PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia 76ers have reached an agreement with Doc Rivers to become their  coach. Rivers reached the deal Thursday to become the latest coach to try and lead the franchise to their first NBA championship since 1983, a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on Thursday on condition of anonymity because the Sixers had not formally announced the move.  Rivers takes over for Brett Brown, who was fired after the Sixers were swept in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.  Rivers was fired about two weeks after the Los Angeles Clippers wasted a 3-1 series lead and lost to Denver in the Western Conference semifinals. 

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — While the NFL fights for racial equality, current and former players want team owners to take more specific actions. Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Malik Jackson has a suggestion that has been voiced by many people from players to activists. He wants owners to hire more Black coaches, general managers and high-ranking executives.  There are only six total in the NFL: Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, Chargers coach Anthony Lynn, Dolphins coach Brian Flores, Browns GM Andrew Berry, Dolphins GM Chris Grier and Washington President Jason Wright.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The script has flipped in the nearly three years since the previous meeting between the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers. The Niners left Philadelphia that day after a lopsided loss as a winless team in coach Kyle Shanahan’s first season with a thin roster so battered by injuries they nearly had to play a tight end at tackle. Now it’s the Eagles who are winless as quarterback Carso Wentz has struggled in an 0-2-1 start. 

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Eagles were down to one healthy wide receiver at practice Thursday. DeSean Jackson, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside and John Hightower were sidelined and Alshon Jeffery still is recovering from foot surgery last season. Rookies Jalen Reagor and Quez Watkins already are on injured reserve. That left Greg Ward as the only wideout from the active roster on the field. He was joined by Deontay Burnett, Travis Fulgham and Marcus Green from the practice squad. Burnett played 39 snaps against Cincinnati on Sunday and caught three passes for 19 yards. Watkins began practicing this week and is eligible to be activated.  

PITTSBURGH (AP) — No. 24 Pittsburgh will try to get off to its first 4-0 start since 2000 when the Panthers host North Carolina State. Pitt’s defense has fueled the team’s early surge. The Panthers rank in the top 10 in the country in nearly every major statistical defensive category, including sacks, yards allowed and points allowed. The Wolfpack are 1-1 following a blowout loss on the road against undermanned Virginia Tech. N.C. State is unsettled at quarterback. Devin Leary and Bailey Hockman both played against the Hokies. Coach Dave Doeren says the player who is the most prepared will be the one that starts.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans find themselves back in a waiting mode hoping the NFL allows them back inside their headquarters by Tuesday with their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers postponed until later this season by the league’s first COVID-19 outbreak. The NFL postponed Sunday’s game in Nashville after one additional Titans player and one personnel member tested positive for COVID-19. The announcement Thursday morning came a day after the league said it hoped to play the game either Monday or Tuesday. A new game date will be announced “shortly.” The Titans have a total of 12 positive test results in the past week.