Sports

By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Austin Ekeler helped more than a few fantasy football players who drafted him this past week. The Los Angeles Chargers running back, who said during training camp that “if you want to get fantasy points you better have me on your team, certainly lived

By BILL HUBER Associated Press GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — The Green Bay Packers continue to consult with specialists on 2020 Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander’s injured shoulder in hopes of avoiding season-ending surgery. Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Alexander probably won’t play Sunday at Cincinnati. It was a whirlwind of a day for the

By BRETT MARTEL AP Sports Writer NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan figures he and the rest of New Orleans’ defensive front should disrupt quarterbacks more than they have lately. Jordan doesn’t have a sack through the first four games of 2021 after racking up 48 during the previous four seasons. Meanwhile

By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Pro Football Writer FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Suspended Dallas offensive lineman La’el Collins has sued the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell over his five-game suspension for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. The lawsuit seeks an injunction to halt the ban with two of the games remaining. Lawyers for Collins have filed

By ANNE M. PETERSON AP Sports Writer PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Players stopped on the field in the sixth minute of National Women’s Soccer League games and linked arms to demonstrate solidarity with two former players who came forward with allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct against a prominent coach. The actions came during games

By STEVE MEGARGEE AP Sports Writer MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell faces the obstacle of adapting his postseason bullpen to account for the absence of injured setup man Devin Williams. That’s only the latest of numerous challenges Counsell has encountered this season. Counsell had to navigate the Brewers through a season in

By JOHN WAWROW AP Sports Writer ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Bills’ new and improved defense will be put to the test in facing Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night. The Bills’ defense was no match last year in losing twice to Kansas City. The Chiefs had 245 yards

By FRED GOODALL AP Sports Writer ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays have won more games than any other team in the American League over the past two seasons, going about their business with a quiet confidence that has the full attention of the Boston Red Sox. The AL East rivals meet

By MAURICIO SAVARESE AP Sports Writer SAO PAULO (AP) — Not having star playmaker Neymar or midfielder Casemiro available for selection will allow Brazil coach Tite to experiment with his lineup in Thursday’s World Cup qualifying match at Venezuela. Neymar is serving a suspension after picking up two yellow cards in Brazil’s previous game and

By DAVE CAMPBELL AP Pro Football Writer EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Anthony Barr has been cleared to rejoin the Minnesota Vikings. The four-time Pro Bowl linebacker is back in action after an 18-game absence to give a lagging defense a boost. Barr was sidelined by a balky knee early in training camp. He said he

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) — Sloane Stephens outlasted Heather Watson 6-7 (5), 7-5,  6-1  in her opening match at the BNP Paribas Open in Southern California. Stephens won 7 of 18 break points against Watson on the hard courts at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Stephens advanced to a second-round match against fellow American Jessica

By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer Jimmie Johnson and Romain Grosjean turned their first laps on the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval on Wednesday as part of a test session for approval to race the Indianapolis 500. Rain shortened the session so neither driver completed the testing phase. Johnson said he fulfilled a childhood

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Baker Mayfield was only accurate after his poor performance Sunday in Minnesota. Cleveland’s quarterback said he was terrible and he won’t get much argument. He finished 15 of 33 for 155 yards and missed on some potentially big plays, including a game-sealing touchdown pass to

By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer HOUSTON (AP) — Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa is back in the playoffs with the Chicago White Sox as they prepare to open their best-of-five AL Division Series on Thursday against the Houston Astros. It’s his first postseason since winning the 2011 World Series with the St.

NEW YORK (AP) — Thoroughbred horse trainer Bob Baffert will have to face an administrative hearing scheduled for Monday by the New York Racing Association to address his suspension. Brooklyn Judge Carol Bagley Amon ruled that a hearing was required for Baffert to challenge NYRA’s suspension. Judge Amon nullified the suspension in July because it

By JOSH DUBOW AP Pro Football Writer SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo’s injured calf hasn’t healed enough for him to be able to practice but isn’t injured enough to rule him out of this week’s game for the San Francisco 49ers. The Niners began their practice week before a division showdown against

By JANIE McCAULEY AP Baseball Writer SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Logan Webb will start for the San Francisco Giants in Game 1 of their NL Division Series on Friday night against the rival Dodgers. Fellow right-hander and 14-game winner Kevin Gausman will go Saturday night in Game 2 for the NL West champions, having thrived

CINCINNATI (AP) — Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon didn’t practice Wednesday and is day to day with an ankle sprain. Coach Zac Taylor said he wanted to see Mixon at full speed in practice on Thursday before he can make a judgment about his fitness for Cincinnati’s game against the Green Bay Packers on

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — The Detroit Lions put standout center Frank Ragnow on injured reserve, another setback for a banged-up winless team. The Lions made the move along with signing linebacker Jessie Lemonier off the practice squad and activating kicker Austin Seibert from the COVID-19 reserve list. Detroit was without tight end T.J. Hockenson

By ANNE M. PETERSON AP Sports Writer CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) — The surprising Oregon State Beavers are the only undefeated team in conference play in the Pac-12 North. It’s the first time the Beavers have ever been in sole possession of the division’s top spot. The Beavers are riding their first four-game winning streak since