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It’s an exciting time for Fortnite, because the brand-new and extremely popular LEGO Fortnite is not the only fresh game on what we now have to call a platform – Rocket Racing is along for the ride as well, essentially combining the unlimited creativity of Fortnite with the adrenaline-pumping speed of Rocket League, taking the best of both Epic Games properties. If Fortnite LEGO can be called a take on Minecraft, then Rocket Racing is Fortnite’s version of Mario Kart.

Rocket Racing is launching with over 20 original tracks across three different biomes, but that is by far not the end of it. Epic Games will not only continue to support the game by publishing new biomes, a track editor will be added in the future to allow players to make their own circuits.

This is really where Epic Games’ work on Fortnite – and Unreal Engine – over the years shines, as the company can supply players with very powerful and yet accessible tools to enable them to get creative themselves. The availability of high-quality custom content is great for the health of the game over the long run in addition to decreasing the pressure on Epic Games to deliver more content itself – it’s a win-win scenario.

For first impressions on Fortnite’s Rocket Racing mode, check out our linked hands-on preview of the title. Mechanically interesting and full of fun, it’s poised to be another hit.

This article first appeared on Video Games on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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Green Bay Packers Former 1st Round Pick Has Been The Star Of Training Camp
NFL

Green Bay Packers Former 1st Round Pick Has Been The Star Of Training Camp

Green Bay Packers fans have every reason to feel optimistic as the team moves through training camp. One of the players everyone is keeping an eye on is edge rusher Lukas Van Ness. The former first-round pick is making waves with his standout performances in one-on-one drills and his growing potential as a dominant pass rusher. Throughout camp, Van Ness has been a consistent source of buzz, and it’s no surprise considering the raw talent and athletic energy he brings to the field. Green Bay Packers Lukas Van Ness Standing Out in Training Camp Training camp serves as the proving ground for rookies and veterans alike, and Lukas Van Ness is seizing the opportunity to showcase his growth. On just the third day of camp, Van Ness made headlines by going 3-0 in one-on-one pass-rushing drills. He demonstrated his ability to overpower opposing offensive linemen, including former first-round pick and teammate Jordan Morgan, who was twice bested in their matchups. These drills have been a reliable barometer for evaluating defensive linemen, and Van Ness has consistently stood out. His explosiveness off the line, combined with his refined upper-body strength, makes him nearly unguardable in short-yardage scenarios. This early knack for dominating such settings has coaches and players alike buzzing about what he can offer not only in practice but also when the curtain rises on the regular season. Filling a Key Role in the Packers’ Defense Lukas Van Ness’ immediate impact isn’t exactly what the Packers hoped for when they drafted him 13th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Van Ness has been largely a disappointment in his first two years. It is important for fans to remember that he was a project coming out of Iowa, and he may have just needed a little time to blossom into an elite pass rusher. His presence not only offers the potential for an improved pass rush but also adds an element of unpredictability to the Packers’ defensive line. Strengthening the Pass Rush The Packers’ pass rush has been inconsistent in recent years, largely due to injuries and personnel changes. Van Ness offers a solution. At 6’5” and 272 pounds, his mix of size, speed, and raw strength stands out even among NFL athletes. What’s more, his versatility allows him to line up both on the edge and along the interior defensive line. This flexibility enables defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley to scheme more creatively, exploiting mismatches based on Van Ness’s ability to overwhelm blockers. His success in one-on-one drills suggests that Van Ness could quickly become a third-down menace—an edge rusher capable of collapsing pockets and forcing quick decisions from opposing quarterbacks. That’s a skill set the Packers desperately need in the NFC North, which features highly capable offenses led by players like Caleb Williams and Jared Goff. The Excitement Around Van Ness What makes Lukas Van Ness such an exciting prospect isn’t just his physical gifts; it’s also his work ethic and hunger to improve. Training camp reports note that Van Ness is constantly refining his techniques, working with coaches to expand his toolkit as a pass rusher. Chief among his attributes is his motor. Van Ness doesn’t quit on plays. Couple that relentless pursuit with his power and explosiveness, and you have a player who can make a difference on every snap. Even in drills, he’s consistently displayed drive and adaptability, reading offensive schemes and making rapid adjustments to cut off running lanes or disrupt passing plays. Team insiders compare his temperament to that of Rashan Gary, another high-energy player who developed into a key piece of Green Bay’s defense. If Van Ness follows a similar trajectory, it’s not hard to see the Packers’ defensive front emerging as one of the league’s most imposing units. Final Thoughts Lukas Van Ness has been one of the most exciting storylines of the Green Bay Packers’ training camp, and his standout performances are setting the stage for a successful third year. His dominance in drills and his opportunity to work with the first team have made it clear that he has the tools, energy, and potential to excel in Green Bay’s defense. If Van Ness can build on the momentum he’s created in camp, he won’t just be a bright spot this season—he’ll be a game-changer for years to come. Keep your eyes on No. 90 this season. If his training camp buzz is any indication, Lukas Van Ness is ready to make his mark.

Commanders reportedly hesitant about one issue with Terry McLaurin deal
NFL

Commanders reportedly hesitant about one issue with Terry McLaurin deal

The 2024 offseason expanded the $30M-per-year wide receiver club to six members. D.K. Metcalf, Ja’Marr Chase and Garrett Wilson have taken it to nine this year. Terry McLaurin is undoubtedly pushing to bump that number to 10, after seeing 2019 Day 2 classmates Metcalf and A.J. Brown land among that contingent. McLaurin reported to training camp Sunday and landed on the active/PUP list. As our Rory Parks explained, skepticism exists about how injured the Commanders’ top wide receiver really is. An ankle injury has keyed the PUP stay, but it can be safely assumed McLaurin would be ready to practice if an extension comes to pass. Nevertheless, the Commanders have been surprised by the difficulty of these talks. Using an injury to avoid practicing while negotiating — developments the Jonathan Taylor and Micah Parsons sagas brought — represents a third tactic, joining the holdout and the increasingly utilized hold-in amid extension talks. McLaurin shifted from a holdout to the injury route; no matter how he is accomplishing not practicing, the seventh-year veteran is aiming to land a lucrative third contract. His age provides a complication for Washington. McLaurin is going into an age-30 season, separating him from Brown and Metcalf. Both Ole Miss products were drafted just before McLaurin, a 2019 third-round pick, but they are each two years younger. This strengthened their cases for big-ticket third contracts. McLaurin went first to ignite the second-tier boom on the receiver market in 2022, agreeing to a three-year, $69.6M extension. That shaped the Metcalf and Deebo Samuel extensions, both of which coming in higher than McLaurin’s despite the latter’s consistency with suboptimal quarterback situations. McLaurin’s AAV has dropped to 17th at wide receiver. The Commanders are prepared to extend their top wideout, but Sportskeeda.com’s Tony Pauline indicates the "holdup" is regarding the $30M-AAV number. Some around the league point to the team not wanting to go into that neighborhood for McLaurin, despite his five 1,000-yard seasons. Courtland Sutton and McLaurin are nearly the same age, and the Broncos’ top target signed a four-year, $92M extension. That matches where the Titans went for Calvin Ridley (now 30) in 2024. McLaurin, though, has a better resume than both and should be aiming higher. The Commanders have a Jayden Daniels rookie contract to structure another McLaurin extension around as well. Adam Peters was around for the 49ers’ 2022 Samuel extension but not Brandon Aiyuk‘s $30M-per-year deal. (The Samuel extension also did not work out for the 49ers, who proceeded with a salary dump of sorts by trading him to the Commanders.) The second-year GM taking a hardline stance with McLaurin would be an interesting route given the WR’s importance to a sudden contender. Peters confirmed talks are ongoing, with that comment coming after McLaurin expressed frustration about the negotiations. A potential gap between the pack of 20-somethings (and Tyreek Hill) north of $30M AAV and the Tee Higgins–Jaylen Waddle–D.J. Moore tier could be relevant here, and it will be interesting to see if McLaurin settles for something just south of that $30MM benchmark. Guarantees and contract structure, of course, will be important to determining the value as well. A short-term extension should be reached soon, per Pauline, but if the Commanders hold the line at or around $30M, the McLaurin matter could drag on for a while longer.

Pitcher bizarrely faces old team on same day of trade
MLB

Pitcher bizarrely faces old team on same day of trade

Seranthony Dominguez certainly had an eventful day on Tuesday. The veteran MLB reliever began the day on the Baltimore Orioles and was with his teammates in the dugout during the first leg of a doubleheader against the Toronto Blue Jays. The O's went on to win, 16-4, at Oriole Park in Baltimore, though Dominguez did not pitch during the game. But the day took a bizarre turn when the two teams agreed to a deal in the middle of the doubleheader. The Orioles traded Dominguez to the Blue Jays in exchange for minor league pitcher Juaron Watts-Brown. That led to a strange scene where Dominguez switched clubhouses after being traded, walking across the hallway to get to the Toronto side. Things got even weirder during the second leg of the doubleheader. Dominguez got the call to pitch for the Blue Jays against his former team. He had to walk past his ex-Baltimore teammates to get to the Toronto bullpen, and then entered the game in the seventh inning to pitch. Here is the unusual spectacle that saw Dominguez pitch against the guys that he began the day as teammates with. The whole thing was so bizarre that it even looked like Dominguez received a hastily-made Blue Jays jersey with the “8” in his No. 48 apparently stuck on backwards. Dominguez, a 30-year-old in his seventh MLB season, ended up striking out two in a scoreless frame against his former team. We have certainly seen instances of MLB players getting traded in the middle of games before, but that had to be the first instance of a player starting the first half of a doubleheader on one team and then pitching in the second half for the other team.

Minnesota Vikings Jeff Okudah Turning Heads At Training Camp
NFL

Minnesota Vikings Jeff Okudah Turning Heads At Training Camp

The Minnesota Vikings are looking to re-establish their defensive identity in 2025, and one of the surprises of training camp so far has been Jeff Okudah. Once labeled by some as a draft bust, Okudah is making waves under the guidance of new defensive coordinator Brian Flores. His performance, work ethic, and the strides he’s made in adapting to the Vikings’ system are quickly altering perceptions of both his potential and his fit in Minnesota. But Okudah’s story stretches far beyond just this training camp. His NFL career has been one of highs and lows, a testament to both his resilience and ambition. With Flores’ mentorship and a clear path to playing time, Okudah might finally be in the right place to thrive. A Challenging NFL Journey Jeff Okudah entered the NFL with monumental expectations. Selected third overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Ohio State standout was viewed as a generational defensive back prospect. His college resume was nothing short of outstanding. At Ohio State, Okudah was a lockdown corner who excelled in press coverage, finished his junior season with three interceptions, and earned unanimous All-American honors. Experts heralded his technique, physicality, and ability to close on the football as elite traits that would translate seamlessly to the professional level. However, like many rookies burdened with high draft expectations, Okudah didn’t get off to the start he dreamed of. His rookie season was marred by injuries and inconsistent play, and Detroit’s overall defensive struggles compounded his growing pains. Things hit a low point during his second season in 2021 when he tore his Achilles just one game into the year. The injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season, raising serious doubts about his durability and ability to regain his form. Even upon returning to the field in 2022, Okudah showed flashes but struggled to secure a consistent role. With the Lions moving in a different direction, Okudah was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in 2023. Atlanta offered him stability and opportunities to play, but his performances didn’t fully live up to his potential, and he became a free agent after the 2024 season rather than earning a long-term extension. Now with the Minnesota Vikings, Okudah is under scrutiny once again. However, this time, there are signs that he may finally break through. Making Waves at Vikings Training Camp One week into the Minnesota Vikings’ training camp, Jeff Okudah has been a standout. Despite initial reservations about his role, Okudah has been running with the first team at nickel cornerback. For a defensive unit that prioritized upgrades in other areas this offseason, Okudah’s emergence has provided an unexpected boost in the secondary. Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores has already praised Okudah’s effort and attention to detail. “He’s been diligent on the field, off the field, in the training room, and in the weight room. He’s always looking to do extra film work,” Flores shared in a recent press conference. One hallmark of Flores’ defense is its reliance on intelligent, adaptable players who can read offenses quickly—and Okudah seems to be rising to the challenge. Flores also made it clear that Okudah’s work ethic and athletic ability are giving him an edge. “He’s getting more comfortable within the defense and has shown up positively in every way,” Flores added. For a player whose confidence was undoubtedly tested in previous seasons, this kind of recognition is both meaningful and motivating. What Okudah Brings to the Vikings’ Defense Okudah’s skill set is what originally made him such a highly valued draft pick. At 6’1” and 205 pounds, he has the size to challenge receivers physically at the line of scrimmage, as well as the speed to keep up in coverage downfield. These traits align well with Flores’ aggressive defensive philosophy, which often calls for corners to play in high-pressure scenarios. Playing in the nickel role can feel limiting to some defensive backs, but it requires discipline and versatility—two strengths Okudah is quickly proving he possesses. Nickel corners must be capable of switching onto slot receivers, dropping back into zone coverage, or even stepping up to help in run defense. It’s no easy job, but Okudah’s adaptability is allowing him to make steady progress. The Vikings are banking on Flores’ knack for turning overlooked talents into key contributors, and Okudah could be the next beneficiary. His ability to stay locked in during practice, both physically and mentally, is earning him trust within the organization. Why This Training Camp Feels Different for Okudah What sets this training camp apart from previous ones in Detroit or Atlanta is the environment. Under Flores, Okudah appears to be part of a system that prioritizes tailored assignments and coaching. The Minnesota Vikings’ staff isn’t asking him to be a savior; they’re asking him to play to his strengths. For a player trying to overcome doubts, this structured approach could be crucial. Additionally, Okudah’s own evolution as a professional is evident. The 24-year-old has dealt with more than his fair share of adversity and seems determined to erase any stigma attached to his draft pedigree. Watching him after practice, continuing reps or working on footwork solo, is a small glimpse into the kind of focus he’s bringing to this opportunity. What His Success Could Mean for the Vikings If Jeff Okudah continues to impress and locks himself into a starting role, the Vikings’ secondary might become more formidable than expected. With veteran safety Harrison Smith anchoring the defense and cornerbacks like Byron Murphy Jr. already contributing, Okudah’s emergence as a dependable nickel corner could provide the versatility needed to counter dynamic passing offenses. It’s also worth noting how Okudah’s trajectory could shape Brian Flores’ reputation. Known for squeezing maximum production out of his players, Flores has a chance to add another reclamation project to his résumé if Okudah lives up to his potential. Final Thoughts Jeff Okudah’s NFL story so far has been anything but linear, but he’s proving at the Minnesota Vikings training camp that the narrative is far from over. Under Brian Flores’ direction, Okudah seems to have found a system and coaching staff capable of helping him tap into his first-round potential. His development could be pivotal not only for the Vikings’ immediate defensive goals but also for reshaping how people view Okudah as a player. It’s still early in camp, and there’s a long season ahead. But for the first time in a long while, it feels like Jeff Okudah is writing a new chapter—one filled with promise, growth, and maybe even the redemption he’s been working toward since 2020.

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