Sports News Roundup: Braves sign Donaldson to one-year deal; NBA opens new training centre in Senegal; Jaguars change QB, OC

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Jaguars RB Fournette suspended one game for fight

The NFL has suspended Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette for one game without pay for violating league rules on unsportsmanlike conduct and unnecessary roughness. The league made the announcement on Monday, the day after Fournette and Buffalo Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson were ejected because of their roles in a brawl between the two teams late in the third quarter Sunday in Orchard Park, N.Y. The players threw multiple punches at each other in a melee on the sideline outside the end zone.

NBA roundup: Warriors pound Blazers to end skid

Kevin Durant scored 14 of his game-high 32 points in a second-quarter run-away Friday night, as the Golden State Warriors snapped a four-game losing streak with a 125-97 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in Oakland, Calif. Klay Thompson was right behind with 31 points as the Warriors, who shot 56.5 per cent overall and 53.1 per cent on 3-pointers, beat the Trail Blazers for the eighth consecutive time at home.

Bulls PF Markkanen nears return from elbow injury

Chicago Bulls power forward Lauri Markkanen is scheduled for full participation in practice Tuesday as he works his way back from a preseason right elbow injury. Markkanen took part in two-on-two sessions on Sunday, and a successful practice stint could move him closer to making his season debut.

NFL notebook: Jaguars change QB, OC

The Jacksonville Jaguars benched quarterback Blake Bortles and fired offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett on Monday. Head coach Doug Marrone said Cody Kessler will start at quarterback, and QBs coach Scott Milanovich will call plays on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. Kessler threw for 156 yards, a touchdown and an interception in his lone appearance this season, while Milanovich is in his second season in the NFL after 14 years between NFL Europe and the Canadian Football League.

College football notebook: Meyer plans to return to Ohio State

Urban Meyer plans to be back as head coach of Ohio State next season, he said Monday during a news conference. "I plan to coach," Meyer said, swiftly shifting the conversation to the Buckeyes' Big Ten Championship Game on Saturday against Northwestern.

Olympics: North Korean sports minister allowed into Japan for meetings

North Korea's sports minister will be allowed to travel to Japan to attend Olympic meetings in Tokyo this week, the Japanese government said on Tuesday. North Koreans are banned from entering Japan as part of sanctions imposed for its missile and nuclear tests.

Film Study: Colts QB Luck better than ever

For much of the past year, many wondered if we'd already seen the best of Andrew Luck. Even three weeks into this season, some questioned the health of Luck's surgically repaired right shoulder, citing a wealth of dink-and-dunk throws (5.3 yards per attempt in Weeks 1-3 despite a 68.6 per cent completion rate) and Jacoby Brissett's cameo on a Hail Mary against the Eagles.

Ex-NFL standout Smith pleads no contest in domestic violence case

Former San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith entered no-contest pleas to two misdemeanour domestic violence charges on Monday, according to a report. Bay City News said he had been charged with false imprisonment and violating a court order, both misdemeanours.

MLB notebook: Braves sign Donaldson to one-year deal

The Atlanta Braves on Monday night announced the signing of third baseman Josh Donaldson to a one-year, $23 million contract. A three-time All-Star and the 2015 American League MVP, Donaldson missed 110 regular-season games in 2018 because of a calf injury and hit .246 with eight home runs and 23 RBIs. Injuries have cost Donaldson 159 regular-season games the last two seasons.

NBA opens new training centre in Senegal

The National Basketball Association on Monday cut the ribbon on a new training centre in Saly, Senegal, where it hopes to develop a new generation of African players for the league. The facility, which features two indoor courts and a weight room in addition to dormitories and educational facilities, will be the primary training location for male and female prospects from across the continent, the league said.

(With inputs from Reuters)

(With inputs from agencies.)