Wartezimmer » If Ebron ends up not playing Sunday, the Lions will r

RIO DE JANEIRO -- All by themselves on the massive track, the four U.S. women took their positions in Lane 2.Tianna Bartoletta kneeled into the blocks and waited for the starters pistol. It sounded and away she went -- alone -- in a first-of-its-kind Olympic relay race against the clock.The Americans won that contest Thursday night to earn their spot in the final eight of the 4x100.As is the case with so many relays the U.S. has run over the years, this was anything but routine.Our coach told us before we went out there, `Its just like practice, just the whole world will be watching, said English Gardner.Returning to the track 7 1/2 hours after they left, the team of Bartoletta, Allyson Felix, Gardner and Morolake Akinosun finished in a time of 41.77 seconds to bump China out of the last spot in the final.The rerun of their preliminary heat came about after Felix, running in the second position, got jostled by a Brazilian, stumbled and tried, unsuccessfully, to flip the baton ahead to Gardner.The stick fell, and after being disqualified, the Americans lodged a successful protest.But unlike some races, in which an additional runner could simply be added to the final, relays are limited to eight teams because there are only eight lanes that wrap completely around the track. So, the judges brought the Americans back to run in the same lane, in the same order, in what USA Track and Field said was the first rerun of its kind in Olympic history.Their only goal was to beat Chinas eighth-place time of 42.70 seconds, and that was no problem for a team that had two members -- Bartoletta and Felix -- who were on the team that set the world record (40.82 seconds) at the London Games in 2012.The exchanges were smooth, and a few moments after Akinosun crossed the line in a time that not only beat Chinas, but was the best that any team had run all day, the four runners huddled for a quick hug.Bartoletta peeled off to receive the gold medal she won in the long jump the night before. The others were off for rest and another quick turnaround.The final is Friday night, and the United States will run out of either Lane 1 or 8 -- the least-desirable lanes because the Americans, despite their top time, were not among the top three finishers in their heat.I dont know how much more I can take, said Felix, whose season has been filled with injuries, disappointments and, now, this. My bodys fine, my mind will be fine. Its different, just not the year I was expecting.Earlier, in more-conventional news, the U.S. mens team coasted through the preliminaries, winning its heat in 37.65 seconds. Jamaicas relay team also made it through, finishing second in its heat without Usain Bolt, who was resting up for the 200-meter final later in the evening.It puts Jamaica, and Bolt, in position for a third straight title in the sprint relay.The only pressure is to make sure we get the stick around, said Asafa Powell, the former world-record holder who ran the third leg.Its been more of a problem with the United States than the Jamaicans over the years.The U.S. women botched the exchange in both the 2004 and 2008 Olympics to give away potential medals in an event that was virtually made for the team with the deepest pool of sprinters. At last years world championships, a minor bobble in the less-technical 4x400 cost a precious split second that made the difference in a loss to Jamaica.The U.S. men have either been disqualified or failed to get the baton around the track eight times at Olympics or world championships since 1995.This years mens team was in the holding room when the women bobbled the stick. A jarring reminder.First thing I did is told the young guys, `We got this, veteran Tyson Gay said after running the mens third leg. Youve got to be positive. A lot of things happen out there. Colin Moran Jersey . -- Eastern Kentucky thrives off creating havoc for others. JB Shuck Pirates Jersey . All of the scoring came in the final 20:04. Lucic scored on a power play at 15:46 of the third period, when he tipped a shot over Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen for a 3-1 lead. http://www.pittsburghpiratesprostore.us/Starling-Marte-pirates-jersey/ . The Dane followed up his first European Tour title last weekend with eight birdies and just a single dropped shot on Thursday for a one-stroke advantage over South Africas Allan Versfeld and Portugals Ricardo Santos. Willie Stargell Pirates Jersey . -- For the first time in two months, an opponent was standing up to Alabama. Colin Moran Pirates Jersey . -- There were a lot of firsts for the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Detroit Lions tight end Eric Ebron is not expected to play this upcoming Sunday against the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles after suffering injuries to his knee and ankle against the Chicago Bears?this past Sunday, a source told ESPN Insider Adam Caplan.Ebron briefly left Sundays game against the Bears, but he returned and was able to finish the game. He did not practice Wednesday, and he was not spotted at all during the open portion of practice.After the game, Ebron said, Ill be all right, but it was clear he was in a lot of pain.I play with my heart, man, Ebron said. I play through injury. I play through pain. I play through soreness, so just went out there and tried to make more [of] an emotional impact on the team and, you know, if I can do this, then we can get this win.The Lions lost to the Bears 17-14.Ebron has battled injuries all season. He missed a large portion of the preseason with an ankle injury, and he has dealt with back, ankle and knee injuries during the first four weeks of the regular season. He has also turned into quarterback Matthew Staffords mosst reliable target this season, catching 18 passes for 210 yards and 1 touchdown.ddddddddddddIf Ebron ends up not playing Sunday, the Lions will rely on rookie Cole Wick, veteran Khari Lee and newly signed Clay Harbor to play tight end.The Lions also could be without defensive end Ezekiel Ansah for the third straight week. Caplan reported that Ansah is expected to be doubtful for Sundays game, according to a source, as he continues to return from a high ankle injury. Ansah, though, does not need surgery on the ankle.He has not practiced since injuring the ankle during the first series of Detroits loss to Tennessee in Week 2.Also on the Lions injury report Wednesday -- wide receiver Marvin Jones missed practice with a foot injury, and linebacker DeAndre Levy continues to miss practice as well. Levy hasnt played since Week 1 with a quad injury. However, the Lions added a knee injury to the injury report for Levy -- the first time that has been listed all season. ' ' '