Lions sign former Saints TE Hill
The Lions on Saturday announced the signing of former Saints tight end Josh Hill to an undisclosed contract. Hill was released this month after eight seasons in New Orleans, where he played five years for Lions coach Dan Campbell, who was the Saints’ former tight ends coach.
Hill made seven starts for the Saints last season and caught eight passes for 46 yards. He has been a reliable blocking tight end throughout his career and should fill the role left vacant by the Lions’ release last week of tight end Jesse James.
Last season, Campbell called Hill — one of four tight ends with a touchdown reception in each of the last eight seasons — ‘‘the unsung hero’’ of the Saints’ offense.
HOCKEY
Panarin returns with assist
Former Hawks wing Artemi Panarin had an assist in his return from a nine-game absence to help the Rangers defeat the host Bruins 4-0. Panarin’s time away was fueled by a story in a Russian tabloid that he had attacked a woman in Latvia almost a decade ago.
†The Sabres will be without captain Jack Eichel for what coach Ralph Krueger called ‘‘the foreseeable future,’’ another blow to a team in the midst of a nine-game losing streak. The unspecified injury suffered last Sunday against the Islanders isn’t considered season-ending.
† Beck Warm made 31 saves, and Dominik Bokk, Tanner Jeannot, Tommy Novak and Sheldon Rempal each had a goal and an assist to lead the Wolves (9-2-0-1) past the Wild 4-0 in American Hockey League play in Des Moines, Iowa.
GOLF Westwood on top in Players
Lee Westwood shot a 4-underpar 68 to open a two-stroke lead over Bryson DeChambeau after the third round of The Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Westwood, who finished as the runner-up to DeChambeau last Sunday, completed 54 holes at 13-under 203.
NBA Embiid out at least two weeks
Multiple outlets reported 76ers center Joel Embiid suffered a bone bruise in his left knee Friday against the Wizards and will miss at least two weeks. Embiid is averaging 29.9 points and 11.5 rebounds and is among the top MVP candidates.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL Bielema lands first state recruit
Mount Carmel two-way standout Kenenna Odeluga, who previously had committed to Penn, announced he’ll be new Illinois coach Bret Bielema’s first in-state recruit.
SOCCER Fire win preseason opener
Robert Beric and Elliot Collier scored to give the Fire a 2-1 victory against New York City FC in their preseason opener in Davenport, Florida.