Sports

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The first-place Atlanta Falcons will be missing most of their starting secondary when they host the Carolina Panthers. The 3-4 Falcons have ruled out safety Jaylinn Hawkins with a concussion and cornerback A.J. Terrell because of a hamstring issue. Both went down in last weekend’s 35-17 loss to Cincinnati. The

WATFORD, England (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars are hopeful return specialist Jamal Agnew can play against the Denver Broncos at Wembley Stadium. Agnew missed last week’s 23-17 loss to the New York Giants because of a knee injury. He was limited in practice Friday and his game status is questionable. Coach Doug Pederson says he’s

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer The NBA wants more competitive balance and is seeking an “upper spending limit” that would significantly tighten the rules on how much teams can spend each year on their roster. That’s according to three people familiar with the matter. They spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — The Green Bay Packers have officially ruled out wide receiver Allen Lazard for Sunday night’s game with the Buffalo Bills. Lazard said Thursday he doubted that he’d be available to play against the Bills after injuring his shoulder in a 23-21 loss at Washington. The Packers released an injury report

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. AP Pro Football Writer New York Jets wide receiver Corey Davis will miss the game against the New England Patriots on Sunday because of an injured knee. Davis has 19 catches for a team-leading 351 yards with two touchdowns. He was hurt in the Jets’ 16-9 win at Denver last Sunday.

By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer HOUSTON (AP) — Framber Valdez will start Game 2 of the World Series for the Houston Astros on Saturday night against Zack Wheeler of the Philadelphia Phillies. Valdez was 17-6 with a 2.82 ERA. He started Game 2 of the Division Series against Seattle and didn’t get a decision,

By RALPH D. RUSSO AP College Football Writer The NCAA has been defending itself in court against a lawsuit brought by a former college football player’s widow, who accuses the governing body of being responsible for the concussions that led to her husband’s death. Matthew Gee died at age 49 in 2018 from permanent brain

By JIM VERTUNO AP Sports Writer AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Austin FC has made a huge turnaround from its first season in Major League Soccer. It’s one game away from playing for the championship in Year Two. Austin plays at Los Angeles in the Western Conference final this weekend a year after finishing at the

BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz will face No. 9 Felix Auger-Aliassime in the Swiss Indoors semifinals after both advanced in straight sets. Alcaraz won 6-3, 6-4 against fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta. Alcaraz says it was “difficult to play against a friend like Pablo” as they go for meals together each day. Auger-Aliassime

By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer PITTSBURGH (AP) — Help is on the way for the struggling Pittsburgh Steelers. Star outside linebacker T.J. Watt has returned to practice and isn’t ruling out playing when the Steelers visit the Philadelphia Eagles. Watt has been on injured reserve since tearing his left pectoral in the season opener

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer BEREA, Ohio (AP) — The Cleveland Browns locked up dependable long snapper Charley Hughlett by signing him to four-year contract extension on Friday. Hughlett is in his eighth season with the Browns. The 32-year-old has been consistent throughout his tenure, which is why he and Cleveland’s coaches were all

MILAN (AP) — The surgeon who operated on soccer player Pablo Marí’s wounded back says being in top physical form helped the Spaniard avoid life-threatening injuries in a knife attack at an Italian shopping center. Niguarda hospital surgery and trauma director Osvaldo Chiara says “the surgery was a relatively simple one” since “there were only

By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer MADRID (AP) — A management company whose co-owner has links to Real Madrid and Barcelona is in charge of promoting a relaunch of the failed Super League venture. Madrid-based A22 Sports Management is part of a partnership between investors Anas Laghrari and John Hahn. Laghrari has partnered with Real

By ÁLVARO BARRIENTOS Associated Press OVIEDO, Spain (AP) — A Polish human rights activist, a celebrated Mexican archaeologist and a Japanese architect are among the winners of prestigious Spanish awards. They were all being honored Friday at a royal gala ceremony. This year’s winners of the Princess of Asturias Awards included Adam Michnik, a former

By JOSEPH KRAUSS Associated Press Qatar has summoned the German ambassador over remarks by Germany’s interior minister, who appeared to criticize the decision to award the World Cup to the Gulf Arab nation because of its human rights record. It was the first time Qatar has summoned an ambassador following years of heavy international scrutiny