morrice norris jr

Lions’ Morice Norris Jr. Says He’s OK After On-Field Scare

Detroit Lions safety Morice Norris Jr. reassured fans on social media Saturday that he is fine after being taken off the field in an ambulance during Friday’s preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons. Norris reposted a gratitude message with a Bible verse on Instagram, writing, “Amen Amen,” and adding, “I’m all good man don’t stress,” while thanking everyone for their check-ins and support. The 24-year-old was in stable condition late Friday night after receiving about 20 minutes of medical attention on the field before being transported to an Atlanta hospital. The injury occurred early in the fourth quarter when Norris’ facemask made contact with Falcons running back Nate Carter’s midsection, causing his head to snap back during the tackle. Play briefly continued after the incident, but the seriousness was evident to teammates. “Usually you see a couple trainers out there,” quarterback Kyle Allen said. “It’s never good when they bring out the stretchers.”

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georges niang

Celtics Trade Georges Niang to Jazz, Add Chris Boucher

The Boston Celtics have sent forward Georges Niang and two future second-round picks to the Utah Jazz for rookie RJ Luis Jr., the teams announced Wednesday. In a separate move, Boston has reportedly agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million deal with veteran forward Chris Boucher, who spent the past seven seasons with the Toronto Raptors and was part of their 2019 championship run. Niang returns to Utah just a month after arriving in Boston in a three-team trade that sent Kristaps Porzingis to Atlanta. He played four seasons with the Jazz earlier in his career and averaged a career-best 9.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 79 games with Atlanta and Cleveland last season. The deal sheds the final year of Niang’s contract, saving Boston $8 million in luxury taxes and keeping the team under the second apron following Boucher’s signing.

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Denis Bouanga Builds Leagues Cup Legacy in LAFC’s PK Win

Denis Bouanga added another chapter to his Leagues Cup legacy as LAFC survived a red card and edged LIGA MX leaders Pachuca on penalties in Leagues Cup 2025. Bouanga opened the scoring in the 10th minute, extending his record as the tournament’s all-time top scorer with 13 goals. His calm finish was his first goal of this year’s edition and continued a prolific 2025 campaign that has seen him score across MLS, Leagues Cup, Concacaf Champions Cup, Club World Cup, and for Gabon in international qualifiers. “I hope to stay on top,” Bouanga said. “Now I’ll try to have a bigger gap with [Lionel] Messi.” After LAFC went down to 10 men, they held strong through 90 minutes and relied on Bouanga again to convert their first penalty in the shootout. The win gave LAFC two crucial points and kept them alive heading into the final matchday of Phase One. “The way we played, we were not losing,” said head coach Steve Cherundolo.

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Diego Rossi helps Columbus Crew keep Leagues Cup title defense alive

The reigning Leagues Cup champions came up wiuth the response they needed thanks to Diego Rossi After a dramatic shootout loss to Toluca on Tuesday, the Columbus Crew, came out with a purpose in Friday’s 3-1 victory over Puebla. The three points keep the Crew alive in the tight standings race as they look to escape Phase One and defend their 2024 title. “We stayed on task and did well,” head coach Wilfried Nancy said after the game. “We wanted to get better in certain things, try to score more goals and also defend better. “I really liked the energy that we had and that’s why we did what we did tonight.” It was a crucial bounce-back result for the Crew, who had to settle for one point in their Phase One opener – a game in which they blew a 2-0 lead before falling 4-2 in the decisive penalty shootout. Star forward Diego Rossi had a pair of missed penalty kicks in that match — one with just two minutes left in regulation and the other in the shootout. But the Uruguayan atoned in a big way Friday, notching a goal and an assist. His 16th-minute tally moved Rossi into a tie for third in all-time Leagues Cup goals (eight). “He was so sad after the last game,” Nancy said of Diego Rossi. “For me, I don’t believe in luck. He has the best work ethic on the team. I’m really happy for him because he deserved it tonight.” As a squad, the Crew played their best at the right time following Tuesday’s disappointing loss. Nancy noted they were able to match Puebla’s fitness and intensity.

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Alan Montes

Sporting Kansas City sign defender Alan Montes from Necaxa

Sporting Kansas City have acquired center back Alan Montes on loan from LIGA MX side Club Necaxa, the club announced Friday. The 24-year-old Mexican, who will occupy an international roster spot, is on loan through the remainder of the 2025 season with a purchase option. Since making his LIGA MX debut for Los Rayos in 2020, Montes has spent time with the first, second, and youth teams at Necaxa and CF Monterrey. Eventually securing his spot in the Necaxa first team, Montes went on to produce 4g/1a in 59 professional appearances. Montes joins a center back core of Jansen Miller, Joaquín Fernández and Robert Voloder in Kansas City. Sporting are chasing an Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs spot, sitting six points below the Western Conference cutoff line in 13th place with 10 games remaining. They’ll be back in action on Aug. 9 when hosting Western Conference leaders San Diego FC (8:45 pm ET | MLS Season Pass; FS1, FOX Deportes).

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Knicks Sign Mikal Bridges to Long-Term Extension

The New York Knicks have signed forward Mikal Bridges to a multi-year contract extension, the team confirmed Friday. “We are pleased to sign Mikal to a long-term contract extension and for his commitment to what we are building in New York,” said Knicks president Leon Rose. “Since Mikal’s arrival with us a little over a year ago, he has shown his dedication, professionalism, and winning pedigree on and off the court.” According to reports, the deal is worth $150 million over four years, with a player option for the 2029–30 season. The Knicks gave up five first-round picks to acquire Bridges last summer. He reportedly accepted slightly less than his maximum to give the team more roster flexibility. Bridges could have waited until free agency next summer to earn more than $156 million. By locking in early, he extends his future alongside former Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart. The Knicks hope this core can take them further after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals last season for the first time since 2000.

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Anthony Volpe Powering Through Scrutiny With His Bat

Anthony Volpe has been under fire for his defense lately, but he’s starting to let his bat do the talking for the Yankees. While Aaron Judge remains sidelined with a flexor strain, Volpe has stepped up offensively. The 24-year-old shortstop has hit seven home runs in his last 13 games, including a four-hit, two-RBI performance in Friday’s wild 13-12 loss to the Marlins. “He’s swinging it great,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said earlier in the week. “He’s locked in.” Volpe’s recent surge brings him to 17 homers and 60 RBIs on the year, putting him on pace for a potential 30-homer season. Only Francisco Lindor and Elly De La Cruz have more long balls among shortstops in MLB. While the Yankees brought in Amed Rosario and Jose Caballero at the trade deadline for depth, Volpe remains in the spotlight — and he’s responding with power.

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Garcia makes 5th rehab start in latest step toward return from Tommy John

Luis Garcia toed the rubber Friday at Constellation Field for his closest start to Daikin Park in over two years. Matching up against AL West foe Bryce Miller of the Mariners, the Astros’ starting pitcher completed his fifth rehab appearance, striking out two batters across 2 2/3 innings at Triple-A. “My arm is feeling healthy,” He said. “I’m just trying to basically [put] more miles on my arm, so I can be confident in what I can do.” The righty generated five swings-and-misses, topping out at 92.7 mph on his four-seam fastball. With a pitch limit of 50, Garcia threw 28 of his 49 pitches for strikes and relied heavily on his cutter. Garcia also surrendered a season-high three runs on three hits and two walks, with No. 49 overall prospect Harry Ford tagging a third-inning home run off the 28-year-old. “I’m feeling a little weird, though,” Garcia said of his delivery. “I think I’m not moving quite as explosively as I was in the past. But I’m just trying to figure it out and everything will be better with time.” Garcia has fanned 14 total batters across 11 frames between four levels since starting his 30-day rehab assignment July 7. Garcia hit the injured list in 2023 with right elbow soreness, resulting in Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for most of the past two years. “I don’t know yet,” said He of his next rehab start. “I just keep doing my rehab starts, and hopefully, I’ll be back soon and just when I feel healthy.”

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Correa, back like he never left, already reinvigorating Astros’ clubhouse

The third and fourth hitters in the Astros’ first lineup post-Trade Deadline were Jesús Sánchez, who started in left field and hit third, and Carlos Correa, who started at third base and hit cleanup against the Red Sox, and both had been acquired in trades a day earlier. Talk about your major Trade Deadline acquisitions. If that wasn’t enough to give the Astros’ lineup a jolt, Correa’s unexpected return to Houstonwas already providing some energy and renewed belief in the team’s championship chances before he even played in a game. The energy inside the visiting clubhouse at Fenway Park was palpable, with Correa slipping on his familiar No. 1 jersey while chatting with both old teammates like Jose Altuve and new ones like Mauricio Dubón. While Correa went 0-for-4 in Houston’s 2-1 loss in 10 innings to the Red Sox on Friday night, he said it was like he never left.

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Crawford Walks It Off, Snaps Slump in Mariners’ Crucial Win

J.P. Crawford picked the perfect moment to break out of his slump. The Mariners shortstop crushed a walk-off homer, the first of his career, to seal a dramatic 4-3 win over the Texas Rangers on Friday night at T-Mobile Park. Facing a 2-0 count, Crawford jumped on a 95 mph fastball from Rangers closer Robert Garcia and sent it 370 feet into the right-field stands. “Just don’t miss the fastball,” Crawford said postgame. “I put a good swing on it… and thankfully I didn’t miss.” Crawford had been mired in a rough stretch, hitting just .109 (6-for-55) since the All-Star break and without a home run in 160 at-bats. But his timely blast delivered Seattle’s seventh walk-off win of the season and gave them sole possession of the final AL Wild Card spot. They now sit two games ahead of Texas and 3.5 games behind Houston in the AL West.

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