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Cardinals to Start David Blough at QB vs. Falcons with Colt McCoy Injured

Dec 30, 2022
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 25: Quarterback David Blough #17 of the Arizona Cardinals warms up before he NFL game at State Farm Stadium on December 25, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. The Buccaneers defeated the Cardinals 19-16 in overtime.  (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 25: Quarterback David Blough #17 of the Arizona Cardinals warms up before he NFL game at State Farm Stadium on December 25, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. The Buccaneers defeated the Cardinals 19-16 in overtime. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The Arizona Cardinals will start their third-string quarterback Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.

Head coach Kliff Kingsbury told reporters Friday that David Blough will play as Colt McCoy is still dealing with concussion symptoms.

Kingsbury announced Wednesday that McCoy had cleared concussion protocol and was on track to start. The team listed the 36-year-old as a full practice participant Wednesday and Thursday.

McCoy suffered the concussion in the third quarter of Arizona's loss to the Denver Broncos on Dec. 18. Trace McSorley finished the game and started the Cardinals' Week 16 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

There's no indication McSorley is dealing with an injury. The 27-year-old journeyman is not listed on the team's injury report.

The Cardinals signed Blough off the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad Dec. 14. He was active for the Bucs game but didn't play.

He will be the fourth quarterback to start for the Cardinals this season.

Kyler Murray's season ended when he tore his ACL in Week 14 against the New England Patriots. McCoy started in Weeks 10, 11 and 15. McSorley made his first career start last week.

Blough will make his first start in three years. The undrafted Purdue product threw for 984 yards with four touchdowns and six interceptions in five starts for the Detroit Lions in 2019. His most recent appearance in an NFL game was with the Lions in Week 8 last season.

The 4-11 Cardinals enter Week 17 having lost five consecutive games. Their 11 losses are their most in a season since 2018 (3-13).

Cristiano Ronaldo Signs 2.5-Year Contract with Al Nassr Worth Reported $75M Annually

Dec 30, 2022
DOHA, QATAR - DECEMBER 10: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal  during the  World Cup match between Morocco  v Portugal  at the Al Thumama Stadium on December 10, 2022 in Doha Qatar (Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images)
DOHA, QATAR - DECEMBER 10: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal during the World Cup match between Morocco v Portugal at the Al Thumama Stadium on December 10, 2022 in Doha Qatar (Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images)

Former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a contract with Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr, the club confirmed Friday.

The agreement is worth $75 million annually over two-and-a-half years, according to Ben Jacobs and James Benge of CBS Sports. Fabrizio Romano added Ronaldo can earn at least $200 million per season through commercial deals with the club.

Ronaldo's contract with the Riyadh club effectively ends his career at the top level. The Portuguese superstar had reportedly been eyeing a move to a club that plays in the UEFA Champions League, but a deal never materialized.

Ronaldo and Manchester United mutually agreed to part ways in November just before the beginning of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, making him a free agent.

The move came after he heavily criticized the club in a candid interview with Piers Morgan, saying he felt "betrayed" by the way the Red Devils had treated him in his return to Old Trafford. He added that he felt United was trying to force him out.

Ronaldo returned to Manchester United during the 2021-22 campaign after spending 2018 through 2021 with Serie A side Juventus. He left United in 2009 in a move to La Liga's Real Madrid.

The 37-year-old's return to the Premier League was tumultuous, to say the least. While he scored 24 goals across all competitions during the 2021-22 season, the Red Devils finished sixth in the Premier League and were eliminated from the Champions League in the round of 16.

Manchester United failed to qualify for this season's Champions League, and it's fifth in the Premier League table with a 9-2-4 record.

Ronaldo appeared in 10 Premier League games for the Red Devils this season, making four starts, and had been playing off the bench for Erik ten Hag. With little sign of progress, it became clear Ronaldo wanted out.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner confirmed he was unhappy with the lack of progress at the English side during his interview with Morgan.

"The progress was zero," Ronaldo said. "Since Sir Alex left, I saw no evolution in the club. Nothing had changed."

Ronaldo's downfall continued at the World Cup, where he scored just one goal in five matches (three starts) for a Portuguese team that was upset by Morocco in the quarterfinals.

Now at Al Nassr, Ronaldo will look to rejuvenate his career, possibly in hopes of returning to the top level.

TCU to Honor Mike Leach with Helmet Decal in Fiesta Bowl CFP Semifinal vs. Michigan

Dec 30, 2022
ATLANTA, GA - JULY 19: Mississippi State Bulldogs Head Coach Mike Leach addresses the media during the SEC Football Kickoff Media Days on July 19, 2022, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, GA.(Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JULY 19: Mississippi State Bulldogs Head Coach Mike Leach addresses the media during the SEC Football Kickoff Media Days on July 19, 2022, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, GA.(Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

TCU will honor late Mississippi State head football coach Mike Leach with decals on their helmets during the College Football Playoff semifinal against Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl on Saturday.

According to ESPN's Dave Wilson, TCU head coach Sonny Dykes announced that his Horned Frogs players will have pirate flag decals on their helmets due to Leach's love for pirate history.

A few other teams have also worn decals in honor of Leach, including one of the schools at which he formerly coached in Texas Tech, which utilized the pirate flag idea as well.

Regarding the decision to honor Leach in that way, Dykes said the following:

"I think that's going to be a big part of my feelings pregame tomorrowโ€”just the impact Mike had on my life and really college football in general. I'm sure there'll be a little bit of shoutout to Coach Leach before I take the field, just what he meant to me personally in my life.'

'I certainly wouldn't be here without his guidance or mentorship and the huge impact he had on my life."

Leach died on Dec. 12 after being hospitalized with a heart condition while in preparation for Mississippi State's ReliaQuest Bowl game against Illinois on Jan. 2.

Both Dykes and Leach were assistant coaches at Kentucky in 1997, and Dykes later served as an assistant under Leach from 2000 to 2006 when Leach was the head coach at Texas Tech.

That stint helped launch Dykes' head coaching career, as he went on to coach Louisiana Tech, California and SMU. Dykes is in the midst of his first season at TCU, and he has led them to a 12-1 record and the school's first CFP berth.

At the time of his death, Leach was in the midst of his third season as the head coach at Mississippi State and had led the Bulldogs to an 8-4 record this season.

All told, Leach went 158-107 in 21 seasons as the head coach at Texas Tech, Washington State and Mississippi State.

Kevin Durant Calls Out NBA Twitter for Still 'Crying' About Him Joining Warriors

Dec 30, 2022
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 28: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles the ball to the basket during the first half against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on December 28, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 28: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles the ball to the basket during the first half against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on December 28, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant fired back Friday at NBA fans on Twitter who remain critical of his decision to sign with the Golden State Warriors in 2016.

A conversation regarding Durant leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Dubs derived from a discussion between former NBA player Evan Turner and Warriors veteran Andre Iguodala. Turner called the Warriors' dynasty "lame as f--k" and labeled it as "unfair" when KD signed with Golden State:

In response to a Twitter user who agreed with Turner's take, Durant lamented people "crying for seven years" about the fact that he signed with the Warriors:

Durant developed into one of the NBA's biggest stars with the Thunder franchise, and he came close to knocking off the Warriors in the 2016 Western Conference Finals, but fell just short.

The LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers went on to beat the Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals, which prompted them to consider a big move.

That came in the form of signing Durant, who spent three seasons with the Warriors and led them to the NBA Finals each time. The Dubs won championships over the Cavs in each of Durant's first two seasons, and he was named NBA Finals MVP each time.

Durant suffered a torn Achilles in the 2019 Finals loss to the Toronto Raptors and ended up signing with the Nets in free agency, thus signaling the end of the Warriors dynasty until they returned last year and won with Stephen Curry leading the way.

KD has often been criticized for his "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" approach due to the belief that it threw the NBA's balance of power out of whack.

In fairness to Durant, however, the concept of superteams started well before he signed with the Warriors. The prime examples were the Boston Celtics adding Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to a roster that already included Paul Pierce, and the Miami Heat adding both LeBron and Chris Bosh to go with Dwyane Wade.

Even the Cavs did it before the Warriors by signing James and acquiring Kevin Love while already having Kyrie Irving on the roster.

Although Durant's time in Golden State was brief, it was dominant, and it will seemingly always be a point of contention among fans.

Commanders' Antonio Gibson Won't Play vs. Browns with Foot, Knee Injuries

Dec 30, 2022
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Antonio Gibson #24 of the Washington Football Team looks on prior to the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at FedExField on September 12, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Antonio Gibson #24 of the Washington Football Team looks on prior to the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at FedExField on September 12, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Washington Commanders running back Antonio Gibson has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns because of foot and knee injuries, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The news was expected as Gibson was trending toward not playing after he missed the last three days of practice.

Gibson eclipsed 1,000 yards from scrimmage for the second straight year in 2021. He finished with 1,037 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground and 42 receptions for 294 yards and three scores.

His 2022 season hasn't matched that pace. Through 15 games, he has run for 546 yards and three touchdowns.

This offseason, the Commanders made a big investment in their passing game. First, they acquired quarterback Carson Wentz from the Indianapolis Colts. Then, they selected Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson with the 16th pick in the 2022 draft.

The arrivals of Wentz and Dotson theoretically lessened Washington's reliance on the running game, and rookie Brian Robinson Jr. has emerged as the team's top running back this year, having rushed for 710 yards and two scores in 11 games.

Robinson will be asked to shoulder the load for the Commanders in Week 17 as they hope to keep their playoff hopes alive against the Browns.

MLB Rumors: Dodgers' Trevor Bauer Expected to Be Released; Team Wants Him 'Elsewhere'

Dec 30, 2022
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 28:  Trevor Bauer #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during the game against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium on June 28, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers defeated the Giants 3-2. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 28: Trevor Bauer #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during the game against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium on June 28, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers defeated the Giants 3-2. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly unlikely to keep Trevor Bauer after an arbitrator upheld 194 games of his 324-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy and reinstated him.

Per Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Dodgers are "expected" to release the right-handed pitcher because people in their clubhouse "would prefer he'd be elsewhere."

The Dodgers have until Jan. 6 to make a decision on Bauer's future with the organization.

As part of the arbitrator's decision, Bauer was fined his salary for the first 50 games of the 2023 season.

MLB issued a 324-game suspension to Bauer in April 2022 that included the entire 2022 season and all of 2023. He had been on administrative leave since July 2, 2021, after a woman filed for a domestic violence restraining order against him for alleged assaults during sexual encounters.

The Pasadena Police Department confirmed the woman's allegations were being investigated.

Per Brittany Ghiroli and Katie Strang of The Athletic, the woman's request for a temporary restraining order said Bauer "assaulted her on two different occasions" during consensual sexual encounters.

During an August 2021 court appearance, the woman who made the allegations testified about her encounters with Bauer.

"I was scared of him," she said at another point in her testimony. "I was in so much pain."

Bauer has denied the allegations and filed a defamation lawsuit against the woman in April, saying she lied about details involving their sexual encounters and was trying to ruin his MLB career.

The woman filed a countersuit against Bauer's defamation claim in August.

Per Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times, a judge dismissed Bauer's defamation lawsuit against one of the woman's former attorneys and ruled her sexual assault case can continue.

The Dodgers signed Bauer to a three-year, $102 million contract in 2021. The deal included player opt-outs after each of the first two seasons.

Bauer's last appearance in an MLB game was June 28, 2021. He made 17 starts for the Dodgers before being placed on administrative leave.

Lamar Jackson Rumors: Ravens Still Plan to Discuss Long-Term Contract with Injured QB

Dec 30, 2022
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 11: Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) looks on during the national football league game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 11, 2022 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 11: Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) looks on during the national football league game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 11, 2022 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Baltimore Ravens are reportedly planning to resume contract talks with quarterback Lamar Jackson at the end of the 2022 season.

According to Mike Preston of the Baltimore Sun, the Ravens will attempt to work out a long-term deal with Jackson after failing to do so prior to the 2022 season. If they can't, they have the option of placing the franchise on him and paying him an estimated $45 million in 2023, or they could tag and trade him.

Jackson has missed the Ravens' last three games with a knee injury, and he has not practiced this week, meaning he is trending toward missing a fourth consecutive game when Baltimore faces the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night.

Even without Jackson, the Ravens have continued to win and remain in the AFC North divisional title race. Backup Tyler Huntley led Baltimore to a 10-9 win over the Denver Broncos after replacing the injured Jackson and also beat the Steelers and Atlanta Falcons, although he fell to the Cleveland Browns.

Despite Baltimore's success, the Ravens clearly have a far less dynamic offense when Jackson is out, as Huntley has thrown for only 341 yards, one touchdown and one interception in his three starts.

In 12 games this season, Jackson has an 8-4 record and has completed 62.3 percent of his passes for 2,242 yards, 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Most impressively, he has rushed for 764 yards and three scores as well.

While Jackson is a two-time Pro Bowler, one-time first-team All-Pro and was the 2019 NFL MVP, there are some concerns surrounding him.

Jackson has gotten the Ravens to the playoffs four times, including this season, but he only has a postseason record of 1-3.

That is something that can easily change and evolve over time, but there is also the subject of injury issues, which have cropped up over the past two seasons.

Jackson missed five games last season, which may have ultimately cost the Ravens a playoff berth, and he is now on the precipice of missing his fourth game this season.

His fearless style of play puts him in harm's way and results in him taking more hits than most quarterbacks, so it is fair to wonder if durability will continue to be a problem moving forward.

Despite that, it is difficult to envision the Ravens moving on from Jackson, as he is highly productive when healthy, and there doesn't figure to be any clear upgrade available to them in the near future.

Getting a deal done may take some compromise from both sides, but it is undoubtedly in the best interest of the Ravens to lock Jackson up as soon as possible.

LeBron James' Historic Career Celebrated by NBA Fans on Lakers Star's 38th Birthday

Dec 30, 2022
ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers receives the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP award following Game Six of the NBA Finals on October 11, 2020 in Orlando, Florida at AdventHealth Arena. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers receives the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP award following Game Six of the NBA Finals on October 11, 2020 in Orlando, Florida at AdventHealth Arena. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

LeBron James might not be in a celebratory mood as he tries to find answers for the 14-21 Los Angeles Lakers, but fans are showering the future Hall of Famer with praise on his 38th birthday for what he's accomplished in 20 NBA seasons.

Despite the Lakers' struggles, James is playing at a high level. He's shooting 49.8 percent, ranks ninth in scoring average (27.8 points per game) and is tied for 14th in assists (6.6) and tied for 30th in rebounds (8.1).

Fans took to social media to show appreciation for James' career and how he's evolved since being the "kid from Akron" on the cover of Sports Illustrated at 17 years old.

https://twitter.com/Matt0ls0n/status/1608694449730904064
https://twitter.com/mymixtapez/status/1608840729861967877

This is the first season when James has started to acknowledge his age and that his time in the NBA will end sooner than later. Nike debuted a commercial in October in which the four-time NBA Finals MVP took on "Father Time."

James is one of 10 players in NBA history who has played at least 20 seasons. No one in that group played more than 22 seasons. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant and Jamal Crawford all retired after their 20th season.

"I don't have a number," James told reporters after Wednesday's loss to the Miami Heat when asked how many more seasons he will play. "I know as long as my mind stays in it, I can play at this level for a minute. Now, that's up to my mind. My body is going to be OK because if my mind is into it, I will make sure my body is taken care of and I'll continue to put in the work."

James is only 574 points away from tying Abdul-Jabbar on the NBA's all-time scoring list. If he doesn't miss time and maintains his scoring average this season, he will move into the top spot in February.

Among the notable accomplishments on James' resume are four NBA titles in 10 trips to the Finals. His teams played in the Finals in eight consecutive seasons from 2011 to 2018.

He led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their only championship and engineered the only 3-1 series comeback in NBA Finals history against the Golden State Warriors in 2016.

James is one of five players to win the NBA MVP award at least four times. His four NBA Finals MVP awards rank second all-time behind Michael Jordan (six).