In Brief: Jacoby Brissett would make Pats history as first black QB to start

Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is listed as doubtful heading into Thursday night’s game against the Houston Texans.

That means rookie Jacoby Brissett will likely become the Patriots’ first black quarterback to start in the team’s history. The New York Giants are the only other NFL team to have never started an African-American quarterback.

While none have started a regular-season game, the Patriots have drafted eight African-American quarterbacks. Rohan Davey played the most, appearing in seven games from 2000 to 2004.

Garoppolo was again a limited participant in practice Wednesday as he continues to recover from the right shoulder injury he sustained late the first half of New England’s win over the Dolphins last week. The third-year quarterback sat out practice Monday, but returned to the field on Tuesday.

If the Patriots sideline Garappolo for Thursday’s game, receiver Julian Edelman would back up Brissett.

Gordon’s status not affected by warrant: Josh Gordon’s latest legal issue won’t affect the suspended Browns wide receiver’s playing status.

Gordon appeared at a hearing on Wednesday after a warrant was issued for his arrest for him failing to submit to a paternity test.

League spokesman Brian McCarthy said Gordon remains eligible to play for the first time in Cleveland’s game on Oct. 9 against the New England Patriots. Gordon can resume practicing on Oct. 3.

Peterson to have knee surgery: Adrian Peterson will have surgery on his right knee to repair a torn meniscus, putting his season and perhaps his 10-year run with Minnesota in question.

The Vikings have held off for now on placing the franchise’s all-time leading rusher on injured reserve, though, waiting for the medical report that will influence that decision. Peterson was hurt on Sunday night during the victory over Green Bay, needing assistance off the field after his knee was slightly twisted while being tackled at the end of a 5-yard run.

In other NFL news:

Brian Hoyer is preparing to start at quarterback for the Chicago Bears against the Dallas Cowboys. Jay Cutler missed practice with the sprained right thumb. … The Detroit Lions put running back Ameer Abdullah on the reserve-injured list with a foot injury. … Colts quarterback Andrew Luck missed Wednesday’s practice with a sore throwing shoulder. Luck said he hopes to return to practice Thursday. … Browns rookie wide receiver Corey Coleman broke his hand during Wednesday’s workout when he banged his hand on another defender while making a catch.

Atlanta eliminates Seattle in first round

WNBA: Angel McCoughtry scored 37 points and the host Atlanta Dream beat the Seattle Storm 94-85 on Wednesday night in a single-elimination WNBA playoff game.

McCoughtry scored seven straight points – on a 3-pointer, bank shot and pull-up jumper – to cap Atlanta’s 19-5 run to start the fourth for an 85-71 lead. She collided with Breanna Stewart on Seattle’s next possession and stayed on the ground before being helped to the bench by the Atlanta staff. She later returned.

Jewell Loyd scored 24 points and Stewart added 19 points in their first career playoff games for Seattle. Stewart had 15 points in the first half and Loyd scored 12 as Seattle held a 45-37 halftime lead.

Taurasi, Bonner lead Mercury: Diana Taurasi scored 20 points, DeWanna Bonner had 11 of her 18 points in the fourth quarter and the Phoenix Mercury beat the Indiana Fever 89-78 in Indianapolis in a single-elimination game of the WNBA playoffs.

Tamika Catchings, who played in her final game, and the entire Indiana team knelt with their arms intertwined during the national anthem. Two members of the Mercury, Kelsey Bone and Mistie Bass, also took a knee.

Ryan, Sughrue move to final at Old Warson

Golf: Dave Ryan and Matthew Sughrue each won two matches at Old Warson to reach the U.S. Senior Amateur final in St. Louis.

The 62-year-old Ryan, from Taylorsville, Illinois, beat Michael Dunsmore of Poughkeepsie, New York, 5 and 3 in the quarterfinals and topped Tim Jackson of Germantown, Tennessee, 1 up in the semifinals.

The 57-year-old Sughrue, from Arlington, Virginia, edged Doug Hanzel of Savannah, Georgia, 1 up in the quarterfinals and rallied to beat Kevin Cahill of Waukesha, Wisconsin, in 19 holes in the semifinals.

Port to face Kraus in final: Ellen Port moved into position for her third U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur title and seventh USGA championship, winning two matches on her 55th birthday – and 32nd anniversary of her father’s death – to reach the final.

Port will face 55-year-old Andrea Kraus of Baltimore in the title match at Wellesley (Massachusetts) Country Club.

North America tops Sweden, Lundqvist

Hockey: Henrik Lundqvist made 45 saves and Sweden wrapped up the top seed in Group B and a spot in the World Cup of Hockey semifinals by reaching overtime in a 4-3 loss to Team North America in Toronto.

Sweden got the point it needed to advance to the semifinals, while North America needs Finland to beat Russia on Thursday.

Facing 49 shots, Lundqvist was brilliant playing the second half of back-to-back games. “The King” has stopped 81 of 85 shots at the World Cup.

Toews, Canada routs Europe: Jonathan Toews had two goals and an assist and Team Canada easily beat Europe 4-1 on Wednesday night in its final preliminary round game in the World Cup of Hockey. Canada won Group A and will face North America or Russia in the first semifinal Saturday night.

Manchester United snaps losing streak

Miscellany: Manchester United ended a run of three straight losses by beating third-tier Northampton 3-1 in the third round of the English League Cup in Manchester, England.

Second-half goals by Ander Herrera and Marcus Rashford spared United further embarrassment after the first blip of Jose Mourinho’s tenure at Old Trafford, following successive losses to Manchester City, Feyenoord and Watford.

Rome Mayor rejects city’s 2024 Olympic bid: Rome Mayor Virginia Raggi rejected the city’s bid for the 2024 Olympics, effectively dooming the capital’s candidacy for the second time in four years.

If approved by Rome’s city assembly, Raggi’s motion to withdraw the bid would leave only Los Angeles, Paris and Budapest, Hungary, in the running for the 2024 Games. The International Olympic Committee will decide on the host city in September 2017.