The NFL will suspend Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice for the first two games of this season, sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.    

Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Justin Blackmon has been arrested a third time, this time in Edmond, Oklahoma, where police have charged him with possession of marijuana.    

Boston Red Sox president Larry Lucchino confirmed Thursday morning that the team and ace Jon Lester have agreed to table contract negotiations until after the season.    

The Denver Broncos already boast a high-powered offense, which finished No. 1 in the NFL last season. Linebacker DeMarcus Ware thinks the Broncos defense can keep pace this season by achieving a top ranking of its own.    

Cleveland Browns star wide receiver Josh Gordon will appeal his one-year suspension in a meeting with NFL officials on Aug. 1, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.    

The St. Louis Cardinals were unlikely winners Wednesday when they secured a bonus draft pick in Major League Baseball’s competitive balance lottery. Theo Epstein, for one, couldn’t deny feeling a tad bitter about the Cardinals’ good fortune.    

The Atlanta Falcons and veteran wide receiver Roddy White have agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension that runs through the 2018 season.    

Yoenis Cespedes homered twice and tied a career high with five RBIs before leaving with an apparent right thumb injury, and the Oakland Athletics held off the Houston Astros 9-7 on Wednesday night.    

Jonathan Duncan understands that a perfect NCAA enforcement division won’t catch every cheater in college sports. He still believes his team is getting the job done.    

UFC light heavyweight contender Alexander Gustafsson has withdrawn from a planned title fight against defending champion Jon Jones on Sept. 27 due to injury.