Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian, Motherwell and Rangers now have a clearer idea of who they might face in Europa League and Conference League qualifying after Uefa confirmed the groupings for Monday's draws.
Celtic already knew their potential opponents in their Champions League play-off, with their draw at 11:00 BST and the Europa League draw an hour later, followed by the Conference League at 13:00.
Now Rangers know that, if they defeat Polish side Jagiellonia Białystok in the third round of Europa League qualifying, they will face either Lillestrom of Norway, the winners of the tie between Northern Irish champions Larne and Iberia 1999 of Georgia, or the losers of two Champions League qualifiers - between Levski Sofia (Bulgaria) and Kairat Almaty (Kazakhstan) or Mjallby (Sweden) and Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia).
Having dropped down from Champions League qualifying, Hearts face Benfica and the winners of that also have four possible opponents.
Those are OFI Crete, the winners of Thun (Switzerland) and Vikingur Reykjavik (Iceland), or the losers of two Champions League qualifiers - AGF Aarhus (Denmark) and Sabah (Azerbaijan) and Dinamo (Croatia) and Kauno Zalgiris (Lithuania).

#league #rangers

The Minnesota Vikings had a very productive practice on Saturday, and several things stood out to the writers who were there. The connection between quarterback Kyler Murray and wide receiver Justin Jefferson in particular caught the attention of some writers.
Murray was 14-of-17 on the day, and was sufficient in doing so. He also was able to connect with Jefferson a bunch, as the two continue to get acclimated and acquainted on the field.
Of course, linking up with your star wide receiver is never a bad thing. Even still, it certainly is heading in the right direction. SKOR North's Jason Harmon noticed this immediately.
"Murray was precise, effective, and decisive in 11-on-11 work and utilized Justin Jefferson early on an impressive pass downfield. While the two are still figuring out their timing together, the potential is already flashing."
Jefferson noted on Friday that he was seeing improvements with both quarterbacks over the course of this camp. He reiterated that he is having dialogue with both of them and just trying to get on the same page. This is certainly important, as Jefferson will be a key part of the offense, as he has been throughout his entire Vikings career.

#jefferson #course

The results are in from our SB Nation Reacts survey for this week, ladies and gentlemen, so let's take a look at what everyone thinks about our Minnesota Vikings topic for this week.
We asked you, with training camp just having gotten underway, whether or not you feel our favorite squad will be making a return to the postseason this year. 'Tis, apparently, the season for positivity around here, as the local gentry feels the purple will be playing into mid-January rather than just the early portions of it.
Of those who responded to our survey, a full 80% feel that the Vikings will make a return to the playoffs this season after a one-year hiatus. More of you feel that they'll be joining the playoff field as a Wild Card team than as the NFC North division champion, with 44% of our respondents saying the Vikings will make the postseason as a Wild Card team and 36% saying they'll win the NFC North for the first time since 2022. And there are 20% of you who responded that believe the Vikings will miss the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
I do think the Vikings will make their way back to the playoffs this season, and I do think it's more likely they'll be there as a Wild Card than as a division champ. I expect the NFC North to, once again, be among the toughest divisions in the NFL this season, and even though the Vikings were. . .in theory. . .one botched kickoff return away from winning the NFC North last season, the margin for error is going to be pretty slim again this year. Have the Vikings made enough of the necessary changes to get over the hump and get to the top of the division? Obviously, we don't know what role injuries are going to play around the division yet, either.
Here's hoping that our optimism isn't misplaced when it comes to our postseason hopes for the 2026 season. We're a little less than two weeks away from seeing an actual football game involving our favorite team, albeit one that doesn't count for anything other than seeing who will take some of the spots at the bottom of the roster. I, for one, will just be happy to see it.

#card #division #postseason

After a day off, the Green Bay Packers return to training-camp practice Sunday, Aug. 3 at Ray Nitschke Field.
The team will begin practicing in pads Monday, Aug. 4.
Tight end Tucker Kraft was activated from the PUP list Friday, July 31. He's hoping to be active for the Packers' first regular season game Sept. 13 against the Minnesota Vikings.
The Journal Sentinel and the Green Bay Press-Gazette reporters are at practice to chronicle all the major developments.
You can follow below for live updates:

#kraft

After a day off, the Green Bay Packers return to training-camp practice Sunday, Aug. 3 at Ray Nitschke Field.
The team will begin practicing in pads Monday, Aug. 4.
Tight end Tucker Kraft was activated from the PUP list Friday, July 31. He's hoping to be active for the Packers' first regular season game Sept. 13 against the Minnesota Vikings.
The Journal Sentinel and the Green Bay Press-Gazette reporters are at practice to chronicle all the major developments.
You can follow below for live updates:

#practice #sunday #field #tucker

It's never too early to get ready for the start of another NFL season. As training camps have begun around the league, we're releasing 2026 team previews in reverse order of our initial power rankings. Frank Schwab's previews will come out every weekday from now until early August, when he reveals his No. 1 team.
Play Yahoo's new College Fantasy Football game: Create or join a league now!
Here are the previews we've launched so far.
No. 32 Dolphins | No. 31 Jets | No. 30 Cardinals | No. 29 Browns | No. 28 **** ans | No. 27 Raiders | No. 26 Falcons | No. 25 Giants | No. 24 Saints | No. 23 Panthers | No. 22 Bucs | No. 21. Colts | No. 20 Steelers | No. 19 Vikings | No. 18 Commanders | No. 17 Bengals | No. 16 Jaguars | No. 15 Packers | No. 14 Chargers | No. 13 49ers | No. 12 Chiefs | No. 11. Bears | No. 10 Texans | No. 9 Eagles | No. 8 Cowboys | No. 7. Ravens | No. 6 Lions | No. 5 Patriots | No. 4 Broncos
(Grant Thomas/Yahoo Sports)

#early #august #play

LONDON (AP) — Icelandic coast guards and special forces seized a ship operated by a group founded by anti-whaling activist Paul Watson and detained its crew, officials in the Arctic island nation said Saturday.
The Icelandic Coast Guard said the crew of whaling ship Hvalur 9 requested **** istance on Thursday evening because they believed their safety was under threat from the protest vessel Bandero. It said the Bandero ignored coast guards' instructions to leave Icelandic waters, and later an order to stop its engines.
Coast guards and the police special forces Viking Squad boarded the vessel around midnight on Thursday and detained its crew. Watson was not aboard.
The Captain Paul Watson Foundation confirmed in a statement that the vessel had been seized. It said the 21 crew members were being detained aboard the ship without their phones.
The ship arrived Friday in Reykjavik, Iceland's capital, and police have taken over the investigation, the coast guard agency said. Icelandic national broadcaster RUV reported that police will seek to deport the crew and ban them from returning to Iceland.

#ship #guards #police

Ricky Pearsall's 2026 season is over before it even started. The San Francisco 49ers wide receiver will undergo season-ending surgery to treat a PCL injury that's nagged him since the 2025 campaign, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
After bursting out the gate with 16 catches and 281 yards in his first three games of 2025, Pearsall suffered the PCL injury and was never the same. The former first-round pick missed eight games with the injury and looked hampered upon his return, leading to more receiving work for Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle.
PCL injuries are notoriously difficult to play through because they lead to knee instability, according to Harvard Health. Brock Bowers and Drake London also dealt with PCL injuries in 2025 and didn't exactly play up to their elite standards while recovering.
Pearsall is a massive loss for the 49ers, who are hoping to make a deep playoff push after the rival Seattle Seahawks blasted them 41-6 in the Divisional Round last postseason.
Brandon Aiyuk is still away from the team as he's lobbying for a trade to the Washington Commanders, plus Jauan Jennings is now on the Minnesota Vikings. However, the 49ers added reinforcements in longtime Tampa Bay Buccaneer Mike Evans and second-round pick De'Zhaun Stribling. Here's a look at how the unit could shake out this season.

#injury #according #first

The San Francisco 49ers have had a few changes near the top of the organization this offseason, including minority owner Vinod Khosla selling his stake after agreeing to purchase the division rival Seattle Seahawks.
On Saturday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that another high-ranking member of the franchise, Paraag Marathe, is leaving the team.
Marathe has been with the 49ers for 25 years and was serving as the president of 49ers Enterprises and the executive vice president of football operations. He was the team's top cap expert and contract negotiator, using skills that he picked up since joining the team at the turn of the century.
According to Schefter, Marathe is leaving to focus full-time on Leeds United and Rangers FC along with other sports efforts. With 49ers Enterprises, he's served as the chairman. It will be interesting to see who steps in to take his spot.
San Francisco currently has three vice presidents in their personnel and scouting department, including Tariq Ahmad (player personnel), Matt Ploenzke (football R&D) and Kewsi Adofo-Mensah (personnel and strategy), who returned to the team this offseason after serving as the Minnesota Vikings general manager.

#schefter #offseason #including

This has been an active year in the mergers-and-acquisitions landscape across the biopharmaceutical industry. One of the more notable deals was Vertex Pharmaceuticals' acquisition of Crinetics Pharmaceuticals for $10 billion in cash (the transaction hasn't closed yet). This is the largest acquisition in Vertex Pharmaceuticals' history, and it will enable the biotech giant to gain several promising pipeline candidates in endocrinology. Could there be an even more massive acquisition on the horizon in the industry? It's hard to say for sure, but if there is, Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ: VKTX) may be the acquisition target.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a little over 70% of adults in the country are overweight or obese. Excess weight is linked to a range of serious health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and many others. Recent breakthroughs are helping address the issue. Anti-obesity medicines are allowing patients to lose weight and reduce their risk of developing a range of conditions. But this market is still in its early stages and is projected to expand rapidly over the next decade. According to some estimates, it will be worth $190 billion in 2035, compared to just $79 billion last year.
No wonder, then, that many pharmaceutical giants are looking to dip their toes in this **** e. But discovering and developing brand-new therapies from scratch in any field is expensive and time-consuming. That's why well-established drugmakers often prefer to acquire companies with promising mid and late-stage **** ets. That's where Viking Therapeutics comes in. The company's portfolio includes subcutaneous VK2735, currently in phase 3 clinical trials, as well as an oral version of the drug, which should begin late-stage studies by year-end. Further, Viking Therapeutics developed VK3019, another weight-loss candidate, which recently started phase 1 clinical trials.
Viking Therapeutics has one of the more impressive weight-loss pipelines among mid-cap biotechs, making it a great target for a pharmaceutical leader looking to fast-track the process and land some highly promising anti-obesity pipeline candidates overnight. Viking Therapeutics' phase 3 studies for VK2735 are expected to be completed by late 2027. If the results are very strong, the company's shares will soar, making it a much more expensive acquisition target. So, if any pharmaceutical giant is going to make a move, it probably will be before then.

#viking #NVIDIA #weight #promising

The Vikings' defense has enjoyed the presence of Harrison Smith ever since he was drafted back in 2012. The team enjoys his presence on and off the field, but at 37, some things are just not the same as they used to be. As a result, the unsigned veteran is sitting on the side waiting for something to change or to retire.
Despite the age factor and being unsigned, it isn't lessening the blow of his absence in training camp. Especially for Brian Flores, who is missing his defensive leader.
This week at the start of training camp, he discussed Smith's absence, saying, "I think collectively there's a sense of trying to, you know, bring what he brought to the table from a communication, leadership standpoint. You know, with him being absent or not absent, but not being here. I still haven't gotten over it..."
It still seems very possible that Smith could return after training camp wraps up, or is close enough to being wrapped up. We have seen veterans do this before, but there has been no smoke at all with Harrison Smith, so many people flying blind in this scenario.
Plenty of time left, but for now, Vikings fans will have to keep sitting on pins and needles.

#presence #unsigned #know

The Minnesota Vikings quarterback competition is heating up, and no one is backing down on social media from defending who they think should win the job. Through it all, the coaching staff has remained steadfast in their execution of this quarterback competition, while some on the outside consider it already Kyler Murray's job to lose.
However, based on early notes from the first two days of training camp, it seems McCarthy is lacking some early explosiveness in his passing.
ESPN's Kevin Seifert shared his notes from practice on Thursday, July 30, and he hinted that McCarthy is being more conservative while Murray is pushing the ball down the field.
Seifert shared, "Perhaps the biggest takeaway Thursday from the competition between quarterbacks Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy is that Murray is more often pushing the ball downfield. He threw an accurate floater about 45 yards downfield to receiver Dontae Fleming, as well as a deep corner to receiver Justin Jefferson. He also missed tight end T.J. Hockenson down the right sideline."
Reports from others in camp are mixed, but the reports of Murray pushing the ball down the field are consistent. Some do have McCarthy ahead in the race, but it's just two days in, plenty of things and momentum will change. It will be interesting to see how they come out in a few days following their first break after three consecutive practice days.

#pushing #seifert

Last season, the Minnesota Vikings clawed their way to a 9-8 record, winning their last five games in a row. While the offense struggled, the defensive side of the ball played very well, finishing third in total defense. This was spearheaded by a few unsung heroes who are looking to have an even bigger impact in 2026.
According to Zachary Pereles of CBS Sports, defensive tackle Jalen Redmond is in line for a big season, as Pereles listed him as an under-the-radar player entering 2026. Here is what he had to say:
Last year, the Vikings brought in bigger names -- Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave -- only for Redmond, a former undrafted free agent who spent time in the XFL, to outplay both of them by a wide margin. He racked up six sacks and finished 11th in PFF's run defense grades among interior defensive linemen. His disruptive abilities against both the run and the pass are impressive.
Redmond was a pleasant surprise last season, and with the departure of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, Redmond is in line for significantly more playing time alongside rookie Caleb Banks. Redmond is on a one-year deal, and should he play at the level of last season or even more, he could be due for quite the payday next offseason.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Which Vikings DL is flying under-the-radar heading into 2026?

#Vikings

It's a tough job. But somebody's gotta do it.
Step right up, Michele Meyer-Shipp.
Nearly five months ago, Meyer-Shipp replaced Rod Graves as executive director of the Fritz Pollard Alliance (FPA), an independent organization that promotes and monitors minority hiring for head coaching roles and other high-level positions in the NFL.
Yeah, that NFL. The one where Black coaches were 1-for-18 in landing the top jobs over the past two hiring cycles. The one that is a defendant, along with several teams, in a class-action lawsuit brought forth by Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and two former coaches alleging racial discrimination. The one under attack from the Florida attorney general, aiming to wipe out the Rooney Rule, which ties so closely to the FPA's mission.
The challenges for Meyer-Shipp come from multiple directions, with multiple layers, against the political winds of the anti-DEI movement pushed by the highest levels of government.

#graves

Other NFL team previews: 32. Dolphins | 31. Jets | 30. Cardinals | 29. Browns | 28. ******* ans | 27. Raiders | 26. Falcons | 25. Giants | 24. Saints | 23. Panthers | 22. Buccaneers | 21. Colts | 20. Steelers | 19. Vikings | 18. Commanders | 17. Bengals | 16. Jaguars | 15. Packers | 14. Chargers | 13. 49ers | 12. Chiefs | 11. Bears | 10. Texans | 9. Eagles | 8. Cowboys | 7. Ravens | 6. Lions | 5. Patriots
Among the countless interesting tidbits in an ESPN story shadowing Sean Payton for a week before last season's AFC Championship game was one of Payton's "playoff myths" he shared with the team.
The myth he showed his players was, "We'll Be Back Next Year." Payton followed that by telling the team, "Nothing is promised."
The Denver Broncos had a remarkable season with a weird ending. Not long after the Broncos beat the Buffalo Bills in one of the most thrilling games of last postseason, Payton returned to the podium and shared with the media that Bo Nix had broken his ankle and was out for the rest of the season, including the AFC championship game.
The Broncos battled in that AFC ******* le game against the Patriots with Jarrett Stidham starting at quarterback, but one massive turnover by Stidham and a questionable fourth-down gamble in the first half, along with a blinding snowstorm in the second half, might have cost them a win and a chance to play in the Super Bowl. As Payton told the team before the game, being in that position might not happen again.

#team

The Minnesota Vikings quarterback competition is heating up, and no one is backing down on social media from defending who they think should win the job. Through it all, the coaching staff has remained steadfast in their execution of this quarterback competition, while some on the outside consider it already Kyler Murray's job to lose.
However, on Wednesday, J.J. McCarthy spoke to the media and shared some of the reasons he remains positive he can earn the job.
He explained, "Once I got healthier after that Seattle week, Washington, Dallas, I felt like I was hitting that upward trajectory, and I'm certain it's still been going up since then."
McCarthy finished the season with more interceptions than touchdowns, but in that final stretch, he did play better. In the final stretch of four games, he had five touchdowns to two interceptions, and the decision-making was getting better overall.
Early on in camp, it seems to be carrying over, but plenty of time is left in this quarterback battle.

#Media #interceptions #touchdowns #minnesota

Rookies, when they enter the NFL, are bound to spend some of their rookie contract on a variety of things. Most tend to buy things or help out family, others look for the car or house they have wanted. In the case of Minnesota Vikings first-round pick Caleb Banks, he spent some of his early rookie contract on something...different.
The Athletic's Alec Lewis shared on Wednesday that Banks, who is known for his unique collection of pets, had added another spider and three more snakes to his family of exotic pets. Earlier in the offseason, Banks shared he had already had two pythons, a chameleon, and a cane corso.
Ironically, the cane corso is the most tame pet in his family, considering it is a dog.
Caleb Banks said he bought another spider and three more snakes this offseason. We're back. https://t.co/diJht0wBfU
However, on the field, Banks has shown to be explosive early on and has overcome some early setbacks in the offseason program after being drafted. The former Florida Gator had suffered a broken foot in January so seeing him on the field is a sight to behold for the Vikings franchise.

#offseason #rookie #contract #shared

Carlos Alcaraz is turning heads for more than just his return to tennis. The four-time Grand Slam champion surprised fans on social media by unveiling a dramatic new hairstyle, trading his signature longer locks for sleek boxer braids in what marks one of his boldest style transformations yet.
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#alcaraz #slam #barack #simone

Other NFL team previews: 32. Dolphins | 31. Jets | 30. Cardinals | 29. Browns | 28. ****** ans | 27. Raiders | 26. Falcons | 25. Giants | 24. Saints | 23. Panthers | 22. Buccaneers | 21. Colts | 20. Steelers | 19. Vikings | 18. Commanders | 17. Bengals | 16. Jaguars | 15. Packers | 14. Chargers | 13. 49ers | 12. Chiefs | 11. Bears | 10. Texans | 9. Eagles | 8. Cowboys | 7. Ravens | 6. Lions
There aren't many teams through NFL history who won 14 games and a conference championship.
The list of Super Bowl participants who won 14 games and then were ignored like the New England Patriots were this offseason might be a party of one.
It seems odd. The Patriots had a magnificent season with new coach Mike Vrabel, who won NFL Coach of the Year. Quarterback Drake Maye would have won NFL MVP in his second NFL season had just one voter flipped his or her first-place vote from Matthew Stafford to him. Typically, that profile gets hyped up all offseason as the next in line to win a Super Bowl or two. Instead, the most you've heard about the Patriots this offseason had to do with Vrabel's off-field missteps.
The Patriots being dismissed started late last season, when talk of strength of schedule crept into the conversation in a way it rarely has in NFL circles. It was the third easiest by DVOA since 1978, according to Aaron Schatz of FTN Fantasy, with only the 1991 Bills and 1999 Rams having an easier schedule. The chatter about strength of schedule probably cost Maye the MVP award. It was also probably overdone.

#offseason

Celtic's potential Champions League play-off opponents became slightly clearer after the latest second qualifying round ties, including a stunning comeback win by Danish champions AGF Aarhus.
The Scottish champions already knew that Norwegian counterparts Viking Stavanger and Austria's LASK are potential opponents as both have automatically qualified for the play-off round and will be on the unseeded side of the draw.
However, three other potential opponents will be decided by matches with first legs on 4/5 August and second legs on 11 August.
AGF were 4-1 down from their first leg at home to Polish champions Lech Poznan but stunned their hosts by scoring three times in 90 minutes to take the tie into extra time on Wednesday.
Lech, for whom former Celtic winger Luis Palma played the first 68 minutes, scored first in extra-time, but the Danes equalised before winning the penalty shoot-out.

#august #play

Training camp is finally underway, which means dominoes are going to start falling day by day in the quarterback battle between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy. Early on, there are not likely to be many nuggets that we get from camp, but head coach Kevin O'Connell did throw the media one bone.
Sports Illustrated's Will Ragatz shared that O'Connell told the media on Tuesday, July 28, that they will be splitting first-team reps in camp early on.
The offense is built to elevate the quarterbacks, even if they are looking for that relationship to be the other way. Both McCarthy and Murray are going to be with the best supporting cast and offensive line they have ever had. It may seem inconventional, but the offense will figure out the starter for the coaching staff by showing them who they work best with, not the other way around.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Both Vikings quarterbacks will get first team reps in training camp

#murray #Vikings #going

The Las Vegas Raiders did much to improve their roster this offseason. While the Raiders are still a developing team, they addressed areas of need well in preparation for next season.
Sports Illustrated's Eva Geitheim labeled the Raiders as the most improved team of the offseason due to the range of improvements that the team made dating back to last winter.
"The Raiders entered the offseason with more cap ***** e than any other team, and proceeded to use that money wisely by retooling their roster with the additions of Tyler Linderbaum, Quay Walker, Nakobe Dean, Kwity Paye and Jalen Nailor in free agency. Not only did the Raiders turn to the open market to bolster the roster, they changed the coaching staff—highlighted by the addition of Klint Kubiak, fresh off a Super Bowl win as the Seahawks' offensive coordinator—and used the No. 1 pick on Heisman Trophy–winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza."
Other teams around the league, including the Tennessee ***** ans, Cincinnati Bengals and Minnesota Vikings improved their rosters greatly this offseason as well. To the credit of the Raiders though, they made a multitude of moves that gave them the veteran and youthful talent that they need on the offensive line, at quarterback, running back and on defense for next season.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Are the Raiders the most improved team of the offseason?

#team #need #well #made

Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell continues to talk about the battle for the team's starting quarterback position.
Former Cardinals lightning rod Kyler Murray, in the eyes of many social media accounts, is the clear-cut No. 1 choice to start the season. Their opinions received a boost Wednesday, July 29, when Murray hit on a long touchdown pass to wide receiver Jordan Addison.
Murray, who turns 29 on Aug. 7, won the Heisman Trophy while at Oklahoma and was the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year after being selected No. 1 overall by Arizona in the 2019 NFL Draft.
He signed a one-year veteran's minimum contract with the Vikings during the offseason following his release from the Cardinals.

#kevin

Other NFL team previews: 32. Dolphins | 31. Jets | 30. Cardinals | 29. Browns | 28. ******* ans | 27. Raiders | 26. Falcons | 25. Giants | 24. Saints | 23. Panthers | 22. Buccaneers | 21. Colts | 20. Steelers | 19. Vikings | 18. Commanders | 17. Bengals | 16. Jaguars | 15. Packers | 14. Chargers | 13. 49ers | 12. Chiefs | 11. Bears | 10. Texans | 9. Eagles | 8. Cowboys | 7. Ravens
Dan Campbell wasn't happy with the Detroit Lions' 2025-26 season, nor should he have been.
He said the Lions underachieved. That's hard to argue after a 9-8 record and no playoff berth. He gave himself "a freaking F" for the job he did last season.
"But I really don't believe we're that far off," Campbell said. "There's a couple of things we can do, and I just want to make sure we go after it. I'm not saying we weren't hungry, but let's get that hunger back, and we're going to bring in some guys to compete."
After a season like the Lions just had, ******* ody wants to hear how they were actually better than their disappointing record. But they were.

#lions #record #cardinals #Browns

The Las Vegas Raiders have made one of the biggest decisions of training camp, and for now, they're putting their trust in NFL experience over potential.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, first-year head coach Klint Kubiak has named veteran Kirk Cousins as the team's starting quarterback ahead of their opening practice at training camp. While the decision isn't necessarily permanent, it signals that the Raiders believe Cousins gives them the best opportunity to win right now, even with one of the league's most highly anticipated rookies waiting in the wings.
MORE: Vikings to honor legend during 2026 NFL season
Jun 9, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarteback Kirk Cousins (8) during minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Kubiak made his stance clear about the quarterback competition. "When we go out to practice tomorrow, Kirk Cousins is the starting quarterback. He's the guy, and he deserves it because he's played really good football."

#made

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have suspended defensive backs coach Gerald Alexander for three weeks without pay following a drunken driving charge for an incident earlier this year.
The Vikings announced the punishment Tuesday as they began training camp. Alexander's suspension began Friday and will be in effect until Aug. 13, two days before their first preseason game at the New York Giants.
"I take full responsibility for the situation I put myself in and apologize for not meeting the mark," Alexander said in a statement released by the Vikings. "I know it's unacceptable. I understand the suspension and am committed to learning from the matter and ensuring I come back a better version of myself."
Alexander, who was also given the ****** le of defensive passing game coordinator, was hired in February to replace Daronte Jones, who became defensive coordinator of the Washington Commanders.
According to Hennepin County court records, Alexander pled guilty July 16 to a gross misdemeanor charge of third degree driving while impaired for refusal to submit to a chemical test. A fourth degree driving while impaired charge was dismissed. He was sentenced to 48 hours of community service, placed on two years of unsupervised probation and fined $603.

#defensive #began #suspension #coordinator

The Seattle Seahawks will be throwing it back to the 1990s for two of their nine home games this regular season.
Seattle's widely acclaimed throwback uniforms will be worn in primetime against a pair of high profile opponents:
Week 7 (Oct. 25) vs. Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football
Week 13 (Dec. 7) vs. Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football
The Seahawks are permitted up to three throwback games under the NFL's alternate uniform policy. Last year they had an iconic double throwback thriller with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who were also celebrating their 50th season and came out of Lumen Field as 38-35 winners. Seattle took its throwbacks on the road to Maryland for a 38-14 beatdown of the Washington Commanders on Sunday Night Football, before scoring a 26-0 shoutout win in the same unis against the Minnesota Vikings.

#night #throwback #seahawks

EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings quarterback competition is continuing into training camp.
Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy will split first-team snaps during the early portion of camp.
Head coach Kevin O'Connell met with each of his quarterbacks as they reported to camp this week to explain his vision and plan for managing snaps and determining who will start Week 1. O'Connell has an ideal timeline in mind for making a decision, he said Tuesday, though he declined to share it publicly.
"I told the quarterbacks: 'We don't need to make this 50-50,'" O'Connell said in an introductory news conference from team headquarters. "I know we'll be thorough. I know both guys will feel like they've gotten an opportunity to compete."
O'Connell expects Murray and McCarthy to have similar numbers of first-team reps initially but that gap will widen based off the structure of camp as well as what defensive coordinator Brian Flores is dialing up for his group at any time. Perhaps one quarterback will get more reps on a day because he's shown the coaches less third-down work so far, for example. Another day, a different emphasis could shift the evaluation.

#camp #mccarthy #quarterback #first

The Minnesota Vikings locked up one of their longest-tenured players on Tuesday, agreeing to an extension with right tackle Brian O'Neill, per Adam Schefter. According to Schefter, the deal is four years, $96 million, keeping O'Neill in purple through the 2030 season.
O'Neill was entering the final year of his deal, with no guaranteed money in the 2026 season. There was speculation that he may do a "hold-in" to protect himself in the case of injury until a new deal was done, but now he and the team don't have to worry about that scenario.
Veterans were set to report on Tuesday, with quarterbacks having done so on Monday and rookies on Sunday. So the deal removes any questions about O'Neill's short and long-term status with the team.
O'Neill is entering his ninth season with the team. If Harrison Smith retires, O'Neill will be the longest-tenured player on the roster. His 81.6 PFF grade in 2025 ranked second among all offensive players, even while fighting through injuries that held him out of three games.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Vikings sign star offensive tackle Brian O'Neill to an extension

#o 'neill #deal #team #brian

Running back Adrian Peterson played for seven NFL teams. He'll always be remembered as a Viking.
On Monday, November 9, the Vikings will induct Peterson into their Ring of Honor.
Peterson, who won the NFL's MVP award in 2012 with a near-record 2,097 rushing yards a season after suffering a torn ACL on Christmas Eve, ranks fifth on the all-time rushing list, with 14,918 yards. In ten years with the Vikings, he rushed for 11,747 yards.
Peterson's career was marred in 2014, when he missed nearly all of the season on paid leave following felony child-abuse charges that resulted in a no-contest plea to misdemeanor reckless ******* ault.
The following season, he led the league in rushing, with 1,485 yards.

#rushing