NFL owners pass overhaul to kickoff rules that mimic XFL
Kickoff returns are returning to the NFL.
Team owners on Tuesday approved a new rule that will take what essentially had become “a dead play” and make it an integral part of the game again.
“We feel this is a great day for the NFL,” said Saints special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi, who was heavily involved in creating the framework for the new hybrid kickoff.
The major overhaul to special teams — which has been in the works for years — takes elements of the kickoff rules used in the XFL and tweaks them for use in the NFL beginning in 2024. The rule will be in play for one season on a trial basis and then be subject to renewal in 2025.
NFL Competition Committee chairman Rich McKay said the new rule passed by a 29-3 to vote.
MLB
LEFT-HANDER MCFARLAND ACQUIRED BY THE A'S >>
Lefthander T.J. McFarland was acquired by the Oakland Athletics from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday for cash and was added to the 40-man roster.
The 34-year-old agreed to a minor league contract with the Dodgers on Jan. 26 and had a 1.35 ERA in seven spring training games.
He made three relief appearances
last year with the New York Mets, going 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA. McFarland was 5-2 with a 2.30 ERA in 44 relief appearances at Triple-A with Baltimore's Norfolk farm team and the Mets' Syracuse affiliate.
McFarland is 24-16 with a 4.14 ERA in parts of 11 seasons with Baltimore (201316), Arizona (2017-19), Oakland (2020), St. Louis (202122) and the Mets.
NBA
HAWKS STAR YOUNG ENTERS NEXT STEP IN REHAB FROM FINGER SURGERY >>
All-Star guard Trae Young will enter the next step in his rehabilitation from finger surgery, the Atlanta Hawks said, but it's still not known when he can rejoin the lineup.
Young had a one-month follow-up examination to
his Feb. 27 operation to repair a torn ligament in his left pinkie finger.
The team said he is making progress in his recovery and will begin small finger motion exercises this week. But there was no timetable for his return to the Hawks (32-39), who hold the final play-in spot in the Eastern Conference with about three weeks to go in the regular season.
College football WISCONSIN, CAL ANNOUNCE HOME-AND-HOME FOOTBALL SERIES FOR 2029 AND 2030 >>
Wisconsin and Cal will play a home-and-home series in 2029 and 2030.
Under the agreement that was announced Tuesday, Wisconsin will play at California on Sept. 1, 2029. Cal will visit Wisconsin on Aug. 31, 2030.
Cal and Wisconsin haven't faced each other since 1990. California leads the series 5-1, with Wisconsin winning in 1946. WASHINGTON HIRES ATHLETIC DIRECTOR CHUN AWAY FROM RIVAL WASHINGTON STATE >> Washington is hiring athletic director Pat Chun away from Apple Cup rival Washington State, reaching across the state to fill its AD job about a week after it surprisingly came open, a person with direct knowledge of the decision told the Associated Press.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was still being finalized and Washington was preparing an official announcement. ESPN first reported that Washington was finalizing a deal for Chun.
Soccer
SWANSON, MACARIO RETURN TO US WOMEN'S TEAM >>
Mallory Swanson and Catarina Macario are returning to the U.S. national team for the upcoming SheBelieves Cup after lengthy absences because of injuries.
The 23-player roster announced Tuesday for the event next month also includes 16-year old Lily Yohannes, a midfielder who plays for Dutch club Ajax.
The SheBelieves Cup, which includes the United States, Japan, Canada and Brazil, opens on April 6 in Atlanta.