The age of legalized, normalized, and heavily monetized is not going well.
Sure, those who are profiting from it will claim that all is well. They’ll say that, by making it legal, safeguards can be implemented. But making it legal also makes it widely and easily available to millions who otherwise wouldn’t go looking for a bookie.
The stigma of sports gambling has been stripped away. It’s as normal and acceptable as buying a pack of cigarettes or a bottle of booze. And kids who have fake IDs that allow them to drink and smoke before turning 21 are now counting the days until they are old enough to start gambling via their phones.
Legalized sports betting also introduces unprecedented temptations and justifications for those who may be inclined to try to make a little easy money. More and more are learning that easy money comes with a steep price.
Via David Purdum of ESPN.com, the NCAA Big Shield) tells a story that is intended to be a cautionary tale for any athlete who becomes attracted to the opportunity to make easy money by cozying up to shady figures.
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Future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees told Dan Patrick in August that Brees believes he’d Heavy criticism of Brees’s performance in the playoff contest created the perception that his time with NBC fizzled because of it. Brees’s departure was characterized as being his decision.
The Seahawks have a pressing need for new receiver Rashid Shaheed.
The receiver, who arrived on Wednesday morning after a trade with the Seahawks, will likely see extensive playing time in his debut. Four Seahawks receivers have injury issues.
Veteran Cooper Kupp is questionable with heel and hamstring injuries. Also, Tory Horton (groin/shin) is doubtful and Jake Bobo (calf) and Dareke Young (hip) are out for Sunday’s game against the Cardinals.
“He’s doing great,” coach Mike Macdonald said Friday regarding Shaheed, via Brady Henderson of ESPN.com. “Just keep attacking it. . . . He’s done a great job so far, and the prep won’t stop until all the way through game time.”
Making the transition easier is the fact that Shaheed played for Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak in New Orleans. And it’s not as if Shaheed needs to know the entire playbook.
“It’s different because you’re only learning the game-plan plays, so we have a plan for him,” Macdonald said. “But I can’t wait to see him play. He’s done a great job.”
Shaheed gives the Seahawks a deep threat who can force opposing defenses to cover every blade of grass, opening things up for others — like superstar Jaxson Smith-Njigba.
And it’s the kind of move that acknowledge the legitimacy of the 6-2 Seahawks to contend not just for a playoff berth but for a spot in the Super Bowl.
Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden (shoulder) was downgraded to non-participation in Friday’s practice.
Golden was limited on Thursday.
Cornerback Nate Hobbs (knee) and defensive lineman Luke Van Ness (foot) remained out of practice.
Edge rusher Micah Parsons (pectoral) was among nine players who remained limited for a second consecutive day.
Offensive guard Aaron Banks (neck), linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (foot), running back Josh Jacobs (rest), offensive lineman Zach Tom (back), linebacker Quay Walker (calf), wide receiver Christian Watson (knee), wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (calf) and defensive lineman Colby Wooden (shoulder) also were limited again.
The Packers added backup quarterback Malik Willis (calf) and wide receiver Malik Heath (hip) to the injury report as limited participants.
Wide receiver Savion Williams (foot) returned to limited work after missing Thursday’s session.
Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua will play in Sunday’s game against the 49ers.
He was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice with an injury to his ribs but was a full participant on Thursday and Friday. Nacua has no injury designation.
He has 61 receptions for 711 yards and three touchdowns.
Cornerback Darious Williams (shoulder) also will play after back-to-back full practices.
Wide receiver Jordan Whittington (back) is the only player with an injury designation. He is questionable, but coach Sean McVay expects Whittington to play.
The 49ers named Mac Jones as the starter for the sixth consecutive game and the eighth time this season. Starter Brock Purdy is questionable to serve as the backup as he grows closer to returning from turf toe.
“It’ll be Mac again starting,” coach Kyle Shanahan said, via David Bonilla of 49erswebzone.com. “I haven’t decided whether to make [Purdy] active or not, but he’s further along this week than last week.”
Purdy was questionable last week before being one of the seven inactives for the game against the Giants.
He has not played since Week 4 when he aggravated his toe injury, which he originally hurt in Week 1.
The 49ers ruled out wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee).
They list linebacker Dee Winters (knee/knee), linebacker Tatum Bethune (thigh), offensive guard Ben Bartch (ankle), defensive tackle Alfred Collins (hip), defensive tackle Kalia Davis (ankle) and defensive lineman Keion White (groin) as questionable.
The Chargers don’t expect to have cornerback Tarheeb Still in the lineup against the Steelers this weekend.
Still has been listed as doubtful to play because of a knee injury that kept him out of practice all week. Still has 31 tackles and six passes defensed in his eight starts this season.
The Chargers ruled tackle Bobby Hart (knee, ankle) out and they listed five players as questionable. Defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand (groin), long snapper Josh Harris (chest), wide receiver Keandre Lambert-Smith (hamstring), defensive back Deane Leonard (knee), and cornerback Benjamin St-Juste (groin) make up that group.
Hand, Harris and Leonard are all on injured reserve, so the team would have to make several roster moves to activate them in time to play against Pittsburgh.
On Friday, Fox Sports announced that it no longer employs former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez. Mark’s brother, Nick Sanchez, has issued a statement on behalf of the Sanchez family.
“It’s been a long month for Mark as he continues to recover from serious injuries while also grieving the loss of a close friend,” Nick Sanchez said on behalf of the family. “While the recent news — and its timing — is understandably disappointing, our priority remains his continued healing and recovery. Mark deeply values his time at Fox and the exceptional colleagues he’s had the privilege to work with. Those relationships are meaningful and will endure.”
The statement refers to the recent passing of former Jets center Nick Mangold, a former teammate of Mark’s with the Jets.
Mark Sanchez’s criminal trial is due to begin on December 11. His ongoing recovery from the stabbing he suffered during the October 4 incident could delay the case.
The Texans knew when the practice week began they wouldn’t have quarterback C.J. Stroud (concussion) or kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn (quad) for Sunday’s game against the Jaguars.
They also won’t have right tackle Tytus Howard (concussion), right guard Ed Ingram (knee), defensive back Jalen Pitre (concussion), fullback Jakob Johnson (hamstring) or linebacker Christian Harris (shin).
Houston has ruled out all six of them.
Davis Mills will start in place of Stroud, with Blake Fisher at right tackle and Juice Scruggs at right guard.
The Texans list tight end Harrison Bryant (shoulder) as questionable after he returned to full participation in Friday’s practice.
Defensive end Will Anderson (quad) was upgraded to full participation on Friday, and he does not have an injury designation. He has six sacks and 12 quarterback hits this season.
The Raiders have made it official, announcing the firing of interim special teams coordinator.
“Earlier today, we made the tough decision to relieve Tom McMahon of his duties as special teams coordinator,” Carroll’s statement reads. “I have a great amount of respect for Tom and the work that he has done in this league, but we have decided to move in a different direction. Derius Swinton II will assume special teams coordinator duties on an interim basis and we are excited to attack the second half of this season with outstanding intent and purpose.
“We are grateful for Tom and his work here with the Raiders and wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”
McMahon had been with the Raiders since former head coach Josh McDaniels hired him in 2022. He was previously special teams coordinator for the Falcons, Rams, Chiefs, Colts, and Broncos.
Swinton was hired in 2023 as assistant special teams coordinator and was retained under Antonio Pierce and Carroll. He’s previously worked for the Rams, Chiefs, Broncos, Bears, 49ers, Lions, Cardinals, and Chargers in the league.
