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NFL (American Football)

Dallas Stars: Are They Relying Too Much on Veterans?

The Stars shine bright, but are their veterans carrying too much of the load?

The Dallas Stars are once again in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race, but their formula for success has a familiar feel. With veteran stars like Jamie Benn, Joe Pavelski, and Tyler Seguin leading the charge, the question arises—are the Stars leaning too heavily on their aging core at the expense of developing younger talent?

The Backbone of Experience

There’s no denying the impact of veterans on the Stars’ success. Joe Pavelski, at 39, remains one of the NHL’s most reliable forwards, providing leadership and offensive production. Jamie Benn has found a second wind in his career, and Tyler Seguin continues to play a vital role despite battling injuries in recent seasons.

From a leadership standpoint, this veteran presence is invaluable. These players set the tone in the locker room and provide a level of stability for younger teammates. Pavelski, in particular, has mentored budding stars like Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnston, helping them navigate the pressures of the NHL.

However, the question remains: Is this reliance sustainable?

The Youth Movement: Held Back or Supported?

Dallas has an impressive crop of young talent. Jason Robertson has already cemented himself as one of the league’s top wingers, while Wyatt Johnston continues to develop into a top-six forward. Defenseman Thomas Harley has shown promise, and Jake Oettinger has proven he can be a franchise goaltender.

Dallas’ experienced core leads the way, but is it time for the young guns to take over?

Despite this young core, the Stars still prioritize their veteran group in key situations. Coach Pete DeBoer often leans on his experienced players in high-stakes moments, sometimes limiting the opportunities for younger players to take on bigger roles. While this strategy has its merits, it could slow down the development of the next generation.

Balancing the Present and Future

The Stars are currently built to win, and their mix of veteran leadership and young skill has proven effective. However, other teams that have leaned too long on an aging core—like the Chicago Blackhawks or Pittsburgh Penguins—have faced steep declines once their veterans slowed down.

If Dallas wants to avoid a similar fate, they must ensure their young stars are given ample opportunities to develop into franchise cornerstones.

Ultimately, the Stars’ reliance on veterans isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it’s a fine line to walk. If they can transition their younger players into larger roles while still utilizing their experienced core, they could set themselves up for long-term success.

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FEATURED

Minnesota Twins: Their Biggest Weaknesses Heading Into the Season

The Twins' bullpen remains a question mark—will they find the right pieces to support closer Jhoan Durán?

As the Minnesota Twins gear up for another season, optimism surrounds the team following a successful 2023 campaign that saw them clinch the AL Central title.

However, while the roster boasts talent and depth in several areas, no team is without flaws. If the Twins hope to make a deeper postseason run, they must address some key weaknesses before Opening Day.

1. Starting Pitching Depth

The Twins’ starting rotation performed well last season, but injuries remain a major concern. While Pablo López and Joe Ryan provide a strong one-two punch, the back end of the rotation is far less certain.

Sonny Gray’s departure in free agency leaves a void that Bailey Ober, Louie Varland, or a returning Kenta Maeda (if re-signed) will need to fill. If any of their top arms go down, the Twins lack proven depth to step in and maintain consistency.

Adding another reliable starter—whether through free agency or a trade—could be crucial in ensuring the rotation doesn’t falter if injuries strike.

2. Bullpen Uncertainty

The bullpen, which was solid last year, has some glaring uncertainties heading into 2024. Jhoan Durán is an electric closer, but the bridge to him is less stable. Griffin Jax and Caleb Thielbar have been reliable, yet the Twins could use another high-leverage reliever to solidify the late innings.

Furthermore, Minnesota lacks left-handed relief depth beyond Thielbar, which could pose problems against teams with lefty-heavy lineups. If the bullpen struggles early in the season, expect the front office to make adjustments at the trade deadline.

3. Lack of Offensive Consistency

Minnesota’s offense showed flashes of dominance in 2023, but inconsistency plagued them throughout the season. The team was heavily reliant on home runs, often struggling to manufacture runs when the long ball wasn’t in play.

Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton are expected to lead the offense, but both dealt with injuries last season. The Twins need reliable production from emerging talents like Royce Lewis, Edouard Julien, and Alex Kirilloff to avoid extended slumps.

Developing a more balanced offensive approach—one that includes better situational hitting and fewer strikeouts—should be a priority.

4. Health Concerns with Key Players

Perhaps the biggest wildcard for the Twins remains the health of their star players. Buxton, when healthy, is one of the most dynamic players in the league, but his injury history is well-documented. Correa also battled plantar fasciitis last season, which hampered his production.

The Twins’ bullpen remains a question mark—will they find the right pieces to support closer Jhoan Durán?

The Twins’ ability to contend hinges on keeping their core healthy. If Buxton and Correa can stay on the field, the team’s ceiling is significantly higher. Otherwise, Minnesota will once again be forced to rely on unproven depth options.

5. Lack of Veteran Leadership

With Sonny Gray, Kenta Maeda, and potentially other veterans departing, the Twins could find themselves lacking experienced leadership in the clubhouse.

While Correa has taken on a leadership role, a team with so many young players benefits from having seasoned veterans to help navigate the ups and downs of a long season.

Bringing in an experienced presence, even in a bench role, could help maintain stability, particularly if the Twins hit rough patches during the year.

Despite these weaknesses, the Twins remain a strong contender in the AL Central. Their young core has the potential to take a step forward, and the front office has shown a willingness to make in-season adjustments.

However, addressing these issues—particularly rotation depth and offensive consistency—will be key if they hope to challenge for more than just a division title.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Miro Heiskanen is week-to-week after taking a hit from Mark Stone, the Dallas Stars announced

Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen skates with the puck against the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period of an NHL game

Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen is week-to-week with a lower-body injury after a hit from Vegas captain Mark Stone. Heiskanen won’t participate in next month’s 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.

Stars coach Pete DeBoer shared Thursday that Heiskanen underwent an MRI and would see a specialist for more details about his injury.

The Finnish general manager, Jere Lehtinen, who used to play for Dallas, contacted the Stars and Heiskanen to inform them of the decision to rule him out of the tournament.

Finland’s coach, Antti Pennanen, expressed sadness about the news, saying, “This is really sad news, first and foremost for Miro himself, but of course also for the Finnish 4 Nations Face-Off team and Dallas. We don’t know the details of the injury yet, but we hope that Miro will be back in playing condition as soon as possible.”

A replacement player will be chosen for the Finnish team, but Lehtinen didn’t give a specific timeline.

Heiskanen’s injury occurred in the third period of the Stars’ 4-3 overtime win over Vegas on Tuesday. He was hit by Stone, who fell into Heiskanen’s left knee and thigh after being tripped. Stone wasn’t fined or suspended for the incident.

Dallas Stars Fans Angry at Mark Stone Over Miro Heiskanen Injury

Stone, who was penalized for tripping, clarified that he didn’t intend to injure Heiskanen. DeBoer, who previously coached Stone in Vegas, commented that he didn’t see Stone as a dirty player, though he questioned why officials didn’t review the play for a possible five-minute major penalty. There was a brief altercation between the teams while Heiskanen was on the ice.

The 4 Nations tournament will be held from Feb. 12-20 in Montreal and Boston. This tournament is the first international competition with NHL players in nearly ten years.

Heiskanen’s injury is a significant loss for the Stars, who have reached the Western Conference Final in the past two seasons. Dallas is currently second in the Central Division, with Colorado and Minnesota close behind.

Heiskanen has been a key player for the Stars since debuting at 19 in 2018, after being drafted third overall in 2017.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Mikko Rantanen is adjusting to life with the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh

Mikko Rantanen and Frank Nazar in the 1st half

Mikko Rantanen needed one thing after being traded to the Carolina Hurricanes: his number.

Before Rantanen was traded in a big three-team deal last week involving the Chicago Blackhawks, Jack Roslovic had the No. 96 with Carolina. Rantanen worked out a deal with Roslovic to get the number. In Thursday night’s 3-2 win over the Blackhawks, Roslovic assisted on Rantanen’s first goal with the Hurricanes.

“That was a great play by Ros, the drop pass,” Rantanen said. “I was able to help the team, which was good.”

Rantanen added that all he had to do was ask Roslovic for the number.

“He’s a nice guy,” he said. “I told him I’d buy him a nice watch.”

Carolina also acquired Taylor Hall from Chicago in the trade, but Hall missed the Blackhawks game due to illness.

Carolina hopes that Rantanen’s goal in his home debut is just the beginning for him with the team.

The 28-year-old forward had a successful nine-plus seasons with Colorado, where he had career-best 105 points in 2022-23 and 104 last year. He’s on track to reach 100 points again this season.

The Hurricanes haven’t had a player reach 100 points in a season since Eric Staal did so in 2005-06, the year Carolina won the Stanley Cup.

Mikko Rantanen and Marat in the 3rd period

“He knows he wants to come in here and help contribute right away,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “You’ve got to be on the scoresheet. That’s where everyone is looking. Now he has. Nice to see him get (the first one). Now he doesn’t have to worry about it.”

Rantanen played in his third game with the Hurricanes on Thursday. He had an assist in Tuesday’s 4-0 win over the New York Rangers for his first point with Carolina.

Rantanen helped the Colorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022, but he is eligible for free agency after this season.

The move to Carolina puts Rantanen on another strong team with some fellow Finnish players, including center Sebastian Aho, which has made adjusting easier for him.

“The guys have been great,” Rantanen said. “They’re a resilient group and they work really hard. You can tell they’ve had success in the last couple of years and they play really well together. I’m glad to be part of it.”

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NHL (National Hockey League)

In Calgary, the Flames have traded Kuzmenko and Pelletier to the Flyers in exchange for Frost, Farabee, and draft picks

Andrei Kuzmenko celebrates after scoring

The Calgary Flames traded left wings Andrei Kuzmenko and Jakob Pelletier to the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night in exchange for center Morgan Frost and left wing Joel Farabee.

In the deal, Calgary also sent a second-round draft pick in 2025 and a seventh-round pick in 2028 to Philadelphia.

Kuzmenko, 28, was scratched from Calgary’s lineup Thursday night, while Pelletier, 23, was pulled after the first period of the Flames’ 4-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks.

Frost, 25, played the first half of Philadelphia’s 3-0 loss to the New York Islanders. The Flyers drafted him 27th overall in 2017. This season, he has 11 goals and 14 assists in 49 games.

Morgan Frost and Anthony Duclair collide in the 1st period

Farabee, 24, was selected 14th overall by Philadelphia in the 2018 draft. The 6-foot, 186-pound winger has eight goals and 11 assists in 50 games.

Kuzmenko was traded again a year after the Vancouver Canucks sent him to Calgary. He had four goals and 11 assists in 37 games this season and was a healthy scratch earlier in January.

Pelletier had four goals and seven assists in 23 games for Calgary.

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NBA (Basketball)

In San Antonio, Victor Wembanyama has been named an All-Star, one of six players selected for the first time

Victor Wembanyama reacts after scoring in the 2nd half

NBA coaches are clearly impressed: Victor Wembanyama is one of the league’s top players.

The San Antonio Spurs star and reigning rookie of the year has earned his first All-Star selection, named one of the 14 reserve players for the event on February 16 in San Francisco.

Wembanyama is only the fourth Spurs player to make the All-Star Game in his first or second season. The other three are Alvin Robertson in 1986, David Robinson in 1990 and 1991, and Tim Duncan in 1998.

“It’s just a testament to his first year and a half in this league and the work he put in prior to that and trusting the process of trying to get incrementally better, not skipping steps,” acting Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said about Wembanyama last week in Paris when asked about his chances for the All-Star Game. “And then, obviously, that allows the talent and unique skill set to shine through.”

Coaches choose the reserve players, after the 10 starting spots were decided last week through fan voting (50%), media voting (25%), and player voting (25%).

On Thursday, seven players from each conference were picked. In the Eastern Conference: Jaylen Brown of Boston, Pascal Siakam of Indiana, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley from Cleveland, Cade Cunningham from Detroit, Damian Lillard from Milwaukee (the previous year’s All-Star MVP), and Tyler Herro from Miami.

From the Western Conference: Wembanyama, Anthony Edwards from Minnesota, Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers, James Harden of the Los Angeles Clippers, Jaren Jackson Jr. of Memphis, Alperen Sengun from Houston, and Jalen Williams from Oklahoma City.

Wembanyama, Cunningham, Mobley, Herro, Sengun, and Williams are first-time All-Stars.

“It’s a great opportunity to be a part of,” Herro said.

The 10 starters picked last week were

Stephen Curry from Golden State, Kevin Durant from Phoenix, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Oklahoma City, LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers (his 21st All-Star selection), Nikola Jokic from Denver, Giannis Antetokounmpo of Milwaukee, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns from New York, Donovan Mitchell from Cleveland, and Jayson Tatum from Boston.

Teams with multiple selections include Cleveland (3), the Lakers (2), Oklahoma City (2), Boston (2), Milwaukee (2), and New York (2). Golden State, Phoenix, Denver, Minnesota, the Clippers, Memphis, Houston, San Antonio, Detroit, Indiana, and Miami each have one selection.

Teams without an All-Star selection are Atlanta, Brooklyn, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, New Orleans, Orlando, Philadelphia, Portland, Sacramento, Toronto, Utah, and Washington.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (NBA)

This year, there will be at least 15 players “starting” in the All-Star Game. The format is new, with three games. The 24 All-Stars will be drafted into three teams of eight players each by TNT’s Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith.

The draft will be held on February 6.

The three teams will compete in a four-team tournament, with the fourth team made up of NBA rookies and second-year players from the Rising Stars event on All-Star Friday, February 14. The format includes two semifinal games, with the winners meeting in a championship game. The games will be quick; the first team to reach 40 points wins.

The league changed the format to make the games more competitive after last year’s All-Star Game set a record for the most points in a game, a 211-186 game full of 3-pointers and dunks.

“We went back to the drawing board,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. “We had direct conversations with many of the players, many of the perennial All-Stars, to talk about what it is that we could put together from a competitive standpoint. I’m optimistic this year that we landed on a formula that will work.”

Oklahoma City’s coach Mark Daigneault and one of his assistants will coach two of the teams, while Cleveland’s coach Kenny Atkinson and one of his assistants will lead the others.

Some big names who didn’t make the cut are Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball, who missed out on being a starter and didn’t get enough support from coaches to be a reserve, along with Atlanta’s Trae Young, Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis, Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey, Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton, Phoenix’s Devin Booker, Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox, Dallas’ Kyrie Irving, and Luka Doncic (who has played only 22 games). The Clippers’ Norman Powell also missed out.

Ball is fourth in the NBA with 28.2 points per game, plus 7.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds. If he continues at this pace, he could be the first player in NBA history not to make the All-Star Game despite those numbers. Doncic, who has played enough games to qualify if not for injuries, is fifth in scoring at 28.1 points per game, along with 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists.

It’s possible that one or both players could be named injury replacements by Silver if necessary.

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NBA (Basketball)

In Los Angeles, Bronny James played the entire 4th quarter as the Lakers secured a dominant win

Bronny James smiles after scoing in the 2nd half

Even on the road, Bronny James became a fan favorite in Washington.

Fans cheered for LeBron James’ son throughout the game, and with the Los Angeles Lakers well ahead of the Wizards on Thursday night, Bronny played the entire fourth quarter in his team’s 134-96 victory.

Bronny James scored a career-high five points. Although he shot 1 of 6 from the field, he made a driving layup while being fouled and completed the three-point play with a free throw.

“He did a lot of really good things tonight. I thought he made a couple really nice passes,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “Defensively he was great. It’s building blocks for every young player, and I think tonight was a good, positive building block for him.”

Bronny James jumps for a shot in the 2nd half

Bronny’s game included an air ball from 3-point range, two rebounds, two assists, and two fouls. He had a steal and made a nice long pass to Dalton Knecht for a dunk. After his only field goal, he drove to the basket again and lobbed an alley-oop to Christian Koloko for another dunk.

He wrapped up the game with two free throws in the final seconds and was greeted with an “MVP! MVP!” chant from the crowd.

“He’s had eyeballs on him his whole life. He’s used to it,” Redick said. “I remember not playing a lot my rookie year and second year. The Orlando fans would sometimes chant that in a blowout in the fourth quarter — ‘We want JJ’ — and it’s a weird feeling. There’s that audible sort of anticipation every time you shoot the ball. It’s a lot.

“He has handled everything with dignity, grace, class, all that stuff. He’ll continue to grow.”

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NFL (American Football)

In Nashville, the Titans bring on two ex-GMs to assist new general manager Mike Borgonzi

GM Mike Borgonzi arrives for his introductoy news conference

The Tennessee Titans have added more support for new general manager Mike Borgonzi by hiring Dave Ziegler as assistant general manager and Reggie McKenzie as vice president and football adviser.

The Titans made the announcement on Thursday, bringing in two former NFL general managers. The team holds the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft and has about $50 million in salary cap space.

After going 16-35 over the last three seasons, the team is focused on rebuilding. McKenzie was one of the 10 candidates interviewed for the GM job that Borgonzi got earlier this month, and he had also been a contender for Tennessee’s GM role in 2008.

Ziegler spent the 2024 season as a senior personnel adviser for the New Orleans Saints and has 15 years of NFL experience. He was the general manager of the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022 and 2023. Ziegler started in the NFL in 2010 with Denver’s scouting department before joining New England in 2013 as assistant director of pro personnel. He became director of pro personnel in 2016 and held that role through 2019.

GM Mike Borgonzi speaks to the media

Ziegler was then promoted to assistant director of player personnel in 2020 and later director in 2021, during which time New England won seven division titles and three Super Bowls. Ziegler is from Tallmadge, Ohio, and played at John Carroll University before becoming a high school coach in Arizona and moving to college coaching at Iona and his alma mater.

McKenzie, a Knoxville native who played at the University of Tennessee, was the first person the Titans interviewed for the GM role that Borgonzi eventually got. McKenzie played for the Raiders starting in 1985 and also played for the Cardinals and San Francisco.

He later worked as a graduate assistant at his alma mater in 1993. McKenzie spent 18 years with Green Bay, starting in 1994, and worked in various roles, including director of football operations, before leaving in 2011. Titans president of football operations Chad Brinker had also worked for Green Bay as a scouting assistant and pro scout between 2009 and 2012.

McKenzie was the general manager of the Oakland Raiders from 2012 to 2018 and has spent the last six seasons as a senior personnel executive with the Miami Dolphins.

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NFL (American Football)

The Eagles have taken over as America’s Team heading into the Super Bowl in Philadelphia, where they’ll face off against the Chiefs

Philadelphia Eagles fans in the 2nd half

The Philadelphia Eagles have become the new “America’s Team” for the Super Bowl, with many fans rooting for them to beat the Kansas City Chiefs.

While the Eagles have a reputation for having a rowdy fan base and a coach who irritates some people, they are now seen as the team to beat the Chiefs, especially by those who dislike Kansas City for various reasons.

At a theme park in Orlando, a young man wearing a midnight green Saquon Barkley jersey received cheers of “Go Birds!” just two days after the Eagles’ big win over the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship Game.

Despite having a mix of fans from teams like the Giants, Dolphins, and Patriots, they were all supporting the Eagles against the Chiefs—even though none of them could sing the Eagles’ anthem, “Fly! Eagles! Fly!”

“I hate the Eagles but they’re the lesser of two evils,” said one fan from New York. “Plus, they have Saquon Barkley. We couldn’t even win with him, so I’m happy he’s doing well in Philly. It’s still painful to watch sometimes, but I can’t stand the Chiefs.”

Kansas City is aiming for its fourth Super Bowl victory in five years and trying to be the first team to win three in a row. Many fans are tired of seeing Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce lift the Lombardi Trophy so often, and some feel that the Chiefs get unfairly favorable calls from officials.

A pair of roughing the passer penalties in Kansas City’s game against the Texans and a controversial call in the AFC Championship against Buffalo have fueled this belief.

Kansas City Chiefs players celebrates after a touchdown

SiriusXM radio host Adam Schein called the officiating in the Bills-Chiefs game a “disgrace,” and ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky criticized the review of the call as “awful.”

Patriots fans are also frustrated, not wanting Mahomes and coach Andy Reid to get closer to the six championships won by Tom Brady and Bill Belichick in New England. Fans of Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl winner, are annoyed by comparisons between Mahomes and the GOAT since Mahomes has three rings and still needs four more to tie Brady.

Some fans, particularly those who haven’t seen their team win in years, are simply envious of Kansas City’s success. Many of them probably felt the same way about the Patriots when they were dominating.

Additionally, all the commercials with Reid and Mahomes can get on people’s nerves, making them dislike the Chiefs even more. It doesn’t help that former Eagles center Jason Kelce is featured in numerous ads.

Then there’s Travis Kelce’s relationship with Taylor Swift, which has dominated the headlines and distracted from football. Fans complain about seeing the cameras focus on Swift in the stands during games, and although Kelce has gained popularity among Swift’s fans, every celebrity couple has its critics.

All these factors have made the Eagles the fan favorite going into the Super Bowl rematch in New Orleans on Feb. 9. In the last Super Bowl between the two teams, the Chiefs defeated the Eagles 38-35 in Arizona.

As for the Cowboys, who earned the “America’s Team” label in the 1970s, they haven’t made it to a Super Bowl in 29 years.

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NFL (American Football)

Injured Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham may return in time for the Super Bowl in Philadelphia

Brandon Graham warms up before the game

Brandon Graham, with a hint of gray in his beard and a bulky brace on his left arm, is working hard to recover in time for the Super Bowl. While he’s not ready to confirm if his career is over, the 36-year-old defensive end is determined to rehab his torn triceps and make it back for the February 9 Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs.

“Whatever I’ve got to do for this one game, I feel like I can do it,” Graham said Thursday.

Thursday marked Graham’s first practice in over two months, bringing the possibility of a Super Bowl return after an injury that was initially expected to end his season. He tore his triceps in a November 24 game against the Los Angeles Rams and was placed on injured reserve shortly after.

Many assumed that would be the end of his career, but as the Eagles kept winning, including their NFC playoff games, Graham started considering a return for the Super Bowl.

“We’ve got two weeks. Today was a great start,” Graham said. “As long as I don’t have no setbacks, I don’t think it’s going to be a problem.”

Graham, who was part of the Eagles’ Super Bowl championship team in the 2017 season, is one of only two position players and four total players left from that winning team. Although he said during training camp that 2024 would be his final season, the injury has made him rethink that decision. His retirement is still undecided.

“I ain’t there yet, man,” Graham said. “We’re going to get this one. Let’s go get this one and then we’ll talk about it.”

Graham is remembered for his crucial strip-sack of Tom Brady in Super Bowl LII, which helped the Eagles secure their first championship.

Tom Brady and Brandon Graham before a game

He missed most of the 2021 season due to a torn Achilles tendon but bounced back in 2022 with a career-high 11 sacks. This season, before his injury, he had 3 1/2 sacks in 11 games and holds the franchise record with 5 1/2 career postseason sacks.

Though Graham remains on injured reserve and doesn’t count against the Eagles’ 53-man roster, his teammates were thrilled to have him back at practice.

“You heard him before you saw him, that’s for damn sure,” said offensive lineman Jordan Mailata. “It was amazing having him out there again. Just the energy, it’s infectious, man. It’s the right timing, man.”

Several other key Eagles players, including guard Landon Dickerson, center Cam Jurgens, and wide receiver DeVonta Smith, were held out of practice on Thursday, but none are expected to miss the Super Bowl.

Without Graham, the Eagles have been successful with a three-player rush combination of Nolan Smith, Josh Sweat, and Jalyx Hunt. Graham played 18 snaps without a tackle or sack when the Chiefs beat the Eagles 38-35 in the previous Super Bowl two years ago.

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni had sounded downbeat after Graham’s injury in November, calling his leadership and energy contagious.

“His energy is contagious. If you’re having a bad day and you get around him, he can turn your day positive,” Sirianni said. “Obviously, the type of player he is speaks for itself and the play on the field. He was having a great year. I just can’t say enough about him as a leader, as a captain, as a teammate.”

Now, Graham has a chance for one last game in his career, and it seems impossible that the franchise leader in career games played at 206 would work so hard to recover just to sit out the Super Bowl.

“I’m just hype to be back on that field, man,” Graham said. “Can’t wait to get after it tomorrow.”

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NFL (American Football)

The NFL announced it will investigate claims made by massage therapists regarding Justin Tucker’s behavior

Baltimore Ravens place kicker Justin Tucker watches his extra point against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL football game

The NFL will investigate allegations that Justin Tucker, the kicker for the Baltimore Ravens, acted inappropriately toward massage therapists at four spas and wellness centers in the Baltimore area, according to a league spokesperson.

The Baltimore Banner published a detailed report on Thursday, where it spoke to six massage therapists who shared their experiences with Tucker from 2012 to 2016. Some therapists said they ended sessions early or refused to work with him again, and two spa managers said they banned him from returning.

“We first became aware of the allegations from the reporter investigating this story as they were not previously shared with the NFL,” said league spokesman Brian McCarthy. “We take any allegation seriously and will look into the matter.”

The accusations involve Tucker allegedly exposing himself, brushing two therapists with his exposed genitals, and leaving what they believed to be semen on the massage table after three treatments.

Tucker responded on social media, calling the allegations “unequivocally false” and stated that the article misrepresented his interactions, turning them into something they were not and presenting vague insinuations as fact.

Tucker, 35, recently completed his 13th season in the NFL, all with the Ravens. He has become a star both in the league and among Baltimore fans, especially after setting a record with a 66-yard field goal in 2021, which remains the longest successful kick in NFL history.

Baltimore’s Justin Tucker faces sexual misconduct allegations from six massage therapists

In 2022, Tucker signed a four-year contract extension that runs through the 2027 season, with $17.5 million guaranteed.

“We are aware of the Baltimore Banner’s story regarding Justin Tucker as well as his response,” a Ravens spokesperson said. “We take any allegations of this nature seriously and will continue to monitor the situation.”

The Banner’s report states that Tucker was terminated as a client by the Ojas spa chain in 2014 after a massage therapist reported an incident with him during a session. The owners of Studio 921, a now-closed spa, said they took immediate action to ban him from their business to ensure safety.

Tucker denied the allegations, saying he had never received complaints from a massage therapist, been dismissed from a session, or been told he was unwelcome at any spa or business.

The allegations share some similarities with accusations made against quarterback Deshaun Watson, who faced accusations of sexual assault and harassment from more than two dozen women during massage therapy sessions while he played for Houston. Watson was suspended for the first 11 games of the 2022 season after an independent arbitrator determined he violated the league’s personal conduct policy.

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NFL (American Football)

In Chicago, Bears coordinators begin their roles under coach Ben Johnson, aiming to turn around the team’s 5-12 record

Ben Johnson speaks in the news conference

The coordinators hired by Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson bring different levels of coaching experience to their new roles.

Dennis Allen, the defensive coordinator, has been a head coach in the NFL twice, while Declan Doyle, the new offensive coordinator, is the youngest coordinator in the league.

Allen, who worked with the 28-year-old Doyle in New Orleans for four years, believes Doyle has the potential to bring energy to Johnson’s offense.

“I think that the No. 1 thing that stands out the moment you meet him, the moment you talk to him, you sense a highly intelligent person, a guy that’s been around the game, a guy that understands the game,” Allen said. “He understands the game from a multitude of different perspectives. I just think he’s a really good, bright, young coach that has a really good future in front of him.”

Doyle came to the Bears after being the Broncos tight ends coach and working under Denver coach Sean Payton for five years, including three with the Saints. He believes players won’t mind his age.

“I think knowledge is power,” Doyle said. “That is what the guys care about ultimately. Last year was the first time I’ve ever actually been older than all the players in my (position) room.”

“This is going to be my 10th year. But that’s really kind of been a part of my journey to this point.”

Johnson will be calling plays and has said the offensive coordinator role is more about setting the stage.

“I think that’s a good way to describe it,” Doyle said. “Ben is gonna have less time than he’s ever had as a play-caller. Obviously, I think that’s kind of a thing that’s morphing as we go, to try to figure out what that looks like. My job is really gonna be to organize and detail the game plan initially, utilizing our staff.”

Chicago Bears players celebrate after an interception

Doyle remembered how Payton worked with quarterback Bo Nix, who had a season where he was invited as an alternate to the Pro Bowl but had to decline for medical reasons. Doyle thinks the Bears can get similar, or even better, performance from Caleb Williams.

“I think the biggest thing is just the talent of the kid, the ability to use his legs,” Doyle said. “He is a tough kid. You see it on tape.”

Doyle was impressed by Williams’ big-play ability.

“But his second act, his ability to escape the pocket, his ability to create is a special thing and it’s something that I got to see with Bo in Denver last year,” Doyle said. “That ability to evade and put pressure on a defense and kind of be the eraser of game-planning mistakes, I think that’s really exciting about him.”

Experience won’t be a problem for the Bears on the defensive side. Allen was the Saints head coach from 2022 to 2024 and the Raiders head coach from 2012 to 2014, plus he has eight years of experience as an NFL defensive coordinator.

Allen replaces Matt Eberflus, who led the Bears’ defense in 2024 before it struggled in the second half of the season. Allen sees strong potential in cornerback Jaylon Johnson, a Pro Bowl player.

“In particular, I think there’s some things that we have in the secondary that I like, I think there are some pieces at linebacker that I’m encouraged by,” Allen said. “I think there’s a couple of spots up front where we got some players. So, I think the foundation is there defensively.

And I think, look, when Ben asked me if I would be interested, there were a couple of places that I felt like had the pieces in place to potentially be a really good football team, and Chicago was obviously one of them.”

The Bears’ defense played a big part in a late 2023 turnaround, but the offense struggled, leading to a 5-12 finish in 2024.

“We’ve got some size and length at the corner (back) position,” Allen said. “(Cornerback) Kyler Gordon, I think, is an outstanding nickel player. I have a vision for how we can utilize him. I think the foundation for what we want to do is there.”