PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : NFC : Missed Kicks Cost Brien Job With 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers fired kicker Doug Brien, one day after he missed his second game-deciding field goal of the season.

Brien made a career-long 51-yard kick in Sunday’s 18-17 loss at Indianapolis, but his 46-yard attempt sailed wide right in the final seconds in the second defeat of the season for the Super Bowl champions.

Brien was inconsistent this season, going seven for 12 on field goals, including a dismal two for six on tries between 40 and 49 yards. He cleared out his locker and left without comment. No replacement has been named.

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The Washington Redskins have learned that No. 1 draft pick Michael Westbrook will miss four to six weeks because of an injured knee, another blow to a team struggling in the wake of another close defeat.

An MRI exam revealed that Westbrook sprained a left knee ligament in Sunday’s 24-20 loss at Arizona. The injury occurred late in the first half when teammate Terry Allen rolled onto Westbrook’s leg while being tackled.

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Green Bay receiver Robert Brooks broke his left thumb catching one of Bret Favre’s passes on Sunday, then later caught a touchdown pass.

Doctors discovered the break on Monday and put the thumb in a splint. Brooks is not expected to miss a game.