Saints signing Carr to 4-year contract

Former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr agreed to a four-year contract with the New Orleans Saints, according to The Associated Press.

“Derek’s experience, leadership and skillset will be an asset to our offense,” Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said.

Carr, who turns 32 this month, played nine seasons for the Raiders before his release Feb. 14 and holds club records for yards passing (35,222) and touchdown passes (217). But after struggling late last season, he was benched with two games remaining.

Jameis Winston is under contract with Saints through 2023, but New Orleans could release him.

His contract calls for a base salary of $12.8 million next season and he played in just three games in 2022 before losing his job.

More pro football

The NFL reinstated suspended receiver Calvin Ridley on Monday, clearing the way for him to join his new team in Jacksonville. Ridley was suspended indefinitely last March for violating league gambling policy.

•The Minnesota Vikings started their salary cap purge by terminating the contract of veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks, 31, ending his eight-year run with the team.

•San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will have surgery Friday after swelling in his injured throwing elbow subsided, according to The Associated Press.

Baseball

Reliever Brad Hand is guaranteed $2 million in his one-year contract with the Colorado Rockies and the three-time All-Star would make $11.5 million over two years if he starts this season in the major leagues and pitches at least 60 games annually.

College basketball

While Houston was No. 1 for a third consecutive week in the Associated Press men’s rankings, UCLA rose two spots to No. 2 for its highest ranking of the season. ... In the women’s rankings, undefeated South Carolina remained No. 1 for the 37th consecutive week — the second-longest streak on top — and Iowa climbed to No. 2, the highest ranking in school history.

Wrestling

Pitt’s Cole Matthews (141 pounds) and Nino Bonaccorsi (197) won championships Sunday night at the Atlantic Coast Conference meet in Raleigh, N.C. The Panthers finished third in team standings and advanced six wrestlers to the nationals.