NFL

Former Super Bowl champion Derrick Ward will not spend time in prison over allegations he robbed L.A.-area businesses ... TMZ Sports has learned he's been placed on mental health diversion instead.

Court records show a judge ordered Ward to enroll in the program at a hearing back on Oct. 10.

Ward, according to court documents, will now have to comply with any mental health treatment recommendations from "Find Your Balance Center" and "Brain Health USA Center" for a period of two years.

Baker Mayfield was spotted poppin' a ZYN during "Monday Night Football" ... but if you thought the company behind the nicotine pouches would be thrilled with the free promotion -- think again!!

Swedish Match -- which manufactures ZYN -- got wind of Mayfield catching a buzz before the second half of the Buccaneers vs. Ravens game at Raymond James Stadium ... and let's just say it had a mixed reaction to the moment.

"Swedish Match appreciates its loyal consumers and encourages them not to show the product in any situation where someone under 21 years old could see it," a ZYN spokesperson told TMZ Sports.

Jon Gruden's split with the Raiders was UGLY ... but that doesn't mean the Super Bowl champion-winning former head coach is down on his old employer in Las Vegas!

In fact, Gruden says he not only watches the team, but he still actively pulls for his old squad!

"You know my son [Deuce Gruden] is on that staff. He's one of the strength coaches, so I watch every single play. I still root for 'em like I was still on the staff," the Gruden told Pacman Jones and Evan Rosenblum on BetOnline's "The Pacman Jones Show."

Aaron Rodgers says he's never once eaten one of his boogers ... even if it sure looked like he did during the Jets game Sunday night.

The star quarterback was adamant about the matter when Pat McAfee brought it up to him during Tuesday's episode of "The Pat McAfee Show" ... insisting he's never, ever dug for gold and then shoved it down his mouth.

"I've actually never eaten my boogers," he told Pat, matter-of-factly. "That's one thing I'm very proud of."

Kristin Cavallari is wishing Jay Cutler "nothing but the best" after his recent run-in with the law ... saying she hopes her ex-husband seeks support in the wake of his DUI arrest.

The former reality TV star briefly addressed the retired NFL quarterback's legal troubles at the top of her 'Let's Be Honest' podcast this week ... explaining she recorded the episode prior to the "very public" news of Cutler's arrest -- and would not be commenting on what happened later on in the show.

"I do, of course, wish Jay nothing but the best and I do hope that he gets the help that he needs," Cavallari said during the intro. "But that's the only thing I will be saying about it publicly."

There are many things needed on an NFL sideline to ensure players are ready to go ... water, medical tents, video tablets -- and a container of ZYNs?!?

Well, that was at least the case during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' game against the Baltimore Ravens on "Monday Night Football" ... 'cause Baker Mayfield was spotted getting his nicotine fix on the bench.

The ESPN cameras captured Mayfield popping one of the popular pouches -- which are billed as an alternative to tobacco products -- right before the second half.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Chris Godwin suffered a leg injury that was so severe against the Ravens -- ESPN declined to show replays of it on its "Monday Night Football" broadcast.

It all went down in the fourth quarter of the Bucs' blowout loss to Baltimore ... when Godwin and Baker Mayfield were trying to make the most of their evening during some garbage time.

The 28-year-old wideout caught a pass from his QB over the middle of the field on third-and-long ... and as he turned up to reach for the first-down line, Roquan Smith dragged him to the ground from behind.

Braxton Berrios' season is over ... he's been officially diagnosed with a torn ACL -- but his girlfriend, Alix Earle, is making it clear she's going to be in his corner until he's back and better than ever.

The Dolphins star return man was hurt during Miami's 16-10 loss to the Colts on Sunday ... and after test results Monday revealed he'll need several months to return to 100 percent, Earle took to her Instagram page to express her heartbreak over the situation.

She did, though, say she was confident her man would get back to 100 percent despite the severity of the ailment ... and she vowed to be there with him every step of the way.

Tua Tagovailoa is close to returning to action following his latest concussion ... but he won't be putting some extra protection on his head when he takes the field -- telling reporters he is electing against wearing a Guardian Cap.

The Miami Dolphins quarterback has been cleared to practice after going down in Week 2 ... and despite all the chatter surrounding his NFL future, he said resuming his day job was never in question this time around -- unlike his previous head injuries.

26-year-old Tua -- who has had multiple serious concussions over the past few seasons -- said he's excited to get back to work ... as he hasn't experienced any symptoms since Sept. 13.

The Ravens fan who was caught on video brutally attacking two Washington Commanders supporters has turned himself in to Baltimore cops ... after a warrant was issued for his arrest.

24-year-old John Callis, wearing a button-up shirt, turned himself in to police Monday morning ... where he was seen being led away in handcuffs.

FYI, last week cops told us Callis was wanted for first-degree aggravated assault and three counts of second-degree assault.

Sunday Night Football came to a halt late in the third quarter last night ... when a fan with a Pro-Donald Trump sign ran on the field -- all while the former U.S. President was in the building!

The woman's sign read ... "TRUMP SECURE BORDER" and "KAMALA OPEN BORDER"

Ultimately, security corralled the fan (who people are saying is IG model Claudia Rose) near the 50-yard line ... and she went without a fight.

Aaron Rodgers threw two picks on the field on Sunday night and then added one more off of it -- as cameras caught him diggin' for gold in his nostrils right on the sidelines of the Jets game.

Check out footage from NBC's "Sunday Night Football" broadcast ... as Rodgers and his New York squad were getting pounded by the Steelers in Pittsburgh, the signal-caller took a few swipes at his nose.

Then, as you can see in the clip, he appeared to eat what he dug out.

Ricky Pearsall made his emotional return to the field Sunday ... playing his first NFL game after taking a bullet to the chest during an alleged robbery attempt -- and, he just made his first catch.

The 49ers wide receiver pulled in a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs just moments ago in his first career game ... tackled after a gain of just six yards.

Not much to write home about for the typical NFL wide receiver ... but, Pearsall's journey is far from typical -- as you know Pearsall ended up in the hospital after cops say a man shot him while trying to steal his Rolex in San Francisco.

DeSean Jackson is looking for a new set of wheels to match his real-life speed once more ... as TMZ Sports has learned his super fast whip was just stolen from his Los Angeles pad this week.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... on Tuesday morning -- at around 8 o'clock -- Jackson noticed his 2023 Dodge Challenger Hellcat was missing, and not long after, cops went on the hunt to find it.

We're told authorities were able to track its location through a GPS inside the ride -- but unfortunately for the former NFL star, its signal went dead about 30 miles outside of L.A.

Former NFL star Eddie Lacy is fortunate he didn't hurt himself or anyone else on the night of his DUI arrest last month ... 'cause cops claim he was driving around with a blood alcohol content level over FOUR TIMES the legal limit.

The Scottsdale Police Dept. says it all happened back on Sept. 30 ... after a woman dialed 911 and told dispatch that someone matching Lacy's Audi SUV description was driving so erratically, she was worried they were "going to kill somebody."

According to an SPD police report, obtained by TMZ Sports, cops pulled over Lacy in his Q8 a short time after the call was received ... and almost immediately, officers noticed something was off about the ex-Green Bay Packers tailback.

A must-watch SEC showdown is happening on Saturday -- No. 5 Georgia vs. No. 1 Texas --  and while the Longhorns are the higher-ranked team, Todd Gurley tells TMZ Sports his Bulldogs will come out with the win.

We spoke with the Athens legend ahead of the thrilling matchup at the Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium going down in a matter of hours ... and while he knows the Dawgs will find a way to get the dub, he still has mixed feelings ahead of kickoff.

"A little nervous for real," Gurley -- who played six seasons in the NFL -- said of the game. "We just gotta take care of business, man."