Former Oregon State receiver Isaiah Hodgins is returning close to home after signing a futures contract Tuesday with the San Francisco 49ers.

The 6-foot-4 Hodgins, who played at OSU from 2017-19 and was a sixth-round selection by Buffalo in the 2020 NFL draft, grew up in Oakley, California, northeast of San Francisco.

Hodgins, who played for the Bills and New York Giants during the first five years of his NFL career, was on the Giants practice squad for the entire 2024 season. Hodgins has 60 receptions for 634 yards and seven touchdowns during a 31-game playing career.

A futures contract doesn’t count against an NFL team’s salary cap until the start of league’s next year. Teams can sign players who are part of a 53-man roster and on the practice squad or eligible for free agency to futures contracts.

Among Oregon State’s all-time receivers, Hodgins ranks second in touchdowns (20), sixth in career receptions (176) and seventh in yardage (2,322).

— Nick Daschel can be reached at 360-607-4824, ndaschel@oregonian.com or @nickdaschel.

Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com.

Associated Press

Miami Heat (18-17, sixth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Utah Jazz (9-26, 14th in the Western Conference)

Salt Lake City; Thursday, 9 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Utah is looking to end its eight-game home slide with a win against Miami.

The Jazz have gone 2-13 in home games. Utah allows 118.5 points to opponents and has been outscored by 6.9 points per game.

The Heat are 8-10 on the road. Miami is 10-6 in games decided by at least 10 points.

The Jazz’s 14.1 made 3-pointers per game this season are just 0.5 more made shots on average than the 13.6 per game the Heat give up. The Jazz average 111.3 points per game, 7.2 fewer points than the 118.5 the Jazz allow.

TOP PERFORMERS: Collin Sexton is averaging 17.9 points and 3.9 assists for the Jazz.

Terry Rozier is shooting 40.0% and averaging 12.1 points for the Heat.

LAST 10 GAMES: Jazz: 4-6, averaging 116.1 points, 48.8 rebounds, 25.6 assists, 7.2 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 46.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.0 points per game.

Heat: 5-5, averaging 109.3 points, 42.1 rebounds, 25.8 assists, 8.3 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 46.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.7 points.

INJURIES: Jazz: Keyonte George: day to day (heel), John Collins: day to day (personal), Jordan Clarkson: day to day (plantar ), Taylor Hendricks: out for season (fibula), Brice Sensabaugh: day to day (illness).

Heat: Dru Smith: out for season (achilles), Josh Richardson: day to day (heel).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Neko Williams was walking his dog, King, near 19th and M Streets in the snow Monday evening when his pet suddenly collapsed. He said he could feel mild electrical shocks coming from the ground as he knelt to help his beloved boxer.

“I felt electricity on the ground, and throughout his body.”

News4 has learned King was not the only dog to die at the same spot that same evening after being allegedly electrocuted.

“I touched the ground, and I felt electricity, and I generally don’t know what happened,” Neko Williams said.

Witnesses said he was on the ground cradling his dog.

Nicole Williams said King was family and did everything with them. She said he was a support dog for her son, a gentle protector.

“We’re at a loss for words,” she said. “It’s hard to understand that someone could walk down the street and step and end up electrocuted. It’s just a freak accident. We really want to know what happened.”

The Humane Rescue Alliance told News4 it received calls about two dogs dying after being allegedly electrocuted at the same spot in front of 1140 19th Street Monday.

It said in a statement, “The first dog was taken to an emergency clinic by the owner and pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. A report of a second dead on arrival stray dog has been forwarded to Animal Control.”

News4 saw a large presence of Pepco employees and equipment at the scene Tuesday. A portion of the sidewalk was cordoned off and closed to pedestrians.

In a statement to News4, Pepco said, “Our thoughts are with the individuals impacted by this event. The safety of our customers, communities and employees is always our top priority. We are working closely with local authorities and are continuing to investigate this matter.”

The Williamses say they are grateful to learn King’s death is being investigated and that no one else was harmed.