One of the last unsettled pieces of the 2025 NFL regular-season schedule has been resolved.

On Wednesday, the NFL announced selected its Saturday games for a Week 17 doubleheader: the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Chargers facing off at 4:30 p.m. ET on NFL Network, followed by the Baltimore Ravens visiting the Green Bay Packers at 8 p.m. ET on Peacock.

The league had a pool of five possible matchups from which it could select a Saturday slate. The three other possibilities – the Arizona Cardinals at Cincinnati Bengals, New York Giants at Las Vegas Raiders and Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers – will all be played on Sunday afternoon.

The two tilts that were chosen for Saturday in Week 17 could prove highly consequential in the playoff race.

Having won their last five games, the Texans are mounting a furious postseason push that has them in contention for a wild-card berth – and possibly even a third consecutive AFC South crown. They’ll be taking on the team they knocked out of the wild-card round last season – the Chargers – who are also currently clinging to a wild-card spot.

Meanwhile, the Packers are currently the NFC’s No. 2 seed, but they face stiff competition in the NFC North. The Ravens are outside of the AFC playoff picture at the moment but are looking to regroup in a bid to push the Pittsburgh Steelers for the AFC North crown.

The NFL will set its full Week 18 schedule after the penultimate week of the regular season.

Michigan football is once again looking to Biff Poggi to lead the Wolverines.

Michigan announced on Wednesday, Dec. 10 that Poggi will take over the program on an interim basis after the university found in an investigation that Sherrone Moore had ‘engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.’

At 9-3 on the season, the Wolverines finished tied for fourth in the Big Ten and missed out on the College Football Playoff for the second consecutive season. Poggi led the Wolverines to a 2-0 record earlier this season when he served as the program’s acting coach as Moore served a two-game suspension as a result of the Connor Stalions sign-stealing case.

As the Wolverines prepare to play Texas in the Citrus Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 31, here’s what to know on Poggi:

Who is Biff Poggi?

Poggi is the interim coach at Michigan following Moore’s dismissal. Prior to Wednesday’s news, he was in his first full season as Moore’s associate head coach, his second stint in that title with the Wolverines across his coaching career.

The 65-year-old is in his third coaching stint at Michigan, having served an analyst for the Wolverines in 2016 and then as an associate head coach from 2021-22. Both roles were under former coach Jim Harbaugh.

The Wolverines’ bowl game against Texas will mark the third game this season that Poggi will serve as the program’s interim head coach. He previously served in that role in Weeks 3 and 4 against Central Michigan and Nebraska, respectively, while Moore served a self-imposed two-game suspension from the Wolverines.

Why is Biff Poggi serving as Michigan football’s interim head coach?

Poggi is taking the program after Michigan found ‘credible evidence’ Moore ‘engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.’

‘U-M head football coach Sherrone Moore has been terminated, with cause, effective immediately. Following a university investigation, credible evidence was found that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. This conduct constitutes a clear violation of university policy, and U-M maintains zero tolerance for such behavior,’ Michigan wrote in a statement.

‘Biff Poggi has been appointed head football coach in an interim capacity, effective immediately.’

Biff Poggi coaching career

Much of Poggi’s coaching experience has come in the high school ranks, as he was a well-regarded and successful coach in Baltimore with Gilman School and St. Frances Academy.

Prior returning to Michigan in November of 2024 to serve as Moore’s associate head coach, Poggi served as the head coach at Charlotte for two seasons. Poggi was fired last year by Charlotte before the conclusion of its season, and the 49ers went 6-16 overall (4-10 in American Conference play) during his tenure.

Brennan Marion, Colorado’s new offensive coordinator, has idolized head coach Deion Sanders since childhood.
Marion’s family recalls him wearing Sanders’ jersey and having a ‘Neon Brennan’ birthday cake as a child.
Both coaches share a similar fashion sense, including cowboy hats and chain necklaces.

On page 54 of the Tulsa football media guide in 2008, senior wide receiver Brennan Marion listed some personal things about himself, including his favorite movie and his favorite book —  “Coming to America” and “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

He also listed his childhood idol.

“Favorite NFL player while growing up was Deion Sanders,” Marion’s bio stated in 2008, the year he turned 21.

His family remembers. As a kid growing up near Pittsburgh, Marion wore Sanders’ jersey, durag and gloves. At his 8th birthday in 1995, his mom told USA TODAY Sports that his birthday cake said “Neon Brennan” on it to make him feel like “Neon Deion.”

Which is wild because Marion, 38, recently was named the new offensive coordinator at Colorado under Sanders, 58, Colorado’s head coach.

“It’s insane to me,” said Rich Gillcrese, Marion’s uncle, who also is long-time fan of Sanders.

Marion’s mom has another way to describe it — “a dream come true.” Sanders hired Marion but didn’t know him personally. On March 28, 2025, Marion even sent a message on social media to Sanders that said, “I don’t know you at all Coach” but told him anyway that he continues to be “the standard!”

“Love seeing you shine prime time!” Brennan wrote on X.

Like a young fan still shadowing his sports hero, Marion posted three other messages at Sanders on social media site X from March to October 2025. Sanders didn’t respond then. But now he just hired him away from Sacramento State to help revive his program.

Two cowboys in Boulder: Deion Sanders and Brennan Marion

The Buffaloes finished with a 3-9 record in Sanders’ third season on the job. Sanders’ offense needed a jolt. So now it’s getting the Go-Go scheme designed by Marion, who learned to design plays from video games and likes to wear cowboy hats and jewelry around his neck just like Sanders, according to family members.

Just don’t try to tell his mom, Richelle Gillcrese-Hines, that Marion copied Sanders on that one. She said it stems from her son’s time at Texas in 2022, when he was the team’s passing game coordinator. It’s where he met actor and Texas alum Matthew McConaughey.

“Brennan worked at the University of Texas and talked to Matthew McConaughey,” Gillcrese-Hines told USA TODAY Sports. “And after that, he was rocking the cowboy hat, and then Coach Prime followed. That’s what I saw.”

Three years later, the net result is that there might be two coaches wearing those big-cattle hats now in Boulder.

“I think it’s funny because it’s two cowboys,” said Marion’s brother, D. Brandon Gillcrese.

The chains are similar, too.

“I want to see Coach Prime in his Prime chain and my brother, he rocks his Go-Go gold chain,” his brother told USA TODAY Sports. “So you’re going to have two types of people on that sideline, one calling the plays, one leading the team.”

His brother said Marion has “swagger just like Deion.”

The Brennan Marion story

Both Sanders and Marion come from humble beginnings. Marion even was homeless for a while after he moved to play football at DeAnza College in Cupertino, California, right in the shadow of Apple, one of the richest companies in the world. He was raised by a single mom in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, about 30 miles outside Pittsburgh. She sold roses at bars and night clubs to help pay the bills and took her sons with her. She said she made $4.35 an hour at one point but came up with enough cash to pay his $25 fee to play youth football.

“I balled up the money and threw it on the floor and said, ‘Now we’re not going to have lights or food,” Marion’s mother said.

In his first game, he scored five touchdowns, as she remembers it.

“We brought in a man that has shown he’s creative, innovative, knowledgeable, smart and understands today’s players,” Sanders said in a statement Dec. 5. “He has made a difference on the field and off everywhere he’s been.”

‘Dream come true’

Marion, who couldn’t be reached for comment, went on to play at DeAnza and Tulsa, where he showed pro potential but injured his knee in his final college game in 2008, putting him on course to coach the game he loved instead of continuing to play it. He’s since been a rising star in the profession with a creative, run-heavy offense that gives lesser talented rosters a better chance. As head coach at Sacramento State, his team improved to 7-5 in his only season in 2025, compared to 3-9 the season before he arrived in late 2024.

Hi mom is known as “Mama Marion” and is a lifelong football fan. She helped make it possible. Having an idol like Sanders helped, too.

“We got the receipts of it all,” his mom said. “Him getting his (Sanders) jersey, him getting his gloves, the whole nine yards. I mean, this is probably a dream come true for him to be part of his staff and work with him.”

In a statement released by Colorado Dec. 5, Marion summed it up like this:

“Humbled to be sought out by the best to ever do it in football,’ he said.

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

The Atlanta Falcons have been eliminated from the playoffs and clinched their eighth consecutive losing season.
The Falcons’ offense and special teams have significantly underperformed this season.
While Morris’s job is under scrutiny, potential staff changes, particularly for the offensive and special teams coordinators, are likely.

Poor Raheem Morris. After waiting 13 years to finally get another crack at an NFL head coaching gig in 2024, his Atlanta Falcons were just (officially) eliminated from the playoff picture with a blowout loss last weekend.

And that seat is seemingly getting so warm.

Under Morris’ watch, the Falcons (4-9) have lost seven of their last eight games to clinch the franchise’s eighth consecutive losing season. No, given the stumbles of predecessors Arthur Smith and Dan Quinn, not all eight of those sub-.500 campaigns contained Morris’ fingerprints. Yet he was hired to buck the trend and is failing miserably.

The offense, even when at full strength, has seriously underachieved. The special teams are much worse, with ‘Bad News Bears’ tendencies. The defense is improved, yet is far from being confused for a championship unit.

The status quo will not cut it. Changes are surely coming.

Morris knows. As a Thursday night primetime matchup at Tampa looms (Amazon Prime, 8:15 p.m. ET), speculation about his future has intensified.

“For me, that’s the price of doing business,” Morris told reporters this week at Falcons headquarters. “You don’t put yourself in these positions to worry about those things. As a leader, you’ve got to stand up in front of people and answer the hard questions. You also get to stand up and be the good example for your guys and how you finish things.”

It’s that time of year. With the holidays come a lot of hollering about coaches’ jobs. Just imagine how the Falcons’ freefall might be wearing on the patience of team owner Arthur Blank, going on eight years since his franchise won its last playoff game on Jan. 6, 2018.

Blow it up again? Start over again?

As tempted as he might be, and as loud as the Falcoholics might get (some Internet sage insists the term derives from the Falcons driving their fans to drink) Blank should give this a bit more time. And not because of another dead-money situation. After the exhaustive search (that passed on Bill Belichick) led Blank to roll with Morris, there’s something to be said for sticking to his conviction.

Patience is wearing thin in Atlanta, but it’s what Falcons need

Look at how patience worked for a couple of other coaches who are now regarded among the best in the NFL. Dan Campbell was 12-21-1 over his first two seasons with the Detroit Lions; Kyle Shanahan was 10-22 in his first two years with the San Francisco 49ers.

Sure, this was the year (like last year) the Falcons were supposed to compete for the NFC South title that has been owned by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the past four seasons. Remember, last season the Falcons swept the Bucs and beat the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, too. Had they managed the clock better in a couple losses, they might have been in the playoffs. Nonetheless, there was some spark and a promising young quarterback in Michael Penix, Jr. (whose season ended last month with a torn ACL), to go with wonder-back Bijan Robinson and talented pass catchers Drake London, Darnell Mooney and Kyle Pitts.

What next?

Blank hasn’t commented publicly about his coach’s status or the team’s current crisis, which also fuels criticism of general manager Terry Fontenot. Although Fontenot, in the fifth year of a six-year contract, has assembled some premium talent with high picks since becoming GM in 2020 — which includes James Pearce, drafted in April with the 2026 first-round pick traded to the Los Angeles Rams — notable misses include defensive back Richie Grant and linebacker Trey Anderson, second-round picks in 2021 and 2022, respectively. And the massive deal to lure Kirk Cousins (four years, $180 million), while coming off a torn Achilles, will haunt the Falcons salary cap for two more years.

As usual, Blank was in the room as Morris addressed the media following the 37-9 shellacking from the Seattle Seahawks on Dec. 7. When Morris finished his press conference, he briefly mingled with Blank and some of the owner’s family members. As Blank left the stadium, he waved and greeted media members — yet unlike the approachable vibe he used to flow with, did not stop for questions — as he was escorted away by security personnel.

If Blank was embarrassed, it is understood. One football move after another have yet to pan out. Yet Morris, who meets with Blank weekly on Mondays, was upbeat when asked about the support from the team’s owner.

“He is 100% in support of me,” Morris maintained. “Support is not an issue. He is absolutely outstanding. His ability to listen. His ability to be there for us, his ability to be in it with us, is absolutely 100% awesome.”

Falcons staff changes are almost certain. The questions are where, how many

Time will tell whether Morris can continue to bank on that support. If he stays, the pressure on Morris will ramp up to find an offensive coordinator to bring out the best in the talent. Zac Robinson, who came off the Sean McVay tree but never called plays until landing with the Falcons last year, has been married to the pistol formation — and without mobile quarterbacks. And Atlanta, second-worst in the NFL for third-down conversion rate (31%), has scored the sixth-fewest points in the league (252) while averaging 19.4 points per game.

After last season, Morris replaced defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake with Jeff Ulbrich. That’s worked out. Bolstered by a better pass rush that includes first-round edge rushers Jalon Walker and Pearce, the 14th-ranked defense has a lot more teeth. Atlanta ranks third in the NFL with 43 sacks, on pace to threaten the franchise record (55) set over 16 games in 1997.

Meanwhile, special teams coordinator Marquise Williams is undoubtedly on the hot seat, too. Last weekend, Seattle took control of the game when Rashid Shaheed returned the second-half kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. The Falcons had a field goal blocked, too. And it all represented more misery for the unit that has cycled through three kickers this season and is last in the league for kick-return average. A week earlier, the close loss at the New York Jets was stamped by key special teams gaffes (an 83-yard kickoff return allowed and a muffed punt) that led to 10 points.

After the game in New York, Morris, who earlier this season fired receivers coach Ike Hilliard, bristled when asked about the job security of his special teams coach.

Yet the questions aren’t going away.

“Staff changes right now are irrelevant,” Morris said. “You always want to go across and evaluate everything at the end of the season.”

It must be tough being a Falcons fan. And 28-3 was just one Super Bowl 51 reflection of the heartbreak. The current meter is running at 6-15 since starting 6-3 in Morris’ first nine games at the helm last season. Rather than playing for the division title, the Falcons head into the Thursday night primetime game playing to save face and perhaps jobs.

After last weekend’s loss, Morris came with a one-game-at-a-time response when I asked whether he had a message for the long-suffering base of supporters stomaching another losing season.

“Our fan base deserves a winner,” Morris said. “The only thing we can do is try to find a way to go win in this Thursday football game. You can’t make any promises you can’t keep at this moment. All you can do is give them the best effort you can give them, potentially on Thursday night.”

That effort and the attached results have hardly been good enough lately, which is exactly why the Falcons are flying into a storm of speculation. Or worse.

Contact Jarrett Bell at jbell@usatoday.com or follow on  X @JarrettBell.

The dam broke at Major League Baseball’s winter meetings on Tuesday morning with news of free agents Kyle Schwarber and Edwin Diaz agreeing to new contracts in quick succession.

Schwarber is returning to the Philadelphia Phillies on five-year, $150 million deal, while Diaz is set to join the champion Los Angeles Dodgers with a reported three-year, $69 million pact that will make him the highest-paid (annually) relief pitcher in history.

Baseball’s annual gathering is winding down in Orlando but will we see more big moves before everybody scatters home?

Follow along Wednesday for the latest news, rumors and updates:

Pete Alonso contract with Orioles leaves Mets reeling

ORLANDO, FL — The Baltimore Orioles wasted no time pivoting from their pursuit of slugger Kyle Schwarber and signed first baseman Pete Alonso to a five-year, $155 million contract.

Alonso becomes the latest fan-favorite to leave the New York Mets after the team traded outfielder Brandon Nimmo and All-Star closer Edwin Diaz left for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Alonso, who originally was seeking a seven-year contract and badly wanted to return to the Mets, departed when it was clear New York didn’t want to offer more than three years. And once teams started making offers for more than that, the Mets never budged or submitted a formal offer.

– Bob Nightengale

Rule 5 draft results – major league phase

Rockies: RHP RJ Petit (from Tigers)
White Sox: RHP Jedixson Paez (from Red Sox)
Nationals: RHP Griff McGarry (from PHI)
Twins: C Daniel Susac (from Athletics, later traded to SF for C Miguel Caraballo and cash)
Pirates: RHP Carter Baumler (from BAL; later traded to TEX for RHP Jaiker Garcia and cash)
Athletics: RHP Ryan Watson (from SF)
Cardinals: RHP Matt Pushard (from MIA)
Astros: RHP Roddery Muñoz (from CIN)
Guardians: RHP Peyton Pallette (from White Sox, CWS No. 14 prospect)
Blue Jays: RHP Spencer Miles (from SF)
Yankees: RHP Cade Winquest (from STL)
Phillies: RHP Zach McCambley (from MIA)
White Sox: RHP Alexander Alberto (from TB)

Rule 5 draft order

The final order of business at MLB’s annual Winter Meetings is the Rule 5 draft. It will take place Wednesday, starting at at 2 p.m. ET.

The draft gives teams an opoportunity to select minor leaguers who aren’t on other clubs’ 40-man rosters for a $100,000 claim fee. Players selected must remain on the drafting team’s major league roster for the entire 2026 season or they return to their original organization.

Last year, the Chicago White Sox selected pitcher Shane Smith with the top overall pick, and were rewarded with an All-Star season from the 25-year-old right-hander.

Here’s this year’s Rule 5 draft order:

Colorado Rockies
Chicago White Sox
Washington Nationals
Minnesota Twins
Pittsburgh Pirates
Los Angeles Angels
Baltimore Orioles
Athletics
Atlanta Braves
Tampa Bay Rays

The draft continues in reverse order of last year’s standings. The draft proceeds until all teams pass.

Report: Pirates agree to terms with reliever Gregory Soto

The Pittsburgh Pirates have landed a free agent! We already knew it wasn’t Kyle Schwarber … but left-hander Gregory Soto has agreed to a one-year, $7.75 million deal, according to ESPN.

Soto, 30, had a 4.18 ERA last season over 60 1/3 innings with the Orioles and Mets. He struck out 70 batters, while walking 24 with a 1.43 WHIP. He’s likely to serve as a primary set-up man for presumed closer Dennis Santana.

Carlos Beltran reacts to Edwin Diaz leaving Mets

In the near two years that Carlos Beltran has served as a special assistant to the general manager/president of baseball operations with the New York Mets, he has had the opportunity to get to know fellow Puerto Rican Edwin Diaz.

On Tuesday afternoon in a conversation ahead of the World Baseball Classic, where Beltran is serving as Puerto Rico’s general manager, he discussed the Mets losing out on Diaz.

‘He’s a guy that in the years that I’ve been around the Mets, great teammate, great person, prepares extremely well, Beltran said. ‘He dominates. So as a Met, there’s no doubt that some of the Mets fans probably are a little down right now and as a Dodger fan, you gotta feel good about adding a guy like that that you can count on in the ninth inning.’

– Andrew Tredinnick, NorthJersey.com

Tigers re-sign reliever Kyle Finnegan

ORLANDO, FL — There’s a Detroit Tigers reunion at the Winter Meetings.

The Detroit Tigers re-signed right-handed reliever Kyle Finnegan on Tuesday, Dec. 9, to a two-year, $19 million contract in free agency, according to a person with knowledge of the agreement. There aren’t any opt-outs or options, meaning Finnegan is set to pitch for the Tigers in 2027 as well.

In 2025, Finnegan posted a 3.47 ERA with 18 walks and 55 strikeouts across 57 innings for the Washington Nationals (40 games) and the Tigers (16 games), racking up 24 saves in 31 chances.

The Tigers acquired Finnegan from the Nationals at the July 31 trade deadline, 

− Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press

2026 MLB draft top prospects: White Sox win No. 1 pick in lottery

Major League Baseball’s draft is still more than eight months away. Yet after the Dec. 9 draft lottery determined the selection order, you could say the Chicago White Sox are ready to Roch.

The White Sox earned the No. 1 overall selection among eligible teams, earning them first crack at UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky – the overwhelming choice to top the draft board come July.

USA TODAY Sports breaks down the draft order and takes a look at 17 top prospects who might slide into the pool of lottery and non-playoff clubs:

1. (White Sox) Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA: Reigning collegiate player of the year combines 6-2, 205-pound frame with elite speed and Gold Glove-caliber defense.
2. (Rays) Grady Emerson, SS, Fort Worth Christian HS: The consensus top prep player available, he’s a Texas commit who recently batted .346 with a .949 OPS in a stint for Team USA, earning All-World honors.
3. (Twins) Derek Curiel, OF, LSU: Possibly the best pure hitter in the draft, Curiel batted .390 during LSU’s run through the NCAA playoffs and a College World Series title and will move to center field in his second season at Baton Rouge, which should enhance his stock.
4. (Giants) Justin Lebron, SS, Alabama: Displayed 18-homer pop as a sophomore and led the SEC in RBIs to go along with a very sound skill set at shortstop.
5. (Pirates) Tyler Spangler, SS, De La Salle (Calif.): Like your shortstops big and physical? Spangler may be your man. The Stanford signee, 6-3 and 195 pounds, has a consummately projectable long, lean build, a clean left-handed swing and 6.56 60-yard dash speed.

– Gabe Lacques

Scott Boras explains Schwarber’s impact on Alonso contract

ORLANDO, FL — Agent Scott Boras believes that DH Kyle Schwarber’s five-year, $150 million contract will not only accelerate free-agent signings this winter, but will lead to longer-term contracts for sluggers over the age of 30.

Yes, in particular the 31-year-old New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, who’s represented by Boras.

“The evidence in the market is that these premium talents that have power,’ Boras said, “are in great demand. And the teams are willing to give more length to secure plot power in the marketplace. …

“Schwarber is obviously one of the best power hitters in the game, and all of these guys that are elite, whether they’re 29 or 30, they see a player who’s got five years length at 33, it’s obviously a fair quotient for the players that are younger to demand more years. …

“I think it really shows the demand for power. We just don’t have a lot of it, and it shows the impact that it has.’

– Bob Nightengale

What’s next for Mets with Edwin Diaz’s departure?

While Mets president Stearns declined to comment on Diaz’s departure, given the deal has not been finalized, the latest departure of one of their core pieces underscores a new level of urgency.

‘I think when we go into an offseason, we have lots of different paths that the offseason can take,’ Stearns said. ‘We thought it important to bring in a reliever of really high quality. We’re really excited we were able to do that with Devin Williams. We think he’s going fit our club really well.

‘I’m also confident we’re going to continue to add to the pen and have a very good one when we get to the regular season.’

– Andrew Tredinnick, NorthJersey.com

Padres, Diamondbacks to play Mexico City games

The Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres will play two regular-season games in Mexico City in 2026. Major League Baseball announced the return of the Mexico City Series on Wednesday. The National League West rivals will play on April 25 and 26 at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu.

The Padres played the San Francisco Giants in the Mexican capital in 2023, and the Houston Astros and Colorado Rockies squared off there in 2024.

‘We are honored to bring Padres baseball back to Mexico City for another unforgettable series in 2026,’ said Padres CEO Erik Greupner. ‘Our debut there in 2023 was historic, and this return reflects our continued commitment to celebrate our bi-national fan base and help grow the game of baseball internationally.

– Field Level Media

Boras says Yankees are in on Cody Bellinger

According to Scott Boras, when GM Brian Cashman and club president Randy Levine call, they don’t mention anything about a limited payroll.

“They talk about acquiring players,’’ said Boras, who referenced the Yanks’ $700 million-plus pursuit last December of his free agent client Juan Soto, who ultimately signed a record deal with the Mets.

“(Owner) Hal (Steinbrenner), Randy and Cash did everything they could possibly do to pursue a great talent,’’ said Boras. “I have no reason that they wouldn’t approach this market any different than that.’

Boras wouldn’t say if Steinbrenner had personally entered the Bellinger negotiations, ‘but the Yankees have reached out about Cody, and we continue to talk.’

– Pete Caldera

Going back to the longtime quarterback’s prep days in Athens, Alabama, then on to North Carolina State, the San Diego Chargers, Los Angeles Chargers and, ultimately, the Indianapolis Colts, Rivers’ jersey has always been adorned with No. 17.

However when the 44-year-old, who’s been coaching high school football in his native Alabama, came out of retirement this week, rejoining the Colts five years after he last played for them − essentially to help fill the void created when QB1 Daniel Jones suffered an Achilles tear Sunday − there seemed to be one minor issue: 17 was Jones’ number.

Problem solved.

Jones’ season is most certainly over, and his time with Indianapolis could be, too, given he’s unsigned for 2026 and beyond. Either way, he surrendered the number to Rivers, who talked about the transfer Wednesday while meeting with reporters.

Rivers said he’d texted with Jones about the matter and called him ‘gracious’ for giving up 17.

‘That was certainly meaningful to me,’ said Rivers. ‘And obviously didn’t want it to be like this.

‘All this happened so fast. But (appreciate) him being gracious and saying, ‘Shoot, heck yeah. Go for it.’

Rivers wore a red non-contact No. 17 during Wednesday’s practice.

Rivers also addressed his return to the team, joking about doing a live press conference given his last ones as a player were done on Zoom calls in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. He expressed gratefulness to the Colts organization, acknowledged late owner Jim Irsay’s belief in him during his opportunity in 2020 − not coincidentally, the last time Indy reached postseason − and noted the environment at the facility felt quite familiar, adding that he was rejoining 14 former teammates and several support staffers who were also with the club during his previous tenure.

He said Shane Steichen, who was also a longtime assistant on Rivers’ Chargers teams, is ‘a coach that I love.’

‘They wanted me,’ said Rivers.

‘A game I love to play. A game that I thought I was done playing certainly − I wasn’t really hanging onto any hope of playing again. I’d kinda thought that ship had sailed.

‘But something about it excited me. Kinda one of those deals − a door opens, and you can either walk through it and find out if you can do it or run from it.’

There’s probably not a Johan Santana or Anthony Santander in the bunch, but that didn’t stop Major League Baseball teams from selecting 13 players in the Dec. 10 Rule 5 draft, the concluding event at the winter meetings. 

Players are eligible for the Rule 5 draft if they have not been placed on their club’s 40-man roster after four or five years in the organization, depending on whether they were 18 and younger or 19 and older at the time of signing. 

Teams pay $100,000 to draft a player and they must be kept on the big league roster for an entire season, or be offered back to the original club for $50,000. 

A look at the draftees: 

Major league phase

Rockies: RHP RJ Petit (from Tigers)
White Sox: RHP Jedixson Paez (from Red Sox)
Nationals: RHP Griff McGarry (from PHI)
Twins: C Daniel Susac (from Athletics, later traded to SF for C Miguel Caraballo and cash)
Pirates: RHP Carter Baumler (from BAL; later traded to TEX for RHP Jaiker Garcia and cash)
Athletics: RHP Ryan Watson (from SF)
Cardinals: RHP Matt Pushard (from MIA)
Astros: RHP Roddery Muñoz (from CIN)
Guardians: RHP Peyton Pallette (from White Sox, CWS No. 14 prospect)
Blue Jays: RHP Spencer Miles (from SF)
Yankees: RHP Cade Winquest (from STL)
Phillies: RHP Zach McCambley (from MIA)
White Sox: RHP Alexander Alberto (from TB)

Minor league phase

Rockies: RHP TJ Shook (from NYM)
White Sox: RHP Jackson Kelley (from TEX)
Nationals: RHP Sandy Gaston (from LAA)
Twins: RHP Sam Ryan (from LAA)
Pirates: RHP Junior Flores (from SF)
Angels: RHP Eybersson Polanco (from BOS)
Athletics: RHP Abel Mercedes (from HOU)
Braves: OF Carter Howell, (from SF)
Rays: RHP Alvaro Mejias (from BOS)
Cardinals: RHP Ryan Murphy (from SF)
Marlins: RHP Jake Smith (from Angels)
D-backs: RHP Antonio Menendez (from TB)
Rangers: RHP Jonathan Brand (from BOS)
Reds: LHP Nate Peterson (from MIL)
Mets: RHP Justin Armbruester (from BAL)
Tigers: RHP Luke Taggart (from COL)
Astros: RHP Trey McLoughlin (from NYM)
Guardians: RHP Jack Carey (from PIT)
Red Sox: LHP Caden Vire (from MIL)
Mariners: 1B Carson Taylor (from PHI)
Cubs: RHP Adam Stone (from NYY)
Blue Jays: OF Hedbert Perez (from MIL)
Yankees: RHP Hansel Rincon (from MIL)
Phillies: IF Austin Murr (from DET)
Brewers: RHP Cole Phillips (from SEA)
Nationals: RHP Brady Hill (from COL)
Twins: OF Garrett Spain (from MIL)
Pirates: LHP Brandon Neeck (from LAD)
Athletics: RHP Darlin Pinales (from AZ)
Braves: C Archer Brookman (from DET)
Marlins: RHP Livan Reinoso (from LAD)
D-backs: RHP Sean Harney (from STL)
Reds: 1B Zavier Warren (from MIL)
Mets: LHP Aaron Rozek (from MIN)
Tigers: RHP Jan Caraballo (SF)
Astros: OF Edwin Sanchez (from LAD)
Red Sox: OF Matt Lloyd (from STL)
Mariners: RHP Sean Hermann (from NYY)
Cubs: RHP Zane Mills (from STL)
Blue Jays: RHP Travis Kuhn (from DET)
Yankees: C Abrahan Gutierrez (from ATH)
Phillies: RHP Evan Gates (from SF)
Nationals: RHP Dylan Tebrake (from NYM)
Pirates: RHP Kyle Larsen (from TEX)
Athletics: RHP Jorge Marcheco (from LAA)
D-backs: INF Danny Serretti (from DET)
Mets: LHP Matt Turner (from NYY)
Tigers: RHP John Stankiewicz (from MIN)
Red Sox: C Raudelis Martinez (from TB)
Cubs: UTIL Devin Ortiz (from SD)
Nationals: OF Jack Rogers (from CIN)
Pirates: RHP Bryan Mena (from COL)
Tigers: RHP Yendy Gomez (from LAA)
Nationals: RHP Eiker Huizi (from SD)
Nationals: RHP Cesar Rojas (from TB)

Softball is more popular than ever as the sport is set to make its highly-anticipated Olympic return at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. And now fans will have another opportunity to check out the best players in the world.

On Wednesday, the Professional Softball League (PSL) announced it will combine seven previously independent softball clubs from across the country into a women’s professional softball league that will open play in June 2026, shortly after the 2026 Women’s College World Series.

“This is a milestone moment for professional fast pitch softball,” said Ryan Moore, PSL spokesperson and owner of the Florida Vibe. “We’ve seen the momentum build year after year and bringing teams together under one league structure creates something bigger than any one club can do alone.’

The seven inaugural teams include the Atlanta Smoke (Atlanta), Chattanooga Chill (Chattanooga, Tennessee), Florida Breeze (Tampa Bay, Florida), Florida Heat (Viera, Florida), Florida Vibe (Bradenton, Florida), KC Diamonds (Kansas City) and New York Rise (New York). Each team will carry a roster of 20 players.

The league’s inaugural season will be broadcast exclusively on the All Women’s Sports Network (AWSN), which will ‘feature PSL on major global platforms including Amazon Prime, Pluto TV, and DirecTV,’ AWSN CEO George Chung said in a press release. The league’s 2026 schedule will be announced at a later date.

‘This is a monumental step not only for our organization, but for the growth of women’s softball across the world,’ Florida Heat owner Ricky Bumgardner Jr. added. ‘Our mission is to elevate athletes, build opportunities, and inspire the next generation — and the PSL gives us the perfect platform to do that. We can’t wait to compete, represent our community, and bring the Heat to the PSL.’

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Seattle plans to host a ‘Pride Match’ during the 2026 FIFA World Cup for a game between Egypt and Iran.
Both Egypt and Iran have formally objected to FIFA over the planned LGBTQ+ celebrations.
Organizers in Seattle are moving forward with the event, which coincides with the city’s annual PrideFest.
Both participating nations have severe penalties and laws used to prosecute LGBTQ+ people.

The local organizing committee helping Seattle host the 2026 FIFA World Cup is moving forward with plans for a ‘Pride Match’ over the fierce objections of both countries slated to play in the game.

Egypt and Iran were randomly placed in Group G together and then selected to face one another on June 26 in Seattle as part of last week’s World Cup draw, setting up the odd twist of a match with previously scheduled LGBTQ+ celebrations featuring two countries that impose severe penalties on LGBTQ+ people.

The Egyptian Football Association said earlier this week it sent a letter to FIFA stating it ‘categorically rejects any activities promoting LGBTQ during the match.’ Iran Football Federation president Mehdi Taj also confirmed during a state television interview that his country filed a formal complaint, according to ESPN, and planned to bring up the issue during a FIFA Council meeting in Qatar next week.

But organizers in the Pacific Northwest remain steadfast in holding the event as planned in conjunction with the annual Seattle PrideFest and addressed the brewing situation in light of displeasure expressed by Egypt and Iran.

‘As the Local Organizing Committee, SeattleFWC26’s role is to prepare our city to host the matches and manage the city experience outside of Seattle Stadium,’ Seattle FIFA World Cup 26 Vice President of Communications Hana Tadesse said in a statement provided to USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday, Dec. 10. ‘SeattleFWC26 is moving forward as planned with our community programming outside the stadium during Pride weekend and throughout the tournament, partnering with LGBTQ+ leaders, artists, and business owners to elevate existing Pride celebrations across Washington.

‘Football has a unique power to unite people across borders, cultures, and beliefs. The Pacific Northwest is home to one of the nation’s largest Iranian-American communities, a thriving Egyptian diaspora, and rich communities representing all nations we’re hosting in Seattle. We’re committed to ensuring all residents and visitors experience the warmth, respect, and dignity that defines our region.’

Same-sex relations can carry the death penalty in Iran, according to Reuters, while in Egypt, morality laws are often used to prosecute LGBTQ+ people. FIFA has not yet commented on the situation, though the ‘Pride Match’ festivities surrounding the June 26 match are not officially affiliated with soccer’s international governing body.

At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, FIFA threatened yellow cards for players wearing the ‘OneLove’ armband in support of LGBTQ+ rights because of the host nation’s culture, prompting teams like England and Wales to scrap plans to use it.

The Egyptian Football Association said its position was based on FIFA’s statutes related to neutrality in political and social matters during competition and fan behavior. Taj called it ‘an unreasonable and illogical move that essentially signals support for a particular group, and we must definitely address this point.’

‘These activities directly conflict with the cultural, religious and social values of the region, particularly in Arab and Islamic societies,’ the Egyptian Football Association wrote. ‘While FIFA is committed to ensuring a respectful environment that welcomes all fans, it is essential to avoid activities that could spark tension or misunderstanding between supporters from Egypt and Iran. We call on FIFA to guarantee that the match takes place in an atmosphere focused solely on sport and free from displays that contradict the beliefs of the participating nations.’