FOOTBALL
Dart's outlook unclear
Jaxson Dart's injured left knee is being evaluated and no decisions have been made, New York Giants Coach John Harbaugh said Tuesday in the aftermath of the starting quarterback exiting the game at the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night. Harbaugh refused to confirm reports that Dart's injury is worse than the initial diagnosis of a sprained medial collateral ligament and that the 23-year-old would be out an extended period of time, with season-ending surgery a possibility. Harbaugh said the team would reveal details and a time frame in due time after the evaluation is complete. Harbaugh expressed confidence in backup Jameis Winston's ability to step in for however long Dart is out. Dart was 3 of 5 passing before getting injured on the first drive against Los Angeles. He threw for three touchdowns, had 230 yards passing and 54 rushing in a season-opening victory against Dallas. Winston was 11 of 27 for 111 yards in relief during the Rams game.
Jets add QB Levis
The New York Jets signed former Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis, a second-round draft pick in 2023, to their practice squad Tuesday. The Jets released quarterback Bailey Zappe from the practice squad to make room for Levis, who worked out for the team earlier this month. The 27-year-old quarterback was released by the Titans last month as part of their final roster cuts. New York has starter Geno Smith and rookie Cade Kubnik, a fourth-rounder, on its active roster, so Levis would be the third-string quarterback and inactive on game day unless he's promoted from the practice squad. Levis is 5-16 as a starter with 3,899 passing yards, 21 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.
Bears' backup concussed
Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent has been placed in the NFL concussion protocol, according to a person familiar with the situation, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the team's plans for Monday night's game against Philadelphia. Bagent was expected to take most of the first-team reps in practice after Caleb Williams left Sunday's 9-3 loss to Minnesota with a right hamstring injury. Coach Ben Johnson said Monday that Williams is "week to week," and he left open the possibility that the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft could play against the Eagles. If Williams and Bagent are unable to play in Week 3, the Bears likely would turn to Case Keenum. The 38-year-old Keenum has 66 career starts, but he hasn't thrown a pass in a regular-season game since Dec. 24, 2023, for Houston against Cleveland.
49ers sign WR Cook
The San Francisco 49ers are adding veteran help for their injury depleted wide receiver room by agreeing to a deal to sign Brandin Cooks to the practice squad. A person familiar with the deal said Tuesday that the team reached the agreement to add Cooks. The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the signing hadn't been announced by the team. ESPN first reported the deal. The Niners needed help at receiver after key contributor Demarcus Robinson went down with a high ankle injury in Sunday's win over Miami. Robinson is expected to miss at least a few weeks and could go on injured reserve. San Francisco also lost projected starter Ricky Pearsall to season-ending knee surgery in training camp and rookie De'Zhaun Stribling to an ankle injury in the opener that is expected to sideline him for about two months. Cooks, who turns 33 on Friday, spent last season with New Orleans and Buffalo, making 24 catches for 279 yards in 15 games. He has 734 catches for 9,811 yards and 60 touchdowns in his career.
Packers lose lineman
Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Zach Bako-Bewele has a torn patellar tendon and expects to miss the rest of the season. Bako-Bewele, who changed his name from Zach Tom before the season, hurt his right knee in the first quarter of the Packers' 20-17 overtime road victory over the New York Jets on Sunday. The 27-year-old right tackle said he is planning to undergo surgery Thursday and that he believes the recovery should take about nine months. Packers receiver Jayden Reed and Bako-Bewele were carted off the field after consecutive plays during Green Bay's opening series. Reed remained in a New Jersey hospital overnight for observation rather than traveling back home with the team after suffering what the Packers described as a neck injury.
BASKETBALL
Raptors extend Leonard
Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors have agreed on a two-year contract extension that could be worth $115 million if he plays both seasons, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said Tuesday. The second year of the deal, the 2028-29 season, is at Leonard's option. ESPN first reported the terms, which were later confirmed by The Toronto Star and other outlets. Leonard, 35, led the Raptors to the 2019 NBA title and is now locked into a new deal with a team with eyes on competing for another title. Leonard -- a seven-time All-Star, two-time NBA champion and two-time NBA Finals MVP -- is coming off the highest-scoring season of his career, averaging 27.9 points for the Los Angeles Clippers in 65 games a year ago. Leonard will make just over $50 million this season, the last year of his current contract.