SPORTS SHORTS

NFL: Cowboys’ Smith reinstated

Aldon Smith, who hasn’t played in an NFL game since 2015, will be able to take part in team activities with the Cowboys after the NFL on Wednesday conditionally reinstated the pass-rusher from an indefinite suspension for off-field issues.

The Patriots signed safety Patrick Chung to a two-year contract extension through 2023.

ETC.: Hamlin wins rain-shortened race

Denny Hamlin won NASCAR’s first Wednesday race since 1984 when rain stopped the event with 20 laps remaining at Darlington Raceway.

The head of the agency that oversees the Oakland Coliseum says the A’s have informed him they had “no ability to pay” the annual $1.2 million rent on the facility.

The LPGA Tour will not have its qualifying events at the end of the year, deciding Wednesday to keep the same roster of players it has on all of its tours.

The NCAA Division I Council voted to lift a moratorium on voluntary workouts by football and basketball players effective June 1 as a growing number of college leaders expressed confidence that fall sports will be possible in some form despite concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.

Nelson Cruz of the Twins, Kevin Love of the Cavaliers, and brothers Devin and Jason McCourty of the Patriots are among the nominees for the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award. The other finalists are Maya Moore of the Minnesota Lynx and WWE wrestler Titus O’Neil.

Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith says he thinks football games can be played in Ohio Stadium this fall with 20,000 to 30,000 fans in the stands. Smith thinks that number of fans could be kept at a safe distance from one another in the stadium, which seats about 105,000.

Former Seton Hall point guard Anthony Nelson, a Harlem native, committed to transfer to play for Steve Masiello at Manhattan over Long Beach State.