Ramsey out for Rams’ finale
Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey will not play in the season finale against Arizona on Sunday because of a knee injury. Coach Sean McVay said that Ramsey is out after sustaining a knee injury in the 34-31 loss at San Francisco on Saturday that eliminated the Rams (8-7) from playoff contention. “He had a Grade 2 sprain of the LCL and will be out for the game,” McVay said Tuesday. Ramsey should recover in 4 to 6 weeks and is not expected to require surgery, McVay said.
Jalen Ramsey out for Rams’ season finale with knee injury
THOUSAND OAKS — Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey will not play in the season finale against Arizona on Sunday because of a knee injury. Coach Sean McVay said that Ramsey is out after sustaining a knee injury in the 34-31 loss at San Francisco on Saturday that eliminated the Rams (87) from playoff contention. “He had a Grade 2 sprain of the LCL and will be out for the game,” McVay said Tuesday.
Ramsey should recover in 4 to 6 weeks and is not expected to require surgery, McVay said.
Ramsey had 33 tackles, one interception and one forced fumble in nine games with the Rams after being acquired from Jacksonville in a trade on Oct. 15.
Lingering knee issue still bothering Ohio State’s Fields
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Ohio State quarterback
Justin Fields may not be fully healthy when the second-ranked Buckeyes face No. 3 Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl.
Fields said Tuesday his left knee is only 80 to 85% heading into Saturday’s College Football Playoff semifinal in Glendale. He plans to wear a small brace during the game and brought a larger one in case anything happens.
“My knee’s probably not where I want it to be right now,” Fields said. “But I think with treatment every day and just resting it every day, hopefully, it will be better by the game.”
Fields aggravated a previous injury against Penn State on Nov. 23 and again the following week against Michigan when a teammate rolled into his knee. He struggled in the first half of the Big Ten championship game against Wisconsin before throwing two touchdown passes as the Buckeyes rallied for a 34-21 victory. Fields has been practicing in the buildup to the Fiesta Bowl but with limited mobility.
Nuggets, coach Mike Malone agree to contract extension
DENVER — The Denver Nuggets have signed coach Michael Malone to a contract extension through the 2022-23 season.
Malone has steadily helped build the Nuggets into a Western Conference contender since taking over in 2015-16. Denver advanced to the second round of the playoffs last season.
Malone guided the Nuggets to 33 wins in his first season at the helm. They jumped to 40 wins, then 46 and 54 last season, including the league’s best home record. Denver is off to a 21-8 start this season behind the play of versatile big man Nikola Jokic and point guard Jamal Murray.
Watt returns to practice with Houston Texans
HOUSTON — J.J. Watt returned to practice with the Houston Texans on Tuesday, clearing the way for the star defensive end to play in the team’s playoff game in two weeks. Watt has been out since Oct. 27 after tearing a pectoral muscle, an injury which required surgery.
“I feel really good,” Watt said. “We’ve worked extremely hard at rehab. We’ve had a very smooth process and everything’s been going extremely well. So I’m really, really excited to back in the field with everybody and to get back out there helping my team and playing for this city.”