Reuters Sports News Summary

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Report: Ohio State fires special-teams coordinator

Ohio State fired first-year special teams coordinator Robby Discher, ESPN reported on ​Monday. The No. 12 Buckeyes (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten) allowed a critical conversion on a fake punt in Saturday's ​41-28 home loss to No. 23 Oregon.

Trump says he would give ‌baseball ​player Pete Rose a pardon

US President Donald Trump told reporters on Monday that he would give a pardon to former professional baseball player Pete Rose.

Rams WR Puka Nacua likely headed to IR

Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay said Monday that receiver Puka Nacua is likely to be placed on injured reserve with MCL and PCL sprains and ‌a turf toe injury. Nacua suffered the injuries on the Rams' final offensive snap during Sunday's 20-13 victory over the Washington Commanders. He caught 14 passes for 150 yards and a touchdown and added 20 yards on two rushing attempts. He underwent an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of the knee injury. Once placed on IR, Nacua would miss at least four games.

CFP, ESPN sign deal to expand to 24-team playoff with 2027 season

The College Football Playoff will expand to ‌24 teams for the 2027 season, with ESPN signing a five-year rights deal worth nearly $1.7 billion on Monday. That money is in addition to the six-year, $7.8 billion contract the two sides signed in March 2024 that cemented ESPN ‌as the lone media rights holder through the 2031 season. The new agreement will see ESPN pay an extra $345 million annually.

Cardinals WR Michael Wilson (neck) out for remainder of season

Arizona Cardinals star wide receiver Michael Wilson is out for the remainder of the season after suffering a fracture in his neck on Sunday, coach Mike LaFleur said Monday. Wilson was hurt on the fourth play of the game against the Seattle Seahawks, LaFleur said, and played through the injury. Wilson was on the field for 44 offensive snaps.

Reports: Alabama TE Josh Ford to undergo season-ending surgery

Alabama tight end ⁠Josh Ford ​will miss the rest of the season due to a knee ⁠injury, CBS Sports reported Monday. Multiple outlets reported he will undergo surgery.

2-time winner Temwa Chawinga leads MVP finalists

The National Women's Soccer League's two-time reigning Most Valuable Player, Temwa Chawinga, is one of five finalists for the 2026 honor, announced Monday along with the rest of the year-end awards ⁠candidates. The Kansas City Current forward is joined by Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman, North Carolina Courage midfielder Ashley Sanchez, Denver Summit defender Janine Sonis and 2022 winner Sophia Wilson, a forward for the Portland Thorns.

Sporting KC fire coach Raphael Wicky after lone season

Sporting ​Kansas City terminated head coach Raphael Wicky's contract Monday after the team missed the playoffs in his first season. The team won 1-0 at San Diego FC in the season finale on Saturday but finished ⁠last in the 15-team Western Conference (7-22-5, 26 points).

Soccer-Saputo initiates sales process for MLS club CF Montreal

CF Montreal owner Joey Saputo on Monday initiated a sales process for the Major League Soccer club but said he is committed to ensuring the team stay in the Canadian city. The move marks the ⁠end ​of the Saputo family’s long-time involvement in the club, who the Canadian businessman founded in 1992. Formerly known as Montreal Impact, the team joined MLS in 2012.

Kyle Whittingham reopens Michigan's QB competition

A week after saying Tommy Carr would remain Michigan's starter for the "foreseeable future," coach Kyle Whittingham has reopened the quarterback competition after another underwhelming offensive effort Saturday against rival Michigan State. Whittingham told reporters Monday that Carr and Bryce Underwood will battle this week to determine who will ⁠start for the Wolverines (5-4, 2-4 Big Ten) at No. 23 Oregon on Saturday.

UCLA surges into top 10 of men's basketball poll

UCLA leaped 13 spots to No. 9 in the first weekly update of the Associated Press Top ⁠25 men's basketball poll on Monday after a season-opening 84-75 ⁠win over then-No. 5 Arizona. The Bruins (2-0) hold their highest ranking since the final poll of the 2022-23 season, when they were seventh. Arizona (1-1) fell seven spots to 12th.

Packers RB Josh Jacobs needs surgery; IR possible

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs faces another absence after fracturing his right ring finger during the first quarter of Sunday's 45-27 win ‌over the New England Patriots. Packers head ‌coach Matt LaFleur said Monday that Jacobs will need surgery and won't be able to play through the injury. Jacobs ​left Sunday's game after gaining five yards on four carries.