Texans may have to move game to Rice Stadium
Houston Texans owner Bob McNair has discussed the possibility of his team playing at Rice Stadium if repairs to Reliant Stadium from Hurricane Ike can’t be made in time for its first home game on Oct. 5.
The stadium’s retractable roof lost five pieces in the storm and officials said large pieces of debris had fallen into the stadium.
Though he has discussed playing at Rice, which is 4 miles from Reliant, McNair is “optimistic” that repairs can be made in time for Houston to play at home against the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 5.
“We would have to talk to them at Rice, but certainly it’s a large enough stadium that it is a possibility,” McNair said Tuesday.
Rice Stadium holds 47,000 in its current configuration, but the tarps could be moved off the end zone seating to expand the capacity to 70,000. It was opened in 1950 and hosted the Super Bowl in 1974.
McNair said engineers are going over Reliant, which seats 69,500, this week to look for possible structural damage.
“I am optimistic that we are not going to find any structural damage, the damage is just going to be to the roof and that’s something we’re going to be able to deal with,” he said.
Roethlisberger will play: Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin clarified the status of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s shoulder: sprained but not separated.
The injury will likely keep Roethlisberger from fully participating in practice today, but not from playing on Sunday against Philadelphia.
Jets waive punter: The New York Jets waived punter Ben Graham, two days after a poor outing in a loss to the New England Patriots.
Support for Hochuli: Ed Hochuli received the support of the NFL Referees Association, two days after he botched a call at the end of the San Diego-Denver game that allowed the Broncos to keep possession and go on to score the winning points.
“No one feels worse about this than Ed, but like the coaches and players in our high-speed game, mistakes will occur,” NFLRA executive director Tim Millis said in a statement.
Kelly arrested: Oakland Raiders defensive end Tommy Kelly was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Authorities say Kelly was booked at Oakland’s Glenn E. Dyer Detention Facility and later released.
Mack suspended: Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie cornerback Elbert Mack was suspended one game without pay by the NFL for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.
Hockey
Schneider waived
The Anaheim Ducks placed defenseman Mathieu Schneider, 39, on waivers.
The veteran has until 9 a.m. PDT today to be claimed by another team. If he isn’t, Schneider will clear waivers and remain property of the Ducks.
Brind’Amour on mend: Carolina Hurricanes captain Rod Brind’Amour underwent surgery to remove torn cartilage from his left knee. He is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season.
Roy’s son enters plea: The son of Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy pleaded not guilty in Saguenay, Quebec, to assault for his attack on a player last March during a game in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
Jonathan Roy’s lawyer entered the plea and asked to get more evidence in a case that has been put off until Nov. 10. Roy faces a maximum fine of $2,000 or up to six months in prison.
Basketball
IU told to wait
The NCAA has told Indiana University to wait until Sept. 26 to respond to the latest allegation that the school failed to monitor its men’s basketball program.
In a letter to IU president Michael McRobbie, NCAA infractions committee chairwoman Josephine Potuto said the committee is still finalizing part of its report on former coach Kelvin Sampson and his staff, who were accused of making more than 100 impermissible phone calls to recruits.
The response originally was due today.
“The University was fully prepared to meet its deadline established by the NCAA in its response to the failure to monitor allegation,” athletic director Rick Greenspan said in a statement.
Guilty plea: A third defendant pleaded guilty in the beating death of former Villanova star Howard Porter a day before his trial was to start in Minneapolis.
Fredquinzo King pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder and one count of kidnapping and awaits sentencing Oct. 13.
Porter led Villanova to the 1971 NCAA championship game. He played seven pro seasons, but his career was cut short by injuries and cocaine addiction. He came to Minnesota for treatment and was working as a probation officer when he was killed in 2007.
Golf
Wie in hunt
Michelle Wie shot a 2-under-par 70 to begin the LPGA sectional qualifying tournament in Rancho Mirage, Calif., then declined to talk to reporters about the round that put her in solid position in the 164-player field.
The 18-year-old Wie made her debut in the qualifying process with five birdies and three bogeys at Mission Hills Country Club.
Despite the strong start in the 72-hole qualifying event, Wie emerged from the scoring room and informed her agent that she wouldn’t do any interviews until Friday’s final round.
Wie is four shots behind leader Sun-Ju Ahn of South Korea.
Soccer
Players allocated
Kristine Lilly will play for Boston, Abby Wambach will be in Washington and Hope Solo will suit up for St. Louis in the new Women’s Professional Soccer league.
Three U.S. national team players were allocated to each of the league’s seven clubs. The league will debut in April with franchises in the Bay Area, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York/New Jersey.