Advertisement

Texans’ Antonio Smith suspended for opener

Texans defensive end Antonio Smith was suspended for Houston's remaining preseason games and the first game of the season for ripping the helmet of Miami Dolphins linebacker Richie Incognito and hitting him with it.
(Eric Gay / Associated Press)
Share

Houston Texans defensive end Antonio Smith was suspended by the NFL on Wednesday for the season opener and the last two exhibition games for hitting Miami guard Richie Incognito with the Dolphins player’s helmet.

Smith ripped the helmet off Incognito’s head, then hit Incognito on the shoulder with it in Saturday night’s exhibition game.

Smith must sit out Houston’s visit to San Diego to begin the season Sept. 9. He also will lose about $400,000 in salary for his seventh rules violation since 2011.

Advertisement

Texans running back Arian Foster was removed from the physically unable to perform list and practiced for the first time since May.

Foster strained his right calf in an off-season practice in late May and struggled with a sore back after recovering from that injury.

Foster rushed for 1,424 yards and 15 touchdowns last year for his third straight 1,200-yard season.

::

A person familiar with the situation said Chicago Bears linebacker Jonathan Bostic has been fined $21,000 for a hit during last week’s exhibition game against San Diego.

::

Advertisement

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie running back Le’Veon Bell has been ruled out of Saturday’s game against Kansas City because of a right foot injury.

Bell underwent an MRI exam Tuesday and Coach Mike Tomlin said he would wait for a second opinion before making a determination about Bell’s long-term status.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that Bell would be sidelined for six weeks.

::

Middle linebacker Sean Lee and the Dallas Cowboys agreed on a six-year contract extension through the 2019 season.

A story on the team’s website said Lee’s deal is worth about $42 million but could escalate as high as $51 million depending on incentives.

ETC.

Advertisement

Chivas USA falls to FC Dallas

David Ferreira and Ramon Nunez scored in the last four minutes and FC Dallas ended an MLS winless streak at 11 games with a 3-1 victory over Chivas USA at StubHub Center.

It was FC Dallas’ first league win since May 25. FC Dallas is 9-7-9, and Chivas USA dropped to 4-14-6.

::

Maria Sharapova pulled out of the U.S. Open because of a right shoulder injury.

The U.S. Tennis Assn. announced the 2006 champion’s withdrawal.

::

Top-seeded Sara Errani fell to Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova, 7-5, 6-1, at the New Haven (Conn.) Open.

Advertisement

::

Kyle Busch won the NASCAR Truck Series race at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway for his record 14th overall victory on the high-banked 0.533-mile oval.

::

Grant Holman hit a three-run home run in the top of the ninth inning and Chula Vista, Calif., rallied for a 6-3 victory over New England champion Westport, Conn., to earn a berth in the U.S. championship game in the Little League World Series at South Williamsport, Pa.

Advertisement