Casey Schmitt's solo home run (8)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
3 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Lions' Aidan Hutchinson keeps focus on return to field during contract extension talks
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Aidan Hutchinson's value to the Detroit defense became painfully apparent when the top-seeded Lions were bounced by Washington in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs last season. The Lions failed to sack Jayden Daniels during the Commanders' 45-31 victory while Hutchinson watched as his broken tibia and fibula continued to heal. Putting an exact dollar figure on Hutchinson's worth could be the tricky part as Detroit's front office and the star defensive end's representatives try to work out a new contract. While the Lions have already exercised their $19,782,000 option on Hutchinson's contract for 2026, the 2023 Pro Bowler is eligible for an extension. Hutchinson has tried to concentrate on getting ready for the season and isn't sure how long the negotiations might last. 'I've kind of been pretty hands-off in the process,' he said after a joint practice between Detroit and Houston on Thursday. 'The business side can take away your love of the game a little bit. That's kind of the reality in the NFL.' T.J. Watt's three-year, $123 million extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers with $108 million guaranteed could provide a baseline for Hutchinson's next contract. 'I have a lot of people in my close circle that do deal with that,' said Hutchinson, the second pick of the 2022 draft. 'My main focus is out here playing football and playing the game I love.' That was taken away from him during the fifth game of last season, when fellow lineman Alim McNeill fell on his leg during a 47-9 win over Dallas. Hutchinson already had 7 1/2 sacks and was well on his way to another Pro Bowl season. He was cleared medically in May and hasn't suffered any setbacks during training camp. Any concerns about the strength of his surgically repaired leg were alleviated when he got leg-whipped by a linebacker during a goal-line play in practice three weeks ago. 'It was right smack dab where Alim hit me a few months ago,' Hutchinson said. 'I got up and shook it out. When you can get leg-whipped, you start to have that confidence where, 'I have a steel rod in my leg and that thing's not going anywhere.'' Hutchinson hasn't played this preseason and, as with the other Detroit starters, that isn't expected to change in the preseason finale against the Texans on Saturday. The first units for both teams faced each other during Thursday's practice, working on situations such as red zone and two-minute execution. Hutchinson was matched up against tackle Tytus Howard. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Hutchinson looked as fierce as ever in the scrimmage. 'With as tough an injury as he had to go through, it's cool to see him back out working and he's still bringing it on the edge,' Ryans said. 'I thought Tytus did a really nice job today. Of course, Aidan got him a couple of times and Tytus got him a couple of times. But that's two pros working together.' Hutchinson's long wait to get back will end on Sept. 7, when the Lions open their season at Green Bay. 'I feel like I'm in a really good spot right now,' he said. 'I'm just trying to carry all this momentum into Week 1 and stay hot throughout the whole season.' ___ AP NFL:
Forbes
3 minutes ago
- Forbes
Pelicans Star's Shocking Reveal Sends Clear Message To Several NBA Greats
Six months after tearing his Achilles tendon, Dejounte Murray posted a stunning video. The New Orleans Pelicans guard is already back to dunking. Murray suffered what is perhaps the most devastating injury for an athlete to sustain in a game against the Boston Celtics. That occurred Feb. 1, 2025. That he's already soaring above the rim again is an encouraging message for players like Jayson Tatum, Damian Lillard, and Tyrese Haliburton to see. While everyone's body and recovery rates are different, those three suffered the same injury as Murray. That the latter is dunking six months after tearing his Achilles suggests that he underwent the SpeedBridge procedure. Tatum, who recently shared that he is already out of his boot and working out six times a week, likely had the same operation. From Arthrex, the company behind the SpeedBridge procedure, to Dr. Kevin Stone, a leading expert in Achilles tendon repair, the medical community has emphasized to this author that they are bullish on the advancements in treating this injury. "There's nothing about an Achilles rupture that should prevent him from coming back better than he was before," conveyed Dr. Stone in a conversation with Forbes on the heels of Tatum's injury. Murray's video reveal also signals that the former All-Star is progressing at a rate that could have him in the Pelicans' lineup faster than anticipated. That's not to suggest rushing his return. However, if medically cleared to make that become a reality, it will give New Orleans another ball handler and defensive pest. Murray is a former All-Defensive selection. He also led the league in total thefts and steals per game in the 2021-22 season. At the other end of the floor, he has averaged at least 5.4 assists each of the last five years. Dejounte Murray could help Pelicans maximize top pick What the eight-year veteran brings on both sides of the ball makes him well-suited to operate alongside and help bring the best out of rookie Jeremiah Fears. The Pelicans selected Fears seventh overall in this year's NBA Draft. He is a gifted scorer and a blur with the ball in his hands. Allowing him to attack off the ball and get downhill of the catch will prove problematic for defenses. "He's so talented, but then people [have] got to remember, he's so young, too. He's 18 years old and [has] got so much potential," teammate Hunter Dickinson told Forbes at Summer League. "He's already a really good player now. So, sky's the limit for him." However, at six-foot-four and 182 pounds, Fears is a prime target at the other end of the court. That's another reason that pairing him with a player like Murray is ideal. A dynamic defensive talent like the latter can make life easier for the former Oklahoma Sooners star and help preserve the integrity of New Orleans' defensive structure. So, while the Pelicans' roster reshuffle could send Dejounte Murray somewhere else this season, his impact on Fears could influence the organization to keep him in New Orleans.
Washington Post
3 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Northwestern reaches settlement with football coach who was fired amid hazing scandal
CHICAGO — Northwestern University has reached a settlement with former longtime football coach Pat Fitzgerald two years after he sued the prestigious school amid a team hazing scandal, attorneys and the school announced Thursday. 'Though I maintain Northwestern had no legal basis to terminate my employment for cause under the terms of my Employment Agreement, in the interest of resolving this matter and, in particular, to relieve my family from the stress of ongoing litigation, Northwestern and I have agreed to a settlement,' Fitzgerald said in a statement through his attorneys.
