NFL toughens stance on head injuries

NFL teams now have new, stricter instructions for when players should be allowed to return to games or practices after head injuries, guidelines that go into effect this week.

In the latest step by the league to address a hot-button issue, Commissioner Roger Goodell sent a memo to the 32 clubs Wednesday saying a player who gets a concussion should not return to action on the same day if he shows certain signs or symptoms.

Those include an inability to remember assignments or plays, a gap in memory, persistent dizziness, and persistent headaches.

Wednesday’s memo also says players “are to be encouraged to be candid with team medical staffs and fully disclose any signs or symptoms that may be associated with a concussion.”

Cleveland Browns running back Jamal Lewis has been put on injured reserve with post-concussion symptoms, prematurely ending his NFL career. Lewis announced last month that he planned to retire after this season. The club also put safety Brodney Pool on IR. Pool suffered at least his fourth known concussion against the Bengals last week. . . . Hines Ward’s apology to Ben Roethlisberger was extended to the rest of the Steelers. Pittsburgh’s veteran receiver said at a team meeting that he regretted creating a distraction when he questioned why a concussion had kept Roethlisberger from playing against Baltimore on Sunday night, a game the struggling Steelers lost in overtime. . . . Running backBrian Westbrook remains sidelined because of a concussion and receiver DeSean Jackson’s status for Philadelphia’s game at Atlanta is uncertain after he sustained a head injury. On the other side, Falcons running back Michael Turner sat out practice but still could play.

BASEBALL

Wagner signs deal with Braves

Reliever Billy Wagner and the Atlanta Braves agreed to a $7-million, one-year contract.

The six-time All-Star gets $6.75 million in 2010 and the deal includes a $6.5-million club option for 2011 with a $250,000 buyout. The option would become guaranteed is he has 50 games finished next season.

Dick Enberg, once the voice of the California Angels, UCLA basketball and the Los Angeles Rams, has agreed to become the San Diego Padres’ lead television play-by-play announcer, a person familiar with the negotiations said.

GOLF

Merritt leads at qualifying school

Troy Merritt shot a five-under-par 67 to lead a field of 170 players after the first round of the PGA Tour qualifying tournament at West Palm Beach, Fla.

Other notable first-round scores included David Duval with a 71, Jesper Parnevik at 73, Tim Herron at 74 and former British Open champion Todd Hamilton at 76.

Nikki Garrett of Australia shot a five-under 67 in windy conditions at Daytona Beach, Fla., to take a one-stroke lead over Gwladys Nocera of France after the first round of the 90-hole LPGA Tour qualifying tournament.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

UCLA’s Nelson hurts his knee

UCLA freshman forward-center Reeves Nelson hyperextended his right knee Tuesday and was unable to finish practice. He had an MRI exam late Tuesday night and the results that were revealed Wednesday were negative.

Nelson is slated to return to practice Friday, two days before UCLA hosts No. 1 Kansas.

BOXING

Hopkins wins but won’t face Jones

Bernard Hopkins defeated Enrique Ornelas by unanimous decision in a light-heavyweight bout at Philadelphia.

Hopkins (50-5-1, 32 KOs) turned it on in the 12th round and punished Ornelas (29-6) over the final 10 seconds.

His next bout, however, won’t be a rematch with Roy Jones Jr. The two had hoped to fight in March, but Jones was stopped by Australian Danny Green in the first round at Sydney on Wednesday.

PASSINGS

Fazio, 71, college and NFL coach

Foge Fazio, who succeeded Jackie Sherrill as the football coach at alma mater Pittsburgh and later was a defensive coordinator for the NFL’s Vikings and Browns, died after a lengthy battle with leukemia. He was 71.