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David Rancken’s App of the Day 11/22/24 – Earth.fm!

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Jason Kelce to host limited late-night show for ESPN

While Jason Kelce can already be seen on ESPN as the host of Monday Night Countdown, the now-retired former Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro center will be testing out his game as a late-night host.

They Call It Late Night With Jason Kelce will kick off a five-episode run on Jan. 4 at 1 a.m. ET on ESPN, with the fifth episode, on Feb. 1, beginning at 1:30 a.m.

The sports network teases "an immersive experience ... showcasing the Super Bowl champion's oversized personality and infectious humor mixed with celebrity guests from the football world and beyond, in front of a live audience of NFL fans."

"The show's format will position Kelce and his guests to dissect NFL topics and storylines, mainly focused on that weekend's games" and will include "active participation from the fans in attendance."

The show will be available on ESPN+, ESPN YouTube and the Jason Kelce channel on YouTube presented by ESPN following its initial ESPN airing.

Jason and his younger brother, Travis Kelce, have been making their mark off the field for some time: Travis can be seen in the FX series Grotesquerie and also hosts the Prime Video series Are You Smarter Than A Celebrity?

Jason has appeared in numerous commercials, in addition to hosting the sibling NFL stars' podcast New Heights, and making a headline-grabbing entry in the ring in the most recent WrestleMania.

Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend drops defamation and assault lawsuit

Actor Jonathan Majors and his ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari have agreed to resolve her civil claims that followed his misdemeanor assault conviction in New York, according to a court filing.

Majors and Jabbari stipulated to a dismissal of her lawsuit for defamation and assault that she brought against him in March, the filing said. A reason was not given.

Jabbari sued Majors about the same time he was sentenced to domestic violence intervention classes in April. She alleged he physically abused her and then defamed her by denying the assault in an interview with ABC News.

Majors was found guilty of one count of misdemeanor third-degree assault and one count of second-degree harassment, but was acquitted of two other counts of assault and aggravated harassment in a split verdict.

Since the verdict, Majors has been dropped from his management and PR firms. In addition, he was cut from future Marvel films and his role as Kang in Avengers: Kang Dynasty.

As part of his sentencing, Majors was ordered to complete a 52-week in-person batterers intervention program in Los Angeles, continue mental health counseling and stay away from Jabbari.

Texas board to vote on Bible curriculum in public schools

(NEW YORK) -- The Texas Board of Education will vote Friday on whether to implement its new K-12 curriculum that calls for expanding Bible teachings in classrooms, after signaling its passage in a preliminary vote.

The curriculum includes Biblical and Christian lessons about Moses, the story of the Good Samaritan, the Golden Rule, readings from The Book of Genesis, and more. The accuracy of the materials has come under scrutiny. For example, the curriculum claims "Abraham Lincoln and other leading abolitionists relied on a deep Christian faith," though Lincoln's religion has historically been debated.

The instructional materials, called Bluebonnet Learning, are developed by the state, according to the Texas Education Agency. The lessons would be optional, but districts can receive at least $40 per student for using state-approved materials, according to local legislation.

Some supporters of instituting religion in the curriculum say that these religious texts are important for the historical context of U.S. history and can instill moral values in the classroom. While some critics said, this violates the First Amendment right to freedom of religion for students and teachers, forcing classrooms to engage in Christian instruction.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has spoken out in support of the Texas Education Agency's curriculum after singing legislation directing the Texas Education Agency to purchase and develop instructional materials.

"The materials will also allow our students to better understand the connection of history, art, community, literature, and religion on pivotal events like the signing of the U.S. Constitution, the Civil Rights Movement, and the American Revolution," Abbott said in a May statement. "I thank the TEA for their work to ensure our students receive a robust educational foundation to succeed so that we can build a brighter Texas for generations to come."

The Freedom From Religion Foundation, an advocacy organization centering on the separation of state and church, has criticized the curriculum, claiming leaders are determined to "turn the state's public schools into Christian training grounds."

"The curriculum targets the youngest, most impressionable elementary students, starting by introducing kindergartners to Jesus," FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor said in an online statement ahead of the vote. "Religious instruction is the purview of parents, not proselytizing school boards. This is a shameful ruse by Christian nationalists in Texas who see the schools as a mission field."

States like Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and others have been behind the push to enforce Christian-based school requirements, including the implementation of Bibles, the Ten Commandments and other religious doctrines in schools.

Judge delays Trump’s Nov. 26 sentencing date in his hush money case

(NEW YORK) -- New York Judge Juan Merchan has delayed President-elect Donald Trump's Nov. 26 sentencing date in his criminal hush money case, according to a brief order issued Friday.

The judge is allowing the defense to file a motion to dismiss the case, which he said is due by Dec. 2.

The judge provided no new sentencing date after adjourning the original Nov. 26 date.

Trump was scheduled to be sentenced next week after he was found guilty in May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in order to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election.

Judge Merchan's order also puts off any decision about whether the Supreme Court's recent presidential immunity decision applies to the case.

While the $130,000 payment to Daniels preceded Trump's ascension to the presidency, Trump has claimed that prosecutors filled "glaring holes in their case" with evidence that related to official acts he subsequently performed in office -- which the Supreme Court ruled are off limits in its July ruling on presidential immunity.

Prosecutors have argued that the case centers on "entirely personal" conduct with "no relationship whatsoever to any official duty of the presidency."

Trump has asked that the verdict be overturned or the case be thrown out entirely. If Judge Merchan tosses the conviction, he could order a new trial -- which would be delayed for at least four years until Trump leaves office -- or dismiss the indictment altogether.

Trump's conviction carries a penalty of up to four years in prison, though first-time offenders normally receive lesser sentences.

Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend drops defamation and assault lawsuit

(NEW YORK) -- Actor Jonathan Majors and his ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari have agreed to resolve her civil claims that followed his misdemeanor assault conviction in New York, according to a court filing.

Majors and Jabbari stipulated to a dismissal of her lawsuit for defamation and assault that she brought against him in March, the filing said.

Jabbari's lawyer said the pair settled out of court.

"We are happy to announce that the lawsuit Grace filed against Jonathan Majors was successfully settled," attorney Brad Edwards said in a statement to ABC News. "It took tremendous courage for Grace to pursue this case. We are happy to have helped her close this chapter favorably so that she can move forward and begin to finally heal."

Jabbari sued the Marvel and "Creed III" star about the same time he was sentenced to domestic violence intervention classes in April. She alleged he physically abused her and then defamed her by denying the assault in an interview with ABC News.

Majors was found guilty of one count of misdemeanor third-degree assault and one count of second-degree harassment, but acquitted of two other counts of assault and aggravated harassment in a split verdict.

Since the verdict, Majors has been dropped from his management and PR firms. In addition, he was cut from future Marvel films, including his role as Kang in "Avengers: Kang Dynasty."

As part of his sentencing, Majors was ordered to complete 52-week in-person batterers intervention program in Los Angeles, continue mental health counseling and stay away from Jabbari.

Longview ISD Education Support Center closed due to fire damage

LONGVIEW — The Longview Independent School District said their Education Support Center will be closed Friday due to damage from a fire just after midnight. According to our news partner KETK, a press release from the district stated the fire caused “significant damage” to the building’s northwest wing. No injuries have been reported from the fire and the Longview Fire Department is investigating the cause.

“We are incredibly grateful to the firefighters and first responders who acted so quickly to contain the fire and prevent further damage,” Longview ISD superintendent Dr. Marla Sheppard said. “Their dedication and skill ensured that no one was harmed and that the impact was minimized as much as possible.” Continue reading Longview ISD Education Support Center closed due to fire damage

‘Gladiator II’ star Paul Mescal, director Ridley Scott and more talk revisiting Rome 2 decades later

Nearly two and a half decades after the monumental film Gladiator hit theaters, acclaimed filmmaker Ridley Scott is returning the iconic Roman-era epic to the big screen with Gladiator II.

The film, starring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen and more, is a Roman warrior story of redemption, family and nation, told on a scale big enough to match its preceding legacy.

In an interview with Good Morning America, the cast opened up about making the second installment of a classic, carrying on the Gladiator legacy and how Scott "built" Rome for the new film.

"We thought about it for 24 years -- not every day, it was always there in the back of my mind," Scott said of making the sequel. "But in that time, I did 17 other movies. Big ones. So, it really wasn't an incredible challenge other than saying 'It would be nice to get to it,' And we finally got to it by sitting down at a table and saying, 'Whatever happened to Lucius?'"

Enter: Mescal as Lucius, the son of Maximus -- the main character from Gladiator, played by Russell Crowe.

Mescal undoubtedly had big boots to fill, succeeding Crowe as the leading man in the sequel. According to two-time Oscar winner Washington, who plays Macrinus in the new film, Mescal was more than able to carry the staggering legacy of Crowe's character.

"First of all, he pulls it off," said Washington. "I can only imagine the pressure he must have felt coming behind Russell 25 years later."

Despite that pressure, Mescal made clear his dominant feeling was one of excitement. "Obviously there was a nervousness attached to it and concern because you care about the work that you do," he said. "But the predominant thing was one of getting ready to go -- and excited about it, to be honest."

Scott's Rome, which he built with production designer Arthur Max, featured more than 500 extras filling rows in a replica Colosseum that reached a third of the original structure's actual size.

"I'd never been on sets like that," said Washington, explaining the scope of the production. "They built Rome, basically."

Mescal said actors on Scott's set are immersed in the world of Gladiator -- barring the cameras of course, though he was sure to note that Scott even dresses up the camera operators in costume.

"It is a total, total gift," said Mescal of the elaborate set design. "You walk onto set, and if you can't act in that environment, I don't think this job is for you."

Gladiator II premieres in the U.S. on Nov. 22.

In brief: ‘XO, Kitty’ gets season 2 premiere date, and more

Netflix has announced Jan. 16 as the premiere date for season 2 of its To All the Boys I've Loved Before spinoff, XO, Kitty. The new season, filmed in Seoul, South Korea, "will follow Kitty -- played by Anna Cathcart -- as she returns to high school for a new semester at the Korean Independent School of Seoul (KISS)," according to the streaming service. Season 2 will also introduce three new characters: Stella, Praveena and Jin -- played respectively by Audrey Huynh, Sasha Bhasin and Joshua Lee...

Starz has revealed Jan. 17 as the premiere date for its steamy, seductive thriller The Couple Next Door, along with a teaser trailer. The series follows a couple, played by The Illusionist's Eleanor Tomlinson and How to Get Away with Murder's Alfred Enoch, who move into the upscale neighborhood and strike up a friendship with the couple next door, portrayed by Outlander's Sam Heughan and Pennyworth's Jessica De Gouw, per Starz. The two couples grow increasingly close to each other and become sexually entangled in a way that will change their lives forever. The Couple Next Door will be available to stream weekly on Fridays on the STARZ app and all Starz streaming and on-demand platforms ...

The Social Network's Jesse Eisenberg has lined up his next film, an untitled musical comedy starring The Room Next Door's Julianne Moore and The Holdovers' Paul Giamatti, according to Deadline. The feature, directed by Eisenberg from his own script, "follows a shy woman who is unexpectedly cast in a local production of an original musical. Under the spell of the strong-willed and enigmatic director, she loses herself in the role and the high-stakes world of this community theater production," per the outlet ...

Disney+ has greenlit a second season of the Korean sci-fi fantasy series Moving, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Based on the popular webtoon created by Kang Full, Moving centers on three teenagers with genetic superhuman abilities and their parents who protect them from a group of South Korean spies. The series features some of the biggest names in Korean film and television, including Ryu Seung-ryong, Han Hyo-joo and Zo In-sung. Disney is the parent company of ABC News ...

Mavs star Luka Doncic has a right wrist sprain and will be re-evaluated in a week

DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic has a right wrist sprain that will sideline the Dallas Mavericks star on a three-game road trip starting Friday night in Denver.

The Mavericks said Thursday their five-time All-Star will be re-evaluated in a week. The defending Western Conference champions also visit Miami and Atlanta on the trip, and the timeline for Doncic suggests he will miss a home game against the New York Knicks on Wednesday as well.

Doncic said he started feeling discomfort in the wrist in the first quarter of a 132-91 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday.

The five-time All-Star had missed the previous game against Oklahoma City with a right knee contusion. That was the first game Doncic missed this season.

Doncic is tied for eighth in the NBA in scoring at 28.1 points per game as part of a star-studded backcourt that includes Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson. Irving is averaging 24.3 points per game.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Spurs rally to top Jazz 126-118 for 2nd straight victory without injured Wembanyama

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Harrison Barnes had 25 points and 10 rebounds, rookie Stephon Castle scored 18 points and the San Antonio Spurs rallied to defeat the Utah Jazz 126-118 on Thursday night for their second straight win without Victor Wembanyama.

Zach Collins added 18 points and Chris Paul had 13 points and 10 assists for San Antonio.

Lauri Markkanen scored 27 points and Keyonte George added 19 for Utah, which lost its fourth straight.

Wembanyama and Devin Vassell missed their third straight game with minor knee injuries. Wembanyama has a bruised right knee and Vassell has a sore left knee. San Antonio acting head coach Mitch Johnson said both should return “really soon.”

San Antonio started slowly coming off an emotional victory against Oklahoma City on Tuesday.

Spurs center Charles Bassey provided the needed spark, finishing with 11 points, eight rebounds and a career-high six blocks.

After trailing by 18 points early in the second half, San Antonio outscored Utah 34-22 in the third quarter and scored the first four points in the fourth to tie the game at 89 and going on to a 41-29 scoring edge in the period.
Takeaways

Jazz: Utah had 11 turnovers in the second half after only three in the first half.

Spurs: San Antonio outscored Utah 75-51 in the second half.
Key moment

After stuffing Kyle Filipowski for his fifth block late in the third, Bassey tiptoed along the baseline, saving a Spurs possession that ended with the center scoring off an alley-oop from Tre Jones. Bassey’s series of plays cut Utah’s lead to 88-82 with 1:07 remaining.
Key stat

San Antonio (8-8) did not win their eighth game last season until Jan. 20, when they beat the Washington Wizards 131-127 to move to 8-34.
Up next

The Jazz host New York, and the Spurs host Golden State to end a three-game homestand, both Saturday.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Reeling Cowboys visit Dan Quinn’s overachieving Commanders in a franchise role reversal

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — When Dan Quinn left the Dallas Cowboys after three years as their defensive coordinator to coach the Washington Commanders, it looked as if he was leaving a perennial playoff contender for a rebuilding project.

Instead, Quinn’s Commanders are in the thick of the playoff race even after consecutive losses provided something of a speed bump, while the Cowboys’ season has fallen apart. Dallas (3-7) visits Washington (7-4) on Sunday in a franchise role reversal for the NFC East rivals.

“For me and for the guys, man, it’s Washington-Dallas Week, let’s get down,” Quinn said. “I don’t make one (game) too often bigger than another. I just think they’re all really important, and we absolutely go after it as hard as we can.”

Quinn, defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. and a handful of former Dallas players have been part of Washington’s turnaround, including pass rusher Dante Fowler, defensive end Dorance Armstrong, center Tyler Biadasz and receiver Noah Brown, who famously caught rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels’ Hail Mary toss for the game-winning touchdown last month to beat Chicago.

Armstrong has followed the Cowboys’ downfall since leaving in free agency, saying simply, “It’s not good.” And that was before a piece of their stadium’s roof fell Monday night before their fifth consecutive loss, a 34-10 blowout by Houston.

Injuries, including starting QB Dak Prescott’s torn hamstring that led to season-ending surgery, have been the backdrop for Dallas’ forgettable year. Coach Mike McCarthy, who’s approaching the end of his contract and possibly his tenure, said he and his staff are “going to stay the course” and play who’s available.

That means Cooper Rush again getting the nod in place of Prescott, though McCarthy said a package of plays could open up to get 2021 No. 3 pick Trey Lance into the game.

“Cooper’s been there for a little minute, so he knows the system really good,” said Fowler, who leads the Commanders with 8 1/2 sacks. “Trey Lance is really good with his legs, and he’s a dynamic quarterback, as well. You don’t want to go out there half-stepping against those guys because they do play good football, as well.”

The Commanders have played far better football than the Cowboys so far this season, so much that the home team is a 10 1/2-point favorite on BetMGM Sportsbook. Washington has never been more than a nine-point favorite against Dallas in any game going back to at least 2003, according to BetMGM.

The Cowboys could get a bit of a spark with the anticipated return of receiver Brandin Cooks, who has seen way too much sorrow around him since he last played in Week 4.

“Get guys playing at a high level, playing fun, playing free, and having a great time out there,” Cooks said. “That’s what I’m not seeing right now. I think we can go out there and be more joyful in our process.”

There’s plenty of joy in Washington, with the playoffs still on the line, unlike Dallas.

“It’s definitely cool to be in that type of position rather than being on the other side,” Fowler said. “Just cool to see what Coach Quinn has just done since he came here with this team and getting a group of guys to come together and play as one.”
Daniels gets a reset

A rib injury knocked Daniels out of a rout of Carolina on Oct. 20, and while he did not miss a game, the 23-year-old has not been as dangerous or effective since. The No. 2 pick out of LSU and reigning Heisman Trophy winner has completed 59.5% of his passes the past four games after 75.6% before getting injured, and he has had his average rushing yards cut nearly in half from 53.1 to 27.5.

Quinn insists Daniels is not injured and pinned the regression on a lack of practice time in recent weeks. Daniels also said he’s good to go after some extra rest following a 26-18 loss at Philadelphia on Thursday, Nov. 14.

“The mini bye, I think it just helps everything, just to reset your mind and get ready for the second half of the season,” Daniels said. “I was able to reset and refocus, restart.”
OL shuffle

The offensive line has been a problem all season for the Cowboys. Now it’s a major injury concern.

Perennial All-Pro right guard Zack Martin and promising young left guard Tyler Smith sustained ankle injuries on the same drive in the fourth quarter for the Cowboys against the Texans. Neither returned.

Rookie left tackle Tyler Guyton re-injured his shoulder trying to run with a fumble after Rush had the ball knocked out of his hand trying to throw.

Asim Richards has already filled in for Guyton several times as the first-round draft pick has battled various injuries. T.J. Bass and Brock Hoffman were the replacements at guard. Like Guyton and Smith, all three fill-ins are 25 or younger.

It’s possible veteran tackle Chuma Edoga, the projected starter at left tackle before injuring a toe in training camp, could make his season debut.

“With Zack, he’s a keystone for our offensive line,” McCarthy said. “That will be a big one. But it’s more opportunity for these young players who haven’t played a lot and are getting a lot of work.”
Running questions

McCarthy said the Cowboys “took a step backward, clearly” running the ball against Houston after making progress the previous couple of games. Rico Dowdle, now the clear lead back after ineffectiveness and off-field drama from Ezekiel Elliott, had just 28 yards on 10 carries, and the Cowboys finished with 64 yards.

They allowed 141 yards, including 109 and three touchdowns by Joe Mixon, and have the NFL’s second-worst rushing defense. Washington’s Brian Robinson Jr. has already set a career high with seven TD runs and could be in for a lot of carries.

“I look forward to running the ball any time,” Robinson said. “I’m prepared, I’m ready and if it happens like that, I’m ready for it.”

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AP Pro Football Writer Schuyler Dixon in Frisco, Texas, contributed.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

NFL issues security alert to teams and the players’ union following recent burglaries

The NFL issued a security alert to teams and the players’ union on Thursday following recent burglaries involving the homes of Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.

In a memo obtained by The Associated Press, the league says homes of professional athletes across multiple sports have become “increasingly targeted for burglaries by organized and skilled groups.”

Law enforcement officials noted these groups target the homes on days the athletes have games. Players were told to take precautions and implement home security measures to reduce the risk of being targeted.

Some of the burglary groups have conducted extensive surveillance on targets, including attempted home deliveries and posing as grounds maintenance or joggers in the neighborhood.

Burglars have entered through side doors, via balconies, or second-floor windows. They’ve targeted homes in secluded areas and focus on master bedrooms and closet areas.

Players were warned to avoid updating any social media with check-ins or daily activities until the end of the day. Posting expensive items on social media is discouraged.

The homes of Mahomes and Kelce were broken into within days of each other last month, law enforcement reports show. The break-ins happened just before and the day of Kansas City’s 26-13 home victory over the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 7, where Kelce’s superstar girlfriend Taylor Swift watched from the stands. No injuries were reported in either case.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Stroud and AFC South-leading Texans return to division play with visit from struggling Titans

HOUSTON (AP) — C.J. Stroud is undaunted by criticism he’s received after throwing more interceptions through 11 games this season than he did in 15 starts last year in a fabulous rookie season for the Houston Texans.

And it won’t change the way he plays.

“Shooters have to shoot,” he said. “You live by the sword; you die by the sword. So, I am just going to continue to play — throw anticipation, throw no-looks. I am going to continue to be me. I am going to have fun. If it means I have to throw more picks to get us to win, it is what it is.”

Stroud has seven interceptions this season after throwing five last year. Now he’ll get another test as the AFC South-leading Texans (7-4) return to division play Sunday against the Tennessee Titans (2-8), who rank first in the NFL by allowing just 164.6 yards passing a game.

Stroud has just one touchdown pass with three interceptions in the past three games combined after throwing four with just one interception in the previous three games.

Tennessee coach Brian Callahan believes some of Stroud’s problems this year stem from missing key pieces on offense for several games. Running back Joe Mixon sat out three games with an ankle injury early this season and top receiver Nico Collins returned last week after missing five weeks with a hamstring injury.

Despite that, Callahan raved about Stroud and how he commands Houston’s offense.

“We have our work cut out for us … because whether he’s played to what he was last year statistically or not, I see the player and the talent and that’s all I really look at,” he said. “And he’s capable of throwing for 350 yards at any point that he walks out there. So, it’s going to be a tough challenge for us.”

The Texans will try for their second straight win after Monday’s victory over Dallas snapped a two-game skid and the struggling Titans will try to end a two-game losing streak. Tennessee has lost five of its past six.
Mixon’s work

Mixon continues to shine in his first season in Houston after a trade from Cincinnati. He had 153 yards of offense and a season-high three touchdowns in Monday night’s win and has had at least 100 yards rushing in six of his eight games this season.

Mixon is averaging 95.5 yards rushing a game, which ranks third in the NFL behind Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley and Baltimore’s Derrick Henry.

“He is very special with the ball in his hand,” Stroud said.
Levis showing signs of improvement

With the Titans currently slotted to pick No. 2 overall in the April draft even with seven games left, quarterback has been a popular pick for that selection. But Will Levis has shown some signs of improvement even if the 33rd pick overall in 2023 from Kentucky doesn’t have a win yet this season in a game he both started and finished. He missed three games with a sprained AC joint in his right, throwing shoulder.

Since his return, Levis has completed 64.8% of his passes (35 of 54) for 470 yards with three TD passes and only one interception. He’s also been using his legs on designed runs as well as scrambling 12 times for 59 yards. Those numbers would be even better if not for three illegal formation penalties wiping out 80 yards in passing. Levis turned in the NFL’s longest TD pass play this season with a 98-yard catch-and-run to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.
Anderson’s return

Defensive end Will Anderson, last year’s AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, is expected to return this week after missing two games with an ankle injury. If he can play, it will be a huge boost to a pass rush which ranks fifth in the NFL with 34 sacks.

Anderson is tied with Danielle Hunter for most sacks on the team with a career-high 7½ and his 11 TFLs lead the Texans and are tied for sixth most in the NFL.
Revolving door

The Titans’ biggest challenge has been finding a right tackle that can run block and pass protect. Levis has been sacked 12 times since his return and 27 times this season. The Titans have started three different players at right tackle and played two others. Nicholas Petit-Frere started last week’s game and almost perfectly split snaps with Isaiah Prince, someone signed to the practice squad in October. Prince was the lineman flagged for the illegal formation penalties that wiped out not only yards but a 51-yard TD pass to Calvin Ridley. Callahan said it’s easily Tennessee’s weakest link.

“I’ve not been a part of something that’s been so hard to settle down and find some continuity and find some consistency,” Callahan said of a line being coached by his father, longtime offensive line guru Bill Callahan. “We just haven’t been able to get there.”

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AP Pro Football Writer Teresa Walker contributed to this report.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Chris Sale and Tarik Skubal take Cy Young Awards after both were pitching triple crown winners

Chris Sale was one of the ace left-handers Tarik Skubal idolized as a teenager. Now the two will be linked forever after winning their first Cy Young Awards on Wednesday.

Skubal was a unanimous pick for the American League honor following a brilliant season with the Detroit Tigers. Sale’s selection in the National League capped an incredible comeback with the Atlanta Braves after the 35-year-old had been derailed by injuries since helping Boston win the 2018 World Series.

“It means a lot. It’s a special night,” Sale said. “I just can’t express how thankful I am for everybody that stuck by me. It would have been easy to jump ship and write me off.”

Skubal and Sale shared the MLB lead with 18 wins this season and dominated their respective leagues.

Sale went 18-3 and topped the NL with 225 strikeouts, while his 2.38 ERA in 29 starts was the best among all major league qualifiers. It was his first season in the National League during a big league career that began in 2010 with the Chicago White Sox.

Skubal, who turned 28 on Wednesday, was 18-4 with a 2.39 ERA and a big league-best 228 strikeouts in 31 starts. The left-hander got all 30 first-place votes in AL balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America that was completed before the playoffs.

Sale received 26 firsts, with NL runner-up Zack Wheeler from Philadelphia getting the other four.

“If you look at his career, it’s no surprise that he’s winning this award,” Skubal said about Sale. “To be able to share this award and win it the same year, and win the same triple crown award in the AL and NL, that’s something that’s really special to me, and it’s awesome. I’ll be able to live with that the rest of my life.”

Pittsburgh Pirates righty Paul Skenes finished third, two days after being selected NL Rookie of the Year. Kansas City starter Seth Lugo was the AL runner-up, with Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase (47 saves) coming in third.

It was the first time since 2011 that someone won the pitching triple crown in both leagues. There have been 25 occasions when a pitcher led his league in wins, strikeouts and ERA among qualifiers — and a Cy Young Award followed all 16 times it’s happened since the prize was first presented in 1956.

Sale didn’t have any major injury issues in his Braves debut until he was scratched because of back spasms from their final regular-season game, which they needed to win to make the playoffs. He was then left off the roster for their Wild Card Series loss to San Diego.

Atlanta acquired Sale in a trade last December after he made only 31 starts for the Red Sox from 2021-23. He missed the 2020 season and most of 2021 after Tommy John surgery. He made only two starts in 2022 after he fractured a rib and then broke his left pinkie. He broke his right wrist riding a bicycle in August 2023, ending his final season with Boston.

Sale was named the NL Comeback Player of the Year last week at Major League Baseball’s All-MLB Awards Show.

“Talk about motivation, right? To be able to show my sons hard work, dedication and not giving up. My wife had my back the whole time. I’m sure I was a real peach at times during some of those injuries,” he said. “And just with my parents, my family, I was talking to my dad the other day about this and whether it did or didn’t happen, he was proud of me.”

It was the third time Sale finished among the top three in Cy Young Award voting. He was the AL runner-up in 2017 after his first season with Boston behind Corey Kluber, who was also the Cy Young Award winner in 2014 when Sale finished third with the White Sox.

Sale won the eighth Cy Young Award for the Braves organization. Most of those came in the 1990s, when Greg Maddux won three in a row with Atlanta from 1993-95 — after being the 1992 winner with the Chicago Cubs. Tom Glavine won twice (1991 and 1998), and John Smoltz was the 1996 winner. Warren Spahn was the first in 1957 when the Braves played in Milwaukee.

Detroit now has six Cy Young Awards. Denny McLain won back-to-back in 1968 and 1969, and reliever Willie Hernández was the 1984 winner. Justin Verlander’s Cy Young Award with the Tigers came two years before Max Scherzer won in 2013.

Skubal had Tommy John surgery at Seattle University before the Tigers drafted him in the ninth round in 2018. His made his big league debut in 2020, and this season went at least six innings in 25 of his 31 outings. He was 6-0 in his first nine starts and finished the season the same way — 6-0 in his last nine starts while the Tigers made their surprising push to the playoffs.

He made his postseason debut with 17 consecutive scoreless innings before a five-run fifth that included a grand slam by Cleveland’s Lane Thomas in the deciding Game 5 of their AL Division Series. That 7-3 loss ended the Tigers’ season.

“I was able to kind of get over it relatively quickly just because I was so proud of our team and what we were able to accomplish,” Skubal said. “And if I’m going to be the one to fail, I love that, because, you know, it’s only going to set our team up to have success in the future.”

Based on where they placed in balloting, Clase earned a $150,000 bonus, Sale and Lugo $100,000 each and Wheeler $50,000.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB