Saints add Bryant to their prolific offense

METAIRIE, La. — Dez Bryant has found a new team, agreeing to join the already prolific offense of the surging New Orleans Saints. The former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver, who has been looking for an NFL home since becoming a free agent in April, will now have a chance to catch passes from

Drew Brees, one of the most prolific quarterbacks in NFL history. “There is certainly a skill set that he has that is going to be beneficial,” Brees said. “So I look forward to getting to work with him. I look forward to building a rapport with him. I look forward to getting him involved in this offense and just becoming a complement to all the guys that we already have. He’ll be a great addition.” Bryant, 30, and the Saints agreed to contract terms Wednesday, and it was not clear to what extent Bryant will play when NFC South-leading New Orleans (7-1) visits the Cincinnati Bengals (5-3) outside of division action Sunday. Bryant, a native Texan and former Oklahoma State University star, spent his first eight years in the NFL with Dallas and last season caught 69 passes for 838 yards and six touchdowns. However, his professional reputation has been marred at times by public confrontations with coaches and teammates during games and practices. Seeking salary cap relief, the Cowboys released Bryant after last season with two years remaining on the receiver’s five-year, $70 million contract. The Saints’ offense ranks seventh overall in the NFL this season, having averaged 402.2 yards per game, and seventh in passing (289.9).

› BEREA, Ohio — The losses are piling up for the Cleveland Browns — in the standings and on the sideline. On Wednesday, two defensive starters were added to the stack. Cleveland placed cornerback E.J. Gaines and linebacker Christian Kirksey on injured reserve, ending their seasons with seven games remaining and putting further strain on a unit lacking quality depth and experience. One of the team’s captains, Kirksey injured his left hamstring in the second quarter last Sunday as the Browns (2-6-1) lost their fourth straight game, 37-21 to the Kansas City Chiefs. Gaines sustained his second concussion in three weeks when he took a knee to the helmet while trying to make a tackle in the first quarter. The loss of Kirksey is especially damaging because he’s one of the team’s leaders. The fifth-year pro has played on the weak side and in the middle this season, making 43 tackles and intercepting two passes.

BASEBALL

› ATLANTA — Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson is expected to be ready for spring training after undergoing surgery on his left wrist. On Wednesday, the team said Swanson had a procedure Monday to remove a “loose body” in the wrist. The 24-yearold Swanson hit .238 with 14 home runs and 59 RBI in 136 games last season. He was left off the National League Division Series roster against the Los Angeles Dodgers after tearing a ligament in his left hand late in the season. His hand and wrist were examined at the time. Former Calhoun High School standout Charlie Culberson filled in at shortstop in the NLDS loss to the Dodgers, but Swanson is expected to enter the 2019 season as the starter. General manager Alex Anthopoulos said after the season he is happy with the team’s infield.

› CARLSBAD, Calif. — New York Mets minor leaguer Tim Tebow has earned a promotion to Triple-A Syracuse. The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner at the University of Florida and former NFL quarterback hit .273 with six home runs and 36 RBIs in 84 games this year for the Double-A Binghamton (New York) Rumble Ponies. His season was cut short by a broken bone in his right hand, which required surgery July 24. “Timmy is not a guy you want to put restraints on,” new Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said Wednesday. “If he sees a block, he’s going to work that much harder to go overcome whatever somebody places on him. I believe in him.” Before he was hired by the Mets last week, Van Wagenen worked at CAA Baseball and represented the 31-yearold outfielder. Tebow hit .301 in June for Binghamton and .340 in 15 games in July. Tebow signed with Mets in late 2016, played in the Arizona Fall League and in 2017 hit .226 with eight homers and 52 RBIs in 126 games at two levels of Class A. He played in seven games for the Mets in spring training this year, hitting .056 (1-for-18).