La Crosse Tribune Sports News

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons still expect Kemal Ishmael will open the season as the fill-in starter at strong safety even though he'll miss his third straight preseason game this week.

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — Former Atlanta Braves pitching coach Leo Mazzone has been named a special advisor to Furman's baseball program.

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — The Washington Redskins have cut four-year starting linebacker Perry Riley and defensive lineman Stephen Paea.

Tom Brady's four-game ban for 'Deflategate' will soon begin. Meantime, he's seemingly opted to have a bit of fun at the NFL's expense over the ordeal.

For the past few seasons, the Philadelphia Eagles defense has — to put it mildly — underperformed.

Dolphins fans will have to wait to see former third overall pick defensive end Dion Jordan in the regular season. Miami announced Tuesday Jordan was placed on the non-football injury list, which will sideline him for the first six weeks…

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Sparks have signed forward-center Sandrine Gruda for her second stint with the WNBA team.

DENVER (AP) — The Denver Nuggets traded forward Joffrey Lauvergne to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday for two second-round draft picks in 2017.

NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA is back in full swing after the monthlong Olympic break and if the opening weekend was any indication, it's going to be an exciting final few weeks.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Bills have acquired linebacker Lerentee McCray in trade with the Green Bay Packers.

For the first time since the NFL created its current divisional structure in 2002, there is talk of a potential dynasty in the NFC South.

The kind of parity the NFL wants has been on display in the NFC West over the past half-decade.

The Bears trimmed their roster to 75 players Tuesday, starting by placing two players on injured reserve — center Hroniss Grasu and quarterback Connor Shaw.

Minnesota has a gleaming new stadium. The Vikings are division champions for the first time in six years.

DAVIE, Fla. (AP) — Miami Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan has been placed on the reserve non-football injury list, meaning he's ineligible for the first six games of the season.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Panthers released veteran punter Mike Scifres one day after trading for three-time Pro Bowler Andy Lee.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars have waived former first-round draft pick Bjoern Werner and placed safety James Sample on injured reserve for the second straight season.

Major League Baseball and its players' union are making a joint donation of $250,000 to help flood Louisiana flood victims.

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Bengals released receiver Brandon Tate — the franchise leader in punt returns — as part of their moves to reach the 75-man roster limit on Tuesday.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes have signed general manager Ron Francis to a contract extension through the 2018-19 season.