PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers placed starting right tackle Willie Colon on injured reserve Tuesday after the 28-year-old offensive lineman underwent surgery to repair a torn right triceps suffered in a season-opening loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Colon missed all of last year after rupturing his Achilles tendon in minicamp, but the team was so confident he would bounce back it signed him to a five-year, $29 million contract in July.
Rookie Marcus Gilbert will replace Colon in the lineup Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.
• New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez said he is fine after being tested for a concussion following Sunday’s victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
• Veteran place-kicker Nick Novak agreed to a two-year contract with the San Diego Chargers to replace the injured Nate Kaeding.
The Chargers also signed defensive end Ogemdi Nwagbuo to a one-year deal after Luis Castillo broke his lower left leg Sunday.
• The Buffalo Bills placed receiver Marcus Easley on injured reserve because of a heart ailment. It is not known if it is a career- or life-threatening condition.
• After getting beat by Wes Welker on a 99-yard pass during Sunday’s loss to the New England Patriots, nickel back Benny Sapp was released by the Miami Dolphins.
• The Cleveland Browns signed 14-year veteran punter Brad Maynard and placed Richmond McGee on injured reserve two days after he injured his back during pregame warm-ups before his NFL debut.
NCAA reinstates Buckeyes
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The NCAA reinstated three Ohio State football players who were suspended for taking envelopes with $200 cash from a university booster at a charity event.
Tailback Jordan Hall and cornerback Travis Howard, tabbed as starters for the Buckeyes in the preseason, along with backup safety Corey “Pittsburgh” Brown, were suspended two games for violating NCAA rules by taking the improper benefits at an event in suburban Cleveland in February.
Ohio State (2-0) plays at Miami on Saturday.
• Notre Dame senior tight end Mike Ragone will undergo surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament and miss the rest of the season.
• Wisconsin cornerback Devin Smith is done for the season after having surgery on his left foot.
Footnotes.
Denver East High School graduate David Oliver finished third behind world-record holder Dayron Robles and world champion Jason Richardson in the men’s 110-meter hurdles at the Zagreb (Croatia) World Challenge.
• The LPGA canceled a tournament in China that was supposed to be held from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2.
• Southern California guard Jio Fontan, who averaged 10.5 points as a junior, is expected to miss the upcoming season after having surgery to repair a torn left anterior cruciate ligament.
• Former ESPN commentator Jay Mariotti pleaded no contest in Los Angeles to charges that he stalked and assaulted his ex-girlfriend. He was immediately sentenced to five years of probation and 90 days of community service.
The Associated Press
