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Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta addressed the team's decision for the first time in a March 11 news conference.

DeCosta explained to reporters he and the team were "really excited" about the possibility of adding Crosby. They simply decided they couldn't go through with the deal as the trade process unfolded.

"One of the key things is you bring the player in and you try to get as much information as you can," DeCosta explained. "We did that and we were not able to complete the process of acquiring a player based on our assessment of the situation."

OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> CB Trent McDuffie: Traded to Los Angeles Rams (previous team: Kansas City Chiefs)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> RB David Montgomery: Traded to Houston Texans (previous team: Detroit Lions)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> WR DJ Moore: Traded to Buffalo Bills (previous team: Chicago Bears)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

2026 NFL offseason tracker: Player signings, trades

OT Tytus Howard:Traded to Cleveland Browns(previous team: Houston Texans)

DeCosta called the decision "tough" and "challenging" for all parties. He was also adamant that the Ravens did not get cold feet ahead of the trade's consummation; he was just doing "what's best for the club" – however disappointing it was for everyone involved.

"Nobody's more upset about this than me," DeCosta said. "Gutted by it, actually. A big regret for me. But we will move on as a football team, and I think there's many, many opportunities for us to grow as a team."

DeCosta did not provide additional clarity on exactly what had caused the deal to fall through.

Initial reports indicated a medical issue found during Crosby's physical examination with the Ravens had derailed the team.

Crosby dealt with a knee injuryfor most of the 2025 NFL season. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported in late December the Las Vegas star was initially injured during an Oct. 19 game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Crosby reportedly played through the injury before being shut down by the Raiders following their Week 15 to the Philadelphia Eagles. He had surgery to fix the malady following the season, asNFL Media's Ian Rapoport outlined.

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"Maxx Crosby had surgery to repair his meniscus right around the end of the season," Rapoport said on March 10. "Meniscus repairs can take three to four months. He was doing well, it was not as major as it could have been.

"If you trade for Maxx Crosby, you have a belief that he is not going to be fully healthy, but that he's going to be far enough along where you feel confident that his knee is going to be fine. This decision … is an indication that [the Ravens] do not believe it is going to be fine."

It was initially reported the Raiders and Ravens had agreed upon terms to send Crosby to Baltimore on March 7. The Ravens were set to send two first-round picks – including the 14th overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft – to the Raiders to complete the trade.

With the trade nixed by Crosby's failed physical, both of the picks were returned to the Ravens.

MAXX CROSBY LIVE UPDATES:Latest on Raiders DE after Ravens trade falls through

Baltimore didn't waste any time finding a high-end replacement for Crosby. The Ravens signed former Cincinnati Bengals edge rusherTrey Hendricksontoa four-year deal worth up to $112 million.

DeCosta expressed excitement about bringing Hendrickson into the fold. However, the 54-year-old executive also noted the team had hoped to potentially land both Hendrickson and Crosby as part of its offseason haul.

"That was definitely a possibility for us. Not to say it would have happened, but definitely something we had contemplated and discussed with Trey."

Instead, the Ravens will rely on Hendrickson to invigorate a Baltimore pass rush that ranked in the bottom five in sacks produced during the 2025 NFL season (30).

Meanwhile, Crosby is back with the Raiders and will now face questions aboutwhether he will be traded againahead of his eighth NFL season.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Ravens GM explains why team backed out of Maxx Crosby trade

Players Championship Golf

McIlroy felt muscle spasms in his lower back at the Arnold Palmer Invitational that forced him to withdrawbefore the third round. He had hoped to be at the TPC Sawgrass sooner, but his recovery went slower than he thought it would.

"It's better than it was," McIlroy said. "I couldn't stand to address the ball on Saturday morning on the range at Bay Hill, and it's obviously better than that. So, yeah, probably a game-time decision, but all indications are pointing in the right direction."

McIlroy went to the back of the practice range at the TPC Sawgrass and hit shots up to the 6-iron and said he felt OK, describing the area in his lower back as more sensitive than any pain.

He then took a putter and wedges to chip and putt on the back nine ahead of the first round.

McIlroy didn't feel the need for a full practice round at a course where he has won twice, most recentlyhis playoff victoryover J.J. Spaun last year.

The last defending champion who didn't return to The Players was Cameron Smith in 2023 because of his decision to join Saudi-backed LIV Golf. The last defending champion who didn't play due to injury was Tiger Woods in 2014 after having the first of what would be seven back surgeries.

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McIlroy had not dealt with a back injury since before the Tour Championship in 2023, where therapists worked on his back during the first round but he felt fine by Sunday (he finished fourth). He hopes that will be the case this year.

"I'd like to think that the sensitivity will go down as time goes on," he said.

He said he felt discomfort in the gym before his third ground at Bay Hill during an exercise when he extends backward.

"But even doing this now is way easier," he said, demonstrating. "And I couldn't do that a couple days ago. So things are getting better, but I don't think it's something where if I play I'm at risk of doing any damage."

He will not have hit a full shot on the course since Friday at Bay Hill. The real test comes Thursday, assuming he plays.

"The nice thing is you don't really need driver around here that much, especially with how firm it is," he said. "Getting into the longer clubs is something that I'm going to have to try to do tomorrow. But as I said, I hit up until 6-iron there and it felt OK."

AP golf:https://apnews.com/hub/golf

I say it deserves an asterisk. The history books will not look kindly on Adebayo's fraudulent night. I will not observe Adebayo on the hallowed list of 16 games in which a player scored 70-plus points. Adebayo simply required so much illegitimate help that it warrants an asterisk.

I'm deeply sorry, Heat fans, but the truth hurts.

For all the other 70-plus scoring nights with an asterisk, I put together a short list right here for you.

100* | Wilt Chamberlain vs. New York Knicks, March 2, 1962

This wasn't even televised. Do we know it even happened? Give me a break. The Warriors made a mockery of the game by intentionally fouling to pad Wilt's stats and make sure he got to 100 by all means necessary. One hundred points, allegedly. Asterisk.

83* | Bam Adebayo vs. Washington Wizards, March 10, 2026

He needed to take 43 free throws, which, last time I checked, HAS NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE. The tanking Wizards were without Anthony Davis and were so bad they had to triple-team Adebayo in the backcourt because they were getting torched. The Heat made a mockery of the game by intentionally fouling to pad Adebayo's stats. Do it ethically, like Wilt did for 100. Easiest asterisk ever.

81* | Kobe Bryant vs. Toronto Raptors, Jan. 22, 2006

The opposing coach stubbornly refused to double team Kobe at any point in the game. Any other coach, Kobe never gets anywhere close to 80. His last seven points were at the free-throw line with a double-digit lead. Stat-padder. Do it against triple-teams like Bam Adebayo did. Fraudulent 81.

78* | Wilt Chamberlain vs. Los Angeles Lakers, Dec. 8, 1961

He needed three overtimes. And lost. Do it in regulation next time. Next question.

73* | Wilt Chamberlain vs. Chicago Packers, Jan. 13, 1962

I'm sorry, who was this against? Do I have this, right? The ChicagoPackers? Do it against the '96 Bulls and then we'll talk. Plus, according to Basketball Reference, Wilt's Warriors averaged 131 possessions per game. I'm sure if Babe Ruth played 18 inning games he'd have more home runs, too.

73* | Wilt Chamberlain vs. New York Knicks, Nov. 16, 1962

Again, the pace in the early '60s NBA was a statistical steroid. There's a reason why so many "records" come from that era. Asterisk by accelerant.

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73* | Luka Dončić vs. Atlanta Hawks, January 26, 2024

Don't get me started. This game coincidentally camebeforethe Adam Silver Referee Reform Act of 2024 in which the league office demanded midseason that the officials stop calling so many fouls. Dončić hasn't scored 70 again. Huh. Really makes you think.

73* | David Thompson vs. Detroit Pistons, April 9, 1978

Quick history lesson for all you casuals: Thompson scored only 73 so he could selfishly win the scoring title over George "Ice Man" Gervin in the last game of the regular season. And he lost. His previous high was 44 points. Get real. Asterisk.

72* | Wilt Chamberlain vs. LA Lakers, Nov. 3, 1962

Oh, wow, 1962. The same year in which Oscar Robertson averaged a triple-double. What a coincidence. Wilt's team lost by 12. What a sham. Asterisk.

71* | Elgin Baylor vs. New York Knicks, Nov. 15, 1960

Is it really an accomplishment when you score 71 points against a team that finished TWELVE GAMES BEHIND THE NEXT-WORST TEAM? If he didn't want an asterisk he should've, you know, tried scoring 100 points against the Knicks in 1961-62 when they weren't the joke of the league.

71* | Damian Lillard vs. Houston Rockets, Feb. 26, 2023

He scored only 18 points as far as I'm concerned. That was his total points scored in the pure, ethical zone of 2-pointers. Asterisk.

71* | Donovan Mitchell vs. Chicago Bulls, Jan. 2, 2023

He needed overtime. Fun fact: Mitchell has never scored 50 in a non-overtime game. The "A" in Asterisk stands for Anomaly.

71* | David Robinson vs. Los Angeles Clippers, April 24, 1994

One, this was the last game of the regular season. Doesn't count. Two, it was against the Clippers. Three, he did this only because he needed to clinch the scoring title over Shaq, which he did. If he wanted to learn how to legitimately score 70, he should look up another David: David Thompson. Fraud.

70* | Devin Booker vs. Boston Celtics, March 24, 2017

The NBA has its 65-game rule. Well I have a new 28-game rule: If your team is 28 games below .500, you're ineligible for any scoring records. The Suns were 22-50 going into Booker's alleged 70-point game. Yes, they lost. Disqualified!

70* | Wilt Chamberlain vs. Syracuse Nationals, March 10, 1963

I didn't note this earlier about Chamberlain's big scoring nights, but it bears mentioning: He needed to play all 48 minutes to score 70. There's stat-padding and then there's minute-padding. And once again, Wilt's Warriors lost. By double-digits. Need I say more?

70* | Joel Embiid vs. San Antonio Spurs, Jan. 22, 2024

Like Dončić, Embiid racked up 70 points when the NBA's whistle sliders were on full blast,beforethey decided at the league office not to call as many fouls. No wonder he took a season-high 23 free throws. Also, if we're being honest, the reigning MVP beat up on an 8-35 Spurs team with a barely 20-year-old rookie center. Big whoop. This one taints all the many legitimate, pure and ethical 70-point games in NBA history. Asterisk.

Congress Epstein

Richard Kahn, who worked closely with Epstein for years and now serves as an executor of his estate, appeared for the closed-door deposition on Capitol Hill. He told lawmakers that he had not personally seen evidence of Epstein's sexual abuse, but provided a fuller picture of how Epstein acquired his wealth. The wealthy financier made hundreds of millions of dollars over two decades, during which hestruck up friendshipswith some of the world's most powerful men.

Kahn "was under the impression that Epstein made his money as a tax advisor and a financial planner," said Rep. James Comer, the Republican chair of the House Oversight Committee. Lawmakers argued that a fuller picture of Epstein's finances could help the public understand how, for years, he was able to get away with trafficking and sexually abusing underage girls.

"Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking ring would not have been possible without Richard Kahn, who managed Epstein's money for years, authorized payments, including payments to victims and survivors," said Rep. James Walkinshaw, D-Va., who added that Kahn told them he was unable to recall details of some of the transactions and communications that he was asked about.

Kahn has said that he was unaware of Epstein's sexual abuse and had not seen any of his victims.

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Comer, R-Ky., also said that lawmakers confirmed during the deposition that Epstein received significant amounts of money from former retail shopping chain executive Les Wexner, hedge fund manager Glenn Dubin, tech entrepreneur Steven Sinofsky, investor Leon Black and the Rothschilds, a wealthy banking family.

None of those people have been accused of wrongdoing in their relationships with Epstein, but Democrats on the committee argued that anyone with ties to the wealthy financier should be scrutinized. Wexner wasdeposed by the committeelast month, and Comer has also called on Black, among several others, to appear for transcribed interviews.

Kahn also told lawmakers that Epstein had financial ties to Ehud Barak, who was the prime minister of Israel from 1999 to 2001, according to Democratic Rep. Suhas Subramanyam. Barak has not been accused of wrongdoing and has said he regrets his friendship with Epstein.

Comer also said Wednesday that the committee has reviewed over 40,000 documents that it subpoenaed from JPMorgan Chase and Deutsche Bank. Epstein was connected to at least 64 business entities, according to Comer.

Republican President Donald Trumphas strongly deniedany wrongdoing in his own ties to Epstein, and Comer said that Kahn had never seen any financial transactions between Epstein and Trump. Comer said that Kahn is the latest witness to testify that they had never seen Trump doing anything wrong with Epstein.

"The investigation's about getting the truth to the American people, trying to figure out how the government failed, answer questions we all have," Comer said.

Extreme Weather Illinois

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This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

Dawson was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2010 with his plaque sporting a Montreal Expos logo. The blank cap option was not offered until four years later.

"The Hall of Fame Board of Directors voted unanimously to provide Andre Dawson with the option of having no logo on his Hall of Fame plaque, which will be recast to reflect his wishes," Baseball Hall of Fame chairman of the board Jane Forbes Clark said in a statement. "This decision gives Andre a choice that he would have taken if it had been available when he was elected in 2010, just four years prior to the formal implementation of that alternative."

Per the Baseball Hall of Fame, no other changes will be made to the plaque.

"I extend special thanks with much appreciation to the Hall of Fame Board of Directors for a blank cap, which allows me to represent each club fairly," Dawson said, per the Baseball Hall of Fame.

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Dawson, 71, played his first 11 Major League Baseball seasons with the Expos before joining the Chicago Cubs as a free agent in 1987. He won the National League MVP in his first season with the Cubs and spent six seasons in Chicago before finishing his career with two-year stints with the Boston Red Sox and then-Florida Marlins.

"I always felt that I was a Cub in the Hall of Fame, I just had the 'M' on the cap," Dawson said Wednesday, per the Chicago Sun-Times. "That's what I always related to. That's where my heart was.

"... All along, I just felt that the process should have allowed me to have some sort of say so. And for years, I just disregarded trying to entertain it at all. It was what it was. And once the protocol started to change, where players were picking they didn't want to wear an emblem, I felt that I just needed to right the wrong. Because I wasn't given that opportunity, against what my wishes would have been."

An eight-time All-Star and eight-time Gold Glove winner, Dawson batted .279 with 438 homers and 1,591 RBIs in 2,627 career games with the Expos, Cubs, Red Sox and Marlins.

--Field Level Media

What does that mean?Transactions, baby. Previously agreed-upon trades –but not the Maxx Crosby one– can now be executed and players on now-expired contracts may sign new ones at any point, whether negotiated over the past two days or at any point moving forward.

But as free agencyofficiallystarts, the majority of this year's best available talent is already spoken for. But there are a few gems fromUSA TODAY Sports' list of top 100 free agents in 2026still awaiting their next team. Here are the 26 best who are still available in 2026, those with agreed-upon deals or franchise/transition tags no longer listed (*expected to be released at start of new league year):

OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> CB Trent McDuffie: Traded to Los Angeles Rams (previous team: Kansas City Chiefs)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> RB David Montgomery: Traded to Houston Texans (previous team: Detroit Lions)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> WR DJ Moore: Traded to Buffalo Bills (previous team: Chicago Bears)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

2026 NFL offseason tracker: Player signings, trades

OT Tytus Howard:Traded to Cleveland Browns(previous team: Houston Texans)

1. OT Rasheed Walker

He's been a solid, if unspectacular, starter for the Packers since 2023. But serviceable, 26-year-old left tackles don't grow on trees and tend to get paid outrageously well − maybe especially so in a year when there aren't any blue-chip incomers in the draft.

2. QB Kyler Murray*

Heoffered a digital goodbye on Xamid reports on March 3 that the Arizona Cardinals would officially release the No. 1 overall pick of the 2019 draft. An Offensive Rookie of the Year and two-time Pro Bowler, Murray's talent has never been in question. But his durability and work ethic have been at issue during his career, and his play plateaued even though former coach Kliff Kingsbury's offense was supposed to optimize Murray's abilities. Murray will be 29 when Week 1 rolls around and maybe he becomes the league's latest successful franchise QB turnaround project if he lands in the right spot. If he doesn't? His days as a starter could be numbered.

3. WR Jauan Jennings

A 6-3, 212-pounder, the 28-year-old caught 132 balls (15 for TDs) over the past two seasons for the San Francisco 49ers. Jennings' roots as a quarterback also make him quite a threat on trick plays. He's also the proverbial dog that some locker rooms covet ... and others won't.

4. QB Aaron Rodgers

Last season was his best since 2021, his most recent MVP effort. Hard to imagine the 42-year-old legend playing anywhere besides the Pittsburgh Steelers, who just hired Mike McCarthy,formerly Rodgers' coach in Green Bay.

5. QB Kirk Cousins*

Given the structure of his reworked deal, the Falcons basically had to let him go. More than a year removed from Achilles surgery, Cousins, 37, looked more like himself last season – after replacing injured Michael Penix Jr. – than he did in 2024. He could be a valued for stopgap for several teams.

6. DE/OLB Joey Bosa

He'll be 31 this season and has a checkered injury history. But Bosa's 2025 campaign with the Buffalo Bills was his best since 2021. He had five sacks and 43 pressures in 15 games and led the league with five forced fumbles. He'd be wise to find a home where his snaps can be maximized but limited.

7. LB Bobby Wagner

He doesn't play a premium position, and he's 35 – not that you'd know it. A great leader and great guy who should be a first-ballot Hall of Famer when he's done, championship-aspiring teams should be lining up to sign him.

8. OLB/DE Bradley Chubb*

After missing the entire 2024 season while recovering from a torn ACL, the 29-year-old had 8½ sacks and 54 pressures for the Miami Dolphins in 2025. The two-time Pro Bowler should be even better in 2026.

Update −signing with Bills:3 years, $43.5 million ($29M guaranteed)

9. WR Stefon Diggs*

He was a big reason the New England Patriots reached the Super Bowl, finishing with 85 catches and more than 1,000 yards the season after he suffered a torn ACL. However Diggs will turn 33 next season, and his pending legal issues will give any team some level of pause.

10. DL Calais Campbell

Even at 39, he continues to be a phenomenal player and leader – one who remarkably hasn't missed a game since 2022.

11. CB Cobie Durant

The 28-year-old has allowed a 54% completion rate on passes thrown in his direction the past two years as a full-time starter for the Rams.

12. S Jaquan Brisker

Not a lot of flash, but a 26-year-old who started in Chicago for four years can stabilize the back end of a defense.

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13. DE-OLB Al-Quadin Muhammad

He's nearly 31 but picked the right time to have a career season – registering 11 sacks and 59 pressures for the Detroit Lions in 2025, by far personal bests. TBD how much his outlier season and age will allow Muhammad to cash in.

14. WR Deebo Samuel

He's a big name. He's also 30, isn't a polished receiver and has averaged fewer than 900 yards from scrimmage over the past four years in what's largely a play-making role. He has handled kickoffs the past two years, a factor that boosts his value.

15. RB Rachaad White

He had more than 1,500 yards from scrimmage for the Bucs in 2023 but was overtaken on the depth chart by Bucky Irving in 2024. But White, 27, who's also averaged more than 50 receptions during his four-year career, should find a significant role elsewhere.

16. TE Dallas Goedert

He's 31 but also coming off one of his best seasons, his 11 TDs and 60 catches in 2025 both career highs. Blocking isn't the longtime Eagle's forte …the "Tush Push" notwithstanding.

17. DE/OLB Jadeveon Clowney

Something of a mercenary at age 33, the No. 1 pick of the 2014 draft had 8½ sacks and 38 pressures for the Cowboys last season despite playing about half of his typical snap count. He can also still set a nice edge.

18. DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson

He's 28, versatile and knows how to get underneath an opponent's skin … though that's also sometimes true of his own teams, too.

19. LT Taylor Decker*

He'll be 33 at the start of the 2026 season but good luckfinding a better stopgap guyto man the blind side.

20. G Kevin Zeitler

He'll be 36 next month. Otherwise? Still plug and play – at a very high level.

21. CB Rasul Douglas

He bounced back nicely after a rough 2024 campaign in Buffalo. A big (6-2, 209) corner with 21 career picks shouldn't be unemployed for long, even at 30.

22. TE David Njoku

He's still a physical marvel at 29, good for around 50 grabs, 600 yards and a handful of TDs annually. And unlike a lot of tight ends nowadays, he's also effective in-line as a blocker.

23. DT DJ Reader

Even at 31, the 6-3, 330-pounder can still crush a pocket – especially if his snaps are used judiciously.

24. TE Jonnu Smith

He had a career year for Miami in 2024, but his numbers plummeted in Pittsburgh's tight end-heavy offense in 2025. But Smith is only 30 and should find a soft landing somewhere.

25. WR Brandon Aiyuk*

He was a 1,300-yard receiver in 2023. He tore up his knee in 2024. He didn't play in 2025 and basically ghosted the 49ers, leading the team to void $27 million of Aiyuk's guaranteed money. His talent and behavior will make for quite the cost-benefit analysis for potentially interested teams.

26. OLB/DE Arnold Ebiketie

He's 27 and has shown the ability to get to the quarterback (130 total pressures) during his four-year career. But he hasn't proven he can be any more than rotational defender with only 12 starts to his credit.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NFL free agency: Best available players as 2026 market officially opens