AP National Sports

By JANIE McCAULEY AP Baseball Writer OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Khris Davis is right back in a familiar place and uniform chasing something in September. Davis was promoted by the Oakland Athletics as a September call-up, bringing his hot bat from Triple-A Las Vegas and hoping to contribute to a fourth straight playoff run for

By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer The Philadelphia Eagles are Jalen Hurts’ team. Since the moment Carson Wentz was traded to Indianapolis there’s been speculation the Eagles would trade for Deshaun Watson or another high-profile quarterback. They signed 2013 Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco in March and traded for Gardner Minshew last week.  But

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer BEREA, Ohio (AP) — With linebacker Jacob Phillips going on injured reserve, the Browns signed defensive end Joe Jackson, who was waived earlier this week. Cleveland made the moves following practice on Wednesday, shortly after coach Kevin Stefanski said Phillips had undergone surgery on a torn biceps. Jackson will

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer ATLANTA (AP) — Patrick Cantlay doesn’t think he’s doing very well in the PGA Tour’s “Player Impact Program.” He’s good at golf, not social media. The program offers a $40 million bonus pool for 10 players determined the best at engaging fans. Cantlay says if he were to win

MOSCOW (AP) — Croatia has drawn 0-0 with a new-look Russia team to stay atop its World Cup qualifying group as tiny Malta secured a commanding win. There were few chances for either team to score in a cagey match at the Luzhniki Stadium. That’s the venue where Croatia lost the 2018 World Cup final

By KYLE HIGHTOWER AP Sports Writer FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Bill Belichick spent a lot of money this offseason to help the Patriots put a 7-9 finish in 2020 behind them. He brought in two of the most sought free agent tight ends in Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry, while also securing two of the

By NOAH TRISTER AP Sports Writer COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — After his first season at Maryland was shortened by the coronavirus pandemic, Taulia Tagovailoa is ready to lead the Terrapins in their 2021 opener this weekend against West Virginia. The brother of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Taulia still has a lot to prove,

By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio on Wednesday said Deshaun Watson has not been a distraction during training camp, but repeatedly refused to provide any clarity on his future with the team. Watson’s future with the team is in question after 22 women filed lawsuits alleging

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla (AP) — Boston infielder Yairo Muñoz has become the latest Red Sox player to test positive for COVID-19 as the virus surge impacting the team remains unrelenting. Eight Boston players and two coaches have either had a positive test or have been identified as close contacts since Friday. Star shortstop Xander Bogaerts

By JEROME PUGMIRE AP Sports Writer Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty but still broke the men’s international scoring record before adding a second goal as Portugal beat visiting Ireland 2-1 in World Cup qualifying. Ronaldo grabbed his 110th goal in the 89th minute to move ahead of former Iran striker Ali Daei and made it

By ALEX SANZ and TAMMY WEBBER Associated Press An international effort is underway to evacuate members of Afghanistan’s girls national soccer team and their families over fears of reprisal by the Taliban. The effort known as Operation Soccer Balls suffered a setback last week after a suicide bombing at the airport in Kabul. There have

By MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts are giving Carson Wentz a fresh start. They’ve surrounded him with a strong supporting cast. They still believe he’s a franchise quarterback. And if Wentz stays healthy, they think he can take them to the Super Bowl. But it’s been a frustrating first

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. AP Pro Football Writer FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — The vibe around the New York Jets began to change the day Robert Saleh was hired as head coach. The stench of a 2-14 season instantly dissipated and the disappointment and frustration of 10 straight years without a postseason appearance began to

By TRAVIS JOHNSON Associated Press STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Jahan Dotson is expecting a big year in his final season for Penn State. The wide receiver says he was motivated by last season’s 4-5 finish. Dotson believes he’s improved in all areas. The 19th-ranked Nittany Lions open the season Saturday at No. 12 Wisconsin.

By ANDREW SELIGMAN AP Sports Writer LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears are counting on Justin Fields to develop into the franchise quarterback Mitchell Trubisky never became. But they’re set to open the season with veteran Andy Dalton as their starter. The Bears hope the three-time Pro Bowler can give them the steady

OSLO, Norway (AP) — Erling Haaland has spoiled Louis van Gaal’s return as Netherlands coach. The 21-year-old striker scored the opening goal as Norway held the Dutch to a 1-1 draw in World Cup qualification Group G. Haaland’s 20th-minute strike was canceled out by Netherlands midfielder Davy Klaassen in front of 7,000 fans at Oslo’s

By ARNIE STAPLETON AP Pro Football Writer ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — It took until October each of the last two seasons for the Denver Broncos to get into the win column. A faster start is the top priority for a team that sports more talent, better depth and a relatively soft September schedule. The team’s

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Blues agreed to terms with top defenseman Colton Parayko on an eight-year contract extension worth $52 million. The deal runs from the 2022-23 season through 2029-30 and carries an annual salary cap hit of $6.5 million. Parayko was set to be a free agent next summer. He helped

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — After their offensive line was embarrassed by Tampa Bay in February, dashing the Chiefs’ chances at back-to-back Lombardi Trophies, general manager Brett Veach went to work. He traded for two-time Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Brown Jr., signed the premier free-agent left guard Joe

FARO, Portugal (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo has become the highest-scoring man in the international soccer history with his 110th goal for Portugal on Wednesday. The Portugal captain scored in the 89th minute against Ireland in a World Cup qualifier, moving ahead of former Iranian striker Ali Daei. He added a second — another header —