■ Panthers: Carolina signed receiver Dexter Jackson, a former star at Appalachian State, to its practice squad yesterday and released receiver Jason Chery.
The speedy Jackson was drafted by Tampa Bay in the second round in 2008 but played in only seven games last season with limited success as a kick and punt returner. He eventually lost his return job last season and was slowed by an ankle injury in preseason this year before he was cut Aug. 31.
■ Browns: The NFL is investigating a season-ending shoulder injury to rookie running back James Davis of Cleveland.
On Sunday, ESPN.com reported that Davis, a sixth-round draft pick from Clemson, was injured during a post-practice "opportunity period" when he was hit by a linebacker. According to the report, witnesses said that Davis was not wearing shoulder pads but the unidentified defender who hit him was.
Greg Aiello, an NFL spokesman, said that the league is aware of the incident and has been looking into the matter. Coach Eric Mangini confirmed yesterday that he has had discussions with the league.
Mangini said that the post-practice period is open to all players for extra work but that it's normally attended by rookies and younger players. He said that the workouts are in a controlled environment, supervised by coaches, and that he would never condone a situation like the one being reported.
Mangini confirmed that Davis will need surgery but would not say if it has been scheduled.
■ Bills: Middle linebackers Kawika Mitchell and Marcus Buggs will miss the rest of the season because of knee injuries, and both will need surgery, Coach Dick Jauron yesterday.
Mitchell was carried from the field after hurting his right knee in the second quarter when he was hit by two Cleveland linemen while trying to make a tackle. Buggs injured his left leg covering on a punt return late in the third quarter.
■ Redskins: Left tackle Chris Samuels will miss Sunday's game against Kansas City, another blow to an already fragile offensive line, after suffering a stinger early in Sunday's loss to Carolina.
Samuels had an MRI yesterday to determine the severity of the injury. Coach Jim Zorn said that Samuels has "some tingling" and that Samuels needs time to "quiet this thing down."
■ Colts: Coach Jim Caldwell said that Peyton Manning's left knee was sore but not seriously injured after Sunday's night victory at Tennessee. Manning said he was hurt late in the first half, when defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch hit him in the knee on a play that drew a 15-yard penalty, and after the game said he needed medical treatment.
Manning still completed 36 of 44 pass for 309 yards and three touchdowns for his fifth straight 300-yard game.
Caldwell did not elaborate on the injury other than to say he had not received a report from the doctors. The Colts have an open date this weekend and won't play again until Oct. 25 at St. Louis.
■ Titans: Cornerback Nick Harper will be out up to six weeks after surgery on a broken right forearm.
He is the second defensive back the winless Titans have lost to a broken right forearm. The other is Vincent Fuller, who was injured Sept. 27 against the New York Jets. The Titans hope he might be able to play Nov. 1 against Jacksonville.
Coach Jeff Fisher says the Titans will be stretched a bit thin for Sunday's game at New England and the team might have to make a roster move.
■ 49ers: San Francisco released return man Allen Rossum yesterday to open a roster spot for newly signed rookie Michael Crabtree. Rossum, surprised by the move when summoned to a meeting with Coach Mike Singletary, packed a few belongings and left team headquarters.
Rossum, 33, planned to return to his family in Atlanta and then decide whether to try to join another team or retire after parts of 12 NFL seasons. He ranks second in league history with 14,987 return yards.
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