Friday Facts You Might Have Missed
NFL
The Atlanta Falcons hired New Orleans Saints co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen as their new defensive coordinator, the team making the announcement on Friday.
The Kansas City Chiefs continue with news of banged up players. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been battling the high ankle sprain suffered last weekend but has stuck to the fact that he will 100% be out there for Championship Sunday. Friday came with a surprise addition to the injury report, All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce was a full participant in Friday's practice but was then listed as questionable to play on Sunday siting a back injury.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will not participate in any of the Pro-Bowl games, as is will continue to remian under concussion protocol that began December 26th. There is speculation flying around the NFL that Tua may retire this off-season, but it remains just that speculation. His father saying recently:
"He comes back. That's their guy. They love him, we love them and what they're doing and how they are helping with his recovery and trying to get him back."
Championship Sunday - January 29, 2023: NFC - 3:00pm - San Francisco 49er's vs. Philadelphia Eagles - FOX, AFC - 6:30pm - Cincinnati Bengals vs. Kansas City Chiefs - CBS
NBA
The NBA fined Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid $25,000 on Friday for making an obscene gesture during Wednesday's win over the Brooklyn Nets. After a 3-point play in the 3rd quarter Emiid did the "crotch-chop" made popular by WWE's D-Generation X.
The Golden State Warriors laying down a 31-point 4th quarter to take the high scoring win 129-117 over the Toronto Raptors on Friday night. Steph Curry had 35 points with 11 assists, Klay Thompson contributed 29 points and dropping 6 three-pointers. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr saying after the game:
“It feels like we took better care of the ball tonight. When Steph plays like that, the whole game opens up. The whole floor opens up.”
NHL
Vancouver Canucks forward Ilya Mikheyev will miss the rest of the season as they made the announcement on Friday that he will require ACL surgery. The injury was initially sustained in pre-season causing him to miss 3 games. He has remained working very closely with trainers as they knew he would eventually have to undergo surgery.
The Toronto Maple Leafs superstar center Auston Matthews will miss at least 3 weeks as recovers from a knee sprain suffered Wednesday against the New York Rangers.