Romo likely won’t return until mid-November

Tony Romo’s broken little finger has become a big issue for the struggling Dallas Cowboys.

The two-time Pro Bowl quarterback, who wanted to try to play last week despite the broken pinkie on his throwing hand, said Wednesday he now doesn’t expect to play again until at least mid-November.

That means Romo would miss at least two more games: Sunday at Tampa Bay and the following week at the rival New York Giants. The Cowboys (4-3), who have lost three of their last four games, then take a week off before returning Nov. 16 at Washington.

Brad Johnson will start in place of Romo.

•Boldin’s status up in air: Anquan Boldin butted heads with teammates in practice to test his surgically repaired sinus and jaw.

He passed that test, but the Arizona Cardinals wide receiver said after a limited workout that he was uncertain whether he would play Sunday at Carolina.

•Johnson won’t play: Saying he was “kind of disgusted with myself,” Larry Johnson apologized for behavior that’s led to an NFL investigation and to his benching for a second straight week.

“I want to start off saying I apologize to the Hunt family, my family, first and foremost, the fans, teammates, coaches and players,” said Johnson.

Johnson did not play last week against Tennessee as punishment for violating team rules. Since then, it’s been disclosed that police and the NFL are investigating a report that Johnson spat several times on a woman at a Kansas City nightclub.

•Favre denies helping Lions: New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre acknowledged that he spoke to former Detroit president Matt Millen a few weeks ago, but denied reports he called Millen and gave him and Lions coaches information they could use in a game against the Green Bay Packers.

Favre spent nearly 15 minutes answering questions about Jay Glazer’s Foxsports.com report Sunday that said he called the Lions before their Sept. 14 game against the Packers. The report said Favre spent more than an hour giving Millen and Lions coaches information on Green Bay’s offense.

•Winslow appeals suspension: Pro Bowl tight end Kellen Winslow appealed his one-game suspension for critical comments he made about the Cleveland Browns’ handling of his hospitalization with a staph infection.

Winslow was suspended without pay by general manager Phil Savage for comments and behavior disparaging to the organization. Winslow was critical of Savage and said he only came forward to reveal he had staph – for the second time – out of concern for his teammates’ health.

•Coach paid players: A governing body says an East Liverpool (Ohio) high school team is forfeiting two games because head coach Pat McNicol paid players for their performances. McNicol has been suspended for the team’s final game.

NHL

Sharks keep Flyers reeling

Former Philadelphia star Jeremy Roenick scored the deciding goal in a shootout to give the visiting San Jose Sharks a 7-6 win over the Flyers, who have lost six straight.

Auto racing

Vickers docked

Brian Vickers was docked 150 driver points and crew chief Kevin Hamlin was fined $100,000 by NASCAR, because the Red Bull Racing team dipped its sheet metal in acid to make it lighter than required at a race at Martinsville Speedway.

Team owner Dietrich Mateschitz also was docked 150 owner points, while Hamlin and car chief Craig Smokstad were both suspended indefinitely.

•Ford extends deal: Despite a dismal economic outlook for U.S. automakers, the Ford Motor Co. extended its support of Roush Fenway Racing’s NASCAR program in a deal believed to be for five years.

NBA

Bryant’s injury not serious

Los Angeles Lakers fans can rest easy. Kobe Bryant’s right knee was a bit sore, but the injury isn’t serious and he likely won’t miss any playing time.

“I’m all right, a little bit better today,” Bryant said after sitting out practice because of the hyperextended right knee he suffered Tuesday in the Lakers’ preseason victory over the Charlotte Bobcats in San Diego.

Miscellany

AC Milan eyes Beckham

AC Milan is close to signing David Beckham in a loan deal that would allow the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder and former England captain to play in Italy for a few months starting in January.

•Holyfield back in court: Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield was back in court in Atlanta, again facing the possibility of jail time in a child-support case, but a settlement was reached after he agreed to a $100,000 college fund for his 10-year-old son.

•America’s Cup in trouble: America’s Cup holder Alinghi hopes to relaunch the 33rd edition of the sailing classic with a series of pre-regattas in 2009, followed by a cup match in 2010, before the credit crunch forces teams to abandon the event all together.

•Tour de France changes: In a break with tradition at the 2009 Tour de France, the notorious mountain ascent Mont Ventoux will be featured on the race’s next-to-last day aimed at keeping the suspense going to the very end. Ordinarily, the race finishes with a time trial on the next-to-last day.

•KHL takes measures: The Russia-based Continental Hockey League will impose new regulations to safeguard players’ health after the death of Alexei Cherepanov, the 19-year-old who collapsed with heart problems during a game last week. Two ambulances will be posted at each game and doctors will be on site.