Favors was upgraded to questionable on …

Favors was upgraded to questionable on Tuesday’s injury report, ahead of Wednesday’s home matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. Also questionable on the New Orleans injury report is former Lakers guard/forward Josh Hart (left ankle sprain), who has not played in a game since Nov. 11 vs. Houston. Zion Williamson and Darius Miller remain officially out on the injury report.

Last week, Mourning participated in a …

Last week, Mourning participated in a GuardianLife-sponsored HORSE shootout with a CUNY basketball player with a disability. In discussing his past health struggles — he had a kidney replacement at the prime of his career — and how “disability is not inability,” Mourning reminisced about his mindset at that moment from 2006 that has since gone viral. “I’d like to think I was actually talking to myself,” Mourning said. “It was actually kind of comical to see myself.”

During the game in question, with his …

During the game in question, with his team trailing by 30, Mourning scored just one point and pulled in a meager two rebounds in 15 minutes on the floor. “Did you see the score?” Mourning asked. “If you look at the score of the game, you can see why I had that facial expression. I’m somebody that hates to lose. I don’t like to lose in anything. Anything.”

Panthers work out four kickers after Joey Slye’s rough day vs. Saints

Carolina Panthers kicker Joey Slye had a bad day against the New Orleans Saints, causing Carolina to try out free agents like Kai Forbath.

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The New Orleans Saints defeated the Carolina Panthers after some spotty kicking from Panthers specialist Joey Slye last Sunday, and the team is taking steps to find a better answer at the position, according to a report from Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Slye missed two extra point tries and a 28-yard field goal against the Saints in a game Carolina lost 34-31, dropping them to 5-6 on the season.

Ironically, Carolina’s free agent tryouts included former Saints kicker Kai Forbath, who appeared in 10 games for New Orleans back in 2015. Forbath went 9-for-13 on field goal tries and 33-for-34 on extra point attempts that season before stints with the Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Other kickers who worked out for Carolina per Wilson’s report were Elliott Fry (66-of-88 on field goals in 51 games at South Carolina, but no extensive NFL experience), Greg Joseph (17-of-20 in 14 games with the Cleveland Browns last year), and Nick Rose (11-of-14 in 10 games for two teams from 2017 to 2018).

The Panthers haven’t made any moves yet beyond adding Joseph to their practice squad, but the Saints will see whoever gets the starting nod next when they fly out to Charlotte in the regular season finale on Dec. 29.

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Watch: UGA’s Anthony Edwards drops 37 on Michigan State

Georgia Bulldog standout freshman Anthony Edwards, who’s projected as a top NBA Draft pick, scored a career high 37 points in a loss to Michigan State. The third-ranked Spartans overwhelmed Georgia, much like the Dayton Flyers did yesterday. Anthony …

Georgia Bulldog standout freshman Anthony Edwards, who’s projected as a top NBA Draft pick, scored a career high 37 points in a loss to Michigan State. The third-ranked Spartans overwhelmed Georgia, much like the Dayton Flyers did yesterday. Anthony Edwards and company fought back and kept it close, but ultimately fell 93-85.

Georgia basketball will play again in the Maui Invitational tomorrow night at nine. Anthony Edwards is a reason to watch the Bulldogs play win or lose.

He made some spectacular plays against Michigan State and still has potential to grow much more as a playmaker. Edwards put on a show against Michigan State:

Edwards had an incredible pass here, but finished with only two assists and five turnovers. Edwards must continue to sharpen his distribution skills.  He also took 26 shots to score 37 points, so he will look to have more efficient performances moving forward.

Edwards made some big time plays on defense. He had a total of seven stocks (steals and blocks) including this beauty:

It will be fun to watch Anthony Edwards grow throughout the season. The Dawgs are now 4-2 and need a victory in tomorrow’s Maui Invitational finale. Georgia is going to need to improve to make the NCAA Tournament.

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Abdel Nader looks to step up in Diallo’s absence

Billy Donovan said the second-year forward has a “tendency to overthink”, but is one of the hardest workers the head coach has been around.

No one wants to see a teammate go down with an injury. But the reality of professional sports is that when one person can’t play, it means there’s an opportunity for someone else.

Hamidou Diallo will be out for at least the next month thanks to the hyperextended right elbow that he suffered last Friday against the Lakers.

Although Diallo wasn’t a regular in the Thunder’s starting rotation, he was still averaging over 20 minutes a game, minutes that need to be filled.

Coaches often talk about a “next man up” mentality. In this case, the next man up is Abdel Nader.

Head coach Billy Donovan told Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman that Nader is “as good of a worker as I’ve ever been around”, but added that the second-year player “has a tendency to overthink”.

“And I think when guys start doing that, it kind of takes away that aggressiveness,” Donovan said. “So we’ve got to try to help him find a balance there.”

Donovan’s assessment isn’t exactly a secret. Nader himself admits that he does often overthink, a by-product of trying to secure in a spot in an Oklahoma City rotation that’s already heavy with wings and stretch forwards.

“I think that has a lot to do with it,” Nader said. “The unknown, right? When you’re trying to solidify yourself in the NBA, it’s not easy or else everybody would do it.”

Nader opened up about the work that he’s been putting in to try and improve his game, telling Mussatto that he’ll often stay at the Thunder’s practice facility until 3 o’clock in the morning.

“Almost every day whether it’s midnight and I can’t sleep or early in the morning before practice,” Nader said. “There’s always time. “I’m a little bit crazy when it comes to the work I’ve gotta put in. I wanna make sure my game feels tight — my shot, my handle, everything. That’s how I feel like I get better.”

Nader played 11 minutes in Oklahoma City’s 100-97 win over Golden State on Monday, scoring two points to go along with a rebound, an assist, and a block.

Lions Week 13 injury report: Frank Ragnow, Trey Flowers progressing through concussion protocol

Detroit Lions Week 13 injury report sees linemen Frank Ragnow and Trey Flowers progressing through concussion protocols.

The Detroit Lions (3-7-1) are hosting the Chicago Bears (5-6) for a Week 13 Thanksgiving day matchup at Ford Field.

The Lions did not hold a practice on Monday, so yesterday’s injury report was a estimations only. Today, the Lions only slightly increased their practice level, holding a walkthrough.

With the Lions eliminating the physical aspect of the first two practices of the week, they are allowing their players to rest up and heal, but at the same time, it limits the full understanding of player’s abilities to overcome their injuries.

Keeping in mind that things could change between now and tomorrow’s report, let’s take a look at where things stand on Tuesday.

Missed practice

QB Matthew Stafford (back, hip)
WR Marvin Hall (foot)
CB Rashaan Melvin (ribs)
RET. Jamal Agnew (ankle)

Maniacal efforts or not, Stafford doesn’t look like he is going to play this week.

Melvin, Agnew, and Hall being ruled out for a practice that was only a walkthrough is not a good sign for their status on Thursday.

If Melvin is unable to play it could mean more time for Amani Oruwariye at corner, while Agnew missing time means more Ty Johnson on kick returns. Hall would normally take over on punt return duties, but if he is also out, it likely means Danny Amendola will be back on punt return duties. Additionally, Hall’s absence may mean the Lions could be looking for a fourth wide receiver and that may mean the promotion of a practice squad player like Chris Lacy or Travis Fulgham.

Limited

QB Jeff Driskel (hamstring)
EDGE Trey Flowers (concussion) — upgraded
TE T.J. Hockenson (shoulder)
DT Damon Harrison (groin)
DL Da’Shawn Hand (ankle)
S Tracy Walker (knee)
P Sam Martin (abdomen)

Driskel is still very sore but improving according to Patricia. Most expect him to play on Thursday, including Bears defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano:

Flowers was upgraded on the injury report but is confirmed to still be in the NFL’s concussion protocol by coach Matt Patricia at his afternoon press conference. It’s unclear which stage he is currently at, but based on this designation he may be in the final stages. His status for Thursday is still very much an unknown but a full padded practice tomorrow would go a long way.

Hand and Walker have now had two practices where they were expected to be active (but limited) participants. This is a positive step in the right direction.

Hockenson is still dealing with a shoulder injury that popped up Saturday night but he managed to play last Sunday and expectations are he will see the field again on Thursday.

Harrison and Martin have been talking rest days for some time now, this isn’t overly concerning at this time.

Practiced in full

C Frank Ragnow (concussion) — upgraded
OL Kenny Wiggins (knee)

Ragnow is also still in concussion protocol, and with no contact during today’s practice, he likely was unable to pass the last few requirements. He will have a chance to do that tomorrow, which should help him continue moving through the process.

Wiggins was an expected full participant again, meaning the Lions are optimistic he will be available to play.