Eagles' Samuel injures hamstring

Cornerback Asante Samuel, who left the Patriots to sign a six-year, $57 million contract with the Eagles, left practice yesterday morning in Bethlehem, Pa., with a strained hamstring. Samuel was hurt while working in seven-on-seven drills during the Eagles' first practice in full pads this summer. Coach Andy Reid said Samuel, who did not practice in the afternoon, will probably have an MRI today . . . New Orleans running back Deuce McAllister sat out a morning practice because he had fluid drained from his surgically repaired left knee, then the Saints sent him for a precautionary MRI. McAllister said later in the afternoon that everything appeared to be fine.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy says even he doesn't know how the Brett Favre unretirement saga will play out over the next few days. But he does know this: Aaron Rodgers is his starting quarterback. In his season-opening news conference at Lambeau Field, McCarthy made a firm commitment to Rodgers and reiterated that the team committed to moving forward after Favre retired in March. McCarthy acknowledged the possibility that Favre could report to training camp and even be in uniform for their first practice tomorrow morning . . . A number of draftees signed before they missed too much camp: The Titans signed running back Chris Johnson, the 24th pick, to a five-year contract worth approximately $12 million; Dallas first-round picks Felix Jones (No. 22) and Mike Jenkins (No. 28) were both on the field after coming to terms on five-year deals late Friday; Buffalo signed cornerback Leodis McKelvin, the 11th pick, to a five-year contract potentially worth $19.4 million; and the Chiefs signed defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, the fifth selection, to a five-year, $51 million deal . . . The Jaguars placed receiver Reggie Williams on the physically unable to perform list.

The Cleveland Indians traded versatile third baseman Casey Blake and cash to the Los Angeles Dodgers for two minor leaguers, catcher Carlos Santana and righthander Jonathan Meloan. Blake, who has also played right and left field, is expected to play third for the Dodgers. Blake, 34, is eligible for free agency following the season. Cleveland then dealt with St. Louis, acquiring Anthony Reyes, who won Game 1 of the 2006 World Series for the Cardinals, for minor league pitcher Luis Perdomo . . . Blue Jays righthander Dustin McGowan (6-7, 4.37 ERA) will have season-ending surgery to repair fraying of the labrum in his shoulder.

In the WNBA, Tina Thompson scored 16 points, Roneeka Hodges added 15, and the Comets had six players in double figures to offset a 28-point night from Candice Dupree in defeating the Chicago Sky, 79-65, in Houston . . . Rebekkah Brunson had 15 points and 10 rebounds as host Sacramento beat Indiana, 70-62, to match a franchise record with seven straight victories . . . Regena Jackson, a leading scorer on the Louisiana-Monroe women's basketball team last season, was arrested after firing a gun from an apartment balcony, and was expelled from school, university spokeswoman Laura Harris said.

The Washington Capitals signed former Bruins defenseman Shaone Morrisonn, 25, to a one-year contract. He played his third full season with Washington in 2007-08, totaling 10 points and 63 penalty minutes in 76 games . . . The Minnesota Wild re-signed right wing Pierre-Marc Bouchard to a five-year, $20.4 million contract . . . Commentator scored a dominant, front-running victory in the $750,000 Whitney Handicap at Saratoga Race Course and will now start in the Breeders' Cup Classic. Forever Together won the $500,000 Diana Handicap for fillies and mares by 1 3/4 lengths, giving the 4-year-old filly a spot in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf. Abraaj is guaranteed a berth in the Breeders' Cup Sprint after his 2 1/2-length victory in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap. Heavily favored Ginger Punch easily won the $250,000 Go For Wand Handicap for fillies and mares, ensuring her entry to the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic . . . John Grant Jr. had eight goals and two assists to lead the visiting Rochester Rattlers over the Boston Cannons, 26-19, in MLL play. The Cannons were led by Mikey Powell with four goals and two assists . . . Kyle Busch led all but three laps to win the Kroger 200 in Clermont, Ind., his sixth NASCAR Nationwide Series victory of the season . . . Wimbledon champ Rafael Nadal beat Andy Murray, 7-6 (7-2), 6-3 to reach the final of the Rogers Cup in Toronto and put himself in line for his seventh title of the year. Nadal will face Nicolas Kiefer, who reached the championship with a 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) win over Gilles Simon.