Sports
Giants QB Daniel Jones 'moving forward' after benching
Oct 20, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) warms up before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Daniel Jones has been told he’s the New York Giants’ starting quarterback going forward, but he declined to say if coach Brian Daboll has given him assurances about how long that will remain the case if the offense’s struggles continue.
Jones was benched for Drew Lock during the fourth quarter of the Giants’ 28-3 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday. The following day, Daboll said that Jones will be under center when the Giants (2-5) visit the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) next Monday night.
Both said Thursday that the two have spoken this week, but declined to provide details of what was said about Jones’ job security.
“We went over the game, watched the film and spoke about the game,” Jones said. “I’ll leave a lot of that private. But, like I said, I’m getting ready to play Pittsburgh.
“Obviously, no one’s happy about the way the game went last week. I think there’s a number of issues that we’re all looking to address and improve. That’s what we got to do. Starting with me, I’m taking that approach. But we’re moving forward this week. I think that’s our mindset.”
The Giants enter Week 8 ranked 28th in total offense, averaging 290.7 yards per game, while the passing game is 23rd at 189.1 yards per game. After an impressive 29-20 upset at Seattle in Week 6, New York has scored a combined 10 points in consecutive losses.
Lock also struggled while playing from multiple scores down and behind an offensive line that struggles to pass protect.
Asked if he has provided Jones any reassurances about his job security, Daboll offered only that “we’ve had conversations. Those would be private conversations, and our focus is on getting ready to play Pittsburgh.”
The offensive line has surrendered 22 sacks through seven games, and Jones has been sacked once every 11.4 pass attempts. He also has a paltry 44.9 passer rating when under pressure, according to data analytics company Inside Edge.
Meanwhile, the Steelers enter with the league’s eighth-ranked defense and have 15 sacks to go with 13 takeaways this season.
The Giants’ protection issues have been magnified by the season-ending injury to left tackle Andrew Thomas. Joshua Ezeudu is in line to make his second consecutive start in Thomas’ place, with Christopher Hubbard also under consideration.
The team worked out veteran offensive tackle DJ Humphries this week. He wasn’t immediately signed, with Daboll saying only that, “He’s a good young man. We had a good visit with him. So, we’ll see where that goes.”
Another glaring disparity is the Giants’ 2-1 record on the road compared to going winless through their first four home games while averaging 7.75 points. They return to the road on Monday night, although it will be at Pittsburgh, which is a notoriously difficult venue in prime-time games.
“Good defense, tough place to play,” Jones said. “Obviously, we’ve heard about it. But we’re focused on us. I think putting so much time and energy into them and what they do — I’m focused on us and playing well as a group together. Getting back to doing a lot of the things we were doing and then improving those from there.
“Obviously, last week, not a good game. But at points, we’ve played with the rhythm, executed. We got to get back to that and that’s what we’re focused on.”
The Giants could be thin at cornerback, with Adoree Jackson (neck), Tre Hawkins III (ankle) and Cor’Dale Flott (groin) all sitting out practice again Thursday. Also sidelined were punter Jamie Gillan (hamstring), defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence (hip), and linebacker Ty Summers (ankle). Lawrence leads the NFL with nine sacks.
Outside linebacker Brian Burns (groin), who has four sacks and six tackles for loss, was able to participate as was wide receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton (Achilles).
“Still just trying to make sure everything is smooth for Sunday, but yeah, I feel better,” Burns said.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Red Sox tackle Blue Jays to secure sixth straight series win
Jul 26, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Ranger Suarez (55) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images Boston Red Sox starter Ranger Suarez and four relievers combined to shut down the visiting Toronto Blue Jays in a 6-1 win Sunday.
Boston, which has won 17 of its last 19 games, won a sixth straight series.
Suarez, pitching for the first time since July 5 due to a groin strain, was taken out after four scoreless innings and 64 pitches. The southpaw allowed four hits with no walks and struck out six.
Greg Weissert (3-2), Tyron Guerrero, Justin Slaten and Ryan Watson scattered five Blue Jays hits the rest of the way.
Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman (4-10) allowed three runs and five hits in six innings. The right-hander walked one and struck out six in 98 pitches.
Toronto has lost eight straight Gausman starts, and the 35-year-old has not won since May 22.
Boston jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the third when Andruw Monasterio led off with a single off the Green Monster. He scored on a two-out single by Ceddanne Rafaela.
The Red Sox added two more in the fourth when Willson Contreras led off with a walk and Caleb Durbin singled. Romy Gonzalez laid down a bunt to sacrifice the runners to second and third, and Jarren Duran drove them both in with a single to center for a 3-0 lead.
Suarez, meanwhile, kept the Blue Jays off balance.
His only trouble came in the fourth inning when Alejandro Kirk and George Springer hit back-to-back one-out singles. Suarez, however, induced Daulton Varsho to hit into a fielder’s choice and then struck out Kazuma Okamoto looking to end the threat.
The Red Sox scored three more in the seventh.
Duran led off with a single and Monasterio walked. Carlos Narvaez bunted them over and pinch hitter Jahmai Jones doubled them both in with a drive off the wall in center.
Jones came home when Wilyer Abreu broke an 0-for-20 streak with a double off the wall in left.
The Blue Jays finally broke through in the ninth with three hits. Andres Gimenez drove in Varsho with two outs for their lone run.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Birthday boy Ryan O'Hearn leads Pirates past Cubs
Jul 26, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe (left) and designated hitter Bryan Reynolds (10) greet first baseman Ryan O’Hearn (29) crossing home plate on a grand slam home run against the Chicago Cubs during the third inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Ryan O’Hearn celebrated his 32nd birthday by belting his second grand slam of the season and fourth of his career as the host Pittsburgh Pirates held on for an 8-7 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday.
Pittsburgh’s Shawn Ross launched a two-run homer in his second MLB game while rookie Esmerlyn Valdez also went deep and added an RBI single
Brandon Lowe collected three hits and two runs as the Pirates snapped a three-game losing streak in the finale of the three-game series.
The offensive explosion proved just enough for Braxton Ashcraft (10-4), who allowed four runs on seven hits in six innings.
Carmen Mlodzinski bridged the gap to Mason Montgomery, who surrendered Seiya Suzuki’s two-run homer in the ninth before retiring the next two batters to secure his second save.
Pete Crow-Armstrong ripped an RBI triple and Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner and Pedro Ramirez each had an RBI single for the Cubs.
Swanson opened the scoring in the second with an RBI single, but that slim advantage didn’t last long.
Valdez sent a 1-1 cutter from Jameson Taillon (2-6) over the left center wall to lead off the second inning. Valdez’s homer was his 14th of the season and eighth in his last 13 games. After O’Hearn walked, Ross deposited a 3-2 cutter over the wall in left.
The Pirates loaded the bases in the third before O’Hearn deposited a 0-1 fastball from Taillon over the wall in center to stake his team to a 7-1 lead. The homer by O’Hearn was his 17th of the season and first since he went deep three times — highlighted by a grand slam — in a 12-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves on July 7.
Taillon permitted seven runs on six hits in four innings to fall to 0-5 in his last eight outings.
Chicago scored three times in the fourth before Valdez’s broken-bat RBI single off Ryan Rolison extended Pittsburgh’s advantage to 8-5 in the fifth.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Jerry Kelly holds on to win 'indescribable' Senior Open title
Jerry Kelly hits out of a bunker on hole No. 14 during round 3 of the Kaulig Companies PGA Championship, July 11, 2026, at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio. Jerry Kelly turned a clutch bunker shot on the final hole into a birdie and won the ISPS Handa Senior Open by two shots on Sunday in Auchterarder, Scotland.
Kelly, 59, delivered his third consecutive round of 2-under-par 68 on The King’s Gleneagles course and finished at 10-under 270 to win the fifth and final major tournament of the season.
Matt Gogel, Darren Fichardt of South Africa and Cameron Percy of Australia all finished two shots back in a tie for second place.
With a one-shot lead on the par-5 closing hole, Kelly found the bunker with his second shot. The Madison, Wisc., native put the bunker shot to within 4 feet and made the putt for his first Senior Open title and his third major victory on the Champions Tour.
“It’s indescribable to win it,” said Kelly, who now has 15 overall victories on the Champions Tour. “The senior Claret Jug is the trophy that I’ve wanted as an over-50 golfer other than any other. To do it in Scotland, at the home of golf … I mean, I’m absolutely speechless.”
Tied for the lead with Percy at the start of the final round, Kelly was 2 under through five holes before his first bogey of the day at No. 6. He bounced back by birdieing the par-3 eighth. Kelly also had a bogey at No. 11 before he reeled off six consecutive pars that led into his birdie at 18.
“My brain, actually, was the most successful part of my game,” Kelly said. “In the past I would have gotten down that I wasn’t striking it the way I’d like to strike it. But instead of worrying about that, I just went and took care of the next shot.
“I learned a lot about myself today, and I wish I would have learned it about 20, 30 years ago.”
Gogel worked his way into contention with a 7-under 63 in the final round as he shot a 4-under 30 on the front nine. He also had birdies at Nos. 10 and 12 to close the gap, then wrapped his round with his seventh birdie of the day at No. 18.
“Certainly by 10, when I had a two-putt birdie there, I was thinking, ‘Geez, we keep this thing going, we have a chance to get a high finish,'” Gogel said.
Percy (even-par 70) had a rocky ride in the final round and was at 2 over the front nine. He had his first birdie of the day at No. 10 before another bogey at No. 11. He gathered himself down the stretch for two more birdies but was unable to collect another at the 18th.
Percy missed a 6-foot birdie putt on the final hole that would have put more pressure on Kelly.
Fichardt shot a 4-under 66 to close in on Kelly. He started his round with a bogey on the first hole, but had a strong finish with birdies at Nos. 14, 15 and 18.
Kely remained undaunted with his one-putt birdie to win it.
“To be on this trophy, to be a part of this trophy, to be a part of the R&A — I just love it over here, I really do,” Kelly said. “It brings it full circle that I didn’t do what I wanted to in the Open Championship but to get it done here, I mean, I’m over the moon.”
–Field Level Media
The Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 launch with better battery life and a lower price point than their predecessor
Red Sox tackle Blue Jays to secure sixth straight series win
