JENNA FRYER, AP Auto Racing Writer

Tony Stewart will return to Sprint Cup competition Sunday night at Atlanta Motor Speedway, ending a three-race hiatus after his car struck and killed a fellow driver during a dirt-track race.

The three-time NASCAR champion has not raced since Aug. 9, when he hit Kevin Ward Jr. at a sprint car event in upstate New York.

Stewart hastily pulled out of the NASCAR race at Watkins Glen the next morning, then skipped races at Michigan and Bristol Motor Speedway.

Stewart has been in seclusion since Ward’s death. He returns to his No. 14 Chevrolet at Atlanta ranked 26th in the Sprint Cup standings.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith said Tuesday that he has not given any thought to breaking off negotiations on a long-term contract, though that remains a distinct possibility with the start of the regular season just a week away.

Smith said earlier in training camp that he wanted to end discussions of a new deal by the time the games count. That happens Sept. 7, when Kansas City opens its season against Tennessee.

Smith is in the final year of the three-year contract he signed with San Francisco, and is due to make $8 million this season. His agent has been speaking to the Chiefs for several months, but the two sides have not been close to an agreement.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles and safety Eric Berry have returned to practice after dealing with injuries.

Left tackle Eric Fisher was absent Monday due to an illness.

Berry has missed most of the past couple weeks with a heel injury. Charles has been out the past two preseason games after hurting his foot while moving out of the dorms at the Chiefs’ training camp headquarters at Missouri Western.

Coach Andy Reid was not available to discuss their status for Thursday night’s preseason finale in Green Bay. Normally, Reid does not play his starters in the fourth preseason game, but a lackluster effort against Minnesota on Saturday night might cause him to change his approach. He indicated afterward that some starters could play against the Packers.

DAVE SKRETTA, AP Sports Writer

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs offensive tackle Donald Stephenson has been suspended by the NFL for the first four games of the regular season for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.

Stephenson was a fill-in starter last season but was expected to anchor the right side of the line this year. He remains eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games, including Saturday night’s game against Minnesota.

Stephenson will miss games against Tennessee, Denver, Miami and New England, and be eligible to return to the active roster Sept. 30. The Chiefs play San Francisco the following Sunday.

The Chiefs were already without wide receiver Dwayne Bowe for the season opener after he was suspended by the league for an incident involving marijuana last November.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A person familiar with the situation says Kansas City Chiefs receiver Dwayne Bowe is expected to be suspended for the season opener against Tennessee after his arrest for marijuana possession.

The person disclosed the expected one-game suspension to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team and NFL had not yet announced a punishment.

Bowe was pulled over in a Kansas City suburb on Nov. 10 for driving 48 mph in a 35 mph zone. He was arrested after police found a black bag containing his wallet, driver’s license and two containers of suspected marijuana.

He later pleaded guilty to amended charges of defective equipment and littering, and paid $610 in fines. Bowe’s attorney said there was no admission of guilt for the marijuana charge, which was dismissed.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) – Chiefs rookie Aaron Murray was tied up in meetings Monday night, at the same time millions of people were tuning into ABC to see whether his brother would be popping the question.

No worries. Murray knew months ago that his brother, Josh Murray, would be chosen by “The Bachelorette” Andi Dorfman on this season of the reality dating show. In fact, the finale was taped the same week of the NFL draft, making it a memorable weekend in his household.

Josh Murray played professional baseball for a while before returning to college. He ultimately joined the football team at Georgia, playing safety while his brother starred at quarterback.

Asked whether his brother is still engaged, the younger Murray laughed: “Yes, still engaged,” he said Wednesday. “It’s going well so far.”

DAVE SKRETTA, AP Sports Writer

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Eric Berry left Chiefs practice on Thursday after hurting his lower right leg, the second injury that the Pro Bowl safety has sustained so far in training camp.

Berry missed some time earlier with a dislocated finger.

It was unclear what happened to Berry during one of the early sessions of practice at Missouri Western. He was checked by trainers in the injury tent next to the field, then talked with other team officials on the sideline before leaving the field on a cart.

Berry was able to put weight on the leg, but was noticeably limping. Chiefs coach Andy Reid was expected to discuss the nature and severity of the injury after practice.