Josh McCown missed practice Wednesday with a broken big toe on his left foot, meaning Daunte Culpepper will probably get the chance to start at quarterback for Oakland on Sunday against the team that released him in July. Coach Lane Kiffin said he wanted to wait until later in the week to decide who will start this week against the Miami Dolphins.
Brian Griese is in. Rex Grossman is out. Yet, despite numbers indicating the Chicago Bears needed to make a change with their starting quarterback, when it finally happened the news jarred Grossman. He used words like “surprised” and “frustration” to describe his feelings when he learned Griese would be calling signals Sunday at Detroit.
Mike Lowell got a souvenir of his best season and drove the Red Sox closer to another memorable achievement — their first division title in 12 years. With Boston’s magic number down to two, that could come Thursday night for a team that is improving its hitting and health at just the right time. “We were happy being in the playoffs with the wild card,” David Ortiz said after Lowell drove in five…
Those memories of players wearing parkas and groundkeepers shoveling snow off the Jacobs Field grass can finally be put away. A full 2,400 miles from home, the Cleveland Indians have finished off their home-opening series nearly six months after it was snowed out. Playing a “home” game in their third stadium this season, the Indians used a big third inning to back Fausto Carmona in Cleveland’s 12-4…
Umpire Mike Winters was suspended by Major League Baseball for the remainder of the regular season on Wednesday because of his confrontation with San Diego’s Milton Bradley last weekend. The Padres claimed Winters baited Bradley, who has a history of losing his temper. Bradley tore a knee ligament when his manager spun him to the ground while trying to keep him from going after the umpire during…
Derek Roy scored three goals and added three assists to help the Buffalo Sabres rout the Toronto Maple Leafs 7-2 on Wednesday night. Henrik Tallinder, Drew Stafford, Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek also scored for Buffalo. Pavel Kubina and Chad Kilger had goals for the Maple Leafs. Tallinder opened the scoring at 1:24.
Brian Gionta scored a hat trick to help the New Jersey Devils to a 6-1 victory over the New York Islanders on Wednesday night. Gionta’s first goal came just 35 seconds into the game. His other two goals came on the power play. Martin Brodeur stopped 14 of 15 shots before Frank Doyle took over in the third period.
Senators forward Dean McAmmond was released from the hospital on Wednesday, one day after he suffered a concussion in an exhibition game. The Senators released a statement Wednesday saying there were no fractures and that he was scheduled to see the club’s training staff for treatment. The Flyers were leading 2-1 when at the 2:39 mark of the second period, Steve Downie skated the length of the ice…
Plaxico Burress’ sprained right ankle has become more of a concern for the New York Giants. The receiver, whose five touchdown catches is tied with Randy Moss of New England for most in the NFL, traveled to Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday to have the ankle examined by noted orthopedist Dr. Robert Anderson.
Nagging Brian Dawkins as much as sitting out a game with a stinger and its lingering neck spasms is sitting out a routine Eagles practice. Brian Westbrook won’t stand for missing a game. But he will put up with missing practice, especially with an abdominal strain that’s slowing down the explosive Philadelphia running back.
