NFL: Parker placed on IR
Willie Parker, the NFL’s leading rusher when he broke his right leg Thursday night in St. Louis, was officially lost for the season when the Steelers placed him on the injured reserve list Monday.
Parker underwent surgery on his broken fibula, but is expected to return next season. To bolster the tailback position, the Steelers re-signed five-year veteran Verron Haynes, who was with Pittsburgh in training camp.
* Bills left tackle Jason Peters will miss Buffalo’s season finale at Philadelphia on Sunday because of a groin injury that could also keep him from playing in the Pro Bowl in February.
* Rookie QB JaMarcus Russell, the top pick in the 2007 draft, will make his first NFL start when the Raiders end the season against the Chargers on Sunday, according to ESPN.com.
* Willis McGahee will miss the season finale against the Steelers with two fractured ribs.
COLL. HOOPS: UNC remains No. 1
For the fourth straight week, North Carolina, Memphis and Kansas were the top three teams in The Associated Press’ college basketball rankings.
North Carolina held the No. 1 spot as it has since the preseason poll. The Tar Heels (11-0) received 47 first-place votes from the 72-member national media panel. Memphis (10-0) was No. 1 on 24 ballots. Kansas (12-0) had the other first-place vote.
Washington State (11-0) was fourth, followed by UCLA, Pittsburgh, Michigan State, Georgetown, Texas and Duke.
BASEBALL: Marlins ink INF
Former Pirate infielder Jose Castillo signed a free-agent deal with the Marlins yesterday. Terms were not disclosed.
The 26-year-old from Venezuela played second and third base for Pittsburgh last season, hitting .244 with 24 RBIs and no homers.