AP National Sports

By ERIC TUCKER, MATTHEW LEE and ZEKE MILLER Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — American basketball star Brittney Griner headed home Thursday night, freed from Russian prison in exchange for the U.S. releasing notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout in the culmination of an eight-month saga of high diplomacy and dashed hopes. But the U.S. failed

By The Associated Press The Los Angeles Chargers host the Miami Dolphins on Sunday night in a game with AFC playoff implications for both teams. The Dolphins are back on the West Coast following a 33-17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, sitting one game behind the Buffalo Bills for the AFC East lead. The

ATLANTA (AP) — Hawks guard Dejounte Murray is expected to miss about two weeks with a sprained left ankle. He is the third Atlanta starter to go down with an injury in the past week. Murray was hurt during the first quarter night of a 113-89 loss to the New York Knicks. The Hawks announced

By JOHN MARSHALL AP Sports Writer PHOENIX (AP) — WNBA star Brittney Griner’s 10-month imprisonment in Russia on drug charges came to an end on Thursday, spreading relief and joy across the sports world and beyond. It’s unknown if and when she might return to a basketball court. But if she does, women’s basketball will

By MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts thought they’d spend their bye week contemplating their playoff possibilities. A disastrous season instead has them on the cusp of being mathematically eliminated. They’ve changed quarterbacks twice, fired coach Frank Reich, fired offensive coordinator Marcus Brady and are working with a revamped and

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have agreed to a $17.5 million, two-year deal with right-handed reliever Chris Martin. He went 4-1 with two saves and a 3.05 ERA for the Cubs and Dodgers last season. In his career, he is 9-16 with a 3.84 ERA in 269 relief appearances for six teams. He

By BRETT MARTEL AP Sports Writer NEW ORLEANS (AP) — An early season injury to Saints star receiver Michael Thomas and quarterback Jameis Winston’s early struggles with his health and execution turned out to be just the beginning of what has gone awry for New Orleans in 2022. A bye in Week 14 of the

By DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Trea Turner’s $300 million, 11-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies has been finalized. The All-Star shortstop passed his physical. Turner gets salaries of $27,272,727 in each of the next 10 seasons and $27,272,730 in 2033. Turner joins a Philadelphia team that made it to the World

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. AP Pro Football Writer FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Mike White has taken command as the New York Jets’ starting quarterback with efficiency on the field and confidence in the huddle. Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said he has ice in his veins. White will face Buffalo this week much improved from

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay Rays reliever J.P. Feyereisen has had right shoulder surgery after experiencing renewed discomfort while playing catch. Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas operated on the right-hander on Wednesday, doing a general clean-up of the rotator cuff and labrum. The Rays say the goal is for Feyereisen to resume throwing

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Deshaun Watson expects to play better on Sunday against Cincinnati after a rusty return last week in Houston. Cleveland’s quarterback had one of the worst games of his pro career in his first action since serving an 11-game NFL suspension for sexual misconduct allegations. Watson

By MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Purdue offensive coordinator Brian Brohm is getting another chance to replace his older brother. And this time, he’ll be more than an adviser. Shortly after Louisville announced Thursday it had hired Jeff Brohm, Boilermakers athletic director Mike Bobinski named Brohm’s younger brother as interim

By DAVE CAMPBELL AP Pro Football Writer EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Video review for the Minnesota Vikings of their previous game against Detroit has prompted the occasional double-take in the film rooms this week. Flashing on the screen during study sessions on the upcoming opponent was none other than tight end T.J. Hockenson. He was

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed outfielder Jason Heyward to a minor league deal and invited him to spring training. The 33-year-old was released by the Chicago Cubs earlier this offseason. Heyward put up the worst offensive numbers of his career last season and battled injuries. He batted .204 and had

By The Associated Press The Minnesota Vikings can clinch the NFC North with a win or a tie at Detroit. That suddenly seems like a challenging task. The Lions have won four of five games to surge into the playoff picture as a wild-card contender. Minnesota beat the Lions 28-24 in September at home and

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer World champions Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier are looking to become the first American pairs team to win the prestigious Grand Prix Final. The Americans turned in a brilliant short program Thursday in Turin, Italy. Knierim and Frazier trail their biggest rivals, Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara of Japan,

By The Associated Press The Philadelphia Eagles will try to become the first team to clinch a playoff berth this season when they face the New York Giants on Sunday. Coach Nick Sirianni’s team will bring an 11-1 record into the matchup. It can clinch a berth with either a win or a tie against

By The Associated Press The Seattle Seahawks begin a stretch of four of its final five regular-season games at home hosting the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Seattle is seeking a second straight win after last week’s 27-23 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. It’s also an important game in the NFC West race with a

By AARON BEARD AP Sports Writer CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina is losing two assistant coaches to Wisconsin, including the one who has orchestrated the Tar Heels’ prolific attack the past four seasons. Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Phil Longo said he and offensive line coach Jack Bicknell Jr. leave Chapel Hill on