Chad Pennington's season officially ended with a trade that didn't involve him.

The Miami Dolphins placed Pennington on the reserve-injured list to create a roster spot for quarterback Tyler Thigpen, who was acquired yesterday from the Kansas City Chiefs for an undisclosed draft pick.

Pennington hurt his right shoulder Sunday at San Diego, an injury that leaves his career in jeopardy. At 33, he likely faces a third operation on the shoulder since 2005.

Thigpen shores up depth behind second-year pro Chad Henne, who is expected to make his first NFL start Sunday against Buffalo. Rookie Pat White is the Dolphins' other quarterback.

BASKETBALL

REPLACEMENTS WILL BE USED AS TALKS FAIL

The NBA has told teams it's going ahead with replacement referees, days after the league thought a deal had been reached with locked-out officials.

The league sent a memo yesterday informing teams it had "no expectation of concluding a timely labor contract." The memo, obtained by The Associated Press, follows the latest failure in negotiations.

According to the memo, the sides had agreed in principle on a new two-year deal Friday. But the National Basketball Referees Association rejected the NBA's proposal Sunday.

SOCCER

HONDURAS SAFE FOR U.S. TO PLAY QUALIFIER

FIFA says the United States' World Cup qualifier against Honduras will take place in San Pedro Sula next month despite turmoil in the Central American country.

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said yesterday following an executive committee meeting that the crisis in Honduras following the ouster of President Manuel Zelaya on June 28 hasn't caused safety concerns that jeopardize the match. He said FIFA's stance can change if the situation worsens.

The United States (5-2-1), seeking its sixth straight World Cup berth, leads North and Central America and the Caribbean with 16 points.

TENNIS

SHARAPOVA WINS; DEMENTIEVA OUSTED

Maria Sharapova cruised past Samantha Stosur of Australia, 6-0, 6-1, yesterday in the second round of the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.

The former top-ranked Russian, who has been struggling since returning from a 10-month injury layoff, will face Alisa Kleybanova, who defeated sixth-seeded Vera Zvonareva, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.

Third-seeded Elena Dementieva followed top-seeded Dinara Safina and second-seeded Venus Williams out of the event, falling in the second round to Ukrainian qualifier Kateryna Bondarenko, 6-2, 6-7 (3), 6-1.