Meeting on Griner taking place, Unprecedented lawsuit over NFL sideline injury, Campaign for Heinicke remain Commanders starter, Guardians Francona named AL Manager of the Year, Yankees re-sign Rizzo, and more sports news.
Meeting on Griner taking place
According to a report, CIA director Bill Burns is set to meet in Ankara, Turkey with his Russian intelligence counterpart to discuss nuclear weapons. However, imprisoned WNBA star Brittney Griner will be part of the discussion, according to the US official who spoke on the condition of anonymity, Arizona Sports reported. The case of the other American detained in Russia, Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan, will also be discussed as part of a potential prisoner exchange.
Unprecedented lawsuit over NFL sideline injury
In what appears to be the first lawsuit of its kind, Denver Broncos outside linebacker Aaron Patrick is suing the NFL, Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, ESPN, and other entities for creating a "dangerous" sideline condition.
Patrick alleges negligence was responsible for his suffering a knee injury – a torn ACL – on the sideline during the Broncos' week 6 matchup against the Chargers, CBSSports reported.
Campaign for Heinicke to remain Commanders starter
Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke led Washington to an upset 32-21 victory over the previously undefeated Philadelphia Eagles, as well as has led the team to a 3-1 record as passer. Now, a campaign is brewing calling for him to be the permanent starter as previously injured Carson Wentz who is now eligible to return from injured reserve, NBC Sports reported.
"I’ve been on the record saying Carson should be the guy when he gets back," former Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III said. "But that’s no longer the case. It’s Taylor’s job to lose the rest of the season."
"They should stay with Taylor," franchise legend Joe Theismann tweeted.
Head coach Ron Rivera was noncommittal about who would be the starter next week. "I'll talk to you guys [on Tuesday] … We'll talk about it then," Rivera told reporters.
Guardians Francona named AL Manager of the Year
For the third time in 10 seasons, Cleveland Guardians manager Terry Francona was named the American League Manager of the Year by Major League Baseball and the Baseball Writers Association of America, NESN reported. Francona, 63, previously won the honor with Cleveland in 2013 and 2016. He also finished in the top five voting 5 other times, four times as manager of the Boston Red Sox from 2004-2011. He joins managers Tony La Russa (1983, 1988, 1992) and Buck Showalter (1994, 2004, 2014) as the only managers to be named AL Manager of the Year three times.
Yankees re-sign Rizzo for $40 million
The New York Yankees are bringing back Anthony Rizzo, giving the 33-year-old first baseman and three-time All-Star a deal worth $40 million who hit 32 homers in his first full season as a Yankee. The two-year $34 million contract comes with a $17 million club option in the third year that includes a $6 million buyout, the New York Post reported.