There’s bad injury news involving the Saints. First round pick and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins has reportedly broken his fibula in his left leg and he’ll miss at least the next six weeks. Rankins went down with the injury during a goal-line drill. Rankins injury will mean more playing time for veteran defensive tackle Nick Fairley. The Saints next preseason game is Saturday night in Houston against the Texans.

Now it’s time for your Olympic update brought to you by LUBA Workers Comp….delivering genuine dependability. US gymnast Simone Biles stumbled on the beam and ended up with a bronze medal for the beam final. Fellow US gymnast Laurie Hernandez won the silver. In track…American Allyson Felix missed out on her fifth Olympic gold medal as she had to settle for a silver medal in the women’s 400-meter final.

LSU football Coach Les Miles will meet with reporters later today. Miles told the school’s website that preparations for the 2016 season have been everything but normal, because of the historic flooding. Miles says the situation reminds him of Hurricane Katrina. The school’s field house is serving as a shelter. The team is scheduled to practice at 9:15 this morning.

In other LSU news…former LSU pitcher Jake Latz will reportedly transfer to Kent State. The 2014 Illinois Pitcher of the Year never lived up to his potential at LSU, because of elbow problems. He’ll have to sit out a season, because of NCAA transfer rules.

In Ruston, Louisiana Tech defensive tackle Courtney Wallace could miss the first game of the season, because of a foot injury. The Bulldogs open the year at Arkansas on September 3rd.

The Louisiana High School Athletics Association has suspended normal day-to-day operations, because 20 inches of flood waters has inundated their building in Baton Rouge.

Saints defensive tackle and first round draft choice Sheldon Rankins reportedly broke his fibula during a training camp practice in West Virginia. This injury is not expected to sideline Rankins for the season, but he is expected to miss the next six to eight weeks. Rankins was carted off the field, after suffering the injury during a goal-line drill.

LSU Football Coach Les Miles is expected to meet with reporters tomorrow, but he said in an interview posted at lsu-sports-dot-net that the flooding devastation around the Baton Rouge area reminds him of Hurricane Katrina. The coach says tight ends coach Steven Ensminger had water come into his home and relatives of Miles who live in Baton Rouge have been displaced.

The former voice of the LSU Tigers, Jim Hawthorne, has also been displaced. About a foot of water flowed into his home in East Baton Rouge parish on Saturday. He said individuals on a private boat brought him to dry land on Sunday.

The Louisiana High School Athletics Association has suspended normal day-to-day operations, because 20 inches of flood waters has inundated their building in Baton Rouge. The LHSAA says they’ll use Hurricane Katrina as an example of how they’ll allow players to transfer to a different school if they’re family has been displaced by the flooding.

Louisiana Tech is making plans to practice at Freedom Fields in Bossier City on Friday. Not only will team be there, but so will cheerleaders and the spirit group, Regal Blues. The team will practice from 4-6 Pm and then there will be an autograph session with fans from 6-7 PM.

There was a bad sight at Saints training camp today. First round pick defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins was carted off with an apparent leg injury. It occurred during a goal line drill. Coach Sean Payton they’ll have more news later and hopefully it’s good. Nick Underhill with the Baton Rouge Advocate is reporting that Rankins will likely need surgery.

In the first preseason game, linebacker Stephone Anthony was carted off the field. But ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Anthony is expected to be back before the regular season opener. Anthony led the team in tackles last season.

Former Oklahoma defensive tackle Courtney Garnett has been added to Grambling’s roster. He received a four-star rating from ESPN when he came out of high school in 2013.

Over 20-thousand people have been rescued as a result of the historic flooding across south Louisiana. One of those individuals is the former voice of the LSU Tigers, Jim Hawthorne. Him and his wife, Carol, had to be rescued from their submerged home that had over a foot of water in it. Hawthorne says water started pouring into his home on Saturday and he wasn’t rescued until yesterday.

It’s now time for our Olympic update, which is brought to you by…LUBA Workers Comp….delivering genuine dependability.

Jamaica’s Usain Bolt won a gold medal for a third straight time in the 100-meters. Gymnast Simone Biles won her third gold medal in Rio as she won the woman’s vault. The US men’s basketball team only won by three points as they defeated France 100-97. The Americans begin quarterfinal play on Wednesday. And Former LSU Tiger Slyvia Folwes had 13 points in a 105-62 win over China. The US begins quarterfinal play on Tuesday against Japan.

The Saints continue training camp in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. 2015 fifth round pick Tyeler Davison has had a good camp. The former Fresno State standout has replaced for the time being, John Jenkins, for that starting nose tackle position. Davison started five games for the Black and Gold last year. New Orleans next preseason game is Saturday night in Houston.

Former Louisiana Tech standout IK Enemkpali is out for the season. The Bills linebacker tore his ACL.

ULM returns to the practice fields today after a scrimmage on Saturday night. Sophomore quarterback Garrett Smith led the first-team offense on a 70-yard touchdown drive. Senior Tyler Cain finished the drive with an 8-yard touchdown run.

Jalen Nixon had the lone touchdown on a 10-yard run in the Ragin Cajuns scrimmage on Sunday.

Louisiana Tech defensive coordinator Blake Barker says he likes the depth on defense after one week of practice.

We’ve heard the hype in the last few weeks about the “new look” Saints. But fans aren’t too enthusiastic after last night’s preseason 34-22 night loss to the New England Patriots. The Saints will play the Houston Texans on the road in Houston on Saturday, August 20.

One of the suspects in an early morning home invasion in Lake Charles, a former McNeese football player, has died. 23-year-old Aaron Javon Sam was shot and killed, but Lake Charles police don’t believe the occupants of the home were responsible for his death. Sam is a former McNeese State University football player. He is one of at least three suspects believed to have taken part in the home invasion.

The NFL told the Dallas Cowboys they could not wear a decal on their helmets honoring the city’s fallen police officers during games. The league is  well-known for its refusal of anything worn outside its approved uniform policy, no matter the cause.

LSU Coach Les Miles spoke about the widely circulated video by TMZ purporting to be running back Leonard Fournette and Garrett Brumfield “fighting” in the parking lot behind Football Ops. The Mad Hatter said it was actually slap boxing and he admitted to doing the same as a youth, however, he addressed the team in regards to such horseplay..:

CUT 1 (19) “game”

Sophomore wideout Tyron Johnson is transferring from LSU, he announced on Twitter Thursday afternoon. A former five-star prospect and the No. 2 receiver in the 2015 signing class, Johnson grabbed nine passes for 150 yards and two scores as a freshman, including a 5 catch, 83 yard performance against Ole Miss late in the year.

The New England Patriots beat the New Orleans Saints 34-22 on Thursday night — and they did it without Tom Brady — he was excused by the team to attend memorial services for a family member. Saints running back Mark Ingram had an early fumble, but also had two 1-yard touchdown runs in an extended night that saw him play most of the first half. Trey Flowers added a 17-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, scooping up the loose ball created by his sack of Luke McCown.

This is the 2016 Summer Olympic Update..brought to you by Luba Workers’ Comp – delivering genuine dependability.

Gymnast Simone Biles is considered one of the best of all time as she showed an effortless time on beam, amazing performance on the floor – complete ease and now an Olympic champion. She soared to the all-around title Thursday.

In swimming, Michael Phelps blew away long time rival Ryan Lochte and everyone else to win his fourth gold medal in Rio and his 22nd overall.

Sophomore wideout Tyron Johnson is transferring from LSU, he announced on Twitter Thursday afternoon. A former five-star prospect and the No. 2 receiver in the 2015 signing class, Johnson grabbed nine passes for 150 yards and two scores as a freshman, including a 5 catch, 83 yard performance against Ole Miss late in the year.

LSU Coach Les Miles spoke about the widely circulated video by TMZ purporting to be running back Leonard Fournette and Garrett Brumfield “fighting” in the parking lot behind Football Ops. Miles characterized it as two college kids shadowboxing. He revealed a tidbit about his youth…:
Cut 16 (14) “not so cool”
Miles finally got to talk about the return of Travonte Valentine after the defensive tackle was dismissed. Miles says they are very optimistic that bringing him back was the right thing to do.

The Saints will take on the New England Patriots tonight in their first preseason game of the 2016 season. The contest will be held in Gillette Stadium and kick off at 6:30. Coach Sean Payton said Quarterback Drew Brees will probably play a snap or two. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says on the offense, the main concern is the line up front…:
Cut 18 (17) “unless you can protect Drew Brees”
This Black and Gold fan is anxious to see how the rookies perform, but he hopes to see a lot of effort from all the players…:
cut 14 (07) “I mean”

With Travonte Valentine officially part of the football program again, LSU Coach Les Miles was able to field questions about the oft-discussed ‘Mister 105’ for the first time since he dismissed the hulking defensive tackle. He says they are very optimistic that bringing him back was the right thing to do. Valentine practiced for the first time Wednesday, though he won’t be able to put on pads or participate fully until he completes the NCAA-mandated acclimation period.

In the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, Katie Ledecky continued her Olympic quest for gold medals bringing one home in the 4×200 meter freestyle. The win increases her gold medal total to three. Michael Phelps advanced to the finals of the Olympic 200-meter individual medley as the top qualifier with a time of 1 minute 55.78 seconds. Ryan Lochte wasn’t far behind with a time of 1:56:28. The big showdown between the two is Thursday night.

The Saints will take on the New England Patriots tonight in their first preseason game of the 2016 season. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says one of the big spots to keep an eye on with this Black and Gold team, is the defense:
Cut 16 (12) “all game long”
The contest will be held in Gillette Stadium and kick off at 6:30.

This 2016 Olympic update is brought to you by LUBA Workers’ Comp — delivering genuine dependability.

Katie Ledecky got her third gold medal of the Rio Olympics as she led the US to a win in the 4×200 meter freestyle relay.

Michael Phelps has advanced to the final of the Olympic 200-meter individual medley as the top qualifier.

In the first test for the US Olympic men’s basketball team, the Americans picked up a 99-88 win over Australia.

Meghan O’Leary of Baton Rouge will compete today in the double sculls rowing finals this morning. LSU signee Ruby Harold will compete in the women’s gymnastics all around final tonight at 7.

The hits just keep coming to LSU’s front seven. Outside linebacker Corey Thompson suffered a leg injury in practice Wednesday morning that’ll keep him out for the start of the season, according to multiple media reports. Thompson is the third member of LSU’s front seven to suffer a serious leg injury since Sunday. Starting defensive end Christian LaCouture and outside linebacker Isaiah Washington are expected to miss the entire season with knee injuries.

In other preseason NFL action tonight, Tampa Bay is at Philadelpia, Baltimore hosts Carolina.

Former Saint tight end Jimmy Graham has been activated of the physically unable to perform list by the Seahawks.

And no it wasn’t a fight says LSU. A video spread online by TMZ showing star running back Leonard Fournette and another player in an apparent brawl, is just horseplay according to team officials. They say what is captured in the video is merely an “intense game of slap boxing” and was taken out of context.

It seems like the rough news keeps coming out of LSU practice as now it appears as though, in the last 72 hours, the Tigers have taken three blows in the form of injuries — and they are all on the defensive side of the ball. The biggest of the three injuries was Senior defensive lineman Christian LaCouture – who is expected to miss the entire season. The other two other hurt players on the Tigers defense are linebackers Isaiah Washington and Corey Thompson, with Washington gone for the season and Thompson reportedly missing up to eight weeks. LSU still has several scrimmages to conduct and the Bayou Bengals first game is not until September 3 when they face Wisconsin in Green Bay.

LSU has cracked the top 5 in Sports Illustrated’s Preseason College Football Poll. The Tigers are ranked at No. 5 while Alabama is once again ranked No. 1, followed by Clemson, Florida State, and Michigan at Nos. 2, 3, and 4 respectively.

Saints Coach Sean Payton spoke today following the final practice with New England ahead of tomorrow’s first preseason game. He says he’s encouraged by what he’s seen at training camp and he expects tomorrow’s game will be a serious, competitive one…:
CUT 1 (16) “good test”
The contest will be held in Gillette Stadium and kick off at 6:30.

A video spread online by TMZ showing LSU star running back Leonard Fournette and another player in an apparent brawl, is just horseplay according to team officials. They say what is captured in the video is merely an “intense game of slap boxing” and was taken out of context.

LSU’s defense looks to have taken a major hit this week as multiple reports indicate that Senior Christian LaCouture, a starter at defensive end, could be out for the season with a knee injury. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says they’re hearing it could be a torn ACL…:
Cut 16 (10) “defensive end spot”

This 2016 Summer Olympic update is brought to you by LUBA Workers’ Comp — delivering genuine dependability.

The US women’s gymnastics team took the gold for the second straight year. Incoming LSU gymnastics signee Ruby Harrold competes for Great Britain which finished 5th in the event.

Michael Phelps won his 20th and 21st Olympic gold medals last night in the 200-meter butterfly before he and team USA dominated the 4×200 meter relay.

Meghan O’Leary from Baton Rouge advanced to the medal round in double sculls rowing.

In the first of three practices with the Patriots, the Saints got a chance to show that its focus is to turn their defense around — and certainly proved that they plan to shine. Saints quarterback Drew Brees also put on an impressive display against the Pats. Thursday night’s preseason opener is in Gillette Stadium. The scrimmage and practice with New England continues this morning.

CBS Sports released its Top 128 Preseason college football poll on Tuesday and the Tigers will start the season at No. 6.

Louisiana Tech Athletic Director Tommy McClelland unveiled planned facility improvements at Joe Aillet (pronounced eye-a) Stadium. He says the total price for the various upgrades, $18.6 million dollars, will be funded 100% through private donations…:
cut 1 (10) “impressive”