Broncos start first
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos will be the first NFL team to kick off training camp in 2019 when they take the field today under new coach Vic Fangio, and they’ll do so with veteran wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders and rookie quarterback Drew Lock both on hand. Sanders won’t be a full participant as he continues his comeback from a torn Achilles’ tendon last December, but Broncos general manager John Elway said Sanders will not be placed on the physically unable to perform list. Lock agreed to contract terms Wednesday afternoon, avoiding a potential holdout. The former Missouri star is competing for the backup job behind newcomer Joe Flacco, acquired from the Baltimore Ravens as part of yet another offseason makeover under Elway. Rookies and veterans reported to UC Health Training Center on Wednesday, a week earlier than usual because of the Broncos’ upcoming Hall of Fame game against the Atlanta Falcons on Aug. 1 in Canton, Ohio.
› ATLANTA — The Falcons have agreed to a fouryear, $57 million contract extension with linebacker Deion Jones. The new deal, which includes $34 million in guaranteed salary, was announced by the team Wednesday. The contract carries through the 2023 season. Jones’ deal is the latest major financial commitment to the defense. On Monday, the Falcons signed defensive tackle Grady Jarrett to a four-year, $68 million contract. Jones, a second-round draft pick out of LSU in 2016, was a Pro Bowl selection in 2017, when he had 138 tackles. He was placed on injured reserve last year after breaking his right foot in the NFL season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. He returned for the final five games of the season and is expected to participate when the Falcons open training camp next week.
SOCCER
› ATLANTA — Josef Martínez scored two goals to reach 15 for the season as Atlanta United FC beat the short-handed Houston Dynamo 5-0 on Wednesday. Julian Gressel, Darlington Nagbe and Brandon Vázquez also scored as Atlanta (10-8-3) snapped a three-game winless run. Houston (8-9-3), which has just one road win this season, played a man down after Alberth Elis was given a second yellow card — for contact with a referee — in the sixth minute. His first yellow was for aggressive contact with an Atlanta player.
GOLF
› MIDLAND, Mich. — Canadian golfers Brooke Henderson and Alena Sharp put together a 5-underpar 65 in alternate-shot play Wednesday to take the first-round lead in the Great Lakes Bay Invitational, the LPGA Tour’s first-year team event at Midland Country Club. Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel of the United States were a stroke back, with four teams tied for third at 67. The teams will play better ball today, return to alternate shot Friday and close Saturday with another better ball round.