KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs have cut ties with quarterback Matt Cassel, who lost his starting job to Brady Quinn last season and then watched Kansas City trade for Alex Smith to be his replacement.

The move Thursday came less than 24 hours after Smith was introduced at Arrowhead Stadium.

Cassel was the first major acquisition by the Chiefs under previous general manager Scott Pioli, and he was quickly given a six-year, $63 million contract. But after leading the Chiefs to the playoffs in 2010, Cassel struggled to live up to the same expectations.

He sustained a season-ending hand injury two years ago, and then lost his job to Quinn after sustaining a concussion last season, spending the rest of the year as the backup.

Cassel had two years remaining on his contract.

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Cardinals manager Mike Matheny returned to the club Thursday after undergoing back surgery Monday in St. Louis.

Matheny dealt with severe pain for several days stemming from a ruptured disc in his back that caused particles to come on contact with a nerve. Surgeons found and removed four particles during the 90-minute procedure, known as a microdiscectomy.

The second-year Cardinals manager missed games on Monday and Tuesday before returning Wednesday evening.

Matheny doesn’t expect to miss any additional time but said he was told not to lift anything heavier than five pounds for the next eight weeks. It’s unclear whether or not he’ll be able to throw batting practice in the near future.

w/ Jim Field

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The Atlantic City Council held a special session Wednesday evening at the Senior Citizen Center. During the meeting, the Council, after receiving no written or oral objections, adopted the Fiscal year 2014 Municipal Budget, and they passed a resolution awarding a contract for the reconstruction of the Sunnyside Tennis Courts, to Dostals Construction Company, in Gretna, NE.

During previous meetings of the Council, concerns were raised over how to pay for the $259,000 reconstruction project, but City Administrator Doug Harris said he recently came to realize that the costs could be included under “Essential Purpose” funding. He said he assumed Park projects were “Corporate Purposes,” but he learned only things like City Hall renovation can come under that type of funding. Knowing that they can come under Essential Purpose frees up some money for that and other park projects.

Parks and Recreation Department Director Roger Herring said it is essential to get the tennis courts done as soon as possible, so Atlantic can “Get back on the tournament trail.” With the tennis courts currently torn up in preparation for reconstruction, Herring said the Atlantic Trojan’s Tennis Tournament will take place in Harlan this year. He says Atlantic was also asked to host a District Tennis Tournament, but that couldn’t happen because of the condition of the courts prior to reconstruction. Herring says by finalizing the contract, the City will be eligible for a U-S Tennis Association grant and Missouri Valley USTA funds.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Alex Smith wanted to be with the Kansas City Chiefs. He ultimately got his wish. The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback was introduced at a news conference at the Chiefs’ training facility on Wednesday, capping a whirlwind day of physicals and meetings. Smith was traded to Kansas City for a pair of draft picks in a deal that was reached two weeks ago, but could not become official until the start of the league year on Tuesday.

Smith had turned around his career the past two years in San Francisco, but lost his job to Colin Kaepernick when he sustained a concussion. Kaepernick ultimately led the 49ers to the Super Bowl, and Smith let the team know that he wanted to be traded or released rather than be a backup quarterback.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid made it clear that Smith will be the starter in Kansas City.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have reached a deal with cornerback Dunta Robinson. Robinson has played in 131 games over nine NFL seasons with the Houston Texans and Atlanta Falcons. His career numbers include 580 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 17 interceptions and 87 pass breakups. The Chiefs are overhauling a team that went 2-14 last season, and will have the No. 1 pick in the draft.

They’ve signed wide receiver Dwayne Bowe and punter Dustin Colquitt to long-term deals, franchised left tackle Branden Albert, and agreed to contracts with free-agent tight end Anthony Fasano, defensive tackle Mike DeVito and backup quarterback Chase Daniel.

AMES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa State has extended the contract of wrestling coach Kevin Jackson through 2015. The Cyclones announced the extension Wednesday, a week before the NCAA Championships begin in nearby Des Moines.

Jackson, a former Olympic gold medalist, took over for current Penn State coach Cael Sanderson four seasons ago. Though the program has struggled since Sanderson’s departure, Iowa State finished second at the recent Big 12 meet and doubled its dual meet victories from 2012.

Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard says he is encouraged by the progress of the program’s underclassmen. Seven of the team’s 10 starters this season were freshmen or sophomores.  Iowa State says full details of Jackson’s new contract will be released at a later date.

Atlantic senior shortstop Chad Christensen has been named as an honorable mention pick to the Rawlings/Perfect Game All-Central Region team.  The central region includes high school players from Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Christensen, who will become a five year starter for the Trojans this season, has committed to play at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City this fall.

Primarily a shortstop, who also handles some pitching duties, Chad helped lead Atlantic to a 19-11 record in 2012.