Panther Coordinator Musgrave Quits

Bill Musgrave has resigned as offensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers. He got the job in January after serving as the team’s quarterback coach for one season. The Panthers ranked ninth among NFC teams in total offense and 12th in points.

Coach George Seifert said, “Bill told me this morning that he felt like it was in the best interest of the team to resign. We met at length and I tried to convince him to stay, but I couldn’t change his mind.”

Richard Williamson, the wide receiver coach, will assume Musgrave’s coordinator responsibilities. Williamson has been an assistant with the team since its inception in 1995 and was coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1991.

Carolina also cut kicker Richie Cunningham, who had made five of seven field goals, and signed Joe Nedney, who had been kicking for the Denver Broncos while Jason Elam was recovering from an injured back.

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Chicago Bear running back Curtis Enis underwent an MRI exam that showed his left rotator cuff isn’t torn. Enis injured his shoulder on his only carry during Sunday’s 27-24 victory over the Green Bay Packers and team doctors initially feared he might miss the rest of the season. Although the MRI didn’t reveal a tear, Enis will remain inactive until Thursday, when he’ll be re-evaluated. . . . The Arizona Cardinals will start Michael Pittman at running back instead of rookie Thomas Jones Sunday against Cleveland after Pittman had 144 total yards in last Sunday’s 27-20 loss to San Francisco. . . . The Washington Redskins signed guard Derrick Fletcher for the rest of the season, a day after learning that Pro Bowl guard Tre Johnson might miss the season because of a knee injury. Fletcher was a fifth-round draft pick for New England last year out of Baylor but didn’t play in a game. The 6-foot-6 355-pounder started the Patriots’ first two games this season, but was waived on Sept. 19 and joined the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad. . . . New York Giant rookie cornerback Ralph Brown, who lacerated a kidney in a game against the Chicago Bears on Sept. 17, was placed on injured reserve. Also, linebacker Kevin Lewis, who was waived Saturday when an injury forced the team to sign kicker Jaret Holmes, was re-signed to fill the spot on the roster. Brown, a fifth round draft pick out of Nebraska, played in two games, primarily on special teams. He was hospitalized in Chicago for at least four days after his injury.