ESPN will open its first season of a new NHL TV contract with an Oct. 12 doubleheader, including the first-ever game for the  Seattle Kraken. The season opens with the  Pittsburgh Penguins visiting the defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by the Kraken at the Vegas Golden Knights at 10 p.m ET. The Kraken will play their first home game Oct. 23 against Vancouver on ESPN+ and Hulu. ESPN, ESPN+, Hulu and ABC will feature 103 exclusive broadcasts during the regular season. More than 1,000 out-of-market games will be on ESPN+. ABC coverage will include Saturday games beginning in February. ESPN+ will feature at least one exclusive Tuesday night game every week from Oct. 19-Dec.28. ESPN+ and Hulu will also have a game every Friday night until January, and a Thursday night game for the rest of the season. ESPN+ and Hulu will stream their first game Oct. 15 when Minnesota visits ...

CHICAGO -- Since they entered the NHL in 2005, Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals have battled each other for scoring titles, individual awards and postseason glory. But as the generational talents enter their 17th season together, Crosby said he's rooting for his rival to make hockey history and break Hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky's career scoring record of 894 goals. "I hope he does. I told him today that I hope he does," said Crosby, who was attending the NHL players media tour here with Ovechkin. "It would be awesome. He's in range." Ovechkin, 35, enters the 2021-22 season with 730 goals in 1,197 career games. He signed a five-year contract extension with the Capitals in the offseason. Given his scoring averages, there's a chance he could break the record in that span. "I don't even think about it right now, to be honest," Ovechkin said this week. "Because it's too far. It's a long way. And...

CINCINNATI -- Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins has made up his mind: This will be the last season he wears No. 85. Initially, Higgins told Pro Football Focus' "Fantasy Football Podcast" that he would switch to No. 5, his college number, if he scored 10 touchdowns this season. However, he removed that qualifier Thursday and said the change will happen in large part because of another No. 85 who used to play for the Bengals: Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson. "I keep seeing on Twitter, 'Ochocinco 2.0,'" Higgins said. "I don't want to be a 2.0. No disrespect to Chad. He's a great receiver, this and that. I just don't want to be a 2.0 for myself, man. I want to be Tee Higgins, 1.0, No. 5." Johnson was one of the most colorful and prolific players in team history. In addition to legally changing his last name to Ochocinco at one point and being known for his touchdown celebrations, he also leads the franchise in several career categories, including receptions,...

San Jose Sharks star Evander Kane says he believes he'll be cleared in the NHL's investigation into accusations from his estranged wife that he wagered on his own games and threw games for gambling purposes. "Obviously [the accusations are] incredibly false. It's unfortunate that transpired, and it's unfortunate that those false allegations were made," Kane told ESPN's Linda Cohn in an interview that aired Thursday on Outside the Lines on SportsCenter. "I understood the magnitude of them immediately. I know [they're] not true. I know none of what she was saying was true. I was very confident, comfortable with knowing that I was going to be exonerated and am going to be exonerated of those allegations." Anna Kane alleged on Instagram on July 31 that the 12-year veteran wagered on NHL games "with bookies" and had a gambling addiction. "How does the NHL let a compulsive gambling addict still play when he's obviously throwing games to win money?" she wrote in one post. NHL...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy would not say whether he would have an interest in the vacant head-coaching position at USC. "I am where my feet are,'' Bieniemy said Thursday as the Chiefs continued their preparation for Sunday night's game at the Baltimore Ravens. "When it's all said and done, I am focused on the task at hand. I'm not worried about anything, where my name is being mentioned. My job right now is to make sure that we're preparing for this weekend's opponent. "If USC reached out to me right now, my answer would be 'I am preparing for this team to play against the Baltimore Ravens.' That's how I roll ... My job is to make sure that we're ready to play a complete, sound, 60-minute football game so that we can come out and win the game.'' USC fired coach Clay Helton on Monday, two days after a 42-28 home defeat to Stanford. Donte Williams was named the Trojans' interim coach.  League sources told ESPN's...

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants' offense and quarterback Daniel Jones will be working with a new center Thursday night against the Washington Football Team, with the plan being for recently acquired Billy Price to get the start while Nick Gates slides over to left guard, according to multiple sources. Gates started all 16 games last season and Week 1 this year at center. He has started one game in the NFL at guard, Week 15 of the 2019 season in a 36-20 win over the Miami Dolphins in the last start of Eli Manning's career. Running back Saquon Barkley rushed for 112 yards and two touchdowns in that contest. The shifting on New York's offensive line is a result of starting left guard Shane Lemieux being sidelined by a knee injury. Lemieux tried to play through the injury in the opener but failed to make it through the first half. He has been placed on injured reserve. So the Giants are electing to insert Price into...

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The injuries continue to relentlessly pile up for the Baltimore Ravens just two weeks into the regular season. Ravens backup cornerback Chris Westry is expected to miss at least a month with a torn lateral meniscus, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler on Thursday. Westry was third among the team's cornerbacks with 33 snaps played in Monday's loss to Las Vegas. The Ravens lost Pro Bowl cornerback Marcus Peters to a season-ending knee injury last week. If Westry is placed on injured reserve, he would become the 15th player to go on IR this year for Baltimore -- and the ninth player over the past 24 days. The Ravens worked out four cornerbacks Tuesday, including veteran Buster Skrine. The cornerbacks on the active roster are Marlon Humphrey, Anthony Averett, Jimmy Smith and Tavon Young. Smith (ankle) didn't play in the opener and has been limited in practice this week. The injury news could get...

San Jose Sharks star Evander Kane says he believes he'll be cleared in the NHL's investigation into accusations from his estranged wife that he wagered on his own games and threw games for gambling purposes. "Obviously [the accusations are] incredibly false. It's unfortunate that transpired, and it's unfortunate that those false allegations were made," Kane told ESPN's Linda Cohn, in an interview that aired Thursday on Outside the Lines on SportsCenter. "I understood the magnitude of them immediately. I know [they're] not true. I know none of what she was saying was true. I was very confident, comfortable with knowing that I was going to be exonerated and am going to be exonerated of those allegations." Anna Kane alleged on Instagram on July 31 that the 12-year veteran wagered on NHL games "with bookies" and had a gambling addiction. "How does the NHL let a compulsive gambling addict still play when he's obviously throwing games to win money?" she wrote in one post. NHL...

The trial of former Kansas City Chiefs assistant coach Britt Reid, who is facing a felony driving while intoxicated charge, is scheduled for April 18. The date was set Thursday morning at a virtual hearing. Reid and his attorney, J.R. Hobbs, participated by videoconference. The charge stems from a Feb. 4 incident. Reid is alleged to have been driving drunk when he hit two cars that were stopped on the side of an entrance ramp to Interstate 435. The wreck left a 5-year-old girl with a traumatic brain injury, and injured another child. If convicted of the Class D felony, Reid, 36, could be sentenced to up to seven years in prison. He is a son of Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who hired him to coach linebackers. Charges were filed April 12. He entered a not guilty plea. Kansas City prosecutors say Reid had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.113 based on a sample taken two hours after he barreled into two vehicles on I-435. Reid was driving 83.9 miles per hour -- in a posted 65...

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia -- New Senators goalie Pascal Leclaire stopped 14 of 16 shots in Ottawa's 3-1 loss to Florida in both teams' preseason opener Tuesday night. Scott Timmins and Kamil Kreps put Florida ahead in the first period and David Booth added a goal in the second. "It was good to get that first one in. It's totally different from practice and I'm glad it's done," Leclaire said. "I felt OK in the beginning and I started to feel better as the game went on. Every year is the same. The first one is always a rough one and then you start from there." Alexandre Picard put the Senators up 1-0 on his shot from the blue line through traffic to beat Florida goalie Scott Clemmensen. Ottawa played without stars Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza and Alex Kovalev. "You train so hard over the summer, and no matter what you do it's playing games that gets you into game shape," Booth said. "You don't want to be the best in your first game of the season, you...

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens promoted running back Devonta Freeman to the active roster Thursday after he spent one week on the practice squad, the team announced. Freeman, 29, joins Ty'Son Williams and Latavius Murray in Baltimore's revamped running backs group. The Ravens signed Freeman to the practice squad Friday, one day after Gus Edwards suffered a season-ending knee injury in practice. A two-time Pro Bowl player, Freeman was cut by the New Orleans Saints on Aug. 31 after spending a month with the team. Last season, Freeman gained 172 yards rushing and scored one touchdown in five games with the New York Giants. In Monday's season-opening 33-27 loss in Las Vegas, the Ravens split the touches between Williams (12 for 94 total yards and one touchdown) and Murray (10 for 28 yards). Baltimore went with Williams primarily in the first half before leaning more on Murray in the second half. Freeman provides more...

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens are promoting running back Devonta Freeman to the active roster Thursday after he spent one week on the team's practice squad, his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Freeman, 29, joins Ty'Son Williams and Latavius Murray in Baltimore's revamped running backs group. The Ravens signed Freeman to the practice squad Friday, one day after Gus Edwards suffered a season-ending knee injury in practice. A two-time Pro Bowl player, Freeman was cut by the New Orleans Saints on Aug. 31 after spending a month with the team. Last season, Freeman gained 172 yards rushing and scored one touchdown in five games with the New York Giants. In Monday's season-opening 33-27 loss in Las Vegas, the Ravens split the touches between Williams (12 for 94 total yards and one touchdown) and Murray (10 for 28 yards). Baltimore went with Williams primarily in the first half before leaning more on...

HENDERSON, Nev. -- Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Gerald McCoy suffered a season-ending left knee injury in Monday night's Week 1 overtime win against the Baltimore Ravens, a source confirmed Wednesday. Raiders coach Jon Gruden said Tuesday that he feared McCoy had suffered a "long-term" injury, the same day it was revealed that right guard Denzelle Good had suffered a torn ACL in his left knee and was lost for the season. McCoy and Good were placed on injured reserve Wednesday. The Raiders signed defensive tackle Damion Square and guard Jordan Simmons in corresponding moves. Square, who was on the Chicago Bears' practice squad, played for Raiders defensive coordinator Gus Bradley with the Chargers. Simmons, who was on the Seattle Seahawks' practice squad, began his career with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2017. The Raiders also made a move on their practice squad, signing veteran safety Ha...

* Ronaldo strikes twice as Real Madrid beat FC Zurich 5-2 * Real take first step on journey to "home" final * Manchester United edge Besiktas 1-0 * Wins for Chelsea, AC Milan, Bayern Munich By Kevin Fylan LONDON, Sept 15 - Two goals from the world's most expensive player helped Real Madrid beat FC Zurich 5-2 to take the first step on a journey they trust will take them across Europe and all the way back home. Cristiano Ronaldo struck Real's first and helped them recover from a nasty bout of nerves by adding a second free kick late in the Champions League Group C opener on Tuesday. Real, who will host this season's final at their Santiago Bernabeu stadium, had played themselves into trouble after letting a 3-0 halftime lead slip to 3-2 but ultimately they had far too much in attack for debutants Zurich. Their tussle at the Letzigrund provided the night's best entertainment on the return of European football's elite club competition. Manchester United, who lost to Barcelona in...

The Milwaukee Bucks have named Lisa Byington as the team's new television play-by-play announcer on Bally Sports Wisconsin, making her the first woman to handle full-time TV play-by-play duties for a major men's professional sports team. Byington replaces longtime Bucks announcer Jim Paschke, who retired following the 2020-21 season after serving as the team's television play-by-play announcer for the previous 35 years. Bucks and Fiserv Forum president Peter Feigin announced Byington's hiring Wednesday. In a statement, Byington said she was "absolutely thrilled" at the opportunity "to work with a first-class franchise and a championship organization like the Milwaukee Bucks." "I know that I will be stepping into the role long-held by Jim Paschke, and I appreciate his passion for the team and the memorable moments his voice will always be a part of," Byington said. "I'd be remiss if I didn't acknowledge his work and commitment to the franchise, and it's my honor to be the...

Five-star forward Chris Livingston committed to Kentucky on Wednesday, giving the Wildcats their third five-star prospect in the 2022 class and the lead for the No. 1 recruiting class. Livingston chose John Calipari's program over Georgetown and Tennessee State, after removing Memphis from his list earlier this month. "The history of the school and the basketball program attracted me," Livingston told ESPN. "What Coach Cal has done with past players has been impressive. He is a down-to-Earth guy. For a coaching legend, he is easy to talk to. I like how he stays connected with his former players." Livingston, whose aunt, Lisa, ran track at Kentucky in the 1990s, took a visit to Kentucky back in June and also took trips to Georgetown and Tennessee State in August. After Memphis made a push for Livingston in August, Kentucky regained momentum and has been the clear favorite the last few weeks. And the Wildcats' fans made it known. "They have...

Paul Azinger's history with the Ryder Cup goes back more than 30 years, and it's hard to find anyone more passionate about the competition, even now in his role as a broadcaster. So the 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup captain didn't hold back Wednesday when asked about Brooks Koepka, who disclosed in a recent  Golf Digest interview that he was frustrated by the way the event takes an individual player away from what he is accustomed to doing at a regular event. "I'm not sure he loves the Ryder Cup that much, if he doesn't love it he should relinquish his spot and get people there who do love it,'' Azinger said. "Not everybody embraces it. But if you don't love it, and you're not sold out, then I think Brooks -- especially being hurt -- should consider whether or not he really wants to be there. And if you add the Bryson [DeChambeau] dynamic to that, that would be an even easier decision for him.'' Koepka, 31, injured his left wrist and withdrew during the third round...

FRISCO, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys defensive end  DeMarcus Lawrence suffered a broken foot in Wednesday's practice that will force him to miss six to eight weeks, according to sources. It is a giant blow to a defense that did not generate a sack in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and could also be without its second-best pass rusher, Randy Gregory, on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. Lawrence was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice but immediately had an MRI, which revealed the break. Lawrence did not practice for most of training camp because of offseason back surgery, but he recorded six tackles, two quarterback pressures and forced a fumble against the Buccaneers. He has 45.5 sacks for his career and is a two-time Pro Bowl pick. Lawrence tweeted on Wednesday that he "will be back & ready." As for Gregory, coach Mike McCarthy did not sound hopeful before practice about him passing COVID-19...

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Heading into Sunday night's showdown, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson downplayed his winless record against Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Jackson is 0-3 against Mahomes -- losing to him in each of the past three seasons -- while going 30-5 (.857) against the rest of the NFL. This marks the fifth instance in the past 25 years of one NFL MVP quarterback losing his first three starts opposite another MVP quarterback, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. "It's not about me and Mahomes," Jackson said after Wednesday's practice. "Not to me, probably to everyone else. But it's the Ravens versus the Kansas City Chiefs." Mahomes won the NFL MVP in 2018, and Jackson followed that up in 2019 by becoming the league's second unanimous selection. The only quarterbacks to lose their first four starts against another MVP quarterback were Peyton Manning and Matt Ryan. Both did so against ...

The Milwaukee Bucks have named Lisa Byington as the team's new television play-by-play announcer on Bally Sports Wisconsin, making her the first woman to handle full-time TV play-by-play duties for a major men's professional sports team. Byington replaces longtime Bucks announcer Jim Paschke, who retired following the 2020-21 season after serving as the team's television play-by-play announcer for the previous 35 years. Bucks and Fiserv Forum president Peter Feigin announced Byington's hiring Wednesday. In a statement, Byington said she was "absolutely thrilled" at the opportunity "to work with a first-class franchise and a championship organization like the Milwaukee Bucks." "I know that I will be stepping into the role long-held by Jim Paschke, and I appreciate his passion for the team and the memorable moments his voice will always be a part of," Byington said. "I'd be remiss if I didn't acknowledge his work and commitment to the franchise, and it's my honor to be the...

FRISCO, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys defensive DeMarcus Lawrence sustained a broken foot in Wednesday's practice that will force him to miss multiple weeks, according to sources. It is a giant blow to a defense that did not generate a sack in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and could also be without its second-best pass rusher, Randy Gregory, Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. Lawrence was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice but immediately had an an MRI, which revealed the break. Lawrence did not practice for most of training camp because of offseason back surgery but he recorded six tackles, two quarterback pressures and forced a fumble against the Buccaneers. He has 45.5 sacks for his career and is a two-time Pro Bowl pick. As for Gregory, coach Mike McCarthy did not sound hopeful before practice about him passing COVID-19 protocols in time to play against the Chargers. "If you look at the history,...

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Arizona Cardinals pass-rusher Chandler Jones wasn't thinking about the potential financial windfall during his five-sack performance Sunday against the Tennessee Titans that kicked off the last season of his contract. Or was he? "I was more thinking getting the ball, so [quarterback] Kyler [Murray] can go score another touchdown, to be honest with you," Jones said about his fourth sack. Then Jones winked, which said it all. It is the latest chapter to the start of the ninth NFL season for the 31-year-old, who sat out OTAs and minicamp over the summer in protest of wanting either an extension or a new deal. He said Wednesday that he had requested a trade, but referred all questions about the request to general manager Steve Keim and his agents, Joe Panos and Ethan Lock. Jones, who is set to earn $15.5 million this season, said he's going to let his agents handle the business side of his career while he plays. "I'm just playing...

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley is officially listed as questionable for Thursday night against the Washington Football Team as he attempts to play for the second time in five days while returning from a major knee injury. The expectation, barring a setback, remains that Barkley will play, a source told ESPN. Barkley and coach Joe Judge have said throughout the week that they believe he'll be ready. Tight end Evan Engram (calf) will not be available for the Giants (0-1) against Washington. Starting left guard Shane Lemieux (knee) and outside linebacker Cam Brown (hamstring) have also been ruled out. Barkley admitted Tuesday that playing two games four days apart while coming back from a torn ACL in his right knee was not ideal. He tore the knee ligament in Week 2 of last season, had surgery in October and started the summer on the physically unable to perform list. He didn't face his first contact until...

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Scratch Urban Meyer off the list of candidates for the USC football job. The Jacksonville Jaguars coach said Wednesday that there was "no chance" he'd leave the NFL for that job, which came open when USC fired coach Clay Helton on Monday. "I'm here and committed to try to build an organization," Meyer said. Earlier this month, Meyer had also said he doesn't miss recruiting. Meyer is in his first season with the Jaguars after winning three national championships and compiling a 187-32 college coaching record during stints at Bowling Green, Utah, Florida and Ohio State. He won two of those titles (2006, 2008) with the Gators, whom he led to a 65-15 record in six seasons. He also led the Buckeyes to the 2014 national title and compiled an 83-9 record in seven seasons in Columbus, Ohio. Meyer's tenure with the Jaguars has gotten off to a bit of an uneven start. He hired former Iowa strength and conditioning coordinator Chris Doyle, who had...

BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday he has already ruled out Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. from playing this weekend against the Houston Texans. Stefanski said that Beckham would keep practicing on a limited basis and had not suffered any setback as he continues to work his way back from the left knee injury. "But felt like it made more sense to have clarity in the week from a game-planning standpoint," Stefanski added, in making the call ahead of time. Beckham's status for Sunday's season opener at Kansas City came down to a game-time decision. Beckham was sprinting on the field and warming up two hours before the game while testing the knee. But ultimately, he was ruled inactive. "He was pushing to get there, just didn't feel like he could play a significant number of snaps," Stefanski said. "I just felt like this for this week, the prudent thing to do was let those other [receivers] get all those reps and,...

Florida Gators quarterbacks Emory Jones and Anthony Richardson "know the plan" heading into Saturday's game against No. 1 Alabama, coach Dan Mullen said Wednesday. Richardson has played well as a backup this season, throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for two more scores, prompting questions as to whether he should start ahead of Jones. Mullen has brushed off those suggestions, sticking with Jones as the starter despite the fact that he has thrown four interceptions -- to go with two touchdowns -- in wins over Florida Atlantic and South Florida. Mullen has said all along that both quarterbacks will play and that managing the division of labor between the two is "pretty simple." "They know what we have scheduled going into the game," Mullen said. Richardson is still receiving treatment for the hamstring injury he suffered in the second half of Saturday's win over USF, but Mullen said Richardson has been able to practice all week and is doing...

WASHINGTON -- Former Olympic gymnasts Simone Biles and Aly Raisman were among those to tell the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday morning that current and former FBI agents should be held accountable for badly mishandling the bureau's investigation into Larry Nassar, the disgraced former doctor for Team USA. FBI agents failed to respond with the "seriousness and urgency" required after first hearing reports about Nassar's abuse in the summer of 2015, according to a recent report published by the Department of Justice's inspector general. The report found that agents mishandled evidence and later made false statements to investigators about the mistakes they made. "It truly feels like the FBI turned a blind eye to us," an emotional Biles told the Senate hearing Wednesday, adding that agents should be federally prosecuted to be held fully accountable. Biles was joined by multiple senators who questioned why the Department of Justice did not pursue criminal...

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Scratch Urban Meyer off the list of candidates for the USC football job. The Jacksonville Jaguars coach said Wednesday that there was "no chance" he'd leave the NFL for that job, which came open when USC fired coach Clay Helton on Monday. "I'm here and committed to try to build an organization," Meyer said. Earlier this month Meyer had also said he doesn't miss recruiting. Meyer is in his first season with the Jaguars after winning three national championships and compiling a 187-32 college coaching record during stints at Bowling Green, Utah, Florida and Ohio State. He won two of those titles (2006, 2008) with the Gators, whom he led to a 65-15 record in six seasons. He also led the Buckeyes to the 2014 national title and compiled an 83-9 record in seven seasons in Columbus, Ohio. Meyer's tenure with the Jaguars has gotten off to a bit of an uneven start. He hired former Iowa strength and conditioning coordinator Chris Doyle, who had...

LSU running backs coach Kevin Faulk has stepped away from the team to be with his family after the death of his 19-year-old daughter earlier in the week and is not expected to participate in Saturday's game against Central Michigan. LSU coach Ed Orgeron expressed his condolences to the Faulks during the SEC coaches' teleconference on Wednesday, saying everyone in the program is "sick to their stomach" over Kevione's death. "I don't expect him to be here on Saturday," Orgeron said. "I expect him to take his time and put his family first." Faulk played at LSU in the mid-1990s and became the school's all-time leading rusher. He was drafted by the New England Patriots and played 13 years with the franchise, winning three Super Bowls. Faulk joined the LSU coaching staff as director of player development in 2018 and was promoted to running backs coach in 2020. LSU football released a statement on Kevione's death Monday. "We are heartbroken with the passing of Kevione Faulk, and our...

Milwaukee Brewers star Christian Yelich is purchasing 10,000 tickets to an upcoming home series and giving them away for free, the team announced Wednesday. Yelich, 29, is buying the tickets in appreciation of the fans for next week's four-game series against the second-place St. Louis Cardinals. "The fans are a big part of what we have accomplished this season," Yelich said in a statement. "We want American Family Field to be rocking for that last homestand. And we want to give back in a way that shows how much we all appreciate the enthusiasm and support of the best fans in baseball." The complimentary tickets will be available beginning at 11 a.m. ET Wednesday at brewers.com/yelich. There is a four-ticket limit per game. Yelich signed a nine-year, $215 million contract with Milwaukee before the 2020 season. The first-place Brewers have a large lead in the NL Central and could clinch the division this weekend or during the series against the Cardinals, which...

Bryson DeChambeau, who will compete in both the Ryder Cup and the world long drive championship this month, said his hands are "wrecked" with calluses from intense training for the events. DeChambeau discussed his "two-a-days" schedule during a recent interview with Golf.com, saying he hopes the unique atmosphere at a North Carolina-based training complex will help unlock his "full potential." Golf.com, which published the interview Tuesday, described DeChambeau's hands as being callused and requiring tape. "My hands are wrecked from it," DeChambeau said. "People don't realize how difficult long drive really is. "In golf, it's the one thing where you can judge your accomplishments by a number. Not necessarily by going out and playing golf, because you can catch a sprinkler head or catch a bad break or bad wind. On FlightScope, you can see the ball speed number, and when you obtain a ball speed number, it's so different and unique. It's like a shot-putter shot-putting a...

The NFL's kickoff weekend ended up having the second-highest TV ratings for Week 1 over the past five seasons. The 16 games averaged 17.4 million viewers on television and digital properties. That is a 7% increase over last season (16.3 million average) and nearly equal to 2019, which averaged 17.6 million and remains the highest since 2017. The numbers were likely to increase after last season was played during the pandemic, with empty stadiums presenting a strange viewing dynamic, and many people's viewing habits changing. The first half of the season also occurred in the midst of a presidential campaign, when some people were watching cable news channels. NFL games ranked as the top six broadcasts for the past week. Nearly 23.2 billion minutes were viewed, making it the largest Week 1 minutes total since 2016. ESPN and Nielsen reported that the Monday night overtime thriller between the Las Vegas Raiders and Baltimore Ravens averaged 15.3 million on ESPN, ESPN2...

\ Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon has agreed to a four-year, $92 million contract extension, his agent, Calvin Andrews of Klutch Sports, confirmed to the Undefeated's Marc J. Spears on Tuesday. The deal, which was first reported by The Athletic, includes a player option for the fourth year in 2025-26, his agent told ESPN. It includes $88 million in base salary and $4 million in incentives, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks. Gordon, the 11th player this offseason to sign a veteran extension, was dealt to Denver in a March trade that sent veteran shooting guard Gary Harris, rookie R.J. Hampton and Denver's protected 2025 first-round pick to the Magic. Gordon, who turns 26 on Thursday, averaged 12.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 25 games with Denver. In the postseason, he raised his production to 11.1 points and 5.4 rebounds as the Nuggets made it to the second round before being swept by the Phoenix Suns. This will be...

The NFL Players Association determined Josh Gordon has successfully completed his NFL-monitored treatment program and has recommended to the league that he be reinstated, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Gordon, 30, is awaiting final approval from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, but he is vaccinated against COVID-19 and said to be ready to play. The veteran wide receiver submitted his reinstatement letter to Goodell in July. The NFL suspended Gordon indefinitely in December 2019 for violations of its policies on substance abuse and performance-enhancing substances. That was Gordon's sixth suspension since the 2013 season and his fifth for some form of substance abuse, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. Gordon was conditionally reinstated by the NFL in December 2020 and was set to practice with the Seattle Seahawks in the final two weeks of the regular season before his reinstatement was rescinded in January. Sources confirmed to ESPN's Jeremy...

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. -- Two days and multiple doctor consultations after leaving the season opener against the Detroit Lions with a knee injury, San Francisco 49ers running back Raheem Mostert's season is over. Mostert took to social media on Tuesday to announce that an injury the Niners hoped would require a minor arthroscopic surgery will instead end his 2021 season. On Monday, the Niners had said he might return in about eight weeks. "This gives me, without a doubt in my mind, the best possibility at coming back 110%. I have ALWAYS come back stronger and I will this time too! I have faith in myself, my doctors, my support system, my team, and God," Mostert said in a statement posted on social media, adding he was "gutted" by the decision. With Mostert done for the season, the 49ers signed running back Kerryon Johnson to their practice squad Tuesday. Johnson joins a running back room that also includes rookies Elijah Mitchell and ...

Buffalo Bills ownership has announced a new policy that will require all fans to be vaccinated to attend games at Highmark Stadium and KeyBank Center, home of the  Buffalo Sabres, this season. Pegula Sports & Entertainment, along with Erie County, announced Tuesday afternoon that beginning with the Sept. 26 game against the Washington Football Team, all fans ages 12 and up must have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot in order to attend. That rule will expand to requiring all attendees over the age requirement to be fully vaccinated starting with the October 31 game vs. the Miami Dolphins. Masks will no longer be required for those above the age of 12 once the new policy is in place. "If you do not want to get vaccinated ... that does not give you a right to go to a football game or a hockey game," Erie County executive Mark Poloncarz said. "If you want to go to the games, get vaccinated." Poloncarz cited that this past week the county saw the highest...

The Houston Rockets and John Wall have agreed to work together in an attempt to find a trade destination for the veteran point guard, as the franchise is committed to moving forward with Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green as its starting backcourt, sources told ESPN. The commitment to the 20-year-old Porter and 18-year-old Green leaves Wall, a five-time All-Star who was traded to Houston in the Russell Westbrook deal last year, without a starting role. Wall, 31, is not expected to play for Houston, as team management and Wall mutually decided that a bench role for him wouldn't be beneficial to either party, sources said. Wall is due $91.7 million over the next two seasons, including a player option for $47.4 million in 2022-23, a contract that makes attempting to trade him extremely difficult. Sources said the Rockets do not want to give up first-round draft compensation in a Wall trade and would not have interest in discussing a buyout...

TAMPA, Fla. -- Despite being benched after his second-quarter fumble against the Dallas Cowboys last Thursday night, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Ronald Jones will start this week against the Atlanta Falcons, coach Bruce Arians said Tuesday. Arians also provided additional information on starting cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting, who was placed on injured reserve after he dislocated his right elbow Thursday night while attempting to make a tackle. "Right now, it could be anywhere from four [weeks] until the end of the season. We're still looking at some MRI stuff and a second opinion on what has to be done if anything," Arians said. As far as Jones, Arians said Tuesday, "Rojo was ready. We started throwing the ball a bunch more. But he's starting this week. He's ready to roll." It was different from what Arians said Friday, that Jones struggled to regroup mentally after his mistake, which is why Leonard Fournette got most of the...

NBA players will not be mandated to get vaccinated against COVID-19, league sources tell ESPN. The NBA and NBPA continue to negotiate aspects of COVID-related protocols and procedures for the upcoming 2021-22 campaign, but the NBPA has refused to budge on its demand that players not be required to take the vaccine, sources say, and any proposal that mandates vaccination remains a "non-starter." NBA referees and most NBA staff are mandated to be vaccinated. The NBA and NBPA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Roughly 85% of players are vaccinated, a league spokesman recently said, and, in a preliminary memo obtained by ESPN in early September, the league outlined a set of strict protocols for unvaccinated players. Such protocols include having lockers far from vaccinated teammates and having to eat, fly and ride buses in different sections. These protocols are not final and are still subject to talks with the NBPA. The NBA informed teams in early...

Ohio State is set to make structural changes on its defense after Saturday's loss to Oregon, although coach Ryan Day isn't providing many specifics, including whether defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs will remain the primary playcaller. On Tuesday, Day said Ohio State's problems on defense stretch beyond the Oregon game. The Ducks had 269 rushing yards and converted half of their third-down chances in a 35-28 victory, which marked Ohio State's first home loss since 2017 and first regular-season defeat under Day, who is in his third season as head coach. In a season-opening win over Minnesota Sept. 2, Ohio State allowed 31 points, 24 first downs and 203 rushing yards. Including a loss to Alabama in the CFP national championship in January, the Buckeyes have allowed 118 points in their past three games. "Now it's not just a single game, it's a little bit of a pattern," Day said. "We took a long, hard look the last 48 hours at everything that's going on, and certainly going to make...

The New Orleans Saints have had eight members of the organization test positive for COVID-19, calling into question their status for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Tuesday. The total includes six offensive coaches, one player and a nutritionist, according to a source. The Saints placed wide receiver Michael Thomas on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday. Thomas, who is currently on the physically unable to perform list, is not eligible to return to practice until Week 7 at the earliest. Thomas has been doing his rehab in Fort Worth, Texas, with the team, which has been practicing at TCU's facility after being displaced by Hurricane Ida. For now, the entire team is operating under the NFL's enhanced mitigation protocols, meaning mandatory masking inside facilities, daily testing, no in-person meetings and grab-and-go meals. Speaking to WWL Radio in New Orleans on Tuesday, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis...

Ryan Braun, the 2011 National League MVP and franchise home run king for the Milwaukee Brewers, announced his retirement Tuesday. The six-time All-Star selection has not played this season after becoming a free agent when the Brewers declined to exercise a $15 million mutual option in his contract last October. "I have weighed this decision for many months," Braun, 37, said in a video posted to social media by the Brewers. "While I still love this game very much, the time is right for me to retire from my playing days. "It's difficult to describe my emotions today, but it starts with overwhelming gratitude to those who have shared this experience with me while offering their unconditional support at every turn. ... I will forever appreciate the best fans in the game and the countless people who came out to the ballpark night after night, making Milwaukee the greatest city to play the game." In addition to his 352 home runs, Braun, who played all 14 of his MLB seasons...

The New Orleans Saints have had five offensive coaches test positive for COVID-19, calling into question their status for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. However, one team source said, "We'll be just fine." Saints head coach Sean Payton said during the summer that the team's coaching and personnel staffs were 100% vaccinated. The Saints play Sunday at 1 p.m. ET at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. They played their Week 1 home opener at Jacksonville's TIAA Bank Field after being displaced because of Hurricane Ida, beating the Green Bay Packers 38-3.  The team is practicing at TCU's facility in Fort Worth, Texas. ESPN's Mike Triplett contributed to this report.

The Las Vegas Raiders' upset of the Baltimore Ravens in overtime on Monday Night Football capped a historic week for NFL underdogs. Twelve underdogs covered the spread, the most in Week 1 in the Super Bowl era. Nine underdogs pulled outright upsets in Week 1, the most in any week in the past four seasons and tied for the most in any opening week in the Super Bowl era, according to ESPN Stats and Information. The Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers each won as point spread underdogs Sunday, and the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions covered the closing line in losses. At 9-7 straight-up, it's the first time underdogs have finished with a winning record in Week 1 since 1983. None of the underdogs that won outright this week faced large spreads....

Seattle has been chosen to host Major League Baseball's All-Star Game in 2023, sources familiar with the decision told ESPN on Tuesday. Plans to bring the All-Star Game and Home Run Derby back to T-Mobile Park, which last hosted it in 2001 when it was known as Safeco Field, are being finalized, according to sources. MLB declined comment and said it would not confirm that Seattle was the choice. MLB had two future All-Star sites on the books already: Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles next year, and Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia during the 2026 season. The league moved the 2021 All-Star Game from Atlanta to Denver following Georgia's adoption of new voting laws. T-Mobile Park, a retractable-roof jewel that's nearly a quarter-century old but still is regarded as one of the game's best stadiums, has gone nearly 20 years without a game of great significance, with 2001 also being the last year the Mariners made the playoffs.

Terence Crawford finally has the big fight he's been looking for. Crawford, ESPN's No. 2 pound-for-pound boxer, and Shawn Porter have struck a deal for a welterweight title fight on Nov. 20 at Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay on ESPN+ pay-per-view, multiple sources tell ESPN, avoiding a purse bid scheduled for noon ET where the rights to the fight were set to be auctioned. The pact ends weeks of negotiations between Top Rank, which promotes Crawford, and PBC, which handles Porter. The two sides rarely do business, a pair of fights between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder an exception. Unlike those fights, this will not be a joint pay-per-view with Fox, the network that has an exclusive deal with PBC. Top Rank will promote and lead the event in association with PBC. The Porter fight is the last on Crawford's multiyear deal with Top Rank. Crawford (37-0, 28 KOs) will be making the fifth defense of the 147-pound title he won from Jeff Horn in June 2018. Since that first fight at welterweight,...

All Puerto Rican players in Major League Baseball once again will be allowed to wear No. 21 to honor Roberto Clemente on Sept. 15, and this time it will be in front of fans. MLB has extended the honor to all uniformed personnel of Puerto Rican descent this year for the 20th annual Roberto Clemente Day. In addition, all 2021 Roberto Clemente Award nominees, as well as the six active players who are Roberto Clemente Award recipients, can also wear the No. 21, sources told ESPN. During the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, when teams played in empty ballparks, MLB allowed all Puerto Rican players to wear the No. 21 to honor the late Pittsburgh Pirates star for the first time, after the Clemente family authorized its use. It also was the first time the Pirates, the team for which Clemente played his entire Hall of Fame career, honored the life and legacy of "The Great One," with every member of the team wearing No. 21 on their uniforms. This year, it will also be possible for...

LAS VEGAS -- As slow, clunky and ugly as the Las Vegas Raiders' offense was early Monday night, it was just as efficient late. And as terrible as their defense was last season, it did just enough against the Baltimore Ravens. In front of a delirious Allegiant Stadium crowd of 61,756 -- and in the first regular-season NFL game played in front of fans in the city's history -- the Raiders came back from an early, two-touchdown deficit to pull out a 33-27 win in overtime on Monday Night Football. "I felt like I died and woke up," Raiders coach Jon Gruden said. "And died again. I was like a cat: I had multiple lives tonight. I don't like playing like that. It was tough but, again, we did a lot of good things to win that football game tonight. "Our defense made a signature play at the end of that game, and I thought Derek Carr was awesome playing under some really tough circumstances today against a really good defense." It was a wild overtime period,...

LAS VEGAS -- As slow, clunky and ugly as the Las Vegas Raiders' offense was early Monday night, it was just as efficient late. And as terrible as their defense was last season, it did just enough against the Baltimore Ravens. In front of a delirious Allegiant Stadium crowd of 61,756 -- and in the first regular-season NFL game played in front of fans in the city's history -- the Raiders came back from an early, two-touchdown deficit to pull out a 33-27 win in overtime on Monday Night Football. "I felt like I died and woke up," Raiders coach Jon Gruden said. "And died again. I was like a cat: I had multiple lives tonight. I don't like playing like that. It was tough but, again, we did a lot of good things to win that football game tonight. "Our defense made a signature play at the end of that game, and I thought Derek Carr was awesome playing under some really tough circumstances today against a really good defense." It was a wild overtime period,...

Clayton Kershaw recorded 13 outs, allowed only one run and left his Monday start against the visiting  Arizona Diamondbacks to a rousing ovation, a fitting end to an encouraging return for the Los Angeles Dodgers' iconic left-hander. "There's not a lot of better feelings in the world than getting to pitch here and getting a win," Kershaw said after a 5-1 victory, his team's 92nd this season and fourth in a row. "It's a special thing. I missed it." Kershaw, pitching for the first time since getting shut down with elbow inflammation more than two months ago, recorded five strikeouts and allowed five baserunners in 4⅓ innings. His fastball averaged a tick below 90 mph and his slider wasn't quite as sharp as he wanted it, but he threw his curveball effectively, generating a called strike or a whiff on 42% of those pitches. Kershaw, 33, and winding down the final season of his contract, is lined up for at least three more starts this regular season -- his next...