Associated Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. ó Start the clock on the Tennessee Titans’ quarterback controversy.
On Wednesday, Vince Young practiced for the first time since spraining his left knee Sept. 7 and sparking concern after police were called to help search for him. He was limited, but took a few snaps with both the scout team and the first-team offense.
Young didn’t talk to reporters and hasn’t since Sept. 11 when he explained his mother had overreacted to him taking off without his cell phone. That day he also said he expected he would return as starter once healthy.
Veteran Kerry Collins did speak and said he thought Young was excited to be back on the field.
“I think guys were happy to see him out there. He’s going to be a part of what we do from here on out. I see no reason why he can’t be a positive force on the offense,” Collins said.
– GREEN BAY, Wis. ó He’ll take an injection. He’ll try wearing a shoulder harness. He’ll push himself through painful rehabilitation exercises.
Despite a sprained right shoulder that limited him to a light workload in practice Wednesday, quarterback Aaron Rodgers says he’ll do whatever it takes to start Sunday’s game against Atlanta at Lambeau Field.
– DENVER ó Former Denver Broncos running back Travis Henry has been arrested following an alleged cocaine deal, the Drug Enforcement Administration said Wednesday.
– ASHBURN, Va. ó Washington Redskins defensive end Jason Taylor appears likely to miss a second straight game as he recovers from calf surgery.
NASCAR
CHARLOTTE ó Rusty Wallace denied Wednesday a report by his brother that claims he is considering a return to NASCAR’s top level.
Kenny Wallace wrote in his SpeedTv.com blog that the 52-year-old former Cup champion is pondering a return to the Sprint Cup Series, and said it was rumored he’d fill a seat at Dale Earnhardt Inc.
Rusty Wallace retired after the 2005 season and is currently an analyst for ABC and ESPN.
“I love Kenny to death ó he’s been trying to get me back in a car ever since I retired after 2005,” Rusty Wallace said. “While any rumors like this are certainly flattering, they’re untrue. I have a long-term commitment to ABC and ESPN and I really love what I’m doing right now.”
TENNIS
STUTTGART, Germany ó Serena Williams’ game collapsed after she swept the first set Wednesday, leading to a 0-6, 6-1, 6-4 loss to China’s Li Na that will cost her the No. 1 ranking.
By dropping the second-round match at the Porsche Grand Prix, Williams will be overtaken by Jelena Jankovic in Monday’s new rankings, the WTA said. Williams gained the top spot when she beat Jankovic in the U.S. Open final three weeks ago for her ninth Grand Slam title.
BASEBALL
ATLANTA ó There will be no offseason shoulder surgery for Chipper Jones.
The Atlanta Braves said Wednesday that the MRI on Jones’ right shoulder a day earlier showed acute tendinitis, but the overall structure is normal.
The Braves’ orthopedist has prescribed therapy for the 36-year-old third baseman, followed by a strength program.
Jones won the NL batting title with a .364 average. He had 22 home runs and 75 RBIs but played in only 128 games and was limited to pinch-hitting in the final week of the season.