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Caitlin Clark’s left quad injury may only sideline the Indiana Fever star for two weeks, but for fans and teammates alike, it’s starting to feel like forever.
Kate Martin, Clark’s former college teammate and now a WNBA sophomore, shared her thoughts on how the Rookie of the Year is handling her first significant time away from the game. Having played four years together at Iowa, Martin knows firsthand how much Clark hates sitting out.
“You never want to see anybody get injured, and it just kills me,” Martin said. “I know how much of a go-getter she is, so anything like this is going to stink. I know she just wants to be out there with her team, and she just wants to be playing all the time. So hopefully she can rest up and heal up soon.”
Martin added that Clark is wired to compete and rarely, if ever, allows herself to slow down—even when tired.
“She wants to be out there for a full 40 minutes every single game of every single season,” Martin said. “And so it’s not easy as a competitor to have to be held back.”
Clark’s expected return could come after Indiana’s next three matchups, which include games against the Washington Mystics, Connecticut Sun, and Chicago Sky. Though it’s not a long-term injury, it’s uncharted territory for Clark, who played all 40 games in her rookie season.
Caitlin Clark Can’t Stay Away—Even While Injured
In classic Caitlin Clark fashion, she hasn’t let the injury keep her off the hardwood for long. During a recent Indiana Fever practice, a clip shared by Just Women’s Sports on Instagram captured the star guard casually dribbling and putting up layups—clearly itching to get back into full action.
Veteran forward Damiris Dantas had to step in, playfully bumping Clark and encouraging her to take it easy.
But Clark? She just smiled and kept working on her handles.
That moment perfectly captures what makes Clark different. Whether it’s college or the pros, healthy or hurting, she’s wired to compete. Her fire hasn’t gone anywhere—it’s just waiting for tip-off.
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Steelers Rising OL Deserves Opportunity to Start
The Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive line, which had remained remarkably healthy throughout the early goings of the season, saw Pro Bowl left guard Isaac Seumalo suffer a pectoral strain in the team's loss to the Green Bay Packers during Week 8 that ultimately forced him out of the game in the second half. While Seumalo was deemed healthy enough to start against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9, he was later pulled in the second half of the contest due to his preexisting injury. Spencer Anderson, as a result, stepped into his spot on both occasions and got a chance to prove that he's capable of both handling the starting duties at the position down the line and filling in as a short-term replacement for Seumalo. Anderson Demonstrating His Value After not seeing the field on offense as a rookie in 2023, Anderson filled in for Seumalo as the starting left guard over the first three weeks of the 2024 campaign before sliding over to right guard in Week 4 while the latter dealt with a separate pectoral injury. Anderson allowed just one sack over that stretch, per Pro Football Focus, while largely holding his own as a run blocker as well. This year, the former seventh-round pick out of Maryland became a key component of Pittsburgh's offense as a sixth linemen upon the team's increased utilization of its jumbo package beginning in Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings. Anderson has logged 42 snaps at left guard over the past two weeks in place of Seumalo, and he could be in line for more playing time moving forward. Playing Anderson is Steelers' Best Option Pittsburgh clearly values what Anderson brings to the table as its top reserve offensive linemen, and he has the tools necessary to eventually become a fixture in the starting lineup. That's not to say he's a finished product, however, as his experience in the NFL is still rather limited, but he has a golden opportunity to pick up more game reps for as long as Seumalo's injury continues to hamper him. At this point, Pittsburgh should consider sidelining Seumalo as a means of allowing him to recover and not worsen his current condition. Anderson has already proven himself capable of standing in as a reliable substitute, and he hasn't even scratched the surface of his potential. If he can continue to perform at a high level and make the most of what may be considered a potential audition for 2026, than Anderson could become an early favorite to earn the starting left guard job next season considering Seumalo's contract will run out once the current campaign ends. There's certainly still work to do, but Anderson has a shot to cement his place within the Steelers' current and future plans, and the team should seriously consider keeping him on the field for the time being instead of sending an injured Seumalo back out there.
Eagles geared up for another Super Bowl run after Jaelan Phillips trade
The Philadelphia Eagles are already Super Bowl contenders, but that's not stopping general manager Howie Roseman from bolstering his roster before the trade deadline on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET. On Monday, the Miami Dolphins sent linebacker Jaelan Phillips to the Eagles for a 2026 third-round pick (via ESPN's Adam Schefter). It's the third defensive trade Roseman and company have made in the past week. They already improved their secondary by acquiring cornerback Jaire Alexander from the Baltimore Ravens and CB Michael Carter II from the New York Jets. How Jaelan Phillips trade benefits Eagles Trading for 26-year-old Phillips should help the Eagles (6-2) solve one of their bigger defensive problems: the ability to generate pressure consistently. Per Pro Football Reference, Philadelphia is tied for 19th in the NFL in pressure rate (19 percent). It also has 16 sacks, tied with the Las Vegas Raiders (2-6) for 23rd in the league. Phillips had just three sacks through his first nine games with Miami, but he's still a quality pass-rusher. Pro Football Reference has credited him with 18 pressures this season, tied with Denver Broncos LB Nik Bonitto and Pittsburgh Steelers LB T.J. Watt for the 12th most in the league. That's great company for Phillips to be in. Both of those star defenders are Defensive Player of the Year candidates. As of Monday, DraftKings Sportsbook gives Bonitto +850 odds to win the award and Watt +3500 odds to capture it. Star Philadelphia LB Nolan Smith Jr. is expected to return from a triceps injury in Week 10 against the Green Bay Packers. He last played in Week 3 against the Los Angeles Rams. His return and the Phillips trade may now put the Eagles defense — which ranks 19th in the league in points allowed (23.1) — in a position to hit its stride. Even if their team is winning, top GMs, like two-time Super Bowl champion Roseman, continue to find ways to strengthen their clubs. He's likely done that again by landing Phillips.
Dan Orlovsky just called out Joe Whitt in the bluntest way possible
Another prime-time embarrassment against the Seattle Seahawks was masked by yet more injury problems for the Washington Commanders. But that should not detract from the real issue at hand. Luke McCaffrey broke his collarbone on the opening kickoff. Marshon Lattimore cut a dejected figure on the sidelines after tearing his ACL. Superstar quarterback Jayden Daniels, who had no business being in the game midway through the fourth quarter, suffered a dislocated left elbow that could rule him out for the entire campaign. These issues, particularly those involving Daniels, will take the headlines. However, this game once again exposed what's really behind Washington's demise this season. That, of course, is their woefully incompetent defense. Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold carved up the Commanders like a Thanksgiving turkey, with more than 250 passing yards, four touchdowns, and a 100 percent completion success in the first half. Seattle took pity on Washington after that, but Mike Macdonald's squad could have scored whenever they felt like it. Dan Orlovsky blasts Commanders for fatal defensive flaw that won't go away If defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. isn't on the hot seat, he should be. This unit lacks ideas, inspiration, and motivation. It looked like the players legitimately downed tools on their coach in Week 9, which typically only ends one way. Quarterback turned ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky hit the nail on the head. He pointed to Whitt's insistence on playing so much man coverage when it's painfully apparent that Washington doesn't have the talent to do so effectively as a massive flaw that must be urgently rectified. Have said it all season long. I truly don’t understand Washington running all this man coverage when they clearly do not have the people to play man coverage. They make it easy on QBs.Dan Orlovsky In fairness to Whitt, he's tried more zone coverage. That hasn't worked either, so it's a case of finding the lesser of two evils. Either way, an ongoing capitulation feels almost inevitable. Confidence has been sapped from this squad. Influential figures are sidelined, and the ripple effects are too much for this threadbare roster to counteract. Although Lattimore hasn't exactly covered himself in glory this season, losing the four-time Pro Bowler only stretches this failing group even more. Just what Whitt or anyone else can do at this point is anyone's guess. The Commanders don't have the personnel to make effective adjustments. The veterans are slow. The young players expected to make strides have regressed. They are not generating pressure and have a soft underbelly against the run. It is a woeful concoction of ineptitude, and fans aren't expecting much to change. That's the most depressing part of all.
Maple Leafs’ David Kampf Update After Comments to Marlies Players
Toronto Maple Leafs forward David Kampf has reportedly left the team’s AHL affiliate, and NHL insider Elliotte Friedman offered an update on the situation Monday morning. Speaking about the situation on the most recent 32 Thoughts podcast, Friedman shared that Kampf apparently made it clear to other Toronto Marlies players that he was done. As per his report, the disgruntled Maple Leafs forward left his teammates with the impression that he intended to terminate his contract. Furthermore, Friedman noted that Kampf’s absence from the Leafs’ lineup is not performance-related; rather, it stems from salary and roster constraints that currently prevent the team from accommodating him. Friedman noted: “I don’t know exactly what was said or how it was communicated, but Kampf did leave players with the Marlies with the impression that he was going to terminate his contract… He’s not out of the Leafs lineup because he’s not good enough, it’s because they can’t fit his salary and roster spot in right now. We’ll see how this plays out over the next few days. I certainly understand his frustration, and I think he made it clear the status quo just wasn’t good enough for him.” Kampf is annoyed by his situation, and the Maple Leafs are working to trade him. Unfortunately, the Leafs can’t find a taker for his contract. It has left Kampf feeling like he has little choice but to take the next steps available to him, which could include exploring opportunities elsewhere on a lower AAV with another NHL club. He and his agent must believe that if his cap hit weren’t what it is, an NHL franchise would give him a look and a chance to prove he’s worth the investment. Friedman suggested that the fact all of this has gone public might actually work to Kampf’s advantage, allowing him to gauge his market and might not have to take a hugely reduced deal.
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