AP Sports

Steelers QB Kenny Pickett out indefinitely after undergoing surgery for a high right ankle sprain

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery for a high right ankle sprain. Pickett had the procedure done less than 24 hours after a 24-10 loss to Arizona. Pickett was injured in the second quarter when Cardinals defensive end Jonathan Ledbetter fell on his at the end of a 2-yard scramble. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Mitch Trubisky will start for Pittsburgh when the Steelers host New England on Thursday.

Analysis: Patriots’ problems are bigger than quarterback, blame starts with Bill Belichick

The New England Patriots fell to 2-10 following a 6-0 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers that saw their offensive futility sink to historic levels. They couldn’t score with Bailey Zappe at quarterback just like they couldn’t do much with Mac Jones. The Patriots have now lost three straight games in which the opponent scored 10, 10 and 6 points. It’s been 85 years since a team lost three straight games in which it allowed fewer than 26 points combined. The Chicago Cardinals gave up 20 points during a three-game losing streak in 1938. Football is the ultimate team sport but quarterbacks can make all the difference. Teams that find the right guy can become instant playoff contenders. See what C.J. Stroud is doing for the Houston Texans.

Analysis: With expansion coming, good riddance to the 4-team playoff after unprecedented snub of FSU

There will be plenty to miss when college football undergoes myriad changes next season. A traditional Pac-12. Regional conferences and rivalries. The Rose Bowl kicking off on New Year’s Day, just about the time the New Year’s Eve hangover fades away. A College Football Playoff with not enough spots to accommodate deserving teams? Good riddance. AP College Football Writer Ralph Russo says change is hard, but the 12-team playoff is something to look forward to.

UConn falls to worst ranking in 30 years in women’s AP Top 25; South Carolina, UCLA stay atop poll

UConn fell to its worst ranking in 30 years when the Huskies dropped to 17th in The Associated Press women’s basketball poll, The last time the Huskies were ranked this low was the second poll of the 1993-94 season when they were 18th. South Carolina remained the unanimous No. 1 choice. UCLA, N.C. State, Iowa and Texas rounded out the top five.

Buckeyes’ Kyle McCord, OU’s Dillon Gabriel biggest names in transfer portal as 30-day window opens

Ohio State’s Kyle McCord and Oklahoma’s Dillon Gabriel led a parade of quarterbacks into the transfer portal on the first day of a 30-day window football players can put their names out in search of another opportunity. Arizona State’s Drew Pyne, Baylor’s Blake Shapen and Michigan State’s Katin Houser also entered the portal. McCord beat out Devin Brown for the starter’s job in the preseason and threw for 3,170 yards and 24 touchdowns with six interceptions. Gabriel ranks in the top 10 in Division I history in yards passing and passing touchdowns.

NHL reaches new golden age of brotherly love with 20 sets of siblings playing this season

Hockey history is full of brothers, including Maurice and Henri Richard in Montreal plus Mark and Marty Howe playing with dad Gordie in Hartford. The NHL has reached a new golden age of brotherly love. There are 20 sets of brothers that have played in the league this season from Matthew and Brady Tkachuk to Quinn, Jack and Luke Hughes. Many of those players trace the connection back to childhood mornings at the rink pushing each other to improve.

International Ice Hockey Federation to mandate neck guards after the death of a player by skate cut

The International Ice Hockey Federation is making neck guards mandatory for all levels of competition in the tournaments it runs. That includes the Olympics and men’s and women’s world championships. It would not include pro leagues like the NHL. The move comes after American Adam Johnson was killed when his neck was cut by a skate blade during a game in England in late October. The IIHF initially only had neck protection mandates for under-20 and under-18 tournaments.

Christian Pulisic enjoying new lease of life at Milan ahead of Copa America

MILAN (AP) — Christian Pulisic came to AC Milan to revive his flagging club career. The United States standout is doing just that and then some. Pulisic has never got off to such a good start at a new club and has netted five goals and two assists in his first 12 matches. Milan appears to have regenerated the 25-year-old and that has been reflected in his performances for the U.S. He has three goals in his four international matches since joining the Rossoneri. Pulisic’s new lease of life will be key ahead of next year’s Copa América in the U.S. and a 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Chourio gets $82 million, 8-year deal with Brewers, largest before a player’s big league debut

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Outfielder Jackson Chourio agreed to the largest contract for a player with no major league experience, an $82 million, eight-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. The 19-year-old has played only six games above the Double-A level. His deal includes team options for 2032 and 2033. He broke the previous high for a player yet to make his debut, a $50 million, six-year deal outfielder Luis Robert signed with the Chicago White Sox in 2020.

Jim Leyland elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame, becomes 23rd manager in Cooperstown

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Jim Leyland, who led the Florida Marlins to a World Series title in 1997 and won 1,769 regular-season games over 22 seasons as an entertaining and at-times crusty big league manager, was elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame. Now 78, Leyland received 15 of 16 votes by the contemporary era committee for managers, executives and umpires. He becomes the 23rd manager in the hall. Former player and manager Lou Piniella fell one vote short and former player, broadcaster and executive Bill White was two shy. Leyland managed Pittsburgh, Florida, Colorado and Detroit from 1986 to 2013.