When Antonio Pierce became the Raiders’ interim coach midway through last season, his first major act was naming then-rookie Aidan O’Connell the starting quarterback. Pierce, now the full-time Las Vegas coach, is turning again to O’Connell as the Raiders reach a critical part of their season and is benching Gardner Minshew with the Pittsburgh Steelers visiting on Sunday. O’Connell went …

How Christian Gonzalez has impressed Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston There weren’t many positives from the New England Patriots’ 15-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins last week, but Christian Gonzalez gave another strong performance. The second-year cornerback was mostly matched up against Tyreek Hill, and he did a very good job covering the speedy …

Florida football heads on the road to face No. 9 Tennessee on Saturday (7 p.m., ESPN) in what could prove another pivotal game for the future of head coach Billy Napier. Swampcast discusses the matchup, in which the Florida Gators (3-2, 1-1 SEC) enter as a double-digit underdog despite winning 17 of the last 19 matchups between the two schools. …

NEW ORLEANS, LA – SEPTEMBER 08: Spencer Rattler #18 of the New Orleans Saints warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at Caesars Superdome on September 8, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images) It’s time for Spencer Rattler to make his NFL debut. New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen announced …

Who are the best high school football players in Central Texas through the first half of the regular season? It’s a fair question, even though 100 experts might give you 100 different answers. The American-Statesman will name its Central Texas offensive and defensive players of the year after the season, but these are our top seven midseason offensive and defensive …

Head coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday that quarterback Russell Wilson would be a full participant in practice for the first time this week and now Pittsburgh’s injury report notes that indeed is the case. Wilson (calf) fully practiced on Wednesday, as the Steelers prepare to play the Raiders this weekend. Tomlin noted in his Monday press conference that Wilson …

After some pre-game theatrics that no one has claimed, Texas A&M defensive back Will Lee III was thrust into the spotlight on Saturday morning against Missouri. A blank and pleasant message was left in the hotel room of Missouri wide receiver Theo Wease who then posted it on his Instagram story. That prompted him to then wear the blanket around …

Eric Williams NFL Reporter San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was surprised to see his former defensive coordinator Robert Saleh back on the job market after an unceremonious firing as the New York Jets head coach by owner Woody Johnson — a dismissal that included reportedly being escorted from the facility by security. “I sent him a text, but …

49ers GM Lynch backs DC Sorensen amid Saleh reunion speculation originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area John Lynch is fully behind 49ers defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen following the New York Jets’ decision to fire coach Robert Saleh. On Wednesday, during a conversation on KNBR’s “Murph & Markus,” the 49ers general manager shut down the idea of Saleh reuniting with …

ORLANDO, Fla. — Concerns over Hurricane Milton and its effects on Florida forced the cancellation of Friday’s preseason game in Orlando between the Magic and the New Orleans Pelicans, the NBA said. The game will not be rescheduled. Orlando was playing at San Antonio on Wednesday night and was scheduled to return to central Florida on Thursday. Those plans are …

Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian has spent 21 of the last 24 years on a college football sideline. He coached in the Iron Bowl between Auburn and Alabama. He led Washington in the Apple Cup against Washington State and the Border War against Oregon. He manned the headset several times for USC’s traditional rivalry game against Notre Dame. Before any …

49ers’ Ward receives less Metcalf trash talk after earning respect originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area Respect among peers is earned in the NFL, and 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward believes he has received that from one of the league’s best wide receivers. In speaking to reporters in the 49ers’ locker room on Tuesday ahead of San Francisco’s Week 6 …

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia drew a lot of comparisons to Heisman-winning quarterback Johnny Manziel after Pavia led the Commodores to a shocking 40-35 upset over the then-No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide. He caught the attention of Manziel himself. “Sitting there watching the whole thing play out… feels like 2012 for me,” Manziel told Pavia, surprising him during an interview on …

Henry McKenna NFL Reporter Joe Burrow hasn’t changed. He’s still one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. He’s still Joe Cool. Under pressure against the Ravens last week, he completed 7 of 9 passes for 104 yards and two touchdowns. In a fierce quarterback duel with Lamar Jackson, Burrow generated .51 EPA per play, the fifth-most of his career.  …

Eagles injury report: Several key players return coming back from bye week originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia The Eagles got several key players back at practice on Wednesday as they returned from their early Week 5 bye. A.J. Brown (hamstring), DeVonta Smith (concussion) and Lane Johnson (concussion) were all on the field for the first practice of the week …