Oilers Likely to Play First in Memphis

A Houston Oilers’ official said the franchise likely will play its first season of Tennessee home games in Memphis instead of Nashville.

“We’re assuming at this point, and feeling fairly confident, that the team will be playing in the Liberty Bowl,” vice-president Mike McClure said.

NFL owners approved the Oilers moving to Nashville in 1998, but only if Congress did not pass any laws this session restricting such moves. The city won’t break ground on a new stadium until it is assured of getting the team.

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Punter Rick Tuten signed a two-year, $750,000 contract with the Seattle Seahawks, who placed defensive lineman Keif Bryant on the injured reserve list for the season and waived linebacker Tyronne Stowe, who is out for the season because of a broken arm. . . .Center Courtney Hall of the San Diego Chargers, who has missed only one of 118 regular-season and postseason games, was scheduled to undergo surgery for a cartilage problem in his right knee.