Having qualified for his first ATP Finals, Taylor Fritz is now through to the last-four as he prevailed 7-6 (7-4) 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 against Felix Auger-Aliassime in a match where the winner would advance from the Green Group.
There were no break point opportunities in the first set on the back of elite serving from both players, with Fritz converting 90 per cent (19/21) of his accurate first serves into points. However, after giving up a mini-break to begin the tiebreaker, Fritz steadied and snatched three mini-breaks of his own to take the opener.
It was more of the same in the second set, with Auger-Aliassime taking his turn to dominate with his serve. In a near carbon-copy, the Canadian won exactly 90 per cent (19/21) of the first serves he landed fair, and Fritz had to save the only three breaks points of the frame to force another tiebreaker.
When Auger-Aliassime's serve slipped in the third set, so did any chance of taking the match. He won only 52 per cent of his service points (14/27) in the frame, while Fritz maintained a stellar level at 89 per cent (16/18), securing a double-break and the victory.
Having finished second in his group, Fritz will next take on the winner of the Red Group, which will likely be Novak Djokovic as he is the only undefeated player through two games.
ACES/DOUBLE FAULTS
Fritz - 5/1
Auger-Aliassime - 9/2
WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS
Fritz - 32/21
Auger-Aliassime - 36/31
BREAK POINTS WON
Fritz - 2/5
Auger-Aliassime - 0/3
Kawhi Leonard is on the brink of a Los Angeles Clippers return, having been listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Detroit Pistons.
Leonard had previously been listed as out, having not played since October 24, dating back 12 games due to stiffness in his surgically-repaired right knee.
The 31-year-old small forward missed all of last season after rupturing his ACL during the 2021 playoffs.
Leonard played 21 minutes in each of his two games this season, averaging 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists.
The Clippers, who are 8-7, have also listed All-Star Paul George (left-hand contusion) as questionable for the Pistons game.
The Philadelphia Eagles have signed a second veteran in as many days in an effort to shore up a leaky run defence, as the team announced Thursday it has agreed to a one-year contract with five-time Pro Bowl tackle Ndamukong Suh.
Suh's addition comes one day after the 8-1 Eagles signed 34-year-old defensive tackle Linval Joseph to a one-year deal, and just three days after Philadelphia surrendered 152 rushing yards and were handed their first loss of the season with a 32-21 home defeat to the Washington Commanders.
The 35-year-old is yet to play this season while he fielded offers with the intent to sign with a contender, but started all 17 games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021 and finished with six sacks for a second straight campaign.
Over 12 NFL seasons with the Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay, Suh has started 191 regular-season games and compiled 70.5 sacks.
The 2010 No. 2 overall pick was named to the Pro Bowl five times between 2010-16 and was a starter on the Buccaneers' 2020 Super Bowl champion team.
The Eagles were seeking reinforcements in their defensive interior after recently placing tackles Jordan Davis and Marlon Tuipulotu on injured reserve, and to address the team's struggles in stopping the run.
Philadelphia have allowed 124 rushing yards or more in five consecutive games and rank 25th in the NFL in average yards allowed per rush attempt (4.7).
The Eagles have permitted an average of 144.4 yards per game on the ground during that five-game stretch.
Cole Hammer is the leader after the first round of the RSM Classic, enjoying his only round for the week at Sea Island Resort's Plantation course on Thursday to post an eight-under 64.
The RSM Classic utilizes two courses at Sea Island Resort – the par-72 Plantation course, and the par-70 Seaside course. Each competitor will get one round on each course before the cut heading into the weekend, with the final two rounds to be played on the Seaside course.
Starting on the back-nine, 23-year-old Hammer posted nine birdies and seven pars from his first 16 holes, before his first blemish came with a bogey on the 17th to finish alone atop the leaderboard at eight under.
In second place is Ben Griffin, who also played the Plantation course, going bogey-free for his seven-under 65.
Beau Hossler and Callum Taren are tied for third after shooting six-under 64s on the Seaside course, with that appearing as the harder of the two tracks.
There is a logjam tied for sixth at five under, and of the 16 payers to shoot five under or better, only four – Hossler, Taren, Chris Gotterup and Andrew Putnam – did it on the Seaside course.
Rising talent Sahith Theegala and recent winner of the Bermuda Championship Seamus Power are one further back at four under, with Italy's Francesco Molinari and Canada's Taylor Pendrith at three under.
It was a tough day out for some of the field's biggest names, with former Masters champion Danny Willett struggling to three over on the Seaside course, while former world number one Jason Day had similar issues on his way to four over.
The shot of the day went to Webb Simpson, who took advantage of his only round this week at the Plantation course with an ace on the par-three third hole.
The Buffalo Bills and the Cleveland Browns will contest their Week 11 clash in Detroit due to the snowstorm forecast for Buffalo.
The 6-3 Bills were due to host the 3-6 Browns on Sunday at Highmark Stadium, but it has now been moved to Ford Field due to "public safety concerns".
The National Weather Service has issued a lake-effect storm warning lasting until Saturday morning, with estimates suggesting up to six feet of snow could fall in upstate New York in the coming days.
It means Buffalo will now play back-to-back games at Ford Field, as they are due to face the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving just four days later.
A statement released by the NFL on Thursday confirmed: "Due to public safety concerns and out of an abundance of caution in light of the ongoing weather emergency in western New York, Sunday's Cleveland Browns-Buffalo Bills game will be moved to Ford Field in Detroit at 1 p.m. ET, the NFL announced today.
"The decision to move the game from Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, NY was done in consultation with the Buffalo Bills and local and state authorities as the region prepares for the storm."
Rafael Nadal has welcomed the news that Novak Djokovic will be free to compete at the Australian Open.
Djokovic was at the centre of controversy in January following his attempts to play in this year's tournament in Melbourne despite being unvaccinated against COVID-19, and the 21-time grand slam winner was eventually deported after having his visa cancelled on public health grounds.
However, Djokovic recently confirmed he will be free to play in the 2023 Australian Open after his three-year ban from entering the country was overturned.
Nadal and Djokovic have dominated tennis along with the now-retired Roger Federer for much of the last two decades, and the Spaniard was pleased to hear of his rival's availability to compete.
"I always said the same; tennis is better when the best players are on the court," he said. "At the end we don't have to create many stories. Even if it was a big mess what happened last year in Australia, it was not good for our sport.
"That was the past. Roger is not playing any more. I missed a lot of grand slams [with] injuries. Last year, Novak was not able to play there.
"That's the past. What's next is Novak will be able to play again. That's the best news possible, especially knowing that now the virus is more under control it seems around the world. So why not? Happy for him. Happy for the tournament. Happy for the fans. That's it."
Nadal beat Casper Ruud in his final game at the ATP Finals on Thursday.
France's Antoine Dupont has been handed a four-game ban for his red card against South Africa, while the Springboks' Pieter-Steph du Toit has been suspended for three games for his dismissal.
Dupont was shown red after a dangerous collision with South Africa winger Cheslin Kolbe in France's 30-26 win on Saturday.
Du Toit was also sent off for a clearout of Jonathan Danty in the same game.
Assuming there is no successful appeal, Dupont will miss France's game against Japan on Sunday, as well as three matches for Toulouse, including their Champions Cup opener against Munster next month.
Du Toit will be absent for South Africa's upcoming games against England and Italy, as well as a third match to be confirmed.
Rafael Nadal wrapped up his ATP Finals campaign with a 7-5 7-5 victory over Casper Ruud on Thursday.
The Spanish great had already failed to make the last four after suffering defeat in his first two matches in Turin, but he finished his year in style courtesy of a hard-fought win over Ruud.
Nadal held firm when two break points down at 4-4, before breaking to love to take the opening set.
He sealed victory in the 12th game of the second set, powering a cross-court backhand winner to move 15-40 ahead and set the stage for a win that saw him end the year with a 39-8 tour-level record.
"I can't ask for more," Nadal said. "2022 has had a tough six months, two Grand Slams, and finishing the year in a high spot in the rankings. So, I can't complain at all. At my age, to be able to achieve and be competitive means a lot for me.
"For 2023, just let's try to have the right preparation, work the proper way and start the season with the right energy, the right attitude, to reach the level that I need to be competitive from the beginning. Let's try it, I am excited about it."
Ruud had already progressed to the semi-finals in Italy for a second consecutive year.
ACES/DOUBLE FAULTS
Nadal - 16/1
Ruud - 4/0
WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS
Nadal - 38/16
Ruud - 19/18
BREAK POINTS WON
Nadal - 2/3
Ruud - 0/2
Johnny Sexton is fit enough to captain Ireland for their final Autumn Nations Series Test in Dublin on Saturday against a much-changed Australia, who are looking to hit back from a shock loss to Italy.
Sexton suffered a dead leg in the victory over South Africa earlier this month and did not feature in last weekend's 35-17 triumph over Fiji.
But the fly-half returns to the team for the match against Australia in one of seven alterations from that Fiji win, as the likes of Hugo Keenan, Josh van der Flier and Peter O'Mahony start.
Andrew Porter and Dan Sheehan return to the front row, while James Ryan comes into the second row.
Ireland will be without Joey Carbery and Robbie Henshaw, who both miss out through injury.
Australia are hoping to bounce back from their first ever defeat to Italy last weekend, from which just four starters remain.
Mark Nawaqanitawase and Tom Wright stay on the wings, but James Slipper returns to captain in what will be his 126th Test.
Andrew Kellaway starts at fullback, as Dave Rennie opts to keep the centre pairing of Hunter Paisami and Len Ikitau, while Allan Alaalatoa continues in the front row.
Ireland team: Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, Jimmy O'Brien, Jonny Sexton (captain), Jamison Gibson Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan, Peter O'Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.
Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Joe McCarthy, Jack Conan, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Bundee Aki.
Australia team: Andrew Kellaway, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Tom Wright, Bernard Foley, Nic White; James Slipper (captain), David Porecki, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville, Jed Holloway, Michael Hooper, Rob Valentini.
Replacements: Folau Fainga'a, Tom Robertson, Taniela Tupou, Will Skelton, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon, Noah Lolesio, Jordan Petaia.
Max Verstappen has described media coverage of his disagreement with Sergio Perez at the Brazilian Grand Prix as "ridiculous", saying he and his family received "disgusting" abuse after the incident.
Last week, Verstappen infuriated Perez by defying orders to give up sixth position to aid his Red Bull team-mate in his battle to finish second in the drivers' championship.
Having said Verstappen's move showed "who he really is" over team radio, Perez went further in his criticism of the world champion after the race, declaring: "If he has two championships, it's thanks to me".
On Thursday, Red Bull released a statement acknowledging the team's mistakes in Sao Paulo, claiming Verstappen had been placed "in a compromising situation with little time to react".
The team also condemned "shocking and saddening" online abuse directed towards both drivers and their families, saying: "At the end of the day this is a sport, we are here to race. Death threats, hate mail and vitriol towards extended family members is deplorable."
Speaking at a press conference to preview the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Thursday, Verstappen defended his actions in Brazil and hit out at those who blamed him for the incident.
"We had a bit of a miscommunication on Saturday and Sunday, nothing had been said to me about a potential swap," Verstappen said.
"It was only coming into that last lap that it was said on the radio, and they should have known my response already from what I said the week before.
"After that race we had some good discussion, we put everything on the table, and everything has been solved.
"In hindsight, we should have had that conversation earlier because I have never been a bad team-mate to anyone. I've always been very helpful, and the team knows that.
"After that race, I looked very bad in the media but they also didn't have the clear picture, but to immediately put me down is pretty ridiculous to be honest.
"Because they don't know how I work within the team and what the team appreciates about me, so all the things I have read are pretty disgusting.
"And even more than that, they started attacking my family, threatening my sister, my mum, my girlfriend and my dad. That goes way too far while you don't have the facts of what's going on. For me, that has to stop.
"If you have a problem with me, that's fine but don't go after my family because that is just unacceptable. We move on. Honestly, I have a great relationship with Checo. But I just don't understand when people don't have the full picture, to immediately start attacking me like that.
"I'm just a bit fed up with all this bull**** going around all the time. At the end of the day, I haven't done anything wrong, people just misunderstood what was going on."
Perez, meanwhile, told Sky Sports he wished to move on from the incident after discussing it with Verstappen.
"We have discussed everything internally," he said. "There's been a lot of speculation on social media, a lot of hate, that is not nice to see.
"We're just ready to move on as a team. What happened there, we discussed it, and we're ready to move on as a team."
Owen Farrell and Brodie Retallick will win their 100th caps when England and New Zealand do battle at Twickenham on Saturday.
Retallick returns from a three-week suspension for his red card against Japan last month and will become just the 12th player to hit a century of appearances for the All Blacks.
Farrell will win his 100th cap alongside the returning Manu Tuilagi in England's midfield, while 21-year-old scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet will make his third appearance after an impressive start to his international career.
Vice-captain Jack Nowell will start in England's back three, along with Jonny May and Freddie Steward, after recovering from an injury that forced him out of the comprehensive 52-13 victory over Japan last weekend.
Maro Itoje is moved back into the second row as Sam Simmonds is set to start at blindside flanker, while Billy Vunipola takes the number eight jersey.
For the All Blacks, Retallick's return means he and captain Sam Whitelock will set a new world record of starting 64 Test matches together, previously held by South Africa's Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield.
Mark Telea will hope to follow up his two-try debut as he starts on the wing again, while Retallick's milestone appearance means Scott Barrett will play the blindside flanker role.
England team: Freddie Steward, Jack Nowell, Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell (captain), Jonny May, Marcus Smith, Jack van Poortvliet; Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Kyle Sinckler, Maro Itoje, Jonny Hill, Sam Simmonds, Tom Curry, Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: Jamie George, Mako Vunipola, Will Stuart, David Ribbans, Jack Willis, Ben Youngs, Guy Porter, Henry Slade.
New Zealand team: Beauden Barrett, Mark Telea, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Richie Mo'unga, Aaron Smith; Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock (captain), Scott Barrett, Dalton Papali'i, Ardie Savea.
Replacements: Samisoni Taukei'aho, George Bower, Nepo Laulala, Shannon Frizell, Hoskins Sotutu, TJ Perenara, David Havili, Anton Lienert-Brown.
Kevin Durant lamented the weakness of the Brooklyn Nets' roster after their struggles continued against the Sacramento Kings, saying the team's poor form should surprise no one.
The Nets sit adrift of the Eastern Conference's Playoff and Play-In Tournament spots with a 6-9 record for the season, having slipped to a demoralising 153-121 defeat against the Kings on Tuesday.
The team have also been plagued by off-court concerns this campaign, with guard Kyrie Irving having been suspended after sharing offensive material on social media.
Durant requested a trade ahead of the campaign, and he remains concerned about the Nets' lack of forward momentum, adding that expectations must be tempered with their current roster.
"I had some complaints in the summer, and my complaints were not about just me; it was about how we are moving as a unit," he told Bleacher Report.
"I want us to be respected out here in the basketball world. I don't want players to look at us and say, 'Oh man, they are full of s***. That's not the type of team I want to be on.
"So when we're all playing like s***, you know the one person they're going to look at. That's why I requested a trade.
"Look at our starting lineup. Edmond Sumner, Royce O'Neale, Joe Harris, [Nic] Claxton and me. It's not disrespect, but what are you expecting from that group?
"You expect us to win because I'm out there. So if you're watching from that lens, you're expecting us to play well because number seven is out there."
The Nets next travel cross-country to face the Portland Trail Blazers, before returning home to host the Memphis Grizzlies.
Haas have opted to part company with Mick Schumacher following a disappointing Formula One campaign, replacing him with fellow German Nico Hulkenberg.
The future of Schumacher – son of seven-time world champion Michael – had been in doubt, with his contract set to expire following this weekend's season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Schumacher secured his best race finish of sixth at July's Austrian Grand Prix, but sits 16th in the driver standings with just 12 points to his name.
Haas are eighth in the constructor standings following a troubled season, which began with the team terminating the contract of Nikita Mazepin in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Schumacher said: "This is going to be my last race with Haas F1 Team. I don't want to hide the fact that I am very disappointed about the decision not to renew our contract.
"Nevertheless, I would like to thank both Haas F1 and Ferrari for giving me this opportunity. These years together have helped me to mature both technically and personally, and especially when things got difficult, I realised how much I love this sport.
"The subject is anything but closed for me. Setbacks only make you stronger. My fire burns for F1 and I will fight hard to return to the starting grid."
Schumacher's replacement Hulkenberg has made 181 starts in F! and gets another chance after spending two seasons as Aston Martin's reserve driver.
Hulkenberg stood in for Sebastien Vettel in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia this season, and has also raced for Williams, Force India, Sauber and Renault during his 12-year F1 career.
"I'm very happy to move into a full-time race seat with Haas F1 Team in 2023. I feel like I never really left Formula One," the German said.
"We have work ahead of us to be able to compete with all the other teams in the midfield, and I cannot wait to join that battle again."
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr says the defending champions are playing "scattered" basketball after slumping to their eighth straight road loss to open the 2022-23 season.
The Warriors were brushed aside by the Phoenix Suns 130-119 on Wednesday, leaving Golden State with a 6-9 record, and their first 0-8 road record to start since the 1989-90 season.
Golden State's road start is the worst ever by a defending champion in NBA history. The eight-game losing run is also a tie for third for longest road streak by a defending champion in their title-defense season.
"What we have to do is stay with it and find it," Kerr told reporters. "In order to find it, we've got to get everybody on board, on the same page in terms of just worrying about winning and that's it.
"Right now, we're just scattered. It's a pick-up game. It's a pick-up game out there. There's no execution at either end. There's no commitment to the group to get three stops in a row to execute on offense.
"It obviously starts with me. I'm the coach of the team. I have to figure out a way to get that production, that sort of commitment to the team and each other and to winning.
"There's no collective grit. We lack grit right now. When you don't have grit, the game is really easy for the other team... It’s a Drew League game. We’re playing a Drew League game right now.”
The Warriors continue to struggle defensively, having allowed 124.3 points per game on the road this season, which is the worst in the NBA.
Phoenix were the sixth Golden State opponent to score 120 or more points in their 15 games this season.
"I think we're feeling sorry for ourselves and no one is going to feel sorry for us," Kerr added. "Everyone can't wait to play us and kick our a***. We've had a lot of success and a lot of fun and joy beating people over the years and teams don’t forget that."
Stephen Curry was a lone hand on offense, scoring 50 points including making seven-of-11 from beyond the arc, but the Warriors' bench only added 17 points collectively.
"It's not about stats. Steph could probably go and score 75 if he wanted," Kerr said. "I think it's not about numbers. Steph played well, and nobody else did. It's about the team, it's about the commitment. That's what makes basketball special and this team special over the years."
Stephen Curry scored 50 points but could not prevent the Golden State Warriors' winless road run from extending to eight games after a 130-119 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.
The defeat means the Warriors are 0-8 on the road this season, and slump to 6-9 in the 2022-23 campaign, which is a tie for fourth worst 15-game start to a season by an NBA champion.
Golden State's 0-8 road start is the worst ever by a defending champion in NBA history. The eight-defeat run is also a tie for third for longest road losing streak by a defending champion in their title-defense season.
The Warriors' defense was an issue once again, having allowed 124.3 points per game on the road this season which is the worst in the NBA. The Warriors' opponents have scored 120 or more points six times in 15 games this season.
The Suns improved to 9-5, with point guard Cameron Payne top scoring with 29 points including six three-pointers alongside Devin Booker with 27 points. Mikal Bridges added 23 points with five triples along with eight rebounds and nine assists.
Phoenix, who were without Cameron Johnson (knee), Chris Paul (heel) and Jae Crowder, knocked down a season-high 21 three-pointers, which is the most allowed by the Warriors this season, shooting at 52.5 per cent from beyond the arc.
Curry posted 50 points on 17-of-28 field shooting with seven-of-11 from three-point range with nine rebounds and six assists. Klay Thompson added 19 points but the Warriors' bench combined for only 17 points.
Celtics extend winning run to eight games
The short-handed Boston Celtics secured their eighth straight win with a 126-101 victory over the Atlanta Hawks where seven players scored double digits for the winners.
Jayson Tatum had a career-high six assists in the first quarter and finished the game with 19 points, with seven rebounds and eight assists, while Jaylen Brown top scored for Boston with 22 points. Derrick White dished off 10 assists and Al Horford hauled down 11 rebounds.
During the Celtics' eight-game win streak, they have the NBA's best offensive efficiency (123.2), three-point field goals made (16.4) and assists-turnovers ratio (2.3).
SGA comes up clutch again for OKC
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored an equal career-high 42 points, including draining a last-gasp three-pointer to lift the Oklahoma City Thunder past the Washington Wizards 121-120.
Bradley Beal had hit a two-pointer to put the Wizards up 120-118 with 6.1 seconds left, but Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 19 points in the third quarter, had time to hit a step-back triple with 1.1 seconds remaining.
Over the last two seasons, Gilgeous-Alexander has scored four go-ahead or game-tying field goals in the final five seconds, which is more than any other player in the NBA. Nine players have two.
Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper will have surgery on his right elbow next week although the exact operation and recovery timeline is still uncertain.
Harper will have surgery on November 23 to address the tear in the ulnar collateral ligament he suffered back in April.
Phillies president Dave Dombrowski said on Wednesday the surgeons won’t know until surgery begins if they’ll be performing Tommy John surgery or a less intensive repair of the existing UCL.
''We have no prognosis, really, until he goes into the elbow and takes a look at it,'' Dombrowski said of the surgeon. '
'We'll have something at that time with the surgery and the anticipation something will happen. I would think it will slow him down for the season. We'll know more next week.''
If he does have Tommy John surgery, recovery could force him to miss the first few months of the 2023 season. If it’s just a repair, he may only miss the season’s first week or two.
After injuring his elbow in April, Harper switched from right field to designated hitter to avoid the wear and tear of throwing.
He received a platelet-rich plasma injection shot in his elbow in May in an effort to repair it. But on Monday, Harper met with renowned orthopedist Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who determined surgery was necessary because the tear did not heal on its own.
''We always knew that was a possibility,'' Dombrowski said. ''We've known that for months.''
Despite playing in pain and missing two months with a broken thumb sustained when he was hit by a pitch, Harper still excelled in helping the Phillies reach the World Series, where they lost to the Astros.
In 99 games, the two-time NL MVP slashed .286/.364/.514 with 18 home runs, 28 doubles, 65 RBIs and 63 runs. He hit six more homers in 17 playoff games, and was named the NLCS MVP after hitting a dramatic game-winning homer in the series-clinching victory over the Padres.
''You don't ever want to lose Bryce, you really don't,'' Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. ''He's one of the best hitters in baseball, if not the best.
"We spent a lot of time last year without him. Guys responded. It gave opportunities to other people to step up and they did. While we will be missing him, and looking forward to getting him back, it'll give somebody else an opportunity.''
The Phillies open the season March 30 at Texas.
Deshaun Watson returned to practice with the Cleveland Browns for the first time since copping an 11-game ban, but head coach Kevin Stefanski insists preparing quarterback Jacoby Brissett remains the priority.
Watson was suspended for 11 games in August for violating the league's personal conduct policy by committing sexual assault, per the NFL, on massage therapists.
The quarterback, who was traded to the Browns in the offseason, was last week permitted to return to sit in on team meetings and work out at their training facility, but Wednesday marked the first time since August 30 he practiced with the team.
Brissett has started all nine games this season for the Browns, who are 3-6, although it has been slated that Watson will slot straight back in when available in Week 13 against his former franchise, the Houston Texans.
In the meantime, Stefanski insisted that striking the balance in reps between preparing Brissett for the upcoming games, including Sunday's clash with the Buffalo Bills, was a consideration as they re-integrate Watson.
"Deshaun can come back to practice. That's the next step," Stefanski told reporters. "We'll get him out there in practice but Jacoby is starting.
"He's going to put everything in this game, like he does each week, his preparation is not changing. My preparation with him is not changing. It's just a matter of finding the right amount. That's something we need to work through."
Brissett was confident he would be prepared and ready to face the Bills, even if he splits practice reps with Watson.
"That's not my job to balance it. That's the coach's job to balance how he splits things up," Brissett said. "I just have to go out there and prepare how I always prepare, do my job and then control what I can control.
"We've talked about a lot of things going into practice about how things will be split up. I feel confident that I'll be more than fine going into the game."
Brissett has a 63.8 per cent completion rate for 2,074 yards with eight touchdowns and five interceptions this season.
Lake-effect snowfall is forecast for the western New York region over coming days ahead of the Bills-Browns game at Bills Stadium on Sunday.
Justin Verlander joined an exclusive club after being crowned the AL Cy Young Award winner for the third time, while Sandy Alcantara was voted NL winner unanimously as well.
The 39-year-old, who became a two-time World Series champion last month with the Houston Astros, received a unanimous vote after posting an MLB-best 1.75 ERA and striking out 185 batters in 175 innings over 28 starts in the 2022 regular season.
Verlander (2010) beat out Dylan Cease (97) of the Chicago White Sox and Alek Manoah (87) of the Toronto Blue Jays for the award, having also been crowned in 2011 and 2019.
The award comes after Verlander spent most of the past two seasons recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Verlander became the fourth-oldest Cy Young winner and is the 11th player to win the award three or more times.
The unanimous vote for both Verlander and Miami Marlins right-hander Alcantara marks the second time that has occurred in the same year, previously only in 1968 for Bob Gibson and Denny McLain.
Alcantara had the majors-best 228-and-two-third innings pitched, throwing six complete games, with a regular-season 2.28 ERA, with 207 strikeouts.
The 27-year-old was the first NL unanimous vote winner since Clayton Kershaw in 2014. Alcantara (210) beat Max Fried (72) of the Atlanta Braves and Julio Urias (66) of the Los Angeles Dodgers for the award.
Max Verstappen will look to put the fallout from the Brazilian Grand Prix behind him and finish a dominant title-winning season in style with an historic victory in Abu Dhabi.
Verstappen has long had the title wrapped up, winning a second successive drivers' championship by setting the record for the most grand prix victories in a single campaign.
The Red Bull driver has won 14 races in 2022, though he could only manage sixth place last time out at Interlagos and appeared to significantly damage his relationship with his team-mate, Sergio Perez, in the process.
Verstappen overtook Perez following a late safety car to take sixth, having been encouraged by his team to challenge Ferrari duo Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc in third and fourth, as long as he could first overtake Fernando Alonso.
With Verstappen unable to get past the Alpine, he was told to hand his position back to Perez, who remains in a battle with Leclerc for second in the drivers' championship.
The Dutchman refused to do so, however, telling race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase he had given his reasons.
Perez was infuriated by Verstappen's failure to give way, exclaiming over team radio: "It shows who he really is."
Speaking to Sky Sports after finishing seventh, Perez said: "I have nothing to say, really. After all I have done for him, it is a bit disappointing, to be honest. I am really surprised."
Perez went further when asked about the incident in Spanish by ESPN, declaring: "If he has two championships, it's thanks to me."
The Mexican is level with Leclerc on 290 points and, while he will be looking to seal second spot, Verstappen may again have his reasons for targeting individual glory.
Verstappen has won the last two grands prix in Abu Dhabi and could become the first driver to win the race three times in a row.
Though both titles are wrapped up, there will still be plenty of focus on Red Bull and whether they can work in harmony after a rocky end to a dream season.
HAMILTON'S LAST CHANCE
Mercedes finally claimed a 2022 win in Sao Paulo, but it was George Russell who took the chequered flag ahead of Lewis Hamilton.
Seven-time champion Hamilton has never gone an entire season without a win in his storied career, but is now in the last chance saloon.
He has a superb record at the Yas Marina circuit, winning five times, more than any other driver, and that tally must be extended for him to avoid an unwanted first.
SO LONG, SEB
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will bring the curtain down on the glittering career of Sebastian Vettel.
Four-time world champion Vettel is to retire from the sport at the end of the campaign, with this marking his 300th grand prix entry and his 299th start.
He has won three times in Abu Dhabi and, while victory for Aston Martin is unlikely, his history at the circuit may boost hope of him finishing on a high.
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