ON THE AIR

Broncos bench QB Wilson, will turn to Stidham

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – The Denver Broncos are benching quarterback Russell Wilson, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Jarrett Stidham will start for the Broncos on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. It’s a remarkably similar situation to last year when Stidham started the Las Vegas Raiders’ final two games after the team benched Derek Carr and sent him home in a business decision.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team has not publicly addressed the situation. Coach Sean Payton was scheduled to meet with reporters later on Wednesday after practice.

The person said this circumstance in Denver differs from the Raiders’ situation a year ago because the Broncos will dress Wilson, who could theoretically get into the game Sunday.

If Wilson doesn’t play another down this season, however, the Broncos will have kept open their options in 2024.

His $39 million salary for next season is already guaranteed but if he’s on the roster March 17, his 2025 salary of $37 million also becomes guaranteed. Because injured players cannot be cut, the Broncos would have been on the hook for that 2025 salary were Wilson to get hurt in the final two weeks and been unable to pass a physical in the spring.

Notre Dame announces Denbrock as new OC

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Mike Denbrock is back for a third coaching stint at Notre Dame, this time as offensive coordinator.

The school announced Denbrock’s hiring on Wednesday. He spent the past two seasons as offensive coordinator and tight ends coach at LSU under former Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly.

Denbrock also served as offensive tackles/tight ends coach with the Irish from 2002-04, then returned to coach tight ends and receivers from 2010-2016.

Denbrock and Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman worked together at Cincinnati. “He is a great leader, recruiter and developer, but what I love the most is his competitive spirit,” Freeman said.

At LSU, Denbrock’s attack led the nation in total offense (547.8 yards per game) and scoring offense (46.4 points per game) behind Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels.

At Cincinnati, Denbrock helped the Bearcats reach the College Football Playoffs in 2021. Cincinnati finished 13-1, setting school records with 70 touchdowns and 510 points scored. The school said the hiring takes effect after the university’s standard employment process.

DeVito out as the Giants starting QB

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Tommy DeVito is out as the New York Giants starting quarterback and is being replaced by veteran Tyrod Taylor.

Coach Brian Daboll announced the change on Wednesday, saying Taylor provided a spark on Christmas Day in a loss in Philadelphia. The 34-year-old will make his fourth start of the season Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams (8-7) at MetLife Stadium.

An undrafted rookie free agent who grew up in New Jersey, DeVito had started the past six games for the Giants (5-10) and led them on a three-game winning streak that got them within striking distance of a playoff berth earlier this month.

However, the Giants were beaten by the Saints in New Orleans on Dec. 17 and then had their playoff hopes extinguished on Monday in a 33-25 loss to the Eagles.

Brissett to start at QB for Commanders

ASHBURN, Va. – Jacoby Brissett is set to start at quarterback for the Washington Commanders on Sunday when they host the NFC-leading San Francisco 49ers.

Coach Ron Rivera announced Wednesday before practice that Brissett would start over Sam Howell, who was pulled from a 30-28 loss at the New York Jets. Howell started the first 15 games of the season and leads the league with 17 interceptions.

The switch to Brissett abandons a nearly yearlong plan to see if Howell, a 2022 fifth-round pick out of North Carolina, could be the franchise’s QB of the future. Howell getting pulled from the past two games cast further doubt on that possibility, though the next regime in charge will get to make that choice.

Washington has lost six in a row to fall to 4-11. The 49ers are 13 1/2-point favorites on FanDuel Sportsbook coming off their home loss to Baltimore.

Brissett, a 31-year-old journeyman who signed a $10 million contract for this season to back up and mentor Howell, was 18 of 23 for 224 yards and three touchdowns in relief over the past two games. This is set to be his 49th NFL start and first since Nov. 27, 2022, with Cleveland.

Osaka hits practice court to prepare for return

BRISBANE, Australia – Former No. 1 and new mom Naomi Osaka hit the practice court Wednesday ahead of the Brisbane International as she prepared for her much anticipated return to tennis.

Osaka will make her WTA comeback at the tournament which begins Sunday at Pat Rafter Arena. A twotime Australian and U.S. Open champion, Osaka pulled out of last year’s Australian Open in Melbourne before later revealing she was pregnant.

The U.S.-based Japanese player and her American rapper boyfriend Cordae became parents to daughter Shai in Los Angeles in July.

Osaka has only played one game since the 2021 U.S. Open in New York. She was leading Daria Gavrilova 1-0 at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo in September 2021, before the Australian suffered a serious knee injury and had to retire in the match.

Rafael Nadal is also set to return from injury in Brisbane in a 32-man ATP field so strong that Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini and 2020 U.S. Open champion Dominic Thiem will have to qualify to feature in it.

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8:30 p.m. College Holiday Face-Off: TBA at Wisconsin, from Milwaukee BSS 7:30 p.m. Bucks at Cavaliers NBA 7 p.m. Rangers at Panthers BSF 12:45 p.m. Saudi League: Al Ahli vs. Khaleej FC FS2