BALTIMORE — Former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo says up to four NFL players may soon come out as gay, according to a published report.

“I think it will happen sooner than you think,” Ayanbadejo told The Baltimore Sun. “We're in talks with a handful of players who are considering it. There are up to four players being talked to right now and they're trying to be organized so they can come out on the same day together. It would make a major splash and take the pressure off one guy. It would be a monumental day if a handful or a few guys come out.”

Ayanbadejo, 36, was cut by the Ravens earlier this week. A strong advocate of gay marriage, he initially suggested the roster move stemmed from his stance.

DETROIT — The Detroit Lions didn't have to look long for a new kicker.Detroit added four-time All-Pro David Akers, one day after Jason Hanson retired.Akers' agent, Jerrold Colton, confirmed that he and the Lions agreed to terms. Colton declined to give details when asked if Akers got a one-year contract.

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Top-ranked Serena Williams ended a long and successful day for the Williams family as she and sister Venus both won twice to reach the Family Circle Cup semifinals and set up their first sibling showdown since 2009.Serena won her 13th straight match by defeating sixth-seeded Lucie Safarova, 6-4, 6-1.

DENVER — The Denver Nuggets will be without versatile forward Danilo Gallinari for the rest of the season after tests showed he tore his left ACL against Dallas the previous night.The team said an MRI showed no other signs of ligament or meniscus damage, adding Gallinari will have season-ending surgery soon and “a prognosis for a full recovery is excellent.”