NFL makes decision on fan who got punched by DK Metcalf
The NFL deemed a punch from DK Metcalf more than enough pain for one Detroit Lions fan’s troubles this past week.
A Lions fan who identified himself as Ryan Kennedy got into an altercation with Metcalf during the second quarter of the Lions’ game Sunday against Metcalf’s Pittsburgh Steelers at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich.
Metcalf approached the fan, who was wearing a blue wig and was holding a Metcalf jersey in one hand, standing near the railing. After the two exchanged words, Metcalf threw a punch upwards. The attempted blow failed to connect, only grazing the fan slightly (video here).
Metcalf will be suspended for the Steelers’ final two games of the season. The fan, meanwhile, will not get punished by the NFL. According to a report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the league “will not take action” against Kennedy, with the reason being that “there was no violation of the fan code of conduct.”
Kennedy claimed that all he did was say Metcalf’s full government name to irk the Steelers star, while Metcalf’s side alleged that the fan made a more derogatory remark directed at the Pro Bowl wideout. It’s also reportedly not the first time Metcalf has had a run-in with the same fan.
The NFL appears to be siding with the fan on this one.
Paolo Banchero sends profane message over claim against him and Franz Wagner
Paolo Banchero did not hide his anger toward the chatter that he and Orlando Magic co-star Franz Wagner cannot coexist.
The Magic have had a better record so far this season when at least one of Banchero or Wagner is out of the lineup. Through 30 games, Orlando has been a mediocre 7-7 when both stars are available. The team has gone 10-6 otherwise
The unusual trend has some fans and media members wondering if the two Magic standouts play better when not sharing the court. Banchero doesn’t agree.
“I think that’s bull—,” Banchero said when asked about the theory by The Athletic’s Josh Robbins. “I’m not going to lie. People are going to say whatever they want to say about me, Franz and whoever. But we know that we’re at our strongest when both of us are out there on the floor.
“People say that the ball moves more (when only one of us is out there). I don’t think that’s true, honestly. I think sometimes you beat teams or you play certain games and it may look that way, but if you really watch and analyze, we play the same way every game. Nothing changes when somebody is out. We play the same way, especially on offense. Nothing really changes. I don’t buy too much into that (perception), but it is frustrating to see that and hear that just because, like I said, we’re at our best when both of us are out there.”
Fans and media members can oftentimes be a fickle bunch. When a team isn’t performing up to a certain standard, it doesn’t take long before some call start to question the makeup of the team.
Boston Celtics superstars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown went through that for years, with many claiming the two ball-dominant swingmen couldn’t thrive playing next to each other. They silenced their critics by winning the title, which may be what it’ll take for Banchero and Wagner to do the same.
One factor working against the Magic duo is that neither of them is a dependable three-point shooter. Both players are sub-33% outside shooters for their careers — something that likely has to change for Wagner and Banchero to play off one another better.
Everyone said the same thing after Thunder lost to Spurs
Fans are starting to sense a trend after the Oklahoma City Thunder lost to the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.
The Spurs dealt the Thunder their fourth loss of the season in a decisive 130-110 beatdown. The contest between the two Western Conference heavyweights remained tight up until the fourth quarter, when the Spurs took control of the game for good.
A Victor Wembanyama three-pointer gave the Spurs a 98-86 lead with nine minutes left in the quarter. The home team held onto the double-digit lead over the defending champs the rest of the way.
It’s the second time the Thunder have lost to the Spurs over the span of 11 days. OKC also lost to San Antonio in a 111-109 affair when the two sides faced off on Dec. 13 in the NBA Cup semifinals.
The Spurs have beaten the Thunder twice this month. 😳 pic.twitter.com/TvpCpautX1
— theScore (@theScore) December 24, 2025
The Thunder’s first three losses were by a combined nine points. The 20-point drubbing on Tuesday was the first time OKC looked mortal all season.
Several fans raised the possibility that the Spurs may be the Thunder’s Kryptonite.
The Spurs may actually be the biggest threat to the Thunder this year.
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) December 24, 2025
Can’t believe this game isn’t on national TV for everyone to see.
Spurs looking like the OKC Thunder's achilles heel
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) December 24, 2025
spurs beat the thunder twice ? pic.twitter.com/n6gVWpPn7n
— Coach Rome (@Rome_Beast) December 24, 2025
I can’t believe I’m typing this, but the Spurs have the Thunder’s number. I thought nobody did. They do.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) December 24, 2025
In all fairness to the Thunder, they were on the second night of a back-to-back on the road. Those conditions are widely considered scheduled losses for even the best team.
The real winners are the fans, who get to watch the Spurs and Thunder duke it out again on OKC’s home turf two days later.
Pirates break a crazy streak of cheapness with latest free agent signing
The Pittsburgh Pirates have finally managed to snap their own streak of tightness.
Word broke on Tuesday that the Pirates have signed first baseman Ryan O’Hearn in free agency. Robert Murray of FanSided reports that O’Hearn has gotten a two-year, $29 million deal from Pittsburgh (including $500,000 in performance bonuses for each season).
In the wake of the O’Hearn signing, an insane fact went viral on social media. O’Hearn now becomes the first very free agent to have landed a multi-year deal from the Pirates since pitcher Ivan Nova all the way back in 2016.
Ryan O'Hearn's reported 2-year, $29M deal with the Pirates is their first multi-year free agent deal since they signed Ivan Nova to 3-year, $26M contract on December 27, 2016 pic.twitter.com/O0FEBf8dnS
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) December 23, 2025
Nova, now 38 years old, has not pitched in Major League Baseball since 2020 and has not pitched professionally at all since the 2022 season with the SSG Landers of the KBO League in South Korea. But somehow, he was the most recent player before O’Hearn to land a multi-year free agent deal from Pittsburgh.
The lefty-hitting O’Hearn batted .281 last season with 17 home runs and 63 RBIs over 144 games combined between the Baltimore Orioles and the San Diego Padres. In addition to first base, the 32-year-old O’Hearn is capable of playing in the outfield and at designated hitter as well.
As for the notoriously miserly Pirates, their sudden offseason “spending spree” may actually be the result of salary-floor and revenue-sharing considerations (as was the case last year with another small-market penny-pincher in the Athletics). Still, Pittsburgh also has a generational pitcher in Paul Skenes to keep happy, so they have a competitive incentive to open up their checkbooks now as well.
Photos of Ben Simmons fuel speculation that he has been shooting with the wrong hand
Recent photos of Ben Simmons have emerged fueling the longstanding speculation that he has been using the wrong shooting hand for his entire career.
Simmons, who shoots left-handed, has not signed with any NBA team so far this season. With a lot of free time on his hands, the former All-Star has taken on some new hobbies. Simmons recently purchased the South Florida Sails, a pro fishing team competing in the Sport Fishing Championship.
Photos of Simmons fishing have since emerged online, which show the former Defensive Player of the Year finalist casting with his right hand and retrieving with his left. The form is common among right-handed anglers to keep their dominant hand on the fishing rod.
The photos were posted by NBA reporter Kevin O’Connor, who has long been the unofficial conductor of the “Ben Simmons is a righty” train.
Ben Simmons casts right and retrieves left, a technique that allows right-handed anglers to keep their dominant hand on the rod for maximum control.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnor) December 23, 2025
The evidence is overwhelming that he shot the basketball with the wrong hand. https://t.co/hrQCj2rteq pic.twitter.com/Rquoqhofru
Simmons is reportedly ambidextrous, which would usually be seen as an advantage on the basketball court. However, his ability to use both hands casts doubt on whether or not he has been using the proper shooting hand this entire time.
The fishing photos added to the pile of evidence that Simmons, a dreadful outside shooter, picked the wrong hand. In 2018, Simmons turned heads when he threw right-handed on a perfect first pitch strike at a Philadelphia Phillies game. Simmons’ former teammate, JJ Redick, has gone on record saying that he believes Ben is a true righty after spending several seasons together.
Despite sporting one of the shakiest jump shots in NBA history, Simmons was still one of the best players in the NBA in his prime. Imagine how good he could’ve been if he had learned to shoot from the (allegedly) correct side.
David Montgomery appears to throw shade at Lions over social media
The Detroit Lions are on the brink of being eliminated from playoff contention, and now they may have a problem on their hands with David Montgomery as well.
Montgomery, the veteran running back for the Lions, caused a stir on Tuesday due to his social media activity. In a post to his Instagram Story, Montgomery shared a picture from his locker featuring his jersey facing backwards (so that it read “Montgomery” rather than “Lions”).
Lions RB David Montgomery posted this picture on his Instagram story pic.twitter.com/dCDw4Kscy7
— 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔇𝔢𝔱𝔯𝔬𝔦𝔱 𝔗𝔦𝔪𝔢𝔰 📰 (@the_det_times) December 23, 2025
Even more glaring was the comment that Montgomery proceeded to “like” on the platform. Montgomery “liked” a comment from a fan underneath one of his Instagram posts that called on him to request a trade from Detroit.
“I love you bro, but you should request a trade,” the fan’s comment to Montgomery read. “The way they’re treating you and glazing [Jahmyr] Gibbs is atrocious. Look what happens when we don’t use you. We lose.”
Here is a screenshot of Montgomery’s “like,” which he has since removed.
David Montgomery liked this Instagram reply… pic.twitter.com/k66DFcbTJp
— (@the_det_times) December 23, 2025
The 28-year-old Montgomery was heavily featured by the Lions alongside Gibbs last season. He rushed 185 times for 775 yards and 12 touchdowns over 14 games as Detroit went 15-2. But this season, Montgomery has taken a backseat to Gibbs in the gameplan, rushing 140 times for 649 yards and eight touchdowns over 15 games as the Lions are now just 8-7.
Montgomery is signed with Detroit through the 2027 season, pursuant to an extension that he signed with the team in Oct. 2024. But in the midst of a frustrating 2025 campaign for both player and team, Montgomery might now be eyeing the possibility of a trade (which would be an abrupt 180 given how well-liked Montgomery is in the city).
Dak Prescott makes guarantee for Cowboys’ 2026 season
Dak Prescott is already trying to erase the 2025 season from his memory with a few games left in the campaign.
The Dallas Cowboys quarterback spoke to reporters Tuesday ahead of his team’s Christmas Day clash against the Washington Commanders. With the Cowboys no longer in the playoff hunt, Prescott made a guarantee to the team’s fan base for next season.
“We won’t be back here in this spot,” Prescott said, via ESPN’s Todd Archer.
Ironically, Prescott followed up by admitting that he’s made similar promises in the past that he hasn’t kept, specifically about not crashing out early in the postseason. He harped on doing other things beyond his individual preparation that could help the team avoid another disastrous campaign.
“I feel like the last few times I’ve said that were playoff losses,” Prescott added. “Each year has its own troubles. Each year has its own highs, lows, ebbs and flows and everything within it. The importance is controlling what you can. I’m going to do my damnedest, controlling what I can and as you get older, I think having more input, having more say so and being asked more questions from the front office.
“Maybe there’s a little bit more that I can do, and it’s not physically or me getting better at my game. Maybe it’s speaking up and saying that this will help or I think this can help. Whatever it takes, once again I’m going to do my damnedest and make sure that I’m influencing and encouraging everybody else around me, not just the players, to do the same.”
Prescott has had a solid season from a statistical standpoint. Through 15 games this season, the Cowboys QB has tallied a league-best 378 completions for 4,175 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
Dallas’ latest three-game slide, however, dropped the team out of playoff contention. The Philadelphia Eagles officially knocked the Cowboys out Saturday with their win over the Washington Commanders to seal the NFC East crown.
Despite no longer having anything to play for, Prescott stayed firm that he would play in the final two games of the season. The veteran QB said that he “would fight” head coach Brian Schottenheimer if there were conversations about taking any days off.
Joel Embiid suffers another concerning knee injury during game
Joel Embiid’s rotten luck with knee injuries has reared its ugly head again.
The Philadelphia 76ers star suffered another apparent injury to his knee during Tuesday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets. In the third quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pa., Embiid was trying to get into position down low during an offensive possession.
Unfortunately for Embiid, Nets swingman Terance Mann cut in front of him in an attempt to rotate out to the three-point line defensively. That resulted in Embiid taking a bad step, and going down in a heap, clutching his right knee in pain.
Embiid was rolling around on the ground in apparent agony, but he was eventually able to get up and walk off the court under his own power. Here is the video.
Joel Embiid appeared to go down with a knee injury vs. the Nets. He was able to walk off the court on his own. pic.twitter.com/hx1Ot6Pfxq
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 24, 2025
Mann was whistled for a personal foul on the play. Meanwhile, Embiid remarkably returned to the contest later on in the third quarter after only missing a shade under five total minutes of actual game action.
If there is any silver lining for the former MVP Embiid, that was at least his right knee and not the troublesome left knee that has been giving him problems for almost two full calendar years now (with one earlier report even calling Embiid’s left knee issues “debilitating”). But Embiid has once again been in and out of the lineup for the 76ers this season, averaging an underwhelming 20.5 points and 6.6 rebounds over a career-low 26.2 minutes per game across just 11 total appearances. Now the 31-year-old seven-footer has yet another knee problem to watch out for, even if he was able to bounce back from it fairly quickly to return to Tuesday’s game against the Nets.
ESPN messed up their Dillon Brooks-LeBron James graphic so badly
ESPN somehow managed multiple swings-and-misses on a single NBA graphic this week.
During Tuesday afternoon’s edition of “SportsCenter,” ESPN aired a graphic previewing LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers’ upcoming Christmas Day game this week. The graphic read, “Dillon Brooks, LeBron face off in Christmas matchup.”
It also featured James in his Lakers jersey and Brooks in his [checks notes] Houston Rockets jersey. Take a look.
ESPN, man.
— Witness King James (@WITNESSKJ) December 23, 2025
Look closely… pic.twitter.com/n2fCyOhwBB
So there were a couple of problems with that one. Most glaringly, Brooks is no longer with the Rockets and is instead on the Phoenix Suns (having been included in the blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant over the offseason).
For another, Brooks and James will not even be playing each other on Christmas Day. Brooks and the Suns are facing James and the Lakers on Tuesday. The Lakers will then face the Rockets instead on Christmas Day (with Brooks and the Suns not even scheduled to play on Christmas at all).
Some mistakes are inevitable when you air as much sports content as The Worldwide Leader does. But that was still a pretty embarrassing whiff on their part and one that was not all that surprising given ESPN’s history of oversight when it comes to their NBA graphics.
LaMelo Ball gets heated with Kyshawn George after a flagrant foul
LaMelo Ball was almost ready to throw hands during Tuesday’s game.
Ball and the Charlotte Hornets matched up on Tuesday against Kyshawn George and the Washington Wizards. In the first quarter at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C., Ball got body-checked out of bounds by George as he went up for a shot at the rim.
As a result, Ball popped up and tried to go after George. Ball was held back by Hornets teammate Sion James before he could get there though.
Here is the video of the sequence.
Lamelo Ball was fired up after the hard foul.
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) December 24, 2025
pic.twitter.com/8kiNBBHJfB
Upon review by the officials, George received a flagrant 1 foul for the play. Hornets forward Miles Bridges also got a technical foul for shoving George off-camera afterwards. Meanwhile, Ball was likely saved from a T of his own by James’ quick thinking there.
The former All-Star Ball, who is averaging 19.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 8.6 assists per game so far this season for the 9-20 Hornets, is usually the one who initiates things with opponents during games (often times by taunting). But during Tuesday’s game, it was George who managed to get under Ball’s skin with that hard flagrant foul.
Draymond Green reportedly frustrated about 1 thing with Warriors
Draymond Green’s mini-Antonio Brown moment this week may have been a while in the making.
The Golden State Warriors veteran forward Green made headlines on Monday night by walking off the bench after a heated exchange with head coach Steve Kerr. In the third quarter against the Orlando Magic at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., Green could be seen having a disagreement with Kerr during a timeout huddle.
In response, Green then walked off the floor and headed straight for the locker room. He did not play for the final 22-plus minutes of the game, but the Warriors still managed to cruise to the 120-97 victory over the Magic.
On Tuesday, Marc J. Spears of ESPN shared some context about the moment. During an appearance on “NBA Today,” Spears revealed that Green has been frustrated with the Warriors about having to defend much heavier centers on a regular basis this season.
Marc Spears:
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) December 23, 2025
"I'm hearing to that Draymond's a little frustrated with having to guard centers and having the guys that are 40-50 pounds heavier than him on a nightly basis" pic.twitter.com/h5966xV8Z5
The Warriors just lost longtime frontcourt mainstay Kevon Looney in free agency over the offseason to the New Orleans Pelicans. With younger players like Quinton Post, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Jonathan Kuminga moving in and out of the rotation this season, that has indeed left the majority of the center minutes to go to the 6-foot-6 Green in small-ball lineups.
Green did operate as the de facto center for the majority of the Warriors’ four championship runs over the last decade. But those teams were far more switchable defensively, and Green is also a lot older now at 35 years old.
Frustrations are clearly boiling over at this point for the former Defensive Player of the Year Green, who also drew his first ejection of the season a few days ago for shoving an opponent. With the Warriors sitting at just 15-15 as well (eighth in the Western Conference), something is clearly not working with their gameplan right now.
Caleb Williams has a message to his doubters after leading Bears to playoffs
Caleb Williams has earned himself a bit of a victory lap after silencing his critics for the time being.
The Chicago Bears quarterback helped his team clinch a playoff spot on Saturday via a 22-16 overtime win over their division-rival Green Bay Packers. Williams led the 11-4 Bears to one of the most improbable comebacks in recent memory, thoroughly electrifying the crowd at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill.
There may still be questions about Williams going forward, but the city and its fans have clearly embraced him as the team’s franchise QB.
Williams spoke to reporters on Tuesday and was asked if he felt any individual satisfaction over what he’s accomplished with the team. The USC product didn’t deny feeling a sense of validation, citing all the naysayers who never believed he could reach this point.
“I wasn’t the biggest, I wasn’t the strongest, I wasn’t the tallest, fastest, whatever the case may be,” Williams said. “I get drafted here, told that I’m not a special player, told that I’m not a good fit here, told that Coach and I won’t work, told I can’t win here. So I know that’s going to keep going on, but I do take a little satisfaction, being able to help this team, help this organization, and be a part of it to get to the playoffs.
“My goal isn’t just to get to the playoffs — my goal is to win and win big. I’m going to keep my head down, I’m going to keep growing for the guys in this building, for the coaches, for this organization, and for this city to be able to be proud and happy to be supporters of the Chicago Bears.”
Williams went 19/34 for 250 yards with a pair of touchdowns in the playoff-clinching win. But the numbers didn’t tell the whole story.
Trailing by 10 points with just over two minutes left in the contest, the Bears had zero margin for error the rest of the way. Williams made every critical throw down the stretch to make it happen, completing the comeback with an incredible walk-off TD pass to DJ Moore in overtime.
Bears fans also have Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs to thank for his late blunder that allowed Williams to put his Superman cape on and save the day.
Donovan Mitchell drops scathing assessment amid Cavs’ struggles
The Cleveland Cavaliers have lost eight of their last 12 games entering a Tuesday night showdown against the New Orleans Pelicans at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
The Cavs defeated the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night, 139-132, in Cleveland, snapping a three-game losing streak. While that was a small glimpse of hope, Cavs star Donovan Mitchell had a brutally honest assessment amid the team’s ongoing struggles.
“We’re 29 games in. We’re not a playoff team right now; we’re not playing like it. We have the talent. We have the group, but we’re not playing like it,” Mitchell said. “We just gotta find it.”
Donovan Mitchell:
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) December 23, 2025
"We're not a playoff team right now, we're not playing like it" pic.twitter.com/DkZaECWebC
At the end of last season, the Cavs finished 64-18 with the top seed in the Eastern Conference. They lost to the Indiana Pacers in five games in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, and the Cavs entered the 2025-26 season with plenty of hope.
So, the struggles going on with the Cavs right now are frustrating for everybody, and Mitchell did not hold back one bit.
Injuries certainly haven’t helped, as the Cavs’ star core of Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen has played just four games together entering Tuesday night.
Cleveland fans have even been booing the Cavs during games recently, although Mitchell said at the time, “I’d boo us too”.
Mitchell is doing all he can. He entered Tuesday with 30.7 points per game in 27 games to lead the Cavs and rank fourth in the NBA behind Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Maxey.
The good news for the Cavs is that there is a lot of basketball left to be played this season. But, as Mitchell said, they have to find it. If not, they could miss the playoffs just a year after being the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Cavs face off against the New York Knicks on Christmas Day at Madison Square Garden in New York and then face the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs on the road before returning to Cleveland for a New Year’s Eve game against the Phoenix Suns.
MLB player found out he was traded while playing golf
Trades in sports can happen anytime. And, for players who are involved in those trades, it can be an unexpected experience.
On Monday, New York Mets infielder Jeff McNeil was traded to the Athletics, and he even revealed that he was playing golf at TPC Monterey when he got numerous phone calls and text messages from GM David Stearns.
“I had a text from Stearns going, ‘Hey, please give me a call,’” McNeil said, via Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. “I was like, ‘I one hundred percent just got traded.’ I knew it was a possibility. I took that phone call. It was a quick phone call. I thanked him for everything and he thanked me for everything.”
McNeil added it was “definitely a crazy day” as he was traded for the first time in his MLB career.
McNeil, 33, is a former All-Star, and the Mets acquired 17-year-old pitcher Yordan Rodriguez in exchange for McNeil.
It’s the latest in a series of moves for the Mets, including Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz leaving in free agency and Brandon Nimmo also being traded earlier in the offseason.
McNeil was drafted by the Mets in the 12th round in the 2013 MLB Draft.
While McNeil admitted it was a hectic day, he did finish his round of golf and seems excited about his new team.
“Just a super fun, young team. They have a great young core,” McNeil said, via MLB.com. “I just want to do my part to help them out. I’m super excited to be a part of it. I think we’re going to have a good squad.”
Why Brooks Koepka is leaving LIV Golf
Ever since LIV Golf began in 2022, Brooks Koepka has been a part of it. However, that is now over.
On Tuesday, Koepka, the captain of Smash GC, announced that he is leaving LIV Golf to spend more time at home with his family.
“Brooks Koepka will be stepping away from LIV Golf,” according to a statement from his management team released by LIV Golf. “Family has always guided Brooks’s decisions, and he feels this is the right moment to spend more time at home.”
LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil also released a statement showing support for Koepka.
“We have amicably and mutually agreed that Brooks Koepka will no longer compete in the LIV Golf League, following the 2025 season. Brooks is prioritizing the needs of his family and staying closer to home.”
In October, Koepka’s wife, Jena Sims, posted on social media that she had suffered a miscarriage after 16 weeks and said they were “devastated” with the loss.
Since joining LIV, Koepka has won the 2023 PGA Championship, and he was previously with the PGA Tour before leaving for LIV.
This past season, Koepka finished 31st in individual points and missed the cut in three of four majors this season, so it’s been a struggle all around for Koepka.
LIV Golf posted a thank-you message to Koepka on X.
Thank you, @BKoepka pic.twitter.com/Z4brvVd76e
— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) December 23, 2025
The PGA Tour also posted a statement, wishing Koepka and his family “continued success.”
With Koepka leaving, Talor Gooch is the new captain of Smash GC.
While it remains to be seen what the future in golf holds for Koepka, if he wants back in the PGA Tour, he will have to formally reapply.
Patriots get promising injury update two weeks before NFL playoffs
The New England Patriots’ hopes of making a Super Bowl run might have gotten a little better going into Week 17.
On Tuesday, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel stated that star defensive tackle Milton Williams will have his 21-day practice window opened, via team reporter Evan Lazar.
Williams suffered a high ankle sprain in the Week 11 game against the New York Jets and was placed on Injured Reserve after that. He has missed the past four games, and this week was the first week he was eligible to come off IR.
Williams was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft and played the first four seasons with the Eagles.
After winning the Super Bowl, Williams left the Eagles and then landed a four-year, $104 million deal with the Patriots in the 2025 offseason.
Williams got off to a strong start, totaling 14 solo tackles with 3.5 sacks in 11 games before suffering the injury.
The Patriots are hopeful Williams can return before the regular season ends, and the standout DT said he just has to see how the injury feels, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.
“I’m feeling good. Just have to see how it responds. If all goes well, it will be a good thing for the Patriots,” Williams said on Tuesday.
The Patriots face the New York Jets on the road in Week 17 before finishing the regular season against the Miami Dolphins in Foxborough, and having Williams back would be a huge boost to the defense as New England tries to secure the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
Ben Simmons has purchased a pro fishing team
Ben Simmons did not land an NBA job for this season, but that has given him extra time to focus on his interest in professional fishing.
Simmons is now the controlling operator of the South Florida Sails of the Sport Fishing Championship. The league was founded in 2021, and features other celebrity owners such as Randy Moss and Scottie Scheffler.
While Simmons has not given up on his NBA career, he is clearly passionate about his new side gig.
“It’s a very niche sport. And if you don’t know, you don’t know,” Simmons told Marc J. Spears of Andscape. “But once you experience it and get out there and see what it’s about, you’re kind of in awe of what the sport is. And that’s just something I’ve always been interested in in terms of the sport of fishing. The technique. And there’s so much to it that people just don’t understand. These guys are fishing on million-dollar vessels, and they’re out for days at a time. So, it’s tedious and gritty, but a lot of fun. It’s one of those worlds where you just got to kind of experience it, get into it and see what it’s about.”
Simmons said he is still hopeful of landing on an NBA roster somewhere around the All-Star break, but emphasized that he would want to pick the right team to land on.
For now, Simmons appears to be content with his fishing ventures. The 30-year-old is not on a team this year, though it is not clear if that was by choice or simply because nothing came his way. He does maintain, however, that he would still like to return to the NBA.
Simmons split last season between the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers. He averaged just 5.0 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds in 22 minutes per game.
Maxx Crosby had brutally honest comment about tanking
Sunday’s game between the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders could prove decisive in determining who lands the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Just don’t tell that to Maxx Crosby.
The Raiders’ star pass rusher made it clear Tuesday that he is not devoting any thought to the team potentially benefitting from a loss to the Giants.
“Yeah, I don’t give a s–t about the pick. I don’t play for that,” Crosby said, via Ryan McFadden of ESPN.
Crosby did not need to convince anyone of that reality. He has recently been seen berating teammates during games even though the Raiders have nothing to play for except pride. The Raiders may not be going to the playoffs, but Crosby is not letting that lead to a drop in his standards.
The Raiders and Giants both enter Sunday’s game at 2-13 and having lost nine straight games. Las Vegas would not clinch the No. 1 pick with a loss, but a victory would all but eliminate them from the race. For a team in dire need of a long-term answer at quarterback, there is likely a certain allure to the possibility of landing that pick. Don’t expect the Raiders to actually play with that mindset, though.
Philip Rivers had classy gesture after Monday’s loss
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers did not come out on the winning end of Monday night’s game, but he still had a classy gesture for his opponent after the defeat.
Rivers made sure to wait up for San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters after the 49ers’ 48-27 win at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, In. Winters had a pick-six off Rivers during the game that essentially finished off the Colts.
I thought this was cool… After the game, Philip Rivers waited around for Dee Winters, who scored the pick 6 off of him, to dap him up & exchange pleasantries… pic.twitter.com/eXPhQMe0J8
— Omar Ruiz (@OmarDRuiz) December 23, 2025
The gesture meant a lot to Winters, who noted that he grew up watching Rivers play.
“Just watching (Rivers) play growing up, and then getting to play against him and have a pick six against him … I appreciate him for coming up and speaking with me,” Winters said, via Vic Tafur of The Athletic.
Rivers is a full 19 years older than Winters. The linebacker debuted in the NFL in 2023, while Rivers had not played an NFL snap since 2020 until making his comeback with the Colts.
Despite the pick-six, Rivers was actually quite good on Monday night. The fact that the Colts defense gave up 41 points had a lot more to do with the loss than anything the quarterback did or did not do.
DK Metcalf could be sued over his confrontation with a Lions fan
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf is already in trouble on the field for his interaction with a Detroit Lions fan during Sunday’s game. He may have a problem off the field as well.
Metcalf seemingly threw a punch at a fan during the game at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich., but his camp claimed after the game that the fan, identified as Ryan Kennedy provoked him by using racial and misogynistic slurs about Metcalf and his mother. On Monday, attorneys working on Kennedy’s behalf denied those allegations, and threatened Metcalf with a lawsuit over them.
“Ryan Kennedy categorically denies using the ‘N-word,’ the ‘C-word,’ or any racial, misogynistic, or hate-based slur during the incident that occurred on December 21, 2025 at Ford Field during the Pittsburgh Steelers-Detroit Lions game,” the statement said. “These allegations are completely false.”
The statement noted that Kennedy has dealt with threats since the game, and strongly indicated that Metcalf would be facing a defamation suit.
“Because this matter will now likely be the subject of formal legal proceedings, Mr. Kennedy will not comment further at this time,” the statement added.
Ryan Kennedy, the fan involved in the DK Metcalf altercation Sunday, has issued a statement through an attorney “categorically denying using the “N-word,” the “C-word,” or any racial, misogynistic, or hate-based slur during the incident.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) December 22, 2025
“These allegations are completely false.” pic.twitter.com/pQUbBYa0ww
Kennedy has claimed he set Metcalf off by addressing the wide receiver using his government name. The video of the incident that has surfaced from the stands has not done anything to either confirm or deny Metcalf’s claims.
The NFL took the situation seriously enough to hand Metcalf a two-game suspension, though the wide receiver is appealing. If the punishment is upheld, he may have cost himself a lot of money with his actions.
