Roethlisberger’s status uncertain for Sunday’s game

Byron Leftwich has already shown the Pittsburgh Steelers he can finish. He may get the chance Sunday to prove he can start.

With starter Ben Roethlisberger’s status for Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts uncertain because of his reinjured right shoulder, the Steelers (6-2) may give Leftwich his first start since last Nov. 18 with Atlanta.

Roethlisberger underwent an MRI exam Tuesday, but the Steelers did not immediately release the results. He reinjured his separated right shoulder on a quarterback sneak near the end of the second quarter Monday night.

Leftwich took over to set up a touchdown with a long completion on his first throw, threw for a score and led another TD drive during a 23-6 win in Washington.

•Culpepper signs with Lions: Daunte Culpepper passed his physical and signed with the Detroit Lions – and could be ready to play Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

MLB

Selig warns GMs

Commissioner Bud Selig warned baseball general managers about the national economy as they formally began their annual meeting in Dana Point, Calif.

Some club executives say teams have delayed setting budgets for payroll because they want to determine whether the economic downturn will change revenue projections.

Selig spoke to the GMs by video conference.

“He talked about our economy and how troubling it’s been, and how we have to operate in a fashion that’s cognizant of that economy,” said Jimmie Lee Solomon, executive vice president of baseball operations in the commissioner’s office.

•Yankees decline options: The New York Yankees declined their 2009 options on first baseman Jason Giambi and pitcher Carl Pavano.

Giambi will receive a $5 million buyout rather than a $22 million salary next season. Pavano gets a $1.95 million buyout instead of a $13 million salary.

Also, pitcher Andy Pettitte was quoted as saying he would like to return to New York next season.

•Young sent to Triple-A: Washington Nationals first baseman Dmitri Young was sent outright to Triple-A Syracuse, the latest setback for the 2007 N.L. comeback player of the year. Young played in only 50 games this year because of injuries.

•Burnett opts out: Pitcher A.J. Burnett told the Toronto Blue Jays he will opt out of the remaining two seasons of his $55 million, five-year contract.

The pitcher will forfeit $24 million and can file for free agency.

•Sveum stays with Brewers: The Milwaukee Brewers hired Dale Sveum as hitting coach, bringing back the interim manager who led Milwaukee to its first playoff berth in 26 years.

Sveum had been a managerial candidate, but general manager Doug Melvin picked former Oakland Athletics skipper Ken Macha last week, citing a need for experience.

•Elias rankings released: Mark Teixeira, Matt Holliday and CC Sabathia drew the highest marks in the annual player rankings by the Elias Sports Bureau.

The rankings are used to determine what draft choices are awarded as compensation for teams losing free agents.

Teixeira received the top overall score of 98.889, based on the last two seasons and done with a formula set by players and owners.

NBA

Mavericks top Spurs

Dirk Nowitzki scored 30 points, Jason Terry added 29 in his first start of the season and the Dallas Mavericks beat San Antonio 98-81 in San Antonio to send the Spurs to their first 0-3 record in 35 years.

•Suns scorch Nets: Raja Bell hit all six of his 3-pointers and scored 22 points, and the Phoenix Suns shot 63 percent from the field in beating the host New Jersey Nets 114-86.

•Celtics outlast Rockets: Ray Allen scored 29 points, Kevin Garnett added 14 points and 11 rebounds and the Boston Celtics held off the Houston Rockets 103-99 in Houston.

•Dumars welcomes Iverson: Allen Iverson spoke at length about the ways he’s grown as a person and a player, saying he’s willing to make sacrifices to complete his career with a championship as a Detroit Piston.

Joe Dumars, the Pistons’ president of basketball operations, welcomed Iverson at a packed news conference about the deal that has created unprecedented excitement for a storied franchise with three NBA titles.

NHL

Wallin scores winner

Niclas Wallin scored 1:52 into overtime as the Carolina Hurricanes blew a three-goal lead before pulling out a 5-4 win over the host Toronto Maple Leafs.

•Senators win in OT: Mike Fisher scored his first goal of the season with just less than 40 seconds left in overtime to give the Ottawa Senators a 2-1 win over the visiting Washington Capitals.

•Brodeur out months: For the next three to four months, the New Jersey Devils are going to learn about life without Martin Brodeur.

Brodeur, 36, will be sidelined until at least February after tearing a distal biceps in his left elbow last weekend. He will undergo surgery Thursday.

Miscellany

Nadal has tendinitis

Rafael Nadal has tendinitis in his right knee and could be in doubt for Spain’s Davis Cup tennis final against Argentina from Nov. 21-23.

•Fight postponed: WBC light heavyweight champ Adrian Diaconu postponed his first title defense, against Silvio Branco, because of a hand injury suffered while sparring.

•Paris unanimous choice: Oklahoma center Courtney Paris tops the AP preseason women’s basketball All-America team, only the sixth unanimous choice to the squad.

Joining Paris are Connecticut’s Maya Moore, Louisville’s Angel McCoughtry, Maryland’s Kristi Toliver, and Oklahoma State’s Andrea Riley.