Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins is set to miss the rest of the NFL season after suffering a torn Achilles.

The 35-year-old, who has never missed an NFL game due to injury, was forced out of Sunday’s victory over NFC North rivals the Green Bay Packers.

An MRI scan on Monday confirmed he had torn his Achilles and would require surgery, all-but certainly ruling him out of the rest of this campaign.

A Vikings statement read: “Kirk Cousins underwent an MRI this morning at Twin Cities Orthopedics that confirmed an Achilles tendon tear.

“The timeline and details of his upcoming surgery will be determined this week. The team will continue to provide updates.”

Cousins is the second high-profile quarterback to suffer an Achilles injury this season, with four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers lasting just four plays on his New York Jets debut in early September.

Cousins had thrown for 274 yards and two touchdowns at Lambeau Field on Sunday before being forced off.

The Vikings went on to win 24-10 as they recorded a third straight victory and moved into a wildcard spot in the NFC.

Former UFC fighter Dan Hardy labelled Francis Ngannou’s performance against Tyson Fury “the biggest upset in boxing history” after his split decision defeat in Saudi Arabia.

Professional Fighters League star Ngannou dropped WBC heavyweight champion Fury in the third round and appeared to dominate for much of the 10-round bout despite Fury picking up the victory.

Hardy believes Ngannou – who signed a multi-fight deal with mixed martial arts league PFL in May – did the “unthinkable” and said he had him winning the fight on his own scorecard.

PFL Europe Head of Fighter Operations Hardy told the PA news agency: “For Francis to hold his composure like he did and to outpoint and outbox him was unthinkable.

“It is the biggest upset in boxing history even though he didn’t get the decision.

“I had him winning the fight. I have my scorecard and I had him 96-93 because of the knockdown in the third and I stand by it. Ngannou certainly won the fight.

“It was an unfair decision, Francis deserved the victory and deserved the nod. But it was a close fight, no doubt about it.

“I was blown away and I still am. I think right now Ngannou is the king of combat sports, he is the biggest combat sport athlete because of what he achieved on the weekend.”

Fury had written off Ngannou’s chances in the build-up, comparing the fight to “a table tennis champion facing (Novak) Djokovic in the Wimbledon final”.

Hardy added: “I think (Fury overlooking Ngannou) was a big part of it.

“It was a perfect storm on the night and that to me looked like Tyson Fury halfway through training camp expecting a sparring match ahead of the Oleksandr Usyk fight.

“I don’t think he looked at Ngannou with the same fear he would Deontay Wilder.

“After the third round Fury would’ve been thinking ‘I wish I prepared better for this, I wish I came in lighter’.”

Hardy believes former UFC champion Ngannou has a future in heavyweight boxing and that he can go toe-to-toe with the division’s best.

He said: “I think we’ll see him fight in Professional Fighters League and then see him move back into the boxing world and have another big fight.

“Who else in the top 10 can he give problems to? And the general consensus now is quite a few of them. The two that come to my head are Joe Joyce and Anthony Joshua.

“The Francis we saw against Tyson at the weekend would cause those two serious problems stylistically.

“I think he can have a career in boxing if he wants to and he’s going to be ranked soon so the door’s open for him.

“Wilder is an obvious opponent, because it would be two of the biggest punchers on the planet.

“Wilder does not have the same finesse as Fury.”

James Doyle will join Wathnan Racing as retained rider for the 2024 Flat season.

The 35-year-old has ridden as second jockey for Godolphin since 2015 and tasted Classic success in the royal blue silks in 2022 when partnering Charlie Appleby’s Coroebus to 2000 Guineas glory.

However, Doyle – who partnered Kingman, among others, when he was the retained rider for Juddmonte – will ride as number one for the Qatar-based Wathnan operation from the new year when his contract with Godolphin expires.

Doyle has already worn the Wathnan silks in victory, guiding Adrian Keatley’s Ballymount Boy home at Doncaster on Saturday, and has a plethora of high-profile mounts to look forward to, including Ascot Gold Cup hero Courage Mon Ami and fellow Royal Ascot winner Gregory.

“It is a tremendous honour for me to sign for Wathnan,” said Doyle, in a statement released by Wathan Racing on Monday afternoon.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for me going forward with His Highness Sheikh Tamim’s Wathnan Racing and I’m greatly looking forward to working with Olly Tait, Richard Brown and the rest of the team.

“I want to thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, Charlie Appleby and everyone at Godolphin for the unstinting support they’ve given me over the last nine years. It’s been a wonderful time and I have enjoyed literally every moment. But this is an incredible new venture and I can’t wait to get started in January.”

Many of Doyle’s biggest victories have come when riding for long-time Godolphin ally Appleby, and the Moulton Paddocks handler has fond memories of their time together.

He said: “James has been a key member of our team for his whole time with us and, whilst we will miss him greatly, he is leaving very much with our blessing and we wish him all the very best with this exciting new chapter in his riding career.

“James and I enjoyed many big days together on the racecourse, not the least of which was Coroebus winning the 2000 Guineas last year, but he also rode a number of other stable stars like Blue Point and Naval Crown.

“To my mind, one of his great rides for us was aboard Rebel’s Romance in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland where he was quite superb. So we will continue to use James whenever his new commitments permit because he’s a world-class jockey.”

Wathnan Racing’s Adviser Olly Tait added: “Wathnan is delighted to have retained the services of James Doyle. He is a fantastic rider and an incredible addition to the team. We are all looking forward to working closely with James in the coming years.”

The New England Patriots will be without leading wide receiver Kendrick Bourne for the remainder of the season after he tore his ACL in Sunday's 31-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

Bourne had three receptions for 36 yards and one touchdown before leaving in the fourth quarter. The seventh-year receiver was having a breakout season with team highs of 37 catches, 406 yards and four TD receptions in eight games.

Undrafted out of Eastern Washington, Bourne began his NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers in 2017 before signing with New England in 2021.

His best season came in his first year with the Patriots, as Bourne set career bests with 55 catches and 800 receiving yards while tying his career high with five TD receptions in 17 games.

New England has struggled this season and is an AFC-worst 2-6 heading into a Week 9 visit from the Washington Commanders (3-5).

Datsalrightgino will be aimed at Newbury’s Coral Gold Cup after finishing down the field in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree on Sunday.

Winner of the Future Champion Novices’ Chase at Ayr in the spring, Jamie Snowden’s charge made his return in another Grade Two contest on Merseyside, but came home a well-beaten eighth of 11 runners.

With six of the 16 fences omitted due to low sun, Snowden was not overly disappointed with his seven-year-old’s performance and plans to step him up in distance at Newbury on December 2.

He said: “He ran a fine race considering there was six fences taken out. They landed over the back of the cross fence, we were sixth crossing that and he has ended up finishing eighth.

“We are going to step him up in trip and go for the Coral Gold Cup now as opposed to the Paddy Power Gold Cup (at Cheltenham).

“He had a good blow after the race, but you can’t draw too many conclusions from the race at Aintree given they took six fences out.

“When it works in your favour you are delighted and when it doesn’t you blame it. He is now ready to step up to three-miles-two at Newbury and he should stay that trip.

“Yesterday was more like a slightly inconclusive racecourse gallop, but that is the way it is.”

Hansard will tune-up for a tilt at the Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle by running on the Flat at Nottingham on Wednesday.

Owned by Noel Fehily Racing Syndicates, the five-year-old won his first two starts for trainer Gary Moore in taking fashion last term before leaving a disappointment in Kempton’s Dovecote Hurdle behind when a commendable fourth in an Aintree Grade One in the spring.

He now returns on the level over 14 furlongs at Colwick Park with Tom Queally taking the ride in the Racing TV Club Novice Stakes.

It is a contest his handler sees as the perfect spot to clear the lungs ahead of Cheltenham action on November 19 and a race for which he is currently 12-1 with the sponsors.

“He’s a nice horse and it is kind of a prep run before he runs in the Greatwood Hurdle – that’s the plan,” said Moore.

“I always think it’s a good thing to sharpen them up on the Flat if you can do. I think it always bodes well and is something I’ve done before and also seen other people do it. He doesn’t have to have a hard race and doesn’t have eight flights of hurdles to jump, so you have less chance of injury and also I think it is a good way forward for the horse.

“Hopefully he is quite a nice horse and one we can look forward to.”

LeBron James thinks there is plenty of room for encouragement despite the Los Angeles Lakers producing a 1-2 start to the new NBA season.

De'Aaron Fox shined in regulation and Malik Monk stepped up in overtime as the Sacramento Kings battled to a 132-127 win over the Lakers on Sunday night.

James produced an impressive performance on the 20th anniversary of his NBA debut, putting up 27 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists, more than making up for his eight turnovers.

LeBron, who played in his first pro game on October 29, 2003 - also in Sacramento, converted a layup with 15 seconds to play forced OT for the Lakers, who battled back after trailing by as much as 15 and were still down seven with 90 seconds to go.

Anthony Davis had 30 points and 16 boards with three blocks, giving Los Angeles optimism about bouncing back at home against the Orlando Magic on Monday.

"I like the way [we played]," James – who was 11-for-19 shooting – said after the game, per ESPN.

"We had some moments. We had some really good moments. We just weren't able to pull it out the way we would have liked to.

"It's pretty special I'm still doing it [20 years on] and I'm playing the game that I love."

The Lakers hope to manage James' workload this season, but he ended up playing for 39 minutes after also playing 35 minutes in the win over the Phoenix Suns last week.

"Obviously, I don't want to run Bron into the ground," said coach Darvin Ham. 

"I don't want to run [Davis] into the ground too early. Obviously, it was an overtime game and they are both playing at a high level, so you want to leave them out there. 

"But it’s just having that balance. We did a lot of great things out there, but definitely, some things we need to work on. Some things I need to tighten up.

"My rotation, we got to really dig into that. Really take a close look and so guys are in rhythm. 

"We have a great collection of players. And I played in this league. When you know when you're going in and who you're playing with, that matters. So buckling down on our rotation, I'll start there. That definitely is the main thing that's on my mind."

And Davis has no concerns about the Lakers repeating their awful 2-10 start from last season, saying the wins will start flowing if the team retain the same level of commitment seen in Sacramento.

"We are in a good rhythm collectively," Davis said. "I don't think that's much of an issue. 

"It will come. We just got to continue to fight like we did. Obviously, we wanted to win, but got another one [on Monday]. Just put it all together, keep pushing and it will turn for us."

The John Durkan Memorial Chase is shaping up to be a race to savour with Martin Brassil adding Punchestown Gold Cup winner Fastorslow to the list of names that could reappear in the all-star contest.

Willie Mullins has already stated his intention to start Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs in the race he claimed in emphatic style 12 months ago, but lying in wait will be the only horse to lower his colours during a fine 2022-23 campaign.

Fastorslow had both the Closutton star and Paul Nicholls’ Bravemansgame behind him when striking at Grade One level for the first time in the spring and it is fitting that the seven-year-old – who is as short as 8-1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup next March – returns to the scene of his finest hour for his reappearance.

“He’s about four weeks (away) and we hope to run him on November 26 at Punchestown,” said Brassil.

“He’s done very well (over the summer), he’s good and healthy and well and all seems good with him. It’s nice to have a horse of his calibre.”

On the prospect of meeting Galopin Des Champs again, he added: “I would say the second and third had a hard race at Cheltenham and they are going to be fresher horses starting the season out again.”

Fastorslow was beaten a neck by Grand National hero Corach Rambler at the Cheltenham Festival earlier in the year but is likely to have Gold Cup aspirations when he returns to Prestbury Park next March.

His route to the blue riband is still to be inked in, but Leopardstown’s Savills Chase at Christmas appears the next stepping stone following his Punchestown comeback.

Brassil continued: “It would probably be on to Leopardstown at Christmas and then we will decide after that if he’s going to have another run before Cheltenham. You will have an idea of where you are going then.

“We hope he has a big year ahead of him, if he can maintain what he did there (in the Punchestown Gold Cup) or even progress from it, then he’s going to be running in those type of races.”

Last year’s winner Bravemansgame is one of eight entries for the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on Saturday.

The eight-year-old provided trainer Paul Nicholls with his fifth victory in the West Yorkshire highlight last season before going on to lift the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

He subsequently finished second to Galopin Des Champs in the Cheltenham Gold Cup before rounding off his campaign with a third-placed finish in the Punchestown Gold Cup.

With a defence of his King George crown nominated as his primary objective, Bravemansgame could again make his comeback at Wetherby on Saturday, although his participation is likely to be ground dependent.

Nicholls has also entered Pic D’Orhy, last seen winning the Grade One Melling Chase at Aintree.

Lucinda Russell’s Ahoy Senor disappointed in last year’s Charlie Hall, but has the option of contesting the Grade Two feature again, while he has also been entered in the bet365 Hurdle on the same card.

The sole Irish contender is Gentlemansgame, trained by Mouse Morris. Aye Right (Harriet Graham), Dashel Drasher (Jeremy Scott) and Dan Skelton’s pair of Midnight River and Sail Away are the other contenders.

With significant rain forecast for the coming days, Wetherby’s clerk of the course Jonjo Sanderson expects conditions to be testing for the track’s two-day fixture.

He said: “We had six millimetres of rain overnight and I’d say ground is probably slightly nearer soft than good to soft.

“The weather forecast is mixed, to say the least. They’re saying we might get 5mm overnight tonight, 4mm overnight tomorrow night and then this storm is brewing.

“From Thursday into Friday it looks like being a wet 24 to 30 hours, so we’ll see what happens. At the moment they’re saying something between 15mm and 20mm of rain through that period.

“The track will take that, I would hope. Our issue is when we get heavy rain in a short period of time, the dykes lift up and you get water pooling on the track, as opposed to the track being waterlogged.

“I don’t think 20mm will cause that, it would be more like 40mm or 50mm. There’s nothing in the forecast at the moment that would give us concern, but if we get what’s on the horizon, the chances are we’re going to be soft ground Friday/Saturday.”

Police are investigating the “freak accident” which killed ice hockey player Adam Johnson.

Johnson, 29, was playing for the Nottingham Panthers in a Challenge Cup match at the Sheffield Steelers when he reportedly suffered a slashed neck following a collision.

The crowd of 8,000 spectators watched in horror as desperate attempts were made to save the American’s life.

The Nottingham Panthers described the incident as a “freak accident” when the club confirmed his death on Sunday.

A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “We were called at 8.25pm on Saturday 28 October to reports that a player had been seriously injured during a Sheffield Steelers versus Nottingham Panthers game at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield.

“Officers attended the scene alongside other emergency services and one man, aged in his 20s, was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

“Sadly, he was later pronounced deceased at hospital.

“Our officers remain at the scene carrying out inquiries and our investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident remain ongoing.

“We would encourage the public to avoid speculation regarding the incident while we continue our inquiries.”

Sheffield City Council’s health and safety team was assisting the police.

Meanwhile, the player’s fiancee Ryan Wolfe paid tribute on Instagram, saying: “My sweet angel, I’ll miss you forever and love you always.”

NIHL team Oxford City Stars, who have former Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech on their roster, have announced their players must wear neck guards at all times on the ice.

Shane Moore, director of hockey operations, said safety must be a priority, adding: “A life has tragically been taken too soon in a freak accident, and if wearing neck guards can prevent another devastating loss, then we want to ensure we have done everything within our power to protect our players.”

Fans gathered at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena to pay tribute with flowers and cards.

Steelers fan Gary Hibbert was at the game and said: “I have come to pay my respects. It is heart-breaking.

“My kids absolutely love ice hockey and they have both been absolutely heart-broken after Saturday’s game, as we all are.”

Speaking of the incident in which Minnesota-born former NHL player Johnson was injured, he said: “My initial thought was he had a stick to the face, as it happens.

“Within two, three, four seconds we have seen the pool of blood.”

Mr Hibbert said Johnson had skated off for a moment after the collision before he collapsed and said he then shielded his son as best he could from the tragedy unfolding on the ice.

More tributes were left at Sheffield’s area, with one card saying: “To a young man who came to Sheffield on a Saturday night to do his job and play for his team, left the arena fighting for his life, and didn’t return home with his team mates RIP Adam Johnson #47.”

Ontario Reign paid tribute to their former player before the club’s American Hockey League game against the Abbotsford Canucks on Sunday.
 
Johnson’s name was announced to the crowd as his number 49 jersey was placed on a chair in the middle of the ice by former Nottingham player Jacob Doty.

Every Ontario player touched the jersey in a moving gesture.

Bill Baxter is reported in “A1” condition ahead of a proposed return to action in the Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase at Carlisle on November 5.

The seven-year-old was last seen prevailing in the Topham at Aintree, which made it four wins from five outings since a wind operation, and the long-term plan is to go for Grand National glory over the same fences in April.

Bill Baxter is also entered in the Each Way Extra At bet365 Handicap Chase at Wetherby on Friday, but Carlisle appears to be the preferred option.

“He’s done everything well, he’s summered well,” said trainer Warren Greatrex. “He’s back in and he’s been all good. I think he’s probably improved a little bit from last season, which he has to, but he seems A1.

“The main plan is to go to Carlisle, that will be his start-off point. We’ll aim him there, it’s a nice place to start off again, and then he does have an entry for the Hennessy (Coral Gold Cup).

“We’ll look at that, we’ll see how Carlisle goes and go from there, but I couldn’t be happier with him.”

Tackling Newbury’s Coral Gold Cup over three miles and two furlongs would represent a significant step up in trip compared to Bill Baxter’s successful exploits during a first campaign over fences.

However, he was second at Catterick over a distance only slightly shorter during his hurdling days the previous campaign.

Greatrex added: “It will hold him in good stead that we didn’t really over-race him, especially over that trip – there’ll be plenty in the tank and he will definitely get the trip.”

With regards the ultimate aim of mounting a Grand National challenge, Greatrex is determined to dream big.

“That is the plan, I would love to go to the Grand National,” declared the trainer. “That would be the main aim so we are working backwards from there.”

The Colin Parker has drawn an initial seven-strong entry, with The Real Whacker, winner of last season’s Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham, the headline act.

Sam Burgess wants to get Warrington back on track after his surprise appointment as head coach but the former dual-code England international insisted he is “not coming here to blow this place up”.

Burgess will become Super League’s youngest head coach after it was announced in August he would take charge of the Wolves from the start of the 2024 season, having put pen to paper on a two-year contract.

He has no experience in the top job but, since the end of a distinguished playing career in 2019, Burgess has been assistant at South Sydney Rabbitohs and is relishing the challenge of what lies ahead.

Warrington have been off-the-pace in the last couple of seasons and although Burgess believes he can succeed where Daryl Powell failed, the 34-year-old ruled out making wholesale alterations at the club.

“The biggest challenges are internally,” he said on Monday. “It’s not huge, drastic changes, I’m not coming here to blow this place up, I’m coming here to make them better.

“I like it when people say that (he has never been a head coach before), that’s what makes it exciting for me. It’s going to be a great challenge, don’t get me wrong and we’ve got a lot of work to do.

“It’s about being authentic. I’m not going to sit here and pretend I’m Wayne Bennett, I’m my own style of coach, I’ll learn and listen but I’ll also follow my instincts with the way I want to coach.

“I’ve had a bit of experience, I think that stands in my favour as well and I’m not trapped in any old way of doing things. I have a fresh mind, fresh approach and a fresh relationship with the players.”

Burgess made a name for himself in the NRL with the Rabbitohs – co-owned by Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe – with whom the Englishman had two stints in-between a spell at rugby union outfit Bath.

Most famously, Burgess led the Rabbitohs to NRL glory in 2014, winning the Clive Churchill medal as the Grand Final man of the match despite playing with a broken cheekbone.

Burgess, who represented England 24 times in rugby league and on five occasions in rugby union, accepts it was a bold call to appoint him head coach but he is bullish he can reward the Warrington hierarchy.

“It shows bravery and a bit of courage from the people in charge,” he said. “What’s been happening in the past hasn’t worked so sometimes you’ve got to step outside the box and try something different.

“I was in Warrington maybe 18 months ago doing a couple of talks and I could sense there was a bit of disappointment through the town. I think Warrington deserves better.

“One thing I won’t do is I won’t let the guys down who have employed me. If this place is in a better position from when I arrive to when I move on, then that’s success to me.

“It’s a great club, some passionate people involved. You can see why the club is in a great position. It needs a bit of work in the playing department and that will be my focus.”

Burgess began his playing career at Bradford before leaving for Sydney in 2010 and admitted his preoccupation with the NRL in recent years means he has not kept as much of an eye on Super League.

But he added: “Ever since I got the job I’ve been watching three or four games a week. Do I know it inside out? No, I don’t but I will do by game one.

“It was difficult leaving (Australia) in some respects but I’m super excited about the opportunity here. I think the pros outweigh the cons, I’ve just got to get used to the weather again.”