NFL roundup \ Monday’s news and notes

Rams: St. Louis rookie cornerback Bradley Fletcher, a Liberty High graduate, will miss the rest of the season with two torn ligaments in his right knee. Fletcher, a third-round pick, started for the third straight game and was injured in the second half of Sunday’s 42-6 loss to the Colts. He’ll require two operations and coach Steve Spagnuolo said Monday he might not be ready for the start of next season. Long snapper Chris Massey also is set for knee surgery that will sideline him the remainder of the season. The team was auditioning potential replacements on Monday. Offensive guard Richie Incognito will be out this week with a ligament injury to his right foot. Tackle Adam Goldberg is likely to move to Incognito’s spot.

49ers: Alex Smith is getting a big chance to resurrect his career. All but forgotten, the former No. 1 overall pick is the San Francisco 49ers’ new starting quarterback — again. “I don’t know if I’d say surprised. I don’t know if I was anticipating it, either,” Smith said Monday after getting the news from coach Mike Singletary. “It’s the opportunity I’ve been waiting for; happy.” Singletary made the announcement Monday after also sitting down with Shaun Hill, who was benched after the first half of the Niners’ a 24-21 loss at Houston on Sunday. Smith, who hadn’t played in nearly two years, came in and gave the offense a much-needed jolt of energy and efficiency, and he nearly led San Francisco (3-3) back from a 21-0 deficit. Smith completed his first six passes and finished 15 of 22 for 206 yards and three touchdown passes to tight end Vernon Davis. Davis is the first 49er since Terrell Owens in 2001 to have three TD catches in a game.

Jets: Authorities say New York Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards has been charged with misdemeanor assault over accusations he punched a man outside a Cleveland nightclub. Cleveland city prosecutor Victor Perez filed the charge Monday. It carries a maximum sentence of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. An arraignment was scheduled for Nov. 17 in Cleveland Municipal Court. Patrick D’Angelo, an attorney for Edwards, says his client will plead not guilty. Edwards is accused of punching promoter Edward Givens, a friend of NBA star LeBron James, following an argument Oct. 5. Two days later, the Browns traded Edwards to the Jets.

Cowboys: Three-time Pro Bowl linebacker DeMarcus Ware and the Dallas Cowboys have finally agreed on a contract extension, a $78 million, six-year deal through the 2015 season that guarantees him $40 million.

Titans: Coach Jeff Fisher won’t say who will start at quarterback Sunday against Jacksonville, citing “competitive reasons.” Fisher has stuck with Kerry Collins over Vince Young this season in the Titans’ 0-6 start. The team has lost eight straight games dating back to last season when they sprinted out to a 10-0 start as part of the NFL’s best mark at 13-3.

Associated Press