The NHL has a new highest-paid player.

The Minnesota Wild signed forward Kirill Kaprizov, 28, to an eight-year extension averaging $17 million a year on Tuesday, Sept. 30.

That moves him past Edmonton Oilers’ center Leon Draisaitl’s $14 million cap hit. The $136 million total also tops the previous record of $124 million held by Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin. The extension kicks in next season.

Kaprizov, who is entering the final year of a five-year deal averaging $9 million, previously turned down an eight-year, $128 million offer.

His average of 1.21 points per game ranks first in franchise history.

The Russian winger, nicknamed ‘Kirill the Thrill,’ was rookie of the year after scoring 51 points in 56 games during the COVID-shortened 2021 season. He scored 108 points, a franchise record, the following season and has had three 40-goal seasons.

Last season, he missed half a season with injury but still finished third on the team with 56 points in 41 games.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill will miss the rest of the 2025 season due to a knee injury.
Hill suffered a dislocated knee and tore multiple ligaments, including his ACL, during a game against the New York Jets.
A former NFL team physician described the injury as potentially career-threatening, with a recovery that could last up to two years.

Hill tore ligaments and dislocated his knee after he caught a 10-yard pass from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on third down during the third quarter of Miami’s 27-21 win over the New York Jets. Hill’s knee twisted under him as he was tackled to the ground. After the play, the Dolphins medical staff put Hill’s knee in an air cast and carted him off the field. He was subsequently taken to a local hospital.

Will Tyreek Hill miss the rest of the season?

Yes, Hill will miss the remainder of the 2025 season. Hill is diagnosed with a dislocated knee and he tore multiple ligaments in his knee, including his ACL.

According to Dr. David Chao, former NFL head team physician at Sports Injury Central, Hill’s injury is career-threatening, and it could sideline the wideout for two years.

“Going to miss at least a year. It could be two. This could mean the end of his career,” Chao said on social media. “Let’s hope not. It certainly is career threatening. Anytime you have a major knee injury to a wide receiver, it is by definition career threatening.”

Recovery time for dislocated knee

Recovery time for ACL tear

Athletes typically return to play in eight to 12 months following ACL reconstruction surgery, per the Mayo Clinic.

What’s next for Dolphins?

Hill’s injury is a huge blow for a Dolphins team as they try to get out of an early 1-3 hole. Hill’s been Miami’s top receiver ever since he arrived via trade in 2022.

Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle will likely become the Dolphins’ top pass-catching target. Expect tight end Darren Waller to assume a larger role within Miami’s offense as well. Waller’s 6-foot-6 frame is advantageous for Tua Tagovailoa. Waller caught two touchdowns in Miami’s Week 4 win.

Running back De’Von Achane is also a good pass-catching option out of the backfield. Wide receiver Malik Washington, who is fourth on the team in receptions and targets, is another player to watch.

But, make no mistake about it, Hill’s injury is a devastating blow for the Dolphins.

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

Apparently, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill’s gruesome knee injury was indeed as bad as it looked.

The team confirmed Monday night that Hill had dislocated the joint after being injured in a 27-21 victory over the New York Jets, Miami’s first of the 2025 season. Tuesday morning, ESPN and NFL Network further reported that Hill also suffered multiple ligament tears, including to his ACL, a development that would end his season.

Hill is set to undergo surgery Tuesday.

The eight-time Pro Bowler went down in a heap after getting tackled on the sideline and was immediately tended to by Jets trainers as Miami’s medical staff raced across the field. ESPN’s ‘Monday Night Football’ cameras showed Hill’s left knee contorted at an unusual angle as he went out of bounds on a hit early in the third quarter. Hill was eventually loaded onto a medical cart and, perhaps oddly, smiled and chuckled while acknowledging the crowd with upbeat gestures as he was transported to an ambulance before being taken to a local hospital.

Coaches and teammates found inspiration in Hill’s post-injury demeanor.

‘He was probably in the best spirits of any player that I’ve ever seen (have) such a terrible experience,’ Miami head coach Mike McDaniel said following the win. ‘He immediately had wide eyes and was talking, ‘I’m good, just make sure the guys get this win.’ He was focused on the team.’

However a former teammate posted on social media, after speaking with Hill, that his smiles were a mechanism for masking tremendous physical pain.

‘I just got a FaceTime call from my brother @cheetah (Hill)’ recently retired Dolphins tackle Terron Armstead posted on X.

‘First thing he said ‘man I’m just happy we got that win’!! He’s in good spirits and said he was laughing through the pain, to avoid passing out!!’

Hill’s season now comes to a premature end following another period of turbulence in his volatile career. He’d been dealing with accusations of domestic abuse from his estranged wife while working his way back into the good graces of his team after publicly quitting on them during the regular-season finale of the 2024 campaign. He was not voted a team captain this year, and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said during training camp that Hill still needed to earn back the team’s trust.

It seemed Hill was on his way, playing well through four games, including six catches for 67 yards before going down against the Jets. He’d also been publicly upbeat despite the Dolphins’ 0-3 start.

‘We talked a lot about all the stuff that Tyreek has done this offseason, and a big portion is leading by example and connecting with his teammates, and he kind of utilized that connectivity to make sure that his team was finishing on the right end,’ McDaniel said Monday.

‘He was inspiring in that situation, and I think his teammates benefited from that.’

How long is Tyreek Hill out?

All injuries are unique to the person suffering them, but ACL tears are typically season-ending setbacks. The same goes for dislocated knees, and Hill’s situation seems further complicated if he indeed tore multiple knee ligaments. He could be severely challenged to be ready to play by opening day in 2026.

Tyreek Hill contract

Hill, 31, is in the second year of a three-year, $90 million extension with Miami. However he is schedule to make $36 million in 2026, the final season of his pact, when his base salary spikes to $29.9 million. He will be an obvious candidate for a restructure or release during the 2026 offseason given both his injury situation and contractual structure.

Tyreek Hill stats

Hill’s 2025 season ends after he compiled 21 catches for 265 yards and one touchdown.

Hill as surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in six of his 10 NFL seasons.

Hill had a career-best 1,799 receiving yards in 2023 and was voted the NFL’s best player in a survey of his peers the following summer.

Dolphins WR depth chart

Tyreek Hill (injured)

Jaylen Waddle

Malik Washington

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine

Dee Eskridge

Tahj Washington

Theo Wease Jr. (practice squad)

AJ Henning (practice squad)

(This story was updated with more information.)

Brock Purdy returns to the San Francisco 49ers lineup in Week 4 after missing two games because of a turf toe injury and a banged-up non-throwing shoulder. Will the 25-year-old’s return to action be short-lived?

The 49ers are preparing to play the Los Angeles Rams on ‘Thursday Night Football’ in Week 5. Purdy has once again popped up on the injury report ahead of that game, and many are wondering whether the San Francisco star will be able to make the quick turnaround needed to get on the field.

Will Purdy play in Week 5? Here are the latest updates on the quarterback’s status as the 49ers and Rams prepare for a key divisional clash.

Will Brock Purdy play Week 5?

49ers general manager John Lynch was asked during his weekly appearance on KNBR about Purdy’s status for the team’s Week 5 game against the Rams.

‘I think he’s listed as questionable, and I think that’s a true reflection of where he’s at right now,’ Lynch said of Purdy.

Lynch was also asked whether Purdy aggravated the toe injury that kept him out of the team’s Week 2 and Week 3 games. The 54-year-old general manager did not provide a concrete answer to the question but said the team was keeping a close eye on Purdy.

‘We always look into everything for all of our players,’ Lynch said. ‘So we will take every precaution to make sure Brock is all right. I think he is. Now, it’s just a matter of – can he turn it around on a short week?’

Purdy was listed as a non-participant on Monday’s estimated practice report. The 49ers will release additional injury reports Tuesday and Wednesday, the latter of which will give Purdy an official injury designation for Thursday’s game.

Who is the 49ers backup QB?

Jones dressed for San Francisco’s Week 4 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars despite dealing with a knee injury. He did not see the field, as Purdy was able to play the whole game in his return to the lineup.

Lynch expressed confidence Jones would be able to start if Purdy needs to miss Thursday’s game.

‘Mac’s doing well,’ Lynch said. ‘Mac’s been really good for us in every respect, and the way he’s kinda going about his rehab with the knee situation that he’s been dealing with has been no different. He’s tireless in his work, so I think Mac’s in a good spot to back up or play if need be.’

49ers QB depth chart

The 49ers currently have three quarterbacks in their organization. They are as follows:

Brock Purdy
Mac Jones
Adrian Martinez (practice squad)

Martinez, 25, signed with the 49ers practice squad on Aug. 27 after spending the offseason with the New York Jets. The Nebraska and Kansas State product was named the UFL’s MVP in 2024 but has never attempted a regular-season pass at the NFL level.

Current Auburn coach Hugh Freeze is facing criticism for the team’s unacceptable offensive performance.
Auburn has a history of hiring coaches with character flaws, such as Freeze and Bruce Pearl, in the pursuit of winning.
Meyer’s demanding coaching style might clash with the new era of player empowerment and NIL deals in college football.

Hugh Freeze says the product at Auburn is unacceptable, and he’s going to evaluate everything.

If that doesn’t make you feel good about a coach that’s wasting the best defense in the SEC and two NFL first round draft picks at wide receiver, or has three different coaches calling offensive plays during games, maybe this will.

Auburn has historically fired coaches for less, and far more important, Auburn has no shame when hiring coaches. 

If you’ll hire stained and discredited coaches like Bruce Pearl and Freeze, surely you’ll throw unthinkable cash at Urban Meyer to see if one of the greatest coaches of our generation wants one more shot at the SEC. 

Because that’s what it’s going to take to fix this mess. 

“The good thing is, I think it gives us a good reason to believe we can win the rest of them,” Freeze said last weekend after a pitiful loss to Texas A&M.

So you’ve got that going for you, Auburn. Which is nice.

Before we get into what it’s going to take to get Meyer from his cushy job at Fox (which he’s really good at), understand Auburn hired Freeze because of his offensive prowess at previous coaching stops — and ignored NCAA violations and (how can I best say this?) personal character flaws.

Just like it ignored Pearl’s NCAA issues at three previous jobs, including getting fired at Tennessee for lying to the NCAA. 

Those doling out the cash at Auburn (who have always run the show), aren’t going to be turned off by Urb’s (how can I best say this?) personal character flaws. Hell, they’ll lean into it. 

That’s what they do at The Loveliest Village on The Plain, which is far and away the most perfect college environment — fans, facilities, NIL money, small college town atmosphere, buy-in — anywhere in the country.

They’ll love on Urb just like he were one of their own, which he will be from the moment he steps on the bucolic campus. And that would be intriguing to Meyer, who — I don’t know if you know this — has kind of a big ego.

Meyer likes to talk about alignment, how the president of the university, athletic director, coach and the guy washing the practice jerseys are all on the same page. Everyone wants the same thing, and will do anything and everything to get it.

That, to the very core, describes the Auburn job.

There are obstacles to making this happen, beginning with the whole player empowerment thing. There are workarounds for the salary cap (see: private NIL deals), and for the headache of structuring a pay scale (see: general manager). 

But there’s no avoiding players now holding all the cards. And that may be too much to stomach.

Meyer had his infamous Circle of Trust at Florida and Brotherhood of Trust at Ohio State, where he treated elite players better than others. His unmistakable reward for those who bought in and gave everything, and a carrot for those who didn’t.

Those who don’t in this new era of the game will now simply move to the next program, the next NIL deal, the next opportunity to do it their way. There is no “their way” with Meyer, it’s his way — or else. 

That’s what translates to trophies and banners and All-Americans and everything that comes with the Urb Experience. It’s roughly a six-year process that more than likely will lead to a national title, and at least one scandal. 

But if you’re Auburn, and you’ve been beaten down by Nick Saban for two decades and you’re in danger of falling further behind in a significantly stronger SEC in the NIL era, you take those odds and run with it.

Or you can stick with Freeze, whose last effort against Texas A&M included every single offensive possession in the first half playing behind the chains because of penalty or lost yardage. 

Or three possessions in the fourth quarter of a one-score game producing negative-one yard on 10 plays.

Auburn can hire the next hot assistant coach (Ben Arbuckle), or a hot Group of Five coach (Jon Sumrall), or Jon Gruden (who’d take the Kennesaw State job, if it were open), and be back in the same spot in a few years.

Or it can pay Freeze $16.25 million to not coach, and tell Meyer they’ll pay him whatever he wants. The NFL’s Jaguars did just that, and Meyer bit. 

He’ll bite again, and more than likely win big again in a college environment where he fits perfectly. Where he’s not trying to reinvent the wheel in the NFL with grown men he can’t motivate or intimidate.

That, or Auburn can stick with Freeze, who after yet another demoralizing loss, declared Auburn was, “So close, we’re not that far off.’

The Village of Trust sounds pretty good right about now, Auburn. 

Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve has been fined $15,000 for her comments and actions in Game 3 of the team’s WNBA semifinal series against the Phoenix Mercury, according to an ESPN report.

Reeve had to be restrained in the final minutes of the Sept. 26 game in Phoenix when Lynx star Napheesa Collier suffered an ankle injury in a collision that resulted in a turnover. Reeve was ejected for confronting referees when no foul was called on the play.

In her postgame news conference, Reeve slammed the officiating crew in an expletive-filled rant, calling the WNBA’s decision to assign the referees to the game ‘malpractice.’

She was suspended by the league for Game 4, which the top-seeded Lynx lost 86-81 to end their season.

Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White told reporters on Sept. 29 that she was also fined by the league for expressing her support for Reeve.

‘She made a lot of valid points,’ White said. ‘A lot of the same kind of conversations are happening. You know, it’s happening from every team, from every franchise, from every coach, from every player.’

ESPN reported that Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon was also fined for her comments on the situation.

OPINION: Reeve’s suspension reeks of WNBA relatiation

The Lynx seemed poised to return to the WNBA Finals, a year after losing to the New York Liberty in five games.

Even then, Reeve was critical of the officiating, going so far as to say that the title was ‘stolen.’

But her disdain reached even greater heights in this sesaon’s semifinal round against Phoenix.

With 23.8 seconds left in a tense and back-and-forth Game 3, Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas cleanly swiped the ball from Collier and scored a layup. The two players collided again on the next possession, sending the Lynx star to the floor clutching her left ankle after appearing to twist it.

Reeve revealed in her postgame remarks that her team captain ‘probably has a fracture’ as a result of the collision. Collier didn’t play in the season-ending loss.

In an interview with CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein to promote his book ‘Never Stop: Life, Leadership, and What It Takes To Be Great’, the UConn basketball coach said he doesn’t see himself leaving college basketball at any point in the near time future, a statement that was alluding to his experiment last offseason where he interviewed for the Los Angeles Lakers head coaching opening.

‘I’m pretty convinced I’m going to be a college coach ’till the end. Obviously, it’s hard to predict the future, but just in terms of where I’m most effective. Kind of the age range, the amount of control you have as a college coach as crazy as the portal is, as crazy as it’s gotten with NIL.

‘… I still think you’ve got greater control (in college) and I do think I get a chance to live my purpose, which is you can change lives.’

Entering his seventh season at UConn, Hurley, the son of legendary high school basketball coach Bob Hurley and brother of Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley, has consistently been one of the top coaches in the country and the Big East in recent years. Highlighted by their two national championship titles, the Huskies have gone 165-69 overall under Dan Hurley.

His successes in Storrs, Connecticut earned him a head coaching interview with the Lakers following UConn’s back-to-back national championship titles in 2024, the first program to win the NCAA Tournament two consecutive times since Florida in 2006 and 2007. He, of course, turned down the Lakers’ job, which went to J.J. Redick, to return to the Huskies and compete for the chance of winning three straight national championship titles.

The Huskies fell well short of meeting that feat last season, as they went 24-11 overall and had a first-week exit from the NCAA Tournament following a loss to No. 1 seed Florida.

Entering the upcoming 2025-26 college basketball season, UConn is expected to be once again one of the top programs in the Big East alongside St. John’s, Creighton and Marquette. The Huskies return Solo Ball and veteran two-time national champion forward Alex Karaban, who withdrew from the NBA draft in April to finish some ‘unfinished business’ at UConn.

UConn is set to open the season on Monday, Nov. 3 against New Haven at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Connecticut.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

The SAFE Act is considered player-friendly and aligns more with Donald Trump’s vision for college athletics than a rival Republican bill.
Key provisions include expanding the Sports Broadcasting Act, allowing two free transfers, and letting players return to college after the NFL draft.
The bill also proposes sports agent fee caps and privacy protections for NIL contracts.

If politics truly is bloodsport, things just got wildly entertaining in Washington D.C. with the introduction of another bill to fix college sports. 

Not surprising: Democrats and Republicans see things differently.

More surprising: the Democrat-authored SAFE Act aligns more with President Donald Trump’s vision for college sports, a person close to the White House told USA TODAY Sports on the condition on anonymity.

The player-friendly SAFE Act, authored by prominent Democrat Senators and announced Monday evening, is a far-reaching bill that forces the federal trade commission into oversight of college sports. It is nearly polar opposite from the SCORE bill, which seeks antitrust exemptions from the federal government to make and enforce rules on NIL, player movement and eligibility.

The SAFE Act also provides for the expansion of the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 to college sports, allowing conferences to pool media rights in an effort increase revenue and provide funding for all sports.    

Reached Monday night, Texas Tech board of regents chairman Cody Campbell — a staunch proponent of conferences pooling media rights — said the SAFE Act is a good first step in fixing college sports.

“I am encouraged by seeing people stand up against greed, disrespect and disregard for the institution of college athletics and for the student athletes,” Campbell told USA TODAY Sports. “This is in sharp contrast to the position we have seen taken by the conference commissioners, and from the NCAA as they have lobbied in favor of legislation like the SCORE Act.”

Earlier this summer, a person close to the White House told USA TODAY Sports that Trump decided to use Campbell as his point person in his fight to save women’s and Olympic sports. A billionaire businessman, Campbell has been using his own money this fall to promote change in college sports.

Some of the highlights of the SAFE Act include sports agent reform capping fees at 5%, and establishing privacy protections for NIL contracts to ensure they’re not disclosed without a player’s consent — and are not subject to federal or state open records laws. 

The bill also covers player movement and the NFL draft, two critical components to roster building. Under the SAFE Act, players will be allowed two free transfers without losing a year of eligibility, and players will be allowed to return to college after the NFL draft, provided they do so within seven days of the draft.

While those are important, player-friendly steps, the biggest move, by far, is the expansion of the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 — something the Power conference presidents and commissioners are against. The SAFE Act ensures all sports will be paid for, and not eliminated because of a lack of funding.

An industry source told USA TODAY Sports this summer the Football Subdivision Conferences could get nearly twice the amount they currently receive for individual conference deals. The 10 FBS conferences currently make an estimated $4 billion annually combined through conference media rights deals, and the College Football Playoff contract.   

“The NCAA and conference commissioners clearly don’t care about the future of women’s sports or Olympic Sports,” Campbell said. 

Earlier this month, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said he had yet to see evidence that expanding the SBA would result in “the numbers we’ve seen out there.”

Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB.