September 16, 2021 2:59 am
UNDATED (AP) – Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. isn’t ready to play following knee surgery and won’t make his debut Sunday against Houston. Coach Kevin Stefanski says Beckham will practice this week, but will sit out against the Texans. Beckham tore his left anterior cruciate ligament last October. He was expected to play in the season opener at Kansas City. Stefanski says Beckham has not suffered any setbacks and that the decision to make him inactive after he practiced all week wasn’t out of the ordinary.
September 16, 2021 2:58 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles has told Congress that the FBI and gymnastics officials turned a “blind eye” to USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse of her and hundreds of other women. Biles told the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday that “enough is enough” as she and three other U.S. gymnasts spoke in stark emotional terms about the lasting toll Nassar’s crimes have taken on their lives. The hearing is part of a congressional effort to hold the FBI accountable after multiple missteps in investigating the case – including the delays that allowed Nassar to abuse additional young gymnasts.
September 15, 2021 2:52 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) -Wade Miley surrendered six runs on 10 hits and the Cincinnati Reds lost for the sixth time in eight games, 6-5 to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Miley gave up three runs in the first and three more in the fifth before being pulled with one out. The six runs allowed were Miley’s most since the Rockies scored eight off of him May 14. The Reds entered the day half a game ahead of the San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals for the second wild card in the National League.
September 15, 2021 2:53 am
UNDATED (AP) – Ryan Braun has announced his retirement. Braun is the Milwaukee Brewers’ home run leader whose production was slowed by injuries during the second half of his 14-year career. Braun hasn’t played all season and said during spring training that he was leaning toward retirement. The 2011 NL MVP made it official Tuesday in a video the Brewers posted on Twitter. Braun had 352 homers and last played in 2020. He was one of baseball’s best hitters from 2007-12 but was never the same after he was suspended midway through the 2013 season for using performance-enhancing drugs.
September 15, 2021 2:54 am
UNDATED (AP) – Patrick Cantlay is the players’ choice as PGA Tour player of the year. It’s another big step for the 29-year-old from California. Cantlay was the No. 1 amateur in the world who once shot 60 on the PGA Tour while in college. Then he was out for three years with a back injury that nearly ended his career. And now he has the Jack Nicklaus Award after a vote of the players. The PGA Tour does not release vote totals or even say how many players voted. Cantlay presumably won the award in a tight race with Jon Rahm.
September 14, 2021 3:52 am
LAS VEGAS (AP) – The Las Vegas Raiders were winners in their first home game with fans in the stands. Derek Carr fired a 31-yard TD pass to Zay Jones in overtime to give the Raiders a 33-27 triumph over the Ravens in the NFL season opener for both teams. Carr’s second TD pass of the game came after Carl Nassib’s strip sack of Lamar Jackson at the Ravens 27. Carr threw an interception after driving to the Baltimore 1 on the opening possession of overtime. The Raiders later made another blunder with a delay of game before a field goal try, but coach Jon Gruden put his offense back on the field and watched Vegas score the go-ahead touchdown. The Raiders trailed 14-0 early, ending a 98-game, regular-season win streak for the Ravens when leading by at least 14 points dating to 2004. Carr was 34 of 56 for 435 yards. Jackson carried 12 times for 86 yards and completed 19 of his 30 passes for 235 yards and a TD.
September 14, 2021 3:50 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) – The Pittsburgh Steelers showed they’re not quite ready to fade into the background by rallying past Buffalo in their season opener. The Steelers rode a dominant defense, just enough offense and a splash of special teams to beat the defending AFC East champions on the road. Outside linebacker T.J. Watt looked fresh despite limited practice time during training camp while earning two sacks. The Steelers host Las Vegas in their home opener at Heinz Field in Week 2.
September 14, 2021 3:54 am
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – The Columbus Blue Jackets have replaced assistant coach Sylvain Lefebvre for declining to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. The Jackets have promoted Steve McCarthy to replace Lefebvre on head coach Brad Larsen’s staff. NHL coaches and other team staff who closely interact with players are required to be fully vaccinated.
September 13, 2021 3:55 am
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) – Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers’ new-look offense overcame a slow start, Ulysees Gilbert returned a blocked punt 9 yards for a touchdown and Pittsburgh rallied to a season-opening 23-16 win over the Buffalo Bills. Down 10-0, the Steelers scored on each of their first four possessions of the second half, with Roethlisberger putting Pittsburgh ahead for good by lobbing a 5-yard touchdown pass to Diontae Johnson in the left corner of the end zone. Josh Allen and the Bills produced a dud following an offseason in which many pegged the defending AFC East champs as Super Bowl contenders.
September 13, 2021 3:57 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Patrick Corbin working seven strong innings as the Nationals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-2 to avoid a three-game sweep. Corbin (8-14) allowed two runs on four hits, striking out four with two walks. The veteran left-hander is 3-0 against the Pirates since joining Washington in 2019. Lane Thomas hit a three-run homer in the fourth off Bryse Wilson (2-7) to put the Nationals in front to stay. Luis Garcia and Alex Avila also homered for Washington. Juan Soto doubled and tripled and is hitting .407 (22 of 54) over his last 16 games.
