49ers may start Mullen at QB vs. Raiders

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Because of a wrist injury to C.J. Beathard, the 49ers may have to start Nick Mullens at QB Thursday night. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-May-Have-to-Start-Nick-Mullens-vs-Raiders-499146371.html

Raiders are quiet on draft day

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Despite reports that they were considering trading one or two players, the Raiders allow draft deadline to pass without making any more deals. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Despite-Rumors-Raiders-Stand-Pat-With-Roster-499152121.html

Three Olympians born in three separate countries are "brothers" and best friends, training together in Flagstaff, Ariz., in preparation for New York City Marathon

Bernard Lagat has never run a marathon but is a five-time Olympian. Abdi Abdirahman is an Olympian who once finished third in New York. Mexico's two-time Olympian Juan Luis Barrios ran a PR in the marathon already this year. The three are best buddies, training partners and sometimes roomies who will run against one another in New York this weekend ... but will still pull for one another. My story for ESPN.com's Olympic section: http://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/25091905/new-york-city-marathon-2018-bernard-lagat-juan-luis-barrios-abdi-abdirahman-find-common-ground

49ers' failure on 'O' set up collapse of 'D'

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: When the 49ers settled for a field goal instead of a TD early in the fourth quarter, it opened the door for the Cardinals to come back for a win. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Offense-Couldnt-Secure-a-Victory-499019161.html

Return of defensive tackles should help Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland's starting defensive tackles from 2017 expected to return over next two weeks. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Return-of-Vanderdoes-Ellis-Could-Help-Raiders-Defense-499022311.html?hsfd

Niners may say goodbye to Garcon

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Veteran WR Pierre Garcon may be traded away by Tuesday, the NFL trading deadline. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Could-Trade-Garcon-by-Tuesday-Deadline-498910551.html

Raiders' O-Line takes a big step forward

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland's offensive line hasn't been good, but it finally showed its potential in a loss to the Colts. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Offensive-Line-Takes-Big-Step-Forward-498914041.html

49ers' defense folds in the fourth

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: San Francisco builds a lead and then lets it slip away in Arizona. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Cant-Hold-on-to-Late-Lead-Lose-to-Cardinals-498844941.html

Raiders come close, but let a victory slip away

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Despite building a lead into the https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Colts-Rally-in-Fourth-to-Give-Raiders-Another-Defeat-498843621.htmlfourth quarter, the Raiders fall to Colts.

Air Force Academy kendo athlete Esther Kim is one of the nation's best in the Japanese martial art of kendo

Esther Kim is a mild-mannered young woman, an Air Force Academy senior excited to soon start her military career. When she's on the kendo court, however, Kim is ferocious, quick and excellent, as her national championship titles show. My story on Kim for ESPNW.com: http://www.espn.com/espnw/life-style/article/25083288/meet-esther-kim-clark-kent-martial-arts

Reuben Foster's play has declined in Year 2

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: In 2017, rookie LB Reuben Foster was ranked No. 4 in the NFL at his position by one analytic website. This year, he's missing tackles and getting beat in coverage as he deals with a shoulder injury. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Foster-Hasnt-Been-the-Same-Player-in-Second-Season-498675161.html

Carr says he embraces tough times

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Raiders QB Derek Carr says he's going to keep fighting through adversity and innuendo. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Carr-Says-He-Embraces-Tough-Times-498671461.html

Pettis eager to play this Sunday for 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Receiver Dante Pettis has missed three straight games but was back at practice Wednesday and says he'll play Sunday vs. the Cardinals. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Pettis-is-Eager-to-Get-Back-in-a-Game-498540261.html

Will Raiders trade away Conley, too?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: A new name has surfaced in Raiders trade rumors: cornerback Gareon Conley. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Conley-Also-Reported-to-be-on-Trading-Block-498537961.html

49ers lose yet another starter in secondary

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Safety Adrian Colbert has been placed on injured reserve, yet another blow to a thin, damaged 49ers secondary. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Depleted-49ers-Secondary-Loses-Another-Starter-498314851.html

Will Carr soon follow Mack and Cooper out the door?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: A story this week says Derek Carr has a "fractured" relationship with his team. Will the Raiders now get rid of their quarterback?https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Is-Carrs-Relationship-With-Teammates-Fractured-498319331.html?_osource=SocialFlowTwt_BAYBrand

Will Shanahan bench Beathard? Not a chance

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: QB C.J. Beathard has made a lot of mistakes, but head coach Kyle Shanahan is sticking with him because, in the absence of Jimmy Garoppolo, Beathard is the team's best QB. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Shanahan-is-Sticking-With-Beathard-Despite-Problems-498209691.html

With Lynch out, Raiders' Martin will be in

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Doug Martin the likely starter this Sunday after injury to Marshawn Lynch.  https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/With-Lynch-Out-Raiders-Doug-Martin-Will-Get-Opportunity-498213321.html

49ers' Alumni Day spoiled by lopsided loss to Rams

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: C.J. Beathard is sacked seven times and the 49ers lose the turnover battle, 4-0, in 39-10 loss to undefeated Rams. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/A-Celebration-of-Past-Ruined-by-49ers-Ugly-Present-498162541.html

Raiders' Townsend not measuring up as punter

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Rookie punter Johnny Townsend isn't coming close to the production of former Raiders punter Marquette King. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Punter-Townsends-Struggles-Hurting-Raiders-498032861.html