Fabregas is for sale, United has offered 30 million euros

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The only news that got Alex Smith more excited than learning hell be back under center Sunday at Carolina was that linebacker Justin Houston could be back, too.The Chiefs planned to add the four-time Pro Bowl linebacker to their roster after practice Wednesday, which was the deadline to make the move or put him on injured reserve. And while its far from certain that Houston will play against the Panthers, this is the first time all season it has been a remote possibility.Youre talking about one of the elite players in the league, especially when it comes to getting after the quarterback, said Smith, who missed last weeks game against Jacksonville with a head injury, and then his presence and his leadership is something everyone feeds off.It was a day of mixed injury news for the Chiefs.Along with Smith returning to the first-team practice, running back Spencer Ware was cleared through the leagues concussion protocol and could play against Carolina. But not joining them on the field was wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, who hurt his groin in their 19-14 victory over the Jaguars.As for Houston, hes been working out for several weeks, slowly ramping up the load after having surgery in February on a bothersome ACL in his left knee. The injury happened midway through last season and the Chiefs shut him down, thinking at the time it was merely a hyperextension. But he struggled in two playoff games and ultimately required a procedure to repair the ligament.While the Chiefs (6-2) have ripped off four straight wins, taking off some of the pressure of getting him back on the field, there is no question their pass rush could use his prowess.They only have 16 sacks, putting them in the bottom third of the league, and nine of those belong to Dee Ford, who will no doubt find it harder to get the same kind of pressure without some help.Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Wednesday hes not sure what his lineup will look like once Houston is back. He praised the jobs Tamba Hali and Frank Zombo have done this season, but the reality is neither of them has offered much of a pass rush.Still, that doesnt mean Reid will rush Houston back onto the field.We just want to make sure hes safe going out there and playing, Reid said late last week. Im not sure we probably realize how severe of an injury he has there. This guy has really pushed through. His work ethic has just driven him to this point, right here. Hes been a beast on this thing, so its been fun to watch, but tough to push through. Hes done great with it, though.Meanwhile, Wares return couldnt come soon enough.Fill-ins Charcandrick West and Knile Davis were largely stuffed by the Jaguars last Sunday, and now Kansas City is preparing to face one of the best defensive fronts in the NFL. The Panthers are allowing 77.5 yards rushing per game, third best in the league, and Star Lotulelei, Kawann Short and the rest of them are tops in the NFL when it comes to yards per carry.Smith should also help in that respect. He is more elusive than backup Nick Foles, who did just enough to help Kansas City beat the Jaguars, though Smith is running less this season than in past years.Smith said missing one week shouldnt slow him down, either. He ran the scout team most of last week, so he was still getting work in, and warmed up on game day as if he was the starter.Its nice to have done that last weekend, he said, be able to kind of move forward like normal.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Iman Marshall Ravens Jersey . -- Five former Kansas City Chiefs players who were on the team between 1987 and 1993 filed a lawsuit Tuesday claiming the team hid and even lied about the risks of head injuries during that time period when there was no collective bargaining agreement in place in the NFL. Justice Hill Womens Jersey . Following a lopsided 5-2 loss against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night, Paul MacLean told reporters that "theres a lack of focus, theres a lack of leadership and theres a lack of preparation" with his struggling team. That came on the heels of Bryan Murray taking the unusual step of going into the locker room at the Prudential Center and addressing the players himself. http://www.ravensrookiestore.com/Ravens-Hayden-Hurst-Jersey/ . Jay Feely kicked a 41-yard field goal in overtime, and the Cardinals edged the Tennessee Titans 37-34 in overtime after blowing a 17-point lead late in the fourth quarter. Marquise Brown Womens Jersey . -- Running backs Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings were back at practice for the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday despite being hampered by hamstring injuries. Joe Flacco Jersey . Each of Houstons starters scored in double figures as the Rockets improved to 2-0 against the Spurs this season, with both victories coming on the road. They also moved within 3 1/2 games of San Antonio (22-7) for the lead the Southwest Division.LONDON -- Manchester United submitted a bid for Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas on Monday, a person with knowledge of the situation said. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the bid, which was submitted by United executives from Sydney where the team is currently on its pre-season tour. Despite Barcelona offering no public indication that Fabregas is for sale, United has offered 30 million euros ($39 million) to bring the former Arsenal captain back to the Premier League, as David Moyes looks to make his first major signing as manager of the English champions. The transfer bid comes two years after Fabregas left Arsenal after pushing to rejoin boyhood club Barcelona for 29 million euros. There are three years remaining on hhis Camp Nou deal, and Arsenal is reported to have first refusal if Barcelona chooses to sell Fabregas.dddddddddddd At Old Trafford, the Spain midfielder would be re-united with striker Robin van Persie, who joined from Arsenal a year ago. The 26-year-old Fabregas would help to fill the void left by the retirement of Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher, who is continuing to recover from a bowel condition. Last month, Fabregas expressed a desire to stay at Barcelona despite struggling to establish himself as a regular in the starting line-up for the Spanish champions. "If Barcelona said that they didnt want me, that would be another thing -- but what I truly want is to triumph at Barcelona," he told Spanish radio. "Thats been my dream since I was a kid." ' ' '