UPI NewsTrack Sports

Moss, Owens earns weekly NFL honors

NEW YORK, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Wide receivers Terrell Owens and Randy Moss Wednesday were named offensive players of the week in their respective NFL conferences.

Owens was named in the NFC after catching four touchdown passes Sunday afternoon as Dallas beat Washington, 28-23.

Moss caught four scoring passes in New England's 56-10 rout of Buffalo.

Also named in the AFC were New York Jets end Shaun Ellis (defense), and Denver kick returner Glenn Martinez (special teams).

Ellis compiled five tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in the Jets' 19-16 overtime win over Pittsburgh.

Martinez returned a punt 80 yards for a touchdown to help the Broncos beat Tennessee, 34-20.

Other NFC honors went to Arizona cornerback Antrel Rolle (defense), and Green Bay punt returner Tramon Williams (special teams).

Rolle returned two of three interceptions for touchdowns in the Cardinals' 35-27 win at Cincinnati.

Williams had a 94-yard punt return for a touchdown in the Packers' 31-17 victory over Carolina.

Priest Holmes retires from the NFL

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Kansas City Chiefs running back Priest Holmes Wednesday announced his retirement after suffering a second serious neck injury.

The 34-year-old Holmes returned to the field this season for the first time since suffering head and neck injuries Oct. 20, 2005, and was re-injured last Sunday against Indianapolis.

The injuries caused the former rushing champion, a three-time Pro Bowl choice, to miss the end of the 2005 season, and all of 2006.

ESPN reported he was told by Chiefs President Carl Peterson Tuesday to go home to sleep on his decision.

Wednesday, he announced his retirement at a news conference.

"I will be forever grateful to the Hunt family and the Chiefs organization for the opportunity to come to Kansas City (and) have been humbled by the tremendous support that I have received from Chiefs fans over the years."

He finishes with 86 rushing touchdowns after 1,780 attempts for 8,172 yards, and a franchise-best 76 touchdowns.

Report: Alex Smith not healthy yet

WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Nov. 21 (UPI) -- San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith needs more time to recover from a separated right shoulder, suffered Sept. 30 against Seattle.

The Contra Costa Times reported Wednesday the injury will keep Smith sidelined for at least two more weeks.

Team officials confirmed late Tuesday that season-ending surgery has not been ruled out. Smith was examined by noted orthopedic specialist Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala.

Smith's agent, Tom Condon, told ESPN.com the team's overzealous rehab program has led to tendonitis and was a factor in the three-year veteran's accuracy struggles this season.

"It's a third-degree separation, which is what our doctors diagnosed originally," Condon said.

Smith has completed 94-of-193 passes for 914 yards this season, with just two touchdowns and four interceptions with a paltry 57.2 quarterback rating.

The 49ers will try to break an eight-game losing streak when they face Arizona Sunday, with Trent Dilfer making his second straight start.

NASCAR wants speedway lawsuit dismissed

COVINGTON, Ky., Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Attorneys for NASCAR have asked a U.S. district judge to dismiss a suit against their client filed by the Kentucky Speedway over its lack of Nextel Races.

Appearing before U.S. District Judge William O. Bertelsman this week, attorney David Boies said that the conspiracy allegations made by speedway officials are due to a lack of Nextel Races at the sports venue, The Cincinnati Post reported Wednesday.

"It has NASCAR events," Boies said during Monday's hearing in Covington, Ky. "It has many NASCAR events. It simply doesn't have a Nextel Race."

Speedway officials have accused their NASCAR counterparts of working with the International Speedway Corp. to fiercely control where and when Nextel Races are held.

"We have been denied a Cup race for eight years in a row because of the conspiracy to maintain their monopoly powers," Speedway attorney Stephen D. Susman alleged recently.

Bertelsman has not yet ruled on whether he will dismiss the lawsuit, in which Speedway officials are asking for more than $500 million in damages.

The Post said the U.S. district judge is unlikely to rule on the dismissal argument before the end of the year.