The NBA went big-name hunting for its Christmas Day schedule this season.

Donovan Mitchell, Dairus Garland, Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Victor Wembanyama, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Anthony Davis, Cooper Flagg, Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray some of the big names projected to play on the NBA’s five-game Christmas Day schedule on Thursday, Dec. 25, according to ESPN, which will televise the games along with ABC.

Here is the schedule that ESPN revealed on Friday, August 8:

Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks
San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder
Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers
Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors
Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets

The Knicks, Timberwolves, Mavericks, Spurs, Lakers, Warriors and Nuggets also played on Christmas in 2024.

The NBA again will compete against the NFL’s three-game Christmas schedule: Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs.

Here’s a closer look at the NBA’s five Christmas Day games:

NBA Christmas Day schedule 2025

Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks

This is Cleveland’s first Christmas game since 2017, and this is the Knicks’ 58th Christmas game.

San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder

The defending champion Thunder and Wembanyama should expect to be part of the Christmas schedule for the next several seasons.

Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers

James, the all-time leading scorer on Dec. 25, is headed for his 20th Christmas game, a league record.

Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors

Golden State will play on Christmas for the 13th consecutive season.

Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets

Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards had 26 points, eight rebounds and five assists in this NBA Christmas debut in 2024.

Shedeur Sanders made his much-anticipated Cleveland Browns debut on Friday. The fifth-round rookie lived up to the hype and put together an impressive performance in a 30-10 Browns win.

Sanders completed 14-of-23 passes during the contest for 138 yards and two touchdowns. He was sacked just twice during the game and didn’t turn the ball over while playing most of the first three quarters of the game.

Sanders’ chance to start for Cleveland came as Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel missed the game due to hamstring injuries while 40-year-old veteran Joe Flacco was simply held out of the game.

That opened the door for Sanders to star, while recently signed fifth-string quarterback Tyler Huntley (6-for-8 passing, 51 yards, one touchdown) also fared well.

USA TODAY Sports tracked live updates from Sanders’ Browns debut. Here’s a look at the major highlights from the contest.

Ryan Fitzgerald makes 32-yard field goal

The Panthers got on the board for the first time since the first quarter in the final two minutes of the game. Fitzgerald, a rookie kicker, was given a chance to attempt a 32-yard field goal and made it. That should put a bow on the Browns-Panthers preseason game, as Cleveland will likely take a knee, up 20 points in the final couple minutes. Browns 30, Panthers 10.

Tyler Huntley hits Cade McDonald for 6-yard touchdown

Shedeur Sanders threw two touchdowns to Kaden Davis. Tyler Huntley’s score went to Cade McDonald, who broke free on the left side of the field and waltzed untouched into the end-zone.

The Browns made the extra point to extend their lead to 23. Browns 30, Panthers 7.

Dustin Hopkins makes 23-yard field goal

Tyler Huntley got the Browns into scoring position on his first drive of the game. Hopkins capped it off with a chip-shot field goal make to extend Cleveland’s lead. Browns 23, Panthers 7.

Shedeur Sanders stats today

Below is a full look at Sanders’ stats from his preseason debut:

Completions/Attempts: 14/23
Passing yards: 138 yards
Passing touchdowns: 2
Passer rating: 106.8
Interceptions: 0
Fumbles (Lost): 0
Rushing yards: 19 (four carries)
Sacks: 2

Shedeur Sanders replaced by Tyler Huntley

Sanders’ NFL debut is now in the books. With 2:12 remaining in the third quarter, the Browns trotted onto the field with Tyler Huntley in at quarterback. That will put a bow on a strong showing from Sanders, who did well to state his case to move up Cleveland’s quarterback depth chart.

Browns score on 4-yard jet sweep

Gage Larvadain has found his way into the end-zone. On a fourth-and-1 from the 4-yard line, the rookie receiver got the ball on an end-around carry. He found space to the outside and ran it into the end-zone to put the Browns up 14.

Sanders wasn’t credited with a touchdown on the run, but he completed both of his passes on the drive for 27 yards.

Shedeur Sanders sacked for second time

Cleveland went three-and-out on its first drive of the second half and saw Sanders sacked for the second time. He was brought down by Demani Richardson from behind for a loss of 5 yards.

The sack marked the first time Sanders was tackled hard on a passing play. His previous sack saw him get pushed out of bounds while running toward the sideline.

LeBron James praises Shedeur Sanders

Deion Sanders isn’t the only one praising his son for his performance Friday. LeBron James, who is a big Browns fan, also took to social media to praise Sanders and encouraged the Cleveland quarterback to ‘Keep going UP!!!’

Shedeur Sanders halftime stats

Sanders’ Browns debut has gone well so far. Cleveland has a 14-7 halftime lead, and Sanders has been responsible for both of the team’s scores.

Below is a look at his stats from the first half:

Completions/Attempts: 11/18
Passing yards: 103
Passing touchdowns: 2
Passer rating: 113.9
Interceptions: 0
Fumbles (Lost): 0
Rushing yards: 20 (three carries)
Sacks: 1

Shedeur Sanders throws second TD of first half to Kaden Davis

For the second time of the first half, Sanders finds Davis for a touchdown. This time, the Colorado product hung in the pocket as his running back made a nice block on a Panthers defender. Sanders spotted Davis breaking open over the middle of the field and hit him for the score.

Once again, the Browns made the extra point. They now have their first lead of the game. Browns 14, Panthers 7.

Shedeur Sanders completes 29-yard pass to Luke Floriea

Sanders’ strong first half continues. This time, he finds Floriea open down the right sideline after scrambling away from pressure and into a throwing position.

Sanders layered his throw into the coverage well. Floriea managed to make a brilliant one-handed catch on the ball to create Cleveland’s biggest play of the first half thus far.

Deion Sanders praises Shedeur Sanders after TD throw

Shortly after Sanders tossed his first touchdown throw, his father took to social media to praise him for the play.

Shedeur Sanders sacked for first time

The bad news: Sanders was sacked for the first time of the game to end the Browns’ fifth offensive drive of the game. The good news: it was just for a 1-yard loss, as he managed to scramble around the backfield for a long time before eventually running out of bounds after losing the angle to the sideline.

Sanders may not be able to continue to get away with scrambling deep into the backfield as his NFL career continues, but thus far, he has managed to elude many significant mistakes.

Shedeur Sanders converts third-down on strike to Gage Larvadain

The Browns faced a third-and-9 from inside their own 9-yard line when Sanders found Larvadain on the left side of the field. Sanders hung amid pressure at his feet near the goal-line and delivered a rocket to his receiver, who made the catch and generated a few yards after it.

Shedeur Sanders throws first TD pass with Browns

Sanders got the Browns into the end-zone following the botched punt, and the score was a thing of beauty. The Colorado product bootlegged to the left after a play-action fake and saw he had a small window to fit the ball into Kaden Davis.

Sanders threaded the needle between two defenders to perfectly deliver it to Davis. The Browns converted the ensuing extra point to tie the game. Browns 7, Panthers 7.

Browns stall out, get second chance after botched punt

A few Browns rush attempts, a little miscommunication and a muffed punt by Carolina’s Trevor Etienne led to a second chance to put points on the board for Sanders and the Browns offense. They took over on the Panthers’ 10-yard line

Bryce Young hits Jalen Coker for 5-yard touchdown

The Panthers got on the board first during Friday night’s clash. Young found Coker open in the end-zone on a third-and-goal and feathered a pretty pass to the Holy Cross product.

The Panthers brought Matthew Wright on to attempt the extra point and he made it. That gives the Panthers an early lead and will put Sanders on the comeback trail. Panthers 7, Browns 0.

Xavier Legette, Rayshawn Jenkins ejected after brawl

The Browns vs. Panthers game got chippy early, as Legette threw a few punches at Jenkins, who ripped the helmet off the second-year wide-out as part of the melee.

Legette and Jenkins were called for offsetting unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and were ejected from the game.

Shedeur Sanders throws ball away after being pressured on fourth-and-1

Kevin Stefanski gave Sanders and the Browns offense a chance to prove itself on a fourth-and-1. The rookie quarterback once again found himself under pressure and tried to escape it by running backward. He couldn’t shake the defense, falling back near midfield before uncorking a throw toward the right sideline that harmlessly felt incomplete.

Sanders is now 3-for-7 passing for 30 yards during his Browns debut. He also has 10 yards on one scramble.

Shedeur Sanders uses legs to pick up first down

Sanders was pressured on a third-and-9 but managed to escape. He found a lane to the right side of the field and ran for 10 yards before sliding down to keep the chains moving.

The scramble put the Browns at the back end of potential field-goal range.

Shedeur Sanders completes pass to Kaden Davis, can’t convert third down

Sanders is officially on the board with his first completion. He found Davis for a 4-yard gain, but the receiver was tackled inches shy of the line to gain.

As a result, the Browns decided to punt, meaning Sanders’ first drive will end in a 3-and-out.

Shedeur Sanders’ first pass incomplete to Diontae Johnson

Sanders’ first throw as a member of the Browns was intended for veteran receiver Diontae Johnson. The rookie quarterback targeted the former Pittsburgh Steelers star on a slant over the middle but couldn’t connect. The throw was a little high and bounced off Johnson’s hands.

Browns vs. Panthers start time

Date: Friday, August 8, 2025 
Time: 7 p.m. ET

The Browns vs. Panthers game will kick off at 7 p.m. ET Friday. That will be NFL fans’ first chance to get an extended look at Shedeur Sanders, who is starting the game. 

Browns vs. Panthers TV channel 

Cable TV: NFL Network
Local TV: News 5 (Cleveland) | WJZY (Carolina)
Streaming: NFL+ | Fubo

NFL Network will broadcast Shedeur Sanders’ Browns debut against the Panthers. Those in the Cleveland market will be able to catch the game on News 5 while those in the Carolina area will be able to catch the game on WJZY.

Those choosing to live stream the game can turn to Fubo, which carries a free trial.

Watch NFL Network with Fubo (free trial)

What number is Shedeur Sanders?

Sanders is wearing the No. 12 jersey during his rookie season with the Browns. 

Sanders wore the No. 2 jersey during his college days at Colorado. That number belonged to receiver-slash-return specialist DeAndre Carter when Sanders joined the Browns.

Sanders has not commented on the significance of the No. 12 jersey. It’s worth noting his college teammate Travis Hunter wore the No. 12 at Colorado. Tom Brady, who has been a mentor to Sanders, also wore the No. 12 throughout his professional career with the Patriots and Buccaneers.

Shedeur Sanders draft pick

Sanders was selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft with the 144th overall selection. He was the sixth quarterback selected and the first taken on the draft’s third day.

Browns QB depth chart

The Browns have six quarterbacks currently on their 90-man roster. Below is a look at the pecking order among the group. 

Joe Flacco 
Kenny Pickett 
Dillon Gabriel 
Shedeur Sanders 
Tyler Huntley 
Deshaun Watson 

Watson isn’t expected to play in 2025 after suffering multiple Achilles tears in a three-month span last season. Flacco, Pickett and Gabriel will not play in the preseason opener, as the latter two deal with hamstring injuries while Flacco, 40, will simply not be active.

Shedeur Sanders passing yards

Sanders completed 14-of-23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns in his debut against the Panthers.

Browns vs. Panthers odds, moneyline, over/under

The Panthers are favorites to defeat the Browns, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2025 including the ESPN BET app and Fanatics Sportsbook promo code. 

Spread: Panthers (-6.5) 
Moneyline: Panthers (-300); Browns (+240) 
Over/under: 32.5 

Not interested in this game? Our guide to NFL betting odds, picks and spreads has you covered. 

New to sports betting? USA TODAY readers can claim exclusive promos and bonus codes with the best online sportsbooks and sports betting sites. 

LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS — The days of the Chicago Bears playing home games in the city of Chicago are numbered if all goes according to plan this fall.

Bears chairman George McCaskey and team president Kevin Warren reiterated Friday in a news conference following a joint practice with the Miami Dolphins that the franchise remains intent on building a new domed stadium (and an accompanying mixed-use development) in suburban Arlington Heights, Illinois, on a 326-acre site that was previously the Arlington International Racecourse. 

Warren said Friday team officials are meeting weekly with Arlington Heights leaders, and initial designs for the project are already done. He was optimistic the project will begin later this year and formally break ground in early 2026. The comments came less than a week after Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said again the team “belongs in the city of Chicago” during a local radio interview with 670 The Score. 

“We are still extremely focused on Arlington Heights, on building our stadium there. That’s the plan,” Warren said in his opening remarks. “We strongly believe that is the only location in Cook County (Illinois) that will allow us to build a stadium, the new Chicago Bears stadium, with a fixed roof.” 

It has been a winding journey to reach this point for the Bears, who have played at Soldier Field on the Chicago lakefront since 1971. The team purchased land in Arlington Heights in 2021 for $197 million with the hope of building a new stadium complex that would also include hotels, housing and entertainment options. But the Bears began negotiating with other potential sites in 2023 after it couldn’t agree to a deal on property taxes with Arlington Heights. 

The Bears and city officials then released plans in April 2024 for a new fixed-roof stadium to be built in Chicago next to the current Soldier Field. But Illinois Governor JB Pritzker called the proposal’s use of more than $1 billion in state bonds and taxpayer money to finance the project a “non-starter.” A year later, the Bears announced they had shifted their focus back to Arlington Heights.

“There’s multiple levels of things that have to occur to get a deal done,” Warren said when asked about not being able to work out a deal with the city of Chicago. “You have to have a willing heart, and I would say Mayor Johnson and the people of Chicago were willing. But then you have to be able to put the deal construct together and make sure it works from a financial standpoint.”

The Bears are seeking a state-of-the-art stadium with a fixed roof in hopes of hosting of major events like the Super Bowl, Final Four and College Football Playoff in the future.

Warren emphasized the team still needs the Illinois General Assembly to pass a bill this fall that would freeze property tax assessments for designated “mega projects,” and allow tax bills to be set by local leaders. The Bears’ new stadium and mixed-use facility would fall under these parameters. The bill did not come to a vote this past spring.

Warren said Friday the project would create more than 56,000 construction jobs and 9,000 permanent jobs.

“These things take time,” McCaskey added. “It’s on us to convince the governor and the state legislators that this is a good idea for the people of Illinois and we need to do a better job at that. This project can be … transformative and the concern is that delay means greater expense and it also means we’re missing out on another round of assignment of major events. We need to get in the mix.”

The teams from Tulsa, Oklahoma and Floyd Knobbs, Indiana are moving on to their respective bracket finals in the 2025 Little League Softball World Series after recording wins in elimination games in Greenville, North Carolina, on Friday, Aug. 8.

The Southwest region squad from Oklahoma and the Central region team from Indiana will play again on Saturday, while Iwate, Japan, of the Asia-Pacific region, and Lake Mary, Florida, of the Southeast region, saw their tournament hopes come to an end.

The squad from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, representing the Mid-Atlantic region, became the first team to book a spot in the final four with a 1-0 victory over Tulsa on Thursday. The Purple Bracket final is now a rematch as Tulsa seek revenge against that same Pennsylvania team that forced them into the elimination game.

The host state also got its team into the semifinals when Pitt County, North Carolina, edged Iwate, Japan, 3-2, on Thursday. Pitt County will return in front of the home state fans to play Floyd Knobbs, Indiana in the Orange Bracket final.

2025 Little League Softball World Series Day 6 results

Friday, Aug. 8

Game 17: Tulsa, Oklahoma (Southwest) 3, Lake Mary, Florida (Southeast) 1
Game 18: Floyds Knobs, Indiana (Central) 1, Iwate, Japan (Asia-Pacific) 0

LLSWS: Indiana beats Japan 1-0 to advance

Briley Mercer and the Central region squad from Floyds Knobs, Indiana are moving on to the Orange bracket final on Saturday after a 1-0 victory over Iwate, Japan of the Asia-Pacific region.

Mercer finished the game with 12 strikeouts and helped record the final out of the game, throwing to first base to tag out the runner.

‘I was very confident and excited to play this game,’ Mercer said after the victory. ‘I just have to focus on my catcher and find my spots.’

It will be Indiana’s first bracket finals appearance since 2017.

Briley Mercer continues to dominate on mound

Mercer has struck out 12 Japanese batters, including one that ended the fifth inning. Indiana holds a 1-0 lead with a chance to play in the Orange bracket championship game.

Indiana takes first lead of game

Kennedy Nickels produced an RBI single to give Indiana the early 1-0 lead in the top of the 4th.

Briley Mercer gets Indiana out of third inning

Briley Mercer was all business for Indiana on the mound. Mercer managed to record the third out, leaving Japan with runners on second and third base. The game remains scoreless threw three innings of play.

Japan has not recorded a hit in the game. Indiana has two hits.

Japan, Indiana scoreless

Floyds Knobs, Indiana loaded the bases in the top of the second inning and had a chance to take a big lead, but instead were left empty-handed. Indiana managed to get runners on second and third before recording two outs. The bases were loaded after Japan’s catcher was called for interference.

Iwate, Japan remained unfazed and recorded the next out quickly to keep the game scoreless.

LLSWS: Oklahoma wins 3-1 on walk-off home run

After all that high tension, Oklahoma gets a win with pitcher Harmoneigh White coming up as the hero.

After keeping her at-bat going through eight pitches, White belted the ninth to center field, clearing the fence by a few feet to send Oklahoma on to the Purple bracket championship game Saturday against Pennsylvania.

Per ESPN’s broadcast team, that’s White’s first Little league Softball World Series home run, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Little League Softball World Series: Big defensive plays keep it 1-1 through five

The tension couldn’t be higher after five innings, with both teams hanging on by their fingernails to prevent giving away a potentially decisive run.

In the top of the fifth, Oklahoma responded to Florida’s fourth-inning defensive heroics, surviving a bases-loaded situation by getting two straight outs. Florida then changed pitchers, bringing in Cayden Hugh, who survived a jam of her own. Oklahoma loaded the bases, but some alert play from center fielder Layla Holton got two key outs to keep the game tied.

LLSWS: Florida escapes bases-loaded fourth-inning jam

The 1-1 scoreline continues into the fifth inning, and if Florida goes on to win this one, the fourth will go down as a major turning point.

A miscommunication saw a pick-off attempt go awry, sending Oklahoma runners into scoring position. Florida pitcher Sam Bradley came through in the clutch, though, getting a strikeout and a fly ball to center field to get out of the jam.

LLSWS: Pitchers, defense the theme in scoreless third inning

Oklahoma and Florida are heading into the fourth inning knotted at 1-1 as the tension grows in this elimination game.

A spot in the Purple bracket’s championship game — effectively the Little League Softball World Series’ semifinal — against Pennsylvania is on the line, and this game is a dead heat so far.

Little League Softball World Series: Third inning starts with score 1-1

The third inning is on deck in Greenville, and it’s 1-1 in a must-win game for both teams. Oklahoma tied things up in the second inning, while Florida picked up just one run after threatening to break the game open in the first.

LLSWS: Oklahoma gets on the board to tie things up 1-1

We’re in the second, where Florida struggled to make contact with anything Harmoneigh White threw, with the Oklahoma pitcher enjoying a dominant inning on the mound.

That proved crucial, as Bella Hood’s RBI single tied things up. With two outs, Hood came through with a critical hit, bringing Bella Flamminio-Littlejohn home to tie this game up.

Little League Softball World Series: Florida leads 1-0 after 1st inning

We’re through the first inning in this elimination game, with Florida holding a one-run lead.

Oklahoma’s Harmoneigh White escaped a major jam in the top of the first, striking out two batters with the bases loaded to hold Florida to a one-run lead. Oklahoma had a shot at putting a run on the board, but a pop-up with a runner on second wrapped up the first inning.

Little League Softball World Series: Florida goes up 1-0

Addison Bono smacks one to left field, and Alana Luu — who hit a leadoff double on the game’s first pitch — rounds third to score with ease.

It’s 1-0 Florida with one out in the first, and Bono is in scoring position.

Little League Softball World Series: Oklahoma vs. Florida underway

It’s the top of the first inning in Greenville, with Florida’s Alana Luu at bat against Oklahoma pitcher Harmoneigh White.

How to watch 2025 Little League Softball World Series

The 2025 Little League Softball World Series will be broadcast on ESPN platforms, with the championship game airing on ABC. Games will also be available to stream on ESPN+.

Dates: Aug. 3-10
TV: ESPN | ESPN2 | ABC
Stream: ESPN+
Location: Greenville, North Carolina

Stream the Little League Softball World Series on ESPN+

2025 Little League Softball World Series Day 6 schedule

Friday, Aug. 8

All times Eastern

Game 17 (Purple bracket): Tulsa, Oklahoma (Southwest) vs. Lake Mary, Florida (Southeast), 4 p.m. | ESPN2

Game 18 (Orange bracket): Floyds Knobs, Indiana (Central) vs. Iwate, Japan (Asia-Pacific), 7 p.m. | ESPN2

2025 Little League Softball World Series Day 5 results

Thursday, Aug. 7

Game 15: Johnstown, Pennsylvania (Mid-Atlantic) 1, Tulsa, Oklahoma (Southwest) 0
Game 16: Pitt County (North Carolina)  3, Iwate, Japan (Asia-Pacific) 2

2025 Little League Softball World Series Day 4 results

Wednesday, Aug. 6

Game 13: Floyds Knobs, Indiana (Central) 2, São Paulo, Brazil (Latin America), Brazil 0
Game 14: Lake Mary, Florida (Southeast) 5, Mill Creek, Washington (Northwest) 3

2025 Little League Softball World Series Day 3 results

Tuesday, Aug. 5

Game 9: Mill Creek, Washington (Northwest) 10, Westchester-Del Rey Los Angeles (West) 0
Game 10: São Paulo, Brazil (Latin America) 10, vs. Repentigny, Quebec (Canada)1
Game 11: Floyds Knobs, Indiana (Central) 4, Prague, Czechia (Europe-Africa) 1
Game 12: Lake Mary, Florida (Southeast) 9, Guilford, Connecticut (New England) 0

2025 Little League Softball World Series Day 2 results

Monday, Aug. 4

Game 5: Pitt County (North Carolina) 5, Floyds Knobs, Indiana (Central) 3
Game 6: Tulsa, Oklahoma (Southwest) 2, Lake Mary, Florida (Southeast) 1
Game 7: Johnstown, Pennsylvania (Mid-Atlantic) 9, Westchester-Del Rey Los Angeles (West) 0
Game 8: Iwate, Japan (Asia-Pacific) 6, Repentigny, Quebec (Canada)1

2025 Little League Softball World Series Day 1 results

Sunday, Aug. 3

Game 1: Lake Mary, Florida (Southeast) 9, Mill Creek, Washington (Northwest) 2
Game 2: Pitt County (North Carolina) 4, São Paulo, Brazil (Latin America) 3
Game 3: Repentigny, Quebec 5 (Canada), Prague, Czechia (Europe-Africa) 4
Game 4: Johnstown, Pennsylvania (Mid-Atlantic) 2, Guilford, Connecticut (New England) 1

The NBA will tip off its 2025-26 season on NBC on Tuesday, Oct. 21 with two Western Conference games, ESPN reported.

The doubleheader begins with the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder hosting the Houston Rockets. The second game is an intra-state battle in Los Angeles with the Lakers hosting the Golden State Warriors.

This season marks NBC’s return to televising NBA games, and the evening will feature the defending champions and three teams who are chasing them in the West.

The Rockets made big offseason moves, acquiring Kevin Durant in an attempt to dethrone Oklahoma City, which brings back all of its key players, including 2024-25 MVP and Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The Warriors are trying to win another title with Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler, who joined the team at last season’s trade deadline, and while the Lakers are transitioning from the LeBron James era to the Luka Doncic era, they are pursuing a title with the James-Doncic combo.

NBA opening night for 2025-26 season

Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder
Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers

Three quarterbacks are competing for the top job: Kaidon Salter, Julian ‘JuJu’ Lewis and Ryan Staub.
Coach Sanders is recovering well from bladder cancer surgery and provided a glimpse of his new-look team.

Colorado football coach Deion Sanders still has a quarterback controversy on his hands nearly two weeks after the start of preseason training camp.

On Friday, Aug. 8, he even sort of increased the mystery about it by adding a third quarterback to face the news media at a news conference in Boulder.

Who will replace Sanders’ son Shedeur at the most important position on the team?

With three weeks before the season opener against Georgia Tech on Aug. 29, there’s no clear answer between Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter and heralded freshman Julian “JuJu” Lewis. Returning backup quarterback Ryan Staub has impressed Sanders, too. All spoke to reporters Friday.

“The cream of the crop is gonna rise,” Sanders said. “So it’s not an urgency that we got to name this and name that. Both these guys can play. I mean, I think we could play well with either one of them, but we want to put ourselves in the best position totally. So it’s still going on, and don’t underestimate Staub and what he brings to the table.”

Why Deion Sanders is ‘loving life’

This was Sanders’ first news conference since he revealed in a previous news conference July 28 that he had his bladder removed in May to cure bladder cancer. Since then, Sanders has been coaching his team in preseason camp as normal, with no outward sign that he endured a harrowing health ordeal since May.

Sanders said Friday that he’s “healthy,” “vibrant” and “my old self.” He said he walks around campus at least a mile after practices.

“I’m loving life right now,” Sanders said. “I’m gonna try my best to live it to the fullest considering what transpired.”

Deion Sanders raves about Colorado’s offensive line

Life is so good for Sanders right now that he even said his offensive line has stood out so far in the preseason. In his previous two seasons in Boulder, that position group has been a problem for the Buffaloes.

“I’m truly proud of that group,” said Sanders, who added that nine players are capable of starting at the five line positions.

In Sanders’ first season at Colorado in 2023, the Buffs gave up 56 quarterback sacks, the second-most in the nation. Last year, they gave up 43, the most in the Big 12 Conference. Sanders since has refurbished an offensive line that aims to help improve a running game that finished last in the nation in both of Sanders’ other two seasons at Colorado in rushing yards per game.  

Deion Sanders’ new offensive line has massive bulk

After finishing 9-4 last season, the Buffaloes return heralded sophomore Jordan Seaton at left tackle and have added two transfer guards who recently earned the respect of an assistant coach on the other side of the ball  – Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Sapp.

“We got two solid guards right now,” Sapp said after a recent practice. “I don’t know their names … 71 and 72.”

No. 71 is Memphis transfer Xavier Hill, who is listed at 6-4, 320 pounds. No. 72 is Illinois transfer Zy Crisler, listed at 6-foot-4, 340 pounds.

Colorado lost its top two centers to the transfer portal after last season: Cash Cleveland (Texas Tech) and Hank Zilinskas (Rutgers). But the Buffaloes also added another big body at center to fill out a beefy interior line – Louisiana Tech transfer Zarian McGill (6-2, 320). Rounding out a potential starting five at tackle is Tennessee transfer Larry Johnson (6-7, 350).

“I know we have an emphasis on wanting to run the ball,” Staub said Friday. “I think we will. And I think we’ll have a lot of time back there (as quarterbacks).”

Deion Sanders said Colorado will ‘win differently’

The program has a new look for Sanders as he begins his third season in Boulder. Besides losing his quarterback son Shedeur, the top four receivers from last year’s team also have departed to the NFL, including Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter.

“We’re gonna win differently, but we’re gonna win,” Sanders said.

They could end up playing both quarterbacks, each of whom has a different style. Salter has only one year of college eligibility left and is a threat to run or pass. Lewis is only 17 years old and is more of a drop-back passer.

Each will have plenty of targets at receiver, including the returning Millers – sophomore Dre’lon Miller and junior Omarion Miller. Dre’lon Miller played in all 13 games last year as a freshman. Omarion was limited by injury last year but is known for his breakout game in 2023 against Southern California – seven catches for 196 yards and a touchdown, all in the second half.

“The depth that we have is amazing,” Salter said.

Colorado quarterbacks ‘keep it friendly’

It helps that the quarterbacks get along despite the competition and controversy.

“JuJu, he’s a real funny guy,” Salter said. “Sometimes he do things and you gotta remind yourself he’s a 17-year-old kid. At the same time, he’s a hilarious dude. He’s fun to be around. He’s a competitor. He throws the ball with so much confidence.”

Lewis signed with Colorado in December about two weeks before Salter committed. He told USA TODAY Sports in July he expected Colorado coaches to bring in more depth at quarterback but “didn’t think it would be a guy of Kaidon’s caliber of course.”

Now they’re friends.

“Me and Kaidon talk about more about life than football, which I think has actually helped us build a better relationship off the field, just because quarterback battles are gonna be whatever quarterback battles are gonna be,” Lewis said. “Just trying to keep it friendly and just keep it team-related.”

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

Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk told ESPN on Aug. 8 that he hasn’t decided whether to have offseason surgery, but he could miss the first two to three months of the 2025-26 season if he does.

Tkachuk was originally hurt at the 4 Nations Face-Off and missed the rest of the regular season, then helped the Panthers win a second consecutive Stanley Cup title. Afterward, it was announced that he had been playing through a torn adductor muscle and a sports hernia. He played all 23 playoff games and scored 23 points.

‘If I do get the surgery, it’ll definitely be the first two or maybe three months if that’s the case. But it’s still undecided at this point,’ he told ESPN.

That timeframe means he would be available for the Winter Olympics in February. He and brother Brady were among the first six players named to Team USA.

But it would leave the Panthers short early on. However, they’re deep with Brad Marchand re-signed and third-year player Mackie Samoskevich able to assume a bigger role. The Panthers would be able to put Tkachuk on long-term injured reserve, which would help their salary cap numbers.

This offseason has been an eventful one for Matthew Tkachuk. He spent his day with the Stanley Cup in the St. Louis area. He also was named the cover athlete for EA Sports’ NHL 26. He, Brady and their father Keith are featured on the deluxe edition of the video game.

The 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship, the first event of the three-event FedEx Cup Playoffs, teed off Thursday. The second round of action at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee, was not completed on Friday, however.

Play was halted for the day at 4:31 p.m. ET (3:31 p.m. local) due to weather. That sets up a full day of golf Saturday: the second-round action is now scheduled to conclude Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. ET (7:30 local) with the third round to follow.

Tommy Fleetwood, who was able to complete his second round, holds a four-shot lead at 13-under.

Check out USA TODAY Sports’ coverage of the first event of the FedEx Cup Playoffs — the St. Jude Championship from Memphis.

FEDEX ST. JUDE CHAMPIONSHIP: Updated tee times, leaderboard

FedEx St. Jude Championship second round suspended: When does play resume?

The second round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship will resume at 8:30 a.m. ET (7:30 local) with golfers expected to tee off the third round in threesomes — off Nos. 1 and 10 — between 10:50 a.m. ET and 12:50 p.m. ET.

FedEx St. Jude Championship leaderboard

Golfers who have finished the second round are bolded.

1. Tommy Fleetwood: -13
T2. Collin Morikawa: -9
T2. Akshay Bhatia: -9
T2. Justin Rose: -9 (16)
T5. Kurt Kitayama: -8
T5. Andrew Novak: -8
T7. Scottie Scheffler: -7
T7. Bud Cauley: -7
T7. Jacob Bridgeman: -7 (17)
T7. Maverick McNealy: -7 (13)
T11. Ludvig Aberg: -6
T11. Si Woo Kim: -6
T11. J.J. Spaun: -6

St Jude Championship Round 2 suspended

With 21 golfers still in need of finishing their second round, the FedEx St. Jude Championship has been suspended due to a ‘dangerous weather situation.’

Heavy rains and hail moved through the Memphis area quickly, even seeping into covered areas.

A post on X from the tournament’s official account stated that fans were ‘encouraged to exit the premises for their safety. Further updates to come.’

Justin Rose leaps into tie for second place

Justin Rose was cruising through the first 11 holes, posting five birdies over a six-hole stretch. But the Englishman slumped to back-to-back bogeys after that to fall out of the top 10. That was until No. 16 when Rose added his sixth birdie of the day on a 5-foot putt that came after he nearly made an eagle from 50 feet away. Rose is now at 9-under for the tournament and in a three-way tie for third place.

Xander Schauffele struggles in Round 2

Xander Schauffele had an uneven Friday, mixing in five bogeys with three birdies to post a 2-over and slump to even for the tournament. The two-time major winner find himself in a tie for 48th place after two days.

St Jude Championship: Best scores from Round 2

There are still plenty of golfers on the course, but these are the top scores from Friday’s round so far:

Kurt Kitayama: -7
Tommy Fleetwood: -6
Andrew Novak: -6
Jacob Bridgeman: -6 (still playing)
Collin Morikawa: -5
Scottie Scheffler: -4
J.J. Spaun: -4
Lucas Glover: -4
Matti Schmid: -4
Sunghae Im: -4 (still playing)

Jacob Bridgeman continues steady climb

Jacob Bridgeman carded a 1-under during Thursday’s first round, but he’s had quite the Friday. The 25-year-old South Carolina native just collected his seventh birdie of the day, running his overall score to 8-under. That puts Bridgeman in a fourth-place tie with Kurt Kitayama, Andrew Novak and Justin Rose, who is still on the course playing his round.

Tommy Fleetwood increases lead

Tommy Fleetwood’s strong finish to Thursday has carried over to Friday as the Englishman has five birdies on the day and sits at 12-under for the tournament. His birdies on Nos. 13 and 14 have increased his lead to three shots over Akshay Bhatia.

Scottie Scheffler continues up-and-down round

After birdies on two of his first four holes, Scottie Scheffler has put together three birdies, two pars and two bogeys over the next seven holes to be at 3-under after 11 holes for the day. His 6-under score has him in a tie for sixth place with Si Woo Kim, Andrew Novak and Justin Rose.

Si Woo Kim finishes strong

After playing even-par through the first 11 holes, Si Woo Kim made bogey on two of the next four holes and dropped down the leaderboard. But Kim responded with birdies on each of the final three holes to give him a score of 1-under for the round and 6-under overall. He’s in a tie for sixth place.

Kurt Kitayama ends on a high note

Kurt Kitayama went birdie-eagle-par on the final three holes, to finish 7-under for the second round and 8-under overall. That puts the 32-year-old American golfer in third place, two strokes behind leader Tommy Fleetwood.

Akshay Bhatia starts with a birdie

Lefty Akshay Bhatia walked onto the course two shots out of first place after holding the lead after the first round. Bhatia immediately responded with a birdie on the first hole, leaving him one shot behind leader Tommy Fleetwood.

Andrew Novak makes turn in tie for fourth

American Andrew Novak is 4-under after nine holes, making birdies on Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 6. Novak made an impressive 44-foot putt on the par-3 No. 4 hole to give him birdies on three consecutive holes. He’s now in a five-way tie for fourth place.

Collin Morikawa eagles No. 9

Collin Morikawa jumped up the leaderboard after making an eagle from 135 yards out on the ninth hole. Morikawa’s tee shot on the par-4 hole lined him up perfectly for the shot that helped him jump into third place at 7-under as he makes the turn.

Scottie Scheffler birdies on back to back holes

Here comes Scottie!

Scottie Sheffler made birdies on No. 3 and No. 4 to move to 5-under for the tournament, putting him in a six-way tie for sixth place. Scheffler tapped in a birdie putt on the third hole after nearly making a eagle with a 19-foot putt just off the green. Scheffler’s drive on No. 4 landed on the back of the green and he followed that with a 23-foot putt for birdie.

Kurt Kitayama making a move

Kurt Kitayama birdied three of his first four holes Friday and is currently 4-under after 11 holes in Round 2. His overall score of 5-under puts him in a tie for sixth place with Si Woo Kim, Collin Morikawa and Ludvig Aberg.

Tommy Fleetwood moves into tie for first place

After earning par on No. 1, Tommy Fleetwood drained a 6-foot birdie putt on the second hole to move into a first-place tie with Akshay Bhatia, who tees off at 11:50 a.m. ET.

Scottie Scheffler underway at FedEx St. Jude Championship

Scottie Scheffler has started his day with two consecutive pars to keep his score at 3-under to begin the second round. Scheffler has fallen back into a tie for 16th place, but there’s still a lot of golf to be played.

What time is the FedEx St. Jude Championship?

The 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship enters the second round on Friday, Aug. 8. The tournament concludes with the final round on Sunday, Aug. 10. The first tee time on Friday is 8:20 a.m. ET.

How to watch 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship: TV channel, live streaming, schedule

The 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship, which marks the beginning of the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup Playoffs, will be televised nationally on the Golf Channel and NBC and can also be streamed live on ESPN+, Peacock, and Fubo.

Below is the complete broadcast schedule for all four rounds:

All times Eastern

Friday, Aug. 8

8 a.m.-6 p.m. on ESPN+
2-6 p.m. on Golf Channel, Fubo

Saturday, Aug. 9

8 a.m.-6 p.m. on ESPN+
1-3 p.m. on Golf Channel, Fubo
3-6 p.m. on NBC, Peacock

Sunday, Aug. 10

8 a.m.-6 p.m. on ESPN+
Noon-2 p.m. on Golf Channel, Fubo
2-6 p.m. on NBC, Peacock

Watch FedEx St. Jude Championship with Fubo

Tee Times for St. Jude Championship:

Round 2 – Friday

All times Eastern

8:20 – Jhonattan Vegas, Max Greyserman
8:30 – Joe Highsmith, Aaron Rai
8:40 – Kurt Kitayama, Bud Cauley
8:50 – Si Woo Kim, Jake Knapp
9:00 – Xander Schauffele, Aldrich Potgieter
9:10 – Michael Kim, Jason Day
9:20 – Daniel Berger, Ryan Gerard
9:30 – Viktor Hovland, Lucas Glover
9:40 – Chris Gotterup, Patrick Cantlay
9:55 – Nick Taylor, Collin Morikawa
10:05 – Ludvig Aberg, Robert MacIntyre
10:15 – Andrew Novak, Corey Conners
10:25 – JJ Spaun, Tommy Fleetwood
10:35 – Scottie Scheffler, Sepp Straka
10:45 – Stephan Jaeger, Mackenzie Hughes
10:55 – Tony Finau, Chris Kirk
11:05 – Kevin Yu, Emiliano Grillo
11:15 – Matti Schmid
11:30 – Min Woo Lee, JT Poston
11:40 – Jordan Spieth, Wyndham Clark
11:50 – Harry Hall, Akshay Bhatia
Noon – Tom Hoge, Matt Fitzpatrick
12:10 – Taylor Pendrith, Denny McCarthy
12:20 – Brian Campbell, Thomas Detry
12:30 – Ryan Fox, Jacob Bridgeman
12:40 – Sam Stevens, Sungjae Im
12:50 – Sam Burns, Justin Rose
1:05 – Brian Harman, Hideki Matsuyama
1:15 – Cameron Young, Shane Lowry
1:25 – Keegan Bradley, Maverick McNealy
1:35 – Ben Griffin, Harris English
1:45 – Russell Henley, Justin Thomas
1:55 – Nico Echavarria, Patrick Rodgers
2:05 – Rickie Fowler, Davis Riley
2:15 – Erik van Rooyen, Cam Davis

FedEx Cup standings

Listed below are the top-10 finishers in the FedEx Cup standings. These are the golfers that have qualified for the St. Jude Championship this weekend. For a full list of standings, click here.

Scottie Scheffler – 4,806 points
Sepp Straka – 2,595 points
Russell Henley – 2,391 points
Justin Thomas – 2,280 points
Ben Griffin – 2,275 points
Harris English – 2,232 points
J.J. Spaun – 2,144 points
Tommy Fleetwood – 1,783 points
Keegan Bradley – 1,749 points
Maverick McNealy – 1,672 points

Rookie’s double duty in practice increasing.

“I’m going to eat, take a shower, and go back to work,” Hunter told USA TODAY Sports, pausing for a few minutes during his lunch break on Tuesday.

Talk about time management. After taking snaps on both offense and defense during the Jacksonville Jaguars training camp practice – the first session this summer that he went both ways – Hunter joined the wide receivers group for an autograph session with dozens of fans on hand at Miller Electric Center.

And the rest of the day?

“I’ll have 45 minutes with the defense,” he said of a pending meeting. “Back to offense from 2:05 to 4:35. Then walk-throughs.”

He caught himself and recalibrated.

“Actually, I’ve got defensive walk-through today from 4:35 to 5:50. Then we’re out. Then tomorrow, I’ll be on defense.”

As he recited his schedule, Hunter, 22, was full of youthful exuberance and charisma − as advertised. Hunter, who won the Heisman Trophy last year as college football’s best player, is so driven to prove that he can excel while playing receiver and cornerback on the NFL level. And the desire seems palatable as he flashes a huge grin.

Then again, for all of his accomplishments, there’s some down-to-earth humility.

“I’ve had a lot of progress,” Hunter said. “But now I’ve got to continue to prove myself and prove that I’m supposed to be here.”

No, this two-way duty hasn’t been done in the NFL in decades. But when Hunter joined forces with Deion Sanders – first at Jackson State, then Colorado – the conventional wisdom was that he couldn’t hold up going both ways on the college level. Coach Prime was the only coach who pledged to let him try.

And look at him now. The Jaguars sent a bundle of draft picks to the Cleveland Browns to select the best athlete in the NFL draft with the second pick overall and made the “organizational decision,” as coach Liam Coen put it, to use Hunter both ways.

Sure, there’s a huge challenge for Hunter – who makes his NFL preseason debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night — to hold up physically against better athletes for a longer season in the NFL. Yet Hunter is quick to emphasize the mental game, which will enable him to absorb nuances of sophisticated NFL game plans.

“We’ve got a schedule set up and I’ll get it before the week even starts,” he said. “By the end of the week, I’ll have another schedule for next week.”

Is this how it worked at Colorado?

“In Colorado, I met with both (units) every day, so I was good,” he replied.

Coen, the Jaguars rookie head coach, is adjusting to this flow in his own right. He said there’s been trial and error – “more reps here, less reps there,” Coen said – to balance the workload.

“It’s what he’s been doing, whereas for us coaches and staff, it’s new and different,” Coen told USA TODAY Sports. “To find that sweet spot of how much is too much and what’s not enough, it’s a revolving door.

Coen texted Hunter on Monday night and told him of the plan to give him snaps on both sides of the ball on Tuesday for the first time during a practice.

“He’s like, ‘Alright, finally, dude,” Coen said of the response.

During one series in Tuesday’s practice, Hunter, wearing a teal No. 12 jersey, zipped inside on a skinny post route and snagged a tight spiral. The next series, Hunter wore a white, No. 12 pinnie over his jersey for a shift on defense where he blanketed his assigned receiver with tight man-to-man coverage.

Near the end of practice, Coen kept Hunter out of the final 11-on-11 drill, but it was surely a full load. According to The Florida Times-Union, Hunter went 19 plays (10 on offense, 9 on defense) in the team drills, testing the high level of conditioning that is his calling card.

“The last time I got tired, tired?” Hunter said, repeating the question. “Probably today. It was a lot on me, but I got through the day and did what I was supposed to do. For the most part, I was good.”

From this point, Coen expects the double-duty during practices will become the norm rather than the exception. Since the offseason workouts, Coen has been particularly impressed with Hunter’s learning curve in absorbing the nuances of the offense.

“Corner is probably a lot more natural for him to just go and play,” Coen said. “It’s probably where he’s had the most development in his college experiences. Well, he’s worked his tail off this summer, working on the receiver fundamentals and techniques, and it’s showed up.”  

When the Jaguars released their first official depth chart this week, Hunter was listed as a starting receiver alongside Brian Thomas, Jr. and Dyami Brown, and as the backup left cornerback behind Jarrian Jones. Of course, that’s subject to change. Yet Coen projects that when the games count Hunter could play 80% of the snaps – on both offense and defense, which would be in the range of the 111 snaps he averaged last season at Colorado.

“But we’ve got to train him,” Coen added. “It’s a long season.”

Coen, inheriting a team that finished 4-13 in 2024, also hasn’t been shy about his expectations of excellence. Earlier this week, Coen said he thinks that Hunter could win honors as NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

“I didn’t hear that, but I’m happy he said that because I know I can be,” Hunter said. “I’ve just got to continue to prove myself.”

The debates could go on and on. Cornerback or receiver?

“Selfishly, I definitely want him on offense more,” Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence told The NFL Network. “And I told him, ‘Do you want to catch touchdowns or do you want to maybe break up a pass or two? That’s a decision you have to make.’

“He’ll make plays wherever he is, but obviously as a quarterback, I hope he plays more on offense. Wherever he plays…he will make us better.”

Just don’t think Hunter is feeling any pressure. Sure, he’s a marquee attraction infusing much hope for a franchise that has posted double-digit losses in five seasons since 2018. On many levels the Jaguars need him premium talent on offense and defense, which explains why there’s been healthy lobbying from coaches on both units for Hunter’s services.

“Nah, there ain’t no pressure,” Hunter insists. “It don’t faze me at all. I’ve been doing this for a minute. I’m not worried about what people say. I’m just out here playing football, doing what I’ve got to do to help my team win.”

Listen to Tony Boselli rave about Hunter. Boselli, the Hall of Fame left tackle, is the only player in Jaguars history with his jersey retired. During the offseason, he became the franchise’s executive vice president for football operations, which put him in the mix with Coen and new GM James Gladstone in assessing Hunter’s stock.

Of course, Hunter was the top-rated player on the Jaguars’ draft board – and one they figured they had no shot to get when originally holding the fifth pick in the first round.

Boselli admits that initially, he had reservations that Hunter could play both ways.

“I had my questions, maybe some doubts, because I had never met him,” Boselli told USA TODAY Sports. “But then you get an idea of the personality and intelligence that he had, and you watch the tape, and it’s like, ‘If anybody can do it, this guy can.’ “

Boselli said he quickly became of the opinion that Hunter doesn’t like football – he loves it.

“That’s what we need – guys who love the game,” Boselli said.

Coen sees it similarly. “He’s all ball,” Coen said. “The guy fishes and does football.”

Especially when he comes to work.

“He’s here all day and his day is maximized,” Coen said. “Every single moment he’s in the building, he has something to do. And he wouldn’t have it any other way.”

So we’ve heard.

Contact Jarrett Bell at jbell@usatoday.com or follow on social media: On X: @JarrettBell. On Bluesky: jarrettbell.bsky.social