that both players have been left taken aback by the handling of the situation.Midfielder Casad and attacker Bardghji earlier today saw their respective futures decided once and for all. After Barcelonas travelling squad for a pre-season mini tournament in Italy was unveiled, neither was anywhere to be seen.It was subsequently confirmed that as much came owing to efforts on the part of the Camp Nou brass to sell the young pair before the window slams shut.And as alluded to above, the harsh treatment to which they have been subjected by their employers over recent hours has come as something of a shock to Casad and Bardghji alike.As per a report from Blaugrana insider Carlos Monfort of Diario Sport:Neither Bardghji nor Casad knew about Flicks decision to leave them out and keep them in Barcelona. It was a surprise, right before heading to the airport. They knew they wouldnt continue, but the decision to leave them out wasnt expected and hasnt been received the same way by everyone.Conor Laird GSFN

Ivan Taylor did not have to rely on first-hand stories to learn about his fathers NFL career. Instead, he could watch it himself.Taylor, an Alabama football safety and the son of former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor, grew up studying his father as a player. Sometimes, that meant doing what any other football fan could do: Pulling up YouTube and watching highlights."Scouting my dad, I think a big thing was it was kind of just me on my own," Taylor said. "It was like going to YouTube, just looking at him, how I'm able to really just be like him."Ike Taylor spent 12 seasons with the Steelers, winning two Super Bowls. His son has the goal to not just meet that threshold, but beat it."My biggest thing is just trying to be better than him," Taylor said. "Whatever I'm able to do to do that, I will."Ivan Taylor was exposed to the NFL environment from an early age, working out and spending time around Steelers training camp during his father's playing days. Watching how some of the games best players worked gave him an early education in what it took to succeed.More than any technique or drill, though, Taylor said the biggest thing he took from his father was the value of effort in tough circumstances."The biggest thing for him was just working hard, no matter what," Taylor said.Now Taylor is surrounded by another demanding football environment at Alabama. He enters his sophomore year trying to take another step in the Crimson Tide secondary.Alabama, he said, has reinforced many of the same expectations and standards he's been held to his whole life."You see a whole bunch of consistency here," Taylor said. "Without being here, I wouldn't think it would be as high, but I feel like Alabama holds you to a different standard."That standard has also pushed Alabamas strengthened mentality entering the fall.Taylor knows Alabama has heard the criticism surrounding the program. Rather than shy away from the negativity or heightened expectations, he said the Crimson Tide is embracing them."We speak it into existence, so we're going to be the best," Taylor said. "Our mentality has completely changed. A lot of people have, like, disrespected our names, so we're gonna make sure that we show them."Alabama will open the 2026 season against East Carolina at 11 a.m. CT Saturday, Sept. 5, at Bryant-Denny Stadium.Amelia Hurley covers high school and college sports for The Tuscaloosa News and USA TODAY Network. You can find her on X atameliahurley_or reach her at ahurley@usatodayco.com.This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Ivan Taylor follows successful NFL father's blueprint at Alabama football

Everton have made an enquiry about Marcus TavernierDavid Moyes is at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and Goodison Park with the Toffees. Everton have made an official enquiry about Bournemouth attacker Marcus Tavernier, exploring the parameters of a potential summer move, according to Ben Jacobs.The Toffees have opened dialogue with the players representatives to gauge his interest in a move to Merseyside, but have yet to hold talks with Bournemouth.Tavernier has become a key and versatile player since joining Bournemouth from Middlesbrough in 2022. Able to operate across both flanks, as an attacking midfielder, or in a box-to-box role, his tactical flexibility makes him an attractive target for Everton as they look to build squad depth ahead of next season.Last season, Tavernier enjoyed one of his most productive Premier League campaigns, recording seven goals and four assists in 34 appearances, while creating 54 chances to lead Bournemouths playmaking metrics. His work rate, ball-carrying ability, and set-piece threat make him a crucial figure for the Cherries.Despite Everton testing the waters with Taverniers representatives, striking a deal with Bournemouth will be challenging. The South Coast club are under no financial pressure to sell, having tied Tavernier to a contract until June 2029. Furthermore, with European football ahead after a sixth-place finish last season, Bournemouth are unlikely to part with a key player at this stage of the window.For Everton, establishing direct contact with Taverniers representatives allows the club to determine whether personal terms can be agreed before opening formal negotiations with Bournemouth. If initial feedback is positive, the Toffees could follow up with an official bid to test Bournemouths resolve in the coming weeks.Everton are also exploring a swap deal with Crystal Palace that would see Brennan Johnson arrive at Goodison Park, with Dwight McNeil moving in the opposite direction.

UFC Fight Night returns to Las Vegas on Saturday, August 8, as Mateusz Gamrot takes on rising Australian lightweight Quillan Salkilld in the main event at the Meta APEX.Jun 7, 2025; Newark, New Jersey, UNITED STATES; Quillan Salkilld (red gloves) fights Yanal Ashmouz (blue gloves) during UFC 316 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesHow to Watch UFC Fight Night: Gamrot vs SalkilldDate: Saturday, August 8, 2026Time:8:00 PM ETTV Channel:Paramount+Live Stream: Paramount (watch now)Gamrot enters the matchup as the established contender, bringing years of experience against high-level competition into another important lightweight main event. The Polish veteran has built his UFC reputation around his wrestling, scrambling ability and relentless pace, making him a difficult matchup for opponents who cannot keep him at a distance. Saturday gives Gamrot an opportunity to halt the momentum of one of the divisions fastest-rising fighters and reinforce his place among the lightweight contenders. Watch UFC Fight Night on Paramount+ Salkilld, meanwhile, gets the biggest opportunity of his career as his rapid UFC rise leads to a five-round matchup with Gamrot. The Australian has generated attention with his finishing ability and now faces a major increase in competition against an experienced opponent accustomed to competing near the top of the division. The contrast between Salkillds dangerous offense and Gamrots grappling-heavy approach gives the main event plenty of intrigue, with Salkilld looking for a breakthrough victory and Gamrot attempting to turn back another emerging lightweight. The main card begins at 8:00 p.m. ET and streams on Paramount+.Live stream UFC Fight Night: Gamrot vs Salkilld with Paramount+:Start your subscription now!Paramount+is now the exclusive streaming service for the UFC, marking a shift away from the traditional payperview model to bringing premier fight cards directly to subscribers. Sign up now to never miss a second of the action. You can now live stream everything from the press conferences and weigh-ins to the prelims and main event, all in one place.Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead