Smith Shows His Value to Vikings

Running back Onterrio Smith, playing while appealing a league suspension, showed the Minnesota Vikings he plans to take advantage of whatever playing time he gets this year.

With no decision yet on Smith’s appeal of a four-game, substance-abuse suspension, Smith proved his value Sunday in Minnesota’s 35-17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. The second-year back, who replaced the injured Michael Bennett in the starting lineup, rushed for 76 yards and caught the Vikings’ first touchdown pass of the game. He also returned three kickoffs for 54 yards.

The NFL informed Smith on Aug. 19 that he would face a four-game ban after testing positive for marijuana. He already was in the league’s substance-abuse program for at least one previous positive test.

But when the league put the suspension on hold while an appeal hearing date was set, Smith was more than ready.

“I still come out prepared the same, as if I’m going to be play,” he said. “With that in mind, I’m just going to continue to do that and stay tuned.”

Bennett said he’s planning to return for next Monday night’s game at Philadelphia. But if he can’t, Smith could end up starting because Moe Williams sprained his right ankle against Dallas.

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Quarterback A.J. Feeley played well enough off the bench in Miami’s season-opening loss to earn a start this week at Cincinnati, Coach Dave Wannstedt said.

Feeley threw for a touchdown, but had an interception returned for a score in the Dolphins’ 17-7 loss Saturday to Tennessee.

Jay Fiedler, who threw two interceptions in the first half, was demoted after four seasons as the starter.

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New York City will be forced to abandon its bid to play host to the 2012 Olympics if a deal is not reached soon on a $1.4-billion stadium for the Jets, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said before participating in the coin toss at the Jets’ opener against Cincinnati.

The plan calls for a stadium built above a rail yard on Manhattan’s far West Side. But the idea has met with opposition from neighborhood residents, politicians and some civic groups.

New York is one of five finalists for the 2012 Olympics, along with Paris, London, Madrid and Moscow. The International Olympic Committee will announce the winner in July.

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The San Diego-Houston game was delayed by an electricity outage at Reliant Stadium, which is named for a power company. The 10-minute stoppage came with 5:07 to play. An NFL official in the press box ordered the game to continue despite low light through the translucent retractable roof, which eventually was opened.

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Detroit receiver Charles Rogers suffered a broken collarbone in the first quarter of the Lions’ 20-16 victory over Chicago and probably will be sidelined for the season. Rogers, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2003 draft, was sidelined for 11 games last season after breaking his collarbone. The Lions also lost Pro Bowl defensive back Dre’ Bly, who sprained a ligament in his knee. Bly will undergo an MRI exam Tuesday....The Eagles lost their top draft pick from this year when right guard Shawn Andrews suffered a fractured right leg....Kansas City cornerback William Bartee was taken off the field on a cart after suffering a sprained neck against Denver....San Francisco quarterback Tim Rattay left in the second quarter with a shoulder injury, but returned to lead two fourth-quarter touchdown drives in a 21-19 loss to Atlanta. The 49ers also lost cornerback Mike Rumph to a groin injury. He’s doubtful for this week....Tampa Bay receiver Joey Galloway left with a groin strain in the second quarter. Coach Jon Gruden said Galloway is out “indefinitely”.... Viking cornerback Ken Irvin ruptured his right Achilles’ tendon during warmups and probably will need season-ending surgery....Dallas lost starting guard Andre Gurode to a sprained knee.... Cleveland defensive tackle Gerard Warren suffered a strained chest muscle in the first quarter and didn’t return.

Compiled by Alex Kimball

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*--* Bests of the Day PASSING Att Cmp Yds TD VINNY TESTAVERDE, Cowboys 50 29 355 1 DONOVAN McNABB, Eagles 36 26 330 4 RICH GANNON, Raiders 37 20 305 2 MARC BULGER, Rams 34 23 272 1 CARSON PALMER, Bengals 27 18 248 2 MATT HASSELBECK, Seahawks 29 19 246 1 DAUNTE CULPEPPER, Vikings 23 17 242 5

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*--* RUSHING Att Yards Avg TD CURTIS MARTIN, Jets 29 196 6.8 1 QUENTIN GRIFFIN, Broncos 23 156 6.8 2 PRIEST HOLMES, Chiefs 26 151 5.8 3 CLINTON PORTIS, Redskins 29 148 5.1 1 SHAUN ALEXANDER, Seahawks 28 135 4.8 2 MARSHALL FAULK, Rams 22 128 5.8 0

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*--* RECEIVING No Yards Avg TD DAVID TERRELL, Bears 5 126 25.2 0 ANTONIO GATES, Chargers 8 123 15.4 0 ISAAC BRUCE, Rams 9 112 12.4 1 ANTONIO BRYANT, Cowboys 8 112 14.0 0 KEYSHAWN JOHNSON, Cowboys 9 111 12.3 0

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*--* DEFENSE Breakdown RAY LEWIS, Ravens 13 unassisted tackles, 1 int. SAM COWART, Jets 11 unassisted tackles

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