Firaxis' XCOM reboots are obviously a touchstone for Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden, but I'm reminded more of the surprisingly good Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom adventure. Both games segue between third-person exploration and turn-based tactical combat, and both feature animals with guns. There is more going on here. We get to see the stealth systems, and see some post apocalyptic scenery. Strategy mastermind and PC Gamer UK editor in chief Samuel Roberts is the only human to have beaten the demo (as far as I know and I haven't looked carefully) , which was shown to the press at Gamescom in August. Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden is due out on December 4. Find out more on the official site.

So what makes everyone go crazy for Dark Theme? Well, for one thing it is the reverse of your regular black text on white background. And with white print on a black or dark background, apps look different and fresh. And using Dark Theme at night, or with the lights out, prevents the white background from melting your retinas and hurting your eyes. We should point out that there are some who prefer having this setting toggled on even in the light of day. Google has been adding Dark Theme into quite a few apps lately, including the Android Phone app, the Google Feed, Android Messages and YouTube. Now, Google News is the latest app from the search giant to give users the option to enable Dark Theme. Screenshots reveal that users of the Google News app will have the option of setting Dark Theme to permanently be enabled on the app, turned on automatically at night and when the Battery Saver is on, activated just when the Battery Saver is toggled on, or be permanently disabled on the app. It appears that the new feature will be part of version 5.5 of the Google News app. Version 5.4 is currently posted in the Google Play Store.

It hits shelves next week. Migos’ Quavo has announced his debut solo album, titled ‘Quavo Huncho’. The album, which is planned for release on Friday, October 12, will be Quavo’s first solo record. The rapper appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon this week to perform a medley of two new songs, ‘Lamb Talk’ and ‘Workin Me’. He also participated in Fallon’s ‘Catchphrase’ game alongside Billy Crystal and Gisele Bündchen. ‘Culture II’, the third release by the American hip-hip trio, was given four stars by NME’s Jordan Bassett earlier this year: “the fab three have done it again.” Quavo is known as the “head honcho” of the group, who formed in 2009. His cousin, Offset, and nephew, Takeoff, complete the outfit who are now known for musically representing the state’s capital Atlanta, regarded as trap music’s spiritual home. In 2017, Quavo collaborated with Travis Scott on a joint project called ‘Huncho Jack, Jack Huncho’. More recently, the rapper appeared on DJ Khaled’s song ‘No Brainer’ alongside Justin Bieber and Chance the Rapper.

RIP. Tributes have been paid to opera singer Montserrat Caballé, best known for duetting with Freddie Mercury on ‘Barcelona’, who has died at the age of 85. The singer recorded the epic duet with the late Queen frontman in 1987, before it went on to become the signature song of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. According to local media, the singer had been suffering from ill health for a sustained period and was admitted to hospital in Barcelona last month. In a career spanning over 50 years, Caballé enjoyed early stints at the Basel Opera before a performance at New York’s Carnegie Hall catapulted her to worldwide attention. At the peak of her fame,Caballé performed with the Metropolitan Opera and Vienna State Opera, as well as performing on star-studded bills that included the likes of Luciano Pavarotti. But as well as acclaimed performances in the world of opera, the singer cemented her place in popular culture after teaming up with Mercury in 1987 for the operatic duet. After reaching number eight in the UK charts in 1987, the song received renewed popularity when it became the anthem of the Olympics in 1992 – only a year after Mercury’s death. Posting on Twitter, the Royal Opera wrote: “All at The Royal Opera are saddened to hear of the death of Montserrat Caballé aged 85. “The Spanish soprano sang with us on a number of occasions between 1972 and 1992 and inspired millions over the course of her career with her stunning voice.” Actor Luke Evans described her as “One of the most incredible voices I’ve ever heard”. The world renowned Soprano had experienced extensive bouts of ill health throughout her career, having spent three months in hospital while undergoing treatment for a brain tumour in 1985. She also underwent treatment for a heart issue in 1993. It’s expected that she’ll be buried in Barcelona on Monday.

"The voice of a fucking angel". Dave Grohl has teamed up with daughter Violet to cover Adele once more, as well as debuting their own take on Billie Eilish. On Thursday night, the Foo Fighters singer headlined the ‘‘Autism Speaks: Into the Blue’ gala in Beverly Hills. After playing an acoustic rendition of ‘Everlong’, he was joined by Violet on Adele’s ‘When We Were Young’, after the pair previously performed the duet earlier this year. But there was also time for a Billie Eilish cover too, with the pair performing ‘Idontwannabeyouanymore’. Posting footage of the performance on Instagram, one fan claimed that Violet had “the voice of a fucking angel”. As well as duetting with her dad, Violet joined Foo Fighters as a backing singer last summer too. “That’s my boo!”, Grohl remarked after introducing Violet during a show in Toronto. During another performance, he said: “Violet Grohl, you sound amazing!” Meanwhile, Foo Fighters will headline their own CalJam festival this weekend – and it’s expected that it could see a Nirvana reunion take place. Earlier this week, the rock giants posted two cryptic hints on Twitter that suggest a comeback performance could be on the cards. The first came as they announced a screening of Joan Jett’s new documentary at the California festival. “CAN’T WAIT!! What else could we have up our sleeves???” Stay tuned….”, they wrote. Jett, of course, famously joined Nirvana in 2014 as a backing singer for a one-time performance after their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Thanks Now Thread is Edited Many Many Thanks

Prices too high offer some reasonable price

LONDON -- Cesc Fabregas said he would love to stay at Chelsea beyond this season, while adding he wished Maurizio Sarri had arrived at Stamford Bridge sooner than this year. The Spaniard was voted man of the match as Chelsea battled to a 1-0 win over Hungarian champions Vidi in the Europa League group stage on Thursday evening, making only his third start of the season at the base of midfield. "I like it, everything goes through me," Fabregas said. "This is what I like. I feel sensations under Sarri that I never thought I would feel again. To be honest touching the ball 100 times, all the play going through me or Jorginho is a very important role for him, I'm learning it, I'm very passionate about it as it's very interesting. "The way [Sarri] sees football is something that maybe in the future if I become a coach I think I'll do something very similar to what he does. It's what I like and how I see football. I'm learning a lot from here, it's really interesting how he works and I'm really looking forward to working for a long time with him. "I wish he came a bit earlier to be honest, it's a little bit late now in my career. Definitely I'm very happy with him." Chelsea are yet to open talks with Fabregas over an extension to his current contract, which expires next summer, and his future at Stamford Bridge looks more precarious with Jorginho established as Sarri's preferred midfield playmaker. But despite admitting frustration at his lack of opportunities so far, Fabregas said he is loving life under Sarri and wants to extend his stay at Chelsea if the club are happy to keep him. "I just came back from a difficult injury, I'm still sometimes feeling it a little bit," Fabregas said. "I felt I could have helped in the West Ham game and Liverpool in different type of things, but the manager tried another option and I respect that. "It is difficult to be sitting there and not helping the team when you know you could add something. This is part of the game, it's still early for me. For me this is preseason, I've only been with the team for two weeks after seven or eight weeks out so it's just there, it's my second game in this position and I feel really good." Asked if he would sign a new contract if Chelsea were to offer him one, Fabregas replied: "Yeah I'm very open about it. To be the honest the club has not said anything. At the end of the day I have eight months left and at the moment I'm gone. But I'd love to stay at the club. "I've been very happy for the last four years and a half, we've had great success, won many things. I think I have a good understanding with the fans and players. I feel I still have a lot of football left in me but it is now up to the club." At 31, Fabregas still feels like retirement is a long way off. He has been vocal in the past about his desire to move to MLS once his career in Europe is over and reiterated that he does not see himself hanging up his boots at Stamford Bridge. "No, I don't think so," he said. "Probably in a few years I'd like to go away from Europe and experience something different at the later stage of my career. But for now I still feel really good."

Didier Deschamps is not ready to recall Adrien Rabiot to the France squad following the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder's World Cup snub. Deschamps called Rabiot's decision to remove himself from the 11-strong standby list named before the tournament in Russia "a massive mistake" in May. Rabiot was not included in the France squad for this month's friendly with Iceland and Nations League encounter with Germany, and the 23-year-old is unlikely to feature for his country anytime soon. "It's much too soon to recall Adrien Rabiot given his attitude in relation to this shirt," Deschamps told L'Equipe. "There's no sense in recalling him, it's still much too soon, even if I'm not taking a radical position, as I have already said. With regard to the squad and what the shirt represents, it's not the time." Rabiot's future at club level is just as uncertain, as he continues to be linked with a move away from PSG with his contract up at the end of the season.

The transfer window for all of Europe's big five leagues is closed, but that doesn't stop Transfer Talk from rummaging around about who will be moving where come January. Miffed Hummels linked with Man United again Bayern Munich defender Mats Hummels is looking at a transfer to Manchester United over lack of playing time with the Bundesliga champions, according to reports. The Sun, citing German outlet Bild, says the Germany international is buckling under Bayern coach Niko Kovac's rotation policy. Hummels reportedly turned down a transfer to Old Trafford in 2014 while he was with Borussia Dortmund before making the switch to Bayern. The Germany international, who was part of Joachim Low's squad in Russia that failed to advance from the group stage, has played in only three of Bayern's Bundesliga matches this season, but he scored in their Champions League win over Ajax this week. Hardly a day goes by without a development in the feud between Jose Mourinho and Paul Pogba, and the latter has done little to ease concerns that he'll leave Manchester United at the earliest opportunity. That uncertainty has put both Barcelona and Juventus on alert. And now it seems Paris Saint-Germain is in on the act, too. Goal reports that PSG's world-record purchase Neymar has sounded out Pogba over a return to France. The report states that the Brazilian called Pogba at the end of last month to discuss swapping Old Trafford for Parc des Princes, and next will lobby PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi to sign the World Cup winner. Of course, after financing the two most expensive purchases in footballing history in 2017 when they signed Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, PSG now face financial fair play scrutiny. With Manchester United having paid £89 million for Pogba in 2016, there's little chance of a bargain buy to be had. If PSG want the French midfielder, they'll likely have to sell some high-priced assets before breaking the bank once more. More transfer news out of Bavaria here, as Bayern have their eyes on Roma forward Cengiz Under and are preparing to make a move for the 21-year-old, according to Calciomercato. The Turkey international has been a hit in the Italian capital since arriving from Basaksehir in 2017, scoring 11 goals and adding six assists in 45 appearances for the club, including two goals and four assists in 10 appearances this season. That form has forced Bayern to take notice. As they search for the heir to Arjen Robben's throne on the right wing, with the 34-year-old out of contract in the summer, the report states that a €60m bid will be lodged next summer to ensure Under swaps Rome for Munich. Falcao to join Beckham's Miami project? David Beckham's new MLS franchise Inter Miami is still 18 months away from kicking a competitive ball, but the team has already been linked with a host of big names in Europe. And the latest, according to The Sun, is Monaco striker Radamel Falcao. Failed loan spells at Chelsea and Manchester United between 2014 and 2016 saw the former Atletico Madrid star return to Monaco. However, the principality club is struggling mightily this year and the report suggests Falcao may already be thinking about the next steps in his career. The 32-year-old, who was reportedly also attracting interest from Columbus Crew, is out of contract in the summer of 2020, which would be perfect timing for him to sign on with Beckham's Miami project. The transfer window for all of Europe's big five leagues is closed, but that doesn't stop Transfer Talk from rummaging around about who will be moving where come January. Miffed Hummels linked with Man United again Bayern Munich defender Mats Hummels is looking at a transfer to Manchester United over lack of playing time with the Bundesliga champions, according to reports. The Sun, citing German outlet Bild, says the Germany international is buckling under Bayern coach Niko Kovac's rotation policy. Hummels reportedly turned down a transfer to Old Trafford in 2014 while he was with Borussia Dortmund before making the switch to Bayern. The Germany international, who was part of Joachim Low's squad in Russia that failed to advance from the group stage, has played in only three of Bayern's Bundesliga matches this season, but he scored in their Champions League win over Ajax this week. Hardly a day goes by without a development in the feud between Jose Mourinho and Paul Pogba, and the latter has done little to ease concerns that he'll leave Manchester United at the earliest opportunity. That uncertainty has put both Barcelona and Juventus on alert. And now it seems Paris Saint-Germain is in on the act, too. Goal reports that PSG's world-record purchase Neymar has sounded out Pogba over a return to France. The report states that the Brazilian called Pogba at the end of last month to discuss swapping Old Trafford for Parc des Princes, and next will lobby PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi to sign the World Cup winner. Of course, after financing the two most expensive purchases in footballing history in 2017 when they signed Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, PSG now face financial fair play scrutiny. With Manchester United having paid £89 million for Pogba in 2016, there's little chance of a bargain buy to be had. If PSG want the French midfielder, they'll likely have to sell some high-priced assets before breaking the bank once more. The Turkey international has been a hit in the Italian capital since arriving from Basaksehir in 2017, scoring 11 goals and adding six assists in 45 appearances for the club, including two goals and four assists in 10 appearances this season. That form has forced Bayern to take notice. As they search for the heir to Arjen Robben's throne on the right wing, with the 34-year-old out of contract in the summer, the report states that a €60m bid will be lodged next summer to ensure Under swaps Rome for Munich. Falcao to join Beckham's Miami project? David Beckham's new MLS franchise Inter Miami is still 18 months away from kicking a competitive ball, but the team has already been linked with a host of big names in Europe. And the latest, according to The Sun, is Monaco striker Radamel Falcao. Failed loan spells at Chelsea and Manchester United between 2014 and 2016 saw the former Atletico Madrid star return to Monaco. However, the principality club is struggling mightily this year and the report suggests Falcao may already be thinking about the next steps in his career. The 32-year-old, who was reportedly also attracting interest from Columbus Crew, is out of contract in the summer of 2020, which would be perfect timing for him to sign on with Beckham's Miami project. Tap Ins - A lack of first-team football could see Gary Cahill leave Chelsea in January with the Mirror reporting Southampton as a likely destination. Saints face Chelsea this weekend, having just one Premier League win to their credit this season and Mark Hughes pining for defensive reinforcements to help his team stop conceding late goals. - Cesc Fabregas said he would love to stay at Chelsea beyond this season, while adding he wished Maurizio Sarri had arrived at Stamford Bridge sooner than this year. - A move for Zlatan Ibrahimovic is not on AC Milan's agenda, according to the club's technical director Leonardo, but he admitted he gave thought to approaching the LA Galaxy forward in the summer. - A lack of first-team football could see Gary Cahill leave Chelsea in January with the Mirror reporting Southampton as a likely destination. Saints face Chelsea this weekend, having just one Premier League win to their credit this season and Mark Hughes pining for defensive reinforcements to help his team stop conceding late goals. - Cesc Fabregas said he would love to stay at Chelsea beyond this season, while adding he wished Maurizio Sarri had arrived at Stamford Bridge sooner than this year. - A move for Zlatan Ibrahimovic is not on AC Milan's agenda, according to the club's technical director Leonardo, but he admitted he gave thought to approaching the LA Galaxy forward in the summer.

PHILADELPHIA -- The family of the late NFL star Junior Seau has settled its wrongful death lawsuit against the NFL over the popular San Diego linebacker's 2012 suicide. The confidential settlement comes after the family opted out of the NFL concussion settlement covering more than 20,000 retired players. That plan pays up to $4 million to families of men like Seau, who were found after their deaths to have the brain deterioration chronic traumatic encephalopathy, known as CTE. The youngest of Seau's four children recently turned 18, family lawyer Steven Strauss said. Seau's older children include a daughter who works at ESPN and a son who plays lacrosse at Duke University, Strauss said. Seau was 43 when he died six years ago. "I'm glad that it's resolved for them now so they can move on with their lives," Strauss said Friday, when notice of the settlement was filed in federal court in Philadelphia, where the NFL concussion cases are being handled. "It took a long time. That was frustrating, but it was successfully settled, and that's good," Strauss said. The broader settlement, which covers more than 20,000 retired players, provides up to $4 million for a death involving CTE. Payments have been awarded in 66 of the 86 CTE claims filed as of Oct. 1, according to the latest report. Lawyers for the players expect payouts to top $1.4 billion over 65 years for the six qualifying conditions, which also include Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and dementia. The claims panel has approved more than $500 million in awards and paid out about $330 million to date, the report shows. Lawyers have complained that the process is moving slowly, especially for the dementia cases. The players' lawsuits accused the NFL of concealing known concussion risks. The first tentative agreement in the case was reached in 2013. A small number of plaintiffs, including the Seaus, opted out to pursue individual lawsuits. Lawyers for the Seau children -- Tyler, Sydney, Jake and Hunter -- objected because the settlement does not pay wrongful death claims to survivors for their own pain and loss. Seau, a 10-time All-Pro and 12-time Pro Bowl selection, was posthumously elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015.

The NFL acknowledged Friday that an errant whistle cost the Cleveland Browns a fumble recovery in their 45-42 overtime loss to the Oakland Raiders last Sunday. The play, one of several controversial calls in the game, occurred with 6 minutes, 39 seconds remaining in regulation. Raiders quarterback Derek Carr lost control of the ball after Browns pass rushers Myles Garrett and Genard Avery hit him at the Oakland 38-yard line. Garrett recovered and began a return toward the end zone. But referee Walt Anderson stepped in, ruling that a whistle had blown before the fumble because Carr's forward progress stopped. Anderson ruled the play a sack, and the Raiders punted on fourth down. In a weekly video review released on Twitter, NFL senior vice president of officiating Al Riveron said: "We ruled the passer stopped for forward progress and we kill the play. This is not forward progress. Obviously, this is a fumble. We should not have blown the whistle." By NFL rule, Anderson's call was not reviewable by instant replay. The Browns were also on the short end of another controversial ruling late in the game: Riveron's decision to reverse a key first-down measurement with 1:38 left in regulation. Riveron did not mention it on Friday's video, but the league had earlier supported the ruling by saying Riveron determined Browns running back Carlos Hyde should have been marked one yard short of the first down. According to the league, Riveron pieced together the ruling by looking at evidence from two different views of the play.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- New York Jets defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers missed practice Friday and likely won't coach Sunday because of an undisclosed health condition. Coach Todd Bowles was visibly shaken when he announced the news to the media. "He's a tough guy," Bowles said. "It's a serious thing." Rodgers, 49, coached practice Thursday, but skipped his weekly media session because of a doctor's appointment. On Friday, he wasn't at the facility. Bowles didn't provide any specifics as to the nature of Rodgers' condition, simply saying, "He's ill. We can't discuss it now. We'll see going forward where he is, and we'll go from there." Earlier in the day, Bowles made the announcement to the team. Several players said Bowles was somber when he broke the news. He didn't share specifics in front of the team. "He has a heavy heart," tackle Kelvin Beachum said of Bowles. Bowles and Rodgers are close friends, having coached together previously with the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins. When Bowles was hired by the Jets in 2015, he named Rodgers his defensive coordinator. "Obviously, we're all thinking about him," defensive end Henry Anderson said. "All of us were hit pretty hard when we heard the news. He's such a good dude. I'm hoping everything works out and he's back as soon as he can. We miss him, for sure." Rodgers was the defensive playcaller. Bowles will handle that responsibility when the Jets (1-3) face the Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium. Bowles will be without one of his top players, as cornerback Trumaine Johnson was ruled out with a strained quadriceps. He was injured Thursday in practice, and the early indication is that he could miss multiple games. Asked if it's a potentially season-ending injury, Bowles said, "Not at this time, no." The Jets probably will move nickelback Buster Skrine into the starting lineup, opposite Morris Claiborne. When they play nickel, Skrine will slide inside to the slot, his customary spot, with Darryl Roberts playing on the outside with Claiborne. "Anytime you lose a starter, it's a big deal, but we have guys who have played the last couple of years that we like -- Roberts, Buster, [Parry] Nickerson, as well as [Juston] Burris," Bowles said. "We'll go from there. Next guy up."

PITTSBURGH -- When it comes to his connection with Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown doesn't plan to reboot the router. "It's like Wi-Fi, you know," said the All-Pro Steelers receiver entering Sunday's matchup with the Atlanta Falcons in Heinz Field. "Sometimes the connection is poor. Sometimes the connection is great. But it's always connected." Brown has 29 catches through four games, but his average of 9.4 yards per catch is four less than his career average. Brown recorded eight 100-yard games in 14 games last season but has zero so far this year. Second-year receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster leads the Steelers in receptions (31) and yards (416) on 38 targets, four less than Brown. Smith-Schuster said he's benefiting from consistent double teams dedicated to Brown. The Steelers failed to convert 10 of 12 third downs in Sunday's 26-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, with Roethlisberger targeting Brown on many of those attempts. On the sideline between those plays, Brown and Roethlisberger did not have much dialogue on the sideline. Instead, Brown was seen going through plays with backup Josh Dobbs. Brown said his communication with his quarterback is just fine, and sometimes directed at the media. "Me and Ben laugh about you guys, creating drama, writing about us," Brown said. "Trying to create adversity and distractions. We actually text about it, laughing, communicate a lot on text message about you guys." Brown added the Steelers offense must "find a way to move the chains," and he's confident that signature explosion between him and his quarterback will come. Since 2015, Brown and Roethlisberger have combined for six games of 180 yards. "We will make our plays," Brown said. "We just got to find a way to get this thing rolling." Roethlisberger took the blame for the Week 4 struggles, stressing if he does his part, Brown will "get his numbers, which will in turn get us wins." Roethlisberger has 1,414 passing yards for eight touchdowns, five interceptions and a 64.0 completion percentage on the year. Sunday features the very best in receiver play between Brown and Falcons receiver Julio Jones, who's pacing for a 2,000-yard season. Brown said there's nothing Jones can't do on a field, but he's not into comparisons. "I'm just trying to win," Brown said. "You guys can compare me to him a couple of years from now."

COSTA MESA, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Chargers will be without the services of receiver Travis Benjamin for at least two more weeks, with the earliest he could return to the field being a Week 8 contest against the Tennessee Titans in London. Benjamin was active last week against the San Francisco 49ers but only played five snaps after re-aggravating a foot injury that forced him to miss the previous two games against the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams. Benjamin had a cast on his right foot and did not practice this week to promote healing. "He's a speed guy," Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said. "It's not like it's a hamstring or an upper body injury, so he has to feel good about it before he gets out there. So we put him in the cast to take some of the pressure off his foot, just so he's not trying to practice." Lynn went on to say that Benjamin has a heel injury and the team will let him rest for a few weeks. Benjamin, 28, played in all 16 games for the Chargers last season, finishing with 34 receptions for 567 yards and four touchdowns. He has totaled just two receptions for 3 yards in one game this season -- the opener against the Kansas City Chiefs. Also on the injury front for the Chargers, defensive end Joey Bosa and linebacker Kyzir White have been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Oakland Raiders, while right tackle Joe Barksdale is doubtful and left tackle Russell Okung is questionable. Bosa has a bruised left foot and is not expected back until after the team's bye week against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 9 at the earliest, while White had knee surgery earlier this week. Lynn said Okung (groin), who was a limited participant in practice on Friday, will be a game-time decision.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New York Giants coach Pat Shurmur sees a locker room with a "ton of heart" and believes the team's offensive struggles have more to do with execution that anything else. Shurmur's comments came after star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. told ESPN's Josina Anderson that he thought some Giants didn't bring enough energy every single day. Beckham, who signed a $95 million deal that made him the league's highest-paid wide receiver this summer, also mentioned the team's heart being part of their current struggles. "I do know this, our team has a heck of a lot of heart. Our team plays with a lot of energy," Shurmur said Friday when asked about Beckham's assessment. "What we haven't done is we haven't really executed quite as well as we need to yet. That is really ... instead of energy, it's more execution. And I think that is what we're all striving for." The Giants, with all their shiny tools and weapons, have failed to score 20 points in three of four games this season. Quarterback Eli Manning is 3-of-12 on passes of 20 yards or more downfield. They have now gone 37 consecutive games dating to 2015 without scoring 30 points. It has them all searching desperately for answers. The Giants (1-3) play the Carolina Panthers (2-1) on Sunday in Charlotte. Beckham is popular and respected teammates brushed off his comments. Some even viewed them as a positive. "I have no issue with someone trying to hold teammates accountable," special-teams captain Michael Thomas told the New York Daily News. "Everybody has energy but we're not executing as well as we need to. You can always use energy, always use more heart and all that stuff, and that's good in that sense, but you have to execute at the end of the day. And when we do that, everything else will work itself out." Shurmur said he talks to his players all the time. He mentioned speaking with Beckham on Friday morning, but wouldn't disclose whether they talked specifically about his recent comments. Shurmur seemed perplexed when asked if any discipline would stem from this incident. "For what?" Shurmur said. Beckham has 31 catches for 331 yards in four games this season. But he hasn't reached the end zone, hasn't caught a pass over 20 yards since Week 2 and was clearly frustrated throughout Sunday's loss to the New Orleans Saints. In the interview with Anderson earlier this week, Beckham was asked what was at the heart of the team's issues. He started by mentioning energy, and that they don't bring it every day. "Playing with some heart. We just need to play with some heart," he said. Beckham later added: "How come we can't throw the ball for more than 20 yards? How come we don't attempt or try to throw the ball for 20 yards? These are the questions we have to figure out. "But for now it's our heart, energy, what we bring when we line up before the game. All that, it counts.

EAGAN, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings are down to just two defensive ends ahead of Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Second-year defensive end Tashawn Bower was ruled out Friday with an ankle injury, as were cornerbacks Trae Waynes (concussion) and Marcus Sherels (ribs). The Vikings will also be without Pro Bowl defensive end Everson Griffen, who is dealing with mental health issues that caused him to miss the last two games. Asked this week about Griffen's status, coach Mike Zimmer said he has received "no clarity" regarding when the veteran would return. The only true edge rushers on the roster available to play Sunday are Danielle Hunter and Stephen Weatherly, who has been filling in for Griffen since Week 3. Linebacker Anthony Barr has been utilized as a pass rusher on 32 snaps over four games and could be an option. Zimmer praised Barr earlier in the week for his speed off the edge and utilizing his hands better in pass-rushing situations. Whether Barr fills that role Sunday is up in the air. "Possibly. I don't know. We'll have to see," Zimmer said. "I'm not going to tell you guys what we're going to do in the game, so it's kind of silly to ask." With multiple absences on the defensive line, there's also a chance that rookie Jalyn Holmes could be active for the first time this season. Holmes was a rotational edge rusher at Ohio State but isn't a true 4-3 defensive end, which is why the Vikings chose to move him to work behind Sheldon Richardson and Tom Johnson on the inside. Richardson notched 94 snaps as a defensive end last season in Seattle. The Vikings could choose to experiment with the 27 year-old-tackle by moving him outside in certain situations and utilizing Johnson at 3-technique tackle.

The Miami Dolphins promoted tight end Nick O'Leary to the 53-man roster on Friday. O'Leary, who played three seasons with the Buffalo Bills, was signed by the Dolphins to the practice squad on Sept. 18. A sixth-round pick out of Florida State in 2015, O'Leary had 32 receptions for 473 yards and two touchdowns in 35 games for Buffalo, including 12 starts. O'Leary, who is the grandson of golf legend Jack Nicklaus, was released by the Bills on Sept. 1. The Dolphins also put quarterback Luke Falk on injured reserve.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- That celebration Odell Beckham Jr. had planned for his first score of the season has been put on ice. He is waiting, a bit longer than expected, for that elusive touchdown. It’s approaching unchartered territory heading into Week 5. Beckham has never gone more than four consecutive games in a single season without reaching the end zone. This will be a career-worst stretch if he fails to score a touchdown for the fifth straight game Sunday when the Giants play the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte. Beckham didn’t score a touchdown the first four games of the 2016 season. He finally reached the end zone in Week 5 against the Green Bay Packers that year, then twice the following week against the Baltimore Ravens. It was also that game against the Ravens when he had over 200 yards receiving in the second half and saved the Giants' season with a 75-yard touchdown on a fourth-down play in the fourth quarter. Boy, could the Giants use some sort of repeat performance. They finished that season 11-5. Beckham ended with 10 touchdown receptions. History says the celebrations are coming for the Giants and their star wide receiver. This is a player who scored the game-winning touchdown in his first career game and came into this season averaging an NFL-best .81 touchdown grabs per game since entering the league in 2014. “I don’t know,” Beckham said on Thursday. “You seem more concerned about the end zone than me.” His touchdown drought is a product of the offense, its lack of success and opportunities. Beckham has one catch for minus-2 yards on four red zone targets in four games. That puts him well behind his red zone pace from 2014-16, when he averaged 23 targets, 13 catches and seven touchdowns on plays inside the opposition's 2-yard line. Quarterback Eli Manning hasn’t been able to get the ball to Beckham near or in the end zone. He missed Beckham on a play deep down the seam in the opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He missed him on a pair of plays in Sunday's loss to the New Orleans Saints that could've gone for substantial gains. The Giants’ inability to get the ball downfield this season -- not just to Beckham -- has been a problem. Manning has hit on only 3 of 12 passes of 20-plus yards. Two of those three were to Beckham in the opener. They haven't connected since. It is becoming harder and harder for Beckham to produce those trademark flashes of brilliance that littered the previous four seasons. His average depth of target is 9.98 yards this season, the lowest of his career according to ESPN Stats & Information. There are still plays to be made downfield. There have been times Beckham has been open or in one-on-one matchups, but for reasons that also stretch beyond the quarterback -- whether it be pressure allowed by the offensive line or situation -- those plays are being left on the field. “They’re there, they’re not there, it’s just a matter of doing it,” Beckham said. “There’s only so much ... they’re there, they’re not there. I don’t know how to answer that. There’s opportunities, there’s not opportunities. It’s just about taking advantage of the opportunities that are there.” Beckham and the Giants have done an admirable job of staying positive despite failing to reach 20 points in three of their four games. Beckham laughed Wednesday when the word "frustration" was used in multiple questions. He didn't think that was the appropriate choice of words. The three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver still leads the Giants with 31 receptions for 331 yards. His 45 targets are eighth-most in the NFL. But Manning and the Giants aren’t going to force it to him downfield or in the end zone. This much is clear by their early-season actions and rhetoric. “I think [the touchdown] just comes in a natural play of the game. I don’t think if we try to start forcing the ball to get anybody touchdowns, I think you run into some risky business, so to speak,” offensive coordinator Mike Shula said. “I think that he’s very talented. He’s going to get the ball. He’s going to get us in the end zone. He’s going to get in the end zone." Beckham’s touchdown totals his first three years were 12-13-10. He had three in four games last season. It was never easy. He was always the center of attention for the opposing defense. Beckham has done it through constant double-teams and against zone defenses protecting against him from making big plays. “I do see where people most certainly are paying attention to where Odell Beckham is lined up, that’s for doggone sure,” Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. “That makes a lot of sense to me.” This is nothing new, though. Beckham has been seeing this since midway through his rookie season. It never affected his ability to get in the end zone before, and shouldn't affect it now. Soon enough he’ll be dancing in the end zone.

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville said he was "furious" amid reports that club boss Jose Mourinho could be dismissed as manager after Saturday's game against Newcastle regardless of the result. Neville, who played his entire club career at Old Trafford, questioned the "values and principles" of the club if Mourinho were to be sacked. "Any manager would struggle at that football club with the way that the recruitment is handled, the way in which it is operated," Neville said on Sky Sports, where he serves as an analyst. Sources told ESPN FC on Saturday that Mourinho is demanding the public backing of executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward Sources also said that the Glazer family -- who own the club -- do not want to terminate Mourinho's contract, which is due to run until June 2020, despite the club's struggling form. Neville made reference to the club hierarchy, saying the blame equally lies with them for the team's poor performances. "You have to start looking at the people who are appointing the manager, not the manager. It's the people who are bringing in the players and sanctioning the deals, the people who are overspending on players, the people who are allowing the tail to wag the dog," Neville said. Mourinho goes into Saturday's fixture searching for a first home win in all competitions since the opening weekend of the season.

Jose Mourinho has said he is not the only one to blame for Manchester United's poor start to the season. United face Newcastle at Old Trafford on Saturday having won only four of their first 10 games in all competitions. They have not won any of their last four matches, have not won at home since the opening weekend of the season and are closer in the table to bottom side Huddersfield than to leaders Manchester City. Mourinho has borne the brunt of the criticism that has come United's way but the coach told his news conference on Friday that was unfair. "Sometimes things are not just in the manager's hands," he said. Mourinho refused to name names when pushed on who else was at fault for United's form but did say: "The same people that were to blame with the fantastic season of last season." It comes after a week in which Mourinho said some players "care more than others" in the build-up to the goalless Champions League draw with Valencia. The manager used his programme notes before the game on Tuesday to say "the team is always more important than the individual" and "the crest on the chest is more important than the name on the back of the shirt." United finished second in the league last season and reached the FA Cup final, but despite finishing 19 points behind champions City and losing to Chelsea at Wembley Mourinho believes they over-performed. "Success has a direct relation with your own potential and a direct relation with the potential if your opponents," he said. "The last season was phenomenal exactly because of these two factors -- our potential and the potential of our opponents. "I think opponents with much more potential than us finished behind us. That is the reason why it was a phenomenal season." But Mourinho admitted that United's current form was unacceptable, with anything other than a victory on Saturday leaving them without a win in five consecutive home games for the first time since 1990. "I think we have enough potential to do better than what we are doing in the Premier League," he said. "We are better than this and, because we are better than this, our situation is going to improve. I have no doubts about that." Mourinho will again be without Jesse Lingard, Ander Herrera and Marcos Rojo, but Ashley Young could return after missing the draw with Valencia.

A week after a Nevada woman filed a civil lawsuit accusing Ronaldo of rape in 2009, Cristiano Ronaldo's image is vanishing from the website of a key sponsor while the stock price for his Juventus team dropped 10 percent on Friday. A week after a Nevada woman filed a civil lawsuit accusing Ronaldo of rape in 2009, attempts by the five-time world player of the year and his Italian club to sway public opinion in his favor have not succeeded since the allegation surfaced. Sponsors are continuing to express concern about the case despite a denial from Ronaldo, who has not addressed why Kathryn Mayorga's legal team says a $375,000 settlement was reached in 2010 over the alleged assault by the soccer star in Las Vegas. A week ago, the new edition of the FIFA video game franchise was released with Ronaldo as a cover star. While EA Sports has not suspended the sponsorship, it has been distancing itself from the face of its game in recent days. The company homepage still uses athletes to represent NFL, NBA, NHL, UFC and golf games. But a block of teal has replaced the spot on a banner occupied by Ronaldo until Tuesday, according to an Associated Press analysis through archived versions of the website. The top of the FIFA 19 section of the EA website prominently showcased Ronaldo wearing the famed black-and-white Juventus jersey until at least Sunday. By Tuesday it had been replaced by a picture of four men in front of a television playing the game. At that point, a black-and-white photo of Ronaldo still appeared on the bottom right of the site. On Friday, that was replaced by an image of Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar. Now, the only visual representation of Ronaldo on the webpage is Ronaldo on the cover of the game box with Neymar. Such a move won't be taken lightly. "They have to tread carefully so that they are not pre-judging him before an investigation reaches its conclusion," said Simon Leaf, a sports and commercial lawyer at London-based Mischon de Reya. "At the same time, the brand will have to be careful because depending on the commercial deal they reached it's not that uncommon for these deals to include clauses to oblige the brand to make use of the rights they are getting." EA Sports declined to comment specifically on downplaying its online association with Ronaldo. It had already called the allegation against the Portugal captain "concerning" in a statement to the AP that reminded "ambassadors to conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with EA's values." Nike, with has a reported $1 billion deal with Ronaldo has also said it was "deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations." Another sponsor spoke out on Friday: DAZN, the internet sports streaming platform which signed Ronaldo as a global ambassador in August. "We take allegations of this nature extremely seriously and continue to monitor the situation closely," DAZN told the AP. Ronaldo could return to the field on Saturday for the first time for Juventus since issuing a statement on Wednesday denying he raped Mayorga in a Las Vegas penthouse in 2009. Juventus prepared for the league match in northeast Italy against Udinese by offering full support for Ronaldo. Coach Massimiliano Allegri on Friday praised his "great professionalism and seriousness both on and off the field." He echoed tweets from Juventus, who said "events allegedly dating back to almost 10 years ago do not change" the club's view about his "great professionalism and dedication." Juventus paid €112 million (then $132m) to sign Ronaldo from Real Madrid in July in an attempt to elevate the club's global appeal and win the Champions League. But in the week when the controversy around Ronaldo mounted, the club's shares have dropped 20 percent on the Italian Stock Exchange. They fell by 10 percent alone on Friday in the aftermath of sponsors voicing concerns about Ronaldo's alleged conduct. "Often these kind of issues are the most contentious issues when coming to negotiate sponsorship contracts," said Leaf, who has represented soccer clubs, sponsors and players on such deals. Mayorga's legal team said it will ask a judge to void the non-disclosure agreement that the attorneys say Mayorga signed while accepting a $375,000 payment from Ronaldo in 2010. The civil lawsuit filed Sept. 27 in state court in Las Vegas alleges Ronaldo hired a team of what the document called "fixers" to pressure Mayorga to keep quiet. Gestifute, the sports agency representing Ronaldo, has not responded to questions about the settlement. Sponsors contacted by the AP would not say if they were previously aware of it. "There is a potential argument the athlete would have to disclose something like this before entering in the contract so the brand is aware of the issue," Leaf said. "Or it could be a case they mispresented themselves as a good clean athlete where there are skeletons the company would want to know before entering into the deal."

Cristiano Ronaldo is ready to return to Serie A action for Juventus against Udinese on Saturday, even as Nike and video game maker EA Sports expressed concern about the conduct of the Portuguese star, who faces a rape allegation in the United States. The 33-year-old is the subject of a reopened investigation into an alleged rape in a Las Vegas hotel room in 2009, accusations that he has repeatedly denied. The five-time world player of the year was seen driving into the Juventus practice complex in the morning. He has received public backing from the Italian club, which said it would not judge him on the 2009 assault claim by a Nevada woman. Ronaldo missed the Champions League victory against Young Boys on Tuesday due to suspension and on Thursday was left out of Portugal's squad. The show of support from the Serie A giant came shortly after Nike broke its silence in a statement that described the company's unease over its association with Ronaldo, which started in 2003. The latest terms signed in 2016 are worth a reported $1 billion, and Ronaldo has suggested that it was a deal "for life.'' "We are deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations and will continue to closely monitor the situation,'' Nike said in a statement to ESPN's Darren Rovell. On Friday, Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri confirmed that Ronaldo was available for selection as Juve look to continue their perfect start to the Serie A season. "I've known Cristiano for three months now and for over 15 years of his career he has shown to be a great professional both on and off the pitch," Allegri told his prematch news conference. "He is ready to return to action tomorrow." Beaverton, Oregon-based company Nike, however, is troubled by details emerging from a lawsuit filed last week in a Nevada state court by the accuser, who alleges she was raped by Ronaldo in Las Vegas. Police have also re-opened an investigation. One of the wealthiest and most gifted soccer players of all time, Ronaldo wears Nike boots and appears in its advertising. The Portugal captain is also the face of the EA Sports FIFA video game franchise, appearing on the cover of the 2019 game that was released worldwide last week. "We have seen the concerning report that details allegations against Cristiano Ronaldo,'' EA Sports told the AP. "We are closely monitoring the situation, as we expect cover athletes and ambassadors to conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with EA's values.'' While EA Sports has not suspended the sponsorship, it has been distancing itself from the face of its game in recent days. The company homepage still uses athletes to represent NFL, NBA, NHL, UFC and golf games. But a block of teal has replaced the spot on a banner occupied by Ronaldo until Tuesday, according to an Associated Press analysis through archived versions of the website. Since the allegation surfaced, Juventus' share price has fallen by nearly 20 percent. The club is listed on the stock exchange and its share price, which rose significantly when Ronaldo was signed in July, fell again on Friday by nearly 10 percent. Also on Friday, Portugal President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said: "My mind has not changed at all about the role, both in sports and at a national level, that he has played in our country, even as he is facing a case in the courts. That [his accomplishments] exist and that is reality." Whereas other players might be winding down their careers at 33, Ronaldo is still in demand by leading clubs around the world. The former Sporting Lisbon and Manchester United forward made the third big transfer of this career in July, leaving Real Madrid after nine years for Juventus, a move that cost the Italian club €112 million (then $132 million). Ronaldo "has shown in recent months his great professionalism and dedication, which is appreciated by everyone at Juventus,'' the Italian league champions said. "The events allegedly dating back to almost 10 years ago do not change this opinion, which is shared by anyone who has come into contact with this great champion.'' Neither Ronaldo nor Juventus have addressed the allegation by Kathryn Mayorga that she received a payoff of $375,000 in 2010 after being put under pressure by the footballer's "fixers'' to keep quiet about an incident in a penthouse hotel suite. The investment in players is so vast in soccer that clubs are reticent to enforce morality clauses by firing them. Sponsors have already stuck with Ronaldo even though he pleaded guilty in July to tax fraud in Spain and agreed to pay a fine of around $20m. But now a well-honed reputation is facing its first serious difficulties. Ronaldo clearly has a lot to lose. With his chiseled face and body, slicked-back hair and Hollywood film-idol looks to match his on-field talents, he has amassed 340 million social media followers to monetise that image. He's also been an ambassador for Save the Children for five years and gained international coverage in 2016 by announcing a "generous donation'' to provide lifesaving relief to Syrians. The charity said it was "disheartened'' by the lawsuit and said it was "working to get more information'' about the rape allegation. In June, Forbes, which has a long record of quantifying the earnings of the world's richest people, estimated that Ronaldo made an annual $108 million, with salary and winnings netting the player $61 million and endorsements a further $47 million. His haul puts him third among athletes behind now-retired boxer Floyd Mayweather and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi. "As arguably the best footballer in the world,'' said Mark Thompson, managing director of leading sponsorship management company, SponServe, "Ronaldo is recognised the world over, offering sponsors a unique opportunity to gain maximum impact from any brand engagement.'' Ronaldo's commercial deals are not restricted to internationally recognized brands. He has been the face of Egyptian Steel , riding on horseback past the Pyramids before delivering lines to camera in Arabic. He has also invested many of his earnings in launching and establishing his own products, notably his CR7 range, which includes hotels, shoes, underwear, fragrance and jeans, as well as a growing children's line, which he has modeled alongside his son and pushes hard on social media. His tight embrace of social media is one reason why sponsors have been so keen to link up with Ronaldo, who has 75 million followers on Twitter, 142 million on Instagram and 122 million on Facebook. Some companies Ronaldo promotes might appear niche, such as Japanese company MTG's SIXPAD training gear. But he is doing more than just posing in the products.

Liverpool's highly anticipated match with Manchester City on Sunday will be available to view in one billion homes around the world, according to the Premier League. The game is the biggest Premier League fixture of the season so far, with reigning champions City top of the table, but only ahead of Liverpool on goal difference. Both clubs have a global reach and sources have said the game is scheduled to be broadcast in 179 of the 193 countries that are members of the United Nations. "I said it a few times and I can say it again, I really think the most important thing for football -- the most important job of football -- is entertaining the people," Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said on Friday. "Because it's only football, it's nothing else. "We don't save lives, we don't create anything, we are not good in surgeries, we are only good in football. If we would not entertain the people, why would we play it then? "It's not always possible unfortunately and it's always hard work, even if we're entertaining people, it's especially hard work. But that's really an important thing and that's why we have to try to create constantly or as often as possible." Tickets for the match are sold out, with some being sold on the secondary market starting from £300 -- over five times face value. "Liverpool is one of the two greatest teams in England and that's why we tried to be close with them in terms of many, many things and we are closer," City boss Pep Guardiola said. "When you have a vision about the history of the Premier League and you start to compare it with them, to be closer with them, we should be so proud and we are. "Here it was always [Manchester] United and Liverpool and after Arsenal involved and Chelsea and now we are there." City last visited Anfield in April for the first leg of a Champions League quarterfinal and that game was somewhat overshadowed by events prior to kick-off. The visitors' bus was pelted with objects en route to the stadium and left unusable for the return journey back to Manchester. City and Merseyside Police are taking measures this time around to ensure the focus remains on events on the pitch. "I would like the police to go home at 4.30 p.m. with their families, drinking a beer and loving the show," Guardiola continued. "That is what they should do."