News & Neuigkeiten » Bruce Allen has become a

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers have lost their second starting offensive lineman to injury but should see another return on Sunday. And their already thin inside linebacker group just got thinner.Coach Mike McCarthy ruled out right guard T.J. Lang and linebacker Jake Ryan for Sundays game at Washington. Both left last weeks loss at Tennessee because of ankle injuries. Lang, who had his left ankle rolled into on the Packers fourth play from scrimmage last week, joined opening day starting center JC Tretter on the list of linemen who wont be available against the Redskins. Don Barclay will start in place of Lang, and Corey Linsley has started the past two games in place of Tretter.Amid the injuries, however, right tackle David Bakhtiari is expected to return this week after dropping out against the Titans because of a right knee injury. Bakhtiari has been practicing with a brace on his right knee this week.Bakhtiari looks good, McCarthy said Friday. I have no concerns.With the loss of Ryan, the Packers will have only two available inside linebackers -- Blake Martinez and Joe Thomas -- unless they make a roster move.McCarthy wouldnt say whether he might use Clay Matthews at inside linebacker, but at least Matthews looks on track to return after missing the past three games because of a hamstring injury.I feel good, I feel healthy, and I plan on being out there, barring any setbacks, Matthews said after Thursdays practice.Matthews was on track to return two weeks ago but experienced a setback.Tight end Jared Cook, who hasnt played since his Week 3 ankle injury, also looks likely to play.So far so good, McCarthy said Friday. I look at Jared and Clay in a similar fashion. I thought they came out of the practice yesterday and did some good things. Today and tomorrow hopefully were progressing to those guys playing on Sunday.The Packers (4-5) have lost three straight games and four of their past five but remain only one game out of first place in the NFC North. Ben Bishop Stars 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. Esa Lindell Jersey . It was just business as usual for the Thunder at home. Durant scored 32 points and the Thunder beat the Bulls 107-95 on Thursday night for their eighth straight win. http://www.thedallasstarshockey.com/martin-hanzal-hockey-jersey/ . A forerunning sled crashed into the worker Thursday at the Sanki Sliding Center. The unidentified worker broke both legs and was airlifted to a nearby hospital. Neal Broten Jersey . Anthony Calvillo, through 20 CFL seasons, was frequently invincible and largely stoic in the heat of competition. But underneath the professional exterior he was, and is, compellingly human. Tyler Seguin Stars Jersey .25 million option on reliever Jose Veras. VANCOUVER -- Tyler Benson did not want to be a special case. So the WHLs top 2013 bantam draft pick will wait a season before joining the Vancouver Giants on a permanent basis. Canadian major junior rules require a player to be at least 16 before joining a team in the WHL, QMJHL or OHL full-time. Exceptions are made in cases of players with rare talent after teams, in conjunction with parents, make special-status applications. "We didnt really think about it," said Benson, 15, who signed a WHL player contract with the Giants on Tuesday and was introduced to Vancouver media. "People asked me if I was (going to), but our family decided I need to still play midget and stay home for another year." Benson will play midget in his hometown of Edmonton next season. Former and current OHLers John Tavares, now an NHL most valuable player candidate with the New York Islanders, Connor McDavid and defenceman Sean Day have played in the league as 15-year-olds. In 2012-13, Benson broke an Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League single-season points record as he produced 57 goals and 89 assists in only 33 games with the South Side Athletic Clubs Southgate Lions in Edmonton. The Lions won Alberta and Western Canadian championships. He broke the AMBHL record for the most points in a season tallying 146 points (57 goals, 89 assists) in 33 games. He broke the previous mark of 131 points set by Portland Winter Hawks sniper Ty Rattie in 2007-08, when he was with a club based in Airdrie, Alta. The gaudy numbers surpassed had many observers wondering whether he would try to move up to major junior early. But Giants general manager Scott Bonner said Benson has made the right decision. "(Players) should stay at home at 15," said Bonner. "They dont have to rush here. Sixteen is more than young enough to play at our level. Theyre going to have a two (or) three-year window. In (Bensons) case, if he develops, hell be here for a couple seasons and then move on to pro." By staying home, Bonner added, Benson can possibly grow an inch or two, put on 10 pounds and "just be a kid." He can also benefit from playing for the South Side Athletic Club, a very good organization, in such events as the Macs major midget tournament in Calgary. "That midget year is a very influential year in your life," said Bonner, a former WHL player. "Id love to see him play if hes ready, but I dont make that decision," said Vancouver coach Don Hay. "Theres a lot of things that go into that decision." When Benson does join the Giantts, Bonner expects him to be a building block for a Giants squad that hopes to host the 2016 Memorial Cup, pending the result of its application to the WHL later this year.dddddddddddd "Ive watched him play probably close to 20 times this year, and he was consistent every game," said Bonner. "He works hard. Obviously, his stats speak for themselves, but his attitude is second to none." The GM likened Bensons hard, physical style to former Giant Brendan Gallagher, who excelled in his rookie season with the Montreal Canadiens and is in the running for NHL rookie of the year honours. "Obviously, (Gallagher) didnt have (Bensons) size," said Bonner. "But I found (Benson) played the game with a level of enthusiasm that was unmatched. And to break a guy like Ty Ratties longstanding record is impressive." Bonner said Benson will still play some games with the Giants this season. He is eligible to play at least five games during the regular season and can join the Giants full-time after his midget season concludes. The WHL club can also call him up if players are away at the world junior tournament, and those games will not count against the five-game limit. "Id like to play a few games," said Benson. "Its up to our owners and coaches, I guess." He will also attend Vancouvers training camp and play exhibition games. Bonner said coaches might regret the decision not to have him play the full-season, but the GM noted the careers of NHL stars like Jarome Iginla, Shane Doan, and Brendan Gallagher were not harmed by playing an extra year of midget. "In time, you get there," said Bonner. Meanwhile, the Giants announced that entertainment manager Bruce Allen has become a part owner. Allen represents such Canadian music stars as Bryan Adams, Martina McBride, Anne Murray, Jann Arden and Michael Buble, who is also a Giants minority owner. Allen has also organized a number of events. Majority owner Ron Toigo said the club will get Allen to assist with its bids to host 2016 Memorial Cup and a future world junior tournament. "Its all about entertainment, and theres no better guy in the entertainment business than Bruce Allen," said Toigo. Notes--The Giants other owners include hockey icons Gordie Howe and Pat Quinn, chartered accountant Sultan Thiara, and Lewis Buble, the pop singers father. ... Vancouvers other 2013 first-round choice, defenceman Matt Barberis of Surrey, B.C., and rearguard Ryely McKinstry of Calgary, a second-round choice, also signed WHL contracts Tuesday. ' ' '