La Crosse Tribune Sports News

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski said Wednesday that he could not guarantee he would be healthy enough to play in Sunday's opener vs. the Arizona Cardinals. Gronkowski injured his hamstring during a joint practice with the Chicago Bears…

NEW YORK (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays have signed veteran shortstop Alexei Ramirez prior to Thursday night's game against the New York Yankees.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The most experienced cornerback on the Kansas City Chiefs' roster is entering his third year in the NFL.

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves' first game in their new ballpark will be against the New York Yankees — even though it'll only be an exhibition and won't be open to fans who aren't season ticket holders.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco prosecutors have charged former 49ers tight end Bruce Miller with multiple counts of assault and battery after police say he attacked a 70-year-old man and his son while intoxicated.

MIDLAND, Mich. (AP) -- Gage Green, Saige Jenco, Omar Estevez and Jake Henson recorded three hits each, as Great Lakes beat the Bowling Green Hot Rods 15-1 on Wednesday.

Ryan Lochte will forfeit $100,000 and a chance to swim at next year's world championships as part of the penalty for his drunken encounter at a gas station in Brazil during last month's Olympics.

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Falcons have wide receiver Julio Jones back with full clearance for practice, confirming the team's biggest star will be ready for Sunday's opening game against Tampa Bay.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Nashville Predators center Paul Gaustad is retiring at the age of 34.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) — Allen Iverson was a no-show for the pre-induction news conference at the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame on Thursday, a day before he was scheduled to become a member of the basketball shrine.

URBANA, Ill. (AP) — University of Illinois trustees have approved a contract with football coach Lovie Smith that will pay him at least $21 million over six years.

PITTSBURGH (11-7) at WASHINGTON (9-8)

DETROIT (7-9) at INDIANAPOLIS (8-8)

GREEN BAY (10-6) at JACKSONVILLE (5-11)

CLEVELAND (AP) — Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch was ejected after the Cleveland Indians scored two runs on a bases-loaded wild pitch in the third inning and took a 4-1 lead.

The Milwaukee Bucks signed free agent guard Orlando Johnson and free agent forward J.J. O'Brien to their training camp roster, the team announced on Thursday.

Jacobs, a redshirt junior, embraces his opportunities as a backup fullback and linebacker for the Badgers.

NEW ENGLAND (12-4) at ARIZONA (13-3)

Mississippi State's first game without star quarterback Dak Prescott was a dud.

NEW YORK GIANTS (6-10) at DALLAS COWBOYS (4-12)