Thursday Sports Update – Cowboys O Line Banged Up

(Frisco, TX) — The Cowboys are back on the practice field today to prepare to face the Lions on Sunday in Detroit. Dallas starting offensive linemen La’el Collins, Connor Williams and Zack Martin missed practice with injuries. Wideout Amari Cooper also was absent. The Cowboys reportedly are sending a representative to quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s workout Saturday in Atlanta. Dallas takes a 5-and-4 record into Motown.

Texans Claim Cornerback Hargreaves, Prep For Ravens

(Houston, TX) — The Texans claimed cornerback Vernon Hargreaves off waivers after the 2016 first-round pick was cut by Tampa Bay. He was benched during the Bucs’ game Sunday for lack of hustle. The Texans pruned defensive back Briean Boddy-Calhoun to create roster space. The Texans are preparing for a Sunday road matchup with the Ravens. Houston leads the AFC South with a 6-and-3 record, while Baltimore tops the AFC North at 7-and-2.

Steelers Visit Browns Tonight

(Cleveland, OH) — The Steelers head to Cleveland to clash with Browns tonight on Thursday Night Football. Pittsburgh has won four in a row to get back in the playoff hunt at 5-and-4. The Browns snapped a four-game losing streak by beating Buffalo on Sunday for their first home win. Cleveland is 3-and-6 overall. The Steelers are 15-2-and-1 against the Browns since 2010.

Confusion Surrounds Kaepernick Workout

(Atlanta, GA) — Confusion is clouding free-agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s workout, which is set for Saturday in Atlanta. ESPN reports the NFL has refused to provide a list of teams attending. “Kap’s” former teammate Eric Reid says the whole thing feels like a “PR stunt.” The Broncos, Lions, Redskins, Patriots and Dolphins are among teams that will reportedly be on hand.

Rockets Down Clippers

(Houston, TX) — James Harden scored 47 points in the Rockets’ 102-93 victory over the Clippers in Houston. Clint Capela had 12 points and a game-high 20 rebounds in the win. Russell Westbrook added 17 points as Houston hiked its winning streak to five games. The Rockets remain at the Toyota Center tomorrow night to meet the Indiana Pacers.

NBA
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Memphis Grizzlies 119, Charlotte Hornets 117
Orlando Magic 112, Philadelphia 76ers 97
Houston Rockets 102, LA Clippers 93
Boston Celtics 140, Washington Wizards 133
Minnesota Timberwolves 129, San Antonio Spurs 114
Toronto Raptors 114, Portland Trail Blazers 106
Los Angeles Lakers 120, Golden State Warriors 94

Mavericks Will Play Tonight In New York

(New York, NY) — The Mavericks will wrap up their three-game trip tonight against the Knicks. It will be Kristpas Porzingis’ first game in Madison Square Garden since the Knicks dealt him to Dallas. He is coming off one of his worst games, five points, 1-for-11 from the field and five fouls in a Monday loss at Boston. The Mavs will return home Saturday against defending NBA champion Toronto.

Stars Put Out Flames

(Calgary, Alberta) — Joe Pavelski lit the lamp twice as the Stars defeated the Flames 3-1 in Calgary. Justin Downing scored his first NHL goal in the win. Ben Bishop collected 24 saves for Dallas, which is 8-1-and-1 in its last ten games. The Stars play tonight at Vancouver, their third stop in a four-game Canadian trip.

NHL
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New York Islanders 5, Toronto Maple Leafs 4
Ottawa Senators 4, New Jersey Devils 2
Washington Capitals 2, Philadelphia Flyers 1 (SO)
Dallas Stars 3, Calgary Flames 1
Chicago Blackhawks 5, Vegas Golden Knights 3

Astros’ Verlander Wins AL Cy Young Award

(Undated) — Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander is the American League Cy Young Award winner. The 36-year-old beat out teammate Gerrit Cole in a close vote. Verlander tallied 171 points with 17 first-place ballots, while Cole had 159 points and 13 first-place votes. Verlander led the AL with 21 wins while finishing second behind Cole with a 2.58 ERA. He also was second behind Cole with 300 strikeouts. Verlander becomes the 21st pitcher to win multiple Cy Youngs, previously winning one with the Detroit Tigers in 2011. He joins the Mets’ Jacob deGrom, who took home the NL Cy Young each of the last two years.

Undefeated Baylor, 8-and-1 Sooners In Saturday Showdown

(Waco, TX) — Baylor is getting no love in the College Football Playoff rankings. The 9-and-0 Bears dropped one rung to number-13 in the second week rankings after a triple-overtime win at TCU. Baylor could get the signature win it is lacking on Saturday if it beats number-10 Oklahoma in Waco. The Sooners are 8-and-1 and ESPN’s College GameDay will be on the Brazos River banks for the showdown.

College Football Roundup

(Undated) — In other college football Saturday, number-19 Texas will play at Iowa State, TCU is at Texas Tech and Texas A&M will host South Carolina. North Texas and SMU have a bye. West Texas A&M closes out it’s season at home Saturday afternoon at 2 against Midwestern State.

College Basketball Roundup

(Undated) — In college basketball, number-12 Texas Tech ripped Houston Baptist 103-74 in Midland. Jahmi’us Ramsey led the 3-and-0 Red Raiders with 25 points. Tomorrow, number-18 Baylor hosts Texas State, Texas is at home against Prairie View and number-seven Gonzaga will visit Texas A&M. On Saturday, SMU will host Jackson State. Sunday, UT-Arlington will play at number-14 Oregon.

College Basketball (Top-25 Coaches’ Poll)
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#5 Louisville Cardinals 91, Indiana State Sycamores 62
#16 Ohio State Buckeyes 76, #10 Villanova Wildcats 51
#12 Texas Tech Red Raiders 103, Houston Baptist Huskies 74
VCU Rams 84, #24 LSU Tigers 82

High School Football –

El Paso Chapin at Amarillo High – 5pm