Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley tried to explain to reporters on Friday why he decided to release former first-round draft pick Jerry Tillery just weeks after rejecting trade offers for him.

Tillery, 26, was taken with the 28th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, tallying 97 tackles, 9.5 sacks and two forced fumbles across his first three seasons.

However, his fifth-year option was declined by the franchise, and he has failed to start a game this campaign.

According to ESPN, the Chargers received "multiple" offers for Tillery leading up to the November 1 trade deadline, but chose to decline in the hope that he could provide depth down the home stretch.

That decision ended up backfiring, as a breakdown in the relationship between player and team led to the Chargers releasing Tillery on Thursday for no compensation.

Speaking to the media on Friday to explain the decision, Staley implied Tillery was not going to accept the limited role the team was asking him to remain in.

"[We had] competing visions for the role moving forward, and it just became clear that it wasn't going to be a fit anymore," he said.

"Where we're headed as a team wasn't going to be compatible with Jerry and where he's trying to go.

"We felt we were going to give [Breiden Fehoko] and [Joe Gaziano] a chance to compete and where we're at, trying to do with our team, our defensive line, our defense, our whole team, trying to create competition and have guys earn their roles.

"That's what we want to be here, that's what we want to do. When those things didn't line up, we had to make a change."

Tom Brady’s team is under .500 and he’s had to deal with off-field challenges, but that does not mean the 45-year-old has any regrets about returning for a 23rd NFL season. 

''Zero, no, definitely not,'' Brady told a crowded news conference in Germany ahead of Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks. ''I think I returned because I felt like I wanted to compete. I spoke to the team about it, and they were excited to have me back.'' 

Although just 4-5, Brady and the Buccaneers have the good fortune of playing in the weak NFC South where no team has a better record. Tampa Bay is coming off a come-from-behind 16-13 win over the Los Angeles Rams and can reach .500 with a victory Sunday. 

''This is a very important game for us. We have a bye week after this. It gives you a chance to kind of evaluate where you are at, and I'd much rather evaluate being 5-5 than 4-6,'' he said. ''We've got to win this game and it will take care of that, but Seattle is going to challenge us. They're creating a lot of sacks and turnovers.'' 

Tampa Bay has been hit hard by injuries and is averaging just 18 points per game, the fewest by a Brady-led offense through nine games in his career.  

"I think the frustrating part is we just haven’t played to the way we’re capable of playing – that's for a number of different reasons," Brady said. 

Besides on-field issues, Brady and Gisele Bundchen recently announced that their divorce is finalized. 

He was asked about how he copes with personal and professional challenges. 

''You do the best you can do every day and, yeah, that's what I've been trying to do, be the best I can be for my family and for my teammates,'' he said. ''We all have our challenges. Life is challenging for everybody. We just do our best.'' 

Brady later explained that he loves the daily routine of the job. 

''It's hard for me to believe I'm still playing at this age, but I enjoy it and I love competing,'' he said. ''Certainly, games like last week are reasons why we do do it because there's a thrill of victory that is hard to probably replicate at home on Xbox or something like that.'' 

Tony Finau enjoyed a spectacular second round at the Houston Open, shooting an eight-under 62 to open up a four-stroke lead on the chasing field heading into the weekend.

Finau was the joint-leader after the opening round, and he went even better in his second trip around Memorial Park Golf Course, sinking 10 birdies to go with two bogeys.

Fresh off his first PGA Tour season with multiple wins – including a career-high four top-two finishes – Finau is in prime position to make a run at his fifth title.

Alone in second at nine under is Patrick Rodgers, who followed his opening 68 with an impressive 63, as only he and Finau completed rounds of 63 or better before the weather arrived.

Joint-leader from the first round, Alex Noren is one further back at eight under, although he had three holes remaining when play was called off.

Noren is joined by Tyson Alexander, while China's Carl Yuan and America's James Hahn are the only players tied for fifth at seven under.

There is a seven-man logjam tied for seventh at six under, but Aaron Wise and Trey Mullinax will have their sights set higher before they begin their third rounds, with six holes still to play.

After a disappointing even-par 70 to open his week, world number two Scottie Scheffler is enjoying a five-under round through 13 holes, sinking an eagle on the par-five 12th right before his round was interrupted.

Former world number one Jason Day will likely see the weekend as he is tied for 37th at two under with six holes remaining, while his playing partner and former Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama is one further back sitting right on the edge of the cut-line.

Aleksandar Mitrovic remains a fitness doubt for the World Cup despite being named in Serbia's 26-man squad, according to Fulham head coach Marco Silva.

The prolific striker has nine goals in 12 Premier League matches for Fulham this season, but he missed last week's 2-1 loss to Manchester City through injury.

That foot issue is expected to rule Mitrovic out of Sunday's home match against Manchester United, with that Fulham's final outing ahead of the World Cup break.

Mitrovic was included in Dragan Stojkovic's squad on Friday, but Silva revealed the 28-year-old still requires more medical checks before being cleared to take part in Qatar.  

"What I can tell you is that it will be a decision made probably in the first days of next week, between the [Serbia] medical staff and our medical staff," Silva told reporters.

"That will help decide what is the best decision for him, and for us as a club as well because he is really important. 

"I'm not the right person to say now whether he will be fit or not to be there. 

"What I know right now is that he wasn’t ready for the last match and will not be ready for the next one, unfortunately for us.

"What I can also tell you is that he cannot be harmed. He cannot be harmed for something that will come from the decision."

Mitrovic has scored 50 goals in 76 appearances for Fulham, including eight in five in his country's successful World Cup qualifying campaign.

Asked what would happen if Fulham recommended to Serbia that Mitrovic should not play, Silva said: "We don't know what will happen. 

"Mitro wants to be at the World Cup. He wanted to be available for Sunday here against Man United, and he wanted to play against City. 

"This is the thing, it is not just because he wanted to be there. You have to wait for the decision from the medical staff. After, together, we'll take a decision."

Serbia are competing at their third World Cup as an independent nation and are in Group G alongside Brazil, Cameroon and Switzerland.

Dusan Tadic will captain the side in Qatar, while the likes of Dusan Vlahovic, Luka Jovic and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic have also been included in Stojkovic's squad.

Jack Draper was no match for Brandon Nakashima, who maintained his perfect record at the ATP Next Gen Finals to set up a showdown with Jiri Lehecka.

Nakashima won all of his group matches in Milan and, having lost at the semi-final stage in 2021, he made no mistake this time around with a 4-6 (8-6) 1-4 4-2 4-3 (7-5) victory.

The 21-year-old world number 49 controlled much of Friday's second semi-final, though he did have to rally from 5-2 down in the final set tie-break.

Nakashima's reward for beating Britain's Draper is a meeting with Lehecka, who fell foul of the American in straight sets in the group stage.

Lehecka came through in second place in his pool and the Czech turned in a dominant display against Dominic Stricker in the first semi-final, winning 4-1 4-3 (7-4) 2-4 4-1.

Seeded fifth, one behind Nakashima, Lehecka has reached his first ATP Tour-level final.

"Today I think everything went the way I wanted," Lehecka said. "Me and my team spoke about this match yesterday and today and the plan was just to relax on the court and enjoy it as much as I can.

"Dominic was playing incredible here, so I am very happy with my win."

Reigning champions Australia edged Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand 16-14 in a thrilling contest at Elland Road on Friday to reach the Rugby League World Cup final.

Australia trailed 14-10 at the interval in Leeds, but Cameron Murray crossed over for the only try in the second half and the Kangaroos held on for a nervy victory.

New Zealand entered the tournament as top seeds and lived up to that billing when Jahrome Hughes crossed over in the 11th minute after being picked out by Joey Manu.

But Australia, who have not lost a World Cup match since 2008, responded five minutes later through Josh Addo-Carr's 12th try of the tournament.

Jordan Rapana's penalty had the Kiwis back in front, only for their opponents to again hit back thanks to Valentine Holmes, who dotted down in the corner.

Dylan Brown chased down Ronaldo Mulitalo's pass to give New Zealand the half-time lead, which they would have extended if not for Peta Hiku's try being ruled out. 

Australia used that scare to their advantage as Murray capitalised on some sloppy defending to power through in the 53rd minute, with Nathan Cleary adding the crucial extras.

No further points followed, with Hiku having a late try chalked off and Australia holding firm to reach yet another final, where either England or Samoa await on November 19.

Guenther Steiner knows Haas benefitted from circumstance as Kevin Magnussen claimed a shock pole position, but insisted it was not down to luck.

Magnussen will start at the front of the grid in Saturday's sprint race ahead of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix after clinching his first Formula One pole.

The 30-year-old, who joined Haas this year in the wake of Nikita Mazepin's dismissal from the team, recorded the quickest lap of Q3 at the Interlagos Circuit, with the final session ended by a combination of a red flag and rain showers.

Yet Steiner was adamant Haas and Magnussen must take the credit.

"This is the sort of thing that you're scared to dream about. The whole team have been trying hard for seven years. Circumstances let us pull this one off," he told Sky Sports.

"It was not luck, it was well-deserved from the driver and from the team, being on the right tyres at the right time and Kevin putting a lap down when it was needed. 

"He was first out. You could say he had an advantage, but also he had a disadvantage as he had nobody to gauge things from because he was on his own.

"Kevin deserves a lot. The whole team deserves this and he's part of the team. We always work hard, we never give up and we keep on fighting."

It has been another tough season for Haas, who sit eighth in the constructors' standings, with Magnussen and team-mate Mick Schumacher having accumulated just 36 points between them.

They now have a chance to leave their mark with just two races remaining in 2022, while for Magnussen, he fulfilled a dream he might have thought had gone.

"I still can't really believe it," Magnussen told Sky Sports.

"What a phenomenal job the team did to put me out on the pit lane as the first car to give me the best piece of track. It was starting to rain so that was the crucial part.

"In this sport, at least I do go up and down. It's a lot of fun on days like this, that's for sure."

Magnussen burst onto the scene with McLaren in 2014, finishing on the podium in his very first race.

"I didn't know what to expect back then. I came in as this arrogant little kid thinking I was the king of the world," he added with a smile.

"I had a lot of lessons after that, showing how difficult it actually is in this sport. Now I'm on pole position so I'm just going to enjoy."

Matthew Stafford and Kyler Murray could both miss Sunday's clash between the Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals in a crucial game for each team's seemingly fading playoff hopes.

The defending Super Bowl champion Rams are 3-5 heading into the visit of the Cardinals after suffering successive losses to the San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The sole team propping them up in the NFC West is Arizona, who dropped to 3-6 with a home loss to the Seattle Seahawks last time out.

Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray will be a game-time decision with a hamstring injury, and it may well prove a battle of deputy Colt McCoy and Rams backup John Wolford. Stafford (concussion) is listed as questionable having returned to practice in a limited capacity on Friday.

"It could go all the way up until 90 minutes before kick-off," coach Sean McVay said of Stafford. 

"Because when you've got a guy that's a veteran player like him, you're not gonna risk at all… We're not gonna skip any steps, so I don't want that to be misunderstood. But I think it would be silly of me to rule him out."

Even if Stafford cannot play, the Rams can have reason to be optimistic of beating the Cardinals.

The Rams are 10-1 against the Cardinals since 2017, including a win in Arizona in Week 3 this year. The lone loss came at SoFi Stadium last season. The only team with more wins against a single opponent since 2017 are the New England Patriots, who are 11-0 against the Jets.

However, the Rams have the worst offense in the NFL by yards per play, averaging just 4.71. Additionally, they have gone three-and-out on 29.4 per cent of their offensive drives this season, the second-highest mark in the league (Pittsburgh, 31.8). Last season, they did that on just 13.3 per cent of their drives, the second-lowest mark in the league (Kansas City, 10.1).

The Cardinals, therefore, should not have much fear of the Rams pulling away as the Seahawks did last week, but, with Arizona averaging just 4.88 yards per play, a low-scoring game looks likely regardless of who is under center. 

If the Rams are to prevail, wide receiver Cooper Kupp will be the probable offensive difference-maker.

Last week, Kupp produced his 20th career game with at least 100 receiving yards and a touchdown, the most in the NFL since he entered the league in 2017. The only other players with more than 15 such games in that span are Davante Adams (19) and Tyreek Hill (18).

Surprise pole-sitter Kevin Magnussen pledged "maximum attack" as he aimed to "have some fun" in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix sprint race.

Haas driver Magnussen, who claimed a podium finish in his first Formula One race back in 2014, had never previously topped qualifying.

Yet he claimed a shock pole position on Friday, ahead of world champion Max Verstappen and Mercedes' George Russell, to ensure he will start Saturday's sprint race at the front of the grid.

Magnussen recorded a fastest lap of 1:11.674 before a combination of a rain shower and a red flag due to Russell spinning off ended the session.

"You're kidding, you're kidding, you're f****** kidding me! I've never, ever felt like this in my life," the Dane said on the team radio after being informed he was P1.

Magnussen, the first driver from Denmark to claim a pole in F1, had hardly composed himself by the time he was interviewed following the race.

"I don't know what to say," said the 30-year-old, who signed for Haas earlier this year after Nikita Mazepin had his contract terminated.

"The team put me out on the track at the exact right moment. We were the first out in the pit lane and did a pretty decent lap and we are on pole. It is incredible. 

"Thank you to Gene Haas and [team manager] Guenther Steiner and the whole team for this opportunity. 

"It has just been an amazing journey. It is incredible, thank you."

Asked about his plan for Saturday, Magnussen quipped: "Maximum attack, let's go for something funny."

Magnussen might still have his work cut out to hold off the Red Bull of Verstappen, who said: "We are still at the front. We just stayed calm from Q1 to Q2, then Q3 was where it was a bit more of a lottery but we are still on the front row."

Russell had to settle for P3 following his spin, though the Briton believes the sprint race provides Mercedes with a prime chance to beat Verstappen.

"Firstly, I'm happy to be P3 and congrats to Kevin," he said. "What an awesome job he did and Haas – they truly deserve it for all the efforts they have been putting in.

"P3 is not necessarily where we wanted to be but it's a very good place to be starting for tomorrow's sprint race. 

"I think it is our best shot at finishing ahead of Max and Red Bull if there are some mixed conditions. I think we are ready for a good couple of races."

PROVISIONAL CLASSIFICATION

1. Kevin Magnussen (Haas) 1:11.674
2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +0.203
3. George Russell (Mercedes) +0.385
4. Lando Norris (McLaren) +0.589
5. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) +0.683
6. Esteban Ocon (Alpine) +0.751
7. Fernando Alonso (Alpine) +0.830
8. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) +0.937
9. Sergio Perez (Red Bull) +3.927
10. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

The Buffalo Bills have officially listed quarterback Josh Allen as questionable for Sunday's key game against the Minnesota Vikings as the midseason MVP candidate continues to manage a sprained right elbow.

Allen was termed a limited participant in Friday's practice after sitting out the previous two days with an injury he picked up in Buffalo's 20-17 loss to the New York Jets last weekend.

The five-year veteran did not leave that contest but had his most ineffective performance of the season, completing just 18 of 34 passes for 205 yards with no touchdowns, two interceptions and a 46.8 passer rating.

"We are literally in an hour-to-hour situation here," Bills coach Sean McDermott said of Allen on Friday.

"We're just looking at how he's going to progress through the day, and as he goes through these different tests, medically, making sure he's able to check the boxes in a progression to where we can see if we can proceed through the course of the day here."

McDermott was then asked what Allen will need to show the coaching staff in order to be cleared for the clash against the 7-1 Vikings.

"That's probably getting too far down the road at this point or into the weeds."

If Allen ends up inactive, journeyman Case Keenum would direct a Bills offense that ranks second in the NFL in total yards per game.

Keenum made a pair of starts for the Cleveland Browns in 2021 and won both while compiling 375 passing yards with three touchdowns, one interception and a 95.3 rating.

Allen sat out four games with a similar issue in his elbow as a rookie in 2018 but has not missed a game since, having started Buffalo's past 69 games including the postseason.

Miguel Almiron has dismissed suggestions his and Newcastle United's recent form is related to disparaging comments made by Jack Grealish.

The rapid winger won the Premier League's Player of the Month and Goal of the Month awards for October after scoring six times in six games, with a spectacular strike at Fulham winning him the latter prize.

Only Manchester City's Erling Haaland matched Almiron's October goals return, but when asked if comments from Haaland's team-mate Grealish played a part, Almiron said no.

The England international made the remark during last season's title celebrations, suggesting to team-mate Bernardo Silva that Riyad Mahrez needed to be substituted in the final game against Aston Villa because he was "playing like Almiron."

In an interview with Sky Sports after being presented with his awards, the Paraguayan said: "No, I don't think anything Jack Grealish said has got anything to do with the great form and the performances we've been showing as a group.

"Jack is a great player and I wish him all the best, as I always do. But this success is down to work, more work and even more hard work."

Almiron had struggled for consistency since his move to St James' Park from Atlanta United in 2019, scoring nine goals in 110 Premier League appearances before this season, including just once in 30 games (19 starts) in 2021-22.

However, he has recorded eight goals in just 14 league games this season, helping to fire Newcastle to third in the table ahead of their game against Chelsea on Saturday.

Since making the comment, Grealish has played 16 games in all competitions for City, scoring once.

Noel Le Graet, president of the French Football Federation, does not want France captain Hugo Lloris to wear a rainbow armband at the Qatar World Cup in support of LGBTQ+ rights.

The 'One Love' campaign was announced in September in which 10 European nations declared they wanted to "send a message" against discrimination, including captains wearing an armband featuring a heart containing multi colours to represent all backgrounds during the 2022 World Cup.

The Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, England and Wales each signed up to the initiative, aimed to take place at the tournament and beyond.

However, Le Graet has now said he will "discuss it" with Lloris, admitting he would "rather" the defending world champions not take part.

"We're going to discuss it. But I'd rather [Lloris] doesn't do it," Le Graet said in an interview with L'Equipe. "We're playing in a country which we must respect. But if we have to wear it, we'll wear it.

"It's not that I'm not in favour of this armband, but sometimes I think we want to lecture others so much that we should also look at what's happening in our country."

Concerns have been raised about the World Cup being held in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal and was described earlier this week as "damage in the mind" by tournament ambassador Khalid Salman on German television.

FIFA recently wrote to all competing nations to remind them to "focus on football" during the tournament, which starts on November 20.

Achraf Hakimi has described Sergio Ramos as the "best defender in the world" after the latter was left out of the Spain squad for the 2022 World Cup.

Spain head coach Luis Enrique announced his 26-man selection for the upcoming tournament in Qatar on Friday, with Ramos a notable absentee after being a part of the provisional 55-man list.

The former Real Madrid centre-back has 180 caps for Spain, and was a part of the team that won the 2010 World Cup, as well as the 2008 and 2012 European Championships.

After an injury-troubled debut season at Paris Saint-Germain following his move from the Santiago Bernabeu in 2021, Ramos has made 19 appearances this campaign already, and recently became the first PSG player to remain undefeated in his first 30 games for the club in all competitions.

However, following the news that the 36-year-old will not be heading to Qatar, his club team-mate Hakimi – who will be representing Morocco at the tournament – posted on Twitter: "Sergio Ramos. Best defend[er] in the world", with an applause emoji.

Ramos was previously left out of the Spain squad for Euro 2020 after an injury-hit final season in Madrid, with his most recent international cap coming against Kosovo in March 2021 in qualifying for Qatar 2022.

Other high-profile names left out of the squad included Manchester United's David De Gea, Athletic Bilbao defender Inigo Martinez and Thiago Alcantara of Liverpool.

At his squad announcement press conference on Friday, Luis Enrique explained: "I have a rule not to talk about absences. This happens to all coaches.

"I will not judge those who are not on the list. I thank all those who played. The most important are the 26 who are there. The absentees, I prefer not to comment. I leave it to you."