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,

Fantasy football rankings: Sleeper picks for every position in 2025

“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.

For the first time in nearly two years, the New York Giants and New England Patriots will face off in an NFL game. It may be a preseason matchup but there’s a lot for both franchises to sort out ahead of roster cuts over the next few weeks.

New York’s enjoyed an exciting preseason thanks to rookie first-round pick Jaxson Dart. The quarterback from Ole Miss led the team on three scoring drives in their last contest, a 31-12 win over the Jets. Dart went 14-of-16 passing with 137 yards and two touchdowns (one passing, one rushing) to lead the way even as four Giants quarterbacks attempted at least four passes.

New England open their preseason slate with a bang in a 48-18 win over the Commanders. Rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson took the opening kickoff – his first career NFL touch – 100 yards for a touchdown and New England never looked back. The Patriots earned another win a week later, 20-12 over the Vikings, thanks in no small part to backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs’ connection with rookie wide receiver Efton Chism III.

The starters on both teams aren’t expected to play much, if it all. It’s down to the backups and depth players to decide which of these 2-0 teams will leave MetLife Stadium with a win tonight.

USA TODAY Sports is tracking live updates from the Patriots vs. Giants contest. Here’s a look at the major highlights and scoring updates from the preseason Week 2 NFL battle:

Patriots vs Giants start time

• Date: Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025
• Time: 8 p.m. ET

The New England Patriots and New York Giants kick off their final preseason matchup at 8 p.m. ET Thursday.

Patriots vs Giants TV channel, streaming

• Cable TV: N/A
• Local TV:
  • Boston: ABC 5 (WVCB)
  • New York: NBC 4 (WNBC)
• Streaming: Amazon Prime Video

The Patriots vs. Giants preseason game will not be broadcast nationally as it’s being carried by Prime Video. Al Michael (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) will be calling the game with Kaylee Hartung reporting from the sidelines.

Fans in local markets can catch it on TV, though, with Patriots fans in Boston tuning in to ABC 5 and Giants fans in New York watching on NBC 4.

Watch ‘Thursday Night Football’ with Amazon Prime

Patriots vs Giants odds, moneyline, over/under

The Giants are favorites to defeat the Patriots, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2025 including the ESPN BET app and Fanatics Sportsbook promo code. 

• Spread: Giants (-6.5) 
• Moneyline: Giants (-275); Patriots (+230) 
• Over/under: 37.5

Not interested in this game? Our guide to NFL betting odds, picks and spreads has you covered. 

New to sports betting? USA TODAY readers can claim exclusive promos and bonus codes with the best online sportsbooks and sports betting sites.

Is Jaxson Dart playing tonight?

Yes. The rookie quarterback is expected to get at least a quarter of action as he has in the team’s prior two preseason games. Free agent signee Russell Wilson, the starter for the regular season, is not expected to play, giving more time for Dart to get reps against opposing NFL defenses.

Is Rob Gronkowski coming back to the Patriots?

One of the best players in Patriots history was back in Boston for the opening of ‘Gronk Playground’ earlier this week. Susan Hurley, who helps run his charity, has been pushing for him to sign a one-day contract to retire with the Patriots.

‘I like that a lot. The reason why we’re really going to do that is because of Susan Hurley,’ Gronkowski said. ‘She wants to see that happen. She’s been dreaming about that happening for a while… [Robert Kraft] gave her the thumbs up, so we’re going to make it happen in the future. It’s going to be a special moment. Come back for a day, a weekend, whatever it is. We’ll make it happen.’

Gronkowski won three Super Bowls in his nine seasons with the Patriots. He retired for the 2019 season but came back for a two-year stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and won a fourth Super Bowl in the 2020 season.

Is there Thursday Night Football today?

Tonight’s Giants-Patriots matchup from Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts will be the first ‘Thursday Night Football’ game on Prime Video of the season. Al Michael (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) return to the booth for the first time this season. Kaylee Hartung will be reporting from the sideline as well.

‘Thursday Night Football’ is off for Week 1 of the NFL regular season as NBC will carry the season opener. Michael, Herbstreit and Hartung will be back in action on Prime Video for ‘Thursday Night Football’ in Week 2 when the Green Bay Packers host the Washington Commanders.

It has all come down to this.

A $40 million purse is at stake, including $10 million to the golfer who is standing alone at the 18th hole at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta at the 2025 Tour Championship.

The final event of the FedEx Cup playoffs is a four-day stroke-play event, meaning each of the 30 golfers competing started at even par, and the best score at the end of four rounds will be the champion, as is the case at any other event on the tour. Gone are the days of the starting stroke, which gave the golfers with the highest-ranking entering the event a decided advantage in previous years.

That means World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who won last week’s BMW Championship and is the leader in FedEx Cup points, must continue playing his best to become the first back-to-back champion since the FedEx Cup Playoffs were first played in 2007.

Scheffler did just that, standing alone at second place after a 7-under 63 in the first round. However, the story of the day was undoubtedly Russell Henley. The American burst out to a two-stroke lead to begin the Tour Championship, sitting at 9-under after a stunning 61 in the opening round.

Tour Championship live leaderboard

• 1. Russell Henley: -9 (F)
• 2. Scottie Scheffler: -7 (F)
• T3. Collin Morikawa: -6 (F)
• T3. Patrick Cantlay: -6 (F)
• T3. Justin Thomas: -6 (F)
• T3. Robert MacIntyre: -6 (F)
• T3. Tommy Fleetwood: -6 (F)

McIlroy scores the ugliest birdie ever on 18

After a solid first 17 holes, which saw Rory McIlroy just outside the top 10 at 3-under, McIlroy fell apart on the final hole, pulling his tee shot into the rough … of a different hole on the course. Of course, people have rebounded from worse, but McIlroy’s next shot wound up in the furthest bunker surrounding the green, making an up-and-down all but impossible.

McIlroy would get rather lucky with his bunker shot. He skulled the ball and it would have gone flying over the green if not for the grandstand playing backstop and bouncing the ball back onto the green. Somehow, McIlroy would sink the long putt for birdie, pushing him into a tie for eighth at 4-under. How? No idea, but the saying goes, ‘It’s better to be lucky than good.’ McIlroy certainly stretched that saying to its limit.

McIlroy’s groupmate, Scottie Scheffler, would also birdie the hole to pull into sole possession of second place.

Scottie Scheffler tees off, looking to defend title

All 30 golfers are on the East Lake Golf Club course as Scheffler and Rory McIlroy started their first round. Jacob Bridgeman, Nick Taylor and Collin Morikawa have jumped out to an early lead at 4-under through the front nine. Scheffler made a par on the first hole, which has given golfers trouble through the early portion of the round.

First golfers tee off at Tour Championship

The pairing of Chris Gotterup and Akshay Bhatia, ranked 29th and 30th in FedEx Cup points during the regular season, has hit the course to kick off the action at the most lucrative stop on tour.

What time is Tour Championship? 

The 2025 Tour Championship begins Thursday, Aug. 21. The first tee time on Thursday is 11:16 a.m. ET, with coverage starting at 11 a.m. ET. 

How to watch Tour Championship: TV channel, streaming 

The 2025 Tour Championship, the final event of the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup Playoffs, will be televised nationally on the Golf Channel and NBC. It can be live streamed via ESPN+, Peacock and Fubo depending on the time. Here’s the full broadcast schedule for all four rounds: 

All times Eastern 

Thursday, Aug. 21 and Friday, Aug. 22 

• 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on ESPN+ 
• 1-6 p.m. on Golf Channel,Fubo 

Saturday, Aug. 23 

• Noon-7 p.m. on ESPN+ 
• 1-2:30 p.m. on Golf Channel, Fubo 
• 2:30-7 p.m. on NBC, Peacock 

Sunday, Aug. 24 

• 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on ESPN+ 
• Noon-1:30 p.m. on Golf Channel, Fubo 
• 1:30-6 p.m. on NBC, Peacock 

Watch the Tour Championship with Peacock

Tour Championship tee times, pairings 

First Round – Thursday 

All times ET 

• 11:16 a.m. — Chris Gotterup, Akshay Bhatia 
• 11:27 a.m. — Jacob Bridgeman, Sungjae Im 
• 11:38 a.m. — Nick Taylor, Harry Hall 
• 11:49 a.m. — Hideki Matsuyama, Shane Lowry 
• 12 p.m. — Collin Morikawa, Viktor Hovland 
• 12:16 p.m. — Corey Conners, Patrick Cantlay 
• 12:27 p.m. — Sam Burns, Brian Harman 
• 12:38 p.m. — Andrew Novak, Keegan Bradley 
• 12:49 p.m. — Cameron Young, Ludvig Åberg 
• 1 p.m. — Harris English, Justin Thomas 
• 1:16 p.m. — Robert MacIntyre, Maverick McNealy 
• 1:27 p.m. — Russell Henley, Sepp Straka 
• 1:38 p.m. — Tommy Fleetwood, Ben Griffin 
• 1:49 p.m. — J.J. Spaun, Justin Rose 
• 2 p.m. — Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy 

FedEx Cup standings 

Here are the 30 players who qualified for the 2025 Tour Championship and their FedEx Cup points following the BMW Championship, won by Scottie Scheffler: 

1. Scottie Scheffler: 7,456 points 

1. Rory McIlroy: 3,687 points 

1. J.J. Spaun: 3,493 points 

1. Justin Rose: 3,326 points 

1. Tommy Fleetwood: 2,923 points 

1. Ben Griffin: 2,798 points 

1. Russell Henley: 2,795 points 

1. Sepp Straka: 2,783 points 

1. Robert MacIntyre: 2,750 points 

1. Maverick McNealy: 2,547 points 

1. Harris English: 2,512 points 

1. Justin Thomas: 2,477 points 

1. Cameron Young: 2,185 points 

1. Ludvig Aberg: 2,179 points 

1. Andrew Novak: 2,030 points 

1. Keegan Bradley: 1,993 points 

1. Sam Burns: 1,871 points 

1. Brian Harman: 1,735 points 

1. Corey Conners: 1,719 points 

1. Patrick Cantlay: 1,661 points 

1. Collin Morikawa: 1,656 points 

1. Viktor Hovland: 1,637 points 

1. Hideki Matsuyama: 1,630 points 

1. Shane Lowry: 1,607 points 

1. Nick Taylor: 1,564 points 

1. Harry Hall: 1,475 points 

1. Jacob Bridgeman: 1,475 points 

1. Sungjae Im: 1,422 points 

1. Chris Gotterup: 1,414 points 

1. Akshay Bhatia: 1,409 points