BRONCOS EXEC BACK TO WORK
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) – One of two suspended Denver Broncos executives can return to work this week after serving a monthlong punishment.
Tom Heckert, the team’s director of pro personnel, will be allowed back at team headquarters Thursday. Director of player personnel Matt Russell is serving an indefinite suspension. John Elway’s top two advisers, Heckert and Russell were arrested and jailed on suspicion of drunken driving in separate incidents within a month of each other this summer, resulting in the biggest black eye for the organization since a videotape scandal cost former coach Josh McDaniels his job in 2010. Heckert, 46, was arrested June 11 in Parker, just 36 days after Elway hired the former GM of the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns.
BRONCOS O-LINEMAN BACK IN CAMP
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) – Denver Broncos offensive lineman Chris Kuper made a surprise appearance in pads at practice Tuesday shortly after agreeing to a restructured contract. He had been on the physically unable to perform list following a second operation on his left ankle, which was dislocated in the 2011 regular-season finale. He played in just seven games last year. During warmups, Kuper snapped the ball to Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler. If Kuper makes the 53-man roster, he’ll likely serve as a backup to guards Zane Beadles and Louis Vasquez, at least initially.
Kuper was set to make $4.5 million this season, none of it guaranteed, with a $1.05 million injury-protection settlement. Now, that $1.05 million is the base salary of his new deal, all of it guaranteed.
ELSEWHERE IN SPORTS…
ST. LOUIS (AP) -There’s a showdown between the top two teams in the NL Central Division tonight in St. Louis. Adam Wainwright of the second-place St. Louis Cardinals tries to become the NL’s first 14-game winner when the Cards open a three-game series against Central Division-leading Pittsburgh, which is three games up on the Cards.
ATLANTA (AP) – Atlanta has placed second baseman Dan Uggla (UHG’-luh) on the 15-day disabled list so he can have corrective eye surgery. Uggla has battled eye problems this season and has experimented with contact lenses and he’ hitting just .186.
UNDATED (AP) – Juan Pablo Montoya, one of the most decorated drivers in the world with an Indianapolis 500 victory and wins in Formula One, NASCAR and the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, will not have a chance to find success in NASCAR with longtime team owner Chip Ganassi. The team owner informed Montoya he will not bring the Colombian sensation back for an eighth NASCAR season.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -The comeback road continues for Brian Vickers, who had his NASCAR career derailed in 2010 after doctors discovered blood clots in his lungs and legs. Today he picked up a full-time ride for the 2014 Sprint Cup season with Michael Waltrip Racing.
UNDATED (AP) – The NFL Players Association has told its members that the union has “tentatively agreed” that 40 players will take blood tests for HGH each week during the season, with a positive result drawing a four-game suspension. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the NFLPA’s emailed memo it sent to the players.
