AP National Sports

By JOHN ZENOR AP Sports Writer It could well be among the marquee quarterback matchups of the season: Alabama’s Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young versus Tennessee’s rising star Hendon Hooker. Young’s sprained right shoulder was being re-evaluated, but coach Nick Saban seemed somewhat optimistic about his status for the Saturday’s game. Hooker and Young are

By DANIELLA MATAR AP Sports Writer MILAN (AP) — Paulo Dybala’s joy of scoring a penalty quickly turned into the anguish of potentially missing the World Cup. Dybala injured his left thigh as he converted the spot kick in Roma’s 2-1 win over Lecce and had to be substituted. The Argentina forward will undergo tests

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer Dustin Johnson already is assured of a $30 million year with Saudi-funded LIV Golf. Johnson finished out of the top 10 for the first time in six events last week in Bangkok. But because Branden Grace had to withdraw because of injury, Johnson is assured of claiming the points

By GENE CHAMBERLAIN Associated Press LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — After struggling through the first four games with inconsistency, Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields set a few career highs and led his team back from a 21-3 deficit to lead before suffering a 29-22 defeat to Minnesota. The Bears offense has been mired in last

STUTTGART, Germany (AP) — Stuttgart has fired American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo with the club in next-to-last place in the Bundesliga. The team hasn’t won any of its nine games in the league and is on a three-match losing streak. The most recent came at home to leader Union Berlin on Sunday. The 44-year-old Matarazzo joined

By DAVID BRANDT AP Sports Writer Major League Baseball’s first foray into a best-of-three wild-card round provided its share of memorable moments. A 15-inning, 432-pitch game. A seven-run comeback win. Joe Musgrove’s ears. Now it’s on to the division series, which is business as usual with a best-of-five format. The four matchups are Braves-Phillies, Padres-Dodgers,

By MITCH STACY AP Sports Writer CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Bengals have followed a familiar pattern in their third loss of the season. The reigning AFC champs sputtered in the first half against the Ravens, looked better in the second half, squandered opportunities and ended up losing 19-17 because of a late field goal.

By JAY COHEN AP Baseball Writer CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer says he is encouraged by how the team finished the franchise’s second straight losing season. But he says the organization is focused on the short and long term when it comes to its offseason plans. Hoyer is staying

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Butler forward-center Jalen Thomas will be out indefinitely because of a pulmonary embolism. Team officials say the fourth-year player is being treated by the team’s medical staff and local specialists. Doctors believe Thomas can make a full recovery with medication. He’s expected to participate in non-contact work and conditioning throughout his treatment.

By ALANIS THAMES AP Sports Writer MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins defense has failed to force the pressure and resulting takeaways that fueled the team’s surge late last season. The Dolphins have one interception this season, and none since Week 1. During a two-game sid, they’ve struggled to get key stops and

By STEVE REED AP Sports Writer CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A person familiar with the situation says Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield has been diagnosed with a high left ankle sprain and is expected to miss several weeks. The person, who said Mayfield is expected to get a second opinion, spoke to The Associated Press

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks will be without running back Rashaad Penny for the rest of the season after he suffered a broken fibula in his lower left leg in Sunday’s loss to New Orleans. Seattle coach Pete Carroll said on his radio show on KIRO-AM that Penny suffered the fracture and also

By PAUL NEWBERRY AP Sports Writer After guiding the Philadelphia Phillies to their first playoff series victory since 2010, manager Rob Thomson had the interim removed from his title. The Phillies have signed Thomson to a two-year contract to remain as their manager through 2024, rewarding him for a turnaround that earned Philadelphia a wild-card

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina State coach Dave Doeren says quarterback Devin Leary avoided a serious shoulder injury in Saturday’s win against Florida State. Leary is considered day-to-day ahead of the 15th-ranked Wolfpack’s trip to No. 18 Syracuse this weekend. The preseason Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year took a hard hit to

By MELISSA MURPHY AP Sports Writer NEW YORK (AP) — South Carolina coach Dawn Staley is set to receive the Billie Jean King Leadership Award at the Women’s Sports Foundation’s annual dinner in New York. Staley’s busy offseason after winning a second NCAA basketball title has included savoring the victory, lining up team-wide NIL deals

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — USA Gymnastics is expanding its mental health coverage for athletes and coaches. The organization will provide financial assistance for up to eight visits a year to mental health providers for eligible national team members across all disciplines. The new plan also allows for four visits to mental health providers for eligible coaches.

By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Hockey Writer The Colorado Avalanche are following a pattern of previous Stanley Cup champions. They are making some changes to the roster but keeping their title-winning core group intact. The delicate balance helped Chicago, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay all win multiple championships. The Kings still have Jonathan Quick, Drew

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer CLEVELAND (AP) — Deshaun Watson has returned to the Cleveland Browns’ training facility. It’s the quarterback’s next step in his potential return from an 11-game NFL suspension. Watson was banned for alleged sexual misconduct after being accused by women in Texas of lewd actions during massage therapy sessions. The

By STEVE MEGARGEE AP Sports Writer MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin running back Chez Mellusi will miss at least one game after injuring his right wrist in the Badgers’ 42-7 victory over Northwestern. Mellusi has rushed for 223 yards and one touchdown on 56 carries this season.  Wisconsin announced Monday that Mellusi wouldn’t be available