FRISCO, Texas -- The Cowboys have signed Mark Sanchez as a backup quarterback and are keeping their options open with the injured Tony Romo.Dallas added Sanchez to the 53-man roster on a one-year contract Sunday while waiving Jameill Showers with the likely intention of adding the second-year player to the practice squad if another team doesnt claim him.Rookie Dak Prescott is set to start the opener Sept. 11 against the New York Giants, but the key to the quarterback puzzle remains Romo, who broke a bone in his back in a preseason game against Seattle.The Cowboys can put him on the injured reserve-return list, which would free up a roster while sidelining the 36-year-old for the first seven games.Thats an ominous number for Dallas because its how many games Romo missed after he broke his left collarbone the first time last season. The Cowboys lost all seven games before Romo broke the same collarbone and missed four more. Dallas finished last in the NFC East at 4-12 a year after winning the division.If Dallas decides to keep Romo on the active roster, he can return whenever hes ready. The Cowboys havent said how long he will be out following his fourth back injury in less than four years.Prescott had a strong start to the preseason after Kellen Moore broke his right ankle in practice at training camp, and the Cowboys ultimately decided to give their fourth-round pick the backup job.After holding off on adding a veteran following Moores injury, the Cowboys knew they would have to add one once Romo got hurt.Showers, who spent most of last season on the practice squad, was spotty in his best shot at an audition while playing the entire preseason finale against Houston. But he has versatility because of his work on special teams in practice last season, making him an attractive option for another year in a similar role.Tight end Rico Gathers, the former Baylor basketball player trying to make the transition to football, was among seven players who cleared waivers and were added the practice squad.Defensive end Ryan Russell and receiver Vince Mayle, both second-year players, made the practice squad. So did four rookies: center Jake Brendel, receiver Andy Jones, linebacker Deon King and tight end Austin Traylor.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Doug Kotar Giants Jersey . -- An ugly goal by Nick Bonino helped the Anaheim Ducks overcome the defensive-minded Phoenix Coyotes on a night when their ragged power play continued to struggle. Dexter Lawrence Youth Jersey . But now that hes in the NHL, the Calgary Flames centre showed big improvement in that department by scoring the winner in the eighth round of a 5-4 shootout victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Monday. http://www.giantsrookiestore.com/Giants-Doug-Kotar-Jersey/ . Only three players drafted by NHL clubs were included on the Czech selection camp roster on Wednesday. Those players were Dallas Stars 2012 first-rounder Radek Faksa, Winnipeg Jets 2013 fourth-rounder Jan Kostalek and Phoenix Coyotes 2012 seventh-rounder Marek Langhamer. Phil McConkey Giants Jersey . The giant slalom world champion slipped during her first run in the morning, landing on her back and then twisting forward before getting her leg caught in the protective material on the side of the slope. Lawrence Taylor Youth Jersey . Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, announced Wednesday that the team would assign Swedish forward Elias Lindholm to his nations team for the upcoming tournament. CYPRESS, Calif.- California Chrome is leaving home a winner.In his final start in the state where he was bred, California Chrome scored a popular win in the $180,000 Los Alamitos Winter Challenge on Saturday, which was created in recent months as a farewell race.California Chrome is scheduled to make the final start of his career in the $12 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 28 before going to stud in Kentucky in February.California Chrome, the 2014 Horse of the Year, drew a crowd of more than 5,000 to Los Alamitos on Saturday. They saw what they wanted. As California Chrome left the winners circle, the audience crowded on the rails shouted his name, Chrome! Chrome! Chrome!Ridden by Victor Espinoza, California Chrome raced wide for the first six furlongs, took the lead entering the stretch, and won by 12 lengths without urging. California Chrome ran 1-1/16 miles in a track record time of 1:40.03.Its a good day, trainer Art Sherman said. You could see what happens when you have a star.California Chrome won the 15th stakes of his career in the Los Alamitos Winter Challenge. This year, he has won 7 of 8 starts, with the only loss a second to Arrogate in the Breeders Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 5. Earlier this year, California Chrome won six stakes, including the $10 million Dubai World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in March and the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar in August.The recent loss was on Shermans mind when Espinoza urged California Chrome to the front with more than a quarter-mile remaining.Go on with him, now, Sherman recalled thinking. Dont look over your shoulder. Weve seen a couple of those rides. He was much the best today. This is great.California Chrome led through many of his recent races, but was fourth and then fifth through the first half-mile of the Winter Challenge. Breaking from the outside in a field of 10, California Chrome was three wide on the first turn and five wide on the backstretch and turn. While the trip may have rattled the nerves of California Chromes backers, Sherman said he was comfortable with the 5-year-olds position.I told Victor,, Keep him in the clear.dddddddddddd You dont have to rush him, Sherman said in the winners circle. People dont remember hes better coming off the pace. Hes a push-button horse.California Chrome led by three lengths with a furlong remaining and drew off without urging. Point Piper, the winner of the Grade 3 Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs in August, closed from sixth to finish second, 3-1/4 lengths in front of Papacoolpapacool, who closed from last.Aint Misbehavin finished fourth, followed by Avanti Bello, Presidentsky, Howdy, Wrightwood, Lucky J Lane, and Unusual Meeting.To encourage participation against such a heavy favorite, the track boosted prize money for the other runners, paying $30,000 for second, $20,000 for third, and $15,000 for fourth and fifth. The other finishers received $10,000 each.Espinoza said he thought California Chrome was ready when he climbed aboard in the paddock.He was super strong today, Espinoza said. The most important thing was how he felt physically.While the Los Alamitos Winter Challenge was a minor race, Espinoza said the race helped soothe the loss in the BC Classic when Espinoza rode with confidence only to be caught in the final strides by Arrogate.After the race I got beat, it was nice to win the race the way he did today, Espinoza said. Maybe I blew it [in the Breeders Cup]. It wasnt perfect. I could have done a little better.Espinoza said he was not concerned California Chrome had a wide trip.I moved a little early on the turn. I took the first turn a little wide, he said. The last turn I thought if the horse next to me doesnt take the turn I didnt want to lose ground.California Chrome paid $2.10 and was so heavily backed that he created a minus win pool of $58,170. There was no place or show wagering offered.California Chrome has won 16 of 26 starts and earned $14,502,650, the highest earnings of a North American-based Thoroughbred. Saturdays win was worth $50,000, and put the famous runner on schedule for the Pegasus World Cup. ' ' '