AP National Sports

By KYLE HIGHTOWER AP Sports Writer FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The Patriots’ usually reliable special teams took a step back in the punting game last season, slipping from having the league’s best net punt average in 2020 to ranking just 21st in the NFL last season. Bill Belichick made it a priority to secure the

By JIM HEINTZ Associated Press MOSCOW (AP) — Since Brittney Griner last appeared in her trial for cannabis possession, the question of her fate has expanded from a tiny, cramped courtroom on Moscow’s outskirts to the highest level of Russia-U.S. diplomacy. The WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist returns to court on Tuesday, a

By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was suspended for six games Monday after being accused by two dozen women in Texas of sexual misconduct during massage treatments, in what a disciplinary officer said was behavior “more egregious than any before reviewed by the NFL.” The punishment handed out by

By JOHN WAWROW AP Sports Writer PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) — Gabe Davis still finds himself torn between the near future and the immediate past. As much as the Bills receiver prefers looking ahead to the long-awaited opportunity of becoming a full-time starter entering his third year, Davis can’t help but reflect on how last season

TURIN, Italy (AP) — Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie will miss the start of Serie A due to a shoulder injury. The United States international was sidelined for Juventus’ final friendly of its tour of his homeland. Tests carried out after Juventus returned to Turin revealed McKennie has “a capsular lesion of the left shoulder.” He

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals acquired left-hander Anthony Misiewicz from the Seattle Mariners for cash considerations Monday. The 27-year-old Misiewicz, who will be added to the Royals’ 40-man roster and optioned to Triple-A Omaha, appeared in 17 games for Seattle this season with a 4.61 ERA. He was optioned to Triple-A

By ROB MAADDI and TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writers Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was suspended for six games Monday after being accused by two dozen women in Texas of sexual misconduct during massage treatments, in what a disciplinary officer said was behavior “more egregious than any before reviewed by the NFL.” The punishment handed

By MARK LONG AP Pro Football Writer JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Doug Pederson’s straightforward approach has been a welcome respite for the Jacksonville Jaguars, who endured an 11-month fiasco under Urban Meyer. Pederson is going out of his way to regain any lost trust and not playing games with his guys. He thrust three rookies

By BERNIE WILSON AP Sports Writer SAN DIEGO (AP) — A person with knowledge of the deal says the San Diego Padres are close to acquiring All-Star closer Josh Hader from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for recently benched closer Taylor Rogers and three other players. The person spoke to the AP on condition of

By ARNIE STAPLETON AP Pro Football Writer ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — A smile has replaced the scowl on Bradley Chubb’s face, and that cheer has spread through the Denver Broncos’ defense and front office. The team’s star-crossed pass rusher is coming off his first fully healthy offseason since his rookie year — when he had

By JOSH DUBOW AP Pro Football Writer SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — All-Pro receiver Deebo Samuel signed his three-year extension with the San Francisco 49ers in time to take part in the team’s first padded practice. The two sides finalized the deal that will pay Samuel $71.55 million with $41 million fully guaranteed at signing.

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. reported to training camp Monday, the same day pads went on for the Kansas City Chiefs, giving Patrick Mahomes his blindside protector with plenty of time before their preseason opener. Brown and the Chiefs had been working

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer The PGA Tour has announced a new schedule that puts prize money near $500 million next season. Eight tournaments will have purses of $15 million or more. The tour will run 43 tournaments next season with total prize money of $428.6 million. That doesn’t include the four majors, which

By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Pro Football Writer OXNARD, Calif. (AP) — Dak Prescott is pressing the reset button again for the Super Bowl-starved Dallas Cowboys. Coach Mike McCarthy put the focus on his star quarterback by saying defense wins championships, but Prescott’s position wins Super Bowls. The Cowboys fell short again last season as the

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees have acquired rookie reliever Scott Effross in a trade with the Chicago Cubs. Effross, a sidearming right-hander, is 1-4 with a 2.66 ERA and one save in 47 games this year. He made his big league debut last season, going 2-1 with a 3.68 ERA in 14

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Cleveland Browns starting offensive tackle Jack Conklin was activated from the physically unable to perform list, another major step in his return from a season-ending knee injury. A two-time All-Pro, Conklin played in just seven games last season before tearing his patellar tendon on Nov. 28 at Baltimore and undergoing surgery.

By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Sports Writer ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Ron Rivera says the Washington Commanders have a plan to ramp up Curtis Samuel because of some concern about the wide receiver’s conditioning level. The veteran coach says Samuel reported hamstring and back tightness after the first couple of practices at training camp. Rivera reiterated

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have re-acquired infielder Ehire Adrianza from the Washington Nationals in exchange for a minor league outfielder. The Braves cleared a spot for Adrianza as veteran Robinson Canó was designated for assignment after hitting .154 in nine games. As the Braves await the return of second baseman Ozzie Albies from