Associated Press
CHARLOTTE ó The Carolina Panthers signed defensive tackle Antwon Burton to replace Louis Leonard, who broke his left ankle in Sunday’s loss to Atlanta.
The 6-foot-2, 325-pound Burton played at Temple and appeared in seven games with Denver in 2006-07. He was briefly with Kansas City and St. Louis last season and was released by the Rams earlier this month.
Burton is Carolina’s latest big body to help fill the hole at defensive tackle after Maake Kemoeatu ruptured his Achilles’ tendon in training camp.
Nick Hayden struggled in his place, then missed Sunday’s game with a toe injury. Leonard was acquired from Cleveland earlier this month and started against the Falcons before being injured with about a minute left. He was placed on injured reserve.
REDSKINS
ASHBURN, Va. ó The Washington Redskins have placed guard Randy Thomas (torn triceps) on injured reserve and signed running back Anthony Alridge from the Houston Texans’ practice squad.
n ASHBURN, Va. ó Now that he’s apologized for calling fans “dim wits,” Redskins rookie Robert Henson is apparently done with Twitter.
Anyone clicking on Henson’s Twitter account Tuesday got a message saying “Sorry, that page doesn’t exist!”
On Sunday night, Henson fired off many tweets at fans who booed the Redskins during their 9-7 win over the St. Louis Rams. Henson called the fans “dim wits” and asked how people who “work 9 to 5 at Mcdonalds” could know what’s best for the team.
BROWNS
CLEVELAND ó Tight end Martin Rucker, a fourth-round selection in 2008, was waived by the Browns.
CHARGERS
SAN DIEGO ó San Diego signed defensive tackle Alfonso Boone to help fill the void left when Jamal Williams was lost for the season with a triceps injury.
BUCCANEERS
TAMPA, Fla. ó Bucs safety Jermaine Phillips will miss the remainder of the season with a broken left thumb.
TRADE
BALTIMORE ó New England obtained linebacker Prescott Burgess from Baltimore for a conditional seventh-round draft pick.
BURRESS
NEW YORK ó Plaxico Burress apologized to his family and tearfully kissed his pregnant wife and young son goodbye Tuesday before he was led away to prison to begin serving a two-year sentence on a weapons charge.
With time off for good behavior, Burress likely will serve 20 months. He could be released from prison as early as the spring of 2011.
DRUG POLICY
NFL players have been warned the league’s drug-testing program is still in effect despite commissioner Roger Goodell’s ruling to delay suspending several players who tested positive for a banned substance.