CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball is not listed on the team's injury report and is expected to play Thursday night against the Houston Rockets, one day after being involved in a two-car crash in Charlotte. The Hornets are one of the NBA's hottest teams having won 10 of their last 11 games and Ball is a big reason for that success.
Ricky Pearsall Jr. is back in uniform and active for the 49ers' NFL divisional playoff game today against the Seattle Seahawks. Also active is Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold, who was late getting out for warmups with fellow quarterbacks Drew Lock and Jalen Milroe. Inactives for the 49ers included safety Ji'Ayir Brown, a starting safety who missed practice all week with a hamstring strain. He'll be replaced by Marques Sigle, a rookie who had eight tackles in 40 snaps in the 49ers' wild-card win over Philadelphia.
"Talking about Sam, I heard what he said yesterday to you guys; I see it the same way," Macdonald told reporters Friday. "We're listing him as questionable. Really optimistic he's going to be able to play. Right now we're going through all the protocol ... just out of caution to make sure we're ready to go. We'll test it out tomorrow and kind of make the final decision, but again, we're optimistic he's going to play."
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins will play against the Miami Dolphins, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Higgins was questionable for the team's final road game as he worked his way through concussion protocol. On Friday, Bengals coach Zac Taylor said Higgins had a final hurdle to clear in order for him to play against the Dolphins. According to a source, the team was hopeful that Higgins could play but wanted to check how he felt Sunday morning before giving him the green light.
The full experience of Stefon Diggs in the Patriots offense took a while to come about this season, as it appeared the coaching staff was waiting to give him the go-ahead after coming off an ACL injury that ended his 2024 season. He finally had his breakout against the Bills in Week 5 and became an integral part of the offensive game plan since then. That hasn't continued over the last three games, however, with Diggs being on the field for less than 50% of snaps, which was a noticeable problem this past Sunday.
Washington Commanders fans were hoping to see something from defensive end Drake Jackson after the team opened his 21-day return window recently. But time is rapidly running out for the pass-rusher to convince the coaching staff he is healthy enough to participate. The Commanders believed Jackson could still have something to offer. General manager Adam Peters knows the player well from their time together with the San Francisco 49ers.
Freddie Freeman has been a modern day iron man for the Los Angeles Dodgers since first joining the ballclub back in 2022. He's played in at least 147 regular season games in each of the last four years. In 2024, Freeman ended up being the World Series MVP despite essentially playing on one leg with a badly injured ankle.
The Raptors are coming into the night on a nine-game win streak. Quite the accomplishment, but they are one win behind the Oklahoma City Thunder's current win streak of 10 games, which is a league high at the moment. Toronto will be tasked with the Charlotte Hornets, who are struggling heavily lately as they've lost seven games in a row prior to last night's win against Chicago.
Coach Billy Donovan said before Monday's game that Giddey is considered day-to-day, but he didn't expect the injury to linger beyond the next few days. "We don't feel like it's anything too severe with his ankle," Donovan said. "He didn't have really much swelling after the game [Saturday]. He got some [treatment] yesterday and was just a little bit uncomfortable today at shootaround."
While quarterback Brock Purdy slowly works his way back from injury, the San Francisco 49ers will once again turn to Mac Jones as the starter for Sunday's NFC West showdown against the Los Angeles Rams. For the second consecutive week, Purdy is officially listed as questionable because of the right big toe injury he initially suffered in Week 1 and aggravated in Week 4.
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik remains questionable for the Tigers against SMU, with his 34-game starting streak in peril. Klubnik status isn't expected to be known until game-time, per ESPN sources, as there's a general feeling of pessimism over his availability after injuring his ankle against Boston College last week. Klubnik has endured an up-and-down season for Clemson, but the injury comes in the wake of strong play in decisive victories over both North Carolina and Boston College.
Swift said he suffered a groin injury in the Bears' win over the Washington Commanders on Monday. He was limited in practice Thursday and Friday and is listed as questionable but said he will "for sure" take the field when the Bears return to Soldier Field in Week 7. "I can't wait," Swift said. "Another opportunity against a good opponent coming in. Try to stay on the track that we're on. Just another opportunity."
Penguins projected lineup Rickard Rakell - Sidney Crosby - Bryan RustAnthony Mantha - Evgeni Malkin - Justin BrazeauFilip Hallander - Tommy Novak - Philip TomasinoConnor Dewar - Blake Lizotte - Noel Acciari Parker Wotherspoon - Erik KarlssonRyan Shea - Kris LetangCaleb Jones - Harrison Brunicke Arturs SilovsTristan Jarry Mathew Dumba, Connor Clifton, Ben Kindel Kevin Hayes (upper body), Rutger McGroarty (upper body)
Pierre-Luc Dubois, who was manning the team's second line with wingers Aliaksei Protas and Tom Wilson, left the ice at Madison Square Garden late in the third period. Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery did not have much of an update on Dubois' status postgame. "Yeah, we'll evaluate him and see where he's at," Carbery said. "Left the game and did not return."
Chase has just done so much. You're so happy to see him out on the field. He deserves it, he earned it. Nothing's been easy on this path for him and so he's had an excellent week of practice, done an excellent job and certainly there'll be some juice and excitement for him just to get out there,
Despite playing all 17 games in 2024, Tyreek Hill had a lingering wrist injury. The former five-time first-team All-Pro selection was not at his normal standard. Hill had wrist surgery this offseason and missed most of August with an oblique injury. Speaking with the media on Friday, head coach Mike McDaniel said that Tyreek Hill will "absolutely" play in Week 1 vs. the Colts.
