FOOTBALL
Ravens place Griffin on IR
Quarterback Robert Griffin III has been placed on injured reserve by the Baltimore Ravens, leaving Trace McSorley as the backup when Lamar Jackson comes off the reserve/covid-19 list. Griffin started Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Steelers and hurt his hamstring in the second quarter. He remained in the game until the injury became too much to bear and was replaced by McSorley in the fourth quarter of a 19-14 loss. Griffin must miss at least three games.
Jacobs, Abram out vs. Jets
The Las Vegas Raiders will be without leading rusher Josh Jacobs and safety Johnathan Abram for this week's game against the winless New York Jets. Coach Jon Gruden said Friday that the two won't make the trip to New York because of Jacobs' injured ankle and Abram's injured knee. Jacobs ranks fifth in the NFL with 782 yards rushing and nine TD runs this season and is a major part of the Raiders offense.
Dolphins' QB questionable
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is questionable for Sunday's game against Cincinnati because of a thumb injury that forced him to miss last week's victory over the New York Jets. Tagovailoa has been limited in practice since hurting the thumb on his throwing hand during a workout Nov. 25. Ryan Fitzpatrick replaced Tagovailoa last week and threw two touchdown passes. Running back Matt Breida was placed on the reserve-covid 19 list Friday, causing further uncertainty at a position hard hit by injuries.
Giants' QB doubtful
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones practiced on a limited basis Friday and has been listed as doubtful with a hamstring injury for Sunday's game against the Seahawks in Seattle. Jones, who was injured last weekend against Cincinnati, did not practice on either Wednesday or Thursday. If Jones cannot play, Colt McCoy will start for the Giants (4-7).
Missouri Southern fires coach
Missouri Southern State has dismissed coach Jeff Sims, who was coach at Garden City (Kan.) Community College in 2018 when a 19-year-old football player died of heatstroke. Athletic Director Jared Bruggeman announced Sims' firing but did not give a reason. Sims was in his second year at Missouri Southern but the team did not play this season because of the coronavirus pandemic. They went 2-9 in his first season, ending with a three-game skid. In August 2018, Braeden Bradforth of Neptune, N.J., collapsed and died of heatstroke after a workout at the Kansas community college. An investigation found Bradforth's death was caused by "a striking lack of leadership" by top college officials, including Sims. Bradforth's family settled a lawsuit against the college earlier this year for $500,000.
GOLF
Grillo ahead by 4 shots
Emiliano Grillo made birdie on half of the holes Friday on his way to an 8-under 63 that gave him a four-shot lead going into the weekend at the Mayakoba Golf Classic at Playa del Carmen, Mexico. The second round was delayed by one hour by heavy rain in the morning, and it was not completed before it was too dark to continue. No one was close enough to catch Grillo, who was at 12-under 130. It will be only the fifth time in 136 starts on the PGA Tour that he has a share of the lead after any round. Tony Finau one-putted six consecutive holes in the middle of his round, four of them par saves and none tap-ins, and posted a 66. He was at 9-under 133, along with Tom Hoge, who had a 67. Justin Thomas, at No. 3 the highest-ranked player in the field, was zooming into contention with five birdies and an eagle through 12 holes. His momentum stalled, however, particularly with bogeys on his last two holes. Thomas had to settle for a 67 and was nine shots behind. Austin Cook (Jonesboro, Arkansas Razorbacks) is at 2-under par and tied for 48th place. Sebastian Cappelen (Razorbacks) was at 8-over par and still on the course when play was stopped.
Three share LPGA lead
Jessica Korda, Anna Nordqvist and 19-year-old Yealimi Noh share the lead of Volunteers of America Classic in The Colony, Texas. After the temperature never made it out of the 40s on Thursday, it was in the high 50s on Friday in the final tuneup before the U.S. Women's Open next week at Champions Golf Club in Houston. Korda shot her second consecutive 2-under 69. The five-time LPGA Tour winner played the first 12 holes in 4 under, then dropped a stroke on the par-5 13th and parred the final five. Nordqvist closed with a bogey on the par-4 18th for a 68. The 33-year-old Swede made all of her birdies on par-4 holes. She parred the four par-5 holes. Noh, the 2018 U.S. Girls' Junior winner, had the best round of the week with a 66. Stacy Lewis (Razorbacks) shot a 71 on Friday and is at 4-over 146. Gaby Lopez (Razorbacks) and Alana Uriell (Razorbacks) are both at 5-over 147. Maria Fassi (Razorbacks) shot a 153 and missed the cut.
BASKETBALL
Liberty win draft lottery
The New York Liberty have the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft for the second consecutive year, winning the lottery Friday. The Liberty had the best chance to win the lottery at 44.2%. Dallas will pick second with Atlanta third and Indiana fourth.
BOXING
Saunders retains WBO title
Billy Joe Saunders retained his WBO super middleweight title against Martin Murray after a unanimous points victory at Wembley Arena in London on Friday. Saunders, in his first fight in a year, was too sharp and strong for the durable 38-year-old Murray, who was hurt several times throughout the all-English contest. Saunders extended his unbeaten record to 30-0. Murray fell to 39-6-1.
BASEBALL
Reds cut four players
The Cincinnati Reds declined to offer contracts to four players for the 2021 season, including reliever Archie Bradley, catcher Curt Casali and outfielder Brian Goodwin. The team also announced on Wednesday that it had agreed to a one-year major league deal with infielder Kyle Farmer, who gets $640,000 while in the major leagues and $175,000 while in the minors. Bradley and Goodwin were both acquired in midseason trades as the Reds made a push for the playoffs. Goodwin struggled with the Reds, batting just .163 in 49 at-bats. The Reds also declined to offer a contract to right-hander R.J. Alaniz.