Sports News Roundup: NFL-Beloved Eagles centre Kelce retires after 13 seasons; Report: Panthers parting ways with CB Donte Jackson and more

Teams can apply franchise and transition tags to restrict pending free agents from hitting the open market without refusal rights. Report: Panthers parting ways with CB Donte Jackson The Carolina Panthers are expected to release or trade veteran cornerback Donte Jackson, ESPN reported Monday.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Panthers pass rusher Brian Burns headed for tag

Panthers pass rusher Brian Burns and Carolina are no closer to a long-term contract agreement, signaling the franchise tag is imminent ahead of Tuesday's deadline. Teams can apply franchise and transition tags to restrict pending free agents from hitting the open market without refusal rights.

Report: Panthers parting ways with CB Donte Jackson

The Carolina Panthers are expected to release or trade veteran cornerback Donte Jackson, ESPN reported Monday. Jackson, 28, has a $4 million roster bonus due March 16. His release would save $5.9 million against the salary cap.

Spring training roundup: Twins earn split-squad sweep

Ryan Jeffers, Willi Castro and Carlos Santana hit solo home runs to guide the host Minnesota Twins to a 4-3 comeback win over the Atlanta Braves on Monday in Fort Myers, Fla. The Twins entered the fourth inning down 2-0 before Jeffers and Castro knocked back-to-back homers off Dylan Lee. Santana delivered the go-ahead dinger the next inning off Grant Holmes (0-2).

Preds F Tommy Novak signs three-year, $10.5M extension

The Nashville Predators signed center Tommy Novak to a three-year, $10.5 million contract on Monday. Novak, 26, has recorded 34 points (13 goals, 21 assists) through 51 games this season.

Houston remains No. 1; Kansas falls out of top 10

Houston remained No. 1 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll released Monday while Kansas dropped out of the top 10 for the first time in three seasons. Houston (26-3) earned 52 first-place votes on the heels of a nail-biting 87-85 win at Oklahoma on Saturday. UConn (26-3) moved up a spot into No. 2, earning six first-place votes. Purdue (26-3) dropped to No. 3 and got four first-place votes.

Buccaneers keep WR Mike Evans with $52M extension

Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans signed a two-year, $52 million contract to remain with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers one week before he was eligible to test the open market as an unrestricted free agent. The first draft pick made by current general manager Jason Licht, Evans' deal includes $35 million guaranteed and his annual average earnings put him in the top four in the NFL at his position. This is his third contract with the Buccaneers.

Report: Suns G Devin Booker (ankle) out another 7-10 days

The Phoenix Suns will be without All-Star guard Devin Booker for another 7-10 days with a right ankle injury, The Athletic reported Monday. The four-time All-Star sprained his ankle with 1:15 left in Saturday's 118-109 loss to the Houston Rockets. The Suns were on defense when Booker's foot got tangled with teammate Royce O'Neale.

Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin out two weeks

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin will miss the next two weeks with a lower-body injury. The center left Saturday's 4-0 loss to the Florida Panthers after receiving a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct at 9:57 of the third period.

Olympics-Canada sports organizations face crisis without extra funding, says COC

The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) on Monday called on the federal government to increase financial support to national sport organizations, which it says are overstretched and face a substantial reduction in services and programs. The request for additional funding, which the COC said was necessary to avoid the system taking a step backwards, comes less than five months before the start of the Paris Olympics.

NFL-Beloved Eagles centre Kelce retires after 13 seasons

Philadelphia Eagles centre Jason Kelce announced his retirement on Monday after a 13-year National Football League career during which he established himself as one of the best at his position and endeared himself to the team's fanbase. Kelce, the older brother of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, won a Super Bowl in February 2018, earned seven Pro Bowl selections and was named a first-team All Pro six times in an NFL career spent entirely with the Eagles.

(With inputs from agencies.)