AP Sports SummaryBrief at 11:54 a.m. EST

Titans fire GM Ran Carthon after two seasons despite big spending spree NASHVILLE, Tenn.

(AP) The Tennessee Titans fired general manager Ran Carthon after just two seasons on the job and a 9-25 record.

The Titans introduced Carthon as the franchises first Black general manager in January 2023, and he helped the franchise hire a new coach in Brian Callahan a year later.

Tennessee controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk will have yet another new GM to help the franchise decide what to do with its fourth overall No.

1 pick in the NFL draft after going 3-14 in 2024.

Strunk said in a statement that it was impossible to ignore that the Titans didnt improve over the last two years.

Callahan will remain the head coach.

NFL coaching moves: Mayo, Pederson are out of a job while Giants elect to keep Daboll New Englands Jerod Mayo and Jacksonvilles Doug Pederson are two NFL coaches out of a job while New York Giants coach Brian Daboll is among those who look like they will be back next fall.

Its the day after the NFLs regular season, which usually means a tough day for coaches as underachieving teams move quickly to make changes.

Mayo was fired on Sunday after the teams win over the Buffalo Bills, ending his tenure after just one season and a 4-13 record.

The move means the Patriots will embark on another rebuild as the team tries to build an identity following the Bill Belichick-Tom Brady era.

Pederson is out as Jacksonvilles head coach after the franchise won just four games.

NFL coaching searches have complicated rules about timing and interviews The overlap of the NFL playoffs and coaching search season will have many of the leagues top assistants pulling double duty this month.

While 14 teams are deep into playoff preparations with hopes of winning a Super Bowl, there are five teams that had disappointing campaigns that have led to coaching changes.

The search to fill those spots has already begun with the New York Jets, Chicago, New Orleans, Jacksonville and New England already identifying candidates to interview, including several who are on the staffs of the playoff teams.

The NFL has strict rules on when those coaches can talk to other teams while their seasons are still alive.

NFL playoffs feature veteran running backs producing successful second acts with new teams GREEN BAY, Wis.

(AP) Those veteran running backs who changed addresses in the offseason have given themselves a chance to showcase the difference they can make in the postseason.

Plenty of contenders capitalized on a crowded market by adding proven ball carriers.

The moves paid major dividends.

Now players such as Philadelphias Saquon Barkley, Baltimores Derrick Henry and Green Bays Josh Jacobs are welcoming the playoff opportunities they didnt get often enough with their original teams.

Other playoff running backs who have performed well for new teams this season include Minnesota's Aaron Jones and Houston's Joe Mixon.

North Dakota State wins 10th FCS title as Miller accounts for 4 TDs in 35-32 win over Montana State FRISCO, Texas (AP) Cam Miller ran for two touchdowns and threw for two more to lead North Dakota State to its record 10th Football Championship Subdivision title.

The Bison beat top-seeded and previously undefeated Montana State 35-32 on Monday night.

Miller was making his 54th consecutive start for North Dakota State.

The Bison played in the title game for the 11th time in 14 seasons, and have lost only one in Frisco, Texas.

They last won the championship three years ago, in a game that also had Miller and Montana States Tommy Mellott as the starting quarterbacks.

Montana State's last title came 40 years ago.

Tough, old school defense a calling card for all four teams left in the national championship hunt AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Smothering defenses have carried the last four teams still in the hunt for the national championship.

If you want offense, look elsewhere this weekend.

The defenses, with All-Americans spread throughout the lineups, are the story of the semifinals.

Ohio State, Texas Penn State and Notre Dame all rank in top eight nationally in total defense.

The Buckeyes and Longhorns meet in the Cotton Bowl on Friday.

The Nittany Lions and Fighting Irish play in the Orange Bowl on Saturday.

Scottie Scheffler withdraws from another tournament, hopes to play at Pebble Beach DALLAS (AP) Scottie Scheffler will be skipping another tournament to let his injured right hand heal.

Scheffler punctured his hand with broken glass while preparing Christmas dinner.

That forced the world's No.

1 player to sit out the season opener at Kapalua in The Sentry.

Now he says he has withdrawn from The American Express in the California desert that starts next week.

Scheffler says his hand needs more time to heal from minor surgery.

He says he hopes to be able to start his season at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am that starts on Jan.

30.

Australian Open 2025: How to watch on TV, betting odds and more to know MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) Play in the years first Grand Slam tennis tournament is scheduled to begin at the Australian Open on Sunday.

The draw to set the brackets for the singles fields will be held on Thursday in Melbourne and the hard-court tournament at Melbourne Park lasts 15 days.

The defending champions are Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner.

They are both ranked No.

1 and are the betting favorites at Melbourne Park this year.

The 2025 womens and mens singles champions each will earn about $2.15 million.

This is the first Grand Slam tournament to be held since Rafael Nadal's retirement.

Chargers plan to sign Ezekiel Elliott to practice squad after his release by Cowboys LOS ANGELES (AP) The Los Angeles Chargers are planning to sign running back Ezekiel Elliott to their practice squad pending a physical.

That's according to two people familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the move had not been completed.

The Chargers are the No.

5 seed in the AFC and open the playoffs at Houston on Saturday in a wild-card round game.

Elliott was released by the Dallas Cowboys on Dec.

31 so that he could possibly sign with a playoff team seeking a veteran running back.

Antetokounmpo needs 3 stitches in finger and returns to post a triple-double in win over Raptors TORONTO (AP) Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo needed three stitches to close a cut near the base of his right pinkie against Toronto on Monday night, and returned to the game to finish his fourth triple-double of the season.

Antetokounmpo banged his finger on the rim while trying to chase down RJ Barretts fast-break dunk late in the second quarter.

He finished with 11 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds in a 128-104 road win over the struggling Raptors.

Antetokounmpo said his finged was "kind of numb,' but insisted he was fine..

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