Skip Schumaker has officially been tasked with leading the Texas Rangers.

Schumaker was the 2023 National League manager of the year with the Miami Marlins, leading the team to an 84-78 record and rare playoff appearance. He and the Marlins parted ways, however, after they went 62-100 in 2024.

The 45-year-old has spent the last year as a special assistant with the Rangers under future Hall of Famer Bruce Bochy.

Bochy and the Rangers agreed he would not continue on as manager after three seasons that included the club’s first World Series title in 2023.

Schumaker inherits a team that went 81-81 in 2025.

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LAS VEGAS — WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has denied commenting on Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark.

‘Obviously, I did not make those comments,’ Engelbert said on Friday ahead of Game 1 of the 2025 WNBA Finals, three days after Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier publicly criticized Engelbert in a scathing statement.

In Collier’s exit interview on Tuesday, she disclosed a private conversation she had with Engelbert, alleging the commissioner said Clark ‘should be grateful to make $16 million off the court, because without the platform that the WNBA gives her, she wouldn’t make anything’ when asked about increasing player’s salaries.

Engelbert said she was ‘disheartened by how Napheesa (Collier) characterized our conversation’ in a statement released on social media on Tuesday, but didn’t directly deny making the comments about Clark. Until Friday.

‘Caitlin has been a transformational player in this league. She’s been a great representative of the game. She’s brought in 10 of millions of new fans to the game,’ Engelbert said when pushed to clarify what exactly she said. ‘I’m not going to get into every point (and) counterpoint. It’s not productive here. … But yeah, as I said, there’s a lot of inaccuracies reported out there and I certainly did not say that.’

However, Engelbert stopped short of denying saying ‘players should be on their knees thanking their lucky stars for the media rights deal that I got them,’ as Collier said in her statement.

‘I think obviously a lot of reporting and a lot of inaccuracy about what I said or what I didn’t say,’ Engelbert said when asked to clarify. ‘I have been in touch with Napheesa (Collier), we’ve exchanged texts. We’re talking next week. … I highly respect the players. There’s a lot of emotion and passion going on right now because we’re in collective bargaining, we’re in the WNBA Finals and so I’ll leave it there.’

The criticism of Engelbert highlights the growing divide between players and league leadership amid ongoing contract negotiations as the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which was signed into effect in January 2020, shortly after Engelbert took over as commissioner in 2019, is set to expire on October 31, 2025 after the WNBPA opted out. Engelbert was asked if she believed she was the right person to lead the negotiations.

‘I’ve never been a quitter, never shied away from tough situations,’ Engelbert said. ‘I think leadership, the cream always rises to the top and I’ve always been someone who believes in the fact that we have, if there’s things we need to fix, we’re going to fix ’em. If there’s things the players have a perspective on that they don’t like that we’re doing or I’m doing, we’ll fix’

Many WNBA superstar players and coaches backed Collier’s sentiments. Clark said Collier ‘said it all,’ while the Las Vegas Aces four-time MVP A’ja Wilson said she was ‘honestly disgusted by the comments that Cathy made.’

If both sides don’t reach an agreement before the CBA expires, the league could experience a work stoppage and temporarily shut down until a contract is signed. A lockout could result in the 2026 season being delayed or canceled, a growing possibly and concern for the players.

‘We continue to meet and have important conversations with the players association,’ Engelbert said on Friday. ‘I want to reiterate that we want much of the same things that the players want. We want to significantly and I mean significantly increase their salary and benefits while also supporting the long term growth and viability of the WNBA… We’ll continue to negotiate in good faith until we get a transformative deal done.’

‘I hope we got a league,’ Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell said on Wed, Oct. 1 in her exit interview. ‘I hope that when it’s all said and done … we can have a season, period.’

Engelbert said she’s ‘confident that we can get a deal done, but if not, I think we could do an extension’ and said she remains the right person to lead the league through the next CBA.

The WNBA has never experienced a lockout in its 28-year history, although the 2003 WNBA draft and preseason were postponed before a new CBA was reached in 2003. It’s worth noting that the WNBA expansion drafts for the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire are tentatively set for December and could be affected by a stoppage.

‘Whether it’s a lockout or strike, there’s deadlines and there’s extensions that could be done,’ Engelbert said. ‘You want to make sure you’re capitalizing on all this momentum that we’ve built up over the last five years or so and that are really driving viewership into our game and fandom… this is all the important stuff of why we need to get this transformational CBA done as soon as we can because that’s where you see the potential for the future of this game.’

During the 2025 WNBA All-Star weekend in July, Engelbert said she had ‘confidence we can get something done by October,’ although she wouldn’t ‘put an exact date on it.’ She added, ‘Would we like to get it done? Yes. Does it have to be done exactly on that date? We’ve got some room to continue negotiations if we’re close at that point.’

But the latest controversy shows just how far the players and the league remain on a deal as the clock ticks.

‘I feel confident that we can repair any loss of trust,’ Engelbert added. ‘I hope all the players will engage and know what proposals we put on the table. And I think now’s the time to do that as we get up to the end of the season and then into the end of this calendar year. So yeah, we will dialogue with players. I mean one-on-one relationships, groups of relationships.’

Another point of contention in the league has been officiating and the growing physicality of the game, topics that were renewed during the postseason. Coaches and players from various teams have publicly pleaded for reform, including Aces head coach Becky Hammon, Indiana Fever head coach Stephane White and Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve, who were all were swiftly met with fines.

“The officiating crew that we had tonight, for the leadership to deem those three people semifinals playoff worth is f—ing malpractice,” Reeve said in an expletive-filled rant after being ejected for arguing a non-call in the Lynx’s Game 3 semifinal loss to the Phoenix Mercury, resulting in a $15k fine and a one-game suspension for Game 4. Reeve called for a “change of leadership at the league level when it comes to officiating.’

Engelbert said she’s had ‘a lot of conversations’ with the league’s officials on consistency.

‘Everybody has their opinion on officiating in every sport … but yeah, certainly something we’re talking about,’ she added. ‘The officials are evaluated. Every … non-call and call is evaluated for every game during the season. This isn’t something we blow off. They’re evaluating every call and no-call. So think about that. That’s every play in every game. Film is reviewed, there’s training, there’s officiating, there’s points of emphasis obviously. So we continue to have those discussions with officiating crews even here.’

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LAS VEGAS — The Las Vegas Aces took care of home court.

The No. 2 seed Aces defeated the No. 4 seed Phoenix Mercury 89-86 in Game 1 of WNBA Finals on Friday at Michelob ULTRA Arena, taking a 1-0 lead in the first best-of-seven championship series in league history.

Aces guard Dana Evans was the unlikely hero of Game 1, finishing with 21 points in 26 minutes off the bench, shooting 8-of-13 from the field including 5-of-6 from the 3-point line. She added four steals, three assists and two rebounds.

‘I feel like I feed off my defense,’ Evans said of her performance. ‘I feel like I got some early steals, early on, I got to the basket. I saw the ball going in and I just kept being aggressive.’

The Mercury had a chance to take the lead with 24.6 seconds left, but forward Alyssa Thomas missed both of her free throw attempts. Aces guard Jackie Young knocked down both of her free throws to extend the Aces’ lead to three points with 13.5 seconds remaining.

Mercury forward Satou Sabally had a final look at an equalizer, but she missed a 3-point attempt with 2.4 seconds remaining. Jackie Young got the rebound and dribbled the ball out for the win.

‘We ran a play to get Kahleah (Cooper) a look,’ Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts said of the final possession. ‘They did a good job of switching out. We had one more option … I probably should have ran out and called a TO with six seconds to go.’ 

Aces center A’ja Wilson finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Young finished with 10 points and five assists. Jewell Loyd had 18 points and four rebounds off the bench.

The Mercury were outscored 22-15 in the final quarter. Phoenix had five players in double figures lead by Copper with 21 points. Thomas was an assist short of a triple-double with 15 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.

‘It’s a game of runs,’ Copper said. ‘I think we did a pretty good job of understanding and handling the runs but down the stretch, they made the plays and we didn’t. this is something to learn from.’ 

The WNBA Finals continue with Game 2 on Sunday (3 p.m. ET, ABC) at Michelob Ultra Arena.

Follow along as USA TODAY Sports provides live updates, highlights and recaps Game 1 of the WNBA Finals:

Satou Sabally in foul trouble

Sabally picked up her fifth personal foul with 8:23 remaining in the game. To add insult to injury, she was also called for a technical foul for slamming the ball down in the direction of the official after the call. Sabally went to the bench, exiting with 19 points, four rebounds and three assists.

End of 3Q: Mercury 71, Aces 67

Kahleah Copper has 21 points, Alyssa Thomas is closing in on a double-double with 10 points and nine assists. Satou Sabally has 16 points, three assists and three rebounds.

A’ja Wilson is the only Aces starter to reach double digits with 15 point, six rebounds and four assists, one steal and one block. Jewell Loyd added 15 off the bench, while Dana Evans is up to 12 points.

Sami Whitcomb returns to bench

Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb was helped to the locker room by two staffers after appearing to injure her lower body with 1:58 remaining in third quarter. She sprinted out the tunnel to start the fourth quarter.

Chelsea Gray exits with ankle injury after flagrant foul 

Mercury guard Kahleah Copper was called for a personal foul on a reckless closeout on Aces guard Chelsea Gray, who landed on Copper’s foot and tweaked her right ankle on a 3-point attempt with 5:37 remaining in the third quarter. The foul on Copper was upgraded to a flagrant 1. Gray remained down on the court in visible pain. Eventually, the veteran got to her feet and knocked down all three free throws before running back for the locker room. She exited with three points and five assists in 21 minutes. Gray got her ankle taped and returned with 3:04 remaining in the third quarter.

Halftime: Mercury 50, Aces 45

Game 1 of the WNBA Finals has been as close as it gets so far with the Mercury holding a five-point advantage after a first half that featured seven lead changes and six ties. 

Mercury guard Kahleah Copper was red-hot in the first half, recording a game-high 19 points shooting 6-of-7 from the field and 5-of-6 from the 3-point line. Alyssa Thomas has 10 points, six assists and two rebounds, while Satou Sabally added nine points and three assists. The Mercury are shooting an impressive 52.9% from the field and 8-of-17 from the 3-point line, but Phoenix has turned the ball over seven times. The Aces have scored 15 points off Mercury turnovers. 

The Aces bench has scored 25 points, led by 13 points from Jewell Loyd in 18 minutes of action and 10 points from Dana Evans in 10 minutes of play. A’ja Wilson has nine points and six rebounds, while Jackie Young has eight points. 

End of Q1: Mercury 21, Aces 21

Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts said it was critical for his team to have a great start against the Aces in Game 1. The Mercury did just that, jumping out to a 10-2 lead, but Las Vegas responded and closed the first quarter on a 19-11 run to tie it up. 

Kahleah Copper leads the Mercury with seven points, while Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally have six points apiece. 

Jewell Loyd leads the Aces with eight points in seven minutes off the bench. A’ja Wilson added six points, four rebounds and two assists. 

Mercury jump out to early 10-2 lead

Game 1 of the WNBA Finals is underway at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas. The Mercury jumped out to a 10-2 lead with 6:39 remaining in the first quarter, led by six points by Mercury forward Satou Sabally. The Aces are struggling to find their offensive rhythm so far and opened the contest shooting 1-of-8 from the field and 0-of-2 from the 3-point line. A’ja Wilson has the only two points for the Aces.

Cathy Engelbert speaks about Napheesa Collier’s remarks

WNBA commissioner answered questions about Napheesa Collier’s callout at Minnesota Lynx exit interviews. Collier openly criticized WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert and the ‘tone-deaf and dismissive approach that our leaders always seem to take’ in governing the league.

Las Vegas Aces active roster

Phoenix Mercury starting lineup

Head coach: Nate Tibbetts

• 0 Satou Sabally | F 6′ 4′ – Oregon
• 2 Kahleah Copper | G 6′ 1′ – Rutgers
• 4 Natasha Mack | C 6′ 4′ – Oklahoma State
• 8 Monique Akoa Makani | G 5′ 11′ – Cameroon
• 25 Alyssa Thomas | F 6′ 2′ – Maryland

Phoenix Mercury injury report

Las Vegas Aces starting lineup

Head coach: Becky Hammon

• 0 Jackie Young | G 6′ 0′ – Notre Dame
• 1 Kierstan Bell | F 6′ 1′ – Florida Gulf Coast
• 3 NaLyssa Smith | F 6′ 4′ – Baylor
• 12 Chelsea Gray | G 5′ 11′ – Duke
• 22 A’ja Wilson | C 6′ 5′ – South Carolina

What time is Mercury vs. Aces Game 1?

Game 1 of the WNBA Finals between the No. 2 seed Las Vegas Aces and No. 4 seed Phoenix Mercury is scheduled to tip off at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, Oct. 3 at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas.

How to watch Mercury vs. Aces in WNBA Finals: TV, streaming for Game 1

• Date: Friday, Oct. 3
• Time: 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT)
• Location: Michelob Ultra Arena (Las Vegas)
• TV: ESPN
• Stream: Fubo, ESPN Unlimited

Stream Mercury-Aces series on Fubo (free trial)

USA TODAY at the WNBA Finals

Phoenix Mercury arrivals

Alyssa Thomas leads the way.

Satou Sabally with a cute little bag.

Las Vegas Aces arrivals

A’ja Wilson ready for the moment.

Cheyenne Parker-Tyus dressed to the nines.

Dane Evans with the heels.

NFC West rivals Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers needed extra time to decide who would win ‘Thursday Night Football’ from SoFi Stadium.

In a night defined by prolific offense, it was the 49ers’ defense and its rookies that made the difference.

Rookie safety Marques Sigle stonewalled Rams running back Kyren Williams on fourth-and-1 in overtime to seal a 26-23 win for San Francisco. Williams ended up short of the line to gain and that ended the Rams’ hopes for a game-winning finish to their lone overtime possession.

San Francisco took the upper hand early thanks to a prolific night from backup quarterback Mac Jones. With Brock Purdy still nursing a toe injury, Jones made his third start of the year and started hot. He completed his first eight passes in a row and ended the first half 11-of-13 passing with two touchdowns as the 49ers led 17-7.

San Francisco kicker Eddy Pineiro gave the 49ers a 20-7 lead midway through the third quarter before the Rams’ offense woke up and scored 13 points over two drives. Matthew Stafford’s second half powered one of his best nights of the year. The Rams’ quarterback ended the night completing 30 of 47 passes for 389 yards and three touchdowns.

Pineiro put the 49ers up 23-20 with a 59-yard field goal. On the ensuing Rams drive, another 49ers rookie made a play: defensive tackle Alfred Collins. He forced a Williams fumble before the Rams’ running back crossed the goal line on a long drive and, in doing so, gave the 49ers a chance to ice the game.

But Stafford and the Rams’ offense got the ball back quickly and drove 20 yards in 40 seconds at the end of the fourth quarter to set up Josh Karty for a game-tying field goal. He made it and the game went to overtime tied 23-23.

San Francisco’s offense had its best drive since the first half in overtime and went 37 yards in eight plays to set up a go-ahead field goal by Pineiro. His 41-yard kick caught a slice of the left upright but still went through to give San Francisco a 26-23 lead.

The Rams’ offense went 56 yards in five plays to set up 3rd and 6 from the 49ers’ 16-yard line. After those two timeouts, Sigle made the play to give the depleted 49ers another division win.

San Francisco moves to 4-1 on the season and into first place in the division. The 49ers are on the road again and will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6.

Los Angeles moves to 3-2 and head on the road as well in Week 6 and will face the Baltimore Ravens.

Rams vs. 49ers instant takeaways

• Return of the Mac? Mac Jones had a career day for the 49ers, throwing for 342 yards and two touchdowns against a young, hungry and talented Rams defense. Jones filled in for an injured Brock Purdy, and did it admirably. There’s no controversy here, but the 49ers and their fans have seen enough from the 2021 first-round pick to feel comfortable with his stopgap performance moving forward.
• COTY Kyle? Kyle Shanahan picking up the win against the Rams with a depleted team is another feather in the cap for the coach. If this team can get, and stay, healthy, then they may find their way to another NFC championship game.
• Los Angeles rammed: The Rams have losses to the 49ers and the Eagles this season, presumably two teams who they’ll have to battle for en route to the playoffs or in the playoffs. While they were competitive, if Sean McVay wants to put a second ring on his fingers, then they’ll have to take care of business against the Ravens, Buccaneers, Seahawks and Lions the rest of the way.

Rams vs. 49ers highlights

Mac Jones stats vs. Rams

Mac Jones had a career day vs. the Los Angeles Rams.

• Competions/Attempts: 33/49
• Passing yards: 342
• Touchdowns: 2
• Passer rating: 100.9
• Interceptions: 0
• Sacks: 1

Rams go for it on fourth-and-1, stopped by 49ers

After a timeout to think it over, the Rams opted to run on fourth-and-1, rather than kick the game-tying field goal. That turned out to be the wrong decision, with the 49ers D stopping him short of the first down, securing the win.

Rams vs. 49ers score: Eddy Pineiro puts Niners ahead

The 49ers struck first in overtime, with Eddy Pineiro putting San Francisco three points ahead on the Rams courtesy of a field goal. The Rams have a chance to tie or take the win on this ensuing possession.

49ers 26, Rams 23

Rams vs. 49ers score: Josh Karty hits 48-yarder to

After the Rams stopped the 49ers and forced them to punt, Matthew Stafford put the offense in position to kick a game-tying field goal with seconds left in the game. Karty came through, sending the game to OT.

49ers 23, Rams 23

Kyren Williams fumbles one one-yard line, 49ers recover

The Rams were threatening just yards from pay dirt, but a Kyren Williams fumble on the one-yard line led to a San Francisco recovery with 1:03 left in the game. The Rams have all three timeouts remaining.

49ers vs. Rams score: Eddy Pineiro puts San Francisco ahead

A 59-yard boot from the San Francisco kicker puts the Niners ahead with 2:52 left in the game.

49ers 23, Rams 20

Kendrick Bourne stats

The 49ers wide receiver, reunited with Kyle Shanahan and Mac Jones, has 10 receptions for 142 yards vs. the Rams. That’s a career high for the wideout.

Stafford nearly intercepted, Rams punt for first time in second half

Matthew Stafford fired a pass Davante Adams’ way on third-and-1 from the Rams’ 39-yard line and the pass was nearly picked off by 49ers linebacker Dee Winters. The Rams settled for their first punt since the first quarter and pinned the 49ers’ offense at their own 2-yard line.

San Francisco takes over with 8:04 to go in the game.

49ers go three-and-out, punt back to Rams once again

Los Angeles held San Francisco to just two yards on three plays as Mac Jones’ third-down pass falls incomplete intended for former Ram Demarcus Robinson. Thomas Morstead’s punt puts the Rams back on offense at their own 30-yard line with 9:11 to go in the game.

49ers vs. Rams score: Rams tie game on Kyren Williams TD

Los Angeles got a crucial third-down conversion near midfield and then went 50 yards in two plays to get deep into the red zone. Matthew Stafford connected with Kyren Williams from eight yards out on second-and-goal to tie the game.

Rams kicker Josh Karty missed the extra point after it was blocked by Jordan Elliott and the game is tied with 10:39 left in the fourth quarter.

Rams tackle McCaffrey for loss to force punt

Christian McCaffrey was stopped three yards behind the line of scrimmage on third-and-1 by Rams linebacker Nate Landman. San Francisco punted for just the second time tonight and the Rams will take over on their own 12-yard line with 14:03 to go in the game.

49ers vs. Rams score: San Francisco holds lead entering fourth quarter

The 49ers offense made a crucial fourth-down conversion at their own 36-yard line to extend their sixth drive of the night. San Francisco will face 3rd and 1 to open the fourth quarter from their own 47-yard line.

Rams vs. 49ers score: Puka Nacua dives across goal line for TD

Los Angeles moved the ball quickly down the field following the Pineiro field goal to respond with points of their own. The Rams went 69 yards in seven plays and less than three minutes of game time to score on a one-yard strike from Matthew Stafford to Puka Nacua.

Josh Karty’s extra point is good and the Rams have cut it to a one-score game once again with 3:45 left in the third quarter.

49ers 20, Rams 14

Rams vs. 49ers score: Pineiro FG extends 49ers’ lead

San Francisco went 55 yards in 12 plays to score their first points of the second half. Quarterback Mac Jones was slow to get up after third-and-goal from the Rams’ 2-yard line. Eddy Pineiro made his second field goal of the night to make it a 13-point game with 6:13 left in the third quarter.

49ers 20, Rams 7

49ers QB depth chart

With Mac Jones hobbled, here’s a quick look at the QBs suited up for ‘Thursday Night Football’:

• Mac Jones
• Adrian Martinez

Mac Jones hurts knee on third-and-goal

The 49ers’ starting quarterback tonight went down hard after releasing a throw toward Jake Tonges on third-and-goal. He was grabbing at his knee after Jared Verse landed on him but eventually jogged off the field.

Mac Jones injury

The former first-round pick started two games earlier this season for the 49ers before missing Week 4 against Jacksonville with a knee injury. He aggravated a PCL injury he suffered during the offseason and had to miss a week, leaving starter Brock Purdy as the best option in the 49ers’ loss to the Jaguars.

Josh Karty misses 53-yard FG

Los Angeles took the opening kick of the second half and went 28 yards in six plays, culminating in a dropped pass by running back Kyren Williams. Josh Karty missed wide right from 53 yards out and the San Francisco offense will get the ball back with 12:46 to go in the third quarter.

Rams vs. 49ers score: Eddy Pineiro gives San Francisco two-score lead at half

San Francisco’s offense marched 48 yards in 11 plays over two minutes to move the 49ers into scoring range. With two seconds left in the first half, kicker Eddy Pineiro knocked through a 37-yard field goal to give San Francisco a 10-point lead.

Los Angeles will receive the second-half kickoff.

49ers 17, Rams 7

49ers defensive coordinator

The 49ers defensive coordinator is Robert Saleh. Saleh rejoined the 49ers this offseason after his unsuccessful tenure with the Jets between 2021 and 2024. He was fired by the Jets in 2024 and spent time on the Packers sidelines the same season.

Saleh previously coached the 49ers defense between 2017 and 2020.

49ers vs. Rams score: Kyren Williams gets LA on the board

Los Angeles converted a key third-and-4 from their own 32 on a Matthew Stafford pass to rookie Terrance Ferguson. Stafford’s next three passes went for 47 yards as the Rams scored from 14 yards out on a pass to Williams.

Josh Karty’s extra point is good and the Rams have made it a one-score game with 2:09 to go in the first half.

49ers 14, Rams 7

49ers coaching staff

• Head coach: Kyle Shanahan
• Defensive coordinator: Robert Saleh
• Offensive coordinator: Klay Kubiak

Rams defense forces 49ers’ first punt of the game

San Francisco couldn’t capitalize on the fumble recovery as Mac Jones didn’t connect with Kendrick Bourne on 3rd and 5 from the Rams’ 48. Thomas Morstead’s punt gives Los Angeles the ball back on their own 15-yard line with 6:11 to go in the first half.

Blake Corum fumbles, 49ers take over

Rams running back Blake Corum couldn’t hold on to Matthew Stafford’s pitch on first-and-10 and the San Francisco defense capitalizes. Defensive end Trevis Gipson fell on it to end the Rams’ latest drive and give the ball back to San Francisco’s offense.

Mac Jones and company will take over with 8:51 to go in the first half on their own 30-yard line.

Mac Jones stats

The San Francisco 49ers’ backup is dealing to start ‘Thursday Night Football’ tonight. Jones completed his first eight passes in a row and now sits at 11 of 13 passing (84.6%) for 131 yards and two touchdowns.

Rams vs. 49ers score: Christian McCaffrey finds end zone

San Francisco’s star running back scored a touchdown for the third time in four weeks to cap off the 49ers’ second drive of the game. Quarterback Mac Jones found him from one yard out on 2nd and goal to give the 49ers a two-touchdown lead. Eddy Pineiro’s extra point is good to seal the 14-point lead.

Los Angeles takes over on its own 30-yard line with 13:36 to go in the first half.

49ers 14, Rams 0

Rams-49ers score: San Francisco up and threatening and end of 1

San Francisco’s closing in on the red zone for the second time tonight as the first quarter comes to a close. The 49ers’ offense has gone 67 yards in 14 plays – including two crucial fourth-down conversions on short runs by Mac Jones and Brian Robinson Jr.

The 49ers offense is facing 3rd and 9 from the Rams’ 25 when the second quarter begins.

49ers 7, Rams 0

What happened to Nick Bosa?

The 2022 Defensive Player of the Year has been the 49ers’ top pass rusher for the last four years but won’t be back on the field in 2025. He suffered a torn ACL in Week 3 against the Arizona Cardinals and will be out for the remainder of the season.

Bryce Huff sacks Matthew Stafford, Rams punt

With San Francisco down edge rusher Nick Bosa for the rest of the season, the 49ers’ defense is counting on other players to step up in the pass rush. Bryce Huff made a statement early with a sack on Matthew Stafford that pushed the Rams back 11 yards on 2nd and 10.

Los Angeles couldn’t get the yardage back and settled for a punt. San Francisco’s offense will take over again at their own 9-yard line with 6:59 to go in the first quarter.

Rams-49ers score: Mac Jones finds Jake Tonges for first TD

San Francisco used a heavy dose of Christian McCaffrey to power the 49ers’ opening drive; he accounted for 40 yards on five touches (two catches, three carries). But quarterback Mac Jones instead found tight end Jake Tonges wide open in the middle for a six-yard touchdown pass.

Eddy Pineiro’s extra point attempt is good and the 49ers take a 7-0 lead with 10:09 to go in the first quarter.

Mac Jones starts hot

The 49ers quarterback, filling in for an injured Brock Purdy, has started the game 4-for-4 passing for 71 yards.

Rams vs. 49ers kicks off with ‘dirty ball’

Los Angeles won the coin toss and opted to defer to the second half. Rams kicker Josh Karty’s boomed a knuckleball-style kick to start the game and 49ers returner Skyy Moore fumbled it. After it bounced high in the air, Moore corralled it and the 49ers offense started its drive on their own 28 yard line.

49ers vs. Rams kickoff time

• Kickoff time: 8:15 p.m. ET

The Rams will host the 49ers for a clash at SoFi Stadium at 8:15 p.m. ET on Thursday, Oct. 2. The game will begin at 5:15 p.m. local time and will mark the second consecutive week NFC West teams have faced off on ‘Thursday Night Football.’

What channel are the 49ers on?

San Francisco: KTVU (Fox 2)

49ers vs. Rams where to watch

NFL fans watching the game nationally will need to have an Amazon Prime subscription to access Thursday’s game. However, the NFL has an arrangement for the viewers in the local markets of each team – Los Angeles and San Francisco – to watch a simulcast of the game on local TV stations.

Below is a look at the local channels that will air the contest:

• Los Angeles: KTTV (Fox 11)
• San Francisco: KTVU (Fox 2)

Watch ‘Thursday Night Football’ with a Prime Video subscription

Jared Verse stats

The Rams pass rusher is following up a stellar rookie season with an equally impressive start to 2025. Through four games, Verse has 18 pressures, per PFF: Two sacks, five QB hits and 11 hurries. He grades out at a 91.8 overall, and his 91.5 pass-rush grade ranks No. 5 overall in the NFL (minimum 20% of 157 pass-rush snaps).

Colby Parkinson stats

Colby Parkinson’s in his second season as a tight end for the Rams and had his best game of 2025 so far in Los Angeles’ Week 4 win over Indianapolis. The former Seahawk caught both of his targets for 17 yards.

49ers record 2025

The 49ers are 3-1 on the season and are tied for first in the NFC West.

Rams inactives vs. 49ers

No surprises for the Rams as they enter their divisional matchup with the 49ers.

• QB Stetson Bennett IV 
• TE Tyler Higbee 
• OL Rob Havenstein 
• OL Beaux Limmer 
• DE Desjuan Johnson

49ers inactives vs. Rams

The 49ers will be without quarterback Brock Purdy, as he continues to work his way back from a turf toe injury. Here are the rest of the inactives for the game tonight:

• QB Brock Purdy
• RB Jordan James
• WR Jordan Watkins
• WR Ricky Pearsall
• WR Jauan Jennings
• DL Robert Beal
• LB Nick Martin

Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers predictions, picks

All six members of USA TODAY Sports’ expert picks panel believe the Rams will beat the 49ers on ‘TNF.’ Below are their projected scores for the contest:

• Jarrett Bell: Rams 31, 49ers 24
• Nick Brinkerhoff: Rams 27, 49ers 23
• Chris Bumbaca: Rams 27, 49ers 18
• Nate Davis: Rams 31, 49ers 23
• Tyler Dragon: Rams 24, 49ers 20
• Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: Rams 31, 49ers 17

2025 Los Angeles Rams schedule

Los Angeles Rams record 2025

The Rams are 3-1 on the season and are tied for first place in the NFC West.

2025 San Francisco 49ers schedule

LAS VEGAS ― The WNBA has been in the headlines for reasons other than its first best-of-seven Finals this week after Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier torched commissioner Cathy Engelbert.

But when the WNBA Finals teams showed up in Las Vegas on Thursday, the temperature at team practices and at press conferences was much cooler as the hometown Aces and Phoenix Mercury answered questions around the biggest series of the year.

As Aces stars Chelsea Gray and A’ja Wilson sat down at the podium without smiling, a request was made by a nearby staffer to keep the questions focused on the Finals. Gray and Wilson jumped right into basketball as USA TODAY asked the first question about teammate Jackie Young.

‘She’s been great, man. Best two-way guard in the league,’ Gray said. ‘A lot of times she has the assignment of guarding one of their best perimeter players and then going down and getting buckets in the offensive end.’

Wilson, who’s usually chipper and never short on words, silently nodded in agreement as she looked down while Gray described just how important Young has been to the Aces. The quiet but strikingly loud gestures signaled that anything that happened in the playoffs no longer mattered. This was the WNBA Finals, and it was ‘a brand new season’ and ‘totally different’ than the regular season, as Gray told the media Thursday.

Wilson did crack a few smiles minutes later when answering questions, but her energy never got too high. She gave measured responses to every question and the room patiently waited for her thoughts on things like battling against Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas.

‘It’s always fun competing against [Alyssa Thomas],’ Wilson said. ‘She can facilitate the game. She can pick the game apart, and I don’t get to guard that every single day … I try my best to make things very difficult. The way that she sees the game, her vision, the way that she gets her teammates open ― it’s something that she adds and brings to this game and to that position.

‘I don’t see [that] every single night. It helps me elevate … to another level every single game.’

Wilson was adamant the Aces would play their best basketball on the WNBA’s biggest stage and give fans ‘a good Finals matchup.’ When Thomas and Mercury guard Kahleah Copper arrived later in the hour for Phoenix’s press conference, they brought the same laser-focused energy with the singular mission to win a championship.

Thomas revealed she told her team in training camp they were going to the Finals. She said she never wavered on that declaration. Copper said she texted head coach Nate Tibbetts multiple times throughout the season with a simple three-word message: ‘I like us.’

The Phoenix veteran explained despite having several players who hadn’t played in the WNBA before this season or not getting as many minutes as they previously were, the team was able to fight through early injuries and adversity all the way to the playoffs. It’s that kind of resolve that Copper says led the Mercury to fully lean into an underdog narrative.

‘Everyone on our roster has been underrated or not talked about or whatever. At this point, I’m a psycho, looking for something,’ Copper jokingly admitted. ‘We know it comes with the game, but we really don’t care. Give us an edge. Like I said, don’t pick us. It’s cool … but I’m just wired a little different, you know?’

Copper, Thomas, Wilson and Gray are some of the fiercest competitors in the league and will always bring their best when the pressure is the highest. Still, it’s hard to know who will walk away with a ring in a best-of-seven series. One thing is very clear: the 2025 WNBA Finals will be the highest form of competitive basketball if the Mercury and Aces have anything to say about it.