Fourth-year Denver Nuggets player Aaron Gordon will be away from the team due to lacerations to his hand and face, according to the team. 

The injuries happened Christmas Day when Gordon was bitten by a dog. The cuts required 21 stitches, ESPN reported.

The veteran NBA forward has been ruled out indefinitely. The Nuggets said in a statement that Gordon is “in good condition.” While the timeline for his return remains unclear, the team did note that updates on Gordon’s condition will be provided in the future.

ESPN reported it is unlikely Gordon’s absence will be lengthy.

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The Nuggets will welcome Ja Morant and the Grizzlies Thursday night. Nuggets forward Zeke Nnaji is expected to play a more significant role while Gordon is away.

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Nuggets coach Michael Malone said he spoke to Gordon and encouraged him to focus on his recovery. 

“We need him to heal inside and out,” said Malone. “Going through something like that is not something you come back from easily. That’s something where you have to heal from the physical, but you also have to heal from the mental and what you just kind of went through.”

Aaron Gordon of the Denver Nuggets celebrates a 3-pointer against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at the United Center Dec. 12, 2023, in Chicago. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Malone added that Gordon has the team’s full support.

“We have his back. We love him. We’re here for him. So, whenever he’s able to come back, we’re going to open our arms up and embrace him. I told all the guys to make sure they’re reaching out to him, to make sure he’s never feeling like he’s on an island.”

The defending champion Nuggets have gotten off to a strong start this season. The team sits in the second spot in the Western Conference standings.

Aaron Gordon of the Denver Nuggets on the bench during a game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center Dec. 1, 2023, in Phoenix, Ariz. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

Malone later reiterated the franchise’s desire to see Gordon back on the court whenever he’s ready.

“We want him back,” Malone said. “We know we’re better off with him. But I want to support Aaron Gordon and make sure when he comes back, he’s ready to come back and play at the level that we know he’s capable.”

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Gordon missed five games earlier this season due to a heel injury.

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In the college football world, conference championships, bowl games and national signing day have traditionally been programs’ primary focus in December. 

However, in recent years, the transfer portal has created a new set of circumstances college football coaches have to closely monitor. 

The idea of managing the transfer portal during an already busy month appears to have frustrated Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin.

Ole Miss has nonetheless benefited from the transfer portal, landing a couple of the most highly sought players in the portal.

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Ole Miss will travel to Atlanta this week to play in the Peach Bowl against Penn State. Kiffin pointed to the transfer portal when he discussed attempts to balance the hectic calendar while having to prepare for a bowl game.

“We’re actually kind of, finally, to a normal part now, where today’s Tuesday, and we actually play on a Saturday,” Kiffin said. “So, it’s a normal week for us. We’re just in a hotel in a different city. Previous to this, it’s been a little chaotic with not just recruiting and flying around, trying to get back for practice, a lot of assistant coaches not at the practices. But then dealing with the portal, going to other universities to see kids and dealing with keeping our own kids.”

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Kiffin went on to question the way the current system is set up and compared it to the NFL’s free agency model.

Head coach Lane Kiffin of the Mississippi Rebels during warmups prior to facing the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium Sept. 23, 2023 in Tuscaloosa, Ala.  (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

“Again, it’s a terrible system. No other — I wouldn’t think any other sports, professional sports, have ever set up a system where free agency starts while the season is still going. So, it really makes no sense. You can leave, you can stay, you can go other places. Coaches can call you, and your season is still going. It would be like before the NFC or AFC playoffs start in a couple weeks, all of a sudden, hey, free agency the week before opens. So you can start recruiting other people’s players and fly them on trips and get them to transfer. So, really, it’s a really bad system.”

Since the portal opens during the bowl season, players looking to go to a different school have to go through the transfer process while also figuring out whether they will remain with their current teams through the end of the year.

Head coach Lane Kiffin of the Mississippi Rebels during a game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium Nov. 4, 2023, in Oxford, Miss.  (Justin Ford/Getty Images)

Policies for transferring players remaining with teams they will be leaving vary by school. 

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The transfer portal window closes Jan. 2, unless a team plays in a bowl game scheduled for after that date.

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LOSING THEIR COOL – Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce lost their cool during their Christmas Day loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Continue reading…

DRAMA QUEEN – Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce launched his helmet in frustration as the Chiefs lost their third game in the last four contests. Continue reading… 

FROM OUTKICK – Miami’s victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 16 answered a big question. Continue reading…

INVASION OF PRIVACY – Upset fans leaked private information about Dallas Cowboys safety Jayron Kearse and fellow safety Juanyeh Thomas after a loss to the Buffalo Bills. Continue reading…

ALL BUSINESS – Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick revealed on the “Nessa Off Air” podcast that he does not celebrate Christmas. Continue reading…

The Florida State Seminoles logo is shown on an equipment bag at Memorial Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Clemson, South Carolina.  (Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)

TAKING LEGAL ACTION – The Florida State Board of Trustees voted to file suit against the ACC, challenging the league’s grant of rights and its withdrawal fee in a first step toward the school’s possible departure from the conference. Continue reading…

UNACCEPTABLE – Eastern Michigan athletic director Scott Wetherbee apologized for a postgame incident and condemned Eagles players’ actions following the team’s 68 Ventures Bowl loss to South Alabama. Continue reading…

PLAYOFF PREVIEW – The Texas Longhorns take on the Washington Huskies in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day in the College Football Playoff. Continue reading…

Jonathan Owens #34 of the Green Bay Packers laughs with his wife, Simone Biles, prior to the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field on October 29, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

JOKES OVER – It was fun at first, but Simone Biles is over the jokes about her relationship with her husband, Green Bay Packers defensive back Jonathan Owens, after his recent podcast remarks. Continue reading…

PRICELESS REACTION – Shohei Ohtani gifted a Porsche to the wife of Dodgers teammate Joe Kelly after she campaigned to get the free agent to sign with Los Angeles and offered her husband’s No. 17 jersey if joined the team. Continue reading…

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Tom Brady is just as popular off the field as he was on the field and being in the limelight while trying to parent three children makes things even tougher.

Brady talked about the challenges of parenting while being one of the most famous people on the planet with recording artist John Legend on the “Let’s Go!” podcast.

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“For a parent, I think it’s challenging. You know, we have unique challenges for our own kids. We try to teach them the right values and so forth,” Brady said. “But at the same time, I feel like, for me, when I’m out with my kids, I really want to be with them, you know? And I really make it clear to people, sorry, I’m just out here enjoying my time with my family, you know? 

“And whether I’m at a game for my son, and I love doing that, but, you know, a lot of times the attention gets shifted to us, and I don’t want to take away from their moments because this is their important part of their life and their maturation. And at the same time, I try to explain, guys, everything comes at a cost. And the reason we get to go on a lot of fun vacations and you guys go to schools and have people to help.”

Tom Brady attends the grand opening of the Fontainebleau Las Vegas on Dec. 13, 2023. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

GIANTS DEMOTE TOMMY DEVITO TO BACKUP ROLE AFTER GETTING BENCHED ON CHRISTMAS

“We have to deal with some things that are different than everyone else. So, there’s no straight arrow for anyone in life. Everyone’s going to find different curves and turns and twists and trying to just be a great parent.”

Legend added that his children are used to all of it by now.

“They know that their mom and dad are famous. They know, you know, their friends see their mom and dad on television,” Legend said. “They see billboards with my face on it for “The Voice” or for my Vegas residency or whatever. … So, I think they feel proud of me and proud of my music and proud that people love what I do and what my wife does.”

Tom Brady (Gilbert Flores)

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Brady has three children, a son with actress Bridget Moynahan and a son and daughter with model and ex-wife Gisele Bündchen.

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Jaire Alexander joining the coin toss this past weekend might have cost him a big game.

Alexander was not named a game captain before the Green Bay Packers’ game in Carolina against the Panthers on Sunday, but the Charlotte native invited himself to the coin toss before the game.

Alexander called tails, and after winning the toss, he chose to play defense in the first half, not defer to the second half.

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By choosing to play defense instead of deferring, the Panthers could have technically been allowed to receive the kickoff at the start of each half. The referee clarified the rule to Alexander, so issues were avoided at the time.

But the Packers announced Wednesday that they were suspending Alexander for one game due to “conduct detrimental to the team.”

“The decision to suspend a player is never easy and not one we take lightly. Unfortunately, Jaire’s actions prior to the game in Carolina led us to take this step,” general manager Brian Gutekunst said in a statement. “As an organization, we have an expectation that everyone puts the team first. While we are disappointed, we had a good conversation with Jaire this morning and fully expect him to learn from this as we move forward together. We look forward to welcoming him back next week as he is a valued member of this team and will continue to be in the future.”

Head coach Matt LaFleur called Alexander’s actions a “big mistake.”

The Green Bay Packers announced Wednesday that they were suspending Jaire Alexander for one game due to “conduct detrimental to the team.” (Kayla Wolf/Getty Images)

GIANTS DEMOTE TOMMY DEVITO TO BACKUP ROLE AFTER GETTING BENCHED ON CHRISTMAS

“That’s something that you review with the guys before they go out there every time about, ‘Hey, we win the toss, we’re going to defer,'” LaFleur said after the game, per ESPN. “I went to the officials before the game, made sure they knew what we were going to do. We had an incident earlier this year where we had a similar situation, so [we are] always trying to be proactive in that approach.”

Alexander didn’t even realize he had done anything wrong.

“I said, ‘I want our defense to be out there,’ and they all looked at me like I was crazy,” Alexander said. “I’m like, I mean, it’s pretty simple what I said, like I want the defense to be out there. They [were] like, ‘You mean defer?’ and I’m like, ‘Yeah, I guess.'”

Perhaps Alexander wanted a proper homecoming, but LaFleur made it seem like he had not been chosen as a captain for the game. It was also Alexander’s first game since Nov. 5 after dealing with a shoulder injury.

Alexander will be absent for the game on New Year’s Eve against the Minnesota Vikings, but he will return for the season finale when they host the Chicago Bears.

Jaire Alexander will be absent for the game on New Year’s Eve against the Minnesota Vikings, but he will return for the season finale when they host the Chicago Bears. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

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The Packers are currently the ninth seed in the NFC with a 7-8 record and a 26% chance to make the playoffs.

A loss this weekend would drop those chances to 1%, but a win bumps it up to 56%.

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It looks like the end of an era with the New York Giants.

After getting benched to start the second half on Christmas, Tommy DeVito was named the backup quarterback for this weekend.

Head coach Brian Daboll announced on Wednesday that Tyrod Taylor will start for the G-Men against the Los Angeles Rams.

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“Tommy Cutlets” took over for Daniel Jones after he tore his ACL in Week 9, while Taylor himself had already been injured. During his time as the starter, he was more than serviceable.

From that game through Week 14, DeVito completed 68.1% of his passes for 856 yards, eight touchdowns and three picks, while also rushing for 142 yards.

However, things reared their ugly head last week against the New Orleans Saints, when he was just 20-for-34 for 177 yards. Then on Christmas, he was just 9-for-16 for 55 yards before being benched.

The Giants trailed the Philadelphia Eagles, 20-3, at halftime, but the Giants fought back and had a chance to tie the game on their final play of the game. Taylor only completed 7 of his 16 passes, but for 133 yards.

Tyrod Taylor, #2 of the New York Giants, runs the ball during the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Dec. 25, 2023 in Philadelphia. (Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)

TRAVIS KELCE DISCUSSES ‘F—ING FRUSTRATING EXPERIENCE’ OF BAD LOSS, ANGRILY LAUNCHING HELMET

“I thought Ty did some good things second half of Philly, so he earned the right to start this game,” Daboll said Wednesday.

DeVito joined the Giants this offseason as an undrafted free agent. He starred at Don Bosco Prep in high school, roughly a 20-minute drive from MetLife Stadium.

DeVito joked last week that the most hostile environments he had ever played in were his high school rivalry games against Bergen Catholic, but he got a rude awakening in the City of Brotherly Love.

He had become somewhat of a folk hero, embracing his Italian heritage in North Jersey and dubbing his infamous nickname from his mother’s cooking, as he still lives in his childhood home in Cedar Grove, New Jersey.

Tommy DeVito, #15 of the New York Giants, reacts as he takes the field prior to an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 11, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)

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Even when Taylor returned from his injury, DeVito was tabbed as the starter. However, it has become quite clear that Taylor is the better of the two, despite the exciting story.

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson will reportedly sit on the bench for the final two weeks of the regular season.

A two-point win over the Green Bay Packers in late October sparked a five-game winning streak, but the team has since dropped three of their last four games. Wilson has shown signs of improvement this season under first-year Broncos coach Sean Payton, although the coach and quarterback duo’s relationship has seemed tense at times. 

Wilson finished the Christmas Eve loss to the New England Patriots with 238 passing yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. However, he largely struggled in the first three quarters before helping the offense generate points late in the game. 

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However, the move to sit Wilson for the remainder of the season is not solely based on the signal caller’s performance. The franchise appears to also be taking some financial factors into consideration. 

According to NFL Network, the Broncos are looking to persevere its financial flexibility for the offseason.

BRONCOS RELEASE KAREEM JACKSON FOLLOWING MULTIPLE SUSPENSIONS, FINES FOR ILLEGAL HITS: REPORTS

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson, #3, throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/Geneva Heffernan)

Wilson has an estimated $37 million in 2025 salary that becomes fully vested this coming March. If the quarterback suffers a significant injury at any point this season, it would complicate the financial situation, NFL Network reported.

Jarrett Stidham will handle the starting quarterback duties for Denver’s Week 17 game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

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The Broncos postseason hopes took a significant hit over the weekend, but the team has not been officially eliminated from contention. 

Denver is currently 7-8 and sits in the No. 12 spot in the AFC standings.

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The Kansas City Chiefs have hit a rough patch.

Their loss on Christmas, despite being heavy favorites over the Las Vegas Raiders, was their fifth in their last eight games, and their expectations for a Super Bowl repeat have cooled off.

The loss also featured angry outbursts from both Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, when both of them fired helmets at the ground.

The tight end discussed the “f—ing frustrating experience” on his “New Heights” podcast with his brother Jason, who plays center for the Philadelphia Eagles.

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“We handed that team a win on Christmas. We literally played Santa and gave them a present,” Kelce said.

“That was embarrassing. Everyone in the building knows how embarrassing that was. We got a short week, so we’re gonna forget about this s— real quick.”

Kelce said that no one person is to blame for the recent tough stretch.

“It’s not just one guy. It’s not just me playing like dogs— … Everybody’s in this f—ing thing together … We just gotta bring it together, man…

“Everybody’s gotta just f—ing do their job. Every single play, somebody’s not doing their job. It’s me, one-by-one, it’s everybody on the team. Whether that’s prep, whether that’s having the confidence and understanding of what the defense is in … how we’re picking up blitzes, how we’re running routes versus certain overages, all of the above. We show sparks of what kind of offense we can be … it just hasn’t been a well-oiled machine like we’ve been in the past, and we just gotta get everybody on the same f—ing page.”

Travis Kelce looks on during the NFL match between Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs at Deutsche Bank Park on Nov. 5, 2023 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Mario Hommes/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

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Kelce also did not shy away from his verbal tussle with head coach Andy Reid that led to his helmet launch, admitting he was in the wrong and that he has to keep calm.

“He’s looking out for me, and I love him for it. I didn’t go back out there and play good,” Kelce admitted. “He wanted to see the fire in me and I reacted in a bad way. He wanted to just get the best out of me, and right now I’m just not playing my best football and I gotta f—ing lock the f— in, be more accountable for him, be more accountable for my teammates. I gotta keep my f—ing cool, because as a leader on this team, that’s not how you switch the momentum.”

Mahomes has thrown for 300 yards just once in those last eight games, throwing just 11 touchdowns in that span versus eight interceptions. As for Kelce, after racking up 303 receiving yards in weeks 6 and 7 combined, he has just 443 yards since then, with five games under 60 – he has just one touchdown in that span, as well.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce warms up before the start of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, in Frankfurt, Germany. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

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The Chiefs fell to 9-6, but still are a win away from clinching the division and making the playoffs for a ninth consecutive season. They have made the AFC title game five straight years.

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