Knee surgery for Broncos' Walker

Broncos wide receiver Javon Walker will undergo surgery on his right knee today and will be out for "a few weeks," coach Mike Shanahan said yesterday. Walker missed the Broncos' last two games because of swelling, but practiced Monday and Wednesday. "Javon's not feeling very good," Shanahan said. "He'll get operated on in Houston, so he'll be out for a few weeks." . . . Priest Holmes went through another impressive workout and the Chiefs appeared to be leaning toward activating the 34-year-old running back. Attempting an improbable return after being out for 22 months with neck and spinal injuries, Holmes had a full practice for the second straight day. "He was still fresh, wasn't sore," coach Herm Edwards said. "He went through practice, had a good practice." . . . Quarterback Trent Dilfer will start for the 49ers Sunday against the Giants, though Alex Smith (separated right shoulder) also will be in uniform. Coach Mike Nolan made his decision after watching two days of practice with Dilfer and Smith . . . Titans quarterback Vince Young threw on the sideline, but did not participate in practice again because of a strained right quadriceps. Coach Jeff Fisher said Young might be able to skip practicing and still play Sunday against the Texans.

Suspended defensive tackle Tank Johnson will be allowed to practice starting today, which will be his first team session with the Cowboys since they signed him last month. Johnson has two games left on his eight-game NFL suspension for violating probation on a gun charge . . . The Bills, in an attempt to expand their market base beyond western New York, announced they are seeking approval to play an exhibition and a regular-season game in Toronto . . . Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme underwent season-ending ligament-replacement surgery on his right elbow.

Carlos Arroyo scored 25 points to help the Orlando Magic beat the China All-Stars, 116-92, in an exhibition game in Macau, the former Portuguese enclave returned to Chinese rule in 1999. The game might have been closer if China's roster included the country's two biggest stars: Yao Ming of the Rockets and Yi Jianlian of the Bucks, who both had preseason commitments with their NBA teams . . . The Nuggets signed veteran Mike Wilks, a 5-foot-10-inch guard who has played with Atlanta, Minnesota, Houston, San Antonio, Cleveland, and Seattle . . . Sacramento police are investigating allegations that Kings backup center Justin Williams sexually assaulted a female acquaintance. Team spokesman Troy Hanson said Williams has been given an indefinite leave of absence and returned to Sacramento from a road trip to New Mexico to obtain a lawyer.

Michael Allen gave his hometown gallery plenty to cheer about, matching his career-low round with a 7-under-par 63 to take the first-round lead in the Fry's Electronics Open in Scottsdale, Ariz. Nick Watney, Rich Beem, and Frank Lickliter II were two strokes back, with Lickliter posting the day's only bogey-free round. Phil Mickelson, No. 2 on the money list and the biggest name in the tournament, hit three balls into the desert and wound up at 1-over 71 . . . Martin Kaymer shot an 11-under 61, and took a three-stroke lead after the first round of the Portugal Masters in Vilamoura.

Roger Federer overlooked his recent history against Guillermo Canas, routing the 14th-ranked Argentine, 6-0, 6-3, in the third round of the Madrid Masters. Canas, who beat Federer in consecutive tournaments in March, was broken at love in the second game and lost the first set in 21 minutes. "I played aggressively, took my chances, and felt in control," Federer said. "It was nice to beat him, that's for sure." . . . Justine Henin eased into the quarterfinals of the Zurich Open with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Vera Zvonareva. Seventh-seeded Daniela Hantuchova was upset by Agnieszka Radwanska, 6-3, 6-3.

Coach Pete Carroll declined to identify Southern Cal's starting quarterback for tomorrow's game at Notre Dame, but third-year sophomore Mark Sanchez appears on track to get the call. John David Booty, who has a broken middle finger on his throwing hand, only handed the ball off during practice . . . . . . Wisconsin senior basketball guard Michael Flowers is going on a temporary leave of absence for medical reasons . . . Bryant University has been accepted as the 12th member of the Division 1 Northeast Conference, which sponsors championships in 21 sports for men and women . . . David Beckham, who has been hampered by an ankle injury, entered in the 68th minute of the Los Angeles Galaxy's 1-1 tie with the New York Red Bulls in Carson, Calif., his first action in 1 1/2 months. The Galaxy's slim playoff hopes are still alive . . . Prominent thoroughbred trainer Patrick Biancone, accused of medication violations, has reached a settlement with Kentucky racing authorities that will bar him from racing for six months . . . New Reds manager Dusty Baker kept former Red Sox hurler Dick Pole as pitching coach.