Sports
Anthony Richardson out; Joe Flacco to start as Colts QB
Dec 22, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) gives a thumbs up before the snap during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images Indianapolis quarterback Anthony Richardson has been ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars due to ongoing severe back pain, Colts head coach Shane Steichen told reporters Friday.
“Just didn’t make enough progress this week with the back,” Steichen said of Richardson, who didn’t practice for the second straight week.
Richardson, who missed Week 17’s 45-33 loss to the New York Giants, told reporters Wednesday that he could barely stand up or walk and had to crawl around the house on Dec. 24.
“I’ve been dealing with stuff like this since about eighth grade, but it’s never been this severe,” Richardson said. “It was definitely a little scary last week, not being able to move. But, like I said, I’m standing up now and I’m looking forward to playing this week if I can.”
Veteran Joe Flacco will again take Richardson’s place in Sunday’s matchup against the Jaguars. With Richardson out with an oblique injury when the Colts lost 37-34 to the host Jaguars in Week 5, Flacco started and passed for 359 yards and three touchdowns. He completed 26 of 38 for 330 yards and two touchdowns in the loss to the Giants last Sunday.
In addition to the oblique and back injuries, Richardson, the fourth overall choice in the 2023 NFL Draft, struggled this season with his accuracy and completed just 47.7 percent of his passes with 12 interceptions. He also threw eight touchdowns, ran for six more and had a 6-5 record as a starter this season.
The loss to the Giants eliminated the Colts from the playoffs, marking the fourth consecutive non-playoff season for Indianapolis.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Mavericks introduce Masai Ujiri as team president
Sep 30, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto Raptors vice chairman and team president Masai Ujiri talks to the media during media day at Scotiabank Area. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images The Dallas Mavericks hired former Toronto Raptors executive Masai Ujiri as their new team president and alternate governor on Monday.
Ujiri, 55, spent 12 seasons in the Raptors’ front office (2013-25) and was the architect of the franchise’s first NBA championship in 2018-19.
“The Dallas Mavericks are committed to being a world-class organization with a strong culture and focused on winning championships. Masai Ujiri is one of the great basketball leaders of this generation and his addition to our franchise is a critical step in meeting our goals,” said Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont. “We are honored to have him join the Mavs family. We welcome his energy and determination along with his leadership, experience and many accomplishments as a basketball executive. We are very excited about the future of our team.”
Before joining Toronto, Ujiri was general manager of the Denver Nuggets from 2010-13 and was named the NBA’s Executive of the Year for 2012-13. The Raptors and Nuggets were a combined 690-504 with 12 playoff appearances in his 15 seasons in charge.
“I’m honored to join the Dallas Mavericks and step into this role at such an important time for the organization,” Ujiri said. “This is a franchise with a proud history, passionate fans, and a commitment to winning. I look forward to working with our players, coaches, and leadership team to build something that reflects that standard and competes at the highest level. We will win in Dallas.”
Ujiri’s hiring ends a six-month search process for a new leader in Dallas, which fired general manager Nico Harrison on Nov. 11. Harrison’s tenure ended after a 3-8 start to the 2025-26 season and the continued fan backlash over the February 2025 trade of superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi ran the Dallas front office as co-interim general managers following the dismissal of Harrison.
The Mavericks finished 26-56 this season, the team’s worst record since 2017-18 (24-58), despite the play of Rookie of the Year and No. 1 overall draft pick Cooper Flagg. The 19-year-old forward averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 70 games.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Sabres F Sam Carrick (arm) could practice on Tuesday
Mar 31, 2026; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Sam Carrick (10) goes off the ice with an injury during the third period against the New York Islanders at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images Buffalo Sabres forward Sam Carrick is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a left arm injury and could return to practice on Tuesday.
Carrick, 34, initially was expected to miss the Eastern Conference second-round playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens. The best-of-seven set begins Wednesday night in Buffalo.
“(He’s) going to see our doctors today and thinks he’s further along than maybe I portrayed yesterday,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said Monday. “So, with good news, he could join our team back in practice tomorrow, which is great news. That would put him a little bit ahead of schedule.”
Carrick has not played or practiced since he was injured in a March 31 fight against the New York Islanders.
Acquired from the New York Rangers at the trade deadline, Carrick recorded five goals and one assist in 13 games for the Sabres.
Carrick has 89 points (43 goals, 46 assists) and 439 penalty minutes in 393 career games with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Anaheim Ducks, Edmonton Oilers, Rangers and Sabres.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Panthers add longtime S Mike Adams to coaching staff
Nov 4, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers free safety Mike Adams (29) on the sidelines with defensive tackle Dontari Poe (95) in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images The Carolina Panthers will hire longtime NFL safety Mike Adams to assist the coaching staff, multiple outlets reported Monday.
Adams, 45, began his NFL career in 2004 with the San Francisco 49ers and played for two seasons (2017-18) for the Panthers. He had 935 tackles and 30 interceptions over 16 seasons and 228 games with the 49ers (2004-06), Cleveland Browns (2007-11), Denver Broncos (2012-13), Indianapolis Colts (2014-16), Panthers and Houston Texans (2019).
He was named to consecutive Pro Bowls from 2014-15 with the Colts.
Adams will initially join the staff as a Bill Walsh coaching fellow, in an initiative to promote diversity in the coaching ranks. He will be utilized during offseason workout programs and in training camp.
–Field Level Media
Mavericks introduce Masai Ujiri as team president
Sabres F Sam Carrick (arm) could practice on Tuesday
