Woman suing Watson over alleged sexual assault to meet with the NFL

CLEVELAND>> A woman accusing Deshaun Watson of sexual assault may meet in the next two weeks with the NFL, which is investigating the Cleveland Browns quarterback’s off-field behavior, the woman’s lawyer said Thursday.

Attorney Tony Buzbee said in an email to several media outlets that his client, who filed a civil lawsuit in Houston on Monday accusing Watson of sexual assault and battery, will soon speak with the league.

Watson, who served an 11-game suspension to start the 2022 season over the earlier allegations, could face additional punishment if he did not disclose the incident with this woman during the league’s previous inquiries.

DETROIT>> Joe Schmidt, the Hall of Fame linebacker who helped the Detroit Lions win NFL championships in 1953 and 1957 and later coached the team, has died. He was 92.

One of pro football’s first great middle linebackers, Schmidt played his entire career with the Lions from 1953-65. An eight-time All-Pro, he was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973 and the college football version in 2000.

South Alabama pounds Northwestern St. 87-10

MOBILE, Ala.>> Gio Lopez threw three touchdown passes and Fluff Bothwell ran for 143 yards and two scores — in the first half — as South Alabama steamrolled FCS-member Northwestern State 87-10 on Thursday, setting the school’s scoring record and giving new coach Major Applewhite his first victory.

Missouri gets OK for $250 million renovation of Memorial Stadium

KANSAS CITY, Mo. >> The University of Missouri Board of Curators approved a $250 million renovation for Memorial Stadium on Thursday.

The project, which will break ground Nov. 30 when the sixth-ranked Tigers play border rival Arkansas, will most notably enclose the north end zone with a multilevel concourse and premium seating.

Lipsky shoots 65 to take 1st-round lead at Silverado

NAPA, Calif.>> David Lipsky shot a 7-under 65 on Thursday at Silverado Country Club to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Procore Championship. Winless in 104 events since joining the PGA Tour in 2022, Lipsky went out with the early groups and had eight birdies with one bogey to kick off the FedEx Cup Fall series.

Rangers All-Star Seager to have sports hernia surgery

SEATTLE >> Texas shortstop Corey Seager will undergo surgery Friday to repair a sports hernia, ending the All-Star shortstop’s third season with the Rangers, general manager Chris Young said Thursday.

It’s the second sports hernia surgery for Seager in the last 12 months, this one on the opposite side of his abdomen from where the first surgery was done.

Rafael Nadal withdraws from Laver Cup in Berlin

BERLIN>> Rafael Nadal withdrew Thursday from next week’s Laver Cup in Berlin, leaving it unclear when the Spanish great will play again.

The Laver Cup would have been Nadal’s first event since the Paris Olympics and potentially one of his last ever.

— The Associated Press