the first surgery, there were some days there where I really questioned whether or not Id ever be able to play again, he said earlier this month. Just some of the stuff we

Michael van Gerwens meeting with Robert Thornton is the highlight of a star-studded Wednesday night as the Grand Slam of Darts second round gets underway. After four days of group stage drama, 32 competitors have been whittled down to 16 with the next stage of the tournament taking place on Wednesday and Thursday evening.Of the eight BDO players who qualified five are remaining in the event that pits the best of darts two organisations against each other. Martin Adams, Scott Mitchell and former Grand Slam winner Scott Waites all crashed out in the group stages - Glen Durrant, Darryl Fitton, Jamie Hughes, Danny Noppert and Jeff Smith remain as the BDO look to win the event for just the second time.After a race to five legs in the group matches, the second round turns into a best of 19 contest with the first man to 10 legs making it through to Fridays quarter-final stage. Wednesdays Order of Play Gerwyn Price v Brendan Dolan Phil Taylor v Jeff Smith Michael van Gerwen v Robert Thornton Peter Wright v Daryl Fitton Topping the bill at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall on Wednesday night is world No 1 Van Gerwen, who is red hot favourite to defend the title he won for the first time last year.The Dutchman has won 23 times on tour this year including the UK Open, Premier League, World Matchplay and the World Grand Prix and in Robert Thornton he faces a revitalised opponent who doesnt have to look too far back for a high-profile win over Van Gerwen.The Scot beat Van Gerwen to claim the Grand Prix title in Dublin last year but since that title The Thorn has suffered a string of early tournament exits and an eighth place finish in the Premier League but he has shown glimpses of the form that has made him a two-time major winner.Van Gerwen claimed all three group games for the loss of just four legs, while Thornton needed a nine-leg shoot-out against Dimitri van den Bergh to progress having lost to Gerwyn Price after victories in his opening two matches. Robert Thornton beat Dimitri Van den Bergh in a thrilling nine-dart shoot-out, winning by just five points Also in action on Wednesday is Phil Taylor, the 16 time world champion showed that he is getting back to his best with victory in the Champions League of Darts and has his sights set an another big title.Sky Sports expert Wayne Mardle believes the leg format suits Taylor better than a sets format as there are less pressure darts.That will be put to the test against 2016 BDO runner-up Jeff Smith, who beat Simon Whitlock on Wednesday to clinch his place in the last 16. Jeff Smith edged out Simon Whitlock for the final place in the last 16. Picture: Lawrence Lustig/PDC Taylor was beaten 5-0 by Darren Webster in the final match of his group and having won his opening fixtures in routine fashion it remains to be seen whether that defeat to the Demolition Man was just a blip. Darren Webster stunned Phil Taylor at the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton Potential for match of the night comes in the final game of the evening when Peter Snakebite Wright continues his quest for a maiden major televised title against another BDO representative, the experienced Darryl Fitton.After losing to the Power in his opening group game. Fitton rallied to beat both Webster and Ian White 5-4 to quality for the second round and he will look to emulate the quarter-final place he made on his debut in 2008 to mark a memorable return to the event he has missed for each of the last five years.Kicking off the second-round action will be the clash between Northern Irelands Brendan Dolan and Welshman Gerwyn Price.Dolan beat Martin Wolfie Adams to secure his place in the knockout stages, while Price ended up topping his standings after a 5-3 win over Thornton on Wednesday night. Thursdays Second Round matches Jamie Hughes v Chris Dobey Benito van de Pas v James Wade Gary Anderson v Danny Noppert Raymond van Barneveld v Glenn Durrant Watch Wednesday nights matches at the Grand Slam of Darts from 7pm on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports Darts returns on December 12 with the World Championship underway from Deceember 15. #LoveTheDarts Live Grand Slam of Darts November 16, 2016, 7:00pm Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass Also See: Is there a PDC-BDO rivalry? Thornton survives mis-count Jarred Vanderbilt Nuggets Jersey . Goals from Jerome Boateng, Franck Ribery and Thomas Mueller extended Bayerns unbeaten run to a record 37 matches. "This record is incredible," Bayern coach Pep Guardiola said. Custom Denver Nuggets Jerseys . In taking its goal tally to 99 in all competitions already this season, City delivered another demonstration of its lethal firepower at Etihad Stadium to set up a fourth-round match at home to another second-tier team -- Watford. http://www.nuggetsproshop.com/Will-Barton-Nuggets-Jersey/ .ca! Hi Kerry, Heres an interesting one. I know its common knowledge that all players are responsible for their sticks. We witnessed that when Zack Kassian hit Edmontons Sam Gagner in the face after a missed check. Jarred Vanderbilt Jersey . -- Devin Hester is done returning kicks in Chicago. Tyler Lydon Jersey . The Cincinnati Reds remain perfect with their speedy rookie outfielder in the starting lineup. HOUSTON -- Texans defensive end J.J. Watt reinjured his back and was placed on injured reserve Wednesday.The Texans signed veteran defensive end Antonio Smith to fill Watts open roster spot. Smith played for the Texans from 2009 to 2013, registering 27 of his 47 career sacks with the team. He played for the?Denver Broncos?in 2015.It is unclear if Watt will be a candidate to return later this season. He would be eligible to return to practice after six weeks on IR and to game action after eight weeks, meaning he could be back Nov. 27 against the San Diego Chargers. However, a team source told ESPNs Ed Werder that I do believe that he will miss the season, but with the new rule this year, if he were to be ready in December, he could come off IR. Long shot.The source said that the Texans felt Watt was never right after offseason surgery.Watt missed all of training camp and the preseason after he had surgery for a herniated disk in his back in late July. The three-time defensive player of the year and four-time Pro Bowler played part of last season through the injury, before aggravating it late in the offseason. He also had surgery in January to repair five torn core muscles.The 27-year-old has not been as explosive since returning to the field, although he did have 1.5 sacks and a fumble recovery in Week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs.Watt started all three of the Texans regular-seasonn games so far, including Thursdays blowout loss to the New England Patriots in which he had two tackles and no sacks.ddddddddddddWatt missed practice Monday, although coach Bill OBrien said he was just getting the day off.Watt has never missed a game in his six-year NFL career.However, there was a time after his surgery in January when he wondered about his future in the NFL.After the first surgery, there were some days there where I really questioned whether or not Id ever be able to play again, he said earlier this month. Just some of the stuff we were dealing with from a rehab standpoint, just the way that the recovery was going early on ... there was a very low point there, and it was tough.Houston selected Watt with the 11th overall pick in the 2011 draft. He has played 83 consecutive games for the Texans despite various injuries, including the torn core muscles and a broken hand last season. He has been a force since entering the league not only because of his pass-rushing prowess, but also because of his uncanny ability to swat down passes. He has 45 passes defended in his six-year career. He has forced 15 fumbles and recovered 13.Watt led the NFL with 17.5 sacks last season and has 76 for his career.The Associated Press contributed to this report. ' ' '