FOOTBALL
Chiefs' CB suspended
Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith will miss the first three games of the regular season, including matchups against the Broncos' Peyton Manning and Packers' Aaron Rodgers, after he was suspended Friday for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. Smith, 28, who was arrested last year on a drunken driving charge, pleaded guilty earlier this year. He paid a fine and received two years of probation. Smith will miss games against Houston, Denver and Green Bay before returning Week 4 against Cincinnati. That means the Chiefs will have to fill his spot with an unproven rookie or backup for matchups with a couple of the game's prolific quarterbacks.
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback C.J. Wilson has been placed on the reserve/retired list while he recovers from losing two fingers on his right hand in a July 4 fireworks accident. The third-year pro out of North Carolina State is one of two NFL players, along with defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul of the New York Giants, who suffered hand injuries in accidents involving fireworks during the holiday weekend. Wilson, 25, entered the league as an undrafted free agent with Chicago in 2013. He spent most of last season on Tampa Bay's practice squad, finishing with four tackles while appearing in two games on the active roster. Wilson's agents said when their client is "fully healed" he hopes to resume his NFL career. By being placed on the reserve/retired list, Wilson will not count against the Bucs' 90-man roster limit when training camp opens next week. Wilson lost the index and middle fingers on his right hand during the accident in North Carolina. He was entering the final season of a two-year contract that would have paid him $585,000 in 2015.
• Citing previous policies on posthumous inductions, the Pro Football Hall of Fame has barred Junior Seau's daughter from commenting during his presentation on Aug. 8. Seau, who committed suicide in 2012, is one of seven men being inducted this year. In a statement from Hall executive vice president Joe Horrigan, a 2010 policy was referenced on Friday. "The policy of the Pro Football Hall of Fame since 2010 regarding individuals enshrined posthumously provides for an expanded presenting video (longer than the videos of living inductees) followed by the traditional unveiling of the bronzed bust and no additional comments made from the podium," Horrigan said. The 2011 inductions used such a format when former Los Angeles Rams star Les Richter was inducted posthumously. In a New York Times story Friday, Sydney Seau said not being able to speak at the ceremonies is "painful."
• The New Orleans Saints have cut Junior Galette, who has been among their top pass-rushers the past two seasons and last year signed a four-year, $41.5 million contract extension. Galette's agent, Alvin Keels Jr., says his client has been informed he'll be released after he undergoes a physical. Keels says Galette is motivated to return to the NFL soon. Galette's 10 sacks led the Saints last season. His 12 sacks ranked second on the club in 2013. However, he also has dealt with off-the-field troubles. He was arrested in January after an alleged domestic dispute. Charges were dropped, but the incident remains under review by the NFL. The league also is reviewing a video which shows a man resembling Galette in an altercation on a beach.
HORSE RACING
Tracks wins feature
Off The Tracks took command from pacesetter Moment Is Right in the upper stretch and sprinted clear Friday to win the Grade 3, $150,000 Schuylerville, the traditional opening day feature at Saratoga Race Course. Sent off at 8-1 in a field of eight 2-year-old fillies and ridden by Luis Saez, J. Stables' Off The Tracks ran six furlongs in 1:11.27 in her stakes debut and improved her record to 2-0. She won by 3 1/4 lengths and paid $19.60, $8.60 and $5.50. Banree came on to finish second, returning $7.60 and $4.90. It was another 4 3/4 lengths back to Decked Out, who paid $3.50. In the co-feature, Mrs McDougal charged down the middle of the turf course to catch Feathered and capture the Grade 2, $200,000 Lake George for 3-year-old fillies by a half-length. Under Irad Ortiz Jr., Mrs McDougal hit the wire in 1:41.52 to give trainer Chad Brown his first victory in the 1 1/16-mile grass event. Feathered held on for second in a blanket finish, a nose ahead of Cara Marie with 2-1 favorite Partisan Politics another neck back. Mrs McDougal paid $11, $5.10 and $4.10. Feathered returned $4.60 and $4, and Cara Marie paid $8.60. The 40-day Saratoga meet runs through Labor Day.
HOCKEY
Coyotes' lease reworked
The Glendale City Council voted unanimously in favor of a restructured arena lease agreement with the Arizona Coyotes on Friday, keeping the team in the desert for at least two more years. The deal approved by the seven-member council replaces a 15-year, $225 million arena management agreement signed in 2013. The new deal cuts Glendale's annual arena management fee to the Coyotes from $15 million to $6.5 million, turns all hockey-related profits over to the Coyotes and rescinds a five-year out clause the team had in the original agreement. The new deal comes after the City Council voted June 10 to terminate the original arena lease agreement, citing a conflict-of-interest law. The Coyotes obtained a temporary restraining order two days later and the two sides were likely facing a long court battle with the team threatening to sue the city. The new deal allows Glendale to cut costs and gives the Coyotes a chance to work out a new long-term deal or explore other options like a new arena in downtown Phoenix.
Sports on 07/25/2015