Rodgers after loss: ‘I can play better’

Aaron Rodgers was eager to get back on the field and feel a few firsts in his return from an Achilles injury that cut his first season with the Jets short after only four snaps. The first throw, the first hit, the first touchdown in a new uniform. There was also the first loss as Rodgers showed some flashes of his four-time MVP form in a 32-19 loss to 49ers but also a little bit of expected rust after such a long layoff. “We expect greatness when we step on the field,” Rodgers said. “There were moments that felt pretty good but not sustained.” The 40-year-old Rodgers showed signs of his old self, connecting on a well-placed back-shoulder throw to his new No. 1 receiver Garrett Wilson and hitting his old Packers teammate Allen Lazard on a 36-yard scoring strike. But those were just a few flashes on a night when he didn’t look comfortable moving in the pocket and struggled to move the ball consistently for the Jets. Rodgers finished 13 for 21 for 167 with the TD and one pick. He threw for fewer yards only 13 times in 218 previous starts when he played at least 35 snaps. “I can play better,” he said.

WADA can appeal Sinner exoneration

The World Anti-Doping Agency has yet to decide whether to appeal the decision to exonerate U.S. Open champion Jannik Sinner of blame for his positive steroid tests, and has another three weeks to do so. The Montreal-based agency at least until the end of September to file an appeal in the Sinner case. WADA and Nado Italia, Italy’s anti-doping agency, are the only two agencies that could challenge the decision by an independent tribunal announced by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) on Aug. 20. Sinner, above, tested positive twice for an anabolic steroid in March but ultimately was not banned because the ITIA determined he was not to blame. Sinner’s accepted explanation was that the banned performance-enhancer entered his system unintentionally through a massage from his physiotherapist, who used a spray containing the steroid to treat their own cut finger. The doping case was kept secret until last month’s announcement and the top-ranked Sinner went on to beat Taylor Fritz in the U.S. Open final on Sunday. An appeal could jeopardize his U.S. Open title.

Larson to again attempt ‘The Double’

With NASCAR and the Coca-Cola 600 the promised priority, former Cup champ Kyle Larson will again attempt the Indianapolis 500 next season with the caveat he must leave if rain again ruins his bid to complete “The Double.” Larson in May became the fifth driver in history to attempt to complete 1,100-miles of racing on the biggest day in motorsports. But the start of the Indy 500 was delayed several hours by rain, and because Hendrick Motorsports had spent so much money on the effort, they decided to keep him at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Larson was a total star all of May, where he qualified fifth but a late-race speeding penalty took him out of contention and he finished 18th. He was still named top rookie of the race. By the time Larson arrived at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the 600 had been stopped by rain and never resumed. He never turned a lap. Larson followed John Andretti, Tony Stewart, Robby Gordon and Kurt Busch in attempting both races on the same day. Stewart is the only driver to complete all 1,100 miles and only did it in one of his two attempts. —Associated Press