Recovering USC tailback Stafon Johnson probably wouldn’t have survived his weightlifting accident without his muscular athlete’s neck, which helped maintain his airway when a weight bar crashed down on it, a doctor said Tuesday. Johnson could communicate non-verbally with his family members and teammates, less than 24 hours after his bench-pressing accident in the Trojans’ weight room. The bar crushed his neck and larynx, which required seven hours of surgery.

•Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby practiced for the first time since injuring his groin during a preseason game Thursday. Crosby took part in the Penguins’ practice and expects to play in the season opener Friday against the New York Rangers.

Sidelined Oregon cornerback Walter Thurmond will have surgery on his right knee and miss the rest of his senior season. Thurmond hurt the knee on the opening kickoff of Saturday’s 42-3 victory over California.

Shipped The Vancouver Canucks sent highly touted first-round draft pick Cody Hodgson back to his junior hockey team. Hodgson, 19, selected 10th overall in the 2008 NHL Draft, was widely expected to make the Canucks as a center after earning Canadian Junior Hockey Player of the Year honors last season while playing for Brampton in the Ontario Hockey League.

Entered Hall of Fame-nominated wide receiver Jerry Rice is making his professional golf debut next year as a tournament host and player at a Nationwide Tour event at Hayward, Calif.

Hired Investors trying to bring a WNBA franchise to Tulsa have hired Nolan Richardson to be the coach – if the city is able to secure a team. Richardson’s first job will be trying to help a group of investors led by Oklahoma City businessmen David Box and Bill Cameron secure the additional support they need for the WNBA to grant the city an expansion franchise.

Disputed WBC lightweight champion Edwin Valero denied reports he was arrested on domestic violence charges. Valero told reporters in Caracas, Venezuela, that the allegations were merely an effort to “provoke” him.