ATLANTA (AP) — Detroit Lions safety Morice Norris was in stable condition after he was attended to for about 20 minutes and taken off the field in an ambulance Friday night against Atlanta, with the preseason game ending early. The Lions released a statement, saying: “Morice Norris is in stable condition and has feeling and movement in all his extremities. He will remain at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta overnight for observation." Norris was hurt with 14:50 to go trying to tackle Nathan Carter. When play resumed, Atlanta's Emory Jones took a snap and held the ball as players from teams stood at the line of scrimmage as the clock continued to run. Finally, with 6:31 left, an official said the game was suspended with Detroit up 17-10.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Shedeur Sanders has made an impressive NFL debut with the Cleveland Browns. On Friday night, he completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-10 win over the Carolina Panthers. His father, Deion Sanders, celebrated his performance on social media. Sanders expressed mixed feelings, calling it a dream come true but admitting he could have played better. The Browns have been dealing with injuries at quarterback, giving Sanders the opportunity to start. Despite some early challenges, he showed promise and even caught the attention of NBA star LeBron James. Sanders was initially projected to go higher in the draft but fell to the fifth round.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Max Scherzer and Clayton Kershaw went toe-to-toe for six innings in a vintage duel Friday night. The 41-year-old Scherzer, pitching for Toronto, made his 465th career start. Kershaw, 37, started his 443rd game — all for the Los Angeles Dodgers over 18 seasons. Once teammates in Los Angeles, both pitchers have won three Cy Young Awards and are likely headed to the Hall of Fame. Kershaw allowed one run and seven hits, striking out four. Scherzer gave up two runs and six hits, striking out five. A two-run homer by Mookie Betts gave the Dodgers a 2-1 lead. It was the fourth time Scherzer and Kershaw faced each other. Before the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised both pitchers for their competitiveness and unique styles.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Tom Brady's statue, weighing six tons and standing 17 feet tall, has been unveiled outside the New England Patriots' stadium. Brady, a three-time NFL MVP and seven-time champion, retired in 2023 as the league's most-decorated player. The Patriots inducted him into their Hall of Fame last year, waiving the usual waiting period. The statue, created by sculptor Jeff Buccacio, features a hexagonal granite base and a 12-foot figure of Brady. During the ceremony, Brady humorously referenced his former coach Bill Belichick and took a playful jab at the New York Jets. Fans and former teammates attended the event.
SOUTHAMPTON, England (AP) — Wrexham has been denied a Hollywood-style ending on its return to English soccer’s second tier as relegated Premier League team Southampton has struck twice in the final minutes to grab a 2-1 win. Josh Windass’ penalty kick in the 22nd minute looked enough for Wrexham’s first win in the Welsh team’s first game back in the division in 43 years. But Irish defender Ryan Manning equalized in the 90th with a brilliant free kick over the wall inside the right post from outside the box, then sent Jack Stephens sliding in at the far post to poke the winning goal into the roof of the net in the 96th.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is considered day-to-day with a dislocated pinkie. That's according to a person with knowledge of the injury who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because the team hadn’t yet made an official statement. It’s unclear when Richardson will practice next. Indy did not hold practice Friday and is scheduled to do so Saturday. Richardson was injured on the second possession of the Colts’ preseason game against the Ravens on Thursday night. In other injury news, the Colts closed the day by making a series of moves including placing running back Salvon Ahmed and cornerback Justin Walley on the season-ending injured reserve list.
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Deion Sanders appreciates questions about his health after a recent scare. The Colorado coach says he feels healthy and vibrant. Sanders has returned to the team after treatment for bladder cancer. He’s focused on preparing for the season opener against Georgia Tech on August 29. A key task is deciding between quarterbacks Julian Lewis and Kaidon Salter. Sanders says the team will play a different style of offense this year. He’s taking his time to evaluate the quarterbacks, with a hand from Byron Leftwich. Sanders, who turns 58 on Saturday, says he’s enjoying life and learning to trust his instincts more.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Tommy Fleetwood is giving himself another chance at finally winning on the PGA Tour. The English star had four straight birdies on the back nine for the second straight day. He shot 64 in the FedEx St. Jude Championship for a four-shot lead before the round was interrupted by storms. Collin Morikawa and Akshay Bhatia were four behind. Justin Rose also was four back and had two holes remaining when he returns Saturday morning. Fleetwood had a tour title get away from him in June at the Travelers Championship. He has won big tournaments in Europe, just not on the PGA Tour.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk said he is still undecided whether to get surgery this offseason to address the significant injuries he suffered in the the 4 Nations Face-Off earlier this year. Tkachuk told ESPN in a story posted Friday that while he’s hoping to return to the ice soon after playing the Stanley Cup playoffs with a torn adductor muscle and a sports hernia injury, he could miss a couple months if he has surgery. Tkachuk revealed he sustained the injuries while playing for Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off in February. Despite the injuries, he had 23 points in 23 playoff games. The Panthers begin the regular season against the Chicago Blackhawks on October 7.
HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith and defensive end Maxx Crosby were caught on video making obscene gestures toward Seattle Seahawks fans. This happened before their preseason game on Thursday night. Videos of the incident circulated on social media on Friday. In one clip, Crosby and Smith appear to respond to taunting fans with gestures as they enter the field. A fan's sign read, "Bigger Bust — Geno Or Jamarcus Russell?” Smith was the Seahawks' starter for three seasons before joining the Raiders. The game ended in a 23-23 tie.
Finals
INTERLEAGUEFinal Philadelphia 9 Texas 1Final L.A. Dodgers 5 Toronto 1 Final Boston 10 San Diego 2
AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal Baltimore 3 Athletics 2Final Detroit 6 L.A. Angels 5Final Houston 5 N.Y. Yankees 3Final Cleveland 9 Chicago White Sox 5Final Minnesota 9 Kansas City 4Final Seattle 3 Tampa Bay 2
NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal Pittsburgh 3 Cincinnati 2Final Miami 5 Atlanta 1 Final Milwaukee 3 N.Y. Mets 2Final St. Louis 5 Chicago Cubs 0Final Arizona 6 Colorado 1Final San Francisco 5 Washington 0
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE PRESEASONFinal Cleveland 30 Carolina 10Final Detroit 17 Atlanta 10Final New England 48 Washington 18