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NFL dismisses Favre tampering charges

NEW YORK, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell dismissed tampering charges allegeed by Green Bay against Minnesota involving quarterback Brett Favre.

"None of those conversations suggest that Favre was soliciting a job or that other teams were soliciting his services," Goodell said.

Favre was reinstated by the league after a brief retirement. Before filing reinstatement papers, it was reported that Favre had spoken with Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, a former Packers assistant and a close friend.

Monday's statement from the NFL acknowledged conversations between Favre and Vikings coaches, but said none of the talks involved the 38-year-old Favre trying to find out if the team was interested in his services.

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel had reported that the Packers and Vikings had preliminary discussions about Favre, a report Minnesota Coach Brad Childress denied.

The Packers have said Aaron Rodgers will be Favre's successor as starting quarterback. Favre retired after the 2007 season, when he led the Packers to the NFC Championship Game after throwing for 4,155 yards with 28 touchdowns.

Oakland 3B Chavez out for rest of season

TORONTO, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- The Oakland Athletics said Monday that third baseman Eric Chavez will miss the rest of season because he needs surgery on his right shoulder.

The 11-year veteran was placed on the disabled list July 2 with shoulder inflammation. After more tests, it was decided that Chavez would have a season-ending procedure some time next week.

Chavez started the year on the DL after undergoing three off-season surgeries, including one on each shoulder. He came back to hit .295 with two home runs and 14 runs batted in while appearing in 23 games for the Athletics this season.

The 30-year-old has 229 homers and 776 RBI in 1,279 career games, all with Oakland.

Cards outfielder Duncan has neck surgery

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Chris Duncan underwent neck surgery Monday, all but ending his season.

The procedure involved a cervical disc replacement and Duncan will need three-to-four months to recover.

Duncan, 27, was placed on the disabled list July 22 with the injury. He received a cortisone shot that apparently had no effect.

This will be the second consecutive year Duncan will have a season cut short due to injury. He had season-ending surgery to repair a bilateral sports hernia last September.

Duncan hit .248 with six homers and 27 RBI in 76 games this season after posting back-to-back 20-homer seasons in 2006 and 2007. As St. Louis' left-fielder, Duncan hit for a .259 average with 21 home runs and 70 RBI in 127 games last season, after a .293 average and 22 home runs in just 90 games during his rookie campaign in 2006.

Dallas' Cooper MLS Player of the Week

FRISCO, Texas, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- FC Dallas forward Kenny Cooper Monday became only the second player this season to win back-to-back MLS Player of the Week awards.

Cooper scored both goals in Dallas' 2-0 win at Toronto FC Sunday, extending the team's undefeated streak to five matches. Dallas (6-6-7) is two points behind first-place Real Salt Lake and one point behind second-place Houston in the Western Conference.

Cooper's penalty kick goal in the 81st minute of Sunday's game broke a 0-0 tie and stood up as the game winner. He also scored for Dallas with a long-range goal in the second minute of added time.

Cooper was named MLS Player of the Week last week when he scored twice in FCD's 4-0 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy, becoming the first player to win the award unanimously this year.

With two goals Sunday, Cooper set a new personal high with 13 goals this season.