LSU football suffered a gut-wrenching loss in the first week of spring practice, with LSU edge rusher Gabe Reliford suffering an ACL tear that will likely keep him off the field for most, if not all, of the 2026 season.
Reliford, a former four-star recruit, was expected to make a serious impact in his junior season for the Tigers. He played three games last season before a rotator cuff injury ended his season, but Reliford showed some real potential in that short stretch.
Now, it appears Tigers fans will likely have to wait another year before getting to see Reliford fully unleashed.
In the meantime, LSU needs to figure out how to replace Reliford’s production. The Tigers did a solid job of adding impact players through the transfer portal, but the edge position still seems a bit thin beyond transfer Princewill Umanmielen. Here are two Tigers who are the top candidates to replace Reliford on the Tigers’ defense.
Jordan Ross
Ross signed with Tennessee out of high school, ranked as the No. 9 overall player and No. 1 edge in the 2024 recruiting class, but his first two seasons in Knoxville didn’t feature the level of play you’d expect from that caliber of recruit. However, with his athletic profile and 6-5, 246-pound frame, Ross was still a top transfer, ranked as the No. 6 edge rusher in the portal by 247Sports.
Although he didn’t get many starts, Ross showed flashes of brilliance. His 16.1% pass rush win rate was a top 10 mark among SEC edge rushers with 100 or more pass rush snaps, per PFF. His 13 pressures and two sacks on the season were far from impressive, but if he can develop some this offseason under LSU defensive line coach Sterling Lucas, Ross could make a serious impact this upcoming season.
Although LSU has edge rushers Jaylen Brown, Damien Shanklin, and Dylan Carpenter on the roster, some believe Brown — a true freshman — could see significant reps on the edge for LSU in 2026. Brown was the No. 1 recruit in the 2026 recruiting class, and at 6-4 and 295 pounds, he’s expected to play defensive end for the Tigers next season.
Although Brown aligned mostly along the interior defensive line in high school, he appears to have the athletic ability to be a force outside as well. With the depth LSU has on the interior of the defensive line coming into next season, it would be fantastic if Brown could make an impact on the edge during his freshman year — especially given the Reliford news.
📹 Brazil lead Croatia in final test before squad announcement
In Orlando, Florida, in the United States, the Brazilian National Team is leading Croatia 1-0 this Tuesday (31).
In the final friendly before the squad announcement for the 2026 World Cup, on May 18, Brazil troubled its 2022 tormentors at times in the first half.
Goalkeeper Livakovic, for example, made three good saves in the opening half.
However, on a deadly counterattack led by Vini Jr down the left after a corner for the Croatians, Danilo Santos struck beautifully to put Brazil ahead on the scoreboard.
For the second half, what can coach Carlo Ancelotti do to further improve the Seleção’s performance in the friendly?
The Los Angeles Lakers will have some big and important decisions to make this summer. A number of their key players, including LeBron James, will become free agents once this season ends, and the team is projected to have at least roughly $50 million in salary cap space. As a result, its roster could look significantly different come October.
There has been lots of talk that the Lakers will make a run at Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and possibly use that cap space to go after him. But according to Dave McMenamin and Tim Bontemps of ESPN, they may instead prioritize keeping enough of their current core together.
“L.A. will have close to $50 million in projected cap space this summer with James’ $52.6 million and Rui Hachimura’s $18.3 million salaries off the books, assuming both Deandre Ayton ($8.1 million) and Marcus Smart ($5.4 million) pick up their player options,” McMenamin and Bontemps wrote.
“The Lakers aren’t expected to take that $50 million and give it to another star instead of James. They have interest in re-signing [Austin] Reaves, Jaxson Hayes and Luke Kennard, team sources told ESPN, not to mention Hachimura, if the price is right. Reaves will decline a $14.9 million player option and enter unrestricted free agency, sources familiar with his plans told ESPN.
“He will have a $20.9 million free agent cap hold, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, which will leave Los Angeles at that $50 million cap space number no matter how close Reaves’ new deal comes to the five-year, $241 million max contract he is eligible to sign.”
Many people around the NBA have expected Reaves, who has emerged as a bona fide star, and the Lakers to eventually agree on a new contract this offseason. Kennard, a sharpshooter Los Angeles acquired just before the trade deadline, is averaging 8.7 points in 21.8 minutes a game while shooting 55.9% from the field and 48.1% from 3-point range since coming to the team. Hayes has played very well this season in relief of Ayton and, at times, has gotten crunch-time minutes, especially in recent weeks.
Hachimura may be a bit tougher to keep, given his ability to score and the fact that he’s only 28 years of age. He’s putting up 11.1 points in 28.4 minutes per game and shooting 50.7% overall and 43.3% from downtown this season.
Maye, who kicked things off with a vacation to Tokyo, has since returned stateside and attended a few sporting events — kicking things off by taking in a basketball game in his hometown between the Charlotte Hornets and New York Knicks, before returning to his home away from home and watching the Boston Bruins take on the Dallas Stars on Tuesday at TD Garden.
SEATTLE – Late in Aaron Boone’s pregame session Tuesday, the Yankees manager mentioned a potential setback with Carlos Rodon – unrelated to the lefty’s offseason elbow procedure.
Rodon is dealing with some degree of right hamstring tightness, following his running on Tuesday.
Boone said he’s unsure if the issue might delay Rodon’s rehab at all, but “we’ll see what we have there” in the coming days.
Rodon’s next scheduled outing was set for Class AA Somerset, following Sunday’s three simulated innings (50 pitches). Boone indicated the club’s initial belief that it’s not too concerning of an issue.
Anyway, stay tuned. And stay up and follow us live at T-Mobile Park for Yankees-Mariners…
The San Francisco 49ers know what week they’re set to head to Mexico City, although their opponent remains a bit of a mystery.
ESPN’s Brady Henderson on Tuesday reported that NFL Executive Vice President of Media Distribution Hans Schroeder announced the 49ers’ game in Mexico City will take place in Week 11. The NFL will await the schedule announcement which is set to occur sometime in mid-May if the last two years are any indication.
There’s no specific date set for the 49ers’ Week 11 game. If they play Sunday, their game would be on Sunday, November 22. If that game is a Monday night contest, which was the case the last time they played in Mexico City in 2022, it’ll take place November 23.
It’ll be interesting to see if the 49ers’ Bye week is centered around their second out-of-country trip of the season. They go to Australia in Week 1, so there won’t be a Bye that early. Given the travel and the thin air in Mexico City it would make sense that the league would give the 49ers a week off the following week.
It’s worth noting their last trip to Mexico City wasn’t followed by a Bye, but it was followed by three consecutive home games. That’s unlikely to be the case this time since they’re the designated home team. In 2022 they were the visitors against the Arizona Cardinals.
Lionel Messi‘s international career will be coming to a close sooner rather than later.
The Inter Miami standout’s move to MLS has done little to blot his impact on the world’s stage. He remains one of South America’s finest talents, anchoring an Argentina side that aims to join Italy (1934, 1938) and Brazil (1958, 1962) as repeat World Cup champions.
Messi isn’t getting any younger, though. He’ll be 39 when the knockout round kicks off in the summer. For all of his footballing excellence, Messi — like his idols before him — can’t outrun time.
Argentina’s friendly against Zambia, then, can serve as a coronation for one of the country’s greatest-ever artists. Messi retired from international play once before, stepping away from the sport after falling short in his quest for Copa America Centenario. That hiatus was short-lived; by 2018, he was back in La Albiceleste setup, persuaded following a nationwide campaign.
Messi hasn’t made any formal announcement about his footballing future. Nevertheless, Lionel Scaloni’s side’s match with Chipolopolo — held at La Bombanera — should offer fans a chance to say goodbye.
The Sporting News is tracking live updates from Argentina’s international friendly match against Zambia. Follow below for highlights, analysis and more from what could be Messi’s last home game in Argentine colors.
Argentina vs. Zambia live updates, highlights from World Cup playoff
(All times Eastern)
50′: GOAL! Otamendi finds his target! Argentina is firmly in control of this one!
Argentina 3, Zambia 0
48′: PENALTY! Thiago Almada slipped beyond his marker, pushing Zambian defender Obino Chisala to strike him down inside the box. Nicolas Otamendi will take the ball, looking to add another strike to Argentina’s collection.
45′: We’re back to action from La Bombanera. Messi will look to add to his heroics before the end of the match.
Halftime: Argentina 2, Zambia 0
43′: GOAL! Messi gets on the scoresheet, stroking a strike into the far corner after linking up with Mac Allister.
Argentina 2, Zambia 0
25′: The Zambians showed some attacking flourish in the moments following Argentina’s opener. But they’ve struggled to make much of a dent as of late, surrendering possession more often than not. Argentina is yet to encroach on Zambia’s frame. But La Albiceleste look the likelier of the two teams to land on the scoresheet again.
13′: Zambia is starting to build itself into this one. Patson Daka is a formidable presence in the center of Zambia’s attack, known for his elusiveness and timing of his runs.
10′: Things are going as planned for the Argentines, who have set up traps around the pitch in the hopes of coaxing turnovers out of the Zambian side.
4′: GOAL! Argentina strikes first, with Messi finding Julian Alvarez with a deft pass. Leandro Paredes let the ball run beside him, opening up space for Alvarez to sweep the ball into the bottom right corner of the net. Impressive move from start to finish for La Albiceleste, who should see plenty of joy in this one.
Argentina 1, Zambia 0
1′: And we’re off! Argentina and Zambia dance across La Bombanera’s gleaming meadow!
Kick off!
7:30 p.m.: Messi is on the field! Argentina and Zambia are lining up for the ceremonial national anthem. The diminutive playmaker looks stoic as plumes of blue and white swirl over the field. We’ll be underway in the next few minutes.
7:00 p.m.: Messi hasn’t yet commented on rumors of his international retirement. However, Argentines are certainly treating the matchup like a spectacle, with rappers trotting onto the glint green surface ahead of tonight’s matchup.
Argentina and Zambia’s international friendly match kicks off on Tuesday, March 31 at 8:15 p.m. ET local time in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Here’s how that start time translates across some major international hubs.
Date
Kickoff time
USA/Canada
Tue, Mar. 31
7:15 p.m. ET
USA/Canada
Tue, Mar. 31
4:15 p.m. PT
UK
Wed., Apr. 1
1:15 a.m. BST
Australia
Wed, Apr. 1
10:15 a.m. AEDT
India
Wed, Apr. 1
3:45 a.m. IST
What channel is Argentina vs. Zambia on?
Here is how to watch the match in some of the world’s major regions:
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 30: Wandy Peralta #58 of the San Diego Padres pitches during the fifth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park on March 30, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
San Francisco Giants (1-3) at San Diego Padres (1-3), March 31, 2026, 6:40 p.m. PST
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The Yankees are hoping to get Carlos Rodon back soon, but the southpaw suffered an injury down in Tampa.
Manager Aaron Boone delivered an update on Rodon to the media ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Mariners and said that the lefty experienced right hamstring tightness after running on Monday and felt it today.
While the Yankees skipper doesn’t think it’s a big deal — Boone added that Rodon still did his throwing program on Tuesday — the team will have to monitor whether Rodon will be able to take the next step in his rehab. Rodon was scheduled to begin a rehab assignment soon, but now the organization will have to wait and see if the 33-year-old bounces back.
Rodon had his best season as a Yankee a year ago. He pitched to an 18-9 record and a 3.09 ERA, en route to his third All-Star selection.
However, Rodon revealed during camp in February that he was managing pain in his elbow throughout the season. And when the season was over, he underwent surgery to shave down a bone spur and remove loose bodies.
Rodon did not travel with the Yankees to Arizona when they played a couple of exhibition games with the Cubs before the season began. Instead, he stayed in Tampa to continue his progression, which the team hopes leads to an April return.
