MOORESVILLE, N.C. – JR Motorsports announced Monday that Brandt Professional Agriculture will return for its sixth season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, along with driver Justin Allgaier.

Allgaier will again pilot the No. 7 Camaro in NASCAR’s second-highest division next year.

Distinguished as JRM’s winningest sponsor, Brandt will serve as the primary partner on Allgaier’s Chevrolet for 20 races next year in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

Founded in Central Illinois, Brandt is one of the fastest-growing, family-owned companies in the United States and a leader in the agriculture industry. Specializing in innovative products and services to help growers get the maximum return on their crops, Brandt currently supplies customers in 48 states and more than 60 countries.

“We have built an amazing partnership with Justin and the Earnhardt family at JR Motorsports,” said Rick Brandt, President and CEO of Brandt. “Together we have had great success on the track and have established a unique platform to promote the agriculture industry and to grow our business. I look forward to closing out the 2020 season by securing our first Xfinity Series championship!

“I’m excited to continue this relationship in 2021.”

Brandt has had a long-time presence in NASCAR, first partnering with Allgaier in 2011. Since the Illinois native made the move to JR Motorsports in 2016, Allgaier has scored 11 of the team’s 51 total victories, the most by a driver in the organization’s history.

“Over the past five years, we’ve been fortunate to build a very rewarding relationship with Brandt, while highlighting the significance of the agriculture industry,” said Kelley Earnhardt Miller, JRM general manager. “As family-owned and operated businesses, we share a lot of the same core values. Winning means a lot to Rick (Brandt) and his employees, and we couldn’t be happier to go after more trophies with Justin in 2021.”

During Allgaier’s tenure with JRM, he’s been an Xfinity Series title contender each year, advancing to the Championship 4 four out of the last five seasons.

This year, the 34-year-old driver is in the hunt once again as one of only four competitors left vying for the 2020 Xfinity Series championship.

During the regular season, Allgaier led a career-high 896 laps and earned three victories, including back-to-back wins at Richmond (Va.) Raceway.

“I’m looking forward to being back at JR Motorsports next year and having the BRANDT relationship extend another year. We’ve become like family and I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else,” said Allgaier. “I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish together, not only from a production standpoint on the track and getting wins and being competitive week in and week out, but also being able to bring awareness to the agriculture industry and how important it is to everyday life.

“Our goal is to continue growing those successes as we battle for the championship this season and go for more wins next year.”

In addition to the 20 primary races, Brandt will also have associate placement on the No. 7 Camaro for the remaining races next year.

Primary sponsorship for Allgaier for the balance of 2021 will be announced at a later date.

STATESVILLE N.C. – GMS Racing announced Monday that Jack Wood will pilot the No. 21 Chevrolet full-time for the team in the ARCA Menards Series East next year as well as for the full ARCA Menards Showdown schedule.

Mardy Lindley will return to the team as crew chief.

“GMS is looking forward to this next chapter for our ARCA program,” said Mike Beam, president of GMS Racing. “Our ARCA team has accomplished amazing things these last two seasons and I’m confident Jack can take over and build on that success next season.”

The Loomis, Calif., native has competed part-time in the ARCA Menards Series West since 2019 and has collected one top-five and six top-10 finishes in seven starts this season.  Wood will also be a part of the Drivers Edge Development program in 2021.

“I’m so thankful for the opportunity to compete with GMS in 2021,” said Wood. “To transition from a part-time schedule with our family-run team in the West series to running the East series full-time with a team like GMS who has won two consecutive East titles is awesome. I’m ready to get out there and learn and grow as a driver, but also to chase wins and a championship with this new team.”

The Philadelphia Union could've lifted the Supporters' Shield on Sunday. They needed to beat Columbus, or at least a draw, and some help from Inter Miami -- and elsewhere. Alas, they fell to an 84th-minute defeat to the Crew, and to make matters worse, they didn't get any help from Miami, who lost to Toronto FC. And now, with the league announcing last week that the Shield and playoff places would be determined by points per game, as positive COVID-19 tests cause cancellations and postponements of games across the league, the Union and the Reds sit atop the standings: 22 games played and 2.00 points per game. Only goal differential separates the pair, so as long as Philly can match or better Toronto's Decision Day result, it will be crowned the league's regular-season champion after all.

With a smattering of midweek games and Decision Day on Sunday remaining, here's how the remainder of the league stacks up in the final edition of MLS Power Rankings for the 2020 season.

1. Philadelphia Union

Previous ranking: 1

Next MLS match: Sunday vs. New England, 3:30 p.m. ET

Sunday's loss to Columbus was just Philadelphia's second in its past eight games, but it cost the club dearly. Now the Union will need to better Toronto's result on Sunday when they host New England if they want to lift the Supporters' Shield that's had their name written on it for the past month. Oh, and they'll need to do it without star goalkeeper Andre Blake, who suffered a fractured hand in Wednesday's win over Chicago.

2. Toronto FC

Previous ranking: 2

Next MLS match: Sunday at Red Bulls, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

A second Supporters' Shield in four seasons could be Toronto's with a win at Red Bull Arena and some help from New England. Few would've predicted that a week ago when the Reds were coming off the back of a 5-0 hammering at the hands of league-leading Philadelphia.

- Stream FC Daily on ESPN+
- 2020 MLS Playoffs: Who's in, who's out, dates and more
- MLS on ESPN+: Stream LIVE games and replays (U.S. only)

3. Sporting Kansas City

Previous ranking: 3

Next MLS match: Sunday at Salt Lake, 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

While SKC's match with Minnesota was canceled following two members of the Loons' first team testing positive for COVID-19, a midweek win against FC Cincinnati clinched a spot in the postseason with Roger Espinoza the hero. Alan Pulido showed off his playmaking skills as well.

4. Portland Timbers

Previous ranking: 4

Next MLS match: Wednesday vs. Colorado, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Heading into 2020, the Timbers needed better wing play beyond that provided by Sebastian Blanco, and they've gotten it from Yimmi Chara, who has delivered with four goals and seven assists since mid-September. A pair of wins has Portland top of the West by a whisker.

5. Orlando City

Previous ranking: 6

Next MLS match: Wednesday vs. Columbus, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

This season marked the first time Orlando has qualified for the MLS Cup playoffs. This season also marked Orlando's first win over rivals Atlanta United following three years (nine contests) without a victory. The Lions got their second just two months later with Wednesday's 4-1 demolition of the Five Stripes. Oscar Pareja has instilled a sense of ferociousness and pride in Central Florida not seen in the club's previous five years of MLS existence.

6. Seattle Sounders

Previous ranking: 5

Next MLS match: Wednesday at LA Galaxy, 11 p.m. ET, ESPN+

With a chance to claim the top spot in the West at stake, Seattle delivered a subpar performance against Colorado on Sunday with almost its entire first-choice lineup. There's time to rescue the situation, but the Sounders will need some help.

7. New York City FC

Previous ranking: 8

Next MLS match: Sunday at Chicago, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

A pair of wins over Supporters' Shield-chasing Toronto and playoff-contending rivals Red Bulls have given NYCFC some breathing room, ensuring they'll be spared the Eastern Conference's play-in round pitting seeds 7 through 10 against one another for places in the playoffs proper.

8. LAFC

Previous ranking: 9

Next MLS match: Sunday vs. Portland, 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

The momentum LAFC generated by their win over Houston was slowed when their game against San Jose was postponed -- for now -- due to positive COVID-19 tests. Bob Bradley will be hoping that Carlos Vela can continue his return to form during the regular season's final week.

9. Columbus Crew

Previous ranking: 10

Next MLS match: Wednesday at Orlando, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Sunday's win over league-leading Philadelphia was just Columbus' second in its past eight games. Those three points keep the Crew in Columbus once the postseason gets underway -- at least for the first round.

10. New England Revolution

Previous ranking: 7

Next MLS match: Sunday at Philadelphia, 3:30 p.m. ET

After being shut out in a midweek defeat to the Red Bulls, the Revs eked out a 4-3 comeback win over D.C. United on Sunday -- a club whose points-per-game record is better than only Cincinnati's. It's decidedly midtable form for an outfit sitting 12th in the 26-team table.

11. Minnesota United

Previous ranking: 11

Next MLS match: Wednesday vs. Chicago, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+

The Loons received a bit of good fortune against Colorado, with an own goal turning into a late winner, but another bout with COVID-19 saw Minnesota's game against Kansas City canceled. Osvaldo Alonso's latest injury is another big concern heading into the postseason.

12. Nashville SC

Previous ranking: 13

Next MLS match: Wednesday vs. Dallas, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Nashville became the fourth team in the expansion era to qualify for the MLS Cup playoffs in its inaugural season with last Tuesday's win over Montreal. With some help from league-leading Philadelphia, they could leapfrog New England and bypass the East's play-in round with positive results against Dallas and Orlando.

13. FC Dallas

Previous ranking: 14

Next MLS match: Wednesday at Nashville, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

A pair of wins over Miami and Houston were enough to put FCD in the postseason. Ryan Hollingshead has quietly put together a solid season at left-back, and grabbed the game-winner against Miami last Wednesday.

14. San Jose Earthquakes

Previous ranking: 15

Next MLS match: Sunday at Seattle, 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Sunday's match with LAFC was postponed, but the Quakes did the critical work in midweek when they beat Real Salt Lake 2-0, putting them in solid position to make the playoffs. Chris Wondolowski remains a wonder after netting his fifth and sixth goals of the season.

15. New York Red Bulls

Previous ranking: 12

Next MLS match: Sunday vs. Toronto, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Wednesday's 1-0 win over New England has the Red Bulls in the postseason for the 11th straight year. They followed it up by getting blown out 5-2 by rivals NYCFC, though, and with two wins from their past eight, it's hard to imagine the New Jersey natives making much noise in the playoffs.

16. Colorado Rapids

Previous ranking: 16

Next MLS match: Wednesday at Portland, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Since returning from their COVID-induced hiatus, the Rapids have found the going difficult, but a 3-1 win over Seattle got Colorado back to winning ways, with the team's prowess from set pieces returning at the perfect time.

17. Chicago Fire

Previous ranking: 17

Next MLS match: Wednesday at Minnesota, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Taking one point from a week of games against Philadelphia and Nashville, Chicago occupies the East's final play-in place. Much can change on Decision Day, with five clubs contesting ninth and 10th place in the conference separated by just 0.10 points per game. A midweek trip to Minnesota and hosting NYCFC on Sunday will prove a tall order for the Fire, but for the time being they hold on to a postseason place.

18. Vancouver Whitecaps

Previous ranking: 18

Next MLS match: Sunday vs. LA Galaxy, 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

The Caps put in a credible effort, but the Timbers just have more quality in key parts of the field. The playoff hopes are still alive, but only if San Jose makes up its game against LAFC.

19. Montreal Impact

Previous ranking: 19

Next MLS match: Sunday at D.C. United, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Montreal's in the same position as Chicago: in a playoff place, but with four other teams in range of laying claim to it. But having lost nine of 12 and not playing a game at Stade Saputo since Sept. 9, it's not difficult to envision the Impact falling short of the postseason in Thierry Henry's first season in charge of the club.

20. D.C. United

Previous ranking: 22

Next MLS match: Sunday vs. Montreal, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

D.C. deserves its rise in the rankings following its narrow win over contending Columbus and heartbreaking late defeat to New England, but that United still have the second-worst points-per-game ratio in the league despite going 3-1-2 since Ben Olsen's dismissal as manager demonstrates how large a hole the club had dug itself this year.

21. Atlanta United FC

Previous ranking: 23

Next MLS match: Sunday at Columbus, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Atlanta was humbled by rival Orlando on Wednesday, but rebounded for a 2-0 win over Cincinnati. The victory over the league's worst side was just the team's second in its past nine games, with the only other three points coming against hapless D.C. United.

22. LA Galaxy

Previous ranking: 25

Next MLS match: Wednesday vs. Seattle, 11 p.m. ET, ESPN+

The Guillermo Barros Schelotto era ended with a whimper while the (latest) Dominic Kinnear era began with a win and -- surprise! -- a lot more defensive organization. The scant playoff hopes are still alive but, alas, Jonathan dos Santos is injured again.

23. Inter Miami CF

Previous ranking: 20

Next MLS match: Sunday vs. Cincinnati, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Goals from Designated Players Rodolfo Pizarro and Blaise Matuidi in the past week gave Miami some return on their sizable investment, but both goals came in losses to Dallas and Toronto. The third of Inter's high-priced DPs, Gonzalo Higuain, hasn't scored since Oct. 7, while fellow expansion outfit Nashville has quietly qualified for the playoffs without any of the glitz, glamour or corresponding expectation that's proven debilitating for Miami.

24. Real Salt Lake

Previous ranking: 21

Next MLS match: Sunday vs. Kansas City, 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

RSL has been trending downward all month, and on Sunday their faint playoff hopes were finally extinguished with a 2-1 loss to the Galaxy. And with Sam Johnson and the club parting ways, at least now the search for a new striker can officially begin.

25. Houston Dynamo

Previous ranking: 24

Next MLS match: Sunday vs. Colorado, 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

The Dynamo's playoff hopes are officially done after a loss to Dallas, a match in which Houston lost far too many individual battles in the box. The Dynamo front office has a lot of work to do during the offseason to revamp the team's defense.

26. FC Cincinnati

Previous ranking: 26

Next MLS match: Sunday at Miami, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Two games, two shutout defeats for Cincinnati. FCC will need to score four times in Miami to avoid the ignominious title of the lowest-scoring team in MLS history (held by 2013 D.C. United at 0.65 goals per game) with a goals-per-game average dipping to just 0.50 following their latest losses.

Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli has admitted their batting can be "more brave in pockets", referring to their cautious approach after they were put in to bat in their last league game against the Delhi Capitals. The Royal Challengers, who qualified for the playoffs despite a loss on Monday, were 40 for 1 after the powerplay and only 60 for 1 at the halfway mark. They then put on a more respectable 152 for 7, mainly thanks to AB de Villiers' 35 off 21 and Shivam Dube's 17 off 11, who helped them collect 62 from the last six overs.

"We can be more brave with the bat in pockets," Kohli said to the host broadcaster at the post-match presentation. "With the ball we were decent, [we could] probably have a stronger powerplay as well which has been our strength in the games that we won. If we implement those things well, we'll be on the right side of the result. But it's important to stay positive and take what you can from these games because we have two shots at reaching the final."

When asked if his batsmen have been "cautious" in the first half of the innings throughout the tournament, Kohli said: "Just before qualification, yes the mindset could have been a little tentative but this opens up the mindset completely now. We've got two games to reach the finals; we have a shot, we have an opportunity and that's what you want as a team."

Kohli himself has not been at his best this IPL, ending the league stage with a strike rate of 122 for his 460 runs from 14 innings. It has been evident that Kohli has not been able to bat with the same rhythm and freedom which helped him strike at 141.46 in IPL 2019, and at 139 in the 2018 edition. One of the reasons behind that dip could be the bigger boundaries and the slower pitches in the UAE compared to the flatter and shorter Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, and the other could be that Kohli doesn't want to take as many risks initially on such tracks with the lack of experience in the middle order after de Villiers.

While defending 152, the Royal Challengers had to make sure the Capitals didn't finish the chase before 17.3 overs otherwise the Royal Challengers would have ended at fourth place on Monday, one below the Kolkata Knight Riders, and could have been eliminated if the Mumbai Indians lost to the Sunrisers Hyderabad on Tuesday. Kohli said they "controlled" the middle overs "really well" to force the Capitals to go as deep as the 19th over to seal victory.

"You come to games to try and get a result your way," he said. "Through probably the 11th over the 17.3-mark [qualification scenario] was informed by the management. Even if the game's drifting away from you, we controlled that middle phase really well where they could have taken the game away from us. We're just happy we've qualified. Obviously, top two would have been really nice but I think we've played good enough cricket in this tournament to get a qualification spot."

A relieved Shreyas Iyer says that the win against the Royal Challengers Bangalore has put the "smile back on the faces" of his team and given them a much-needed lift after a wobble in their campaign. But now that a top-two spot is secured, the focus shifts to taking on an in-form Mumbai Indians, for direct passage to the final. The Mumbai Indians had beaten the Capitals in both league-stage games, but Iyer thinks his team will be up to the challenge as they are a "fearless and amazing bunch of boys".

Despite winning seven out of their first nine games of the season, the Daredevils were yet to book a playoff spot coming into their last league game. A six-wicket win over the Royal Challengers finally sealed the deal.

"This win was very essential and it has put smiles on our faces after the four consecutive losses," Iyer said at the post-match press conference. "Today the way we played, it was a comprehensive win. I think all the departments were covered up really well by the players and I am really chuffed by their performance, the way they came up and delivered at the right time. The second place obviously makes you feel good after the season you had, with all the ups and downs. The IPL is always a rollercoaster journey.

"The Mumbai Indians are one of the best teams. Having said that, I feel we are also a fearless and amazing bunch of boys. It really depends on the day. Obviously, they are pretty much experienced in such [playoff] stages, but the team that has a good attitude and good composure on that given day is going to make it through. I feel that we need to keep things simple and not complicate in pressure situations. The way we have been going, this was a really good win and it's going to be a really good booster as well for us."

The win was set up by the Capitals' bowlers, who restricted the Royal Challengers to a below-par 152 for 7. Their spinners varied their pace intelligently to keep things quiet in the middle overs and when the Royal Challengers batsmen tried to break free, Anrich Nortje pegged them back by picking up three wickets.

Along with Kagiso Rabada, Nortje has been at the forefront of the Capitals' pace attack, and Iyer was full of praise for the duo.

"It makes my job easy, to be honest, because of the way these guys plan in the team meeting," he said. "They come up with their own ideas and, for me as a captain on the field, it's pretty much easy to set the fields. I just go and ask them what you are going to bowl and they literally mail all of the balls. I am really happy the way the things are going so far and the way Nortje came up and delivered. Really happy for him and the way he performed today."

Another positive for the Capitals was Ajinkya Rahane's performance. Coming in for Shimron Hetmyer, Rahane scored a measured 60 off 46 balls from No. 3 and added 88 for the second wicket with Shikhar Dhawan to take the game away from the Royal Challengers.

"He carries a lot of experience in the IPL and the way he paced his innings, it was amazing to see," Iyer said. "The loose balls he punished, other than that he was taking single and twos. It was a great example and I think he peaked at the right time, just when we needed him. With a few important matches coming up, he will definitely play an important role in them."

Warwickshire believe they have become the first "professional first-class county" to adopt the principles of the Rooney Rule in launching the appointment process for a new head coach of their men's team.

The club, which sacked Jim Troughton from the position last week, published an advert for the vacant position on November 2. Applications must be received by November 14 with an appointment expected around a month later.

In that advert, the club has reiterated its "commitment to representing the communities it serves" and its desire to employ "a diverse and inclusive workforce at all levels of the organisation". As a result, Warwickshire have confirmed the "principles of the Rooney Rule will be adopted to encourage applications from suitably qualified BAME candidates." This is, they state, "the first time that a professional first-class county has adopted these principles".

The Rooney Rule - named after Dan Rooney, the former chair of the NFL's diversity committee - is a form of affirmative action that demands ethnic-minority candidates are interviewed for head coaching and senior administrative positions.

"In line with Warwickshire's Equal Opportunities policy and desire to adopt the principles of the Rooney Rule, should the club receive applications from suitably qualified BAME candidates they will be added to the vacancy short list with a minimum of one BAME candidate invited to first interview," the advert continues.

While Warwickshire recently signed Manraj Johal, a seamer who has graduated from their own academy, by the time the 2020 season finished the club had no non-white player or senior coach on their staff. And while the club played a part in the development of the likes of Kabir and Moeen Ali as young players, both felt a need to move to Worcestershire to win greater opportunity. Their nephew, 16-year-old Ismail Mohammed, recently made the same decision.

The current management at Warwickshire are acutely aware of this failure of the squad to reflect the local community and are determined to rectify it. As well as this adoption of the Rooney Rule, they have recently signed up to the African-Caribbean Engagement (ACE) programme.

"There shouldn't be a barrier in the mind of anybody with the right experience who wants to apply for this job," Stuart Cain, Warwickshire's chief executive, said. "So, we think it's right to adopt the principle of the Rooney Rule in the same way as many of the world's leading sports organisations have.

"Birmingham is one of the UK's, if not Europe's, most diverse cities and we have to reflect this when holding a mirror up to the club and how we operate at every level, from the board down".

Among the other criteria required by the advert, a "tangible proof of developing teams capable of winning domestic cricket competitions" is demanded, as is "proven success at winning trophies, domestically or internationally". The likes of David Saker, currently with Sri Lanka, and Ottis Gibson, currently with Bangladesh, would be certain to gain an interview if they apply while, from closer to home, Graeme Welch, the club's current bowling coach, would also be a strong candidate.

The principles of the Rooney Rule will also be utilised by the ECB when appointing specialist coaches to work with both the England team and the most promising county players. They are expected to appoint specialist batting, seam bowling and spin bowling coaches in the coming months.

Marcus Trescothick and Jon Lewis (the former Durham head coach) are expected to challenge for the batting position, while Jon Lewis (the former England seamer and current England U19 coach) and Welch are well placed for the seam-bowling job. Jeetan Patel is favourite for the spin position.

METAIRIE, La. -- The New Orleans Saints continued their aggressive approach toward the 2020 season by acquiring linebacker Kwon Alexander from the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for veteran linebacker Kiko Alonso and a conditional fifth-round draft pick, coach Sean Payton announced Monday.

Both linebackers are on the mend from injuries. Alexander missed the past three weeks with a high ankle sprain but returned to practice last week. Alonso, meanwhile, has not played yet this season after tearing his ACL in January. But he also returned to practice last month.

The 49ers signed Alexander to a four-year, $54 million contract as a free agent from Tampa Bay last season. But Alexander, 26, was limited last year by a torn pectoral muscle before returning for their playoff run. This was a way for the 49ers to shed salary because they like their depth at the position -- specifically second-year linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who has started in Alexander's place whenever he has been injured.

The Saints, meanwhile, have one of the NFL's best run defenses. But the athletic 6-foot-1, 227-pounder should help their pass coverage while playing alongside All-Pro Demario Davis. Both players are Mike/Will linebacker hybrids.

Payton said the Saints envision Alexander as a Will linebacker, where he will compete for playing time with current starter Alex Anzalone while Davis plays more of the Mike linebacker role.

Payton said it would be difficult for Alexander to play Sunday night at Tampa Bay because of the five-day onboarding process that is required. But Payton said the "goal" is for Alexander to be able to suit up in Week 10 -- against the 49ers of all teams in New Orleans' Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

"We've had a chance obviously to see this player in our division," Payton said of Alexander, who spent his first four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "It's adding another player that we think fits what we're doing. It also gives us another athletic player at that position that can run."

Payton disagreed with the idea that Alexander's pass coverage is his most significant trait.

"No, I wouldn't just say that. He's very good in coverage, but he's also very good in defending the run game," Payton said. "He does a lot of things well. He's smart, he's instinctive, he's a run-and-hit player that has very good speed and instincts."

The Saints can easily afford Alexander's deal for the rest of this season, as he is due less than $1 million in base salary and per-game roster bonuses over their final nine games. However, they will have a decision to make next year before Alexander is due an additional $13.4 million in salary and bonuses. Only $2 million is guaranteed for injury-only. Alexander is due another $13.5 million in 2022, none of which is guaranteed.

The 49ers wound up paying Alexander about $26 million for his year and a half with the team, according to figures from ESPN's Roster Management System. They will incur a dead-money hit of just under $7 million for 2021 from the bonuses and guaranteed money that they have already paid to Alexander. But that still marks a savings from his scheduled 2021 cap hit of $16.5 million.

Alexander, who was originally drafted by Tampa Bay in the fourth round out of LSU in 2015, made the Pro Bowl in 2017. He has started a total of 59 games in his career with 444 tackles, seven interceptions and eight forced fumbles.

Alonso, 30, was a 2013 second-round draft pick who has now been traded four times in his eight-year career from Buffalo to Philadelphia to Miami to New Orleans to San Francisco. The 6-foot-3, 239-pounder has started 67 career games with 588 tackles, 10 interceptions and seven forced fumbles.

Alonso is a versatile linebacker who joined the Saints in a trade just before the 2019 season and played well in a part-time role. He tore the ACL in his right knee during their playoff loss to the Minnesota Vikings -- the third time he had torn an ACL dating back to college (the right knee twice and the left knee once). Alonso is due $850,000 in remaining salary this season, plus some not-likely-to-be-earned bonuses.

ESPN's Nick Wagoner contributed to this report.

Florida Gators coach Dan Mullen has been fined $25,000 and issued a reprimand for violating SEC bylaws governing sportsmanship after a brawl erupted during Saturday's game against Missouri.

"There is no place in college football for the kind of incident that took place at halftime of the Missouri at Florida game Saturday night," SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said Monday in a prepared statement. "Everyone involved is responsible for meeting sportsmanship standards throughout each game. Running on the field to confront a game official, the gathering of teams in an on-field confrontation and student-athletes throwing punches are all disappointing at any time, but even more so as we work to support healthy competition during a pandemic."

Following the altercation, Florida defensive lineman Zachary Carter and linebacker Antwuan Powell were ejected for the remainder of the game for fighting, and Missouri outside linebacker Tre Williams was ejected for a flagrant unsportsmanlike conduct foul.

According to NCAA Football Playing Rule 9.5.1.b., ejections for fighting carry an automatic half-game suspension for the following game, which will result in Carter and Powell serving suspensions for the first half of Florida's game against Georgia in Jacksonville on Saturday.

In addition, following video review of the incident, the SEC Office has issued a half-game suspension for Missouri linebacker Chad Bailey, offensive lineman Dylan Spencer and defensive lineman Markell Utsey for fighting action during the altercation. Each will miss the first half of Missouri's game vs. Georgia on Nov. 14, which follows a Missouri open date on Nov. 7.

Fines levied against schools and individuals in the SEC go into a fund supporting the SEC's postgraduate scholarship program.

Mullen had to be held back by staff at one point during the scuffle and chaos of both teams trying to leave the field. He later said he was trying to get his players off the field. Mullen waved his arms toward the crowd as he headed toward the locker room in Gainesville, and then he turned around and returned to the field to further incite the fans.

Mullen said his players believed they were acting in defense of quarterback Kyle Trask, thinking the hit he suffered on the final play of the first half was unfair.

"They're going to protect him," Mullen said. "That's their guy."

He added: "Everybody was a little edgy and probably went a little too far with it."

On Saturday, the schools issued a joint statement, saying the incident does not reflect the values of either university.

"We are committed to healthy competition and good sportsmanship," the joint statement said. "The clean play without incident in the second half is how we expect to represent both institutions and the SEC. We believe both programs will use this moment to learn from so that future incidents like this do not happen."

Mullen, who said he did not condone the violence, credited Missouri's coaching staff, as well as his own, for calming players down at halftime and preventing any further altercations.

Florida went on to beat Missouri 41-17.

ESPN's Alex Scarborough contributed to this report.

Injury woes continue to plague the San Francisco 49ers as both quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and tight end George Kittle will miss multiple weeks, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter

Garoppolo is expected to be sidelined a minimum of six weeks and possibly longer if surgery is needed, a source said, as Garoppolo continues to deal with a high ankle sprain that has bothered him since Week 2.

Kittle is out eight weeks with a broken bone in his foot, a source said, which means his season could be over. Both players left Sunday's 37-27 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth quarter.

Garoppolo seemed to tweak his ankle earlier in the game but played through it before he was removed with 14:02 left to play. He limped to the locker room after going 11-of-16 for 84 yards with no touchdowns and an interception for a passer rating of 55.2.

Nick Mullens came on in relief of Garoppolo and threw a touchdown pass to Ross Dwelley, who replaced Kittle.

Garoppolo seemed to tweak his ankle earlier in the game but played through it before he was removed with 14:02 left to play. He limped to the locker room after going 11-of-16 for 84 yards with no touchdowns and an interception for a passer rating of 55.2.

Kittle's foot injury came with 12:36 to play after he leaped to haul in a 25-yard pass from Mullens. Kittle made the play but came down awkwardly and hobbled to the sideline soon after.

San Francisco (4-4) plays the Green Bay Packers (5-2) on Thursday night.

Information from ESPN's Nick Wagoner was used in this report.

Ole Miss freshman tight end DaMarcus Thomas had to be airlifted to the hospital after sustaining a serious injury during practice on Monday that initially left him without any feeling in his body.

Coach Lane Kiffin was visibly upset as he met with reporters during his regularly scheduled news conference, saying Thomas was "potentially severely injured."

After his initial comments, in which he said Thomas "was hit and hasn't moved since," Kiffin came back to say that Thomas has regained some movement and feeling in his body.

"I don't know what that means exactly," Kiffin said, "but it sure feels like great news compared to what it was."

Kiffin said practice was stopped early.

Kiffin said he found himself thinking about his own kids as trainers were asking Thomas whether he could feel anything on his body and he said no.

"Hopefully this is some severe stinger," Kiffin said. "I did ask the medical staff and they said that does happen sometimes. So praying somehow that's what it is."

All of the players remained on the field waiting for the helicopter to arrive.

Thomas, 18, is from Whatley, Alabama. He has appeared in five games this season.

"If you saw what I saw, you wouldn't be worried about whether he was going to play or not," Kiffin said.

Thomas, a three-star prospect, signed with Ole Miss over offers from South Alabama, Southern Miss, Tulane and others.

Ole Miss is coming off a 54-21 win over Vanderbilt on Saturday, improving to 2-4 during Kiffin's first season as head coach.