No deal for Skins, Cousins
The Washington Redskins’ Kirk Cousins will be the first quarterback in NFL history to play consecutive seasons on the franchise tag.
Cousins, 28, and the Redskins didn’t agree on a long- term contract by the deadline Monday, so he will make $ 23.94 million — the average of the top five salaries at his position — on the franchise tag this season after earning $ 19.95 million in 2016.
Redskins president Bruce Allen said in a statement that the team offered Cousins $ 53 million guaranteed or $ 72 million in the event of injury. That would have been the second- most guaranteed money for a quarterback behind Green Bay Packers star Aaron Rodgers’ $ 54 million.
Cousins’ agent, Mike McCartney, declined an interview request before Allen issued his statement.
In 46 games, including 41 starts, Cousins has completed 65.6 percent of his passes for 12,113 yards with 72 touchdowns and 42 interceptions.
The Pittsburgh Steelers and star running back Le’Veon Bell failed to reach an agreement on a long- term contract by the deadline, which means Bell will play on the franchise tag this season.
Bell, 25, will make $ 12.1 million this season after accounting for 1,884 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns despite playing in only 12 games last season.
ESPN said a source confirmed Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott was involved in an incident Sunday at a bar in Dallas in which a 30- year- old man said he was physically assaulted but couldn’t identify who assaulted him.
An NFL official said the league is aware of the situation and ‘‘ looking into it.’’ Elliott already is under NFL investigation stemming from a domesticviolence allegation against him.
The Carolina Panthers fired general manager Dave Gettleman eight days before the team reports to training camp. The Panthers compiled a 40- 23- 1 record in four seasons under Gettleman and reached the Super Bowl after the 2015 season, but they went 6- 10 in 2016.
Polanco, Pirates top Brewers
Gregory Polanco went 4- for- 4 with two RBI doubles and two runs scored to carry the host Pittsburgh Pirates to a 4- 2 victory against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Before the game, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said outfielder Starling Marte will be activated Tuesday after serving an 80- game suspension for testing positive for a performanceenhancing drug and will bat sixth against the Brewers.
The New York Yankees said right- hander Michael Pineda will have Tommy John surgery on his pitching elbow Tuesday and likely will be out until at least late next season. Pineda was 8- 4 with a 4.39 ERA this season, his last before he becomes eligible for free agency.
Ball named Summer League MVP
Los Angeles Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball was named the most valuable player of the Las Vegas Summer League despite not playing in the championship game because of a mild calf strain. He finished Summer League play averaging 16.3 points, 9.3 assists, 7.7 rebounds and 2.5 steals.
Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander said he is selling the team, which he has owned for 24 years. Under his ownership, the Rockets have won 56.9 percent of their games — the fifth- highest percentage in the league during that span — and two NBA titles ( 1994- 95).