Sports category, Page 615

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander has been suspended by the team for Sunday night’s must-win showdown against Justin Jefferson and the Minnesota Vikings. The decision stems from, but wasn’t limited to, Alexander appointing himself a captain for the Packers’ 33-30 Christmas Eve win at Carolina....

The practice week didn’t get off to a good start for free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who did not participate Wednesday as the Pittsburgh Steelers began on-field preparations for their game Sunday at Seattle. Fitzpatrick missed the Steelers’ 34-11 victory against Cincinnati with a knee injury he sustained a week earlier...

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Kyron Drones ran for 176 yards and a touchdown and also threw for two TDs as Virginia Tech withstood a second-half downpour to beat No. 23 Tulane 41-20 in the Military Bowl on Wednesday. Drones fumbled three times in the slippery conditions, but the Hokies (7-6) lost...

Mason Rudolph wasn’t kidding when he said he was ready to pursue a career in commercial real estate if he hadn’t gotten a spot on an NFL roster this season. Rudolph made the revelation after he led the Steelers to a 34-11 victory last Saturday against Cincinnati in his first...

LOS ANGELES — It’s official: Yoshinobu Yamamoto is a Dodger. The team announced the signing of the Japanese right-hander to a 12-year, $325-million contract on Wednesday. Two weeks after securing two-way star Shohei Ohtani to a 10-year, $700-million deal, the Dodgers beat out at least a dozen other clubs that...

Three-and-a-half weeks after undergoing ankle surgery, Kenny Pickett’s right foot has — to a degree — returned to normal. Now, it’s the festering feeling of anxiousness and anticipation that seems to be hindering the Pittsburgh Steelers second-year quarterback. “It’s obvious,” Pickett said Wednesday. “Any competitor wants to get in there...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — At his suburban St. Louis home, Brett Koenig can pull out his smartphone and open a sports betting app. But he can’t place a bet. He is blocked by a pop-up message noting he is not in a legal location. Missouri is one of a dozen...

Big East Conference Offense Player, School, Pos, Ht., Wt., Yr. Ethan Septak, Penn-Trafford, C, 5-11, 245, jr. Chase Gabriel, Gateway, G, 6-1, 275, jr. Riley McCaw, Penn-Trafford, G, 6-2, 280, sr. Kaiyen Mbandi, Gateway, OT, 6-2, 245, so. Devin Curler, Plum, OT, 6-3, 275, sr. Mark Jollie, Penn-Trafford, TE, 6-4,...

Erik Karlsson’s brief tenure with the Penguins has been odd. The reigning Norris Trophy winner as the NHL’s best defenseman has not made enough positive impact in the areas it was logically assumed. Karlsson’s statistics are fine: 22 points, plus-9 in 32 games. His advanced stats are good, too. Karlsson...

Jaylon Smith isn’t concerned about joining the Pittsburgh Steelers just five days before they face the Seattle Seahawks with their playoff hopes on the line. He’s gotten ready to play in NFL games on shorter notice. Earlier this year, in fact, Smith had less preparation when the Las Vegas Raiders...

When the Pittsburgh Penguins hit Thanksgiving, they were 9-9-0, and no one was feeling great about it. Now, coming out of Christmas, the Pens have won 15 games and lost 17 (15-13-4). The sentiment about the team is pretty much the same. The club’s 34 points are the second-lowest total...

After a few days off for Christmas, “First Call” is back with a stuffed stocking of Pittsburgh Steelers tidbits. The Seattle Seahawks are getting good news on the injury front in advance of their game against the Steelers on Sunday. However, a Steelers’ AFC rival may not be so lucky...

There is no tactical reason for Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin to announce his starting quarterback this early in advance of Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks. So he didn’t. Not completely, anyway. All Tomlin said of his QB situation Tuesday is that the team is adopting the same stance...

DETROIT — The Detroit Pistons set an NBA single-season record with their 27th straight loss Tuesday night, as Cam Johnson scored 24 points and Mikal Bridges added 21 to lead the Brooklyn Nets to a 118-112 victory. Cade Cunningham scored 41 points but the Pistons broke a tie with the...

A few days as an underdog brought out the best in Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens now stand alone with the NFL’s best record after their defense swarmed Brock Purdy and Jackson weaved his way around and through the San Francisco 49ers in a 33-19 win Monday...

The Chiefs lost again. The Eagles struggled against the lowly Giants. The 49ers were embarrassed at home. Christmas Day was rough on Super Bowl contenders except for the Ravens. Lamar Jackson boosted his MVP chances, and Baltimore made a major statement with a convincing 33-19 victory over San Francisco in...

RENTON, Wash. — With two weeks left in the regular season, the Seattle Seahawks are in control of their postseason fate. In some ways, that seems unthinkable. Seattle was in a tailspin just a month ago, losing four straight games for the first time under Pete Carroll. It’s been a...