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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Giants lose top safety

Associated Press

Safety Kenny Phillips’ season with the New York Giants ended just days after the best game of his career.

Phillips, who had two interceptions in Sunday night’s win over Dallas, was placed on injured reserve on Thursday because of an unhealthy left knee. The team also announced it was awarded safety Aaron Rouse off waivers from Green Bay.

Phillips had been bothered by the knee since training camp. An MRI on Wednesday revealed that the patella femoral arthritis in his knee has worsened. A final determination has not yet been made on how to treat the condition.

Phillips was stunned that he would have to miss the rest of the season.

“It never crossed my mind, ever,” Phillips said. “I knew the situation. I just felt I could push it through the season.”

Deal improves chances for stadium

The City of Industry, Calif., approved a settlement with the neighboring city of Walnut that had opposed plans for an $800 million NFL stadium, clearing a hurdle in efforts to bring a pro football team to the Los Angeles area.

The deal approved by Industry’s city council grants the city of Walnut $9 million, an annual cash payment of up to $500,000 and other concessions, Industry City Manager Kevin Radecki said.

Walnut council members, who had claimed in the city’s lawsuit that Industry approved the project without sufficiently reviewing its environmental impact, voted 3-1 to approve the deal.

The deal also requires developers to pay for noise monitoring around the stadium and prohibits loud events after 10 p.m.

NFL’s grades increase in study

A new study found that the NFL has improved its hiring practices to increase diversity.

The league received an overall B grade in the report released by The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at the University of Central Florida. It earned an A- for racial hiring practices and a C on gender-hiring practices. Those are the highest grades the NFL has received from the institute over the years.

The study analyzed data provided by the league on the racial breakdown of players and coaches and the racial and gender breakdown of team and NFL management and other officials.

Around the league

New York Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez has some tendinitis in his right knee that isn’t expected to affect his availability for this weekend’s game against Tennessee. … Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb is still not able to practice and it appears unlikely he will play this week against Kansas City. … The NFL penalized Pittsburgh safety Tyrone Carter $5,000 for his hit on Chicago tight end Greg Olsen last weekend that left him with a bruised left thigh. … Running back Marion Barber participated in some of Dallas’ practice and his status remains undetermined for the Monday night game against Carolina. … The Detroit Lions failed to sell all their tickets for Sunday’s game against Washington, meaning there will be a TV blackout in some Detroit-area markets. Also, Oakland’s home game against Denver will be blacked out locally because the team did not sell out the game in time.