Sports

By The Associated Press The Pittsburgh Steelers enter Week 18 still in the mix for a playoff spot. The Steelers have won five of six to get to 8-8 heading into a visit from longtime rival Cleveland to end the regular season. Pittsburgh needs to win and have Miami and New England both lose to

By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Hockey Writer The head of the International Ice Hockey Federation says he would like a decision on NHL participation in the 2026 Olympics in Italy by the spring of 2024. Federation President Luc Tardif told reporters at the world junior championship in Halifax, Nova Scotia, that would give the parties involved

By LARRY LAGE AP Sports Writer ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Jim Harbaugh says he expects to coach Michigan’s football team next season. He has posted a statement on the team’s social media accounts following reports of his interest in returning to the NFL. A person familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated

By PAT GRAHAM AP Sports Writer Leading scorer Alissa Pili has No. 8 Utah off to a 14-0 start and the program’s highest AP ranking in school history. The 6-foot-2 forward who transferred in from Southern California this season has seamlessly meshed with the Utes. She brings a physical presence down low that she owes

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. AP Pro Football Writer Zach Wilson was the New York Jets’ starting quarterback from the moment he was drafted No. 2 overall. That appears to have been a blown play call two seasons later. Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur acknowledged Thursday that Wilson might have been better served being a backup

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Under-pressure Everton manager Frank Lampard says he did not discuss his future during conversations with the club’s hierarchy after a chastening loss to Brighton this week. There was a febrile atmosphere inside Goodison Park after Everton conceded three goals in seven second-half minutes to slump to a dispiriting 4-1 defeat on

By KYLE HIGHTOWER AP Sports Writer FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick says he’s been leaning on his experience seeing Reggie Brown suffer a spinal cord injury on the field in 1997 as he helps his team deal with emotions about the injury to Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin. The Patriots

By DAVE CAMPBELL AP Pro Football Writer MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Justin Jefferson’s race toward the NFL receiving record hit a speed bump on the grass in Green Bay last week. The entire Minnesota Vikings offense has been in regroup mode since the blowout by the Packers. They’re seeking to recapture their stride before the playoffs.

By JOHN WAWROW and CAROLYN THOMPSON Associated Press ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin’s has begun to communicate in writing with his family and others who have been at his bedside since he went into cardiac arrest Monday — and his first question was “Did we win?” his doctors said Thursday.

By MITCH STACY AP Sports Writer CINCINNATI (AP) — Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins said he’s “in a good place right now” after hearing from Damar Hamlin’s mother about his improvement on Thursday morning. Higgins was involved in the hit that came right before the Buffalo Bills receiver went into cardiac arrest during a game

By DAN GREENSPAN Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — Boston Bruins forward Jake DeBrusk is expected to miss a month because of hand and lower-body injuries he sustained in the Winter Classic on Monday. DeBrusk is second on the Bruins with 16 goals. He’s now on injured reserve. DeBrusk scored twice in the third period

MUNICH (AP) — Bayern Munich has signed veteran Dutch defender Daley Blind to cover for the injured Lucas Hernandez. Blind was a free agent after he was released by Ajax last week with six months left on his contract. He joins German champion Bayern on a short-term deal until the end of the season after

NEW YORK — Led by Ansley Almonor’s 20 points, the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights defeated the Saint Francis (BKN) Terriers 76-57 on Thursday. The Knights improved to 9-8 with the victory and the Terriers fell to 6-8.

By JIM VERTUNO AP Sports Writer AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas has fired basketball coach Chris Beard, who faces a felony domestic family violence charge stemming from a Dec. 12 incident involving his fiancée, with the school telling his attorney on Thursday that Beard is “unfit” for the position. Beard had five years left on

BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles have designated first baseman Ryan O’Hearn for assignment two days after acquiring him in a trade with Kansas City. They also claimed infielder Lewin Díaz off waivers from Atlanta after trading him to the Braves last month. The Orioles acquired O’Hearn from the Royals for cash Tuesday. Now they

By RALPH D. RUSSO AP College Football Writer As college football’s postseason heads toward the debut of an expanded, 12-team playoff in 2024 those involved with bowls anticipate changes. A bigger playoff will impact the scheduling of bowls, maybe even the number of bowls. What its takes for a team to qualify for a bowl

CARSON, Calif. (AP) — The LA Galaxy have signed MLS veterans Chris Mavinga and Jose “Memo” Rodriguez. The Galaxy also traded defender Nick DePuy to Nashville for $50,000 in general allocation money and a second-round draft pick in 2024. Mavinga agreed to a two-year deal with the Galaxy after spending the previous six seasons with

By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer Fisk University will make history this week when the school’s women’s gymnastics team becomes the first historically Black college or university to compete at the NCAA level. The Bulldogs are competing in the Super 16 in Las Vegas. Their debut for the Nashville-based school comes barely a year after