Broncos' Henry fights drug suspension

Broncos running back Travis Henry, the league's leading rusher, is trying to prevent the NFL from suspending him over the results of a drug test, according to a Newsday report. Henry was granted a temporary restraining order yesterday in Suffolk County (N.Y.) Supreme Court to prevent the league from using a urine specimen against him and to prevent the league from disclosing the test results, but an appellate court vacated the order, according to court papers filed in Brooklyn federal court . . . Quarterback Tim Couch, a former No. 1 draft pick, and defensive end Kenard Lang have been suspended by the NFL for six games (through Week 8) for violating the league's steroids policy, even though neither player is on an NFL roster . . . NFL Players Association lawyers argued the league's collective bargaining agreement protects Michael Vick from the Atlanta Falcons' attempts to be refunded up to $22 million in bonus money. A decision is expected by Oct. 12, said Stephen B. Burbank, the University of Pennsylvania law professor and special master who led the arbitration hearing . . . Packers second-year cornerback Will Blackmon suffered the fourth significant injury of his 18-month pro career when he broke his right foot in practice. The former Boston College star was placed on injured reserve and is out for the season . . . David Carr appears likely to make his second straight start at quarterback for the Carolina Panthers after Jake Delhomme missed practice. While coach John Fox would not identify a starter for Sunday's game at New Orleans, Delhomme hasn't thrown a football since straining his right elbow Sept. 23 against Atlanta . . . Jets starting safety Erik Coleman has a concussion and his availability for New York's game against the Giants Sunday is uncertain.

With two years before the vote to host the 2016 Olympics, Chicago's bid is third or fourth on the list of favorites, according to US Olympic Committee chairman Peter Ueberroth. Ahead of Chicago are Madrid, Tokyo, and Rio de Janeiro. "It's not a criticism, it's a reality," Ueberroth said after meeting with Chicago mayor Richard Daley. "There's no criticism of Chicago 2016. I'm not saying they're doing anything wrong. I'm telling you they're in third or fourth place."

Ana Ivanovic was upset by qualifier Kateryna Bondarenko, 6-2, 1-6, 6-1, at the Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany, and top-ranked Justine Henin beat Dinara Safina, 6-4, 6-1, in her first match since winning the US Open. Ivanovic, the runner-up at the French Open and a Wimbledon semifinalist, had numerous errors against the hard-hitting Ukrainian. Bondarenko, 21, advanced to her second quarterfinal of the year and will play Tatiana Golovin . . . Top-seeded Venus Williams defeated Caroline Wozniacki, 6-3, 7-5, today to advance to the final of the Japan Open in Tokyo . . . Stefan Koubek was disqualified from the Open de Moselle in Metz, France, for directing an on-court tirade at a tournament official during a match with Sebastien Grosjean. Koubek, who will face a fine, was leading, 5-7, 7-6 (7-4), 4-2.

Jesper Parnevik shot a career-best 9-under-par 61 to take a four-stroke lead after the first round of the PGA Tour's Texas Open in San Antonio, overcoming an opening bogey to birdie eight of the next 11 holes. Justin Leonard and Bob Tway were at 65 along with eight others . . . Pat Hurst sank a 20-foot putt from the fringe for eagle on the final hole, giving her a 5-under 67 and a share of the lead in the LPGA's Longs Drugs Challenge in Danville, Calif. Hurst, 38, is tied with 19-year-old Inbee Park . . . Steve Webster shot a 7-under 65 at Carnoustie to take a one-stroke lead in the European PGA Tour's Dunhill Links Championship. Webster leads Paul Lawrie, Soren Hansen, Scott Strange, and Hennie Otto by one stroke . . . Mark Wiebe, R.W. Eaks, Scott Hoch, Loren Roberts, and Walter Hall shot 3-under 67s to share the lead after the opening round of the Senior Players Championship in Timonium, Md. Five players, including Fred Funk, Nick Price, and Dana Quigley, were at 68 . . . Hall of Famer Beth Daniel will captain the US Solheim Cup team for the 2009 matches at Rich Harvest Farms in Illinois . . . Trip Kuehne routed Dan Whitaker, 9 and 7, in the final of the US Mid-Amateur at Bandon (Ore.) Dunes Golf Resort . . . In the US Women's Mid-Amateur, Meghan Bolger of Haddonfield, N.J., successfully defended her title, parring the 18th hole to beat Kerry Postillion, 1 up, in Carefree, Ariz.

The Carolina Hurricanes promoted Hall of Famer Ron Francis to assistant general manager. Francis, who held the post of director of player development, replaces Jason Karmanos, the 33-year-old son of owner Peter Karmanos Jr., who resigned last week because of personal reasons . . . Cincinnati forward Mike Williams will miss the basketball season after rupturing his Achilles' tendon this week . . . Maurice Edu scored and the Red Bulls added an own goal as Toronto FC (6-15-6) snapped a 12-game winless streak by defeating visiting New York, 2-1, preventing the Red Bulls (11-11-6) from clinching a playoff berth . . . Houston Dynamo midfielder Ricardo Clark was suspended nine games by MLS - the longest in league history - for violently kicking Carlos Ruiz Sunday in a game with FC Dallas.