SPORTS DIGEST || Phantoms announce multiple roster changes

Phantoms announce multiple roster changes

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown Phantoms (10-11-0-3, 23 pts.) have announced four roster moves as the Phantoms head on holiday break.

Goaltender Vincent Purpura will be departing the Phantoms and joining the Boston University Terriers of the NCAA (Hockey East) for their second semester. Forward Jake Suede is returning to the Lone Star Brahmas of the NAHL after his time on loan from their club to Youngstown. Forward Ethan DeStefani will be joining the Phantoms from the Merrimack College Warriors of the NCAA (Hockey East). Goaltender Chad Veltri has been added to the club and will be joining the team after the holidays.

The Phantoms return to the Covelli Centre Jan. 4-5 for a series against the Sioux City Musketeers.

Michigan QB Patterson returning next season

ANN ARBOR, Mich.

Shea Patterson is returning for his senior season at Michigan instead of entering the NFL draft.

The quarterback announced his decision Friday on Twitter .

Patterson plans to play for the eighth-ranked Wolverines against No. 10 Florida on Dec. 29 in the Peach Bowl.

The junior was voted Michigan’s offensive player of the year after transferring from Ole Miss and successfully appealing to the NCAA to play this season. He completed 65 percent of his passes for 2,364 yards with 21 touchdowns and just five interceptions.

Senior running back Karan Higdon is skipping the bowl game to focus on preparing for the NFL. Junior linebacker Devin Bush and defensive end Rashan Gary are also entering the draft and won’t play against Florida.

Rockets’ Paul out with hamstring injury

HOUSTON

Houston’s Chris Paul has a grade 2 strain of his left hamstring and will be out at least two weeks.

The point guard was injured in the second quarter on Thursday night in a loss to Miami. General manager Daryl Morey announced the injury on Friday after Paul had an MRI and said he will be re-evaluated in about two weeks.

Paul missed two games early this season because of a suspension for his role in a fight with the Lakers and sat out three games in November with a sore hamstring.

Paul is averaging 15.6 points, 8.0 assists and 2.1 steals this season for the Rockets, who host San Antonio today.

Harbaugh to return as Ravens coach in 2019

BALTIMORE

John Harbaugh will return to coach the Baltimore Ravens next season, and the team says it’s working on an extension beyond 2019.

Harbaugh took over as Baltimore’s coach in 2008 and has taken the team to the playoffs six times, winning the Super Bowl in 2012.

The Ravens didn’t reach the postseason in each of the past three years, however, and are striving to end that streak with two games left in the season.

In a statement Friday, the Ravens wrote: “John Harbaugh will continue as our head coach for the 2019 season, and he and we are working on an extension to his existing contract.”

The 56-year-old Harbaugh has a 112-77 record with Baltimore, including 10-5 in the playoffs.

Raiders could play in San Francisco in 2019

ALAMEDA, Calif.

The Oakland Raiders have had talks with the San Francisco Giants about playing home games at AT&T Park next season.

The Giants issued a statement Friday confirming the Raiders have expressed “initial interest” in playing in San Francisco in 2019.

The Raiders are moving to Las Vegas in 2020 but have no lease for next year. They had been in talks about renewing in Oakland before city officials sued the team over its planned move. The Raiders didn’t comment on the talks with the Giants.

The Giants said many details needed to be worked out before a deal could be finalized.

Staff/wire report