Red Sox left fielder Manny Ramirez was out of the starting lineup for the 22nd straight game Friday night with a strained left oblique muscle and is not expected to play in this weekend’s series against Tampa Bay. “I’d say it’s unlikely,” Boston manager Terry Francona said. “That’s probably the best answer.
The underachieving Philadelphia Eagles could be undermanned against Detroit. Tight end L.J. Smith had surgery Friday for an injured groin and won’t play when the Lions (2-0) visit Sunday. All-Pro safety Brian Dawkins missed practice again with a neck stinger and will be a game-time decision, while Pro Bowl cornerback Lito Sheppard likely will miss his second straight game with a knee injury.
Jaguars defensive tackle John Henderson missed his third consecutive practice Friday and was listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game at Denver. Henderson, a two-time Pro Bowler who has not missed a game in his six-year career, suffered a concussion last week against Atlanta. He returned to the game later, then had to be helped to the locker room with what team officials called “heat-related issues.”…
Jaguars defensive tackle John Henderson missed his third consecutive practice Friday and was listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game at Denver. Henderson, a two-time Pro Bowler who has not missed a game in his six-year career, suffered a concussion last week against Atlanta. He returned to the game later, then had to be helped to the locker room with what team officials called “heat-related issues.”…
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Steve McNair will start Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals and offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden will be out for the second consecutive week. McNair missed last week’s win over the New York Jets with a groin pull. “Steve seems to have gotten through the week OK, so hopefully it will show up that way on Sunday,” Ravens coach Brian Billick said Friday.
National Captain rallied to beat Thorn Song by a neck Friday in the $60,000 allowance feature at Belmont Park. The 5-year-old South African-bred is unbeaten in both U.S. starts after spending most of his career in Dubai. The two recent wins gave him four in 16 races. Ridden by Eibar Coa National Captain ran the 1 1-16 miles on the firm turf course in 1:41.05 National Captain paid $6.40, $3.50 and…
It’s final tuneup time for quite a few horses on the road to next month’s Breeders’ Cup at Monmouth Park. Haskell Invitational winner Any Given Saturday tops a field of five in Saturday’s Brooklyn Handicap, while Travers Stakes runner-up Grasshopper is the favorite in a 10-horse field for the Super Derby at Louisiana Downs.
