September 17, 2019 3:46 am
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) – It seemed like old times for Odell Beckham Jr. as he delivered a pair of highlight-reel catches at Met Life Stadium. The former New York Giant had a long scoring reception and made a one-handed grab as the Cleveland Browns dumped the battered New York Jets, 23-3. Beckham took a slant pass and outran the Jets’ defenders all the way to the end zone for an 89-yard TD that put Cleveland up 23-3 with 3 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter. His spectacular 33-yard, one-handed grab got Cleveland down to the Jets 4 and set up a field goal for the game’s first points. Beckham finished with six catches for 161 yards as the Browns bounced back from their 30-point loss to the Titans in Week 1. The 0-2 Jets finished the game with their third-string quarterback. Marcus Siemian had to leave the game after taking a hit in the second quarter. Siemian was starting in place of Sam Darnold, who is out with mononucleosis. Siemian finished 3 of 6 for 3 yards, while Luke Falk was 20 of 25 for 198 yards as the Jets absorbed their seventh consecutive home loss since last season.
September 17, 2019 3:44 am
DAVIE, Fla. (AP) – Miami Dolphins defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick has been traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a first-round draft pick in 2020. Fitzpatrick was unhappy about his role with the Dolphins, and he requested and received permission to seek a trade. He played free safety for Miami in Sunday’s 43-0 loss to New England and had six tackles and a fumble recovery. Fitzpatrick was the 11th overall pick in the 2018 draft, but quickly became unhappy after Brian Flores took over as Miami’s coach this year.
September 17, 2019 3:33 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Ben Roethlisberger’s season is over. The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback will undergo surgery on his right elbow and be placed on injured reserve, ending the 37-year-old’s 16th season just two weeks in. Roethlisberger injured the arm late in the second quarter of Sunday’s 28-26 loss to Seattle. He did not play in the second half, watching from the sideline as backup Mason Rudolph took over. Head coach Mike Tomlin said Roethlisberger underwent an MRI exam on Sunday night and team doctors determined Roethlisberger requires surgery. Roethlisberger will have the procedure later this week. Roethlisberger, who led the NFL in passing last season, signed an extension in March that runs through the 2021. There was no immediate timetable on his possible return. Pittsburgh (0-2) will now move on with Rudolph, taken in the third round of the 2018 draft. Rudolph went 12 of 19 for 112 yards with two touchdowns and an interception against Seattle in the first regular-season snaps of his career. The Steelers play at San Francisco (2-0) next Sunday.
September 15, 2019 10:28 am
CHICAGO (AP) – Kris Bryant and rookie Nico Hoerner each homered among three hits, and the Chicago Cubs went deep four times to set a club record with 237 home runs as they pounded the Pittsburgh Pirates 14-1 on Saturday. Bryant hit a two-run shot in the fourth and had four RBIs. Hoerner’s second homer in two days, a three-run drive in the sixth, broke the Cubs’ old mark of 235, established in 2004. Ben Zobrist and Victor Caratini added solo shots as the Cubs used a second straight big day at the plate to strengthen their bid for a fifth straight postseason berth. Chicago has outscored Pittsburgh 31-9 in the first two games of the series and won three straight overall. Chicago entered in the second NL wild card spot, one game ahead of Milwaukee and four games behind NL Central-leading St. Louis. The Cardinals hosted the Brewers on Saturday night. Kyle Hendricks (11-9) allowed a run on seven hits in six innings while walking one for his third straight solid outing. He has a 1.52 ERA in the span. Nicholas Castellanos doubled twice to take over the major league lead with 52 and drove in three runs. Anthony Rizzo had two RBIs and was one of four Chicago batters hit by pitches. Bryant’s two-run shot to the left-center basket in the fourth inning was his 29th homer this season. It was the 136th of his career, tying him with Ernie Banks for the most by a Cubs player in his first five seasons. Playing in his sixth game since joining the Cubs on Monday, Hoerner improved his batting average to .417. James Marvel (0-2) allowed seven runs on nine hits in four innings in his second major league start. Kevin Newman had a single, double and triple. Both benches cleared briefly in the sixth after pinch-hitter David Bote ducked into a high pitch from reliever Clay Holmes and was hit on the shoulder. Bote, the fourth Cubs batter plunked, shouted at Holmes before going to first and the teams returned to their dugouts without an altercation.
September 13, 2019 3:58 am
UNDATED (AP) – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers showcased a strong defense and a balanced attack in earning their first win of the season. Peyton Barber ran for 82 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries as the Bucs silenced the Panthers, 20-14 at Carolina. The Panthers had a 12-10 lead until Barber furnished a 16-yard rushing TD with 4:20 remaining in the third quarter. Jameis Winston was 16 of 25 for 208 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions to help Tampa Bay bounce back from their 31-17 loss to the 49ers in the season opener. Chris Godwin was Winston’s prime target with seven receptions for 121 yards and a score. Carolina had a chance to pull out the win until Christian McCaffrey was stuffed short of the end zone on fourth-and-goal from the 2 on the Panthers’ final drive.
The Bucs didn’t allow a touchdown as the Panthers settled for four Joey Slye field goals and a fourth-quarter safety for their points. Christian McCaffrey was held to 37 yards on 16 carries, and Cam Newton completed just 25 of his 51 passes for 333 yards.
September 13, 2019 3:52 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) – The Pittsburgh Steelers are hoping to iron out their defensive problems ahead of a Week 2 visit from Seattle. The Steelers allowed New England star Tom Brady to rack up 341 yards and 3 touchdowns in a Week 1 blowout win. Defensive coordinator Keith Butler put the blame on the coaching staff for not getting the players up to speed in time. Pittsburgh should get starting safety Sean Davis back after Davis missed the opener with an ankle issue.
September 12, 2019 3:56 am
UNDATED (AP) – Wide receiver Antonio Brown went through his first practice with the New England Patriots yesterday. Brown wore a No. 1 jersey and a visor with his helmet while going through warmup drills with teammates during the small portion of practice that was open to the media. He has worn No. 84 throughout his previous nine NFL seasons, but that number is currently being worn by Patriots tight end Ben Watson. Wednesday’s workout was held one day after Brown’s former trainer filed a civil lawsuit in Florida accusing him of sexually assaulting her on three occasions. Britney Taylor filed the suit and says she will cooperate with the NFL and any other agencies. Patriots coach Bill Belichick declined to comment on additional questions about Brown other than to say the team takes the allegations very seriously. Belichick also sidestepped questions about Brown’s status for Sunday’s game in Miami.
September 12, 2019 3:41 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Donte Moncrief is looking to bounce back after a rocky debut in a loss to New England. Moncrief only caught three of the 10 passes Ben Roethlisberger threw his way, finishing with a paltry 7 yards receiving as the Steelers were drilled 33-3. Moncrief says Roethlisberger made it a point to tell him after the game he hasn’t lost faith in him and plans to look Moncrief’s way just as much when Seattle visits in Pittsburgh’s home opener.
September 10, 2019 3:39 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Southern California athletic director Lynn Swann has resigned after three years in charge at his alma mater. Dave Roberts will serve as interim athletic director. USC’s athletic department has faced several setbacks during Swann’s say, notably involvement in the widespread college admissions scandal. The 67-year-old Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver was hired in 2016 despite no significant experience in athletic administration.
September 9, 2019 12:29 pm
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) – The Jacksonville Jaguars have acquired quarterback Josh Dobbs in a trade with Pittsburgh, giving them a backup while Nick Foles recovers from a broken collarbone. The Jaguars gave up a fifth-round pick in the 2020 draft for Dobbs, who was in his third season with the Steelers. He was a fourth-round pick in 2017. He has played in five career NFL games, completing 6 of 12 passes for 43 yards and an interception. He will back up rookie Gardner Minshew, who completed 22 of 25 passes for 275 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception, in his NFL debut Sunday. Foles broke his left clavicle on the team’s 10th offensive play of the season. He was hit and landed on while throwing a 35-yard touchdown pass to DJ Chark.
