DAVIE, Fla. — Joey Porter‘s widely anticipated parting with the Miami Dolphins took a bizarre twist Friday.
The Dolphins announced the release of the disgruntled linebacker. Less than three hours later, they said the move was “determined to be an invalid termination. Therefore at this time, Porter reverts back to the Miami Dolphins roster.”
The Dolphins declined to elaborate, as did the NFL.
“It’s a club matter,” league spokesman Greg Aiello said.
The hitch might have involved NFL salary cap rules, and Porter is still expected to be released or traded in the next few weeks. If the Dolphins release him before March 4, they save a $1 million roster bonus they would have owed him.
• Troubled receiver Matt Jones agreed to a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals. Jones didn’t play in the NFL last year after the Jacksonville Jaguars released him because of his off-field issues.
• NFL commissioner Roger Goodell received a five-year contract through March 2015.
• The Pittsburgh Steelers announced plans to follow a self-imposed salary cap in 2010 and won’t take advantage of the lack of a collective bargaining agreement to add more quality free agents than usual.
U.S. takes lead in America’s Cup
VALENCIA, Spain — BMW Oracle helmsman Jimmy Spithill showed why he is regarded as one of the world’s best match-racers in leading the USA trimaran to a 1-0 lead over Alinghi in the America’s Cup.
Spithill entered on the favored starboard tack and steered straight at counterpart Ernesto Bertarelli‘s Alinghi 5, forcing the Swiss billionaire to commit a penalty.
The American challenger then stalled to allow Alinghi 5 to move ahead off the starting line. But the trimaran’s cutting-edge wing sail allowed it to turn a 2,165-foot deficit into a victory by 15 minutes, 28 seconds off the coast of Valencia.
BMW Oracle can become the first American winner of the 159-year-old sailing classic since 1992 with a victory Sunday in the best-of-three series.
Harangody out with sore knee
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Notre Dame’s NCAA Tournament hopes were dealt a blow with news that forward Luke Harangody will miss Sunday’s game against St. John’s with a bone bruise to his right knee, and he could be out longer. Harangody, third in the nation in scoring (24.1 ppg) was injured in Thursday’s 90-87 loss at Seton Hall.
• Former Oklahoma State basketball coach Sean Sutton was arrested and spent the night in jail in Oklahoma City for allegedly trying to obtain prescription painkillers from out of state. Authorities said he appeared to be suffering withdrawal symptoms before he was released.
Senators acquire center Cullen
RALEIGH, N.C. — The Ottawa Senators acquired center Matt Cullen from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for defenseman Alexandre Picard and a draft pick.
• The Chicago Blackhawks traded defenseman Cam Barker to the Minnesota Wild for defensemen Kim Johnsson and Nick Leddy.
• The Philadelphia Flyers signed center Blair Betts to a two-year contract extension. The Associated Press
