BEREA, Ohio (AP) — It appears that rookie DeShone Kizer is the odds-on favorite to be the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback when the regular season begins. The former Notre Dame standout has been named the team’s starter for Saturday’s preseason game in Tampa Bay and is expected to start the opener Sept. 10 against Pittsburgh. Coach Hue Jackson says Kizer has demonstrated he’s ready and will be given the chance to prove himself.
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon (LAY’-vee-ahn) Bell has suggested on Twitter that he will end his holdout and return to the team on Sept. 1, the day after the team’s final preseason game. Bell hasn’t signed his franchise tender, which will guarantee him $12.1 million for the upcoming season. The two-time Pro Bowler has been seeking a long-term deal.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The NAACP wants a meeting with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (guh-DEHL’) to discuss the fate of unsigned free agent Colin Kaepernick (KAP’-ur-nihk). The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback has refused to stand for the national anthem, instead kneeling as a protest against police brutality. The NAACP says in a letter to Goodell that it’s apparently “no sheer coincidence” that Kaepernick hasn’t been picked up.
CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis is out indefinitely after aggravating a right hamstring injury during last night’s loss to Boston. Kipnis returned recently after missing a month with the strained hamstring. He was placed on the disabled list today, one day after pitchers Andrew Miller and Danny Salazar landed on the DL.
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have acquired Rajai (RAH’-zhay) Davis from the Oakland Athletics after placing fellow outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. on the disabled list with a sprained left thumb. The Bosox gave up a minor league outfielder for the 36-year-old Davis, who is hitting .233 with five home runs and 26 stolen bases this year. Bradley was batting .262 with 14 homers and 54 RBIs this season before injuring the thumb while reaching for home plate during a slide.
