Sports
Player welfare, injury worries & boredom – has extended break worked?
The extended international break might have been brought in with player welfare in mind, but the reality is that a number of players will return to their clubs with injuries.
It is hard to quantify whether more injuries have been picked up during the past fortnight than during other international breaks and it must be factored in that this is a lengthier break with more fixtures. A full and fair comparison might have to wait until the end of the season, after all the international breaks.
However, there have been numerous injuries to players since players joined up with international team-mates.
On Monday, it was announced that Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott had withdrawn from the England squad with a thigh injury and the Cherries are unhappy with the way they believe England handled the injury.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland asked to be substituted on 67 minutes, subsequently limping off in Norway’s match against Portugal on Sunday before leaving camp on Monday while club team-mate Nico O’Reilly returned to City for further assessment.
Following the injury to Haaland, the Norwegian players’ union (NISO) expressed concern over the increased demands.
“Over time, we have seen a worrying trend where the burden on top players has become far too high,” NISO chief Kristoffer Vatshaug said.
“We want clearer guidelines for workload and recovery. It is about the time between matches, consecutive rest periods, travel strain and how much time players get to recover after a long season.”
Liverpool duo Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak have both picked up injuries with Gakpo withdrawing from the Netherlands squad with an ankle injury and Isak pulling out of Sweden duty with a minor thigh injury.
Portugal boss Jorge Jesus revealed Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes had been playing through pain while Sunderland’s Dan Ballard and Brian Brobbey both sustained hamstring problems.
Club managers will have their fingers crossed that no more names are added to that list with three days of fixtures still to be played.
England’s Tino Livramento, Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford and Declan Rice all pulled out of Thomas Tuchel’s squad before the start of the break.
Away from the Premier League, there have also been injuries to some of the biggest stars in the game with Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe sustaining an injury while on duty with France and Barcelona’s Raphinha also returned from Brazil with a thigh injury.
>
Michigan tight end Zack Marshall apologized Tuesday for screenshots of messages that showed him criticizing offensive coordinator Jason Beck and Michigan’s offensive scheme.
“Last weekend, in the hours after we lost, I made some inappropriate comments that I regret,” Marshall wrote in a post on X. “This game is won and lost as a team and I pointed fingers instead of taking accountability. I let my frustrations speak for me in an emotional moment.”
— Zack Marshall (@TheZackMarsh) October 6, 2026
Michigan’s offense gained just 180 yards in a 20-14 loss Saturday at Minnesota. Screenshots began circulating Monday evening on social media showing critical comments in a group chat attributed to Marshall.
One comment said, “Basically our offense sucks cause if you blitz us we have no answers… we have an extra OL on the field every play and run different versions of power read every play,” followed by a clown emoji. The comment went on to say, “Bryce (Underwood) is a good qb, beck is a problem.”
WILD: A conversation with Michigan TE Zack Marshall was LEAKED talking bad about the Michigan coaching staff.
Trouble brewing in Ann Arbor 😳 pic.twitter.com/G2csFZ2LGb
— College Transfer Portal (@CollegeFBPortal) October 5, 2026
A Michigan spokesman referred to Marshall’s apology when contacted for comment.
Marshall, a senior, has appeared in all five games and started against UTEP. He has yet to catch a pass this season as Michigan’s tight ends have combined for just 65 receiving yards on nine catches with no touchdowns. Another screenshot attributed to Marshall stated that Beck, Michigan’s first-year offensive coordinator, met with the tight ends and “told us none of us are valuable to this offense.”
“I apologize to my teammates and coaches for the unnecessary drama that this has caused,” Marshall wrote. “I will always be proud to represent Michigan and will continue to give everything I have for this program.”
Marshall’s comments came amid a frustrating start for Michigan’s offense and criticism directed at Underwood and Beck. Michigan ranks 122nd in the FBS and 17th in the Big Ten in total offense, ahead of only Michigan State.
Coach Kyle Whittingham indicated changes were coming after Saturday’s loss, though it’s unclear what those changes will entail. Utah finished No. 4 in the FBS in total offense last season under Beck, but so far the results haven’t matched the glowing reports about Beck’s offense from preseason camp.
Marshall described Michigan’s offense as “lightning in a bottle” when speaking to reporters in August.
“It’s a beautiful thing,” Marshall said then of Michigan’s offense. “There’s a lot of misdirection. It’s built to have answers for everything.”
>
Need players to plug roster holes due to the bye week and injuries? Metrics show that Roman Wilson and RJ Harvey deserve your attention.
>
Bunting has 109 career goals and 252 career points in 418 career games, appearing with the Predators and Stars last season.
>
Michigan tight end apologizes after leaked messages show him criticizing offense, coaching
Fantasy football Week 5 insights: Need 15 points from your Flex? Look to these players
A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special Season 2 Anime Reveals Same-Day Dub Release, Cast – News
-
movies5 months agoSearch For Canadian TV Actor Stewart McLean Now Homicide Investigation
-
Fashion9 years agoThese ’90s fashion trends are making a comeback in 2017
-
Fashion9 years ago
According to Dior Couture, this taboo fashion accessory is back
-
Fashion9 years ago
Model Jocelyn Chew’s Instagram is the best vacation you’ve ever had
-
Fashion9 years ago
Emily Ratajkowski channels back-to-school style
-
Fashion9 years ago
9 Celebrities who have spoken out about being photoshopped
-
Anime4 months agoRurouni Kenshin: Hokkaido Arc Manga Takes 1-Issue Break – News
-
Anime3 months agoHIDIVE to Stream English Dubs for The World Is Dancing, The Forsaken Saintess and Her Foodie Roadtrip in Another World, The Dangers in My Heart: The Movie Anime – News