WJPA Sports

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers have made star outside linebacker T.J. Watt the NFL’s highest-paid defender. A person with knowledge of the deal tells The Associated Press that Watt has agreed to a three-year pact that will average $41 million annually. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been made public. Watt, who was entering the final season of the four-year extension he signed in 2021, skipped organized team activities and mandatory minicamp to put pressure on the Steelers’ front office for a new contract.

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland (AP) — The British Open at Royal Portrush had a little bit of everything in the opening round. There was sunlight and there was rain, a breeze and strong gusts that blew rain sideways. And there was world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler once again in the mix. Matt Fitzpatrick and Harris English are part of a five-way tie for the lead at 67. It’s the largest logjam after one round of the British Open since a six-way tie in 1938. Scheffler was one shot behind. Rory McIlroy wobbled early on the back nine but shot 70 despite hitting only two fairways.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Caitlin Clark is out of All-Star weekend as a participant. The Indiana Fever guard injured her right groin on Tuesday night in the final minute of the team’s win over the Connecticut Sun. She said Thursday in a message posted on X that she was “sad and disappointed” to pull out of the All-Star Game and 3-Point Contest. Clark is captain of one of the All-Star teams. The second-year guard was the leading vote getter from the fans and has been a huge reason the league has had a boon in attendance and ratings over the last two seasons.