KANSAS CITY, Mo. Harry Winks Jersey . -- Two Pro Bowl players were missing at the start of the Chiefs mandatory minicamp, one of them hoping to land a new contract and the other let go so that the team might be able to afford it. Justin Houston, their talented young pass rusher, is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Hes due to make only $1.4 million, a bargain for a linebacker who has piled up 26 1/2 sacks in three seasons. And in whats believed to be a negotiating ploy, Houston not only skipped three weeks of voluntary workouts, but hes also skipping this weeks three-day minicamp. The Chiefs practiced Tuesday for the first time since releasing cornerback Brandon Flowers. The move last Friday saves the Chiefs about $7.25 million against the salary cap this season and $7.5 million next season, money that could be used in a deal for Houston. Of course, the Chiefs have two other pending free agents in quarterback Alex Smith and centre Rodney Hudson. That means they might have to get creative if they want to keep all of them. In the meantime, first-round pick Dee Ford got first-team reps in place of Houston during Tuesdays practice. Marcus Cooper and Ron Parker split time at cornerback in place of Flowers and fellow starter Sean Smith, who was excused from the workout with an illness. "Every day I go out there as if Im the starter, so I cant say its any different if (Flowers) is here or isnt here," Cooper said. "Just keep grinding, getting better every day." Cooper was a revelation early last season, a seventh-round pick claimed off waivers from San Francisco who wound up starting six games and picking off three passes. He went through a rookie lull midseason, but came on toward the end, giving the Chiefs front office a sense of confidence that they would be able to withstand Flowers release. Still, the change brings even more instability to the defensive backfield. The Chiefs already had allowed starting free safety Kendrick Lewis and backup defensive back Quintin Demps to sign elsewhere, opening a couple of holes they are hoping to fill internally. Husain Abdullah and Sanders Commings appear to be the first in line. "We have guys who can step up," Commings said. Tight end Travis Kelce, wide receiver Kyle Williams and cornerback David Van Dyke did individual workouts and the install period, but were otherwise limited. Kelce is coming off knee surgery, Williams a torn ACL and Van Dyke a hamstring injury. Rookie running back DeAnthony Thomas appeared to be overcome by the heat and humidity on a warm afternoon. He chugged water on a knee after one series of plays, then took a swing pass to the end zone, where he collapsed. He wound up walking to the shade and spent several minutes with a trainer before heading to the locker room. He did not return to the field. Thomas, a fourth-round pick out of Oregon, has been unable to join the Chiefs for workouts since rookie minicamp because of an NFL rule that prohibited him from working out until his school graduates. Oregon is on the quarter system, so that didnt happen until this past weekend. The Chiefs also had four players in for tryouts on Tuesday: former Rutgers wide receiver Mark Harrison, Cal Poly wide receiver Cole Stanford, Utah State cornerback Quinton Byrd and Missouri cornerback Kip Edwards. Moussa Sissoko Jersey . The actual winners on transfer deadline day are those clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City who were well prepared and managed to get their main incoming business done well ahead of the transfer window closing. Tottenham were able to add seven players by spending over 100 million pounds and also ensured maximum return for the Gareth Bale transfer to Real Madrid by managing the move superbly. Christian Eriksen Jersey . -- Chicago manager Darold Butler has a message for the Windy City. http://www.footballhotspurstore.com/Women-Mousa-Dembele-Tottenham-Hotspur-Jersey/ . However, the intensity and physicality that has characterized the postseason so far has caught Gretzky by surprise. "Its a little bit risqué right now," Gretzky told Philadelphia radio station 97.MILWAUKEE -- The New York Yankees injury-plagued rotation has taken another big hit. Struggling left-hander CC Sabathia was placed on the 15-day disabled list before Sundays 6-5 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers with inflammation in his right knee. Manager Joe Girardi said he hoped Sabathia would just need two weeks. Sabathia had right knee surgery at the end of the 2006 season while with the Cleveland Indians. This is the only time he has experienced inflammation since the operation, Sabathia said. Both skipper and pitcher were relieved that the injury wasnt more serious. "See the doctor tomorrow and go from there," Sabathia said after Sundays game. "Theres no tear so hopefully everything will be all right." The move came a day after Sabathia allowed three home runs in a no-decision against the Brewers. Milwaukee won 5-4. Sabathia is making $23 million this season, the sixth in a deal that will pay him $161 million over 7 years. He is 3-4 with a 5.28 ERA, with opponents hitting .301 off him this season. Until now, all the questions about Sabathia were about his arm and a drop in velocity. Turns out his right knee is a bigger problem. Sabathia said he started feeling a tweak a couple starts ago. He said it got worse through his start May 4 against Tampa, when he gave up five runs and 10 hits in 3-2/3 innings. The lefty came forward to Girardi about his knee after his sttart Saturday against the Brewers, when he said he felt it most of the game. Georges-Kevin NKoudou Jersey. "He said that his knee was hurting; his landing knee, his right knee but he hadnt mentioned anything to us before that," Girardi said. The Yankees will have to find yet another pitcher to plug into the rotation with Sabathia having been scheduled to pitch next on Thursday night against the Mets at Citi Field in the Subway Series. The once-reliable ace has lost his touch at a time when the Yankees needed him most. New York is already minus two injured starters in Ivan Nova (season-ending elbow surgery) and Michael Pineda (back). Japanese rookie Masahiro Tanaka has taken over at the top of a rotation that looked formidable just a few weeks ago. Sabathia said he didnt say anything earlier because the rotation already had problems, "but Ill do more damage to the team by trying to hide it." Right-hander Matt Daley was called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to take Sabathias spot on the roster. Pineda had completed his 10-game suspension for using pine tar and was placed on the 15-day DL last week. Girardi said Pineda was playing catch, though his recovery might take a little longer than the initial timetable of three to four weeks. Girardi also said that reliever Shawn Kelleys sore back is feeling better. Kelley last pitched Tuesday against the Angels. NFL Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Discount Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Jerseys NFL China NFL Jerseys Wholesale ' ' '