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Aaron Rodgers was cleared by doctors and returned to practice for the Green Bay Packers on Thursday. Assuming he doesn't have a setback in his recovery from a concussion, he is optimistic he will start Sunday's game against Miami.
Rodgers practiced on a limited basis Thursday, taking the majority of snaps during the portion of practice that was open to the media. The team will monitor him before naming him the starting quarterback against the Dolphins.
- Brett Favre returned to practice for the Minnesota Vikings a day after sitting out with elbow tendinitis.
- Rookie quarterback Colt McCoy will make his NFL debut Sunday for the Cleveland Browns against the Pittsburgh Steelers, ESPN.com reported.
NBA
GROIN SIDELINES ARENAS
In his first home game since being suspended for bringing guns to the Verizon Center last season, Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas left with a strained right groin.
Arenas didn't start Thursday's 96-88 preseason loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, two days after faking a knee injury to miss a home game.
- The NBA suspended the Toronto Raptors' Joey Dorsey for one game for swinging his arm at the Bulls' Brian Scalabrine with 7.3 seconds left in the Bulls' 109-90 preseason win on Tuesday.
NHL
PREDATORS IMPROVE TO 3-0
Steve Sullivan's two goals led the host Nashville Predators past the St. Louis Blues 4-3. Nashville is 3-0 for the second time in franchise history.
- Red Wings center Johan Franzen suffered a head injury from a hit by Stars defenseman Mark Fistric in a 4-1 loss at Dallas. Franzen called the injury a concussion.
GOLF
LINCICOME'S 61 BEST OF YEAR
Brittany Lincicome shot an 11-under 61, the tour's best round of the season on the first day of the CVS/pharmacy LPGA Challenge in Danville, Calif. Annika Sorenstam's 59 at the Standard Register PING in 2001 is the LPGA Tour record.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
NO. 25 W. VIRGINIA WINS
Geno Smith threw two touchdown passes and No. 25 West Virginia (5-1, 1-0 Big East) held visiting South Florida (3-3, 0-2) to a season low for yards in a 20-6 victory.
- Indiana's top rusher, Darius Willis, has been lost to a season-ending knee injury.
