Washington jettisons Peterson
Washington released veteran running back Adrian Peterson on Friday, a stunning move by first-year coach Ron Rivera in the name of getting younger.
Rivera called Peterson early in the morning asking him to come to the practice facility, then delivered the news the team was moving on from the 35-year-old star. The move came less than 36 hours before NFL rosters must be trimmed to the 53man limit and nine days before the start of the regular season.
“It’s not about what he hasn’t done or anything like that, but it’s about what this group of backs has shown us, especially in the way that the offense has headed,” Rivera said.
Peterson played the last two seasons with Washington, rushing for 1,940 yards and 12 touchdowns in the fourth stop of a career that will likely earn him a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
† The Dolphins reportedly will cut quarterback Josh Rosen, a former top-10 pick. They had attempted to trade Rosen over the last week but couldn’t find a taker for the third-year player.
† The Broncos released inside linebacker
Todd Davis, their leading tackler in three of the last four seasons. The move came on the same day the team acquired linebacker
Austin Calitro from the Bengals for defensive lineman Christian Covington.
† Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory was conditionally reinstated by the NFL, ending his fourth suspension over substance-abuse violations. He won’t be eligible to play until Week 6.
† Rookie kicker Sam Sloman won the Rams’ three-way competition to replace Greg Zuerlein after they released Lirim Hajrullahu and Austin MacGinnis.
GOLF Rahm, Johnson share lead
Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm matched birdies on five holes and wound up tied for the lead in the Tour Championship in Atlanta.
Rahm, whose 65-foot birdie putt beat Johnson in a playoff at Olympia Fields last week, had a 5-under 65 that allowed him to make up the two-shot deficit.
Johnson did his part with a 67, losing a three-shot edge early with back-to-back bogeys to end the front nine, and then missing a birdie putt from just over 4 feet on the final hole that would have given him the lead.
“The only birdie we didn’t share was mine on 16. Besides that, we birdied every single hole together, which is kind of unique, right?” Rahm said.
BASEBALL Burnes stymies Indians
Corbin Burnes pitched six strong innings, Keston Hiura hit an RBI double in a four-run seventh inning and the Brewers scored three times on two weak infield grounders in a 7-1 victory over the host Indians. Burnes didn’t allow an earned run and gave up only three hits.
† Jake Arrieta bounced back from the shortest start of his career by pitching seven solid innings to lead the Phillies over the host Mets 5-3 for their fifth straight victory.
† Marwin Gonzalez singled home Willians Astudillo in the eighth inning, and the host Twins rallied for a 3-2 victory over the Tigers for a doubleheader sweep. The Twins won the opener 2-0.
† Rookie left-hander Josh Fleming won his third consecutive start, Michael Perez ripped a three-run double and the AL Eastleading Rays beat the visiting Marlins 5-4. The Rays have won 20 of 25.
MISCELLANEOUS Djokovic into fourth round
Top-seeded Novak Djokovic stayed perfect for 2020 and advanced to the fourth round of the U.S. Open in New York with a straight-sets triumph. He beat Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 in an hour and 43 minutes. Struff managed only four break points and couldn’t convert. Djokovic has won his last 29 matches and is 26-0 this season, making him a prohibitive favorite to get his fourth U.S. Open title.
† Long shot Shedaresthedevil won the Kentucky Oaks in record time, overtaking favorite Gamine at the top of the stretch and holding off Swiss Skydiver for a 1½-length victory in the 146th running of the race for fillies at Churchill Downs in Louisville. ✶