Kirill Kaprizov will miss at least four weeks as he will have surgery on a lower-body injury, Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin said Tuesday.

Guerin said that while the Wild's star winger be out of the lineup, it is not a season-ending injury. He said Kaprizov will be week-to-week.

A three-time 40-goal scorer, Kaprizov was having what appeared to be the strongest season of his career. He entered late December as a Hart Trophy candidate for the league's most valuable player. He was tied for second in the NHL in goals while tied for fourth in scoring, just seven points behind Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon for the league lead.

Kaprizov then sustained a lower-body injury that kept him out of the Wild's lineup for a month. He returned Jan. 23, logging zero points in 16:39 of ice time in a 4-0 loss to the Utah Hockey Club. Kaprizov would play two more games, registering an assist in both contests while averaging more than 21 minutes in each game before Guerin's announcement.

"I think he's handled it the best that he could," coach John Hynes said. "To his credit, he does everything that the doctors ask. He's a workhorse. He does anything he can do to get himself ready to play even though he's not feeling great, he's certainly done that."

The provided timeline suggests the earliest Kaprizov could return to the Wild would be late February or early March. One detail that could minimize Kaprizov's absence would be the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament that runs Feb. 12-20. The Wild have six games before the four-team international tournament featuring Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States.

Minnesota's first game back from the 4 Nations Face-Off would be Feb. 22.

"We just need to deal with the situation," Guerin said. "It's not the end of the world. We're going to keep playing and continue to get better. When Kirill's healthy and all healed up, he'll be back, and we'll be even better."

Regardless of how many games Kaprizov misses, his absence is expected to play a significant role in the Wild's bid to reach the playoffs after missing the postseason in 2023-24. Previously, the Wild had made the playoffs in four straight seasons while only missing the postseason once since the start of the 2012-13 campaign.

Minnesota (29-17-4) opened the season with a 20-6-4 start only to go 9-11 since Dec. 14. Since then, they've had two separate three-game losing streaks but remain in the hunt for a playoff spot.

The Wild entered Tuesday third in a rather tight Central Division race in which they are a point behind the second-place Dallas Stars and two points ahead of the Avalanche, who hold the first of two wild-card positions.

Neymar will return to his boyhood club Santos, the team's president announced on Tuesday, a day after he ended his disappointing 17-month stay with Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal.

Neymar, 32, won six titles with his boyhood club Santos, including a Copa Libertadores trophy in 2011. He will return to the club after a frustrating spell at Al Hilal, where he played only seven matches and scored once.

"It is the time [to come back], Neymar. It is time for you to come back to your people. To our home, to the club in our hearts," Santos president Marcelo Teixeira said in a social media post.

"Welcome, our boy Ney! A boy of Vila [Belmiro, Santos' stadium]. Come back to be happy again with the white and black shirt. The Santos nation awaits you with open arms."

Neymar spent much of his time in Saudi Arabia on the sidelines due to an ACL injury he picked playing for Brazil in October 2023.

ESPN reported on Sunday that Neymar was nearing a return to his native Brazil. He had been linked with a transfer to the Chicago Fire, but sources told ESPN his preference was always to rejoin Santos over a move to Major League Soccer.

Since leaving Santos for Barcelona in 2013, Neymar established himself as one of the sport's biggest stars. His move to the Camp Nou saw him team up with Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez to form a feared frontline that came to be known as "MSN."

That partnership resulted in a Champions League crown, two LaLiga titles and three Copa del Reys during his four years at Barcelona. In 2017, he made made a stunning move to Paris Saint-Germain for a world-record fee of around 222 million ($231m).

While the club had little difficulty in earning success on the domestic front, Neymar and his fellow stars -- that later included Messi and Kylian Mbappé -- failed to win the Champions League, coming closest in 2020 when they were beaten by Bayern Munich in the final.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot believes the similarities between his own playing style and that of Jurgen Klopp have helped to make his transition to English football a seamless one.

Slot's team is currently six points clear at the top of the Premier League table and have already guaranteed automatic qualification for the round of 16 in the revamped Champions League with a game to spare.

The Anfield club need only a point against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night to top the league phase table ahead of Barcelona, though Slot is set to field a much-changed side at Philips Stadion, with nine first-team players -- including Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold -- having been omitted from the matchday squad.

Reflecting on what has helped his team reach such a commanding position, Slot said: "The way I work is I think about is how I can bring in my style of play as soon possible with this team.

"The reason that the club ended up with me is because of many characteristics that I share with Jurgen Klopp, some personalities too -- that is the first focus. As a group, I'm happy to be in the position we're in. Thanks to the new Champions League format, it doesn't matter if we win or lose tomorrow."

Slot added: "It took me a while to understand this format, but now I can be 100% sure that it doesn't matter at all if we end up one or two as we play [the team that finishes] 14th, 15th, 16th or 17th and then it's a draw to see who we're going to face.

"This is a game for us that has no importance in terms of the result for league table. But a very wise man said to me I've never seen anything good from losing a football game, so we will do everything we can to try and win."

Slot was joined for his news conference by forward Cody Gakpo, who has recorded an impressive tally of 14 goals and five assists for Liverpool in all competitions this term.

Asked whether Liverpool can learn from the disappointment of falling away in the Premier League title race last season, Gakpo said: "I think the biggest difference at this point is that last season we had a lot of injuries.

"A year has gone by and as a team you get more experience, more togetherness as well. I think we were growing together last year, we're growing this year as well, so hopefully we can bring it to a good end."

MLS announced the guidelines for their 30 teams that will take part in four North American cup competitions in 2025 and 2026, which will see an increased presence in the U.S. Open Cup, and a decreased number of teams at the joint Leagues Cup with Liga MX.

"The framework for MLS club participation in North American cup competitions rewards club performance, manages player workload, and ensures that every MLS club has the opportunity to compete in at least one, but no more than two, North American competitions that run concurrently with the MLS league season," said a statement from the league that also outlined participation in the Concacaf Champions Cup and Canadian Championship.

As opposed to 2024 in which every MLS side took part in the Leagues Cup competition against Liga MX, 18 will now be selected to match the total number of clubs from the Mexican top flight. Set to be played from July 29-Aug. 31, MLS' participants are decided by the top nine teams from each conference from the previous season.

The Vancouver Whitecaps, who finished eighth in the Western Conference last season, will not take part in the Leagues Cup due to their involvement in a maximum of two cup competitions through the Concacaf Champions Cup and Canadian Championship.

In their place, expansion side San Diego FC will take their spot in the 2025 Leagues Cup. According to the league, this "allows for all 30 MLS teams to compete in at least one, but not more than two, North American cup competitions."

Through the new guidelines, the number of MLS first teams will double in the U.S. Open Cup from eight in 2024 to 16 in 2025, expanding the footprint for the league's top sides after last year's controversial decision to trim that number to 8.

Any U.S.-based MLS team that didn't qualify for the Leagues Cup or Concacaf Champions Cup, will take part in the U.S. Open Cup.

The final seven of the 16 MLS first teams were selected through standings in 2024's Supporters' Shield table -- not including those who are going to take part in the Concacaf Champions Cup.

In the previous U.S. Open Cup, MLS made headlines after initially attempting to only send affiliated third division teams from MLS Next Pro to the oldest soccer tournament in the country, then later agreeing to a limited participation with eight senior teams.

One year later, MLS' 16 senior teams will be joined by 10 MLS Next Pro teams for the U.S. Open Cup in 2025.

Criteria for qualifying for the Concacaf Champions Cup, which will feature 10 MLS teams in the tournament that runs from Feb. 4-June 1, was previously set by Concacaf. In the Canadian Championship, which will run from April-Oct., all three Canadian MLS teams are automatically invited.

Qualification parameters for involvement in the four North American cup competitions in 2027 and beyond will be reviewed at a later date.

Outside of the Concacaf region, MLS' Seattle Sounders and Inter Miami will also take part in the Club World Cup wfrom June 14-July 13.

The regular season will be paused from June 15-24, and if Miami or Seattle were to advance to further stages in the Club World Cup, scheduling adjustments in MLS would be considered for either team.

Full list of MLS clubs' North American cup participation for 2025:

Eastern Conference

Atlanta United FC: Leagues Cup

Charlotte FC: Leagues Cup, U.S. Open Cup

Chicago Fire FC: U.S. Open Cup

FC Cincinnati: Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup

Columbus Crew: Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup

D.C. United: U.S. Open Cup

Inter Miami CF: Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup

CF Montréal: Leagues Cup, Canadian Championship

New York City FC: Leagues Cup, U.S. Open Cup

New York Red Bulls: Leagues Cup, U.S. Open Cup

Nashville SC: U.S. Open Cup

New England Revolution: U.S. Open Cup

Orlando City SC: Leagues Cup, U.S. Open Cup

Philadelphia Union: U.S. Open Cup

Toronto FC: Canadian Championship

Western Conference

Austin FC: U.S. Open Cup

Colorado Rapids: Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup

FC Dallas: U.S. Open Cup,

Houston Dynamo FC: Leagues Cup, U.S. Open Cup

LA Galaxy: Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup

LAFC: Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup

Minnesota United FC: Leagues Cup, U.S. Open Cup

Portland Timbers: U.S. Open Cup, Leagues Cup

Real Salt Lake: Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup

San Jose Earthquakes: U.S. Open Cup San Diego FC: Leagues Cup

Seattle Sounders FC: Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup

Sporting Kansas City: Concacaf Champions Cup

St. Louis City SC: U.S. Open Cup

Vancouver Whitecaps: Concacaf Champions Cup, Canadian Championship

MLS Next Pro teams participating in the 2025 U.S. Open Cup

Carolina Core FC (Independent), Chattanooga FC (Independent), FC Cincinnati 2 (FC Cincinnati), Columbus Crew 2 (Columbus Crew), Inter Miami CF II (Inter Miami CF), LAFC2 (LAFC), Real Monarchs (Real Salt Lake), Sporting KC II (Sporting Kansas City), Tacoma Defiance (Seattle Sounders FC), Ventura County FC (LA Galaxy).

Arsenal midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly will not serve a three-match suspension after the club's appeal against his red card at Wolves was upheld by a Football Association (FA) disciplinary commission.

Lewis-Skelly was sent off by referee Michael Oliver in the 43rd minute of the Gunners' 1-0 victory at Wolves on Saturday, with the 18-year-old deemed to have committed a serious foul play challenge on Matt Doherty. Oliver's decision was supported by the VAR, Darren England.

The FA and Arsenal confirmed the decision in a joint-statement.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said he was "absolutely fuming" about Lewis-Skelly's dismissal, which would have seen him miss Sunday's home game against Aston Villa in the Premier League, the second of the Carabao Cup semifinal at Newcastle United on Feb. 5 and the trip to Leicester City on Feb. 15.

It is the third time this season that a player has won an appeal against a red card in the Premier League, despite VAR being in operation as a safety net. In September, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was dismissed against Tottenham Hotspur. Then in November, Brentford skipper Christian Nørgaard was sent off on the advice of the VAR due to a high challenge on Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

United and Brentford successfully appealed the red cards to the FA, with a panel of three former players convened to vote on the referee's decision. In both cases, the panel reached a split 2-1 judgement to overturn the red card. The written reasons behind Lewis-Skelly's appeal should be published at the start of next week.

Fabian Schär (Newcastle United, serious foul play), Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace, serious foul play) and Jhon Durán (Aston Villa, violent conduct) have seen appeals turned down this season.

Police have launched investigations into "threats and abuse" aimed at Oliver and his family after the controversial red card.

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean took a step away from the game for a short period in 2021 after reporting death threats to the police. It came after he sent off West Ham United midfielder Tomás Soucek against Fulham.

FRISCO, Texas -- Considered the front-runner for the job when Brian Schottenheimer was hired as Dallas Cowboys head coach, Matt Eberflus is now the team's defensive coordinator, the team announced Tuesday.

Eberflus served as the head coach of the Chicago Bears for nearly three seasons before he was fired on Nov. 29 in the midst of a six-game losing streak. He had a 14-32 record as coach, but he had a solid run as the defensive coordinator of the Indianapolis Colts from 2018 to 2021.

In his first season, the Colts went from No. 30 in scoring and total defense to Nos. 10 and 11, respectively. In three of his four seasons, the Colts had a top-10 scoring defense and twice they were top 10 in yards.

Eberflus served as a Cowboys assistant coach under Jason Garrett for seven seasons. He joined the team as a linebackers coach with Rob Ryan as defensive coordinator, running a 3-4 scheme and remained when the Cowboys switched to a 4-3 under Monte Kiffin and Rod Marinelli.

In 2016-17, he was the defensive passing game coordinator. Anthony Spencer and Sean Lee made their first Pro Bowls as Cowboys with Eberflus as their coach.

Eberflus inherits a defense from Mike Zimmer that finished 28th in yards (355.2) and 31st in points (27.5) per game but was done in by injuries to defensive ends DeMarcus Lawrence, who played only four games with a foot injury, and Micah Parsons, who missed four games with a high ankle sprain. Cornerback Trevon Diggs and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown also finished the season on injured reserve with knee injuries.

Their injuries could lead to them missing time when the 2025 season starts. Diggs had surgery last week, while Overshown suffered anterior cruciate, posterior cruciate and medial collateral tears in his left knee.

The Cowboys are also expected to hire former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen as special teams coordinator, sources told ESPN. Sorensen would replace John Fassel, who joined the Tennessee Titans after his contract expired.

Sorensen worked with Schottenheimer with the Seattle Seahawks and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Schottenheimer is not traveling to the Senior Bowl this week in Mobile, Alabama, so he can focus on completing his coaching staff.

Brothers Jake Paul and Logan Paul made social media announcements Tuesday that suggested their next fight will be against each other and air on HBO Max.

Calling it the "moment you've waited a decade for," the posts featured a head-to-head shot of the brothers with a March 27 date and the HBO Max logo. Further details were not included in the posts.

Jake Paul, 28, and Logan Paul, 29, are both YouTube stars who know how to create a buzz. Their exhibitions have drawn the interest of the biggest names in combat sports. Jake Paul defeated Mike Tyson in November in an eight-round unanimous decision. Logan Paul went the distance in an exhibition against Floyd Mayweather in 2021.

An HBO Max fight would be a first for the Pauls, who have had their bouts aired on platforms such as DAZN, Showtime, Fanmio, ESPN+ and Netflix.

Jake Paul and Tyson, the former heavyweight champion, broke records. Promoters said in November that the Tyson-Paul fight was the highest-grossing combat sports event ever in Texas, pulling in $18.1 million. BetMGM said the bout was by far its most-bet boxing or mixed-martial arts fight, taking three times the number of bets and four times the money of any combat sport event in its history.

Logan Paul is a part-time performer for World Wrestling Entertainment. He has been wildly successful in WWE, having claimed the United States Championship and participated in several premium live events. The fight with his brother would be just weeks before WrestleMania, the biggest event on the pro wrestling calendar.

A potential fight between Logan Paul and former UFC champion Conor McGregor will not happen. McGregor said in December that he was in "preliminary agreements" with the family of billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani to fight Logan Paul in India. However, he said this week the UFC would not grant him permission.

The Associated Press and ESPN's Brett Okamoto contributed to this report.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Brian Belichick, who spent the past five seasons as the New England Patriots' safeties coach, will not return to the team in 2025, according to a league source.

Belichick, the youngest son of former Patriots coach Bill Belichick, grew up a fan of the team and spent the past nine years on staff -- first as a personnel assistant (2016), then a coaching assistant (2017-19), before being elevated to safeties coach in 2020.

"He just brings a different level of how he sees the game, how he thinks the game," safety Jabrill Peppers said in 2024. "He holds us to a very high standard and has coached a lot of great DBs back there."

The Patriots' coaching staff is in transition for the second year in a row. New head coach Mike Vrabel replaced Jerod Mayo following a 4-13 season.

Vrabel hired former Titans and Lions defensive line coach Terrell Williams as his defensive coordinator. There was a question of whether Vrabel would consider retaining Belichick and cornerbacks coach Mike Pellegrino to pair with Williams, with Pellegrino's status uncertain.

Bill Belichick enters his first season as head coach at the University of North Carolina, where his oldest son, Steve, will serve as an assistant coach. Bill Belichick was out of football in 2024, while Steve Belichick served as defensive coordinator at the University of Washington last season.

One theme among new defensive assistants is ties to Vrabel from his tenure as Titans head coach (2018-23), with Clinton McMillan and Zak Kuhr set to join the staff, according to sources.

Other parts of Vrabel's staff are also being put into place, with former Bills and Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone and former Bears interim head coach Thomas Brown among the key hires on offense to work under coordinator Josh McDaniels, according to sources.

Vrabel also retained special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer and top special teams assistant Tom Quinn.

Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis said that adding Tom Brady as a minority owner brought a needed piece that has been missing from the organization since Jon Gruden resigned.

"Bringing in Tom Brady was bringing in somebody on the football side that I had been lacking having here in the organization," Davis told reporters. "Back in I guess it was '18, with Jon Gruden. He was somebody that I brought in and really expected to be that person on the football side that would bring stability to the organization. He had a 10-year contract and all that, and his head was chopped off. And we were put in a really bad position as an organization."

Davis made his comments Monday after the Raiders introduced Pete Carroll as the team's new coach and John Spytek as the new general manager.

Gruden resigned as the Raiders' head coach in 2021 after reports surfaced that emails he wrote over a 10-year period included racist, misogynistic and anti-gay language. Gruden was employed by ESPN as the lead analyst for "Monday Night Football" at the time he sent the emails.

Gruden sent emails to Bruce Allen, then the president of Washington's NFL franchise, and others during a seven-year period that ended in 2018. The emails came to light during the NFL's investigation into workplace misconduct with Washington under former owner Daniel Snyder.

Since that time, the Raiders have tried to replace Gruden first with Josh McDaniels and then Antonio Pierce before now turning to Carroll.

Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion, was approved to buy into the Raiders last October. He was part of the team interviewing prospective head coaching candidates, Davis said.

Davis said he hopes he's found the pair to turn around the Raiders in Carroll and Spytek.

"We want to build something here and again, that's been the process and that mindset all along," Davis said. "Like I said, it got offset or kind of blown up when Jon Gruden was sent away and so we've been trying to get it right since then and we'll see, but I've got patience to get it right, and I think we've got the people now -- again I've always felt that -- results are what speak to me and that's what we'll see."

The Raiders went 22-31 under Gruden in his second stint with the franchise after he initially coached the Raiders from 1998 to 2001. He was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and beat his former team in Super Bowl XXXVII in 2003.

The Raiders finished 4-13 this season.