Reuters Sports News Summary

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs. CFL bans Manziel after release by Alouettes

Johnny Manziel was released Wednesday by the Montreal Alouettes, and the Canadian Football League said it will not allow any other team to sign the former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback. The Alouettes and the CFL did not give a specific reason for Manziel's release, with Montreal general manager Kavis Reed saying in a statement that Manziel violated conditions of his contract. Cowboys' Garrett dismisses own fate, focused on keeping Lawrence

Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett claims the next second he spends thinking about his expiring contract will be the first. "The best teams, the best players I've been around in this game have the same mentality, sense of urgency and back-against-the-wall mentality," Garrett said Wednesday at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine. NFL coaches: QB Murray measures up

Kyler Murray might not step foot on the field at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine. He will still be one of the most-watched prospects at the event Thursday morning. The 2018 Heisman Trophy winner from Oklahoma steps instead on the scale and up to the measuring tape Thursday when the quarterback group goes through official measurements around 9:30 a.m. ET. NBA roundup: Nuggets survive Thunder, win 5th straight

Nikola Jokic had 36 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, Will Barton scored 23 points, and the host Denver Nuggets beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 121-112 on Tuesday night. Jamal Murray added 20 points and Paul Millsap finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds to help Denver win its fifth straight. The Nuggets have won each of their first three matchups against Oklahoma City this season. Cycling-Barker wins scratch gold, flying Dutchmen retain sprint

Britain's Elinor Barker claimed the opening gold medal of the track cycling world championships on Wednesday as she held off defending champion Kirsten Wild to win the 10km scratch race. The Dutch men then proved in a class of their own as they defended their team sprint title, leaving France trailing by almost a full second in the gold medal race. Harris becomes first female non-kicker to sign letter of intent

Toni Harris made history this week by accepting a scholarship offer to play football at Central Methodist University in Missouri, becoming the first female player at a skill position to sign a letter of intent. A native of Detroit, who played free safety last fall at East Los Angeles Community College, Harris announced the news Tuesday on Twitter. Spring training roundup: Marlins' Brinson hits two HRs

Lewis Brinson hit solo homers in his first two at-bats for the Miami Marlins on Wednesday, but the New York Mets still had plenty of offense in reserve to earn a 14-6 victory at Port St. Lucie, Fla. Brinson hit a second-inning home run against Mets left-handed starter Steven Matz and a fourth-inning shot off right-hander Walker Lockett. Brinson entered with two hits in six at-bats this spring. Federer overcomes Verdasco in Dubai, Nishikori falls to qualifier

Roger Federer was made to work hard by Fernando Verdasco before beating the Spanish veteran 6-3 3-6 6-3 on Wednesday to reach the quarter-finals of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Federer, who is looking to claim his 100th ATP title, was dragged to three sets for the second time in as many rounds but came through in the decider for his 50th victory in Dubai. FC Cincinnati name Waston first-ever captain

Three days before making their MLS debut, FC Cincinnati named defender Kendall Waston as the club's first-ever captain on Wednesday. Waston, 31, served as captain of the Vancouver Whitecaps during the 2017 and 2018 seasons before being acquired by Cincinnati in December. Tennis: Cilic set to defend Queen's Club title, Tsitsipas in fray

Marin Cilic will return to defend his Queen's Club title this year while Australian Open semi-finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas will play in the tournament for the first time, the organizers said on Wednesday. Former U.S. Open champion Cilic, who beat Novak Djokovic for the title last year, will once again use the tournament to fine-tune his preparation for Wimbledon.