The WNBA is still struggling with a string of sex-toy disturbances. In the past week and a half, sex toys have been thrown on court during games in Atlanta on July 29, Chicago on Thursday night and Aug. 1 and Los Angeles on Aug. 5, with the most recent object nearly hitting Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham during Indiana’s game against the Sparks. Sex toys were also thrown at games in New York and Phoenix last Tuesday and at a second game in Atlanta last Friday, but didn’t reach the court. The distractions have created unexpected challenges for the league, the teams and the players, but also for arena security. Here’s what to know.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Eagles continue to use the controversial tush push play, which remains legal despite attempts to ban it. Even with key players like Jalen Hurts sitting out the preseason opener against Cincinnati, the Eagles used the play successfully. Backup quarterback Tanner McKee scored on a fourth-and-1 in the first quarter. In May, NFL owners narrowly failed to pass a proposal to ban the play, keeping it in the rulebook. The proposal, supported by health and safety committees, fell short by just two votes. Commissioner Roger Goodell focused on encouraging discussion rather than taking a stance.
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Chargers tackle Rashawn Slater suffered a torn patellar tendon in practice Thursday and will miss the upcoming season. The team says he’ll undergo surgery and be placed on injured reserve. Slater got hurt less than two weeks after signing a multi-year contract extension last month. He has started all 52 career games at left tackle since being drafted 13th overall by the Chargers in 2021. Slater has been a key protector for quarterback Justin Herbert, allowing him to set several league-wide passing records.
Jerry Jones is known for dragging contract negotiations so it’s no surprise Micah Parsons is just the latest Dallas Cowboys star player to have to wait on a new deal. Dak Prescott had to play on the franchise tag in 2020 after being unable to reach agreement on an extension, and he didn’t get another new deal last season until hours before the Week 1 opener. Jones eventually caved and made Prescott the highest-paid player in NFL history with an average of $60 million per year. CeeDee Lamb held out into late August last year following an All-Pro season before Jones gave him a four-year, $136 million deal.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Tom Brady left his imprint all over the New England Patriots’ record books during his stellar two-decade run with the team. Now, he is set to become the first player in franchise history to be honored with a statue. The bronze statue will be unveiled Friday before New England’s exhibition game against the Washington Commanders. Brady will be on hand for the ceremony, which is scheduled to include an address to fans. Fans are being allowed into the plaza in front of Gillette Stadium four hours before the game to accommodate what is expected to be a large crowd.
BALTIMORE (AP) — Indianapolis quarterback Anthony Richardson left the Colts' preseason game against Baltimore after taking a sack from David Ojabo. Richardson is competing with Daniel Jones for the starting quarterback position. After the sack, Richardson jogged to the sideline and was replaced by Jones. He'd dislocated the pinky on his throwing hand. Coach Shane Steichen also said rookie cornerback Justin Walley had a torn ACL. He didn't play in the game. The Ravens ended up beating the Colts 24-16.
SEATTLE (AP) — Pete Carroll played a new role in familiar territory Thursday night, with his first preseason game as coach of the Las Vegas Raiders coming against the Seattle Seahawks. The former Seattle coach clearly felt at home before the 23-23 tie, talking with many Seahawks players on the field during warmups and generally being his outgoing, energetic self. Carroll spent 14 seasons in Seattle, going 137-89-1. He was at the helm for some of the most memorable moments in team history, including the 2013 Super Bowl championship with the dominant “Legion of Boom” defense, before the Seahawks parted ways with him after the 2023 season. Las Vegas starting quarterback Geno Smith also made a return to Seattle.
NEW YORK (AP) — Jen Pawol is set to make history as the first female umpire in more than 150 years of Major League Baseball. She received the long-awaited call while in her hotel room in Nashville, Tennessee, and will debut Saturday during Miami's doubleheader at Atlanta. Pawol, who began her umpiring journey in high school, has worked more than 1,200 minor league games. She expressed gratitude for the support of her predecessors and colleagues. Pawol will join Chris Guccione's crew in Atlanta, where she expects to have about 30 family and friends in attendance.
MONTREAL (AP) — Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko completed a dream run to the National Bank Open title Thursday night, overcoming a slow and swollen right wrist start to beat Japanese star Naomi Osaka 2-6, 6-4, 6-1. The 18-year-old Mboko — who will jump from 85th to 25th in the world — won her first WTA Tour title and joined Faye Urban in 1969 and Bianca Andreescu in 2019 as the only Canadians to win the home event in the open era. Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, to Congolese parents, Mboko grew up in Toronto. She upset top-seeded Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals. Osaka is winless since the 2021 Australian Open. The four-time Grand Slam champion gave birth to daughter Shai in July 2023.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Akshay Bhatia had a great finish to get his PGA Tour postseason off to a great start. Bhatia closed eagle-birdie-birdie for 62 in the FedEx St. Jude Championship. That's the low round of his PGA Tour career and gives him a one-shot lead over Tommy Fleetwood. Two shots back was a group that included Bud Cauley and Harry Hall. They're both on the bubble to be among the top 50 who advance in the FedEx Cup playoffs. Scottie Scheffler shot a 67 in his first tournament since winning the British Open. It was his 10th consecutive round in the 60s.
Finals
INTERLEAGUE
Final Athletics 6 Washington 0
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Final Seattle 4 Chicago White Sox 3
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Final Pittsburgh 7 Cincinnati 0
Final Atlanta 8 Miami 6
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE PRESEASON
Final Baltimore 24 Indianapolis 16
Final Philadelphia 34 Cincinnati 27
Final Las Vegas 23 Seattle 23