Dallas’ Broderick Thomas Hurts Knee, Out for Season

Dallas Cowboy defensive end-linebacker Broderick Thomas will be lost for the season after injuring his left knee at the team’s practice facility at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas, on Sunday.

The 10-year veteran from Nebraska was expected to be the Cowboys’ top pass rusher this season.

The Cowboys lost cornerback Wendell Davis because of a knee injury on Saturday.

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Mark Rypien, signed by the Atlanta Falcons as a backup quarterback to starter Chris Chandler, was put on waivers because family illnesses have kept him from taking part in any of the team’s off-season training camps.

Rypien, 35, signed a two-year, $1.85-million contract with the Falcons in April. Rypien reportedly will return an unspecified portion of his $400,000 signing bonus.

The 13-year NFL veteran has put his football career on hold since his 2-year-old son was diagnosed with a brain tumor. His wife, Annette, is also seriously ill.

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The Oakland Raiders signed Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson, their top pick in this year’s draft, one day before opening training camp.

The cornerback from Michigan will report on time to camp in Napa, Calif., tonight and his first practice will be Wednesday.

ESPN reported Woodson got a six-year deal worth $14.5 million, with an $8-million signing bonus.

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Green Bay Packer Coach Mike Holmgren called off an interview between Reggie White and reporters at the team’s practice facility.

Holmgren apparently canceled the interview because he hadn’t briefed White on what topics would be best to avoid. He has previously canceled interview sessions with Brett Favre.

“Put them in a situation where they have a microphone in front of them and anything could be said,” Holmgren said. “I would just like to minimize the distractions just a little bit.”

White made off-season headlines by speaking out against homosexuality, among other things.

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The Seattle Seahawks began their training camp at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Wash., without Warren Moon, who is a holding out because of a contract dispute.

It is Moon’s first training camp holdout in his 20-year professional career.

Leigh Steinberg, Moon’s agent, said the 41-year-old quarterback wants a contract of two or three years at $3 million to $5 million per year. But the Seahawks want a one-year deal and cut off discussions Sunday after increasing their offer to $1.85 million, Steinberg said.

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Miami Dolphin guard Randy Wheeler was seriously injured in a one-car accident while driving from South Carolina to Miami for the start of training camp.

The accident occurred near Stuart, Fla., and Wheeler was in critical, but stable condition in intensive care at Martin Memorial Hospital.

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Former Cleveland Brown great Jim Brown has endorsed Cleveland developer Bart Wolstein’s bid to buy the new Browns franchise and said he would act as a consultant if Wolstein owns the team.

Golf

Justin Rose’s amateur status prevented him from claiming $115,000 in prize money for finishing tied for fourth in the British Open, but he is now a professional and said to be well on his way to earning his first million.

The Evening Standard newspaper reported that Rose already had signed with Scottish-based management company Carnegie Sports International and agreed to a $526,000 deal with a club manufacturer. Rose’s first tournament as a pro will be this week’s Dutch Open.

Cycling

Laurent Desbiens, who missed the Tour de France two years ago while serving a drug suspension, remained in the overall lead after the 130-mile ninth stage of the Tour de France that ended in Pau, France, at the base of the Pyrenees Mountains.

Because of heat and two days of mountain stages coming up, most of the favorites conserved their strength, allowing lesser riders to vie for the stage victory.

With temperatures scorching at 104 degrees for a second consecutive day, Dutch rider Leon Van Bon won the sprint for the stage victory.

Miscellany

Roberto Duran will try to become a world champion for the first time in nine years by fighting William Joppy for the World Boxing Assn. middleweight title Aug. 29 at the Las Vegas Hilton on a Showtime card . . . . Colin Campbell, fired as coach of the New York Rangers in February, has joined the NHL as senior vice president and director of hockey operations. . . . The Kings claimed goaltender Frederic Chabot off waivers from the Nashville Predators. Chabot, 30, was selected by the Predators in the NHL expansion draft in June. He played 12 games for the Kings last season . . . . The Phoenix Mercury (12-4) began a 20-2 run late in the first half en route to an 88-67 victory over the Sacramento Monarchs (4-13) in a WNBA game before 13,257 at Phoenix.