Ware, Hester, Johnson 1st-time Hall finalists

Pass-rush specialist DeMarcus Ware, receiver Andre Johnson and returner Devin Hester, all in their first year of eligibility, are finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2022.

The 15 modern-day players announced Thursday who will be considered Jan. 18 by the selection committee include, among others, tackle Tony Boselli, in his sixth year as a finalist, and defensive lineman Richard Seymour, in his fourth year.

A maximum of five modern-day players can be elected for enshrinement in August. The inductees will be announced Feb. 10.

Colleges: UConn settled a federal gender equity lawsuit, reaching an agreement to keep its women’s rowing program for at least the next five years. The suit was filed by 12 rowers after the school announced in 2020 that the sport would be among several eliminated in budget cuts.

NBA: The Warriors-Nuggets game in Denver was postponed because the Nuggets didn’t have the league-minimum eight players available to start the contest.

NFL: Ravens QB Lamar Jackson didn’t practice, a day after he limped badly in his return to the field. The absence puts the former league MVP’s availability in doubt for Sunday’s critical game against the Rams.

NHL: The Wild signed coach Dean Evason and his staff to multiyear contract extensions. Evason, 57, is in his second full season as the Wild coach after replacing Bruce Boudreau in February 2020. The Wild are well on their way to a third consecutive playoff appearance with Evason in charge.

Tennis: French Open finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova tested positive for COVID-19, casting doubt on her place in the Australian Open beginning Jan. 17. The 30-year-old Russian said she’s “fully vaccinated” and is isolating after arriving in Australia on Tuesday.