It appears former NFL linebacker Vontaze Burfict has joined first-year coach Dan Mullen’s staff at UNLV.

Burfict is listed as a defensive analyst for the Rebels, which is his first coaching job since retiring from playing after the 2019 season. UNLV’s interim defensive coordinator is Paul Guenther, who was once Burfict’s linebackers coach and defensive coordinator during a shared tenure with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Guenther was also the defensive coordinator for the Raiders in 2019, which was Burfict’s last NFL season.

Burfict’s hire is an interesting one, considering his profile from his playing career. The former undrafted signee was suspended 22 total games in his NFL career from 14 separate incidents, being fined a total of $5.3 million over eight seasons, according to Spotrac.com. The majority of his infractions came on player safety rules.

Burfict received the longest on-field suspension in NFL history with the Raiders in 2019, missing 12 games after being called for a personal foul on former Colts tight end Jack Doyle. Burfict led with his helmet after Doyle was already on the ground. Burfict also infamously blindsided then-Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown over the middle of the field in the 2015 wild card round, putting the Steelers in field goal range and allowing them to kick a game-winning field goal. Brown was knocked unconscious on the hit.

Burfict was suspended for three games to start the 2016 season for repeated violations of player safety rules.

Burfict no doubt is one of the most talented linebackers in recent memory, however, as he was a five-star recruit tabbed as the No. 11 player nationally in the 2009 recruiting class, per 247Sports. He was expected to be a first-round pick after starring at Arizona State, although fell to undrafted after a disappointing NFL combine showing and character concerns.

Burfict finished his NFL career with 77 starts in 79 games, record a career-high and NFL-high 171 total tackles in 2013. Burfict was a second-team All-Pro in 2013, and was also selected to his lone Pro Bowl that season.

Burfict has been out of football since 2019, but Mullen and UNLV see something in the former linebacker.

Anthony Richardson was named the starter for the Indianapolis Colts’ preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens.

The third-year pro lasted just two series, though, before being ruled out for the game due to a finger injury.

Here’s what to know about Richardson’s injury:

Anthony Richardson injury update

Colts coach Shane Steichen said after halftime that Richardson had suffered a dislocated pinky in the first half of Thursday’s 24-16 loss to the Ravens.

‘I don’t know the extent of it,’ Steichen said, per FOX59. ‘It was just a dislocation, popped it and popped back in. I don’t know how long he’ll be out.’

Richardson seemed confident afterwards. ‘I’ll be good,’ he told reporters.

Richardson was hurt after being sacked by Ravens edge rusher David Ojabo on a second-and-10 pass attempt. Ojabo came unblocked off the right side of the Colts offensive line, hitting Richardson hard while the quarterback was looking to the left.

Richardson landed on his left shoulder and eventually got up before jogging off the field under his own power, favoring his right hand.

The Colts later announced that Richardson would not return to the game because of the injury.

Richardson was replaced by veteran Daniel Jones, who was expected to start Indianapolis’ second preseason game as part of the team’s quarterback battle between the former first-round picks.

Richardson was seen standing on the sideline with an earpiece in as Indianapolis took the field for its third offensive drive of the game. He appeared after halftime to be wearing some tape on his injured finger.

Colts QB depth chart

Richardson and Jones were viewed as co-starters on Indianapolis’ QB depth chart, which presently contains four signal-callers.

Below is a look at the pecking order in the Colts’ quarterback room:

Anthony Richardson OR Daniel Jones
Riley Leonard
Jason Bean

(This story will be updated as more information becomes available.)

Andy Roddick’s 2003 U.S. Open title was the last time an American man has won a Grand Slam.
Ben Shelton, 22, is blossoming into one of the world’s best players.
Shelton may already be the third-best player in the world.

The incomprehensible 22-year Grand Slam drought in American men’s tennis will end soon. Maybe not this year, maybe not even next. But it’s going to happen, and we’re not going to have to wait too much longer.

The 22-year old from Atlanta via the University of Florida won his first Masters 1000-level title on Thursday night at the Canadian Open, beating Karen Khachanov 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 in a terrific final. 

Sure, you can put some asterisks on the significance of this tournament – namely, that No. 1 Jannik Sinner and No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz opted to take an extra week off after meeting in both the French Open and Wimbledon finals. Those two have dominated the Grand Slams for the last two years, and Shelton – to this point – has yet to prove he belongs in their company. 

But what Shelton has proven this summer will serve him extremely well in the chase to remove Andy Roddick’s 2003 U.S. Open title from the genre of frustrating tennis trivia. At this moment, Shelton has a very good argument as the third-best player in the world. 

If not him, then who?

It’s not Alexander Zverev, who is technically No. 3 in the rankings but hasn’t felt like a threat to win anything important since Sinner embarrassed him in the Australian Open final back in January. 

It’s hard to make an argument for Taylor Fritz, the highest-ranked American at No. 4, especially after Shelton dismantled him 6-4, 6-3 in the Toronto semifinals and showed that he simply has a higher gear of athleticism and shot-making when he’s playing well. 

Jack Draper? The British lad is 29-9 on the year with his own Masters 1000 title this year at Indian Wells. But his record in the Slams doesn’t measure up to Shelton’s and hasn’t shown the same level of physical durability, particularly in a best-of-five setting. 

Some would argue it’s still Novak Djokovic, and they may have a point. Despite slipping to No. 7 in the world, one spot behind Shelton, he’s made the semifinals in all three Slams this year and he’s still Novak freaking Djokovic. But at a physically diminished 38 and barely playing a real schedule anymore (he’s skipping both big North American hard court tournaments leading into the U.S. Open), it would take everything breaking his way to win his 25th Grand Slam. 

At the moment, nobody else is really a factor. 

So here’s the overall takeaway: Yes, Sinner and Alcaraz are going to win most of the big titles over the next few years as long as they stay healthy, much like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the mid-2000s. But they’re not going to meet in every Slam final. Injuries happen, bad days happen. Especially at the U.S. Open, we often see players who have had long, grueling years struggle to find the energy it takes to deal with the heat and all the other unique elements of playing in New York. 

And when it’s inevitably someone besides Alcaraz or Sinner hoisting a big trophy at some point, who’s most likely to pick up the pieces? 

It’s Shelton – and on a hard court, it’s not particularly close. 

Though Canada was just his third title, and by far his biggest since turning pro three years ago, we are seeing some signs now that he’s headed for a potentially special career. 

This win wasn’t a fluke. Rather, it was the culmination of a summer in which Shelton’s game is breaking through in ways we haven’t really seen before. 

He’s always had the elements to be a top player: Huge lefty serve, dynamic athleticism, weaponry with the forehand and better-than-average net skills. He’s also shown a flair for stepping up at the Grand Slams with two semifinals and two quarterfinals in just 12 appearances. By any measure, a 30-12 record at the Slams is exceptional for a young player. 

But Shelton’s father and coach, Bryan Shelton, has stressed repeatedly that Ben isn’t a finished product. And their approach to addressing his weaknesses has been targeted and methodical. 

The eye test, particularly since Shelton made his run to the Wimbledon quarterfinals (where Sinner stopped him in three close sets), says that it’s starting to pay off in areas like decision-making, consistency from the baseline and deployment of his backhand slice to change the rhythm of points. 

Even on return, where the advanced stats show that Shelton is one of the three worst players in the top-50, there were some interesting numbers in Toronto. Across his five matches, Shelton won 36.2% of return points. While that’s basically average for a top-50 player, it’s significantly better than the 32% he’s posted this year. It’s also worth noting that he broke Fritz and Brandon Nakashima – two of the seven hardest guys on tour to break – three times each. 

It was much the same story the week before in Washington. Despite throwing in a semifinal stinker against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Shelton won 38.3% of return points across four matches. 

If that’s real improvement and not just statistical noise, Shelton is a threat to win the U.S. Open this year. And if he can merely become an above-average returner on a regular basis, a Grand Slam title is probably going to happen at some point. 

Shelton’s first Masters title was a major breakthrough in his career, and at 22 made him the youngest American to do so since Roddick at the very same tournament in 2003.

Guess what happened next? A few weeks later, he lit up New York and became a U.S. Open champion. 

The way Shelton played this week, don’t be surprised if he follows the same path to a Grand Slam title.

Three schools – Boise State, Colorado State and Utah State – that are leaving the Mountain West Conference for the Pac-12 are suing the Mountain West, saying the league improperly withheld tens of millions of dollars owed to them after they announced their departure plans.

The amended complaint, filed in the District Court of Denver, Colorado, and obtained by USA TODAY Sports, also asserts that the Mountain West misled them about adding Grand Canyon University as a league member.

Grand Canyon University is set to join the Mountain West on July 1, 2026, the same day the three plaintiffs’ schools are to join the Pac-12.

The lawsuit also added conference commissioner Gloria Nevarez as a defendant, and alleges that Nevarez has ‘taken extraordinary, retaliatory and unauthorized actions in violation of Plaintiffs’ membership rights and Colorado law,’ and “intentionally and fraudulently” caused millions of dollars in harm while “impacting the rights and opportunities of Plaintiffs’ student-athletes for their last year in the Conference’ and depriving them of their membership rights.

‘For the past several months, Colorado State University, Boise State University and Utah State University worked in good faith to try to resolve this matter. Unfortunately during that same period, actions taken by the Mountain West and Commissioner Nevarez have raised serious concerns regarding their fairness and transparency.

‘As set forth in the Second Amended Complaint that was filed today, the Mountain West and Commissioner Nevarez repeatedly misrepresented their intentions regarding the admission of Grand Canyon University for the 2025/26 season and purposefully delayed any formal vote on the issue until after the departing schools delivered their Notices of Resignation from the Conference,’ the three schools said in a joint statement.

The three schools announced last September they will leave the Mountain West to join the Pac-12 on June 30, 2026, at the end of the current Mountain West media rights agreement.

Among the millions of dollars that are allegedly owed are College Football Playoff funds that Boise State earned as a playoff participant last season, as well as money due from the NCAA, including grant-in-aid and other money to support academic programs, and money tied to the well-being of the school’s student athletes.

Also at issue is the Mountain West’s exit fees for leaving for another league. Boise State, Colorado State and Utah State say the exit fee of at least $19 million per school is ‘unlawful, excessive and punitive.’

A cryptocurrency group has claimed responsibility for throwing sex toys at WNBA games.
The group says the acts are a protest against the ‘toxic’ environment in the crypto world and not meant to disrespect women athletes.
Two individuals have been arrested for throwing sex toys, but the spokesman claims they were not affiliated with their group.
The group says they plan to continue with ‘lighter’ and ‘more tasteful’ pranks to gain attention.

Cryptocurrency meme coin creators say they are responsible for the sex toys being thrown at multiple WNBA games, and they are planning more ‘pranks.’

From Atlanta to Los Angeles, no arena has been safe from neon green objects whizzing from the stands, through the air and onto WNBA courts. If there is an opportune window, a brightly colored entity will be thrown, causing intentional and symbolic chaos, according to a spokesman for the cryptocurrency group. The person, who uses the name @Daldo_Raine on social media, spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the issue.

Over the past two weeks, there have been six known incidents of green sex toys being thrown at WNBA games. The latest to garner attention happened Tuesday night during a game between the Indiana Fever and the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena in L.A. Green sex toys were also thrown in the stands at New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury games Tuesday, at two Atlanta Dream games last week and a Chicago Sky game Friday. Two people have been arrested on multiple charges for allegedly throwing the objects.

‘It’s ridiculous, it’s dumb, it’s stupid,’ Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said after the game. ‘It’s also dangerous. Player safety is No. 1, respecting the game, all those things. I think it’s really stupid.’

The spokesman for the crypto group told USA TODAY Sports that was not the intention. He said a group of crypto enthusiasts and traders launched Green Dildo Coin (DILDO), a meme coin intended to be lighthearted and perceived as a joke, in late July to protest what they describe as a ‘toxic’ environment in the crypto world. According to the group, many smaller players in the space are struggling to keep up with the influx of influencers and scammers.

As a form of protest, the meme coin was created, and the faction began infiltrating WNBA arenas with color-coordinated sex toys to coincide with the launch. USA TODAY Sports obtained text messages showing the group’s coordination and planning before the coin’s launch July 28 and the first sex toy being thrown at a WNBA game July 29.

USA TODAY Sports has reached out to the WNBA about the crypto group, the sex toy incidents and security measures moving forward. The league declined to comment on the record.

The crypto group’s spokesman said it’s not their intention to harm anyone, and members of the community have been advised to only throw their branded green items if there is a level of personal comfort and the objects can land without hitting someone. He also shot down any narrative that the sex toys were a sign of disrespect toward the women athletes.

Sex toys have been thrown at sporting events in the past, probably the most well known incident was at a New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills game in 2018.

‘We didn’t do this because like we dislike women’s sports or, like, some of the narratives that are trending right now are ridiculous,’ he said. ‘Creating disruption at games is like, it happens in every single sport, right? We’ve seen it in the NFL, we’ve seen it in hockey, you know . . . fans doing random things to more or less create attention.

‘We knew that in order to get a voice in the space … we had to go out and do some viral stunts to save us from having to pay that influencer cabal, sacrifice our souls and the fate of the project.’

The incidents began 10 days after the WNBA All-Star game, which featured significant media coverage and many viral moments on social media.

The spokesman explained that catapulting sex objects (with drawn-on sunglasses and the name of their coin) is to spread awareness about a culture they want to perpetuate, cultivated around jokes, pranks and various stunts. The green sex toy is supposed to mirror a green candle, and if the price of the candle goes up, it represents volatility, which the spokesman for the meme coin group claims is a trader’s dream. The bright color of the object was intentional, he said, to be disruptive and create curiosity.

He also said the two people arrested were not part of their group. Delbert Carver was booked for disorderly conduct, public indecency/indecent exposure and criminal trespass after allegedly throwing a sex toy at the Atlanta Dream’s stadium Saturday. And 18-year-old Kaden Lopez was arrested in Phoenix on suspicion of disorderly conduct, assault and public display of explicit sexual material. According to the local FOX station, Lopez told police he saw the viral trend on social media and purchased his own green sex toy.

‘Moving forward, we have a lot more pranks, but they’re a lot lighter. They’re a lot more tasteful,’ the spokesman said. ‘They’re with a lot of different branded merch, and it’s more or less to keep the dildo being spotted in different places that are high-traffic areas with cameras.’

The coordinated effort is a strategic protest against what the meme coin creators view as a small group of individuals controlling the crypto space. From the beginning, part of the group’s mission has been to cause enough chaos to ‘get a voice’ and media attention. The spokesman said they’ve since secured that and plan to continue with their rollout, though wouldn’t reveal what the group has planned next.

The group has also placed a green sex toy on the Wall Street Bull in New York City and shared a video with USA TODAY Sports showing a person with a green sex toy sitting behind home plate at a Major League Baseball game. ‘We wanna shift the culture in crypto, and we wanna be the 1,000 against the one,’ the spokesman said.

A meme coin is a type of crypto asset inspired by internet memes, characters or trends ‘for which the promoter seeks to attract an enthusiastic online community to purchase the meme coin and engage in its trading,’ according to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Meme coins are like collectibles with limited or no functionality, the SEC says, with value dictated by social and cultural influences. That carries more risk compared to other cryptocurrencies with values tied to more predictable supply and demand relationships.

The nature of the group’s meme coin raises concerns this could be a short-term, pump-and-dump play. A pump-and-dump strategy typically involves inflating the price of a coin through marketing and the owners buying large quantities of the coin, then selling it to others who aren’t in on the intention behind the coin. The original owners then release (dump) their coins to increase the supply once the price falls, and anyone left owning the cryptocurrency essentially has coins that have minimal value.

However, in a recorded conversation online, a member of the group said that is not their goal.

‘Are we looking for a quick pump and dump? No. That’s never been the vision,’ they said on X. ‘The vision is … we wanna bring the trenches back to the timeline. We wanna bring a community of base [expletive] animals who like doing fun [expletive].’

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Seattle Kraken mascot Buoy avoided getting caught when a bear interrupted a fishing excursion in Alaska this summer.

But the viral video caught the attention of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The animal rights group sent a letter about fishing to Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke.

‘Buoy has wisely advised fans on Instagram to ‘always respect wildlife in their natural habitat,’ but fishing sends the opposite message — one that says it’s OK to injure or kill animals,’ PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk wrote. ‘A recent study shows that fish gasp and endure intense pain for over 20 minutes after being taken out of water — and even when they’re tossed back, they have been mutilated.

‘In fact, fish who are released after they’re hooked often die slowly from their injuries and the trauma of being handled. Imagine having a hook through your mouth, then having it yanked out, and being released. Hardly harmless.’

Buoy, a troll, and Kraken forward John Hayden were on a fly fishing outing near Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park as part of the team’s annual partnership trip with the Bristol Bay Native Corp. A bear appeared on the shoreline and began approaching, causing everyone to scatter. The bear charged toward the mascot but turned around.

In addition to the viral video, Buoy posted a picture of a fish that was caught on the trip.

‘Just as a grizzly bear decided to keep Buoy off his plate that day in Alaska, we hope your team will keep fish and other animals off theirs,’ Newkirk wrote. ‘Thank you for your consideration.’

About 70 miles north of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home of the Indianapolis 500, a new immigration detention center got a noteworthy and controversial name.

“The Speedway Slammer’’ is what the Trump administration is calling it.

“COMING SOON to Indiana: The Speedway Slammer,’’ Kristi Noem, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, wrote on her X account Aug. 5. “Today, we’re announcing a new partnership with the state of Indiana to expand detention bed space by 1,000 beds.’’

In her post, Noem also thanked Indiana governor Michael Braun “for his partnership to help remove the worst of the worst out of our country. If you are in America illegally, you could find yourself in Indiana’s Speedway Slammer. Avoid arrest and self deport now using the @CBP.’’

Homeland Security also issued the image of an Indy car emblazoned with the letters ICE – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – and No. 5, which belongs to NTT IndyCar Series driver Pato O’Ward, the only Mexican in the Indy 500 and the series this year.

The car appears to be driving past a prison.

O’Ward, who drives for Arrow McLaren, is ranked second in points in the 2025 season and has won two races this year.

It wasn’t immediately clear whether the use of the 5 was purposeful to point to O’Ward or if it was just a coincidence. Outside the number, the car lacked any other connections to O’Ward’s traditional black-and-papaya-colored chassis. A spokesperson for Arrow McLaren declined to comment when reached by the Indianapolis Star, part of the USA TODAY Network, regarding the matter.

Border Czar Tom Homan, asked about requests not to use the name Speedway, said he didn’t know who specifically was behind the name.

‘I don’t want the names [to detract from] the great work they’re doing,’ Homan said. “This is serious work and it’s dangerous work.’

Penske Entertainment, which owns Indianapolis Speedway and the NTT IndyCar Series, provided a statement to The Star in which it said it was unaware of plans to incorporate its imagery as part of the announcement.

“Consistent with our approach to public policy and political issues, we are communicating our preference that our IP not be utilized moving forward in relation to this matter,’’ Penske Entertainment said.

Roger Penske, founder and chairman of Penske Corporation, received the medal of freedom from President Donald Trump during Trump’s first term in the White House. Penske Entertainment is a subsidiary of Penske Corporation.

The Speedway Slammer joins ‘Alligator Alcatraz,” a detention center in Florida that marked the only other partnership with a state to expand ICE detention capacity.

“We are proud to work with President Trump and Secretary Noem as they remove the worst of the worst with this innovative partnership,” said Braun, Indiana’s governor, said in news release issued by DHS. “Indiana is taking a comprehensive and collaborative approach to combating illegal immigration and will continue to lead the way among states.”

The 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship, the first event of the three-event FedEx Cup Playoffs, teed off Thursday. Now we move into the second round of action at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler did what he is known to do: stay in contention on the leaderboard. He starts the day tied for 12th (-3). If all goes according to plan, the 29-year-old golfer would be well-positioned heading into next week’s BMW Championship and have momentum to claim a second consecutive FedEx Cup championship.

The story from Day 1 was Akshay Bhatia, who put up a solid 8-under par showing to claim control of the tournament after the first round. Tommy Fleetwood is not far behind after finishing the round with four consecutive birdies.

For those wondering from home, Rory McIlroy is indeed absent from the proceedings. With a Masters title and second place in the FedEx Cup standings in tow, McIlroy opted for rest this week as he looks to the final two legs of the playoffs.

Stay tuned for live updates from the first event of the FedEx Cup Playoffs at the St. Jude Championship from Memphis. USA TODAY Sports will have full coverage:

FedEx St. Jude Championship leaderboard

1. Akshay Bhatia: -8
2. Tommy Fleetwood: -7
T3. Harry Hall -6
T3. Justin Rose: -6
T3. Bud Cauley: -6
6. Si Woo Kim: -5
T7. Maverick McNealy: -4
T7. Ben Griffin: -4
T7. Rickie Fowler -4
T7. Russell Henley: -4
T7. Collin Morikawa: -4
— T12. Scottie Scheffler: -3

FEDEX ST. JUDE CHAMPIONSHIP: Updated tee times, leaderboard

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

The Los Angeles Chargers have lost their most important offensive lineman for the season.

Offensive tackle Rashawn Slater suffered a leg injury and had to be carted off of the field during the Chargers’ training camp practice on Aug. 7.

The team confirmed it was a torn patellar tendon and Slater will be out for the season.

Slater was taking part in a version of an 11-on-11 drill and dropped into his pass protection set when another player fell on his left leg. Trainers checked on him for a couple of minutes after he went down before eventually calling for the cart.

Slater was unable to put any weight on his left leg as trainers helped him off of the cart and into the Chargers’ team facility, reports said.

Slater became the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL by average annual value when he signed a four-year, $114 million contract extension to stay in Los Angeles. The former first-round pick out of Northwestern had just come off of his second Pro Bowl season and was about to enter the fifth-year option season of his rookie contract in 2025.

Previously, Slater’s worst injury a ruptured biceps tendon he suffered in Week 3 of the 2022 season, which ended his year early. Outside of those 14 missed games, Slater has only sat out three others.

The left tackle played all but two games for the Chargers last season, missing a Week 4 game with a pectoral strain then the team’s Week 18 finale when he felt knee discomfort during pregame stretches. His lone other missed start unrelated to the ruptured tendon was due to an illness during his rookie season in 2021.

Chargers OT depth chart

The Chargers have three backup tackles on their unofficial depth chart behind Slater: one swing tackle, a left tackle and a right tackle.

Here’s how the offensive tackle spot looks on Los Angeles’s unofficial depth chart before they face the New Orleans Saints in a Sunday afternoon preseason game (asterisks [*] denote starters):

LT Rashawn Slater*
RT Joe Alt*
LT/RT Trey Pipkins III
LT Ryan Nelson
RT Corey Stewart

According to the Chargers’ website, the backups on the unofficial depth chart are listed in the order they appear. That means Pipkins is the likely starter at left tackle in place of Slater if necessary.