Sports category, Page 763
Broncos bench QB Russell Wilson and will turn to Jarrett Stidham, AP source saysVideo
The Denver Broncos are benching quarterback Russell Wilson in a move that could have major ramifications for his future and theirs. Although the move keeps open the team’s options next year and, ultimately, could save the Broncos $37 million, coach Sean Payton on Wednesday called the switch to journeyman Jarrett...
Joe Flacco faces Jets, his former team, with chance to push surging Browns into AFC playoffsVideo
CLEVELAND — Joe Flacco’s short stint with the Cleveland Browns has been stunning, storybook, almost unbelievable. Like everyone else, the New York Jets have watched him from afar and maybe wondered what might have been. On Thursday night, Flacco, who in just over a month has revived his career while...
Injured safety Minkah Fitzpatrick sits out practice again for Steelers
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...
Drones leads Virginia Tech to 41-20 win over No. 23 Tulane in Military Bowl
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...
Until Steelers came calling in spring, Mason Rudolph was serious about changing career fields
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...
Dodgers announce signing of Yoshinobu Yamamoto to 12-year, $325 million deal
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...
Kenny Pickett believes he’s physically ready to return but defers to Steelers’ trainers, coaches
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...
Odds for more sports betting expansion could fade after rapid growth to 38 states
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...
2023 WPIAL All-Conference Football: Big East
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,...
Mark Madden: To make playoffs, Penguins need different kind of impact from Erik Karlsson
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...
Former Cowboys 2nd-rounder Jaylon Smith looking to help Steelers’ thin linebacker depth
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...
Penguins need to quickly find traction coming out of Christmas break
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...
First Call: Ben Roethlisberger’s advice for Joey Porter Jr.; Seahawks injury news
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...
Tim Benz: Kenny Pickett’s injury provides cover more than it does strategy for Mike Tomlin
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...
Pistons set single-season record with 27th straight loss, as Cade Cunningham’s 41 not enough against Nets
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...
Brian Holloway returns 2 picks for TDs, Texas State beats Rice 45-21 in First Responder BowlVideo
DALLAS — Linebacker Brian Holloway returned two interceptions for touchdowns, Jahmyl Jeter ran for three scores and Texas State beat Rice, 45-21, in the First Responder Bowl on Tuesday in the Bobcats’ first bowl appearance as an FBS program. Holloway had a 36-yard pick-6 early in the second quarter and...
Analysis: Lamar Jackson, Ravens stand alone with NFL’s best record
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...
Analysis: Christmas rough on Super Bowl contenders except for Ravens
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...
Joe Flacco’s revival in Cleveland has the Browns on the verge of clinching a playoff spotVideo
BEREA, Ohio — When they signed Joe Flacco in near desperation last month, the Cleveland Browns hoped the veteran quarterback could keep them in the playoff mix. They needed someone to settle things down amid mounting injuries and uncertainty. Expectations were tempered when Flacco arrived. Four games later, they’re untethered....
Analysis: Seahawks have playoff destiny in their control after 2nd straight dramatic victory
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...
Siemian to start again at QB for Jets on Thursday night with Wilson still out with concussionVideo
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Trevor Siemian will start a second consecutive game at quarterback for the New York Jets with Zach Wilson still in the concussion protocol. Coach Robert Saleh ruled Wilson out Tuesday as the Jets prepare to face the Browns in Cleveland on Thursday night. Siemian was 27...
True freshman Jackson Arnold takes over at QB for Oklahoma in Alamo Bowl against ArizonaVideo
NORMAN, Okla. — After all the hype, the Jackson Arnold era is set to begin at Oklahoma. It came a bit earlier than expected. Dillon Gabriel, the first-team Associated Press All-Big 12 quarterback, transferred from Oklahoma to Oregon. That has left Arnold — a five-star true freshman — as the...
Darius Taylor’s return sparks Minnesota to 30-24 win over Bowling Green in Quick Lane BowlVideo
DETROIT — Freshman Darius Taylor returned from a leg injury to rush for a career-high 208 yards, and Minnesota beat Bowling Green, 30-24, in the Quick Lane Bowl on Tuesday. Minnesota (6-7), which was selected for the bowl because it had the best Academic Progress Rate among five-win teams, won...
Penn State’s staff changes have Ole Miss coach Kiffin unsure what to expect in Peach BowlVideo
ATLANTA — No. 11 Mississippi is having to do extra work to prepare for Saturday’s Peach Bowl against No. 10 Penn State with the Nittany Lions welcoming new coordinators on both sides of the ball. Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin said Tuesday before his team’s first practice in Atlanta that...
Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence now dealing with sprained throwing shoulder
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder, but coach Doug Pederson says he could practice later this week. Pederson says Lawrence “is progressing” and “he’s a little bit sore.” “Doing better today than he did yesterday,” Pederson said Tuesday. “We’ll...
