Sports
Steelers stick with QB Justin Fields, avoid 'hypotheticals' around Russell Wilson
Sep 15, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Steelers coach Mike Tomlin knows 2-0 is significant, but the Los Angeles Chargers show up for Pittsburgh’s home opener with the same record.
“They’ve taken the ball away. They play to a definitive personality, one that I am familiar with,” Tomlin said on Tuesday. “Familiar with (offensive coordinator) Greg (Roman). I would imagine he doesn’t care we’re familiar with his mode of operation. That’s what makes him one of the best in the business.”
While Roman is working under Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh to prepare hobbled quarterback Justin Herbert, Tomlin pointed to sticking with Justin Fields at the controls of the Pittsburgh offense as Russell Wilson remains unlikely to practice on Wednesday.
“As I sit here today, Russ is not scheduled to be a full participant in practice,” Tomlin said. “We’ll follow Russ throughout the week. We are readying ourselves around Justin. And we’ll stay in that mindset until something happens. Hypotheticals is a waste of time. We’ll stay in that mindset.”
Tomlin praised Fields desire to compete and steadiness in various environments.
But while pointing out the road environment caused a “thoughtful” approach to throwing the ball downfield and avoiding risks, Tomlin wouldn’t answer whether Fields has done enough to nail down the starting job when Wilson is cleared.
“I’m focused on the next task. Until Russell gets to a state of readiness where he’s a consideration, I won’t speculate in any way,” Tomlin said. “I’ve stated where we are. My position regarding the pecking order and the depth chart hasn’t changed, and it won’t, until the other guy is ready. I don’t speculate. I don’t know how many ways I can say this.”
Tomlin praised both quarterbacks: Wilson for his professionalism and modeling leadership for younger players during a time of adversity and Fields for being an all-out competitor who enters a fight with his fists fully loaded.
He said the decision at quarterback could be revisited when and if Wilson is healthy, who isn’t yet cleared to be a full participant in practice.
A division rival of the Ravens and Harbaugh’s brother, John, the Steelers also are preparing for former Baltimore running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards. They’re now the 1-2 punch for Roman and the engine of the Chargers’ running game averaging 5.6 yards per carry. Los Angeles has 395 rushing yards in two games.
The Chargers also employ a defensive coordinator familiar to Tomlin in Jesse Minter; Tomlin worked with Minter’s dad, Rick Minter, at University of Cincinnati.
Tomlin said left guard Isaac Seumalo “might be closer to return” if he can participate in practice this week. He missed the first two games with a pectoral injury.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: RB David Montgomery 'wants out' of Detroit
Dec 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) looks on before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images Lions running back David Montgomery “wants out” of Detroit after three seasons, ESPN reported on Sunday.
Montgomery, however, immediately appeared to refute the report on X, posting: “Damn, Dmo told you that?”
The ESPN report claims the Lions would want “a decent Day 3 pick (possibly a fifth-rounder)” in the 2026 NFL Draft in return for Montgomery, who turns 29 in June and is owed $6 million next season.
The report follows general manager Brad Holmes’ remarks after the season about Montgomery being unhappy with his playing time in 2025. Sharing a backfield with Jahmyr Gibbs, Montgomery rushed for a career-low 716 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games (no starts).
“Those are conversations that we’re going to have to have because I’ve got a lot of respect for that player,” Holmes said of Montgomery in January. “He deserves to be in a situation where his skillset can be utilized, and so yeah would love for it to be here, but if it can’t be here then you’d just love to see where could work out best for him.”
At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Tuesday, Holmes said the situation with Montgomery is “fluid.” He signed a two-year extension during the 2024 season that runs through the end of the 2027 campaign.
“Yeah, I have been in touch with David’s agent, and his representation,” Holmes revealed. “Obviously, we love David, he’s a great player, we love to have him, you know, kind of want to put last year in the rear view, and just move forward. But, obviously, a player has to want to be at a certain place as well. The conversations are still fluid, but we’ll see how it goes.”
Montgomery has rushed for 2,506 yards and 33 touchdowns in 45 games (28 starts) in three seasons with Detroit (2023-25). He has 76 catches for 650 yards in that span.
He began his career with the NFC North rival Chicago Bears, who drafted him in the third round in 2019. Montgomery rushed for 3,609 yards and 26 scores in 60 games (51 starts) with the Bears (2019-22).
–Field Level Media
Sports
Yankees LHP Ryan Yarbrough joins U.S. roster for WBC
Jun 18, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Ryan Yarbrough (33) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images New York Yankees left-hander Ryan Yarbrough was added to the Team USA roster for the upcoming World Baseball Classic on Sunday.
The 34-year-old reliever replaces Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan, who is dealing with low back tightness. Ryan moves into the designated pitcher pool, meaning he is eligible for a call-up after each round of the WBC.
Yarbrough went 3-1 with a 4.36 ERA and one save in 19 games (eight starts) during his first season with the Yankees in 2025, striking out 55 batters and walking 19 in 64 innings.
Ryan Yarbrough has been added to our roster for the World Baseball Classic!#ForGlory???? pic.twitter.com/RrtKJQ20gz
— USA Baseball (@USABaseball) March 1, 2026
Team USA will play its first game of the 2026 WBC on Friday night, meeting Brazil in a Pool B contest in Houston.
Yarbrough has a career record of 56-41 with a 4.22 ERA and four saves in 215 games (76 starts) with the Tampa Bay Rays (2018-22), Kansas City Royals (2023), Los Angeles Dodgers (2023-24), Toronto Blue Jays (2024) and Yankees. The side-arming southpaw signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal in November to return to New York in 2026.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Ex-pitcher Dan Serafini gets life sentence for '21 murder
Dan Serafini (file photo) pitched in MLB with seven teams. He was convited of first-degree murder. Former major league pitcher Dan Serafini was sentenced to life in prison without parole on Friday for the 2021 shootings of his in-laws in North Lake Tahoe, Calif.
Serafini, 52, was convicted in July of the first-degree murder of father-in-law Gary Spohr and the attempted first-degree murder of mother-in-law Wendy Wood during a burglary. Spohr, 70, died from a single gunshot and Wood, then 68, survived but died by suicide the following year.
In the courtroom on Friday in Auburn, Calif., Placer County prosecutor Morgan Gire described Spohr and Wood as loving grandparents.
“The impact of this attack has extended far beyond the immediate victims, deeply affecting family members and the broader community, and highlighting the lasting harm caused by deliberate violence,” Gire said.
Serafini, who pitched for six MLB teams from 1996 to 2007, addressed the court and maintained his innocence. He said he was out partying with his wife, Erin Spohr, at the time of the shooting and referred to himself as a “broken, imperfect man that makes mistakes,” according to MyNews4.
The Minnesota Twins selected Serafini, a native of the San Francisco area, with the No. 26 overall pick in the 1992 MLB Draft. He made his debut in 1996 and went on to appear in 104 games (33 starts) with the Twins, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies before his retirement in 2007.
He had a 15-16 record with a 6.04 ERA and one save. He threw 263 2/3 innings and struck out 127 batters.
–Field Level Media
Report: RB David Montgomery 'wants out' of Detroit
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