Dolphins QB Tagovailoa In Concussion Protocol Again

December 27, 2022 3:42 am

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) – Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has returned to the NFL’s concussion protocol. Coach Mike McDaniel said Monday that Tagovailoa was experiencing concussion symptoms when he met with team doctors on Monday, a day after the Dolphins’ 26-20 loss to Green Bay. Teddy Bridgewater is expected to get most of the first-team reps in practice this week. McDaniel said it is too early to name a starter for Miami’s game at New England on Sunday. It is the second time this season that Tagovailoa has been in the concussion protocol. The protocol itself was changed after Tagovailoa took a hard hit and appeared to show concussion symptoms but remained in a game.

U.S. To Let MLB Stars Play For Cuba In World Baseball Classic

December 27, 2022 3:46 am

HAVANA (AP) – The United States will permit Major League Baseball players from Cuba to represent their home country in the World Baseball Classic next year. The license could be a big step in once again turning Cuba’s national team into heavy hitters on an international stage. It clears the way for MLB stars such as Yordan Alvarez, José Abreu and Randy Arozarena to play for Cuba in the World Baseball Classic in March if they choose to accept a potential invitation. It’s up to each country’s national governing body to pick the players on its team. Final 30-man rosters are due Feb. 7 for the WBC, which begins March 8 with Cuba facing the Netherlands in Taiwan.

Steelers Game At Baltimore Flexed To Sunday Night

December 26, 2022 4:02 am

The upcoming Steelers-Ravens game has been rescheduled. The NFL announced Sunday that the game will now be played at 8:20 p.m. on NBC on Jan. 1. The Steelers kept their slim playoff hopes alive with Saturday night’s win over the Raiders. Baltimore, meanwhile, has already clinched a playoff spot.

Kathy Whitworth Dies At 83

December 26, 2022 3:53 am

Hall of Fame golfer Kathy Whitworth has died at the age of 83. Whitworth holds the record with 88 wins on the LPGA Tour. That’s one of the most famous records in golf because no one else has ever won more on any tour. Sam Snead and Tiger Woods have 82 wins on the PGA Tour. Whitworth died on Christmas Eve. Her longtime partner says she was celebrating with family and friends. Whitworth won the LPGA money title eight times and was player of the year seven times. But she will also be defined by one number – 88.

NFL Christmas Tripleheader

December 26, 2022 5:33 pm

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) – The Los Angeles Rams routed the Denver Broncos 51-14 for their second victory since mid-October. Baker Mayfield threw two touchdown passes to Tyler Higbee and Cam Akers rushed for 118 yards and three more scores. Larrell Murchison made 2 1/2 of the Rams’ six sacks of Russell Wilson. Wilson passed for 214 yards with three interceptions for Denver in his return from a one-game absence with a concussion. It was the Rams’ first 50-point performance under Sean McVay since a 54-51 victory over Kansas City in 2018.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) – Aaron Rodgers threw for 238 yards and a touchdown, Green Bay’s defense had four takeaways and the Packers came from behind to defeat the Miami Dolphins 26-20 and keep their playoff hopes alive. The Packers (7-8) have won their past three games after starting the season 4-8. Miami (8-7) lost its fourth straight game and must win its final two regular to make the postseason. Tua Tagovailoa was intercepted three times in the fourth quarter to end Miami’s comeback bid with the Dolphins trailing by six points.

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) – Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers maintained control of the NFC South, overcoming a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter and beating the Arizona Cardinals 19-16 in overtime Sunday night. Ryan Succop hit a 40-yard field goal with 3:41 left in overtime, capping a nine-play, 66-yard drive.  The Cardinals got the ball to start overtime but eventually had to punt. Arizona (4-11) has lost five straight games, while Tampa Bay snapped a two-game skid. The Bucs (7-8) stayed a game ahead of the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints in the medicore NFC South. Tampa Bay has a crucial home game against Carolina next weekend.

Steelers Honor Franco, Rally Past Raiders

December 25, 2022 8:46 am

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Kenny Pickett threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to George Pickens with 46 seconds remaining, and the Pittsburgh Steelers capped three days of tributes to the late Franco Harris with a 13-10 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Pittsburgh kept its faint playoff hopes alive by delivering another last-second victory over the Raiders, just like it did 50 years and a day ago with Harris’ “Immaculate Reception.” Las Vegas was pushed to the brink of elimination from the postseason. Harris died on Wednesday, and the Steelers went ahead with their plans to retire his No. 32 during the game.

Harris’ Widow, Son On Field For Jersey Retirement Ceremony

December 25, 2022 8:47 am

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers retired the No. 32 of Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris during a bittersweet halftime ceremony. The long-planned honor came three days after Harris died at age 72 and one day after the 50th anniversary of “The Immaculate Reception,” his last-second touchdown in a playoff victory over the Raiders. Harris’ widow, Dana Dokmanovich, and their son, Dok, joined Steelers president Art Rooney II on the field as he was honored. The Steelers paid tribute to Harris throughout the night. Players wore replicas of his No. 32 into the stadium. Cam Heyward carried a large black flag with Harris’ number.

Browns Eliminated From NFL Playoff Chase

December 25, 2022 8:48 am

CLEVELAND (AP) — The coldest regular-season game in Cleveland history ended with a jarring chill for the Browns. Quarterback Deshaun Watson had his second home game ended by a sack, perhaps a fitting conclusion for a Cleveland season grounded from the start. Watson threw three incompletions in the final minute, with tight end David Njoku dropping a possible tying TD with 30 seconds left. Watson was thrown for a loss on Cleveland’s last play as the Browns lost 17-10 to the New Orleans Saints. The Browns blew a 10-0 lead and were eliminated from the playoffs by a New Orleans team that finally won an outdoor game in its seventh try.

Many Fans Gather To Celebrate 50 Years Of Immaculate Reception

December 24, 2022 4:02 am

PITTSBURGH (WPXI) — Steelers fans from near and far gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the “Immaculate Reception.” Originally the Steelers had planned to gather right in front of this memorial of Franco Harris but due to the frigid cold they moved fans into a covered area. Despite the frigid temperatures fans traveled hundreds of miles from Florida, South Dakota, even Hawaii to celebrate the anniversary. At exactly 3:41 p.m., the Steelers will rebroadcast the play that has been deemed one of the greatest moments in NFL history. Many fans say they plan to go to the game Saturday, and say they wouldn’t have been anywhere else than here on this special day.

Steelers QB Pickett To Wear New Helmet

December 24, 2022 3:47 am

PITTSBURGH (AP) – Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett is taking extra precautions as he returns from the concussion protocol for a second time this season. Pickett will wear a larger helmet that offers more protection for the back of his head when the Steelers face Las Vegas on Christmas Eve. Pickett says each of the two concussions he’s sustained this season came when the back of his head hit the Acrisure Stadium turf. Pickett added he’s not worried that he’s become concussion prone and believes the decision to have him miss a win over Carolina on Dec. 18 was the right call.