Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is expected to start on Thanksgiving against the Ravens.
Burrow has missed the last nine games due to a turf toe injury.
The Bengals are 3-8 and will be without receiver Tee Higgins and defensive end Trey Hendrickson.

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor told reporters Nov. 24 that he expects quarterback Joe Burrow to start during the team’s Thanksgiving Day contest against the Baltimore Ravens (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock).

Burrow’s return would end a nine-game absence caused by a Grade 3 turf toe injury suffered in the Bengals’ second game of the season. Since then, they have turned to Jake Browning (four games) at the quarterback spot and traded for Joe Flacco (five games).

The estimated timeline from Burrow’s surgery to returning to game action was three months, which pointed to a return sometime in mid-December.

After a 2-0 start, the Bengals are 3-8 and tied for the second-worst point-differential in the league (minus-112).

The Bengals will be without one of Burrow’s top targets in receiver Tee Higgins, while the Cincinnati defense will be minus its best defensive player, Trey Hendrickson.

Baltimore has won five straight to surge to the top of the AFC North, a race for which the Bengals trail by three games with six to play.

Florida State’s football program has struggled since filing a lawsuit against the ACC two years ago.
The university announced it will retain coach Mike Norvell, partly due to the high cost of a buyout.

Just when you think you don’t believe in karma, along comes Florida State.

The Seminoles filed a scathing lawsuit against the ACC two years ago as they sought to nullify the financial penalty they had agreed to in a grant of rights deal, if only they could lure another conference to accept them.

The maneuvering reeked of FSU thinking it’s better than the ACC.

“This is all about having the option to go somewhere,” Florida State board of trustees chair Peter Collins told USA TODAY Sports in 2023.

The only place FSU went was down in the ACC standings.

Since filing the lawsuit, the Seminoles are 7-17.

In Florida State’s latest loss, the NC State punter recovered a FSU fumble back at the original line of scrimmage, after his punt caromed off a Seminoles player’s noggin. Re-read that sentence, watch the highlight of the truly bizarre Florida State gaffe, and tell me you don’t believe in karma.

Two days after that loss, Florida State announced it’s retaining sunken coach Mike Norvell — not because it believes in the momentum he’s building, but because Norvell and his staff would be expensive to fire.

The playoff committee cruelly rejected an undefeated Seminoles team in 2023 in favor of Alabama, the SEC’s one-loss champions. True, FSU was down to its third-string quarterback, because of injuries, but it had earned a playoff spot through its performance.

I said that then, and I’ll say it now: That was an unjust fate.

But, these past two seasons? Those are just desserts.

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s senior national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.

Gotham FC celebrated its second NWSL title in three years with a parade and ceremony in New York City on Monday, Nov. 24.

‘The Bats have brought the championship to New York City once again,’ said New York City mayor Eric Adams, who presented the team with keys to the city. ‘[This team] has shown time and time again that you never can be counted out. You have the New York City grit, resiliency and determination.’

Adams repeated Gotham forward Jaedyn Shaw’s declaration after the No. 8-seed Gotham FC upset No. 1 Kansas City Current in the quarterfinals. ‘Underdogs my ass,’ he said. 

Midfielder Rose Lavelle scored in the 80th minute to beat the Washington Spirit, 1-0, Saturday, Nov. 22, in front of a sellout crowd of 18,000 at PayPal Park in San Jose, California. Lavelle’s score was the latest opening goal in league championship history.

The Bats beat Kansas City in the quarterfinals, No. 4 Orlando, the defending camp, in the semifinals and No. 2 Washington in the championship.

The parade started at Barclay Street in Lower Manhattan and headed up Broadway to Chambers Street. The key to the city ceremony was held outside City Hall. 

Gotham FC represents New York and New Jersey, playing at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey.

‘We wanted to build something special, we knew we had a group of fantastic players,’ Gotham FC coach Juan Carlos Amorós said. ‘These players have not only done it for themselves, but gone above and beyond for the person next to them.’

The Eagles’ offense once again went into turtle mode, costing the team greatly in a 24-21 loss to the Cowboys.
The Chiefs finally broke through with a late win in a close contest, while the Colts wilted down the stretch.
J.J. McCarthy continues to raise questions about his viability for the Vikings in 2026.

Week 12 in the NFL was no mere appetizer to the forthcoming Thanksgiving slate.

Yes, the holiday schedule sure looks tantalizing, with the league trotting out a troika of highly consequential matchups. But a Sunday setup that initially looked light on thrills ended up holding its own when it came to producing entertainment, with three games going to overtime after double-digit comebacks. And with two-thirds of the regular season now wrapped up, it’s hard to shake the emerging pecking order in certain parts of the playoff picture, even though nothing has been settled on that front.

Here are the biggest winners and losers from NFL Week 12:

NFL Week 12 winners

Jahmyr Gibbs

Sunday looked like it could be calamitous for the Detroit Lions, who found themselves in a 10-point fourth-quarter hole at home against the shorthanded New York Giants. Gibbs, however, prevented a full-blown meltdown. The running back ripped off a 49-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth to cut the deficit, and his 69-yard scoring sprint in overtime provided the ultimate edge in a 34-27 win. He finished the day with a career-high 264 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns on 26 total touches. Gibbs also reaffirmed his status as the league’s premier breakaway threat, as he now owns three of the four fastest speeds by a ball carrier this season, according to Next Gen Stats.

The Jameis Winston experience

Yes, the 11-year veteran didn’t end up pulling off the upset and eating a Detroit-style W. That’s about the only missing element of his outing, though. Winston was the perfect triggerman for interim Giants coach Mike Kafka’s go-for-broke approach. The heightened entertainment value was evident from the opening drive, when Winston chucked a 39-yard touchdown to Wan’Dale Robinson on a trick play. But the peak would come in the second half, when the quarterback hauled in a pass from Gunner Olszewski and then spun out of Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes’ grasp before reaching the end zone. He ended up with a classic Winston line: 18-of-36 for 366 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception. But for a moment, he made a lot of people care about a Giants team that was without Jaxson Dart. No easy feat.

Kansas City Chiefs’ playoff outlook

Regressions to the mean typically are supposed to result in the affected party landing somewhere close to, well … the mean. Instead, the Chiefs have swung from one polarity to the other on one-score games, going from 12-0 last year to 0-5 prior to Sunday. The result was a 5-5 mark that didn’t fully capture the capabilities of this year’s team. In what could be an inflection point for Kansas City’s season, the team finally rediscovered the late-game edge that had eluded it so far in 2025, squeezing out a 23-20 overtime win against the Indianapolis Colts. Between Patrick Mahomes leading a methodical march in crunch time and the defense ramping up the pressure late, the Chiefs at least somewhat resembled previous championship-caliber editions and how they were able to close out contests. If the Chiefs can handle a critical three-week stretch that brings tilts with the Cowboys, Texans and Chargers, they could find themselves in prime position for another postseason run – even if it’s as a wild-card entrant.

Chicago Bears’ resilience

Caleb Williams had more than a few misfires, prompting the Chicago Bears quarterback to label his day as ‘frustrating.’ And the Pittsburgh Steelers took advantage of an already shorthanded defense that had its entire starting linebacker group nuked by injuries, piling up 186 rushing yards. But maybe this was yet another distinction between the previous iterations of the Bears, who might have let this game slip through their fingers, and this year’s crew, who prevailed 31-28 to run their record to 8-3. Chicago’s formula doesn’t exactly feel foolproof, as it typically entails relying on takeaways – two more coming against Pittsburgh – to cover for several defensive shortcomings. But fans should be encouraged that this young group is finding ways to persevere even when things aren’t fully clicking.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba

It stood to reason that a one-win team that fired its coach more than a month ago wouldn’t offer up much resistance to the NFL’s leading receiver. But Smith-Njigba was totally unsolvable to the Tennessee Titans’ secondary, posting eight catches for 167 yards and two touchdowns in the Seattle Seahawks’ 30-24 win. With that line, he broke the Seahawks’ single-season franchise record for receiving yards at 1,313 … through just 11 games. A 2,000-yard campaign – which would break Calvin Johnson’s all-time mark of 1,964 – is within reach, especially given that Seattle could need every bit of Smith-Njigba’s contributions for a playoff push that could last all the way through its Week 18 finale against the San Francisco 49ers.

Marcus Jones

In late October, Jones inked a three-year, $36 million extension with the New England Patriots. Three weeks later, it was the slot cornerback who was providing the major payout. In the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals, Jones jumped a late Joe Flacco throw to the flat for an easy pick-six that put the Patriots ahead after a slow start. A third-round pick in 2022 and holdover from the Bill Belichick era, Jones has long demonstrated a rare playmaking streak, primarily as a returner. But he’s also been a major asset to Mike Vrabel as a slot corner, where he’s seen even more action this season.

Emanuel Wilson

Matt LaFleur really, really wants the run game to power the Green Bay Packers offense. That commitment has been apparent all season, but it was fully on display Sunday, when the coach turned to Wilson to shoulder the load with starter Josh Jacobs sidelined by a knee injury. In his first start, Wilson ran for 107 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries in a 23-6 win over the Minnesota Vikings. Used mostly as a battering ram between the tackles, the third-year back helped LaFleur and Green Bay play keep-away with a 37:15 time of possession. But while there might not have been many highlight-reel runs, he’s still the first Packers player to rush for 100 yards since Week 12 of last year.

Shedeur Sanders

Let’s keep everything in perspective when it comes to Sanders, a player who provokes hyperbole across the sports media spectrum. Of course, part of that process necessitates allotting credit where it’s due, and the rookie quarterback added substance to spectacle in leading the Cleveland Browns to a 24-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Sanders handled a streamlined game plan and largely avoided mistakes, particularly the sacks he was so prone to in college. It was hardly electrifying, but that was a meaningful shift for a Browns offense that couldn’t even handle the basics at times with fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel at the helm. Is that enough to keep the job even if Gabriel can return from a concussion next week? At least Sanders turned that into a conversation.

NFL Week 12 losers

Philadelphia Eagles’ conservative offense

A 21-0 lead after Philadelphia’s first three possessions seemed like it would put the defending champions on track for another rivalry rout against the Dallas Cowboys. Then, everything came undone for the Eagles in an eventual 24-21 loss. The offense abandoned the aggressive approach that helped the unit build the advantage in the first place, instead opting to recede into its shell yet again. That style can pay off with the right support, but this year’s group simply doesn’t have the same level of assurances in place that its predecessor did. For one, the offensive line and run game haven’t rediscovered the dominant form that allowed Philadelphia to set the tone regardless of its risk aversion. That trend continued against the Cowboys, with the Eagles averaging just 3.5 yards per carry and Saquon Barkley being held to a season-low 22 yards. But operating in that mode also necessitates a level of composure that Philadelphia fell well short of with its 14 penalties and two costly fourth-quarter fumbles, among other miscues. The defense has to be in absolutely elite form to overcome those factors, and the task was too tall for the Eagles this week. It’s high time to recognize this as more than a point of locker room intrigue, as a repeat run will be almost impossible if Nick Sirianni and offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo continue to keep this ceiling in place.

Shane Steichen

The Colts’ rise to the forefront of the AFC playoff race has been met with some degree of skepticism, with many questioning whether the league’s offensive standard-bearer had staying power. In easily its greatest test to date, Indianapolis failed to rise to the occasion and affirm its contender credentials. That falls largely on Steichen, the head coach and play-caller who repeatedly acknowledged ‘I have to be better’ after his team went three-and-out four times in the fourth quarter and overtime. In the first three of those series, NFL leading rusher Jonathan Taylor logged just one carry. Perhaps it’s understandable that Steichen would have been reticent to run the ball carrier into yet another loaded box given that Taylor was hit behind the line of scrimmage on a season-high 62.5% of his runs, according to Next Gen Stats. But going the pass-happy route when Daniel Jones was shaky at best left far too much up to a defense that did more than its part, with Kansas City able to wear down the unit with a stunning 91 plays. Finding a way forward in these scenarios could determine whether Indianapolis is an actual threat in the postseason or merely a nice regular-season story, as opponents are sure to try to replicate Steve Spagnuolo’s game plan.

Las Vegas Raiders’ new regime

Is it time to start unwinding this group after just 11 games? It’s at least clear that the status quo can’t hold, with offensive coordinator Chip Kelly fired Sunday in the aftermath of an embarrassing bottoming out against the Browns. Kelly long seemed like a strange fit for the direction of this organization, with his deployment of Ashton Jeanty only heightening concerns. But what play-caller can pull this attack as currently constructed out of the darkness? Maybe another offseason overhaul will actually prove fruitful this time, particularly if help can be found for the overmatched offensive line or underdeveloped receiving corps. But there’s a fundamental misalignment between 74-year-old Pete Carroll and a franchise in need of a multi-year runway, so maybe another full teardown is in store.

J.J. McCarthy

Both McCarthy and coach Kevin O’Connell last week tried to turn down the volume on the rising discontent surrounding the Vikings quarterback’s trajectory, with O’Connell saying he was eager ‘to start seeing the concrete kind of dry a little bit on the work that’s put in.’ On Sunday, however, the Packers wrote their names in the wet cement. McCarthy once again wasn’t nearly quick or decisive enough, taking five sacks and throwing two interceptions while throwing for just 87 yards. It was probably too much to expect a young quarterback to have answers for Micah Parsons (two sacks) and a defense that generated pressure McCarthy on 12 of his 26 dropbacks. But even with just six starts in his career, it’s getting difficult to see the upside in continuing on with him. At 4-7, the Vikings need to keep collecting data on McCarthy, which means giving him more reps even as the outlook worsens. But the 2026 quarterback plan for Minnesota seems like it needs to at least include an insurance option at the very least.

Drake Maye

The Patriots’ second-year quarterback was probably facing an uphill battle to push to the front of the MVP conversation. But his odds for the award took a hit Sunday, as did New England’s offensive outlook for the rest of the season. Both left guard Jared Wilson and left tackle Will Campbell left the game with injuries and did not return, leaving a degree of uncertainty for a front that’s enjoyed an enviable level of consistency. But the offense’s woes extended well beyond personnel losses. Maye threw a pick-six to Geno Stone and otherwise had an uncharacteristically off-kilter outing, with his passer rating (87.1) his lowest since the rain-drenched season opener. The Patriots, who were the only team besides the Browns not to post at least 27 points against the Bengals so far this season, also came up empty after snapping the ball from Cincinnati’s 1-yard line on seven consecutive plays. Maye has shown enough to mark this as an aberration that shouldn’t overshadow an otherwise remarkably successful season – including the league’s best record at 10-2 and a nine-game win streak – but the problems could compound if they go unaddressed.

Baltimore Ravens offense

In a vacuum, a five-game win streak and return to the top of the AFC North standings – where they’re now tied with the Steelers at 6-5 – should be cause for celebration in Charm City. But several members of the Ravens’ offense were far from content after the Ravens’ 23-10 win over the New York Jets, each saying improvement was needed. One year after performing at a level that nearly earned him his third NFL MVP award, Lamar Jackson looks out of sorts, passing for just 153 yards on Sunday. Whether when taking off or merely avoiding the rush, Jackson’s running ability appears to have taken a significant hit, which has been particularly problematic when combined with the offensive line’s protection lapses. And while Derrick Henry scored two touchdowns against New York, the run game hasn’t provided a sufficient spark to make up for the inertia. Crunch time is here for the Ravens with two meetings against the Bengals sandwiching a home showdown with the Steelers, so Baltimore can’t afford to take long to sort out these issues.

Amon-Ra St. Brown

After catching just two of 12 targets in the Lions’ offensive face plant last week against the Eagles, St. Brown said he wasn’t concerned about the uncharacteristic drops that were starting to pile up. “I’ve caught so many balls in my life that the next one comes, I’m going to catch it, and I’m going to catch a lot more than I don’t,’ he told reporters last week. The problem persisted this week, however, as St. Brown had two more costly whiffs, including one that led to a Jevon Holland interception. It’s hardly panic time for the two-time All-Pro, but Detroit’s offense doesn’t have the same margin for error as it did in previous years.

The USA Basketball women’s senior national team will hold a training camp at Duke University Dec. 12-14. Ten of the 18 players invited will be making their senior national team debut next month.

Duke coach Kara Lawson, who was named Team USA coach in September, will lead the training camp.

Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese are among the newcomers on the list. JuJu Watkins is also invited to the camp, although she is still recovering from an ACL tear in her right knee sustained during the NCAA Tournament last March. Lauren Betts, Cameron Brink, Veronica Burton, Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen and Rickea Jackson will also be first-timers.

Aliyah Boston, Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Brittney Griner, Dearica Hamby, Brionna Jones, Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young, who all have prior senior team experience, have also been invited.

USA women’s national team managing director Sue Bird will use the camp as an evaluation opportunity. She will name a team for the 2026 FIBA World Cup in September 2026. In addition to Lawson, WNBA coaches Natalie Nakase, Nate Tibbetts and Stephanie White will serve as court coaches.

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Just as the Cincinnati Bengals are getting one offensive star back, they’re losing another.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor announced on Monday, Nov. 24 that he expects quarterback Joe Burrow to play on Thanksgiving against the Baltimore Ravens. At the same time, he ruled out wide receiver Tee Higgins for the Week 13 game.

Higgins sustained a concussion with fewer than five minutes remaining in the Bengals’ Week 12 loss to the New England Patriots. As he attempted to make a one-handed catch, he fell to the turf without bracing himself and slammed the back of his head on the ground.

Higgins had to be carted off of the field as he held the back of his head. He’ll have to clear the NFL’s concussion protocol to make his return later this year.

Here’s what we know about Higgins’ injury and when he might return:

When will Tee Higgins return?

Higgins will miss the Bengals’ Week 13 meeting with the Ravens on Thanksgiving.

Cincinnati’s head coach ruled out his team’s No. 2 receiver on Monday, Nov. 24, one day after Higgins sustained a concussion. The wideout hit his head hard on the ground while trying to make a one-handed catch late in the Bengals’ Week 12 loss to the Patriots.

Higgins entered the league’s concussion protocol on Sunday, Nov. 23, meaning he will have to complete a five-step recovery process before his return to action later this year. The Bengals’ receiver has suffered one concussion previously in his NFL career: Week 1 against the Steelers in 2022. Though he left that game in the second quarter, he did not miss any additional time.

What is the NFL’s concussion protocol?

The NFL breaks its concussion protocol down into five steps. The process is designed to break up the recovery process from a head injury ensure a player’s safety.

A player in the protocol must clear all five steps before they’re cleared to play.

Here are the five steps, according to the NFL:

Symptom-limited activity
Aerobic exercise
Football-specific exercise
Club-based non-contact training drills
Full football activity/clearance

Tee Higgins stats

Through 12 weeks, Higgins is the Bengals’ leader in receiving touchdowns and 20+ yard catches.

Targets: 70
Receptions: 40
Receiving yards: 575
Yards per reception: 14.4
Touchdowns: 7

The New York Mets and Texas Rangers swapped a pair of veteran players on Sunday Nov. 23, as both teams begin their offseason reshuffling.

In a one-for-one deal, the Mets picked up three-time All-Star second baseman Marcus Semien in exchange for left-handed hitting outfielder Brandon Nimmo. While this trade lacks the intrigue and has fewer long-term implications than last week’s Orioles-Angels deal, it might provide an ever-so-slight indication of the direction both teams are headed during the offseason.

Let’s take a look at how the deal impacts the Mets and Rangers, and hand out some grades on how well they improved their overall rosters.

New York Mets trade grade: C+

The addition of Semien, who won his second career Gold Glove in 2025, should help stabilize the revolving door the Mets had last season at second base, where Jeff McNeil, Brett Baty and Luisangel Acuña all saw action. It also allows McNeil to move to the outfield on a regular basis, essentially filling the void created by Nimmo’s departure. (Or the team could cut ties completely with McNeil, whom they’ve been trying to trade.)

However, Semien is 35. And after being perhaps baseball’s most durable player from 2018 to 2024, he finally succumbed to the injury bug last season – missing the final six weeks with a foot injury.

Semien is also a two-time Silver Slugger (2021, 2023), but he posted a career-worst .230/.305/.364 slash line in 2025 with 15 homers, 62 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 127 games. The Mets are hoping his offense bounces back – the move to Citi Field should help – and that his glove helps shore up a significant weakness in the infield.

The Mets still have a major decision to make this offseason regarding free-agent slugger Pete Alonso. If Alonso doesn’t return, the addition of Semien does give them another right-handed bat in the lineup.

Semien is due $26 million in salary this season and is signed through 2028 (which could impact the team’s plans for top infield prospect Jett Williams).

Texas Rangers trade grade: C

Nimmo was the Mets’ first-round draft pick in 2011 (13th overall) and has spent 10 seasons patrolling the outfield in Queens. He’ll fill a hole in the outfield created when the Rangers declined to offer a contract to veteran Adolis Garcia at the non-tender deadline.

He figures to take over Semien’s leadoff spot, with his .364 career on-base percentage giving the Rangers an upgrade in that role. Like Semien, Nimmo has been quite durable – appearing in at least 150 games in each of the past four seasons. He also has a similar power/speed profile, posting career highs of 25 homers and 92 RBI last season, while also stealing 13 bases.

Josh Smith, who filled in admirably when shortstop Corey Seager was injured last season, will likely fill Semien’s starting spot at second base.

Nimmo, who will turn 33 in March, will make $20.5 million this coming season and still has five years remaining on his contract that runs through 2030. Compared to Semien’s deal, the Rangers will pay a little less up front, but be on the hook for two additional years.

Justin Tucker could be one step closer to an NFL return.

The disgraced former kicker of the Baltimore Ravens will go through a tryout with the New Orleans Saints, according to multiple reports. Per NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill, Tucker and fellow veteran Cade York will work out for the team. Tucker recently completed a 10-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

The Ravens released Tucker in May though simply characterized it as one of the tough ‘football decisions’ any team makes. Of course, that was only a part – hopefully a very small part – of the calculus to unload a five-time All-Pro who’d crafted an argument as the best kicker in league history over 13 mostly stellar seasons on the football field.

Yet it’s Tucker’s purported misconduct off the field for which he’s become notorious – if, apparently, not completely radioactive.

According to in-depth reporting by the The Baltimore Banner, 16 massage therapists from eight Baltimore-area spas shared horror stories about alleged sexual misconduct by Tucker during sessions that occurred between 2012 and 2016. Tucker was not charged with any crimes, and the statute of limitations in Maryland to file a civil action against him is long past. He has also strongly denied the therapists’ claims.

The NFL’s investigation into the matter spurred it to suspend him on June 26. But unlike the penalty the league levied against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson three years ago, in what can only be described as similar circumstances – at the time, 24 women had filed civil suits against him involving allegations of sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions – Tucker was not fined nor ordered to undergo treatment or an evaluation.

On the field, last season was also the worst of Tucker’s career as he converted a career-low 73.3% of his field-goal attempts.

NEW YORK — Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups pleaded not guilty on Monday during his appearance at a federal courthouse in Brooklyn on charges of wire fraud, conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy as authorities accuse the Naismith Hall of Famer of being the ‘face card’ in a scheme that helped lure players to poker games held in Las Vegas, where sophisticated machines were used to dupe victims out of millions of dollars.

Both charges carry a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison if convicted.

Billups’ attorney, Marc Mukasey, entered the plea on behalf of his client before U.S. District Judge Ramon Reye during the hearing, with Billups speaking only to answer specific questions from Reye. The bail for Billups was set at $5 million, and he used his Colorado home as collateral to secure the bond.

Billups, dressed in a gray suit and light blue dress shirt, and flanked by his attorneys, arrived at the Theodore Roosevelt United States Courthouse in Brooklyn, home to the Eastern District of New York, nearly an hour before his arraignment, which was also a status conference hearing for the other 30 defendants in the case, dubbed ‘Operation Royal Flush,’ which prosecutors say involved organized crime figures, who committed violent acts to collect on debts.

All 31 defendants are scheduled for a case status update on March 4, as the authorities prepare their case, adding that during the discovery phase, they expect to produce one terabyte of data.

Reye said he hopes to start the trial by September 2026.

When he was arrested in Portland on Oct. 23, Billups was ordered by a judge to forfeit his passport and restrict his travel to Oregon, Colorado, and New York.

The 49-year-old Billups, a five-time All-Star who spent 17 seasons in the NBA and won a Finals MVP award with the Detroit Pistons in 2004, was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024.

In another part of the indictment tied to gambling, Billups is believed to be ‘Co-Conspirator 8,’ who authorities say gave confidential game information before it was publicly available, and is described as an ex-NBA player who played from 1997 to 2014, an NBA coach since 2021, and an Oregon resident. Billups meets all three of those characteristics.

Billups is on unpaid leave from his job coaching the Trail Blazers, as is Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, who is due in court at the Brooklyn federal courthouse Dec. 8. Federal authorities allege in court documents that Rozier provided insider information, which gamblers used to make wagers involving the Los Angeles Lakers, Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets, Orlando Magic and Toronto Raptors over the span of a year.

Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones has already pleaded not guilty to charges of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy when he made his initial appearance in court on Nov. 6 and was released on a $200,00 bond.

Authorities say that Jones allegedly shared and sold insider information on numerous occasions about undisclosed details of NBA games, such as lineup decisions and pre-released medical information, to his co-conspirators, who then placed significant wagers based on the tips. The medical information allegedly involved LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who were playing for the Lakers at the time. James and Davis have not been accused of any wrongdoing.

Jones is also accused of using his notoriety to get people to poker games rigged by organized crime figures in order to steal money from them, sometimes using technology, including poker chip trays with hidden cameras, and rigged shuffling machines with the ability to read the cards in the deck.