Off the wire

FOOTBALL Wentz questionable

Philadelphia Eagles Coach Doug Pederson said Carson Wentz has a stress fracture in his back and is questionable to play Sunday night against the Rams in Los Angeles. Pederson said the injury evolved over time and does not require surgery but could take up to three months to heal. Wentz is expected to travel with the team for the game. Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles would play if Wentz can’t go. Foles hasn’t taken a snap in a game since Week 2. He took over in Week 14 last season after Wentz tore two ligaments in his left knee. Foles led Philadelphia to its first NFL title since 1960 and started the first two games this season, going 1-1. Foles is 21-12 as a starter, including playoffs, in two stints with Philadelphia.

Saban: Durkin not hired

Former Maryland coach DJ Durkin is spending time with the Alabama football staff but hasn’t been hired. Crimson Tide Coach Nick Saban said in a statement Friday that Durkin “is spending a few days with our staff in Tuscaloosa from a professional development standpoint.” Saban said Durkin hasn’t been “hired in any capacity” but is observing Alabama’s football operations as other coaches have done. Durkin was fired Oct. 31 after an investigation into the death of Maryland offensive lineman Jordan McNair. Durkin faced allegations of bullying and intimidation by himself and one of his assistants. He spent more than two months on administrative leave while independent investigations were conducted into McNair’s death and the culture surrounding the team. Alabama offensive coordinator Mike Locksley has been hired to replace Durkin at Maryland.

Snell to skip final year

Kentucky running back Benny Snell Jr. said he’ll skip his senior season to enter the NFL Draft, but will play in the Wildcats’ New Year’s Day bowl game. Snell announced his decision in a video posted to Twitter on Friday. He thanked the school’s fans for making Kentucky feel like home, but said “there comes a time you have to leave home to build a life of your own. That’s what I’m about to do.” Snell had three consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons at Kentucky. This season, he rushed for 1,305 yards and 14 touchdowns. He is 107 yards away from become the school’s career rushing leader. He said he’ll play for the Wildcats when they face Penn State in the Citrus Bowl.

Sapp to enter NFL Draft

Tennessee linebacker Quart’e Sapp says he’s bypassing his final season of eligibility to enter the NFL draft. Sapp tweeted out a video announcing his intentions Friday, the same day he earned his degree. After making 78 tackles to rank fourth on the team last season, Sapp had 29 tackles in a reduced role under a new coaching staff this year. Following a loss to Florida, Tennessee Coach Jeremy Pruitt said he asked Sapp to leave the sideline after the linebacker refused a request to enter the game. Sapp tweeted the next day that “I never was asked nor did I ever refuse to go into the game.” Pruitt called Sapp “a great ambassador to our program” two days after that game.

Raiders’ Bryant suspended

Oakland Raiders receiver Martavis Bryant has been suspended indefinitely for violating the NFL policy on substance abuse. The NFL announced Friday that Bryant has violated the terms of his conditional reinstatement in April 2017 and has been placed back on the suspended list for an indefinite period of time. Bryant is currently on injured reserve with a knee injury. He is in the final year of his contract and eligible for free agency next year. The Raiders traded a third-round pick to Pittsburgh for Bryant during the draft. Oakland cut Bryant on Sept. 1 and then brought him back later that month. He had 19 catches for 266 yards in 8 games this season.

Umpire fined, reinstated

A person familiar with the move said the NFL has fined umpire Roy Ellison $9,300 and reinstated him from administrative leave after his dispute in Miami with Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes. The person confirmed the fine to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because the league hadn’t commented. The fine is the amount of one game check for Ellison. TV video showed Hughes confronting Ellison in the tunnel near the locker room after the Dolphins’ victory over the Bills on Dec. 2 and accusing the official of using a derogatory term. Hughes waved his index finger and shouted, “I’ll catch you! I’ll catch you, guaranteed!” before being pulled away by a teammate. Ellison was placed on administrative leave last week.

BASEBALL

Joan Steinbrenner dies

Joan Steinbrenner, the wife of late New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, died Friday. She was 83. The Yankees said she died at her home in Tampa, Fla. Joan Steinbrenner held the title of Yankees vice chairman. Elizabeth Joan Zieg was born in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and received a degree in dental hygiene from Ohio State.