Sports in brief: Schumacher terminates comeback

Auto racing: Michael Schumacher called off his much-anticipated Formula One comeback because of lingering neck injuries from a motorcycle crash six months ago.

The seven-time world champion was to fill in for injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa, and hoped to return at this month’s European Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain. Ferrari announced Tuesday that test driver Luca Badoer will race in Massa’s place.

Schumacher said on his Web site he informed top Ferrari officials on Monday evening that “unfortunately I’m not able to step in for Felipe.”

Schumacher, 40, retired at the end of the 2006 season. Since then, he has raced occasionally in a motorcycle series before being injured in a crash.

•Andretti team hires Montagny: Frank Montagny has been hired to drive a fifth car for Andretti Green Racing later this month. The Frenchman will be in the cockpit of the No. 25 car at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif.

•Gordon plans to compete: Jeff Gordon said he will be ready to race this weekend, even though the four-time NASCAR champion has a stiff back from his spectacular accident at Watkins Glen (N.Y.)

Gordon, who has been bothered by an aching back for more than a year, went head-on into a steel barrier during Monday’s road course race. The impact aggravated his back, but he should be able to handle this weekend’s race at Michigan International Speedway.

The six-car accident also affected Jeff Burton and Sam Hornish Jr.

Gordon, Burton and Hornish got the worst of the accident that began when Hornish was run off course into a tire barrier. Hornish’s car shot back onto the track and into the path of Gordon, who hit the barrier.

Stallworth can leave home confinement

Football: Suspended Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth will be allowed to leave home confinement to train with a strength and conditioning coach, a judge ruled.

At a morning hearing, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Dennis Murphy granted a motion to modify the conditions of Stallworth’s house arrest. Stallworth, who pleaded guilty in June to DUI manslaughter, will now be allowed to train outside of his home with a coach five days a week in South Florida, according to court documents. The motion said Stallworth needed to train with a coach so he can “maintain an elevated degree of physical conditioning.”

•Colts hope Sanders will be ready: Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said there was a “good chance” that safety Bob Sanders will be back in time for the season opener.

Sanders has not practiced at training camp after having offseason surgery to clean up his right knee.

Irsay made an impromptu visit to the team’s temporary headquarters at Terre Haute, Ind., and said Sanders, the 2007 NFL defensive player of the year, needed to get ready before he participated in practice.

•Simoneau injury leads to Brooks invite: New Orleans Saints linebacker Mark Simoneau will be sidelined for at least several weeks with a torn triceps, and veteran free-agent linebacker Derrick Brooks has been invited for a workout with the club.

Brooks, 36, has played 14 NFL seasons, all with Tampa Bay, and has been named to 11 Pro Bowls.

•Owens suffers sprained toe: Buffalo Bills receiver Terrell Owens missed practice and is day to day because of a sprained toe.

Bills coach Dick Jauron said it was too early to determine whether Owens would play in Buffalo’s preseason home opener against Chicago on Saturday.

•Phillips convicted of assault: Former NFL running back Lawrence Phillips was convicted of assault and other felony charges in San Diego.

Phillips had been accused of choking his girlfriend on two occasions in August 2005, once into unconsciousness.

He faces up to 25 years in prison when he’s sentenced next month.

Klitschko sets bout with Arreola

Miscellany: Vitali Klitschko of Ukraine will defend his WBC heavyweight title against Chris Arreola on Sept. 26 in Los Angeles.

Arreola is hoping to become the first Mexican-American to win a major heavyweight title.

Klitschko (37-2, 36 knockouts) said in the statement he was looking forward to fighting again at the Staples Center, where he has already fought against Lennox Lewis and Corrie Sanders.

•Cavaliers sign Powe: The Cleveland Cavaliers have reportedly signed free-agent power forward Leon Powe to a two-year contract.

According to ESPN.com, Powe, formerly of the Boston Celtics, signed a two-year contract worth $1.77 million, the NBA minimum for a third-year player.

•Federer returns in style: Roger Federer, playing for the first time since winning Wimbledon, returned to the court with a 7-6 (3), 6-4 win over Canada’s Frederic Niemeyer at the Rogers Cup in Montreal.

Federer, who took time off while his wife gave birth to twin girls, took a set to find his range and then the top-ranked Swiss star put away the low-ranked Niemeyer.