Thursday, September 25, 2008
Saints: Reserve quarterback Joey Harrington Wednesday, only five days after he signed. The Saints signed tight end Sean Ryan to compensate for the loss of Jeremy Shockey to a sports hernia. Harrington could be brought back to New Orleans later this season, but the Saints could not afford to use a roster spot on a third-string quarterback in the short term because they are currently short-handed at other positions. In addition to losing Shockey for three to six weeks, guard Jamar Nesbit has been suspended for four games for violating the NFL’s policy on anabolic steroids and related substances. The Saints this week re-signed offensive lineman Matt Lehr to make up for the loss of Nesbit.
Panthers: Carolina re-signed linebacker Donte Curry to replace the injured Dan Connor. Curry was released last week when receiver Steve Smith was activated following his two-game suspension. But Curry was brought back Wednesday, two days after tests showed Connor tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the Panthers’ loss to Minnesota. Connor was placed on injured reserve and will undergo surgery soon.
Dolphins: Outside linebackers coach Jim Reid left the team’s training facility in an ambulance after experiencing lightheadedness after practice.
Colts: The Colts signed David Greene, the former Georgia quarterback who broke Peyton Manning’s NCAA major college record for victories and finished his college career as the SEC’s leader in yards passing.
Vikings: Vinny Ciurciu’s knee injury doesn’t appear as serious as first thought and Sidney Rice’s knee is on the mend. Both players practiced on a limited basis and hope to play Sunday at Tennessee. Ciurciu, a backup linebacker and one of the team’s top special teams players, had a scary knee injury against Carolina. He says he feared he might have been lost for the season when he was initially hurt. But an MRI exam showed minimal damage.
Bears: Rookie left tackle Chris Williams practiced Wednesday on a limited basis for the first time since having surgery to repair a herniated disk in his lower back in August.
Eagles: Brian Westbrook ditched his crutches and walked into the Eagles practice facility. Whether the All-Pro Eagles running back is healthy enough to go from simple steps on his strained ankle to dashing off on an electrifying carry in time for Sunday’s game against Chicago is still in doubt.
Patriots: One of the few things New England did well in its worst home loss in 10 years was return kickoffs. Ellis Hobbs ran back six of them for 237 yards, a single-game team record, and leads the NFL with an average of 36 yards per kickoff return.
Jaguars: The Jaguars placed backup cornerback Scott Starks on injured reserve and signed journeyman Omare Lowe. Starks, a key contributor on special teams, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee Sunday at Indianapolis.
Associated Press