Enhancements made to NFL’s Rooney Rule

The NFL instituted some policy changes to the Rooney Rule designed to further enhance diversity, equity and inclusion in hiring practices.

The rule has been expanded to require teams to interview at least two external minority candidates for GM/executive of football operations positions, and all coordinator roles. Beforehand, the requirement was to interview one minority from outside a team for openings in those positions.

Openings for head coaches already fell under such requirements.

NFL clubs now must conduct an in-person interview for at least one external minority candidate for any head coach or general manager opening. All coordinator and assistant general manager candidates can be interviewed virtually, but in-person interviews are being encouraged.

The NFL also is creating additional education and training sessions on sexual harassment, discrimination and diversity, equity and inclusion in the wake of the investigation into workplace improprieties with the Washington Football Team.

Cardinals DE J.J. Watt will undergo shoulder surgery that likely will end his season, ESPN reported Wednesday night. Watt, 32, a three-time defensive player of the year who’s in his first season with the Cardinals, has 10 tackles, including five for loss, and one sack this season.

Golf: Brandon Hagy and Chad Ramey each shot an opening-round 6-under 65 to share a one-stroke lead when play was halted due to darkness at the PGA Tour’s Bermuda Championship in Southampton.

NHL: Capitals F T.J. Oshie is week to week with a lower-body injury. Oshie took a shot from the Red Wings’ Danny DeKeyser off his right foot during the Caps’ OT loss Wednesday. He limped to the bench, but returned and finished the game . ... Wild Fs Mats Zuccarello and Rem Pitlick entered the NHL’s COVID19 protocol. Zuccarello is the Wild’s leading scorer.