Month: May 2026

Kylian Mbappe responded to a fresh wave of criticism in Spain, insisting on Tuesday he remains fully committed to recovering from his latest injury. The Real Madrid and France forward is sidelined by a left hamstring issue which is casting doubt about his availability for Sunday’s clásico in Barcelona, the biggest match in Spanish soccer. During his time off, Mbappé reportedly traveled to Italy with actress Ester Expósito last weekend, prompting criticism in Spanish media that he may not be taking his rehabilitation seriously. Madrid fans have questioned why the league’s best striker was on holiday ahead of the clásico. An online petition made by fans urging Real Madrid to get rid of Kylian Mbappé has garnered over 4.2 million signatures. Mbappé denied any wrongdoing through a statement from his representatives sent to The Associated Press. “Part of the criticism is based on an overinterpretation of elements related to a recovery period strictly supervised by the club, without reflecting the reality of Kylian’s commitment and the work he puts in every day for the team,” the statement read. Unhappy Real Madrid supporters believe Mbappé is saving himself for the World Cup that begins in five weeks. He also drew criticism earlier this season when he couldn’t play because of a knee ailment. Madrid has little to play for in the final stretch of the season. The club has been eliminated in the Champions League and the Copa del Rey, and is virtually out of contention in La Liga as it trails Barcelona by 11 points with four rounds remaining. Barcelona could clinch on Sunday. Madrid has yet to say whether Mbappé will be fit and available for the clásico. Spanish media say Mbappé went to Madrid’s training center on a day off to continue his recovery. Reporting by The Associated Press.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Chris Devenski has been suspended for three games and fined for intentionally throwing at Cincinnati Reds rookie Sal Stewart, Major League Baseball announced Tuesday. Devenski intentionally threw at Stewart in the top of the seventh inning of Pittsburgh’s 17-7 win at PNC Park on Saturday. He was ejected following the incident. Pirates manager Don Kelly was also suspended for one game and received an undisclosed fine, MLB senior vice president for on-field operations Michael Hill announced. Devenski’s suspension is set to start on Tuesday night, when the Pirates open a road series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. If Devenski appeals, the suspension would be put off during that process. His fine was not disclosed. Kelly was also set to serve his suspension on Tuesday night. Reporting by The Associated Press.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

With the primary player acquisition periods in the books, which NFL defenses are poised to be the most feared in 2026? Here’s my prediction for the top 10 defenses in the upcoming season, in descending order: Key additions: OLB Jaelan Phillips (FA), LB Devin Lloyd (FA), DT Lee Hunter (draft)Key losses: DT A’Shawn Robinson (FA) Don’t be surprised to see the Panthers, who ranked 15th in points allowed and 16th in yards given up last season, make the leap into the top-10 conversation in 2026. They added two of the marquee defensive free agents in edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd. Cornerback Jaycee Horn is coming off back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons. Carolina lost starting defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson in free agency but essentially replaced him with second-round pick Lee Hunter, who had 10.5 tackles for loss at Texas Tech last season. Ejiro Evero, one of the NFL’s most respected defensive coordinators, has plenty of talent to work with. Key additions: OLB Trey Hendrickson (FA), S Jaylinn Hawkins (FA), OLB Zion Young (draft)Key losses: DL Dre’Mont Jones (FA), S Alohi Gilman (FA) The Maxx Crosby deal may have fallen through, but the Ravens will have much more pass rush juice in 2026 with the additions of former All-Pro Trey Hendrickson, who had 35 sacks from 2023-24, and second-round rookie Zion Young, who had 16.5 tackles for loss last season at Missouri. There has also been optimism about the potential return of former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, who suffered a career-threatening neck injury at the start of last season. Key additions: DT Javon Hargrave (FA), LB Zaire Franklin (trade), CB Benjamin St-Juste (FA), CB Brandon Cisse (draft), DT Chris McClellan (draft), OLB Dani Dennis-Sutton (draft)Key losses: OLB Rashan Gary (trade), LB Quay Walker (FA), DL Colby Wooden (trade), DE Kingsley Enagbare (FA) If All-Pro edge Micah Parsons is healthy — he tore his ACL in December — the Packers are equipped to take a step forward in 2026, even after trading Rashan Gary. Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and linebacker Zaire Franklin replace Colby Wooden and Quay Walker, respectively — on paper, both upgrades. Green Bay is also deeper at cornerback than a year ago with veteran Benjamin St-Juste and second-round rookie Brandon Cisse in the fold. Key additions: LB Quincy Williams (FA), S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (draft)Key losses: LB Devin Bush (FA), DL Shelby Harris (FA) While the impact of defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz’s departure remains unclear, the Browns should still have one of the league’s best units. Cleveland lost just one full-time starter in Devin Bush Jr., and found a replacement who should suffice in former All-Pro Quincy Williams. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, the 58th overall pick in this year’s draft, bolsters an already strong secondary. Key additions: S Kevin Byard (FA), DL Dre’Mont Jones (FA), OLB Gabe Jacas (draft)Key losses: LB Jack Gibbens (FA), DT Khyiris Tonga (FA), OLB K’Lavon Chaisson (FA), S Jaylinn Hawkins (FA) The reigning AFC champion Patriots, who ranked fourth in scoring defense and eighth in yards allowed in 2025, added more playmaking in the back end with All-Pro safety Kevin Byard, who led the NFL with seven interceptions last season. They also brought in much-needed depth to the edge rusher spot in veteran Dre’Mont Jones and second-round pick Gabe Jacas. Key additions: CB Jaylen Watson (FA), CB Trent McDuffie (trade)Key losses: CB Cobie Durant (FA) The Rams already had one of the best defensive fronts in football and now have a top-tier cornerback tandem in former All-Pro Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, both of whom were previously with the Chiefs. With Chris Shula returning as coordinator, Los Angeles has a championship-caliber defense. Key additions: OLB Jonathan Greenard (trade), CB Riq Woolen (FA), OLB Arnold Ebiketie (FA)Key losses: OLB Jaelan Phillips (FA), LB Nakobe Dean (FA), S Reed Blankenship (FA) Despite losing Jaelen Phillips in free agency, the Eagles made up for the void at edge rusher by trading for former Vikings Pro Bowler Jonathan Greenard. They’re also better at cornerback with the addition of former Seahawks Pro Bowler Riq Woolen. A healthy Jalen Carter gives DC Vic Fangio one of the best defenses in all of football. Key addition: DT Tyler Onyedim (draft)Key losses: DL John Franklin-Myers (FA), S P.J. Locke (FA) With the exception of standout defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers, who signed with the Titans, the Broncos have the core of their top-three defense from last season intact. Third-round rookie Tyler Onyedim figures to be part of the equation in replacing Franklin-Myers’ production (7.5 sacks in 2025). Key additions: DE Dante Fowler Jr. (FA), S Bud Clark (draft), CB Julian Neal (draft)Key losses: S Coby Bryant (FA), DE Boye Mafe (FA), CB Riq Woolen (FA) The Seahawks lost three contributors from their defense that led the team to a Super Bowl LX victory, so there’s some uncertainty there. But Mike Macdonald’s unit still returns 10 full-time starters. Rookie defensive backs Bud Clark (second round) and Julian Neal (third round) could have significant roles early. Key additions: S Reed Blankenship (FA), DL Logan Hall (FA), DT Kayden McDonald (draft)Key loss: DT Tim Settle (FA) DeMeco Ryans returns 10 starters to his defense that ranked first in yards allowed and second in scoring in 2025. Adding standout veteran safety Reed Blankenship and second-round rookie defensive tackle Kayden McDonald raises the ceiling of a defense that’s already Super Bowl-caliber.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The top three in the power rankings remain the same this week. Chase Elliott, who won Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway, remains third. As much as a win should bump someone up the rankings, it was hard to move Tyler Reddick from the top spot. Reddick finished fourth at Texas and then Denny Hamlin was the runner-up. Those two have just consistently been a little bit stronger than Elliott. Here are my power rankings heading into the race this weekend at Watkins Glen: Dropped out: Brad Keselowski (Last Week: 10) On the verge: Christopher Bell, Alex Bowman, Brad Keselowski, Ryan Preece, Daniel Suarez, Bubba Wallace 10. William Byron (Last Week: Not Ranked)Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 Chevrolet Byron rallied after a spin for an eighth-place finish at Texas, which put him back in the top 10 in the season standings. He has six top-10 finishes in his last eight races. 9. Chase Briscoe (Last Week: 7)Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 Toyota Contact on pit road at Texas resulted in Briscoe finishing 23rd, as he never recovered from the damage after leading early in the race. It was his second consecutive finish outside the top 20. 8. Ty Gibbs (Last Week: 5)Joe Gibbs Racing No. 54 Toyota Contact with Ryan Preece ended the Texas race early for Gibbs, who appeared to have a car that could challenge for the win. It was his second finish of worse than 30th after seven consecutive top-10 finishes. 7. Ryan Blaney (Last Week: 6)Team Penske No. 12 Ford Blaney finished 10th at Texas, a little bit of a rebound after finishes of 24th and 37th in the previous two races. 6. Carson Hocevar (Last Week: 8)Spire Motorsports No. 77 Chevrolet Hocevar continues to be on a roll, as he followed his victory at Talladega with a pole and a seventh-place finish at Texas. 5. Kyle Larson (Last Week: 4)Hendrick Motorsports No. 5 Chevrolet Larson had contact with Briscoe on pit road and then spun on his own later in the race. He finished a disappointing 34th. 4. Chris Buescher (Last Week:9)RFK Racing No. 17 Ford Buescher has back-to-back top fives after a second-place finish at Talladega and a fifth-place finish at Texas. 3. Chase Elliott (Last Week: 3)Hendrick Motorsports No. 9 Chevrolet Elliott won at Texas, his second win in his last five races. He has seven top 10s (including five top fives) in 11 races this year. 2. Denny Hamlin (Last Week: 2)Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 Toyota Hamlin’s second-place finish was his fifth top five of the season. He doesn’t have a finish worse than 15th after opening the season 31st in the Daytona 500. 1. Tyler Reddick (Last Week: 1)23XI Racing No. 45 Toyota Reddick’s strong year continued with a fourth-place run at Texas. It was his seventh top five of the year and his fourth in the last six races.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports