AP Sports SummaryBrief at 6:47 p.m. EST

Texas coach Beard’s fiancée says he didn’t strangle her

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The woman who called police to report a family violence assault by Texas basketball coach Chris Beard said Friday that Beard did not strangle her and she never wanted him arrested or prosecuted. Beard was suspended indefinitely without pay after his Dec. 12 arrest on a felony charge of strangling his fiancée, Randi Trew. In a statement sent to The Associated Press by her attorney, Trew said she is “deeply saddened” by the incident and said Beard was acting in self defense from her. The university said in a statement that officials are reviewing Trew’s statement.

Jets WRs coach Miles Austin suspended by NFL for gambling

New York Jets wide receivers coach Miles Austin has been suspended by the NFL for violating the league’s gambling policy. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed the suspension, which Austin is appealing. McCarthy added the league would have no further comment until the appeal is resolved. Austin could be forced to sit out for a minimum of a year, pending the results of the appeal. The former NFL wide receiver did not coach in the Jets’ 19-3 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday night. Austin’s attorney and agent William P. Deni Jr. said in a statement emailed to The Associated Press that Austin did not gamble on football.

D-backs trade Varsho to Jays, receive Moreno, Gurriel

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have acquired highly regarded catching prospect Gabriel Moreno and veteran outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr., sending slugger Daulton Varsho to the Toronto Blue Jays. The 22-year-old Moreno is one of the game’s top prospects. He made the majors last year with the Blue Jays, hitting .319 with a homer in 69 at-bats. The 29-year-old Gurriel is a five-year veteran who hit .291 with five homers and 32 doubles last season. The Blue Jays get Varsho, who was arguably the best player on the Diamondbacks last season. The 26-year-old Varsho hit a career-high 27 homers in 2022.

Jets’ Wilson wasn’t ready to return so soon from reboot

Zach Wilson’s reset needed more time. The New York Jets benched the second-year quarterback for three games so he could work on his mechanics, fundamentals and mental approach. But Wilson was forced back into action in the middle of a playoff push because of Mike White’s rib injury and the flaws in his game are still very much present. And perhaps worse than ever. Being replaced by fourth-stringer Chris Streveler in a 19-3 loss to Jacksonville on Thursday night to give the offense a spark was further evidence Wilson just isn’t the guy the Jets hoped for when they drafted him No. 2 overall last year.

Another week, another skid ends for streaking Jaguars

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars have ended all sorts of skids this season, so it shouldn’t have been that surprising to see them stop a six-game road losing streak in prime-time games with a 19-3 victory at the New York Jets. These aren’t the Jaguars of the last two seasons — or the last two decades. They have seemingly flushed years of futility while winning three consecutive games and five of their last seven. Jacksonville (7-8) is now closing in on a winner-takes-the-AFC South game against Tennessee in the regular-season finale.

Ex-Navy SEAL makes big impression on Buffalo football team

AMHERST, N.Y. (AP) — Damian Jackson followed two tours of duty with the Navy SEALs by turning to football. He sees it as a potential career even though he never played the sport growing up. The 30-year-old University at Buffalo defensive end is set to play the final game of his college career on Tuesday, when the Bulls face Georgia Southern in the Camellia Bowl. Jackson is looking ahead to attracting NFL attention as a special teams player. He’s already earned the respect from Buffalo teammates and coaches for his humility and how Jackson has led by example.

Judge orders paternity test for Cowboys owner Jerry Jones

DALLAS (AP) — A judge has ordered Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to take a paternity test as part of a legal dispute with a 26-year-old woman who claims the billionaire is her biological father. A Texas judge issued the order for genetic testing Thursday in a paternity case brought by Alexandra Davis. She previously alleged in a separate lawsuit she was conceived from a relationship Jones had with her mother in the mid-1990s. Attorneys for Jones did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday, but said in court filings that they intend to appeal the decision.

QB C.J. Stroud is still defining his legacy at Ohio State

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — C.J. Stroud is 21-3 as the starting quarterback at No. 4 Ohio State. The junior is a two-time offensive player of the year in the Big Ten and he’s been a Heisman Trophy finalist the past two seasons. But the Buckeyes have also failed to win the Big Ten the past two years. Stroud and his teammates get a chance to write a storybook ending: Ohio State will play top-ranked Georgia in the Fiesta Bowl semifinal on Dec. 31 for a berth in the national championship game. Stroud is already a top NFL prospect. It’s just a matter of when.

England World Cup winner George Cohen dies at 83

LONDON (AP) — The English Football Association says World Cup winner George Cohen has died. He was 83. Cohen played on England’s World Cup-winning team in 1966. The right back played every minute of the victorious campaign on home soil. He made 37 appearances for his national team. A cause of death was not announced. The defender played his entire club career for Fulham. He made 459 appearances for the team between 1956 and 1969. He retired from playing at 29 after a serious knee injury. He was the vice-captain for England when the team beat West Germany 4-2 in the 1966 World Cup final at Wembley Stadium.

AP source: OF Conforto, Giants agree to $36M, 2-year deal

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Outfielder Michael Conforto has agreed to a $36 million, two-year contract with the San Francisco Giants, a deal that includes an opt out after the first season. A person with direct knowledge of the deal confirmed the move on condition of anonymity because it was pending a successful physical. The Giants lost out on shortstop Carlos Correa earlier in the week when a concern with his surgically repaired right ankle arose during the medical evaluation process. Correa’s $350 million, 13-year deal fell through, and he agreed instead with the New York Mets on a $315 million, 12-year contract.