Bengals May Lose Carter for Season

Cincinnati running back Ki-Jana Carter has a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder and could be out for the rest of the season. Carter, the top pick in the 1995 NFL draft, was examined by doctors in Cincinnati and will get a second opinion today from Dr. James Andrews of Birmingham, Ala.

If Andrews confirms the tear, Carter would have surgery and likely be out the rest of the season.

Carter, who rushed for 104 yards against Denver on Sunday, had been complaining about soreness in his shoulder since training camp.

*

Running back Erric Pegram, who carried only nine times for 23 yards in the first four games, was waived by the San Diego Chargers.

A free-agent acquisition from Pittsburgh, he got off to a slow start after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery on the first day of training camp.

With John Carney possibly out for two games because of a sprained kicking knee, the Chargers needed to clear a spot for a kicker they expect to sign today. Kicker Greg Davis, cut by the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday, will work out for the Chargers today.

*

Viewers watching on ABC were under the impression Jacksonville won Monday night’s game against Pittsburgh, 29-21, rather than 30-21. That’s because ABC signed off before the PAT kick following Chris Hudson’s return of a blocked field-goal attempt for a Jaguar touchdown as time ran out.

It appeared the game was over and the players left the field after Hudson scored. But referee Gerry Austin called everyone back because NFL rules stipulate that teams must attempt the extra point in regulation but not in overtime. An ABC spokesman said the network couldn’t wait for everyone to return to the field.

Steeler Coach Bill Cowher admitted he considered tackling Hudson. “I could have,” Cowher said. “It crossed my mind. But thank God I didn’t.”

*

A specialist has examined the injured arm of Kansas City Chief linebacker Derrick Thomas and his status remains week-to-week, but Coach Marty Schottenheimer denied broadcast reports that Thomas, who didn’t suit up for the last two games, might be done for the year. Thomas, who saw limited action in the first two games, injured the triceps in his left arm early in training camp and did not appear in any exhibition games. . . . An employee of Seattle’s Kingdome was suspended after Seahawk cheerleaders found a camera hidden in a light fixture in their locker room.