game of the generals Judge weighs whether to order Fani Willis to comply with lawmakers’ subpoenas over Trump case

LPL Financial to present at the Goldman Sachs Financial Services Conference

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The very close election for a North Carolina Supreme Court seat heads next to a hand recount even as election officials announced a machine recount of over 5.5 million ballots resulted in no margin change between the candidates. The statewide machine recount — in which ballots were run again through tabulators — that wrapped up this week showed Democratic Associate Justice Allison Riggs with a 734-vote lead over Republican challenger Jefferson Griffin, who is a Court of Appeals judge. Most county election boards reported minor vote changes from the machine recount requested by Griffin. But State Board of Elections data showed the post-recount lead exactly the same as what Riggs held after all 100 counties fully completed their ballot canvass in November. Griffin led Riggs by about 10,000 votes on election night, but that lead dwindled and flipped to Riggs as tens of thousands of qualifying provisional and absentee ballots were added to the totals through the canvass. Griffin, who already has pending election protests challenging the validity of more than 60,000 ballots counted statewide, has asked for a partial hand-to-eye recount, which county boards will start Wednesday or Thursday. The partial hand recount applies to ballots in 3% of the voting sites in all 100 counties, chosen at random Tuesday by the state board. Once the partial recount is complete, a statewide hand recount would be ordered if the sample results differ enough from the machine recount that the result would be reversed if the difference were extrapolated to all ballots. Riggs, who was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2023 and now seeks an eight-year term, again claimed victory Tuesday. In a campaign news release, spokesperson Embry Owen said Griffin “needs to immediately concede – losing candidates must respect the will of voters and not needlessly waste state resources.” Riggs is one of two Democrats on the seven-member court. Through attorneys, Griffin has challenged ballots that he says may not qualify for several reasons and cast doubt on the election result. Among them: voter registration records of some voters casting ballots lack driver's license or partial Social Security numbers, and overseas voters never living in North Carolina may run afoul of state residency requirements. State and county boards are considering the protests. Griffin's attorneys on Monday asked the state board to accelerate the matters before it and make a final ruling early next week. "Our priority remains ensuring that every legal vote is counted and that the public can trust the integrity of this election,” state Republican Party spokesperson Matt Mercer said in a news release. Final rulings by the state board can be appealed to state court. Joining Griffin in protests are three Republican legislative candidates who still trailed narrowly in their respective races after the machine recounts. The Supreme Court race and two of these three legislative races have not been called by The Associated Press. The key pending legislative race is for a House seat covering Granville County and parts of Vance County. Republican Rep. Frank Sossamon trails Democratic challenger Bryan Cohn by 228 votes, down from 233 votes before the recount. Sossamon also asked for a partial hard recount in his race, which was to begin Tuesday. Should Cohn win, Republicans will fall one seat short of the 72 needed in the 120-member House to retain its veto-proof majority — giving more leverage to Democratic Gov.-elect Josh Stein in 2025. Senate Republicans already have won 30 of the 50 seats needed to retain its supermajority in their chamber. The AP on Tuesday did call another legislative race not subject to a protest, as Mecklenburg County GOP Rep. Tricia Cotham won her reelection bid over Democrat Nicole Sidman. A machine recount showed Cotham ahead of Sidman by 213 votes, compared to 216 after the county canvass. Cotham’s switch from the Democrats to the Republicans in April 2023 secured the Republicans' 72-seat veto-proof majority so that Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s vetoes could be overridden by relying solely on GOP lawmakers. Gary D. Robertson, The Associated Press

Lindsey Vonn to enter World Cup ski races next weekend in Switzerland in her comeback at age 40 BEAVER CREEK, Colo. (AP) — Lindsey Vonn will return to World Cup ski racing next weekend for a pair of super-G events in St. Moritz, Switzerland, as she continues her comeback at 40 years old. Vonn teased her return in an Instagram post through her sponsor, Red Bull, on Friday morning. She said “I hear St. Moritz is pretty nice this time of year.” The U.S. Ski Team then confirmed she will race in St. Moritz. She’s won five of her 82 World Cup races on the venue at St. Moritz. Picabo Street, a two-time Olympic medalist and Vonn’s former teammate, says “it’s the coolest thing ever.” De'Vondre Campbell won't be part of the 49ers after his refusal to enter a game, Kyle Shanahan says SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said linebacker De’Vondre Campbell won’t be part of the 49ers moving forward after he refused to enter a game after losing his starting job. Shanahan said the team is still working through the options of how to deal with Campbell after he walked to the locker room in the middle of a 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Shanahan says the team is weighing its options, which could include a suspension or release, but that Campbell won't be part of the team for the final three weeks of the season. Saudi Arabia's plans to host the men's World Cup 2034 will be harmful for the climate, experts say Saudi Arabia says that to host the 2034 World Cup in men’s soccer, it will build or renovate 15 stadiums, create a futuristic city and expand airports and public transport in a massive buildout to accommodate millions of athletes, coaches and spectators. That will emit tons of planet-warming greenhouse gases as concrete and steel are manufactured and transported, diesel-powered excavators and trucks move material and new buildings are powered and cooled. The buildings and construction sector, taken together, is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases globally. Because of the scale of the building plans and travel needed for the event, experts say the toll on the climate could be enormous. Yankees get closer Devin Williams from Brewers for Nestor Cortes, Caleb Durbin NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees acquired All-Star closer Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers for left-hander Nestor Cortes and infield prospect Caleb Durbin. The Yankees also will send more than $1 million to the Brewers as part of the trade. A 30-year-old right-hander, Williams and his signature “Airbender” changeup are eligible for free agency after the 2025 season. He was diagnosed during spring training with two stress fractures in his back and didn’t make his season debut until July 28. Williams was 14 for 15 in save chances with a 1.25 ERA, striking out 38 and walking 11 in 21 2/3 innings. Cubs acquiring All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker in trade with the Astros, AP source says CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs are acquiring All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker in a trade with the Houston Astros, paying a big price for one of baseball’s best hitters, a person familiar with the situation said. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the move was pending a review of medical reports. The Cubs are sending third baseman Isaac Paredes, right-hander Hayden Wesneski and Cam Smith, one of their top infield prospects, to the Astros for Tucker, who is eligible for free agency after the 2025 season. Tucker was limited to 78 games this year because of a fractured right shin, but he hit .289 with 23 homers and 49 RBIs for the AL West champions. US Olympic and Paralympic officials put coach on leave after AP reports sexual abuse allegations The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee has placed an employee on administrative leave after The Associated Press reported that one of its coaches was accused of sexually abusing a young biathlete, causing her so much distress that she attempted suicide. USOPC officials sent an email to the U.S. Biathlon national team saying it wanted to commend the athletes who came forward with the “concerning allegations of abuse." The email, which did not name the employee, said officials were conducting an internal investigation. USOPC spokesperson Jon Mason said no further information would be released while the inquiry is underway. Woman who falsely accused Duke lacrosse players of rape in 2006 publicly admits she lied RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The woman who in 2006 falsely accused three Duke University lacrosse players of raping her has admitted publicly for the first time that she made up the story. The accusations made national headlines at the time, stirring tensions about race, class and the privilege of college athletes. Crystal Mangum, who is Black, said in an interview with the “Let’s Talk with Kat” podcast that she “made up a story that wasn’t true” about the white players who attended a party where she was hired to perform as a stripper “because I wanted validation from people and not from God.” The former Duke players were declared innocent in 2007 after Mangum’s story fell apart under legal scrutiny. Analysis: Only LeBron James knows what's happening right now, and what's in his future LAS VEGAS (AP) — LeBron James was starring in Las Vegas at this time last year, the headline attraction while he and the Los Angeles Lakers were about to win the inaugural version of the event now known as the NBA Cup. That's not the case this year. “Personal reasons ... he’s taking some time” is what Lakers coach JJ Redick said this week when detailing why James was missing from practice. “Left foot soreness” is the reason why the Lakers have ruled him out of Friday’s game in Minnesota. There’s been trade speculation in recent days. It's all very different than a year ago at Cup time. Does the NBA Cup need star power or does Las Vegas sell itself? LAS VEGAS (AP) — The NBA In-Season Tournament semifinals and final debuted last season in Las Vegas. The championship game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers sold out. The renamed NBA Cup is back beginning Saturday. The question is whether star power will help sell the event on a neutral site or if Las Vegas is enough of a sell itself. Former two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and this season’s second-best bet in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be the featured names. Belichick's bid to reshape football at UNC another sign of rising pro influence on college level CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina's hiring of NFL coaching great Bill Belichick marks another sign of the growing influence of the NFL on college football. The challenges of managing the transfer portal and looming revenue sharing for athletes has led teams to take on more NFL-like structures to their programs. Belichick is set to structure North Carolina's program like an NFL front office. That includes hiring former NFL executive Michael Lombardi as general manager. At Florida, coach Billy Napier is interviewing general managers while saying the program is going to “a business model” to deal with a “major math puzzle.”Roborock makes history with out-of-this-world video campaign

After a trying 2024 season, Maryland football will take any victories when available, and Wednesday offered one. On National Signing Day, the Terps earned signed commitments from 20 high school seniors who can suit up next fall. The group has attracted high marks from recruiting services such as ESPN, which rates the class 21st in its national rankings, and 247Sports, which rated the group No. 27. The crown jewel of the high school seniors is Spalding quarterback Malik Washington, a 6-foot-5, 215-pound four-star prospect who has risen in 247Sports’ individual rankings to No. 50 and is the No. 5 quarterback in the nation. , Washington became the first quarterback in Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association history to guide his school to three consecutive A Conference titles, completed 65.3% of his passes for 1,970 yards and 22 touchdowns, and added eight rushing scores. Whether Washington — who will not play basketball for the Cavaliers this winter so that he can concentrate on football — will see much playing time remains to be seen. Billy Edwards Jr., who started the first 11 games for the Terps (4-8, 1-8 Big Ten) before sitting out Saturday’s 44-7 loss at No. 3 Penn State because of an injured thumb on his right (throwing) hand, is slated to return after finishing his redshirt junior year ranked second in the Big Ten in total passing yards (2,881), third in passing yards per game (261.9) and eighth in completion percentage (.65). Although announced his intention in October to enter the transfer portal, Washington would still have to compete with redshirt sophomore MJ Morris, who was Edwards Jr.’s primary backup. Redshirt freshman Champ Long, redshirt sophomore Jayden Sauray, and freshmen Roman Jensen and Khristian Martin could also be in the mix. Maryland coach Mike Locksley noted that Juice Williams at Illinois in 2006 and Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa at Alabama in 2016 and 2017, respectively, started as freshmen in his offensive system. So he was not about to set any boundaries for Washington. “To me, the sky is the limit for his talent level,” Locksley said. “He expects to come in the mail room and work his way up. He doesn’t want it any other way. He wants to come in and learn and be a sponge.” While the clock on Washington’s development begins soon, here are three recruits (in alphabetical order) who could make an impact sooner rather than later: The 6-1, 196-pound resident of Newport News, Virginia, over Ohio State, Virginia and Virginia Tech. And although he sat out the fall for Warwick High while recovering from a broken leg suffered in the spring, Delhomme offers a versatile blend of talent after demonstrating his skills at safety, wide receiver and running back. Rated a four-star recruit, Delhomme is ranked by 247Sports as the No. 22 safety in the country and the No. 115 player overall. If he remains at safety, Delhomme could replace Dante Trader Jr., a McDonogh graduate headed to the Senior Bowl, and pair with junior Jalen Huskey, who moved from cornerback to safety, in the defensive backfield. Maryland’s secondary was young and inexperienced this past season. The defense ranked 17th in the 18-team Big Ten in touchdown passes surrendered (22) and yards allowed per completion (12.1) and 16th in passing yards allowed per game (241.3). The unit also accounted for 11 pass interference and one defensive holding penalties. “Losing players like Dante Trader and Glen Miller that have been three-year starters back there on the back end, his range, his length, he has what I call the quarterback moxie that you look for out of a field general on the defensive side,” Locksley said. “He has tremendous ball skills, which — when you play that position — we see a guy that has the ability to play the deep part of the field for us and has the range, length and ball skills that you want as well as the physicality.” The 6-4, 305-pound resident of Virginia Beach, Virginia, visited South Carolina and Georgia but stayed closer to home when he selected Maryland. Gilchrist contributed to Salem High advancing to the Virginia Class 5 state Region A final and a 10-3 record this past fall. A four-star prospect, Gilchrist is ranked by 247Sports as the No. 6 interior offensive lineman in the nation and the No. 92 player overall. Gilchrist will arrive at an opportune time. There is an immediate opening at left guard with senior Isaac Bunyun exhausting his eligibility. And right guard could be a possibility if redshirt sophomore Aliou Bah, who started all 12 games there, moves to the left side. The offensive line could use some help. The unit ranked 14th in the 18-team Big Ten in sacks allowed (26) and had a hand in a rushing offense that finished 16th in rushing yards per game (110.4) and 13th in touchdown runs (15). Members of the offensive line were also responsible for 12 presnap penalties (false starts and illegal snaps) and nine holding infractions. “I see him being that talented [with] his size, his athletic ability, his skill set as well as our need to improve that position,” said Locksley, who added that Gilchrist could follow the paths of former Alabama offensive tackles Jonah Williams, Jedrick Wills and Alex Leatherwood who started early in their careers. “Jaylen’s skill set is as a big, athletic guy that has a body and strength that translates to being able to come in and compete early.” The 6-4, 335-pound resident of Washington visited Rutgers, South Carolina and Tennessee before traveling to College Park and opting for Maryland. Jenkins has played on the defensive and offensive lines for Friendship Collegiate Academy (8-3), which has limited opponents to 10.1 points per game this fall and will meet Dunbar for the District of Columbia State Athletic Association title on Saturday in a repeat of last year’s matchup won by Friendship. Related Articles Graded as a four-star recruit, Jenkins is considered by 247Sports as the No. 35 defensive lineman in the country. While redshirt sophomore Jordan Phillips figures to be a mainstay at nose tackle, there is a vacancy at defensive tackle in the defense’s 3-4 alignment. Senior Tommy Akingbesote started all 12 games there before exhausting his eligibility. Jenkins could fortify a defensive line in need of an influx of talent. As a whole, the defense ranked last in the Big Ten in total sacks (14), and the defensive line chipped in on 4 1/2 of those sacks. And in the last five games, the Terps surrendered an average of 184.4 rushing yards and 10 touchdown runs. “He’s a big guy with a little-guy skill set, meaning he’s one of those guys that is a lot like Warren Sapp,” Locksley said. “He’s a guy that has that twitch inside that most interior defenders don’t have. So for me with that part and that big body, he could very easily be an All-American left tackle as he can be an All-American interior three-technique nose guard guy.”Why Nordstrom Is Going Private In $6.25 Billion Deal With Its Family And Mexican Retail GiantPresident-elect Donald Trump has announced billionaire investment banker Warren A. Stephens as his pick for U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom, a decision that sparked mixed reactions on Monday. Stephens, head of the Arkansas-based investment bank Stephens Inc., is a longtime Republican donor. Although initially opposed to Trump during the 2016 Republican primaries, Stephens later supported Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign through significant contributions to a political action committee. “Warren has always dreamed of serving the United States full time. I am thrilled that he will now have that opportunity as the top Diplomat, representing the U.S.A. to one of America’s most cherished and beloved Allies,” Trump said in a Truth Social post. This marks another high-profile appointment in Trump’s growing list of nominations ahead of his 20 January inauguration. Stephens follows in the footsteps of Woody Johnson, the billionaire owner of the New York Jets, who served as U.S. ambassador to the UK during Trump’s first term from 2017 to 2021. The choice of Stephens dashed hopes among Jets fans who had wished for Johnson’s return to the diplomatic post. Johnson’s tenure as ambassador was seen as a high point for the franchise, as his absence allowed his brother Christopher Johnson to take over team operations and personnel decisions. The Jets are currently enduring a difficult 3-9 season despite pre-season optimism, fueled by quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ anticipated return to full health and the acquisition of star receiver Davante Adams. The mid-season firing of head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas only deepened fan frustration. While Trump’s choice of Stephens is pending Senate confirmation, Jets fans remain hopeful that Johnson might be appointed to another prominent role in the administration. (Sources: AFP, Fox News)PHWOAR! What about that hot assassin, eh? I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on his massive weapon. Know what I mean, girls? Wink wink. Urgh. So, according to some women — and no, Gregg, this time they do not appear to be of a certain age, more in their 20s and 30s — that bloke accused of gunning down US healthcare boss Brian Thompson was pretty bloody sexy. As such he’s not a deranged psychopath who took another man’s life just because he was angry at capitalism and couldn’t get a shag. READ MORE FROM COLIN ROBERTSON No, he’s the hot assassin with a rippling six-pack, a tasty bit of alpha male crumpet who just needs a mucky cuddle from a random stranger. And he’s only accused of shooting a middle-aged MAN fercrissakes! At one point, online marketplace Etsy had more than 100 bits of “merch” drooling over Luigi Mangione . They included such charming tat as a mug with his picture on and the slogan “Mama I’m in love with a criminal” and a “#freeluigi” Christmas tree bauble. Most read in The Sun GoFundMe pages were set up to help with his legal costs, presumably so he doesn’t go to jail and is therefore free to date all these weird women, currently all hot and bothered on the internet. Oh please. Can you imagine if it was a “hot” female assassin being publicly fawned over by men? If I was to objectify a cold-blooded lady killer here — no matter how much I wrapped up my obsession in ifs and buts — I’d be set upon by a furious army of feminists. I’d be cancelled by the end of the week and become more of a pariah than, I dunno, a man who killed a father of two he’d never met. But the creepy idolisation doesn’t end there. It gets worse. Some woke-drenched morons have embraced this ghost gun-toting maniac as a freedom fighter, doing his bit for all those people whose lives have been blighted by the likes of Thompson and his “parasitic” health firm. Jameela Jamil , a tedious British celebrity who’s never met a left-wing bandwagon she didn’t want to jump on, was quick out the blocks, posting on Instagram about Mangione’s arrest declaring: “A star is born.” So far so cretinous from the notoriously attention-seeking Jamil (who incidentally is another of these me-me-me celebs who has announced she is “queer” despite being in a relationship with a bloke since 2015). Self-righteous mob Jamil’s anointment of Mangione as the people’s hero was met with much approval by her like-minded army of idiots. Meanwhile, other Mangione sympathisers came thick and fast, from leftie no marks on social media to, worryingly, writers on supposedly serious newspapers. Former Washington Post reporter Taylor Lorenz confessed she felt “joy” at Thompson’s demise before being forced to backtrack. Meanwhile, one New York Times reader posted underneath an article about the killing: “Luigi Mangione’s lawyer should put the entire health insurance industry on trial and argue that Mangione was defending the public from a predatory CEO who profited off killing and bankrupting people.” You see, Mangione’s supporters — the #freeluigi brigade and all those who ponied up for those short-lived GoFundMe pages — think they have an argument to justify their actions. They would like you to realise how dreadful healthcare opportunities are for people in America and how “greedy” companies like Thompson’s exploit the sick and the needy for commercial gain. Their argument is just ugly provocation masquerading as debate On this they may have a point. Healthcare in America can be horrendously unfair and big business is generally never to be trusted. Yet in the context of what has just happened, their argument is just ugly provocation masquerading as debate. Notwithstanding the spectacular irony of caring so much about people’s health that you are happy to condone actual MURDER, are the Left now suggesting that an acceptable way to settle arguments is by shooting dead your opponent? So much for the #BeKind movement. But anyway, for this self-righteous mob there’s a catch. The more we learn about the oddball Mangione, the more his status as a swashbuckling woke warrior starts to unravel. Apparently this Ivy League brainbox was against “wokeism”, was an avid listener to the Joe Rogan podcast and had even posted clips from right-wing weirdo Tucker Carlson . Is a MAGA cap soon to be found among his possessions? What if he turns out to be a — shudder — Republican? Will this lethal lunatic’s fans still think his actions are worth celebrating? I think we know the answer. Bob Dylan... tangled up in who? GOOD luck to the producers of the new Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown. I’ve seen the film and Timothee Chalamet is superb as the young Bob, deftly capturing his infamous truculence – and, yes, that voice. But depicting a much-loved icon like Dylan is never going to end well for any filmmaker as die-hard fans pick it apart, like is happening now, well ahead of its January 17 release. Dylan is a towering musical figure who means many things to many people and given the complexity of the man, I daresay no one will ever be able to define exactly who he is. Which is just the way Dylan likes it. As the great man said, the answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind. Footie not so pure I CAN’T believe they’re trying to corrupt the beautiful game by handing the 2034 World Cup to those head-chopping b * ds in Saudi Arabia . I was just saying to my mate Cootesy over a fat line of chang how outrageous it all is. He gave me a firm nod and said: “Buy the next bag and I’ll give their national team a red card!” Oof, cheeky! Then my man Ivan chips in: “Let me know which game it is and I’ll whack a monkey on them to lose.” What is he like? Nutter! I could see Pep wanted to chime in and then suddenly he’s in full flow: “Sounds like the Saudis have bought the World Cup. Now that’s what I call financial unfair play . . . see what I did there?” Yes mate. Classic. Kyle was laughing now, itching to pile in: “Hope Big Sam lets me go. I could take BOTH my families – they let you have FOUR wives over there. “Sam’s still the gaffer right?” “Not sure,” Glenn chuckled. “But I know it’s definitely not me.” Absolute weapons-grade banter. But we’re all agreed, Saudia Arabia is just too morally bankrupt to have any place in the whiter-than-white world of football . THOUGHTS with Oasis fans this week. Not only have they had to endure paying through the nose for tickets to see their 50-something heroes, now they may have to watch them without putting anything UP their nose. Dealers are panicking after £200million of cocaine was blown up after cops in the Dominican Republic found it in a shipment of bananas destined for Europe. That’s one hell of a wonder-haul! Greta on ego wars GRETA THUNBERG , the permanently peeved pipsqueak, has been out and about with her naughty words again. This time the now 21-year-old has been laying into Germany and Israel at a pro-Palestine rally in Mannheim, Germany. “F * Germany,” she thundered, cackling at her own outrageousness, before adding for good measure “and f * Israel”. Jewish leaders were understandably aghast at what they suggested was bordering on anti-Semitism. That may be correct. But one thing is certain – her outburst had everything to do with her ego. Because like a stage school brat, excitable Greta now seems more interested in the applause from woke Gen Zers than whatever leftie cause she has hitched her pushchair to. A FRIEND is cooking a pre-Christmas meal and facing that most irritating of conundrums – what to serve those who don’t eat meat? The sensible answer is of course: Nothing. She is a far more generous soul than me, and has caved in to the “pescatarian” demands and has plumped for a whole side of salmon. But another culinary quandary has been thrown in the works: “Lactose intolerance”. So no dairy products – aka the heartbeat of a proper Christmas feast. Eating etiquette is becoming a minefield with fussy eaters. It’s time to bring in a law that prohibits more than ONE dietary requirement per person. I SEE the “Hawk Tuah” girl could be facing jail time for fronting a dodgy Bitcoin. Haliey Welch shot to global fame after a clip of her saying how she likes to, ahem, apply saliva when pleasuring a gentleman went viral. Evidently well qualified to embark on a career in cryptocurrency , the school dropout then agreed to be the face of a new bitcoin called Hawk. READ MORE SUN STORIES It rocketed in value at launch then lost 95 per cent of its worth, leading to claims it was a scam. I will never understand bitcoin but I do think she missed a trick here. Surely she should have called it... Spitcoin.

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Memphis beats No. 2 UConn 99-97 in overtime to tipoff Maui InvitationalNone

The Jacksonville Jaguars placed quarterback Trevor Lawrence (concussion) on injured reserve Wednesday, likely ending his season after a vicious illegal hit in last week's loss to the Houston Texans. Lawrence, slammed in the head and neck by Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair after giving himself up, would be eligible to return Week 18. However, the 2-10 Jags are already eliminated from playoff contention. Mac Jones will start for the Jags this week against the Tennessee Titans. Al-Shaair, meanwhile, was suspended three games by the NFL on Tuesday. Lawrence, 25, has thrown for 2,045 yards, 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 10 starts this season. He also missed time with a left (non-throwing) shoulder injury. Lawrence was carrying the ball and went into a feet-first slide at Houston's 45-yard line during the second quarter of Sunday's game. Al-Shaair launched into him and delivered a forearm shot near the quarterback's head and shoulder. Multiple skirmishes erupted as Lawrence lay prone on the field. Al-Shaair was ejected, along with Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones. Lawrence immediately displayed the hand motion known as the fencing posture that is associated with traumatic brain injury. However, he was able to stand after being attended to briefly, and he sat up while being taken to the locker room on a cart. Al-Shaair took to social media Monday to apologize but the NFL was unmoved, announcing the three-game suspension on Tuesday. He is appealing. Al-Shaair, 27, is a repeat offender this season, having just been fined $11,255 for a late hit on Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard last week. He was also fined $11,817 for punching Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson in a Week 2 game. That came after a sideline skirmish that began after Al-Shaair hit Bears quarterback Caleb Williams late out of bounds but wasn't flagged. Lawrence has thrown for 13,815 yards, 69 TDs and 46 INTs since being selected No. 1 overall by the Jags in the 2021 draft out of Clemson. --Field Level MediaMUNICH (AP) — Manuel Neuer was sent off for the first time and Bayern Munich crashed out of the German Cup in the third round with a 1-0 loss at home to defending champion Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday. The 38-year-old Neuer was never before sent off over a long career including 124 games for Germany, but the Bayern captain was shown a straight red card in the 17th minute for taking out Jeremie Frimpong with a body check when the Dutch winger was almost through on goal after a long pass from Johnathan Tah. Bayern’s players protested but there had been no attempt from Neuer to play the ball. Leverkusen needed patience to take advantage against a riled-up Bayern team that created better chances in the first half. The home team was without Harry Kane, injured over the weekend against Borussia Dortmund. Bayern confirmed a right hamstring injury and said the England captain will be out “for the time being.” Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso sent on Patrik Schick for the second half, but the in-form Czech forward limped off with what looked like a left calf injury after less than 15 minutes. Nathan Tella replaced Schick in the 61st, then scored eight minutes later with a header to Álex Grimaldo’s perfectly positioned cross. “The first title of the season is gone, and that hurts,” Bayern midfielder Joshua Kimmich said. Alonso, a former Bayern midfielder, has never lost in five games against his former club while Leverkusen coach. Bayern was knocked out in the second round last season. Also, Werder Bremen defeated second-division side Darmstadt 1-0. Earlier, 2022 finalist Freiburg was knocked out in a 3-1 loss at third-division team Arminia Bielefeld, and Stuttgart won 3-0 at Jahn Regensburg. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Neuer gets sent off for 1st time and Bayern Munich exits German Cup early again