AI-assisted summary
• Being a first-round pick doesn’t seem to convey the job security it once did, even for quarterbacks.
• WR Quentin Johnston isn’t the only first-rounder on the Chargers who needs to step it up in 2025.
• Injuries and inconsistent performance have contributed to the struggles of some first-rounders.

Former Houston Oilers and Atlanta Falcons head coach Jerry Glanville, probably appropriately, said it best years ago: ‘NFL stands for ‘not for long.’ ‘

It’s true for the capricious league’s coaches, general managers and certainly its players, even ones with a seemingly relative level of security brought by the status of being drafted in the first round. But even that is an ever-diminishing safety net.

Just last month, the Tennessee Titans released WR Treylon Burks, albeit with an injury designation, only three years after he was drafted 18th overall as the presumed replacement for A.J. Brown when he was traded on the same night Burks was picked. But with 53 catches in three seasons, Burks obviously didn’t approximate Brown’s value, his roster spot in obvious jeopardy even before he broke his clavicle in the early portion of training camp.

Other recent first-rounders will doubtless share fates adjacent to Burks’, whether it comes during next week’s roster cutdowns or in the coming months. The upcoming season also happens to be a pivotal one for players taken in Round 1 of the 2023 draft as their clubs must decide next spring whether or not to pick up their highly lucrative (and fully guaranteed) fifth-year options for the 2027 season.

Going into the 2025 campaign, here are 25 recent first-rounders who are already on a bubble in some manner or could soon find themselves in various levels of jeopardy:

QB Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts

Seems like it was only five minutes ago that first-round quarterbacks, and certainly those taken within the top five picks, had a lengthy leash to justify the investment in them. Alas, those days are gone, Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in 2023, losing the battle to retain his QB1 status earlier this week to Daniel Jones – maybe ironically so given Jones, the sixth overall pick in 2019, is now on his third roster in less than a year. Maybe the light will come on for Richardson, a tremendous dual-threat talent but a raw player with very little football experience despite how far his ability has carried him. But, at the moment, he’s quite clearly on a trajectory likely to land him on another roster in 2026.

COUNT THE REASONS: Why players like Daniel Jones, Joe Flacco keep getting starting QB jobs

QB Kenny Pickett, Cleveland Browns

The only first-round passer in 2022, chosen 20th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pickett collected a Super Bowl ring as a backup with the Eagles last season after washing out in Steel City. He was traded to Cleveland in March, but a hamstring injury has prevented him from playing in the preseason and ruined any shot he had at winning the Browns’ four-man QB1 battle. What happens moving forward remains to be seen given the unlikelihood the Browns would cut rookies Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders.

2021 quarterbacks

Five passers were selected in the first round four years ago – yet, with the exception of the Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence, all of them have joined their third teams this year. Heading into Week 1, only Lawrence and the New York Jets’ Justin Fields, who’s been a victim of circumstances as much as his own shortcomings, are slated to start. Meanwhile, Zach Wilson (Miami Dolphins), Trey Lance (Chargers) and Mac Jones (San Francisco 49ers) are all – once again – ticketed for backup roles, Jones the only one currently under contract beyond 2025. Hardly ideal conditions to achieve career longevity or attain opportunities at redemption.

2021 running backs

Najee Harris and Travis Etienne Jr. were the only Round 1 backs four years ago, drafted 24th and 25th overall, respectively. But while Harris’ 1,277 touches since his rookie year lead the league, the Steelers let him walk in March, when he joined the Chargers. However a fireworks mishap during a Fourth of July event damaged one of his eyes, leaving Harris mostly as a bystander during training camp – and allowing first-round rookie Omarion Hampton the opportunity to establish himself as the Bolts’ bellcow. As for Etienne, whose first year in the NFL was wiped out by a foot injury, he managed a career-low 812 yards from scrimmage in 2024, leaving new Jags coach Liam Coen answering questions about his role and status during the offseason. Heading into his walk year, Etienne could be headed for a three-way timeshare in Jacksonville’s backfield.

A flock of Philadelphia Eagles

The reigning champs have somehow wound up as something of a football halfway house for 2022 first-rounders, currently carrying four on their roster. But DT Jordan Davis, the only one Philly actually drafted, was also the only one to secure his fifth-year option. Among the trio of WR Jahan Dotson, G Kenyon Green and S Lewis Cine, who suffered a compound fracture to his leg during his rookie season with the Minnesota Vikings, only Dotson seems like a virtual lock to even make the 53-man roster – and, coming off a 19-catch effort in 2024, his prospects took something of a hit given the trade for fellow WR John Metchie III earlier this week.

DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas City Chiefs

You’re forgiven if you don’t recall him being K.C.’s first-rounder two years ago. Anudike-Uzomah has three career sacks and 41 tackles in 34 career games. Those totals won’t improve in 2025, a hamstring injury already landing him on season-ending injured reserve. Almost no chance his option is picked up and maybe only a moderately better one that he’s still with the team in 2026.

A coupla Cowboys

Dallas drafted DT Mazi Smith with the 26th pick in 2023. The Cowboys swung a deal with the Bills for 2022 first-round CB Kaiir Elam earlier this year, which tells you how things went for him in Buffalo. Smith has been a major disappointment to date and, despite starting all 17 games in an unproductive 2024 campaign, could see veteran Solomon Thomas take a major cut of his snaps. Elam has had a decent offseason with Dallas but has to prove a better option than highly compensated (but currently injured) Trevon Diggs if he’s going to stick around beyond this year.

G Cole Strange, New England Patriots

One of the, well, stranger first-round picks in recent years – Bill Belichick, not necessarily known for his drafting acumen, took the Chattanooga lineman much earlier than most draft observers expected – Strange has not yet fulfilled his former coach’s faith in him. A major part of the issue was a torn patellar tendon that cost Strange 21 games over the past two seasons. Unsigned beyond this season, he’s trying to crack what was a terrible line in 2024, one the Pats heavily attempted to remedy this offseason.

Bolt brothers

WR Quentin Johnston, a first-rounder of the Los Angeles Chargers two years ago − before current coach Jim Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz arrived − might have to beat out surging rookies Tre’ Harris and/or KeAndre Lambert-Smith … to be the team’s No. 3 wideout now that Keenan Allen is back and teamed with Ladd McConkey. Johnston can make big plays but doesn’t do it frequently enough. His inconsistent track record – but consistent issues with drops – is unlikely to help his case, and opportunities could be limited on a run-oriented offense. Worst of all, he was carted off the field Saturday with a concussion.

G Zion Johnson‘s option for 2026 was declined this year. The Bolts have tried him at guard, center and the second team this summer, factors portending a future elsewhere next year.

Struggling Saints

OL Trevor Penning, drafted 19th overall in 2022, had his option declined this year. He and the team are hoping a switch to guard, assuming he overcomes a recent turf toe injury, can revitalize his career after he failed to cut it at both tackle spots. DT Bryan Bresee, the 29th pick in 2023, showed signs of life in his second season, but it’s been a struggle so far. As New Orleans switches to a base three-man front under new coordinator Brandon Staley, Bresee also needs to take advantage of relative change of scenery in hopes of kickstarting his career.

A two-Pack in Green Bay

The 2025 season will doubtless be a defining one for the careers of Packers LB Quay Walker and DL Lukas Van Ness. Drafted 22nd overall in 2022 with the pick obtained in the trade of WR Davante Adams, Walker has been solid if unspectacular while starting 43 games in his career. But his fifth-year option was declined, and he must also overcome ankle surgery that wiped out his offseason and a good chunk of training camp as he tries to convince Green Bay or another team he’s worthy of a significant payout in 2026. Meanwhile, Van Ness never started at Iowa but shined as a situational pass rusher. He’s effectively had the same role during two NFL seasons, yet to start a game, however has just seven sacks and 22 pressures in 34 appearances. He’ll need to show much more this year if he wants his option activated afterward.

LB Devin Lloyd, Jacksonville Jaguars

Similar to Walker, he’s been a solid player, Lloyd’s biggest sin perhaps the fact his off-ball ‘backer position just isn’t a highly valued one. Though his career started with NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month honors after his first three games in 2022, his first season was uneven overall. But Lloyd has been reliable since, starting 46 games overall and averaging nearly 120 tackles during his three seasons. But his option wasn’t picked up for 2026, and with Foyesade Oluokun entrenched in the middle of the Jags’ defense, Lloyd may very well have to hit the bricks next year and hope a market develops for him elsewhere.

DE Myles Murphy, Cincinnati Bengals

Maybe you’d heard that Cincy’s underwhelming defense desperately needs to get DE Trey Hendrickson back in the fold? Or that DE Shemar Stewart was drafted in Round 1 this year to help prop it up following the retirement of Sam Hubbard? One of the underlying issues to those subplots has been the utter lack of production from Murphy, who’s supplied all of three sacks and 15 pressures in two seasons and has yet to earn a regular-season start.

OL Evan Neal, New York Giants

Drafted seventh overall in 2022, he was expected to fortify a line, presumably as the bookend to hyper-talented LT Andrew Thomas. Instead, Neal is now listed as a backup guard after becoming the highest-drafted player in his class to not earn his fifth-year option.

CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr., Los Angeles Rams

He’s starting his first full season in LA after hooking on with the Rams midway through his second year, when the Washington Commanders’ new regime decided he needed a fresh start. A pick-six machine in college – Forbes had an FBS record six for Mississippi State – he’s swiped all of two balls in 22 NFL games, not nearly enough to offset his limitations, namely his 6-foot, 166-pound frame coming out of Starkville. The Rams now list Forbes at 180 pounds, and his best bet is probably to try and secure a dime back role and hope to expand his snap count from there.

OT Jedrick Wills Jr., free agent

This is a fascinating case study. Wills was a serviceable, if not dominant, left tackle for the better part of five seasons in Cleveland. But his tenure ended on a poor note at the end of the 2024 season, Wills removing himself from the lineup last November as a “business decision” in order to recover from a knee injury. Per Fox Sports, he’s prepared to sit out all or part of the 2025 season in a bid to get the joint fully healthy. Wills missed 21 of his final 34 games with the Browns but is only 26 and plays a highly coveted position. Should be interesting to see if demand for his services outstrip questions about his recent durability issues and approach to handling them.

Some of the biggest names in the WNBA have been sidelined indefinitely with various injuries as teams enter the final stretch of the season, but that hasn’t stopped basketball fans across the nation from showing up.

WNBA officials announced Thursday that the league set a new single-season attendance record, with 13 franchises welcoming more than 2.5 million fans in 226 games this year. And that number is expected to grow as there are three weeks remaining in the regular season and the 2025 WNBA Finals have expanded to a best-of-seven format for the first time in league history.

The previous record was set more than two decades ago in 2002 by 16 teams across 256 games.

Women’s basketball has continued to skyrocket in popularity, both on the collegiate and professional level. Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese’s rivalry at Iowa and LSU, respectively, captivated the nation and brought a new audience to the WNBA as viewers followed the budding stars to the pros their rookie season. Incoming rookie Paige Bueckers, who set single-game rookie scoring record with 44 points against the Los Angeles Sparks on Wednesday, has carried the momentum as the league rewrites attendance and viewership records.

Both Clark and Reese have dealt with injuries this season. Clark has missed 22 of the Indiana Fever’s 35 games due to various injuries, including 13 consecutive games with a right groin injury. Reese missed seven games with a back injury and recently returned to the lineup in the Sky’s loss to the Seattle Storm on Tuesday. MVP frontrunner Napheesa Collier (right ankle) has missed five straight games for the Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (right knee) has been sidelined 11 games.

The WNBA expanded from 12 teams to 13 franchises this season, welcoming the Golden State Valkyries. The Valkyries have received unprecedented support in their inaugural season and have sold out all 17 of their home games at Chase Center this season.

The league is set to grow to 18 teams by 2030, with franchises being added in Portland, Oregon (2026), Toronto (2026), Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029) and Philadelphia (2030).

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

AI-assisted summary
• A new Netflix docuseries, ‘America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys,’ explores the Dallas Cowboys’ sustained popularity despite a lack of recent championships.
• Cowboys owner Jerry Jones attributes the team’s value and popularity to his hard work and marketing efforts.
• Jones defends Dallas’ performance, citing its overall win record the past three decades and near misses in playoff runs.

Again, for maybe the 29th time over the years, I had to ask Jerry Jones to explain how the Dallas Cowboys – the most valuable sports franchise on the planet – have sustained such immense popularity despite continually falling short of winning championships.

Then again, why ask? Just look around. Or watch.

There’s a fresh answer with the compelling eight-part docuseries, “America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys,” that dropped this week on Netflix.

It reminds us that no team does drama quite like the Cowboys.

And it reinforces the fact that no team markets itself quite like “America’s Team.”

“I explain it by hard work. I bust my ass,” Jones, referring to the franchise’s value and popularity, told USA TODAY Sports over lunch recently in his training camp office in Oxnard, California. “This exact same hard work that is going on in the football. I work my ass off. And that hasn’t slowed down. This is the busiest I’ve ever been at training camp.”

All that busy work, though, hasn’t resulted in a contract extension for All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons, whose “hold-in” attempt for a new deal has juiced the summer episode of the NFL’s longest-running soap opera. And Jones freely admits he doesn’t mind the drama.

After all, the rift with Parsons keeps the Cowboys ticking on the relevance meter.

The docuseries, meanwhile, adds more layers to the buzz. Sure, the rise and fall of Jerry’s Cowboys – who haven’t even advanced to the NFC title game in the 29 years since winning a third Super Bowl crown during the 1990s – deserves documentary treatment. There are electric characters. Rich storylines. Fascinating details. Heaps of controversy.

Yet despite revealing perspectives shared by the likes of Michael Irvin, Troy Aikman and Charles Haley, among others, the docuseries feels too much like a slick, PR-crafted production. I mean, did they really need those cheesy Western-themed backdrops and effects?

Also, for all the candid revelations from Irvin – who provided backstory from his 1996 drug possession trial and spilled the tea on the “White House” near the team’s headquarters, where some players engaged in booze, drugs and sex escapades – there was no such depth relating to multiple controversies attached to Jones.

Not that I’m surprised. Somebody had to sign off on all the access and cooperation that gave the project its juice. Rather than delve into the team owner’s stance a few years ago against national anthem protests by NFL players or touch the since-settled legal issues linked to a woman alleging to be Jones’ illegitimate daughter, the directing duo of brothers Chaplain and Maclain Way portrayed Jones in a manner he would undoubtedly approve of.

Sure, Jones ignited controversy from the start of his ownership in 1989 when he, well, aptly replaced the legendary Tom Landry with Jimmy Johnson. And during the mid-‘90s he sued NFL partners in breaking off to secure his own massive marketing deals. Look at how that controversy turned out: Forbes, in its latest compilation, values the franchise at $12.8 billion. And Jones, who bought the team for roughly $150 million, is in the Hall of Fame, having forever changed the NFL business landscape as the league’s most powerful owner.

Yet it will be tough for longtime Cowboys fans to waltz down memory lane without connecting the nostalgia with the current state of affairs. The final episode of the docuseries titled, “The Drought,” covers the 29 years since Super Bowl 30.

“What’s the common denominator? Jones. I get it,” Jones said.

Then Jerry, who is on his eighth head coach since Johnson but will indeed get testy when asked about turning over the reins as GM, digs in.

“How long has it been since Buffalo won the Super Bowl?” he said, knowing that the five-time defending AFC East champion Bills have never won a Super Bowl. “Buffalo hasn’t been chopped liver. They’re solid. They’re probably in the top third of the NFL.”

The Cowboys, meanwhile, posted three consecutive 12-5 records under since-departed coach Mike McCarthy, with two NFC East titles, before sinking to an injury-riddled 7-10 finish in 2024.

“I just can’t get as convicted that the way we’re doing it, that our approach to trying to win a Super Bowl, that that needs to change,” Jones said. “I guess that’s why I’m so defensive.”

He knows. The visibility that comes with being the NFL’s biggest draw just increases the heat when they flop, year after year, in chasing another Super Bowl.

Put another way, Jones says, “The ass-kicking that comes with this doesn’t deter me at all.”

Of course, Jones, 82, can still sell it. When he maintains that over the past three decades the Cowboys are among the top six teams in the NFL for victories, it illustrates how hope is such a tangible resource.

“That shows that you’re not defunct,” he said. “Fair? I know we’re in range to have success.”

But still. A 29-year drought?

“On two or three occasions, if not for a nano-second, a nano-factor, we would’ve been in the Super Bowl,” he said, including the would-be Dez Bryant catch in a 2014 NFC divisional playoff loss at Green Bay, as an example. “So, I hang my hat on those times.

“And I hang my hat on the fact that nobody gets to be in 20 of them. Maybe they experienced four of them, or three of them, or like Charles (Haley), five. Thirty years sounds like you should be in half of them. I don’t look at it that way. I look at it like how many people have never been in one? I look at the three (Dallas won in the ‘90s) and I feel like I at least have three years left, or four or five years left, and there’s always the promise that I can get it this season. Or get it next season.”

Now that’s some serious spin. The scene from Dallas’ last playoff game – a blowout loss against the Packers in a 2023 NFC wild-card round matchup at JerryWorld that was the worst postseason setback in the franchise’s history – certainly provided compelling images for the final episode of the docuseries. Jones was in the locker room consoling players, including Parsons – the man now embroiled in a contract dispute.

He hugged Parsons and whispered that the blowout wasn’t the fault of the star player. To which Parsons mumbled, “I just wanna win.”

What a contrast to the vibe from the early episodes, which detailed how Johnson established a tone. The coach once refused to allow meal service on the team’s chartered flight home after a disturbing loss. And in a classic tirade his first year, Johnson bellowed, “The asthma field is over there!” after one player explained why he collapsed while running wind sprints.

Sure, times have changed. Some of the drills Johnson ordered during his demanding training camps wouldn’t be tolerated today, under the collective bargaining agreement. Even so, somebody has to win big. And that is no longer the Cowboys’ way.

At least when it comes to winning on the field. Otherwise, business is booming for a franchise still commanding a huge presence on the NFL relevance map.  

Contact Jarrett Bell at jbell@usatoday.com or follow on social media: On X: @JarrettBell

On Bluesky: jarrettbell.bsky.social

MIAMI GARDENS, FL – Travis Hunter’s preseason has come to an end.

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ top pick and the team’s starters won’t play in their final preseason game against the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, Aug. 23.

Jaguars coach Liam Coen said he’s focused on getting Hunter, who has been dealing with an upper body injury this preseason, ready for the season opener at home against the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 7,

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“It was being smart about the next few weeks. The ultimate goal is Carolina [in Week 1]. That’s at the top of mind right now,” Coen said of Hunter after a joint practice with the Dolphins on Thursday, Aug. 21. “We’re moving in the right direction.”

If the Jaguars needed Hunter to play in a game, Coen said the receiver/defensive back would be healthy enough to be in action.

However, the Jaguars are taking a conservative approach with their No. 2 overall pick from the 2025 NFL draft.

Hunter worked in individual drills on offense, but did not participate in any 11-on-11 work during the one-day joint practice.

Hunter played 10 snaps on offense, and eight snaps on defense during his preseason debut on Aug. 9 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He did not play in the Jaguars’ second preseason game against the New Orleans Saints on Aug. 17.

Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence said he’s been able to build some chemistry with Hunter since the spring, but the two will need to work on their timing before the season.

The Jaguars’ offense is installed, but there are some routes they have not worked on together because of limited time, Lawrence said.

“Hopefully we’ll get him back out there, running around really soon, and we can make up ground we might have missed,” Lawrence said of Hunter.

“When it comes to man coverage, and him going and winning and making a play, I’m not as worried about that. I just have to give him a good throw.”

The 2025 Little League World Series has just two teams left standing in the International bracket, as Aruba held off Venezuela for a 3-1 win at Howard J. Lamade Stadium on Thursday.

Aruba escaped one bases-loaded jam early, and from there got their runs with solid fundamentals. Emerson Mercado’s first-inning sacrifice fly opened the scoring, while Jayderick Wederfoor’s single in the third ended up being a game-winning RBI.

Isaac Arendsz brought Anthony Santos around for a third run with a sac-fly of his own in the top of the sixth inning, leaving Venezuela in a deep hole. Samuel Castillo did get a run on the board, pouncing on a throw to first that missed its target, but Aruba held firm to get the final outs needed to advance. The victory gave Aruba a bit of revenge, as Venezuela came out on top when these same two nations (represented by the same two Little League clubs on both occasions) met last year.

With the win, Aruba will advance to take on defending International champions Chinese Taipei, who on Monday won a meeting between these two ballclubs 4-0. Aruba has reeled off three consecutive wins to clinch the rematch, outscoring their opponents 12-2 in the process.

Here are highlights and play-by-play from the 2025 Little League World Series International lower-bracket final between Aruba and Venezuela:

Little League World Series: Aruba vs. Venezuela highlights

Little League World Series scores today

Thursday, Aug. 21

All times Eastern

International Bracket

Game 33: Aruba 3, Venezuela 1

United States bracket

Game 34: Nevada (Mountain) v. South Carolina (Southeast): 7 p.m. @ Lamade

Aruba holds off Venezuela 3-1

Venezuela made a major push, getting the tying run to bat with one out, but Emerson Mercado got a pop-up and then closed the game out with a strikeout.

Big sigh of relief for Aruba, which advances to the International bracket championship game on Saturday, when they’ll face Chinese Taipei — who won a previous meeting between these teams 4-0 — at Howard J. Lamade Stadium. That game is scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m. ET.

Venezuela makes it 3-1

A wild pitch and an error have cost Aruba their shutout, with Samuel Castillo coming home as Alam Parra kept Venezuela’s hopes alive.

Parra’s hit appeared to be handled, but a throw to first missed its target. That got Parra on base, and let Samuel Castillo — who had moved to second on a wild pitch from Emerson Mercado — come home to get his team on the board.

Venezuela limits damage heading into bottom of sixth

Credit Saul Vegas Duran for recovering from a difficult situation. Aruba had the bases loaded with no outs, but Venezuela coughed up just one run after their pitcher sat two down consecutive batters with strikeouts.

That said, it’s crunch time for the Barquisimeto Little League team. It’s the bottom of the sixth, meaning they need three runs to stay alive.

LLWS: Aruba extends lead to 3-0

Aruba loaded the bases with their first three batters in the top of the sixth, and Isaac Arendsz has an RBI to make it 3-0, as a sac-fly brings Anthony Santos home.

Venezuela pitcher Saul Vegas Duran hasn’t been able to keep Aruba from making contact, and Arendsz’s fly ball to right field gave Aruba a potentially crucial extra run. Diliano Raven and Arnold Gismar Martha remain in scoring position, though Vegas Duran did get a second out with his sixth strikeout of the day.

A pitcher’s best friend? A double play to end the inning for Aruba’s Emerson Mercado

Aruba’s Mercardo stepped on the mound in relief in third inning and he’s been lights out since. He’s scattered two hits, allowed one walk but has two strikeouts and some solid defense behind him as Aruba holds onto a 2-0 lead after five innings.

Venezuela’s Saul Vegas Duran keeping team’s hopes alive

Duran came on in relief in the third inning and has allowed only three hits and has struck out five batters since. Although Aruba leads 2-0 after the top of the fifth inning, Venezuela still has a chance.

When is the 2025 Little League World Series championship game?

The 2025 Little League World Series is set to conclude at Williamsport, Pennsylvania on Sunday, Aug. 24. The 20 teams from across the globe will be down to two when the championship game kicks off at 3 p.m. ET. on ABC.

Venezuela’s Saul Vegas Duran avoids a bases loaded jam

Aruba loaded the bases with two outs. But Duran closed that opportunity by striking out Jay-Sell Girón to end the inning. It was Duran’s fourth strikeout. After the top of the fourth inning, Aruba leads 2-0 over Venezuela.

Little League World Series: Who won 2024 tournament?

The 2024 LLWS finished with a thriller, as Florida claimed a 2-1 extra-innings victory over Taiwan.

The Lake Mary Little League team made history beyond lifting the Little League World Series trophy. In winning the game, they became the first Florida-based team to ever win the tournament. — Sherlon Christie

Aruba’s new pitcher is Emerson Mercado

Mercado came out of the bullpen to relieve Jay-Sell Giron, who finished with two innings pitched, two hits and two walks. Giron threw 30 pitches, so he needs one day’s rest and could pitch Saturday, if Aruba wins today’s game.

Venezuela’s Saul Vegas Duran on the mound now

Vegas Duran is the second pitcher of the day for Venezuela as it trailed 2-0 to Aruba in the top of the third inning. He comes in and strikes out the first batter he faced to end the inning.

Venezuela’s Francisco Rivero gets close to pitching limit

Rivero threw 30 pitches in the third inning and finished with 84 pitches (one less than the threshold) before getting removed from the mound. He battled through 2 2/3 innings by allowing two hits, two runs, three walks and he had four strikeouts.

Call on the field? Catch. But the play apparently isn’t reviewable

And apparently the umpires didn’t get the call right based on the replay angles shown by ESPN several times after the play. The left fielder appeared to trap the ball while sliding to make a catch and then Aruba threw the ball to second base for the double play as the runner on second failed to tag up. It’s still 1-0 Aruba after all that commotion and lengthy delay.

Venezuela team: What to know

Cardenales Little League (Barquisimeto, Venezuela) made a repeat appearance at the LLWS this year as the Latin America champion. According to Little League, “Cardenales LL has represented Latin American in Williamsport three times previously, and it will be the 23rd appearance for the country, the sixth-most appearances among international teams.” Last year, Cardenales LL finished in third place with a 5-2 record. The country of Venezuela has won the LLWS twice, the last time coming in 2000 by Maracaibo, Venezuela. — Sherlon Christie

Aruba’s Jay-Sell Giron takes the mound versus Venezuela

Giron didn’t need many pitches (10) to get through the bottom of the first inning as he got two fly outs and a ground out. Giron ever overcame a throwing error by a teammate and still kept Venezuela off the scoreboard. Aruba leads 1-0 after the first inning.

Aruba team: What to know

Aruba Center Little League (Santa Cruz, Aruba) made a return trip to the LLWS this year after once again capturing the Caribbean region title. Overall, this was Aruba Center’s third trip to the LLWS, after previous appearances in 2024 and 2011, according to Little League. The 2024 team went 2-2 in in Williamsport. A team from Aruba has never won the Little League World Series. — Sherlon Christie

Venezuela’s Francisco Rivero takes the mound against Aruba

Rivero got himself in a little trouble to start the top of the first inning by hitting Aruba’s Anthony Santos, walking Arnold Gismar Martha and then hitting Isaac Arendsz to load the bases with one out on 26 pitches. Aruba’s Emerson Mercado then got the scoring going with a sacrifice fly, 1-0, Aruba. But that’s all the damage so far. It took 38 pitches from Rivero but Venezuela quashes the threat.

It’s Aruba vs Venezuela in an elimination game at the LLWS

Aruba comes into today’s game with three players Diliano Raven, Emerson Mercado and Anthony Santos that have hit a home run. Also, Aruba is the only team in the 2025 LLWS with three players with at least one home run in Williamsport this year. Meanwhile, Venezuela has shown it can pitch (a.k.a Juan Reyes), who threw two complete games already at LLWS, and proven it can play defense. The question is can Venezuela put together enough offense (just two extra base hits so far in the 2025 LLWS) to win more games in Williamsport.

What time is the 2025 Little League World Series today?

Thursday, Aug. 21

All times Eastern

International Bracket

Game 33: Aruba v. Venezuela: 3 p.m. @ Lamade Stadium

United States bracket

Game 34: Nevada (Mountain) v. South Carolina (Southeast): 7 p.m. @ Lamade

Six teams still in the hunt for the LLWS title, here are the teams left

Chinese Taipei has clinched a spot in Saturday’s 12:30 p.m. ET international championship game on ABC. Their opponent? Well, that will be settled today as Venezuela and Aruba play an elimination game for the other spot in the international championship game.

Connecticut has secured a spot in Saturday’s 3:30 p.m. ET U.S. championship game on ABC. Who will Connecticut play? That answer comes tonight as Nevada and South Carolina have an elimination game showdown for the other spot.

As Day 9 of the Little League World Series gets underway, here’s a look at the modified double-elimination bracket.

How to watch 2025 Little League World Series

The 2025 Little League World Series will be broadcast on ESPN platforms, with the championship game airing on ABC. Games will also be available to stream on ESPN+.

• Date: Thursday, Aug. 21
• Times: International game, 3 p.m. ET; U.S. game, 7 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN
• Stream: Fubo
• Location: South Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Stream the Little League World Series on Fubo

2025 Little League World Series bracket: Scores, results

For a full list of LLWS results, click here.

United States Bracket

Wednesday, Aug. 20

Game 30: Connecticut (Metro) 7, Nevada (Moutain) 3

Game 32: South Carolina (Southeast) 7, South Dakota (Midwest) 6

Thursday, Aug. 21

Game 34: Nevada (Mountain) v. South Carolina (Southeast): 7 p.m. @ Lamade

Saturday, Aug. 23

Game 36: Connecticut (Metro) v. W34: 3:30 p.m. @ Lamade

International Bracket

Wednesday, Aug. 20

Game 29: Chinese Taipei 7, Venezuela 3

Game 31: Aruba 3, Japan 0

Thursday, Aug. 21

Game 33: Venezuela v. Aruba: 3 p.m. @ Lamade

Saturday, Aug. 23

Game 35: Chinese Taipei v. W33: 12:30 p.m. @ Lamade

Little League World Series Championship/Consolation Games

Sunday, Aug. 24

Game 37 (Third-Place Game): L35 v. L36: 10 a.m. @ Lamade

Game 38 (Championship): W35 v. W36: 3 p.m. @ Lamade

Little League World Series location

The 2025 Little League World Series started on August 13 and concludes on Sunday, Aug. 24, in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The LLWS games are played at Volunteer Stadium and Howard J. Lamade Stadium.

AI-assisted summary
• Buccaneers rookie safety Shilo Sanders’ roster spot is uncertain, with a key preseason game approaching.
• Sanders owes over $11 million to John Darjean, stemming from a 2015 incident.
• Darjean’s financial interest lies in Sanders making the team and earning a substantial NFL salary.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie safety Shilo Sanders might be a close call to make the team’s 53-man roster when the deadline comes to cut players next week. Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles recently said that Sanders is a ‘very hungry’ player but that this week would be ‘very important’ in determining who makes the cut, including a preseason game Aug. 23 against Buffalo.

In the meantime, perhaps nobody else has a bigger financial stake right now in what happens to Sanders than the man Sanders owes more than $11 million.

That man is John Darjean, a former security guard at Sanders’ school in Dallas when Sanders was 15 years old. Sanders, son of Colorado coach Deion Sanders, is still trying to get that debt erased in bankruptcy court after filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2023. If Shilo Sanders succeeds in court, he can start over financially, free from that debt and with minimal damage to his bank account.

But if Darjean succeeds in court instead, Sanders will not be discharged of his debt to him. Darjean then could pursue debt collection against him after the case is over, including by having his wages garnished with the Buccaneers, according to experts contacted by USA TODAY Sports.

In that case, Darjean would want Sanders ‘to make as much money as possible – or at least enough to pay (Darjean’s) claim,” said Angela Littwin, a law professor and bankruptcy expert at the University of Texas.

Darjean therefore has a rooting interest in Sanders making the team even though the two are longtime adversaries in court. NFL teams must cut down their rosters to 53 active players on Aug. 26.

A bankruptcy judge later will make the call on Sanders’ $11 million debt, possibly by the end of the year.

Sanders, 25, went undrafted by NFL teams in April but signed a three-year contract with Tampa Bay for nearly $3 million.

Darjean declined comment on Sanders’ future prospects.

Why Shilo Sanders is going through bankruptcy

The debt stems from an incident that happened between Sanders and Darjean in September 2015. Darjean said in court documents previously that Sanders assaulted him with his elbow and fist when he was trying to confiscate his phone at school that day in 2015, resulting in permanent and severe injuries, including ongoing pain and incontinence. Records show he had to be transported to the hospital that day and then underwent spinal surgery a few days later.

Darjean sued Sanders in 2016, seeking damages for the injuries. In response, Sanders claimed self-defense and filed counterclaims. But the case dragged on during the pandemic and when it finally went to trial in 2022, Sanders didn’t show up for it. In 2020, Sanders let go of his attorneys in the case, who otherwise would have notified him of the trial and could have helped him avoid the worst-case outcome that happened next.

The trial went on without him and ended with a default judgment against Sanders of $11.89 million, to be paid to Darjean.

Then when Darjean moved to collect on that debt in 2023, Sanders filed for bankruptcy to try to get it wiped away in a discharge.

What’s next in Shilo Sanders’ bankruptcy case?

Debtors generally file for bankruptcy to automatically “stay” or stop debt collection against them and to discharge their debts. This is allowed under the law and sometimes is used as a tactic. But there are some circumstances in which debt is considered by law to be ‘nondischargeable,’ meaning a debtor can’t erase it in bankruptcy court.

Darjean cited this in two complaints he filed against Sanders in bankruptcy court as part of his effort to get paid what he’s owed. One argues that Sanders omitted or concealed assets in his disclosures and therefore should be denied a discharge under the law – an accusation Sanders’ attorneys denied. The other complaint argues the debt is nondischargeable because it stems from a “willful and malicious’ injury.

The judge must determine in the latter case if it was a “willful and malicious” injury and not self-defense. That judge is expected to do so after hearing witness testimony and other evidence in a mini-trial about what happened that day 10 years ago. No trial date has been set.

Possible outcomes for Shilo Sanders

If the judge finds credible evidence that Sanders acted in self-defense, Sanders could get the debt discharged with no further debt collection or future wage garnishments. In this scenario, Darjean would only get a small fraction of what he was owed – all from certain assets owned by Sanders before his bankruptcy filing.

But if the judge determines it was not self-defense and was instead “willful and malicious,” then he could rule the debt is nondischargeable and Sanders would be on the hook to pay the full judgment even after the bankruptcy case is over.

“Nondischargeable debt survives after the bankruptcy, so if the $11 million is deemed nondischargeable, Darjean could continue debt collection once the bankruptcy case is over and the automatic stay is lifted,” said Christopher Hampson, associate law professor and bankruptcy expert at the University of Florida. “After the bankruptcy, Darjean could try to collect on the $11 million by serving a writ of garnishment on Sanders’ employer, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, directing the Bucs to redirect a portion of Sanders’ paycheck to Darjean. In that legal action, Sanders would be protected by federal law, which limits garnishment to 25% of his post-tax income.”

It also could be much less than that, depending on the circumstances. State laws could help further restrict what Darjean could garnish from Sanders.

What if Shilo Sanders doesn’t make the cut in Tampa?

He could end up on the team practice squad or he could get a chance with another team. If he doesn’t pan out in the NFL, it’s not clear what he would do that would pay as well as being a rising star on an active NFL roster.

That’s why it’s in Darjean’s interest for Sanders to make the team and perform well in the NFL, building wealth that he could pursue to satisfy that judgment if it’s not discharged.

But pursuing debt collection and trying to seize personal property to satisfy a judgment can be a cat-and-mouse game if the debtor is not willing to cooperate with the creditor. Sanders could try to thwart debt collection through legal loopholes and lawyers.

“Most people honestly don’t have enough personal property to make it worth going after,” said Theresa J. Pulley Radwan, a law professor at Stetson University in Florida. “The stuff you and I own probably isn’t valuable enough to recoup a significant judgment.”

It’s different if the debtor is wealthy. Future success in the NFL would ensure that. Tampa Bay opens the season Sept. 7 at Atlanta.

Sanders previously declined to discuss the case other than telling reporters in 2024 that ‘at the end of the day everybody is gonna know the truth about everything.’

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

Most of the NHL’s top unrestricted free agents found homes early in July.

But there is still plenty of action to track during the NHL offseason. There are trades to be made and restricted free agents to re-sign. Salary arbitration hearings were scheduled from July 20 to Aug. 4, although players and teams settled beforehand in all 11 cases.

Also, players whose contracts run out after the 2025-26 season are eligible to sign contract extensions at any time.

Here is a look at the latest signings, trades and other news that have happened since the initial surge of movement in late June and early July:

Aug. 21: Frank Nazar signs extension with Blackhawks

The Blackhawks saw enough after 56 games to make Nazar, 21, the highest-paid player on the team – for the moment. The nearly $6.6 million cap hit in his seven-year extension, which kicks in during the 2026-27 season, will move him past Tyler Bertuzzi ($5.5 million).

Nazar, a 2022 first-round pick and former University of Michigan center, had 26 points in 53 games in 2024-25 after being recalled from the American Hockey League in December. The extension continued his run of good news. He helped the United States win gold at the world championships for the first time since 1933 and he has been invited to USA Hockey’s Olympic orientation session.

Chicago’s Connor Bedard, the No. 1 overall pick of 2023, is also eligible for an extension and almost certainly will top Nazar’s number.

Aug. 20: Victor Olofsson signs with Avalanche

Olofsson signed a one-year deal with Colorado worth $1.575 million, according to puckpedia.com. He played last season with the Vegas Golden Knights and had three 20-goal seasons with the Buffalo Sabres. The winger will provide secondary scoring after the Avalanche traded Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood this summer.

Also: Utah Mammoth goaltender Connor Ingram was cleared by the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program to return to the NHL. He went into the program in March.

Aug. 19: Milan Lucic signs tryout agreement with Blues

Lucic, 37, will try an NHL comeback, coming to St. Louis’ training camp on a professional tryout agreement. He last played in October 2023 and entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. He has been cleared by the program, the Blues said. During his prime, Lucic was a key power forward and won a Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins in 2011. His numbers had dropped off in recent seasons.

Aug. 18: Hudson Fasching signs with Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets added forward depth by signing Hudson Fasching to a one-year deal. It’s a two-way contract, meaning he’d make less if sent to the American Hockey League. Fasching, 30, played for the New York Islanders the past three seasons and has 40 points in 175 career NHL games with three teams.

Also: The Colorado Avalanche signed University of New Hampshire defenseman Alex Gagne to a two-year, entry-level contract. The 6-foot-5, 225-pounder was team captain last season, had a career-best 17 points and led the Wildcats with 62 blocked shots.

Aug. 15: Travis Hamonic signs with Red Wings

Hamonic is getting a one year deal at $1 million. The veteran depth addition likely will play in the bottom defense pairing. He ranked second on the Ottawa Senators last season in blocked shots per 60 minutes and also killed penalties. Detroit will be his fifth NHL team. Hamonic, who turns 35 on Aug. 16, has 53 goals and 242 points in 900 career games.

Aug. 10: Jack Johnson signs tryout agreement with Wild

The 38-year-old defenseman will go to camp as a tryout in a bid for a 20th NHL season. He played 41 games last season with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Wild might be without defenseman Jonas Brodin at the beginning of the season, according to the Athletic.

Also: The Kraken agreed to terms with defenseman Ryker Evans for two years at a $2.05 million average. He ranked fourth among Seattle blueliners with 25 points and was first with 123 hits.

Aug. 9: Nathan Bastian signs with Stars

He’ll get a one-year, $775,000 contract and add depth to the forward group. Bastian had played all but 12 games of his NHL career with the New Jersey Devils and ranked third among New Jersey regulars last season with 12.83 hits per 60 minutes. He has career totals of 33 goals, 68 points and 190 penalty minutes in 276 regular season games between the Devils and Seattle Kraken.

Aug. 8: Two-time Stanley Cup winner Kyle Clifford retires

Cllifford, who won Stanley Cup titles in 2012 and 2014 with the Los Angeles Kings, is retiring after 13 NHL seasons. The NHL Players’ Association said he would move into a player development role with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Clifford had two stints with the Leafs and finished his playing career in the organization with the American Hockey League’s Marlies. He also played for the St. Louis Blues and finished with 66 goals, 144 points and 905 penalty minutes in 753 NHL games.

Aug. 8: Avalanche re-sign Joel Kiviranta

Kiviranta is sticking around for a third season in Colorado by signing a one-year deal. Terms weren’t released. The bottom-six forward had 16 goals last season.

Aug. 2: Nick Robertson settles before arbitration hearing

All 11 players who filed for salary arbitration settled their cases before their hearings, with the Maple Leafs and Robertson the last to do so. Here are the new contracts the players agreed to, listed alphabetically.

• Morgan Barron (Winnipeg Jets): Two years, $3.7 million.
• Lukas Dostal (Anaheim Ducks): Five years, $32.5 million.
• Drew Helleson (Anaheim Ducks): Two years, $2.2 million.
• Kaapo Kakko (Seattle Kraken). Three years, $13.575 million.
• Nick Robertson (Toronto Maple Leafs). One year, $1.825 million.
• Dylan Samberg (Winnipeg Jets): Three years, $15.75 million.
• Arvid Soderblom (Chicago Blackhawks): Two years, $5.5 million.
• Jayden Struble (Montreal Canadiens): Two years, $2.825 million.
• Conor Timmins (Buffalo Sabres): Two years, $4.4 million.
• Maxim Tsyplakov (New York Islanders): Two years, $4.5 million.
• Gabriel Vilardi (Winnipeg Jets): Six years, $45 million.

July 31: Sabres’ Devon Levi re-signs for two years

He’ll average $812,500 in the deal and is the final restricted free agent who needed to re-sign. He has had back-to-back solid seasons in the American Hockey League. With the Buffalo Sabres signing Alex Lyon this summer, Levi is expected to spend more time in the AHL for now.

July 28: Nicklas Backstrom signs deal in Sweden

The former Capitals star, 37, is returning to hockey by signing a deal to play for Brynas for the first time since 2006-07. He had played 1,105 NHL games in between, recording 1,033 points. But he had missed all of last season and most of 2023-24 while recovering from 2022 hip surgery.

July 17: Maple Leafs acquire Dakota Joshua from Canucks

Vancouver receives a 2028 fourth-round pick. Joshua will likely slot in the Maple Leafs’ bottom six forwards. He had a career-best 18 goals and 32 points in 2023-24 but missed the beginning of last season after having surgery for testicular cancer. He finished with 14 points in 57 games. He originally was drafted by the Maple Leafs but never played for them.

July 17: Blue Jackets’ Yegor Chinakhov requests trade

Yegor Chinakhov, a former first-round draft pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets, has asked for a trade.

The agent for Chinakhov posted on X, formerly Twitter, about the trade request.

“I had some misunderstandings with the coach during the season,” read the post quoting Chinakhov. “Now I would be glad to have a trade. I would like to move to a different location. Will I return to Russia? As long as I can play in the NHL, I will keep developing here.”

Chinakhov, who was selected with the No. 21 overall selection in 2020, missed nearly half of last season with a back injury, an issue that also sidelined him for the final 17 games in the previous season. – Joey Kaufman, Columbus Dispatch

July 15: Sabres re-sign Bowen Byram for two years

The defenseman will average $6.25 million in the deal. He was considered a candidate for an offer sheet but the Sabres reportedly filed for arbitration to prevent that. He ranked third among Sabres defensemen in average ice time and third with 38 points. The cap hit makes him the third highest paid defenseman on the team behind Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power.

• Sean Higgins, charged with involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, appeared in court on Aug. 21.
• A judge denied a request from Higgins’ attorneys to suppress data from his Jeep Grand Cherokee, saying it was collected outside the scope of a warrant.
• A separate hearing will address the admissibility of Higgins’ statements to police and whether his Miranda rights were violated.
• Higgins previously rejected a plea deal that would have resulted in a 35-year prison sentence.

A New Jersey judge has denied a motion from attorneys for the driver accused of fatally striking Columbus Blue Jackets player Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother almost a year ago, saying data from the man’s vehicle can be presented if the case goes to trial.

Sean Higgins, 44, is charged with involuntary manslaughter, aggravated vehicular homicide and other charges in connection with the Aug. 29, 2024, deaths of Johnny, 31, and Matthew Gaudreau, 29.

The Aug. 21 hearing centered on a motion filed by Higgins’ attorneys asking for information from his Jeep Grand Cherokee to be kept out of any potential trial.

In court filings, Higgins’ legal team argues the evidence collected from some automated modules was gathered outside the scope of a search warrant.

The filings say information from the Jeep was not recorded during the collision with the Gaudreaus. The New Jersey State Police state in a crash report that collisions between pedestrians or cyclists and vehicles do not typically register in vehicles like the Jeep because the mass and velocity between the two objects is so great.

Higgins’ Jeep only registered changes in velocity of 5 mph or more within 150 milliseconds or when airbags were deployed, court records say.

After hearing arguments from the attorneys for both sides, Superior Court Judge Michael Silvanio denied the suppression request.

Silvanio said that information gathered from the airbag control module for the Jeep Higgins was driving on the night of crash was obtained properly, noting that information is irrelevant to the case at this point. He also said that information that New Jersey State Police gathered from the Jeep’s infotainment system was done properly and could be admitted at a future trial.

A separate hearing is scheduled for Sept. 18 for arguments to be presented about whether statements Higgins gave to New Jersey police after the crash can be used against him or whether his Miranda rights were violated.

Higgins rejected a plea offer in January that would have resulted in a 35-year prison sentence.

What happened to Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau?

Around 8:20 p.m. on Aug. 29, Higgins passed two vehicles while driving on a road in Oldmans Township, New Jersey. Both of the vehicles in front of Higgins had slowed down after seeing the Gaudreau brothers, who were bicycling one in front of the other on the road’s shoulder, according to court and police records.

The brothers had been in town to attend their sister’s wedding, which was scheduled for the next day.

Witnesses, including the two drivers who were in front of Higgins, told New Jersey State police that Higgins had been driving aggressively, speeding up and then falling back several times before passing the first vehicle on the left, according to court records. When the second vehicle moved to the left to give the brothers more space, records say Higgins drove around that vehicle on the right, hitting the brothers.

Higgins and his disabled Jeep were found about a quarter-mile away from where the crash is believed to have occurred, Assistant Salem County (New Jersey) Prosecutor Michael Mestern has said. A blood test after the crash found Higgins’ blood-alcohol level to be 0.087, according to court records.

A police report says Higgins admitted to drinking beer before and while driving, as well as throwing beer cans into a field near where his Jeep had stopped.

Reporter Bethany Bruner can be reached at bbruner@gannett.com or on Bluesky at @bethanybruner.dispatch.com.

Police in New York announced the arrest of a WBNA fan who allegedly threw a sex toy toward the court during a game last month and hit a 12-year-old girl.

The New York City Police Department reported Charles Burgess, 32, of Dayton, Ohio, was booked into jail Aug. 20 on two counts of assault in connection with the attack.

According to information released to USA TODAY on Aug. 21, police had been searching for the assault suspect since Aug. 5, when the incident took place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

No major injuries were reported by the NYPD.

The agency reported the girl suffered pain in her leg after being hit by the object but was not hospitalized, police said.

Man who threw sex toy at basketball game located

Witnesses told police that about 8:45 p.m. ET an unidentified person threw an object, which struck the girl in the right leg at the arena.

The person then fled on foot, police said.

Following the incident, police had asked for the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect.

Police said officers arrested Burgess at the 78th Precinct this week.

It was not immediately known whether Burgess had obtained an attorney to represent him in the case.

Sex toys being thrown at WNBA games

In response to the incident, the WNBA released a statement about arena safety.

“The safety of everyone in our arenas remains a top priority,’ the WNBA statement reads. ‘We are working closely with local and federal law enforcement to pursue all appropriate actions − including arrest and prosecution with felony charges where applicable − against anyone engaged in this conduct or otherwise involved in sponsoring this reckless and unacceptable behavior.”

In addition to Aug. 5, there have been at least seven incidents during which a sex toy has been thrown at WNBA games in July and August, with four reaching the court during live game action. At least two other arrests stemming from the incidents also took place, USA TODAY previously reported.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.