UPI NewsTrack Sports

Buckeyes RB Wells probable for Saturday

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel said Tuesday that running back Chris "Beanie" Wells is probable to play Saturday when the No. 14 Buckeyes host Minnesota.

Wells was out three games due to an injured right foot. He was hurt during Ohio State's win over Youngstown State, then sat out games against Ohio, No. 1 USC and Troy.

Wells, a junior, was injured in the third quarter of the 43-0 rout against Youngstown State on Aug. 30, as he slipped on the turf while taking a hand-off near the goal line. He was helped off the field and later returned to the sideline with a walking boot.

Before leaving the game, Wells had run for 111 yards on 13 carries with a 43-yard scoring run. It was his 10th career 100-yard game. Wells rushed for 1,609 yards and 15 touchdowns last season as a sophomore.

Saints guard Nesbit suspended for drug use

NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- New Orleans Saints guard Jamar Nesbit was suspended four games by the National Football League Tuesday for a violation of its substance abuse policy.

The suspension begins immediately, which means Nesbit, 31, will not be eligible to return until Oct. 20, one day after the Saints' play division-rival Carolina.

Nesbit told the New Orleans Times-Picayune Tuesday that he thinks the suspension came as a result of an unlisted ingredient in an over-the-counter body-cleansing product he purchased in the off-season.

He insisted he checked all listed ingredients against a list of substances banned by the NFL, but as he could not argue with the results of the positive test, he has waived his right to appeal.

Southern Cal starter could miss six weeks

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Top-ranked Southern California starting cornerback Shareece Wright reportedly has a hairline fracture in one of his vertebrae and could miss six weeks.

Wright sustained the injury in USC's 35-3 win over Ohio State Sept. 13, but didn't get the current diagnosis until after tests Monday, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday.

Trojans Coach Pete Carroll said Wright could miss six weeks.

The Times reported senior Josh Pinkard will start for Southern Cal Thursday against Oregon State in the team's Pac-10 opener.

Ex-NBA referee to begin gambling sentence

PENSACOLA, Fla., Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy's lawyer said his client hopes to work with gambling addicts or perhaps write a book when he gets out of prison.

Donaghy was to report to a federal prison in Florida Tuesday to begin serving a 15-month sentence for a gambling conviction related to his work as an NBA ref.

"Tim is accepting of his situation," attorney John Lauro said. "He understands that he was going to be punished. But he's also looking to rebuilding his life."

Lauro told USA Today that Donaghy was considering possibly becoming a counselor for people with gambling problems, and that a book about his experiences is also possible.

The idea of a tell-all raises the issue of other NBA officials possibly being mixed up with betting, and that leads to the question of whether or not games have been fixed.

The league told USA Today it was not interested in covering up any wrongdoing; however, TNT analyst Charles Barkley told the newspaper that the issue should be investigated.

"Once you ruin the integrity of the sport, it is tough to regain it," said Barkley, a former NBA star. "The basketball family and fans need to know if there's anybody else involved."