Texans’ owner ordered team’s locker room searched for banned substances

Houston Texans owner Bob McNair ordered the team’s staff to go through the locker room to make sure no players are using banned substances.

USA Today first reported that the Texans had staff members remove any products from lockers that are not approved by the NFL. Two of Houston’s players — left tackle Duane Brown and linebacker Brian Cushing — served four-game suspensions for different violations of the league’s policy on banned substances.

McNair said Friday that he wanted to take a step to prevent future occurrences. He said the Texans have the right to control players while they’re in the team’s facilities.

“We concluded that one thing we can do is to just go through the locker room and make sure that if anybody is using anything, it’s a product from one of the approved manufacturers,” McNair said.

Team spokesman Kevin Cooper said the search took place about a month ago. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the decision is a club matter.

The NFL Players Assn. did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The latest will-he-or-won’t-he drama in Brett Favre’s 20-year career continued when the Minnesota Vikings listed him as questionable for Sunday’s game at the New England Patriots.

Favre was on the field for drills, with limited participation in practice for the first time this week. He wore a wrap on his left ankle, which has two fractures that have threatened his NFL-record streak of 291 straight games started.

Coach Brad Childress said he “probably will” wait until the last hours before kickoff to decide.

Disgruntled Pro Bowl wide receiver Vincent Jackson signed his contact tender with the San Diego Chargers, but he still must serve a three-game suspension imposed by the team.

TENNIS

Dementieva announces retirement

Elena Dementieva, a two-time Grand Slam finalist and an Olympic gold medalist in 2008, retired after she was eliminated from the WTA Championships at Doha, Qatar, acknowledging in a tear-filled ceremony that it was hard to leave after 13 years on the tour.

Dementieva, who struggled with injuries this year but still won two titles, lost to French Open champion Francesca Schiavone, 6-4, 6-2, then made her announcement while her mother was courtside.

“It is so emotional. It is so hard to say goodbye. I am going to miss you so much,” Dementieva, 29, said.

She said she had decided at the beginning of 2010 that this would be her last season, saying it “was very emotional for me to play all year.”

Vera Zvonareva ended Kim Clijsters’ nine-match winning streak, 6-4, 7-5, at the WTA Championships. Zvonareva, yet to lose a set after three group matches in the elite event, ensured she will play No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki in the semifinals Saturday. Clijsters will face Sam Stosur in the other semifinal.

BASEBALL

Yankees give Girardi new 3-year deal

Manager Joe Girardi and the Yankees reached a deal for a new three-year contract less than a week after New York was thoroughly outplayed by the Texas Rangers in the American League Championship Series.

A person familiar with the contract told the Associated Press the deal is worth $9 million.

Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and is expected to be ready for spring training.

Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Placido Polanco has had surgery on his injured left elbow, and his recovery is expected to take until early January.

New Atlanta Braves Manager Fredi Gonzalez rounded out his coaching staff, hiring Larry Parrish as the hitting coach.

GOLF

Kaymer trails by 11 shots

Martin Kaymer is unlikely to take over the world No. 1 ranking from Tiger Woods after falling 11 shots behind leader Graeme McDowell at the Andalucia Masters at Sotogrande, Spain.

Kaymer struggled to a three-over-par 74 in the second round and seemingly fell out of contention for the victory he needs to pass Woods. McDowell shot a 67 and was at seven-under 135.

Hale Irwin shot his age for the first time on the Champions Tour, finishing with a six-under 65 for a share of the first-round lead in the AT&T Championship at San Antonio with four others.

Colt Knost shot a three-under 69 for a share of the second-round lead with Joe Affrunti and Brendan Steele in the Nationwide Tour Championship at Charleston, S.C.

The only U.S. PGA Tour event on Native American land, the Turning Stone Resort Championship in Verona, N.Y., is off the schedule after a four-year run. The event, which was owned by the Oneida Indian Nation of New York and staged at Atunyote Golf Club since 2007, was seeking a stand-alone date during the season, but a mutually acceptable date did not become available.

PRO BASKETBALL

Stern predicts NBA expansion to Europe

NBA Commissioner David Stern is again discussing the possibility of the league’s expansion to Europe, predicting there will be a five-team division there within the next 10 years. Stern made the remarks at a luncheon with Miami business leaders.

Boston Celtics Coach Doc Rivers said that backup guards Delonte West and Von Wafer got into a fight after practice Friday and that any discipline would be handled internally.

Jason Williams of the Orlando Magic was suspended one game without pay for making contact with a referee after he was ejected from a game Thursday, keeping him out of Friday’s matchup against the Miami Heat.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Connecticut women No. 1 in preseason poll

Connecticut will begin the season the same way it has the last two, atop the Associated Press women’s basketball poll. The Huskies, who have won a record 78 straight games, received 39 of the 40 first-place votes from a national media panel. It’s the eighth time in school history Connecticut has held the top preseason ranking and the 44th straight week that the school is No. 1. The streak dates to Feb. 18, 2008.

Baylor received the other first-place vote and was second, with Stanford, Tennessee, and Xavier rounding out the top five. The Lady Bears will face Connecticut on Nov. 16.

ETC.

Johnson interested in joining Dolphins’ ownership

Magic Johnson says he would be interested in becoming the Miami Dolphins’ latest celebrity limited partner, although his priority is to help Los Angeles get an NFL team. Johnson said he recently met with Dolphins owner Stephen Ross to discuss business, but he offered no details about the conversation.