Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin doesn’t believe wide receiver George Pickens is becoming a distraction, even as Pickens’ public displays of dissatisfaction suggest otherwise. The talented but enigmatic Pickens, who leads the Steelers (3-2) in receptions and yards, played a career-low 34 snaps during Sunday night’s 20-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Pickens caught three passes for a season-low 26 …

Drake Maye will make his first NFL start against the Texans on Sunday. (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) The Drake Maye era is here. The New England Patriots plan to start Maye at quarterback on Sunday against the Houston Texans. Yahoo Sports’ Jori Epstein confirmed the news on Tuesday following a report from NFL Network. Just in: The Patriots will give rookie …

Yahoo Sports national columnist Dan Wetzel, senior college sports reporter Ross Dellenger and Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde discuss the Buckeyes head coach’s demeanor entering Saturday’s meeting between the 2nd and 3rd ranked teams in the country. Hear the full conversation on the “College Football Enquirer” podcast – and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen. View more …

Entering the final year of a four-year, $22.67 million contract with the New York Rangers, Igor Shesterkin turned down the team’s offer to become the highest-paid goaltender in NHL history, according to a report. Shesterkin was presented with an eight-year, $88 million extension, which would surpass the eight-year, $84 million deal that former Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price signed in …

Report: 49ers signing veteran kicker to replace injured Moody originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area Programming Note: Watch “49ers Now” with Matt Maiocco and Rod Brooks at 4 p.m. PT today from Santa Clara, streaming live on the NBC Sports app. Watch the show later on YouTube and Facebook. It appears the 49ers have found a temporary solution at …

The New England Patriots are making a change at starting quarterback. Drake Maye will make his first NFL start when the Patriots host the Houston Texans on Sunday, NFL Media reported. Jacoby Brissett had started the first five games of the season, but the Patriots went 1-4 as the veteran threw for just 696 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. …

Colbie Young has 11 catches through five games for Georgia. (Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images) Georgia wide receiver Colbie Young was arrested early Tuesday morning on misdemeanor charges of battery and assault on an unborn child. Young posted bond Tuesday afternoon. Georgia said Tuesday morning that it would have no further comment because “this is a pending legal matter.” …

Editor’s note: This is the fifth installment of a season-long series on a breakout star from the past week of NFL action. The Week 5 winner: Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams Winds played a factor in Sunday’s game between the Bears and Panthers in Chicago. They were so strong that Caleb Williams described them as “weird.”  Welcome to the Windy …

Patriots plan to start Drake Maye vs. Texans: Source originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston If you predicted Week 6 as the week Drake Maye would take over as the New England Patriots’ starting quarterback, please step up and claim your prize. The Patriots plan to start their No. 3 overall draft pick this Sunday when they welcome the Houston …

Sep 7, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Colorado Buffaloes safety Shilo Sanders (21) talks with an official before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Deion Sanders said Tuesday that the Colorado football defense is at full strength for the first time in weeks. Shilo Sanders is the last missing piece of the Buffaloes’ starting defense. The team’s leading …

Henry McKenna NFL Reporter If you love good quarterback play, I hope you didn’t miss the Cincinnati Bengals and the Baltimore Ravens go at it on Sunday. It was the kind of game that reminded us why we make time for football. Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow both seemed to know the last man with the ball was going to …

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice will miss the rest of the season after he underwent successful LCL surgery on Tuesday, according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. While his season is over, there was no structural damage or tears to his ACL, MCL or meniscus — which was the best case scenario for him. Rice is expected to …

No. 16-ranked Oklahoma football will continue SEC play with a Red River Rivalry game against No. 1 Texas at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Dallas. Both teams are fresh off a bye week. OU (4-1, 1-1 SEC) earned a 27-21 road win over Auburn in Week 5, while Texas (5-0, 1-0 SEC) earned a 35-13 home win over Mississippi State. The Longhorns are …

Rookie TE Brock Bowers leads the position in scoring through five weeks of the season. (AP Photo/Geneva Heffernan) Remember that time we thought there was no way we were going to get a “Sam LaPorta” season — AKA TE1 — out of Las Vegas Raiders rookie TE Brock Bowers? [Week 6 Full-PPR Fantasy Rankings: QBs | RBs | WRs | …

Even in hockey-crazed Detroit, the season opener for the Red Wings can wait. The team announced Tuesday that Thursday’s scheduled season opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins, set for a 7 p.m., start will be pushed back an hour because the Tigers are home and playing in the American League Division Series for the first time since 2014. The Red Wings’ …