Sports Briefs
Steelers TEs hurting
The Pittsburgh Steelers will have their depth at tight end tested with Vance McDonald and Xavier Grimble both dealing with injuries.
Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that McDonald has a hip issue while Grimble is in the concussion protocol. McDonald could be limited early in the week as the Steelers (7-3-1) prepare for a visit from the Los Angeles Chargers (8-3).
Grimble, the third-string tight end after McDonald and Jesse James, had a critical fumble at the goal line in a loss at Denver Sunday. Tomlin added linebacker Bud Dupree has a pectoral injury that could make his status uncertain.
Pittsburgh right tackle Marcus Gilbert could practice this week after missing the past five games with an ankle injury. Defensive end Stephon Tuitt could also return after missing two weeks because of an elbow injury.
Bucs’ Archer
has surgery
Pirates pitcher Chris Archer has undergone surgery to repair a hernia but should be ready in time for spring training.
The team says Archer had surgery Tuesday after complaining of symptoms during a recent workout. Archer is expected to take six weeks off to recuperate before resuming his offseason program.
Pittsburgh acquired Archer from Tampa Bay in a July trade that sent outfielder Austin Meadows and pitcher Tyler Glasnow to the Rays. Archer went 3-3 with a 4.30 ERA in 10 starts for the Pirates, including a 2-1 mark with a 2.70 ERA in September.
In the NHL
Brady Tkachuk scored twice in the third period and Matt Duchene scored the eventual winner with 2:59 left to lift the Ottawa Senators to a 4-3 win over Philadelphia on Tuesday in the Flyers’ first game since they fired general manager Ron Hextall.
Cal’s Barrett honored
For the second time in three weeks, California University of Pennsylvania redshirt senior Seairra Barrett was named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West Athlete of the Week.
Barrett averaged 30.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.5 steals per game last week, as the Vulcans notched a pair of victories to remain unbeaten this season. She finished with 28 points, five rebounds and four steals last Tuesday in a 75-62 victory against Central State.
The Central Valley product then posted a double-double with 32 points and 12 rebounds in a 73-43 win at West Virginia State Sunday.
A two-time All-PSAC West selection, Barrett ranks second in NCAA Division II in scoring this year at 28.6 points per game behind three 30-point games.
Barrett has received PSAC West Athlete of the Week honors four times in her career. Cal has boasted the PSAC West Athlete of the Week in three straight weeks this season.
At The Meadows
Cracklin Rosie won her second straight Tuesday at The Meadows, rallying again to erase a substantial deficit and capture the $20,000 Filly & Mare Preferred Pace.
Cracklin Rosie was fourth by 4-½ lengths when she followed the first-over cover of Shesasmokinlady. The 5-year-old daughter of Badlands Hanover-Honey’s Bud Lite roared wide through the stretch for Jim Pantaleano to catch the leader, Circle The Page, and down her by a length in 1:55.2 over a “good” surface. McDazzle finished third.
Scott Betts trains Cracklin Rosie, who now boasts $235,846 in career earnings, for Timothy Betts, Stephen Moss, Nicholas Catalano and Pedro Baez III.
Dan Charlino, Aaron Merriman, Dave Palone, Mike Wilder and Pantaleano each piloted a pair of winners on the 13-race card.