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Watch: Neymar gets raucous welcome from jubilant PSG fans

Neymar: Desire for ‘bigger challenge,’ not money, behind switch to PSG

Neymar: Desire for ‘bigger challenge,’ not money, behind switch to PSG


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NFL

Broncos' Wolfe on injury: I 'dodged a bullet'

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Denver Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe took to social media on Saturday to say he “dodged a bullet” with a right ankle injury after he had been carted off the field during practice.

Wolfe found himself in a pile during a running play during a team drill early in practice — tackle Menelik Watson limped, flexing his own right leg following the play — and stayed down. Trainers helped Wolfe onto a cart, and he was taken to the locker room.

Derek Wolfe suffered a stinger to his right shoulder earlier in training camp. AP Photo/Paul Jasienski

Wolfe later expressed his relief on Twitter that the injury wasn’t as serious as it initially appeared when trainers helped him into the Broncos’ complex, as he couldn’t put weight on his right leg.

Wolfe also posted a picture of his swollen ankle after he had an MRI. In a text to ESPN’s Josina Anderson Wolfe, he said the injury was a sprain and that he would be ready for the Sept. 11 regular-season opener against the San Diego Chargers.

Broncos coach Vance Joseph said following the team’s practice that the preliminary exam by the medical staff showed “the first look, it wasn’t serious.”

Wolfe suffered a stinger early in training camp and was removed from drills for the remainder of that practice, but he returned to practice quickly in the days that followed.

Like the rest of the Broncos’ starting defense, Wolfe didn’t get much work in Thursday night’s preseason opener in Chicago. Wolfe played just three plays in the Broncos’ 24-17 victory at Soldier Field.

The starting defense played the opening three plays but were taken out of the game after cornerback Chris Harris Jr. returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown on the third play of the game.

The Broncos have wrestled with some high-profile injuries so far in camp; running back Devontae Booker (left wrist) and linebacker Shane Ray (left wrist) will miss the entire preseason. Defensive end Billy Winn suffered a season-ending knee injury in the win over the Bears as he tore his right ACL.

The Broncos signed defensive lineman Nelson Adams, who had recently been waived by the Pittsburgh Steelers, when Winn was formally moved to injured reserve.

Soccer

Zidane 'happy' to sign contract extension with Real Madrid

Zinedine Zidane indicated on Saturday that he’s signed a new contract with Real Madrid, but played down the importance of the paperwork’s duration.

Various reports preceding Zidane’s media address – including one from Joaquin Maroto of AS – stated that the French manager was set to ink terms to tie him to the club until the summer of 2020, and he subsequently offered that he was “happy” to extend his stay, according to AFP.

“My story with Real Madrid is deeper than contracts and signatures,” Zidane told reporters, as translated by Sporting News.

“I’m happy to be linked with the club. But the contract doesn’t mean anything. You can sign for 10-20 years. I know where I am and what to do. In one year, maybe I won’t be here. Real Madrid and I are not going to argue, never.”

Zidane was probably due a show of trust from Los Blancos’ hierarchy. Since taking the reins from Rafa Benitez in January 2016, the former midfielder’s influence has been huge. He’s won back-to-back Champions League triumphs (the first manager to do so since AC Milan legend Arrigo Sacchi), a La Liga title, and other coveted silverware. He’s also overseen the successful reinvention of Cristiano Ronaldo as a relentless No. 9, and Isco’s rejuvenation when spearheading a midfield diamond – a position harking back to Zidane’s own in the Galacticos era.

His appointment to the Real Madrid helm was initially disparagingly viewed by some as a temporary fix; a promotion from the Castilla contingent to help smooth things over after the discord left by the Benitez regime. Now, one of the most influential players in history has firmly established himself among the managerial elite.

“I’m very happy to have the confidence Real Madrid shows in me,” Zidane added. “I’m happy to be working so well with my staff. And the objectives are always the same: trying to win every single game and every single title. We are enjoying our job a lot.”

Zidane was speaking ahead of Sunday’s first-leg bout with Clasico rival Barcelona at the Camp Nou in the Supercopa de Espana.

NFL

Kizer not Browns starter, but nothing off table

Hue Jackson is not ready to name DeShone Kizer the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback, but Jackson said that every possibility is on the table as the Browns head into an extended practice week before the second preseason game.

“I think there’s a process to all of this,” Jackson said on a conference call on Friday, the day after the Browns had beaten the New Orleans Saints in the preseason opener. “And I think we’re just in the beginning phase of it for him. You want to do what’s best for your team and for your players, not just because people see a bomb that’s thrown down the field for 45 yards.

“There’s more to playing quarterback than just that. We’re not there yet.”

Kizer created a buzz with his second half, when he completed two passes of at least 45 yards, one for the game-winning touchdown with 1:52 left. He finished the half with 184 yards passing while playing against second- and third-team members of the Saints defense.

Jackson said he was pleased that Kizer made plays with his arm and legs, and that he “stood in the pocket with poise.” He said that calling plays in the huddle and some pre-snap reads continue to be occasional challenges for the rookie.

“He’ll be the first to tell you that there were some things that were not DeShone Kizer-like from practice,” Jackson said. “Some things he needs to work through and continue to get better at. But those things are huge things in games. A lot of those things go unnoticed, but me and him both know there are some things he has to get better at.”

Jackson emphasized it’s simply “too soon” to just say Kizer is the guy.

“I think DeShone did some really good things,” Jackson said. “I think there are some things we have to get cleaned up with him really quickly. But did he take a step? Yes, he did. Obviously he did.”

Jackson will review how he wants to handle a lengthy period of practice ahead, though. The Browns next preseason game isn’t until Aug. 21 against the Giants, and the team will practice six days in a row beginning Saturday.

“It’s the making of a quarterback,” Jackson said. “I think we all know that. It’s the raising of a quarterback. I think that takes time. I don’t think you do things out of a knee-jerk reaction. You don’t make decisions to make them. You kind of let things play themselves out, and they will.

“If a guy is good enough and deserving of the opportunity, trust me, we’re not in a position where we wouldn’t give the best player an opportunity. We’ll continue to work through this, and when we think the time is right, whenever that is, then we’ll make that decision.”

Part of what Jackson is examining is how to handle this practice time, which could provide an excellent opportunity for Kizer to get more reps with the first team against the first team. Kizer could get more time against the Giants’ starters, or he could move up to second team to see better quality defenders to help assess where he is.

“I’m going to think through all these scenarios, I really am,” Jackson said. “I’m going to look at this through these next practices and what it should look like when we get ready to play on Monday night.

“All these things are on the table. Nothing’s off the table. We’ll really look through this and see where we are. But I think right now I’m not in a position to say where I am.”

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