Where do Bengals, who had to lean on Jake Browning in 2023, land?
A cluster of teams are relying on 2021 first-rounders as QB2s.
Kirk Cousins and Andy Dalton are among the most decorated QB2s, both with multiple Pro Bowl nods to their credit.

Some NFL teams (and fans) treat these fellas as afterthoughts. In other football cities, one of them might be the most popular guy on the squad. And, according to some head coaches, this dude is the second-most important player on the roster.

He is, of course, the backup quarterback. Depending on his role, he might be a football messiah, mentor, nomad, reclamation project, has-been-who-might-have-something-left or some combination thereof.

Whatever the case may be, QB2s are already stepping into the 2025 season’s spotlight – one of them forced into the starting lineup last Sunday, and another, the Bengals’ Jake Browning, likely facing the prospect of salvaging his team’s season now that leading man Joe Burrow underwent surgery on his injured toe.

Heading into Week 3, when it seems quite feasible at least five starting passers (Burrow, Jayden Daniels, Brock Purdy, J.J. McCarthy, Justin Fields) will be down league-wide, now feels like the right time to rank every team’s backup quarterback situation from best to worst:

1. New York Giants

Even with a temp, albeit one who played well last Sunday, like Russell Wilson atop the depth chart, they have something of an ideal mix in reserve. Coming off a scintillating preseason, rookie Jaxson Dart is clearly the future here – and made his regular-season debut in Week 2, taking three snaps in packages designed for him. The Giants’ brutal schedule seems likely to keep him safely next to coach Brian Daboll for a while. But whenever Dart gets in on a permanent basis, he’ll have Wilson – if he sticks around – and/or Jameis Winston, a beloved teammate who can still sling it, as veteran backstops.

2. Atlanta Falcons

After an up-and-down first season in the ATL, veteran Kirk Cousins is nearly two years removed from an Achilles tear that short-circuited what was shaping as potentially his best season when he was still in Minnesota. A four-time Pro Bowler, few backups have Cousins’ bona fides … or his salary, which is $27.5 million for the 2025 season. He remains quite the valuable – literally and figuratively – insurance policy to second-year starter Michael Penix Jr., though probably one who’s too expensive to offload without extensive cap ramifications for Atlanta plus any potential suitor. Veteran Easton Stick, who has four NFL starts, is on the practice squad.

3. San Francisco 49ers

Mac Jones made his Niners debut Sunday – four years later than some predicted for the 2021 Patriots first-rounder – in place of injured Purdy and had one of his best pro games (279 yards and 3 TDs passing) in a 26-21 victory at New Orleans. He’s expected to make at least another start while Purdy recovers from an injured toe, though one that’s apparently in much better shape than Burrow’s. The Niners also have former UFL MVP Adrian Martinez in reserve and injured Kurtis Rourke and Carter Bradley in deep storage.

4. Kansas City Chiefs

5. Cincinnati Bengals

Even with Burrow likely out until at least December, don’t expect the team to make a drastic move – especially given this organization’s reluctance to execute trades or certainly its unwillingness to further stretch its salary cap after an offseason when WRs Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins and DE Trey Hendrickson all got paid, the latter after protracted negotiations. And given how well Browning ran this offense in 2023, it’s probably unnecessary anyway. He led the league with a 70.4% completion rate two years ago and won four of seven starts, just shy of guiding Cincinnati back to the playoffs at a time when Burrow went down with a season-ending wrist injury. Browning scored the winning touchdown on a 1-yard dive Sunday, capping a largely uneven performance against Jacksonville, but will need to be on point moving forward as the Bengals’ next five opponents are 2024 postseason outfits. Seventh-year vet Brett Rypien (4 NFL starts) has been promoted to the 53-man roster while Mike White, who’s had some exciting spot starts over the years, and Sean Clifford have joined the practice squad.

6. Los Angeles Rams

Matthew Stafford’s bad back has held up through two weeks, but LA seems fairly well prepared if he goes down. Veteran Jimmy Garoppolo earned two Super Bowl rings as Tom Brady’s backup in New England and made a Super Sunday start of his own for the 49ers five years ago. He is 33 and hasn’t played much since losing the QB1 gig in Las Vegas two seasons ago, but fair bet coach Sean McVay could maximize his best traits, typically solid accuracy and decision-making. If not, Stetson Bennett IV, who won two rings of his own while under center for the University of Georgia’s recent powerhouses, has shown quite a bit of potential in extensive preseason action after getting his personal life in order during his 2023 rookie season.

7. Baltimore Ravens

There’s no duplicating the inimitable Lamar Jackson, and the Ravens seemed to take a “why try?” approach this year. Baltimore signed Cooper Rush – he could hardly replicate Dak Prescott’s pedestrian athleticism in Dallas, much less Jackson’s – to an incentive-laden deal that will run the next two seasons. But Rush does know how to get the ball into the hands of playmakers – the Ravens have plenty of those – something he usually did to great effect in Prescott’s absence, going 9-5 as Dallas’ fill-in QB1 since 2021. And in the event Rush isn’t up to the task in Charm City, practice squader Tyler “Snoop” Huntley got a (dubious) Pro Bowl nod in 2022, when he also started a playoff game in Jackson’s stead.

8. Indianapolis Colts

Daniel Jones won the starting nod here coming out of training camp and is now stunningly playing like the franchise quarterback the Giants hoped he was when they invested the No. 6 overall pick in him in 2019. Behind Jones is Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 pick just two years ago and a man with as much physical talent as any QB in the league. And while the raw, inexperienced and occasionally immature Richardson, 23, has yet to approach his ceiling, he’s still been good enough to win eight of his 15 NFL starts and is finally getting the opportunity to sit and learn without having to rehab an injury. Whether it ever clicks for him the way it currently is for Jones remains to be seen, but Richardson is hardly a slouch if his number gets called. Rookie Riley Leonard, who started last season’s national championship game for Notre Dame, is the third-stringer.

9. Minnesota Vikings

They hired Carson Wentz, who’s started 95 NFL games and been a member of two Super Bowl teams, late in August to be the Plan B QB behind first-year starter McCarthy, whose growing pains have been evident so far during two prime-time starts. And those pains have already progressed beyond the figurative, an ankle injury likely sending McCarthy to the bench for a few weeks. Undrafted rookie Max Brosmer also made the Vikes’ 53-man roster, a strong indication of how highly they think of him following a strong preseason. Journeyman Desmond Ridder (18 NFL starts) came aboard, likely to shoulder some of the in-week load, while McCarthy is down.

10. Carolina Panthers

Three-time Pro Bowler Andy Dalton, 37, has filled in briefly for Bryce Young each of the past two seasons and played solidly in 14 starts for the Saints as recently as 2022. Hendon Hooker, 27, made a run at the 2022 Heisman Trophy before a torn ACL prematurely ended his college career. He latched on with the practice squad after failing to win the backup job in Detroit this summer.

11. Pittsburgh Steelers

Aaron Rodgers is 41 and was semi-regularly victimized by serious injuries even before blowing out his Achilles during his Jets debut in 2023. The Steelers are reasonably safeguarded with Mason Rudolph, who carried the team into the 2023 playoffs with a 3-0 regular-season flourish, back in the fold. Rookie Will Howard, who led Ohio State to last season’s national title while opposing Leonard in the CFP championship, is currently on injured reserve along with Skylar Thompson, who started a playoff game for Miami at the end of the 2022 season. Logan Woodside is on the practice squad as long as Pittsburgh needs him.

12. Seattle Seahawks

Drew Lock has 28 NFL starts, some of them tantalizingly impressive, which is why Seattle re-signed him after his 2024 hitch with the Giants. Rookie Jalen Milroe might be the future here – and perhaps part of the present given he has elite athleticism Lock and starter Sam Darnold lack – but he’s probably at least two years away.

13. Buffalo Bills

If you watched “Hard Knocks,” then you’re aware that former Pro Bowler Mitch Trubisky’s mechanics have improved – he fired off a 32-yard completion in brief relief of Josh Allen in Week 2 against the Jets. However Trubisky has started just seven games since leaving Chicago after the 2020 campaign and hasn’t exactly looked stellar in those opportunities. Down on the practice squad, Shane Buechele can only hope his extended exposure to Mahomes in Kansas City and Allen somehow rubs off, but he definitely understands what a league MVP looks like.

14. Chicago Bears

No hot take here, but if Caleb Williams doesn’t play up to his potential in a relatively timely manner, don’t be surprised if rookie HC Ben Johnson gives recently extended third-year man Tyson Bagent, who threw 159 TD passes in college, an opportunity. Third-stringer Case Keenum, 37, who owns 66 NFL stars and an FBS record 155 TD passes himself, is the wise graybeard neither Williams nor Bagent really had to lean on in 2024.

15. Washington Commanders

Daniels, last season’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, is virtually irreplaceable … yet is also nursing a sprained knee that won’t allow him to play in Week 3. But fellow former Heisman winner Marcus Mariota can provide experience, athleticism and a steady hand for an extended stretch if required. Peripatetic third-stringer Josh Johnson, 39, has seen it all; practice squad inhabitant Sam Hartman hasn’t.

16. Las Vegas Raiders

They’re rolling deep behind recently obtained starter Geno Smith, 34. Former first-rounder Kenny Pickett and his 25 NFL starts were acquired last month after Aidan O’Connell fractured his throwing wrist in the preseason finale. Both have shown flashes though probably not enough that either will ever be a major threat to Smith. Journeyman Jeff Driskel and rookie Cam Miller reside on the practice squad.

17. New England Patriots

Understudies Joshua Dobbs, 30, and Tommy DeVito, 27, have prominently displayed the ability to excel in spurts. Whether either could effectively supplant Drake Maye for a prolonged period is an open question.

18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

They boldly changed the depth chart behind Baker Mayfield last month by signing Teddy Bridgewater, 32, and stashing undrafted rookie Connor Bazelak on the practice squad. Bridgewater is 10 years removed from his only Pro Bowl nod and has only started twice since the start of the 2022 season. In terms of being a positive locker room presence, he’s almost incomparable.

19. Philadelphia Eagles

Third-year man Tanner McKee earned the second-string job behind Super Bowl 59 MVP Jalen Hurts after thriving in spot duty last season (plus the 2025 preseason) and rendering Pickett expendable. However the Eagles did swing a trade last month for Sam Howell, who led the league with 612 pass attempts two years ago in Washington … when he also served up an NFL-high 21 INTs. Rookie sixth-rounder Kyle McCord earned a practice squad slot.

20. Green Bay Packers

Malik Willis was a highly touted prospect entering the 2022 draft but never carved out much of an opportunity with the Titans. Yet he was excellent in two starts for the Pack last season, though he wasn’t asked to throw all that much. Third-stringer Clayton Tune had a forgettable start for Arizona in 2023.

21. Detroit Lions

After Hooker failed to develop, they’ve opted for a veteran-centric room led by starter Jared Goff, 30. Kyle Allen, 29, has 19 NFL starts, though just two since 2021. C.J. Beathard, 31, who has an excellent reputation as a teammate, only has one start since 2021.

22. Arizona Cardinals

Jacoby Brissett has picked up 53 starts while bouncing around the league for a decade. Great guy but hardly a remote Kyler Murray facsimile, and there’s simply no proof to the notion that Brissett can keep a playoff-caliber team afloat for the long run. Kedon Slovis, 24, is on his third NFL practice squad after playing for three college programs.

23. New York Jets

Tyrod Taylor replaces Fields after the NYJ’s new QB1 entered the concussion protocol. Taylor, 36, a Pro Bowler in 2015, is 28-28-1 as an NFL starter but hasn’t been one with regularity since 2017. He’s smart and protects the football but also has a propensity to get injured himself. Undrafted rookie Brady Cook is currently Plan C.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars

Devil-may-care gunslinger Nick Mullens, who can be alternately spectacular and cringeworthy, is the new Trevor Lawrence fallback. Undrafted rookie Seth Henigan is on the practice squad.

25. Denver Broncos

Even though he’s had limited regular-season run in six NFL seasons, coaches tend to rave about Jarrett Stidham. Third-stringer Sam Ehlinger is similarly unproven.

26. Houston Texans

Drafted in 2021, Davis Mills has 25 middling-at-best NFL starts. Rookie Graham Mertz is behind him.

27. Miami Dolphins

Drafted (highly) in 2021, Zach Wilson has 33 NFL starts that were mostly sub-middling. Rookie Quinn Ewers is behind him.

28. Los Angeles Chargers

Drafted (highly) in 2021, Trey Lance has all of five NFL starts and remains a largely unknown commodity on this third team. Rookie DJ Uiagalelei was a five-star recruit who never lived up to that billing with three college teams, but his potential has earned him another shot on the Bolts’ practice squad.

29. Tennessee Titans

Ninth-year pro Brandon Allen has been around the block, albeit with limited personal success. His most important job might be as a sounding board for this year’s No. 1 pick, Cam Ward. The same probably goes for Trevor Siemian, also in his ninth season and holding it down on the practice squad. Last year’s starter, Will Levis, is out for the year following surgery on his throwing shoulder.

30. Dallas Cowboys

If potential was the measuring stick, Joe Milton would be off all of the charts. But since experience is a major factor here, he’ll need a lot more of it before Dallas should feel confident he can step in as effectively for Prescott as Rush did so many times in recent years. Will Grier is back for another stint on the practice squad.

31. Cleveland Browns

Arguably the most talked about QB room in the league, it jettisoned Pickett this summer, when rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders also nursed injuries and didn’t do nearly enough to unseat former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco. Gabriel got some snaps in Sunday’s blowout loss at Baltimore, and it stands to reason that both he and Sanders will get more looks in the coming weeks to show if they have any staying power. ICYMI, Bailey Zappe and his nine NFL starts made the practice squad. In case you forgot, Deshaun Watson (PUP list) is technically still on this team, too, rehabbing multiple tears of the same Achilles.

32. New Orleans Saints

Wouldn’t be a shock at all if rookie Tyler Shough and/or third-year man Jake Haener (practice squad) get to play extensively in 2025. But given neither could beat out Spencer Rattler to start the opener … yeah, seems likely the Saints will be QB-focused going into the 2026 draft. Rookie Hunter Dekkers also (re)joined the practice squad late this week.

One of baseball’s biggest rivalries takes center stage with future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw set to make his final regular-season start at Dodger Stadium on Friday against the San Francisco Giants, in a game crucial for both teams’ playoff hopes.

Kershaw, the three-time Cy Young winner, announced Thursday that he would be retiring at the end of the 2025 season, giving fans precious little time to scramble and buy tickets for the contest at Chavez Ravine. One of the greatest pitchers – lefty or otherwise – in Major League Baseball history, Kershaw has a 222-96 career record in 2844 ⅔ innings across 18 seasons.

The Dodgers hold a 2.5-game lead over the San Diego Padres in the NL West entering Friday, while the Giants trail are three games out of the NL’s final wild-card spot. All-Star lefty Robbie Ray (11-7, 3.50 ERA) takes the mound for San Francisco.

Dodgers clinch playoff berth

The Dodgers are headed back to the playoffs for a 13th consecutive season after the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-2.

Miguel Rojas adds to Dodgers lead

Migual Rojas scored his second run of the evening after Andy Pages hit a double in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Dodgers lead the Giants 6-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Clayton Kershaw stats vs. Giants

Innings pitched: 4.1
Hits allowed: 4
Runs: 2
Earned Runs: 2
Walks: 4
Strikeouts: 6
Home Runs: 1
Pitch Count: 91
Strikes: 56
ERA: 3.55

Clayton Kershaw’s night is done

Clayton Kershaw struck out Rafael Devers in the top of the fifth inning before exiting the game. Kershaw received a standing ovation from Magic Johnson and the rest of the crowd at Dodger Stadium.

Kershaw thanked the crowd while holding his hat in the air. He would hug everyone in the dugout before coming back out for a curtain call.

The Dodgers’ offense came alive in the bottom of the fifth inning to support Kershaw’s effort.

Shohei Ohtani hit a 3-run home run to left field, providing the Dodgers with their first lead of the game. Mookie Betts hit a solo home run on the next at-bat. The Dodgers lead the Giants 5-2.

Kershaw gets through the fourth inning

Clayton Kershaw caught Willy Adames swinging to record another strikeout and send the game to the bottom of the fourth inning.

Kershaw threw over 20 pitches in the inning. He allowed a hit to Patrick Bailey, who singled to center field.

The Giants remain in front of the Dodgers 2-1.

Roberts indicated in an interview on Apple TV during the top of the fourth inning that he’s monitoring Kershaw’s performance closely.

“I’m watching him closely,” Roberts said. “… Given the emotion of yesterday, he’s not as sharp (tonight). The pitch count (70) is higher than we would like.”

Kershaw is expected to come back out in the fifth inning. There was activity in the bullpen late in the fourth inning.

Giants score in third inning

Kershaw struck out Rafael Devers before Matt Chapman hit a double to center the next at-bat.

Chapman scores after Wilmer Flores singles to center. The Giants take a 2-1 lead in the top of the third inning.

Kershaw throws a hitless second inning

Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers get out of the top of the second inning without allowing a run. Heliot Ramos and Willy Adames hit back-to-back pop-ups that were caught by Mookie Betts to get out of the inning.

Miguel Rojas hit a 402-foot solo home run to left-center field in the bottom of the second inning to even the score for the Dodgers at 1. Andy Pages bangs one off the wall in left centerfield for a double on the very next pitch.

Clayton Kershaw allows home run to first batter

Heliot Ramos hit a solo home run 431 feet over the fence in center field on Kershaw’s third pitch of the game. The Giants take an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

Kershaw struck out two and walked one in the inning. Seventeen of his 23 pitches were strikes.

The Dodgers pitcher became the all-time leader in strikeouts against the Giants’ franchise with 417, passing Warren Spahn (416).

Clayton Kershaw acknowledged by fans ahead of game

Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw walked out of the dugout and onto the mound for his warm-up in the final minutes before the game started. Kershaw received a warm welcome from the crowd and gave them a wave. His teammates stayed in the dugout so the pitcher could have his moment.

Dodgers lineup vs. Giants

Giants lineup vs. Dodgers

Clayton Kershaw arrives for final regular-season home start

Where to watch Dodgers vs. Giants on Apple TV

The Dodgers vs. Giants game Friday night will air on Apple TV+ with first pitch scheduled for 10:10 p.m. ET.

Watch Dodgers-Giants on Apple TV+

Dodgers vs. Giants odds

Clayton Kershaw stats

222-96 career record in 2844 ⅔ innings
3,039 strikeouts
2014 National League MVP
2011, 2013 and 2014 NL Cy Young winner

How many rings does Clayton Kershaw have?

Kershaw has won two World Series rings with the Los Angeles Dodgers – in 2020 and 2024.

The Dodgers beat the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2020 World Series, with Kershaw winning two games in the Fall Classic at the end of the COVID-shortened season. In 2024, the left-hander was injured and unable to pitch in the Dodgers’ postseason run that culminated with a World Series win over the New York Yankees.

San Francisco Giants congratulate Clayton Kershaw

Clayton Kershaw’s former teammates in attendance

Several of Kershaw’s former teammates have been spotted around Dodger Stadium before he takes the mound for his final regular-season home start. The former players included Andre Ethier, Austin Barnes, Trayce Thompson, Russell Martin and AJ Pollock.

Kershaw’s childhood friend and Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was also in attendance for the game.

Coach Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes will introduce a new live buffalo mascot before kickoff Saturday night at their sold-out football game against Wyoming. Her name is Ralphie VII, the newest “Ralphie” bison to charge onto the turf at Folsom Field after the previous mascot, Ralphie VI, “retired” amid an “indifference to running.”

The new Ralphie, a 1-year-old, weighs 700 pounds. The university said she is a gift from the Beauprez Family, who are multigenerational University of Colorado alumni and owners of Eagle’s Wing Ranch outside of Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

She replaces Ralphie VI, who was put out to pasture in retirement with Ralphie V. Her retirement was announced before the season after four years of service, most of which were marked by slow and short runs on the field before games, especially in her last appearance at the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio in December.

By contrast, the university said Ralphie VII “is definitely not indifferent to running.”

Colorado’s football team took the field in its past two home games without any traditional pregame run from Ralphie. Sanders was asked about that after his team lost the season opener against Georgia Tech on Aug. 29.

“I’m not disappointed,” Sanders said. “Ralphie gotta do what Ralphie gotta do. I think you guys have taken a day off, right? … So give Ralphie some grace. I mean, she had a good run, right. So they’re preparing another Ralphie. … And we gonna be all right. Ralphie’s gonna be straight.”

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

The NFL acknowledged in a training video that the Philadelphia Eagles should have been penalized for a false start on a ‘tush push’ play against the KC Chiefs, according to The Washington Post.
NFL vice president of officiating training and development Ramon George stated that officials need to be ‘as tight as we can be’ on short-yardage plays.
The training video also highlighted officiating mistakes on a similar play attempted by the New Orleans Saints.

In a video distributed to all 32 head coaches and general managers this week, the NFL focused on pre-snap infractions.

And according to the Washington Post, the Philadelphia Eagles should have been penalized at least once during their multiple ‘tush push’ attempts in a Super Bowl rematch victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, 20-17, last Sunday.

The Post first reported the contents of the training tape, which is a weekly analyzing of the most-recent games. This one showed Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts converting a third-and-1 play with 5:29 left in the game.

Online sleuths noted that it appeared guards Tyler Steen and Landon Dickerson moved before center Cameron Jurgens, who may have been lined up offsides, snapped the ball. NFL vice president of officiating training and development Ramon George said in the video that Steen moved early, although the Eagles were not penalized on the play.

“Anytime we have this situation we’re in short yardage, we know we want to make sure that we officiate these plays — the offensive team has to be perfect in every aspect,” George said in the video, according to the Post. “We want to officiate it tight. We want to be black and white and be as tight as we can be when we get into this situation where teams are in the bunch position and we have to officiate them being onsides, movement early.

‘Prior to the snap, looks like we have movement by the right guard. We also have movement coming across from the defensive side. This is a very hard play to officiate. I get it.”

Indeed, during the FOX broadcast, rules analyst Dean Blandino said he was ‘done’ with the tush push because of the degree of difficulty required to officiate it consistenly.

The video also showed the New Orleans Saints’ attempt to run their version of the play, with NFL officiating rules analyst saying formations have to be legal and that the Saints lined up with multiple players offside.

The play was nearly banned this offseason during the May owners’ meetings in Minnesota, but fell two votes shy of the required 24 to prohibit it.

Add another one to the list of NFL teams starting a backup quarterback in Week 3.

Washington Commanders coach Dan Quinn confirmed Friday, Sept. 19 that Marcus Mariota will start for the team on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders, per multiple reports.

Starter and reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels injured his knee during the team’s ‘Thursday Night Football’ loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 2.

Even with the extended rest time, Daniels has not recovered enough to start on Sunday.

Mariota last started an NFL game in 2022 for the Atlanta Falcons. He went 5-8 in 13 starts for the Falcons that season, the last of which was a 19-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He played in three games each in 2023 and 2024 for the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington, respectively, but none of those were starts.

Mariota completed 34 of 44 passes for 364 yards and four touchdowns and added 18 carries for 92 rushing yards and a touchdown last year for Washington.

Commanders QB depth chart

The franchise is relying on veteran help behind their young franchise quarterback. Here’s how the active roster looks ahead of Week 3 against the Raiders:

Jayden Daniels (injured)
Marcus Mariota
Josh Johnson

Matt Petgrave hasn’t played hockey in two years since being involved in the on-ice tragedy that killed Adam Johnson
Petgrave was arrested by South Yorkshire police in November 2023 and spent 17 months on bail
Fuel CEO Sean Hallett: ‘We are confident that he will be a positive addition to our team and our city’

INDIANAPOLIS — The ECHL’s Indy Fuel have signed defenseman Matt Petgrave, who has been absent from hockey for nearly two years since being involved in an on-ice tragedy that killed former NHL player Adam Johnson.

The incident happened Oct. 28, 2023, during an Elite Ice Hockey League game in England when Johnson was cut in the neck by Petgrave’s skate blade.

In April, Petgrave was cleared of criminal charges.

‘We have concluded that there is not a realistic prospect of conviction for any criminal offense and so there will not be a prosecution,’ Michael Quinn, deputy chief of the Crown Prosecution Service, said at the time. ‘This was a shocking and deeply upsetting incident.’

In announcing the Fuel’s signing of Petgrave Thursday, CEO Sean Hallett issued a statement regarding Johnson’s death and Petgrave’s involvement.

‘We are aware that Matt was involved in a tragic accident two years ago on the ice, where another player lost his life. No criminal charges were brought against Matt after the accident,’ Hallett said. ‘After in-depth discussions with him and his previous coaches and teammates, we believe he should be afforded the opportunity to continue his playing career.’

Hallett went on to say: ‘We understand the responsibility that comes with the great support we receive from this community. We are confident that he will be a positive addition to our team and our city.’

Petgrave, 33, is a 6-1, 200-pound defenseman who most recently played two seasons for the Sheffield Steelers of the Elite Ice Hockey League until October 2023 when the incident occurred. In 61 games, he scored 51 points for the Steelers.

‘I am thankful to the Fuel organization and the city of Indianapolis,’ Petgrave, a Toronto native, said in a statement Thursday, ‘for allowing me the opportunity to continue my professional career in the sport I love.’

Tragedy on the ice

It was the second period of a game in Sheffield, England, on Oct. 28, 2023, when Johnson, playing for the Nottingham Panthers, was carrying the puck into the offensive zone.

As Petgrave fell after contact with another player, he kicked his left leg up into the air. His skate blade hit Johnson in the neck.

Johnson, 29, tried to skate away but quickly collapsed onto the ice. The game ended as fans were asked to leave the arena due to a ‘major medical emergency.’

The next day, the Panthers confirmed Johnson’s death, calling it a ‘freak accident.’

After the Fuel’s signing of Petgrave Thursday, fans responded by the thousands, many supporting his second chance while others denounced him being back on the ice.

In the two years since Johnson’s death, Petgrave has denied allegations of any intentional harm against Johnson and has consistently described what happened as a ‘tragic accident.’

Before playing overseas, Petgrave spent five seasons in the ECHL and American Hockey League. He played for the Florida Everblades in 2021 and during the 2017-18 season, he was named an ECHL All-Star with the Brampton Beast after scoring 40 points in 50 games. 

Petgrave is an OHL champion, CIS University Cup champion and USports University Cup champion.

The Indy Fuel’s 12th season opens Oct. 17 at home at the Fishers Event Center.

Follow IndyStar sports reporter Dana Benbow on X:@DanaBenbow. Reach her via email:dbenbow@indystar.com.   

Russian and Belarusian athletes will compete as individual neutral athletes in the Milan Cortina Games.
Russia has been banned from competing as a country since the 2016 Rio Olympics due to doping and the invasion of Ukraine.
Only 32 neutral athletes from Russia and Belarus competed in the last Summer Olympics in Paris.

It wouldn’t be an Olympics without questions about the participation of Russian athletes.

International Olympic Committe president Kirsty Coventry said Friday that athletes from Russia and Belarus will be allowed to compete as individual neutral athletes in the upcoming Milan Cortina Games, just as they did at last summer’s Paris Olympics. Though the IOC did not say how many athletes they expect in Milan Cortina, it is likely to be a few handfuls, at most.

They will be identified as ‘AIN,’ which is the French translation for Independent Neutral Athlete, and will not have their flag or be allowed to wear their country’s colors. They also will be vetted by Olympic officials to ensure they have not supported Russia’s unprovoked war on Ukraine and are compliant with all anti-doping regulations.

‘This will be nothing new for all of you,’ Coventry said at a news conference following a meeting of the IOC’s executive board. ‘The executive board will take the exact same approach that was done in Paris. So, it’s just a continuation.’

Why can’t Russia, and Belarus, compete at the Olympics?

Russia hasn’t competed as a country since the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. It was banned from the Winter Games in Pyeongchang in 2018 and Beijing in 2022, as well as the Tokyo Summer Games, for its doping shenanigans.

But those ‘bans’ were a farce. Russia was still allowed to send teams to those Games, competing as ‘Olympic Athletes from Russia” and athletes from the “Russia Olympic Committee.” They were able to compete in team competitions — Russia won both the men’s and women’s team golds in gymnastics in Tokyo, for example — and they sported warmups and uniforms in Russia’s colors.

Even former IOC president Thomas Bach couldn’t excuse Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, however. Especially since it began when the Olympic truce for the Beijing Games was still in effect.

The IOC banned Russia’s Olympic Committee and, initially, all of its athletes from not only the Olympics but all competitions of Olympic sports. Think world championships and World Cups.

The IOC eventually relented and said the individual sport federations could decide for themselves whether to allow Russian athletes to compete as netural individuals. It then said it would allow those athletes in Paris, but only after IOC officials confirmed there was no record of them supporting the invasion of Ukraine or the Russian Army and that they were in compliance with all anti-doping requirements.

Belarus was also banned because of its support for the war.

How many of those independent neutral athletes competed in Paris?

Not many. Out of the roughly 10,500 athletes at last summer’s Paris Olympics, only 32 competed as AINs, 15 from Russia and 17 from Belarus.

The athletes were identified as AINs. In addition to being prohibited from wearing national colors or insignia, they were not allowed at the Opening Ceremony. If they won a medal, a neutral flag was used at the medal ceremony, and gold medalists heard an athem created by the IOC.

How many Russian and Belarussian athletes can be expected in Milan?

Still to be determined.

Some sport federations, like hockey, have continued their bans on athletes from Russia and Belarus. Others, like figure skating, have allowed a limited opportunity to qualify for Milan Cortina. And still others are still weighing a decision on participation.

Once athletes do qualify, the IOC will comb through their social media and public statements to see if they’ve ever expressed support for Russia’s war or been affiliated with the Army. That’s no small thing, given the high number of Russian athletes who are in the Army or receive funding from it.

The WNBA announced the five finalists for the league’s Most Valuable Player award on Friday.

The winner will be announced at 11:30 a.m. ET on Sunday

The finalists are Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray, Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell, Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas, and Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson.

Wilson, a three-time MVP, took the resurgent Aces on a late-season run, winning their last 16 regular-season games. She averaged 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.3 blocks, and 1.6 steals, and was also named co-defensive Player of the Year.

Collier, even though she missed 11 games due to injury, led the Lynx to the league’s best record, averaging 22.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.5 blocks. Minnesota finished with a 34-10 record and led the WNBA in both offensive and defensive ratings this season.

Thomas averaged 15.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 9.2 assists in 39 games, recording a WNBA-record seven triple-doubles this season, while Mitchell ranked third in the league in points per game, with 20.2 points per game, and Gray averaged 18.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists for the Dream, who won 30 games in 2025, 15 more than the season before.

More than 4.5 million people signed up for the FIFA World Cup Visa Presale Draw, which ended on Friday, Sept. 19, the soccer governing body announced in a press release.

The United States, Mexico and Canada – the three host nations for next summer’s tournament – were the top three countries with the highest number of applications to the ticket draw.

Germany, England, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Spain and Italy rounded out the Top 10 countries in World Cup ticket demand. Fans from 216 countries and territories entered applications into the ticket draw, FIFA said.

“These are not only outstanding figures, but also a strong statement. The whole world wants to be part of the FIFA World Cup 26: the biggest, most inclusive and most exciting event ever seen,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a press release.

The 2026 World Cup begins in Mexico City on June 11, and ends at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on July19.

Ticket draw winners will be notified by email on Sept. 29 and receive a dedicated date and time slot to purchase World Cup tickets beginning Oct. 1.

Single-match tickets to all 104 games will be made available when ticket sales start, along with venue-specific and team-specific tickets. The cheapest ticket will be $60 USD.

FIFA will also launch its own resale platform on Oct. 2 for ticket sellers hoping to make a profit and so buyers are safeguarded ‘against invalid or unauthorised resale.”

If you didn’t apply to the presale draw or are not selected to purchase World Cup tickets, the next opportunity to register to buy them will be during the Early Ticket Draw entry period beginning Oct. 27.

FIFA encourages fans to purchase tickets only through FIFA.com/tickets.