Around the NFL Thursday’s news, notes

Colts: Anthony Gonzalez may be out longer than the Colts first feared and they appear to have a replacement for him, too. Coach Jim Caldwell said the third-year receiver out of Ohio State could miss up to two months after spraining ligaments in his right knee during Sunday’s 14-12 victory over Jacksonville. Indy has signed former Philadelphia receiver Hank Baskett to take Gonzalez’s place, and three-time league MVP Peyton Manning hopes he can find his way around the offense fast. The team made the announcement following Thursday’s practice. “Hopefully we can catch him up as soon as possible,” Manning said. The Colts play Miami on Monday night. Team president Bill Polian said the Colts would only sign a veteran receiver if Gonzalez was expected to miss more than four weeks. The next day, in an interview on NFL Network, Polian acknowledged Gonzalez was going to get a second opinion on the injured knee. Caldwell did not provide any new details about the injury Thursday other than to say: “It could be two to between six and eight weeks.” Initial reports indicated Gonzalez would not miss more than six weeks.

Jets: Pick up the phone! Rex Ryan is calling, and he wants you. New York’s coach is using a bit of unorthodox strategy for Sunday’s game, recording a 70-second message that was sent to every season-ticket holder. His plea is simple: He wants their help in making life “miserable” for Tom Brady and the Patriots. “Isn’t that just something Rex would do?” defensive end Mike DeVito said Thursday. “He likes getting everybody riled up. I love stuff like that.”

Rams: James Laurinaitis made 14 tackles in his first NFL start, 10 of them solo stops, plus he recovered a fumble. But the St. Louis Rams’ rookie middle linebacker is far from satisfied. Laurinaitis, the team’s second-round pick out of Ohio State, is looking for ways to improve his play in Week 2 at Washington. When he reviews game tape, he said he tries to ignore what he calls the good stuff. “As a football player, you have to be a perfectionist,” Laurinaitis said. “You always have to look at things you can improve upon and I’m sure if you ask anybody on the team, everyone has something to improve upon, even guys with a long time in the league.”

Eagles: The Eagles are holding out hope that quarterback Donovan McNabb might be able to play in their home opener against the New Orleans Saints. Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Morninweg said before Thursday’s practice that McNabb has been “working hard” and “doing everything in his power to get back out there.” McNabb fractured a rib on a touchdown run late in the Eagles’ 38-10 win over Carolina last Sunday. He was on the practice field for the team’s walkthrough Thursday morning, but did not partake in it. If McNabb does not play Sunday, third-year quarterback Kevin Kolb would make his first NFL start.

Associated Press