Sports News Roundup: Falcons sign LB Jones to extension; NFL-NFLPA meetings cut short two days and more

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

NFL notebook: Falcons sign LB Jones to hefty extension

The Atlanta Falcons signed linebacker Deion Jones to a four-year extension on Wednesday, putting him under contract through 2023. Jones' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told multiple media outlets the extension is worth $57 million with $34 million guaranteed for injury. According to The MMQB, the deal includes an $11 million signing bonus, $13.45 million paid in 2019 and $35.5 million over the first three years, with $25.8 million guaranteed in full.

Reports: NFL-NFLPA meetings cut short two days

A scheduled three-day bargaining session between the NFL and the NFLPA ended after one day, according to multiple reports on Wednesday. The sides released a joint statement on Wednesday afternoon, saying, "Today's meeting was productive, constructive and beneficial for both sides, and the meetings between the NFLPA's Executive Committee and the NFL's Management Council Executive Committee will continue."

MLB notebook: Angels' Ramirez suspended for plunking Marisnick

Los Angeles Angels right-hander Noe Ramirez was suspended for three games Wednesday and fined an undisclosed amount for hitting Houston Astros outfielder Jake Marisnick with a pitch in Tuesday's game. Angels manager Brad Ausmus was suspended for one game and also fined an undisclosed amount, according to Major League Baseball chief baseball officer Joe Torre. Ausmus was set to serve his punishment Wednesday night when the Astros and Angels were to play again.

Green, first black player for Red Sox, dies at 85

Elijah "Pumpsie" Green, the first black player in Boston Red Sox history, died on Wednesday in San Leandro, Calif. He was 85. The Red Sox confirmed Green's death on Wednesday and also held a moment of silence prior to their Wednesday night home game against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Women's Open needs sustainable business model to grow purse - R&A

The R&A sees a bright future for the Women's British Open but chief executive Martin Slumbers on Wednesday offered no promises that the championship's purse would be boosted any time soon to match the men's Open. The R&A, the ruling body for golf outside of the United States and Mexico, will take full control of the Women's Open from next year.

McIlroy: Open's return to Northern Ireland 'bigger than me'

Despite competing on home soil in Northern Ireland, Rory McIlroy said there's no added pressure to win this week's Open Championship at Royal Portrush. "I'm just treating this like any other Open Championship," he said Wednesday, per SkySports.com. "I've played well here for the last few years, and I've played well on this golf course. So I've just got to go out and hit the shots and stay in the present. If I just keep putting one foot in front of the other, hopefully by Sunday night, that will be good enough."

MLB roundup: Padres' Paddack nearly no-hits Marlins

Padres rookie right-hander Chris Paddack had a no-hitter through seven innings before giving up a home run in San Diego's 3-2 win over the host Miami Marlins on Wednesday. Starlin Castro homered to lead off the eighth for Miami's first hit.

Superlicence points from 2020 to mark a sea-change for W Series

W Series founder Catherine Bond Muir admits there were times when she wondered whether she had wasted years of her life setting up the all-female single-seater championship, but not anymore. As the six-race series prepares for its penultimate round at Assen in the Netherlands on Saturday, she feels fully vindicated.

NBA notebook: Thunder to keep Paul for now

The Thunder's discussions to trade newly acquired Chris Paul have stalled, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Wednesday, increasing the odds that the point guard begins the season in Oklahoma City. The Thunder have been working with Paul's agent on a suitable trade since acquiring him from the Houston Rockets last week in a deal for Russell Westbrook and two first-round picks, but Wojnarowski reports nothing is materializing. The report adds that Oklahoma City believes trade talks could improve after Dec. 15 -- when players signed this offseason can be included in deals -- or after the 2019-20 season.

Olympics: Mixed weather and waves at Tokyo 2020 surfing test event

Surfing's unpredictability is part of its charm and Tokyo 2020 organizers got a taste this week of what might face them next year when the sport makes its Olympics debut. Heavy fog and small waves on Thursday meant the start of the four-day surfing test event at Shidashita Beach, some 60 kilometers north-west of Tokyo, was delayed for an hour.