Steelers' Parker, Hampton out vs. Ravens
NFL
The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without Pro Bowl running back Willie Parker and nose tackle Casey Hampton for Monday night's home game against the Ravens. Parker, who had 243 yards in the Steelers' first two games before being held to 20 during a 15-6 loss at Philadelphia on Sunday, has a sprained left knee. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin did not say yesterday whether Parker might miss more than one game. With Parker out, first-round draft pick Rashard Mendenhall will make his first NFL start. Hampton, a Pro Bowl defensive lineman the past four seasons and the key to the Steelers' run defense, has a strained groin. He will be replaced by Chris Hoke, who made 10 starts in 2004 after Hampton injured a knee. Defensive end Brett Keisel (calf) is also out. He might be sidelined for a month or more.
Rams: : Marc Bulger is out as the starting quarterback after throwing only two touchdown passes in three games and will be replaced by Trent Green, 38, for Sunday's game against the Bills.
Texans: : Houston plans to play its home opener at hurricane-damaged Reliant Stadium on Oct. 5. "I can't say with absolute certainty," owner Bob McNair said. "But let's put it this way: I'd be shocked if we did not play there."
Ravens: : Quarterback Joe Flacco will be at ESPN Zone tonight as a guest of Baltimore Ravens Fox 45 Playbook. Flacco will join teammates Daniel Wilcox and Haloti Ngata in answering fans' questions and talking football. It starts at 7 and is open to the public. An autograph session will follow.
Et cetera: : Chiefs coach Herm Edwards strongly hinted that veteran quarterback Damon Huard might start Sunday against the Broncos and that Tyler Thigpen would return to the bench after one start. ... Jets quarterback Brett Favre rolled his left ankle during the third quarter of New York's 48-29 loss at San Diego on Monday night, but coach Eric Mangini said he expects him to start Sunday. ... Former Vikings linebacker Wally Hilgenberg, 66, died after a battle with Lou Gehrig's disease. Hilgenberg spent 16 seasons in the NFL, including 12 with the Vikings from 1968 to 1979. ... Saints guard Jamar Nesbit has been suspended without pay for four games for violating the NFL's policy on anabolic steroids and related substances, team officials said.
Reports: Mets, Minaya agree on 4-year extension
BASEBALL
