TALKING POINTS

AP source: Clowney re-signing with Browns for 2022 season

CLEVELAND — Jadeveon Clowney’s running it back with Myles Garrett and the Browns.

The free agent defensive end, who revived his career last season with Cleveland, agreed Sunday to re-sign with the team for 2022, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press.

Clowney, who had nine sacks while playing opposite Garrett, will sign a one-year contract worth up to $11 million, according to the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team has not announced the agreement.

The Browns had remained optimistic — and cautiously confident — about bringing back Clowney.

The 29-year-old and 2014 No. 1 overall pick had his most sacks since 2018 with Houston while playing in 14 games last season for Cleveland. He signed a one-year, $10 million deal with incentives last April with the Browns.

Clowney’s presence forced offenses to commit an extra blocker at times to his side, which in turn freed up Garrett, who had a career-high 16 sacks in 2021 and was an All-Pro. Garrett also enjoyed playing with Clowney and had expressed hope they could team up again.

In April, Garrett posted a photo on his Instagram page of him slapping hands with Clowney during a game last season along with the caption: “Job not finished.”

Back with the Browns, Clowney will also be reunited with quarterback Deshaun Watson. They played together for two seasons with the Texans.

Sweden beats Norway 7-1 for 5th win at hockey worlds

TAMPERE, Finland — Sweden picked up its fifth win in six games at the hockey world championship on Sunday by beating Norway 7-1 in group play as Switzerland stayed unbeaten and Germany extended its winning run.

Dallas Stars forward Jacob Peterson led the way for Sweden with two goals and one assist, while Rasmus Asplund of the Buffalo Sabres also scored two goals. Detroit Red Wings goaltender Magnus Hellberg stopped 19 of 20 shots as Sweden returned to winning ways a day after a 3-2 overtime loss to the United States.

Germany is on a five-game win streak after beating Kazakhstan 5-4 but it was the fourth one-goal game in that run. Yasin Ehliz scored in the third

period to restore Germany’s lead after Kazakhstan had recovered from 4-2 down.

Germany is without Tim Stutzle after the Ottawa Senators forward was scratched for the rest of the tournament Sunday with what the team called a minor knee injury he picked up against France on Monday.

Switzerland went 2-0 down to France in the first period but recovered to win 5-2 as Nico Hischier of the New Jersey Devils scored two goals and an assist. Switzerland has won all of its six games, the only unbeaten team remaining, and avoiding defeat in regulation on Tuesday against Germany will ensure the Swiss qualify as the top seed in Group A.

Latvia kept alive faint chances of reaching the quarterfinals with a 4-3 win over Britain but must beat Sweden in its last group game Tuesday to have a chance of advancing.

Man City clinches 6th Premier League title in 11 seasons

MANCHESTER, England — Manchester City clinched a sixth Premier League title in 11 seasons on Sunday by scoring three times in five minutes to come from behind to beat Aston Villa 3-2 in the finale to avoid being toppled by challenger Liverpool.

City was trailing 2-0 to Villa until İlkay Gündoğan began the comeback in the 76th. Rodri equalized two minutes later and Gündoğan put City in front in the 81st.

At one point even when City was losing, it was still set to defend the title as Liverpool was only drawing 1-1 to Wolverhampton. But Mohamed Salah then put the second-place side in front in the 84th minute, which would have taken Liverpool into first place had City not mounted its fightback at the Etihad Stadium. Andy Robertson then sealed Liverpool’s 3-1 win.

Had City conceded a late equalizer, Liverpool would have snatched the trophy away but Pep Guardiola’s side held on for the win in a thrilling climax.

Cubs C Willson Contreras day to day with hamstring injury

CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs manager David Ross praised catcher Willson Contreras on Sunday for speaking up after he felt some tightness in his right hamstring.

Contreras left Saturday’s 7-6 loss to Arizona after he got hurt running the bases in the third inning. Contreras was out of the lineup for the series finale against the Diamondbacks, but he is considered day to day and Ross said it could have been worse.

“I thought that was smart of him yesterday, with some of the lower stuff he’s had,” Ross said. “I mean that’s a veteran move. Like, hey, something doesn’t feel right, let us know. Probably saved us there.”

The 30-year-old Contreras, who is eligible for free agency after this season, is batting .258 with five homers and 14 RBIs in 34 games.

With Contreras’ injury, the Cubs brought up catcher P.J. Higgins from Triple-A Iowa and designated infielder Ildemaro Vargas for assignment. Higgins was in the starting lineup for Sunday’s game against Arizona.

Higgins, 29, made his major league debut last year, going 1 for 23 over nine games with Chicago. He is hitting .417 with a homer and 17 RBIs in 22 games for Iowa this season.

Higgins’ 2021 season was cut short by a right forearm strain.

“It’s been a crazy 12 months,” Higgins said. “Honestly, after getting hurt last year and being injured, I’ve just been happy being able to play baseball. That was my first true injury where it sidelined me for six months basically.”

Maple Leafs sign defenseman Giordano to 2-year extension

TORONTO — The Toronto Maple Leafs signed veteran defenseman Mark Giordano to a two-year contract extension Sunday.

The average annual value of the contract is $800,000.

Giordano, 38, had eight goals and 27 assists in 75 games last season split between Toronto and the Seattle Kraken. He added two assists in seven playoff games with the Maple Leafs.

Giordano has 151 goals and 393 assists in 1,024 regular-season NHL games with Toronto, Seattle and Calgary. He’s also had nine points (one goal, eight assists) in 30 playoff games.

Diamondbacks 3B Josh Rojas sidelined by bruised left hand

CHICAGO — Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Josh Rojas is out of the starting lineup for Sunday’s series finale against the Chicago Cubs because of a left hand contusion.

Rojas got hurt when he struck out in the first inning of Saturday’s 7-6 victory over the Cubs. He hit his first three home runs of the season during Friday’s 10-6 win at Wrigley Field.

Manager Torey Lovullo said he doesn’t think Rojas will need a stint on the injured list.

“There’s a lot of swelling in there,” Lovullo said. “He’s just going to work that out, so he’s day to day.”

The Diamondbacks recalled infielder Drew Ellis from Triple-A Reno and sent infielder Yonny Hernandez down before Sunday’s game against the Cubs. Ellis got the start at third for the finale of the four-game set.