AP Sports

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes has high-ankle sprain, status for Houston remains unclear, AP source says

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has a high-ankle sprain and his status for this week’s game against Houston remains in question, a person familiar with the results told The Associated Press on Monday. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team did not announce any updates. The testing confirmed what the Chiefs had initially expected. They did not have any usual availability Monday, but are scheduled to resume practice Tuesday ahead of their Saturday matchup with the Texans. Mahomes was hurt late in the Chiefs’ win over Cleveland on Sunday. Carson Wentz finished the game.

Dolphins’ Grant DuBose has movement in extremities after scary hit to the head vs. Texans

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Miami Dolphins wide receiver Grant DuBose remained in the hospital but had movement in all extremities after being stretchered off the field following a scary helmet-to-helmet hit against the Houston Texans on Sunday. In an update Monday morning, the Dolphins said DuBose remained at a local Houston hospital for evaluation overnight, and that initial tests revealed “positive results” following the collision. DuBose tried to make a catch in the third quarter, but was hit in the head by safety Calen Bullock before his head violently hit the turf.

NFL can’t revise the onside kick fast enough for Dan Campbell: Analysis

The NFL was already planning to explore the onside kick before Dan Campbell made a regrettable decision to try one at an unusual time. Detroit’s ultra-aggressive coach called for an onside kick with the Lions trailing the Bills by 10 points and 12 minutes remaining in the game. Buffalo’s Mack Hollins recovered the kick, ran it back to the 5 and the Bills scored on the next play on their way to a 48-42 victory on Sunday in a potential Super Bowl preview. Bringing back surprise onside kicks would benefit coaches like Campbell, who aren’t afraid to take risks. Nobody likes to gamble more than Campbell, who isn’t shy about going for it on fourth down no matter the situation.

Women’s Champions League to wrap up group stage that highlights a growing imbalance in European game

The competitive imbalance in women’s club soccer in Europe will be underscored this week in the final round of Champions League group-stage matches where little is on the line because of the dominance of the continent’s top teams. The eight teams advancing to the quarterfinals have already secured their spots with one round remaining. They are Lyon, Wolfsburg, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Manchester City and Barcelona. All are either established clubs in the women’s game or huge European clubs in men’s soccer who have started to really pour money and extra focus into their women’s teams in recent years. The only thing needing to be settled across Tuesday and Wednesday is which teams qualify in first place and which in second.

AP All-America team: Travis Hunter, Xavier Watts back on first team; Ashton Jeanty is unanimous pick

Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter of Colorado and Notre Dame’s Xavier Watts are repeat first-team selections on The Associated Press All-America team. Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty was the only unanimous pick after he amassed one of the highest single-season rushing totals in history. A total of 24 schools are represented on the first team with Texas and Miami having two players apiece selected by a panel of AP Top 25 voters. The Southeastern Conference had the most players on the first team with six.

Notre Dame jumps to 3rd in AP Top 25 women’s poll after win over UConn; UCLA, South Carolina 1-2

Notre Dame has jumped to No. 3 in the women’s AP Top 25. The Irish climbed five spots after beating UConn, which fell two places to fourth. UCLA remained the No. 1 team in the poll and South Carolina is second. LSU was fifth with Texas, USC and Maryland following the Tigers. Duke and Oklahoma round out the top 10.

No. 2 Auburn closes the gap on No. 1 Tennessee as the SEC holds 5 of top 7 spots in AP Top 25

Tennessee remained No. 1 for the second consecutive week, though Auburn has closed the gap at No. 2. The top five were unchanged in the AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll. The second-ranked Tigers picked up nine first-place votes from last week. Iowa State, Duke and Kentucky round out the top five.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin optimistic star LB T.J. Watt will be available for showdown with Ravens

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is optimistic star linebacker T.J. Watt’s balky ankle won’t keep him out of a showdown with rival Baltimore. The perennial All-Pro twisted his left ankle late in the fourth quarter of a 27-13 loss to Philadelphia. Watt said afterward X-rays on the ankle were negative. The 30-year-old was one of the few bright spots for the AFC North-leading Steelers (10-4) in the loss. Watt had two sacks and forcing a fumble. The Steelers would clinch the AFC North title with a victory over the Ravens.

South Carolina, UCLA, Duke and Texas women to play in round-robin tournament in Las Vegas in 2025

South Carolina, UCLA, Duke and Texas will play in a round-robin tournament in Las Vegas next year during Thanksgiving week. The Players Era Women’s Championship will allow the opportunity for athletes on each team to engage in at least $1 million of NIL activities with the title group and sponsors. The event will coincide with the the men’s Players Era Festival that debuted at MGM Grand Garden Arena this past year. Each of the women’s teams will play the other three teams. South Carolina faced Duke and UCLA already this season and will play Texas in conference as the Longhorns moved to the SEC this year.

Americans now paid to play in Ryder Cup with $200K stipend and $300K to donate to charity

Americans will be getting paid to play in the Ryder Cup for the first time. The PGA of America is announcing a new plan that gives each of the 12 players a $200,000 stipend. They also are awarded $300,000 to give to a charity of their choice. The $500,000 allocation is up from $200,000 that was designated only to their charities. The previous amount had been the same since 1999. That’s when the pay-for-play issue first came up. The PGA of America says it’s time for an upgrade. It says no player asked to be compensated.