Kia Rookie Ladder: Lauri Markkanen Rises, While Donovan Mitchell Retains Lofty Perch

Oscar Gandarilla called his son out of school Thursday in Rawlins, Wyo., and the father-son duo made the long trek south to Coors Field — all to hear snippets of a single song one last time. Yes, the 36-year-old Denver native wanted to get a final in-person glimpse of his favorite Rockies player, Charlie Blackmon, and the beard, hard-nosed approach and sweet lefty swing that’s defined the icon’s Colorado tenure. But it was more than that as Blackmon, 38, was set to retire at the end of the week.

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. — Mother Nature won Friday at The Greenbrier. The Broncos moved their final full practice day inside to the tennis club on the grounds here due to winds, rain and lightning powered by Hurricane Helene. “I kinda like it actually. I think it was good,” head coach Sean Payton said, noting that the mid-stream change of course, in his mind, keeps the team on its toes. “I didn’t realize they had this,” he said of the tennis center. The actual outdoor practice fields here held the early week rain well enough for the team to have a full practice on the grass on Wednesday.

Around the AFC Russ’ slipping grip? When will Russell Wilson get on the field for Pittsburgh? The Steelers weren’t going to rush him back from a calf injury in the first place and now the team is 3-0 with Justin Fields at the helm. Head coach Mike Tomlin’s not one to mess with a good thing and the Steelers are 1.5-point road favorites at Indy.

Broncos (1-2) at Jets (2-1) When: Sunday, 11 a.m. MT Where: MetLife Stadium Radio/TV: 850 AM, 94.1 FM/CBS Line: Jets -7.5 Broncos-Jets series: Denver is 21-18-1 in 40 regular-season games dating back to 1960; the Broncos lost 31-21 in the last meeting, on Oct. 8, 2023, at home and have dropped two in a row against New York. In the spotlight: Quinnen Williams, Jets pass rush pose difficult challenge Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett didn’t stand a chance against Quinnen Williams. In the third quarter of New York’s 24-3 win over New England, the Jets defensive lineman maneuvered around the center David Andrews before sacking Brissett for a loss of 12 yards.

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. — Being a fast learner is great. Being a fast corrector, Vance Joseph says, is even better. That’s what the Broncos have in cornerback Riley Moss. “That’s part of being a good pro,” the Broncos defensive coordinator said this week. “You have to correct quickly in this league, especially at corner, because every play can be a touchdown.

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. — Why bother putting a card in the mail when you can just deliver a thank-you message in person? That’s what the Broncos should do Sunday at MetLife Stadium. Tell the New York Jets thank you. If they spend a few extra bucks on one of those 3D pop-up cards, all the better. Thanks for the high-quality defensive lineman — among the scarcest resources in football — for the bargain-basement price. Thanks for helping transform a defensive front that last year was among the NFL’s worst and, through three games this year, is a disruptive group. Thanks for not only the player but for the ripple effect he’s had on Zach Allen, D.