Roethlisberger given day off as Bengals loom

Roethlisberger given day off as Bengals loom

PITTSBURGH

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger sat out practice on Wednesday but the team insisted it has nothing to do with his right wrist.

Roethlisberger banged the wrist off a helmet in the first quarter of last Sunday’s loss to New Orleans but did not miss a play. Roethlisberger said early Wednesday he was ready to “rock and roll” but spent practice in sweat pants, though he did throw briefly afterward.

Roethlisberger has struggled in recent weeks after tossing a record 12 touchdown passes in wins over Indianapolis and Baltimore. He has four touchdowns and five interceptions in his last three games. The quarterback says he lost feeling in two fingers against the Saints but he still threw the ball 58 times.

Running back Le’Veon Bell is also applying for a first-offender’s program on marijuana possession and driving under the influence charges, which could result in the charges being dismissed and his arrest record expunged.

Pitt’s Conner named ACC player of year

GREENSBORO, N.C.

Pittsburgh running back James Conner is the Atlantic Coast Conference’s player of the year.

In voting results released Wednesday by the league, Conner also was picked as its offensive player of the year while Clemson defensive end Vic Beasley was selected as the defensive player of the year.

Conner received 16 of 55 votes cast by members of the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association — three more than Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, last year’s winner. Conner led the conference and ranks sixth nationally with an average of 139.6 yards rushing.

Penguins’ Bortuzzo suspended 2 games

PITTSBURGH

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Robert Bortuzzo has been suspended two games by the NHL for an illegal hit on New Jersey’s Jaromir Jagr on Tuesday night.

Bortuzzo collided with Jagr late in the second period of Pittsburgh’s 1-0 win. Jagr was skating down the right side when he sent a centering pass in front of the net. Bortuzzo hit Jagr with his right shoulder, slamming it into Jagr’s chest and chin. Jagr lay on the ice for several minutes before leaving the game. He didn’t return.

The NHL cited the “extreme lateness” and “predatory nature” of the collision as the reason for the suspension. The league said Jagr was “defenseless” at the moment of contact.

Pirates sign P Richard to minor league deal

PITTSBURGH

The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed pitcher Clayton Richard to a minor league contract and invited him to big league camp.

The 31-year-old Richard has a 46-47 career record with the Chicago White Sox and San Diego Padres. He last pitched in the majors in 2013, going 2-5 with a 7.01 ERA in 12 games with the Padres. Richard spent 2014 in Arizona’s minor league system, posting a 1-2 record with a 5.91 ERA while splitting time between Double-A Mobile and Triple-A Reno. Richard’s best season came in 2010, when he went 14-9 with a 3.75 ERA.

Lauren Hill gets hospice care as tumor grows

CINCINNATI

College basketball player Lauren Hill is getting hospice care at home as the inoperable tumor in her brain grows.

Hill played in a Division III basketball game with Mount St. Joseph on Nov. 2 despite the tumor, which was diagnosed a year ago. She made layups for the first and last baskets of the game. Hill also has helped to raise more than $324,000 for cancer research and treatment.

Her family said on a Facebook post Wednesday that the 19-year-old freshman is experiencing more severe symptoms, including headaches, lack of energy and dizziness. She’s also having trouble sleeping. Hospice care will provide additional in-home assistance. The post says she’s in good spirits and staying busy with special projects.

Wire reports