Underwood Checks Into Mental Hospital

Defensive tackle Dimitrius Underwood of the Dallas Cowboys was admitted to a mental hospital Thursday night, the Dallas Morning News reported Saturday.

The Cowboys refused to comment on the report.

Underwood, who has bipolar disorder, attempted suicide eight months ago, the second time in less than a year.

The newspaper said Underwood was expected to be released Friday evening or Saturday morning. Calls Saturday to Underwood’s agent, Robert Huebner, were not returned.

Coach Dave Campo said Underwood was excused from practice Friday for personal reasons, but was expected to play in today’s opener against Tampa Bay.

Underwood attempted suicide while with the Miami Dolphins in 1999. He tried to commit suicide by running into traffic on a Florida highway twice last January.

*

The Denver Broncos signed second-year running back Mike Anderson to a four-year contract extension. The extension, reported by the Rocky Mountain News and ESPN.com, binds Anderson to the Broncos through 2006 and is worth more than $10 million in so-called “new money.” The reports said it includes a $1.5-million signing bonus and increases Anderson’s base salary for this season from $298,000 to $350,000.

*

Andre Reed, the third-leading receiver in NFL history, retired after 16 seasons. He played 15 seasons with the Buffalo Bills before being released after the 1999 season in a salary cap move. After being waived in training camp last season by the Denver Broncos, he signed with the Washington Redskins. Reed, 37, played in seven Pro Bowls and helped Buffalo to four consecutive Super Bowls.

*

A New York real estate developer who tried to buy the Redskins will not get back his $20-million deposit. A federal appeals court ruled Friday that Howard Milstein is not entitled to recover the deposit made to the estate of Jack Kent Cooke. Milstein and his company, Washington Sports Ventures Inc., struck a deal in January 1999 to buy the Redskins for $800 million, but gave up in April because NFL owners would not approve it.... St. Louis Ram reserve quarterback Paul Justin had surgery to repair a torn knee ligament and will be sidelined for at least six months.... The Cincinnati Bengals signed end Justin Smith, the team’s top pick in this year’s draft. The terms of the contract were not disclosed, but ESPN.com reported it’s worth up to $41 million over six years.... Buffalo kicker Steve Christie’s 188-game streak will end today because he has a strained right groin.