Sports in brief: Thigpen trade means end for Pennington
Football: Chad Pennington’s season officially ended with a trade that didn’t involve him.
The Miami Dolphins placed Pennington on the reserve-injured list to create a roster spot for quarterback Tyler Thigpen, who was acquired Tuesday from the Kansas City Chiefs for an undisclosed draft pick.
Pennington hurt his right shoulder Sunday at San Diego, an injury that leaves his career in jeopardy.
Thigpen shores up depth behind second-year pro Chad Henne, who is expected to make his first NFL start Sunday against Buffalo.
•Jones has sprained left knee: Dallas Cowboys running back Felix Jones has a sprained ligament in his left knee and his status for the upcoming game at Denver is uncertain.
An MRI showed Jones hurt his posterior cruciate ligament during the Cowboys’ 21-7 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Monday night.
Jones hurt a thigh in the opener and last year, as a rookie, he was limited to six games because of hamstring and toe problems.
•Trotter back with Eagles after year absence: Four-time Pro Bowl linebacker Jeremiah Trotter signed a one-year contract, returning to the Philadelphia Eagles after spending a year out of the NFL.
The Eagles released quarterback Jeff Garcia to make room for Trotter.
The 32-year-old Trotter provides depth at middle linebacker behind Omar Gaither, who became the starter when Stewart Bradley tore his ACL in training camp.
•Police investigate case involving Patriots CB: Police in Massachusetts are investigating a weekend incident at the home of New England Patriots cornerback Jonathan Wilhite that resulted in him suffering a minor injury.
North Attleboro police said that officers responded to a call from Wilhite on Sunday morning concerning suspicious activity. Wilhite told police that two people were in the parking lot outside his residence when he arrived home, and one approached him and yelled at him.
Wilhite said he ran to a convenience store where he asked the clerk to call police. Wilhite told police he pulled his groin while running.
•NFL, union have ‘positive’ negotiating session: NFL officials and the NFL Players Association can at least agree on one thing: Tuesday’s bargaining session went well.
The two sides hope to negotiate a new labor deal after the NFL opted out of the collective bargaining agreement last year. The contract won’t expire until after the 2010 season.
•Stoops: Grigsby likely to play Huskies: Arizona coach Mike Stoops says tailback Nic Grigsby is likely to play when the Wildcats visit Washington on Oct. 10.
Grigsby left last weekend’s 37-32 victory at Oregon State with a bruised right shoulder. Grigsby is averaging 101.8 rushing yards per game, and his 8.1 yards per carry leads the Pac-10.
Mexico withdraws World Cup bids
Miscellany: Mexico withdrew its bid to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022, leaving the United States as the lone contender from the Americas.
Australia, England, Indonesia, Japan, Netherlands-Belgium, Russia, and Spain-Portugal have also bid to host both World Cups, and Qatar and South Korea bid for 2022 only. FIFA’s executive committee will vote in December 2010.
•Bulls lose Gray: The Chicago Bulls confirmed that third-year center Aaron Gray sustained a leg injury and is likely to be out for 6 to 8 weeks.
•French soccer fan dies: A 28-year-old French soccer fan, brutally attacked in Belgrade by Serbian hooligans, died Tuesday in a hospital.
Brice Taton died of brain and other injuries he suffered during the Sept. 17 attack ahead of the Europa League match between Partizan Belgrade and Toulouse, the Belgrade Clinical Center said in a statement.
•Palmer will receive Congressional Gold Medal: Arnold Palmer is going back to the White House to meet another president and collect another medal.
Palmer said that he has been selected to receive a Congressional Gold Medal, an honor that has been around since the American Revolution and recognizes distinguished achievements and contributions.
Palmer was scheduled to go to the White House today, where President Barack Obama was to sign the Arnold Palmer Gold Medal Act.
•Olympic champion retires: Three-time Olympic gold medalist Jodie Henry quit competitive swimming.
The 25-year-old Australian, who once was the reigning Olympic and world champion in the 100-meter freestyle, submitted her retirement forms to Swimming Australia.