NFL

Cowboys EDGE DeMarcus Lawrence out for at least four weeks with mid-foot sprain

Dallas has Micah Parsons, so I suppose it could withstand an injury to any other edge rusher on the roster, but it’ll miss Lawrence has his three sacks this season. In Lawrence’s place, the Cowboys will lean on second-round rookie Marshawn Kneeland. The Western Michigan product hasn’t done much yet, but he’ll now receive an extended runway to flash his ability.

NBA

Clippers sign SG Terance Mann to three-year, $47 million contract extension

I wouldn’t have paid Mann this much. The shooting guard looked to be ascending into a good player in 2022, but his progression has stalled since — likely capping out as a solid wing off the bench. At 27, Mann’s outlook can change — crazier things have happened — but it’s more likely he just becomes a bloated contract for a Clippers team lounging in a wasteland.

Mann posted 8.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game last season.

Grade: C-

MLB

Cubs 1, Reds 0

The Cubs went into this season feeling secure regarding their closer situation. After all, who wouldn’t? Adbert Alzolay was great in 2023, saving 22 games and posting a 2.67 ERA.

Chicago will also leave this season with a good feeling about the back end of its bullpen. However, Alzolay is no longer the guy at the end of games for the Cubs — it’s Porter Hodge. Hodge came out nowhere this year to close games for Chicago, supplanting both Alzolay and then Hector Neris for the job.

Hodge recorded his eighth save of the season yesterday and lowered his ERA to 1.93.