Houston ? The Houston Texans asked the NFL to reduce or rescind the four-game suspension given to star linebacker Brian Cushing on Monday, saying he has a unique medical condition stemming from something called overtrained athlete syndrome.

Cushing described the condition after Monday morning’s practice. He said the syndrome can trigger hormonal spikes after breaks in training, explaining why he would have tested positive for a fertility drug last September — a drug he said he never took.

“I think that’s the final diagnosis we came up with,” he said, “and a lot of doctors have supported why this has happened.”

NFL

Cowboys TE out for season

Irving, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys are going to need to find some more tight ends — and fast. John Phillips, the No. 3 tight end last season as a rookie, is out for the season after tests Monday confirmed that he tore the ACL in his right knee in the preseason opener.

Jets owner not optimistic

Cortland, N.Y. — Jets owner Woody Johnson is not optimistic that a deal for All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis will be done by the beginning of the regular season.

The Jets rejected an offer proposed by Revis’ agents on Friday during a meeting at a diner in Roscoe. Johnson offered a stern, “The answer’s no,” when asked Monday if he felt a deal could be done by Week 1.

Haynesworth gets through practice

Ashburn, Va. — Albert Haynesworth has made it through his first full practice with the Washington Redskins, working as a second-string nose tackle.

Baseball

Reds get Edmonds from Brewers

Cincinnati — The NL Central-leading Cincinnati Reds got Jim Edmonds from the Milwaukee Brewers in a trade for Chris Dickerson on Monday, strengthening their outfield for a playoff run.

The deal gives the Reds a proven outfielder as they try to fend off St. Louis and reach the playoffs for the first time since 1995. The Reds led the Cardinals by two games heading into their three-game showdown in Cincinnati starting Monday night.

Mariners fire manager Wakamatsu

Seattle — The last-place Seattle Mariners fired manager Don Wakamatsu on Monday, more than halfway through a season that began with a boosted roster and hopes of making the playoffs for the first time since 2001.

The Mariners started the day at 42-70, the second-worst record in the American League.

Daren Brown, the manager of Triple-A Tacoma for the last three-plus seasons, took over on an interim basis.

Cubs’ Silva undergoes procedure

San Francisco — Chicago Cubs pitcher Carlos Silva underwent a procedure called cardiac ablation on Monday to correct a problem with his heart rate. The Cubs hope he will return to the mound sometime this season.

Basketball

Pippen to be introduced by Jordan

Springfield, Mass. — Fittingly, Scottie Pippen will have Michael Jordan by his side again when he goes into the Hall of Fame.

Pippen will be presented by his former Chicago Bulls teammate when he is inducted Friday night. Each inductee is presented by a current Hall of Famer.

Pippen will be inducted twice Friday. Pippen and Jordan, who led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA titles, were part of the Dream Team that highlights the class, along with Karl Malone and the 1960 U.S. Olympic team.

Bulls, Noah talk extension

Chicago — Center Joakim Noah and the Chicago Bulls are discussing a possible contract extension and hope to have an agreement by the start of the season.

Noah’s agent, Donald Dell, on Monday confirmed an ESPNchicago.com report that the two sides have begun talks. He is due $3.1 million next season in the fourth year of his rookie contract.

2 NBA games set for London

London — Those high-flying slam dunks and long-distance three-pointers are going to mean a lot more to the London crowd next year when the NBA plays its first regular-season games in Europe.

NBA commissioner David Stern announced Monday that the Toronto Raptors and New Jersey Nets will face each other March 4 and 5 at the O2 Arena, the same venue that has hosted preseason games over the last several years.

Hockey

Arbitrator sides with NHL

Ilya Kovalchuk is back on the free-agent market. An arbitrator ruled Monday that the NHL acted correctly in voiding Kovalchuk’s landmark $102 million contract with the New Jersey Devils.

The league had rejected the 17-year contract, saying the longest deal in league history violated its salary cap.

College football

Orange to get RB Carter back

Syracuse, N.Y. — Before taking questions at the team’s media day, Syracuse coach Doug Marrone announced that star running back Delone Carter was returning. Moments later, he added that tailback Averin Collier, who would have been starting his junior year, would not be back because of academic issues.