After the Arizona Cardinals made Jeremiah Love the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, many feel like he is the early favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. After all, running backs typically don’t have as steep a learning curve as some of their peers.

While Love isn’t your average running back prospect, he’s also entering a pretty stacked backfield that also includes two-time Pro Bowler James Connor and Tyler Allger, who recorded over 1,000 rushing yards as a rookie in 2022 and signed a $12.5 million contract with the Cardinals this offseason.

Love is expected to claim the Cardinals’ starting running back job, but Connor and Allger will certainly still be in the mix. His presence may diminish Love’s impact in his rookie season.

Sports IllustratedAlbert Breer believes Love’s low workload makes him an outside bet to win the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award. This was his response when asked which rookie would make the biggest impact as a rookie.

While Love will likely return, he will have to share some of the workload, unless the Cardinals plan to trade or cut Connor and/or Alger. Nevertheless, a partnership with Alger is unlikely, given that he only signed his contract in March. With less stuff to go around, it may take a year or two for Love to become the superstar that many envision.

RELATED: Ranking the 2026 NFL rookie offensive candidates

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is just hours away, and there is plenty of intrigue over what the Washington Commander could do with the seventh overall selection. After missing the playoffs and seeing their offense and defense decline massively, it is safe to say that the Commanders need help on both sides of the ball.

Still, Washington only has six draft selections overall, and moving up the draft board may not be an option for Commanders general manager Adam Peters. However, that’s probably not what head coach Dan Quinn wants to hear, as he reportedly has his eye on a special talent for his defense.

According to NFL insider Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports, Coach Quinn “loves” Ohio State linebacker Sonny Stiles. Still, he says Washington “knows they need a WR and they’ve done a lot of work on Ohio State’s Carnell Tate.”

Both are expected to be in the top-10. Styles, even though he is a linebacker, could be a top-five selection, meaning Washington will have to move up to reach target Quinn Cowets.

As for Tate, it seems more realistic for him to fall to seven, but there is some discussion that Cleveland could select the Ohio State receiver at No. 6. However, finding a franchise for a tackle could influence their decision, leaving Tate to Washington instead.

Either way, it appears the Commander is entering Thursday night with an open mind, which is what you need to do when there are six other teams making selections before Washington.

RELATED: Final 2026 NFL mock draft: Projecting Round 1 with trades

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes missed the club’s UEFA Champions League clash against Barcelona on Tuesday due to injury. His teammate Lewis Hall has already made it clear how much the Brazilian will be missed.

Before the first phase meeting at St James’ Park, Hall spoke tnt sports brazil. The defender was asked about Guimaraes’ importance to Newcastle, especially in moments when the midfielder cannot play.

Timing of the interview matters. Hall’s comments came before the match, with Newcastle already preparing to face Barcelona without their captain.

The game ended in a 1–1 draw. Harvey Barnes put Newcastle ahead in the 85th minute, but Lamine Yamal equalized in stoppage time to seal the Champions League last-16 tie.

What did Lewis Hall say about Bruno Guimaraes?

Hall described Guimaraes as one of the most influential figures in the team and praised both his quality and personality inside the dressing room.

“Bruno is not only an incredible player, but also an incredible person,” He said.

The defender also highlighted the Brazilian’s relationship with the club since his arrival in January 2022, at a time when Newcastle United were still rebuilding.

“I think you can see in his performances and his passion, how much he loves this club.” Hall explained.

Hall also noted how Guimaraes developed into a leadership role at St James’ Park and eventually became captain.

“When he signed, the club was in a difficult situation. And now to have him as our captain and a big player for us is obviously a credit to him.”

Newcastle United missed him against Barcelona

During the interview, Hall openly admitted that Newcastle United were anticipating a difficult night without the midfielder.

“He’s a magical player. He does a lot of things in the game that a lot of people can’t do,” Hall said.

He also made it clear that the team expects Guimaraes to return soon.

“We will miss him terribly, but hopefully he will make a quick recovery and be back as soon as possible.”

The comments were made before kick-off against Barcelona. Afterwards, the match itself served as a reminder of how important Guimaraes is to Newcastle United as they prepare for the decisive second leg.

Eddie Howe will not be disappointed with his team’s performance, although Barcelona’s equalizer was a low blow given how late it came and how it happened.

Newcastle United are still in Champions League contention and will be hoping to keep it strong early on at the Camp Nou. The boost in Barcelona will help the Magpies. Then the goal will be to take advantage of that.

During this time, bruno guimares He is spending some time in Brazil as he fights to make a comeback. The midfielder wants to push back his return date to help his club as the World Cup is around the corner.

🇧🇷Bruno Guimaraes | Now working with Botafogo

📅 Newcastle United midfielder is trying to make a quick comeback
➡️ Working hard on recovery in Brazil
➡️Meeting with Carlo Ancelottihttps://t.co/L5dYG6Ghyr #nufc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 25 February 2026

The Los Angeles Lakers faced the LA Clippers for the fourth and final time in the 2025-26 regular season, and it was another chance for Luka Doncic to play against a team he has struggled with more than any team in his career.

In their first game out of the All-Star break, the Lakers led by 14 points at the end of the first quarter, 41–27, thanks to Luka Doncic’s hot shooting start. In the first 12 minutes of the game, Doncic recorded 17 points, two rebounds and four assists, while shooting 6 of 8 from the field and 4 of 5 from three.

Doncic’s four assists led to a pair of three-pointers and a pair of two-pointers, meaning he accounted for 27 of the Lakers’ 41 points in the opening period.

Doncic’s 17-point first quarter marked the 30th time the guard recorded at least 10 points in a quarter against the Clippers. This is the 60th time that Doncic has recorded 10 or more points against the Clippers in a single quarter, including the regular season and postseason.

Tonight’s first quarter was the 60th time in Luka Doncic’s career that he recorded 10+ points in a quarter against the LA Clippers.

This was his 30th appearance in the regular season.

– Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) 21 February 2026

The only other player to have a quarter of 10 or more points against the Clippers is Kevin Durant, with 79 points. Doncic tied Stephen Curry’s 60 quarters of 10 or more points against the Clippers.

What is the difference between the three? Durant is currently in his 18th season in the NBA, Stephen Curry is in his 17th season, and Doncic is only in his eighth season. By the time it’s all said and done, who knows how far up on that list Luka Doncic will be.

Additionally, Luka Doncic has the second-most points per game average of any player versus the Clippers franchise.

Doncic’s 32.1 points per game average against the Milwaukee Bucks trails only Michael Jordan’s 32.3 points per game. The next three highest points per game averages against a single franchise are also owned by Michael Jordan (32.0 vs. the Cavs, 32.0 vs. the Knicks, and 31.9 vs. the Knicks).

Luka Doncic is averaging 32.1 points per game against the LA Clippers.

This is the second-highest career points per game average of any player versus one franchise (regular season and postseason). pic.twitter.com/Bw2fVALr7w

– Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) 21 February 2026

Entering Friday’s game, Luka Doncic had played 42 games against the LA Clippers, combining both the regular season and postseason. Their record in those games is 23-19.