NFLPA filing grievance over the Panthers’ turf

The NFL Players Association is filing a grievance against the NFL and the Panthers for the hardness of the artificial turf at Bank of America Stadium in the Dec. 24 game between the Panthers and Lions, a league source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Sunday.

The NFLPA complained before the game about the field conditions in the coldest home game (20 degrees) in Panthers history. The NFLPA wanted a delay before the game to address the issue and a delay during the game after it started at the scheduled 1 p.m. ET time, the source said.

The conditions improved as the game went on, and by halftime they had normalized, the source said.

Giants rookie edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux didn’t realize Colts quarterback Nick Foles was in pain with a rib injury when he started doing snow angels Sunday next to the fallen Indianapolis veteran. Foles lay on the artificial surface at MetLife Stadium for several minutes while being treated by medical personnel after the play. The 33-year-old was able to walk to the Colts sideline, but he was soon placed on a cart.

College basketball: Adem Bona scored 18 points, Jamie Jaquez Jr. added another 17, and No. 11 UCLA defeated Washington 74-49 to kick off the new year. It was the Bruins’ 10th straight victory. David Singleton added 14 points for the Bruins and Tyger Campbell had 15 points and 11 assists.

NHL: Andrei Svechnikov scored the shootout winner and Antti Raanta made 24 saves as the Hurricanes edged the Devils 5-4 for a franchise-best 11th straight win. The first-place Hurricanes are 15-0-2 in their last 17 games.

Tennis: Canada’s Bianca Andreescu rallied to beat Garbine Muguruza of Spain 0-6, 7-6 (3), 6-1 in a clash of Grand Slam champions Sunday in the first round of the Adelaide International.