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NFL Week 10 injuries: Josh Allen, Kyler Murray, Matthew Stafford questionable for pivotal games

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The second half of the 2022 NFL regular season got underway on Thursday night when the Panthers were able to fend off the Falcons at home, and now we have a full slate of Sunday games on deck for Week 10. That includes an international affair between the Seahawks and Buccaneers for the history books. For the first time ever, a regular-season game will be played in Munich. Of course, that’ll be appointment viewing early Sunday morning, as will the rest of the slate. 

As is the case each week, a new group of games comes a new collection of injuries that we need to follow. This week in particular, several quarterbacks have their statuses up in the air, so all eyes will be on them. With teams finishing up the week of practice, they’ve released their final injury reports and rolled out game statuses for Week 10. Below, you’ll be able to find each of those reports and a breakdown of some of the biggest injuries. 

All NFL odds via Caesars Sportsbook.

Seahawks at Buccaneers (-2.5), in Munich

Seattle is pretty healthy coming into this international head-to-head. Goodwin is officially listed as questionable, but he was able to practice fully on Friday, which is an encouraging sign of his availability. Meanwhile, Gillaspia was the only other player listed on the final injury report and was ruled out after not practicing all week.

Brate is the only player listed on the Bucs final injury report who made the trip to Germany. He was a full participant throughout the week, so it does seem like he has a good chance of playing. Despite being listed as questionable all week, wideout Mike Evans (ribs, ankle) does not carry a designation. It’s also worth noting that safety Antoine Winfield Jr. cleared concussion protocol and will play. 

The Vikings have had a light injury report all season, but Tomlinson being out again is their first major player missing a game in weeks. Starting center Garrett Bradbury (ankle) was a full participant Friday after being limited Thursday. He was not given an injury designation. 

After missing the first two practices of the week, Allen returned to the field on Friday in a limited capacity and was officially listed as questionable for Sunday’s matchup against Minnesota. Sean McDermott told reporters earlier on Friday that Allen’s status is really “hour-to-hour” so it does seem like he is a true game-time decision. 

The promising news for Detroit is that running back D’Andre Swift not only doesn’t carry an injury designation for this game, but he was able to practice fully for the first time in weeks on Friday. Meanwhile, Reynolds was unable to hit the field at all this week, so it’s not surprising to see him already ruled out.

Jenkins being limited in Friday’s practice is something to monitor for the Bears. He’s been the team’s best offensive lineman this year, a force in the run game. If he can’t go, Michael Schofield is slated to start. No Vildor will cause problems for the Bears in the nickel defense, especially if Johnson can’t play. Johnson is arguably the team’s best cornerback. 

  • Broncos: TE Andrew Beck (hamstring), OLB Baron Browning (hamstring), WR KJ Hamler (hamstring) OUT; T Cameron Fleming (quad), S Justin Simmons (knee), CB Darius Phillips (illness), LB Nik Bonitto (illness), WR Kendall Hinton (illness) QUESTIONABLE
  • Titans: LB Zach Cunningham (elbow), OLB Bud Dupree (hip), S Amani Hooker (shoulder), DE Jeffery Simmons (ankle), DB Josh Thompson (knee) OUT; CB Kristian Fulton (hamstring), DT Kevin Strong (ankle), QB Ryan Tannehill (ankle) QUESTIONABLE

Hamler and Beck both suffered hamstring injuries in practice for the Broncos this week, which head coach Nathaniel Hackett will be evaluating coming out of the bye week. Jonathon Cooper and Jacob Martin were the only outside linebackers on the Broncos roster that were able to practice Friday, which could leave Denver thin at the position if Bonitto can’t go this week. 

The Titans have four defensive starters out of this one, but the major status for Sunday’s game is Tannehill. The quarterback was limited in Friday’s practice. Head coach Mike Vrabel was noncommittal on Tannehill, but said the quarterback was “making progress.” If Tannehill misses his third straight game, Malik Willis will start. 

  • Jaguars: S Rayshawn Jenkins (concussion) QUESTIONABLE
  • Chiefs: WR Mecole Hardman (abdomen) OUT; RB Jerick McKinnon (shoulder, knee, hamstring) QUESTIONABLE

Jacksonville continues to be one of the healthiest teams in the NFL. Only Jenkins carries a designation entering Week 10 and he was limited in practice on Friday. Tight end Evan Engram was listed on the injury report with a back injury, but practiced fully and is good to go for Sunday. 

Hardman didn’t practice at all this week due to an abdomen injury and will be held out of Kansas City’s Week 10 matchup against the Jags. Meanwhile, McKinnon was downgraded to a limited participant during Friday’s practice after being a full participant the two days prior. The pass-catching back is dealing with an array of injuries and is now officially questionable. 

The bye week wasn’t enough for the Browns to get Njoku healthy and ready to go for this game against Miami. This is the second game that Njoku has missed due to a high-ankle injury he suffered against the Ravens in Week 7. With him sidelined, Harrison Bryant and Pharaoh Brown will be the club’s top tight ends. Meanwhile, Owusu-Koramoah will also miss his second straight game. 

Armstead sat out practice Friday and was listed as questionable, but that’s been normal on the injury report this year. He typically hasn’t practiced more than once a week this year a she deals with a toe injury, but has played eight games. Jackson may also be in line to play his first game since Week 1, but he was limited Friday. 

Houston may be getting back its top two wide receivers in Week 10. Both Cooks and Collins were able to practice on a limited basis this week and are officially listed as questionable. Reeves-Maybin was also upgraded to a full participant on Friday, which bodes well for his prospects of playing. 

Golladay hasn’t played since Week 4 but is expected to be available on Sunday against Houston. Golladay, who has largely disappointed since arriving in New York, was limited throughout the week and is officially listed as questionable. Flott and Ximines were also limited all week. As for Neal, this is the second straight game he’s missed due to his knee injury.

None of the players who were ruled out practiced at all this week, including Lattimore. While New Orleans continues to deal with a bunch of injuries, they did get an encouraging sign from Jarvis Landry. The veteran wide receiver does not carry an injury designation and is in line to play on Sunday. 

Jackson and Witherspoon did not practice all week and have since been ruled out for Week 10. Dotson popped up on the injury report on Friday as a limited participant due to an abdomen injury and is now listed as questionable. Meanwhile, pass rusher T.J. Watt told reporters that he expects to play Sunday and does not anticipate being on any sort of snap count. 

The major development for the Colts is Jonathan Taylor (ankle), who was a full participant in Friday’s practice and was not given an injury designation. Jackson will be out, so Zack Moss, and possibly Jordan Wilkins, will spell Taylor against the Raiders. Kylen Granson will be the lone tight end if Alie-Cox — who was limited Friday — can’t go. Paye hasn’t practiced all week, so he’ll be a game-time decision. 

The Raiders only have Perryman on the injury report, and he was limited in Friday’s practice. Las Vegas will be without Darren Waller (hamstring) and Hunter Renfrow (oblique), as both players were placed on injured/reserve Thursday.

Elliott may be questionable for the Cowboys, but he’s expected to play based on the praise of Jerry Jones and Mike McCarthy. Dalton Schultz (knee), Micah Parsons (shoulder) and Michael Gallup (chest) were also cleared to play this week. 

The Packers have three starters out in Doubs, Campbell, and Stokes, but have other starters that weren’t given injury designations. Allen Lazard (shoulder) and Sammy Watkins (knee) are available at wide receiver, Aaron Jones (ankle) will play, and Jon Runyan (knee) and Elgton Jenkins (knee) will play. Bakhtiari was limited Friday, so his status for Sunday will be monitored. 

  • Cardinals: G Max Garcia (shoulder), C Rodney Hudson (knee) OUT; CB Byron Murphy (back), QB Kyler Murray (hamstring), LB Dennis Gardeck (ankle), T D.J. Humphries (back), CB Christian Matthew (hamstring), WR Greg Dortch (groin) QUESTIONABLE
  • Rams: RB Malcolm Brown (hamstring), LB Travin Howard (hip) OUT; NT Greg Gaines (elbow), G Alaric Jackson (knee) DOUBTFUL; C Brian Allen (knee), CB Robert Rochell (illness), QB Matthew Stafford (concussion) QUESTIONABLE

The Cardinals have a monster list of injuries, starting with Murray — who is a game-time decision. Murray was limited the last two days with a hamstring injury suffered last week. Murray’s mobility is limited, but he can stay in the pocket and play — per head coach Kliff Kingsbury. The Cardinals are also going to monitor the status of Murphy, who didn’t practice all week but was still listed as questionable. 

Stafford is the player to watch for the Rams, as he’ll have to clear concussion protocol in order to play. If not, John Wolford will get the start for Los Angeles. Los Angeles is getting some reinforcements with right guard Coleman Shelton and running back Kyren Williams both being active for Sunday’s game. 

Allen is still “week-to-week” with his injury, not having played since Week 7 — when he logged just 22 snaps (has played 45 all year). Williams is still out with his ankle injury, missing his third straight game. he wasn’t placed on injured reserve, so that will be something to watch in Week 11. Joey Bosa hasn’t been activated from injured reserve, but there’s some hope  he may be available Sunday. DeAndre Carter and Josh Palmer are the top two options at wide receiver this week. If Pipkins can’t go, both starting tackles (Rashawn Slater and Pipkins) will be out for Los Angeles. 

Nick Bosa is the only starter who is expected to play on the 49ers defensive line. Javon Kinlaw could be activated by next week and Ebukam is doubtful for Sunday’s game. Drake Jackson could see more snaps, per head coach Kyle Shanahan. Deebo Samuel was not on the injury report. 

  • Commanders: N/A
  • Eagles: N/A

Analysis to come.

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Deebo Samuel, Elijah Mitchell among 8 players set to return for 49ers

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SANTA CLARA, Calif. — After dealing with plenty of bad injury news during the season’s first eight weeks, the San Francisco 49ers are finally closer to full strength.

Despite losing cornerback Jason Verrett to a season-ending left Achilles tear in Wednesday’s practice, the Niners got plenty of good news on the injury front Friday, as they will welcome back eight players who missed San Francisco’s latest game — a 31-14 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 30 — because of injuries.

Among the players set to play Sunday night against the Los Angeles Chargers are wide receivers Deebo Samuel (hamstring) and Jauan Jennings (hamstring), fullback Kyle Juszczyk (finger) and linebacker Dre Greenlaw (calf). Four players — running back Elijah Mitchell, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, offensive lineman Colton McKivitz and defensive end Jordan Willis — will all return from knee injuries that landed them on injured reserve, according to coach Kyle Shanahan.

The Niners have three open roster spots and will get a fourth when they place Verrett on injured reserve, a move that is expected to happen in the next 24 hours.

Getting so many key players back as they embark on the second half of the season has the 4-4 Niners believing big things are possible down the stretch.

“This is the grind of the season now, the stretch we’re about to go on, and we need all our weapons,” linebacker Fred Warner said. “And it’s great to see some familiar faces out there. … We’re gonna need them.”

Samuel, Juszczyk and Jennings each missed just one game, but having that trio allows the offense its first opportunity to see how things look when Samuel and recently acquired running back Christian McCaffrey work in tandem with a skill position group that also boasts tight end George Kittle, Mitchell and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

“It’s just so crazy how much firepower we have in this offense now with adding [McCaffrey] to the team along with all the other guys that we’ve got,” Samuel said. “It’s gonna get crazy. It’s gonna be hard to cover everybody out there, and it should be real fun.”

The defense will also benefit from some post-bye reinforcements. The return of Al-Shaair and Greenlaw means the 49ers’ primary linebacker trio will be together for the first time since Week 3.

Al-Shaair’s return comes a bit earlier than expected, but he said Monday that he was feeling good and ahead of schedule after rehabbing with Mitchell.

“Realistically, it was like six to eight [weeks], but initially I thought it would be eight,” Al-Shaair said. “You’re usually conservative up front. And then you kind of just see where each person goes, and I was doing a lot better than they thought. So I was able to get back out there.”

The news wasn’t all good for the Niners, who have lost cornerbacks Verrett and Emmanuel Moseley (torn left ACL) for the season and will be without defensive tackle Arik Armstead (foot, ankle), who was ruled out on Friday. Defensive end Samson Ebukam (quadriceps) is listed as doubtful.

Even without those players, the Niners know the value in giving others a chance to be on the field. Shanahan said it can be beneficial because the Niners are still in the playoff mix with other players having the chance to play meaningful snaps.

“It helps a lot,” Shanahan said. “When you lose guys, it puts you in a bind. The only benefit to losing guys is it gives other people the opportunity to develop because they have to go through stuff. And sometimes the only time you get better is going out there and getting your butt kicked and realizing what you’ve got to do in this league because you can’t always simulate that. … If you can kind of still not set your team back, it can make your team a little bit stronger.”

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Colts to place linebacker Shaquille Leonard on IR, sources say

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3:47 PM ET

  • Stephen HolderESPN

The tumultuous season of Indianapolis Colts All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard is taking another detour.

After he was ruled out of the Sunday game against the Las Vegas Raiders earlier Friday, the Colts now are planning to place Leonard on injured reserve after a setback in his road to returning from offseason back surgery, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The decision means Leonard will miss at least four of the Colts’ eight remaining games.

Interim head coach Jeff Saturday said Friday that Leonard did not finish the Wednesday workout because something “felt different” with the back and nerve-related issues Leonard has been dealing with since undergoing surgery in June.

“They scanned him and they’re working with him, evaluating him,” Saturday said of the team’s medical staff.

Leonard has played in just three games this season. He made his debut in Week 4 on Oct. 2 but sustained a broken nose and concussion in that game after a collision that bent his face mask. Leonard returned to action in Week 8 but now will be sidelined again after playing in the Colts’ past two games.

It has been a frustrating several months for Leonard, who doctors discovered had an impinged nerve in his back, causing lower body pain. Leonard expanded on the slow progress earlier this week.

“Each week I’ve felt better, starting from my first week of practice, not being able to move and being stiff,” he said. “In the past two games, I see myself moving around better. But we’re still not there. The nerve still isn’t firing in my calf.”

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D.C. attorney general to release more findings about Commanders

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While announcing a consumer protection lawsuit against the Washington Commanders, team owner Daniel Snyder, the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell, D.C. Attorney General Karl A. Racine (D) said Thursday that the suit is only the first item on his agenda.

Next week, Racine’s office plans to disclose more about its findings related to alleged financial improprieties by the Commanders. The team repeatedly has denied committing any financial malfeasance.

“We are going to give Mr. Snyder and his team an opportunity to pay back exactly what we found they owe D.C. residents,” Racine said. “But that’s not going to be a long opportunity, and we’ll prepare a legal document that will be filed in court next week if a deal is not reached.”

Some former season ticket holders have recently received letters from the team regarding refundable deposits, and Racine said that is “of course” connected to his office’s investigation.

“We haven’t accepted security deposits in nearly a decade, and we began returning deposits to ticket holders as early as late 2004,” a team spokesperson said. “We sent a letter a few weeks ago as part of the most recent outreach to return deposits to ticket holders.”

Racine’s office had been investigating the Commanders and Snyder after allegations of workplace misconduct and sexual harassment, as well as for claims made by one former employee of financial irregularities.

“We investigated the team not only in regards to these outrageous and illegal acts against women and [against] their employees, but we also … had a referral made to us from Congress and, acting responsibly, we dug into that,” Racine said.

D.C. attorney general sues Daniel Snyder, Commanders, NFL

The Commanders and Snyder also are being investigated by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, the NFL and the office of Jason S. Miyares (R), Virginia’s attorney general. Investigators for the U.S. attorney’s office for the Eastern District of Virginia also have interviewed witnesses about allegations of financial improprieties involving the team, according to multiple people familiar with the situation.

Jason Friedman, a former vice president of sales and customer service for the team, told the House Committee this year that the Commanders engaged in a long-running practice of withholding refundable deposits from season ticket holders and hiding money that was supposed to be shared among other NFL owners.

In recent weeks, some former season ticket holders have shared letters received from the Commanders saying the team tried to contact them once before to no avail and is reaching out again to return the deposit. The letters say state law “requires the team to report and/or remit the funds” in the season ticket holder’s account if they are not claimed.

One former season ticket holder, Christopher Barnett, told The Post he had tickets for two seats over a five-year term in the 1990s. He didn’t renew after the term expired, and he does not recall hearing from the team about a deposit refund before receiving a letter in October.

“It’s not surprising that when the sheriff is on your heels, conduct begins to comport itself to the law,” Racine said, adding the team “should hurry up.”

Racine announced the consumer protection lawsuit less than two months before he is scheduled to leave office. He said Thursday he is “quite confident” the case will move forward under the watch of Attorney General-elect Brian Schwalb.

“As soon as Brian clears ethics and ceases his employment at the law firm he’s at, he will get all the information that he wants about any case that we have,” Racine said.

Svrluga: The Commanders’ biggest threat, as always, is coming from inside the house

The lawsuit, filed in the civil division of D.C. Superior Court, alleges the Commanders and the NFL violated the district’s Consumer Protection Procedures Act with “public misrepresentations, omissions, and ambiguities of material fact.”

Racine’s office said it is seeking financial penalties under the CPPA for every misstatement made by the Commanders, Snyder, the NFL and Goodell to District residents dating from July 2020. It also is seeking a court order to force the NFL to release the findings of a previous investigation of the team’s workplace conducted by attorney Beth Wilkinson.

D.C.’s attorney general, unlike attorneys general of the 50 states, cannot prosecute adult crimes and serious misdemeanors. The U.S. attorney’s office handles such cases.

“The [team] can seek to have our case dismissed,” Racine said. “We will issue subpoenas. We will seek testimony under oath. Depositions. I promise you. Let me just give you a hunch: The depositions are not likely to occur on a yacht but in a conference in the District of Columbia because no one is above the law.”

When asked whether he has had any communication with the U.S. attorney’s office for the Eastern District of Virginia, Racine declined to provide specifics.

“I think it’s best for us to not go into that,” he said. “I can tell you that we’ve certainly made outreach.”

  • D.C. attorney general sues Daniel Snyder, Commanders, NFL

    D.C. attorney general sues Daniel Snyder, Commanders, NFL

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    Stopping Jalen Hurts is a tall task. Here’s what the Commanders could do.

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Full list of confirmed rosters for all 32 teams

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The 2022 World Cup squads are close to being confirmed and we are collating all of them as they are made official.

[ MORE: World Cup 2022 schedule, scores, hub ]

From surprise call-ups to the agony of injury, there has been so much news swirling around which 26 players from each country will be named in their national team squad for the World Cup in Qatar.

National team managers have some huge calls to make.

[ MORE: Ranking every World Cup team, 32-1 ] 

Below are the confirmed squads in full, as we will update them throughout the final days before the tournament kicks off.

World Cup 2022 schedule, start time, dates, how to watch live

  • When: November 20, 2022 to December 18, 2022
  • Group stage game kick-off times: 5am, 8am, 11am, 2pm (all ET)
  • Location: Qatar
  • TV channel in English: Fox
  • TV channels en Español: Telemundo, Universo, Peacock

Here are the 2022 World Cup squads in full for all 32 teams

Group A

Netherlands

Goalkeepers: Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord), Remko Pasveer (Ajax), Andries Noppert (sc Heerenveen).
Defenders: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Nathan Ake (Man City), Daley Blind (Ajax), Jurrien Timber (Ajax), Denzel Dumfries (Inter), Stefan de Vrij (Inter), Mathijs de Ligt (Bayern), Tyrell Malacia (Man Utd), Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen).
Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Steven Berghuis (Ajax), Davy Klaassen (Ajax), Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta), Cody Gakpo (PSV), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Kenneth Taylor (Ajax), Xavi Simons (PSV).
Forwards: Memphis Depay (Barcelona), Steven Bergwijn (Ajax), Vincent Janssen (Royal Antwerp), Luuk de Jong (PSV), Noa Lang (Club Brugge), Wout Weghorst (Besiktas).

Senegal

Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy (Chelsea), Alfred Gomis (Rennes), Seny Dieng (QPR).
Defenders: Kalidou Koulibaly, (Chelsea), Abdou Diallo (RB Leipzig), Youssouf Sabaly (Real Betis), Fode Ballo Toure (Milan), Pape Abou Cisse (Olympiacos), Ismail Jakobs (Monaco), Formose Mendy (Amiens).
Midfielders: Pathe Ciss (Rayo Vallecano), Krepin Diatta (Monaco), Idrissa Gana Gueye (Everton), Pape Gueye (Marseille), Cheikhou Kouyate (Nottingham Forest), Mamadou Loum Ndiaye (Reading), Nampalys Mendy (Leicester), Moustapha Name (Pafos), Pape Matar Sarr (Spurs).
Forwards: Boulaye Dia (Salernitana), Famara Diedhiou (Alanyaspor), Bamba Dieng (Marseille), Nicolas Jackson (Villarreal), Sadio Mane (Bayern Munich), Iliman Ndiaye (Sheff Utd), Ismaila Sarr (Watford).

Group B

England

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)
Defenders: Ben White (Arsenal), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), John Stones (Manchester City), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Conor Coady (Everton), Luke Shaw (Manchester United)
Midfielders: Declan Rice (West Ham United), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Connor Gallagher (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Raheem Sterling (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Callum Wilson (Newcastle), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), James Maddison (Leicester City)

USA

Goalkeepers: Ethan Horvath (Luton Town), Sean Johnson (New York City FC), Matt Turner (Arsenal)
Defenders: Shaq Moore (Nashville SC), DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami CF), Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic) Tim Ream (Fulham), Antonee Robinson (Fulham)
Midfielders: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Kellyn Acosta (LAFC), Tyler Adams (Leeds United), Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Yunus Musah (Valencia), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders)
Forwards: Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund), Josh Sargent (Norwich City), Tim Weah (Lille), Haji Wright (Antalyaspor)

Wales

Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey (Nottingham Forest), Danny Ward (Leicester City), Adam Davies (Stoke City).
Defenders: Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest), Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur), Ben Cabango (Swansea City), Joe Rodon (Rennes, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Chris Mepham (AFC Bournemouth), Ethan Ampadu (Spezia, on loan from Chelsea), Chris Gunter (AFC Wimbledon), Connor Roberts (Burnley), Tom Lockyer (Luton Town).
Midfielders: Aaron Ramsey (Nice), Joe Allen (Swansea City), Harry Wilson (Fulham), Joe Morrell (Portsmouth), Dylan Levitt (Dundee United), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff City), Jonny Williams (Swindon Town), Matthew Smith (Milton Keynes Dons), Sorba Thomas (Huddersfield Town).
Forwards: Gareth Bale (Los Angeles FC), Daniel James (Fulham, on loan from Leeds United), Kieffer Moore (AFC Bournemouth), Mark Harris (Cardiff City), Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest).

Group C

Argentina

Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Franco Armani (River Plate), Geronimo Rulli (Villarreal).

Defenders: Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Marcos Acuña (Sevilla), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon), German Pezzella (Real Betis), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla), Juan Foyth (Villarreal), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United).

Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Juventus), Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid), Guido Rodriguez (Real Betis), Exequiel Palacis (Bayer Leverkusen), Alejandro Gomez (Sevilla), Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton & Hove Albion), Enzo Fernandez (Benfica).

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain), Angel Di Maria (Juventus), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan), Paulo Dybala (Roma), Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina), Joaquin Correa (Inter Milan), Julian Alvarez (Manchester City).

Poland

Goalkeepers: Bartlomiej Dragowski (Spezia), Lukasz Skorupski (Bologna), Wojciech Szczesny (Juventus).
Defenders: Jan Bednarek (Aston Villa), Bartosz Bereszynski (Sampdoria), Matty Cash (Aston Villa), Kamil Glik (Benevento), Robert Gumny (Augsburg), Artur Jedrzejczyk (Legia Warsaw), Jakub Kawior (Spezia), Mateusz Wieteska (Clermont Foot).
Midfielders: Nicola Zalewski (Roma), Krystian Bielik (Derby), Przemysław Frankowski (Lens), Kamil Grosicki (Pogon Szczecin), Jakub Kaminski (Wolfsburg), Grzegorz Krychowiak (Al-Shabab), Michal Skoras (Lech Poznan), Damian Szymanski (AEK Athens), Sebastian Szymanski (Feyenoord), Piotr Zielinski (Napoli), Szymon Zurowski (Fiorentina).
Forwards: Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona), Arkadiusz Milik (Juventus), Krzysztof Piatek (Salernitana), Karol Swiderski (Charlotte).

Group D

Australia

Goalkeepers: Andrew Redmayne (Sydney FC), Maty Ryan (Copenhagen), Danny Vukovic (Central Coast Mariners).
Defenders: Nathaniel Atkinson (Hearts), Aziz Behich (Dundee United), Milos Degenek (Columbus Crew), Thomas Deng (Albirex Niigata), Fran Karacic (Brescia), Joel King (OB), Kye Rowles (Hearts), Harry Souttar (Stoke), Bailey Wright (Sunderland).
Midfielders: Keanu Baccus (St Mirren), Cameron Devlin (Hearts), Ajdin Hrustic (Verona), Jackson Irvine (St Pauli), Riley McGree (Middlesbrough), Aaron Mooy (Celtic).
Forwards: Martin Boyle (Hibernian), Jason Cummings (Central Coast Mariners), Mitchell Duke (Fagiano Okayama), Craig Goodwin (Adelaide United), Garang Kuol (Central Coast Mariners), Mathew Leckie (Melbourne City), Awer Mabil (Cadiz), Jamie Maclaren (Melbourne City).

Denmark

Goalkeepers: Kasper Schmeichel (Nice), Oliver Christensen (Hertha Berlin).
Defenders: Simon Kjaer (AC Milan), Joachim Andersen (Crystal Palace), Joakim Maehle (Atalanta), Andreas Christensen (Barcelona), Rasmus Kristensen (Leeds), Jens Stryger Larsen (Trabzonspor), Victor Nelsson (Galatasaray), Daniel Wass (Brondby).
Midfielders: Thomas Delaney (Sevilla), Mathias Jensen (Brentford), Christian Eriksen (Man Utd), Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Spurs).
Forwards: Andreas Skov Olsen (Bruges), Jesper Lindstrom (Eintracht Frankfurt), Andreas Cornelius (Copenhagen), Martin Braithwaite (Espanyol), Kasper Dolberg (Sevilla), Mikkel Damsgaard (Brentford), Jonas Wind (Wolfsburg).
*a further five players to be announced

France

Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur), Steve Mandanda (Rennes)
Defenders: Lucas Hernandez (Bayern Munich), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris St-Germain), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), Raphael Varane (Manchester United)
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (Monaco), Matteo Guendouzi (Marseille), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Jordan Veretout (Marseille)
Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain), Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig)

Group E

Costa Rica

Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas (PSG), Esteban Alvarado (Herediano), Patrick Sequeira (CD Lugo).
Defenders: Francisco Calvo (Konyaspor), Juan Pablo Vargas (Millonarios FC), Kendall Waston (Saprissa), Oscar Duarte (Al-Wehda), Daniel Chacon (Colorado Rapids), Keysher Fuller (Herediano), Carlos Martinez (San Carlos), Bryan Oviedo (Real Salt Lake), Ronald Matarrita (Cincinnati).
Midfielders: Yeltsin Tejeda (Herediano), Celso Borges (Alajuelense), Youstin Salas (Saprissa), Roan Wilson (Grecia), Gerson Torres (Herediano), Douglas Lopez (Herediano), Jewisson Bennette (Sunderland), Alvaro Zamora (Saprissa), Anthony Hernandez (Puntarenas), Brandon Aguilera (Guanacasteca), Bryan Ruiz (Alajuelense).
Forwards: Joel Campbell (Leon), Anthony Contreras (Herediano), Johan Venegas (Alajuelense).

Germany

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona), Kevin Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Defenders: Armel Bella Kotchap (Southampton), Matthias Ginter (SC Freiburg), Christian Gunter (SC Freiburg), Thilo Kehrer (West Ham), Lukas Klostermann (RB Leipzig), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Niklas Sule (Borussia Dortmund)
Midfielders/Forwards: Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund), Julian Brandt (Borussia Dortmund), Niclas Fullkrug (Werder Bremen), Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Mario Gotze (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City), Kai Havertz (Chelsea), Jonas Hofman (Borussia Monchengladbach), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Youssoufa Moukoko (Borussia Dortmund), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich)

Japan

Goalkeepers: Shuichi Gonda (Shimizu S-Pulse), Daniel Schmidt (Sint-Truiden), Eiji Kawashima (Strasbourg).
Defenders: Miki Yamane (Kawasaki Frontale), Hiroki Sakai (Urawa Reds), Maya Yoshida (Schalke), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal), Shogo Taniguchi (Kawasaki Frontale), Ko Itakura (Borussia Monchengladbach), Hiroki Ito (Stuttgart), Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo), Shuto Machino (Shonan Bellmare).
Midfielders: Wataru Endo (Stuttgart), Hidemasa Morita (Sporting), Ao Tanaka (Fortuna Dusseldorf), Gaku Shibasaki (Leganes), Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion), Daichi Kamada (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ritsu Doan (Freiburg), Junya Ito (Reims), Takumi Minamino (Monaco), Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad), Yuki Soma (Nagoya Grampus).
Forwards: Daizen Maeda (Celtic), Takuma Asano (Bochum), Ayase Ueda (Cercle Bruges).

Spain

Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Club), Robert Sanchez (Brighton), David Raya (Brentford).
Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Eric Garcia (Barcelona), Hugo Guillamon (Valencia), Pau Torres (Villarreal), Aymeric Laporte (Man City), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Jose Gaya (Valencia).
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Rodri (Man City), Gavi (Barcelona), Carlos Soler (Valencia), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Pedri (Barcelona), Koke (Atletico Madrid).
Forwards: Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Club), Yeremy Pino (Villarreal), Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid), Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), Pablo Sarabia (PSG), Dani Olmo (Leipzig), Ansu Fati (Barcelona).

Group F

Belgium

Goalkeepers: Koen Casteels Wolfsburg), Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Simon Mignolet (Club Brugge)
Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (Royal Antwerp), Zeno Debast (Anderlecht), Wout Faes (Leicester City), Arthur Theate (Rennes), Jan Vertonghen (Anderlecht), Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid), Timothy Castagne Leicester City), Thomas Meunier (Borussia Dortmund)
Midfielders: Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Dortmund), Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City), Leander Dendoncker (Aston Villa), Amadou Onana (Everton), Youri Tielemans (Leicester City), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Axel Witsel (Borussia Dortmund)
Forwards: Charles De Ketelaere (AC Milan), Jeremy Doku (Rennes), Eden Hazard (Real Madrid), Dries Mertens (Galatasaray), Leandro Trossard (Brighton), Michy Batshuayi (Fenerbahce), Lois Openda (Lens), Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan)

Standby list: Bryan Heynen, Alexis Saelemaekers, Dodi Lukebakio and Jason Denayer

Croatia

Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Ivo Grbic (Atletico Madrid), Ivica Ivusic (Osijek).
Defenders: Josip Stanisic (Bayern Munich), Borna Sosa (Stuttgart), Josko Gvardiol (Leipzig), Dejan Lovren (Zenit), Borna Barisic (Rangers), Domagoj Vida (AEK Athens), Josip Juranovic (Celtic), Martin Erlic (Sassuolo), Josip Sutalo (Dinamo Zagreb).
Midfielders: Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Mateo Kovacic (Chelsea), Marcelo Brozovic (Inter Milan), Mario Pasalic (Atalanta), Nikola Vlasic (Torino), Kristijan Jakic (Eintracht Frankfurt), Lovro Majer (Rennes), Luka Sucic (RB Salzburg).
Forwards: Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Ivan Perisic (Spurs), Marko Livaja (Hajduk Split), Bruno Petkovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Mislav Orsic (Dinamo Zagreb), Ante Budimir (Osasuna).

Morocco

Goalkeepers: Yassine Bono (Sevilla), Munir Mohand Mohamedi (Al Wehda), Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti (Wydad).
Defenders: Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), Noussair Mazraoui (Bayern Munich), Roman Saiss (Besiktas), Nayef Aguerd (West Ham United), Achraf Dari (Brest), Jawad El Yamiq (Valladolid), Yahia Attiat-Allal (Wydad), Badr Benoun (Qatar SC)
Midfield: Sofyan Ambrabat (Fiorentina), Selim Amallah (Standard Liege), Abdelhamid Sabiri (Sampdoria), Azzedine Ounahi (Angers), Bilel El Khanouss (Genk), Yahya Jabrane (Wydad)
Attackers: Hakim Ziyech (Chelsea),Youssed En-Nesyri (Sevilla), Sofiane Boufal (Angers), Zakaria Aboukhlal (Tolouse), Ez Abde (Osasuna), Amine Harit (Marseille), Illas Chair (Queens Park Rangers), Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al-Ittihad), Walid Cheddira (Bari)

Group G

Brazil

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Man City), Weverton (Palmeiras)
Defenders: Alex Sandro (Juventus), Alex Telles (Sevilla), Dani Alves (Pumas), Danilo (Juventus), Bremer (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Marquinhos (PSG), Thiago Silva (Chelsea).
Midfielders: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Casemiro (Man Utd), Everton Ribeiro (Flamengo), Fabinho (Liverpool), Fred (Man Utd), Lucas Paqueta (West Ham).
Forwards: Antony (Man Utd), Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Neymar Jr (PSG), Pedro (Flamengo), Raphinha (Barcelona), Richarlison (Spurs), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid).

Cameroon

Goalkeepers: Devis Epassy (Abha Club), Simon Ngapandouetnbu (Marseille), Andre Onana (Inter Milan)
Defenders: Jean-Charles Castelletto (Nantes), Enzo Ebosse (Udinese), Collins Fai (Al Tai), Olivier Mbaizo (Philadelphia Union), Nicolas Nkoulou (Aris Salonika), Tolo Nouhou (Seattle Sounders), Christopher Wooh (Stade Rennes)
Midfielders: Martin Hongla (Verona), Pierre Kunde (Olympiakos), Olivier Ntcham (Swansea City), Gael Ondoua (Hannover 96), Samuel Oum Gouet (Mechelen), Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Napoli)
Forwards: Vincent Aboubakar (Al Nassr), Christian Bassogog (Shanghai Shenhua), Eric-Maxime Choupo Moting (Bayern Munich), Souaibou Marou (Coton Sport), Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford), Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu (Young Boys Berne), Jerome Ngom (Colombe Dja), Georges-Kevin Nkoudou (Besiktas), Jean-Pierre Nsame (Young Boys Berne), Karl Toko Ekambi (Olympique Lyonnais)

Switzerland

Goalkeepers: Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund), Philipp Kohn (Salzburg), Jonas Omlin (Montpellier), Yann Sommer (Borussia Monchengladbach).
Defenders: Manuel Akanji (Man City), Eray Comert (Valencia), Nico Elvedi (Borussia Monchengladbach), Ricardo Rodriguez (Torino), Fabian Schar (Newcastle), Silvan Widmer (Mainz).
Midfielders: Edimilson Fernandes (Mainz), Granit Xhaka (Arsenal), Fabian Frei (Basel), Remo Freuler (Nott’m Forest), Ardon Jashari (Luzern), Fabian Rieder (Young Boys), Xherdan Shaqiri (Chicago Fire), Djibril Sow (Eintracht Frankfurt), Renato Steffen (Lugano), Denis Zakaria (Chelsea), Michel Aebischer (Bologna).
Forwards: Breel Embolo (Monaco), Christian Fassnacht (Young Boys), Noah Okafor (RB Salzburg), Haris Seferovic (Galatasaray), Ruben Vargas (Augsburg).

Group H

Portugal

Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rui Patricio (AS Roma)
Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Joao Cancelo (Manchester City), Danilo Pereira (PSG), Pepe (FC Porto), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Antonio Silva (SL Benfica), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund)
Midfielders: Joao Palhinha (Fulham FC), Ruben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Joao Mario (SL Benfica), Matheus Nunes (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Otavio Monteiro (FC Porto), Vitinha (PSG), William Carvalho (Real Betis)
Forwards: Andre Silva (RB Leipzig), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Goncalo Ramos (SL Benfica), Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Ricardo Horta (SC Braga).

Uruguay

Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray), Sergio Rochet (Nacional), Sebastian Sosa (Independiente).
Defenders: Jose Maria Gimenez (Atletico Madrid), Sebastian Coates (Sporting), Diego Godin (Velez Sarsfield), Martin Caceres (LA Galaxy), Ronald Araujo (Barcelona), Guillermo Varela (Flamengo), Jose Luis Rodriguez (Nacional), Mathias Olivera (Napoli), Matias Vina (Roma).
Midfielders: Lucas Torreira (Galatasaray), Manuel Ugarte (Sporting), Matias Vecino (Lazio), Rodrigo Bentancur (Spurs), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid), Facundo Pellistri (Man Utd), Nicolas De La Cruz (River Plate).
Forwards: Agustin Canobbio (Athletico Paranaense), Facundo Torres (Orlando City), Giorgian De Arrascaeta (Flamengo), Maxi Gomez (Trabzonspor), Luis Suarez (Nacional), Edinson Cavani (Valencia), Darwin Nunez (Liverpool).

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FP1 report and highlights from the 2022 Sao Paulo Grand Prix: FP1: Perez edges out Leclerc and Verstappen in ultra-close first practice at Interlagos as qualifying nears

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Sergio Perez narrowly set the pace during Friday’s first practice session for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, ahead of Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc and Red Bull team mate Max Verstappen, as the third and final F1 Sprint weekend of the season got under way.

Given the Sprint format, FP1 took on greater importance than the usual Friday programme, with only 60 minutes available for teams to understand and fine-tune their cars ahead of qualifying at the technical Interlagos circuit.

READ MORE: Unpredictable weather, a brilliant track and the return of the Sprint – Sao Paulo is set to deliver on all fronts

After drivers spent the early stages gathering data on the hard and medium tyre compounds – Verstappen leading with a hard-shod time of 1m 13.575s – the first sets of softs appeared close to the halfway mark, leading to a flurry of improvements.

Perez triggered the move to the red-marked rubber, working his way down to a 1m 11.853s, with Verstappen initially slotting into P2, 0.008s back, as the reigning double world champion reported over the radio that his RB18 “doesn’t turn”.

1


Sergio
Perez
PER
Red Bull Racing

1:11.853

2


Charles
Leclerc
LEC
Ferrari

+0.004s

3


Max
Verstappen
VER
Red Bull Racing

+0.008s

4


Carlos
Sainz
SAI
Ferrari

+0.186s

5


Lewis
Hamilton
HAM
Mercedes

+0.187s

In the closing minutes of the session, Leclerc would pip the struggling Verstappen by 0.004s to split the Red Bulls, after Ferrari made a late switch to the soft tyres – Carlos Sainz taking fourth, just under two-tenths back.

Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell were both within a whisker of Sainz in P5 and P6 respectively, despite Hamilton stating that it “feels like the rear is just floating around” and locking up at the start of his soft tyre run.

READ MORE: Hamilton’s Sao Paulo charge, Alonso’s rocket start and Bottas bossing it – 7 top F1 Sprint moments

Sebastian Vettel put his Aston Martin seventh as his F1 retirement draws ever closer, as Haas driver Mick Schumacher, the Alfa Romeo of Valtteri Bottas and AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly rounded out the top 10 positions.

Alpine pair Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon made a low-key start to the weekend in respective P11 and P13 spots – neither Alpine nor rivals McLaren running soft tyres in the session – sandwiching Williams man Alex Albon, with the other Aston Martin of Lance Stroll 14th after reporting technical issues.

Drivers and teams ran packed FP1 programmes to prepare for qualifying

Having been unwell on Thursday, Lando Norris made it out on track to lead McLaren’s charge in P15, followed by the remaining Haas and Williams machines of Kevin Magnussen and Nicholas Latifi.

Zhou Guanyu (Alfa Romeo), Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri) and Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) completed the field, which was covered by 1.5 seconds around the 4.309km venue.

READ MORE: Verstappen sees ‘good chance’ to extend F1 victory record at Interlagos as Perez targets Red Bull 1-2 in the standings

In an otherwise quiet session, a slow-moving Norris at the exit of the Senna Esses drew the ire of Sainz, with Stroll frustrating Leclerc in another traffic-related incident on the run down to Juncao.

After FP1, attention immediately turns to qualifying in Sao Paulo, which is scheduled to get under way at 1600 local time. Visit the RACE HUB for more information.

Who’s going to score in the 2022 Sao Paulo Grand Prix? Pick your dream team before qualifying and take on the world to win huge prizes with the Official Formula 1 Fantasy game. Sign up, join leagues and manage your squad here.

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Baker Mayfield goes viral for headbutting after Panthers win

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Baker Mayfield was certainly fired up following the Panthers’ 25-15 win over the Falcons on “Thursday Night Football.”

The 27-year-old quarterback – who did not play a snap in Thursday’s game – celebrated Carolina’s victory over its NFC South rival by headbutting a few of his helmet-wearing teammates while he only sported a baseball cap.

Given the growing concern around concussions and head health in the NFL in the wake of Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s scary incident in late September, the move naturally caught plenty of attention, with Amazon’s Al Michaels remarking, “Good way to wind up in concussion protocol even though you don’t get into the in the game.”

Baker Mayfield (6) is seen headbutting his Panthers teammates on Nov. 10, 2022.
Twitter

It’s been a rollercoaster of a season for Mayfield, who was traded to Carolina in July following four seasons in Cleveland, where the Browns selected him first overall in 2018.

Though Mayfield was named Carolina’s starting quarterback over the summer, he and the Panthers only won one game in his first five starts. Mayfield also suffered an ankle injury in a Week 5 loss to the 49ers. A short time later, Carolina parted ways with head coach Matt Rhule after two-and-a-half seasons.

In the wake of Mayfield’s injury, the Panthers turned to backup quarterback P.J. Walker. Carolina benched Walker last week in a blowout against the Bengals, with Mayfield playing well in the second half. Still, Walker got the nod for the Falcons matchup.

(From left) Panthers quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and P.J. Walker ahead of Carolina’s game against the Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 10, 2022.
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Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield warms up on Nov. 10, 2022.
AP

Walker went 10 for 16, throwing for 108 yards in rainy and windy conditions in Charlotte.

The Panthers, who improved to 3-7, will visit the 6-3 Ravens next Sunday.



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Here’s why the 2022 NFL season is proving older QBs have officially passed torch to the younger generations

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The NFL is often perceived as a young man’s game, but recent history at the most important position — quarterback — has suggested otherwise. Six of the last eight Super Bowl-winning QBs hoisted the Lombardi Trophy over the age of 30, and one of the other two — Nick Foles, in 2017 — was 29. Granted, the unmatched and seemingly ageless Tom Brady is responsible for four different championships during that span. But entering 2022, Brady (45), Aaron Rodgers (38) and a rejuvenated Matthew Stafford (34) seemed to confirm that QB supremacy still belonged to graybeards as much as young guns.

Brady showcased a stronger arm approaching his mid-40s than his mid-20s, Rodgers came in seeking to tie Brett Favre with a third consecutive MVP award, and Stafford’s cannon finally delivered on the big stage surrounded by the Rams’ all-star lineup. The Broncos and Colts took note, spending big bucks and/or picks to add Russell Wilson (33) and Matt Ryan (37), respectively.

Just over halfway through the 2022 season, it’s fair to suggest the veteran wave is, in fact, winding down. In nine quick weeks, the hierarchy of QB power has undergone a dramatic transformation, displacing nearly all of the old-timers with relative newcomers, and confirming the future of the position lies with the younger generation.

Consider that, entering Week 10, seven of the top 10 players in our 2022 QB Power Rankings were 27 or younger; half were 25 or younger; and half were playing on rookie contracts:

Disregard the order for this exercise, and focus on the collective: the hottest QBs in today’s game are predominantly young, at least relative to the longer “life expectancy” compared to other positions. The average age of these 10 QBs is 28.5. Remove Brady, the anomaly, and it’s almost two full years younger: 26.6.

Seattle revelation Geno Smith, meanwhile, isn’t your typical 32-year-old starter, having spent the better part of his previous seven seasons on the bench. And here’s the kicker, with or without Geno and Brady: being that these are some of the best QBs at present, and being that most of them are conceivably either in or still approaching their prime, the stage has clearly been set for the elite over-30 QBs to be outnumbered.

Every horse eventually loses steam, as evidenced by recent milestone retirements in Pittsburgh (Ben Roethlisberger, 2022); New Orleans (Drew Brees, 2021); and Indianapolis (Philip Rivers, 2021). And, to be clear, only a fool would forecast the actual demise of a machine like Brady, who notably remains in the aforementioned top 10. But even if Brady remains intact amid a potentially deteriorating Buccaneers setup, and even if he doesn’t revisit retirement (this time for real) beyond 2022, he all but stands alone among the aging powerhouses who reasonably project as top-shelf material for the foreseeable future.

Rodgers is the next-best thing in that regard, and like Brady, his ugly 2022 results have more to do with a shoddy Packers supporting cast than a sudden loss in physical talent. But he might be as close to retirement as Brady; a 2023 return feels inevitable so as to avoid such a potentially sour sendoff, and yet playing well into his 40s is not a guarantee.

As for Smith and Kirk Cousins, who’s earned a modicum of additional respect due to his resilience for a 7-1 team, they are good stories but hardly qualify as likely long-term superstars. No, that category belongs almost exclusively to QBs drafted in 2017 or later: Mahomes (2017), Allen (2018), Jackson (2018), Burrow (2020) and Herbert (2020) are all safe bets to be in the MVP conversation both now and for years to come. Tagovailoa (2020) and, even more so, Hurts (2020) have grown in seismic ways to approach that conversation. And that’s not accounting for even fresher possibilities like Justin Fields (2021).

Now just hold on a second, you say: aren’t there other older QBs who will step up to fill the shoes of the Bradys and Rodgers of the world, reconfirming the position as a post for elderly statesmen? And to that, we say: if there are, they aren’t very apparent.

Here’s an incomplete list of current or recent starters at least 28 or older, not including Brady and Rodgers: Ryan (37), Stafford (34), Cousins (34), Ryan Tannehill (34), Wilson (33), Smith (32), Derek Carr (31), Jimmy Garoppolo (31), Dak Prescott (29), Carson Wentz (29), Taylor Heinicke (29), Marcus Mariota (29), Jared Goff (28), Jameis Winston (28).

Ryan is spiraling toward retirement after the Colts’ dysfunction accelerated his physical decline. Stafford and Wilson have often looked like the least confident versions of themselves amid new scenery or lineup holes in 2022. Ditto for Carr and Tannehill, both respected but unspectacular starters hurting for big-game success. Prescott, the steely soldier who does all the little things well, is the easiest to envision remaining in the upper echelon at his position. But even if we generously grant that one or two from this crop of mostly mid-tier vets will return or ascend to elite form, few would dare suggest this landscape is more promising than that of the younger generation. The new kids, in this case, are just that much better.

The shift is especially notable because it is a deviation from the last decade or so of the general QB pecking order. In the last 10 NFL seasons, for example, the majority of the annual top five QBs by passer rating were 30 or older. In addition to present-day stars like Brady and Rodgers still thriving, the 2012-2021 window saw 30-somethings like Brees, Ryan, Roethlisberger, Rivers, Peyton Manning, Tony Romo, Carson Palmer and Eli Manning pace yearly leaderboards at the position. As opposed to now, where youth is driving the QB production, newbies like Wilson, Andrew Luck and later Mahomes emerged as exceptions.

So where do we go from here? Welcome the sea change, is probably the best advice, for some of the most entertaining football stems from the onslaught of new signal-callers. Just don’t forget to appreciate the old-timers, because their days, more than ever, at least at this juncture in the sport, look increasingly numbered. The torch, it’s pretty safe to say, has been passed.

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Unpredictable weather, a brilliant track and the return of the Sprint – Sao Paulo is set to deliver on all fronts

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As you hit the final kilometre of the journey into Brazil’s iconic Interlagos circuit, you’ll find countless eye-catching artworks on the sides of apartments, restaurants and bars characterising drivers and key personnel from Formula 1’s rich history.

Brazil has long had a love affair with Formula 1 so while both championships may have already been decided, that hasn’t dampened the enthusiasm of the country’s fans as the series rolls into town for the penultimate round of the campaign.

The Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace is one of F1’s great circuits and has delivered some incredible on-track moments over the years. Former Ferrari driver and home hero Felipe Massa has been part of many of those, the most dramatic coming in 2008.

WATCH: From Montoya vs Schumacher to Senna’s home win – 5 of the most dramatic moments from Brazil’s F1 history

The Brazilian crossed the line to win his home race for the second time – and in doing so, thought he had clinched the world title. But moments later, Lewis Hamilton passed Timo Glock and that was enough to snatch the title away from Massa.

Massa came closest to winning the title back in 2008 – but was pipped by Hamilton

I headed out on a pushbike with Massa for a track guide, which you’ll be able to see in Sunday’s pre-race show on F1TV, and the 11-time race winner admitted that he still thinks about that moment – where he had one hand on the crown – often.

But while the pain will always be there, as that was the closest he ever came to achieving his racing dream, his overwhelming memories of Interlagos will be happy ones – the Brazilian embraced by a nation which made him feel like a hero every time he turned a wheel.

They won’t have a Brazilian driver to cheer come Sunday, but they have got the tantalising prospect of the third Sprint weekend of the year. And if it’s anything like last year, when Lewis Hamilton delivered arguably his greatest ever performance, fighting from the back to fifth in the Sprint and then climbing from 10th on race day to seize victory – it could be a cracker.

THROUGH THE VISOR: ‘One of the races I’m most proud of’ – Hamilton recalls his incredible comeback win in Brazil

Repeating the trick this year will be a difficult feat for Hamilton – who this week was made an honorary citizen of Brazil, so loved is he by the South American country – because while Mercedes have closed the gap to the front in recent races, it is the Red Bull which will likely be the most formidable car this weekend.

Hamilton’s famous win here last year ranks as one of his very best comebacks

Two-time world champion Max Verstappen has been in scintillating form this year, the Dutchman winning a record 14 races already. Should the conditions remain stable, it’s difficult to see how anyone can stop him adding to that tally on Sunday.

Ferrari are expecting to be better in Brazil. Though the track is at altitude, around 800m above sea level, it’s 1,500m lower than it was in Mexico – where they struggled in the thinner air and ran the engine at lower power levels as a precaution. Charles Leclerc reckons they should be in contention for pole on a layout that does encourage great racing.

READ MORE: Leclerc and Sainz maintain Mexico was a ‘one-off’ as they aim to bounce back in Brazil

It’s a circuit of two extremes, the first and third sectors demanding a low-drag set-up to make the most of the long straights – but the middle sector is twisty and requires a heap of downforce to get the most lap time.

Turn 1 offers the best shot at an overtake, the left-hander banked heavily which unloads the front-left tyre and causes lock ups. But to even have a shot here, you need a good exit out of Turn 12, as it’s full throttle from there for 1.2km to the first corner braking zone.

Ferrari were off the pace in Mexico – but are hoping to be in the mix here

You’ve got a shot at Turn 4, too, this corner the scene of many a notable incident, most recently last year when title contenders Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen got very up close and personal.

There’s plenty of elevation change – something which is tricky to see on television. There’s a drop of around 40 metres from the start-finish straight to Turn 4. Then an elevation change of 33 metres from Turn 12 to the first corner.

And finally there’s the weather to consider. It’s cooler and rainier this time of year in Sao Paulo, with the forecast suggesting there could be wet stuff on all three days of action. That should spice things up on a weekend when the Sprint format means there’s less practice – and thus less data – to work with.

GOOD LAP vs GREAT LAP: How to maximise a lap at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace

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Arthur Smith didn’t consider benching Marcus Mariota, won’t say who starts next week

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Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota played an ugly game on Thursday night, but he was never in danger of being benched.

That’s the word from Falcons head coach Arthur Smith, who said after the game that he never considered turning to rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder.

However, Smith would not say definitively that Mariota will remain the starter for the Falcons’ next game, November 20 against the Bears.

“I know those are popular narratives, those are the easy questions to ask,” Smith said. “But as a whole football team, we’ve got to do a better job, starting with myself. So, we look every week to make sure we’ve got the right guys in the right spots.”

When asked a follow-up question about whether Mariota or Ridder will go, Smith declined to focus specifically on the quarterback position.

“You can make it about the quarterback, how about the team?” Smith said. “We had an opportunity at the end of the fourth quarter the last two weeks, and a lot of different ways, and a lot of different phases where we’ve got to get better. And we’ve got an opportunity to do that with seven games left.”

The Falcons do have an opportunity to make the playoffs, thanks to the overall weakness of the AFC South. But they’re not going to win much if Mariota keeps playing like he did on Thursday night.

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