Daily Prowl: Jaguars not expected to tag RB Travis Etienne — and more

Good morning!

According to a report by John Shipley of Jaguars on SI, “there have been zero indicators of Etienne getting franchise or transition tagged” ahead of Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET tag deadline. As Shipley noted, this is not a definitive sign that the running back will not be returning to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The team is simply letting Etienne test the open waters of free agency before beginning any contract negotiations, rather than cratering to the franchise tag cost of $14.3 million. That’s probably a much higher figure than whatever Etienne will end up signing for… but it does lower the chances of him being in Duval County going forward. Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Now, for the full roundup.

Jacksonville Jaguars News

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Reacts Survey Results: Jaguars Fans Want to Run it Back (Big Cat Country)

Getting the band back together after one hit song (i.e., one good season) isn’t necessarily a bad thing. If the Jags want to keep the good vibes rolling by re-signing Lloyd and/or Etienne, sure, go for it. They’re incredible players and seem to be respected voices in the locker room.

Jaguars Mid-Combine Mock Draft: Targeting Needs on Day 2 (Big Cat Country)

One name that offers starter potential in the third round could be FSU’s Darrell Jackson, a two-year starter for the Seminoles who thrived against the run but also flashed the ability to get into the backfield. His size and play strength translate well to the NFL, and whilst he’s not the most explosive tackle in this draft his motor and tenacity, coupled with his measurables, suggest he could be a ten-year pro.

Expectations Beginning to Be Set for Jaguars’ Travis Etienne’s FA Market (Jaguars on SI)

Sources with knowledge of the situation have told Jaguars On SI that there have been zero indicators of Etienne getting franchise or transition tagged. This does not mean the Jaguars would not be open to a return, but the more likely sce nario is that he will be able to see what the market has for him. And due to the Williams deal, that market will likely be north of $8 million a year.

Jaguars’ James Gladstone explains why top brass skipped NFL combine (Florida Times-Union)

“The Combine is a significant annual event on the NFL calendar, one that we value greatly. The information and data gathered in Indianapolis are integral to our process. We have significant and influential personnel in Indianapolis, inclusive of our scouts conducting interviews with a full allotment of prospects, and our medical staff is, of course, present and gathering player data,” Gladstone explained.

Everything we learned about all 32 teams at the 2026 NFL combine (The Athletic)

Coach Liam Coen and general manager James Gladstone didn’t attend the combine, instead trusting their scouting staff to handle business. While wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. has been viewed as a potential trade candidate, teams have mostly just been checking in on his availability. Nothing appeared imminent, though that could certainly change. Thomas, a 2024 first-round pick under former Jags GM Trent Baalke, had a steep statistical drop-off with the new regime, which has led to the predictable inquiries.

2026 NFL combine buzz: Intel on free agency, trades, QBs (ESPN)

Don’t be surprised if Carolina makes some big moves on defense for the second consecutive year. The Panthers will be looking at edge-rush help and might be open to offering a lucrative contract. They need linebacker and slot corner help, too. Devin Lloyd would be an ideal fit in the middle of the defense.

Albert Breer’s Takeaways: Heeding the Lessons of the Lions’ 2023 Draft Class (Sports Illustrated)

I’d lean toward a Maxx Crosby trade happening, and maybe this week. But there’s going to have to be some needle-threading. I don’t think the Raiders want to go through the song-and-dance of shopping him, nor do I believe Crosby wants it advertised that he’s looking for suitors, given his bond with owner Mark Davis, and his view of himself as a Raider.

Big Cat Country Editor’s Pick

Drumroll, please!

NFL combine participation rate keeps dropping, especially agility drills (Acme Packing Company)

There was an immediate dropoff when on-field combine drills returned in 2022, as participation dropped below 50 percent for the first time, but there was a solid bounceback in 2023. In the last three successive combines, though, the participation rate has dropped year-over-year, and the 2026 combine looks to be the worst, in terms of participation, ever.

Today’s NFL Media

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High Point had struggled for more than two decades to get to the Big Dance before finally breaking through last year. As the Big South Men’s Tournament descends on Johnson City, Tennessee, High P looks like the favorites again, having dropped just four games all year and one game in conference. That loss was to second-place Winthrop, which pushed HPU for the conference title until the end.

Will High Point repeat, will Winthrop snatch away a bid, or will someone else pull off a huge surprise?

1. High Point (15-1, 27-4 overall)

New coach? New team? No problem. High Point lost its dominant coach in Alan Huss and eight of their top nine scorers only for new coach Flynn Clayman to construct the league’s most dominant offense and defense through the portal. (Their leading scorer, Terry Anderson at just under 16 a game, was on the roster last year but averaged less than five points, 10th most on the team.) The Panthers lead the country nationally in turnover margin and have won 11 straight since losing at Winthrop in January.

2. Winthrop (13-3, 21-10 overall)

Dominant as High Point was on paper, Winthrop kept pace with them basically until the last week of the season, when a two-point road loss in High Point was enough to seal the Eagles’ fate. Winthrop is buoyed by breakout star and POY candidate Logan Duncomb, who was averaging under three points a game in his first three collegiate seasons before breaking out for 18.3 points and 9.0 rebounds per contest. They surround him with scoring guards, including 5-foot-9 electric guard Kareem Rozier (13.3 points, 3.4 assists) and shoot more free throws than anyone else in the league.

3. Radford (9-7, 16-15 overall)

Zach Chu, in his first year, matched the conference record of his predecessor Darris Nichols’ final season at Radford. Led by dynamic guard duo Dennis Parker (18.7 points, 5.9 rebounds) and Del Jones (16.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists), Radford gets to the line frequently, with a 38th ranked free throw rate (one of five teams in the top 60) but still lags behind High Point and Winthrop in just about every metric.

4. UNC Asheville (8-8, 14-16 overall)

They’ll see that dynamic duo and raise them a dynamic trio: Kameron Taylor, Justin Wright and Toyaz Solomon each average at least 16.3 points a game, the only trio to average even as much as 14 points. Not a ton stands out about this team metrics-wise, other than slow pace and low 3-pointer rate, but they will get a bit of a home-court advantage being just down the road.

5. Longwood (8-8, 16-15 overall)

Along with Winthrop, the Lancers are at the top of the conference in overall rebounding percentage. Expect a ton of turnovers in their games – they’re top 40 in turnovers forced rate, but bottom 40 in turnover percentage on offense.

6. Presbyterian (7-9, 14-17 overall)

Jonah Pierce averaging nearly a triple double (16.2 points, 9.6 rebounds) has been a bright for the Blue Hose this year. An interesting stat: they have the best 3-point shooting percentage in the league this year, but shoot the fewest three pointers in the league.

7. Charleston Southern (6-10, 15-16 overall)

Saah Nimley’s Buccaneer squad plays with a top-20 pace, and is 63rd in eFG% (second-best in the Big South) and 25th in eFG% defense. Good combination, right? Well, just one problem: their turnover rate is second-worst in the entire country.

8. USC Upstate (5-11, 13-18 overall)

Not a whole lot went right for coach Marty Richter’s Spartans, who were near the bottom 30 in Bart Torvik offensive efficiency. Upstate’s first ever NCAA Tournament appearance will likely have to wait another year.

9. Gardner-Webb (1-15, 3-28 overall)

Here’s a bit of trivia: Gardner-Webb has the worst record of any team to make their conference tournament this year. They’ve won just one D-I game (against USC Upstate in January.) Don’t expect a whole lot.

Aston Villa have only won two of their past seven games. This is not the form of a team looking to secure Champions League football, nor one sitting third in the league for several months.

The team are looking sluggish, lacking in creativity and struggling to keep a clean sheet. Performances have been underwhelming, which has perhaps been more of a concern than the dwindling points tally.

The fixture against Chelsea at Villa Park on Wednesday is season-defining. A Champions League 'six-pointer' in which Villa could build a nine-point gap on the visitors, or the deficit between fourth and sixth could shrink to three points.

How can Unai Emery turn things around in a period of decline? It's time for something different - a fresh approach that will inject energy into a weary side creaking under the pressure.

The boss will never rip up his tactics sheet and start afresh, particularly in the final run-in of the season. But his team needs an evolution, not a revolution.

The easiest way for Villa to evolve is a change in starting personnel. Tammy Abraham has looked lively since his arrival, but has struggled to seize the shirt from Ollie Watkins. As Villa's record Premier League goalscorer struggles to net, the ex-Chelsea forward should be eyeing a start against his former club as an opportunity to stake his claim.

Meanwhile, youngster Alysson, who has had a stop-start beginning to his journey in claret and blue, has shown promise in his brief cameos so far. An energetic and physical attacker looking to impose himself on the Premier League feels exactly the type of player to fire Villa's frontline.

As the team look to spark the atmosphere at Villa Park, a refreshed performance will be the thing that really reignites belief and excitement among fans, who are longing to see the tide turn in a lengthy history of Villa falling at the final hurdle.

Find more from Hannah Gowen at UTV

Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lewis Hamilton are among the sports stars whose schedules are in doubt because of the spreading war in the Middle East.

Cancelations and travel shutdowns are already affecting events since the United States and Israel launched a wave of strikes on Iran on Saturday. Organizers of Formula 1 and major soccer games face deciding within weeks whether they can go ahead as scheduled.

Middle Eastern nations have become crucial to the world sports landscape over the last decade as event hosts, financial backers and employers for some of the world's top athletes.

Key upcoming events

The clock is ticking for a decision on whether to cancel or move the “Finalissima” soccer game on March 27 between Spain and Argentina, the champions of Europe and South America. That match would offer Messi a chance to win yet another trophy in a glittering career.

Qatar suspended all soccer games until further notice Sunday. Argentina was also scheduled to play Qatar in a friendly March 31.

“UEFA is monitoring and carefully assessing all developments of the situation in cooperation with (South American soccer body) CONMEBOL and the (local organizing committee),” European soccer body UEFA told The Associated Press on Monday.

Ronaldo's soccer team, Saudi club Al Nassr, has already been affected by a wave of cancelations of Asian Champions League games. His team was scheduled to play Wednesday in Dubai.

Formula 1 has races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia next month. F1 and its teams typically start to fly in staff and freight weeks in advance, limiting the time to make a decision on whether to go ahead. Governing body FIA says its priority is “safety and wellbeing.”

The men's and women's tennis tours and golf's European tour have just finished their Middle East tournament swings and aren't due back for months.

Iran is set to play in US at the World Cup

Iran is due to send its men's soccer team to the U.S. for the World Cup in just over three months, with a first game June 16 against New Zealand in Inglewood, California.

There's doubt over whether Iran can or will take part in the tournament. Iranian soccer federation president Mehdi Taj has said “we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope.”

The U.S. government has promised exemptions from its travel bans for athletes and coaches at events like the World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Airspace closures leave athletes stranded

Even if some events go ahead, a major concern for athletes and teams will be how they can travel in and out of the region safely.

Former U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev is among a group of tennis players waiting in Dubai for a chance to fly out after a tournament there concluded last week. If they can't travel soon, it will affect the BNP Paribas Open starting Wednesday in Indian Wells, California.

Cricket and basketball players are facing challenges, too, along with thousands of foreign tourists, while F1 personnel are seeking alternative travel to avoid the region on their way to this week's Australian Grand Prix.

A key region for world sports

The Middle East's influence on world sports has surged in recent years as countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar have hosted major events and become crucial financial backers.

Besides soccer and auto racing, Qatar has a World Endurance Championship sportscar race this month, a MotoGP motorcycle race, a gymnastics World Cup next month and hosts the first Diamond League track meet of the year in May. Qatar also owns Champions League-winning soccer team Paris Saint-Germain.

Saudi Arabia, which will host the 2034 World Cup in men's soccer, has funded the LIV Golf breakaway league and become a major player in world boxing.

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AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

The Lions star, who has become lovingly known as 'Knuckles' to fans, has been with the franchise for three years. However, ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler claimed that he wants out.