Maxx Crosby's surgeon says pass rusher is 'doing very well' in rehab from surgery after Ravens pulled out of trade

The Baltimore Ravens were concerned enough about Maxx Crosby's recovery from offseason knee surgery that theteam pulled outof its expensive trade for the pass rusher. His surgeon, however, believes Crosby is right where he needs to be in his recovery.

Dr. Neal ElAttrache told ESPN that Crosby is "doing  an excellent job attacking his rehab," and that the timing of his physical with the Ravens was unfortunate, as the pass rusher's prognosis will improve the further out he gets from surgery.

ElAttrache's full statement read:

Advertisement

"Maxx Crosby is doing very well in the early part of his rehab and recovery from surgery to treat a significant meniscus tear and the related stress injury to the bone and cartilage in his knee. He is certainly on track in his planned program … he feels very well and is already much improved compared to before surgery.

"We truly respect the work of the Ravens staff with Maxx regarding the contract physical exam. We also understand the challenge the staff faces when tasked to provide a future risk assessment based on an evaluation early in the recovery process. This is especially challenging when dealing with an elite player like Maxx considering the level of commitment necessary for a team to obtain him. The timing of this assessment is unfortunate because the apparent risk will lessen as his recovery progresses and his return to performance over the next few months becomes clear.

"At this point, Maxx is doing an excellent job attacking his rehab and his knee is responding very well. We look forward to Maxx returning to his elite level of performance this season as planned and for several more to come."

NFL teams interested in trading for Crosby, including the Ravens, reportedly had team doctors meet with ElAttrache, per The Athletic. Both Ravens doctors and independent doctors reportedly believed Crosby's short-term prognosis was positive, but hislong-term status was a much bigger question. That's ultimately what caused Baltimore to pull out of the deal.

It's tough to know what happens next for both Crosby and the Raiders. The team is reportedly open to every option,including keeping the pass rusherdespite splurging on free agents after it looked as though Crosby's salary was off the books. Teams less concerned about Crosby's medicals could re-engage the Raiders in trade talks, but the market for Crosby has lessened in the opening days of free agency. Teams that presumably would have given up significant draft picks have bolstered their defensive lines by instead signing players on the free-agent market.

Given Crosby's immense talent, it wouldn't be a surprise if trade discussions continued to take place. Whether a deal gets done could depend on how teams feel about Crosby's status after a closer look at his medical exams, something Crosby's surgeon says should improve the further the pass rusher is removed from surgery.

byAdministrator

in

March 11, 2026

Maxx Crosby's surgeon says pass rusher is 'doing very well' in rehab from surgery after Ravens pulled out of trade

The Baltimore Ravens were concerned enough about Maxx Crosby's recovery from offseason knee surgery that theteam pull...

Read More

IEA agrees to record release of emergency oil reserves in an effort to calm surging prices

PARIS (AP) — The International Energy Agency agreed Wednesday to release the largest volume of emergency oil reserves in its history, in a bid to counter the effects on energy markets of the war in the Middle East.

Germany Oil Reserves

The Paris-based organization said it will make 400 million barrels of oil available from its members' emergency reserves. It's a larger stock than the 182.7 million barrels that were released in 2022 by the IEA's 32 member countries in response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

"Without sufficient routes to market and with no more available storage, Middle East oil producers have started to reduce production," IEA executive director Fatih Birol said. "And we have seen further attacks and damage to energy and energy-related infrastructure. Refinery operations have also been disrupted, with major implications for jet fuel and diesel supplies in particular."

IEA member countries currently hold over 1.2 billion barrels of public emergency oil stocks, with a further 600 million barrels of industry stocks held under government obligation.

In response to U.S. and Israeli strikes, Iran hasattacked commercial shipsacross the Persian Gulf, escalating a campaign of squeezing the oil-rich region asglobal energy concerns mount.

Iran has effectively stopped cargo traffic in the narrow Strait of Hormuz through which about a fifth of all oil is shipped from the Persian Gulf toward the Indian Ocean. It has alsotargeted oil fields and refineriesin Gulf Arab nations, aiming at generating enoughglobal economic painto pressure the United States and Israel to end their strikes.

Germany, Austria and Japan said earlier Wednesday they would release parts oftheir oil reservesfollowing an IEA request for members to release the record 400 million barrels to help temper energy price spikes due tothe Iran war.

Group of Seven energy ministers met Tuesday at IEA headquarters in Paris to look at ways to bring down prices. Birol said afterward that they discussed all available options, including making IEA emergency oil stocks available to the market.

The IEA reserves were established in 1974 following the Arab oil embargo.

"This is a major action aiming to alleviate the immediate impacts of the disruption in markets," Birol added. "But, to be clear, the most important thing for a return to stable flows of oil and gas is the resumption of transit through the Strait of Hormuz."

Birol said that 15 million barrels per day of crude oil and another five million barrels per day of oil products normally pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

"This amounts to around 25% of the world's oil trade via sea. And now the flows of oil, gas and other commodities through the strait have all but stopped."

The G7 is comprised of the leading industrialized nations of Canada, the United States, France, Italy, Japan, Germany and Britain. Austria is not a member.

Advertisement

The group's leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, met Wednesday via videoconference to discuss energy issues.

During his introductory remarks, French President Emmanuel Macron praised the IEA decision to release emergency oil stocks, saying it amounted to the equivalent of "20 days of the volume being exported through the Strait of Hormuz." The amount being released by G7 nations, alone, comprises 70% of the total, he said.

"I think it's very important to see as well everything we can do in order to increase our global production," Macron added.

Germany's economy ministry, Katherina Reiche, said the IEA asked Germany to release 2.64 million tons of its oil reserves. It was not immediately clear how much Austria was releasing.

She said it would take a couple of days before the delivery of the first quantities.

"Germany stands behind the IEA's most important principle of mutual solidarity," Reiche said.

The German government also said it will introduce a measure to allow gas stations in Germany to raise fuel prices no more than once a day. The federal government wants to introduce this as quickly as possible, Reiche said.

According to the IEA, export volumes of crude and refined products are currently at less than 10% of prewar levels.

In Austria, starting Monday, price increases at gas stations will be allowed only three times a week, the country's economy minister said. Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer said his country was releasing part of the emergency oil reserve and extending the national strategic gas reserve, adding: "One thing is clear: in a crisis, there must be no crisis winners at the expense of commuters and businesses."

IEA nations have released emergency stocks on five previous occasions: During the 1990-1991 Gulf War, after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, during the Libyan civil war in 2011, and twice after theRussian invasion of Ukraine.

Birol noted that the situation in natural gas markets is also very challenging, with Asia the most severely affected region.

"There are few options to replace the missing LNG cargoes from Qatar and the Emirates," he said. "Global energy supply has been reduced by around 20%."

Grieshaber reported from Berlin. Associated Press reporters John Leicester and Sylvie Corbet in Paris contributed to this report.

byAdministrator

in

March 11, 2026

IEA agrees to record release of emergency oil reserves in an effort to calm surging prices

PARIS (AP) — The International Energy Agency agreed Wednesday to release the largest volume of emergency oil reserves in ...

Read More

Lakers' Luka Dončić reveals he's separated from fiancée, in a custody battle for daughters

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić has separated from his fiancée and is now in a custody battle over their two daughters, he revealed toESPN on Tuesday.

TMZ reported on Tuesday that Dončić's ex-fiancée, Anamaria Goltez, filed a petition seeking child support and attorney fees from Dončić after their separation. That petition, according to ESPN, was filed in California — though Dončić said he had "no idea" that it was even filed.

"I love my daughters more than anything and I've been doing everything I can for them to be with me in the U.S. during the season, but that hasn't been possible, so I recently made the tough decision to end my engagement," Dončić said in a statement. "Everything I do is for my daughters' happiness and I will always fight to be with them and give them the best life I can."

Dončić and Goltez had been dating since 2016. He first proposed to her in July 2023, and they welcomed their first daughter, Gabriela, later that year. The couple's second child, Olivia, was then born in December in Slovenia.

Advertisement

Dončić took time away from the Lakers this season to be in Slovenia for the birth of his second daughter. While he was there in December, according to ESPN, Dončić wanted to bring Gabriela back to the United States with him as he was rejoining the Lakers. A disagreement then broke out between Dončić and Goltez, and police were called to the hospital. Officers "did not detect any elements of a criminal offense or misdemeanor" by Dončić during that incident. He left peacefully and flew back to the United States later that day.

Dončić has not seen Goltez or either of his daughters since. He's seen his daughters for only two days since arriving in Los Angeles for Lakers training camp in late September. Goltez has since wiped Dončić from her Instagram, too.

Dončić did file an interim injunction seeking immediate contact with Gabriela and Olivia in Slovenian courts, according to ESPN. Further specifics of that are not yet known.

"I don't even know how to describe it. It was a lot," Dončić said of the trip to Slovenia in December, via ESPN. "I was there for the birth of my daughter, so that means everything to me. But it was definitely a roller coaster."

Dončić, now in his first full season with the Lakers, has averaged a league-high 32.5 points, 8.4 assists and 7.8 rebounds per game. The Lakers hold a 39-25 record entering Tuesday night's matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

byAdministrator

in

March 11, 2026

Lakers' Luka Dončić reveals he's separated from fiancée, in a custody battle for daughters

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić has separated from his fiancée and is now in a custody battle over their two daughter...

Read More

How the Rams have won the NFL offseason, even before the draft | Opinion

Marchfree agencymadness is in full swing.

It's a time whenNFL teamsset the blueprint for the upcoming season. There's already been a flurry of activity as the league's 2026 salary cap increased by $22 million. Plenty of clubs have already improved their rosters, but theLos Angeles Ramshave been themost proficient.

Within a week's span in March, the Ramsacquired standout cornerback Trent McDuffiein a blockbuster trade with the Chiefs and doubled back in Kansas City to agree to terms with starting cornerbackJaylen Watson, also formerly of the Chiefs.

The Rams not only revamped their cornerback room with two starting corners -- they also addressed their most glaring weakness.

Los Angeles' secondary was the main reason it witnessed their NFC West rival, the Seattle Seahawks, hoist theSuper Bowl 60Lombardi Trophy.

The backend of the Rams' defense got torched by Seahawks wide receiverJaxon Smith-Njigbain theNFC championship gameto the tune of 10 receptions, 153 yards, and one touchdown on its way to giving up 31 points.

The defensive shortcomings overshadowed the fact quarterbackMatthew Staffordthrew for 374 yards and three touchdowns. And they madePuka Nacua's nine receptions, 165 yards and one touchdown performance an afterthought.

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)

Los Angeles' defense allowed 276 passing yards and 382 total yards per game during the playoffs, statistics that ranked them in the bottom four of all postseason teams.

McDuffie and Watson will no doubt aid in shoring up the Rams' pass defense.

McDuffie, a 2023 first-team All-Pro, has allowed just 6.2 yards per target over the past four seasons, the 10thfewest among qualified cornerbacks, perNext Gen Stats. He also leads all cornerbacks with 34 quarterback pressuressince 2022.

Advertisement

Watson is coming off his best overall season in which he produced a career-best two interceptions, equaled a career-best six pass deflections and allowed a 69.0 passer rating when targeted - eighth at his position, per PFF.

Add recently re-signed defensive backsKam CurlandQuentin Lake, and the Rams' secondary is in a much better position to complement a stout defensive front that features edge rushersJared VerseandByron Young, who combined for 19.5 sacks and 144 pressures last year.

Sure, Matthew Stafford might not be able to replicate hisMVP campaign. It's still safe to assume the league's top offense from a year ago won't fall off a cliff. And if new Rams special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone coaches the unit to be around league average, the Rams, on paper, are primed to go into next season with the most complete team in the NFL.

Even before next month's draft, the Rams have no glaring holes.

"A lot of times, our macro philosophy is if we can use free agency to not be desperate in the draft," Rams general manager Les Snead said on March 3. "We more than likely will be better drafters because we're not reaching and we're not desperate. We're not going in there with a major void or major hole that has to be filled. That's usually the approach."

Mission accomplished, Rams.

The Rams and the Seahawks are currently tied for the best Super Bowl odds, per BetMGM. And as the NFL officially starts a new league year on Wednesday, the Rams' offseason moves have already positioned themselves to make another Super Bowl runin 2026 when LA hosts.

The last time Los Angeles hosted the Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium, it was the Rams who lifted the Lombardi Trophy.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X@TheTylerDragon.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Los Angeles Rams' NFL offseason moves address critical weakness

byAdministrator

in

March 11, 2026

How the Rams have won the NFL offseason, even before the draft | Opinion

Marchfree agencymadness is in full swing. It's a time whenNFL teamsset the blueprint for the upcoming seaso...

Read More

Dangerous storms erupt across central US with significant tornado threat and huge hail

Dangerous storms with tornadoes and hail are tracking across the central US Tuesday evening. This threat of notably strong tornadoes has prompted the highest severe thunderstorm risk in months to be issued in parts of the Midwest.

It's all part of a more widespread potential outbreak of powerful storms across the Central US on Tuesday as a new storm system strengthens over the region.

Storms are ongoing in portions of Texas and Oklahoma as well as northward into Illinois. A tornado tracked through the Kankakee, Illinois, area Tuesday evening and hail greater than tennis-ball size was also reported with this supercell thunderstorm.

Early Tuesday evening, a tornado briefly touched down near Pontiac, Illinois, and hail up to 5 inches in diameter fell near Buckingham, Illinois, which could be a new state record.

Thunderstorms also impacted Chicago, where half-dollar size hail fell. The Kansas City metro area reported hail up to 3.5 inches in diameter.

Farther south, a tornado was observed near Dudley, Texas, and baseball-sized hail was reported in Buffalo Gap, Texas.

Five tornado watches are in effect as of 7 p.m. CT this evening. These include portions of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. Tornado watches stretch from the Mexican border north to Michigan.

A Level 4 of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms is in place for more than 2 million people in northern Illinois and northwest Indiana, including Peoria and Bloomington, Illinois.

Althoughlast week's outbreakhad multiple deadly tornadoes, this is the first time a forecast for severe storms has been at this high of a level since July 28, 2025.

This Level 4 of 5 risk zone is where "multiple strong to intense tornadoes (EF2 to EF3)" could strike this evening, the Storm Prediction Center said.Tornadoes this strongcan destroy entire stories of well-constructed homes and do significant damage to large buildings.

Advertisement

Lime-sized or larger hail could also drop fromsupercell stormsthat flourish in this corridor — large enough to dent cars and damage roofs.

These severe thunderstorms will track east overnight and spread into more of the Great Lakes, but they will lose some of their punch by the morning.

Wind damage, destructive hail and tornadoes are all threats from Texas to Michigan, including areas outside of the highest risk zone.

The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Oklahoma City, St. Louis, Chicago and Indianapolis are some metros that could see these powerful storms.

Damaging wind gusts over 70 mph and hail bigger than baseballs are the main threats with any of these storms. Tornadoes are also possible and some could be strong — EF2 or stronger. Mobile homes are destroyed and roofs can be ripped from well-built homes in tornadoes of this strength.

Powerful storms could still be churning early Wednesday morning from the Lower Mississippi Valley into the Ohio Valley but a renewed threat will come in the afternoon.

A widespread Level 2 of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms is in place Wednesday for over 55 million people from Texas and Louisiana to Pennsylvania.

Damaging winds are the main threat with any storm Wednesday. A few tornadoes are possible, especially in the Lower Mississippi Valley and parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

No widespread severe thunderstorms are expected on Thursday.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account atCNN.com

byAdministrator

in

March 11, 2026

Dangerous storms erupt across central US with significant tornado threat and huge hail

Dangerous storms with tornadoes and hail are tracking across the central US Tuesday evening. This threat of notably stron...

Read More

What we know on the 12th day of the US and Israel’s war with Iran

A wave of strikes on Iran hit the capital and northern areas overnight into Wednesday, while Tehran launched what it called its "most intense" operation ofthe war,targeting Israel and Gulf nations.

Throughout the region, a humanitarian crisis is mounting – withthe UN warningof toxic black rain, mass displacement and disrupted supply chains for life-saving goods. And the death toll continues to rise.

Advertisement

Here's what you need to know on day 12.

What's happening in the region?

• Israeli strikes: Israel launched a wave of strikes in the Iranian capital overnight into Wednesday, with the Iranian Red Crescent saying a residential area in Tehran had been targeted. Beyond the capital, CNN staff in northern Iran also reported major nighttime air raids. Israel also said it struck targets in Beirut in Lebanon. Videos showed parts of a high-rise building engulfed in flames. Further south in Lebanon, a paramedic was killed after an Israeli strike hit a Red Cross ambulance.

• Iran ramps up: Iran's military said it launched its "most intense and heaviest operation" since the start of the war overnight into Wednesday, according to state media. The attack targeted locations in Israel and US assets in the region, state media reported.

• Regional attacks: Gulf states have been intercepting new waves of Iranian drones and missiles early Wednesday local time. A suspected Iranian drone also hit a US diplomatic facility in Iraq Tuesday, near the Baghdad airport, two sources told CNN. A cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz caught fire after being hit by an unknown projectile, while another vessel was damaged earlier Wednesday by a suspected projectile off the coast of the United Arab Emirates.

• Toxic black rain: The World Health Organization is warning that black rain - contaminated rainfall - resulting from pollution could pose health risks after strikes in Iran. After fuel depots were hit last week, including in Tehran, thick plumes of black smoke billowed into the air, mixing with precipitation in the air to create toxic rain.

• Growing death toll: Iran has accused the US and Israel of deliberately targeting civilians, with strikes killing more than 1,300 since the conflict started, according to Iran's UN ambassador. In Lebanon, Israel's strikes have killed more than 10 children every day so far, according to the UN's children's agency. Dozens more have been killed elsewhere around the region, including by Iranian strikes. Seven US service members have been killed and 140 troops wounded, the Pentagon said Tuesday.

What are the other headlines?

• Mines in the Strait: The US military said it destroyed Iranian naval ships — including 16 minelayers — near the Strait of Hormuz. Sources earlier told CNN that Tehran has begun laying mines in the waterway, the world's most important energy chokepoint, through which about one-fifth of all crude oil travels.

• US terms: The White House laid out demands for what an "unconditional surrender" by Iran could look like, saying it will be personally determined by President Donald Trump. This includes dismantling Iran's ballistic missile arsenal that "protects" their nuclear ambitions, it said – adding that Trump does "not rule options out" in the war, including deploying US ground troops.

• School strike: The Pentagon will release its report into a strike on an Iranian girls' school that killed at least 168 children, the White House said Tuesday. The US military was likely responsible, according to CNN and expert analysis of evidence. And footage has emerged that appears to show a US missile targeting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval base adjacent to the school.

• Iranian women's soccer team: Seven members of the Iranian football team were granted humanitarian visas in Australia after seeking asylum, though one member changed her mind afterward and said she wanted to return home. The rest of the team left Sydney late Tuesday.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account atCNN.com

byAdministrator

in

March 11, 2026

What we know on the 12th day of the US and Israel’s war with Iran

A wave of strikes on Iran hit the capital and northern areas overnight into Wednesday, while Tehran launched what it call...

Read More

Six killed in Swiss bus blaze after person reportedly sets themselves on fire

By Dave Graham and Olivia Le Poidevin

KERZERS, SWITZERLAND, March 11 (Reuters) - At least six people died and three others were injured in a bus fire on ‌Tuesday in a small town in western Switzerland, in what police said may have ‌been a deliberate act following reports that a person on board set fire to themselves.

Police said the bus became engulfed ​in flames on a road in Kerzers, a town in the canton of Fribourg, about 20 km (12 miles) from the Swiss capital Bern.

"At this stage, we have elements suggesting a deliberate act by a person who was inside the bus," Frederic Papaux, a spokesperson for Fribourg police, said.

Investigators were ‌looking into reports that a ⁠person had poured fuel on themselves, said Christa Bielmann, another local police spokesperson. It was too early to say whether the incident was terror-related, she ⁠told a news conference.

"We have no indication that suggests we might be dealing with a terrorist attack," Swiss politician Romain Collaud, a state councillor, told the Swiss-French broadcaster RTS on Wednesday morning, adding ​that ​investigations are ongoing.

Three injured people were taken to hospital, ​police said. Two other people caught ‌up in the blaze also received attention but did not need to be hospitalised.

Advertisement

On Tuesday evening passengers were seen escaping from the burning bus, panicked and injured, Papaux said, adding that no other vehicle was involved.

Swiss media outlet 20 Minutes said it had seen a video taken at the scene in which an injured person said: "A man set himself on fire. He ‌poured gasoline over himself and then lit himself."

Video after ​the flames were extinguished showed the charred remains of ​the vehicle, a yellow so-called Postauto.

Swiss President ​Guy Parmelin offered his condolences and said the incident was being investigated.

"It ‌shocks and saddens me that once again ​people have lost their ​lives in a serious fire in Switzerland," he said in a statement on X, noting investigations were under way.

In January, Switzerland was rocked by a fire in a bar ​in the Swiss ski resort ‌of Crans Montana that killed 41 people and injured 115.

(Reporting by Dave Graham ​in Kerzers, Olivia Le Poidevin in Geneva; additional reporting by Cecile Mantovani; Editing ​by Neil Fullick, Lincoln Feast and Michael Perry)

byAdministrator

in

March 11, 2026

Six killed in Swiss bus blaze after person reportedly sets themselves on fire

By Dave Graham and Olivia Le Poidevin KERZERS, SWITZERLAND, March 11 (Reuters) - At least six people died and ...

Read More