Former Raider DL Hurst reports he has joined 49ers
A week after the Raiders cut defensive linemen Arden Key and Maurice Hurst, they’ve headed across state lines and have agreed to join the 49ers.
Hurst, a defensive tackle, announced Thursday on Twitter that he was joining the 49ers, a day after Key agreed to a one-year deal.
Their additions strengthen a 49ers defensive line in which defensive ends Nick Bosa (knee) and Dee Ford (back) are coming off serious injuries. Edge rusher Samson Ebukam was added in free agency last month.
The current depth chart: Starters — Bosa, Javon Kinlaw, Arik Armstead, D.J. Jones; backups — Ebukam, Ford, Zach Kerr, Kevin Givens, Hurst, Key, Kentavius Street, Jordan Willis, Darrion Daniels, Alex Barrett, Daeshon Hall, Josiah Coatney.
The 49ers have not confirmed any additions this week other than a oneyear deal with running back Wayne Gallman.
—CamInman
Soccer
WHAT TO KNOW IF ATTENDING QUAKES GAME >> Fans attending the San Jose Earthquakes’ home opener Saturday afternoon should brace for changes when they get to PayPal Park, including tickets that are only accessible via the stadium’s app on their mobile devices.
The Quakes have instituted a number of new COVID-safety protocols this season as they welcome fans back to their stadium. The team announced attendance at PayPal Park will be limited to 20 percent capacity (3,600) at the beginning of the season to follow state and local social distancing protocols. Technically, the Quakes could allow up to 33 percent capacity since Santa Clara County is currently in the orange tier of reopening, but the team decided to remain at 20 percent capacity for now.
For those who go to the game Saturday against FC Dallas, here are things they should know:
PARKING >> The gates will be open to the public at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, an hour before the start of San Jose’s game against FC Dallas. The good news is there will be tailgating allowed. Fans will be asked to park in the following lots: Parking Structure 1, Parking Structure 2 and the Audi lot.
MASK UP >> Fans will be required to bring their own CDC-approved face covering and to wear the mask at all times, except while actively eating or drinking in your seat. Children under 2 years old will not be required to wear a mask.
SOCIAL DISTANCING >> Fans will be assigned seats in pods between one and six seats, with a six-foot distance between pods. Fans are asked to maintain a six-foot distance between themselves and those not in their pod.
FOOD TRUCKS AND CONCESSION STANDS >> There will be plenty of food options at PayPal Park as a variety of food trucks will be on-site, and food will also be available at the concession stands. However, fans must bring
all food and drinks to their assigned seats for consumption.
— Jon Becker
College football
NCAA TWEAKS OT FORMAT TO SHORTEN GAMES >> College football teams will have to go for 2 after touchdowns starting with the second overtime possession, and beginning in the third round each team will get one play to score from the 3-yard line.
The overtime recommendation was based on player safety and intended to reduce the number of plays it takes for a winner to be determined. National coordinator of officials Steve Shaw said in March overtime games add an average of 16.4 plays to a contest.
The new rule will have teams run alternating 2-point plays in the third overtime instead of starting another drive at the opponent’s 25-yard line. The 2-point shootout currently starts in the fifth overtime.
Golf
GARNETT-STALLINGS, HOVLAND-VENTURA SHARE ZURICH CLASSIC LEAD >> Brice Garnett and Scott Stallings birdied eight of their last 11 holes, Viktor Hovland and Kris Ventura birdied nine of their final 12, and both teams shot 10-under 62 in Zurich Classic to share the first-round lead.
Seven teams shot 63 at TPC Louissiana in Avondale, La., including twotime Zurich champion Billy Horschel and his teammate, Louisiana native and former LSU player Sam Burns.
Tony Finau and Cameron Champ, who had a back-nine start in the same group as Horschel and Burns, birdied the seventh and eighth holes to join the third-place teams.
Cameron Smith, who won the Zurich during its first year as a team event in 2017, made a 38-foot eagle putt on the par-5 second hole to help him and fellow Australian Marc Leishman post a 63.
JESSICA KORDA HAS 36-HOLE RECORD AT L.A. OPEN >> Jessica Korda shot a 6-under 65 in the HUGEL Air Premia L.A. Open to set the tournament 36-hole scoring record and increase her lead to three strokes at Wilshire Country Club. At 13-under 129, she broke the event mark of 8 under set by Moriya Jutanugarn in 2018 in the inaugural tournament.
Top-ranked Jin Young Ko was second after a 65, and Sei Young Kim was a shot back at 9 under.
Tennis
NADAL BEATS NISHIKORI IN 3 SETS AT BARCELONA OPEN >> Rafael Nadal beat Kei Nishikori 6-0, 2-6, 6-2 to advance to the quarterfinals of the Barcelona Open.
The 11-time tournament champion looked ready to roll to a quick victory after dominating the first set, but Nishikori responded with some fine net play to level it at 1-1.
Nadal broke Nishikori twice in the decisive set, converting his second match point by driving a forehand winner down the line.
Nadal will face Britain’s Cameron Norrie next. Norrie advanced after David Goffin retired in the second set.
Olympics
ATHLETES PROMISED LEGAL SUPPORT IF THEY PROTEST >> Athletes who make political or social justice protests at the Tokyo Olympics were promised legal support Thursday by a global union and an activist group in Germany.
The pledges came one day after the International Olympic Committee confirmed its long-standing ban on “demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda” on the field of play, medal podiums or official ceremonies.
Swimming
FORMER COACH NORT THORNTON, WHO BUILT CAL INTO NATIONAL POWER, DIES >> Nort Thornton, one of the deans of college coaching and Cal’s longesttenured coach before retiring after 33 years at the helm of the Golden Bears men’s swimming & diving program in 2007, died Thursday. He was 87.
Thornton, who started his Cal career in 1974-75, guided the Bears to the 1979 and 1980 NCAA team championships and built the program into a consistent national contender.
Thornton was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1995 and into the Cal Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.
While at Cal’s helm, Thornton produced a long list of elite Olympians, including 11-time medalist and former world record-holder Matt Biondi and four-time medalist Anthony Ervin.