La Crosse Tribune Sports News

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Athletics have released designated hitter Billy Butler despite still owing him $10 million for next season.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Carson Wentz had 278 yards passing and two touchdowns in a stellar NFL debut and the Philadelphia Eagles beat Robert Griffin III and the Cleveland Browns 29-10 on Sunday.

BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore Ravens used a touchdown pass by Joe Flacco, two field goals and a throwback defensive performance to beat the Buffalo Bills 13-7 on Sunday in their season opener.

HOUSTON (AP) — Brock Osweiler threw for 231 yards and two touchdowns in his debut with Houston to lead the Texans and their revamped offense to a 23-14 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

MIAMI (AP) — Jose Urena pitched 8 2/3 innings of four-hit ball, leading the Miami Marlins to a 3-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — Cappie Pondexter scored a season-high 24 points, Allie Quigley had 18 points and the Chicago Sky clinched a playoff spot with a 96-86 victory over the Connecticut Sun on Sunday.

Kansas City cornerback Marcus Peters raised a black-gloved fist during the national anthem before the NFL opener against San Diego, backing up his promise to show support for protests started by Colin Kaepernick.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Todd Haley came up with a goal of averaging 30 points a game a year ago.

Chargers No. 1 receiver Keenan Allen exited on a cart in the first half against the Chiefs with an apparent right knee injury.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals have activated shortstop Aledmys Diaz before Sunday's game against Milwaukee.

The University of Wisconsin moved up one spot to No. 9 in the Associated Press poll after its 54-10 win over Akron on Saturday.

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston middle linebacker Brian Cushing injured his knee in the first quarter against the Chicago Bears and is questionable to return.

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have placed catcher A.J. Pierzynski on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring.

CHICAGO (AP) — The Kansas City Royals and Lorenzo Cain have agreed to wait a week before deciding whether the outfielder will be shut down for the rest of the season because of his troublesome left wrist.

The Latest on Week 1 of the NFL season (all times Eastern):

Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles was inactive for Sunday's opener against the Chargers as he continues to rehab from surgery last season to repair a torn ACL in his right knee.

With Jimmy Garoppolo starting for the Patriots, Carson Wentz behind center for the Eagles and Shaun Hill or Sam Bradford — who really knows? — throwing passes for Minnesota, the first week of the NFL season will play out Sunday…

The NFL on Friday released a statement indicating all necessary steps were taken Thursday night in regard to evaluating Cam Newton for a potential concussion after the MVP absorbed numerous helmet-to-helmet blows, seemingly withhout being tested for a brain injury.

NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL will review how the Panthers' medical team handled a hit to Cam Newton's head during Carolina's loss to Denver in the season opener.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars say running back Chris Ivory has been hospitalized with a "general medical issue" and won't play in the team's season opener against Green Bay.