49ers' Purdy cleared for elbow surgery
The swelling in Brock Purdy's elbow has subsided enough to reschedule his ulnar collateral ligament surgery for Friday, according to a 49ers source.
Two weeks ago, Purdy's procedure in the Dallas area was postponed after an exam with Dr. Keith Meister, who revisited the 49ers quarterback last week in Arizona.
Green-lighting the surgery is just one step, as it may not be until Friday's procedure everyone learns the extent of repair needed to Purdy's ulnar collateral ligament, which was torn in the 49ers' NFC Championship Game defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles on Jan. 29.
A repair with an internal brace could have Purdy begin a throwing regimen after three months with a game-ready recovery expected around the sixmonth mark. Coincidentally, the first Sunday of the NFL season, Sept. 10, is exactly six months from Friday.
Trey Lance figures to
serve as the 49ers' No. 1 quarterback through the offseason program, which begins in six weeks. Lance began throwing last month in his return from a pair of surgeries on his right ankle, which he fractured in the 49ers' Sept. 18 home opener. CARR AGREES TO 4-YEAR CONTRACT WITH SAINTS >> Former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has agreed to a four-year contract with the New Orleans Saints, and a person familiar with the situation said the deal could be worth up to $150 million.
The person spoke to The Associated Press about the contract's value on condition of anonymity Monday because financial terms were not released when the Saints announced their agreement with Carr.
“Derek's experience, leadership and skillset will be an asset to our offense,” Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said.
Carr played nine seasons for the Raiders and holds club records for yards passing (35,222) and touchdown passes (217). But after struggling late last season, Carr was benched with two games remaining.
Carr, who turns 32 on March 28, was released by Las Vegas on Feb. 14 after he declined to waive the notrade clause in his contract. NFL REINSTATES RIDLEY AFTER GAMBLING SUSPENSION >> The NFL reinstated suspended receiver Calvin Ridley on Monday, clearing the way for him to join his new team in Jacksonville.
The league said Ridley, who had been suspended indefinitely since March 2022 for violating the NFL's gambling policy, is eligible to participate in all team activities beginning immediately. He is expected to join the Jaguars for offseason workouts beginning April 17.
The Jaguars gave up a fifth-round pick in 2023 and a conditional fourthrounder in 2024 to get Ridley from Atlanta at the trading deadline in November. He was suspended after the league determined he bet on NFL games in 2021 while away from the Falcons to address mental health concerns.
College baseball RIOS' PATIENCE REWARDED WITH RECORD 11-RBI GAME FOR STANFORD >>
It took Alberto Rios until his third season at Stanford to break into the starting lineup. Days like Sunday will help keep him there. He set the school record and tied the Pac-12 mark with 11 RBIs in a 24-9 win over Cal State Bakersfield.
“It's kind of ridiculous,” he said Monday. “I had no idea until I saw the box score.”
Rios appeared in eight of the Cardinal's 121 games his first two years and didn't play in the season opener against Cal State Fullerton.
He had two three-run homers, a pair of two-run singles and an RBI base hit during his 5-for-7 day.
Men's basketball HOUSTON, UCLA, KANSAS TOP LATEST AP TOP 25 >>
UCLA is surging, both toward the postseason and in The Associated Press men's college basketball poll.
While Houston was No. 1 for a third straight week in Monday's poll, the Bruins rose two spots to No. 2 for their highest ranking of the season. UCLA (27-4) has won its last 10 games, including a showdown with highly ranked Arizona in the regular-season finale behind star Jamie Jaquez Jr. to complete a perfect home record.
Houston (29-2) closed out its regular-season schedule by winning at Memphis on a last-second basket Sunday, marking its 11th straight win.
The only change in the top five came with UCLA trading places with No. 4 Alabama, with Kansas remaining at No. 3 despite a loss at Texas in Saturday's regular-season finale and Purdue staying at fifth.
Women's basketball
SOUTH CAROLINA NO. 1 FOR 37TH STRAIGHT WEEK, IOWA NOW NO. 2 >>
South Carolina stands alone with the second-longest streak atop The Associated Press Top 25 women's basketball poll as the Gamecocks remained No. 1 for a 37th consecutive week.
The Gamecocks (32-0) won the Southeastern Conference Tournament over the weekend to remain undefeated heading into the NCAA tourney. South Carolina, which received all 28 first-place votes from a national media panel Monday, broke a tie with Louisiana Tech for most consecutive weeks at No. 1. The defending national champions now trail only UConn's run of 51 straight weeks atop the Top 25.
Iowa moved up five spots to No. 2 after running through the Big Ten Tournament. Indiana dropped one place to third with Virginia Tech moving up four places to No. 4. The Hokies, who won the ACC Tournament for the first time, have their highest ranking ever.