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The Baltimore Ravens announced Tuesday that they're sending a quarterback to the Pro Bowl. No, it is not Lamar Jackson. It's -- surprise -- Tyler Huntley. A fourth alternate, Huntley was added to replace Josh Allen (elbow injury), becoming one of the most unlikely participants ever in the Pro Bowl. Huntley threw two touchdown passes this season, the fewest by far for a quarterback selected to the Pro Bowl since the 1970 merger, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. The previous low was six touchdown passes by the Philadelphia Eagles' Mike Boryla in 1975. In filling in for the injured Jackson for six games, Huntley passed for a total of 658 yards, which ranked 48th in the NFL this season. When the initial Pro Bowl rosters were announced in December, Patrick Mahomes was named the starter, and Allen and Joe Burrow were selected as backups. The alternates were: Tua Tagovailoa (first), Justin Herbert...

The Baltimore Ravens announced Tuesday that they're sending a quarterback to the Pro Bowl. No, it is not Lamar Jackson. It's -- surprise -- Tyler Huntley. A fourth alternate, Huntley was added to replace Josh Allen (elbow injury), becoming one of the most unlikely participants ever in the Pro Bowl. Huntley threw two touchdown passes this season, the fewest by far for a quarterback selected to the Pro Bowl since the 1970 merger, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. The previous low was six touchdown passes by the Philadelphia Eagles' Mike Boryla in 1975. In filling in for the injured Jackson for six games, Huntley passed for a total of 658 yards, which ranked 48th in the NFL this season. When the initial Pro Bowl rosters were announced in December, Patrick Mahomes was named the starter, and Allen and Joe Burrow were selected as backups. The alternates were: Tua Tagovailoa (first), Justin Herbert...

CAA is now representing women's hockey players, hoping to minimize the gender gap and help grow the sport, the agency told ESPN on Tuesday. The Creative Artists Agency has signed eight women's hockey players, including two-time Canadian Olympic medalist Blayre Turnbull and Boston College captain Hannah Bilka, to its initial roster, promising to provide the same level of services it does for NHL clients. "Women's hockey has grown immensely in the last 20 years but still has a long way to go," said Jen Kardosh, who is the head of operations, marketing and client management for CAA Hockey. "We are excited to use the experience we have from the men's game to help these women grow their personal brands while also helping with the overall growth of the game." The Premier Hockey Federation is the only women's professional league in North America and is in its eighth year of existence. Although the league has made great strides -- including a plan to double its salary cap to $1.5 million...

Michigan State cornerback  Khary Crump was sentenced to probation as part of a plea agreement on Tuesday for his involvement in an assault on a  Michigan player in the stadium tunnel on Oct. 29. Crump was one of seven football players initially charged with their involvement in the assault on two Wolverines players, Gemon Green and Ja'Den McBurrows, after Michigan State's loss to Michigan. The original charge brought against Crump was for felonious assault once video was released showing Crump striking Green with his helmet. With his plea agreement, that charge was reduced to a misdemeanor to which he pleaded guilty. The Washtenaw County prosecutor's office confirmed that Crump was sentenced under the Youthful Trainee Act. "If Mr. Crump successfully completes probation, his record will be clear," Victoria Burton-Harris, the chief assistant prosecuting attorney, said in a statement to ESPN. "Second, under the statute, the case and its associated...

When defending Masters champion Scottie Scheffler bumped into two-time winner Bubba Watson while on vacation in Tennessee late last year, he joked that he was going to have a separate table for him in a corner at the Champions Dinner at Augusta National Golf Club in April. Watson is among six former Masters champions who are now playing in the LIV Golf League and are suspended from participating in PGA Tour events. Scheffler was joking, of course, but Watson said Tuesday that he'll sit wherever he's told as long as he can attend the annual tradition that is reserved for players who have won green jackets. "Hey, as long as I'm in the Champions Dinner, I'm fine," Watson told reporters in a news conference at the Saudi International. "I'll sit wherever he tells me. It's fine. As long as I'm allowed back, I'll sit wherever he wants me to. I'll sit outside and just stare in the window." Watson, who won the Masters in 2012 and 2014, said he was "very thankful" that he...

New York Giants legend Eli Manning was so impressed with what he saw from quarterback Daniel Jones this season that he's hoping it leads to his successor signing a long-term deal. Manning believes that Jones earned it by having his best professional season in the first year of coach Brian Daboll's offense. Jones will be a free agent at the end of this season after being the sixth overall pick in 2019. He had a winning record (9-6-1) for the first time in his career, led the Giants to the postseason for the first time since 2016 and finished seventh in the NFL in QBR (60.7). "I was proud of Daniel, the way he played, to learn another offense and pick it up," Manning told ESPN. "Just the way he played in the fourth quarter of a number of games and leading the team back to victory, which was awesome; that's what you want from your quarterback. To do it so quickly with the brand-new offense, the way they were able to compete, make it to the playoffs, win a playoff game, that...

Phil Mickelson said he's as light as he has been in three decades and will be a little quieter on social media as he prepares to play in the LIV Golf League's second season, which begins in Mexico next month. Mickelson, speaking to reporters Tuesday ahead of this week's PIF Saudi International in King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia, said that he was embarrassed by how he played last year and that the difference between his game then and now is "night and day." "I have to look at last year as an anomaly and just let it go," Mickelson said. "I wasn't ready to play at the start; I wasn't ready to play during [the season]; and this offseason I'm ready to play. I've been playing really well at home, and I'm ready to bring my game back out here and compete. I'm optimistic to see a whole different outlook, a whole different game, a whole different competitiveness." Mickelson, 52, was embroiled in controversy for much of 2022, after author Alan Shipnuck published his controversial...

LUBBOCK, Texas -- Texas Tech coach Mark Adams was just happy fans stuck around for the biggest comeback in school history and the first Big 12 win of the season for a team that reached the Sweet 16 a year ago. The Red Raiders erased a 23-point deficit after halftime to end an eight-game conference skid, with De'Vion Harmon scoring all 16 of his points after the break in an 80-77 overtime victory against No. 13 Iowa State on Monday night. "I'm still in shock here," Adams said. "I was just so proud of our guys. They didn't give up on themselves. I was proud of the fans. I was afraid they were going to leave at halftime." The Cyclones took a 59-36 lead with 12:38 remaining in regulation. At that point, they had a 99.6% win probability. However, Texas Tech tied the largest comeback by any team in Division I men's basketball this season, as well as tying the largest comeback to beat an AP-ranked team over the past decade and setting a record for the largest second-half deficit...

NEW YORK -- LeBron James isn't the only Los Angeles Lakers player making remarkable moves in the record books while the team remains pedestrian in the standings. Guard Russell Westbrook (8,972) passed Gary Payton (8,966) for No. 10 on the NBA's all-time assists list during the Lakers' 121-104 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night. "If somebody had told me 15 years ago, 20 years ago that you'd be top 10 in assists, I'd look at them like they was crazy," Westbrook said after finishing with 17 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds. "In the NBA, never dreamt of being in this position, nor getting to the point to where I'm next to some of the greats. I'm just truly grateful and thankful for an opportunity to keep playing at the highest level and I don't take any of that for granted." Westbrook was asked if he had any trash talk for the notoriously motor-mouthed Payton as he passed him on the all-time list.  "I'm pretty sure whatever I...

NEW YORK -- As Kyrie Irving watches Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James continue to rise up the NBA record books at age 38, he does so with admiration, but not surprise. Irving, the Brooklyn Nets All-Star guard, spent three years playing with James as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the pair helped the franchise win the 2016 NBA championship. "I definitely saw this when we were playing together," Irving said after Monday night's 121-104 win over the Lakers. "His ability to prepare himself mentally, spiritually, emotionally, game to game, day to day. I've been quoted on saying it's hard to be LeBron James, or any superstar, or any entertainment, sport, athletic or business industry, because all eyes are on you. But he's handled it extremely well." James, who did not play Monday because of left ankle soreness, watched from the Lakers' bench as Irving delivered 26 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Irving said he wished he could have...

DALLAS -- Luka Doncic made a detour toward the  Detroit Pistons' bench during a timeout with 7.1 seconds remaining in the Dallas Mavericks' 111-105 win Monday night. He approached Pistons assistant coach Jerome Allen to offer a few parting thoughts, punctuating a conversation that had continued throughout the game, a final exchange that was extended as they barked at each other while Doncic slowly backpedaled toward the Dallas bench. As the discussion ended, Doncic laughed and cracked a big smile. He had certainly gotten the final word, scoring 53 points in his return from a brief absence due to a sprained left ankle to lead the Mavs to victory. "I mean, since the first quarter, he was chirping," Doncic said after his NBA-leading fourth 50-point performance of the season. "You know I'll chirp back. From the first quarter, he was chirping. I don't want to say the words. I have no problem with that. It's basketball. It gets me going for...

LUBBOCK, Texas -- Texas Tech coach Mark Adams was just happy fans stuck around for the biggest comeback in school history and the first Big 12 win of the season for a team that reached the Sweet 16 a year ago. The Red Raiders erased a 23-point deficit after halftime to end an eight-game conference skid, with De'Vion Harmon scoring all 16 of his points after the break in an 80-77 overtime victory against No. 13 Iowa State on Monday night. "I'm still in shock here," Adams said. "I was just so proud of our guys. They didn't give up on themselves. I was proud of the fans. I was afraid they were going to leave at halftime." The Cyclones took a 59-36 lead with 12:38 remaining in regulation. At that point, they had a 99.6% win probability. However, Texas Tech tied the largest comeback by any team in Division I men's basketball this season, as well as tying the largest comeback to beat an AP-ranked team over the past decade and setting a record for the largest second-half deficit...

Boston Celtics interim coach Joe Mazzulla and his staff will coach Team Giannis in the 2023 All-Star Game next month in Salt Lake City, the NBA announced Monday night. Mazzulla and Boston's coaching staff earned the honor when the Philadelphia 76ers saw their seven-game win streak snapped by the Orlando Magic on Monday, which guaranteed the Celtics would have the best record in the Eastern Conference through Sunday, the cutoff date for determining who will coach each conference. Mazzulla, who took over as Boston's interim coach just days before training camp began in late September after Ime Udoka was suspended for the season for violations of team rules, becomes just the third first-year head coach in the last 24 years to coach the All-Star team in their first year on the job, and the first Celtics coach to hold the honor since current team president Brad Stevens in 2017. After reaching the NBA Finals last season, Boston owns the NBA's best record...

Bo Horvat leaving Vancouver was always thought to be a possibility. It became a reality on Monday, with the Canucks trading their captain to the New York Islanders. Horvat heads to Long Island in exchange for forward Anthony Beauvillier, prospect forward Aatu Raty and a conditional first-round pick in this year's draft, the teams announced. The decision to move on from Horvat was expected given he was a pending unrestricted free agent who had yet to find common ground with the Canucks on a new deal. That he went to the Islanders, however, proved surprising, considering they were not among the teams that were rumored to be in play. The Islanders closed the weekend two points behind the Metropolitan Division foe  Pittsburgh Penguins for the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot. However, the Penguins have played three fewer games than the Islanders, with the  Buffalo Sabres sandwiched between the two while also playing the same number...

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- An offseason that already figured to have plenty of quarterback-centric questions for the San Francisco 49ers now has even more. In the first quarter of Sunday's NFC Championship Game, Niners rookie quarterback Brock Purdy suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow that will keep him out for six months, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Monday. Based on that timeline, Purdy could return around the start of training camp or, perhaps, a couple of weeks into it. Purdy is seeking additional medical opinions about whether he needs surgery, though the 49ers are recommending he has it, the source told Schefter. The injury is expected to sideline Purdy for six months regardless of his decision on surgery, the source said. The injury happened on the Niners' sixth offensive snap in their 31-7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. After the game, the Niners believed Purdy was dealing with a sprained UCL but wanted to see what...

CINCINNATI -- Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt expressed contrition for his reaction that went viral after the team's AFC Championship Game loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. As Pratt entered the visitors locker room at Arrowhead Stadium, Pratt was spotted by Spectrum News Ohio yelling, "Why would you touch the f---ing quarterback?," referencing defensive end Joseph Ossai's penalty for unnecessary roughness that preceded the game-winning field goal. On Monday, Pratt said the way he responded was incorrect. "I was in the moment," Pratt said. "I was wrong. I would say I was wrong. As a man, you can look yourself in the mirror and say, 'I was wrong.' I wasn't a great teammate in that moment. That doesn't define me as a man." The penalty set up Harrison Butker's 45-yard field goal with three seconds left, giving Kansas City a 23-20 victory in a rematch of last year's AFC title game. Kansas City's win prevented the Bengals from...

Jazz Chisholm is Eurostepping his way into video game history. The Miami Marlins outfielder became the first Bahamian-born athlete to grace the cover of a sports video game with the announcement of MLB The Show 23 on Monday. In his three years in the big leagues, Chisholm has become one of the flashiest players in the game, with a colorful range of hairstyles, eye-catching on-field fashion and a signature Eurostep celebration. "I'm from literally a small country that's right outside the U.S., and you barely hear from athletes that come from there," Chisholm told ESPN. "For me, it feels like I can finally give back to other kids and it feels like I can make a difference." In an injury-shortened 2022, Chisholm hit .254/.325/.535 with 14 homers, 12 stolen bases and 10 doubles in 60 games with 2.5 bWAR. While he remains a centerpiece for the Marlins' rebuild, Chisholm has made headlines in recent years for his outgoing social media presence and his celebrations on the...

Smaine was on a business trip in Nagano, according to a fellow skier.

COSTA MESA, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Chargers have agreed to terms with Kellen Moore to be their new offensive coordinator, the team announced Monday. The move comes less than 24 hours after the Dallas Cowboys released a statement that said Moore and the team had reached a "mutual decision to part ways" following an end-of-season review process. In L.A., Moore is replacing offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, who was fired after a 10-7 season that ended in a historic meltdown loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the wild-card round. Moore, 33, will take over an offense led by quarterback Justin Herbert, who last season passed Andrew Luck to tally the most passing yards through a player's first three NFL seasons. Moore also inherits receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams and running back Austin Ekeler, who last season led the NFL with 18 touchdowns. Moore goes from coaching Dak Prescott, who led the league in...

The NFL has told its 32 teams that the 2023 salary cap will be a record $224.8 million, a source confirmed to ESPN. This marks an increase of $16.6 million from the 2022 salary cap, which was $208.2 million. The league will notify teams of total costs, including player benefits, in March. The league also set the amounts for 2023 franchise tags on Monday. Sources confirmed to ESPN that quarterbacks who receive a nonexclusive franchise tag before the deadline on March 7 at 4 p.m. ET will be paid a guaranteed salary of $32,416,000 for the 2023 season if they can't agree to a long-term contract by the deadline in July.  The other franchise tag amounts by position: Running backs: $10,091,000 Wide receivers: $19,743,000 Tight ends: $11,345,000 Offensive linemen: $18,244,000  Defensive ends: $19,727,000 Defensive tackles: $18,937,000 Linebackers: $20,926,000 Cornerbacks: $18,140,000 Safeties: $14,460,000 ...

COSTA MESA, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Chargers are hiring Kellen Moore as their new offensive coordinator, sources confirmed to ESPN on Monday. The move, first reported by NFL Network, comes less than 24 hours after the Dallas Cowboys released a statement that said Moore and the team had reached a "mutual decision to part ways" following an end-of-season review process. In L.A., Moore is replacing offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, who was fired after a 10-7 season that ended in a historic meltdown loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the wild-card round. Moore, 33, will take over an offense led by quarterback Justin Herbert, who last season passed Andrew Luck to tally the most passing yards through a player's first three NFL seasons. Moore also inherits receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams and running back Austin Ekeler, who last season led the NFL with 18 touchdowns. Moore goes from coaching Dak Prescott, who...

Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull, a 12-time All-Star and two-time Hart Trophy winner, has died, the Chicago Blackhawks announced Monday. He was 84. "We send our deepest sympathies to the Hull family," the team said in a statement. "The Hull family has requested privacy during this difficult time. They appreciate the sympathies that have been sent their way." Hull, known during his playing career as the Golden Jet because of his blond hair and his speed on the ice, became beloved in Chicago for teaming with Stan Mikita to help the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 1961, ending a 23-year title drought. Following Mikita's lead, Hull became known for curving the blade of his wooden stick in the 1960s and had one of the most feared slap shots in the league. His slap shot was reportedly clocked at 118 mph. He played 15 seasons in Chicago and is the franchise's career leader in goals scored with 604. For eight of those seasons, he played alongside his brother Dennis, who scored...

Rory McIlroy overcame a final-round charge from Patrick Reed to win the Dubai Desert Classic in a tense Monday duel between players who were involved in a pre-tournament spat. World No. 1 McIlroy rolled in a birdie putt from around 15 feet at No. 18 for a 4-under 68 that left him a stroke clear of Reed, who shot 65. McIlroy captured the title for the third time and has started a year with a win for the first time in his career. "It was a battle all day. Honestly it has been a battle all week," McIlroy said. "I really feel like I haven't had my best all week, but I managed my game and played really smart. "I managed my game well, lots of room for improvements. ... Mentally, today, it was probably one of the toughest rounds I've ever had to play because it would have been really easy to let your emotions get in the way. "I'm going to enjoy this. This is probably sweeter than it should be or needs to be. ... A really good foundation for the year." The Northern Irishman...

Rory McIlroy overcame a final-round charge from Patrick Reed to win the Dubai Desert Classic in a tense Monday duel between players who were involved in a pre-tournament spat. World No. 1 McIlroy rolled in a birdie putt from around 15 feet at No. 18 for a 4-under 68 that left him a stroke clear of Reed, who shot 65. McIlroy captured the title for the third time and has started a year with a win for the first time in his career. "It was a battle all day. Honestly it has been a battle all week," McIlroy said. "I really feel like I haven't had my best all week, but I managed my game and played really smart. "I managed my game well, lots of room for improvements. ... Mentally, today, it was probably one of the toughest rounds I've ever had to play because it would have been really easy to let your emotions get in the way. "I'm going to enjoy this. This is probably sweeter than it should be or needs to be. ... A really good foundation for the year." The Northern Irishman...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. --  Patrick Mahomes made a lot of plays Sunday night that helped boost the Kansas City Chiefs into Super Bowl LVII, but the one they'll be talking about the longest was a seemingly simple 5-yard scramble on his last snap of the AFC Championship Game. The run, combined with a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty by  Cincinnati Bengals defensive end  Joseph Ossai, put the Chiefs in position for a 45-yard  Harrison Butker field goal with three seconds left that secured the 23-20 victory and landed Kansas City in the Super Bowl for the third time in four seasons.  The play came with Mahomes hobbled by a high ankle sprain. He wasn't as mobile as he usually is, but he still threw for 326 yards and two touchdowns. But it was the scramble that impressed the Chiefs the most. "People don't realize how hurt he was,'' Kansas City general manager Brett Veach said. "We all saw the injury. High ankles are...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Cincinnati Bengals players and coaches gave defensive end Joseph Ossai words of solace and comfort following a penalty that led to the Kansas City Chiefs' game-winning field goal in the AFC Championship Game. But in the moments after Sunday's 23-20 loss, Ossai said it was extremely tough to process the sentiment. With reddened eyes and a soft tone, Ossai lamented his penalty in the closing seconds that put Kansas City in position for  Harrison Butker's 45-yard field goal on the penultimate play from scrimmage. "I gotta learn from experience," Ossai said, relaying the advice he received from Cincinnati defensive end Sam Hubbard. "I gotta know not to get close to that quarterback when he's close to that sideline if it's anything that could possibly cause a penalty in a dire situation like that. I gotta do better." On third-and-4 at Cincinnati's 47-yard line, Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes scrambled...

MILWAUKEE -- Giannis Antetokounmpo saw it coming. The Milwaukee Bucks star was about to start a postgame on-court interview when out of the corner of his eye, he saw his teammates standing in the tunnel. He knew exactly what they were plotting, too. As more teammates emerged, Antetokounmpo slowly started to back away from the baseline all the way to half court. Eventually, he accepted his fate and teammates doused him in water to celebrate another great performance -- 50 points and 13 rebounds on 20-of-26 shooting in just 30 minutes of action as the Bucks took down the New Orleans Pelicans, 135-110, on Sunday. Typically, the postgame water shower is reserved for the locker room, but his teammates decided it needed to get done on the court. "We might as well do it in front of everybody," Bucks guard Jrue Holiday said. "It's really just to show how much we appreciate him. For him to go out there and do that is amazing no matter how many...

Oddsmakers initially made Super Bowl LVII a toss-up, but the Philadelphia Eagles emerged as the betting favorites over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Caesars Sportsbook and other bookmakers opened the line on Super Bowl LVII at pick 'em Sunday night. Within an hour of posting the line, the Eagles became 2-point favorites. The favored team in the Super Bowl is 39-17 straight up, according to ESPN Stats & Information's archived point spreads. Caesars Sportsbook reported taking 24 bets of $10,000 or more on the Super Bowl spread or money line in the first hour of betting; 21 of them were on the Eagles, according to Caesars editorial writer Max Meyer. John Murray, executive director at the SuperBook, told ESPN that the majority of early action at his book was on the Chiefs, including a $20,000 bet on Kansas City shortly after the line opened at pick 'em. "We started moving up with the market as it went towards Philly," Murray said. "I get the move. The Chiefs...

MILWAUKEE -- — Giannis Antetokounmpo says he wants to keep producing outstanding performances that he can show his kids one day when they're old enough to appreciate them. The two-time MVP added one more to the list Sunday night. Antetokounmpo scored 50 points while playing only 30 minutes as the Milwaukee Bucks rolled to a 135-110 victory over the slumping New Orleans Pelicans. Antetokounmpo shot 20 of 26 from the floor – including 3 of 4 from 3-point range – and 7 of 12 from the foul line. “They might say, ‘Daddy, you’re boring. You're lame. We don't want to see your highlights. We've heard so much about you. We want to watch Scooby-Doo' or whatever the case might be,” Antetokounmpo said. “I'm just going to keep creating the way people in the past created, the way I can go back and watch Magic Johnson highlights, Kevin Garnett highlights, Kobe Bryant highlights, Allen Iverson highlights, KD's,...

Oddsmakers initially made Super Bowl LVII a toss-up, but the Philadelphia Eagles emerged as the betting favorites over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Caesars Sportsbook and other bookmakers opened the line on Super Bowl LVII at pick 'em Sunday night. Within 30 minutes of posting the line, the Eagles became 1.5-point favorites. For now, the line is one of the smallest point spreads in Super Bowl history. Only four previous Super Bowls have had point spreads of less than 2. No Super Bowl has ever kicked off with a consensus closing line of pick 'em, although some sportsbooks had Super Bowl XLIX between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks as a pick 'em. The favored team in the Super Bowl is 39-17 straight up, according to ESPN Stats & Information's archived point spreads. Philadelphia advanced to the franchise's fourth Super Bowl with a 31-7 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in the NFC Championship Game. The...

FRISCO, Texas -- Kellen Moore will no longer be the offensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys, ending a four-year run that saw the offense rank inside the top 10 three times. In a statement Sunday night, Dallas coach Mike McCarthy said the Cowboys and Moore reached a "mutual decision to part ways" following the end-of-season review process and additional discussion.  Upon accepting Dallas' head-coaching job in 2020, McCarthy felt it was important to keep Moore in place as a benefit to Dak Prescott, since Moore had just completed his first season as the team's offensive coordinator, one in which the Cowboys boasted the top-ranked offense in terms of yards per game; Prescott also threw for 4,902 yards in 2019. It is possible that McCarthy will take over playcalling responsibilities, but no decisions have been made, sources told ESPN. With Prescott coming back from a dislocated and fractured right ankle in 2020, the Cowboys had the top-ranked offense in yards and...

PHILADELPHIA -- When asked about the climb from four-win team to NFC champions since the time he was drafted, quarterback Jalen Hurts pointed out that his arrival in Philly wasn't exactly universally welcomed at the time. "My first year here [people] probably didn't even want [me drafted] here. It was probably one of those things. But it always handles itself," he said following Philadelphia's 31-7 win over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC title game Sunday. "It was a big surprise to many. My favorite [Bible] verse, I went through a lot of stuff in college and it kind of stuck with me, John 13:7: 'You may not know now but later you'll understand.' Hopefully people understand." The selection of Hurts with the 53rd overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft caught many off guard, mainly because the team had just handed Carson Wentz a four-year, $128 million contract extension 10 months prior. Eagles management intended on Hurts being a solid backup and...

PHILADELPHIA -- As the San Francisco 49ers watched quarterbacks Brock Purdy and Josh Johnson head to the sideline with injuries Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, they couldn't help but feel like their hopes of a trip to Super Bowl LVII went with them. They also couldn't help but feel like they, too, had just taken a season-ending blow. "We didn't really get to see all the 49er football that we wanted to put out there on tape," tight end George Kittle said. "But life just kind of punches you in the face sometimes." The Niners lost Purdy to a right elbow injury on their sixth offensive snap. After he was originally considered questionable to return, he had no choice but to reenter in the third quarter when his replacement -- fourth-string signal-caller Johnson -- was ruled out with a concussion. The Niners believe Purdy sprained his ulnar collateral ligament, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter, and he will undergo an MRI Monday. The hope...

FRISCO, Texas -- Kellen Moore will no longer be the offensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys, ending a four-year run that saw the offense rank inside the top 10 three times. In a statement Sunday night, Dallas coach Mike McCarthy said the Cowboys and Moore reached a "mutual decision to part ways" following the end-of-season review process and additional discussion.  Upon accepting Dallas' head-coaching job in 2020, McCarthy felt it was important to keep Moore in place as a benefit to Dak Prescott, since Moore had just completed his first season as the team's offensive coordinator, one in which the Cowboys boasted the top-ranked offense in terms of yards per game; Prescott also threw for 4,902 yards in 2019. It is possible that McCarthy will take over playcalling responsibilities, but no decisions have been made, sources told ESPN. With Prescott coming back from a dislocated and fractured right ankle in 2020, the Cowboys had the top-ranked offense in yards and...

PHILADELPHIA -- As the San Francisco 49ers watched quarterbacks Brock Purdy and Josh Johnson head to the sideline with injuries on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, they couldn't help but feel like their hopes of a trip to Super Bowl LVII went with them. They also couldn't help but feel like they, too, had just taken a season-ending blow. "We didn't really get to see all the 49er football that we wanted to put out there on tape," tight end George Kittle said. "But life just kind of punches you in the face sometimes." The Niners lost Purdy to a right elbow injury on their sixth offensive snap. After he was originally considered questionable to return, he had no choice but to reenter in the third quarter when his replacement -- fourth-string signal-caller Johnson -- was ruled out with a concussion. The Niners believe Purdy injured his ulnar collateral ligament, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter, and he will undergo an MRI Monday. The...

Stanford's Cameron Brink recorded the second triple-double with blocks in Pac-12 history, helping to propel the Cardinal to a 62-54 victory Sunday over Oregon at Maples Pavilion. Brink -- considered a future WNBA draft lottery pick -- finished with 16 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high 10 blocks. The other triple-double with blocks in conference history came from Oregon State's Ruth Hamblin in 2014. Hamblin also owns the Pac-12 single-season blocks record with 141 (2013-14). "What a great game for Cam," Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer said. "I don't think there's anyone on the block that's any better in our league for sure, and I think she challenges anyone nationally." Brink's interior presence helped the Cardinal hold the Ducks to a season-low 54 points. Brink, known for being foul-prone, avoided that becoming an issue Sunday. She finished with two fouls in 32 minutes. The 6-foot-4 junior forward said she knew she was close to achieving the...

The fallout from the Los Angeles Lakers' overtime loss to the Boston Celtics on Saturday continued Sunday with a statement from the National Basketball Referees Association on its official Twitter account. "Like everyone else, referees make mistakes," the union wrote in its tweet. "We made one at the end of last night's game and that is gut-wrenching for us. This play will weigh heavily and cause sleepless nights as we strive to be the best referees we can be." After L.A.'s 125-121 OT loss to the Celtics, the crew chief for the game, Eric Lewis, said the referees should have called Jayson Tatum for a shooting foul on LeBron James' last-second layup attempt. James would have gone to the line with a chance to win the game with the score tied 105-105.   "We got cheated tonight, honestly. ... It's unacceptable," Lakers forward Anthony Davis said after the game. The NBA has not released its Last Two Minutes Report for the game....

PHILADELPHIA -- As the San Francisco 49ers watched quarterbacks Brock Purdy and Josh Johnson head to the sideline with injuries on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, they couldn't help but feel like their hopes of a trip to Super Bowl LVII went with them. They also couldn't help but feel like they, too, had just taken a season-ending blow. "We didn't really get to see all the 49er football that we wanted to put out there on tape," tight end George Kittle said. "But life just kind of punches you in the face sometimes." The Niners lost Purdy to a right elbow injury on their sixth offensive snap. After he was originally considered questionable to return, he had no choice but to reenter in the third quarter when his replacement -- fourth-string signal-caller Johnson -- was ruled out with a concussion. The Niners believe Purdy injured his ulnar collateral ligament, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter, and he will undergo an MRI Monday. The...

PHILADELPHIA -- Already down to their third-string quarterback, the San Francisco 49ers had to turn to their fourth option in the first quarter of Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Niners quarterback Brock Purdy suffered a right elbow injury on San Francisco's sixth offensive snap.  Veteran signal-caller Josh Johnson replaced Purdy on the 49ers' next drive, which resulted in a three-and-out. Purdy returned to the game in the third quarter, however, after Johnson went into the medical tent after a hard hit. Purdy sustained his injury with 7:03 left in the opening quarter. Facing second-and-6 at the 50, Purdy dropped back to throw, looking for wideout Brandon Aiyuk down the left side. Eagles pass-rusher Haason Reddick raced past Niners tight end Tyler Kroft and hit Purdy as he attempted to throw, jarring the ball loose. It bounced off Purdy's elbow and flew forward to Philadelphia's 44, where...

NEW YORK -- LeBron James and Anthony Davis were both ruled out of Monday's game against the Brooklyn Nets, the Los Angeles Lakers announced Sunday. On the front end of back-to-back games in New York, James will be held out with left ankle soreness. Davis is resting with a right foot stress injury after playing in the Lakers' past two games. He missed the previous 20 games because of the injury. James needs 117 more points to pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for No. 1 on the NBA's all-time scoring list. Los Angeles will take on the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night.

Free agent forward Breanna Stewart has narrowed her choices down to staying with the Seattle Storm or going to the New York Liberty, sources confirmed to ESPN on Sunday. It was reported by ESPN's Ramona Shelburne earlier this month that Stewart wanted to meet with the Storm, Liberty, Minnesota Lynx and Washington Mystics. Stewart narrowing her choices down was first reported by Winsidr. Free agents can officially sign with teams starting Wednesday. Two-time WNBA champion  Candace Parker already has announced she is leaving the Chicago Sky for the Las Vegas Aces.   Stewart, a two-time WNBA champion who was the Storm's No. 1 draft pick in 2016, is the most high-profile free agent. Now 28, she was the league's MVP in 2018 and is facing free agency in her peak years. She has averaged 20.3 points and 8.6 rebounds in her six-season WNBA career, having missed the 2019 season with an Achilles injury. It's been thought...

Free agent forward Breanna Stewart has narrowed her choices down to staying with the Seattle Storm or going to the New York Liberty, sources confirmed to ESPN on Sunday. It was reported by ESPN's Ramona Shelburne earlier this month that Stewart wanted to meet with the Storm, Liberty, Minnesota Lynx and Washington Mystics. Stewart narrowing her choices down was first reported by Winsidr. Free agents can officially sign with teams starting Wednesday. Two-time Candace Parker already has announced she is leaving the Chicago Sky for the Las Vegas Aces.   Stewart, a two-time WNBA champion who was the Storm's No. 1 draft pick in 2016, is the most high-profile free agent. Now 28, she was the league's MVP in 2018 and is facing free agency in her peak years. She has averaged 20.3 points and 8.6 rebounds in her six-season WNBA career, having missed the 2019 season with an Achilles injury. It's been thought all along that...

Los Angeles Chargers star quarterback Justin Herbert has undergone surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, the team announced Sunday. Herbert, 24, is expected to be fully cleared for participation in offseason activities this spring. It's unclear when Herbert suffered the injury. The Chargers were eliminated from the playoffs two weeks ago when the Jacksonville Jaguars mounted the third-largest comeback in NFL playoff history in the wild-card round.   Herbert played several weeks this season with fractured rib cartilage that he suffered in Week 2 but still threw for 4,739 yards and 25 touchdowns as the Chargers earned their first playoff berth since 2018. Hebert was selected as an alternate for the AFC in the 2023 NFL Pro Bowl Games but will be unable to participate due to the surgery.

MIAMI -- Former Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio has reached an agreement with the Miami Dolphins to be the team's defensive coordinator, a source confirmed to ESPN. Fangio, 64, sat out this season after Denver fired him last January. Fangio was 19-30 in three seasons as the Broncos' coach after being hired in 2019. In Miami he will be reunited with outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, whom he coached in Denver and who was traded to the Dolphins last season. NFL Network first reported that Fangio and the Dolphins had reached an agreement. Fangio's defenses have finished in the top 10 eight times, most recently with the Chicago Bears (No. 3) in 2018. The Broncos finished eighth overall in 2019, his final season as their head coach. He has 19 seasons of experience as a defensive coordinator with the Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans,  San Francisco 49ers and Bears. The Dolphins fired defensive...

San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell is inactive for Sunday's NFC Championship Game because of a groin injury. Mitchell, who had been listed as questionable for the game, did not practice last week because of the injury. He led the 49ers with 51 rushing yards on 14 carries in their 19-12 divisional-round victory over the Dallas Cowboys. The 49ers elevated veteran running back Tevin Coleman from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday because of the uncertainty of Mitchell's availability. Star running back Christian McCaffrey missed two practices this week because of a calf injury but practiced fully on Friday, removing any doubt he would play. Mitchell, in his second NFL season, has rushed for 279 yards and two touchdowns as the team's No. 2 running back. He was placed on injured reserve twice this season because of knee injuries and has played in only five games.

Rory McIlroy delivered an exhibition of short iron play to shoot 7-under 65 in his third round and build a 3-stroke lead at the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday. Top-ranked McIlroy made eight birdies at Emirates Golf Club -- four in a row from No. 1, three straight from No. 13, and another at No. 17 -- and none of the birdie putts was from more than 7 feet. "I drove the ball better today, which put me in better positions to attack and make birdies," he said. "It's nearly there, not quite there, but I'm making the most of the good shots that I'm hitting and putting well. I'm just playing really efficient golf right now." McIlroy did, though, give the chasers some hope by making bogey at the par-5 No. 18, for his only dropped shot of the round, after hitting a fairway wood from around 250 yards into the water in front of the green. After missing a par putt from 8 feet, McIlroy had a look of disappointment as he walked off the green, despite his commanding lead. The four-time major...

Former Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett, who led the Bulldogs to their second straight CFP National Championship earlier this month, was arrested on a misdemeanor public intoxication charge in Dallas on Sunday morning. In a statement to ESPN, a Dallas Police Department spokesperson said officers responded to a report of a man banging on doors in the 1600 block of Tribeca Way at 7:10 a.m. ET on Sunday. "The preliminary investigation found when officers arrived, they located the man, Stetson Bennett, 25, and determined he was intoxicated," the police statement read. "Bennett was taken into custody, transported to the City Detention Center and charged with public intoxication." Bennett left the detention center Sunday morning, but he could not be reached for comment. Bennett, who started his college career as a walk-on, was a Heisman Trophy finalist this past season, after leading the Bulldogs to a 15-0 record and SEC championship. He passed for 4,127 yards with...

Rory McIlroy delivered an exhibition of short iron play to shoot 7-under 65 in his third round and build a three-stroke lead at the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday. The top-ranked McIlroy made eight birdies at Emirates Golf Club -- four in a row from No. 1, three straight from No. 13, and another at No. 17 -- and none of the birdie putts were from more than 7 feet. "I drove the ball better today, which put me in better positions to attack and make birdies," he said. "It's nearly there, not quite there, but I'm making the most of the good shots that I'm hitting and putting well. I'm just playing really efficient golf right now." McIlroy did, though, give the chasers some hope by making bogey at the par-5 No. 18, for his only dropped shot of the round, after hitting a fairway wood from around 250 yards into the water in front of the green. After missing a par putt from 8 feet, McIlroy had a look of disappointment as he walked off the green, despite holding a commanding lead. The...

Former Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett, who led the Bulldogs to their second straight CFP National Championship earlier this month, was arrested on a misdemeanor public intoxication charge in Dallas on Sunday morning. In a statement to ESPN, a Dallas Police Department spokesperson said officers responded to a report of a man banging on doors in the 1600 block of Tribeca Way at 7:10 a.m. ET on Sunday. "The preliminary investigation found when officers arrived, they located the man, Stetson Bennett, 25, and determined he was intoxicated," the police statement said. "Bennett was taken into custody, transported to the City Detention Center and charged with public intoxication." Bennett couldn't be reached for comment on Sunday. Bennett, who started his college career as a walk-on, was a Heisman Trophy finalist this past season, after leading the Bulldogs to a 15-0 record and SEC championship. He passed for 4,127 yards with 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions,...

An offseason trade of Aaron Rodgers remains an option for the Green Bay Packers for a variety of reasons, league sources told ESPN. A scenario that once seemed unthinkable, a Rodgers trade could be driven by financial reasons, the state of the Packers franchise and ultimately the feelings of the team and the star quarterback. League sources believe the franchise prefers to move on from Rodgers, just as it once did with Brett Favre. Those sources also believe that Rodgers is well aware of the Packers' feelings on the situation. Rodgers said during an interview this past week with "The Pat McAfee Show" that he is "open to all honest and direct conversations" with the Packers and that a trade "wouldn't offend me, and it wouldn't make me feel like a victim." Rodgers also noted in the interview that a possible trade, at this point, is "conjecture" until he decides what he wants to do "moving forward for myself." But regardless of Rodgers' decision, changes...