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Lamar Jackson torches Miami with 4 TD passes in return from injury and Ravens rout Dolphins 28-6

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Lamar Jackson threw for 204 yards and four touchdowns, showing little rust in his return from a right hamstring strain, and the Baltimore Ravens routed the Miami Dolphins 28-6. Jackson completed 18 of 23 passes in his first start since Week 4 against Kansas City, and the Ravens won their second straight as they hope to make a run in the wide-open AFC North. Tight end Mark Andrews made two touchdown catches. Jackson’s other TD passes went to tight end Charlie Kolar and receiver Rashod Bateman. Derrick Henry rushed 119 yards on 19 carries. The Dolphins were undone by a slew of mistakes in the first half.

With Gausman and Yamamoto, the splitter is back in the spotlight for World Series Game 6

TORONTO (AP) — The split-finger fastball is making a comeback, with its usage in the postseason doubling from last year. World Series Game 6 starters Kevin Gausman and Yoshinobu Yamamoto have been leading the charge. Toronto used splitters a league-high 9.3% of the time during the regular season. Gausman has thrown his splitter 41.4% of the time in the postseason. The pitch was popularized by players like Bruce Sutter and Jack Morris, but its use declined due to injury concerns. Now, with advancements in pitch design, pitchers have found new ways to grip and use it effectively.

Munich set to host Champions League final in 2028. Wembley and Camp Nou compete for 2029 final

NYON, Switzerland (AP) — Bayern Munich’s stadium is set to host another Champions League final in 2028. Staging the 2029 final is a contest between Wembley Stadium in London and Barcelona’s renovated Camp Nou. UEFA has confirmed the list of interested bidders from among its member associations, suggesting a long-speculated final in New York will not happen until at least 2030. Munich hosted the final last season and Wembley staged the previous final in 2024. Barcelona has not been the final venue since 1999. UEFA’s executive committee is due to decide next September on hosts for all club competitions finals in 2028 and 2029.

Trey Hendrickson, Breece Hall among biggest names who could be moved before the NFL’s trade deadline

Christian McCaffrey, Roquan Smith and Von Miller were the best trade deadline acquisitions over the past four years. NFL teams looking to bolster their playoff hopes for a run at the Super Bowl have until 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday to make a trade. Of course, it takes two to make a deal.Several moves already were made. The Bengals acquired Joe Flacco. The Rams got cornerback Roger McCreary. The Eagles added cornerback Michael Carter II. Defensive end Keion White went to the 49ers. Safety Kyle Dugger was traded to the Steelers. The Jaguars and Browns swapped cornerbacks Greg Newsome II and Tyson Campbell a few weeks ago.

LSU athletic director Scott Woodward ousted, 4 days after the firing of football coach Brian Kelly

LSU athletic director Scott Woodward has resigned under pressure from the post he’s held for six years. His departure on Thursday night came four days after the firing of football coach Brian Kelly and a day after Republican Gov. Jeff Landry said Woodward would not hire Kelly’s replacement. Woodward is a Baton Rouge native and LSU graduate. He was hired as athletic director at his alma mater in April 2019. Since then, LSU has won two national championships in baseball and one each in football, women’s basketball and gymnastics.

Shohei Ohtani could be used as an opener or even as an outfielder in Game 7

TORONTO (AP) — Dodgers manager Dave Roberts will consider using Shohei Ohtani as an opener or outfielder in Game 7 if the World Series against Toronto goes the distance. Ohtani threw 93 pitches in Wednesday’s Game 4 loss and might be available as a reliever this weekend. If he enters as a reliever after starting as a designated hitter, the Dodgers would lose their DH, and he would have to play a position to stay in the game. Roberts plans to discuss options with Ohtani. Ohtani has never pitched in relief in Major League Baseball but did so in Japan.

Wembanyama leads Spurs to their first 5-0 start with 27 points and 18 rebounds in win over the Heat

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Victor Wembanyama had 27 points, 18 rebounds, six assists and five blocked shots, and the San Antonio Spurs improved to 5-0 for the first time in franchise history by beating the Miami Heat 107-101 on Thursday night. San Antonio won four straight to open a season on three previous occasions, most recently 2017. The Spurs, Heat and Sacramento Kings were the only franchises not to open a season 5-0. Miami was unable to prevent San Antonio from exiting that club despite a dogged effort. Bam Adebayo had 31 points, 10 rebounds and three assists for the Heat in a battle of All-Star centers.

WNBA and players union agree to 30-day extension for CBA negotiations, AP source says

NEW YORK (AP) — A person with knowledge of the decision says the WNBA and players union have agreed to a 30-day extension to continue negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement. The league offered on Tuesday to push back the deadline and on Thursday the union accepted, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no official announcement has been made. The current CBA was set to expire on Friday and tensions have been rising in recent weeks as the sides try to work toward a new deal.

Arch Manning is ‘making good progress’ but uncertain to play for No. 20 Texas vs. No. 9 Vanderbilt

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas quarterback Arch Manning is making good progress in practice, coach Steve Sarkisian says. However, his status to return from a concussion in time to play against No. 9 Vanderbilt remains uncertain. Manning has been in concussion protocol since being injured in No. 20 Texas’ win over Mississippi State last week. He returned to practice Wednesday but was listed as questionable. If Manning can’t play, backup Matthew Caldwell will start. Manning has passed for 1,795 yards and 15 touchdowns this season.

Thunder guard Nikola Topic diagnosed with testicular cancer and undergoing chemotherapy

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topic has been diagnosed with testicular cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy. Sam Presti, the team’s general manager, announced this on Thursday. Topic, a first-round pick in 2024, had a testicular procedure earlier in the month and was expected to be out for at least four weeks. Presti said doctors are “extremely positive” about his long-term outlook. Topic has been working out throughout the process and didn’t want the diagnosis revealed until after he started treatment. He missed the entire 2024-2025 season due to a torn ACL but played in summer league this year.