NFL:
New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith will be sidelined at least 6-10 weeks with a broken jaw after being punched by teammate Ikemefuna Enemkpali in the locker room yesterday morning. Smith will require surgery to repair the injuries. Coach Todd Bowles says the Jets have released Enemkpali, an outside linebacker in his second season. Bowles says the incident had "nothing to do with football."Ryan Fitzpatrick is expected to assume the starting quarterback job, with rookie Bryce Petty as his backup. Enemkpali was immediately released.
A judge is urging the NFL, the players' union and Tom Brady to have last-minute settlement talks before a hearing today in the legal dispute over the quarterback's suspension for using underinflated footballs. Judge Richard Berman yesterday ordered the sides to have "further good faith settlement efforts" prior to the first meeting since the sides took the scandal known as "Deflategate" to federal court.
The New England Patriots have acquired guard Ryan Groy from the Chicago Bears for rookie linebacker Matthew Wells. Groy appeared in four games as a rookie last season. Wells was drafted in the sixth round out of Mississippi State. He had 45 tackles and four sacks as a senior last season.
The Buffalo Bills have signed free-agent cornerback Lavelle Westbrooks, and designated receiver Caleb Holley as waived/injured. The moves were announced Tuesday night, a day after Holley was carted off the field after partially tearing his right hamstring in practice.
NFL owners met in suburban Chicago yesterday to hear more about moving at least one existing team to the Los Angeles market. The Chargers and Raiders are proposing a stadium in Carson, and the Rams are looking to build a facility in Inglewood. Commissioner Roger Goodell (guh-dEHL') says no voting of any kind occurred at the meeting, and he anticipates the league will decide on a relocation fee this fall.
Meanwhile the NFL draft is returning to Chicago next year. Commissioner Roger Goodell and Mayor Rahm Emanuel made the announcement at the NFL owners' meetings on Tuesday. It will run from April 28-30, 2016.
MLB:
Home was the place to be in baseball Tuesday night.
Last night marked the first time all 15 home teams won on the same day. In the American League, Cleveland edged the Yankees 5-4 in 16 innings, Toronto doubled up Oakland 4-2 putting the Blue Jays just ½ game back from the AL-East leading Yankees. Kansas City won against Detroit 6-1, the White Sox shut out the Angels 3-0, Minnesota edged Texas 3-2, and it was Seattle over Baltimore 6-5 in 10 innings.
In the National League, the Mets blanked Colorado 4-0, St. Louis beat Pittsburgh 4-3, Arizona crushed Philadelphia 13-1, the Cubs doubled up Milwaukee 6-3, San Diego defeated Cincinnati 11-6, and it was the Dodgers over Washington 5-0.
In interleague play, Miami slid past Boston 5-4 in 10 innings, Tampa Bay blanked Atlanta 2-0, and it was San Francisco over Houston 3-1.
Doug Melvin will step down as general manager of the Milwaukee Brewers, although he will continue to lead the team's baseball operations department before "transitioning into an advisory role." Melvin joined the Brewers on Sept. 26, 2002 as the eighth GM in team history. The Brewers went 26 years without a playoff appearance before winning the NL wild card in 2008 and the NL Central in 2011.
NHL:
The New York Islanders have signed goalie Kevin Poulin to a one-year, two-way contract. Poulin had a 2.87 goals-against average with a .912 save percentage in 45 games for Bridgeport last season in the American Hockey League. The Montreal native has played 50 career NHL regular-season games, going 18-25-3 with a 3.07 GAA.
The New Jersey Devils have signed first-round draft pick Pavel Zacha to a three-year, $2.78 million entry-level contract. Devils executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero says the forward will have an average annual salary of $925,000.
-Prospects Tournament:
The Buffalo Sabres will host the Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils in a pre-training camp prospects tournament, which they hope to turn into an annual event.
Each teams' prospects will play two games during a tournament that will run from Sept. 12-14, the Sabres announced Tuesday. Games will be played at the Sabres' home arena and adjoining HarborCenter, a newly opened two-rink hotel/entertainment complex which hosted the NHL pre-draft scouting combine in June.
The Sabres began developing plans for the tournament earlier this year in a bid to showcase their up-and-coming stars. They include Boston University center Jack Eichel, who was drafted second overall in June.
The Detroit Red Wings have a similar eight-team prospects tournament, which has been held annually in Traverse City, Michigan.
WNBA:
In the WNBA, New York won against Chicago 84-63, Indiana trumped Washington 73-62, Minnesota bested San Antonio 83-76, and it was Seattle over Los Angeles 85-77.
Boxing:
Boxing great Muhammad Ali will get some special hometown recognition next month from the University of Louisville.
The school says that the three-time world heavyweight champion will be the inaugural recipient of the Grawemeyer Spirit Award. It cited Ali's role in inspiring others and working for positive change in the world.
The Grawemeyer Awards have been given for 30 years to recognize contributions in music composition, education, religion, psychology and improving world order. This is the first time the spirit award is being given.
©2015 The Associated Price. All Rights Reserved.
