Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love didn’t practice Wednesday. However he remained hopeful about the possibility of playing Sunday after a strained groin prevented him from finishing a 30-27 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“I’ve made progress,” Love said. “It’s definitely feeling better. I think every day there will be some improvements to it, but definitely feels better than it did on Sunday.”

Love was one of several notable Packers to miss Wednesday’s practice while recovering from injuries. Love was asked how realistic it was to believe he could play when the Packers (6-2) host the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions (6-1) on Sunday.

“I think it’s realistic,” Love replied.

Patriots owner Kraft among Hall semifinalists

Six-time Super Bowl-winning owner Robert Kraft and trailblazing quarterback Doug Williams were picked among the nine semifinalists in the contributor category for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.

The names of the candidates released Wednesday came after a Blue Ribbon committee cut the list down from 25 people. The committee will next meet Nov. 12 to pick one finalist for consideration by the full selection committee for the Hall early next year.

Other semifinals are former Browns and Ravens owner Art Modell, Houston Oilers founder Bud Adams, Canton Bulldogs owner Ralph Hay, Steelers owner Art Rooney Jr., longtime scout John Wooten, longtime executive Frank “Bucko” Kilroy and former Elias Sports Bureau owner Seymour Siwoff.

Arrest of Lions WR under investigation

Police in Detroit are conducting an internal investigation after Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams was not locked up following a traffic stop despite the discovery of a gun under his seat that he didn’t have a permit to carry, authorities said.

The gun was registered to Williams, but he does not have a concealed-carry permit, the TV station reported.

Williams was handcuffed and placed in a patrol car on Oct. 8. He was a passenger in a car driven by his brother, who had his own gun and a concealed-carry permit, WXYZ-TV reported.

“I play for the Lions, bro. I’m Jameson Williams,” Williams said, according to body-camera video obtained by the station.

“I feel that there was probable cause to arrest, and he was under arrest by the patrol officer,” Commander Michael McGinnis told WXYZ. “And because of that, he should have been conveyed to the Detroit Detention Center and processed.”

But Williams was released after a sergeant arrived and talked by phone with other senior officers. The gun was also returned.

White Sox hire Venable as manager

The Chicago White Sox have hired Will Venable to take over as manager, turning to the former big league outfielder to help turn around the team after a miserable season.

Two people with direct knowledge of the decision confirmed the choice to The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Venable, who turned 42 on Tuesday, is stepping in for Pedro Grifol, who was fired in August with the White Sox on their way to breaking the modern major league record for most losses in a season. With Grady Sizemore serving as interim manager, the club finished with a 41-121 record.

Venable was an associate manager for Texas for the past two years.

McDavid sidelined with ankle injury

Connor McDavid is expected to miss two to three weeks with an ankle injury, the Edmonton Oilers said Wednesday.

McDavid, the reigning playoff MVP who led Edmonton to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, was injured Monday night when he was tripped and went left skate first into the boards on his first shift at Columbus.

The 27-year-old had 10 points in his first nine games before being injured.

Avalanche’s leading scorer Colton breaks foot

The Colorado Avalanche will be without their leading goal scorer Ross Colton for at least six weeks after he broke his foot blocking a shot.

A banged-up Colorado team also will be missing another forward in Miles Wood for the next week or so due to an upper-body injury. The injuries continue to pile up for the Avalanche, who are already without Jonathan Drouin (upper body), captain Gabriel Landeskog (knee) and Artturi Lehkonen (shoulder).

NBA >> Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes will miss at least three weeks because of a right orbital fracture, the team said Wednesday.

NFL >> Lamar Jackson missed practice for the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday. Coach John Harbaugh said the star quarterback had a rest day, but the Ravens did list him on their injury report with back and knee issues.

Soccer >> UEFA pledged Wednesday to steer 1 billion euros ($1.08 billion) toward all levels of women’s soccer over the next six years as part of a comprehensive strategy to grow the game in Europe.

— From news services