Vrabel has COVID, might miss Bears
As his team prepares to host the Bears in its final preseason game, Titans coach Mike Vrabel said Sunday that he tested positive for COVID-19.
Vrabel is vaccinated, as is every other NFL coach or staffer without a religious exemption. He told reporters he took two tests Sunday after waking up with a sore throat and earache. Both were positive.
Vrabel, who will be tested again Monday, is no stranger to outbreaks. Last year, the Titans had 13 players and 11 staffers test positive in under a month.
The Bears will play their last preseason game Saturday in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans should know by midweek whether Vrabel spread the virus to any players or staffers.
The Bears signed receiver Isaiah Coulter ,a 2020 fifth-round pick, and put inside linebacker Austin Calitro on injured reserve with a hamstring issue.
Patrick Finley Falcons backup quarterback AJ McCarron is out for the season after tearing the ACL in his right knee. He was injured on a handoff Saturday against the Dolphins. Matt Ryan and undrafted rookie Feleipe Franks are the only other QBs on the roster.
Colts quarterback Carson Wentz (left foot) will practice on a limited basis this week.
AUTO RACING
Blaney wins in Michigan
Ryan Blaney took the lead from William Byron and held him off over the last seven laps to win the NASCAR Cup Series race by 0.077 seconds at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn.
The margin of victory was the closest on the twomile track since electronic scoring began. Blaney has two victories this season and six overall.
Only one of 16 playoff spots remains available, and only one race remains (Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday night in Daytona, Florida) before the playoffs begin Sept. 5 in Darlington, South Carolina.
MISCELLANEOUS
Rangers legend Gilbert dies
Rod Gilbert, the Hall of Fame right wing who starred for the Rangers and helped Canada win the 1972 Summit Series, has died at 80. Gilbert, who spent his entire 18-year NHL career (1960-78) with the Rangers, totaled 406 goals and 615 assists in 1,065 regular-season games and 34 goals and 33 assists in 79 playoff games.
Ash Barty won her fifth title of the season with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Jill Teichmann in the Western & Southern Open final in Mason, Ohio. On the men’s side, Alexander Zverev beat Andrey Rublev 6-2, 6-3. The event is the final tuneup before the U.S. Open, which begins next Monday.