Former Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams’ recovery from an ACL tear in his left knee seems to be going off without a hitch.
Speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, the potential first-round draft pick told reporters he’s progressing well in his rehab from the injury he sustained in January’s College Football Playoff National Championship game.
"I was hearing five to seven months, but I'm hearing I'm ahead of schedule," Williams said. "I'm six weeks out of surgery right now. I've been walking without the brace for two weeks, without the crutch for three weeks.
"Hopefully things keep going on this track, and I'll be back as soon as possible."
Prior to getting hurt in Alabama's loss to Georgia in the national title game, Williams emerged as one of the 2022 draft's top receiver prospects with a superb junior season. The first team All-American tied for third in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) with 15 touchdown receptions while recording 79 catches for a team-high 1,572 yards.
Nine of Williams' 15 touchdown catches were from 40 or more yards, the most in the FBS last season, while his 11 receptions of 40 or more yards tied for second among major college players.
Williams spent just one season at Alabama after transferring from Ohio State, where the St. Louis native registered only 15 catches in two seasons playing behind two other well-regarded draft prospects in Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave.
The soon-to-be 21-year-old is meeting with teams in Indianapolis despite not being able to take part in testing and drills. Williams said he's hopeful he can be fully cleared in time for the start of his rookie season, but added that he will let the healing process play itself out.
"I won't be rushing anything … really, it's going to take time," he said. "I just want to be ready when it does happen."
Any phone call to the Seattle Seahawks asking about the availability of Russell Wilson will get the same reply – the quarterback is not on the market.
Speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Wednesday, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said general manager John Schneider has told potential suitors the team are not interested in trading the franchise QB.
"What John says is, 'We're not shopping the quarterback'. That's what he tells them," Carroll said.
"He has talked to other teams. He's had teams that have asked, just because of all of the media. They think that something is going on, so he's fielded a lot of calls.
"But he's fielded a lot of calls on everybody. But that one in particular, he's got a pretty standard response."
Wilson, 33, has two years left on a $140million contract he signed in 2019, which includes a no-trade clause. Trading Wilson, however, would clear significant salary cap space while also yielding a significant return of draft picks.
"At this time of year there are conversations about everybody," Carroll said. "We talk about everybody and it's commonplace to have conversations with other teams about all of the players, particularly marquee players, and that's not changed.
"It's been the same every year we have been here, so it's the same as it's been. We have no intention of making a move there. But the conversations, John has to field those. He always has. But nothing specific to talk [on Wilson]."
Seattle are coming off a disappointing 7-10 season – missing the playoffs for only the second time since Wilson was drafted in 2012 – and Wilson missed three games due to a broken finger – the first time he was sidelined due to injury in his illustrious 10-year career. He struggled at times after returning and later admitted he came back too fast.
Last offseason, it was rumored Wilson wanted out of Seattle, but he insisted he did not ask for a trade and he had a good relationship with Carroll and Schneider.
Late in the 2021 season, he again said he did not want to leave Seattle, saying he wanted to win more Supers Bowls with the Seahawks.
Wilson finished the season with 3,113 passing yards, 25 touchdowns and six interceptions, but his 64.8 completion percentage and 103.1 passer rating were both his lowest since 2017.
Romelu Lukaku scored the winner to secure Chelsea's place in the FA Cup quarter-finals with a battling 3-2 win at Luton Town, after Blues owner Roman Abramovich announced he was selling the club.
Abramovich confirmed he had put Chelsea up for sale, saying the decision is "in the best interest of the club" before kick-off and Thomas Tuchel's side started slowly on the pitch on Wednesday.
Saul Niguez cancelled out Reece Burke's second-minute opener against a much-changed Blues side, but Harry Cornick restored Championship side Luton's lead in the first half at Kenilworth Road.
Timo Werner equalised after the interval, before teeing up Lukaku with 12 minutes left to ensure Chelsea's place in the last eight, which will be played on March 19.
Burke glanced a header into the top-right corner from Luke Berry's corner after just 102 seconds – the fastest goal Chelsea have conceded in all competitions this season.
Tuchel's side levelled things up after 27 minutes when the ball fell kindly for Saul to curl into the bottom-right corner, before substitute goalkeeper Harry Isted expertly denied Saul, Kenedy and Romelu Lukaku within a frantic four-minute period.
Luton regained the lead after Malang Sarr's unconvincing offside trap allowed Cornick in to finish past Kepa Arrizabalaga following Carlos Mendes Gomes' throughball.
Chelsea boasted 82 per cent possession in the first 15 minutes after the interval, but their reward did not arrive until the 68th minute when Werner poked past Isted after a superb Ruben Loftus-Cheek long pass.
Werner turned provider for the winning goal, when he found space inside the area and drilled across for Lukaku to apply the finish with a sliding tap-in.
Frank Lampard backed Everton's decision to cut all commercial ties with Russian companies following the country's invasion of Ukraine.
The Toffees suspended their commercial sponsorship arrangements with Russian firms owned by billionaire Alisher Usmanov, and Lampard said they had made the correct decision as it "felt right for the club".
Everton are among a growing list of organisations to have distanced themselves from Russian sponsorship in a show of support for Ukraine.
Lampard, whose players carried Ukrainian flags onto the pitch ahead of their clash with Manchester City on Saturday, told reporters: "As I interviewed with the board and [having] a close relationship with the board, I have absolute faith that they are making the right decisions, as they see them, in the right way.
"The way we behaved last Saturday against Manchester City, I thought we were one of the forerunners of behaving well and showing solidarity and unity in the right way.
"I think [cutting ties with Russian sponsors] again is a show of us as a club doing the right thing. And it's a suspension, as the statement said today. And I think it was the right thing to do.
"At that point for me, it's very important I concentrate on football and the things I'm paid to do, which is to try and obviously win the game in front of us."
Chelsea's Russian owner Roman Abramovich announced on Wednesday that he would be selling the club but Lampard said he had no comment on his former club's situation.
Lampard won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups as a player at Chelsea, before rejoining them for a spell as manager, but he said he knew nothing of the internal workings at Stamford Bridge now.
"I only read what you read. I'm not at Chelsea any more," said Lampard. "I had an amazing time at Chelsea.
"If I say that you take as you find, I can only be very thankful that I was in the period of the club which Roman Abramovich came into and changed the face of it and on a football level we were very successful.
"I had absolute support in my time as a player and as a manager, for what anyone wants to think from the outside.
"I've got no comment on them now. I'm Everton manager and I don't have enough knowledge to give anything more than that."
Viktorija Golubic came from a set down to beat lucky loser Mai Hontama and move into the second round of the Lyon Open on Wednesday.
Third seed Golubic was given the run-around by Hontama in the first set before fighting back to win 1-6 6-4 6-4.
Golubic had to dig deep to secure a meeting with Vitalia Diatchenko, who beat Anna-Lena Friedsam, as Hontama's deft drop shots had given her a scent of pulling off an upset.
The Swiss broke six times and saved six break points, wrapping up a well-earned victory in two hours and 10 minutes.
Golubic's compatriot Stefanie Voegele bowed out at the second-round stage, losing 6-3 7-5 to second seed Sorana Cirstea.
Anna Bondar reached the quarter-finals when Katie Boulter retired due to injury after losing the first set 6-3.
Alison Van Uytvanck won the final match of the day, getting the better of Varvara Gracheva 6-2 6-4 to advance to the last eight.
Rory McIlroy says Phil Mickelson should be forgiven for his comments about a proposed Saudi Arabia-backed Super Golf League and welcomed back following a break.
Mickelson last month apologised for "reckless" remarks over a potential breakaway league.
The six-time major champion claimed the Super Golf League could provide players with "leverage" as a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to "reshape how the PGA Tour operates".
Mickelson suggested he and several other golfers paid their lawyers to construct the proposed breakaway competition's agreement, even though he stated Saudi Arabia has "a horrible record on human rights."
The American faced a huge backlash and opted to take time away from playing golf after apologising.
McIlroy declared the Super Golf League "dead in the water" as he accused Mickelson of making "selfish, egotistical, ignorant" remarks.
Yet the Northern Irishman expects the 51-year-old to resume his career and wants the winner of the 2021 PGA Championship to be forgiven.
He said: "I think Phil has been a wonderful ambassador for the game of golf and still is a wonderful ambassador for the game of golf.
"It's unfortunate that a few comments that he thought he was making in confidence or off the record got out there – but this whole situation is unfortunate.
"Look, Phil will be back. I think the players want to see him back. He's done such a wonderful job for the game of golf, and he's represented the game of golf very, very well for the entirety of his career.
"We all make mistakes. We all say things we want to take back. No one is different in that regard. But we should be allowed to make mistakes, and we should be allowed to ask for forgiveness and for people to forgive us and move on.
"Hopefully, he comes back at some stage, and he will, and people will welcome him back and be glad that he is back."
Justin Burrowes held off the challenge of 15 other golfers including to win the Men & Men Senior 0-6 category by 11 strokes at the Caymanas Golf Classic on Sunday.
Burrowes posted seven-under-par 209 for the tournament after opening with a 75 but then carded back-to-back 67s to take the victory.
Zandre Roye shot scores of 69, 77, 74 for an overall score of 220 that saw him finish in second place. Meanwhile, 15-year old Ryan Lue 226 (79, 71, 76) and William Knibbs 226 (71, 76, 79) were tied for third and Sean Morris 230 (75, 79, 76) finished fourth.
The winner said afterwards that he enjoyed getting the victory but it was not easy.
“It was good. It was definitely a very long two days. It didn't really feel like two days, it felt like a whole week but it’s golf and I love playing golf so it’s not that bad,” Burrowes said afterwards.
“It definitely is tough walking 27 holes in one day but I just tried to enjoy it as best as possible. The first 18 holes, I did not play as well as I wanted to. I hit a lot of good shots but I didn't quite just get it done and after the first 18, I kind of just got it together."
Orville Christie emerged the winner among the professionals. He shot an overall score of 230 to finish ahead of Sean Green and Alan Graham, respectively. Christie shot 72 in his opening round and followed up with 79 in each of the final two rounds. Green, meanwhile, shot scores of 82, 78 and 78 for 238 while Graham shot 247 (84, 79, 84).
Like Burrowes, Christie said the tournament was challenging.
“! have not been in any shape recently to be playing on a golf course like this but I should say it was pretty much okay but not very good,” he said.
“It’s really tiring because this golf course is very hilly and also it’s very humid and hot so I had to keep rehydrating myself, not happy with the score but I am happy with the win," he said.
Jodi Munn Barrow won the Ladies’ 36-hole tournament carding 75 and 80 for a total score of 11 over par 155.
“Saturday was very good. I was very pleased with Saturday. Today was a little bit scrappy. I think maybe with everything going on I got a little bit distracted today but its a work in progress so I will keep working at it and look forward to the next event," she said.
As president of the golf association, Munn-Barrow said she was pleased with the turnout.
“Our first tournament for the year, we had a very good turnout for the two days, over 70 participants so we are very pleased with that,” he said.
“The twist is that we now have our 0-6 category, which is our elite amateur golfers playing for world amateur ranking points so we have gotten all of our tournaments approved by the body and so when our amateurs play they can get world amateur points and this augurs well because we can then possibly field a team to the world amateur team championships which you can't do if you don't have people who are ranked in the system, so all events for the 0-6 will now play over 54 holes, either three days or over 27 holes each day on a weekend depending on whether the golf course will accommodate us.
"We are actually in discussion with the Jamaica professional golf association to include the professionals when we have our events so that they too can get more practice and that will help then to augur well going into the Jamaica Open at the end of the year."
The top players in the other categories were Men 0-6 Blue tees - Narada Black 151 (72, 79) and William Lee 159 (83, 76).
Men & Men Senior 7-12 - Quentin Hugh Sam 165 (84, 81); William Mahfood (166 (82, 84) and Philip Gooden 167 (85, 82).
Men & Men Senior 13-24 - Courtney Cephas 195 (95, 100), Delroy Anderson 196 (103, 93), Aubyn Ferguson 198 (102, 96).
Men Super Senior - 151 (74, 77), Wayne Chai Chong 153 (75, 78) and Mike Boyd 158 (83, 76). Ladies 13-24 - Diane Hudson 186 (94, 92), Deborah Newnham 197 (103, 94) and Krystal Chung (214 (109, 105).
Junior Boys 14-15 - Lek Drummond 181 (91, 90); Junior Boys 11-13 - Shasa Redlefsen 185 (93, 92), Kemari Morris 186 (95, 91) and Cameron Coe 204 (103, 101).
Junior Girls 14-15 - Mia Cunningham 191 (88, 103) and Anoushka Katri 192 (98, 94) and the Junior Girls 11-13 - Alessandra Coe 215 (108, 107).
Roman Abramovich has announced he is to sell Chelsea, saying the decision is "in the best interest of the club".
The Russian also confirmed he is setting up a charitable foundation to benefit "all victims of the war in Ukraine", to which he will donate all net proceeds of the sale of the Premier League club.
In a statement published via Chelsea's website, Abramovich confirmed the sale "will not be fast-tracked but will follow due process", adding he will not be asking for loans to be repaid by the club.
"This has never been about business nor money for me, but about pure passion for the game and club," he said.
"Please know that this has been an incredibly difficult decision to make, and it pains me to part with the club in this manner. However, I do believe this is in the best interest of the club.
"I hope that I will be able to visit Stamford Bridge one last time to say goodbye to all of you in person. It has been a privilege of a lifetime to be part of Chelsea FC and I am proud of all our joint achievements. Chelsea Football Club and its supporters will always be in my heart."
Abramovich, who bought Chelsea in 2003, has come under intense scrutiny in the past week following Russia's invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.
The 55-year-old oligarch has been photographed with Russian president Vladimir Putin in the past, and while it was claimed last week that Abramovich has no involvement in politics, a spokesperson for the Blues' owner suggested to the Press Association on Monday that he was "trying to help" achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Russian businesses and high-profile individuals have been hit with crippling financial sanctions by nations all over the world since the attack began last Thursday.
It is unclear if Abramovich has been impacted directly yet, but on Saturday he announced he was giving "trustees of Chelsea's charitable foundation the stewardship and care of Chelsea", a move that shocked English football despite there being very little clarity as to what exactly it actually meant.
Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss told Blick he had received an offer to bid for Chelsea this week but would only be interested in buying the club as part of a group of "six to seven investors".
UFC star Conor McGregor has expressed an interest in buying Chelsea amid reports Roman Abramovich wants to sell the Premier League club.
Abramovich bought the European champions back in 2003, but is said to looking for a new owner.
The 55-year-old gave "stewardship and care" of the London club to its foundation trustees following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss says he was among those to be offered Chelsea.
McGregor on Wednesday suggested he would be keen to lodge an offer of £3billion.
The Irishman tweeted: "I wish to explore this @ChelseaFC."
McGregor previously declared on social media that he would do "big things" with Manchester United if he were to buy the club.
Wyss told Swiss newspaper Blick he will only be willing to make the purchase if he can put together a consortium of investors.
"Like all other oligarchs, he is in a panic," the 86-year-old said. "Abramovich is trying to sell all his villas in England. He also wants to get rid of Chelsea quickly. I and three other people received an offer on Tuesday to buy Chelsea from Abramovich.
"I have to wait four to five days now. Abramovich is currently asking far too much. You know, Chelsea owe him £2billion.
"But Chelsea has no money. It means, those who buy Chelsea must compensate Abramovich [for the debts].
"As of today, we don't know the exact selling price. I can well imagine starting at Chelsea with partners, but I have to examine the general conditions first.
"But what I can already say, I'm definitely not doing something like this alone. If I buy Chelsea, then [I'd buy] with a consortium consisting of six to seven investors."
The Premier League has announced its plans to show support for Ukraine in the coming round of fixtures.
Several top-flight clubs have already responded to Russia's invasion of Ukraine with their own anti-war demonstrations.
Last weekend saw prominent gestures at Goodison Park, where Vitaliy Mykolenko's Everton faced Oleksandr Zinchenko's Manchester City, and London Stadium, as West Ham played Wolves without Andriy Yarmolenko.
Zinchenko captained City in their midweek FA Cup win at Peterborough United.
But the Premier League has now organised messages of support for Ukraine for all 10 matches this week, with the 20 club captains to wear armbands in the nation's colours.
"The Premier League and our clubs wholeheartedly reject Russia's actions and will be showing support for the people of Ukraine at all matches this weekend," a statement read.
"We call for peace and our thoughts are with all those who have been impacted.
"A show of solidarity for Ukraine will be visible at all Premier League matches from Saturday 5 to Monday 7 March. This follows the numerous ways in which clubs have already demonstrated their support.
"The 20 club captains will wear special armbands in Ukrainian colours and fans are encouraged to join players, managers, match officials and club staff in a moment of reflection and solidarity before kick-off at each game.
"Big screens at stadiums will display 'Football Stands Together' against the backdrop of the blue and yellow colours of the Ukrainian flag. These words will also be shown on LED perimeter boards during matches.
"This message of solidarity will also be visible to fans around the world across Premier League digital channels. Logos and profiles on those platforms will change to represent the colours of the Ukrainian flag, which will also be displayed across match broadcasts both in the UK and overseas."
Among this week's fixtures is the Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Head coach Kliff Kingsbury and general manager Steve Keim have signed contract extensions with the Arizona Cardinals through 2027.
Kingsbury has been the Cardinals' coach for three seasons, having been brought in by Keim, who has completed nine years as GM.
That partnership helped deliver the Cardinals to the playoffs in 2021 for the first time since 2015, finishing with an 11-6 record in second place in the NFC West.
Arizona made a 7-0 start before quarterback Kyler Murray went down with an ankle injury.
"The leadership of both Steve and Kliff have been key factors in the team's turnaround over the last three seasons," Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill said in a statement on Wednesday.
"We are all looking forward to continuing that progress and recognise these two individuals will be a big part of achieving our long-term goals as an organisation."
The statement also made reference to Murray's contract situation, as the QB pursues improved terms on his rookie deal.
Murray's agent Erik Burkhardt released his own statement earlier this week, addressed to Cardinals fans, in which it said the former first overall pick "absolutely wants to be your long-term QB" and "desperately wants to win the Super Bowl".
However, he added Murray's team had already sent a contract proposal to the Cardinals and were waiting on the team to make the next move.
"It is now simply up to the Cardinals to decide if they prioritise their rapidly improving, 24-year-old, already two-time Pro Bowl QB, who led the organisation from three wins before his arrival to 11 wins and their first playoff appearance in five years," Burkhardt said.
"Or rather, if they choose to financially prioritise committing to other areas and continuing to merely talk about addressing Kyler's long-term future as their QB."
Kingsbury, speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this week, said he was not aware Murray's team were to release a statement but that he and the player were "in a great place". The pair have the same agent.
Tiger Woods did not play a single professional tournament in 2021 but still finished in first place in the PGA Tour's new Player Impact Program as its most popular player.
Woods, a 15-time major champion, broke bones in both of his legs in a car crash last February and has since been limited to a single unofficial appearance at the parent-child PNC Championship.
The 46-year-old has remained the source of considerable intrigue as he works his way back to fitness, however.
For that reason, Woods – golf's most famous name – won the inaugural Player Impact Program (PIP) in 2021, earning $8million for first prize ahead of old rival Phil Mickelson.
Revealing the results on Wednesday, the PGA Tour explained the PIP "measured the players who generated the most positive interest".
This considers the number of times a player appears in internet searches or news articles, their social media reach and engagement, television sponsorship exposure and their "general awareness score among broad United States population".
The PIP took into account the full year of 2021, meaning Mickelson came into contention after winning the PGA Championship at 50 to become the oldest major winner of all time. Second place was good for $6m.
In 2022, Mickelson's standing may be impacted by his controversial involvement in the Saudi-backed Super Golf League.
He led Rory McIlroy (third), Jordan Spieth (fourth), Bryson DeChambeau (fifth) and Justin Thomas (sixth) – who each took home $3.5m – last year.
Dustin Johnson (seventh), Brooks Koepka (eighth), Jon Rahm (ninth) and Bubba Watson (10th) closed out the top 10, earning $3m apiece.
Tyson Fury has vowed to be more aggressive than he's ever been when he fights Dillian Whyte next month.
Fury will put his WBC belt on the line in all-British heavyweight bout at Wembley Stadium on April 23.
The unbeaten 33-year-old has claimed the fight in London will "100 per cent" be the last of his brilliant career.
If that is the case, Fury says he will sign off in style at the expense of Whyte.
"I'm going to try and come in the heaviest I've ever been," Fury told Sky Sports News. "Biggest fight - so I'm going to be the heaviest, strongest, fittest, more aggressive than I've ever been.
"I'm looking for the knockout. No secret, there's no point in me lying about gameplans. What I'm going to do, is I'm going to come straight to the centre of the ring, back him up and land big heavy punches on him until he's knocked out."
Fury does not expect the fight to go the distance.
"I think someone's getting knocked out," Fury said. "Whether it's going to be me on the front foot or him on the back foot, someone's getting chinned.
"Every heavyweight poses a threat because they're all big men, they can all knock another man out.
"It's something that I'm looking forward to, the challenge, if he can knock me out, good luck to him. If not, onto the next one."
Everton have suspended all commercial and sponsorship arrangements with three Russian companies following the country's invasion of Ukraine.
The Premier League club have cut all ties with USM, Megafon and Yota – each of which are linked with Toffees backer Alisher Usmanov – with immediate effect.
Usmanov had his assets frozen on Tuesday as part of sanctions imposed by the European Union, a move the billionaire called "unfair" as he vowed to take legal action.
Pressure had been building on Everton to end their involvement with Usmanov, whose USM company sponsors the club's training ground.
Megafon is Everton Women's main sponsor, meanwhile, and Yota is on the sleeve of the shirt. Moshiri also has an exclusive naming-rights option on the Toffees' new stadium.
A statement on Wednesday confirmed those sponsorship agreements have been suspended, with the club giving their backing to Ukraine international Vitaliy Mykolenko.
"Everyone at Everton remains shocked and saddened by the appalling events unfolding in Ukraine," the statement read.
"This tragic situation must end as soon as possible, and any further loss of life must be avoided.
"The players, coaching staff and everyone working at Everton is providing full support to our player [Vitaliy] Mykolenko and his family and will continue to do so.
"The club can confirm that it has suspended with immediate effect all commercial sponsorship arrangements with the Russian companies USM, Megafon and Yota."
Speaking at a news conference shortly after the statement was released, Everton boss Frank Lampard gave his full backing for the club's decision.
"If it feels right for the club, it's the right thing to do," he said ahead of Thursday's FA Cup fifth-round tie with Boreham Wood.
"That's a club decision. As a coach, member of staff – our jobs haven't changed. We have a deep empathy and emotion to what's happening in the world.
"I had absolute faith that they are making the right decisions as they see them. We were one of the forerunners in showing solidarity and unity.
"The suspension was the right thing to do, it's important I focus on the football."
Lampard also denied claims that Usmanov, despite having no official title at Everton, was present over Zoom when he interviewed for the manager's job in January.
"Those reports were inaccurate," he said. "My interview was with the board: Mr Moshiri, the chairman, Denise [Barrett-Baxendale] the CEO and the board – not with Mr Usmanov."
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