Quick Hits

• Caitlin Clark is in the clear: The WNBA rescinded a technical foul against the Indiana Fever star on Saturday. She was initially penalized for making contact with a referee, which would have triggered an automatic one-game suspension.
• Commanders lose a star blocker: Washington left tackle Laremy Tunsil suffered a torn triceps in practice and will likely miss most of the 2026 NFL season, dealing a massive blow to the team's offensive line just weeks before the regular season.
• NFL training camp tempers flare: Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins and star defensive player Maxx Crosby had to be separated by teammates after a physical scuffle at Friday's practice.
• Soccer loses a pivotal figure: Jorge Messi, the father and longtime agent of soccer icon Lionel Messi, has died in Argentina at the age of 68.

Minnesota Teams

It was a very quiet Saturday on the local sports front. With no major breaking news hitting the wire today for the Vikings, Twins, Timberwolves, Wild, Lynx, or Minnesota United, fans get a brief breather before the NFL preseason officially kicks into gear. We'll keep you posted the moment local rosters start making moves.

NFL

• Washington Commanders left tackle Laremy Tunsil suffered a torn triceps during practice. He will likely require surgery and miss a significant portion of the 2026 season.
• Things got heated at the Las Vegas Raiders' training camp. Quarterback Kirk Cousins took issue after star pass rusher Maxx Crosby hit him multiple times, leading to a scuffle that teammates had to quickly break up.
• Philadelphia Eagles veteran Lane Johnson announced that the 2026 season will likely be his last in the NFL. The six-time Pro Bowler says he feels the pull of off-field responsibilities as he wraps up a decorated career.
• The Tennessee Titans made Peter Skoronski the highest-paid guard in NFL history, signing him to a massive four-year, $100 million contract extension.
• The Indianapolis Colts will be without cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt for a bit, as the NFL suspended him for violating the league's personal conduct policy following a five-day jail sentence earlier this year.
• San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan publicly addressed his recent car accident for the first time, stating that his vehicle was in autopilot mode when the crash occurred.
• CBS Sports analysts are already looking ahead to next year, noting that big names like Rob Gronkowski, Adrian Peterson, and Ben Roethlisberger will be eligible for the 2027 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.
• CBS Sports also suggests that the Arizona Cardinals should bypass a position battle and immediately name rookie Carson Beck their starting quarterback following his impressive Hall of Fame Game performance.

NBA

• The WNBA made a lightning-fast ruling on Saturday, rescinding a technical foul against Caitlin Clark less than two hours after it was issued. The tech, which was called after she made contact with a referee, would have been her eighth of the season and resulted in an automatic suspension for the Fever's upcoming game against the New York Liberty.
• Despite the tech drama, Clark says she is playing the best basketball of her career in her third season. She already holds the WNBA record for the most 20-point, 10-assist games, though analysts note her game is still a work in progress.
• League commissioner Cathy Engelbert sent a memo to players and teams stating that the WNBA will continue its discussions regarding transgender athlete participation next week.
• In other WNBA action, Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington was ejected from a game after a hard foul to the face of Fever player Sophie Cunningham. Cunningham, who has been at the center of recent league controversies, said she believed the hard contact was intentional.
• Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson celebrated her 30th birthday. Having already secured four MVP awards and three WNBA titles before turning 30, CBS Sports makes the case that she may already be the greatest player in the league's history.
• In an interesting offseason look, ESPN profiled top high school basketball prospect Ahmed Nur's exclusive invite to "The Sanctuary" — a high-tech, private offseason performance retreat for NBA players in Andalusia, Spain.

MLB

• The Chicago White Sox found themselves in an early hole on Friday night when manager Will Venable made what was described as an "inexcusable mistake," forcing him to change pitchers in the very first inning of their game against the Guardians.
• The New York Yankees held their annual Old-Timers' Day on Saturday. Notably absent was Tommy John—the legendary pitcher whose name lives on through the famous elbow surgery performed on countless MLB players today. John shared a vague but sweet farewell message online, writing, "Will never forget you."
• Over in Philadelphia, fan-favorite Chase Utley was inducted into the Phillies' Wall of Fame. Utley, a six-time All-Star, was a key piece of the franchise's 2008 World Series championship team.
• For those tracking the weekend's biggest matchups, betting models and experts are keeping a close eye on Saturday's Yankees vs. Braves game, as well as Sunday Night Baseball's showdown between the Astros and Padres.

College Sports

• Attempts to federally regulate college sports have hit a wall. The "Protect College Sports Act" failed to reach the Senate floor for a vote before lawmakers went on recess until September. With midterm elections approaching, the bill's passage is anything but certain.
• With college football right around the corner, ESPN highlighted 51 true freshmen who aren't necessarily the highest-ranked recruits, but are poised to make an immediate impact on conference races and the College Football Playoff this fall.

Other Sports

• Soccer: Jorge Messi, the father and agent of global soccer icon Lionel Messi, has passed away in Argentina at the age of 68. He had reportedly been battling health issues over the summer.
• Soccer (Wrexham): Wrexham AFC—the lower-league club made famous by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney—is facing a harsh reality check. Following a recent promotion, the team is dealing with lower spending and key player departures as they attempt an uphill battle to reach the Premier League.
• Soccer (Transfers): Inter Milan striker Pio Esposito is drawing major interest from English Premier League giants Arsenal and Manchester United, according to ESPN.
• Boxing: Fans in Dublin, Ireland, got their money's worth at Zuffa Boxing 10 on Saturday. Aaron McKenna captured the IBF middleweight gold, while Callum Walsh survived a knockdown to secure a victory.
• MMA: UFC Fight Night returns to Paramount+ on Saturday, featuring a main event lightweight clash between Mateusz Gamrot and Quillan Salkilld in Las Vegas.