[naviga:h3]Panthers’ Newton limited in practice[/naviga:h3]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Cam Newton was limited to mostly light throwing during practice as the Panthers continue preparations for their game Sunday against the Saints.

Newton is expected to start.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera called Newton’s limited practice schedule during the week the “new normal” until the quarterback completely recovers from offseason rotator cuff surgery.

[naviga:h3]NBA refs can call closeout technicals[/naviga:h3]

NEW YORK — NBA referees will be able to call flagrant or technical fouls on defenders who dangerously close on jump shooters without allowing them space to land, as Zaza Pachulia did on the play that injured Spurs star Kawhi Leonard in last season’s playoffs.

Leonard sprained his ankle when Pachulia slid his foot under Leonard’s in Game 1 of Golden State’s victory in the Western Conference finals. After calling a foul, officials will now be able to look at replay to determine if the defender recklessly positioned his foot in an unnatural way, which could trigger an upgrade to a flagrant, or a technical if there was no contact but an apparent attempt to injure.

[naviga:h3]Hernandez had severe case of CTE[/naviga:h3]

BOSTON — Former New England Patriots star Aaron Hernandez had a severe case of the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy, his lawyer said on Thursday in announcing a lawsuit against the NFL and the team for hiding the true dangers of the sport.

Dr. Ann McKee, the director of the CTE Center at Boston University, said Hernandez had Stage 3 (out of 4) of the disease, which can cause violent mood swings, depression and other cognitive disorders .

Hernandez killed himself in April in the prison cell where he was serving a life-without-parole sentence for murder. Baez said Hernandez had shown signs of memory loss, impulsivity and aggression that could be attributed to CTE.

[naviga:h3]Mondesi sentenced to 8 years in prison[/naviga:h3]

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Former Los Angeles Dodgers star Raul Mondesi has been sentenced to eight years in prison after being convicted of embezzlement during his term as mayor of his hometown in the Dominican Republic.