Friday Facts You Might Have Missed
NFL
The struggling Denver Broncos have said that the decision about Russell Wilson starting or not will be made at game time. Wilson suffered a hamstring injury in last Sundays game against the New York Jets.
Baltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins will undergo arthroscopic knee surgery and is anticipated to miss 4 to 6 weeks. The 23-year-old was pulled out before the 2nd half of the Ravens' 24-20 loss to the New York Giants last week. The team sited issues with his knee. He was playing just his 4th game back after suffering a torn ACL during the 2021 preseason finale. Head coach John Harbaugh had this to say about the injury:
"His knee tightened up. It just didn't respond, probably to the turf maybe, I don't know, but it tightened up, and he couldn't go."
Pittsburg Steelers rookie quarterback, Kenny Pickett, has cleared concussion protocol ahead of Sundays game against the Miami Dolphins. Head coach Mike Tomlin did state that the rookie will continue to be the starter going forward as long as he is healthy. The Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth and cornerback Levi Wallace have also been cleared from concussion protocol.
NBA
In a rematch of last seasons Eastern Conference finals, the Boston Celtics held off a late push by the Heat and beat the Miami 111-104. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combining for 57 points and Boston outscoring Miami from the 3 point line 42-24. Interim coach Joe Mazulla said after the game:
“Our guys love playing defense, and any time you have a group of guys who love defense, you have a chance to be special."
Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam is receiving high praise from around the league. Despite losing to the Brooklyn Nets 109-105 Siakam turned in a a triple-double with 37 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists. The 28-year-old said after the game:
"The type of player I am, when I play at a higher level, my team has a better chance to win, I think anytime I play better, (my) team is in a higher position to win."
MLB
The Philadelphia Phillies edged out the San Diego Padres 4-2 on Friday night to take a 2-1 series lead. Kyle Schwarber sent one over the wall in the 1st inning, Jean Segura singled in the 4th sending in Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm, and in the 6th Bohm smacked a double deep into right field sending in Nick Castellanos for the 4th and final run.
The Texas Rangers have hired manager Bruce Bochy on a 3-year contract. The 67-year-old has not managed in the majors since 2019 but does carry 3 World Series titles in his 13 season with the New York Giants. Bochy saying in a statement:
"I am incredibly excited to be joining the Texas Rangers. Over the last several days, I've had extensive conversations with Chris Young and other individuals in the organization, and I had the chance to meet with Ray Davis. Their vision and commitment to putting together a club that can contend and win year in and year out is impressive, and I became convinced I wanted to be a part of that. If I was going to return to managing, it had to be the right situation. I strongly believe that to be the case with the Rangers, and I can't wait to get started."
The Chicago White Sox are slated to interview Ozzie Guillen sometime next week for their vacant manager position. Guillen previously piloted the team from 2205-2011 but is currently working as an analyst.