There has been speculation that Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter could be suspended for spitting at Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. That apparently won’t happen.

A league official told USA TODAY Sports’ Jarrett Bell that a suspension for Carter isn’t on the table. The official was granted anonymity because the NFL is still examining the situation.

Carter was arguing with Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and spit at the quarterback. He was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct and ejected.

“It was a mistake that happened on my side, and it just won’t happen again,’ Carter said. ‘I feel bad, just for my teammates and the fans out there. It won’t happen again. I made that promise.’

“(H)e was trolling, I guess you could say, trying to mess with Tyler Booker,’ Prescott said. ‘I was just looking at him. I was right here by the two linemen, and I guess I needed to spit, and I wasn’t going to spit on my lineman and I just spit ahead. … And he goes, ‘Are you trying to spit on me?’’

The incident happened after fullback Ben VanSumeren was injured during the opening kickoff. Eagles and Cowboys players hung around the 30-yard line and that’s when the spitting took place.

‘It’s a disqualifiable foul in the game,’ referee Shawn Smith told a pool reporter. ‘It’s a non-football act.’

The NFL has indicated that sportsmanship is a point of emphasis for officials.

NEW YORK – Aryna Sabalenka won her fourth Grand Slam title, cementing her status as the world’s No. 1 player with a 6-3, 7-6(3) victory over Amanda Anisimova in the US Open final on Saturday.

Sabalenka, playing in her third straight US Open final, is the first defending champion to repeat since Serena Williams won three titles in a row from 2012-2014. All four of her Grand Slam championships have been on hard courts.

Anisimova, the No. 8 seed, was appearing in her second straight Grand Slam final after losing to Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon. Anisimova will rise to a career-high No. 4 in the rankings despite the loss, following an incredible US Open run that included a quarterfinal victory over Swiatek, avenging a 6-0, 6-0 Wimbledon final defeat six weeks ago, and a three-set, thrilling semifinal triumph over Naomi Osaka.

Anisimova, at 24, is now firmly established as part of the American wave in women’s tennis, a trend in which a player from the United States has appeared in each of the last five Grand Slam singles finals.

But for Sabalenka, she finally got over the hump and beat an American in the final after losing to Madison Keys at the Australian Open and a loss to Coco Gauff at the French Open, after which she blamed the poor conditions at Roland Garros for the defeat and glossed over her own poor play, which resulted in 70 unforced errors.

“I know very well what it’s like to lose a Grand Slam final. I know you’ll win some, you learn a lot from these defeats, you have an incredible tennis game,’ Sabalenka said to Anisimova during the trophy presentations.

She cut down on those errors in the first set and started taking control after the two split the first six games. Sabalenka went on the offensive with her serve, and Anisimova had trouble at times returning it; she committed 29 unforced errors on the day.

Sabalenka was serving for the win at 5-4, when tied 30 and a chance to get to match point, her forehand smash hit straight into the net, giving Anisimova new life and setting off thunderous applause from the crowd. Sabalenka regrouped and forced a tiebreak during her service game and sent the crowd, who were scurrying to the complex earlier because of the torrential downpour near the start of the match, into a frenzy at the closed-roof Arthur Ashe Stadium when she converted her third championship point chance, when Anisimova’s return forehand went out of bounds.

Sabalenka forces tiebreak

Sabalenka held serve after blowing a chance to win the match, and the players are going to a seven-point tiebreak.

Sabalenka unable to seal the deal

Up 5-4 and serving, Sabalenka was at 30-30 and a chance to get to match point, but her forehead smash went straight into the net, giving Anisimova new life, and the match is now tied at five games a piece, with Anisimova on serve.

Sabalenka up a break

Anisimova was broken in the third game of the second and has been scuffling for a while, unable to find her rhythm. Need something good to happen, Anisimova was unable to get it done and was taken out quickly by Sabalenka’s service game, and finds herself down 3-1.

Sabalenka comes alive, takes first set

Sabalenka’s power is starting to pay dividends as she took the last three games to win the first set 6-3. Anisimova has 13 winners, but that has been neutralized by her 14 unforced errors. Sabalenka is one set away from winning her first major title of the year and her fourth overall.

Opportunities to take control slipping away

After Anisimova won three straight games to take a lead, she was immediately broken when she had a chance to put some real pressure on Sabalenka. She has 10 unforced errors through the first seven games, so that will be a key thing to watch as the match progresses.

Anisimova gets back in the match

Like she has all tournament long, Anisimova fights back to even the match with a strong service game that had Sabalenka shaking her head, and a forehand return went into the net for an unforced error.

Sabalenka sprints out to quick lead

Anisimova missed a break chance in the first game, failing on two opportunities to take a quick lead. Sabalenka broke her in the next game, and the No. 8 seed quickly finds herself down 0-2, with the reigning champion serving next.

Roof at Ashe to be closed for women’s final

The roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium will be closed for the US Open women’s final on Saturday, as it is raining in New York City and is expected to reach Flushing Meadows shortly. The roof was closed for both women’s semifinal matches on Thursday as inclement weather made its way to Queens.

There were sunny skies for the men’s semifinal on Friday, so the roof was open; however, rain is again expected in the forecast for Sunday’s final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

What time is US Open women’s final?

The 2025 U.S. Open women’s final between No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 8 Amanda Anisimova is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 6 at 4 p.m. ET.

What TV channel is US Open women’s final on?

ESPN is televising the 2025 US Open women’s final between Aryna Sabalenka and Amanda Anisimova at 4 p.m. ET.

How to stream US Open women’s final?

Aryna Sabalenka vs. Amanda Anisimova can be streamed on ESPN+ and Fubo (with a free trial).

Watch the US Open women’s final on Fubo

Odds to win 2025 US Open women’s final

All odds according to BetMGM.

• Aryna Sabalenka: -200
• Amanda Anisimova: +170

AI-assisted summary
• Readers debated with columnist Jarrett Bell about the Micah Parsons trade and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
• Several readers and Bell discussed the cancellation of Colin Kaepernick’s ESPN documentary and the legacy of his protest.
• Bell responded to criticisms of Kaepernick, noting he was a better-than-average quarterback and his protest was about American principles.

This is the first installment of a series in which readers engage with USA TODAY Sports’ NFL Columnist Jarrett Bell. In some cases, the posted e-mailed letters have been edited for clarity, brevity and accuracy.

This week readers have questions about the Micah Parsons, the canceling of the Colin Kaepernick documentary and what the heck is Jerry Jones doing?

From Brett Sorge onMicah Parsons: From an owner’s point of view I think that he rubbed the owner (Jerry Jones) the wrong way and became a distraction. Owners, like managers, want harmony. Trades and personnel changes really revolve around these factors.

JB: In this stunning case with the Dallas Cowboys, it went a lot deeper than the “distraction” – which surely cut both ways. Sure, Parsons elected to roll with a “hold-in” as contract talks disintegrated, but Jones poured gasoline on the situation and hardly operated like harmony was a priority. Remember, Jones embraces drama as part of the equation with his ultra-popular (and valuable) team. And after he poked a sensitive Parsons with some of his public comments, Parsons fired back by requesting a trade. To the surprise of many, Jones called his bluff. In the end, the key factors were less about the distraction and more about money and value, with ego also sprinkled into the equation.

‘We’re in witness protection’: Tampa Bay Bucs being ignored as Super Bowl contender

Warren Ornstein on Colin Kaepernick: What an absolute shame. What an abominable mess. (Colin) Kaepernick’s story needs to be told. This (canceled ESPN documentary) seems to be just another example of powerful people squashing the truth and in this case I sincerely believe it’s the NFL. If possible, I hope you and the other good writers out there do not let this story die. Thank you.

JB: It has been nearly a decade since Kaepernick’s protest rocked the NFL universe and then some. While so much of his story has been documented on multiple platforms, his saga begs for the type of deep dive that could be afforded with a documentary. And it seemed like a perfect match when Kaepernick joined forces with iconic filmmaker Spike Lee. While it’s obvious the NFL would get another black eye from a Kaepernick documentary – remember, the league settled the collusion case the former quarterback pursued – there’s no evidence contrary to the league’s denial that it influenced the scrapping of the project. Still, the “creative differences” cited seemed to be only a convenient part of the equation for pulling the plug. As a league partner, ESPN seemingly had its own motivation for killing a project that was nearly completed. And with the NFL getting a 10% equity stake in ESPN, questions persist.

Mike Hamer: Mr. Bell, Colin Kaepernick could have been a national hero. All he had to do was go to the US Capitol building wearing his uniform & helmet, sit down on the top steps and wait. Shortly there would have been many reporters appearing, asking why.  He then eloquently presents his protest to bring attention to police brutality against people of color. That would be picked up and celebrated worldwide. He probably would have been picked up by an NFL team and who knows how far he might have gone.

JB: Now the scene described here with Colin Kaepernick is some serious stretch of the imagination. Short answer: It’s rather apparent that regardless of what method of protest Kaepernick chose, it quickly got to a point, sadly, where he wasn’t going to be signed by another NFL team.

Art Stanton: Read your story, but Colin Kaepernick was just an average NFL QB. If he had the talent some team would have signed him. Winning in the NFL is everything. The kid made a poor choice going with a liberal, no-win protest. … DEI and being woke are things of the past, and so is men competing in women’s sports. Of course this is just my opinion, just like your story was your opinion but this is America, right? We can agree to disagree. Best Regards.

JB: Of course, we can agree to disagree. In this exchange, just know that Kaepernick was much better than an “average” NFL quarterback, with his resume including a start in the Super Bowl. While it seems that winning is the goal of every NFL team, the devil is always in the details, as in the philosophies for pursuing those goals. In Kaepernick’s case, it’s apparent that teams drew a line that separated the merits of a player in competing for a job from other factors. And hey, what’s so wrong with diversity, equity and inclusion? And why is being “woke” such a bad thing to some people? I’d rather be woke and aware than asleep and uninformed. Knowledge is power.

Ed and Teresa: What about Oprah or Michelle Obama? (To make the Kaepernick doc.)

JB: I hear you. If Spike Lee and Colin Kaepernick can’t strike a creative common bond, it’s natural to wonder whether other accomplished Black producers and directors would start from scratch on such a project. In my column, I mentioned Ryan Coogler (‘Black Panther’) and Ezra Edelman (‘O.J.: Made in America’) as two intriguing names. Well, here’s another: Antoine Fuqua (‘Equalizer’).

Casey101: Mr. Bell, Read with interest your commentary on Colin Kaepernick’s docuseries. I’m just a fan…but not buying into Colin’s protest. Two things stick out to me: 1). He (knelt) with the national anthem playing in protest of police brutality. OK, what he didn’t know was the national anthem was written during the Fort Sumter siege. NOTHING DO TO WITH POLICE WHATSOEVER. Granted, now it’s our national anthem but the origin had nothing to do with cops. 2). Remember the Betsy Ross shoes? HE put a stop to that, who’s he? Nike buckled. Why? I think he could have set an agenda on his subject without dragging the NFL into it. He also was being paid to play football, not decide to protest while he was on the clock!

JB: This speaks to the reason I think Kaepernick’s saga is worthy of the comprehensive treatment that can be afforded in an expansive documentary, provided it includes his voice to explain his reasoning for how he chose to carry out his protest. No doubt, he rankled some (if not many) NFL owners by using the league’s stage to make his statement. Of course, for that he sacrificed much. As for the connection between police and the anthem, it’s civil rights and justice for all. American principles.

Steve Serotte on Jerry Jones: Full of himself. Wants to be the head coach. In the way. Thinks he’s the face of the program. Smells himself. Speaks for everyone. Sit in your box; say nothing. Count your billions every day, go about your role quietly. But you don’t know what you think you know. You know oil, you know private jets, you know new stadiums, but the football piece itself, sorry Mr. Jones, your players should be the focal point along with your coaches. But you, Sir, are not helping. You are debilitating and simply talk too much, seeking attention daily. But what do I know. Just a retired educator.

JB: I’m feeling like this e-letter was meant to be delivered to Dallas Cowboys headquarters, and I’m sure Jerry is well aware of such sentiments from disgruntled fans. Many of the gripes he’s heard for years, as he hangs on to his GM hat while the franchise rolls with a 29-year drought since last winning a Super Bowl (or appearing in the NFC title game). One thing for certain: Jerry will not go about his “role quietly” as you suggest. He loves being the face of his franchise, which is one thing his money can buy. Then again, when they fall short in chasing championship, everyone knows where the buck stops.

Contact Jarrett Bell at jbell@usatoday.com or follow on social media: On X: @JarrettBell

On Bluesky: jarrettbell.bsky.social

The Pittsburgh Steelers will have one of their key players when the team opens against the New York Jets on Sunday. That player is defensive lineman Cam Heyward.

The Steelers added over $3 million of incentives to Heyward’s contract for 2025, according to the NFL Network. The extra cash is premised on the Steelers making it to the postseason and winning playoff games, according to the report.

This could be the catch, however: the Steelers last won a postseason contest in their 2016 season. Hopefully for Heyward’s wallet (and the Steelers’ pride) that changes.

The important thing for the Steelers is Heyward is back. He’s a key part of the team and one of the franchise’s most cherished players ever. Heyward had suggested on Friday that he might sit out the team’s opener against the Jets if the contract situation wasn’t resolved.

Heyward actually did sit out a significant number of practices during training camp before eventually returning. Now, he’s back for good, and according to the report, he will play on Sunday.

This weekend, as part of an otherwise largely bare Week 2 slate, two of the biggest brands and most decorated programs in the history of college football squared off.

And one of them picked up an important early-season victory.

Behind an electric performance from quarterback John Mateer and a suffocating outing from its defense, No. 24 Oklahoma knocked off No. 13 Michigan 24-13 on Saturday, Sept. 6 at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma.

Watch Michigan vs. Oklahoma live with Fubo (free trial)

Mateer, a Washington State transfer in his first season with the Sooners, accounted for 344 total yards (270 passing, 74 rushing) and all three of his team’s touchdowns, two of which came on the ground. He regularly got help from wide receiver Deion Burks, who caught seven passes for 101 yards and a touchdown.

On the other side of the ball, Oklahoma coach Brent Venables yet again executed a masterful defensive gameplan against a freshman quarterback, limiting the Wolverines and Bryce Underwood to 288 total yards. Underwood, the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 class, completed only nine of 24 passes for 142 yards while regularly faced with blitzes.

Prior to Saturday night, the programs hadn’t faced off against each other since the end of the 1975 season, when Oklahoma defeated Michigan 14-6 in the Orange Bowl to secure a second-consecutive national championship.

USA TODAY Sports brought you live updates, scores and highlights from the game:

Michigan vs Oklahoma score

This section will be updated throughout the game

Oklahoma vs Michigan highlights

Here’s a look at the highlights from Oklahoma’s 24-13 win against Michigan:

Michigan vs Oklahoma updates

Final: Oklahoma 24, Michigan 13

The Sooners pick up a marquee, hard-earned 24-13 victory against the Wolverines. John Mateer was electric tonight and the Oklahoma defense did an excellent job bottling up Bryce Underwood.

Oklahoma kicks FG, likely seals win

Oklahoma now has some much-needed breathing room — and it was hard-earned.

With Michigan within eight, the Sooners get a 21-yard field goal from Tate Sandell with 1:44 remaining to extend their lead to 24-13 and cap off a 16-play, 78-yard drive. Most notably, though, the possession took 8:27 off the clock.

The Wolverines are down 11 points in the final two minutes and have no timeouts remaining.

Oklahoma misses field goal

After a productive drive, the Sooners come up empty-handed, with Tate Sandell pulling a 42-yard field goal attempt wide. A few plays earlier, John Mateer barely overthrew an open receiver in the end zone on a double flea-flicker that would have been a 24-yard touchdown.

Instead, Michigan takes over at its own 24-yard line with 12:32 left.

End of third quarter: Oklahoma 21, Michigan 13

Things are getting a little tight in Norman, with Michigan now within a single score of Oklahoma. The Sooners have a third-and-3 at their own 32-yard line.

Dominic Zvada field goal gets Michigan within one score of Oklahoma

Another drive and another score for Michigan. The Wolverines go 60 yards in eight plays, with Dominic Zvada drilling his second field goal of the night, this one from 35 yards out, to cut Oklahoma’s lead to 21-13 with 1:24 left in the third quarter. Michigan has now scored on three of its past five drives after being shut out on its first five possessions.

The latest march was highlighted by a spectacular catch from Donaven McCulley, who trapped a slightly underthrown Bryce Underwood pass against the helmet of a Sooners defensive back for a 44-yard gain.

Dominic Zvada FG pushes Michigan closer to Oklahoma

The Wolverines are able to get at least some points off of the bungled Oklahoma punt return, with Dominic Zvada connecting on a 42-yard field goal to pull Michigan within 11, 21-10, with 6:33 remaining in the third quarter.

Oklahoma muffs punt, Michigan takes over

After the Oklahoma defense forced the fifth Michigan punt of the night, the Sooners gave the ball right back. Isaiah Sategna III, only a few minutes removed from his long reception from John Mateer, bobbles a Hudson Hollenbeck 55-yard punt, with the Wolverines pouncing on the ball.

They’ll take over at the Oklahoma 31-yard line.

John Mateer’s third TD extends Oklahoma’s lead over Michigan

For the second time tonight, John Mateer uses his legs to get into the end zone, scampering through the Michigan defense for a 10-yard rushing touchdown with 10:12 left in the third quarter to push Oklahoma’s lead back to 14, 21-7.

The Washington State transfer has racked up 238 yards and three touchdowns so far tonight. The latest touchdown was set up by a dynamic 36-yard completion from Mateer to Isaiah Sategna III.

Michigan’s Justice Haynes scores 75-yard touchdown

After being stymied in the first half, Michigan finally gets on the board in a big way: Justice Haynes rumbles for a 75-yard touchdown to get the Wolverines on the board on their first offensive possession of the half. That cuts into the Sooners’ lead, which is now 14-7 with 14:49 left in the third quarter.

Halftime: Oklahoma 14, Michigan 0

The Sooners head to the locker room with a 14-0 lead over Michigan after a physical and impressive first half. The Wolverines will receive the second-half kickoff.

Oklahoma doubles lead on John Mateer TD

The Sooners end the first half on an emphatic note, marching 80 yards in 10 plays, with John Mateer punctuating the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run to extend his team’s lead to 14-0 with 22 seconds remaining in the second quarter.

Mateer has 190 total yards and two touchdowns thus far.

Michigan misses field goal

The Wolverines looked poised to get on the board, but after a long, arduous march up the field, they come away scoreless. All-American kicker Dominic Zvada pulls a 32-yard field goal attempt wide at the end of a 12-play, 72-yard drive for Michigan, its most productive possession of the night.

Zvada missed just one field goal under 40 yards all of last season.

Michigan sack forces Oklahoma punt

With Oklahoma at midfield, Michigan’s Cole Sullivan sacks John Mateer for a 2-yard loss on third-and-6, forcing the Sooners to punt. The Wolverines will take over at their own 14-yard line with 9:25 remaining after a fair catch.

End of first quarter: Oklahoma 7, Michigan 0

The Sooners head into the second quarter with a 7-0 lead thanks to the early touchdown from Deion Burks.

John Mateer throws interception

Just when it looked like Oklahoma had all the momentum, Mateer overthrows his intended target for an interception by Michigan safety TJ Metcalf. The Wolverines take over at their own 38-yard line.

Oklahoma jumps to early lead over Michigan

The Sooners are methodical in their opening drive, traveling 75 yards in 12 plays for the game’s opening score. The drive was punctuated by a 9-yard receiving touchdown by Deion Burks.

Jaren Kanak makes one-handed grab into Michigan territory

There’s a nifty grab by Sooners tight end Jaren Kanak, who reels in a Mateer pass with one hand on the run for a 31-yard gain to the Michigan 43-yard line.

Oklahoma to receive ball

The Sooners have the ball up first. Here’s a look at Mateer’s first OU start against Power Four competition.

Oklahoma football jerseys vs Michigan

No surprise, but Oklahoma will be wearing its time-honored home uniform of white pants, crimson jerseys and crimson helmets with the school’s interlocking ‘OU’ logo.

Michigan football jerseys vs Oklahoma

Michigan will be wearing its traditional road look of maize pants, white jerseys and the iconic maize-and-blue winged helmet for its game at Oklahoma.

Bryce Underwood arrives at Oklahoma

The Michigan star freshman is on his way inside Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium ahead of the biggest game of his young college career.

Brent Venables vs freshman quarterbacks

For all of Bryce Underwood’s potential and hype, the Michigan quarterback may be running into an immovable object this weekend. Over the course of his long and distinguished career as a head coach and defensive coordinator, Oklahoma coach Brent Venables is 29-7 against redshirt and true freshman quarterbacks, with his exotic blitz packages often causing issues for inexperienced players.

There is a silver lining for Underwood, though — of those seven losses to freshman quarterbacks, four have come since he took over as Oklahoma’s head coach before the 2022 season.

Michigan vs Oklahoma series history

Despite being two of the preeminent programs in college football history, the Wolverines and Sooners have only played once before Saturday. That meeting came in the Orange Bowl at the end of the 1975 season, with Oklahoma winning the game 14-6 to help it win the national championship.

Bryce Underwood stats

In his first-ever college game, Underwood, the No. 1 overall recruit nationally in the 2025 class, completed 21 of 31 passes for 251 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions in Michigan’s 34-17 victory against New Mexico.

John Mateer stats

In his first game since transferring to Oklahoma, Mateer completed 30 of 37 passes for 392 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in a 35-3 win against Illinois State in Week 1 of the 2025 season. He added 24 rushing yards and a touchdown on seven attempts.

Mateer left for Oklahoma after a stellar 2024 season at Washington State, where he completed 64.6% of his passes for 3,139 yards, 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions, along with 826 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns.

‘College GameDay’ picks for Michigan-Oklahoma

With ESPN’s ‘College GameDay’ on site in Norman for Saturday’s game, the crew of the popular pregame show made their predictions for Oklahoma vs. Michigan. Here’s who they picked:

• Desmond Howard: Michigan
• Nick Saban: Michigan
• Pat McAfee: Oklahoma
• Trae Young (celebrity guest-picker): Oklahoma
• Kirk Herbstreit: Did not pick (calling game for ESPN)

What time does Michigan vs Oklahoma start?

• Date: Saturday, September 6
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Where: Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium (Norman, Oklahoma)

What TV channel is Michigan vs Oklahoma on today?

• TV: ABC
• Streaming: ESPN App ∣ ESPN+ ∣ Fubo (free trial)

Michigan vs Oklahoma predictions

• Matt Hayes, USA TODAY Network: Oklahoma
• Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY: Oklahoma
• Erick Smith, USA TODAY: Oklahoma
• Paul Meyerberg, USA TODAY: Oklahoma
• Eddie Timanus, USA TODAY: Oklahoma
• Blake Toppmeyer, USA TODAY Network: Oklahoma

Michigan vs Oklahoma injury updates

Sooners coach Brent Venables said on September 2 that running back Jaydn Ott, a Cal transfer, ‘looks to be close to 100%.’ Ott is dealing with a shoulder injury that caused him to miss more than two weeks of fall training camp and limited him to one carry in an August 30 win against Illinois State.

Michigan schedule 2025

Here’s a look at the Wolverines’ 2025 football schedule:

• Saturday, August 30: Michigan 34, New Mexico 17
• Saturday, September 6: at No. 24 Oklahoma
• Saturday, September 13: vs. Central Michigan
• Saturday, September 20: at Nebraska
• Saturday, September 27: BYE
• Saturday, October 4: vs. Wisconsin
• Saturday, October 11: at USC
• Saturday, October 18: vs. Washington
• Saturday, October 25: at Michigan State
• Saturday, November 1: vs. Purdue
• Saturday, November 8: BYE
• Saturday, November 15: at Northwestern
• Saturday, November 22: at Maryland
• Saturday, November 29: at No. 1 Ohio State

Oklahoma schedule 2025

Here’s a look at the Sooners’ 2025 football schedule:

• Saturday, August 30: Oklahoma 35, Illinois State 3
• Saturday, September 6: vs. No. 13 Michigan
• Saturday, September 13: at Temple
• Saturday, September 20: vs. Auburn
• Saturday, September 27: BYE
• Saturday, October 4: vs. Kent State
• Saturday, October 11: vs. No. 6 Texas*
• Saturday, October 18: at No. 11 South Carolina
• Saturday, October 25: vs. No. 14 Ole Miss
• Saturday, November 1: at No. 17 Tennessee
• Saturday, November 8: BYE
• Saturday, November 15: at No. 20 Alabama
• Saturday, November 22: vs. Missouri
• Saturday, November 29: vs. No. 4 LSU

* Game will be played at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas

The Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs are locked in a close battle in their season opener from São Paulo, Brazil. It’s a game of fine margins as the Chiefs pulled within one point of the Chargers in their opening drive of the third quarter.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes scrambled down the right sideline and dove in for the Chiefs’ first touchdown of the game.

They didn’t pull even on points with the Chargers, though, as kicker Harrison Butker’s extra point didn’t make it through the uprights.

While the kick did sail wide right of the uprights, that comment from Eisen may be a subtle reference to Butker’s political leanings. The Chiefs kicker supported President Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, calling him the ‘most pro-life president.’

‘I’m supporting the president that’s going to be the most pro-life president, and I think Donald Trump is the most pro-life president,’ Butker said on Fox News. ‘That’s a topic that is the most crucial topic for me. I want us to be fighting for the most vulnerable, fighting for the unborn, and that’s what we should prioritize.’

Butker’s controversial commencement speech at Benedictine College in May 2024 drew a response from many commentators, Eisen included.

‘It’s outrageous,’ Eisen said. ‘Of course he has his right to say whatever he wants to say and that might be his belief system but to say that people who are about to receive their diplomas are being lied to diabolically because they are being told that some title awaits them through their hard work isn’t as rewarding as being a mother or being a homemaker… it’s just an outrage.’

Star running back Christian McCaffrey is listed as questionable for the 49ers’ regular season opener on the road against the Seattle Seahawks. He did not participate in San Francisco’s Friday practice with a calf injury.

He was suited up for today’s practice but went through his own training routine apart from the other running backs.

McCaffrey told reporters after practice that he feels good and plans to play Sunday.

‘I feel great about where I’m at,’ McCaffrey said. ‘Just unfortunately, when you have the injury history that I have, sometimes when you don’t practice things get blown out of proportion. Like I said, I feel great.’

McCaffrey said he wanted to be cautious ahead of Week 1.

‘I felt like it was the smart thing to do to not finish the practice because I’ve been there before and I’ve been my own worst enemy in situations like that,’ he said.

McCaffrey missed the first eight games of the 2024 NFL season with calf and Achilles injuries. A year after winning Offensive Player of the Year, McCaffrey failed to score a touchdown in just four games of action.

The 29-year-old running back appeared to have a healthier offseason in 2025 but this is a setback with less than a week until the 49ers’ first game.

San Francisco traded for running back Brian Robinson Jr. two weeks ago from the Washington Commanders for a sixth-round draft pick. His addition looms larger with this news if McCaffrey is out for extended period or has a reduced snap count.

49ers RB depth chart

Robinson Jr. is one of multiple running backs who could shoulder a larger load of the offense if McCaffrey misses time. Here’s how the depth chart at the position looks ahead of the season opener:

• Christian McCaffrey
• Brian Robinson Jr.
• Isaac Guerendo
• Jordan James

The team also has Sincere McCormick signed to the practice squad.

Sorber suffered a torn ACL in his right knee during a workout in Oklahoma City on Thursday, Sept. 4. 

He was the 15th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft in June. The forward/center averaged 14.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in 31.3 minutes per game in 24 games played at Georgetown last season. 

Sorber was second in the nation in rebounding among freshmen. He had season-ending foot surgery (turf toe) in February with Georgetown.

The San Francisco Giants won nine of 10 games entering Saturday and have pulled within four games of the New York Mets in the NL wild-card standings, ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks and fading Cincinnati Reds.

In the AL wild-card chase, the Seattle Mariners have lost seven of 10 and have two teams – the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals – within a game for the final playoff spot. Seattle’s struggles also opened the door for the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians.

The 2025 regular season ends on Sunday, Sept. 28.

Here’s a look at the least standings:

Updated through games played Friday, Sept. 5

AL wild card standings

Top three reach playoffs

1. New York Yankees (78-63): +5 games
2. Boston Red Sox (78-64): +4.5 games
3. Seattle Mariners (73-68)
4. Texas Rangers (73-69): 0.5 games back
5. Kansas City Royals (72-69): 1 GB
6. Tampa Bay Rays (71-70): 2 GB
7. Cleveland Guardians (70-70): 2.5 GB

NL wild card standings

Top three reach playoffs

1. Chicago Cubs (81-60): +5 games
2. San Diego Padres (76-65) – hold 3-0 tiebreaker vs. Mets with three to play
3. New York Mets (76–65)
4. San Francisco Giants (72-69): 4 GB
5. Arizona Diamondbacks (71-71): 5.5 GB
6. Cincinnati Reds (70-71): 6 GB
7. St. Louis Cardinals (70-72): 6.5 GB

AL East

1. Toronto Blue Jays (82-59)
2. New York Yankees (78-63): 4 games back
3. Boston Red Sox (78-64): 4.5 GB

AL Central

1. Detroit Tigers (81-61)
2. Kansas City Royals (72-69): 8.5 GB

AL West

1. Houston Astros (77-65)
2. Seattle Mariners (73-68): 3.5 GB
3. Texas Rangers (73-69): 4 GB

NL East

1. Philadelphia Phillies (82-59)
2. New York Mets (76-65): 6 GB

NL Central

1. Milwaukee Brewers (87-55)
2. Chicago Cubs (81-60): 5.5 GB

NL West

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (78-63)
2. San Diego Padres (76-65): 2 GB