Latest news with #Lions
USA Today
21 minutes ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Top 10 injury news of the Lions 2024 season - #1: Aidan Hutchinson
The most critical injury to the Lions season - and the #1 injury story of 2024 - occurred on October 13, during the 47-9 blowout win over the Cowboys. During this otherwise festive game for Lions fans, disaster struck in the third quarter when Aidan Hutchinson fractured his tibia and fibula. Repercussions were felt the rest of the season culminating in the playoff loss. LEFT TIBIA/FIBULA FRACTURE VIDEO - October 13, 2024 IMPACT ON 2024 SEASON This was the top injury news of the season because of the devastating impact to the team. Behind Jared Goff, Hutchinson was likely the second-most critical player on the entire team due to his positional value, elite performance, and irreplaceability. Pass rush was already a major concern entering the season even with Hutchinson healthy. It got worse in Week 3 when two front-seven starters - Marcus Davenport, EDGE and Derrick Barnes, LB - had season-ending injuries. When Hutchinson was hurt in Week 6, the situation looked dire. With the defensive line struggling to generate a pass rush, the Lions responded by trading for Za'Darius Smith in Week 10. No one was able to come close to replacing Hutchinson's production though. When you look at the final team stats, Hutchinson still finished with the team lead in sacks despite missing 13 games. Here are the season sack totals: Further season-ending injuries to key defenders McNeil and Carlton Davis (both in Week 15) compounded the loss of Hutchinson. Credit to the rest of the team for losing only one more regular season game following Hutchinson's injury - finishing with a 15-2 record and the #1 seed. However, the lack of pass rush caught up to the team in the 45-31 playoff loss to the Commanders. The defense did not register a single sack and only forced one punt all game. SPECULATION ON SUPER BOWL RETURN The big, recurring question after the injury was whether Hutchinson might return for the Super Bowl. Typically, a tib/fib fracture carries a 6+ month timeline, so a Super Bowl return at the 4-month mark would have been aggressive. However, the Super Bowl is not a normal game, and there are many examples of players who have returned extremely early in recovery to play in that game - Terrell Owens (ankle fracture) 2005, Thomas Davis (forearm fracture) 2016, and Brandon Graham (triceps) 2025. The Super Bowl speculation was started in the days after the injury by sources close to Hutchinson, who stated an early return was a possibility due to the uncomplicated nature of the injury. Dan Campbell, in the first week after the injury, also offered an anticipated 4-6 month timeline. In December, Hutchinson himself fueled the speculation by saying he was "on track" to play in the Super Bowl. While he would not have been close to full strength for the big game, a limited return would still have provided an emotional boost to the team and fanbase. Unfortunately, the Lions did not make it that far to see if the inspirational return might happen. INJURY OUTLOOK The outlook for Hutchinson's recovery is very good, as the injury spared his joints and there were no signs of any complications. But there are still some hurdles to overcome. Residual effects of the injury, or discomfort with the metal hardware are possible. The other hurdle is a mental one, which could include a tweak to his technique. Does Hutchinson need to adjust his technique to avoid a recurrence? Hutchinson's tib/fib fracture is at least the second time his leg has whipped around in a powerful fashion. The first time was in 2023, when the impact spared Hutchinson, but injured Alim McNeill's MCL. McNeill was placed on IR and missed four weeks. Here are the still frames comparing the two incidents: Whether this leg action is a fluke or something more pervasive would require exhaustive film review - not just of Hutchinson but of other elite edge rushers. The results of this kind of review would help determine if a technique adjustment is warranted. Can he overcome the mental hurdles? If Hutchinson is worried about a recurrence, this could impact his aggressiveness and productivity. If he decides to adjust his technique, this will take time and reps before he's comfortable again. Either way, it may take some time to mentally get back to the level he was playing at prior to injury. EXPECTATIONS GOING FORWARD Hutchinson was deemed a "full" participant at June OTA which signals that he will be ready for the season. This recovery timeline is in-line with typical expectations for a tib/fib fracture. As far as a return to previous level of performance, that remains to be seen. I think the odds are good, and Vegas agrees, as he is currently one of the top 3 consensus betting favorites to win the 2025 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. The other favorites are Micah Parsons and Myles Garrett. CONTRACT IMPLICATIONS Hutchinson is entering the fourth year of his rookie contract and is eligible for an extension. His 5th-year option was picked up, but I don't expect the Lions to wait until then to extend him. He will start the 2025 season at a youthful 25 years old and should be in his prime for many more years. Despite his injury, expect him to get the biggest, non-QB contract in the history of the NFL very soon, so he can continue to make these kinds of ridiculous plays in Honolulu Blue....
The South African
38 minutes ago
- Sport
- The South African
No Temba Bavuma, no worry for Proteas Test tour of Zimbabwe
Proteas Test captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the upcoming two-match Test series against Zimbabwe due to a left hamstring strain. Bavuma sustained the injury while batting during South Africa's second innings on day three of the ICC World Test Championship Final against Australia at Lord's Cricket Ground. He is set to undergo further scans to assess the extent of the injury. Keshav Maharaj will captain the side in his absence. The squad will depart for Bulawayo on Tuesday, 24 June from OR Tambo International Airport. The first Test gets underway on Saturday, 28 June, followed by the second Test from Sunday, 6 July, with both matches taking place at Queens Sports Club. Even without Bavuma, the Proteas are expected to be far too strong for Zimbabwe. Keshav Maharaj (captain, Hollywoodbets Dolphins), David Bedingham (Western Province), Matthew Breetzke (Warriors), Dewald Brevis (Titans), Corbin Bosch (Titans), Tony de Zorzi (Western Province), Zubayr Hamza (Lions), Kwena Maphaka (Lions), Wiaan Mulder (Lions), Lungi Ngidi* (Titans), Lhuan-dré Pretorius (Titans), Lesego Senokwane (Titans), Prenelan Subrayen (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kyle Verreynne (Western Province), Codi Yusuf (Lions) *second Test only 28 June – 2 July at 10:00 Zimbabwe vs South Africa – Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo 6 – 10 July at 10:00 Zimbabwe vs South Africa – Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Business Insider
an hour ago
- Business
- Business Insider
AI and sports were hot topics at the ad industry's Cannes Lions bash. Just don't mention 'brand safety.'
AI and sports were hot topics du jour at the ad industry's annual confab, Cannes Lions, this week. The bustling streets suggested AI isnt decimating the ad industry yet. Brand safety was the elephant in the room. The scorching hot sun is setting on advertising's annual shindig in the south of France, Cannes Lions, for another year. At the sprawling event, there was a level of thematic whiplash. In the span of an hour on the main stage in the Palais you go from hearing about the creation of the iconic Snickers "You're only you when you're hungry" campaign to hearing a speech from human-rights activist Sonita Alizadeh on the humanitarian crisis of child brides in Iran and Afghanistan. There was also a whole lot of partying. Spotify's beach concert stage hosted rapper Cardi B and indie rockers Royel Otis. Diplo was spinning the decks for Yahoo. Talent agency UTA's annual VIP "dinner" at the luxury Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc had no sit-down meal but instead a punchy set from comedian Sebastian Maniscalco. Business Insider was on the ground — and occasionally the yachts — to get the inside look on the big topics that are top of mind in an industry undergoing seismic changes. Here were the key themes. The AI of it all If the advertising industry is losing people to artificial intelligence, it certainly didn't look like it at Cannes this week. The streets were bursting with lanyard-wearing, hungover Lions attendees trying to figure out which opulent branded beach setup their next meeting was located. Still, AI was the talk of the town. With AI spinning up thousands of ads cheaply and in seconds, the business model of billing clients for time is under threat. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg ruffled feathers ahead of Cannes when he said AI will essentially automate the ad business. "You tell us what your objective is, you connect to your bank account, you don't need any creative, you don't need any targeting demographic, you don't need any measurement, except to be able to read the results that we spit out," he said in a May interview with the tech newsletter Stratechery. (Is that the sound of Don Draper dropping his glass of rosé, we hear in the distance?!) In an interview with BI, Meta's chief marketing officer, Alex Schultz, said his boss was talking about small businesses, not Fortune 500 brands. "I don't see myself fully automating my ad campaigns and not using my agency at any point," Schultz said. (Donny D! Come back, you're safe!) For all the promises of AI, advertising still appears to be a people business. Cannes showed people in the ad industry believe that relationships matter. It's how attendees convince the finance department back home that the $5,000 festival pass, flights, Airbnb, meals, and a 2 a.m. expense receipt for a Jéroboam of Rosé at the Carlton Hotel was all worth it. Marketers are racing to sports If you haven't got an F1 sponsorship deal, are you even a CMO in 2025? Sports was a pervasive theme at Cannes Lions this year, and athletes were out in force. Take a stroll down the famous — and exceptionally hot — Croisette promenade, and you had a good chance of bumping into tennis champ Serena Williams, McLaren Racing driver Oscar Piastri, or Kansas City Chiefs tight end — and Taylor Swift beau — Travis Kelce. Advertising company Stagwell's "Sport Beach" had some of the longest lines in town, some for the star-studded panels, others for the bragging rights of trouncing a colleague at pickleball. (Disclosure: BI hosted an event on Sport Beach, too.) With traditional, or linear, TV viewing in decline, sports is one of the last destinations where marketers can guarantee getting their brands in front of large audiences. "It's a way of being involved right in the moment, live," Michael Lacorazza, CMO US Bank, told BI. US Bank is involved in numerous teams and recently announced its partnership with the Premier Lacrosse League. It's not just about placing 30-second spots or slapping logos on jerseys. Marketers talked up how they're enhancing the live experience in stadiums while people are in a joyful mood. Uber Advertising was pitching clients using a case study from beauty brand La Mer, which sponsored rides to and from the Miami F1 Grand Prix, stuffed with skincare goodies. F1 is having a moment. According to the research firm Ampere Analysis, sponsorship spending on F1 and its teams is expected to reach $2.9 billion this year, up 10% on 2024. With viewership boosted in part by the popular Netflix series "Drive to Survive," brands and media partnerships are helping extend its reach beyond the race track. "Seeing the new fans come into the sport, we needed to show up in their worlds and be meaningful in their worlds," Louise McEwan, chief marketing officer of the McLaren Racing F1 team, told BI. "Only one percent of fans ever go to the track in their lifetime." Putting consumers in charge The power of the consumer is stronger than ever. At the Tubi cabana at Cannes, we spoke with its chief marketing officer, Nicole Parlapiano, who shared how the streaming platform is super-flexible in how it's marketing its titles. Streamers like Tubi can't easily test shows and movies before they acquire them, so they relentlessly monitor social chatter to determine how much and where to market a show, Parlapiano said. Daniel Lawrence Taylor's hit show "Boarders" got a billboard in New York City's Times Square. And that's down to Parlapiano's team being flexible, pouring extra marketing dollars into "Boarders" after seeing the social media reaction, she said. Laurie Lam, chief brand officer of E.l.f Beauty, said at a BI event that its product pipeline is often driven by what consumers are saying on social media. "They're telling us exactly what they want and we're then putting it into the market for them," Lam said. "And they're not polite about it, by the way," she added. "It used to be like, 'Hey, I would really love it if you can make this primer.' Now it's like, 'Make that primer now. Where is my primer?'" Brand safety becomes a brand risk Amid all the talk of AI supercharging creativity, and humanity being the ad industry's "super power," there was a big topic execs on the Croisette went super out of their way to avoid. People noticeably squirmed as we asked questions about the current debate around brand safety — a catch-all industry term to describe how advertisers avoid platforms and media that don't align with their brand. A few years ago, you couldn't move for panels on the topic at Cannes, with speakers calling on big platforms to do more to protect brands. This year, with the US government questioning the propriety of those decisions? Crickets. Barely anyone at Cannes wanted to discuss this enormous elephant in the room. Even the term " brand safety" has become a kind of Voldemort, "He who should not be named" word. One exec told us that the industry is more comfortable talking about "brand assurance" instead, whatever that really means in practice. Perhaps nobody wants a target on their back. The turnabout shows how Cannes Lions holds a telling mirror into the industry, where sometimes what's not being talked about can also speak volumes.
Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Should the Cats worry as the Lions flex their midfield muscle?
He didn't need to mention Levi Ashcroft had started on the bench and Jaspa Fletcher on a flank. If the Cats have the Bash Brothers in Holmes and Smith then the Lions can raise them with the Ashcroft Brothers, Will and Levi. Throw in Zac Bailey galloping through the middle and Darcy Wilmot and the veteran Dayne Zorko and the depth extends to all areas of the ground. Fagan was most impressed with Rayner, the No.1 pick who is delivering. After years of nearly being there is now a great player, his strength and confidence growing. He had five clearances and kicked three goals, two of them coming at the start of the third and fourth quarter to extinguish any hope the crowd might find voice. 'We have come to understand him and his strengths. It has taken us a little bit of time and how it all fits in with our system but in the last couple of years we have discovered that,' Fagan said. He led the way along with Will Ashcroft and Dunkley as Neale, a dual Brownlow medallist, was kept quiet by a gallant Tom Atkins who tried to lift his team. The question now is what Scott can plot to overcome the weight of numbers that is turning the tide the Lions way. The Cats remain in good shape and they are a strong chance to meet the Lions again in September. Geelong can point to poor kicking and an off-night and be right. But the biggest cat in the AFL jungle flexed their muscle on Friday night to take the Lions back into the top two. Fagan even admitted they have been at their best when facing the biggest of challenges this season. This was the last hoodoo of his reign. Beating Geelong at Geelong was something they had not managed since 2003. Loading The signs are good with more than half the season over. 'When we got to the bye last year we were 13th. When we get to the bye this year we're second,' Fagan said. 'I'm pretty pleased with where we are at, but it's a hard competition so you have to keep going, don't you.'
The Age
an hour ago
- Sport
- The Age
Should the Cats worry as the Lions flex their midfield muscle?
He didn't need to mention Levi Ashcroft had started on the bench and Jaspa Fletcher on a flank. If the Cats have the Bash Brothers in Holmes and Smith then the Lions can raise them with the Ashcroft Brothers, Will and Levi. Throw in Zac Bailey galloping through the middle and Darcy Wilmot and the veteran Dayne Zorko and the depth extends to all areas of the ground. Fagan was most impressed with Rayner, the No.1 pick who is delivering. After years of nearly being there is now a great player, his strength and confidence growing. He had five clearances and kicked three goals, two of them coming at the start of the third and fourth quarter to extinguish any hope the crowd might find voice. 'We have come to understand him and his strengths. It has taken us a little bit of time and how it all fits in with our system but in the last couple of years we have discovered that,' Fagan said. He led the way along with Will Ashcroft and Dunkley as Neale, a dual Brownlow medallist, was kept quiet by a gallant Tom Atkins who tried to lift his team. The question now is what Scott can plot to overcome the weight of numbers that is turning the tide the Lions way. The Cats remain in good shape and they are a strong chance to meet the Lions again in September. Geelong can point to poor kicking and an off-night and be right. But the biggest cat in the AFL jungle flexed their muscle on Friday night to take the Lions back into the top two. Fagan even admitted they have been at their best when facing the biggest of challenges this season. This was the last hoodoo of his reign. Beating Geelong at Geelong was something they had not managed since 2003. Loading The signs are good with more than half the season over. 'When we got to the bye last year we were 13th. When we get to the bye this year we're second,' Fagan said. 'I'm pretty pleased with where we are at, but it's a hard competition so you have to keep going, don't you.'
