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'Skins to start Cousins, RG3 is No. 3 QB

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) Mike Shanahan gave Robert Griffin III a rest, and may have turned up the pressure on himself, too.

The Redskins' coach announced Wednesday that he was benching the star quarterback for the rest of the season. Kirk Cousins will start, and Griffin will be the inactive No. 3 quarterback behind Rex Grossman.

Shanahan said he is benching Griffin to keep the quarterback healthy for the offseason, pointing out the 24 sacks and other hits Griffin has taken over the last five games. He said he ran the idea by owner Dan Snyder and general manager Bruce Allen, and that both offered their support.

MLB intends to ban home plate collisions
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) Major League Baseball plans to eliminate home plate collisions. New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson, chairman of the rules committee, made the announcement Wednesday at the winter meetings. He said player health and increased awareness of concussions were behind the decision. (MORE)

Trestman optimistic Cutler plays Sunday

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) Quarterback Jay Cutler looks just about ready to play for the Chicago Bears. For linebacker Lance Briggs, the wait might go on.

Coach Marc Trestman is optimistic Cutler will return from an ankle injury this week against the Cleveland Browns. He was set to work with the receivers after Wednesday's walkthrough, and Trestman said the Bears will know Thursday if he's ready to start. (MORE)

Boise hires Ark. State's Harsin as coach
BOISE, Idaho (AP) Boise State has hired former player and offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin to be the Broncos next head coach. Athletic Director Mark Coyle confirmed Wednesday he had lured Harsin back to Boise and away from Arkansas State, where Harsin served as head coach for just one season. (MORE)

Auburn's Malzahn, Mason win SEC awards
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) Southeastern Conference coaches have voted Auburn's Gus Malzahn coach of the year, and picked his star tailback Tre Mason as the top offensive player. Alabama linebacker C.J. Mosley and Missouri defensive end Michael Sam are co-defensive players of the year. The SEC released the winners on Wednesday. (MORE)

Mariners, OF Hart agree to 1-year deal

Dillon to bring No. 3 back to Sprint Cup
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) The late Dale Earnhardt's famed No. 3 will be back on track in the elite Sprint Cup Series next season with Austin Dillon using the number. The move has been long anticipated because car owner Richard Childress has allowed his grandson to use the No. 3 as he's moved through NASCAR's ranks. (MORE)

Peterson sheds boot, but not practicing

Clips coach Rivers set for Boston return
BOSTON (AP) The building will be familiar, the bench not so much. Doc Rivers, coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, will be at TD Garden on Wednesday night, this time working from the visitors' bench. It will be his first visit since May 3, the last game of his stay with the Boston Celtics. (MORE)

Bucs extend RHP Morton for 3 years, $21M
PITTSBURGH (AP) The Pittsburgh Pirates and right-handed pitcher Charlie Morton have agreed to a three-year, $21 million contract. The 30-year-old Morton went 7-4 with a 3.26 ERA in 20 starts for the Pirates in 2013. The deal includes a 2017 club option for $9.5 million. (MORE)

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