NEU » on Sunday, theyll face another long fligh

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- There was a time when drivers raced injured, when nothing could get them to climb out of their seat.The rules didnt allow racers to be hurt, sitting out a week would be catastrophic in the point standings, and, ultimately, the payout. Not being able to drive with broken bones, blisters, burns, illness, any ailment at all, could derail a season. Even worse, it could cost a driver his job.So its a testament to NASCAR that Dale Earnhardt Jr. felt strong enough last week to take himself out of his car because he couldnt shake symptoms that could be concussion-related. NASCARs most popular driver benched himself for Sundays race at New Hampshire and he will await further tests to see if hes able to drive this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.Earnhardt said hes battling balance issues and nausea and is uncertain when he will be back in a race car.My mind feels real sharp, he said in a podcast recorded Sunday night. Ive struggled with my balance over the last four, five days and I definitely wouldnt be able to drive a race car (last weekend). Making the right decision was out of the question, I made the decision I had to make. Its just going to take a lot of patience.Tales of drivers racing hurt date back to the beginning of nearly every series. On the same day Earnhardt was watching someone else drive his car in New Hampshire, IndyCar ace Josef Newgarden was powering through on the street course at Toronto with a broken hand. When he wrecked late in the race, his in-car camera caught Newgarden in serious pain and favoring his broken hand.Dont forget when Ricky Rudd raced with his swollen eyes taped open in the Daytona 500 or Richard Petty driving for weeks with a severe neck injury or the late Dale Earnhardt winning the pole at Watkins Glen with a broken collarbone. More recently, Denny Hamlin twice raced immediately after tearing the ACL in one of his knees and Brad Keselowski won at Pocono a week after breaking his foot.About 15 years ago, Earnhardt Jr. revealed in an interview that he thought hed driven with concussion symptoms several times in 2001. His admission led to a tightened medical review policy in which Earnhardt had to be seen by a doctor before he could race after he was briefly knocked unconscious in a 2002 crash at Dover.As the years went on, Earnhardt became smarter about his health. He missed two races during the 2012 Chase because of a pair of concussions suffered in a six-race stretch, and sitting out those events immediately ended any title shot.Dashed championship hopes would still be the case for any driver injured during NASCARs 10-race playoffs, but the sanctioning body has made it easier for drivers to admit they are hurt. By allowing teams to apply for a waiver so the driver will still be eligible to make the playoffs, NASCAR made it possible for Earnhardt to take himself out of the car.Granted, playoff hopes shouldnt trump health issues -- especially concussions, something that could cause long-term damage -- but this very small step has given flexibility in a system that previously had none.Team owner Rick Hendrick made it clear he doesnt want a driver to sacrifice his health to stay in the race car.Our guys know that the most important thing is their health, and if theyre in an accident and they feel like theyve had a concussion, theres a protocol and they need to go through it, Hendrick said before Sundays race. Its hard to get out of the car, but we want (Earnhardt) for the long haul. He wants to race for a long time, so we are going to let the doctors make those decisions.Its really hard at first, and then the more you think about it, its the right thing to do for him and its the right thing to do for the team. We will just take it day-by-day.Its not clear when Earnhardt was injured -- he was in crashes at Michigan on June 12 and Daytona on July 2 -- and his symptoms originally led Earnhardt to believe his problem was allergy or sinus related. So he raced at Kentucky two weeks ago not feeling well, and when it didnt improve, he saw a neurological specialist who diagnosed concussion-like symptoms.It could be argued that based on Earnhardts concussion history, NASCAR should have had him tested after one or both of his accidents. But, NASCAR has made it easier than ever for a driver to lessen the stakes of seeking treatment and the participant should take some responsibility for their own health.That doesnt make any easier for drivers, particularly those who grew up watching a generation that drove hurt.Its probably one of the toughest things to do -- if I was in that position, it would be very tough for me, I would think, said Ryan Newman.Carl Edwards noted that Earnhardts issue must be serious if he didnt race and said he respected Earnhardts decision.I cant imagine how tough that decision would be, he said. Right now with the format, you do have the opportunity to take care of yourself, do what you think is right and still have a shot at the championship.In the end, Earnhardt did the very best thing he could to help himself. He may also end up being the example for all drivers to put their health above everything else in racing.Earnhardt, who noted in his podcast that his most recent ImPACT test matched his preseason baseline test, will now follow a treatment laid out by his doctors that includes exercises to retrain his brain.I put my health and quality of life as a top priority, he said. I always do that, so I am going to take this slow and follow the advice of my doctors. Shabazz Napier Jersey . In what the team had called a retirement, Ryan said Thursday that he is resigning as chief executive of the Rangers in a move effective at the end of this month. Isaiah Rider Jersey . Bryant, who signed a five-year, $34 million contract as a free agent with Cleveland in March, reported symptoms on Monday morning, a team spokesman said. https://www.cheaptimberwolves.com/600j-stephon-marbury-jersey-timberwolves.html . Pierce was ejected in the third quarter of Indianas 103-86 win Monday. George Hill stole a bad pass and was going in for a layup, and Pierce hustled back and appeared to be trying to wrap him up. Wally Szczerbiak Jersey . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a shocking 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in the AL wild-card race. Karl-Anthony Towns Jersey . Oyama had six birdies and two bogeys at Kintetsu Kashikojima in the event also sanctioned by the Japan LPGA Tour. "I have been having this neck ache thats been affecting my golf recently," Oyama said. BAGSHOT, England -- Rams coach Jeff Fisher has often stressed the importance of a quick emotional turnaround.Dwell on the result of a game for a day, then move on.And while the Los Angeles Rams had to endure a seven-hour flight after a 31-28 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday, coping with the outcome didnt last much longer.That 24-hour rule is serious, left tackle Rodger Saffold said. For us, we moved eight hours ahead, so our 24-hour rule was a lot shorter.Avoiding any type of panic could be fortunate for the Rams (3-3), who dropped their past two games after winning three of their first four for the first time since 2006.As they regrouped on Wednesday for practice, beginning their on-field preparations for a game on Sunday against the New York Giants at Twickenham Stadium, they did so believing that a week in London could spur them out of their skid.It was a good day to get back out here, strong safety T.J. McDonald said. We got back into the feel of things, and to be back here on the grass feels good.Rather than return to Los Angeles following the loss to the Lions, the Rams crossed the Atlantic, arriving just before 9 a.m. local time on Monday.To give his players ample opportunity to rest and get acclimated to the time change, Fisher reworked the teams practice schedule, granting players the rest of Monday and all of Tuesday off.A handful of players represented the team at a community event in nearby Guildford on Tuesday, while others, including McDonald, ventured into downtown London -- roughly 30 miles, or an hours drive, away.I think you shortchange the players if, you know, we wake up in the morning and we go out and practice and we come in and we go to meetings and thats it, Fisher said, before recalling a conversation he had with one player.I said, `How was your day? He goes, `I went to London. It was the coolest thing Ive ever seen. Im calling Mom and Dad to tell them this is a really cool place. You want to give them some time to do that.Onn the field, significant attention will be paid to the matchup against the Giants offense, which enters Sunday ranked third in the league with 288.dddddddddddd passing yards per game.Thats of particular concern to Los Angeles, which had a three-game winning streak earlier this season because of a stout defense, but that group has struggled each of the past two weeks.The Rams allowed 30 points at home to the Buffalo Bills on Oct. 9 and then squandered a seven-point lead over the Lions late on Sunday.You definitely have to learn how to finish games, linebacker Alec Ogletree said. When you dont know how to finish games, you tend to lose a lot of games. Most games are settled pretty much by three points or less, so if youre not able to finish games, its tough to win in this league.Should the Rams be unable to do so on Sunday, theyll face another long flight -- this one approximately 10 hours -- and will enter their bye week with a three-game losing streak and, for the first time this season, a losing record.Weve taken the approach that it doesnt matter where you play or what time or who you play, Fisher said. Youve just got to go out and play. Thats what theyve bought into.Game notes DT Michael Brockers (thigh) and CB Trumaine Johnson (high ankle sprain) did not practice, while DE Robert Quinn (shoulder) and DE William Hayes (ankle) were limited. ... Not only will the Rams be playing at Twickenham, the home of Englands national rugby team, but theyre also practicing this week at Pennyhill Park, a resort and spa where the English team has trained since 2003. ... Wide receiver Brian Quick embraced the local sporting culture, donning a cricket helmet and taking swings with England players Liam Plunkett and Sam Billings for a local TV station.---Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '