In brief: Ex-Patriots LB Colvin signs with Texans

Free agent linebacker Rosevelt Colvin signed with the Houston Texans on Monday, giving the team another pass rusher to pair with 2006 No. 1 draft pick Mario Williams.

Colvin spent five years with the Patriots and was a member of two Super Bowl winning teams, but was released by New England in February. He missed the last five regular season games and the playoffs with a foot injury.

The 30-year-old had 52 1/2 sacks in nine seasons with the Patriots and the Bears. The Texans have discussed the possibility of using him at defensive end as well as linebacker.

Colvin joins a defense that features Williams as well as first-round picks Amobi Okoye and Travis Johnson on the line and 2006 Defensive Rookie of the Year, linebacker DeMeco Ryans.

“Oakland Raiders wide receiver Javon Walker was found unconscious on a Las Vegas street after apparently being the victim of a robbery.

Police spokesman Bill Cassell said in a statement that Walker was taken to a hospital with “significant injuries” after being found early Monday on a street off the Las Vegas Strip.

Cassell said Walker remained in fair condition at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center.

Walker signed a six-year, $55 million deal with the Raiders after being released by the Denver Broncos.

Hockey

Suter inks deal

The Nashville Predators signed young defenseman Ryan Suter to a four-year, $14 million contract.

Suter, the team’s first-round pick in the 2003 NHL draft, set career highs for assists (24), points (31) and penalty minutes (71) this past season. He led all of Nashville’s defensemen with seven goals and was second in points.

“Ray Getliffe, the second-oldest living former NHL player, died Sunday in London, Ontario. He was 94.

Getliffe played 10 seasons with the Boston Bruins and Montreal from 1935-45. He won a Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 1939 and again with Montreal in 1944.

Miscellany

Davey joins Stanford

Former Santa Clara coach Dick Davey was hired to be one of the assistants on new Stanford coach Johnny Dawkins’ staff a year after retiring from the profession.

Former Loyola Marymount coach Rodney Tention and Mike Schrage, who spent nine seasons with Dawkins at Duke, are the other two assistants on the staff. Former Saint Mary’s assistant Dan Shell and Yale assistant Mark Sembrowich also were hired for undetermined roles on the basketball support staff.

Davey spent 30 years with the Broncos, including 15 as head coach before retiring after the 2006-07 season.

“Two-time British Open champion Greg Norman made a 15-foot putt on the second-to-last hole to earn $100,000 during the opening day of the Telus Skins Game in Vernon, British Columbia.

Fred Couples was the only other golfer to collect a skin. He sank a 40-foot putt on the second hole to earn $30,000.

This year’s skins game is in support of BC Children’s Hospital. Five players from five countries are competing for $360,000 in prize money.

“NBC Sports and World Championship Sports Network are forming a partnership to create a network that airs Olympic sports.

Universal Sports will include a television network and Web site, the two organizations announced. Early-round coverage of the U.S. Olympic trials for gymnastics and diving will air on Universal Sports later this week.