Rams go Green, bench Bulger

Marc Bulger is out as the St. Louis Rams starting quarterback after throwing only two touchdown passes in three games and will be replaced by 38-year-old Trent Green for Sunday’s game against Buffalo.

The benching of the Rams’ highest-paid player, announced by coach Scott Linehan in a terse, two-paragraph release on Tuesday, signals just how desperate times have become for the sagging franchise. Linehan is 11-24 in his third season, including 0-3 this year.

•Favre rolled ankle: Don’t fret Jets fans. Brett Favre’s playing streak appears safe.

The New York quarterback rolled his left ankle during the third quarter of the Jets’ 48-29 loss at San Diego on Monday night, but Coach Eric Mangini wasn’t overly concerned about Favre’s injury.

“Brett usually plays,” Mangini said, “and I would anticipate the same.”

•Huard start likely: Kansas City coach Herm Edwards strongly hinted that veteran Damon Huard would probably get the start on Sunday against Denver.

•Parker out with injury: Pittsburgh Steelers’ Pro-Bowl running back Willie Parker will miss Monday night’s home game against the Baltimore Ravens due to a sprained left knee.

•Nalen placed on IR: Center Tom Nalen was placed on injured reserve, ending his season and likely spelling the end of his career in Denver.

Auto racing

Hamilton appeal denied, maintains one-point lead

Lewis Hamilton lost his appeal to overturn his penalty from the Belgian Grand Prix, leaving the McLaren driver with a one-point lead over Ferrari rival Felipe Massa in the Formula One standings with four races remaining.

Hamilton finished first at Spa this month but was docked 25 seconds and dropped to third place for cutting a chicane. The victory was awarded to Massa.

•Red Bull drops driver: AJ Allmendinger lost his ride at Red Bull Racing, paving the way for former Formula One driver Scott Speed to replace him next season.

Track and Field

Arkansas titles in doubt after sanctions upheld

The NCAA upheld sanctions against Arkansas’ track and field program, although the school still hopes to keep two national titles in question.

Arkansas was penalized for violations involving sprint star Tyson Gay and a former assistant coach.

•Jackson wins 400 hurdles: Olympic bronze medalist Bershawn Jackson of the United States won the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 49.33 seconds at the Super Track and Field meet in Kawasaki, Japan.

•Doping suspensions handed out: Five Russian race walkers, including world record-holder Sergei Morozov, have been suspended for two years for doping. A shot putter and steeplechaser from Belarus also drew two-year bans for doping.

Golf

Zahringer reaches quarterfinals

Past U.S. Mid-Amateur champion George Zahringer and 1995 U.S. Amateur runner-up George “Buddy” Marucci each posted two victories to reach the quarterfinals of the USGA Senior Amateur in Fort Worth, Texas.

Also advancing was local favorite John Grace, who won 4 and 3 in the second round over Bruce Meyer in the morning, and defeated Paul Murphy by the same margin in the afternoon.

•Former champions advance: Three past champions, including four-time winner Carol Semple Thompson and current Mid-Amateur champion Joan Higgins, advanced to the quarterfinals of the USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship by winning two matches at Tulsa Country Club in Tulsa, Okla.

Miscellany

Contador ready to depart if Armstrong returns

If Lance Armstrong joins the Astana cycling team for his comeback, then Alberto Contador is ready to leave.

“I think I’ve earned the right to be the leader of a team without having to fight for my place,” the Spanish rider said in AS newspaper. “And with Armstrong some difficult situations could arise in which the team would put him first and that would hurt me.”

•U.S. Tennis draws tough opener: The United States’ chase for a 33rd Davis Cup title will start against Switzerland, while Spain and Argentina will both play their first matches at home following this year’s final.

It’s not certain whether Swiss star Roger Federer will play in the March 6-8 matches.

•Eight Belles trainer retiring: Trainer Larry Jones plans to retire after next year’s Breeders’ Cup, ending a career in which his filly Eight Belles collapsed and died after finishing second in the Kentucky Derby.

“I’m just physically tired, and it seems like I have a hard time keeping everybody happy,” Jones said.