Morning News Links
NFL
Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing, who suffered a season-ending ACL tear, says that he will be better when he returns next year, and the Texans will still win the Super Bowl this year. [Facebook]
An NFL document lists former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy as one of the whistle blowers in the New Orleans Saints' bounty scandal. [ProFootballTalk]
Free agent wide receiver Terrell Owens, who tweeted that the New York Jets need his services, says that he is not begging for a job, but the Jets playing a defensive back at offence is proof that they are desperate for help. [TSN]
Miami Dolphins running back Daniel Thomas, who left Sunday's win over the Cincinnati Bengals with a head injury, has now been listed with a concussion for the second time this season. [ProFootballTalk]
Terrell Owens says that "maybe, given the right opportunity" he could play in the CFL. [TSN]
MLB
New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez reacts to being pinch-hit for outfielder Raul Ibanez in Wednesday's ALDS Game 3. "Maybe 10 years ago I would have reacted in a much different way, but I'm in a place in my career right now where team is everything. I don't think there was anybody more excited in the ballpark for Raul than me," Rodriguez said. [Newsday]
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jaime Garcia will visit a specialist today. He may require surgery on his ailing shoulder. Garcia pitched two innings in Monday's NLDS Game 2. [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]
The Boston Red Sox plan to interview Los Angeles Dodgers third-base coach Tim Wallach for their vacant managerial position. [ESPN]
New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter has sold his penthouse in the Trump World Tower for $15.5 million. [NY Daily News]
NBA
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant says that teammate Steve Nash had a better team around him when he won his MVPs. "He's playing with [Leandro] Barbosa. I'm playing with Smush [Parker] and Kwame [Brown]. My goodness," Bryant said. "Smush Parker was the worst. He shouldn't have been in the NBA, but we were too cheap to pay for a point guard." [LA Times]
Houston Rockets guard Jeremy Lin admits that he is still not fully recovered from a knee surgery that forced him to miss the final 17 regular season games and the playoffs last season. Lin expects to be ready for the Rockets' regular season opener on October 31. [Houston Chronicle]
Kobe Bryant says that he is going to have to call New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who was pinch-hit for in the ninth inning of Game 3 of the ALDS. [ESPN]
Miami Heat forward LeBron James has been adding Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's skyhook to his arsenal of moves in the offseason and training camp. [ESPN]
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Brandon Roy returned to action last night for the first time since his retirement following the 2010-11 season. Roy registered 13 points and 4 rebounds in 24 minutes. [Minneapolis Star Tribune]
Kobe Bryant sat out the Lakers' preseason loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night due to a strained shoulder. He expects to return for their next preseason game against the Utah Jazz on Saturday. [LA Times]
NHL
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly says that the league has been given indications that the NHLPA is working on a new CBA proposal. [ESPN]
New York Rangers defenceman Ryan McDonagh has signed with HC Barys in the KHL. McDonagh posted 7 goals and 25 assists in 82 games last season. [Yahoo! Sports]
Ottawa Senators forwards Milan Michalek and Peter Regin are both headed overseas to play their lockout hockey. Michalek is expected to join Budejovice in the Czech League, while Regin will play in his hometown in Denmark. [Ottawa Citizen]
NCAA
The NCAA is investigating the possibility that LeBron James' agent, Rich Paul, provided improper benefits to University of Texas guard, and Toronto native, Myck Kabongo. [Yahoo! Sports]
