Newsmakers

Collapsed Cleveland Browns linebacker Marcus Benard was sent to a Berea, Ohio, hospital for testing Thursday after collapsing in the locker room. Benard was sitting in a chair in front of his cubicle when he suddenly fell to the carpeted floor. Benard was released from the hospital later in the night and the Browns said he will undergo further evaluation today.

Signed Action sports star Travis Pastrana signed a deal with Michael Waltrip Racing that could put him in NASCAR’s second-tier Nationwide series as early as next year. He has formed a team called Pastrana- Waltrip Racing, with Michael Waltrip and Gary and Blake Bechtel. Pending NASCAR approval, he will run seven Nationwide races next season and 20 in 2012.

Ruled The NCAA ruled Kentucky freshman center Enes Kanter permanently ineligible to play basketball for the Wildcats, though the school will appeal the decision. The NCAA student-athlete reinstatement staff decided the 6-foot-11 Kanter received $33,000 in benefits above his actual and necessary expenses while playing for a club team in Turkey.

Fined The NBA fined Philadelphia 76ers forward Andres Nocioni $25,000 for throwing his mouthpiece into the stands. The incident happened during the first quarter of Philadelphia’s 109-103 loss at Oklahoma City on Wednesday night.

Injured Cincinnati Bengals right tackle Andre Smith has a broken foot that could end his season. Smith’s left foot got stepped on during a pass-protection drill Wednesday. He went for tests that detected a broken bone in the foot – the same one that he broke last season as a rookie. Coach Marvin Lewis said it’s unclear whether Smith will need surgery. Dennis Roland will replace Smith at right tackle for a game Sunday at the Indianapolis Colts.

Picked Soccer player Teal Bunbury was among six players picked by U.S. coach Bob Bradley who could make their international debuts in Wednesday’s exhibition at South Africa. Other players named to the team include New York Red Bulls defender Tim Ream and forward Juan Agudelo; Estoril Praia defender Gale Agbossoumonde; Stabaek midfielder Mikkel Diskerud; and Glasgow Celtic backup goalkeeper Dominic Cervi.