Rex Grossman reportedly will be benched by the Chicago Bears for Sunday’s game at Detroit, with Brian Griese starting at quarterback. Citing unidentified sources, NFL.com, the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times reported Tuesday that the beleaguered Grossman would sit when the Bears (1-2) visit the Lions (2-1).
The San Francisco 49ers changed punt returners on Tuesday, cutting Brandon Williams and signing Michael Lewis, the former beer truck driver who rose to fame with the New Orleans Saints. Williams, the 49ers’ third-round pick in 2006, never was particularly impressive as the 49ers’ designated punt returner, and the former Wisconsin star couldn’t crack San Francisco’s rotation of receivers.
Martin Gramatica is free to look for work, if his injured hamstring is up to the task. The Dallas Cowboys released the kicker from their injured reserve list Tuesday. He went on the list in training camp and the team’s kicking duties went to rookie Nick Folk. Gramatica made six of eight field goals in five games for the Cowboys last season.
A Puerto Rican horse that can’t win a race now has a claim to fame. Dona Chepa, a 9-year-old brown mare, finished last in a six-horse field at Camarero Racetrack in eastern Puerto Rico on Wednesday, a 125th consecutive loss that is believed to be the longest in horse racing history. Track spokesman Joe Bruno said Wednesday’s loss surpasses an equine losing record of 0-124 set by Australian horse…
Troy Tulowitzki made sure the Colorado Rockies kept pace in the NL wild-card race. Eliminating the Los Angeles Dodgers from postseason contention in front of their own fans was just a bonus. Tulowitzki homered to drive in the tying and go-ahead runs, Todd Helton had a pair of RBI singles and the Rockies beat Los Angeles 9-7 Tuesday night for their ninth straight victory — tying the franchise…
Patrick Eaves assisted on second-period power-play goals and the Ottawa Senators overcame a concussion to Dean McAmmond to beat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2 on Tuesday night. McAmmond left the game with a concussion after he was sent to the ice by a flying body check from Philadelphia prospect Steve Downie.
Anze Kopitar scored three goals Tuesday to help the Los Angeles Kings rally for a 7-6 win over Red Bull Salzburg in an exhibition tournament. The Austrian champions went ahead 3-0 in the opening four minutes, but Mike Cammalleri, Ladislav Nagy and Kopitar evened the score within 10 minutes. Kopitar added another goal on a power play later in the period.
Sabres defenseman Teppo Numminen is recovering from open heart surgery and is expected to be released from a Cleveland hospital within days. The 39-year-old Finn said he could return to the Sabres by December. He had surgery last week to repair a faulty valve. “Teppo’s feeling stronger every day, and hopefully he will be released from the hospital in the next several days,” Buffalo team doctor…
