The Green Bay Packers and Pro Bowl linebacker Jaylon Smith agreed to terms on a one-year contract Thursday morning.

Here are the top sports stories and upcoming coverage plans for Reuters text service as of 2 p.m. GMT/ 10 a.m. ET. For a full schedule of news and events, go to our editorial calendar on Reuters Connect https://www.reutersconnect.com/planning.

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Formula One title contender Max Verstappen played down the pressure of fighting Lewis Hamilton for the championship and said on Thursday that the outcome would not change his life either way.

(Reuters) - Amnesty International called on the Premier League on Thursday to focus on human rights issues and "sportswashing" as Newcastle United's proposed sale to a consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) inched closer.

Oct 7 (Reuters) - Amnesty International called on the Premier League on Thursday to focus on human rights issues and "sportswashing" as Newcastle United's proposed sale to a consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) inched closer.

(Reuters) - Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare, who was provisionally banned after testing positive for human growth hormone before the Tokyo Olympics, has been hit with three separate anti-doping charges, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said on Thursday.

MUMBAI (Reuters) - The International Cricket Council will change "batsman" to the gender-neutral term "batter" in its playing conditions starting from this month's Twenty20 World Cup, the world governing body said on Thursday.

(Reuters) - Seven times world champion Sebastien Ogier will continue to race for Toyota in selected rallies next year, with Finland's Esapekka Lappi stepping up for those rounds the Frenchman misses.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Banners and signs declaring "PROTECT THE PLAYERS" and "NO MORE SILENCE" ringed National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) pitches on Wednesday as teams took to the field for the first time since sexual misconduct allegations rocked the competition.