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8:55 PM ET, December 26, 2021

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 Top News: 
Jeff Duncan / New Orleans Times-Picayune:
A Christmas miracle?  The Saints tried to lure Drew Brees out of retirement to save their season  — 3 min to read - - - - - - - - - - - -  —  Desperate times call for desperate measures.  —  And the Saints' quarterback situation definitely qualifies as “desperate” right now.
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Dave Hyde / Sun-Sentinel:
It's best to be lucky and good as Miami Dolphins are out to prove  —  Here's the recipe for seven straight wins: A hot defense.  An efficient quarterback.  A coach who refused to let the season sink after a 1-7 season.  —  And 16 New Orleans Saints out with COVID-19.  —  Is it better to be lucky or good?
David Furones / Sun-Sentinel:
Dolphins' final stretch, beginning with Monday Night Football at Saints, to show what team really is  —  When the Miami Dolphins pulled off a stunning upset of the Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 11, reaching this point appeared realistic.  —  With a defense that began showing its true potential …
David Furones / Sun-Sentinel:
Game time: Fast facts, odds, injury report and key info for Miami Dolphins (7-7) at New Orleans Saints (7-7)  —  DOLPHINS (7-7) vs. SAINTS (7-7)  —  Kickoff: 8:15 p.m., Monday, Caesars Superdome  —  TV: ESPN; RADIO: Westwood One, WQAM (560 AM), KISS (99.9 FM), WQBA (1140 AM, Spanish)
Associated Press:
Saints' 4th-string QB Ian Book hails ‘unbelievable opportunity’ to make debut vs. Dolphins  —  NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans Saints quarterback Ian Book says that because of the unpredictability of COVID-19, he and fellow reserve QB Trevor Siemian adopted the motto: “Stay ready.”
Walt Handelsman / New Orleans Times-Picayune:
Sean Payton is back, but another Saints player, 3 assistants test positive for COVID-19, sources say
Discussion: NESN.com
David Furones / Sun-Sentinel:
Dolphins pivot to preparing for Saints former fourth-string QB Ian Book with Taysom Hill heading to COVID list
Discussion: Denver Post and CBS Miami
Omar Kelly / Sun-Sentinel:   Starting safety Jevon Holland returns, Dolphins lose three more to COVID
Omar Kelly / Sun-Sentinel:
Here's what Dolphins have to do to defeat Saints
Discussion: Mercury News
Jonas Shaffer / Baltimore Sun:
Ravens QB Tyler Huntley placed on reserve/COVID-19 list, will miss game vs. Bengals; Josh Johnson set to start  —  Third-string Ravens quarterback Josh Johnson will start in Sunday's pivotal game against the AFC North-leading Cincinnati Bengals after Tyler Huntley was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list …
RELATED:
Ryan McFadden / Baltimore Sun:
Who is Josh Johnson?  Ravens' third-string QB will start pivotal game vs. Bengals  —  With Lamar Jackson dealing with an ankle injury and Tyler Huntley recently testing positive for COVID-19, the Ravens will rely on third-string quarterback Josh Johnson to face the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday …
Jonas Shaffer / Baltimore Sun:
Ravens S Chuck Clark activated from reserve/COVID-19 list, can play vs. Bengals  —  Ravens safety Chuck Clark was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, clearing the way for the defensive leader to return for Sunday's pivotal game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Childs Walker / Baltimore Sun:
Win or else: Ravens would face a steep climb to playoffs if they cannot upset Bengals in AFC North rematch
Discussion: NESN.com
Tom Withers / Associated Press:
Jets QB Joe Flacco, Vikings RB Dalvin Cook among 46 NFL players placed on reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday
Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune:
Nick Foles will start at quarterback for the Chicago Bears on Sunday as Justin Fields continues his recovery from an ankle injury  —  Chicago Bears quarterback Nick Foles will start Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field as rookie Justin Fields continues to deal with an ankle injury.
RELATED:
Brad Biggs / Chicago Tribune:
The Chicago Bears made a full effort to acquire Russell Wilson in the offseason.  Would they — and Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy — be better off if the deal was made?  —  In an alternate universe in which the Chicago Bears made a deal for Russell Wilson, would they be battling for a playoff spot Sunday …
Discussion: NBC Chicago
Dan Wiederer / Chicago Tribune:   Germain Ifedi's angry reaction to a personal foul on Chicago Bears rookie Teven Jenkins came with a message: ‘Do it the clean way.’
Ryan McFadden / Baltimore Sun:
Ravens CB Anthony Averett ruled out after suffering chest injury vs. Bengals  —  The Ravens' secondary suffered another blow, as cornerback Anthony Averett was carted off the field after suffering a chest injury during the first quarter of Sunday's AFC North matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Discussion: Mercury News
The Athletic:
Spurs assistant Becky Hammon being seriously pursued by Aces, Liberty for head coaching vacancies: Sources  —  The New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces are seriously pursuing San Antonio Spurs assistant and WNBA legend Becky Hammon to be their respective franchise's new head coach …
ESPN:
Sources: Cody Bellinger, Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to 1-year, $17M deal before lockout  —  Slugger Cody Bellinger and the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed on a one-year, $17 million to avoid arbitration before the Dec. 1 lockout that has shut down Major League Baseball and frozen transactions, sources familiar with the agreement told ESPN.
 
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