Sports
Toronto FC chasing critical points against visiting Crew
Sep 14, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC midfielder Jonathan Osorio (21) acknowledges the crowd at the end of the second half against Austin FC at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images Toronto FC look to continue their push for their first playoff appearance since 2020 when they host the Columbus Crew on Wednesday.
A 2-1 victory over Austin FC last Saturday has Toronto (11-15-3, 36 points) thinking big even though the Crew (14-5-8, 50 points) have their own aspirations.
Toronto sits in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, which would put the Reds in the play-in match against D.C. United for the final spot in Round One. Toronto is two points back of Charlotte FC and four behind Orlando City SC and New York City FC for fifth.
With four wins in the past six matches, Toronto coach John Herdman is confident heading into the midweek match against the defending MLS Cup champions.
“We’ve got to embrace the challenge,” he said. “It’s an exciting opportunity to have Columbus at home. Not many people give you much chance against that team, the quality they have.”
Toronto will go for the win without defender Shane O’Neill because of a yellow-card accumulation suspension.
The Crew know overtaking Inter Miami for the Supporters’ Shield is unlikely with a 12-point deficit and seven matches left, but making up the two points needed to pass second-place FC Cincinnati is a possibility considering Columbus has played one fewer match.
That’s why the scoreless draw at Cincinnati last Saturday was such a disappointment.
Still, the Crew clinched a playoff spot. While it was a foregone conclusion, head coach Wilfried Nancy was pleased, nonetheless.
“We cannot take everything for granted because it’s been a long season, this is not done and the players are real competitors,” he said. “They deserve it. … Now we’re going to be able to go all in and to push a little bit more.”
Crew midfielder Alexandru Matan agreed.
“Being there is the first step,” he said. “Now the sky is the limit. We’re going to go like we went last season with the same amount of belief. Hopefully, we’re going to go win it again.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
DeAndre Hopkins joins Georgia Tech as assistant WRs coach
Nov 27, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) reacts after making a catch against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images Three-time All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins has been hired as an assistant wide receivers coach at Georgia Tech.
Yellow Jackets head coach Brent Key made the announcement on Friday for Hopkins, who auditioned for a coaching role last week with the New England Patriots.
“DeAndre is one of the greatest receivers of all-time, but his value to our program goes far beyond that,” Key said in a statement. “He has an exceptional knowledge of what we’re doing on offense due to his long relationship with (offensive coordinator) George Godsey and strong familiarity with the ACC, but most importantly, he’s a leader of men that I’m very excited for our players to be around, on and off the field.”
Despite his foray into coaching, Hopkins took to social media to note that his playing career isn’t done.
“I Haven’t retired from the @NFL … But if you’re a WR and you want to be great, come to @GeorgiaTechFB,” Hopkins wrote on X on Saturday morning.
Hopkins, 34, recorded just 22 catches for 330 yards in 17 games (three starts) last season with the Baltimore Ravens.
He has totaled 1,006 receptions for 13,295 yards and 85 touchdown catches in 195 NFL games (172 starts).
Hopkins has seven career 1,000-yard receiving seasons and has caught over 100 passes four times. He earned first-team All-Pro honors three straight years (2017-19).
Hopkins spent his first seven seasons with the Houston Texans before being traded to the Arizona Cardinals. He spent three seasons with Arizona before being released, and he also played with the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Bills S C.J. Gardner-Johnson carted off practice field
Dec 20, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (35) reacts against the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images Buffalo Bills veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson sustained an injury to his lower right leg on Saturday and was carted off the practice field.
The severity of the injury was not immediately known for Gardner-Johnson.
Gardner-Johnson, 28, won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2024 season before he was traded to the Houston Texans on March 11, 2025.
He played just three games with the Texans before catching on with Chicago and playing seven more contests with the Bears. He totaled 66 tackles and three sacks and two interceptions in 2025.
Gardner-Johnson has 20 interceptions, 370 tackles and seven sacks in 87 career games (71 starts) with the New Orleans Saints (2019-21), Eagles (2022, 2024), Detroit Lions (2023), Texans and Bears.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Chiefs rookie WR Cyrus Allen carted off practice field
Jun 9, 2026; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Cyrus Allen (13) runs drills during the Kansas City Chiefs mandatory mini-camp at the Chiefs practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images Kansas City Chiefs rookie receiver Cyrus Allen was carted off the field with an apparent leg injury on Saturday after he collided with a teammate during a special teams drill.
The severity of the injury was not immediately known for Allen, who had difficulty putting weight on his left leg before a cart was summoned to take him back to the locker room.
Allen, 23, impressed head coach Andy Reid during the first few days of training camp.
“He’s done a nice job,” Reid said Friday. “The quarterback trusts him.”
Listed at 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, Allen was selected by the Chiefs in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft out of Cincinnati.
–Field Level Media
DeAndre Hopkins joins Georgia Tech as assistant WRs coach
I put the Camp Snap 2 to the ultimate test: Capturing my honeymoon
