AP National Sports

BEIJING (AP) — The head of the women’s professional tennis tour is questioning the legitimacy of a retraction Chinese state media says was from a Grand Slam doubles champion who has accused a former top government official of sexual assault. WTA Chairman and CEO Steve Simon said that a statement attributed to Peng Shuai “only

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson will practice this week with an opportunity to play against NFC-leading Green Bay. He missed the past three games with a hamstring injury. Coach Mike Zimmer was noncommittal when asked about Peterson’s status. The Vikings have two starters back this week from the COVID-19 reserve list:

SAN ANTONIO — Dhieu Deing made a layup with 30 seconds remaining to give UTSA the lead en route to a 60-57 win over IUPUI. Dhieu Deing had 20 points to lead the Roadrunners. B.J. Maxwell led the Jaguars with 13 points.

By BILL HUBER Associated Press GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — The Green Bay Packers’ imperfect offense hasn’t been getting the practice it needs. And it might not get it this week, either. Reigning MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers wasn’t on the practice field Wednesday because of an injured toe. Rodgers didn’t play in a Nov. 7

ABBOTSFORD, British Columbia (AP) — The Abbotsford Canucks’ American Hockey League games scheduled for Friday and Sunday against the Bakersfield Condors were postponed Wednesday because of flooding in and around the city. The region was overwhelmed by weekend rainstorms that caused flooding and landslides, washing out roads and stranding drivers and residents. Evacuation orders have

By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Justin Verlander reached a $25 million deal to remain with the Houston Astros as he comes back from Tommy John surgery, and Brandon Belt accepted an $18.4 million qualifying offer from the San Francisco Giants. Verlander, a 38-year-old right-hander, has a conditional $25 million option

By JAY COHEN AP Baseball Writer CHICAGO (AP) — New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner has praised general manager Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone. He also says he is open to a new contract for slugger Aaron Judge. Boone got a new three-year contract after New York went 92-70 this season, losing at Boston

By BEN WALKER AP Baseball Writer Toronto left-hander Robbie Ray bounced back from a dismal season to win the AL Cy Young Award and Milwaukee righty Corbin Burnes returned from a bout of COVID-19 to win the NL’s top pitching prize. In the Year of the Pitcher, Burnes led the majors with a 2.43 ERA

By ANNE M. PETERSON AP Sports Writer PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Dairon Asprilla has had the best season of his career for the Portland Timbers. The forward credits the struggles he went through last season, first an injury and then the death of his father. Arcadio Asprialla never saw his son play for the Timbers

By BEN WALKER AP Baseball Writer Toronto Blue Jays lefty Robbie Ray has won a most improbable AL Cy Young Award, bouncing back from taking a rare pay cut after a dismal season to capture pitching’s top prize. Ray became the first Toronto pitcher to earn the honor since the late Roy Halladay in 2003.

By JAY COHEN AP Baseball Writer CHICAGO (AP) — New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said he voted for Major League Baseball’s proposal to lower the luxury tax threshold, a plan opposed by the players’ union with the sport on the brink of its first work stoppage on 26 years. The luxury tax, formally known

By TIM BOOTH AP Sports Writer RENTON, Wash. (AP) — The status of the Seattle Seahawks’ Chris Carson remains uncertain, with coach Pete Carroll saying the bruising back has not made the “positive progress” the team was hoping. Carson returned to practice last week in a limited capacity after missing the previous four games with

By LES BOWEN Associated Press PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jalen Hurts shocked the New Orleans Saints last December in his first NFL start, leading the Philadelphia Eagles to a 24-21 win. When the teams meet again Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field, the Saints (5-4) ought to have a better read on defending the mobility of Hurts,

By DAN SCIFO Associated Press PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick played in Sunday’s home tie with the Detroit Lions, but he entered the COVID-19 protocol the following day. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that he “doesn’t anticipate” having Fitzpatrick in the lineup for Sunday’s road game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Basketball Writer The NCAA women’s basketball tournament is expanding to 68 teams beginning with the current season, giving it an equal number of participants as the men’s tournament as part of a concerted effort at gender parity. The men’s tournament expanded to 68 teams in 2011 with four first-round games traditionally

By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer HOUSTON (AP) — Justin Verlander has agreed to a $25 million, one-year contract with the Houston Astros that includes a conditional $25 million player option for a second season. Verlander became a free agent after completing a $94 million, three-year contract with the Astros. He played just one game

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Blackhawks have hired Rob Cookson as an assistant coach and promoted Marc Crawford to associate coach. The Blackhawks announced the moves before their game at Seattle. The 60-year-old Cookson also has worked on NHL staffs with Ottawa, Calgary and Philadelphia.

By TERESA M. WALKER AP Pro Football Writer NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Ryan Tannehill is doing whatever it takes to help the Titans win. He’s a big reason why Tennessee sits atop the AFC with the NFL’s longest active winning streak at six straight. That’s even if his statistics don’t reflect all he’s doing with

SAN ANTONIO — Jalen Jackson posted 19 points as Texas A&M-Corpus Christi narrowly defeated Denver 69-67. KJ Hunt led the Pioneers on Wednesday with 16 points and six rebounds.

By STEPHEN HAWKINS AP Sports Writer DALLAS (AP) — Tanner Mordecai is making the most of his opportunity to finally be a starting quarterback. He has already set a single-season SMU record with 37 touchdown passes in his 10 games and is the American Athletic Conference’s leading passer with more than 326 yards passing per