nfl | News & notes

New York Jets: Brady Quinn is the newest member of the New York Jets’ quarterback carousel.

The Jets signed the veteran Monday to give them an experienced backup behind rookie Geno Smith, who appears likely to start the season opener against Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Quinn, a first-round draft pick of Cleveland in 2007, was cut by Seattle on Saturday. His signing also clouds the future of Mark Sanchez, who is sidelined with a shoulder injury and could miss at least the first few weeks of the season.

Quinn was on the field at practice with the other quarterbacks, while Sanchez was off to the side on a stationary bike during the 30-minute window the media were allowed to watch.

“It’s a great opportunity,” Quinn said. “The Jets are a historic organization. I think just to be able to work with a guy like (QBs coach) David Lee and coach (Marty) Mornhinweg, is a great opportunity for me.”

Green Bay Packers: The Packers have signed Seneca Wallace just days after he was released by San Francisco, Green Bay’s opening-game opponent.

Wallace is entering his 10th pro season, and replaces B.J. Coleman as the backup for Aaron Rodgers. Coleman was released Monday.

Wallace left the 49ers last week and San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh said the quarterback was “not going to continue to play football.”

After his first Packers practice Monday, Wallace said there was a “miscommunication” with the 49ers.

San Francisco 49ers: The San Francisco 49ers have signed wide receiver Chris Harper to a three-year contract.

San Francisco announced the move during its off day Monday before Week 1 preparation begins in earnest ahead of Sunday’s season opener against Green Bay.

Harper was a fourth-round draft pick by the NFC West rival Seattle Seahawks, who released him Saturday.

Also Monday, the 49ers traded linebacker Cam Johnson to the Colts. The team added seven players to its practice squad: tackle Carter Bykowski, running back Jewel Hampton, wideout Chuck Jacobs, cornerback Darryl Morris, guard Patrick Omameh, nose tackle Mike Purcell and safety Michael Thomas.

Denver Broncos: Cornerback Champ Bailey didn’t practice Monday and said his status for Thursday night’s opener against Baltimore was “still up in the air.”

Bailey has been out since spraining his left foot Aug. 17 in a preseason game at Seattle.

Entering his 15th NFL season, Bailey said the Broncos are “kind of leaving it up to me as far as going out there and make sure that I’m ready and I’m confident about it.”

He said some days it hurts backpedaling, other days when going side to side or running straight ahead.

Although he’s confident he can step in and play Thursday after such a long layoff, Bailey also recognizes that getting another 10 days before Denver’s next game, against the New York Giants, might be the prudent course.

Associated Press