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EUGENE, Ore. -- Hurdler Aries Merritt captured a bronze medal at worlds last August with his kidneys operating at barely 10 percent. No wonder hes beaming at the prospect of competing at full health again.The chance to defend his Olympic title in the 110-meter hurdles in Rio is a very real possibility. All thats standing in his way is a top-three finish at U.S. Track and Field Trials this weekend.Doctors didnt think Merritt would be ready in time after receiving a new kidney from his sister 10 months ago. They grew even less optimistic when he developed complications that resulted in another surgery -- this one to place the kidney deeper into his abdomen.What the doctors didnt factor in was Merritts passion for this sport, and his desire for an Olympic repeat.If I was to win, it would be ugly -- Id be on the track crying somewhere, because of all the pain, all the suffering, all the depression I went through to get to this point, said the 30-year-old Merritt, whos the world record holder in the hurdles.He heads into Fridays first round of Olympic trials in good shape. But hes not exactly race sharp. He suffered a groin injury recently that curtailed his training. Hes only raced a handful of times heading into trials.Its going to take focus. Its going to take determination and grit, the 2012 Olympic gold medalist said.Nobody would question him in either of those categories.Merritt kept his ailment secret until just before worlds last August: He was suffering from a rare genetic disorder that was diagnosed in 2013. For years, it turns out, his kidneys had been faltering, to the point where he ran the final at worlds on Aug. 28 at about eight pounds under his normal weight and with his kidneys barely functioning.In the final, he wound up third, just 0.01 seconds behind Hansle Parchment of Jamaica for second. Sergey Shubenkov of Russia captured gold. He called it an even more fulfilling medal than his Olympic gold.A few days later he flew home to Phoenix and was on the operating table. His sister, LaToya Hubbard, is a big part of this, too -- donating one of her kidneys.One thing about Aries, when he puts his mind to it, he can do anything, said his sister, who will be at the trials. Hes determined to go back and regain his title so that when he leaves the sport, its his.Still, it was a long road to recovery.After surgery, my belly button was literally to the far right of my stomach. It wasnt in the right spot, Merritt said. Its a year before everything settles in its normal place.As he dealt with his failing kidneys, there were some bleak days for Merritt, like when doctors said he might not run again.Elite athletes dont usually go through kidney transplants, Merritt said. (Doctors) deal with regular people. Im not saying Im not regular. Im above the average on a fitness level. Theyre just giving me the textbook advice theyd give anyone else, not knowing what I can or my physical limits.For a while, it hurt to hurdle. His trail leg kept hitting him in the side of the incision.I couldnt do (indoors) because it was too painful at the time, Merritt explained. My body wasnt ready to hit that part of my scar repeatedly. My body is used to my trail leg. Everything should be fine.Maybe so, but then theres this -- concern over the mosquito-borne Zika virus should he be on the team for Rio. Hes more susceptible to infection.If I make it, Im going, Merritt said. Its really important to live that Olympic dream and try to achieve that Olympic goal of trying to win that gold medal and showing everyone around the world your story and your struggle.A few other things to watch out for Friday at trials:JAGER-MASTER: Four-time national champion Evan Jager is a heavy favorite in the final of the 3,000-meter steeplechase. He won his first-round heat.HURDLES: Brianna Rollins had the fastest time in the prelims of the 100-meter hurdles, just ahead of Keni Harrison, the hurdler who broke Rollins American record in May.SUHR THING: Defending Olympic champion Jenn Suhr and the rest of the pole vaulters begin qualifying. The 34-year-old is the big favorite among a youthful group that includes Sandi Morris, who turns 24 on Friday, and 19-year Alexis Weeks, who won an NCAA title for Arkansas at Hayward Field in June.LETS DISCUS: Mason Finley finished with the top throw in qualifying. Dont discount Lance Brooks, the 2012 Olympian who works construction to earn extra money for training.SPRINT SERVICE: LaShawn Merritt continues his quest to make the Rio team in the 200 with a semifinal heat. Hes already qualified in the 400. Not to be outdone, 400-meter trials champ Allyson Felix starts qualifying in the 200. Stitched Blues Jerseys . Two pressure cooker bombs exploded near the finish line of the April 15 race in an area packed with fans cheering the passing runners. Three people were killed and more than 260 injured, including at least 16 who lost limbs. Blues Jerseys 2020 .J. -- Marty Brodeur beat the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again. https://www.cheapblues.com/ .Y. - Detroit goaltender Jonas Gustavsson has earned NHL first star of the week honours after winning in his first three appearances of the season. St.Louis Blues Pro Shop . The Australian is competing in his final season in Formula One and still looking for his first win this year. He will look to end Vettels run of six straight race wins on Sunday. Webber, who is fifth in the championship, earned his second pole from the past three races and 13th of his career. Custom St.Louis Blues Jerseys . The players spoke Jan. 13 during a Major League Baseball Players Association conference call after Rodriguez sued the union and Major League Baseball to overturn an arbitrators decision suspending him for the 2014 season and post-season. NFL Nation reporters assess the top storylines to watch for every team on Monday.NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West AFC East | AFC North| AFC South | AFC WestNFC EASTDallas CowboysCoach Jason Garrett has not decided whether he will?play Dak Prescott?on Thursday in the preseason finale against the Texans. With Prescott?elevated to the starters role with Tony Romo out, the Cowboys have to balance the risk of him getting hurt with the reward of the rookie getting much-needed playing time. If the starting offensive line is not going to play, it would be wise to let Prescott sit and be ready for the regular-season opener against the Giants. Jameill Showers would start if Prescott sits. The Cowboys are on the lookout for veteran backup help, but they will not be able to get a backup ready to play this week. -- Todd ArcherNew York GiantsThe Giants first-team offense with Eli Manning at quarterback has four first downs and 88 total yards in four preseason quarters. Thats not good enough. Coach Ben McAdoo knows it, and he intends to fix it beginning this week at practice. We need to jump back out there on the practice field, and we need to get better right from jump street, McAdoo said Sunday. It starts with the offensive line, which has struggled. That unit plans to concentrate on fundamentals and finishing. It will help to have starting left guard Justin Pugh (shoulder) back this week. -- Jordan RaananPhiladelphia EaglesQuarterback?Carson Wentz (rib) was able to go through a full workout prior to Saturdays game against the Colts. If everything checks out medically this week, he could very well play Thursday in the preseason finale against the Jets. Hes in a position to possibly play next week, coach Doug Pederson said. Hes still a little bit sore, so well monitor that. Well make sure hes rested here in the next couple of days. I dont want to jeopardize him by any stretch of the imagination. But at the same time, if hes ready to go, hell play next Thursday. -- Tim McManusWashington RedskinsOutside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan received good news from the MRI on his groin Saturday, but its uncertain if that means hell be able to practice Monday. Kerrigan left Fridays preseason game against Buffalo in the first quarter, needed X-rays and did not return to the game. With the starters not playing in the preseason finale, theres no need to rush Kerrigan. The Redskins have been cautious with players returning from injuries this summer, so if theres any doubt, hell return next week when regular-season practices begin. The Redskins cant afford to lose another outside linebacker, as they already lost Junior Galette for the season because of an Achilles injury. -- John KeimNFC NORTHChicago BearsCornerback Tracy Porters concussion on Saturday is the latest setback for the banged up Bears secondary. With starter Kyle Fuller (knee) on the sideline following an arthroscopic procedure, Porters situation further tests Chicagos dwindling depth at cornerback. Porter will be monitored closely, with the Bears regular-season opener less than two weeks away. The Bears also remain hopeful that tight end Zach Miller and wide receiver Eddie Royal can officially pass the NFLs concussion protocol. Miller and Royal have missed almost the entire preseason but could, in theory, return for Thursdays exhibition finale in Cleveland. There likely will be an update Monday on guard Kyle Long (shoulder), who spent the weekend rehabbing his injury and doing cardiovascular work. -- Jeff DickersonDetroit LionsEric Ebron (ankle) remains the most interesting question for the Lions on Monday. At some point, Detroit needs to see what he can do in practice heading into the regular season, and this is the last non-preparation week to do so. Although it would be stunning if he played against Buffalo on Thursday, having him practice and get reacquainted with the offense would?be helpful. The other player to watch is tight end Brandon Pettigrew. He has been on PUP recovering from a torn ACL. Its not clear if hell start the season on PUP, but he hasnt done much yet. -- Michael RothsteinGreen Bay PackersWide receiver?Jordy Nelsons preparation for the regular season should ramp up this week. Even though he wont play in Thursdays preseason finale against the Chiefs, the Pro Bowl receiver expects to take part in 11-on-11 drills for the first time since he tore his ACL more than a year ago. Its important for Jordy to get a ton of work this week with Aaron [Rodgers], and thats really the focus, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. Nelson worked only selected individual drills when he returned to practice last week. -- Rob DemovskyMinnesota VikingsGiven the fact that their starters played a full half on Sunday, it seems unlikely that the Vikings will put many of their first-string players back on the field Thursday night against the Rams. As such, the first round of cuts for the Vikings could have plenty to do with which players they want to keep for depth on Thursday. The final week of the preseason could create opportunities at safety, for example, where both Antone Exum and Michael Griffin left with injuries on Sunday. Seventh-round pick?Jayron Kearse, who made his second interception of the preseason Sunday, could get plenty of playing time Thursday in his bid to make the roster. -- Ben GoesslingNFC SOUTHAtlanta FalconsWide?receiver Julio Jones, who suffered an ankle injury in last weeks preseason loss to the Dolphins, wasnt on the practice field Sunday. Even so, coach Dan Quinn wasnt concerned about Jones status. Quinn already said Jones should be fine for the season opener and theres no need to play him in the final preseason game against Jacksonville. He did not participate in anything today, and well see if hes able to do something [Monday], he said following practice. Meanwhile, Quinn said he expects pass-rusher Dwight Freeney?(back) to return to practice Monday, though?Freeney is not expected to play against the Jaguars. -- Vaughn McClureCarolina PanthersOn Sunday, the Panthers began putting in their game plan for the Sept. 8 opener at Denver, but they didnt have?punter Mike Scifres, who injured his right knee in Friday nights exhibition loss to New England. Scifres is scheduled to meet with a doctor. If the news isnt good, the Panthers likely will be shopping for a punter. The only other one on the roster is Kasey Redfern, who hasnt kicked in a regular-season game. -- David NewtonNew Orleans SaintsCoach Sean Payton said last month that winning preseason games would be important because the Saints needed to build confidence and a winning culture after back-to-back 7-9 seasons. Well, theyre 0-3. But Payton insisted he isnt concerned about a spiraling effect. This is a good group. Theyre working hard. The key is that we just recognize the things, he said. Weve still got more time here, but weve got to have a sense of urgency about some of these things that have shown up more than just one game. -- Mike TriplettTampa Bay BuccaneersThe Bucs are coming off a big game against the Browns. Among the positives: a punt return for a touchdown, eight sacks and just 13 points allowed on defense, quarterback?Jameis Winston threw two touchdowns, and wide receiver?Mike Evans had 115 receiving yards. Plus, the Bucs had only three penalties all game. Thats some great momentum for the starters heading into the regular season. For players fighting for roster spots, Thursdays game is crucial, and several position groups remain undecided: wide receiver, tight end, running back, offensive line, corner, safety, defensive line and linebacker. -- Jenna LaineNFC WESTArizona CardinalsA common refrain around the Cardinals about their subpar offensive performance this preseason has been that its just the preseason, and when the regular season starts Sept. 11, the offense will be fine. But two more interceptions by quarterback?Carson Palmer, two by Matt Barkley and five turnovers overall dont look good for a team that wont play its?starters again until the regular season begins. -- Josh WeinfussLos Angeles RamsPractice has become crucial for star running back Todd Gurley, who will finish the preseason having taken part in only one drive. Gurley sat out the third preseason game Saturday and will also sit out the fourth one on Thursday. When he takes the field for the Sept. 12 opener against the 49ers on Monday Night Football, Gurley will have gone 23 days without seeing game speed. The Rams need him to simulate that as best as possible during practice -- without getting hurt and probably without even getting tackleed.dddddddddddd -- Alden GonzalezSan Francisco 49ersQuarterback Colin Kaepernick spoke to the media on Sunday and said he will continue to sit during the national anthem until there is change when it comes to racial oppression in the United States. Asked what that would look like, Kaepernick indicated that he wasnt sure, but hed know it when he sees it. Thats a tough question because theres a lot of things that need to change, a lot of different issues that need to be addressed, he said. Thats something that its really hard to lock down one specific thing that needs to change currently. -- Nick WagonerSeattle SeahawksThird-round pick C.J. Prosise (hamstring) looked the part in his first preseason action, as he rushed four times for 23 yards against the Cowboys. He had a couple nice runs, and were just going to keep going, coach Pete Carroll said. This is a big week for him. Its just a big week to have him in practice again, but the game will be important. Hell play quite a bit this game. The Seahawks are hoping Prosise can emerge as their third-down back for the regular season. -- Sheil KapadiaAFC EASTBuffalo BillsThe Bills added a fourth quarterback to their 90-man roster Sunday, when they signed?Austin Trainor. Why the late addition? The Bills need an extra arm to get through Thursdays preseason finale in Detroit. The team plans to sit Tyrod Taylor and the rest of its starters, and rookie Cardale Jones is still nursing a sore shoulder. -- Mike RodakMiami DolphinsThis is an important week for Dolphins cornerback?Xavien Howard (knee) and running back?Kenyan Drake (hamstring). After they missed most of training camp, Miamis rookie second- and third-round picks will make their debuts in Thursdays preseason finale against the Titans. The next two days of practice are important to prepare for this game. -- James WalkerNew England PatriotsWill veteran defensive tackle Terrance Knighton still have a job at the end of the day? Signed in the offseason to a one-year contract with a maximum value of $4 million, Knighton didnt play a single defensive snap in the teams third preseason game Friday at Carolina. He said after the game that he was leaving Bank of America Stadium with an uncertain feeling about his future with the team. -- Mike ReissNew York JetsThe Jets, who trimmed their roster to 78 on Sunday, still have three moves to make before Tuesday. They have six outside linebackers on the roster, with veteran Trevor Reilly squarely on the bubble. His status could be impacted by Josh Martin, who is on crutches after an ankle injury. Theres a chance rookie Jordan Jenkins (calf) could return this week. -- Rich CiminiAFC NORTHBaltimore RavensQuarterback?Joe Flacco didnt mince words after Benjamin Watson tore his Achilles on Saturday. Thats going to be really tough on us, Flacco said. That leaves the Ravens with one healthy, experienced tight end:?Crockett Gillmore. Baltimore will be fine at tight end as long as Dennis Pitta (fractured finger) and Maxx Williams (undisclosed injury) can stay healthy, but thats a big question mark. Pitta hasnt played in a game since September 2014, and Williams dealt with knee and ankle injuries as well as a concussion as a rookie last season. -- Jamison HensleyCincinnati BengalsThe Bengals came out of Sunday nights game against the Jaguars with injuries to wide receiver A.J. Green (knee), cornerback Adam Jones (calf) and running back Cedric Peerman (arm). Thats not a good sign with the regular season approaching. They will play again Thursday against the Colts, with most of the starters unlikely to see a snap. -- Katherine TerrellCleveland BrownsCornerback Justin Gilberts effort to make the roster will be slowed. The top-10 pick in the 2014 draft?was diagnosed with a concussion Friday in Tampa and is in the leagues protocol. -- Pat McManamonPittsburgh SteelersTwo key linemen are setting a toughness tone for the Steelers. Defensive end Cam Heyward (high ankle sprain) and offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert (hyperextended elbow) both have significant injuries but are saying theres no way they miss Week 1 at Washington. The Steelers dealt with injuries all of last season, and Gilbert and Heyward are well-respected veterans who wont take no for an answer. No way Im missing that first game, Gilbert said. Dont expect these two to practice in the next two weeks, but they promise to rehab vigorously. -- Jeremy FowlerAFC SOUTHHouston TexansAlthough quarterback?Brock Osweiler and the Texans offense had a great day against the Cardinals, the defense struggled in several areas. Without J.J. Watt, the defensive line got pushed around, and the defense as a whole missed several tackles. The Texans also struggled with tackling in the first preseason game against the 49ers, but they improved last week against the Saints. As it was after the preseason opener, expect tackling to be a focus during practice this week ahead of the teams final preseason game. -- Sarah BarshopIndianapolis ColtsRunning back Stevan Ridley will have his first practice with the Colts on Monday after he signed with the team over the weekend. The Colts are looking for solid backup behind starter Frank Gore. The backups behind Gore have combined to rush for only 91 yards on 49 carries in three preseason games. Ridley has rushed for 1,203 yards total in the past three seasons after rushing for 1,263 yards in his second season with the Patriots. -- Mike WellsJacksonville JaguarsThe Jaguars really felt the loss of nose tackle Roy Miller against the Bengals on Sunday. He suffered a quad injury last week and likely wont play in the preseason finale. The Bengals ran for 49 yards in the first quarter against the Jaguars first-team defense with Abry Jones and Richard Ash playing in his place. Miller is the key to the Jaguars rush defense. -- Mike DiRoccoTennessee TitansThe Titans will open the season with Quinton Spain as their left guard. The open spot never really got competitive, and Spain and the starting line were very solid against the Raiders in the third preseason game. Coach Mike Mularkey said he wants to see Spain progress with experience but was pleased with the way the former undrafted free agent?came back from an average effort in Week 2. -- Paul KuharskyAFC WESTDenver BroncosAt every opportunity, coach Gary Kubiak has tried to tell folks that he has more decisions to make than the one at quarterback. Although the collective response outside the team might seem like, yeah, whatever, to Kubiak, he is right. As roster cuts come, the Broncos have tough decisions at running back, wide receiver and particularly at linebacker where Dekoda Watson, with 2.5 sacks against the Rams on Saturday, and Zaire Anderson, who had two forced fumbles against the San Francisco 49ers last week, made cases to make the roster. Watson leads the team in sacks in the preseason?with 4.0. -- Jeff LegwoldKansas City ChiefsThe challenge for the Chiefs now that safety Eric Berry has signed and will join them at practice on Monday is to prepare him for the regular season. That preparation probably wont include any playing time in Thursdays final preseason game against the Packers. Otherwise, the Chiefs wont waste any time. Hell be in the starting lineup in practice. Well get him back in there and get him into football shape now, coach Andy Reid said. Hes in great shape. Its just [a matter of] getting him back into football shape. -- Adam TeicherOakland RaidersRaiders coach Jack Del Rio is still a linebacker at heart, so yeah, he felt a bit shaken at the lack of quality tackling by his team against the Titans on Saturday. I take it real personal, he said. I dont know what to tell you. I dont have a good alibi -- it bothers me. You cant be a great defense doing that ... its got to be a whole hell of a lot better than what I saw out there tonight. -- Paul GutierrezSan Diego ChargersThe Chargers lost a playmaker on offense, and the teams top returner when Branden Oliver went down with an Achilles tendon tear. Coach Mike McCoy confirmed after the game that Oliver was done for the year. Its a tough blow for Oliver, who finished last year on the injured reserve with turf toe. You see what he went through to get back and its a shame, McCoy said about Oliver. The Chargers have backups such as?Dreamius Smith or Kenneth Farrow?on the roster who could help fill the void left by Olivers absence, but they could also add a player after final roster cuts. -- Eric D. Williams ' ' '