Clippers' Kawhi Leonard out indefinitely, Chiefs' JuJu hits $500K in incentives, Colts fire coach Frank Reich, Astros to negotiate new contract with manager Baker, Titans' Henry breaks franchise record, and more sports news
Clippers' Kawhi Leonard out indefinitely with ACL
The Los Angeles Clippers are taking no chances with Kawhi Leonard amid reconstructive surgery with a partial tear in the ACL in his right knee, as coach Tyronn Lue said their star forward is out indefinitely: "There’s really not a timeframe of when he’s going to be back." Leonard underwent surgery in July 2021 and missed the entire 2021-22 season. He played the first two games this season, but hasn't played since, Sports Illustrated reported. "The biggest thing is he’s progressing well. We’re just going to follow the lead of our medical staff," Lue added.
Chiefs' JuJu hits to incentive marks to earn additional $500,000
Kansas City Chiefs' wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster reached two of his contractual incentives and Sunday nights game against the Titans, each earning him an additional $250,000 in salary, for a total of $500,000. The first was reaching the 40-catch mark, and the second was 500 receiving yards, CBSSports reported. JuJu ended the game with a total of forty-four receptions, and 582 receiving yards.
Colts fire coach Frank Reich, former Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday named interim
The Colts fired head coach Frank Reich on Monday, and named former Indianapolis Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday, 47, as interim coach. The move comes as the Colts are in second place in the AFC South with a 3-5-1 record and are currently the last in the NFL in scoring. Saturday played for the Colts from 1999-2011 and was a Pro Bowler five times from 2005-11 while helping the Colts capture the franchise's first Super Bowl. He also went to the Pro bowl with his lone season with the Packers in 2012, CBSSports reported.
Oddsmakers say Peyton Manning favorite as Colts next coach
Oddsmakers believe the betting replacement for a permanent full-time head coach for the Colts is the team's former star quarterback Peyton Manning, who played with Indianapolis 14 seasons and 4 with Denver. However, the Hall of Famer has previously said he does not want any NFL coaching job, the IndyStar reported. During one podcast, Manning said: "I didn’t think I’d be a very good coach. I was good at calling plays when I was playing quarterback. I’m not very good when other people are playing quarterback."
Astros to negotiate new contract with manager Dusty Baker
Astros manager Dusty Baker finished the last year of his contract by winning the World Series. Baker was unable to reach a contract extension with the organization prior to the 2022 season. Reports are that Astros owner Jim Crane plans to offer Baker a contract extension within the coming days, KHOU reported. At 73, Baker is the oldest manager to ever win a title and led the team to the World Series in both 2021 and 2022. In terms of the World Series, Baker said: "I’ve always said if I win one, I want to win two."
Titans' Derrick Henry breaks longtime franchise record held by Hall of Fame running back Earl Campbell
Titans All-Pro running back Derrick Henry is on track to win his third rushing title in four years, and he broke a franchise record for Tennessee on Sunday by scoring his 74th rushing touchdown, surpassing the longtime record held by NFL Hall of Fame running back Earl Campbell, CBSSports reported. Campbell set the record during 7 seasons, and this is Henry's seventh season.