SPORTS digest

NFL to continue emphasis on QB hits

NEW YORK

The NFL is sticking with its officiating emphasis on quarterback hits, including those in which the tackler uses all or most of his body weight when falling on the quarterback.

NFL football operations chief Troy Vincent said the competition committee has clarified to game officials the techniques used in such hits, which have been a source of debate through the first three weeks of the schedule. Green Bay linebacker Clay Matthews has been called for three of them, two of which appeared to be normal tackles.

“In reiterating its position on quarterback protection,” Vincent says, “the committee determined there would be no changes to the point of emphasis approved this spring, or to the rule of which the body weight provision has been in place since 1995.”

Mark Letestu re-signs with Blue Jackets

COLUMBUS

Mark Letestu is returning to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The team on Thursday signed the 33-year-old forward to a two-way contract for this season after he spent the end of last season on the Blue Jackets’ roster. He was assigned to the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters to start the season.

Letestu played for Columbus from 2011 to 2015. He was picked up at the trade deadline last season and contributed to the team’s playoff run.

Letestu tallied nine goals and 14 assists in 80 games with the Edmonton Oilers and Blue Jackets last season, including a goal and three assists in 20 appearances with Columbus after being acquired on Feb. 25.

Republicans favor sports gambling regulations

House Republicans say they strongly favor new federal regulations on sports gambling after the Supreme Court allowed states to open sports books.

Thursday’s hearing of a House Judiciary subcommittee was the first Congress has held on the issue since the Supreme Court decision in June to strike down a law that limited sports gambling to four states. Since then, sports books have opened in Delaware, New Jersey, Mississippi and West Virginia, with more states considering legalization.

Republicans expressed concerns about advertisements and online gambling platforms targeting minors, as well as the potential for match-fixing.

NHL investigating Lehtera after drug bust

The NHL is investigating Philadelphia Flyers forward Jori Lehtera after a report he’s being questioned in connection with a drug bust in his native Finland.

Deputy commissioner Bill Daly says the league is investigating the situation. Lehtera’s lawyer, Ari Nieminen, said he expects police to release a statement clarifying some misunderstandings that came out of the report.

Finnish news agency MTV reported Wednesday that Lehtera is connected with an investigation into a cocaine ring. Nieminen says no charges have been filed against Lehtera.

Lehtera, 30, is entering his fifth NHL season and is in the last year of his contract with Philadelphia. He has played 280 regular-season and 39 playoff games for the St. Louis Blues and Flyers.

Texas’ Jones practicing after cancer treatments

AUSTIN, TEXAS

Texas junior guard Andrew Jones, who is battling leukemia, is practicing with the Longhorns but is still held out of some drills as he continues to regain strength.

Coach Shaka Smart says it’s not clear if Jones will be able to play this season.

Texas announced on Jan. 10 that Jones had been diagnosed with leukemia after complaining of constantly feeling tired, and he didn’t play the rest of last season. He underwent lengthy treatment at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Jones has remained engaged on social media, often relaying comments about his recovery and returning to campus, or posting videos of him playing basketball.

Staff/wire reports