La Crosse Tribune Sports News

MIAMI (AP) — Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat says he's "ready to play" and that he expects to be with his team when training camp opens Sept. 27 in the Bahamas.

NEW YORK (AP) — Geno Smith honored a first responder on the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks as his special guest for the New York Jets' season opener.

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves will play their first eight games on the road next season before making their debut of SunTrust Park on April 14.

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins has re-signed with the Washington Redskins, less than two weeks after he was released.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — New York Jets rookie linebacker Jordan Jenkins is doubtful to play Thursday night against the Buffalo Bills with a calf injury that also sidelined him for the season opener.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — A person with knowledge of the punishment tells The Associated Press that two Broncos defenders have been fined a total of $42,540 — but not suspended — for helmet-to-helmet hits on Cam Newton.

So you think this is easy? Here's what Pro Picks was up against on opening weekend: road teams going 9-7, nine teams trailing in the fourth quarter before winning.

Bills coach Rex Ryan is at it again.

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — ACC follows NCAA lead and pulls athletic championships out of North Carolina amid backlash over bathroom law.

Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall, who joined college teammate Colin Kaepernick's national anthem protest last Thursday night, has vowed to pledge $300 to Denver charities for every tackle he makes.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills receiver Sammy Watkins' playing status remains a question mark, and starting left tackle Cordy Glenn has been ruled out against the New York Jets on Thursday night.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Manager Dusty Baker won't be with the Washington Nationals when they close their three-game series against the New York Mets on Wednesday because of a death in the family.

TORONTO (AP) — Reigning AL MVP Josh Donaldson will have an MRI on his sore right hip Wednesday, Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said before Toronto hosted Tampa Bay in a matinee.

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball's 2017 season will open Sunday, April 2 with the New York Yankees at the Tampa Bay Rays and the San Francisco Giants at the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The NFL handed down fines to Broncos LB Brandon Marshall ($24,309) and S Darian Stewart ($18,231) this week for helmet-to-helmet hits on reigning MVP Cam Newton on Thursday Night Football.

METAIRIE, La. (AP) — The New Orleans Pelicans say they have signed veteran free-agent guard Lance Stephenson.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Cam Newton returned to the practice field as the Carolina Panthers amped up their preparation for Sunday's home opener against the San Francisco 49ers.

A majority of coaches tabbed Wisconsin senior goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens as the preseason player of the year.

The NFL announced the launch of "Play Smart. Play Safe" on Wednesday, "an initiative to drive progress in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of head injuries, enhance medical protocols and further improve the way the game is taught and played."

Don’t play Danny Etling in Madden.