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After Kamui Kobayashi tweeted a light-hearted application for the vacant Mercedes drive this week, ESPN has compiled a list of left-field candidates we would love to see the world champions take a big gamble on -- however unlikely they may be.Kamui KobayashiAs his tweet inspired this list, its only fair Kobayashi is the first name on it. A popular driver when he was in Formula One, he returned to the grid in 2014 after a crowd-funding initiative earned him a seat at Caterham. The highlight of his career had come in 2012, when he claimed a home podium at the Japanese Grand Prix for Sauber. Kobayashi disappeared from F1 when Caterham went into administration at the tail-end of 2014, and he did not re-surface when the team made a final appearance in Abu Dhabi that year.?Kobayashis uncompromising racecraft helped him forge a cult status in Formula One and his return would be good in for the Japanese market, where F1 remains as popular as ever. He undoubtedly deserved a better crack at Formula One and Mercedes would provide the perfect chance to show what he can really do behind the wheel.Jorge LorenzoThree-time MotoGP champion Lorenzo drove a Mercedes this year, running a 2014-spec car at Silverstone. The fact the team said his pace was competitive suggests he would have no problem adapting to the demands of a Formula One car -- the Spaniard even suggested he found the experience rather easy compared to MotoGP. Lorenzo is not the first two-wheel legend to flirt with Formula One in recent years: Valentino Rossi tested for Ferrari on several occasions and was often linked with a switch to four wheels, coming closest in 2009 when the team searched for a stand-in for the injured Felipe Massa.We know this is practically impossible, especially given Lorenzos recent switch to Ducati, but it would be a great PR moment for both F1 and MotoGP. Ruthless, frighteningly fast and a true icon of motorsport, Lorenzo going up against Hamilton in 2017 would be absolutely fascinating.?Robert KubicaIts safe to bet Kubica could have been a world champion by this point in his career had he not suffered serious injuries in a rallying accident in early 2011. That crash almost severed his arm completely and left him with injuries which have made a return to single-seater racing impossible, though he has since forged a career in rallying.?Kubica was admired by fans and his peers alike, with Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso previously saying he is one of the sports lost world champions. His performances before his crash show he was a man just waiting to be given a car to match his huge talent. We know the Pole will never grace the F1 grid again but undoubtedly a fully healthy Kubica would have been top of the list of candidates for this drive.Alexander RossiAlexander Rossi is one of the great racing stories of 2016. Cast aside by Manor in Formula One after a flurry of races at the end of last year, Rossi stunned the racing world by winning the Indy 500 at the first attempt during his rookie IndyCar season, vindicating his talent. The fact he has signed on for another season with Andretti Autosport seems to have closed off a route back to Formula One, meaning the American looks set to join the list of drivers that missed out on a fair chance.Rossi to Mercedes would be gold-dust for Formula One. Cracking America remains the obsession for Bernie Ecclestone and prospective new owners Liberty Media. Despite the popular U.S. Grand Prix and the debut of Haas this year, Formula One is still a slow-burner stateside. A competitive, marketable driver like Rossi in a class-leading car challenging for the championship alongside Lewis Hamilton -- the most recognisable athlete in the sport -- would be a gamechanger in terms of recognition in the States. Sign him up, Toto.António Félix da CostaA case of massively unfulfilled potential. Undoubtedly a talented driver, Da Costa, now 25, slipped through the cracks of the Red Bull programme early in his career. Despite links to various teams through his first racing years and an appearance at a young driver test in 2010, the opportunity to drive in F1 never arose. Like with many others before and since, once the door closed on Da Costa it never re-opened.He hinted at what might have been earlier this year by winning the prestigious Macau Grand Prix after a late call-up, beating out a host of young drivers gunning for the F1 opportunity he was never given. Hes admitted a future in F1 is not on the cards but we get the feeling Mercedes would love resurrecting a former Red Bull protégés career...Robin FrijnsFrijns is another driver who somehow never made it to the F1 grid. Clearly a great talent, the Dutchman was a coming man in the early 2010s and beat Jules Bianchi to the 2012 Formula Renault 3.5 title in his rookie season. A place on the F1 grid seemed certain but despite a test with Red Bull and test roles with Sauber and Caterham in 2013 and 2014, a full-time drive never materialised as he was often overlooked for better-funded drivers. He has since featured in Formula E, where he scored a podium in his second appearance.Jean-Eric VergneJean-Eric Vergne is unfortunate that his make-or-break season at Toro Rosso coincided with two big events in the history of Red Bull Racing: Sebastian Vettels decision to leave for Ferrari and the emergence of Max Verstappen. When Vergne was overlooked for Vettels seat, which went to Daniil Kvyat, his days in the Red Bull programme were numbered and he was dropped byToro Rosso altogether when the team signed Verstappen and Carlos Sainz for 2015. He hasnt been in F1 since.Like many Red Bull castaways before him, Vergne was confined to the scrapheap way too early and has always maintained that he had a balanced rivalry with Daniel Ricciardo when they were teammates -- the Australian has since blossomed into one of the best drivers on the grid. Vergne has stayed near F1 with a reserve Ferrari role and a surprise nod from Mercedes would be massively popular given the high regard many have for the Frenchman.Mick SchumacherSchumacher is one of the names that resonates with motor racing across the world. Father Michael remains the most successful in F1 with 91 wins and seven world championships, meaning young Micks career has already been subjected to intense scrutiny and attention. The 17-year-old has been heavily linked with Mercedes junior programme in recent months and has shown promise in his career so far.Signing him for 2017 would be an incredible risk and we know Schumachers name will not be on Toto Wolffs candidates for a drive, but he looks like a good candidate for a future seat at Mercedes. Whichever F1 team signs him up knows Mick will come with great marketing opportunities but with massive expectations. Though he is far off the required superlicence points for a place on the grid at the moment, he makes this list as he turns 18 just in time for next years season-opening Australian Grand Prix.Paul di RestaAs a youngster, Paul di Resta made his name by out-performing teammate Sebastian Vettel in the 2006 F3 season. Despite impressing in junior categories he never recieved the backing required -- and that he felt his talent deserved -- and had to wait until Force India signed him for the 2011 F1 season. Though consistent in his three seasons at the team he never scored a podium and was dropped at the end of 2013.?Despite possessing a great amount of talent Di Resta has failed to return to the grid since and has had to make do with three seasons of DTM. He was named Williams reserve driver this season but thats as close as he has come to another shot. He remains closely linked to Mercedes through DTM and may have been a viable candidate for Rosbergs seat his F1 career had ended more recently.Pastor MaldonadoSay what? I know, I know -- just hear me out. Maldonado was axed by Renault ahead of this season due to complications with his funding, leaving with one of the most unenviable reputations in recent memory. Maldonados crash-strewn career has spawned a host of internet memes and even a website charting the time since his last accident but overshadows the fact the Venezuelan was always supremely fast.In fact, most in the paddock would agree Maldonado was quicker than most on the grid in terms of raw speed, his victory at the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix for Williams the stand-out drive of his career. However, Maldonado never seemed to shake his wildly erratic style and his final season at Lotus was littered with incidents which did little to shake the notion he was in F1 for his sponsors money and nothing else. But was his over-aggressive driving a by-product of driving uncompetitive cars? If Mercedes tamed his wild side and gave him a race-winning car Maldonado could provide the perfect foil to Hamilton on the other side of the garage. Jamie Benn Stars Jersey Miro Heiskanen Jersey . The judges scored it 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 for Jones (19-1). It was the champions closest call. 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Here are the most significant NFL players who got banged up in Week 4:Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers:?Newton converted a two-point conversion with his legs in the fourth quarter, but Falcons rookie?Deion Jones?hit the QB helmet-to-helmet on the play. Newton went to the locker room to be evaluated for a concussion and did not return to the game. Hes in the concussion protocol and was not made available for interviews after the game. QB Derek Anderson took his place in the lineup and led two touchdown drives before throwing an interception in the Falcons 48-33 win.?Carson Palmer, QB, Arizona Cardinals:?Palmer went to the locker room late in the fourth quarter, and coach Bruce Arians confirmed after the game that the QB is in concussion protocol. Palmer appeared to suffer the injury when his head bounced off the turf following a sack by Aaron Donald and Eugene Sims. The Cardinals play on Thursday night, so Palmers status for Week 5 is in doubt. Drew Stanton took Palmers spot in the lineup on Sunday with the Cardinals down 17-13 against the Rams, and he threw two interceptions down the stretch as Arizona lost its third game of the season.Trevor Siemian, QB, Denver Broncos:?Siemian was carted to the locker room in the second quarter with a left shoulder (non-throwing) injury. The first-year starter appeared to suffer the injury when being sacked by Buccaneers DT Clinton McDonald. Rookie?Paxton Lynch replaced Siemian in the lineup for the remainder of the game, as the Broncos had a big lead.NaVorro Bowman, LB, San Francisco 49ers: Bowman suffered a noncontact injury to his lower leg midway through the third quarter Sunday and had to be carted to the locker room. The team ruled him out for the remainder of the game.?Gerald McCoy, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: McCoy walked gingerly off the field in the second quarter Sunday, and after being examined on the sideline, the Pro Bowler limped to the locker room. The team ruled him out for the remainder of the game with a left calf injury. McCoy had been very disruptive in the first quarter of the game, collapsing the pocket and compiling a half-sack on Broncos QB Trevor Siemian.Thomas Davis, LB, Panthers: Davis stayed down while being tended to by trainers before staggering off the field in the third quarter. He returned shortly thereafter but didnt last long, and the team said he was doubtful to return because of a hamstring injury.Ryan Kerrigan, OLB, Washington Redskins: Kerrigan walked off the field in the first quarter while holding his left arm. The team downgraded him from questionable to doubtful with an elbow injuryy.dddddddddddd ESPN Redskins reporter John Keim said an MRI showed no further damage and Kerrigan is day-to-day.Kevin White, WR, Chicago Bears:?White hurt his ankle midway through the third quarter on a 1-yard reception and did not return. He had six catches for 55 yards before he left the game. Coach John Fox said the team didnt know the severity of the injury yet, but White was said to be in pain after the game.Chris Johnson, RB, Arizona Cardinals: Johnson appeared to suffer a noncontact injury at the tail end of a 7-yard run in the fourth quarter. The Cardinals announced that he had a groin injury, and he did not return to the game.Tyvon Branch, S, Cardinals: Branch might have aggravated the groin ailment that landed him on the injury report this week. After leaving the game midway through the third quarter, Branch did not return.Eric Ebron, TE, Detroit Lions: Ebron suffered ankle and knee injuries when he was rolled up on late in the first quarter. After initially being listed as questionable, Ebron returned to the field in the second quarter.Sua Cravens, LB/S, Redskins: Cravens, who clinched the Redskins Week 3 win with a late interception, suffered a concussion in the third quarter Sunday and did not return. Redskins safety David Bruton Jr. was also knocked out of the game because of a concussion.James Bradberry, CB, Panthers: The rookie said he injured his big toe when he hit the back of Julio Jones foot in the first quarter. Bradberry went to the locker room and missed a good chunk of time, but he eventually returned to the field in the fourth quarter.Dwayne Washington, RB, Detroit Lions:?Washington, who figured to get more work with Ameer Abdullah on IR with a foot injury,?walked with a heavy limp to the locker room in the second quarter. He did not return to the field after being listed as questionable.?Antonio Cromartie, CB, Indianapolis Colts: The Jaguars had a ton of success going after Cromartie on Sunday. He eventually left the game with a shoulder injury and did not return to the field.?Devin Funchess, WR, Panthers: Funchess left the Panthers game with a toe injury late in the fourth quarter and did not return. Funchess entered the game with just three catches and 28 yards this season, but he had a 48-yard reception before being knocked out of the game.Luke Joeckel, LG, Jacksonville Jaguars: Joeckel left the Jaguars Sunday game because of a knee injury midway through the second quarter. He did not return to the game. ' ' '