When Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy took the field Saturday, it marked the end of a 364-day hiatus from in-game action for the second-year gunslinger.

The Vikings’ preseason opener against the Houston Texans was McCarthy’s first game back healthy since Aug. 10, 2024, when he tore his meniscus in Minnesota’s 2024 preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders. The injury robbed McCarthy of his rookie season before it even began.

The Michigan product started Saturday in his return to action and played a solid first drive.

McCarthy’s knee looked plenty healthy as he moved around inside and out of the pocket. That fact was most apparent when he took off for an eight-yard rush on fourth-and-4 to pick up a first down.

Vikings backup Sam Howell took over for McCarthy after the team’s first offensive possession, which ended in a 48-yard field goal from Will Reichard.

J.J. McCarthy preseason stats

Here’s how McCarthy’s performance looked in the box score after his one-drive return to game action:

• Completion rate: 4 of 7 (57%)
• Passing yards: 30
• Touchdowns: 0
• Interceptions: 0
• Rush attempts: 1
• Rushing yards: 8

In his limited time back on the field in his return, McCarthy did plenty to show why the Vikings are placing their trust in him after passing on signing veteran free agents and letting Sam Darnold walk in free agency.

On his first pass attempt, McCarthy faked a handoff then rolled out to his left before hitting Jordan Addison with a strike for a short gain. He converted his first chance on third down with a quick pass to Addison.

A couple of plays later, he made his best throw of the game with a deeper pass, again to Addison, to pick up 18 yards. It was a well-placed throw between the trailing defender and the sideline – one made more impressive by the execution with pressure in his face and bit of lower-body contact after the play.

In case there were still any concerns about McCarthy’s knee health, his aforementioned eight-yard scramble to pick up a first down should put most doubts to bed.

Once again facing pressure up the middle on a fourth-down play in Texans territory, McCarthy sprinted out to his right to avoid the pass-rush before he cruised ahead for the first down.

The two worst plays by McCarthy were small miscues: a batted pass on an apparent RPO to his back side and an overthrow to an open receiver on third down to close out his lone drive.

Overall, a strong showing for McCarthy without lead receiver Justin Jefferson active for the game, showing a strong connection with Addison, his No. 2 receiver. That could come into play by Week 4 of the regular season, when Addison returns from his three-game suspension for violating the league’s Substances of Abuse policy.

Indiana and Pennsylvania will compete in the Little League Softball World Series after winning in the semifinals in Greenville, North Carolina, on Saturday, Aug. 9.

Indiana will play for the championship following a victory over North Carolina. Scarlet Renn and Grace Fiore each scored one of the two runs for Indiana.

Pennsylvania earned a shutout victory over Oklahoma in the evening game. It will be the first time that Pennsylvania will make a championship game appearance since 2018.

The World Series game will be played on Sunday, Aug. 10. North Carolina and Oklahoma will also stay in town to play again on Sunday in the third-place game.

USA TODAY Sports had full coverage of Saturday’s semifinals. Follow for updates from all the action, plus scroll below for scores from every game played so far.

How to watch 2025 Little League Softball World Series

The 2025 Little League Softball World Series will be broadcast on ESPN platforms, with the championship game airing on ABC. Games will also be available to stream on ESPN+.

• Dates: Aug. 3-10
• TV: ESPN | ESPN2 | ABC
• Stream: ESPN+
• Location: Greenville, North Carolina

Stream the Little League Softball World Series on ESPN+

2025 Little League Softball World Series Day 7 scores

• Game 19: Floyds Knobs, Indiana (Central) 2, Pitt County (North Carolina region) 0 (Final 7 Innings)
• Game 20: Johnstown, Pennsylvania (Mid-Atlantic) 4, Tulsa, Oklahoma (Southwest) 0 (Final 6 innings)

Pennsylvania is moving on

Pennsylvania added a fourth run in the top of the 5th inning before Oklahoma threatened in the bottom of the inning by loading up the bases with two outs.

Reagan Bills put the game away again for Pennsylvania, recording the final strike and sending her team back to the Little League World Series Softball Championship game for the first time since 2018.

‘I knew my team was behind me and when (coach) called a change-up, I was going to make it unhittable,’ Bills told ESPN after the game.

Oklahoma will compete in the third-place game.

Pennsylvania’s offense is rolling

Pennsylvania has built a comfortable 3-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning, scoring back-to-back runs.

Leilah Schilling-Mansour hit a double that put her and her teammate in scoring position before being brought in to score.

Pennsylvania on the board

Pennsylvania made good on a timely hit and error to put a runner on second. Reagan Bills, taking a pause from work in the circle, crushes home an RBI and gets her team on the board, 1-0.

Harmoneigh White gets out Oklahoma out of jam

With runners on the corners and two outs, Oklahoma pitcher Harmoneigh White gets Kennedy Fees to chase a high rise ball for the final out. Fees almost had an extra-base hit down the left field line, which would have scored Camilla Gaunt, one pitch earlier, but it went foul.

Oklahoma is coming up to bat for the first time this afternoon.

Camilla Gaunt leads off with double for Pennsylvania

On the very first pitch of the game, Camilla Gaunt ropes a double down the left field line for a stand-up double to begin the game for Pennsylvania. It is the first extra-base hit for Gaunt at the LLSWS.

Pennsylvania and Oklahoma semifinal underway

The second Little League Softball World Series semifinal is underway between Pennsylvania and Oklahoma, with the winner advancing to Sunday’s championship game vs. Indiana.

Indiana defeats North Carolina; advances to LLSWS title game

Indiana becomes the first team to punch its ticket to the Little League Softball World Series championship game on Sunday thanks to a 2-0 extra-inning win over North Carolina. Scarlet Renn and Grace Fiore brought in both runs for Indiana on the afternoon.

Indiana will now await to learn its opponent for Sunday’s title game, as it will be either Pennsylvania or Oklahoma. An important thing to note for Indiana going into tomorrow’s game is the availability of their ace Briley Mercer, who threw just five innings in Saturday’s semifinal game to ensure her availability for the title game.

While for North Carolina, it will play in Sunday’s third-place consolation game.

Indiana extends lead in extra innings

Indiana tacks on an insurance run in the top of the seventh with another infield RBI groundout, this time it was Grace Fiore bringing in Swayer Abel from third.

Indiana breaks tie in extra innings

Indiana strikes first in this LLSWS semifinal matchup, as Scarlet Renn brings Alyvia Kolish home from third on an RBI infield groundout. Starting the inning with Kolish on second because of international extra-innings rules, Swayer Abel beat out the throw at first from North Carolina’s Makayla Montgomery on a perfectly executed bunt to get the rally going for Indiana.

It’s 1-0 Indiana with Abel at third base with one out.

North Carolina-Indiana heading to extra innings

Six innings won’t be enough to determine a winner between North Carolina and Indiana, as the LLSWS semifinal matchup heads to extra innings. Both teams’ starters, Makayla Montgomery and Briley Mercer, have once again been magnificent.

Onto the seventh inning we go, where runs are at a premium and there is a trip to the LLSWS championship on the line.

Makayla Montgomery gets out of fifth inning jab

Indiana can’t break through against North Carolina’s Makayla Montgomery, as it leaves two runners on in the fifth inning. Montgomery made some high softball IQ plays in the field to get herself out of the jam and to keep the game at 0-0 going into the bottom half of the inning.

Kennedy Nickles breaks up Makayla Montgomery’s no-hitter

Indiana’s Kennedy Nickles puts an end to North Carolina’s Makayla Montgomery’s no-hitter campaign with a lead-off single into right field. It is the first hit of the game for Indiana, and just the fourth combined overall.

North Carolina leaves two runners on base in fourth

The two-out rally comes up short for North Carolina in the bottom of the fourth, as Indiana pitcher Briley Mercer gets North Carolina’s Skylar Powers to chase a changeup for the third out of the inning.

It remains 0-0 going into the top of the fifth inning in this Little League Softball World Series semifinal matchup.

Makayla Montgomery dealing for North Carolina

After giving up a lead-off walk, Makayla Montgomery retired the side to get out of the fourth inning. Montgomery got the first two outs of the inning with strikeouts before getting some help from her fielders, as Avery Cash made an impressive throw to first to retire an Indiana hitter.

It remains scoreless between North Carolina and Indiana going into the bottom of the fourth.

Indiana strands runner in scoring position

Threatening with the first run of the game, Indiana can’t bring Izzy Campbell home from third in the top of the third as Kylie Ramsey flies out to center for the third out. Nice job by North Carolina’s Makayla Montgomery to get out of the inning.

North Carolina’s Ava Wilson makes smooth play at second

North Carolina’s Ava Wilson shows off her glove in the top of the second by throwing out Indiana’s Dru Drummond from her knees at first. Impressive play by the North Carolina second baseman!

Indiana holds strong in the first

Briley Mercer gave up a single to the hot-hitting Caroline Reynolds. After that, she managed to induce some infield work for her teammates before getting a strikeout to end the inning.

North Carolina gets defensive early

North Carolina’s Makayla Montgomery was lights out to start the day, striking out two and allowing very little damage as the team from Pitt County now come up to bat.

2025 Little League Softball World Series Day 7 schedule

Saturday, Aug. 9

All times Eastern

Orange bracket championship

• Game 19: Pitt County (North Carolina region) vs. Floyds Knobs, Indiana (Central), 2 p.m. | ESPN

Purple bracket championship

• Game 20: Johnstown, Pennsylvania (Mid-Atlantic) vs. Tulsa, Oklahoma (Southwest), 5 p.m. | ESPN2

2025 Little League Softball World Series Day 8 schedule

Sunday, Aug. 10

All times Eastern

Consolation third-place game

• Game 21: Pitt County (North Carolina region) vs. Purple bracket loser, 11 a.m. | ESPN

Championship game

• Game 22: Floyds Knobs, Indiana (Central) vs. Purple bracket winner, 3 p.m. | ABC

2025 Little League Softball World Series Day 6 results

Friday, Aug. 8

• Game 17: Tulsa, Oklahoma (Southwest) 3, Lake Mary, Florida (Southeast) 1
• Game 18: Floyds Knobs, Indiana (Central) 1, Iwate, Japan (Asia-Pacific) 0

2025 Little League Softball World Series Day 5 results

Thursday, Aug. 7

• Game 15: Johnstown, Pennsylvania (Mid-Atlantic) 1, Tulsa, Oklahoma (Southwest) 0
• Game 16: Pitt County (North Carolina) 3, Iwate, Japan (Asia-Pacific) 2

2025 Little League Softball World Series Day 4 results

Wednesday, Aug. 6

• Game 13: Floyds Knobs, Indiana (Central) 2, São Paulo, Brazil (Latin America) 0
• Game 14: Lake Mary, Florida (Southeast) 5, Mill Creek, Washington (Northwest) 3

2025 Little League Softball World Series Day 3 results

Tuesday, Aug. 5

• Game 9: Mill Creek, Washington (Northwest) 10, Westchester-Del Rey Los Angeles (West) 0
• Game 10: São Paulo, Brazil (Latin America) 10, vs. Repentigny, Quebec (Canada) 1
• Game 11: Floyds Knobs, Indiana (Central) 4, Prague, Czechia (Europe-Africa) 1
• Game 12: Lake Mary, Florida (Southeast) 9, Guilford, Connecticut (New England) 0

2025 Little League Softball World Series Day 2 results

Monday, Aug. 4

• Game 5: Pitt County (North Carolina) 5, Floyds Knobs, Indiana (Central) 3
• Game 6: Tulsa, Oklahoma (Southwest) 2, Lake Mary, Florida (Southeast) 1
• Game 7: Johnstown, Pennsylvania (Mid-Atlantic) 9, Westchester-Del Rey Los Angeles (West) 0
• Game 8: Iwate, Japan (Asia-Pacific) 6, Repentigny, Quebec (Canada) 1

2025 Little League Softball World Series Day 1 results

Sunday, Aug. 3

• Game 1: Lake Mary, Florida (Southeast) 9, Mill Creek, Washington (Northwest) 2
• Game 2: Pitt County (North Carolina) 4, São Paulo, Brazil (Latin America) 3
• Game 3: Repentigny, Quebec 5 (Canada), Prague, Czechia (Europe-Africa) 4
• Game 4: Johnstown, Pennsylvania (Mid-Atlantic) 2, Guilford, Connecticut (New England) 1

New York Giants fans got their first look at rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart in a professional game on Saturday. The early returns on New York’s investment are promising.

Dart made his pro debut in the Giants’ preseason clash with the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, about 3 1/2 months after the G-Men drafted him with the 25th overall pick. He was the second Giants quarterback of the day, taking over from starter Russell Wilson after New York’s first possession and playing until the end of the first half.

The rookie out of Mississippi finished his day 12 of 19 on pass attempts for 154 yards and a touchdown pass. The Giants scored on three of its four possessions with Dart in the game. In order, his drives ended: punt, touchdown, 50-yard field goal, 51-yard field goal.

Here’s how USA TODAY Sports grades Dart’s debut performance:

Jaxson Dart grades: Giants rookie QB shines vs. Bills

There was plenty to like about Dart’s performance in his first career game as a pro, even if it was just an exhibition clash in the preseason.

One of the biggest takeaways from the overall performance was Dart’s poise in the pocket, particularly when he was under pressure. The rookie’s first possession under center saw him evade pass-rushers and make a couple of nice throws, even if it ended with a punt.

There were other throws later on that showcased the same kind of pocket awareness. There was a nice slip-screen pass Dart made over the outstretched arms of a defender, executed with perfect touch to avoid getting swatted while still giving his running back the chance to make a play.

On a following possession, Dart showcased the other side of the spectrum of his arm talent and ball placement. After a false start and rush for no gain backed the Giants up to a second-and-15 play on their own 31, Dart made one of his best throws of the day to pick up a first down.

He took the snap, allowed himself time to read through his progressions, kept his eyes downfield while avoiding pressure from edge rushers on both sides, stepped up in the pocket and rocketed a pass to Montrell Washington. The throw was perfectly executed on Washington’s drag route, placed between a couple of linebackers reading his eyes and finding the open space in the zone coverage.

Dart’s best play of the day was easily his lone touchdown pass: a 28-yard beauty of a throw to Lil’Jordan Humphrey.

On a third-and-5 play on Dart’s second possession under center, the rookie took the shotgun snap, dropped back and floated a touch pass down the sideline that found Humphrey’s hands despite solid coverage from the defending cornerback. The throw was even more impressive given the incoming pressure Dart faced.

Running back Dante Miller didn’t help out up front when the Giants’ left guard missed his block, allowing a free rusher up the middle to get in Dart’s face as he wound up to make the throw. Regardless, the rookie kept his composure and delivered a perfect ball to Humphrey then took a direct hit after his release.

On top of the plays Dart made as a passer, he also gave Giants fans a glimpse of his playmaking ability with his legs, avoiding a couple of would-be tacklers as his pocket collapsed and scrambling up the middle for a 19-yard gain.

Dart’s debut wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows.

While his success under duress was notable and impressive, there were a few throws he missed in much easier circumstances.

A third down pass attempt on his first possession ended up out of reach for tight end Greg Dulcich despite the separation Dulcich had from his defender. A first down attempt to a wide open Humphrey on Dart’s penultimate drive sailed high and incomplete. A couple of plays later, the rookie underthrew a short pass that, while potentially catchable for Washington, ended in a failed third-down conversion attempt.

Dart’s final pass attempt of the day also fell incomplete when he took a split second too long to get the throw out on third down and placed the ball a hair too far inside on the ‘out’ route. Bills defensive back Te’Cory Couch was able to get his hand in and break up the throw, though the pass was still a catchable one for Washington.

There were also a couple of balls batted down at the line of scrimmage as well, one of which almost resulted in an interception.

Overall, Giants fans should be excited with what they saw from their rookie quarterback in his first game as a pro, even if it has the caveat of only being in a preseason exhibition game.

Grade: B

Two Japanese boxers have died from brain injuries suffered during separate fights at an Aug. 2 match in Tokyo, according to world boxing governing bodies.

Shigetoshi Kotari’s death was announced by the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization on Aug. 8. The death of Hiromasa Urakawa was announced by the WBO on Aug. 9.

Kotari, 28, had lost consciousness, according to the WBC, after a 12-round match, a draw, against Yamato Hata for Hata’s Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation super featherweight title. Kotari was taken to the hospital and received emergency brain surgery for a subdural hematoma.

A subdural hematoma is a type of bleeding near the brain that can happen after a head injury, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

‘Deeply sorry for this loss a ring accident which makes all of us go back to continue research to find ways to make boxing safer and implement prevention programs,’ Mauricio Sulaimán, the WBC’s president, posted on social media. ‘Our deepest sympathy and condolences for his family and the boxing community in Japan.’

Urakawa, 28, also needed brain surgery, a craniotomy, after a six-round loss to Yoji Saito at the same event, the BBC reported, citing the Japan Boxing Commission.

‘We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community during this incredibly difficult time,’ the WBO posted.

The commission has since lowered OPBF title bouts from 12 rounds to 10.

AI-assisted summary
• Bill Collins made a courageous stand against racism at the 1969 Liberty Bowl, facing down an all-white Alabama team alone during the coin toss.
• Deion Sanders has a personal connection to Collins through gospel singer Kirk Franklin, whose wife is Collins’ daughter.
• Sanders talked about Collins, who died on July 31, during his Aug. 8 preseason news conference.

Colorado football coach Deion Sanders took some time out from his preseason news conference Friday Aug. 8 to honor a Black former Colorado player who made a courageous stand against an all-white Alabama team at the 1969 Liberty Bowl in Memphis.

That player was Bill Collins, who died July 31 in Dallas after a long battle with cancer. He was 76.

Collins played defensive tackle for the Buffaloes and was Colorado’s first Black captain for a full season. But what he’s best known for as a Buff is what he did before the Liberty Bowl at a time of heightened racial tension in the Deep South.

“He represented the Buffs at the pregame coin toss alone, and Alabama, yet to integrate, sent more than 40 players to the coin toss to try to intimidate him,” Sanders said. “And it didn’t work. CU won, 47-33.”

The university posted an obituary of Collins on Aug. 4 that described it as perhaps the “bravest moment in University of Colorado athletic history.”

Alabama had an all-white team back then and sent 40 white players to midfield for the pregame coin toss in Memphis, where civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. had been assassinated the previous year.

The Buffs had seven Black players and a Black assistant coach. According to the obituary, Colorado’s other two team captains, Bobby Anderson and Mike Pruett, both white, walked with Collins toward midfield for the pregame coin toss but stopped a few yards short to let Collins take the last few steps to midfield by himself. They were making a statement against the Crimson Tide.

“Collins then approached the Tide horde solo to prove that he – and the Buffs – were not going to be intimidated by their racist, childish antics, starting with some Alabama fans spitting on the CU team as they took the field through a tunnel, and yelling the ‘N’ word at the CU bench and sideline, which lasted all game long,” the university obituary said.

Collins won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff, as captured on YouTube. Colorado won the game. Alabama didn’t racially integrate its team until two years later, in 1971.

Sanders was only 2 years old in 1969 but is linked to Collins not just as a Black coach at Colorado but also through a personal connection. He’s good friends with gospel singer Kirk Franklin, whose wife Tammy is Collins’ daughter.

“This is her father, so it’s a small world, small world,” Sanders said. “She called and told me about that, and before he passed, she said I was on the TV or something, and he stopped and said `Turn it up.’”

Sanders said he wants to honor Collins during a game this season, his third at Colorado. The Buffs open the season Aug. 29 at home against Georgia Tech.

Collins graduated from Colorado with a business degree and went to work for Xerox. He was the first Black player chosen by his teammates to be a team captain for the entire season.

HIs obituary in Dallas notes the moment.

‘If you want to learn more about his historic experiences during that time, you can research 1969 Liberty Bowl: Colorado’s Landmark Win,’ the obituary said. ‘He loved sharing that story as well as many others.’

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

Shedeur Sanders enjoyed a quality preseason debut in the Cleveland Browns’ 30-10 win over the Carolina Panthers.

Despite Sanders’ strong performance, Kevin Stefanski didn’t immediately make it clear whether that would help the 23-year-old rookie move up Cleveland’s crowded quarterback depth chart.

‘We’re really just focused on developing our players,’ Stefanski told reporters when asked about the Browns’ quarterback competition in a postgame news conference. ‘We’re in evaluation mode. I’m pleased with where the guys are, but I’m not diving into the quarterback competition.’

Sanders, listed as the team’s fourth-string quarterback, started and played a majority of Cleveland’s preseason debut. He was granted the opportunity as the team’s 40-year-old listed starter, Joe Flacco, was held out of the game while second- and third-string quarterbacks Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel missed the game due to hamstring injuries.

Sanders played 10 of Cleveland’s 13 drives, completing 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns across his extensive action. The Colorado product was sacked just twice, did not throw an interception and posted an impressive 106.8 passer rating.

Stefanski called the reps Sanders received ‘invaluable.’ He also implied the young quarterback would have a big role in Cleveland’s offensive game plan in the team’s preseason Week 2 game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

‘He’ll get a ton of reps next week as well,’ Stefanski said. ‘That’s all a part of our development of our young players.’

Still, it remains unclear whether that development will include a move up Cleveland’s depth chart.

The anticipated preseason matchup between the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers got chippy early on Friday night.

Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette and Browns safety Rayshawn Jenkins got into a scuffle on Carolina’s second drive of the game. The two were tangled up after the play before Legette, a second-year pro, threw a few punches at Jenkins.

Jenkins, a nine-year veteran, then proceeded to grab Legette’s helmet while the receiver tried to tackle him. As Legette went to the ground, Jenkins was able to rip off his helmet.

Officials threw several flags as a result of the melee. After an extended huddle, they called Legette and Jenkins for offsetting unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and ejected them from the game.

Jenkins, who is battling for a backup safety role in Cleveland was replaced by fellow veteran Damontae Kazee.

Meanwhile, Legette’s exit gave fellow second-year wide-out Jalen Coker more time to play with Bryce Young. The Holy Cross product made the most of it, catching a 5-yard touchdown to cap off Carolina’s second drive of the evening.

The WNBA issued a statement Friday about the sex toys have been thrown in arenas and onto the court at games over the past two weeks.

“The safety of everyone in our arenas remains a top priority,’ a WNBA spokesperson said in a statement. ‘We are working closely with local and federal law enforcement to pursue all appropriate actions — including arrest and prosecution with felony charges where applicable — against anyone engaged in this conduct or otherwise involved in sponsoring this reckless and unacceptable behavior.”

Most of the toys thrown on the court have been green and a cryptocurrency meme coin creator took responsibility for the trend.

The group said they are planning more ‘pranks’ as a protest against the ‘toxic’ environment in the crypto world and they’re not meant to disrespect women athletes.

Seven known incidents of sex toys being thrown at WNBA games, with four reaching the court during live game action, have taken place since July 29. The latest incident came on Thursday night when the Chicago Sky played host to the Atlanta Dream. Two sex toys came down from the stands in the waning minutes. One made it to the court and play had to be stopped.

The first incident occurred on July 29, when the Golden State Valkyries were playing the Atlanta Dream at the Gateway Center Arena.

A 23-year-old man was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, public indecency/indecent exposure and criminal trespass. A second individual was also arrested for one of the incidents at a different WNBA game.

The Crypto group spokesperson stated that the two individuals arrested were not part of the group.

Terri Jackson, the executive director of the WNBAPA, also released a statement on behalf of the players’ union regarding the situation.

“Upon our request for an update, the league advised the players’ union that it was investigating claims that individuals were being incentivized to carry out these unsafe stunts,” Jackson said.