No extension, no big deal for Packers’ Rodgers
Two- time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers said starting training camp without an extension from the Green Bay Packers is not really that big a deal.
“I’ve seen a lot of stuffyou guys have either written or that’s been written about it,” Rodgers said Thursday. “I talk with my agent daily, so I’m aware of conversations. But I’m really not too worried about it.”
He’s under contract through the 2019 season, though NFL salaries continue to escalate. Star receiver Julio Jones showed up for Atlanta Falcons camp on Thursday after the sides reached agreement to renegotiate Jones’ deal next year, avoiding a potential holdout. Not Rodgers’ style. “I don’t really operate like that. I have two years left on my deal,” Rodgers said when asked if he could consider holding out to turn up pressure. “They’re obviously more than willing to talk about an extension. There wasn’t any animosity on either side.” WENTZONTHEFIELD » Wearing a brace around his surgically repaired left knee, Carson Wentz participated in all of the Philadelphia Eagles’ first training camp practice.
About seven months and two weeks removed from tearing two knee ligaments in a December game against the Rams, Wentz took a handful of reps,
mainly leading the secondteam offense. RAMSSTARTCAMPWITHOUT DONALD » AaronDonalddid not report for the first practice of training camp with the Los Angeles Rams as the star defensive tackle began his second consecutive training camp holdout. SEAHAWKS GET NOTHING
FROM2017 PICK » Seattle released defensive lineman Malik McDowell. The 2017 second-round pick never played a down for the team. He suffered a severe concussion in an ATV accident prior to the start of training camp a year ago. The Seahawks also placed safety Kam Chancellor on the reserve/physically unable to perform list. The procedural move was expected after Chancellor announced he was unlikely to play again due to a neck injury but didn’t officially retire due to his contract. Safety Earl Thomas did not report to camp as he seeks a new contract.
Golf
GARRIGUS GETS BREAK, LEADS CANADIAN OPEN » Robert Garrigus made a birdie after a rock saved his ball from water and had a one-stroke lead at 9-under 63 when first-round play in the RBC Canadian Open in Oakville, Ontario, was suspended because of high wind and potential lightning strikes.
“Hit it right in the middle of the water, and it hit a rock and bounced over the thing,” Garrigus said about the break on the par-5 13th.
PGA Tour rookie Adam Schenk was second. Chris Stroud was third at 65, and Ben Crane, Hudson Swafford, Ian Poulter and Byeong Hun An shot 66. JOHPUTTSWAYTOTOP » Tiffany Joh credited her “hot
putter” as she shot a careerbest 9-under 62 at the Ladies Scottish Open to take a four-shot lead after first round. In-Kyung Kim, Amy Yang and Jenny Shin all shot 66 to share a three-way South Korean tie for second place at Gullane Golf Club. SENIORS GO LOW AT ST. AN
DREWS » American Kirk Triplett and Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand shot 7-under 65s to lead the Senior British Open by one stroke after the opening round at the Old Course at St. Andrews. PaulMcGinley and Stephen Ames were a shot back. As many as 16 players shot 68 or better.
Basketball
IRVINGSAYSHE’LLBEREADY FOR CELTICS CAMP » Kyrie Irving isn’t in a position where he could play with USA Basketball this week at its minicamp. He made the trip to Las Vegas anyway.
Irving was in the gym for the start of the two- day camp, watching and interacting with guys but not partaking in the on- court action. And he insisted that when the Boston Celtics start training camp in about two months, he will be fully ready to go.
“Easily. Easily. Easily,” Irving said. “This is probably one of the first summers in my last seven years where I’ve actually had time to kind of develop and work on things that I want to improve on.” CARTER TO PLAY WITH HAWKS » Veteran Vince Carter is the latest addi- tion to the new-look Atlanta Hawks. The 41-yearold Carter has agreed to a one-year, $2.4 million contract with the Hawks, said a person familiar with the negotiations.
Soccer
BARCELONA UNVEILS MALCOM » BrazilianwingerMalcom signed a five-year contract withBarcelona during the Spanish club’s preseason tour in the United States. Malcom’s presentation was held at Nike’s headquarters in Portland, Oregon. Five- time European champion Barcelona paid Bordeaux a transfer fee of $47.7 million. MORGAN SCORES HAT TRICK FORU.S. WOMEN » AlexMorgan capped a seemingly effortless hat trick by converting off a dazzling piece of footwork by Tobin Heath and led the U. S. women’s national team to a 4-2 victory over Japan in its opening match of the Tournament of Nations in Kansas City, Kansas. SPAIN ACCEPTS RONALDO’S DEAL » Spain’s Tax Office has accepted a deal with Cristiano Ronaldo to plead guilty to tax fraud and pay a fine of close to $22million in exchange for a reduced prison sentence that will likely be suspended.
Fencing
FIRST FOIL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FOR U. S. » The U.S. women’s fencing team made history, becoming the first American squad to win a senior world champion- ship in the foil discipline. The U. S. beat top-rated Italy 45-35 in Wuxi, China, claiming the crown that the Italians had won in four of the past five years.
MMA
MCGREGOR AVOIDS JAIL » Mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in exchange for community service to resolve charges stemming from a backstage melee at a New York City arena. McGregor will also be evaluated for an anger management program in addition to his five days of community service. The Irish fighter was joined in Brooklyn court by his 25-year- old co- defendant Cian Cowley, who got three days of community service and anger management.
Colleges
MORECOMPLAINTSAGAINST OHIO STATE » Ten more former students have sued Ohio State University over alleged sexual misconduct by a now- dead team doctor, accusing school officials of facilitating abuse by ignoring complaints and requiring some athletes to get physicals from him to maintain their sports participation and scholarships. The case is the third federal lawsuit brought by men alleging sexual abuse by Dr. Richard Strauss, who worked at Ohio State from 1978 until 1998. In all, the allegations range from 1979 to 1997 and involve male athletes from 14 sports.