Sports briefly: Lynch to go into 'Beast Mode' again, but this time with Raiders

Marshawn Lynch is coming out of retirement after agreeing on a two-year deal with the Raiders that paved the way for a trade to his hometown team in Oakland.

Lynch passed a physical Wednesday and agreed to a restructured two-year contract. Those were the final steps needed before Seattle could trade his rights along with a 2018 sixth-round pick to the Raiders for a 2018 fifth-rounder.

NFL Network said Lynch would get a $3 million base deal this season, with a chance to make an additional $2 million if he rushes for at least 1,000 yards.

Lynch had been slated to make $9 million this season if he came out of retirement. With Seattle unwilling to pay that amount and Lynch only wanting to play for the Raiders, finalizing a trade was simple once Oakland was able to redo Lynch's contract.

Lynch also must apply to the NFL for reinstatement from the retired list before he can play with the Raiders.

Lynch retired following the 2015 season but decided he wanted to come back and play with his hometown team. The Raiders met with him early this month to gauge his interest and wanted to get a deal done before the draft.

The Raiders have a need for a running back after losing Latavius Murray in free agency.

Lynch was perhaps the best power back in the league before he retired. He had double digits in touchdown runs every season from 2011 to 2014, and his 51 TDs on the ground are the most in the NFL since 2011 despite playing just seven games in 2015 and being retired last season.

Lynch's 245 broken tackles since the start of the 2013 season are 66 more than any other player in that span, according to Pro Football Focus.

"I think he's the most physical guy I've played against," Mack said. "I remember playing against him, I believe, my second season. They ran a power right at me. I remember that play. You're talking about one of the most physical guys I've played against, running back-wise."

The 31-year-old Lynch averaged 3.8 yards per carry in his limited action in 2015 before retiring.

Packers sign ex-Pro Bowl guard

Heading into a draft not very deep in guards, the Packers signed veteran Jahri Evans, a six-time Pro Bowl guard who will turn 34 in August.

Evans, an unrestricted free agent, has spent 11 years with the Saints, starting all 16 games last year after a brief stint with the Seahawks. Evans signed with Seattle in 2016, was released in the final cutdown and returned to the Saints.

Hernandez denied roommate

A jailhouse friend of Aaron Hernandez says prison officials denied the former NFL star's request for a cellmate months before he hanged himself.

David Wedge, a spokesman for Kyle Kennedy's attorney, said Wednesday the two inmates at the maximum security Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley, Mass., had asked to be cellmates last September. He said the request initially was approved, but then denied.

Jim Harbaugh stood near the steps of St. Peter's Basilica with a Michigan football helmet and a box of Wolverine-themed Jordan sneakers held high above his head.

Members of Michigan's 150-plus contingent all came on this unusual trip to Italy for a variety of reasons. For some, it was their first chance to leave the United States. Others had never been to Rome.

Harbaugh? He came for all the reasons one could dream up. But especially for this one. Inside Vatican City. Standing inches away from Pope Francis.

"If I accomplish nothing more in my life, if I go right now," Harbaugh said, "I'll be going out a blessed man."

Michigan's coach, flanked by his wife, Sarah, had an opportunity to greet the Pope Wednesday after a weekly papal address inside St. Peter's Square.

Looking relieved, Maria Sharapova waved to the crowd and blew kisses after winning her first match on her return from a 15-month doping ban.

The five-time Grand Slam champion and former No. 1 beat Roberta Vinci 7-5, 6-3 in the opening round of the Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany.

Sharapova had earlier been given a lukewarm welcome by the 4,500 spectators, receiving a polite applause and some whistling when she entered the sold-out arena.

"It was the best feeling in the world," Sharapova said about finally stepping on court again for a professional match. "I have been waiting for this a long time."

Sharapova said she had "a pretty normal life" and "grew as a person" while being away from the circuit, until getting back to tennis training in January.