Injured Davante Adams not ruled out by McVay for Rams’ Thursday night showdown with Seahawks

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Receiver Davante Adams hasn’t been ruled out for the Los Angeles Rams’ showdown at Seattle on Thursday night despite his hamstring injury. Coach Sean McVay said the NFC-leading Rams likely will wait until game time to make a final decision on the availability of the NFL’s touchdown receptions leader. The team remains hopeful Adams can play, although he won’t participate in their walk-throughs and practice Tuesday. Adams got hurt while running a long route in the fourth quarter of the Rams’ 41-34 comeback win over the Detroit Lions.

Trio of Russian athletes barred from luge World Cup in Lake Placid amid neutrality concerns

The International Luge Federation has withdrawn the eligibility of three Russian athletes who intended to compete in Lake Placid, New York, this weekend. The decision affects Alexsandr Gorbatsevich, Sofiia Mazur and Kseniia Shamova. The federation’s executive board made the move after discussing new evidence with the International Olympic Committee. The evidence reportedly questions the athletes’ neutrality regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Neutrality is crucial for Russian athletes hoping to qualify for the Milan Cortina Olympics. Meanwhile, other Russian sliders are still expected to compete in the luge World Cup this weekend.

Manning to return to Texas

Texas quarterback Arch Manning will return to the Lornhorns in 2026, according to his father, ending speculation about the rising junior’s future.

“Arch is playing football at Texas next year,” Cooper Manning told ESPN on Monday, with Texas officials saying the expectation was that he would return for another season.

Arch, the nephew of NFL icons Peyton and Eli Manning and the grandson of legendary QB Archie, was said to be mulling entering the 2026 NFL Draft — something Texas coach Steve Sarkisian didn’t believe he was ready for just yet.

“He’s a young man who’s gotten better as the season’s gone on, and not only physically, but mentally, maturity-wise,” Sarkisian said during his availability for the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, per ESPN. “I would think he’s going to want another year of that growth to put himself in position for hopefully a long career in the NFL. And he’s got some unfinished business of what he came here to do and what he came here to accomplish.

“We had a really good football season. We left some meat on the bone with an opportunity to be SEC champs, national champs, and so ultimately for him, I think the competitor in him is going to say, ‘Man, I sure would like another crack at trying to do those things.’ ”

The heir to the Manning football throne entered the season with Heisman expectations swirling around him, but got off to a slow start. He picked things up in the second half, guiding the Longhorns to a 6-1 record down the stretch and garnering some College Football Playoff support.

Chuck Neinas, a key architect and adviser over decades of college sports, dies at 93

Longtime college sports executive Chuck Neinas has died at the age of 93. Neinas was a commissioner of the Big Eight Conference and went on to lead the College Football Association as executive director. That group ended up negotiating TV rights for college football after a 1984 Supreme Court decision in favor of two member schools. He brought home deals worth billions in the 1980s and ’90s, and those huge contracts set the stage for today’s multibillion-dollar industry. The National Football Foundation announced that Neinas died Tuesday. No cause of death was disclosed.

Jets finally cutting $44 million free-agent bust

Allen Lazard came to the New York Jets with a big contract and high expectations. He’s leaving after almost three disappointing seasons. The Jets released the veteran wide receiver on Tuesday, cutting ties with Lazard after his role diminished significantly this season even as the offense struggled to produce. The 30-year-old Lazard had only 10 catches for 70 yards and a touchdown this season. He signed a four-year contract worth $44 million in 2023 and was expected to be a huge contributor in New York’s offense.

Ousmane Dembélé and Aitana Bonmatí named best players at FIFA awards

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Ousmane Dembélé and Aitana Bonmatí have been named the best players of 2025 at the FIFA awards, adding to their prize collection after also winning the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or this year. Dembélé starred for Paris Saint-Germain in its first Champions League title win and Bonmatí was a standout for Spain and Barcelona. The FIFA awards are voted on by national team captains, coaches, media and fans around the world. Two European champions won the coaching awards. Sarina Wiegman led England to retain its Women’s Euros title beating Spain in the final. Luis Enrique led PSG to the Champions League and French titles.

ACC’s shift to new football scheduling model will have 12 of 17 teams playing 9 league games in 2026

The Atlantic Coast Conference’s transition to a nine-game football schedule will feature 12 of 17 football-playing members playing nine games next fall. The remaining five will stay at eight. The league released details Tuesday. Next year will operate as a bridge to accommodate conference games already on the books. The goal is to have 16 of 17 teams playing nine football games by 2027. The league’s move to a nine-game schedule aligns with Power Four peers. But the ACC is the only one with an uneven number of teams. That means one team will play an eight-game schedule each year.

Jets release wide receiver Allen Lazard after nearly 3 disappointing seasons

Allen Lazard came to the New York Jets with a big contract and high expectations. He’s leaving after almost three disappointing seasons. The Jets released the veteran wide receiver on Tuesday, cutting ties with Lazard after his role diminished significantly this season even as the offense struggled to produce. The 30-year-old Lazard had only 10 catches for 70 yards and a touchdown this season. He signed a four-year contract worth $44 million in 2023 and was expected to be a huge contributor in New York’s offense.