Broncos work out deal to acquire QB Flacco from Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens agreed in principle to trade quarterback Joe Flacco to the Denver Broncos, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Wednesday.
Flacco, 34, was the MVP of Super Bowl XLVII in 2013 against the 49ers and was the Ravens’ starter since 2008 until a hip injury in 2018 sent Flacco to the sidelines after Week 9. Rookie first-round pick Lamar Jackson took over for Flacco and didn’t relinquish the starting role.
Teams are prohibited from commenting on the trade or the terms until it is officially processed when the new NFL league year begins March 13. Albert Breer reported the Broncos will send their own fourthround pick to the Ravens, holding onto the fourthround receiver from the Houston Texans in the Demaryius Thomas deal in October.
Baltimore went 4-5 with Flacco as the starter last season. Jackson led the Ravens to a 6-1 record and the AFC North title.
NINERS CUT BACKUP TACKLE >> Backup offensive tackle Garry Gilliam was released Wednesday, a move that will free $4.5 million in salary cap space. A former Seattle Seahawks starter, he joined the 49ers in 2017 and a knee injury shelved him the second half of that season.
SCOUTING INVITE RESCINDED >> Louisiana Tech pass rusher Jaylon Ferguson is no longer invited to take part in the NFL scouting combine later this month, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. The league rescinded the invitation when a background check showed Ferguson was convicted of simple battery following an incident at a McDonald’s during his freshman year at Louisiana Tech, per the report.
NBA
LAKERS’ WALTON REPORTEDLY WILL LAST REST OF SEASON >> Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton “will definitely finish the season,” a source close to the situation told the Los Angeles Times. The Times cited sources saying Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, president of basketball operations Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka agree that Walton should coach the rest of the season, the newspaper reported.
HARDEN HITS 41, BUT ROCKETS LOSE >> James Harden extended his streak of 30-point games to 31 with 41 points, but the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated Houston 121-111 behind Jeff Teague’s 27 points and 12 assists.
RAPTORS’ VANVLEET OUT >> Toronto guard Fred VanVleet had surgery to repair a partial ligament injury to his left thumb, the team announced, and will be evaluated after three weeks.
Tennis
SHARAPOVA PULLS OUT OF INDIAN WELLS >> Former world No. 1 Maria Sharapova will miss next month’s BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells due to a right shoulder injury, organizers announced. The shoulder problem had also forced the 31-year-old to withdraw from her secondround match in St. Petersburg, Russia, last month.
College basketball
NEW MEXICO CRUSHES SPARTANS >> San Jose State dropped its 14th straight game as the Spartans (3-20, 0-11 MW) fell 92-60 at New Mexico. Noah Baumann led the Spartans with 10 points. Keith McGee led the Lobos (11-13, 5-7) with 20 points.