NFL

The Houston Texans are shutting down their team facility ... after one of their players tested positive for COVID-19.

"Late last night, we received notice that a Texans player tested positive for COVID-19," the Texans said in a statement.

The infected player is reportedly backup guard Max Scharping, according to the Houston Chronicle's Aaron Wilson. The 24-year-old 2nd round draft pick has been placed on the reserve-COVID list.

The team says they've totally shut down their practice facility ... and have already started contact tracing to make sure no other players were exposed to the virus.

"In accordance with NFL protocols, the player immediately self-isolated and our Infection Control Officer and other members of the Infection Response Team began working with the NFL to perform contact tracing."

"Our facility will be closed today to players for deep cleaning."

Luckily for the Texans, the team is on their bye week ... so assuming there isn't a significant breakout, their November 8 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars likely won't be impacted.

"We are in close consultation with the NFL, as well as our team of independent doctors and specialists, and will follow their guidance regarding our scheduled bye week operations."

"The health and safety of our team, as well as our entire staff, are of highest priority."

Rob Kardashian hit the football card equivalent of the LOTTERY this week -- pulling an insanely rare Tom Brady card that could be worth around $250,000!!!

Yeah, he's having a pretty good week!

Here's the deal ... Rob is a massive sports card collector who's been buying boxes of rare cards from his pals over at The Bullpen card shop in L.A.

Around 3 AM on Tuesday morning, Rob was feeling the urge to buy a case of 2020 Panini Mosaic Choice (hobby) cards -- which comes with 20 boxes.

No word how much Rob paid for the case -- but they usually run around $10,000! (It ain't exactly a cheap hobby anymore!).

Since Rob couldn't personally make it into the store, he gave the green light to the guys at Bullpen to open it on his behalf -- he even allowed 'em to stream the opening on IG Live.

And, man ... Rob hit some BIG cards!

There were some cool Tua Tagovailoa autograph cards. A super-rare Justin Herbert card. And, some Joe Burrow gems.

But, the big pull was a Tom Brady MVP Nebula parallel -- an ultra-rare 1-of-1 card that's worth a fortune!!!

Watch the video ... the guy opening the packs for Rob at the card shop (his name is Ben) immediately knows he's got a banger and loses his mind!!!

We spoke with some experts who told us the card could be worth anywhere from $50k to $250k depending on its condition (which will be graded by the PSA authentication company).

PSA looks for things like how perfectly the card is centered, the integrity of the corners and other possible flaws.

But, since this card was pulled right from the box and immediately put into a case, it's expected to get a perfect 10 grade -- which is HUGE for collectors.

The other cards are also super valuable ... we're told the Herbert card (a Black Gold parallel that's 1 of only 8) could be worth around $6,000.

The Tua autographs could fetch $5k a piece (Rob pulled two!). And, the two Burrow fusion red rookie cards are also worth a few thousand each!

As one expert tells us, "Rob crushed it!"

L.A. Chargers QB Justin Herbert is one of several players evacuated from his home Tuesday due to the raging wildfires in Southern California, Herbert confirmed.

"I’m actually in a hotel," the Chargers star rookie said Tuesday on "The Dan Patrick Show" ... "We had to evacuate our house because of the fires."

Herbert is seemingly referring to the Silverado Fire -- which is currently raging through Orange County, CA.

So far, roughly 100,000 people have left their homes to escape the blaze.

Officials say the fire has torched 11,200 acres. More than 750 firefighters are battling the inferno -- using 14 water-dropping helicopters. It's only 5% contained -- and with wild winds, there are concerns it will continue to spread fast.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero says several other Chargers players and staff members have also been evacuated.

The team is helping everyone get settled in hotels in safe areas while they prepare to take on the Broncos in Denver on Sunday.

Arizona Cardinals star safety Budda Baker was wearing a hot mic when his pick-6 got spoiled by D.K. Metcalf's insane chase down tackle ... and the hilarious audio has finally been released.

.... and it's everything we could've hoped for and more!!

"How'd he catch my ass, what the (expletive?!?!)," a winded Baker said as he approached the sidelines ... completely bewildered by the Seattle Seahawks receiver's insane speed.

Of course, the 2nd quarter INT was the talk of the night as the Cards upset the 'Hawks in OT, 37-34 ... and Budda had to show love to D.K. on Twitter following the game for sprinting 90 yards to keep him out of the end zone.

"DK HAWKED MY ASS... #RESPECT," Budda said on Twitter ... while teammate DeAndre Hopkins added, "And we Hawked them."

Of course, the trash talk was all in good fun ... but the audio just goes to show how Budda was as shocked as we were to see him get caught.

Colin Kaepernick has found his younger self ... with "The Get Down" star Jaden Michael landing the role of teen Kap in the upcoming Netflix series based on the QB's early life.

Kap and Emmy winner Ava DuVernay have teamed up to create a 6-episode limited series based on the QB/social activist's early experiences  ... titled "Colin In Black & White."

The project just announced it has added 17-year-old Michael -- a rising star in Hollywood -- to play the role of Kap in his high school days in Turlock, CA.

You may have seen Michael's work in the past -- he's starred in projects like Todd Haynes' "Wonderstruck" and Lorne Michaels' "Vampires Vs. The Bronx."

The show will focus on Kap's childhood -- growing up as a black man in an adopted white family, and how his life shaped him to become one of the most important activists of our time ... as well as an NFL quarterback.

32-year-old Kap (the real one) will also be personally involved in the project as the narrator.

Kaepernick tweeted about the news ... saying, "I never thought I would be casting a young me in a show about my life. I can’t wait for the world to see @ItsJadenMichael be an all-star on @netflix"

Jerry Jones clearly ain't handling the demise of the Dallas Cowboys' season well ... he just snapped at a radio host after a leadership question -- straight-up telling the guy to "shut up."

The team's owner was speaking with 105.3 "The Fan" Tuesday morning ... when one of the hosts asked him if he believes his 2-5 Cowboys have a "leadership void."

The 78-year-old rambled in his answer ... and when the host tried to clarify the question -- Jones got big mad.

"Well, just shut up and let me answer it," Jerry said. "No."

Jerry later circled back at the end of the interview to apologize for getting snippy ... telling the hosts, "If I were a little abrupt there, then I really don't want to have our day start that way."

"You're too good of men for that," he said. "This certainly isn't my most tactful time, you might say, with this thing as we discuss these matters."

Jones added he's SUPER disappointed by how the Cowboys' season has played out so far ... explaining, "We haven't spent the time, the years, the money, the effort and everything for the Dallas Cowboys to be where we are right now."

If you haven't been paying attention ... the Cowboys are vying for the title of "Worst in the NFL" in 2020.

The team's defense hemorrhages points ... and with the offense losing Dak Prescott and several key offensive linemen to injury, it just can't score enough to keep up.

Jones, though, is trying to stay positive despite the clear frustration ... adding in his interview, "There will be better days."

Not everyone was thrilled with the ending of that wild Cardinals vs. Seahawks game ... because the final seconds of regulation cost 3 "Fox Bet Super 6" users the chance to split $1 MILLION!!

Three women -- Gloria, Kim and Sherry -- had gone 5-for-5 in the Fox Bet "Super 6" pick'em challenge (you may have seen promos for "Win Terry Bradshaw's Money" campaign).

Users have a chance to win the grand prize if they can correctly pick the winners of 6 NFL games, as well as the margin of victory for each game. This week, there were 1.1 MILLION entries!

"Fox Bet Super 6" had upped the grand prize to $1 MILLION for Week 7 -- and going into Sunday Night Football, the 3 remaining players all picked the Seattle Seahawks to win by 1 to 3 points.

Gloria -- a retired grandmother who lives in the Atlanta area.

Kim -- a nurse from Ohio.

And, Sherry -- also a retired grandma who lives in Nevada!

All 3 women were first-time players!

The Seahawks were leading for the entirety of the game -- and late in the 4th quarter, they were up 34 to 31 ... and just had to close out the end of the game for the bettors to win.

But, with time expiring, the Cards kicked a field goal to tie the game -- sending it into overtime ... where Arizona eventually won the game!

Sucks for the women ... but the folks at "Fox Bet Super 6" say they were so impressed and heartbroken for the women, they offered up a $10,000 consolation prize for each player for making it as far as they did!

After the game, Kim said she would have LOVED to take Terry Bradshaw's money because "He’s a Pittsburgh Steelers legend but I’m a Cleveland Browns fan."

Rivalries never die!

The New England Patriots look like crap and Dave Portnoy couldn't care less ... with the Barstool Sports founder telling TMZ Sports there are much bigger issues to worry about -- like COVID-19.

It's been a different experience for Pats Nation in 2020 -- the team is 2-4 for the first time since 2000(!!!) and players like Cam Newton and Stephon Gilmore have dealt with coronavirus.

We spoke with El Presidente out in NYC fresh off the Pats' 33-6 loss to the 49ers ... and he says it's pointless to care about the season when there's a pandemic going on.

"Cam Newton had COVID, he probably still has COVID, a lot of people have died from COVID, so we should be focusing probably on bigger things," Pres told us Monday.

Of course, Portnoy was singing a different tune after Week 1 ... saying it was "business as usual" after Cam's Pats beat the Miami Dolphins in the season opener.

Now, he's questioning everything.

"Does this season even count? Those are the bigger questions that I feel like, right now, we as a people should be discussing. Not wins and losses in a season that'll go down as not counting."

He added, "We're in a major pandemic here. Lives are being lost. That's the bigger issue. That's what I'm focusing on."

Wow! Jeff Garcia really hates Cam Newton's style these days -- saying the QB should only dress swaggy when he's winning!!!

The ex-49ers quarterback unloaded on Cam during an appearance on "NBC Sports Bay Area" following the 49ers shellacking of Cam's New England Patriots.

Cam played so poorly in the 33-6 loss (3 INTs, 0 TDs), he was yanked in the 3rd quarter for Jarrett Stidham. It's the Pats 3rd loss in a row. They're 2-6 in the season.

Despite the issues on the field, Cam still dresses ... like Cam! With wild looks, crazy hats -- you know the style!

But, Garcia ain't cool with it -- essentially saying Cam's fashion choices prove he only cares about himself.

"You go into this game with 2 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, you threw what, 3 more interceptions? You get yanked in the 2nd half, there’s nothing good going your way. Why are you dressing like that to bring more attention to yourself?"

Garcia continued ... "I’d be trying to ask the equipment managers 'Put me in your jock sock cart and sneak me in the back door and I’ll show up on the field and do the best that I can.'"

When asked if he was speaking from experience, Garcia expanded ...

"This just goes back to a couple years of just watching this guy and seeing him at the podium, but yet what he’s doing on the field does not translate to being that guy."

One of the panelists brought up Joe Namath -- who would rock fur coats and other swaggy items. Garcia responded to that too.

"When you predict you’re going to win a Super Bowl and you go out and do it, wear whatever the hell you want."

Garcia has been taking some heat on social media for the comments -- our favorite clap back is this one ...

Genie Bouchard and Mason Rudolph could be getting serious ... the tennis star showed up to the Steelers game Sunday with friends to cheer on her new beau!!!

We broke the story ... Genie and the Steelers backup QB kicked off a romantic fling recently -- and clearly, the fire is still burning hot.

'Cause just weeks after 26-year-old Genie was spotted out and about near Rudolph's Pittsburgh-area home ... she headed to 25-year-old Mason's game against the Titans in Tennessee.

And, while Mason didn't play in the win (he's backing up a healthy Ben Roethlisberger this season) ... didn't seem Genie minded too much -- check out her smile!!!

Yeah, looks smitten to us!!

Neither Genie nor Mason has gone public with the relationship yet ... but posting pics from games means we could be getting close to IG offish any day now.

Cleveland's worst fears are now a reality ... Odell Beckham has confirmed he did, in fact, tear his ACL on Sunday and will miss the rest of the 2020 NFL season.

"Odell Beckham Jr just text me that his ACL is torn and that his season is over," NFL reporter Josina Anderson said Monday morning.

27-year-old Beckham suffered the injury during the 2nd offensive play of the Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals game.

Baker Mayfield had fired a pass Odell's way -- but missed his target and the ball was intercepted. Odell tried to make a play and tackle the ball-carrier but ran into one of his own teammates and apparently messed up his left knee in the process.

It's devastating news for Cleveland -- Odell was having a pretty solid season with 23 catches for 319 yards ands 3 TDs.

The Browns are 5-2 and starting to play like contenders -- losing their #1 receiver is definitely going to hurt their chances.

As for Beckham, he played all 16 games in 2019 while suffering from a groin injury -- and underwent surgery during the offseason.

Now with the ACL tear, that will almost certainly require surgery -- and usually takes about 6 to 9 months to fully recover.

Sucks.

Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera just finished his last round of cancer treatments ... and the mini-party hospital staffers threw for him to celebrate was AWESOME.

The 58-year-old was diagnosed with a form of skin cancer back in August ... and he's been receiving chemotherapy and other forms of treatment ever since.

But, Rivera completed his last round of treatments Monday ... and the scene afterward at the hospital was pretty emotional.

Check out the footage WFT posted ... Rivera was cheered on by a bunch of medical personnel -- with some even throwing confetti over his head!

Others, wearing "Rivera Strong" shirts, waved pom poms ... and eventually, they all gifted him with a signed card.

The best part of the footage, though? Rivera was able to ring a bell on the wall signifying the end of treatments -- and you can tell, he was happy as hell to do it.

Rivera has said the cancer drugs have taken a massive toll on him over the past couple months ... explaining the fatigue he's experienced has felt like a "300-pound gorilla on your back."

Still, Ron only missed a handful of WFT practices and never missed a game ... despite at times appearing to be in rough shape.

Rivera has said repeatedly his long-term prognosis is good ... adding his doctors are optimistic about a full recovery.

Andy Dalton was knocked out cold by an absolutely BRUTAL hit in the Dallas Cowboys' game Sunday ... but, thankfully, the team says he's now feeling better and "in good spirits."

Dalton lay motionless for several seconds after taking a violent shot to the head in the third quarter of Big D's blowout loss to Washington ... and the scene was SCARY.

WFT linebacker Jon Bostic hit the 32-year-old QB with a shoulder to the forehead while Dalton was sliding ... and the shot was so vicious, it caused Andy's helmet to fly off.

The quarterback needed help from trainers to get off the field and back into the locker room ... where he was diagnosed almost immediately with a concussion.

But, despite the frightening scene, a Cowboys spokesperson told the team's official website Sunday that Dalton was "alert, in good spirits and feeling much better."

Dalton is now in the concussion protocol ... and he'll need to clear tons of different tests to continue to move forward as the Cowboys' starter this season.

As for the hit itself, Bostic was ejected over the play ... and Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said he was pissed none of Dalton's teammates went after the guy for the hit.

"It definitely was not the response you would expect," McCarthy said.

Dalton's replacement in the game, rookie Ben DiNucci, is expected to be Dallas' starter on Sunday night if AD is not ready to go.

"I think he's matured, and I believe in second chances,"

That's Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians explaining why he approved of the team signing Antonio Brown ... despite his problematic history.

As we previously reported, the Bucs locked up AB in a 1-year contract -- reportedly worth up to $2.5 million if he hits all of his incentives.

Brown is suspended through Week 8 for a variety of reasons -- including an off-season arrest for attacking a moving truck driver, allegations of rape and sending menacing text messages to a woman who accused him of sexual misconduct.

Arians had previously said the Bucs were not interested in Brown -- but clearly had a change of heart. Many people speculated Tom Brady played a role since they appeared to get along during AB's short stint in New England last season.

But, on Sunday, Arians said that just isn't true.

"Everybody wants to say that Tom picked him. Tom didn't have anything to do with it," Arians told the media.

"This was something [general manager Jason Licht] and I had been talking [about] for a couple weeks, ever since the injuries to our other guys."

"When the time was right, would we see if we could pull the trigger and fit him in to what we want to get done? And we'll see. If Antonio does what I think he's gonna do, I think he's gonna be fine."

Arians was also asked what he would say to female fans about the move to sign Brown.

"I think you just let the court system do its job. Allegations -- I've been around a lot of players that have had allegations that weren't true, some were -- so let the court system handle it. If it's found out to be true, he won't be with us."

Tom Brady also weighed in on the signing ...

"He's a tremendous football player ... I played with him for a brief period of time. Looking forward to working with him again, to see what role he can come in [and play]. He's a very hardworking guy."

Dana Stubblefield's wife says her husband is an innocent man, telling TMZ Sports she's convinced the accuser is lying ... saying she's worried about what could happen to him in prison.

We spoke with Terri Stubblefield ... who's been married to the ex-NFL star for 11 years. They have 2 young children together.

Terri had filed for divorce back in 2016 after she learned about the allegations against Dana ... but they have since reconciled.

Terri admits that Dana screwed up by having sex with another woman ... but she believes it was consensual -- and says allegations he used a gun to rape the accuser are just plain wrong.

"There's no denying they had sex, but he didn't rape her. He didn't have a gun. Dana is 300-something pounds. I don't think he needs a gun to hold down somebody at all."

Terri also says Dana is "not that kind of person. He's a very sweet person."

Terri says she needs Dana to help raise their children and she's terrified at the idea he could spend the rest of his life in prison.

As we previously reported, Stubblefield was sentenced to 15 years to life for raping a woman at his Santa Clara, CA home back in 2015.

Prosecutors say the woman has mental and physical disabilities. Terri says she's spent years combing over the allegations, and simply doesn't believe the accuser's story -- any of it.

Terri says over the past few years, Dana's friends and former teammates have turned their backs on him -- with a few exceptions -- praising Randy Kirk and Ron Stone for sticking by Dana.

"I believe that some of his other teammates that I thought he was closer to would step forward and they haven’t."

Mrs. Stubblefield -- who is now focused on appealing the conviction -- has a message for everybody who thinks her husband is a terrible person.

"Please don't think that Dana is a monster because he's not. He is a great person and you all know better. Don't let the media fool you! He's a really good person, a great father, caring with a big heart. He just made a mistake."

AB to TB ... with TB.

OMFG.

Yeah, Antonio Brown is flying to Tampa Bay tonight -- where he's expected to sign with the Bucs and reunite with Tom Brady.

That's the plan according to NFL Network's Ian Rapaport who says the Bucs have been "quietly working on a deal with WR Antonio Brown and it’s now 'very close.'"

Rap adds, "Tom Brady has been pushing for this for some time. Now looks to be happening. Brown is on his way to TB."

As we previously reported, AB is still serving his 8-game suspension stemming from some major off-the-field issues ... including an arrest for allegedly attacking a moving truck driver.

He was also investigated over allegations he raped his former trainer -- and sent menacing text messages to another woman after she had publicly accused him of sexual misconduct.

Brown will be eligible to play starting Week 9 -- and it seems the Bucs are ready to pull the trigger.

Rapoport says when he touches down in Tampa tonight, it will start Day 1 of the COVID protocol. He's expected to sign his deal by the beginning of next week, which would allow him to play Week 9.

Rap also says Tom Brady has been a major force in bringing AB to TB -- remember, they got along pretty well during Brown's short stint in New England last season.

As for the contract, Rap says, "Brown is a two-month rental and the belief is it’s a 1-year deal with significant upside for Brown."

Brown has burned major bridges with several NFL teams including the Raiders, Steelers and Patriots.

Will he be able to keep his nose clean in Tampa Bay?

Seems the Bucs are willing to roll the dice ...