Briefs
Pirates returning
to Williamsport
Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred announced that the Pittsburgh Pirates will return to Williamsport to play the Chicago Cubs in the Little League Classic next season.
The Pirates, who played the Cardinals last season in the first ever classic, will play their division rival Aug. 18, 2019.
Barkley returns
to practice
First-round draft pick Saquon Barkley ran on his own as the New York Giants returned to practice.
The former Penn State running back drafted No. 2 overall carried a ball and ran at roughly three-quarter speed Sunday as strength and conditioning coach Aaron Wellman watched.
Barkley strained a hamstring catching a pass out of the backfield at practice last Monday. He did not participate in the workouts held jointly in Allen Park, Michigan between the Giants and Detroit Lions. He also did not play in Friday’s preseason game.
Coach Pat Shurmur continues to say Barkley will be handled on a day-to-day basis.
Jonathan Stewart and Wayne Gallman took the majority of first-team snaps during the practice that lasted roughly an hour.
Cowboys, Martin get positive diagnosis
Two people with knowledge of the diagnosis say Dallas Cowboys right guard Zack Martin has no structural damage in his hyperextended left knee and should be ready for the opener.
Martin was injured in the second quarter of the Cowboys’ 21-13 preseason loss to Cincinnati on Saturday night. The people told The Associated Press on Sunday that an MRI confirmed the Cowboys’ belief that the injury wasn’t serious. They spoke on condition of anonymity because there was no official update on Martin’s status.
The Cowboys open the season Sept. 9 at Carolina. Martin is the highest-paid guard in the NFL after signing a six-year, $84 million extension with $40 million guaranteed during the offseason. The 27-year-old has made the Pro Bowl all four seasons in Dallas and started all 67 games, including three playoff games.
Martin was a first-round draft pick in 2014 and became the club’s first rookie All-Pro selection in 35 years.
Browns’ Gordon could play in Week 1
Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon was back at practice on Sunday – as a spectator.
Gordon visited with teammates and Hall of Famer Jim Brown a day after ending his three-week absence from training camp and missing the first two exhibition games to work on his mental health and sobriety. The former Pro Bowler appeared to be in a good mood – and in excellent shape – as he stayed to the side and worked with trainers on his conditioning.
Gordon, who has missed most of the past four seasons because of violations of the NFL’s substance-abuse policy, has not been cleared to practice. He may attend meetings and practices but is prohibited from being on the field.
No timetable has been set for Gordon’s return, but coach Hue Jackson said Saturday it’s possible he could play in the Sept. 9 season opener against Pittsburgh.