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With the Dallas Cowboys in the midst of their bye week, there had been limited public reaction from their players in the aftermath of Thursday morning’s announcement that defensive end Marshawn Kneeland had died.

That changed Thursday evening, when the team’s most prominent figure, aside from owner Jerry Jones, spoke about his fallen teammate.

‘It’s been a very tough day,’ quarterback and team captain Dak Prescott told CBS News Texas from a ceremony at his high school in Haughton, Louisiana.

‘Tragic loss. I hurt. Heavy, heavy heart today. I hurt for Marshawn. I hurt for his family. I hurt for his girlfriend. I hurt for every single one of my teammates. It’s just a pain that you don’t wish upon anybody. You wish none of us had to go through this. You wish Marshawn didn’t have to go through what he went through. Just thankful for each moment we have in this life and don’t take it for granted.’

The Frisco (Texas) Police Department is investigating Kneeland’s death as a ‘possible suicide,’ saying he suffered an ‘apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound’ after leading police on a vehicular chase outside of Dallas and ‘had expressed suicidal ideations.’

Prescott’s older brother, Jace, died by suicide five years ago.

‘It’s OK to feel however you’re feeling. And I’ll tell you, first and foremost, I don’t always have the answers. And today is not a day that I felt like I had answers. Triggering day for many reasons,’ continued Prescott. ‘Hard to balance my emotions today.’

Prescott shared that the Cowboys convened Thursday on a Zoom call, which provided them a forum to speak and share emotions.

‘Tough moment for this team. As I said, I feel and hurt for everybody that’s involved in this and Marshawn’s family and loved ones.

The Cowboys don’t play again until Nov. 17, a Monday night date with the Raiders in Las Vegas.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano may not agree with Major League Soccer’s decision to suspend striker Luis Suarez for their pivotal Game 3 against Nashville SC in the MLS Cup playoffs.

But Mascherano is taking it in stride before his biggest match as Inter Miami’s first-year coach on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 8 p.m. ET inside Chase Stadium. The match will be available to stream via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

A trip to the MLS conference semifinals is on the line, where just three games would remain in Lionel Messi and Inter Miami’s pursuit of their first MLS title.

“The greatest motivation is to reach a stage that the club has never been in before, and I think we must not forget that,” Mascherano said before Friday’s training session.

“We have the chance for the club to take another step forward in the growth it has experienced in recent years, and I think we have to hold on to that. I think that’s the most important thing, beyond everything else or all the noise that may be going on around us.”

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Among the ‘noise’ surrounding Inter Miami’s Game 3:  

– Messi was called up by the Argentine national team for a match in Angola on Nov. 14. He could depart from Inter Miami in the heart of the postseason if Inter Miami advances.

– Rodrigo De Paul, also called up by the defending World Cup champions, traveled to Argentina in back-to-back weekends after games against Nashville, but returned in time to practice each week.

– Inter Miami needs a Game 3 victory to avoid repeating last season’s historic first-round exit at the hands of Atlanta United.

– Game 3 could also be the final match Messi plays alongside Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba – the Barcelona stars who joined him at Inter Miami in July 2023 and announced they would retire at the end of this season.

They’ll play without Suarez, who was suspended for kicking Nashville’s Andy Najar in the 71st minute in Game 2, which saw Nashville extend the series last Saturday, Nov. 1.

While Najar extended his left forearm into Suarez’s back, Suarez kicked his right leg out behind him hitting Najar’s left thigh.

“We’re playing the same team, and the intensity is always going to be there,” Nashville coach B.J. Callaghan said after Game 2. “We encourage our guys to play close to the line, but don’t cross the line.”

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The MLS Disciplinary Committee, which began its review into the matter on Monday, Nov. 3, deemed the sequence as “violent conduct.” The suspension was announced on Wednesday, Nov. 5, despite Suarez’s appeal.

It’s the second time Suárez has been disciplined for an incident this season. He was suspended three games by MLS and issued a six-game ban by the Leagues Cup tournament committee after spitting on a Seattle Sounders staffer following the Leagues Cup final loss on Aug. 31.

Inter Miami has two wins, three losses and a draw in six matches without Suarez this season, including a 2-1 stretch where he served the MLS side of his three-game suspension from Sept. 13-20.

Asked if Suarez’s notorious reputation played a role in the suspension, Mascherano said: “I keep my beliefs to myself. I don’t think anyone is interested in my opinion or what I believe. We’re focusing on the game, which I think is the most important thing.”

Messi scored twice in a 3-1 win at home in Game 1 of the series on Oct. 24, and scored in the 90th minute of the Game 2 loss.

The MLS Cup is the final chance for Inter Miami to win a trophy during the 2025 season.

Inter Miami has faced adverse matches this season, which Mascherano pointing to several instances where they pulled out a victory:

– Inter Miami beat Los Angeles FC 3-2 on aggregate score, after trailing 2-0, in the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup. They were eliminated by Vancouver one round later.

– Inter Miami beat Tigres UANL in the Leagues Cup quarterfinal when Messi was injured, while Messi returned to help Inter Miami beat Orlando City in the semifinals.

– Inter Miami was the heavy underdog in the Club World Cup this summer, but exited the group stage after a draw against Brazilian side Palmerias. They were ousted by Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain in the Round of 16.

“If we want to see the positives, they’re there. If you want to see the negatives, they’re there, too. We’re focusing on the positives,” Mascherano said.

“Every time the team has faced a situation like this, it has stood up and responded, even in the Club World Cup. I expect nothing less from my team [Saturday].”

Semifinalists for the 2025 AVCA Player of the Year Award, presented by Nike Volleyball, were announced Friday.  The pool will be narrowed to four finalists on Dec. 15. The player of the year award will be handed out Dec. 19 at the AVCA Convention in Kansas City.

Olivia Babcock, Pitt, Jr.: The 6-foot-4 right side hitter won the AVCA Player of the Year award in 2024 when she helped the Panthers to the NCAA semifinals. Stanford’s Kathryn Plummer (2017, 2018) was the last player to win the award in back-to-back seasons.

Mimi Colyer, Wisconsin, Sr.: The 6-3 outside hitter has recorded 20 or more kills in six matches this season and averages 5.2 kills per set, 2.14 digs per set, 0.71 blocks per set and 5.83 points per set. Two Wisconsin players – Dana Rettke (2021) and Sarah Franklin (2023) – have previously won the award.

Brooklyn DeLeye, Kentucky, Jr.: The 6-2 outside hitter is averaging 4.77 kills per set and hitting .293 with a team-high 334 kills this year. A finalist for the award in 2024, DeLeye is responsible for more than 360 points this year.

Noemie Glover, Arizona State, Jr.: A transfer from Oregon, the 6-2 opposite hitter has been named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week twice. Glover has 18 games with double-digit kills this season.

Flormarie Heredia Colon, Miami, Sr.: The 6-foot outside hitter broke the program record with 42 kills in a match against Florida State. Heredia Colon currently leads the nation in kills, points, kills per set and points per set.

Eva Hudson, Kentucky, Sr.: The 6-1 outside hitter is hitting .307 with 4.51 kills per set and 316 total kills on the year. She leads Kentucky’s offense, which is hitting .288 this year.Andi Jackson, Nebraska, Jr.: The 6-3 middle blocker is averaging 2.56 kills per set on .438 hitting with 1.17 blocks per set. Jackson leads the Big Ten in hitting percentage and ranks seventh nationally. 

Logan Lednicky, Texas A&M, Sr.: The 6-3 opposite hitter is the first player from Texas A&M to be named a semifinalist for the award. Lednicky has 295 kills with a .303 hitting percentage.

Harper Murray, Nebraska, Jr.: The 6-2 outside hitter leads the undefeated Huskers with 3.62 kills per set and is hitting .310. Murray averages 2.21 digs per set and has a team-high 22 aces.

Kennedy Martin, Penn State, Jr.: The 6-6 right side hitter leads the Big Ten in points per set (6.05) and kills per set (5.24) and has a .309 hitting percentage. She also has 35 aces, including 15 over the past six matches.

Bergen Reilly, Nebraska, Jr.: The 6-foot-1 junior setter, averages 10.06 assists and 2.62 digs per set. Reilly leads a Husker offense on school-record pace with a .344 hitting percentage. 

Torrey Stafford, Texas, Jr.: The 6-2 outside hitter leads the Longhorns in kills with 316 and averages 4.39 per set. A transfer from Pitt, Stafford has 25 aces, 187 digs and nine double-doubles this season.

Elia Rubin, Stanford, Sr.: The 6-1 outside hitter leads the Cardinal with 3.26 kills on .291 hitting, 0.39 aces and 3.92 points per set. Rubin also has seven double-doubles this season. 

Kenna Wollard, Purdue, Jr.: The 6-1 outside hitter is averaging 4.58 kills per set with a .251 hitting percentage. She’s averaging 1.73 digs and 0.47 blocks per set.

Former ACVA Players of the Year

1985: Kim Oden, Stanford

1986: Mariliisa Salmi, Brigham Young

1987: Tonya Sanders-Williams, Hawaii

1988: Tara Cross, Long Beach State

1989: Tara Cross, Long Beach State; Tonya Sanders-Williams, Hawaii

1990: Bev Oden; Stanford

1991: Antoinette White; Long Beach State

1992: Natalie Williams, UCLA

1993: Danielle Scott; Long Beach State

1994: Laura Davis, Ohio State

1995: Cary Wendell, Stanford; Allison Weston, Nebraska

1996: Angelica Ljungqvist, Hawaii

1997: Misty May, Long Beach State

1998: Misty May, Long Beach State

1999: Lauren Cacciamani, Penn State; Kerri Walsh, Stanford

2000: Greichaly Cepero, Nebraska

2001: Logan Tom, Stanford

2002: Logan Tom, Stanford

2003: Kim Willoughby, Hawaii

2004: Stacey Gordon, Ohio State; Ogonna Nnamani, Stanford

2005: Christina Houghtelling, Nebraska

2006: Sarah Pavan, Nebraska

2007: Foluke Akinradewo, Stanford

2008: Nicole Fawcett, Penn State

2009: Megan Hodge, Penn State

2010: Carli Lloyd, Cal

2011: Alex Jupiter, Southern California

2012: Alaina Bergsma, Oregon

2013: Krista Vansant, Washington

2014: Micha Hancock, Penn State

2015: Samantha Bricio, Southern California

2016: Sarah Wilhite, Minnesota

2017: Kathryn Plummer, Stanford

2018: Kathryn Plummer, Stanford

2019: Yossiana Pressley, Baylor

2021 (spring): Madison Lilley, Kentucky

2021 (fall): Dana Rettke, Wisconsin

2022: Logan Eggleston, Texas

2023: Sarah Franklin, Wisconsin

2024: Olivia Babcock, Pitt

The NCAA’s committee on infractions has issued penalties against six men’s basketball players at three different Division I schools for what the organization described as “betting-related game manipulation and/or student-athletes providing information to known bettors.”

As a result, all six athletes have been ruled permanently ineligible.

The violations involved three players from New Orleans — Cedquavious Hunter, Dyquavian Short and Jamond Vincent — Donovan Sanders and Alvin Stredic from Mississippi Valley State, and BJ Freeman from Arizona State.

The NCAA noted that the cases at the three schools are not directly related.

In text messages NCAA investigators uncovered, Vincent texted three third parties to bet on the McNeese game, noting that he and his teammates were planning to ‘throw the game’ based on the 24-point spread (New Orleans ultimately lost by 25). In a text message between each other, Short and Hunter discussed receiving $5,000. The two also participated in FaceTime calls with a known bettor, who instructed them to ‘lay it down’ for the Dec. 28 game. In late January, the university suspended all three players while it investigated the allegations. At the time, it said the suspensions were due to an unspecified violation of team rules.

Mississippi Valley State’s Sanders, according to the NCAA, “knowingly provided information to a third party for the purposes of sports betting for two games” while teammate Stredic did the same for one game. 

A Mississippi Valley State men’s basketball player had told NCAA investigators that he had overheard Sanders last December on the phone with an unknown third party discussing ‘throwing the game’ before the Delta Devils’ matchup with Tulsa. The player claimed that Sanders asked him to get on the phone because the person on the other end of the line, who was placing a bet on the game, wanted to know that Sanders had another teammate willing to participate in the scheme. He added that Sanders was to be paid from the bet and give him a cut of the money. The unidentified player denied altering his performance or receiving money from anyone.

Arizona State’s Freeman was found to have knowingly provided information to his then-girlfriend and former Fresno State men’s basketball player Mykell Robinson, both of whom were placing bets on Freeman through their daily fantasy sports accounts. Robinson was one of three men’s basketball players permanently banned by the NCAA in September following a gambling probe. The NCAA said Freeman gave information on at least four different occasions to Robinson and at least two different occasions to his then-girlfriend, all of which were tied to prop bets on Freeman’s final stats, including points and turnovers.

Freeman, who had one season of eligibility remaining, was kicked off Arizona State’s team in February. In the spring, he announced he had committed to UCF, but the school never publicly acknowledged that he had joined the program.

The NCAA said the cases at all three schools involved a lack of cooperation from athletes, who knowingly provided false or misleading information to investigators.

All six players had prominent roles on their teams last season. Freeman was second on Arizona State in scoring (13.7 points per game), assists (2.6 per game) and 3-point attempts (149). Stredic and Sanders were two of Mississippi Valley State’s top three scorers. Short, Hunter and Vincent were three of New Orleans’ top five scorers.

Denver’s defense held the Raiders to 188 total yards and recorded six sacks, even without injured cornerback Patrick Surtain II.
A blocked punt by the Broncos led to a go-ahead field goal, while a missed field goal by the Raiders prevented them from tying the game.
The Broncos now hold the AFC’s projected No. 1 playoff seed, increasing their lead in the AFC West over the Kansas City Chiefs.

The second half of the 2025 NFL regular season kicked off Thursday night in Denver, where the Broncos survived the AFC West-rival Las Vegas Raiders 10-7 in an ugly affair. Or so we’re told … might have slept through most of it, or caught the “Superman” marathon on HBO, or a combination thereof.

But you’re here to be engaged with NFL content and information, not Kryptonite – which is exactly what the football seems to be to Denver’s offense. Oops, digressed again.

Let’s try to identify some winners from this slog and losers (aside from those of us charged with analyzing it):

WINNERS

Broncos’ playoff hopes

The AFC West leaders were already in good shape entering the evening – and their situation has improved, ugly wins counting the same as pretty ones. Now 8-2, Denver is slotted as the AFC’s projected No. 1 playoff seed, a half-game ahead of the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots.

Surtain-less secondary

Denver improved to 2-0 without injured CB Patrick Surtain II, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year who’s still recovering from a chest injury. No matter. The Broncos D limited the Raiders to 188 yards while adding six more sacks to their league-leading total (46).

Orange Crush uniforms

The Broncos improved to 4-0 in their 1970s-era throwbacks, which they reinstituted last season. Look good, play good? Eh – but Denver definitely looked good. Might be time to take a hint from the New York Jets − who doesn’t take their cues from the 2029 Super Bowl champions? − and make the throwbacks the full-time look. Once again.

Prime Video set

I normally don’t pay too much attention to pre- and post-game NFL broadcasts − I mean streams. But I appreciate the crew of Charissa Thompson, Tony Gonzalez, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Andrew Whitworth and Richard Sherman doesn’t take itself too seriously − especially when saddled with a game like this. Fitzpatrick and Whitworth spent a good chunk of the post-game show playing Jenga with Amazon tiles rather than drilling down on how bad Denver’s offense was.

Punters

Las Vegas’ AJ Cole and Denver’s Jeremy Crawshaw combined for 14 punts that covered nearly 600 yards in Denver’s thin air. As a kid who spent a few years in Europe, I can tell you this is the kind of contest local NFL Europa fans went nuts for.

LOSERS

Raiders punter and kicker

It wasn’t a total Commitment to Excellence for Cole and K Daniel Carlson. Cole had a punt blocked deep in Vegas territory with about 90 seconds left in the third quarter. Set up at the Raiders’ 12-yard line, the Broncos – unsurprisingly – couldn’t do much with the ball but were close enough to get a 32-yard go-ahead field goal from Wil Lutz. Carlson missed a 48-yard field goal attempt with 4:30 to go that would have tied the game.

Geno Smith

Battered, bruised, frustrated and even seeming to lose his religion with teammate Raheem Mostert, the Raiders quarterback persevered to the end despite playing in obvious pain on a bad leg in the game’s latter stages. Smith is now 2-7 as his new club’s starter.

Offensive football

It was a windy night in the Mile High City. And the Broncos defense is arguably the league’s best and definitively among its elite units. The Raiders D? Not so much – but it played some inspired ball Thursday … helped by a feckless Denver attack. Aside from the 17 points, the teams combined for just 408 yards, three turnovers and 22 penalties – many of the offensive (get it?) variety. The Broncos didn’t generate a first down until roughly five minutes were left in the second quarter.

Bo Nix

The Broncos’ second-year quarterback completed 16 of 28 passes for 150 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. He wasn’t able to offset that passing performance by making an impact in the running game, either. Nix surprisingly led this team to the postseason in 2024, playing inspired football as a rookie. But the guy with the shortest name in NFL history might also be setting Denver up for a very short stay in the 2025 playoffs if he doesn’t shake off a veritable sophomore slump and play better down the stretch.

Kansas City Chiefs

Their string of AFC West crowns is in jeopardy of ending at nine if they can’t overtake the Broncos, who continue to open up their lead on K.C. The Chiefs are on bye in Week 10, meaning these teams’ next game will occur against each other on Nov. 16 in Denver – though Patrick Mahomes and Co. would still be 1½ games back of the Broncos even with a win. If the season ended today – it doesn’t – the reigning AFC champion Chiefs would not qualify for the playoffs.

Week 10 of the NFL season features several key matchups following the league’s trade deadline.
The Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts will play in the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game in Berlin.
All four teams in the competitive NFC West division were victorious in the previous week.
Micah Parsons will face his former rival, the Philadelphia Eagles, for the first time as a Green Bay Packer.

It’s time to get back to the action on the field after the NFL’s trade deadline has come and gone.

NFL fans should enjoy the Week 10 primetime slate as five of the six teams appearing in primetime have at least five victories, including four clubs that are in first place in their division.

A total of 17 teams are above .500.

The NFL returns its international series in Week 10 as the Atlanta Falcons face the Indianapolis Colts in Berlin.

Week 10 concludes with possibly the game of the week when the Philadelphia Eagles travel to Green Bay to take on the Packers on Monday night.

USA TODAY Sports examines five things to watch for Week 10:

Instant impacts from NFL trade deadline

Week 10 will be the first games in the aftermath of the trade deadline. The rebuilding New York Jets host the Cleveland Browns. Have the Jets mailed it in after trading cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams in two blockbuster deals?

The Baltimore Ravens added a much-needed pass rusher in Dre’Mont Jones. Jones has recorded a sack in four straight games.

The Ravens and Eagles, two Super Bowl contenders, were clearly buyers at the deadline. While the Jets have their eyes toward the future. It’s going to be interesting to witness the early impact of all the transactions.

There have been 22 total trades since the start of the regular season. Ten trades occurred on Tuesday.

First ever regular-season game in Berlin

The Atlanta Falcons will face the Indianapolis Colts in the first ever regular-season game in Berlin. Olympic Stadium Berlin will be the host venue.  

The Colts lost their second game of the season last week. Meanwhile, the Falcons are on a three-game skid.

Indianapolis got in on the trade deadline action when they acquired two-time first-team All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner.

“He an unbelievable player. To get a bonafide No.1 corner in this league, it elevates everybody around us,” Colts coach Shane Steichen told reporters this week. “He’s got all the elite traits you look for. He’s sticky in coverage, the pass breakups, the interceptions, he’s feisty, he’s aggressive. Just to add that to the fold in the backend with the guys we already got back there, like I said it’s gonna elevate everybody.”

This international game features two of the best running backs in the NFL. Jonathan Taylor enters Week 10 as an MVP candidate. Taylor’s 895 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns both lead the league. Bijan Robinson’s 1,058 yards from scrimmage is third in the NFL.

Wild, wild NFC West

It’s a battle out west this weekend as the Arizona Cardinals travel to the Pacific Northwest to take on the Seattle Seahawks, while and the Los Angeles Rams head north on Interstate 5 to face the San Francisco 49ers.

The NFC West is making a case for the best division in football. All four teams were victorious last week. The 49ers, Rams and Seahawks each have six wins, marking the sixth time since 2002 that a division has had three teams with at least six wins through the first nine weeks of a season, per NFL Research.

Arizona’s offense has operated more efficiently with Jacoby Brissett behind center. In three starts, Brissett averages more passing yards and has a higher passer rating compared to Kyler Murray’s five starts this year. But the Cardinals face a significant test in Seattle. The Seahawks have won three straight games and WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads the NFL with 948 receiving yards.

The Rams are looking for revenge after the 49ers upset them in overtime in Week 5. Rams QB Matthew Stafford leads the NFL with 21 touchdown passes and WR Davante Adams tops the NFL with eight touchdown receptions. On the other side, RB Christian McCaffrey has a league-leading 1,222 yards from scrimmage.

Chargers’ banged up offensive line faces Steelers defense

The Chargers’ offensive tackle position has been ravaged by injuries. Tackle Rashawn Slater suffered a season-ending torn patellar tendon during training camp and tackle Joe Alt suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 9. Alt was the only tackle to rank in the top five in the NFL in both pass block win rate and run block win rate, per ESPN.

“It’s obviously tough to replace two of those guys,” Chargers QB Justin Herbert said of the season-ending injuries to Slater and Alt. “We have to find a way. We have to get it done for those guys. I know Rashawn and Joe would do anything to be back out there. We got to hold it down for them and make sure we’re giving our best because unfortunately they can’t.”

The absence of Alt will be magnified in Week 10 against a Steelers defense that ranks third in the NFL in pass rush win rate. Four-time first-team All-Pro T.J. Watt has a team high five sacks and 28 pressures. LB Alex Highsmith earned AFC Week 9 Defensive Player of the Week after he tallied two sacks, three tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a pass defensed during Pittsburgh’s victory over Indy.

Herbert ranks second in passing yards (2,390) and touchdown passes (18), but will the Chargers patchwork offensive line be able to protect him?

Micah Parsons faces Eagles for first time in Packers uniform

The Eagles and Packers made significant trades this year, but the Parsons blockbuster deal was the biggest trade of them all.

Parsons is very familiar with the Eagles from his days as a Dallas Cowboy. He has five sacks, six tackles for loss and eight QB hits in seven career regular-season games against Philadelphia. His 43 total pressures ranks fifth in the NFL.

The Eagles are coming off a bye week, but general manager Howie Roseman flexed his muscle prior to the trade deadline as the team bolstered their defense with the additions of cornerbacks Michael Carter II and Jaire Alexander and then adding edge rusher Jaelan Phillips.

“Excited about the three additions we made in the trade market,” Roseman told reporters this week. “It’s our job to make sure that were making sure that no stone is left unturned when we’re trying to acquire talent. That’s our job.”

The defending Super Bowl champs come into Week 10 with the 23rd ranked total defense, but the recent additions should help.

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.