SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) — Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera returned to work yesterday with a message for his players. Rivera missed the previous two days of training camp practice to attend the funeral in Reno, Nevada for his brother Mickey, who died last week following a battle with pancreatic cancer. The coach said players can learn a lesson from the way his brother conducted his life.
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) — Panthers starting defensive tackle Star Lotulelei was carted to the locker room with his right foot taped in ice. It’s the same foot that Lotulelei fractured in January, preventing him from playing in the team’s NFC divisional playoff game against Seattle.
ATLANTA (AP) — Adonis Garcia hit a two-run homer in the 12th inning off Ryan Vogelsong and the Atlanta Braves completed their final comeback of the game, beating the San Francisco Giants 9-8 last night. Garcia made his major league debut this season and has three home runs in 11 games.
ATLANTA (AP) — After losing a few pounds in the offseason, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones believes he’s stronger and more explosive. There could soon be a new contract for the Atlanta star, too. The Falcons are in talks with Jones’ agent on a contract extension for Jones.
