Month: September 2024

Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert exited Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers after appearing to re-aggravate the high-ankle sprain that he first suffered in a Week 2 win against the Carolina Panthers, and sidelined him in practice leading up to Sunday’s game.

Herbert left the game in the third quarter after being sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts; the sack on Herbert appeared to tweak a high ankle sprain that he suffered last week. Herbert was initially ruled as questionable heading into Sunday, but was active ahead of the matchup.

Herbert was brought to the medical tent for further examination, and during the third-quarter break Los Angeles announced he was officially questionable to return but he did not play the entire fourth quarter. The Chargers went on to lose for the first time this season, 20-10; Pittsburgh (3-0) remained undefeated behind quarterback Justin Fields. After the game, Herbert was wearing a walking boot, according to The Athletic’s Daniel Popper.

Before exiting the game, Herbert completed 12 of his 18 passes for 125 passing yards, including a 27-yard touchdown to Quentin Johnson.  Herbert was replaced by backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke, but it wasn’t enough to hold off the Steelers quarterback Justin Fields, who threw 245 yards, with two touchdowns.

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Philadelphia wide receiver DeVonta Smith and right tackle Lane Johnson both were forced to exit the Eagles’ matchup against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday after suffering concussions. The Eagles went on to defeat the Saints 15-12.

Smith left early in the fourth quarter after colliding with defensive tackle Khristian Boyd. Smith remained on the ground for several minutes while his teammates gathered around him, and footage showing head coach Nick Sirianni placing a hand on his knee before Smith eventually got up and walked off the field. Smith had seven catches, for 79 yards (11.3 avg), before exiting.

In addition, Johnson exited in the first half after being evaluated in the medical tent, and went on to be replaced by Fred Johnson. Other injuries for the Eagles included right guard Mekhi Becton (finger) and receiver/returner Britain Covey (shoulder), who also exited the game as a result.

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The PGA of America announced that LIV Golf players will be eligible to play in the Ryder Cup and the PGA Championship. The PGA said in a statement that “all LIV Golf players are eligible for the PGA Championship and any American player who qualifies for the Ryder Cup on points or is added to the U.S. team as a captain’s pick is eligible to compete.” 

However, the PGA’s statement did not specify how players might become eligible for the PGA Championship, as there are no direct avenues via the LIV Golf League. The statement read: “To ensure the PGA Championship will continue to deliver the strongest field in golf and that the U.S. Ryder Cup team will continue to have access to the best American players, the PGA of America board has determined that LIV Golf players will be eligible for both,” the PGA said in a statement. “Going forward, all LIV Golf players are eligible for the PGA Championship and any American player who qualifies for the Ryder Cup on points or is added to the U.S. team as a captain’s pick is eligible to compete. This is consistent with LIV Golf players competing in the PGA Championship the past two years. Brooks Koepka was a member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team last year.”

Due to his victory at the 2023 PGA Championship (in part), Brooks Koepka played on last year’s Ryder Cup team as a member of LIV; similarly, LIV players have competed at the PGA Championship the last few seasons, primarily because of their existing eligibility from wins they accrued prior to joining LIV Golf.

The PGA of America is a distinct organization from the PGA Tour, which is involved in ongoing discussions about the future of golf with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, LIV Golf’s financial backer.

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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp will not be place on the injured reserve list, despite dealing with a high-ankle sprain.  Kupp injured his ankle during the Rams’ 41–10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday and had to be helped to the locker room. This is the fourth time since the 2022 season that Kupp has dealt with an ankle injury.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport posted: “#Rams star WR Cooper Kupp suffered a high-ankle sprain in LA’s loss on Sunday, and he’ll spend the next week or so in a cast helping the swelling calm down, sources said. The team did not place him on Injured Reserve, as there is still a chance he’s ready within four weeks.”  Following the game, Kupp was seen wearing a walking boot on his left leg as he left the locker room. He will wear a cast for at least the next week to assist in minimizing any swelling before he begins rehab, but will not require surgery.

Rams coach Sean McVay had told reporters Monday that Kupp was expected to miss “an extended period of time…I don’t want to put any expectations on — I know he’s going to want to be back as soon as he can, but I don’t want to put any expectations or unnecessary things on him. He’s going to do everything in his power to get back, whenever that is.”  It now appears Kupp now could return in less than four weeks given the Rams’ decision.

Prior to leaving Sunday’s game, Kupp had four receptions for 37 yards. In Week 1’s loss to the Detroit Lions, he caught 14 passes for 110 yards and one touchdown. Kupp’s injury leaves the Rams without their top two receivers, as  Puka Nacua is expected to be out 5-7 weeks after sustaining a sprained PCL in his right knee against Detroit, and was placed on injured reserve.

Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson are expected to take over as the Rams’ top receivers in Kupp and Nacua’s absence. Robinson has six catches for 11 yards this season, while Johnson has seven receptions for 99 yards.

The Rams (0–2) host the San Francisco 49ers (1–1) in Week 3 on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET.

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