Patrick Mahomes suffers a torn ACL and Chiefs say he's considering surgical options
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes has torn the ACL in his left knee. The star quarterback was hurt while he tried to keep the Kansas City Chiefs’ postseason hopes alive in the waning seconds of a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. The team says Mahomes is considering surgical options. It’s the most significant injury of a superlative nine-year career for Mahomes. The two-time MVP has led the Chiefs to three Super Bowl titles and reached the AFC championship game in each of his seven previous seasons as Kansas City’s starter. This year, the Chiefs won’t even make the playoffs, and Mahomes won’t be back on the field until sometime in 2026.
Packers star pass rusher Micah Parsons feared to have torn ACL, AP source says
DENVER (AP) — Micah Parsons is believed to have suffered a torn ACL in his left knee. That's according to a person with knowledge of the All-Pro pass rusher’s injury who spoke to The Associated Press on Sunday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the severity of the injury hasn’t been confirmed by test. Parsons tells the AP in a text that he's “sickened.” Parsons’ injury is a devastating blow to the Green Bay Packers, who lost 34-26 to Denver on Sunday. The Packers fell to second place behind the Chicago Bears in the NFC North.
Philip Rivers emotional after nearly leading Colts to win in return: 'There is doubt, and it's real'
SEATTLE (AP) — Philip Rivers nearly led the Indianapolis Colts to victory at age 44. Rivers ended a nearly five-year retirement to start Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks and played efficient football for the desperate Colts, who turned to the future Hall of Famer after Daniel Jones was lost for the season with a torn Achilles tendon. He threw a touchdown pass in the first half, played mostly mistake-free and moved the Colts into position for Blake Grupe’s 60-yard field goal with 47 seconds left. But Jason Myers responded with a 56-yarder that gave the Seahawks an 18-16 victory.
Dak Prescott and Cowboys watch playoff hopes all but vanish in 34-26 loss to Vikings
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — J.J. McCarthy threw for two touchdowns and ran for a score, C.J. Ham had the go-ahead TD on his first carry of the season and the Minnesota Vikings severely damaged Dallas’ playoff hopes with a 34-26 victory over the Cowboys. The Vikings won a second consecutive game after they were eliminated from the postseason race before the kickoff. The Cowboys have to win their three remaining games and hope defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia goes 0-3 in order for Dallas to overtake the Eagles in the NFC East. Both of McCarthy’s TD tosses were to Jalen Nailor.
Matthew Stafford rallies Rams to 41-34 victory over Lions, clinching another playoff berth
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Matthew Stafford passed for 368 yards and hit Colby Parkinson for two touchdowns, and the NFC-leading Los Angeles Rams clinched a playoff berth with a furious second-half rally for a 41-34 victory over the Detroit Lions. Kyren Williams rushed for two scores and Blake Corum added another TD for the Rams, who came back from a double-digit deficit shortly before halftime with 20 consecutive points before securing their eighth victory in nine games. Amon-Ra St. Brown scorched his hometown team for 163 yards and two touchdowns on 13 receptions for the Lions. Detroit has alternated wins and losses since Week 5.
Mahomes tears ACL as Chargers eliminate Chiefs from playoff contention with 16-13 victory
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Los Angeles Chargers eliminate the Kansas City Chiefs from playoff contention with a 16-13 victory on Sunday, with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tearing the ACL in his left knee. Derwin James intercepts Gardner Minshew's pass in the closing seconds to secure the 16-13 win. Justin Herbert, playing with a broken hand, throws for 210 yards and a touchdown. The Chargers complete a regular-season sweep of Kansas City. Patrick Mahomes was injured after being tackled by Da'Shawn Hand. Minshew steps in but throws a crucial interception in the fourth quarter. The Chargers, now 10-4, edge closer to a playoff berth, while the Chiefs' playoff hopes ended with the loss.
LeBron James hits 2 late free throws, Lakers beat Suns 116-114 after blowing 20-point lead
PHOENIX (AP) — LeBron James made two free throws with 3.9 seconds left, Luka Doncic added 29 points and the Los Angeles Lakers recovered from blowing a 20-point lead in the fourth quarter to top the Phoenix Suns 116-114 on Sunday night. Phoenix trailed 99-79 with 7:48 left, but took a 114-113 lead with 12.2 seconds left on Dillon Brooks’ 3-pointer over James. James was fouled on a 3-point attempt by Devin Booker with 3.9 seconds left. The 40-year-old — who finished with 26 points — missed the first free throw but made the final two to give the Lakers a 115-114 lead.
Paul Wiggin, College Football Hall of Famer and former coach, dies at 91
IRVING, Texas (AP) — Paul Wiggin, the former Stanford and Cleveland Browns star who was on the losing end of “The Play” coaching star quarterback John Elway and the Cardinal, died Friday. He was 91. Wiggin’s death was announced by the Browns, the Minnesota Vikings and the National Football Foundation. He was the fourth-oldest living NFF Hall of Famer. Wiggin was on the Stanford sideline in 1982 for “The Play” when California scored the winning touchdown in a 25-20 victory in the “Big Game” after Stanford’s band prematurely took the field. Wiggin played for Stanford from 1954-56. He was a two-time All-America selection as a defensive tackle and was selected the school’s Defensive Player of the Century. He spent his entire 11-year NFL career with the Browns,
Novak teams with Coughlin to win Grant Thornton and pick up another team title
NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — Andrew Novak has won another team title, this time with Lauren Coughlin. They've won the Grant Thornton Invitational with a record score of 188. The format Sunday was modified fourballs and they closed with a 63 to win by three shots. It was tight down the stretch until Novak made three straight birdies from about the 10-foot range. And then Novak made a 6-foot birdie on the 17th for a two-shot lead. Coughlin finished it off with a birdie. The teams of Jennifer Kupcho and Chris Gotterup, Nelly Korda and Denny McCarthy and Michael Brennan and Charley Hull finished second.
Veteran pitcher Merrill Kelly returns to Diamondbacks on a $40 million, 2-year deal, AP source says
PHOENIX (AP) — Veteran starting pitcher Merrill Kelly has agreed to return to the Arizona Diamondbacks on a $40 million, two-year deal, according to a person familiar with the move. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been announced and is pending a physical. The right-hander spent the first 6 1/2 years of his career with the Diamondbacks before the pending free agent was dealt to the Texas Rangers at this year’s trade deadline in July. He was good for both teams, finishing with a combined 12-9 record and 3.52 ERA. Kelly’s return to Arizona isn’t a huge surprise considering he’s a Scottsdale native and played in college at Arizona State.
