Sports
Derwin James Jr. hated watching Chargers … but loved what he was seeing?
Derwin James Jr. didn’t necessarily like the view, but he liked what he saw.
The safety who was suspended for the Chargers’ game against the Kansas City Chiefs watched on his television as his defensive teammates forced two takeaways against the two-time defending Super Bowl champions.
The way teammates were zooming across the field and communicating, despite not having one of their defensive captains, brought a proud smile to James’ face, even if the final 17-10 score did not.
“To know I’m a part of that, what a special defense we have, it’s just amazing,” James said Wednesday. “I couldn’t wait to get back out here to work with these guys.”
The star safety returned to the team this week after a one-game suspension for multiple player safety violations. With James back, the team released safety Tony Jefferson and signed him to the practice squad Tuesday while releasing offensive lineman Braeden Daniels.
Chargers safeties Alohi Gilman (32) and Derwin James Jr. tackle 6-foot-5 Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth.
(Matt Freed / Associated Press)
James called the suspension “very disappointing” and reiterated his only objective on the field is to play fast and make plays. He said he did not get extensive feedback about his tackling technique during the appeals process, which upheld the NFL’s suspension. The primary instruction was to get lower on his tackles.
The 6-foot-2 James noted that he was often taller than some of the players he is tackling, especially when offensive players duck their heads to brace for contact, although the Week 3 hit that got him suspended was on 6-foot-5 Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth.
“We just gotta adjust,” James said. “Don’t want to hurt my team. Play clean football and make plays, that’s all I’m trying to do.”
James watched from afar as the Chargers (2-2) lost a sixth straight game to their AFC West rivals. The Chargers were shorthanded without starting offensive tackles Rashawn Slater (pectoral) and Joe Alt (knee) and star outside linebacker Joey Bosa (hip).
In James’ place, defensive back Elijah Molden played a season-high 61 defensive snaps with eight tackles and a fumble recovery. Molden has become a key cog in the secondary since joining the Chargers after training camp in a trade with the Tennessee Titans, starting three games with 18 tackles and one interception.
“What he’s done has been outstanding, but wasn’t unexpected,” said general manager Joe Hortiz, who traded a 2026 seventh-round pick for the former Washington Huskies star. “He is a talented athlete and he’s a very smart football player and he’s highly competitive.”
Hortiz, who spoke to reporters publicly Wednesday for the first time since April, has earned raves for his start as a general manager. After 15 years with the Baltimore Ravens, most recently as the director of player personnel, Hortiz has worked seamlessly with Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh to retool the roster with the coach’s goal of playing more physical football.
Working with Harbaugh has been like collaborating with a family member, Hortiz said. The first-time general manager already considered Baltimore coach John Harbaugh like a brother. Adopting another Harbaugh brother was easy.
“It’s huge for the GM and head coach to exist well,” Hortiz said. “Sometimes you have to work at it. We don’t have to work at this, man. We have the same type of vision and philosophy. We have fun.”
The front office alignment has trickled down to the field, James said, as he feels Hortiz and the personnel department “really give us an edge.”
“I feel like our depth is getting stronger,” James said. “That’s what we’re building out here, building a full, complete team.”
Having earned the nickname “Chef Hortiz,” for the way he’s cooking up transactions, the general manager is preparing his next dishes. With the trade deadline looming on Nov. 5, Hortiz said the team will “always be listening and looking.”
“If it’s the right opportunity that makes sense for our roster and for our future,” he continued. “For right now and for the future.”
Etc.
Quarterback Justin Herbert (ankle), linebackers Junior Colson (hamstring) and Daiyan Henley (elbow), Bosa and offensive tackle Slater were among the key players who were not seen on the practice field during the media viewing period. … Linebacker Nick Niemann returned to practice for the first time since being placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. The team opened the 21-day window for return Tuesday.
Sports
Golf star records lowest round in LPGA major history with astounding performance at Evian Championship
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There are good days on the golf course, and then there is what Haeran Ryu just did on Saturday.
Ryu, 25, recorded the lowest round in LPGA major history on Saturday with an 11-under 60 at the Evian Championship. With the South Korean golfer’s historic round, she holds a three-stroke lead.
Ryu’s round comes just two weeks after winning her first major at the Women’s PGA Championship. On the 18th hole, Ryu left a 30-foot eagle putt a few inches short, and instead settled for a birdie.
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Haeran Ryu of South Korea reacts on the 18th green after the third round of The Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France, on July 11, 2026. (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
She said after the round that she had no idea what she had done until she counted up her scorecard.
“But after the putt and I counted my score with my caddie,” she said. “Oh my God, it’s 11-under par today. It was so amazing. My caddie says, ‘Yep.’ I’m so happy right now.”
If Ryu had made the eagle putt on the 18th hole, she would have been just the second player to shoot a 59 in LPGA history.
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Haeran Ryu of South Korea celebrates a birdie on the 15th green during the third round of The Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club on July 11, 2026, in Evian-les-Bains, France. (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Her 60 broke the record for the lowest round in an LPGA major by one shot. Leona Maguire and Jeungeun Lee6 in 2021, and Hyo Joo Kim in 2014, each shot 61 at the Evian Championship, which was designated as an LPGA major in 2013.
The lowest round in a men’s major is 62, which is shared by four players — Branden Grace at Royal Birkdale in the 2017 British Open, Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler in the 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club, and Schauffele and Shane Lowry in the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla.
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Haeran Ryu of South Korea and Lottie Woad of England interact after their round on the 18th green during the third round of the Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France, on July 11, 2026. (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Ryu hopes her historic third round can help propel her to a second major win in three weeks.
“That is amazing, amazing dream,” Ryu said. “So I just want that one to come true, but we have one more day.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Taylor Crabb is no stranger to South California beaches. The Long Beach State alum returns home this weekend to compete in AVP League matches.
It marks the first time AVP will compete in Long Beach since 2020 and allows players to compete at the 2028 Olympics beach volleyball venue.
Crabb, 34, made his AVP debut in 2013 with his brother, Trevor, and advanced from the qualifier in Manhattan Beach before finishing 25th in his first tournament.
After years of competing with various different partners, Taylor Crabb and Andy Benesh have delivered the top performances this AVP season.
The following interview with Crabb has been edited for clarity and length.
Are you excited to compete in this weekend’s event at Long Beach?
Crabb: Very excited. A lot of my college teammates and part of the school have reached out, saying that they’re gonna come. So I’m excited to get a chance to play in front of them again.
When was the last time you were in Long Beach?
Crabb: I always try to go down there for alumni events or any big games they have. I went to UCLA against Long Beach last year, when it was No. 1 versus No. 2, so I always try to get down there and support them.
You missed out on the chance to compete in the 2020 Olympics because of COVID-19 restrictions and chose not to pursue a spot at the 2024 Olympics. Are you fired up to try to compete in the 2028 Olympics, knowing that Long Beach will host the competition?
Crabb: Yeah, it’s definitely an exciting time having the Olympics in Long Beach, and we kind of get to break it in this weekend. As you said, Tokyo didn’t go the way I wanted, but I’m going full force now. I have a great partner in Andy Benesh, who obviously went to the Paris Olympics, and if it weren’t for the Olympics being in Long Beach, and me getting a partner like Andy, I’m not even sure I’d be going for it, but because of those two things, I want to make the most of it.
You mentioned that if it wasn’t for a partner like Andy, you wouldn’t be going for it. What do you mean by that?
Crabb: I didn’t feel motivated by playing in all the international events, but now, I think, sitting out kind of lit the fire under me, and I’m really motivated now.
You’ve had different partners throughout your time. What other motivation does Andy give you?
Crabb: He’s been, in my mind, the top blocker for the U.S. the last four or five years. Seeing the professionalism he brings every day to practice, on and off the court, while traveling and when showing up to tournaments, it rubs off on you and that’s really motivating to see. And I just want to make him proud.
Why do you love volleyball?
Crabb: A lot of reasons, but it’s just a feeling I have when I’m out there on the court. It feels natural. It feels like home. I was born into a volleyball family. I had a volleyball in my hands my entire life, so I’ve always just enjoyed it.
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CM Punk appeared on “Friday Night SmackDown” ready to take on any challenger that was ready to step to him after winning the Undisputed WWE Championship against Sami Zayn.
Punk entered the ring in Oklahoma City and called back to the “Monday Night Raw” after WrestleMania 42 when he told Cody Rhodes he’d be ready to deliver if a championship opportunity fell “out of the sky.”
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Cody Rhodes and CM Punk face off during SmackDown at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. (Craig Ambrosio/WWE via Getty Images)
“When championship opportunities fall out of the sky, CM Punk catches them,” he said.
Punk named potential SmackDown superstars he’d think might come for the title, including Gunther, Finn Balor, Royce Keys, Damian Priest and Trick Williams. He even said that Zayn could come back around and get his rematch if he wanted. He didn’t mention Rhodes’ name, but the “American Nightmare” came out uncalled and marched his way down to the ring.
“I don’t think you and I can run away from each other anymore,” Punk told Rhodes.
Cody Rhodes looks on during SmackDown at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., on July 10, 2026. (Craig Ambrosio/WWE via Getty Images)
Rhodes agreed and mentioned that Punk would want a match with him, just “say when.” It was a quick retort from Punk, who said, “when.” SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis, who was in the ring for the segment, booked the match for SummerSlam.
Punk will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship at SummerSlam, which takes place Aug. 1 and 2 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
First, however, Punk and Rhodes will be involved in a tag team match at Saturday Night’s Main Event in New York City next week. Aldis made the match after Gunther demanded that Aldis put him in a match against Punk. Gunther was hoping it would be for the championship. Instead, Gunther will tag with Zayn.
Gunther didn’t take too kindly to that and attacked Aldis. Rhodes came back out to break up the calamity. He wanted to take on Gunther after the show went off air but Gunther walked away.
Gunther makes his entrance during SmackDown at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., on July 10, 2026. (Rich Wade/WWE via Getty Images)
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Punk definitely has his hands full as he moves to SmackDown to become a fighting champion.
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