Associated Press
The NFL notebook …
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — An MRI Thursday revealed Carolina Panthers starting wide receiver David Gettis tore the ACL in his left knee and is expected to miss the remainder of the season.
“It’s disappointing because the young man had a good last few days and has a bright future in this league,” coach Ron Rivera said following Thursday night’s practice. “Whatever it entails, he’ll get it right and we’ll have him ready to go when he’s ready.”
Gettis injured his knee Wednesday night and was carted off the field after practice. He injured the knee while attempting to run a route.
“It was down in the red zone and he was releasing and he got jammed,” Rivera said.
TITANS READY TO PAY CJ
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Titans are ready to make Chris Johnson the highest-paid running back in NFL history — all he has to do is show up at camp so they can finalize the deal.
General manager Mike Reinfeldt told The Associated Press on Thursday that Johnson’s agent was the first person they called once the NFL’s lockout was lifted. The Titans reworked Johnson’s contract a year ago to give him more money in 2010 and promised to talk to him again a year later.
COTCHERY TO STEELERS
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to terms with former New York Jets wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery.
The seven-year veteran was released by the Jets last week. Cotchery gives the defending AFC champions some needed depth at wide receiver behind Mike Wallace and Hines Ward.
OSI, GIANTS DEADLOCKED
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Contract talks between Osi Umenyiora and the New York Giants remained deadlocked, the two-time Pro Bowl defensive end has told The Associated Press.
“No real progress as far as the contract goes,” Umenyiora said in a brief email to The AP on Thursday, adding that he does want to say much with his contract situation unresolved.
Seahawks 24, Chargers 17
SAN DIEGO — The Seattle Seahawks can only hope Tarvaris Jackson someday runs their offense as smoothly as Philip Rivers controls the San Diego Chargers.
Rivers went 5 for 6 while leading an 89-yard scoring in his only series for the Chargers, but Thomas Clayton rushed for a tiebreaking 25-yard touchdown with 3:05 left in the Seahawks’ 24-17 victory over San Diego on Thursday night in both clubs’ exhibition opener.
Eagles 13, Ravens 6
PHILADELPHIA — Just one meaningless game in, Michael Vick already senses something special building in Philadelphia.
Vick threw for 74 yards and a touchdown pass in his only series and the new-look Eagles beat the Baltimore Ravens 13-6 Thursday night in their preseason opener.
Patriots 47, Jaguars 12
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Blaine Gabbert had an inconsistent NFL debut and his Jacksonville Jaguars teammates didn’t do any better in a 47-12 loss to the New England Patriots in the exhibition opener for both teams Thursday night.
Playing against mostly backups as top players for both teams sat out the game, the Jaguars settled for three field goals on Gabbert’s six possessions. The 10th pick of the draft from Missouri completed 9 of 16 passes for 85 yards. He played the entire first half with starting quarterback David Garrard unavailable because of a back injury.
Another rookie quarterback, third-rounder Ryan Mallett of the Patriots, did better.
The former Arkansas standout played the whole second half and drove the Patriots to touchdowns on his first four series, helping turn a 19-9 halftime lead into a 35-point rout.