FOOTBALL
Mahomes' debut set
First-round draft pick Patrick Mahomes II will make his NFL debut at quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs when they play an otherwise meaningless game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday. Chiefs Coach Andy Reid said Wednesday that the former Texas Tech star would start in Denver. The Chiefs locked up the AFC West with a 29-13 victory over the Dolphins last weekend, and cannot improve their playoff positioning against the Broncos. So, it makes sense for starting quarterback Alex Smith and many of the other regulars to get a week off before the playoffs. Reid declined to say who else might sit out, but he did say there will be enough starters around his young quarterback to ensure Mahomes gets a fair chance to succeed.
Giants' Apple out
A day after Pro Bowl safety Landon Collins referred to him as a cancer, cornerback Eli Apple has been suspended by the New York Giants for the season finale against the Washington Redskins. The Giants announced the suspension late Wednesday afternoon after Apple had participated in practice. Interim general manager Kevin Abrams and interim coach Steve Spagnuolo informed him of the suspension. Abrams said Apple was suspended for a "pattern of behavior that is conduct detrimental to the team." Collins never referred to Apple, the Giants' first-round draft pick in 2016, by name in a radio interview Tuesday. However, he said only one cornerback on the team needed to grow up and later added, "But that first pick ... he's a cancer." Collins apologized for the comments Wednesday. He and Apple met separately with Spagnuolo and then all three talked.
Player's truck in crash
Tampa, Fla., police investigating a single-car accident found marijuana and hollow-point bullets in an abandoned vehicle registered to Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver DeSean Jackson. Officers responding to a crash last Sunday night at International Plaza shopping mall found a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado that appeared to have left the roadway and struck a tree. A police incident summary stated officers discovered 6.3 grams of marijuana, as well as two .38-caliber hollow-point bullets inside the vehicle. No arrests have been made, and the report stated "it is unclear who was driving the vehicle at the time of the crash." The Bucs played at Carolina earlier Sunday. Jackson, who signed a three-year, $33.5 million contract in free agency last winter, was inactive for the game with an ankle injury. "We are aware of a one-car accident involving a vehicle registered to DeSean Jackson on the night of Dec. 24," Bucs General Manager Jason Licht said in a statement released by the team Wednesday. "Our understanding is that DeSean has been in contact with authorities and is cooperating with the investigation." The police report stated Jackson was contacted Sunday night and "later responded to the scene." The investigation continues. Jackson, a 10th-year pro who spent six seasons with Philadelphia and three in Washington before signing with Tampa Bay, is third on the team with 50 receptions for 668 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Rams lawsuit to trial
A St. Louis judge has refused to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the city of St. Louis and the region's sports authority over the departure of the NFL's Rams, meaning the case will likely go to trial. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Circuit Judge Christopher McGraugh issued the ruling Wednesday. McGraugh did dismiss a count of fraud alleged against other teams and owners. The lawsuit filed in April alleges that the Rams failed to meet league relocation rules when leaving for Los Angeles prior to the 2016 season, constituting a contractual breach with St. Louis. A message seeking comment from the NFL was not immediately returned.
Schiano to talk soon
Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano said the time isn't right yet for him to talk about the deal he had to become Tennessee's football coach before a public backlash changed that. Schiano said Wednesday that he wants the focus to be on the fifth-ranked Buckeyes preparing to play No. 8 Southern California in the Cotton Bowl on Friday night. "I really think there will be a time that it will be appropriate for me to speak about all of that," he said. "When I do, it will be good." Schiano didn't elaborate on what he will have to say. A memorandum of understanding for a six-year, $27 million contract was signed last month by Schiano and Tennessee athletic director John Currie, who days later was suspended and replaced by the school.
Mayfield misses Disney
Baker Mayfield skipped the trip to Disneyland with his Oklahoma teammates because he was not feeling well. Coach Lincoln Riley said the Heisman Trophy winner was under the weather, but was at practice Wednesday. The coach did not elaborate as to whether Mayfield was limited at practice. No. 2 Oklahoma faces No. 3 Georgia in the College Football Playoff at the Rose Bowl on Monday. The Sooners arrived in Los Angeles on Tuesday night.
Auburn RB Pettway out
Injured Auburn running back Kamryn Pettway didn't travel with the team and won't play in the Peach Bowl. Coach Gus Malzahn said Wednesday that Pettway "stayed back (in Alabama) with his family." The No. 7 Tigers face No. 10 Central Florida on Monday. Pettway, who is married and has a daughter, hasn't played in the last five games with a fractured shoulder blade. The junior has only played in five games this season because of injury or suspension. He has run for 305 yards. Last season, Pettway led the SEC with a 124.8-yard per game rushing average. He was the first Auburn runner to gain 150-plus yards in four consecutive games since Bo Jackson in 1985, when Jackson won the Heisman Trophy.
BASKETBALL
Jackson sprains ankle
Detroit Pistons point guard Reggie Jackson is out for at least six to eight weeks with a sprained right ankle. Jackson was injured after making a jump pass and landing awkwardly Tuesday night in a victory over the Indiana Packers. He is averaging 14.6 points, ranking third on the team, and leads the Pistons with 5.5 assists per game. Jackson was limited to 52 games last season, largely due to a knee injury. The Pistons play tonight at Orlando and will likely start Ish Smith in place of Jackson.
Hawks' Dedmon cleared
Atlanta Hawks center Dewayne Dedmon has been cleared to resume basketball activities as he recovers from a stress reaction in his left tibia. Coach Mike Budenholzer said a CT scan showed the bone is healing on schedule, though Dedmon might need another 10-14 days before he's ready to play. Dedmon has missed the last 14 games and still leads the NBA-worst Hawks with a 7.8 rebounding average. In 20 games -- all starts -- Dedmon averaged 11.1 points. The fifth-year veteran is in his first season with Atlanta.
SOCCER
Organizer to step down
Vitaly Mutko, a top Russian official who has been dogged by allegations of involvement in the Russian doping program, said Wednesday he will step down as head of the organizing committee for the 2018 soccer World Cup. Mutko told Russian news agencies that he would be replaced by another World Cup organizer, Alexei Sorokin. Mutko's announcement comes two days after he said he would temporarily step down as president of the Russian Football Union in an apparent move to deflect international criticism as Russia prepares to host the World Cup next year. Investigations by the World Anti-Doping Agency and the International Olympic Committee alleged that Mutko, who served as Russia's sports minister during the Games, was involved in a state-sponsored doping program during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. He has strongly denied all doping allegations. The IOC didn't accuse Mutko of being personally involved in doping, but banned him from the Olympics for life, saying he and his ministry bore overall responsibility for "failure to respect" anti-doping rules.
Sports on 12/28/2017