A low block on Sunday from Packers tight end Tucker Kraft sent Vikings linebacker Pat Jones II out of the game with a knee injury. On Monday, Packers coach Matt LaFleur defended the maneuver. Via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com, LaFleur called it a “totally legal play.” “It’s part of the game,” LaFleur told reporters. “So, if you don’t want to …

NEW ORLEANS − You didn’t have to look too far or think too hard to see the irony. When Notre Dame football met the media Monday in advance of the Allstate Sugar Bowl matchup with Georgia on New Year’s Day, Irish players were arranged at round tables of six by position. All the quarterbacks sat together. All the running backs were …

Pearsall praises Deebo’s mentorship in rookie 49ers season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area SANTA CLARA — After Ricky Pearsall’s breakout performance in the 49ers’ 40-34 loss to the Detroit Lions, the rookie wide receiver credited veteran Deebo Samuel as an influential mentor on his path. After overcoming incredible obstacles during his rookie season, Pearsall was a bright spot …

Miami fired defensive coordinator Lance Guidry after two years with the program, coach Mario Cristobal announced Tuesday. The decision comes after Guidry’s defense struggled in a 42-41 loss against No. 18 Iowa State in the Pop Tarts Bowl.   The Hurricanes, who went 10-3, ranked a respectable No. 27 nationally in total defense, but 46th in yards per play allowed. …

Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be playing to win the NFC South in Week 18, which means there’s plenty left to play for — good news for fantasy football managers. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) Congrats, fantasy football manager! You did it! You made it to the final week of the fantasy season, which means you’re just …

GLENDALE, Ariz. − Much of this Penn State football Fiesta Bowl locker room was a back-slapping, photo-posing, cigar-smoking celebration deep in this desert night. The Nittany Lions, indeed, had just reserved their place in the College Football Playoff semifinals, winning for a school-record 13th time. They earned their shot at another big-time opponent, on a grand stage next week in …

Yes, Jon Gruden’s name has been percolating for weeks as a potential candidate in the coming coaching carousel. At one level, it’s no surprise. Beyond Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and former Titans coach Mike Vrabel, there are no no-brainer candidates for 2025. At another level, it’s stunning. Gruden has an active lawsuit against the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell. …

No. 11 Alabama faces off against Michigan in the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl, which serves as a rematch of the 2024 Rose Bowl Game. When these teams last played, Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy diced Alabama to the tune of 221 yards and three touchdowns to win 27-20 in overtime en route to a national championship. Both teams are quite different than …

The Steelers brought three players back to practice on Tuesday. The team announced that they have designated linebacker Cole Holcomb, defensive lineman Logan Lee, and wide receiver Roman Wilson for return. Holcomb is on the physically unable to perform list and the other two players are on injured reserve. Holcomb is recovering from a 2023 knee injury. He had 54 …

Texas football returns to Atlanta after competing in the SEC championship game there on Dec. 7, and this time the fifth-seeded Longhorns are playing in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal against No. 4 Arizona State, the Big 12 champion. Can the Longhorns (12-2) cool off a red-hot Sun Devils squad that has soared to rare heights under second-year coach Kenny Dillingham? Arizona …

49ers quarterback Brock Purdy’s right elbow injury will likely end his 2024 season. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said on a Tuesday conference call that Purdy will probably not play against the Cardinals in Week 18. Purdy injured his elbow in Monday night’s loss to the Lions and had an MRI to determine the severity of the injury. Shanahan described the …

Two of the most productive passing offenses in the country clash at the historic Sun Bowl as Washington faces off against Louisville on New Year’s Eve. The Huskies turned over much of the roster after a trip to the CFP National Championship a year ago but managed to reach bowl eligibility after beating USC and UCLA in the final weeks …

49ers kicker Jake Moody will remain the team’s kicker in Week 18 despite his struggles. “He’s going to kick this week,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday. The 49ers are out of playoff contention and won’t have starting quarterback Brock Purdy as they limp to the finish line, so there is little reason to tryout kickers this week. Moody, though, …

Penn State advances to the CFP semifinals after defeating Boise State 31-14 in the Fiesta Bowl. Caroline Fenton, Jason Fitz and Adam Breneman break down the game and discuss what went right for Penn State and where it all fell apart for Boise State. In the spirit of New Year’s Eve, the trio discuss who ‘dropped the ball’ for Boise …

49ers owner Jed York was clear when he said on Monday that head coach Kyle Shanahan and General Manager John Lynch aren’t going anywhere in the coming offseason. During his Tuesday news conference, Shanahan was asked about those comments and downplayed them, noting his strong relationship with York. “I’ve got a good relationship with Jed, and we speak almost every …