HGH testing finally begins in NFL

HGH testing finally begins in NFL

NEW YORK

Testing for human growth hormone in NFL players has begun.

The testing originally was agreed to in the 2011 labor agreement but was delayed because the union was not comfortable with the procedures or science involved. Both sides agreed last month on the new policy, which took effect Monday and brings HGH testing to the NFL for the first time.

A total of 950 tests will be performed in the regular season, postseason and preseason. In the offseason, approximately 385 tests will be done.

The league and union also agreed to a minimum two-game suspension for a first driving-under-the-influence conviction. Longtime suspensions would be imposed for cases with extenuating circumstances such as personal injury or property damage, or in cases of repeat offenders.

Johansen holdout ends with 3-year deal

COLUMBUS

With the opener just three days away, Ryan Johansen ended his lengthy holdout by reaching a 3-year agreement on Monday with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The 22-year-old Johansen, a restricted free agent, had a career season last year, scoring 33 goals with 30 assists in 82 games after totaling 14 goals and 19 assists in his first 107 NHL games.

The Blue Jackets were in dire need of their top scorer returning after losing forwards Boone Jenner (broken hand, out 5 weeks) and Nathan Horton (bad back, out indefinitely) in recent weeks.

Pirates manager Hurdle has hip surgery

PITTSBURGH

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle underwent successful surgery on Monday to replace his ailing right hip.

The 57-year-old Hurdle spent most of the 2014 season dealing with arthritis in the hip, which made walking painful. He put off surgery until the completion of the season rather than disrupt the team in the middle of the year. Pittsburgh went 88-74 and earned a second consecutive playoff berth before falling to San Francisco in the wild-card round.

Hurdle is expected to make a full recovery well in advance of the 2015 season.

Dwyer pleads not guilty to hitting wife

PHOENIX

Arizona Cardinals running back Jonathan Dwyer pleaded not guilty to charges that he assaulted his wife during two arguments in July at their Phoenix apartment.

Dwyer appeared at an arraignment hearing Monday in Maricopa County Superior Court. He is charged with felony aggravated assault and eight misdemeanors, including assault.

Investigators say Dwyer broke his wife’s nose with a head-butt during a July 21 argument and engaged in a dispute the following day in which he punched his wife and threw a shoe at his 17-month-old son, who wasn’t injured.

He has denied that he committed assault. Dwyer’s attorney, Jared Allen, declined to comment.

Florida QB investigated for sexual assault

GAINESVILLE, Fla.

Florida freshman quarterback Treon Harris has been suspended while authorities investigate sexual assault allegations against him.

The school says Harris is accused of sexually assaulting a female student early Sunday — hours after Harris helped Florida rally to beat Tennessee 10-9 in Knoxville — in a residence hall on campus.

The University Police Department is investigating the incident and working with the Gainesville Police Department to assist with collection and analysis of forensic evidence.

Florida President Bernie Machen says, “We have no tolerance for sexual assault on our campus. ... We must strive to protect all of our students from sexual harassment and assault, and do everything in our power to promote a safe learning environment.”

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Harris is from Miami and has been suspended from team activities.

Wire reports