Off the wire

FOOTBALL Former Ravens RB dies at 28

Lorenzo Taliaferro, who ran for 339 yards and scored five touchdowns during three injury-riddled seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, has died. He was 28. Taliaferro passed away Wednesday in Williamsburg, Va., according to York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office. The cause of death was not immediately made public. Drafted by Baltimore out of Coastal Carolina in the fourth round of the 2014 draft, Taliaferro ran for 292 yards and 4 touchdowns over 13 games as a rookie before an injury ended his season. He played in three games apiece in 2015 and 2016 before again finishing on injured reserve each season. Taliaferro ended up playing in 19 games in the NFL before being cut by Baltimore in September 2017. His stat line included 16 catches for 153 yards and one kick return for 15 yards.

Washington puts safety on IR

Washington safety Deshazor Everett went on injured reserve Thursday with a pectoral muscle injury that also affected his shoulder. Everett started six games this season for Washington, which has won four in a row to improve to 6-7 and take over first place in the NFC East heading into Sunday’s game against the visiting Seattle Seahawks (9-4). In another move, Washington signed running back Lamar Miller off of the Chicago Bears’ practice squad.

Bengals add QB Shurmur

The Cincinnati Bengals added some needed quarterback depth on Thursday by signing Kyle Shurmur to the practice squad. Brandon Allen, who had been starting for the Bengals in place of injured rookie quarterback Joe Burrow, hurt his knee in last week’s loss to Dallas. Allen (Fayetteville, Arkansas Razorbacks) didn’t practice Thursday, with Ryan Finley getting the firstteam reps. Coach Zac Taylor said Allen is day to day, and if he can’t go then Finley will start Monday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The current practice team QB, Kevin Hogan, likely would move up into the No. 2 spot.

Garrett positive for virus

New York Giants offensive coordinator and former Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett has tested positive for covid-19. The team announced the result Thursday and said Garrett will continue to work remotely. The Giants did not practice Thursday for Sunday night’s game against Cleveland. Tight ends coach Freddie Kitchens will call the offensive plays against the Browns, who fired him as their head coach last season.

Purdue fires DC Diaco

Purdue Coach Jeff Brohm fired defensive coordinator Bob Diaco on Thursday, just one season after he was hired. Diaco signed a twoyear deal after last season and the school still owes him $625,000, a number that could shrink if he finds another job, according to The Lafayette Journal & Courier. The former

Connecticut head coach was hired to replace Nick Holt, whose defenses gave up too many big plays during his three-year tenure. While the Boilermakers (2-4 Big Ten) finished in the middle of the conference pack in most defensive categories, they had a league-low five sacks and were 12th in passing defense at 254.2 yards per game.

UCLA to decline bowl bids

UCLA’s game against Stanford on Saturday will be its final football game of the season after the Bruins announced on Thursday they would decline any bowl invitations. Athletic Director Martin Jarmond and Coach Chip Kelly said in a statement that the decision was largely made by the players and supported by the administration. The Bruins (3-3) and Oregon State are the only Pac-12 programs who have played all six weekends. UCLA has had five covid-19 cases since testing began in late June.

HOCKEY Lundqvist to miss season

Washington Capitals goalie Henrik Lundqvist announced Thursday that he will sit out the upcoming NHL season because of a heart condition. The man known as “King Henrik” said he has been undergoing various tests on his heart “for several weeks.” He joined the Capitals about two months ago, after 15 years with the New York Rangers. The 38-year-old from Sweden was bought out by the Rangers and signed a $1.5 million, one-year deal with Washington in October to try to earn his first Stanley Cup.

BASEBALL Cubs, reliever reach deal

The Chicago Cubs and free-agent reliever Jonathan Holder have agreed to a $750,000, nonguaranteed contract for next season. The 27-year-old right-hander was 10-6 with a 4.38 ERA in 157 games — all but two in relief — over parts of five seasons with the New York Yankees. He was 3-0 with a 4.98 ERA in 18 appearances last year, striking out 14 and walking 11 in 212/ innings.

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