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The Dallas Mavericks have already had one of the most controversial seasons about a month into the season starting. General Manager Nico Harrison was fired for the team’s poor start and fan resentment over trading Luka Doncic last season. Anthony Davis was the main trade piece to come back from the Los Angeles Lakers, and his injury woes have harmed the team.The return of Davis to the court is coming in the next few days, so he started answering media questions about the state of the team ahead of his first game back. Davis was finally asked about the firing of Harrison and expressed support for the GM believing in him.“No one knew what was happening, so it was surprising more than anything,” Davis said. “Nico’s my guy. He played a huge part in getting me here and wanted me to fulfill his vision that he saw.”The comments don’t come as a surprise since Harrison’s biggest mistake was believing in Davis to extreme lengths. Harrison hoped that Davis could stay healthy and help the team prove the defense wins championships. Davis had Harrison’s back and expressed remorse over not being able to accomplish their mutual goal.Anthony Davis Asked For Ownership MeetingHarrison’s firing led to Davis reaching out to Mavericks ownership to discuss their future. The General Manager getting fired for acquiring him obviously created questions for Davis moving forward. Davis revealed that the meeting was mostly about them agreeing on his desire to return and contribute to winning.“Once I had those conversations I was able to move forward and continue to rehab and get back on the floor. I want to compete to win games and do what Nico brought all of us here for, and that is to ultimately win a championship. That is the long-term goal, but for now it is just getting back on the floor to try and win some games and turn this thing around.”One big talking point after the firing is if Dallas opts to trade Davis and use this as a rebuilding season. The Mavericks own their first-round draft pick this season, but their picks will go to other teams over the next few years. This season may be their last chance to get a high lottery pick to pair with current rookie Cooper Flagg.Will The Mavericks Trade Anthony DavisEnough reports have circulated to confirm that Dallas will at least check the interest and try to engage in conversations about a Davis trade. Contenders, like the New York Knicks or Detroit Pistons, could try to take a swing for him as the missing piece.The Chicago Bulls have been rumored as a team with playoff hopes that currently need one more significantly talented player. Davis being a hometown boy means that Chicago could tempt him into staying long-term as well.Too much smoke of both rumors and logic has led to fire of Davis being a trade target. Mavericks ownership confirming the Doncic for Davis trade failed and firing Harrison means Davis is extremely expendable moving forward. Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post Anthony Davis Finally Comments On Mavs Firing Nico Harrison appeared first on Heavy Sports.

It was a busy day for the Packers on Wednesday, as the team tries to bounce quickly back from Sunday’s dominant defensive performance against the Vikings to take on the Lions, a must-win game if Green Bay wants to give itself a top-level chance to win the NFC North. The Packers come in at 7-3-1, and are 2-0 in the division, while the Lions are 7-4. The Packers made one decision on the offensive side, opting to keep receiver Jayden Reed out for another week as he returns from collar-bone and foot injuries. When they put out their injury report on Wednesday, it was clear they’d made another, too: They were ready to get running back Josh Jacobs back on the field. Jacobs was not on Wednesday’s injury report, which means he is good to go for the Lions. Josh Jacobs In Need of Consistency Jacobs had hurt his knee in Week 11 against the Giants. He wanted badly to play in Week 12, but the team held him back and Jacobs vowed he would return on Thanksgiving. He’s followed through on that. Last year, Jacobs proved to be a shrewd addition by the Packers’ front office, as he went for 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns, plus another 342 yards as a receiver. This year, Jacobs is running behind a reconfigured and oft-injured offensive line, and the result have been rough at times. Jacobs has not had a 100-yard game this season and is on pace for a much more modest 1,037 yards on the year. Jacobs definitely needs consistency and momentum to be effective. The Packers are hoping he gets more of that down the season’s stretch run. As offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said of Jacobs, “It takes a little time in the run game to just get things going and the more opportunities you get the more momentum you can build. When you’re able to give Josh (Jacobs) the ball that many times, he’s going to start popping some and he’s going to wear people out.” Packers Could Use Emanuel Wilson More With Josh Jacobs With Jacobs out against the Vikings, RB2 Emanuel Wilson stepped up with 28 carries for 107 yards and two touchdowns. The Packers like to use Wilson as a change-of-pace back, but there is a case to be made for him to get more carries–he had just 53 coming into Week 12. Wilson for one said he’d like that chance. “It’ll be crazy,” Wilson said of a one-two punch with Jacobs. “When Josh comes back, when he gets going I will try to match his energy. Today,  I just tried to do that. … I just went out there and did my job. The guys believe in me so I tried to make every opportunity count for them.” Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post Packers Make Final Decision on Josh Jacobs Before Thanksgiving appeared first on Heavy Sports.

The Brandon Aiyuk divorce from the San Francisco 49ers is getting ugly. Mere days after it was reported that the Niners would void the two-time 1,000-plus-yard receiver’s guarantees for 2026, insider Jeremy Fowler reported the issue stemmed from Aiyuk’s unwillingness to show up for rehabilitation appointments for his surgically repaired knee. Aiyuk has not played since Week 7 of 2024 against the Kansas City Chiefs when he tore his ACL and MCL in the Niners’ loss. His relationship with 49ers brass became strained earlier last season during a contract dispute, where Aiyuk requested a trade before ultimately signing a four-year, $120 million contract, in which 2025 is the first year. Brandon Aiyuk Reportedly Didn’t Show Up For Rehabilitation Aiyuk’s return to the field has been delayed — the 49ers have not yet opened his 21-day window to return from the PUP list — which has frustrated fans. The Niners are hanging on offensively — they won while scoring just 20 points on Monday night against the Carolina Panthers — while they await the No. 1 receiver’s return from the knee injury sustained almost 14 months ago. But the news that Aiyuk’s guarantees were being voided sent shockwaves across the NFL, and Fowler’s intel indicates they involve the 2020 first-round pick’s unwillingness to participate in rehab for his knee injury over the summer. “A few people I’ve checked with believe an issue was Aiyuk’s failure to show up for rehab appointments during the offseason,” Fowler reported Wednesday. “Either he didn’t trust the trainers or didn’t want to show up. Either way, an unwillingness to properly rehab a significant knee injury as the team sees fit is typically easy grounds for a guarantee void.” Brandon Aiyuk Is Unlikely To Be With The 49ers Beyond This Season The NFLPA offered to grieve Aiyuk’s voided guarantees — especially his nearly $25 million option bonus, which is now up in the air. But Aiyuk informed the union not to push back, and he may have played his final snap with the 49ers, according to The Athletic. “Aiyuk, sources say, has failed to attend meetings and declined to participate in other team activities in recent months, and the 49ers have grown increasingly frustrated with the receiver’s lack of communication,” Dianna Russini reported earlier this week. “The 49ers, sources say, responded by voiding the guaranteed money in Aiyuk’s contract for 2026, asserting that the absences amounted to a failure to fulfill his contractual obligations. “Aiyuk, according to multiple league sources, told NFL Players Association representatives that he did not want to fight the move via an official grievance. That would clear the way for his expected release at season’s end.” Aiyuk is still under contract with the 49ers, who may want to trade the disgruntled wideout to recoup a draft pick or two for him this offseason. But if they don’t, he will be released by the team — likely after June 1, since the Niners can then avoid a nearly $30 dead-cap hit by cutting him then. Or Aiyuk could work with the 49ers to restructure his deal so they won’t be in cap hell and so he can join a team right when the 2026 league year opens in March. “A few teams I spoke to believe Aiyuk is slightly more tradeable with the voided guarantees,” Fowler reporterd. “Though with the option money still technically on the books, reworking his deal altogether would be the preferred method. “Aiyuk might not want that. Getting released and hitting free agency in March would be the cleanest path for him — and he would have suitors. He’s only 27 and had 1,342 yards in 2023.” Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post Insider Reveals New Details on 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk Contract Saga appeared first on Heavy Sports.

There has been a lot of focus on the Chargers offense, especially along the line. After this bye week however, movement along it could potentially give it a new look.New acquisition Trevor Penning has been the latest attempt to protect Justin Herbert. It’s dafe to say however, that he may not be the best option. In his first start for the team against the Jaguars, he was nothing short of pitiful. That forced Harbaugh’s hand initially, but this bye week decision looks permanent. If you look at this in perspective, you could say this was a waste of a trade, as Penning’s entire Chargers career could have just consisted of the 47 snaps in that game. This trade looks to be similar to that of Branson Taylor, where both players came over in exchange for sixth round picks and ended up not being panning out. Harbaugh on if he'll make changes to the OL: "10 starters. We've got the guys. All 10 have started at some point for us this season." "The hope is to solidify it now for the rest of the regular season." Jamaree Salyer, Trey Pipkins, and Bobby Hart "in the mix" at tackle. — Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) November 25, 2025 This feels like a defining factor for the Chargers this season as it has been player after player who has stepped in and faltered. It’s not as if it was just the play of Penning that was awful. If you look at the right side of the line, Trey Pipkins III was no better against a Jaguars pass rush that is albeit very solid, yet isn’t known for being efficient. This resulted in Herbert’s wors passing performance of the season, as he only had 81 passing yards on the day.Most importantly, this doesn’t fall on Penning completely. In many ways, Harbaugh’s hand is forced as he really has no other options, with both Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater out for the season. Jamaree Salyer could be an option, but in his time with the squad, he really hasn’t impressed. Moving players out of position also won’t help. All of this has resulted in 20 different O-line combinations.Another huge reason Penning looked out of his depth was perhaps the Chargers gameplan. As someone who just came into the team, he simply didn’t look equipped against a Jaguars pass rush that took advantage of his greenness. Before this game, the Chargers used full backs and blocking tight ends to help compensate for their O-line’s weaknesses. Interestingly enough, the usage rate of both Scott Matlock, a fullback, and blocking tight end Tucker Fisk drastically decreased against the Jags. Ultimately, if Penning is to have any success for the Chargers, offensive coordinator Greg Roman will need to find a way to integrate him into the squad.For now, Penning is still someone who is essentially an integral part of the Chargers offense. With no consistency, chances are Harbaugh will be forced to rotate him into the squad. Still, his immediate benching has to be a concern for fans as they want some certainty in their O-line choices. For now, Penning is just another “failed” reclamation project. It remains to be seen whether or not that can change in the coming weeks ahead. The Chargers may need it. Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post Harbaugh Discreetly Benches New O-Lineman appeared first on Heavy Sports.

… Source : ObservAlgerie