NFL ROUNDUP News and notes

Panthers: Coach John Fox said Monday that David Carr sustained a concussion late in Sunday’s loss to Tennessee and his status for next week’s game against Atlanta is uncertain. “He’s still be evaluated,” Fox said. Fox also said center Justin Hartwig (broken right thumb), receiver Steve Smith (hip) and defensive end Julius Peppers (toe) were injured against the Titans. None has been ruled out of the Atlanta game. But the biggest concern for Fox is Carolina’s endless troubles at QB. With Carr and Vinny Testaverde (Achilles’ tendon) banged up and original starter Jake Delhomme (elbow) out for the season, undrafted rookie Matt Moore is the only healthy QB. It could force Carolina to sign yet another quarterback this week. “I wouldn’t say that’s not a possibility,” Fox said. Carr, who missed a game last month with a sore back, started Sunday ahead of Testaverde, who is battling tendinitis in his right Achilles’ tendon. Carr struggled against the Titans, completing just 15 of 27 passes for 107 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the 20-7 loss. Carr, who had trouble finding receivers all day, was sacked seven times. He was knocked out of the game complaining of dizziness after being hit by Titans defensive tackle Tony Brown with three minutes left. “They’re not calling it severe. It’s just mild. I got my head knocked and got a little dizzy,” said Carr, who indicated he’s had only one other concussion, in 2003 in Houston.

Vikings: Test Monday showed that quarterback Tarvaris Jackson was recovering from the concussion that knocked him out of the game against San Diego. He even showed a sense of humor when he arrived at team headquarters Monday morning. “He said, ‘Hi, I’m Donovan,’ ” coach Brad Childress said of his first conversation with Jackson the day after a scary injury. Jackson was making light of a serious situation in the second quarter of the Vikings’ 35-17 victory Sunday. The second-year quarterback was injured after scrambling and taking a hit to the head as he dived to the turf. Jackson said he was knocked unconscious and was frozen on the ground in a peculiar position, with his right arm sticking straight out. A number of players on both teams took a knee in prayer, but Jackson got up after several minutes and watched the second half from the sideline. Childress said Jackson will be tested again today. “I don’t know what day he will practice on,” said Childress, who added the team will consider bringing in another quarterback this week.

Packers: Tight end Donald Lee signed a four-year extension worth just under $12 million, his agent said Monday. “He is really excited about the deal,” agent Brian Levy said. Lee, who has 29 receptions for 382 yards and a touchdown, has become an integral part of the Packers’ offense with Bubba Franks out with a knee injury. Lee received a raise from his current salary of just over $1.4 million, meaning the bonus on his new deal was $3 million, Levy said.

49ers: San Francisco put left tackle Jonas Jennings on injured reserve Monday with an ankle injury, and right guard Justin Smiley might soon join him with a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Losing two starters will test the depth of the 49ers’ once-solid offensive line, which has struggled to mount a significant rushing attack with running back Frank Gore this season. Gore sat out Sunday’s 20-16 loss to Atlanta with a sprained ankle, but is expected to return for San Francisco’s trip to Seattle on Monday night. Jennings has a lingering ankle injury that requires surgery, coach Mike Nolan said while announcing the end of another disappointing season for his oft-injured lineman. Jennings missed the 49ers’ last two games after spraining his ankle in a loss to the Giants. He has struggled with injuries almost every week since Nolan gave him a seven-year, $36 million contract as a free agent from Buffalo in 2005.

Raiders: A day after he missed setting an NFL record when his kick bounced off the upright, Sebastian Janikowski said he’s ready to try an even longer kick than the 64-yarder that failed. “I’ll kick whatever,” Janikowski said Monday. “I don’t care if it’s 80 yards. I want to attempt it. As long as I’m not short.” Janikowski came within inches of breaking the record of 63 yards held by Tom Dempsey of New Orleans and Jason Elam of Denver when his kick late in the first half smacked off the right upright. “It was going straight and the last 10 yards or so it turned a little bit,” Janikowski said. “I thought it was going to hit the goal post and go in, but I guess it hit the goal post going away.” Oakland (2-6) lost its fourth straight game, falling 24-17 to the Houston Texans.

Saints: Fans in the Louisiana Superdome can boo kicker Olindo Mare all they want. Coach Sean Payton is standing by him, even after he missed two more field goals — and heard about it from disgusted fans — during the Saints’ 41-24 triumph over Jacksonville on Sunday. Payton preferred to focus on the 46- and 34-yard field goals Mare made, especially the second one, which put New Orleans ahead by 17 points in the fourth quarter. “I was encouraged after those misses, when we really needed one in the second half to go up three scores ... I was happy he responded with that kick,” Payton said Monday. “That was important.” The Saints (4-4) acquired Mare in an offseason trade with Miami, hoping he would drive more kickoffs for touchbacks and hit more long field goals than John Carney did last season. Mare has been consistent in getting his kickoffs deep. “I wouldn’t generalize it as the kicking game as much as field goals specifically,” Payton said. Mare has made 6-of-12 field goal tries. Four of those misses were arguably inconsequential in games that ended with lopsided scores.

Associated Press