Hamlin, still critical, continues recovery

Doctors described Damar Hamlin’s neurological function as “excellent” Saturday, as the Bills safety continued making progress in his recovery after having to be resuscitated on the field in a game at Cincinnati on Monday.

In providing their daily update on Hamlin, the Bills said the player continues to breathe on his own but remains in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Hamlin took a major step forward in his recovery on Friday when he was taken off a ventilator and showed an ability to speak.

A tweet on the 24-yearold’s verified Twitter account Saturday evening said that any love put into the world comes back three times as much and thanking all who “reached out and prayed.” It also said that the response to his injury will make Hamlin stronger. The tweet was followed by a heart-shaped emoji and “3.”

College basketball:

Marcus Carr scored 12 points to help No. 6 Texas top Oklahoma State 56-46 in Texas’ first game since coach Chris Beard was fired. Beard faces a felony domestic family violence charge stemming from a Dec. 12 incident involving his fiancée.

MLB: The Phillies acquired All-Star reliever Gregory Soto and utility player Kody Clemens, son of seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens, from the Tigers on Saturday in exchange for infielder Nick Maton, outfielder Matt Vierling and catcher Donny Sands. Soto, an AL All-Star the last two years, had career highs with 30 saves and 64 games last season with 60 strikeouts in 60 ⅓ innings.

Soccer: Welsh soccer club Wrexham thrilled its Hollywood owners by causing a big shock in the FA Cup on Saturday. A 4-3 win over Coventry in the third round of the famous old competition was Wrexham’s best result since the team, which plays in English soccer’s fifth tier, was taken over by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in November 2020.