MILAN (AP) — World Cup champion Federica Brignone doesn’t know when she will be able to put her skis back on never mind get back into competition, less than four months before the start of the Italian skier’s home Olympics.
Brignone broke multiple bones in her left leg — and also tore her ACL — during a giant slalom crash at the Italian championships in April.
That was meant to be a celebratory final week of competition after Brignone’s best season, in which she won the overall World Cup title as well as the giant slalom and downhill crystal globes.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to get back to exactly how I was before,” Brignone said Saturday. “In fact I’m sure I won’t.”
The 35-year-old Brignone was expected to be one of Italy’s stars in the Milan-Cortina Games in February, instead she could be watching it from the sidelines.
“Since I hurt myself I have not had precise dates,” Brignone said. “It’s very complicated to be able to give those, I am working week by week, certainly I’m getting better, certainly I’m working hard. I will continue to do physiotherapy until I’m able to try and put on skis.”
Brignone, who works one her rehabilitation for around seven hours every day, said that it is only recently she has been able to go up and down stairs “like a normal person.”
“I don’t know when I’ll be back on the slopes, certainly not November,” Brignone added. “Honestly, until I put my skis back on I don’t know if I’ll be able to ski at the Olympics … and we have a really strong team so if one of them deserves the place more than me, they deserve it more than me.
“Obviously I’m confident, otherwise I wouldn’t be doing everything that I’m doing, I wouldn’t be working really hard like I’m doing now."
Despite the uncertainty, Brignone was full of smiles as she spoke at a media day organized by the Italian winter sports federation.
“It’s not these Olympics that will change my life, change my career,” Brignone said. “I’ve done what I’ve done and in fact I achieved much more than I could have ever dreamed of. It would be something more, it would be a beautiful dream.
“It’s fantastic to have the Olympics at home, obviously something that I that I would have liked to do because otherwise I would have already stopped. But I also need this positive energy to heal to return to normal life, because with such an injury it’s not a given.”
AP skiing: https://apnews.com/hub/alpine-skiing
FILE - Italy's Federica Brignone celebrates after winning the women's giant slalom season championship at the World Cup Finals, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in Sun Valley, Idaho. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)
FILE - Italy's Federica Brignone skis during a women's giant slalom run at the World Cup Finals, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in Sun Valley, Idaho. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)
FILE - Italy's Federica Brignone reacts on the podium after winning the women's World Cup overall at the World Cup Finals, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Sun Valley, Idaho. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Eagles need a new offensive coordinator.
Ask most fans, commentators — and, privately, some players — and the change from Kevin Patullo was inevitable long before Philadelphia actually made the move this week in the wake of a playoff loss.
There's a “help wanted” sign for the new boss of an offense — one loaded with elite talent such as Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith — that fell way short as the Eagles failed in their bid to win consecutive Super Bowl titles.
Coach Nick Sirianni and general manager Howie Roseman were vague on details Thursday about why they waited until the end of the season to make the move — the Eagles ranked 24th in yards per game (311) and 19th in points per game (19.3) — and less clear on what they wanted out of a new coordinator.
“You’re looking to continue to evolve as an offense, and I’m looking to bring in the guy that’s going to best help us do that,” Sirianni said. “I think that there are many different ways to be successful on offense and everybody has different styles, everybody has different players, and there’s many different ways to be successful.”
The Eagles have plenty of credible candidates to choose from — everyone from Josh McCown and Cam Turner to former NFL coaches Brian Daboll, Mike McDaniel and Kliff Kingsbury. The new OC could have complete autonomy to run the offense, though collaboration has been key under Sirianni.
No matter the coordinator, the Eagles expect to be contenders again after playing in two of the last four Super Bowls. Just winning an NFC East title doesn't cut it these days in Philly.
“If it doesn’t end with confetti falling on our heads, I don’t feel like it’s good enough,” Roseman said. “I know that we’re not going to win the Super Bowl every year. I think I know that from a broad perspective, but I believe we can. I go into every offseason thinking we’re going to do whatever it takes to win a Super Bowl.”
Two-time All-Pro offensive tackle Lane Johnson has built a Hall of Fame-level career and won two Super Bowls since the Eagles made him a 2013 first-round pick.
Retirement talk was a hot topic for most of the season.
Johnson turns 36 in May and did not play after Week 11 because of a foot injury. He did not talk to the media this week when the Eagles cleaned out their lockers.
Roseman kept private his conversation with Johnson about retirement. Johnson reworked his contract last May and is signed through 2027.
“You're talking about a Hall of Fame player who’s been a huge, huge part of any of our success that we’ve had, and when you watch him play, he’s still playing at an elite level,” Roseman said.
Brown is likely staying put.
While he isn't shy about airing his grievances, the wide receiver is often worth the distractions because of his production.
Just not this season.
Brown had 78 receptions (down from 106 in 2023) for 1,003 yards (he had 1,496 in 2022) and only five 100-yard games. Of course, some of that dip in production resulted from how he was used in Patullo's offense. The changes ahead are one reason why the Eagles are in no rush to give up on the 28-year star — along with the $43 million dead salary cap hit they'd take if Brown wasn't on the roster.
“It is hard to find great players in the NFL and A.J.’s a great player,” Roseman said. “I think from my perspective, that’s what we’re going out and looking for when we go out here in free agency and in the draft is trying to find great players who love football, and he’s that guy. I think that would be my answer.”
Special teams coach Michael Clay had a virtual interview Thursday for the same job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Sirianni also hasn't ruled out Patullo staying on the staff in a different role.
“I know Kevin’s going to have other opportunities, and obviously always want what’s best for Kevin and for his family, so we’ll see how that plays out,” Sirianni said.
Patullo could want a fresh start after his house was egged earlier this season and one area indoor golf establishment let fans hit golf balls into a photo of his face after the playoff loss.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles executive vice president and general manager Howie Roseman, left, looks over as head coach Nick Sirianni, right, speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, right, and executive vice president and general manager Howie Roseman, left, speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
