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NEW YORK (AP) — An arbitrator Friday threw out Ray Rice's indefinite suspension by the NFL for hitting his then-fiancee and now wife in a hotel elevator, freeing him to play again.
The NFL said Rice, a free agent, is "eligible to play upon signing a new contract." Whether any team will consider signing him is another matter.
Former U.S. District Judge Barbara S. Jones said Commissioner Roger Goodell's decision in September to change Rice's original suspension from two games to indefinite was "arbitrary" and an "abuse of discretion."
Jones was deciding whether the NFL overstepped its authority in modifying Rice's two-game suspension after video of the Baltimore Ravens running back punching Janay became public.
Rice was released by the Ravens when the video went public. Rice and the union contended he was essentially sentenced twice, and Jones agreed, saying Rice "did not lie to or mislead the NFL."
She noted in her decision that after Goodell increased the punishment for a first offense under the personal conduct policy from two to six games, "the commissioner called Rice to assure him that the new policy would not affect him — that it was forward-looking and his penalty would not be increased."
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald practiced on a limited basis and coach Bruce Arians says the eight-time Pro Bowl wide receiver's participation will be a game-time decision Sunday in Atlanta.
It was the first time that Fitzgerald had practiced since spraining his left MCL in Arizona's 14-6 win over Detroit two weeks ago.
He sat out Sunday's 19-3 loss at Seattle, snapping a string of 110 consecutive games played.
Fitzgerald was listed on the injury report as questionable for the Falcons game.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A missing Ohio State University football player told his mother in a text message the day he disappeared that concussions had his head messed up, according to a report filed with police.
Kosta Karageorge, a 22-year-old senior defensive tackle from Columbus, was last seen at his apartment around 2 a.m. Wednesday. Team spokesman Jerry Emig confirmed that Karageorge missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, which his family says was uncharacteristic.
Karageorge's parents filed a missing-person report Wednesday evening, listing him as white, 6-foot-5, 285 pounds, bearded and bald.
His mother, Susan Karageorge, told police he has had several concussions and a few spells of being extremely confused, according to the report. She said at about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday he texted a message that cited the concussions and said, "I am sorry if I am an embarrassment."
The team's physician, Dr. Jim Borchers, said Friday that he could not comment on the medical care of student athletes.
But, Borchers said, "We are confident in our medical procedures and policies to return athletes to participation following injury or illness."
LAS VEGAS (AP) — UNLV coach Bobby Hauck will step down after coaching the team's season finale against Nevada on Saturday.
Athletic director Tina Kunzer-Murphy announced that Hauck submitted his resignation, effective Monday.
"He and his staff have worked tirelessly in trying to achieve the results we all want to see but it unfortunately has not happened," Kunzer-Murphy said.
The Rebels are 2-10 and 15-48 in five seasons under Hauck, including 11-27 in the Mountain West Conference.
UNLV had three straight two-win seasons under Hauck before he led the Rebels to their first bowl appearance since 2000 last year, finishing 7-6.
Before being hired by UNLV after the 2009 season, Hauck was 80-17 at Montana in the FCS from 2003-09.
Hauck had two years left on his contract and will receive a buyout of $400,000.
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Texas A&M defensive coordinator Mark Snyder was fired the day after the Aggies allowed 491 yards in a regular-season ending loss to LSU.
Texas A&M gave up 384 yards rushing in a 23-17 loss.
Snyder has been at Texas A&M since coach Kevin Sumlin was hired at the school in 2012.
Sumlin said in a statement that Snyder: "understands the production needed to be better on the defensive side of the football."
The Aggies rank 103rd in total defense by allowing 449 yards a game. They allowed 223.5 yards rushing a game, which ranks 111th in the nation.
Linebackers coach Mark Hagan will be A&M's interim defensive coordinator for the team's bowl game.
BASEBALL
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Athletics traded All-Star third baseman Josh Donaldson to the Toronto Blue Jays for third baseman Brett Lawrie, left-hander Sean Nolin, right-hander Kendall Graveman and minor league shortstop Franklin Barreto.
The 28-year-old Donaldson hit .255 with 29 home runs and 98 RBIs in 158 games last season. In four seasons in the majors, all with Oakland, he has a .268 average with 63 home runs and 228 RBIs in 405 games.
Lawrie batted .247 with 12 home runs and 38 RBIs in 70 games for Toronto last season. He missed most of the final three months because of a broken finger and an oblique strain.
To clear spots on the 40-man roster, the A's designated right-hander Josh Lindblom and first baseman Kyle Blanks for assignment.
HOCKEY
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Martin Brodeur felt very comfortable skating onto the ice in his new St. Louis Blues equipment.
After 21 years playing for the New Jersey Devils, St. Louis was at the top of his list when he became a free agent after last season.
"I think for me, looking at teams, it was the most similar what I'm used to, what I've played throughout my career in New Jersey," Brodeur said. "It just happened a couple days ago. I'm definitely looking forward to this challenge and see where that's going to bring us."
Brodeur wasn't ready to call it a career at 42 after the Devils chose not to re-sign him. But he didn't get any offers until Blues general manager Doug Armstrong called Brodeur's agent on Tuesday after goalie Brian Elliott sustained a lower-body injury in the Blues' 3-2 shootout loss to the Ottawa Senators. Elliott is on injured-reserve and is week to week.
Brodeur, who leads the NHL in wins (688), games played (1,259), losses (394) and shutouts (124), took part in the morning skate Friday with the Blues, who will face the Edmonton Oilers.
Armstrong made it clear there are no guarantees for the likely future Hall of Famer.
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Strapped for healthy defensemen, the Anaheim Ducks acquired 16-year veteran Eric Brewer from the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday for a third-round pick in next year's NHL draft.
The 35-year-old Brewer was the fifth overall pick in the 1997 draft by the New York Islanders and played for Edmonton and St. Louis, where he was captain for three seasons.
Anaheim's Francois Beauchemin is sidelined for at least four-to-six weeks because of a broken finger on his right hand, sustained when he blocked T.J. Brodie's slap shot during Tuesday's 3-2 win against Calgary. Clayton Stoner missed his third straight game on Friday because of the mumps.
Defenseman Jesse Blacker made his NHL debut Friday against Chicago after his promotion from Norfolk of the AHL.
SOCCER
SAO PAULO (AP) — Pele is responding well to antibiotics to treat a urinary tract infection and his condition is improving, doctors said Friday.
The Albert Einstein hospital said the 74-year-old Pele remains in an intensive care unit undergoing "temporary" kidney treatment, but is "lucid" and breathing and eating normally without any support.
"Pele's clinical condition has been improving," the hospital said in its latest report.
Pele's personal adviser, Jose Fornos Rodrigues, confirmed Friday that Pele only has one kidney since the time he was a player, but said it was not affecting his treatment. Pele had surgery to remove the kidney back in the 1970s after complications from a broken rib.
The Brazilian soccer great had surgery to remove kidney stones on Nov. 13. He was readmitted to the hospital on Monday after being diagnosed with the urinary tract infection.
Doctors continued to administer intravenous kidney treatment, a type of hemodialysis to filter waste particles from his blood.
GOLF
SYDNEY (AP) — Two-time former champion Greg Chalmers took a one-stroke lead Friday at the Australian Open after a 5-under 66, while marquee attractions Rory McIlroy and Adam Scott weren't far behind on a tough day for scoring.
Chalmers had seven birdies in his second round to move to 5-under 137 after 36 holes.
Defending champion McIlroy played in difficult afternoon conditions at The Australian Golf Club and he persevered for an up-and-down 69 to be in a group tied for second.
Scott and American Jordan Spieth played together in calmer morning conditions and Spieth (72) was in a group tied for sixth, two behind. Scott, who moved from potential cut to contention with a 66, was three strokes behind.
After two rounds, there were only 16 players under par.
The group of four tied with McIlroy included American Conrad Shindler, who shot 68. Last year, Schindler donated all his $15,000 prize money from his first win as a pro on a U.S. developmental circuit to a relief fund for victims of tornadoes in Oklahoma.
FIGURE SKATING
OSAKA, Japan (AP) — Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu fell twice in his short program Friday at the NHK Trophy and finished fifth in his comeback from injuries after a collision in warmups at the Cup of China.
Before Friday's short program, Hanyu conceded that he wasn't in top condition and it was evident early when he fell on his opening quad toeloop. He hit his next jump — a triple axel — but fell again on a triple lutz-triple toeloop to finish with 78.01 points.
Takahito Mura of Japan finished first with 86.28 points, ahead of Jeremy Abbott of the United States, who earned 81.51. Daisuke Murakami of Japan was third with 79.68 points.
Hanyu was diagnosed with bruising to his head and chin after colliding with Chinese skater Yan Han in warmups at the Cup of China three weeks ago. He wasn't sure until Wednesday if he would take part in the NHK Trophy but decided to participate because he felt good during practice.
Gracie Gold of the United States took the lead after the women's short program, boosting her chances of qualifying for the Grand Prix Final.
Skating to "Adagio," the U.S. champion hit all her jumps to score 68.16 points and finish ahead of Alena Leonova of Russia, who had 68.11. Kanako Murakami of Japan was third with 64.38 points.
Gold is vying for one of two open spots for next month's GP Final in Barcelona. She earned a bronze medal at Skate America last month.
In pairs, Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford of Canada finished first in the short program with 72.70 points. Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov of Russia were second with 64.60 points and world junior champions Xiaoyu Yu and Yang Jin of China were third with 60.15.
ROME (AP) — The Italian Olympic Committee's anti-doping prosecutor is seeking a ban of four years and three months for former figure skating world champion Carolina Kostner.
CONI accuses Kostner of aiding the doping by her former boyfriend and Olympic race walking gold medalist Alex Schwazer.
Kostner's lawyer said following a hearing at CONI in September that the skater had nothing to do with Schwazer's doping, but prosecutors believe she helped the walker avoid a drug test.
The case will now be decided by CONI's internal doping court.
Kostner is taking this year off from competition but a lengthy ban would rule her out of the 2018 Olympics and could end her career.
Schwazer tested positive before the 2012 London Olympics and was banned for 3 1/2 years.
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