Giants lose defensive end Umenyiora for season

New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora will undergo season-ending surgery Tuesday on his left knee.

Umenyiora, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, was injured during the second quarter of Saturday night’s exhibition against the New York Jets, and Dr. Russell Warren told the team Sunday that an MRI exam found a cartilage tear.

“It was obviously the news that I did not want to hear,” Coach Tom Coughlin said. “But after listening to the explanation and Dr. Warren’s thoughts on it, I am convinced that this is the right procedure and the right way to go.”

The normal recovery lasts four months, Coughlin said, adding that a non-surgical option was not discussed.

The loss is a major one for the Super Bowl champions in the wake of the retirement of seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan a few months ago.

The Giants are a bit thin at defensive end. Justin Tuck has replaced Strahan and the team signed veteran Renaldo Wynn in the off-season.

With Umenyiora out, the Giants have to consider moving strong-side linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka back to defensive end. He was switched to linebacker last year so the team could put its best 11 players on the field.

Washington Redskins defensive end Jason Taylor is expected to be sidelined 10 to 14 days because of a sprained right knee, putting his availability in doubt for the NFL season opener against the Giants on Sept. 4.

Coach Jim Zorn said Taylor underwent an MRI exam Sunday. The six-time Pro Bowl selection was injured during the Redskins’ 47-3 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Saturday.

The Arizona Cardinals are expected to appoint Kurt Warner as their starting quarterback, a team source told ESPN.com.

Matt Leinart’s poor performance Saturday night against the Oakland Raiders probably sealed the decision.

Leinart had three interceptions in the first half and completed four of 12 passes for 24 yards.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer suffered a broken nose during Saturday night’s game against the New Orleans Saints, but Coach Marvin Lewis said Palmer should be ready for the regular-season opener Sept. 7 against the Baltimore Ravens.

Lewis said in a statement that Palmer had a small crack in one of his nose bones and it took doctors about 10 minutes to put it back in place.

Matt Ryan, the No. 3 overall draft pick from Boston College, will be the Atlanta Falcons’ starting quarterback this season, said first-year Falcons Coach Mike Smith.

Xavier Omon ran five yards for one touchdown, Terrence McGee returned a fumble 68 yards for another score and Rian Lindell kicked two field goals, leading the Buffalo Bills to a 20-7 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in the opening of the Colts’ Lucas Oil Stadium.

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SOCCER

Deco lifts Chelsea past Wigan

Chelsea stayed on top of the English Premier League standings after Deco scored with a free kick to give the Blues a 1-0 victory at Wigan.

Chelsea has six points after two games and leads Liverpool on goal difference.

Deco’s curling free kick caught Wigan’s goalkeeper Mike Pollitt out of position in the fourth minute and drifted into the top corner.

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Miami suspends seven for opener

Miami has suspended seven players for Thursday’s season opener against Charleston Southern, including quarterback Robert Marve.

The school confirmed Sunday that Marve, a redshirt freshman who was expected to start, will sit out. Freshman Jacory Harris will start instead.

Marve said he was OK with the decision. He was arrested in October for smashing a car mirror and was initially charged with two misdemeanors, but they were later lifted.

The school did not identify the other six players or say why they had been suspended.

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LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES

Hawaii beats Mexico, 12-3, for title

Tanner Tokunaga hit two home runs and Iolana Akau also hit one to lead Waipahu, Hawaii, over Matamoros, Mexico, 12-3, at South Williamsport, Pa.

It was the fourth consecutive World Series championship for a United States team. Hawaii was helped by three Mexico errors. Two runs scored on passed balls, and another came in on a bases-loaded walk.

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ACTION SPORTS

Dhers wins BMX Park event

Daniel Dhers continued his bid for a fourth consecutive Dew Cup title in BMX Park by defeating Mike Spinner in the Wendy’s Invitational at Portland, Ore.

Dhers took the lead on his first run, which included a 720 into a flair, a can can 720, and a 360 tailwhip transfer, to finish with a 93.83 score.

Spinner tried to take the lead on his second run, but his feet slipped off the pedals when landing a triple tailwhip. He was second at 92.67. Rob Darden was third at 91.33.