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AP Sports Digest

Posted 8/17/26

Here are the AP’s top sports stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan. …

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AP Sports Digest

Posted

Here are the AP’s top sports stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan. Sports content can be found at http://newsroom.ap.org/page/APSports.

For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, including agate, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport@ap.org or 877-836-9477.

The New York sports desk can be reached at 800-845-8450, ext. 1630. Sports photos, ext. 1918; graphics, ext. 7636.

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UPCOMING

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SOC--ENGLAND-PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: The post-Pep Guardiola era is underway in English soccer and there’s uncertainty and upheaval abound, not just at Manchester City but across the whole of the Premier League. Get this: Heading into the new season beginning Friday, nine clubs have new permanent managers — an unprecedented number at the start of an English top-flight campaign. By Steve Douglas. 900 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 08/17/2026 5:00 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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FBN--NEW PLAYCALLERS

DESCRIPTION: The Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles both made changes at offensive coordinator following playoff seasons. New coordinators Mike McDaniel and Sean Mannion are just two of the many new play-callers in the spotlight this season, along with new Seattle OC Brian Fleury for the defending champions. By Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow. 850 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 08/17/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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BBO--THIS WEEK IN BASEBALL

DESCRIPTION: The race for the final playoff spot in the American League could be a mediocre mess, though that also could mean a lot of fun. There are seven teams in contention for the final AL wild-card and all of them are under .500. By Baseball Writer David Brandt. 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 08/17/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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FBC--T25-COLLEGE FOOTBALL POLL

DESCRIPTION: Indiana is the defending national champion, but fellow Big Ten programs Ohio State and Oregon will be in the hunt along with a host of powerhouses including Georgia, Notre Dame and Texas. The preseason Top 25 college football poll will help set the table. By Eric Olson. Text, photos at noon Eastern. With agate list, a highlights glance, bracket watch and FBC--College Football Poll-Quiz. Separate analysis will be published Aug. 18.

UPCOMING: By 08/17/2026 12:00 p.m. EDT, Graphic, Photo, Text, DigitalPlans

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FBN--CHIEFS-OVERLOOKED ROOKIE

DESCRIPTION: Khalil Benson, an overlooked offensive tackle, has impressed the Kansas City Chiefs after going undrafted in April, working his way into the starting lineup. Now, after helping to protect Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza at Indiana, he’s protecting Patrick Mahomes with the Chiefs. By Dave Skretta. 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 08/17/2026 12:55 p.m. EDT, Text

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CAR--NASCAR-CHASE-LOOKAHEAD

DESCRIPTION: After Saturday’s race at Richmond, a look at which drivers are locked into the Chase and which drivers are on the bubble heading to New Hampshire Motor Speedway and the second-to-last race of the Cup Series regular season. By Nate Ryan. Text, file photos.

UPCOMING: By 08/17/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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BKL--MERCURY-TAURASI

Diana Taurasi inducted into the Mercury Ring of Honor as franchise celebrates 20 years of excellence

SUMMARY: Diana Taurasi is celebrated as the greatest player in WNBA history by Phoenix Mercury fans. On Sunday, the team inducted her into the Mercury Ring of Honor, retiring her No. 3 jersey during halftime of a game against the Portland Fire. Taurasi, who played for the Mercury from 2004 to 2024, is the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer and a three-time champion. She expressed gratitude for the support she received in Arizona. Thousands of fans gathered to honor her legacy, with tributes from sports stars and a playful “Goat Plush Toss” event. Taurasi’s impact on the franchise and community is undeniable.

WORDS: 790 - MOVED: 08/16/2026 10:57 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:eb332c4427f41d863384e21674912c79&mediaType=text

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FBN--COWBOYS-MILLER

Von Miller is set to join his hometown Dallas Cowboys after agreeing to 1-year deal

SUMMARY: Von Miller is set to sign with his hometown Dallas Cowboys and doesn’t even want to wait a week for the team to get back from training camp in California before joining the club. The NFL’s active leader in sacks has agreed to a one-year contract for what will be his third team in three seasons. Miller is expected to arrive on the West Coast on Monday. Dallas has only have two full practices remaining in its annual three-week California excursion. Miller has 138 1/2 sacks over 14 seasons. He recorded nine with Washington last season.

WORDS: 319 - MOVED: 08/16/2026 10:20 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c94d6a73ce200844a719a18f6a002b21&mediaType=text

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BBO--STRUGGLING DODGERS

Dave Roberts decries Dodgers’ inability to play ‘clean baseball’ after latest costly loss to Brewers

SUMMARY: Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called out his struggling club after a 6-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday cost them a significant tiebreaker in the race for home-field advantage. The Dodgers lost three of four in the crucial series against the Brewers, who are three games ahead of Los Angeles in the chase for the National League’s best record and hold the head-to-head advantage for postseason seeding if the two teams end up deadlocked. Since July 1, the back-to-back World Series champions are 18-21.

WORDS: 637 - MOVED: 08/16/2026 9:22 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f8cfb1c688bb632158d6c7d5a5f73429&mediaType=text

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BKL--FEVER-PLAYOFF READY

Clark praises Fever for being ‘super resilient’ in their hard-fought overtime win over Dream

SUMMARY: Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever looked playoff-ready in their 95-91 overtime win over the Atlanta Dream. The Fever showed impressive depth with four players scoring 18 or more points. Perhaps of more importance, Indiana responded to a major challenge from an Atlanta team that began the day one-half behind the Fever for the important fourth-place spot in the playoff standings. The top four teams receive home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Atlanta led 72-64 entering the fourth quarter. Indiana held the Dream to nine points in the final period of regulation.

WORDS: 513 - MOVED: 08/16/2026 9:02 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:801d0aba0f9cf5ea470b58d4c9e086de&mediaType=text

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GLF--US AMATEUR

Jack Whaley of England holds off Jay Leng Jr. to win US Amateur at Merion

SUMMARY: Jack Whaley of England wins the U.S. Amateur at Merion Golf Club, overcoming rain, a wasp sting, and tough competition from Jay Leng Jr. He won the 36-hole final 4 and 3, celebrating with his caddie father and mother. The victory earns Whaley exemptions into the 2027 US Open, British Open, and potentially the Masters. He becomes the first English winner since 2013. Merion holds historical significance, hosting past champions like Bobby Jones and Ben Hogan. The club is set to host future major tournaments, reviving Philadelphia’s golf scene. Whaley is ranked 90th in the world amateur golf ranking.

WORDS: 837 - MOVED: 08/16/2026 8:20 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:742d036dae95fa32fa73ae50fcc141fc&mediaType=text

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GLF--ST. JUDE CHAMPIONSHIP

Scottie Scheffler back to his dominant self and opens PGA Tour postseason with 8-shot win

SUMMARY: Scottie Scheffler is back to his dominant self. The world’s No. 1 player took a two-shot lead and turned into a blowout at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. He shot a 66 and won by eight shots over Si Woo Kim. That’s the largest margin of victory at the TPC Southwind in its 68-year history. Kim shot 68. Scheffler not only won $3.6 million, he clinched a $23 million bonus for being No. 1 in the FedEx Cup through next week’s BMW Championship. Sungjae Im was the only player to move into the top 50 to advance in the postseason.

WORDS: 893 - MOVED: 08/16/2026 8:03 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c568f8860f0ea159ef663b8290aae0ca&mediaType=text

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FBN--COWBOYS-NILAND OBIT

John Niland, who helped the Dallas Cowboys win their first Super Bowl championship, has died

SUMMARY: John Niland, a three-time All-Pro guard who helped the Dallas Cowboys win their first Super Bowl championship, has died. He was 82. Niland’s daughter, Haven, said he died Saturday morning in McKinney, a Dallas suburb. Niland made 111 starts in 124 games over nine seasons with Dallas. He played for Philadelphia for one year before retiring after the 1975 season. He helped protect Roger Staubach when Dallas beat the Miami Dolphins 24-3 in the Super Bowl on Jan. 16, 1972.

WORDS: 172 - MOVED: 08/16/2026 8:03 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4dc9369ce5952a91e4160ca84a71a8c6&mediaType=text

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GLF--ST. JUDE-MISSING OUT

Jordan Spieth misses out on advancing in PGA Tour postseason by one shot

SUMMARY: Jordan Spieth has another early end to his PGA Tour season. He missed out on cracking the top 50 in the FedEx Cup and advancing to the BMW Championship next week by one shot. Spieth shot a 70 in the final round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship. He hit into the water on the 15th and had two good looks at birdies coming in. Keith Mitchell did all he could to save his season. That mean rolling up his pants and standing in the water to play a shot to the 18th. He missed out by two shots.

WORDS: 814 - MOVED: 08/16/2026 7:51 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:692a80a5c1909139d189026cac3440d2&mediaType=text

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ATH--EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS-IRISH FANS

Irish fans praised for standout support of their athletes at European championships in Birmingham

SUMMARY: Irish athletes at the European championships in Birmingham, England, say they feel like they’re competing at home. That’s thanks to the support of Irish fans who have turned out for the week-long competition at Alexander Stadium. The official Instagram account of the games, Birmingham 2026, posted “they follow their athletes across the world, and the noise they bring is unmatched.” Kate O’Connor won the heptathlon Saturday to double Ireland’s gold tally. Mark English won the 800-meter final on Thursday. Ireland’s medal haul for the championships was four.

WORDS: 587 - MOVED: 08/16/2026 7:09 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:88928e88b503443162ffca264b759697&mediaType=text

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ATH--EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Britain’s Amy Hunt wins record 4th gold medal at European championships. ‘Mondo’ victorious again

SUMMARY: Amy Hunt has won a record fourth gold medal in a single edition of the European championships after Britain clinched victory in the mixed 4x100 relay. Hunt had already won two individual titles -- the 100 and 200 -- and added a third gold Saturday in the women’s 4x100 relay at Alexander Stadium. The team of Jeremiah Azu, Dina Asher-Smith, Zharnel Hughes and Hunt won Sunday in a time of 39.97 seconds. Asher-Smith won her career eighth European championships gold and became the competition’s most decorated athlete with her 11th medal, moving one ahead of the late Polish sprinter Irena Szewinska. Swedish pole vaulter Armand “Mondo” Duplantis earned his fourth consecutive European championship title by clearing 6.15 meters.

WORDS: 688 - MOVED: 08/16/2026 7:03 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1695c4853338e1d204212355b04c9586&mediaType=text

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SOC--WAFCON FINAL

Cameroon beats Malawi 3-0 to win Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the first time

SUMMARY: Cameroon has finally won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-0 victory over tournament debutant Malawi. Marie Ngah Manga headed two goals and Naomi Eto scored the other on Sunday. Cameroon kept Malawi’s Chawinga sisters in check to claim its first win in the final at the fourth attempt. The Indomitable Lionesses had lost on their last three appearances in the final – all to 10-time winner Nigeria. FIFA’s under-fire president, Gianni Infantino, attended the game in Rabat along with CAF President Patrice Motsepe.

WORDS: 425 - MOVED: 08/16/2026 5:59 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f108d26ac618925e654bdd2ee431f7ee&mediaType=text

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TEN--CINCINNATI-OPEN

Fresh off Toronto title, Iga Swiatek wins first match at Cincinnati Open

SUMMARY: Iga Swiatek overcame a short turnaround after winning the title in Toronto on Thursday to defeat Colombian Emiliana Arango, 6-3, 6-0, on center court at the Cincinnati Open on Sunday. Aryna Sabalenka, who has spent 95 consecutive weeks at No. 1, got past Australian Talia Gibson, 6-2, 7-6. On the men’s side, 10th-ranked Taylor Fritz beat fellow American Alex Michelsen, 6-3, 6-4. World No. 4 Felix Auger-Aliassime took down Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5. American Madison Keys outlasted Daria Snigur, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.

WORDS: 344 - MOVED: 08/16/2026 5:23 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:96c6926ef76f91976a44be1193d4e34a&mediaType=text

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BBO--DIAMONDBACKS-ARENADO

Arizona third baseman Arenado worried after leaving loss to the Braves with left trunk discomfort

SUMMARY: One day after hitting two homers, Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado is fretting about a pain he’s never felt. Arenado pulled himself out a 5-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves in the fourth inning with what was described as left trunk discomfort. He only hopes it’s not too serious, especially when the Diamondbacks are battling for a playoff spot. They came into the day vying with San Diego and Philadelphia for the final two NL wild-card spots. Arenado plans to get an MRI to determine the extent of the injury. But he concedes to being “worried.”

WORDS: 655 - MOVED: 08/16/2026 5:22 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:21644efb94b408c52ddd89104073b4cc&mediaType=text

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SOC--MAN CITY-BARCELONA-RODRI

Barcelona set to sign Rodri after agreeing to deal with Man City, AP source says

SUMMARY: Spain’s World Cup-winning captain Rodri appears to be heading back home after Manchester City and Barcelona reached an agreement over the midfielder’s move. A person with knowledge of the transaction has confirmed to The Associated Press that the clubs have agreed to a deal for Rodri worth 76.5 million euros ($88.5 million). The person has spoken on the condition of anonymity because the details of the deal have not been made public. Neither City nor Barcelona have made any official comment about the transfer. The 30-year-old Rodri has played for City since 2019 and won the Ballon d’Or as the world’s best player in 2024.

WORDS: 242 - MOVED: 08/16/2026 4:13 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:74be978e0b5bb23c6acb60dfcde3c52b&mediaType=text

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BBO--OBIT-TOMMY JOHN

Tommy John, namesake for a pioneering elbow surgery that saved his career, dead at 83

SUMMARY: Tommy John, the pitching great known for the surgery that bears his name, has died at 83. According to agent Mike Maguire, John died at his home in Bradenton, Florida, on Saturday night. John had a remarkable 26-year career, winning 288 games and becoming the first pitcher to successfully return after groundbreaking elbow surgery. This procedure, now known as Tommy John surgery, has saved the careers of many baseball stars. John was a four-time All-Star and played for several teams, including the Yankees and Dodgers. His legacy extends beyond his pitching, as his surgery revolutionized baseball.

WORDS: 1466 - MOVED: 08/16/2026 2:43 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b1fb993750b5ea51b1d7a8653de92541&mediaType=text

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FBN--COMMANDERS-MARIOTA

Commanders QB Marcus Mariota has a sprained MCL in his right knee

SUMMARY: Washington Commanders backup quarterback Marcus Mariota has a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee, coach Dan Quinn confirmed. Mariota, 32, will miss the remainder of the preseason. Still, Quinn is optimistic that he’ll be ready for the start of the regular season. Starter Jayden Daniels did not play against the Dolphins. The only other QBs on the roster are Sam Hartman and rookie Athan Kaliakmanis, who will both see increased reps over the next few weeks.

WORDS: 314 - MOVED: 08/16/2026 2:37 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b1e77d6d738f8623b741562f94b4d954&mediaType=text

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