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The NFL announced the rules and regulations for the revamp of the 2023 Pro Bowl on Tuesday, which will be highlighted by a series of skill competitions and three flag football games.

Renamed the Pro Bowl Games, the new format will see the NFC and AFC battle for supremacy over a full weekend of events.

The Games will begin Thursday, Feb. 2, with five skills competitions, and the winner of the competitions will earn three points for his conference. Three more skills competitions will take place Sunday, Feb. 5, putting a total of 24 points on the line.

An additional 12 points (six for each game) will be up for grabs in the first two flag football competitions held Sunday during the Pro Bowl Games broadcast. The total points earned by the AFC and NFC will be the starting score for a third and final flag football game, which will use standard flag football scoring.

Class is in session ✍️@MJAcostaTV is here to break down the Flag Football rules at the inaugural #ProBowlGames. pic.twitter.com/5gPY3uaPoC

— NFL (@NFL) December 20, 2022

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The Pro Bowl Games Shorthand

• Eight total skills competitions; winners receive three points for their conference
• Two flag football competitions, winners receive six points for their conference. 
• Total of 36 points on the line before the third and final flag football game, which will be added to all other events to determine the final score of the weekend. 

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Pro Bowl Games Flag Football Rules

• Seven-on-seven featuring skill players
• Each team may have one center
• 50-yard field with 10-yard end zones
• No Run Zone beginning at the opponent's 5-yard line
• 20-minute games (two 10-minute halves)
• 25-second play clock
• Running clock besides the final two minutes of each half
• Clock stops on an incomplete pass, score, timeout, penalty or change of possession in the final two minutes of each half
• Touchdowns worth six points; teams can then do a one-point conversion from the 3-yard line or a two-point conversion from the 10-yard line

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The score from the third flag football game will be added to the scores from the other events to determine a final victor.

The NFL announced a revamping of the Pro Bowl in September after years of fan complaints regarding the quality of play in the contest. Players would regularly pull out of the event, citing injuries from a long season, which would lead to diluted rosters and a game that rarely felt worth watching.

This revamped format should help enliven the festivities for fans and players alike, leading to a celebration of the best from the 2022 NFL season.

Full rosters for the Pro Bowl Games are set to be announced Wednesday.

Time is running out for the Boston Red Sox to extend the contract of Rafael Devers.

The third baseman, who is set to become a free agent after the 2023 campaign, "will not entertain negotiations with the Red Sox during the season," and an extension would need to be agreed upon by the end of spring training, sources told Alex Speier of the Boston Globe.

The Red Sox begin spring training in February and the team's final preseason game is on March 28. They open the regular season on March 30 against the Baltimore Orioles.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom recently expressed the team's desire to retain Devers in an interview with ESPN's Joon Lee:

"We will probably, I think, go beyond reason to try to get this done. Hopefully we can get this done. There are always going to be limitations, like people can just put something plain out of reach. Some people love to bet on themselves and I hope he hits 63 homers if he does that."

While Bloom has continued to reiterate the club's desire to keep Devers in Boston beyond 2023, actions speak louder than words, and the two sides are currently "galaxies apart" in negotiations, Lee reported.

The situation with Devers has become all too familiar in Boston, with the most recent example being the departure of star shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who signed with the San Diego Padres this winter.

The Red Sox made Bogaerts a laughable offer during spring training that would have made his contract worth $90 million over four years. The offer was viewed as a "slap in the face" and he went on to play the entire 2022 season without negotiating a contract before signing an 11-year, $280 million deal with the Padres.

If the same thing happens to Devers, he would be the latest homegrown star to depart the Red Sox organization over the lack of a respectable contract, joining Bogaerts and Mookie Betts, who was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in February 2020 before signing a 12-year, $365 million deal.

Devers, 26, has spent his entire six-year career in Boston and helped the club capture the 2018 World Series title. He has emerged as one of the best third basemen in baseball over the last two seasons, earning two All-Star Game selections and a Silver Slugger award in 2021.

Devers had an impressive 2022 campaign despite the Red Sox finishing last in the AL East with a 78-84 record. He slashed .295/.358/.521 with 27 home runs and 88 RBI in 141 games.

The Dominican native is reportedly seeking a contract extension in the neighborhood of $300 million. For a player who has hit 139 home runs and drove in 455 runs over his six-year career, the investment would be worth it for Boston.

But if Bloom fails to make a deal happen, the Red Sox fan base will be left scratching their heads once again.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said during his weekly Pat McAfee Show appearance Tuesday that his injured right thumb is "a lot better" since he returned from the team's bye week.

How's the thumb??

"The thumb is a lot better & it doesn't give me the issues that it did before the bye week" ~@AaronRodgers12#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/OqVEbQoT01

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 20, 2022

Rodgers suffered an avulsion fracture in his right thumb while attempting a Hail Mary pass during his team's 27-22 loss against the New York Giants on Oct. 9.

He said Oct. 26 that his thumb was "hurt" when asked if it was broken. However, he admitted to reporters Nov. 23 that the thumb was indeed broken.

"It doesn't make a difference with me playing," Rodgers said. "It doesn't make a difference. You saw the tape on my thumb. Didn't make a difference."

The Packers had 15 days off between their 28-19 road win over the Chicago Bears on Dec. 4 and their 24-12 home victory against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday.

Rodgers went 22-of-30 with 229 yards, one touchdown and one interception against L.A. to lead the 6-8 Packers to their second successive win.

Rodgers hasn't missed any games this year, but he suffered an injury to his ribs during his team's 40-33 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 27 and was forced to leave the game.

He later said the injury occurred in the second quarter and he tweaked the ailment in the third quarter, which is when he departed the matchup for backup Jordan Love.

However, he was well enough to start against the Bears the following week and has remained in the lineup.

Rodgers is focused on getting the Packers to the playoffs. The 7-6-1 Washington Commanders hold the NFC's final wild-card spot, and the 7-7 Seattle Seahawks and 7-7 Detroit Lions sit between them and the Packers at 6-8.

Green Bay will need to win all three of its final games (at the Miami Dolphins and home versus the Minnesota Vikings and Lions) to have a shot at getting that final playoff spot.

Up first are the Dolphins, and that game will take place in Miami on Christmas Day at 1 p.m. ET.

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor's 2022 season is over, as the AFC South team placed him on injured reserve Tuesday, per Daniel Popper of The Athletic.

Taylor suffered a high-ankle sprain during the Colts' Week 15 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported it was "highly unlikely" he would return during the 2022 campaign given the timing of the setback and the team's 4-9-1 record.

The Wisconsin product missed time throughout the season with ankle concerns and posted 861 yards and four touchdowns on 192 carries to go with 28 catches for 143 yards in 11 games.

It was a far cry from his 2021 season when he was an MVP candidate with 332 carries for 1,811 yards and 18 touchdowns, which were all league-high marks. He also added 40 catches for 360 yards and two scores.

While the Colts can't realistically expect to run the ball as well with Taylor sidelined, they will likely turn toward the combination of Deon Jackson and Zack Moss in the meantime.

The French soccer federation said Tuesday that some of its players faced "unacceptable racist and hateful comments on social networks" following Sunday's penalty shootout loss to Argentina in the World Cup final, per the Associated Press.

"The French soccer federation condemns with the utmost firmness these intolerable behaviors and abuses," it said in a statement.

PSG's Kylian Mbappé and Bayern Munich's Kingsley Coman were among the French players who faced racial abuse, per Isabelle Rome, the country's minister in charge of gender equality.

SOS Racisme, a French human rights group, said the players faced "a torrent of racist slurs, with hundreds of users on the social network posting comments likening them to apes, slaves, or even urging them to go back to the jungle."

Bayern Munich publicly sent Coman a message of support:

FC Bayern strongly condemn the racist comments made towards Kingsley Coman.

The FC Bayern family is behind you, King. Racism has no place in sport or our society. pic.twitter.com/9Mvhrt0Zc9

— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) December 19, 2022

Both Mbappé and Coman played in the final against Argentina. The former notched a hat trick and made his attempt in the penalty shootout, while Coman had his attempt saved by Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez.

Racial abuse continues to be a major concern in world football. Following the Euro 2020 final, four people were arrested for racially abusing England's Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka on social media platforms.

We’re disgusted that some of our squad – who have given everything for the shirt this summer – have been subjected to discriminatory abuse online after tonight’s game.

We stand with our players ❤️ https://t.co/1Ce48XRHEl

— England (@England) July 12, 2021

I am sickened by the racist abuse aimed at England players after last night’s match.

It is totally unacceptable that players have to endure this abhorrent behaviour.

It must stop now and all those involved should be held accountable. W

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) July 12, 2021

"For some of them to be abused is unforgivable," English manager Gareth Southgate told reporters at the time. "Some of it has come from abroad, we have been told this, but some of it is from this country. ... We have been a beacon of light to bring people together and the national team stands for everybody. We felt the energy and positivity from the fans and I'm incredibly proud of that."

Per the AP, the French federation said it plans to file criminal complaints against individuals who directed abuse at the players.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts hasn't yet been ruled out for Saturday's crucial matchup with the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium despite a sprained shoulder.

"I'm feeling fine," Hurts told reporters Tuesday. "We're keeping this business as usual."

He also said there is "definitely a chance" he'll take the field against Philadelphia's NFC East rivals.

On Monday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Hurts' status for the matchup was up in the air because of a sprained shoulder:

The Eagles and Jalen Hurts’ agent Nicole Lynn said they do not believe this is a long-term injury.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 19, 2022

"It wasn't the first time I've been slow [to get up]. It won't be the last," Hurts told reporters regarding the play in which he was hurt. "I did play a really physical game, and it was real cold too. So happy we were able to find a win and in the end find a way."

While a victory would clinch the NFC East for the Eagles (13-1), a loss wouldn't be all that detrimental. The Eagles only need to win one more contest this season or have the Cowboys (10-4) lose one more game to guarantee a division crown.

Likewise, the Eagles currently have a two-game lead over the Minnesota Vikings (11-3) atop the NFC playoff picture and hold the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Hurts, 24, is having a superb third season and is arguably neck-and-neck with Patrick Mahomes in the MVP conversation. Along with throwing for 3,472 yards, 22 touchdowns and just five interceptions, completing 67.3 percent of his passes, he's rushed for 747 yards and 13 scores.

If Hurts is sidelined, Gardner Minshew will step into the starting role for Philadelphia. He has thrown just four passes this season, completing two of them for 34 yards. He started two games for the Eagles in 2021, throwing for 439 yards, four touchdowns and one interception in four total appearances.

Billionaire Mat Ishbia has reportedly agreed to buy the NBA's Phoenix Suns and WNBA's Phoenix Mercury from suspended governor Robert Sarver for $4 billion, the Suns announced on Tuesday night (via Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium).

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski first reported the deal would be completed in the "near future."

Sarver announced his intention to sell the Suns and Mercury in September amid massive public pressure from fans, NBA players and sponsors after an investigation found he used racial slurs, made sexist comments, mistreated employees and presided over a hostile work environment during his ownership tenure.

Commissioned by the NBA, the independent investigation conducted by the Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz law firm found Sarver used the N-word on at least five occasions despite being told by other employees his use of the word was inappropriate. He also made lewd sexual comments toward women, had inappropriate physical conduct with men in the workplace, engaged in inequitable treatment of women and bullied employees.

The NBA suspended Sarver for one year and fined him $10 million for his actions, but those punishments received an overwhelmingly negative reaction. There was almost unilateral agreement that the punishment did not fit the severity of Sarver's transgressions, with LeBron James, Chris Paul and Draymond Green criticizing the NBA for falling short.

behavior. I love this league and I deeply respect our leadership. But this isn’t right. There is no place for misogyny, sexism, and racism in any work place. Don’t matter if you own the team or play for the team. We hold our league up as an example of our values and this aint it.

— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 14, 2022

While the NBA could not force Sarver to sell, it became increasingly apparent the public pressure would not relent. PayPal, the team's jersey sponsor, said it would not renew its deal with the Suns if Sarver remained involved with the franchise after his suspension.

In his press release announcing his intent to sell the Suns and Mercury, Sarver blamed an "unforgiving climate" for his selling the team:

"As a man of faith, I believe in atonement and the path to forgiveness. I expected that the commissioner's one-year suspension would provide the time for me to focus, make amends and remove my personal controversy from the teams that I and so many fans love.

"But in our current unforgiving climate, it has become painfully clear that that is no longer possible—that whatever good I have done, or could still do, is outweighed by things I have said in the past."

Ishbia is the chairman and CEO of UWM Holdings, a Michigan-based mortgage lending company. According to Forbes, he has a net worth of $5.1 billion, which has dropped from $9.7 billion in 2021.

Basketball fans may recognize Ishbia's name from his time as a reserve on Michigan State's basketball team from 1999-00 to 2001-02. He was part of the Spartans' national championship roster in 2000.

Ishbia will almost certainly be an instant hit among Suns faithful, who were already disenchanted with Sarver's propensity for penny-pinching even before news of his actions became public. Many fans blame Sarver's frugal ownership style as the main reason the Seven Seconds or Less Suns never won a championship.

The San Diego Padres agreed to a deal with free-agent utility man Matt Carpenter on Tuesday, per AJ Cassavell of MLB.com.

It's a one-year contract with a 2024 player option. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic provided the financial details:

Carpenter is guaranteed $12M and could earn a maximum of $21M over two years if he exercises player option and all of his salary escalators and incentives are earned. https://t.co/wZrJ1NTDCy

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 20, 2022

Carpenter is expected to play first base, left field, right field and designated hitter and possibly backup at second and third base as well, per Cassavell.

The 37-year-old enjoyed a renaissance season last year thanks to 15 home runs and 37 RBI in just 47 games last season for the New York Yankees. The three-time All-Star hit .305 and posted a 1.138 OPS as well.

It was a shocking turnaround after Carpenter hit just .176 (.605 OPS) with seven home runs and 45 RBI in 180 games for the St. Louis Cardinals over the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

He signed as a free agent with the Texas Rangers in March but did not make the major league roster. Carpenter hit .275 with six home runs in 21 games for the Triple-A Round Rock Express before the Yankees signed him to a major league contract in May.

Carpenter tirelessly worked to remake his swing, making multiple stops across the United States in hopes of doing so, per Rosenthal.

He got the job done and helped the Yankees win the American League East crown en route to a 99-win season.

Unfortunately, Carpenter's regular season was cut short after he suffered a broken left foot fouling off a pitch Aug. 8. He was able to return for the playoffs, though.

Carpenter is going from one contender to another as he joins a Padres squad that reached the National League Championship Series last season after upsetting the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers.

His inclusion on the roster helps keep the Padres in contention for the pennant, especially after the team added Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts in free agency.

The New York Mets have showed interest in a potential trade for Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Heyman noted "many" other teams also like the reliever.

Michael Mayer of Metsmerized first reported the Mets contacted the White Sox about Hendriks.

The 32-year-old has spent the last two years in Chicago, posting a 2.66 ERA with 198 strikeouts in 128.2 innings and 75 total saves in this span.

Hendriks was even better during his previous two years with the Oakland Athletics, producing a 1.79 ERA, 0.897 WHIP and 13.1 strikeouts per nine innings across 99 appearances.

Not only does he have three All-Star selections over the last four years, but he's also received votes for Cy Young and MVP in this span.

It makes him a highly sought-after player despite a $14.33 million contract for 2023 and a $15 million club option in 2024 that automatically vests with a trade, per Spotrac.

The Mets have already shown money is not a problem this offseason while signing Edwin Diaz, Justin Verlander, Brandon Nimmo, Kodai Senga and more. The team currently has the highest payroll in the majors for 2023 at $282 million.

Adding Henriks would put the team another step toward contention while creating one of the best bullpens in baseball.

Diaz was the NL Hoffman Reliever Award last season after finishing with a 1.31 ERA and an incredible 17.1 strikeouts per nine innings. He will likely remain the team's closer after signing a five-year, $102 million contract in the offseason.

New York also added David Robertson, Brooks Raley and Elieser Hernandez this offseason to fill different roles in a mostly remade bullpen.

Hendriks could fill the eighth-inning role as part of a dominant back of the rotation for the Mets.

Of course, the interest around the league ensures this type of deal likely won't come cheap. New York has avoided trading its top prospects like Francisco Álvarez, Brett Baty and Ronny Mauricio, but the team might need to be more aggressive to land a proven player like Hendriks.

The Toronto Raptors could get a major haul if they decide to trade OG Anunoby, according to ESPN's Zach Lowe.

"The entire league wants OG Anunoby," Lowe said on The Lowe Post podcast (h/t All Raptors) "Everybody wants OG Anunoby. If he ever gets traded, the price and picks are going to surprise people because it might be on par almost with what the Cavs gave up for Donovan Mitchell. It's going to be a lot if it ever happens."

The Cleveland Cavaliers gave up Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, Ochai Agbaji, three first-round picks and two pick swaps to acquire Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz this offseason. Mitchell was also a proven commodity, earning three All-Star selections while averaging at least 20 points per game in each of his first five NBA seasons.

There is still plenty of demand for Anunoby, who continues to improve each year in the league.

The 25-year-old is averaging 18.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists this season, while his 2.4 steals per game leads the NBA.

The Raptors have struggled to a 13-18 record this season, including six straight losses, but they are 5.3 points per 100 possessions better with Anunoby on the court, per Basketball Reference.

The 6'7" forward can guard multiple positions and continues to improve on the offensive end, giving him plenty of upside even six years into his career.

Anunoby's name was mentioned as part of potential trade talks with Brooklyn Nets for Kevin Durant, per Michael Grange of Sportsnet, while the Portland Trail Blazers considered shopping the No. 7 pick for him, per Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer.

Toronto held onto the talented player through the offseason, but he could now be expendable as the team falls out of the playoff hunt.

A trade could benefit reigning Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes, who would get more touches alongside Pascal Siakam with Anunoby gone. Promising young guard Gary Trent Jr. would also become a permanent part of the starting lineup when healthy.

Anunoby is under team control through at least next season, plus a $19.9 million player option for 2024-25.