Rodgers preaches patience amid skid Harbaugh expects charges for melee France’s Pogba will miss World Cup

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Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh talks to reporters during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big Ten Conference media days, at Lucas Oil Stadium, Tuesday, July 26, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

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Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers holds a press conference at The Grove in Chandler’s Cross, England, Friday, Oct. 7, 2022 ahead the NFL game against New York Giants at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium on Sunday. (AP Photo/David Cliff)

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Aaron Rodgers’ frustration following a fourth consecutive loss was familiarly apparent. This time, the Packers quarterback chose his words more carefully in expressing them. A week after suggesting some players need to be benched and citing too many mental errors following a 23-21 loss to the Commanders, Rodgers was more understated Sunday night. He preached patience after a 27-17 loss to the AFC-leading Bills dropped the Packers to 3-5 — their worst start through eight games since Rodgers took over as quarterback in 2008. “The most important thing is to take a beat,” Rodgers said. “After a frustration like this, the last thing you want is to respond in emotion. So take a beat. Let it sit. There’s not a whole lot to say after the game that is really going to spark the team.” Rodgers said the Packers just need to find a way to get one victory. “I feel like if we just get one, then our whole momentum changes,” Rodgers said. What encouraged Rodgers was the energy he felt from his teammates leading up to the game, by noting it “felt like the Packers again.”

Jim Harbaugh expects the four suspended Michigan State football players involved in roughing up two members of Michigan’s team to be punished to the fullest extent of the law. “I can’t imagine that this will not result in criminal charges,” the Michigan coach said Monday. Harbaugh said defensive back Gemon Green was punched by a Spartans player in the Michigan Stadium tunnel to spark the melee shortly after the Wolverines beat their in-state rivals Saturday, and that teammate Ja’Den McBurrows was attacked when he tried to help. McBurrows is seen on a video shared on social media being pushed, punched and kicked by multiple Michigan State players, who pulled him out of the tunnel and into a hallway that doesn’t lead to either locker room. Harbaugh said both players have injuries. Michigan State coach Mel Tucker announced Sunday that linebacker Tank Brown, safety Angelo Grose, defensive end Zion Young and cornerback Khary Crump were suspended. University of Michigan Deputy Police Chief Melissa Overton said an investigation began Saturday.

France midfielder Paul Pogba will miss the World Cup due to ongoing knee problems. Pogba returned to training with Juventus only this month following surgery on his right knee in early September. He hasn’t played since returning to Juventus from Manchester United, and was injured again. Tests confirmed the 29-year-old Pogba will not be fit in time for the World Cup. “We won’t see him until 2023 and ... he also will be out of the World Cup,” a Juventus spokesman told The AP on Monday. His agent, Rafaela Pimenta also released a statement. “After medical exams yesterday and today, it is extremely painful to announce that Paul Pogba needs more rehabilitation after his operation,” she said. “For that reason, Paul can’t be part of the France team in Qatar.” Pogba underwent surgery after tearing his meniscus during Juventus’ preseason tour of the U.S. in July — having rejoined the Italian club two weeks earlier from Manchester United. Pogba last played in an official match in April. Defending Cup champion France opens in Qatar against Australia on Nov. 22. —Associated Press