Proud father Wayne Rooney watches on as son Kai plays for Man United … — and more

The young Red Devils thrashed their counterparts 6-1 at their Carrington training complex - with one famous onlooker cheering on the hosts.

Lightning get major Victor Hedman injury update for playing status vs. Maple Leafs originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Tampa Bay Lightning could only watch from afar.

Their superstar defenseman, Victor Hedman, was in Milan playing in the Winter Olympics for Sweden. And in the quarterfinal round, Hedman never came off the bench for a single shift. Turns out, he had been injured in warmups.

That opened up all sorts of concern, but as it turns out, there was nothing to worry about.

Assistant coach Rob Zettler told reporters that Hedman is good to go for Wednesday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs as the NHL returns from Olympic break.

MORE: Maple Leafs have a very specific draft pick reason to tank

The Lightning captain had missed nearly two months earlier this season due to elbow surgery.

He played in Tampa Bay's last three games before the Olympics, then suited up in the three preliminary games for Sweden before that unexpected absence against Team USA.

Hedman has played in 21 games this season for Tampa Bay, and he has 13 points, all assists.

The Lightning got much more good injury news from Zettler in that media appearance. He added that Brayden Point, Charle-Eduouard D'Astous and Emil Martinsen Lilleberg are all ready to play against Toronto, as well.

Point had to miss the Olympics after being chosen for Team Canada due to a knee injury, but evidently he has recovered now.

Lilleberg and D'Astous were both on Injured Reserve heading into the Olympic break but apparently are also good to go.

The Lightning play Toronto on Wednesday and Carolina on Thursday, so it's good timing to return toward full strength.

More NHL news:

• Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs now forced to face tough reality
• Jack Hughes has forever changed his value
• Zach Werenski made 'the play before The Play'
• Connor Hellebuyck has changed his story forever
• Alex Ovechkin has shared an update on his retirement plans
• Evgeni Malkin gets big news on a possible future

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ESPN

Jaguars, Commanders host teams for NFL’s 3 London games

The Jacksonville Jaguars and Washington Commanders will be the host teams for the NFL’s three London games in 2026, the league announced Wednesday morning.

The Jaguars, who have played in London annually every year since 2013 except for 2020, will play two home games in London for the first time. They will play one at Wembley Stadium and another at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Commanders will play their home game at Tottenham.

Opponents and dates will be announced later, though the Jaguars are expected to play back-to-back weeks in October.

The NFL announced on Tuesday that Detroit would play a home game at FC Bayern Munich Stadium in Germany. Games also will be played in Madrid, Paris (New Orleans Saints), Mexico City (San Francisco 49ers), Rio de Janeiro (Dallas Cowboys), and Melbourne (Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers).

The Athletic (paywall)

Commanders will return to London in 2026 for first time in a decade

“The NFL has obviously demonstrated that there is a market for this,” Commanders president Mark Clouse said shortly after the team’s return from Madrid last year. “… So, I see it both as a great fan opportunity, but I also see it as a really good business opportunity for the franchise as well.”

“It’s the ambition we have to be a global sport,” commissioner Roger Goodell said in San Jose during the week of Super Bowl LX. “But it’s also the demand we’re having. We’re hearing from cities that want to host these games and really want to get more American football.”

Last season, six of the NFL’s seven international games aired on NFL Network and drew an average of 6.2 million viewers, up 32 percent from the network’s international slate in 2024.

From Commmanders.com:

As the Official Hospitality Provider of the NFL and Proud Partner of the Washington Commanders, On Location has launched its Priority Access deposit program for the NFL London Game at Tottenham Stadium. On Location’s ticket and travel packages can include premium seating and fan parties, roundtrip airfare, deluxe hotels, guided tours, and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that will create lasting memories. Visit OnLocationExp.com/CommandersLondon to place a fully refundable, time-stamped Priority Access deposit which assures first choice of tickets and bespoke experiences.

Heavy.com

Crazy speculation or insightful theory?

In 2 previous games in the NFL International Series, they’re 0-1-1 with a 16-13 overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins in 2025 and a 227-27 overtime tie with the Cincinnati Bengals at London’s Wembley Stadium in 2016.

Could Commanders be in London for 2 Weeks?

There’s actually a chance the Commanders have an extended stay in London if the NFL scheduling gurus use some common sense.

The Athletic (paywall)

Commanders GM ‘as motivated as ever’ to get deal done with Laremy Tunsil

“I don’t want to put a timeline on it, but it is really important for us,” Peters said of his intent to reach an agreement with Tunsil. “We’ve been having talks. We’ve been having good, productive talks with Laremy and his team, and we’re as motivated as ever to get that done. … Obviously, I don’t think any side wants to drag it on, but I don’t think the league year is anything that’s going to be a deadline of sorts.”

Tunsil has one year remaining on his contract, which includes a $16.95 million base salary and an approximate $24.9 million cap charge.

Although Tunsil didn’t receive Pro Bowl or All-Pro recognition, he had one of his best seasons in 2025, allowing a team-low 3.3 percent pressure rate. He gave up only 15 total pressures and two sacks, according to Pro Football Focus. He was also instrumental in helping the Commanders’ young offensive linemen develop.

Tunsil worked extensively with then-rookie tackle Josh Conerly Jr. throughout the season. He also invited Conerly and guard/tackle Brandon Coleman to Auburn to work with him and his personal coach, Dominic Studzinski, in the 2025 offseason.

“The talks have been positive,” Peters said of the team’s discussions with Tunsil. “I have a ton of respect for Laremy, and not just the player, who is outstanding, but the person and the way he’s approached everything since we acquired him — as a player, as a leader, taking the other guys under his wing and just being a great overall locker room guy and addition to the building. He treats everyone with respect on staff. He’s been everything we asked for, and we’ve had good talks.”

Riggo’s Rag

8 high-impact free agents Commanders could rip away from NFC East rivals

Commanders could sign Cordale Flott

Washington needs more in its cornerback room. Trey Amos and Mike Sainristil will have roles to play in 2026. Nothing else is guaranteed, and four-time Pro Bowl corner Marshon Lattimore looks like a prime salary-cap cut candidate in the very near future.

New defensive coordinator Daronte Jones needs dependable players in coverage to allow his front seven to wreak havoc within what’s expected to be an aggressive scheme. Cordale Flott needs some work against the run, but at 24, he’s more than capable of making the desired improvements.

Flott’s ability to mirror receivers and lock people down took significant strides forward last season. The former LSU standout gave up just 52.2 percent of his targets and a 73.3 passer rating when targeted in 2025. The turnover numbers are low, but his rising influence could make this a risk worth taking as the Commanders look to fill a clear hole on their defensive depth chart.

Commanders.com

5 takeaways from Dan Quinn’s combine press conference

5. Daron Payne could benefit from being in Daronte Jones’ defense.

Payne had a solid season in 2025 but didn’t stand out as much on the stat sheet with 46 tackles and three sacks, but that could change once he gets acclimated to Jones’ system. The scheme highlights versatility and a willingness to use multiple fronts, which Quinn thinks could be a perfect match for Payne’s skill set.

“I think the versatility will help,” Quinn said. “What’s so much fun about coaching Daron is that he’s big enough to be a 3-4 end. He’s got the strength to play inside at nose tackle and quickness to move.”

The hope is that Payne can get closer to the numbers he put up in the final year of his previous contract, when he tied a franchise record for a defensive tackle with 11.5 sacks. Jones has a background in several systems, but many of them have emphasized moving players around the line of scrimmage to put them in the best position to make plays.

If Jones can figure out how to use Payne’s versatility, it could make the Commanders’ defensive front even more potent. Payne has already shown an ability to affect quarterbacks; on top of his three sacks, he also tied a career-high with five pass breakups.

5 takeaways from Adam Peters’ combine press conference

5. No pressure to add a tight end.

The Commanders are in an interesting position with their tight ends. Zach Ertz has been one of their best players over the last two seasons, but the veteran is still recovering from his knee injury and likely won’t be ready for most of the 2026 season.

The Commanders aren’t going to turn down good players, but Peters likes what he has in the position as it is currently constructed. John Bates has continued to cement himself as one of the league’s top blocking tight ends, and Peters believes Ben Sinnott will have room to make plays in Blough’s system. He even mentioned how excited the team is for Lawrence Cager and how he can help in the passing game.

“We’ll look to kind of fill his [Ertz’s] role with a combination of those guys,” Peters said.

With that said, the Commanders are at least open to the possibility of adding another pass-catcher to the position. It would certainly help replace Ertz, who had 504 yards and four touchdowns last season. There are several players who could help with that as well, from the likes of Kyle Pitts and Isaiah Likely to lesser-known products like Chigoziem Okonkwo and others.

The Commanders’ offense was at its best in 2024 when it had a reliable tight end. The Commanders want to “leave the door open” for Ertz, but they are aware of their situation and want to do whatever necessary to give Jayden Daniels more weapons.

Bullock’s Film Room (this article is available to read in full for free)

Takeaways from Commanders combine press conferences

Adam Peters and Dan Quinn both spoke to the media at the combine, here’s my main takeaways from those press conferences

[W]hile Quinn was quick to praise Paul for his performances and his work ethic, he stopped short of committing to trying to bring Paul back. When asked about how much of a priority it was, Quinn sidestepped the question.

“We’re going through the whole process, everybody counts in that, you know, not the same, but everybody’s part of it. But yeah, definitely somebody that, like, obviously we’re keeping close tabs on as Adam and his team are going through that.”

That’s a far cry from last year when Quinn and Peters both spoke about how they wanted guys like Zach Ertz and Bobby Wagner back. Neither were shy about saying that then. So for Quinn to be so non-committal is of note to me. “Keeping close tabs on” is very different to “We want him back”. Don’t get me wrong, I think the team would have Paul back at the right price, but I’m not sure that they have the same value for him that other teams might have.

Offensive lineman get paid a premium in free agency. Just last year, the Packers paid guard Aaron Banks nearly $20 million per year on average despite him being widely considered a bust in San Francisco. I’m not saying Paul will get that type of deal, but he could get a significant contract. The Commanders already have a lot invested in the offensive line. Tunsil is in line for a new deal, Sam Cosmi is already on a big contract. Tyler Biadasz got a decent free agent contract and Josh Conerly was a first round pick. There’s only so much you can invest in an individual unit.

Besides that, the Commanders have a player ready to step in for Paul in Brandon Coleman. He struggled at left guard last year but he had a very unsettled offseason where he switched positions multiple times and battled with some injuries that never really let him get set. He’s also a much more athletic lineman than Paul, which would mean if the Commanders are to try and use more of the zone blocking scheme. Coleman would be a better schematic fit than Paul.

I’m perhaps reading too much into that comment from Quinn, but I did feel it was notable that he didn’t really give a firm response to say they wanted Paul back. Quinn also stopped short of saying the team wants Bobby Wagner back. There were also reports on Tuesday that Wagner intends to play in 2026, just like Ertz. When asked about Wagner, Quinn was more enthusiastic than he was with Paul, but also didn’t commit to anything.

”We love Wagz. One of my favorite ones this year was just getting to visit with him after him winning the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. So proud. We haven’t got into the specifics of what’s ahead and where we’re at with that yet, so that will be in the days and weeks ahead”.

Commanders Roundtable

Commanders GM Adam Peters updates status of several key players

No decision on Marshon Lattimore

The Commanders enter the offseason with several question marks on both sides of the ball, but one of the more obvious moves for the front office is the decision to move on from cornerback Marshon Lattimore, which has yet to materialize after months of speculation.

Lattimore, who was acquired via trade midway through the 2024 season, has struggled in his season plus in Washington before suffering a season-ending injury that raised questions whether he played his last snap for the organization. Washington enters the offseason with a chance to move on from his contract with no added dead money and $18.5 million in extra cap space, but over one month after the 2025 regular season ended, his status remains unresolved.

Peters noted that the team has not made a “final decision” on his status for 2026.

“There’s a lot of things that go into that and we’ll still have a few more conversations, but until then, he’s still on our team.”

Podcasts & videos

Stories from the NFL Combine + Make or Break Prospects | Podcast | Washington Commanders | NFL

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Philly Voice

Howie Roseman sounds like a general manager who is prepared to get raided in free agency

For the second consecutive offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles will almost certainly lose a few starters via free agency, and they [don’t have the cap space required] to spend big money on free agents from other teams.

Howie Roseman sounds like a general manager who is prepared to get raided.

“I think from a big picture perspective, we want to build a team that every year has a chance to compete for championships, that drafts really well and signs their own players and just sporadically goes into free agency,” Roseman said. “That’s what we’re trying to do. 

“And sometimes as much as you want to add from outside and you want to change it up, you got to make a decision to keep the players you know have played well and are part of your culture. Can we keep all our guys considering we have, for example, a lot of key defensive starters coming off rookie deals in next few years? No, we are going to have to make choices. For us to sign them, that’s gonna limit some flexibility with outside players. So, then you combine that with the fact that teams, because there’s more cap room, because the cap has gone up, teams have done a great job of signing their own players. 

“And so, you can, you know, just shuffle deck chairs, right, and just say, ‘Hey I’m gonna trade out this guy because he’s not ours,’ and maybe it’s a better PR move that, ‘Hey, we’re active.’ Look we signed this guy, but that means we’re gonna have to get rid of one of our own guys, you know, and so everything we do at this point is a trade-off. If we do this, we’re gonna have to get rid of that. But I think that… that’s the right way really to build teams here to draft, develop, and re-sign. 

“And I know that’s not flashy. That doesn’t mean that we can’t do splashy things, but from a broad perspective, if we can keep our players, if we can keep a lot of these young, really good players that we know that we live with, so we know who they are as people, and then it’s like a cake, it’s like a layer cake. Then you build on top of it with more good draft picks and more good young players, and then the cycle starts again. That’s ideally how we’d like to do that. So, that’s my little macro vision of how this works and how this should work. 

“And I think last year, I said to you guys, over a two-year period, it’s going to be hard for us, unless we make major moves to subtract, to really make some sort of splash move that costs money because we like the players we have drafted and want them as a big part of our next few years as well.”

ESPN

Brandon Aubrey seeking larger deal from Cowboys, sources say

The Dallas Cowboys and the agent for Pro Bowler Brandon Aubrey are in agreement that he should be the highest-paid kicker in the NFL. The disagreement is by how much.

The Cowboys have offered a deal for Aubrey that is more than the league-high $6.4 million average per season for Kansas City’s Harrison Butker, sources told ESPN. However, Aubrey’s agent, Todd France, has asked for a deal closer to $10 million per season, according to sources.

The negotiations started last season but have not progressed.

Aubrey is set to become a restricted free agent. The Cowboys are likely to place the second-round tender on Aubrey at a cost of close to $5.8 million. He entered the league as an undrafted free agent, so if the Cowboys put the right-of-first-refusal tender on Aubrey, they would not receive any compensation in return if they did not match an offer made by another team.

The only restricted free agent to leave a team for a second-round pick was Wes Welker, who was ultimately traded to the New England Patriots from the Miami Dolphins for second- and seventh-round picks in 2007.

While using the restricted free agent tender would have Aubrey under contract only for 2026, the Cowboys could use the franchise tag on him in 2027 to effectively keep him out of free agency.

Aubrey, who turns 31 next month, has been named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons. He has made six field goals from 60 yards or longer, the most in NFL history. Last season, he connected on 11-of-17 field goal attempts from 50 yards or more.

Bleeding Green Nation

Eagles Film Review: Reed Blankenship is one of the trickier free agent decisions

Blankenship is a player whose value is fundamentally tied to scheme fit and communication, and that’s not a backhanded compliment. It’s an accurate description of what Fangio’s defense actually needs. Not every safety has to be a coverage eraser or a run-stuffing force. Some have to be the ones who hold the structure together, keep everyone aligned, and make the right play in the right direction so that the defense can operate as designed. Blankenship does that.

The right outcome here is a mid-tier deal that reflects his actual role in the system. I would be fine with the quoted $10m per year average I have seen predicted online. Paying him like a top safety would be a clear overpay for what he brings athletically. But letting him walk to chase a more athletic profile introduces real risk, both in the coverage busts that come from a new safety still learning the system’s rules, and in the development of Mukuba alongside a safety partner who doesn’t know them yet.

At the correct number, he should be retained. He fits the scheme. He supports the structure. He reduces the frequency of coverage errors caused by confusion rather than by individual athleticism. And in a Fangio defense, that specific kind of reliability is worth more than most people’s metrics will tell them.

Big Blue View

NY Giants free agency 2026: Defensive linemen who could be upgrades

John Franklin-Myers, Broncos

The 29-year-old stands at 6-foot-4, 288 pounds, and figures to be more of a pass-rushing defensive lineman, who is a competent enough run defender. He had 43 pressures and 7.5 sacks in Vance Joseph’s system in 2025 and 53 pressures and seven sacks in the year prior with Denver and Joseph. He was also a dominant defensive line asset with the New York Jets from 2020 to 2023, where he had over 50 pressures in each season.

Franklin-Myers figures to be an ideal 4i-shade in BASE that can kick inside in even fronts to a three-technique position. Franklin-Myers is a versatile player with pass-rushing upside and a constant motor, who is consistent against the run.

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Pro Football Talk

Arvell Reese plans to do edge rusher and linebacker drills at Combine

Reese saw time as both an off-ball linebacker and an edge rusher while with the Buckeyes and his potential in both spots boosted his prospect status heading into the draft process. Reese plans to continue giving teams a chance to see him in both roles at the Scouting Combine this week.

During a press conference on Wednesday morning, Reese told reporters that he plans to do drills at both linebacker and edge rusher this week. He also plans to run the 40-yard dash during his time in Indianapolis.

aBit o’Twitter

Would NBA coaches ditch quarter-zips after Pat Riley called them out? Perhaps in the playoffs, Doc Rivers said

At the NFL Scouting Combine, Giants head coach John Harbaugh met Ohio State off‑ball linebacker Sonny Styles, describing the encounter as “awesome.” Styles, a 6‑ft‑3¾, 243‑lb converted safety, is ranked No. 7 on the Sports Info Solutions big board and is praised for his athleticism, coverage skills and run‑tackling ability.

Harbaugh emphasized the importance of an inside linebacker to stop the run, noting that the Giants have struggled in that area. General manager Joe Schoen echoed the priority, saying the team will focus on improving run defense in the offseason. With the 2026 draft’s No. 5 pick on the table, Styles could be a candidate to address that need.