SPORTS ROUNDUP: Injury ends Arkansas star running back’s career

Neck injury ends career of Arkansas RB Williams

Arkansas running back Rawleigh Williams III, who rushed for 1,360 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, announced Monday he is giving up football after suffering a second neck injury.

Williams’ latest neck injury came during the Razorbacks’ final spring scrimmage last month. He was carted off the field and taken to the hospital.

Williams, who would have been a junior this season, wrote a heartfelt letter on Arkansas’ official website that was titled “Next Chapter.”

“I’ve seen the replay. I saw a normal hit. That scared me,” Williams wrote in his letter. “It shows me it doesn’t take a big hit at this point. Any little thing can trigger it. I also saw the reaction of my mom and my sister. That broke my heart. I can’t do this anymore. I want to be able to walk.”

Williams suffered the first neck injury as a freshman in 2015 against Auburn and underwent surgery to fuse a disk in his neck.

Taillon has surgery for possible testicular cancer

Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Jameson Taillon underwent surgery for suspected testicular cancer at Allegheny General Hospital on Monday morning, the team announced.

Taillon, who was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a groin injury on Saturday, alerted the Pirates’ medical staff of an abnormality. The 25-year-old consulted with Dr. John C. Lyne, who performed the surgery.

“Jameson has again proven to us what a strong person he is by the way in which he has reacted to this development. We are appreciative of Dr. Lyne and the staff at Allegheny General Hospital for their invaluable expertise and efforts in caring for Jameson,” Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said.

“We have told Jameson that our only priority is his health and well-being. His teammates, our coaches, baseball staff and entire organization will support him in his recovery in every possible way and we will keep him in our thoughts and prayers.”

The recommended treatment plan for Taillon is pending further testing.

Mets targeting Friday start for Harvey

New York Mets manager Terry Collins told reporters on Monday that the team hopes to have suspended right-hander Matt Harvey ready to start Friday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Harvey was suspended for three days on Sunday for violation of team rules. Collins said on Monday that Harvey “needs to address some guys” upon his return.

Collins was also asked if he feels that Harvey’s teammates respect him, with the manager responding, “I can’t answer that. I don’t know. Can’t answer that. I don’t know.”

The Mets would not disclose Harvey’s infraction, but multiple outlets reported that the 28-year-old was suspended for not showing up to the ballpark on Saturday. He is 2-2 with a 5.14 ERA in six starts this season.

Patrick had a feeling about boyfriend’s prospects

Danica Patrick said she had positive vibes about boyfriend Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s chances in Sunday’s GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, and not just because Stenhouse had won the pole during Saturday’s time trials.

But Patrick was otherwise occupied when Stenhouse took the checkered flag for the first time in his 158th start in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

“I was in the bus sitting and packing up, but I had a feeling all day,” Patrick said after congratulating her boyfriend in Victory Lane. “I mean, obviously, he qualified on the pole, but at the beginning of the race when he was leading (the first 13 laps), I was thinking he was either going to stay in the lead, or something bad might happen.

“But I got the feeling that it was just one of those days where he was going to make it happen. It’s a very good day.”

Tebow agrees to contract extension with ESPN

Tim Tebow, currently a minor league baseball player in the New York Mets’ farm system, reached a multiyear contract extension with ESPN on Monday to continue as a college football analyst on the SEC Network.

The network announced Tebow will keep working as a studio commentator on SEC Network’s traveling pregame show “SEC Nation.” The former Heisman Trophy winner and BCS National Championship-winning quarterback also will continue his role in ESPN’s College Football Playoff programming, providing personal championship perspective and analysis.

Tebow’s role with ESPN will not preclude him from continuing to pursue his professional baseball dreams.

Burleson replaces Scott on ‘NFL Today’

CBS continues to make changes with its team of analysts on the network’s “NFL Today” show, replacing Bart Scott with former wide receiver Nate Burleson.

Burleson will become the second newcomer to the Sunday program after Phil Simms moved from the broadcast booth to the studio.

Simms was added to “NFL Today” roster last month after being replaced by Tony Romo on the network’s top broadcast team with Jim Nantz.

Burleson joins the retooled “NFL Today” team of host James Brown, Bill Cowher, Boomer Esiason and Simms, who replaced Tony Gonzalez after he announced his departure in March.

Burleson played 11 NFL seasons as a wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions. He has been the co-host of “Good Morning Football” on NFL Network and will remain in that role in addition to his work at CBS.

Scott spent three seasons in the “NFL Today” studio.

49ers cut ties with RB Harris

The San Francisco 49ers released running back DuJuan Harris after holding their rookie minicamp over the weekend, the team announced Monday.

Harris posted on Twitter about being released: “It’s been real #Faithful! I’m blessed for the memories & it was great being a part of this legendary organization. All love, see y’all later!”

Harris, 28, appeared in 10 games for the 49ers last season, rushing 38 times for 138 yards while catching eight passes for 115 yards. He owns 590 career rushing yards and two touchdowns along with 244 receiving yards and one TD over his career for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks and 49ers.

Saints’ Unger likely to miss start of season

New Orleans Saints Pro Bowl center Max Unger suffered a foot injury and likely will miss the start of the 2017 regular season, according to reports Monday.

Unger underwent foot surgery over the weekend and the Saints are expected to begin the season without a key member of the offensive line, a source told the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Unger will start the season on the physically unable to perform list and miss about five months, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported.

The 31-year-old Unger is dealing with the same foot injury that caused him to miss one game last season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 14, according to the Times-Picayune.

The 6-foot-5, 305-pound Unger started 31 of 32 games for the Saints the past two seasons.