FOOTBALL

Ex-Duck Alonso tears ACL — Kiko Alonso’s season is over before it even began after the Buffalo Bills’ starting linebacker was diagnosed with a torn ligament in his left knee. General manager Doug Whaley said the 23-year-old Alonso, who played at Oregon from 2008-2012, will require surgery to repair a torn ACL, and “will likely miss the 2014 season.” Alonso was an NFL defensive rookie of the year contender last season after being drafted in the second round. He led Buffalo with 159 tackles and two fumble recoveries and tied for the team lead with four interceptions while barely missing a snap in playing all 16 games.

Arbitrator rules Saints’ Graham is a tight end — An arbitrator has sided with the New Orleans Saints in ruling that Jimmy Graham can only be considered a tight end for the purposes of his franchise tag designation. The ruling Wednesday is setback for Graham, agent Jimmy Sexton and the NFL Players Association, who filed a grievance arguing that Graham was used as a wide receiver often enough to qualify for the more lucrative receiver tag. NFL franchise tags, which allow teams to keep one prized free agent, was set this year $7 million for tight ends and $12.3 million for receivers. The NFLPA says it’s reviewing the ruling and will advise Graham on his options, which could include an appeal.

BASKETBALL

Nets reach agreement with Hollins — The Brooklyn Nets reached an agreement in principle Wednesday with Lionel Hollins to become their coach, moving quickly after the departure of Jason Kidd. The deal with the former Memphis Grizzlies coach came two days after the Nets made a trade with Milwaukee to allow Kidd out of his contract so the Bucks could hire him. Hollins led Memphis to 56 victories and the 2013 Western Conference finals before he and the Grizzlies parted ways. Hollins, 60, went 214-201 with the Grizzlies and improved the team’s record in each of his four full seasons. His 11 seasons as an NBA player included his first four-plus with Portland; he was a starting guard for the Trail Blazers’ 1976-77 championship team.

HOCKEY

Signings slow down on second day — The frenzy of high-priced signings and big-name trades that took place to open the league’s annual summer signing period on Tuesday, slowed to a trickle a day later. There were a few notable signings that took place on Wednesday. The New York Islanders made the biggest splash by signing forwards Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin to four-year contracts. Grabovski’s deal is worth $20 million, while Kulemin will make $16.75 million. The Nashville Predators signed veteran center Olli Jokinen to a one-year, $2.5 million deal. Just as notable was the list of players — many of them aging veterans — still on the market. It’s a group that included goalie Martin Brodeur, the league’s career victory leader, forwards Radim Vrbata, Dany Heatley, Mike Ribeiro, David Legwand, Ville Leino and Steve Ott.

SOCCER

FIFA could allow extra sub in extra time — Substitutes have made a big impact at the World Cup, and there could more of them in four years’ time. FIFA’s coaching advisers will propose that teams can use a fourth substitute in extra time before the 2018 World Cup kicks off. Up to three replacements are currently allowed. So far, substitutes have scored 29 goals after coming off the bench in Brazil, already a World Cup record with eight matches left to play. The previous mark was 23 at the 2006 tournament in Germany, FIFA said. The panel has previously rejected the fourth sub plan.

GOLF

Bay Area to host Match Play, PGA, Presidents Cup — The southwest corridor of San Francisco is going to get all the golf it can handle over the next decade. TPC Harding Park will host the Match Play Championship in 2015, the PGA Championship in 2020 and the Presidents Cup in 2025. The announcement was made Wednesday. The Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic, which was held on the last weekend of April this year, is set to return to Lake Merced just down the road in Daly City in 2015. And the inaugural U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship is scheduled from April 30 to May 6 at The Olympic Club.

— From staff and wire reports