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Pearce
suspended
(AP) -- The NFL has suspended Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. for the first eight games of the 2026 season. This decision follows his February arrest after a domestic dispute with his ex-girlfriend, Rickea Jackson.
The incident occurred in Doral, Florida. Pearce can participate in preseason games and team activities until the suspension starts on Sunday, Aug. 30. He will be eligible for reinstatement on Monday, Nov. 2, after the Falcons play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road.
Pearce led the Falcons with 10 1/2 sacks during his rookie season in 2025, the most by a rookie since Micah Parsons in 2021.
Scheffler
shoots 61
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- Scottie Scheffler birdied the first five holes and shot a 9-under 61 on Friday to take a three-stroke lead in the FedEx St. Jude Championship. The top-ranked Scheffler had 11 birdies and two bogeys in 100-degree heat at TPC Southwind in the playoff opener.
He had an 11-under 129 total. Scheffler tied the tournament course record. He has played the TPC Southwind more times (seven) without winning than any other course on the PGA Tour.
Viktor Hovland and Sungjae Im were tied for second at 8 under. Hovland had a 64, and Im shot his second 66. Scheffler entered the week with a 794-point lead over Matt Fitzpatrick in the FedExCup standings. Fitzpatrick was 3 under after a 67.
Bertman
dies at 88
(AP) -- Stanley “Skip” Bertman, who turned LSU’s baseball program into a powerhouse that won its first five national championships between 1991 and 2000, has died at age 88. LSU spokesman Michael Bonnette says Bertman died Friday morning in a Baton Rouge hospital.
The College Baseball Hall of Famer’s legacy includes Alex Box Stadium, which opened in 2009 and holds about 11,000 spectators. The field at the stadium is named for Bertman, as is the College Baseball Foundation’s annual award for the nation’s top coach.
Bertman retired from coaching in 2001 with a record of 870-330-3 in 18 seasons.
Nationals
shift Abrams
NEW YORK (AP) -- All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams is moving to second base for the Washington Nationals, vacating the only position he’s played during his five seasons with the club. Manager Blake Butera said Friday that Abrams has begun working out at second.
He said the transition will be more “multiday than multiweek” and that Abrams will swap spots with second baseman Nasim Nuñez. Abrams is having a career year offensively, with 28 homers and a major-league best 91 RBIs.
Abrams also leads NL shortstops with 19 errors, just three shy of his career high.