Reuters Sports News Summary

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

NFL preseason roundup: Jack Strand shines as Falcons rout Colts

Former Division II quarterback Jack Strand threw a touchdown pass and ran for another score, leading the visiting Atlanta Falcons to a convincing 34-6 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday afternoon in preseason action. Strand, an undrafted rookie out of Minnesota State-Moorhead, made a strong case to be Atlanta's third-string quarterback behind Michael Penix ​Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa -- who are still battling for the starting job and both sat against the Colts. Strand completed 12 of 17 passes for 212 yards, including a 13-yard score to fellow rookie Cash Jones, and scampered for a 16-yard score early in the third quarter.

Report: ​Houston or Austin could get NHL team by 2029-30

It appears Houston or Austin could land the NHL's next expansion franchise -- possibly by the end of 2026 -- and potentially begin play in ‌2029-30, The Athletic reported ​on Saturday. Houston billionaire Dan Friedkin's company, Pursuit Sports, has agreed to pay a $2 billion expansion fee to bring the NHL's 33rd franchise to either Houston or Austin. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told The Athletic the league is anticipating an update from the group working with Friedkin in the next few weeks.

Bills send condolences to Ed Oliver following death of son

Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver is mourning the loss of his 2-year-old son. The Harris County Sheriff's Office in Houston announced on June 28 that an unidentified toddler had been transported to a local hospital following a swimming pool incident.

NFL preseason roundup: Jack Strand shines as Falcons rout Colts

Former Division II quarterback Jack Strand threw a touchdown pass and ran for another score, leading the visiting Atlanta Falcons to a convincing 34-6 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday afternoon in preseason action. Strand, an undrafted rookie out of Minnesota State-Moorhead, made a strong case to ‌be Atlanta's third-string quarterback behind Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa -- who are still battling for the starting job and both sat against the Colts. Strand completed 12 of 17 passes for 212 yards, including a 13-yard score to fellow rookie Cash Jones, and scampered for a 16-yard score early in the third quarter.

Yankees LHP Ryan Weathers (forearm) exits start early

New York Yankees left-hander Ryan Weathers was lifted in the fourth inning Saturday against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays due to left forearm discomfort. Weathers will undergo imaging, the Yankees announced during the game.

MLB roundup: Dylan Cease flirts with no-hitter, Blue Jays hold off Yanks

Dylan Cease took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, and the visiting Toronto Blue Jays recorded a 4-3 victory over the New York Yankees on Saturday afternoon. Cease (8-5) carried a no-hit bid for 6 2/3 innings until Jazz Chisholm Jr. singled to right field. He then allowed an RBI single to Austin Wells for New York's first run. George Springer, rookie Charles McAdoo and pinch hitter Nathan Lukes hit RBI singles for the Blue Jays, who totaled 15 hits and won for the eighth time in 12 games.

Cycling-Pogacar wins Monaco time trial as Vuelta bid begins in style

Tadej Pogacar got straight down to business as he opened his quest to win the Vuelta a Espana for the ‌first time by snatching victory in the opening time trial in Monaco on Saturday. Little more than two months after the roar of Formula One cars echoed around the streets of the glitzy principality, the world's fastest cyclist relied purely on leg and lung power to underline his superiority.

Reports: Reeling Sounders acquiring Dejan Joveljic from SKC

The Seattle Sounders are finalizing a deal to acquire forward Dejan Joveljic from Sporting KC, according to multiple reports. Joveljic, 27, will be expected to provide a boost to an anemic Sounders offense that has produced only 22 goals in 20 matches.

Eagles' Ja’Quinden Jackson has full ‌movement after leaving game by ambulance

The Philadelphia Eagles announced that running back Ja'Quinden Jackson had strength and movement in all of his extremities after leaving Saturday night's preseason game against the New England Patriots in an ambulance. Jackson lay motionless on the field at Gillette Stadium after appearing to be kneed in the head while making a tackle on the opening kickoff. He was placed on a backboard and stretcher and removed from the field in an ambulance before being taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.

Motor racing-Dutch GP re-starts after Verstappen crashes on opening lap

Max Verstappen crashed out of his home Dutch Grand Prix at the end of the first lap on Sunday, halting the race and forcing a re-start. "I'm OK," Red Bull's four-time Formula One world champion said over the team radio.

Yankees reinstate Cody Bellinger, place Ryan Weathers on IL

The New York Yankees reinstated outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger from the 10-day injured list on Sunday morning, while left-hander Ryan Weathers was placed on the 15-day IL with a forearm flexor strain. Weathers was removed in the fourth inning of Saturday's game against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays.

D-backs' manager: Ketel Marte 'free to do whatever' while on IL

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte, who gained attention recently by not showing up for a game, was back in the news for appearing in images on social media at a casino while his team was playing. The three-time All-Star is not available to play after going on the 10-day injured list on Thursday due to left knee inflammation.

Motor racing-Norris wins Dutch GP as Antonelli stretches his F1 ⁠lead

Lando Norris gave McLaren a third ​successive Dutch Grand Prix victory on Sunday in an intense race of shifting fortunes that had to be re-started after home hero Max Verstappen crashed on the opening lap. Mercedes' ⁠Kimi Antonelli finished second to increase his championship lead, with teammate George Russell obeying orders to let the Italian -- on fresher tyres -- through late in the race and then holding off Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton for third.

Clemson DT Vic Burley suspended after arrest

Clemson Tigers senior defensive tackle Vic Burley has been suspended indefinitely following an arrest early Saturday morning, coach Dabo Swinney announced in a statement. Swinney said Burley was charged with disorderly conduct after being arrested by the Clemson University Police Department.

Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. fully cleared, will compete with Tua Tagovailoa

Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has been medically cleared and will return to Falcons' full team practice on Monday, coach Kevin Stefanski said Saturday. Following the team's 34-6 preseason win over the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday, Stefanski kept it ⁠short and simple, saying, "Mike is cleared for 11-on-11. He'll practice Monday in team periods."

Trump caps summer of US 250th birthday with auto race through Washington

President Donald Trump will cap celebrations of the U.S. 250th anniversary with a first-of-its-kind auto race through the streets of Washington, closing a summer of sports and spectacle as drivers speed past the capital's iconic landmarks. IndyCar's Freedom 250 Grand Prix will zoom through the National Mall, past the U.S. Capitol, down historic Pennsylvania Avenue and around the National Archives, with the marquee event on Sunday afternoon.

Blue Jays activate Vladimir Guerrero Jr. from 7-day concussion IL

The Toronto Blue Jays activated first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. from the seven-day concussion injured list on Saturday ahead of their game against ​the host New York Yankees. Guerrero, 27, collided with Yankees shortstop George Lombard Jr. during a play at third base on Aug. 14. Guerrero was removed from the game with concussion symptoms after hitting his head hard on Lombard's left knee and thigh. He was placed on the IL last Saturday.

Padres RHP Casey Mize exits vs. Twins with ankle sprain

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Casey Mize left Saturday night's game versus the visiting Minnesota Twins with a right ankle sprain with two outs in the top of the third inning. Manager Craig Stammen ⁠and the training staff came out ahead of the inning to check on Mize after he appeared to be favoring the ankle while warming up. Mize took two extra warmup pitches and Stammen allowed him to stay in.

Padres dig out of early hole, surge past Twins

Ty France's RBI single capped a four-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning Saturday night that helped the San Diego Padres rally for a 7-5 win over the visiting Minnesota Twins. The rally started with the Padres down 5-2 when Freddy Fermin reached by catcher's interference on Ryan Jeffers. Fernando Tatis Jr. singled Fermin to second and both scored when Jake Cronenworth sliced a double to the left field corner.

Badminton-Lanier crushes Naraoka to become first Frenchman to win singles world title

Alex Lanier beat Kodai Naraoka 21-11 21-11 to ⁠become the first ​French player to win a singles title in badminton's World Championships on Sunday. In the women's singles final, reigning Olympic champion An Se-young outwitted defending world champion Akane Yamaguchi 21-17 21-14 to win her second world title.

Motor racing- Palou claims seventh IndyCar pole of season in Washington

Alex Palou took pole position for Sunday's Freedom 250 in Washington after posting a 56.899-second lap in Saturday's Fast Six qualifying session, his seventh pole of the IndyCar season. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver was 0.567 seconds faster than Andretti Global's Kyle Kirkwood on the 1.7-mile, seven-turn street circuit, which runs along Pennsylvania Avenue and passes landmarks including the White House and Capitol Hill.

Cardinals' 23-month rotation streak ends with Andre Pallante IL stint

The St. Louis Cardinals' remarkable run of rotation health finally came to an end Friday when right-hander Andre Pallante was placed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation. Pallante became the first Cardinals starting pitcher to land on the IL because of an arm injury in 23 months. Sonny Gray was the previous one in September 2024, when St. Louis shut him down as a precaution after falling out of playoff contention.

Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton strains calf, might miss rest of season

New York Yankees outfielder/designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton might be lost for the remainder of the season ⁠because of a new calf strain. Yankees manager Aaron Boone delivered the news Saturday after Stanton sustained a "moderate" left calf strain after falling while running the bases during his rehab earlier this week. Stanton had been recovering from a right calf strain after playing just 24 games this season.

Texas LB Ty’Anthony Smith dismissed from program

Texas linebacker Ty'Anthony Smith has been dismissed from the program due to conduct detrimental to the team, coach Steve Sarkisian said Saturday. Smith appeared in all 16 games in the 2024 season as a freshman for the Longhorns, notching 16 tackles (eight solo), 1.5 ⁠tackles for loss, a half sack, and an interception in a blowout win over Florida. He played 12 games during his sophomore season, including his first career start in the Citrus ⁠Bowl win over Michigan. Smith's 60 tackles (39 solo) ranked fifth on the team. He had 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions.

Reports: San Jose acquiring Eduard Lowen from St. Louis

The San Jose Earthquakes have agreed to a deal to acquire midfielder Eduard Lowen from St. Louis City, according to multiple reports. In return, St. Louis is set to receive $425,000 in GAM funds in addition to another $500,000 GAM in add-ons, per The Athletic.

Motor racing-Zandvoort bows out after 'final lap' Dutch GP party

Zandvoort, a windblown seaside circuit from another era, said farewell to Formula One and the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday with a 'Final Lap' party of pride, celebration and sadness. The track in the North Sea coastal dunes, with an 'Orange Army' of tens of thousands of Max Verstappen fans packing the grandstands and partying in the streets late into the evening, has hosted one of the liveliest races on the calendar ‌since it returned in 2021 after a 36-year absence.

Report: Kentucky lands former Mizzou star Mark Mitchell

Former Missouri star ‌Mark Mitchell has committed to play for Kentucky after being granted the right to pursue a fifth year of eligibility, according to multiple reports. Mitchell, who averaged 18.3 points per game last season, signed an Exhibit 10 contract to play for the Denver Nuggets' summer league team after not being selected in the 2026 ​NBA Draft. Earlier this week, Mitchell entered his name in the transfer portal after being part of a temporary restraining order granted by a Kentucky judge.