NFL trade predictions: Fits for Maxx Crosby, A.J. Brown, Trent McDuffie

NFL free agency is almost upon us. The first major movement of the new league year comes months ahead of the start of offseason training regiments.

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This part of the calendar could pay off in a big way. Last year,Seattle signed Sam Darnoldand he powered them to a Super Bowl title over theNew England Patriots. The teamSeattleplayed in the NFC championship game - theLos Angeles Rams- made a splash in free agency as well bysigning wide receiver Davante Adams.

This year's free agent class has good players at other positions. Pro Bowl players at center (Tyler Linderbaum), linebacker (Devin Lloyd) and edge rusher (Trey Hendrickson) lead the way. There are also many options at running back and wide receiver for teams to choose from.

But this won't necessarily be the only way a player changes teams in this portion of the offseason. Trades could play a huge role in changing the league landscape.

Players on the move:When does NFL free agency start in 2026 and what to watch

Money to spend:How much salary cap space does each NFL team have in 2026?

TheChicago Bearssurged to a division title in 2025 behind an improved offensive line. Chicagosigned center Drew Dalmanin free agency but also used trades to acquire starters on either side of him inJoe ThuneyandJonah Jackson.Dallas acquired George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers via tradeand he became a second-team All-Pro.

Player movement doesn't need to be limited to the open market. Here are four trades involving veteran players that could be made around the start of free agency:

NFL free agency 2026:LB tops Tyler Dragon's top 32 free agents

CBTrent McDuffieto theLos Angeles Rams

McDuffie is about to enter the final year of his rookie contract. His cap number jumps from $4.46 million to $13.63 million, per OverTheCap figures, which is no small deal for the Chiefs who are looking to add to the roster and had to release starting tackle Jawaan Taylor to get under the 2026 salary cap.

McDuffie is a year away from free agency. Chiefs outside cornerback Jaylen Watson is heading to free agency this season. This feels like a Kansas City roster in transition with key free agents at all levels on the defense and multiple spots on offense. The biggest piece on the defense, defensive lineman Chris Jones, is another year older.

Kansas City can rely on developing secondary talent. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and Co. have a track record of turning Day 3 or undrafted players into viable starters or even Pro Bowlers (e.g. Watson and Charvarius Ward). Spending big money at the cornerback position may not be the best use of their resources knowing this.

That makes offloading McDuffie a year before he hits free agency more lucrative. Los Angeles' needs at cornerback were exposed at times in the playoffs and they have an extra first-round pick this year. If they don't want to use that to find Matthew Stafford's successor or another piece to develop, they could maximize Stafford's post-MVP year with a splash trade. Los Angeles is running out of time before their young defense gets expensive. They've found and developed talent on the defensive line and this could balance that out ahead of key contract decisions.

EdgeMaxx Crosbyto theSan Francisco 49ers

Las Vegas is starting over in 2026 with a new head coach (Klint Kubiak) and starting quarterback (presumably Fernando Mendoza). This isn't exactly a team for a veteran defensive lineman looking for his best success after years of individual accolades and recognition.

San Francisco's reaching the twilight years of many of their stars. It's unlikely Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Trent Williams and Fred Warner can keep up All-Pro level production for much longer. Plus, an ironman who rarely misses games would be a welcome sight for a 49ers team that constantly navigates injuries.

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San Francisco would likely have to send at least a first-round pick to the Raiders for Crosby depending on how much salary they take on. The 49ers have a decent amount of cap space and can create more by restructuring deals with Nick Bosa and Brock Purdy. It'd certainly paper over some concerns about the interior defensive line with Bosa and Crosby on the edges.

For Las Vegas, it'd help turn the page to a new era of Raiders football. Crosby doesn't quite match up with their current timeline as the team is likely at least two years away from properly contending. Another asset in the form of a first-round pick could lay the groundwork for a more complete turnaround.

1. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana <p style=2. New York Jets – OLB/DE David Bailey, Texas Tech

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=3. Arizona Cardinals – OLB/DE Arvell Reese, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=4. Tennessee Titans – RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=5. New York Giants – LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=6. Cleveland Browns – OL Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=7. Washington Commanders – S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=8. New Orleans Saints – WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=9. Kansas City Chiefs – OT Spencer Fano, Utah

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=10. Cincinnati Bengals – DE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=11. Miami Dolphins – CB Mansoor Delane, LSU

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=12. Dallas Cowboys – CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – WR Denzel Boston, Washington

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=14. Baltimore Ravens – DL Caleb Banks, Florida

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – WR Makai Lemon, USC

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=17. Detroit Lions – OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=18. Minnesota Vikings – S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=19. Carolina Panthers – DT Peter Woods, Clemson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – OLB/DE T.J. Parker, Clemson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=21. Pittsburgh Steelers – WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=22. Los Angeles Chargers – G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=23. Philadelphia Eagles – DE/OLB Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 25. Chicago Bears – S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon 26. Buffalo Bills – WR Malachi Fields, Notre Dame 27. San Francisco 49ers – Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah 28. Houston Texans – Blake Miller, OT, Clemson 29. Los Angeles Rams – QB Ty Simpson, Alabama <p style=30. Denver Broncos – WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=31. New England Patriots – DE Keldric Faulk, Auburn

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 32. Seattle Seahawks – RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine

WRMichael Pittman Jr.to thePittsburgh Steelers

Alec Pierce enjoyed a breakout year for theIndianapolis Coltsin 2025 and is hitting free agency this offseason. Dallas put the franchise tag on Pickens which makes Pierce arguably the top option on the free agent market this year – if he gets there.

Looking at the 2026 NFL Draft, there are many big-bodied outside receivers in the mold of Pittman who the Colts could target as a successor and instead use the money they'd save to retain Pierce. Pittman's on the final year of a three-year extension he signed in 2024 and will count $29 million against the cap in 2026. Indianapolis would save $24 million by trading him before June 1 which would free up space to sign Pierce as well as quarterback Daniel Jones.

For Pittsburgh, the offense could use more weapons on the outside beyond D.K. Metcalf. He's a vertical threat thanks to his speed and Pittman would bring another physical skillset to the offense. The Steelers have a dozen picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, including a projected five combined selections in Round 3 and Round 4. If they're willing to take on most of his salary, Indianapolis could get one of those selections back in a deal that may be worthwhile for both teams.

WRA.J. Brownto theBuffalo Bills

Neither Eagles coach Nick Sirianni nor general manager Howie Roseman completely shut the door on potentially moving on from Brownwhen asked about a potential tradeduring the NFL scouting combine.

"Will A.J. be here next season?" Sirianni said. "I think we're still in a spot, like, I can't guarantee how anything is going to play out into next season. I'm thinking I'm going to be the coach next season but you can't guarantee anything past tomorrow."

If the team is open to a deal, Buffalo may be the team who comes calling.

The Bills have struggled to find consistent high-level production from the wide receiver position since Stefon Diggs' peak in 2021 and 2022. With New England now viewed as contenders following a breakout run to the Super Bowl, Buffalo can't cruise to an AFC East title and wait to make noise in the playoffs.

Brown is entering his age-29 season and holds a $23.39 million cap hit in 2026. The Bills would have to move money around to make this work but it could be worth it to make a statement in Year 1 of the Joe Brady tenure. Buffalo has just seven picks in the 2026 NFL Draft so it may have to be a package of multiple picks to make it work, especially if they cannot take on all of Browns' owed money for 2026. It would take some work but could in the end be very worth it for both parties.

DTJordan Davisto theJacksonville Jaguars

If Brown stays put, the Eagles could make a different move. Like Pittman and McDuffie, Davis is one year away from free agency and thePhiladelphia Eaglesalways seem to plan ahead. They drafted and developed Moro Ojomo in the likely (and ultimately true) event of Milton Williams signing elsewhere in free agency last season. They may execute a similar playbook this offseason.

Davis is in the final year of his rookie contract and counts for $12.93 million against the cap in 2026. Philadelphia may judge the current state of the roster and prioritize retaining trade deadline acquisition Jaelan Phillips, who could cost upwards of $18 million per year on his next deal.

Jacksonville doesn't have a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft but does have 10 total selections over seven rounds. After making a run to the playoffs in 2025, Jacksonville has some work to do to maintain that postseason presence in 2026. Improving the interior defensive line between Joshua Hines-Allen and Travon Walker should be one of the priorities.

They could flip one of their projected Day 2 or Day 3 picks to the Eagles in return for Davis. The Jaguars would need to shift money around to make it work but could move money around on current deals for Hines-Allen, Patrick Mekari and Walker Little to create some space for this move.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NFL trade predictions: A.J. Brown, Trent McDuffie find perfect fits

NFL trade predictions: Fits for Maxx Crosby, A.J. Brown, Trent McDuffie

NFL free agency is almost upon us. The first major movement of the new league year comes months ahead of the start of off...
Jon Rahm: DP World Tour 'extorting players' with 6-event requirement

Jon Rahm issued a fiery explanation on Tuesday as to why he wasn't among the eight LIV Golf players who signed waivers to compete on the DP World Tour.

Field Level Media

Laurie Canter, Thomas Detry, Tyrrell Hatton, Tom McKibbin, Adrian Meronk, Victor Perez, David Puig and Elvis Smylie all agreed to the terms set out by the DP World Tour (DPWT), formerly known as the European Tour. The players had to agree to pay any pending fines, compete in a prescribed minimum of DPWT tournaments and drop pending appeals.

Rahm said those conditions amount to "extorting players like myself."

He owes the DPWT a fine of between $2 million and $3 million, according to various media reports. Rahm added that the DPWT would require him to enter six of its events, two of which it would choose.

"I don't know what game they're trying to play right now," Rahm said, "but it just seems like in a way they're using us to (capitalize on) our impact in tournaments and fining us and trying to benefit both ways from what we have to offer, and it's just in a way they're extorting players like myself and young players that have nothing to do with the politics of the game.

"So I don't like the situation and I'm not going to agree to that.

"Now, I did tell them, funny enough, lower that to four events, like the minimum says, and I'll sign tonight. They haven't agreed to that. I just refuse to play six events. I don't want to, and that's not what the rules say."

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The 31-year-old Spaniard added, "I just don't like the situation. I think we should be able to freely play where we want and have the choice to play where we want and not be dictated what we do. Especially myself. I can't speak for others, only myself.

"I've always committed to play the minimum requirement (on the DPWT), and I think I've played four events, including the Spanish Open, every year except one as a pro, and I commit to do that. That's not going to change. I still fully intend to do that."

If Rahm sticks to his current position, he would be ineligible to compete for the European team at the 2027 Ryder Cup in Limerick, Ireland. He has part of the European squad for the past four competitions, winning the title three times while compiling a 9-5-3 record.

Hatton, a four-team Team Europe member who owns an 8-4-3 record in the Ryder Cup, made himself eligible by agreeing to the DPWT's terms.

"I'll gladly pay my way to go on the Ryder Cup, not have to pay to still be a member of the DP World Tour and fulfill a commitment that I'm fully willing to commit," Rahm said.

Even with drama surrounding him off the course, Rahm is performing well. He finished as runner-up in each of the first two LIV events of the season, at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Adelaide, Australia, as he looks ahead to the tournament in Hong Kong that starts on Thursday.

"Happy with my play so far," Rahm said. "I wish I could have converted one of those wins."

--Field Level Media

Jon Rahm: DP World Tour 'extorting players' with 6-event requirement

Jon Rahm issued a fiery explanation on Tuesday as to why he wasn't among the eight LIV Golf players who signed wai...
Iran strikes the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia as war expands yet again

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranexpanded its targetsTuesday, striking the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia as Washington began to pull many staff out of the Middle East. The U.S. and Israel battered Iran with airstrikes in what President Donald Trump suggested was just the start of a war that has severely disrupted the world's supply of oil and gas, international shipping, and air travel.

Associated Press

Theconflict escalated furtheron its fourth day, with Israel sending new ground troops into Lebanon and explosions ringing out in Iran's capital. Hundreds of people have been killed, the vast majority in Iran.

The spiraling nature of the war raised questions about when and how it would end. Trump said it could last four to five weeks — but that the U.S. was prepared to go longer. He seemed to leave open the possibility for more extensive U.S. military involvement, telling the New York Post on Monday that he wasnot ruling out the possibilityof boots on the ground.

Still, the administration's objectives remain unclear. The initial U.S.-Israeli strikes killed IranianSupreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneiand Trump urged Iranians to overthrow their government.

Since then, however, senior administration officials have saidregime change was not the goal. Trump's initial announcement of the strikeslisted several grievances, from concerns about Iran's nuclear and missile programs to its leadership.

Iran hits the US Embassy in Riyadh and Washington pulls out staff

An attack from two drones on the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh caused a "limited fire," according to Saudi Arabia's Defense Ministry, and the embassy urged Americans to avoid the compound. It followed an attack on the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait. The embassy announced Tuesday it was closed until further notice.

The U.S. State Department ordered the evacuation of non-emergency personnel and family in Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Qatar, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. In addition, the U.S. has urged citizens to leave more than a dozen Middle Eastern countries, though with much of the airspace closed many remained stranded. Several other countries arranged evacuation flights for their citizens.

The U.S.-Israeli strikes have killed at least 787 people, according to the Iranian Red Crescent Society. In Israel, where Iranian missiles struck several locations, 11 people were killed. The Iranian-supported militant group Hezbollah has also attacked Israel, whose retaliatory strikes killed 52 people in Lebanon.

The U.S. military has confirmed six deaths of American service members. In addition, three people were killed in the United Arab Emirates, and one each in Kuwait and Bahrain.

Israel and US target nuclear facilities in Iran

Across Iran's capital, explosions rang out throughout the night into Tuesday, with aircraft heard overhead. Strikes caused two explosions at a broadcasting facility in Tehran, Iranian state TV said, adding that no one was injured.

The United Nations' nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, said Iran's Natanz nuclear enrichment site had sustained "some recent damage," though there was "no radiological consequence expected."

The U.S. hit Natanz during the 12-day war in June, when Israeli and American strikesgreatly weakenedIran's nuclear program.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintained, however, that Iran was rebuilding "new sites, new places" underground for making atomic bombs. He offered no evidence to support his claim.

"We had to take the action now and we did," Netanyahu told Fox News Channel's "Hannity."

Iran has said it has not enriched uranium since June, though it has maintained its right to and says its nuclear program is peaceful.

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Satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press showed limited activity at two Iranian nuclear sites before the war. Analysts said Tehran was likely assessing damage from the 2025 strikes and possibly salvaging what remained.

It's not clear how long the war will last

The expansion of Iranian retaliation across the Gulf and the intensity of the Israeli and American attacks, Khamenei's killing and the lack of any apparent exit plan suggested the conflict could be prolonged.

Trump said Monday that operations are likely to last four to five weeks but that he was prepared "to go far longer than that." He later added the U.S. had a "virtually unlimited supply" of munitions.

"Wars can be fought 'forever,' and very successfully, using just these supplies," he wrote on social media.

The conflict is roiling business interests in the Mideast

Iran has hit many countriesdeemed safe havensin the Mideast in retaliation for the U.S.-Israeli strikes. Recent targets included two Amazon data centers in the United Arab Emirates and one in Bahrain. The centers in the UAE were hit, while a drone struck near the one Bahrain, causing damage, the company said.

Iran has also struck energy facilities in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and attacked several ships in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all oil traded passes, sending global oil and natural gas prices soaring.

"The Strait of Hormuz is closed," declared Iranian Brig. Gen. Ebrahim Jabbari, an adviser to the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, vowing that any ships that passed through it would be set on fire.

Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari vowed that Iranian attacks on the gas-rich country "will not go unanswered."

Israel sends troops into Lebanon

The conflict has spread to Lebanon, where Hezbollah fired missiles at Israel on Monday, prompting Israel to retaliate.

On Tuesday, the Israeli military hit Beirut with more airstrikes and said it had moved additional troops into southern Lebanon and taken new positions on several strategic points close to the border.

The U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon later said its peacekeepers saw Israeli troops going into and then out of Lebanon. But Israel's army said its troops are still operating in Lebanon.

This story has been updated to clarify that more than one drone hit the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia. Some instances referred to just one drone.

Becatoros reported from Athens, Greece, and Magdy from Cairo. Konstantin Toropin in Washington, David Rising in Bangkok, Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel, Hallie Golden in Seattle, and Giovanna Dell'Orto in Miami contributed to this report.

Iran strikes the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia as war expands yet again

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranexpanded its targetsTuesday, striking the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia as Washingt...
British woman, 29, found dead on £27m superyacht in Mallorca

Police are investigating the death of a British woman on board a £27m superyacht that was moored inMallorca.

The Telegraph The woman's body was found on a superyacht called Lind in Mallorca

The 29-year-old was found in one of the vessel's cabins on Sunday night. Paramedics rushed to Palma, where the yacht was moored, but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

An autopsy was expected to take place on Tuesday as Civil Guard investigators seek to establish what happened.

No obvious signs of violence were found on or near the body of the woman, but a forensic expert and police officers were unable to determine her cause of death ahead of a post-mortem.

A source close to the investigation said: "Everything is pointing to her death being the result of natural causes. At this moment in time, it is not being treated as a crime although the results of the autopsy are still pending."

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Police are investigating the cause of the woman's death

Police are not expected to name the woman. She is understood to have been a crew member believed to help with maintenance. The alarm was raised by colleagues, who went to check on her after she failed to respond to messages or answer calls.

The vessel has been identified as Lind, a custom-built motor yacht said to cost nearly £300,000 a week to charter in the high season.

The Cayman Islands-flagged 170ftsuperyacht, built in the Netherlands with an exterior design by the award-winning Tim Heywood, has a top speed of just over 15 knots and can accommodate up to 10 guests and 13 crew members.

Its facilities include an open-air cinema, jacuzzi, gym and inflatable trampolines.

The superyacht's current owner is reported to be Peter-Alexander Wacker, a German billionaire who owns around 10 per cent of chemical company Wacker Chemie AG.

Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.

British woman, 29, found dead on £27m superyacht in Mallorca

Police are investigating the death of a British woman on board a £27m superyacht that was moored inMallorca. T...
Hilary Knight led USA women's hockey to Olympic gold on torn MCL

Hilary Knightwas pivotal in helping theU.S. women's national hockey team capture goldonce again at the2026 Winter Olympicslast month, and she did so with an undisclosed injury.

USA TODAY Sports

Knight revealed onCBS Morningson Monday, she "got a little banged up" during the Olympics in Milan and played through a torn medial collateral ligament (MCL).

"To be able to play through injury was definitely a mental sort of gymnastic challenge for myself and also physical," Knight said. "We've got some amazing support staff that did their best to get me out there and perform at my best – as best as I could."

Knight appeared in all seven games for Team USA during their march to the gold medal. The five-time Olympian scored a late equalizer to send the gold medal game against Canada to overtime, beforeMegan Keller's sudden-death goallifted the Americans to the top of the podium for the first time since 2018. Knight's goal also established a new all-time U.S. Olympic record in points (33) and goals (15). Knight finished the tournament with six points — three goals and three assists.

Hockey player Hilary Knight of the United States poses for a photo during a Team USA Photo Shoot at Sunset Glenoaks Studios on May 20, 2025 in Sun Valley, Calif. Knight has won NCAA, Olympic and World championships. Hilary Knight of the Wisconsin Badgers gets the puck past Johanna Ellison #1 of the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs to score a goal in the second period on March 20, 2009 during the NCAA WomenÕs Frozen Four at Agganis Arena in Boston, Mass. Hilary Knight of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates her goal against the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs on March 20, 2009 during the NCAA WomenÕs Frozen Four at Agganis Arena in Boston, Mass. Jessie Vetter #30, Jasmine Giles #12, Erika Lawler, Hilary Knight (bottom right) and the rest of the Wisconsin Badgers pose with the championship trophy after they defeated the Mercyhurst Lakers on March 22, 2009 during the NCAA Women's Frozen Four Championship game at Agganis Arena in Boston, Massachusetts. The Wisconsin Badgers shut out the Mercyhurst Lakers 5-0. USA's Hilary Knight (21) controls the puck against Sweden's Frida Nevalainen (3) during the women's semifinal of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics on Feb. 22, 2010. USA forward Hilary Knight celebrates her shootout goal against Canada in an exhibition hockey game at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. on Dec 28, 2013. USA defeated Canada 3-2 in a shootout. Team USA women's hockey forward Hilary Knight poses at a portrait session during the Team USA Media Summit at Canyons Grand Summit Hotel in Park City, Utah on Oct. 2, 2013. USA forward Hilary Knight (21) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Switzerland in a women's preliminary round women's ice hockey game during the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Shayba Arena on Feb. 10, 2014. Team USA hockey player Hilary Knight poses for a photo during the 2018 U.S. Olympic Summit at Grand Summit Hotel in Park City, Utah on Sep. 25, 2017. United States forward Hilary Knight (21) scores a goal against Canada in the women's ice hockey gold medal match during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre on Feb. 21, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea. United States forward Hilary Knight (21) deflects the puck past Canada goaltender Shannon Szabados (1) for a goal during the first period in the women's ice hockey gold medal match during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre in Gangneung, South Korea on Feb. 22, 2018. USA's Kendall Coyne (L) and Hilary Knight hold their gold medals and the US flag after the medal ceremony after the women's ice hockey event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at the Gangneung Hockey Centre in Gangneung on February 22, 2018. USA forward Hilary Knight skates against Canada during the third period of a Rivalry Series women's hockey game at Leon's Centre on Nov. 21, 2021 in Kingston, Ontario. Team United States forward Hilary Knight (21) dives for a puck in front of Team Canada defender Claire Thompson (42) in the second period of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at Wukesong Sports Centre on Feb. 8, 2022. (L-R) Jincy Dunne #19, Megan Keller #5, Amanda Kessel #28, Jesse Compher #18, Abbey Murphy #37, Megan Bozek #9, Hilary Knight #21, Dani Cameranesi #24, Hayley Scamurra #16, Savannah Harmon #15 and their Team United States teammates huddle together at their net before the Group A Women's Preliminary Round ice hockey match between Team United States and Team Canada at Wukesong Sports Centre on Feb. 8, 2022 in Beijing, China. Hilary Knight #21 of Team United States puts her own rebound into the net for a shorthanded goal against Ann-Renee Desbiens #35 of Team Canada in the second period during the Women's Ice Hockey Gold Medal match between Team Canada and Team United States on Day 13 of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at Wukesong Sports Centre on Feb. 17, 2022 in Beijing, China. USA forward Hilary Knight (21) advances the puck against Canada during the third period at Climate Pledge Arena on Nov. 20, 2022 in Seattle, Wash. USA defeated Canada 4-2. USA captain Hilary Knight (12) stands in the middle of her team mates as they sing the national anthem after winning the gold medal match over Canada at CAA Center on April 16, 2023 in Brampton, Ontario. USA forward Hilary Knight (21) celebrates with forward Alex Carpenter (25) after scoring a goal against Canada in the third period at CAA Center on April 16, 2023 in Brampton, Ontario. USA's Hilary Knight stays focused at the Adirondack Bank Center in Utica, NY on Saturday, April 6, 2024. Team King forward Hilary Knight (21) goes to shoot the puck as Team Kloss defender Erin Ambrose (23)defends during the PWHL 3-on-3 Showcase during NHL All-Star Thursday at Scotiabank Arena on Feb. 1, 2024 inToronto, Ontario. Boston forward Hilary Knight walks onto the ice before a PWHL ice hockey gam against Minnesota at the Tsongas Center on Jan. 3, 2024 in Lowell, Mass. Boston forward Hilary Knight skates onto the ice before a PWHL ice hockey game against Minnesota at the Tsongas Center on Jan. 3, 2024 in Lowell, Mass. (L-R) Taylor Girard, Hilary Knight, Marie-Philip Poulin, Sarah Nurse, Lexie Adzija and Taylor Heise attend the 2024 ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre on July 11, 2024 in Hollywood, Calif. Hilary Knight of the U.S. celebrates with the trophy after winning the Gold Medal Game against Canada at the IIHF Women's World Championships in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic on April 20, 2025. Hilary Knight of Boston Fleet celebrates with fans after scoring a goal against the Minnesota Frost during the third period at Tsongas Center on Feb. 16, 2025 in Lowell, Mass. The Fleet defeat the Frost 4-2. Hilary Knight of Boston Fleet looks on during the third period of the game against the Minnesota Frost at Tsongas Center on Feb. 16, 2025 in Lowell, Mass. The Fleet defeat the Frost 4-2. Hilary Knight, captain of Team USA ice hockey and of the new PWHL expansion team in Seattle, throws the ceremonial first pitch before the game between the Seattle Mariners and the Milwaukee Brewers at T-Mobile Park on July 23, 2025 in Seattle, Wash.

USA Hockey veteran Hilary Knight heads to Milan‑Cortina as team leader

OLYMPICS:At 36, Hilary Knight is still USA hockey's best player, she's also best in world

Knight sat out the Seattle Torrent's 5-2 loss to the Toronto Sceptres due to her injury on Saturday after thePWHL resumed from an Olympic break."I'm not walking around the best, and I'm missing a few games for the Seattle Torrent," she added on Monday.

Knight didn't disclose when she suffered the MCL tear, but she did leave the ice with an apparent injury to her left leg during Team USA's 5-0 victory over Finland on Feb. 7, their second game of the tournament.

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Finland forward Ida Kuoppala collided with Knight's left leg in front of the U.S. bench as Knight possessed the puck with 4:28 remaining in the first period. Knight's leg buckled and she immediately fell to the ice, where she withered in pain. She left the ice and didn't return with the starting line for the remainder of the first period while receiving medical attention on the bench.

"When we saw her kind of roll over and got hurt a little bit, (it) almost brought me to tears on the bench," Taylor Heise recalled at the time. "(Knight) is such a resilient player and she worked so hard and you could see her when she got in the locker room, it didn't phase her. Straight to the trainer and did what she needed to do and figured it out."

Knight returned to the game against Finland and went on to score her 14th career Olympic goal, tying the U.S. Olympic all-time scoring record held by Natalie Darwitz and Katie King. She took sole ownership of the goals (and points) record during the gold medal game when the Americans needed it most.

MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 19: Gold medalist Hilary Knight #21 of Team United States celebrates after the medal ceremony for Women's Ice Hockey after the Women's Gold Medal match between the United States and Canada on day 13 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 19, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Knight has said the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics would be her fifth and final Games, but she noted on Monday she's "certainly capable" of competing in another Olympics.

"The girls are trying," Knight said with a laugh, referring to her teammates. "I think this is … we are just processing this amazing storybook, so to speak, ending for myself."

Reach USA TODAY National Women's Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at@CydHenderson.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Hilary Knight led USA women's hockey to Olympic gold on torn MCL

Hilary Knight led USA women's hockey to Olympic gold on torn MCL

Hilary Knightwas pivotal in helping theU.S. women's national hockey team capture goldonce again at the2026 Winter Oly...

 

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