Neymar tears ACL while playing for Brazil in World Cup qualifying game
Brazil forward Neymar tore his ACL and meniscus while playing in a World Cup qualifying game, his club Al Hilal confirmed Wednesday.
Neymar was in tears after injuring his left knee in the first half of Brazil’s 2-0 loss to Uruguay on Tuesday.
The 31-year-old Neymar will need surgery. Al Hilal did not say how long he is expected to be out, but it can take six months to a year to recover from ACL injuries.
That would likely rule him out for the rest of the season and place doubts over his participation in next year’s Copa America, which starts in June.
Brazil’s all-time leading scorer was on crutches as he left Estadio Centenario in Montevideo. He had clutched his leg in visible pain and was then carted off the field.
Neymar broke Pele’s Brazil scoring record last month with his 78th goal for his country in a World Cup qualifying match against Bolivia. He added his 79th in the same game, which ended in a 5-1 win.
“Brazilian and world soccer need a healthy Neymar, because soccer is happier when he’s on the field,” Brazilian soccer confederation president
Ednaldo Rodrigues said.
Neymar joined Al Hilal in August and has endured a slow start, with an injury limiting him to just three appearances in the domestic league and two in the Asian Champions League, in which he has scored one goal.
Jaguars list QB Lawrence as questionable for Saints game, call up third-stringer Rourke
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — With quarterback Trevor Lawrence listed as questionable for Thursday night’s game at New Orleans, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed third-stringer Nathan Rourke from the practice squad to the active roster.
Lawrence was limited in practice for the second consecutive day Wednesday. He expressed optimism Tuesday about playing, but also said he needs to consider the best longterm plan for his sprained left knee and the team’s success.
Lawrence has started every game during his three professional seasons and last missed a game during his final collegiate year at Clemson, when he sat out consecutive games because of a neck injury and then COVID-19 protocols.
If Lawrence doesn’t play, backup C.J. Beathard would make his first start since the 2020 regular-season finale with San Francisco.
Rourke, a former Canadian Football League standout, would serve as the backup. He started 11 games for the BC Lions in 2021-22, throwing for 4,035 yards and 28 touchdowns. He completed 78.7% of his passes, setting a new CFL record and earning the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian award.
Arizona QB Kyler Murray activated from PUP list, returns to practice
TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray — almost always a man of few words — announced the next step in his return from an ACL injury with a two-word statement.
“Practicing today,” Murray posted on social media.
A few minutes later on Wednesday, the Cardinals made if official, announcing that Murray has been designated to return from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Arizona can activate Murray to the 53man roster at any time during the next 21 days or at the conclusion of the three-week period.
Murray got hurt against the New England Patriots on Dec. 12 — a little more than 10 months ago. He was flushed out of the pocket and running to his right when he tried to fake out a defender, but tumbled to the grass in obvious pain.
The quarterback has been relatively quiet about his recovery, occasionally posting pictures on social media.
It’s been the first significant injury setback for Murray, who was a Texas high school phenom, Heisman Trophy winner at Oklahoma and No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft.
Colts QB Richardson opts for season-ending surgery on injured throwing shoulder
INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson has taken the final snap of his rookie season, opting for season-ending surgery on his injured throwing shoulder.
Coach Shane Steichen confirmed the decision before Wednesday’s practice.
Steichen said the team consulted multiple medical officials, weighed the long-term health of Richardson and his future with the franchise before everyone agreed surgery was the best option. Steichen did not say when the surgery would take place.
“I thought when he played, he was explosive and he was electric,” Steichen said. “He gives us an opportunity every time he steps on the field — just his big-play ability, throwing the ball downfield, the runs he had, the touchdown runs. There is tremendous opportunity going forward.”
Steelers WR Johnson is hopeful his injured right hamstring will be good to go vs. Rams
PITTSBURGH — Diontae Johnson’s right hamstring is on the mend.
The Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver is hopeful his return can help an offense that’s at times looked lost without him.
Johnson practiced on Wednesday, his first full practice since tweaking the hamstring in a season-opening loss to San Francisco on Sept. 10. While Johnson remains on injured reserve, he’s optimistic he’ll be ready by Sunday when Pittsburgh (3-2) heads to the West Coast to face the Los Angeles Rams (3-3).
Stressing he’s “doing anything I can to be ready,” Johnson is hopeful he can help provide a spark to an offense that is near the bottom of the NFL in most major categories, including scoring (30th), total yards (30th) and yards passing (27th).
Johnson, who has led the Steelers in receptions and receiving yards in three of his four seasons, thinks he could “take a lot off the plate” of second-year wide receiver George Pickens, who has received the brunt of the attention from opponents in Johnson’s absence.