Sports

By BRETT MARTEL AP Sports Writer METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Saints coach Dennis Allen anticipates being retained for next season and asserts that New Orleans is “not as far off” from contending “as maybe some might think.” The Saints went 7-10 this season but also had a handful of seven-win seasons under Super Bowl-winning coach

LEXINGTON Kentucky will retire a jersey to honor the late Mike Pratt, a Wildcats Hall of Fame men’s basketball player and radio broadcaster. Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart announced the honor Monday night during coach John Calipari’s weekly radio show. The retirement ceremony will be held Feb. 4, during a home game against Florida. Pratt,

By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — Sean McVay says he will take an undetermined amount of time to contemplate his future before he commits to a seventh season with the Los Angeles Rams. He clearly is strongly considering walking away from his remarkable head coaching career at its lowest point

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Deshaun Watson’s abridged first season in Cleveland ended earlier than he wanted. Watson only played in six games after serving an 11-game NFL suspension for sexual misconduct allegations. The Browns went 3-3 with Watson, and the team finished 7-10 overall and missed the playoffs for

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Veteran outfielder Brett Phillips has agreed to a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels. The club announced the deal Monday for Phillips, who is likely to compete with Jo Adell and Mickey Moniak for the job as the Halos’ fourth outfielder. Phillips is joining his fifth big league

By LARRY LAGE AP Sports Writer ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — The Detroit Lions opened and the closed the 2022 season with a lot of excitement and a dash of hope. The Lions were featured on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” in the preseason and ended the regular season by winning eight of 10 games. Detroit fell

By The Associated Press The Kansas City Current have signed Brazilian midfielder Debinha to a multiyear contract. Debora Cristiane de Oliveira, who goes by Debinha, spent the last six seasons with the North Carolina Courage. Considered one of the top players in the National Women’s Soccer League, Debinha was signed to a deal as a

By KYLE HIGHTOWER AP Sports Writer FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The New England Patriots have plenty of problems to solve in the offseason after their offense underachieved and quarterback Mac Jones regressed in his second year. New England finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs for the second time in three years. Coach Bill Belichick finished

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Anaheim forward Justin Kirkland was hospitalized overnight after getting into a car accident on his way to the Ducks’ game against the Boston Bruins on Sunday night. The Ducks said Kirkland remains under evaluation, but has full mobility and is communicating with his family and with visiting teammates. They expect Kirkland

By ANNE M. PETERSON AP Sports Writer The National Women’s Soccer League permanently banned four coaches Monday as part of disciplinary action taken against several individuals and teams in response to an investigation into alleged abuse and misconduct in the league. Former North Carolina coach Paul Riley, former Chicago Red Stars coach Rory Dames, former

By MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Jeff Saturday spent Monday thanking players for their effort over the Indianapolis Colts’ final eight games and arguing to keep his coaching title — minus the interim tag. He’ll get that answer and others in time. First, this franchise must figure out what’s next. One day

By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Sports Writer ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — The Washington Commanders head into another offseason of uncertainty that could bring a new quarterback. That’s a familiar position for an organization that has been looking for stability at football’s most important position for years. The next few months could also bring new ownership, with

OXFORD, England (AP) — Arsenal has set up a fourth-round match with English Premier League title rival Manchester City in the FA Cup by beating third-tier Oxford United 3-0. Eddie Nketiah scored twice after Mohamed Elneny’s opener. All of the league leader’s goals came in the space of 12 second-half minutes. Arsenal will head to

By ANNE M. PETERSON AP Sports Writer PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Portland Thorns assistant Mike Norris has been promoted to head coach of the National Women’s Soccer League club to replace Rhian Wilkinson, who resigned after revealing she had developed feelings for a player that she had never acted on. Norris was an assistant on

By TERESA M. WALKER AP Pro Football Writer NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans enter the offseason at their earliest point since the 2018 season with more questions than wins. The first thing they need to do this offseason is hire a general manager. Tennessee closed the season by losing seven straight games to

MADRID (AP) — Athletic Bilbao has missed a chance to move into the Champions League places in the Spanish league after a 0-0 home draw with Osasuna. Athletic was in control during most of the match at its San Mamés Stadium. But it couldn’t capitalize on its chances and get the win that would have

DENVER (AP) — LeBron James has been ruled out for Monday’s game in Denver due to a sore left ankle. Earlier in the day, James was named Western Conference player of the week. He averaged 35 points, 8.7 rebounds and 7.7 assists over his last three games. The 18-time All-Star has won the weekly award

By JIM VERTUNO AP Sports Writer AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas basketball players say they won’t let their season be derailed after the mid-season firing of coach Chris Beard following his arrest on a felony domestic violence charge. A group of senior players met with reporters Monday to talk about Beard’s abrupt suspension on Dec.

By STEVE MEGARGEE AP Sports Writer Left-handed pitcher Wade Miley says he’s feeling healthy again on his return to Milwaukee and is eager to match the success he had during his last stint with the Brewers. Miley went 5-2 with a 2.57 ERA in 16 starts with Milwaukee in 2018 as the Brewers won the