11 Real Madrid stars absent from squad to face DeportivoLa Liga giants Real Madrid have on Tuesday unveiled the clubs matchday squad for their upcoming meeting with Deportivo La Corua. And it features a whole host of high-profile absentees.Jos Mourinhos squad is of course currently in the thick of preparations for the fast-approaching 2026/27 campaign. Now less than two weeks from the resumption of fixtures in Spains top-flight, Los Blancos are working tirelessly to ensure that they pose a more concerted threat to Barcelona in the title race next time out.Amid these efforts, Real have already played out a number of friendly fixtures, against the likes of Fiorentina and Ferencvros.Next on the schedule is a clash with the aforementioned Deportivo fresh off their own La Liga return set to be contested on Wednesday evening.As is customary, Mourinho and his staff therefore unveiled the clubs latest travelling party on Tuesday. And as alluded to above, no fewer than 11 first-team players have been omitted, owing to a combination of a lack of match fitness and injury.The following Real Madrid stars will not be available to face Deportivo tomorrow night:Marc CucurellaJude BellinghamThibaut CourtoisRodrygoKylian MbappYan DiomandFerland MendyRal AsencioIbrahima KonatThiago Pitarchder MilitoConor Laird GSFN

The J.J. McCarthy era may already be over with the Minnesota Vikings. He will, barring a shocking roster move, be part of the team in 2026 and 2027. But, barring a shocking leap forward into competence, he will not be the homegrown franchise quarterback for which the Vikings have been searching since Daunte Culpepper was winging deep balls down the decidedly non-hallowed halls of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.That's because McCarthy, even before Minnesota's first preseason game of the season, has been demoted. There was no hemming and hawing when it came to specifics of competition. There's no "-or-" designation on the depth chart. Head coach Kevin O'Connell understood people paid enough attention to see Kyler Murray was taking the lion's share of snaps with the starting offense in practice. He understood the frustration that came with averaging nearly 11 wins per season without a single playoff victory under his belt. Thus, he made the logical decision most people expected.It's another brutal blow in a brief career filled with them for McCarthy. He missed the entirety of his rookie season due to a knee injury. In his stead, journeyman backup Sam Darnold went from "veteran mentor" to "stud quarterback" in a 14-win season. O'Connell opted to stick with the quarterback his front office drafted 10th overall in 2024. That was two slots ahead of Bo Nix, a different kind of flawed-but-intriguing passer who was arguably an ankle injury away from leading the Denver Broncos to the Super Bowl last winter.Waiting for Nix in the big game? That would have been Darnold, who went on to sign a modest three-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks before leading them to a world championship.Meanwhile, McCarthy's rookie season was a disaster. He held the ball too long. He threw passes to nowhere. He got outplayed by Carson Wentz. His 66.5 percent on-target throw rate was second-worst among all NFL starters since the league began tracking the stat in 2019. Justin Jefferson languished, then proved he may be the only superstar wideout with a normal brain by avoiding the temptation to cryptically tweet about it.Now McCarthy will take a back seat to another veteran revival. Murray faded from a Pro Bowl start to his career, but he proved he can handle a low-impact offense and get the ball to his receivers. Between 2022 and 2024 his bad throw rate was only 12.6 percent -- significantly lower than McCarthy's 21.3. Granted, that came with an average target distance of 6.9 yards downfield, but it also came with a significantly worse receiving corps. Now he gets to play with the same group McCarthy failed to maximize last season.Murray is also known for the one thing McCarthy did pretty well last season. The first-year starter was an efficient scrambler who could diagnose defenses in RPOs and create some wiggle room with his speed and athleticism. But his 1.7 rush yards over expected (RYOE) per carry last season pale to Murray's 2.6 in 2024. This was all reason to sign Murray to a one-year revival deal at the veteran's minimum, and now O'Connell will get to see if the veteran can run his offense the way his young gun could not.C'mon man, say something nice about J.J. McCarthyOk, here goes.McCarthy is 23 years old. He was always a curious choice for an air-it-out offense because that was never the focus of his Michigan teams. His national champion Wolverines ran the ball more than 60 percent of the time -- a balance that was not going to be replicated in the NFL, but still could have been useful for a team with a bellcow RB1. While the Vikings have two nice pieces in Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason, they lacked the kind of ground game that would have freed up more single coverage. This would have created an easier path to the contingency plan of "heck, Justin Jefferson's down there somewhere."McCarthy too often got lost cycling through his reads and defaulted to scrambling too early. This led to a long time in the pocket (3.02 seconds, fourth-highest in the NFL) and the on-the-run, off-balance tosses to nowhere. It's troubling, undoubtedly, but it's not unfixable. McCarthy led the Big Ten in completion rate in his final season. His lack of touch may never bring him back to those heights -- dropping a ball in between layers of defenders has never been a selling point -- but he has the mechanics to execute an offense that plays to his strengths. The fact he couldn't do that as O'Connell's guy with Jefferson and Jordan Addison at the ready is even more troubling, but one year isn't enough to totally write him off.The other plus is that he remains an effective scrambler who could use that athleticism to have a Malik Willis-type second act. Willis wasn't a viable NFL starter until he landed under Matt LaFleur's tutelage in Green Bay (and even then, benefitted from small sample sizes and a lack of game tape to plan against him). Willis' bad throw rate his first two seasons was a robust 22 percent. That was down to 5.7 percent in 2025, where he was given the directive to flip through reads with urgency, then take off as a runner if there was no obvious throw to be made in the first two seconds after the snap (22 carries in 98 offensive snaps last fall).That's the blueprint for McCarthy. He may not have a second act in him as a Viking, but he's not beyond repair. He needs a simplified game plan to correct the overthinking and frustrating risk involved in his throws (a 4.9 percent interception rate last fall). The odds aren't in his favor. He seems destined to follow the Willis path, and there's a reasonable chance his NFL legacy is "the guy who served as the launchpad for broken NFL veterans to thrive again." But Tuesday's demotion isn't the end of J.J. McCarthy. Even if some Minnesota fans may not mind if it were.This article originally appeared on For The Win: J.J. McCarthy isn't cooked in Minnesota, but it sure doesn't look good

LAWRENCE Speaking recently, as fall camp is in full swing for Kansas football, associate head coach Andy Kotelnicki spoke positively about how things have gone.Kotelnicki likes whats happening schematically on both sides of the ball. Theres been a level of retention, in part because of the amount of work they can do with the players now over the course of the year, thats been impressive. As much as there is attention this month on fall camp, that learning process dates back all the way to January.Kotelnicki, for one, is impressed with how well the offensive line is working together. As they work out who fits where best, hes excited about the potential of that group. Theres also more size there than when he was previously on staff at KU, prior to a recent stint at Penn State, and he says that hasnt come at the expense of athleticism and physicality.RELATED: Kansas football coach Lance Leipold shares view on starting QB battleHere are some more takeaways from what Kotelnicki had to say:How important will KUs running game be?Kansas will have a new starting quarterback this year, and whether its redshirt junior Cole Ballard or redshirt sophomore Isaiah Marshall, that individual wont have much experience in that role. So, Kotelnicki acknowledges that doing more elsewhere can help lessen the burden on someone like that. But even an experienced quarterback benefits from having a quality running game, which this team envisions having, so it remains important regardless.People know a lot about junior running back Yasin Willis and redshirt junior running back Dylan Edwards, but redshirt sophomore running back Jalen Dupree is another name to know. Dupree and Willis together bring a lot of physicality to the group. Thats something Kotelnicki thinks can take a toll on a defense over the course of a game, especially in the secondary.How close will KUs offense look to what it was during Andy Kotelnickis past experience in Lawrence?Kotelnicki, a former offensive coordinator for Kansas under head coach Lance Leipold, enjoyed some successful seasons with the program in 2022 and 2023. But will what he does in 2026 resemble those years? Will the Jayhawks be noticeably different?Kotelnicki said what he wants people to say, even if theyve never watched the sport before, is that its good football. Whether people understand whats going on during a game or not, he thinks anyone knows the difference between good and bad football. He hopes that people see an explosive, disciplined, and physical team.How does Andy Kotelnicki balance creativity with teaching players a new system?Kotelnickis offenses are known for their creativity, and while there is some familiarity with his time at Kansas, there are a number of new players on the roster who have to learn what hes looking for. He said that starts simply with teaching them, and then constantly checking to make sure everyone understands whats being asked of them as they ensure that creativity doesnt compromise fundamentals. For example, if theyre throwing and catching a slant route well enough, thats when they start to evolve and potentially work in a motion, a play-action, or another route concept elsewhere in the play to make it more dynamic.As much as it might seem complicated, what Kotelnickis offenses do sometimes, he alluded to it not being as difficult to put in place as it might seem. As much as his influence has already been noticed with this current team, he allowed there could even be formations used this season that he hasnt thought of yet. His desire is to make sure they own the time in between one play ending and another play starting.Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Associations sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Takeaways as Kansas footballs Andy Kotelnicki analyzes fall camp progress

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice called the 30 days he spent in a Texas jail over the summer a "learning experience" and a "reality check," one that he got through by rehabbing from knee surgery and watching plenty of comedian Kevin Hart on TV to keep his spirits up. The 26-year-old Rice was booked into a Dallas County jail on May 19 for violating the terms of his probation, which stemmed from his role in a car crash that left multiple people injured on a Texas highway. He'd had surgery about a week before the sentence to clean up debris in his right knee, which had been causing inflammation throughout much of last season. Rice was released in June, and he resumed his rehab work alongside Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes who was rehabbing after his own surgery to repair torn knee ligaments at their training facility in Kansas City leading into the start of training camp. "It was tough. It was mentally tough," Rice said of the jail stint Tuesday, the first time the wide receiver has spoken publicly about his offseason. "They gave me ways to communicate with my teammates as well as my athletic trainer. Besides the hard times in there, just tried to keep positive as much Kevin Hart as I could to laugh, and communicating with my teammates on the outside." Rice has been brilliant for Kansas City when he's been available, catching 156 passes for 1,797 yards and 14 touchdowns, and helping the Chiefs win the Super Bowl after the 2023 season. But he also missed games to a suspension following the car crash, and several injuries have kept him off the field, resulting in just 28 games played over his first three seasons in the league. The upcoming season is without question his most important yet. Not only does Rice has much to prove to a growing chorus of doubters, he's also entering the final year of his rookie contract. If he wants to land a lucrative, long-term deal in Kansas City or elsewhere, Rice has to not only prove that he can stay on the field but also show that he can consistently be productive for an offense that desperately needs him to be. "I mean, it's motivating," Rice said of impending free agency. "Honestly, just being back on the field with my brothers right now is motivating. That's in the future. And I'm just focusing on what's happening right now, and that's getting better for the team." The Chiefs are coming off a 6-11 season in which Mahomes hurt his knee, several others went down with injuries, and what was once one of the NFL's premier offenses looked like a shadow of itself even before all those players were sidelined. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach spent most of his draft capital upgrading the defense, though, including both of his first-round picks, and the biggest move to help the offense was to sign Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to be their lead running back. Otherwise, the Chiefs are banking on Rice and fellow wide receivers Xavier Worthy and Tyquan Thornton to take big steps forward in their development, all while hoping that 36-year-old tight end Travis Kelce can still be a reliable and effective pass-catcher. "We're going to do some amazing things," Rice predicted, "not only because we're great receivers but we have a great coaching staff around us, and a great quarterback and foundation in general." Mahomes has certainly looked like his normal self in camp, moving around on his reconstructed knee as if nothing ever happened. That bodes well for Rice, the passing game and the Chiefs in general as they prepare for the upcoming season. "He was my motivation every morning," Rice said. Rice was asked whether he had anything to say to fans who felt let down by his off-the-field problems, or to young players who might be looking up to him. He went back to Mahomes and the teammates that have been with him through thick and thin. "Find someone that you can lean on. Find someone you can talk to," Rice said, "and basically don't be scared to vocalize yourself, or say exactly what's on your mind, because someone is going through the same thing. There's too many people in the world for there not to be someone going through the same thing." Notes: The Chiefs are signing DE Emmanuel Ogbah, who appeared in 10 games for them during the 2019 season. The veteran spent last season with Jacksonville. "It was disappointing the year we had him. I thought he was coming on and he got hurt, and we didn't have him at the end of the year," Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said. "If he's part of our group, I'll be excited." Reporting by The Associated Press.

A 4-year-old's very first golf outing ended with the swing of a lifetime.At Green Valley Ranch Golf Club in Denver, Colorado, Caden Uyemura tackled his first par-3 with his dad, Justin.From the beginning, he was incredibly coachable and played remarkably well for his very first round on a golf course, Justin said. I honestly didnt expect him to make it through all nine holes and was prepared to head home whenever he was ready, especially since it was a very hot day.But Caden made it all the way to the ninth hole and then delivered a moment neither of them will ever forget.As his ball rolled toward the hole, Cadens dad watched in disbelief.I couldnt believe what I was watching, Justin said. I stopped recording just before I ran onto the tee box, tackled him up and gave him the biggest hug I could. He was smiling from ear to ear and laughing the entire time.Watch the video to see Cadens incredible swing and what happened next.Humankindis your go-to spot for good news!Click hereto submit your uplifting, cute, or inspiring video moments for us to feature. Also,click hereto subscribe to our newsletter bringing our top stories of the week straight to your inbox.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Boy's first golf course visit with dad leads to a shot nobody expected

Manchester City Are In Talks To Land This Barcelona Youngster: Is He A Star In The Making?In a recent report, journalist Graeme Bailey mentioned that Manchester City are in talks to land Barcelona youngster Tommy Marques. It has been claimed that the Mancunian club will have to compete with Borussia Dortmund and Braga in the race to sign the Spanish talent in this transfer window.Marques Rapid Rise At BarcelonaMarques is a product of Barcelonas La Masia academy and deserves credit for breaking into their first team last season. The 19-year-old featured in two matches for the Catalan club in the previous campaign.The talented teenager is currently one of the most gifted young central midfielders in La Liga. Hence, Man City would do well to get a deal over the line for him this month.His current contract at the Catalan club will run out in the summer of 2028. Hence, the Mancunian giants would have to make a convincing offer if they want to recruit him in this transfer window.HONG KONG, CHINA AUGUST 1: Head coach Enzo Maresca of Manchester City gestures during the Manchester City v Inter Milan Pre-Season Friendly at Kai Tak Stadium on August 1, 2026 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)Manchester City are In Talks To Land Marques: Is He A Star In The Making?Marques doesnt mind putting in a hard-working performance for his team defensively when needed. He is a good passer of the ball and can strike it with venom from long range.The Spanish youngster can even make a few clever runs with the ball from midfield. Marques mainly plays as a holding midfielder, but can also operate as a box-to-box midfielder if needed. However, there are some question marks over whether he would be able to make a smooth transition to life in the Premier League if Man City manage to bring him on board this summer.We can expect Marques to bring more quality and depth to Enzo Marescas midfield department. He has what it takes to fight for a regular first-team spot at the Etihad Stadium in the coming seasons.At 19, Marques has a bright future ahead of him as long as he continues to improve with each year. He will also help the Mancunian club compete across all fronts over the next few years. All in all, Marques is undoubtedly a star in the making, so Maresca should step up his pursuit of him before the end of this month.

Arsenal & West Ham transfer talks for 26yo continueArsenal are in ongoing talks with West Ham United over a possible transfer for Reiss Nelson, according to a report.Photo via Arsenal.comJames McNicholas reports for The Athletic that Arsenal and Championship club West Ham United are in talks over a possible deal for Reiss Nelson, with conversations ongoing over the structure of such a move.McNicholas does suggest that Nelson is yet to give his full approval to the transfer, however, writing that the winger must decide if hes willing to drop down to the English second tier.Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty ImagesDharmesh Sheth reported for Sky Sports News in recent days that West Ham are interested in Nelson, though Sheth suggested the Hammers were hoping for a loan deal.Given Nelson has entered the final year of his contract at Arsenal, a loan move wouldnt exactly be ideal for the Gunners.Yet it also wouldnt be the first time Arsenal have loaned a player in the final year of his contract, as they did the same with Oleksandr Zinchenko last season.That move toNottingham Forestended up working out, as Zinchenko was recalled and sold toAjaxfor a fee in the January transfer window.Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty ImagesNelson spent last season on loan with Brentford, and they had an option to buy in his contract, but they opted not to take it up.Brentford director of football Phil Gilesreflected: Whilst Im sure [Nelson] wouldve preferred more Premier League minutes with us during the loan, he has nevertheless made a good contribution with his positivity, attitude and experience around training and matchdays, and leaves us in a better place physically then when he joined.Nelson has since joined up with Arsenal for pre-season, playing half an hour againstGironaand 45 minutes againstReal Betis, but having an unused substitute role againstBorussia Dortmund.Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images