Sports
Browns, now in QB Jameis Winston's hands, face stingy Chargers
Oct 27, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston (5) throws a pass during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images Jameis Winston was just an afterthought earlier this month when the Cleveland Browns had a full stable of quarterbacks.
But Deshaun Watson’s season-ending Achilles injury changed the dynamic and Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s injury to a throwing finger in the same Oct. 20 game fully opened the door for the 30-year-old Winston.
Winston excelled last weekend in his first start in 25-plus months. He will attempt to repeat the performance when the Browns host the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
Winston wiped off the cobwebs and passed for 334 yards and three touchdowns in a 29-24 home victory over the Baltimore Ravens.
The performance prompted Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski to anoint Winston as the starter for the rest of the season.
Winston wasn’t moved, saying there is only one thing on his list of goals.
“My main focus is getting back out there and having a great practice today and continuing to lead this offense to do what we’re capable of doing,” Winston said Wednesday.
There was a time when Winston owned the keys to a franchise. He was the No. 1 overall selection of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2015 and made 70 regular-season starts over five seasons.
Results were mixed and the Buccaneers were ready to move on after Winston led the NFL in passing yardage (5,109) and interceptions (30) in the same campaign in 2019.
Winston then spent four seasons with the New Orleans Saints and started 10 games. He joined the Browns as a free agent in March, very aware that Watson would be the starter.
Now Winston will be the key figure if the underachieving Browns (2-6) are to get back into the playoff mix.
His second consecutive start comes against the Chargers (4-3), who are excelling in limiting opposing offenses. Los Angeles leads the NFL in scoring defense (13 points per game) and is eighth in total defense (305.4 yards per game).
Winston isn’t the least bit deterred.
“Our guys are physical,” Winston said. “Our guys are up for the challenge and I think that’s what football is. They got some good guys. I believe in my guys.”
The Chargers played a solid all-around game last weekend while posting a 26-8 home win over the New Orleans Saints. It was just their second victory since Sept. 15.
The scoring output matched a season high posted in Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers.
Justin Herbert passed for 279 yards and two touchdowns against the Saints after having a season-high 349 yards six days earlier in a loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
The breakout star against New Orleans was rookie receiver Ladd McConkey, who had six receptions for 111 yards and two touchdowns. McConkey is a second-round pick from Georgia.
“Any time you get in the end zone, it’s a big deal,” McConkey said. “Just glad I was able to contribute.”
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh raves about McConkey while Herbert spots a future standout.
“He’s a complete receiver,” Herbert said. “To have that short game and intermediate routes where he’s been so good at it, especially on third downs. Now you add open up some of those go balls that you have to respect … we’ve got a true ball player on our hands.”
Chargers pass rusher Joey Bosa returned on a part-time basis against New Orleans after missing three games with a hip injury.
Bosa was limited in Wednesday’s practice. Tight ends Will Dissly (shoulder) and Stone Smartt (ankle), linebacker Denzel Perryman (toe) and cornerback Kristian Fulton (hamstring) all missed practice.
Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (neck) will miss the contest. He was injured in Sunday’s game against the Ravens and spent the night in the hospital after being carted off the field.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (concussion) missed practice Wednesday and was termed day-by-day by Stefanski. Also missing practice were guard Joel Bitonio (foot), middle linebacker Jordan Hicks (elbow/triceps) and defensive end Za’Darius Smith (illness).
The Chargers have won the past four meetings.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Cards extend manager Oliver Marmol through '28 season
Feb 22, 2026; West Palm Beach, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol (37) looks on from inside the dugout against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol received a two-year contract extension through the 2028 season, the team announced Sunday.
Financial terms were not disclosed by the team, which holds an option for the 2029 season.
“As I’ve gotten to know Oli, I’ve seen someone who cares about this organization and knows what has made the Cardinals special over time — and who understands that for us to get where we need to go, we must compete relentlessly to set new standards in everything that we do,” president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said.
“He is invested in the progress of our young core and is unafraid to challenge himself and to help those around him grow. I am energized to continue working with him towards the on-field success that we expect and that our fans deserve.”
Marmol, 39, has guided the Cardinals to a 325-323 record during his four seasons as the skipper. He led St. Louis to the National League Central title in 2022 before the team fell in the wild-card series to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Last season, the Cardinals posted a 78-84 record to finish in fourth place in the NL Central.
Marmol was a coach with St. Louis from 2017-21 under previous managers Mike Shildt and Mike Matheny.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Tyler Reif treated for heat exhaustion after Trucks race
Oct 31, 2025; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Truck Series driver Tyler Reif (41) during the NASCAR Truck Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series rookie Tyler Reif was treated for heat exhaustion after Saturday night’s street race in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Reif, 18, was transported to an area medical facility after finishing 16th in the race in the No. 42 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet. He was later released.
“Tyler and his family would like to express their gratitude to the NASCAR officials, track medical workers and the local medical facility staff for their care,” Niece Motorsports said in a release.
Reif made his debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Trucks Series in 2025. Saturday’s race was just his third on the circuit, including a 17th-place finish at Atlanta on Feb. 21.
–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
Cards extend manager Oliver Marmol through '28 season
Tyler Reif treated for heat exhaustion after Trucks race
