Heinicke gets practice reps with first team
Washington quarterback Taylor Heinicke took the “majority” of first-team repetitions in Thursday’s practice, indicating a stronger possibility that the former Old Dominion star could start in Saturday night’s first-round NFL playoff game vs. Tampa Bay. Starter Alex Smith was listed as “questionable.”
More NFL: Safety Antoine Bethea, from Newport News, announced his retirement after 14 NFL seasons, though he didn’t play in 2020. Bethea, who starred for Denbigh High and Howard University, was named to the Pro Bowl three times and, as a rookie in 2006, played for the Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts. Bethea finished with 1,333 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 25 interceptions, nine forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries in 209 regular-season games. ... Atlanta resumed its coaching search by interviewing Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady, 31, a former William & Mary receiver. The Chargers and Texans also have received permission to interview Brady. ... For the second straight day, the Browns’ headquarters and training facility stayed closed due to a COVID-19 flare-up that has knocked coach Kevin Stefanski out of Sunday night’s game in Pittsburgh. ... Katie Sowers, one of the NFL’s first full-time female assistants and its first openly gay coach, will not return to the 49ers next season, she said on social media. ... As he waits to rejoin the team after testing positive for COVID19 last week, New Orleans RB Alvin Kamara is participating in live practices remotely. The Saints host Chicago on Sunday. ... Buffalo WRs Stefon Diggs (oblique injury) and Cole Beasley (knee) were listed as questionable for Saturday.
Baseball: Four-time Cleveland All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor, one of baseball’s best all-around players, was traded by the Cleveland Indians, along with pitcher Carlos Carrasco, to the New York Mets. The Indians acquired infielders Andres Gimenez and Amed Rosario, pitcher Josh Wolf and outfielder Isaiah Greene.
Elsewhere: The No. 25 Florida State men’s basketball team’s visit to Pittsburgh, scheduled for Saturday, was postponed due to COVID-19 issues with FSU. ... Hall of Fame golfers Annika Sorenstam and Gary Player and the late Babe Didrikson Zaharias, were presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.