League Suspends Patriots’ Glenn

Terry Glenn of the New England Patriots was suspended for the first four games of the regular season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed the suspension on Friday but gave no details.

“All I can really say is the league has made its ruling and we will abide by it,” Patriot Coach Bill Belichick said in a press release.

Glenn was arrested in May, charged with abusing the mother of his 5-year-old son.

The receiver is entering his sixth year with the team. He will be allowed to practice with the Patriots until the suspension takes effect, the week before the regular season.

He will not be eligible to play until New England’s Oct. 7 game at Miami.

The Patriots also announced the signing of veteran linebacker Roman Phifer, who started 11 games at outside linebacker for the New York Jets last season.

Trent Dilfer, the only Super Bowl-winning quarterback to go into the following season without a job, signed a one-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks.

Dilfer had been in contact with several teams, but said he targeted the Seahawks because he wanted to work with Coach Mike Holmgren.

“I never was as good as I could’ve been,” he said. “Right now I feel that way. I don’t feel like I’ve been as good as I can be.”

The 29-year-old quarterback will be the backup to Matt Hasselbeck, who has never started a regular-season game. Dilfer is expected to practice for the first time today.

Tennessee had five offensive linemen go down with injuries and learned that defensive end Keith Embray is expected to miss the season.

An MRI exam showed that Embray, a 30-year-old end expected to back up Kevin Carter, suffered a tear of a triceps tendon in his right arm and likely will need surgery. If doctors operate, he would need four to six months to heal.

Tackle Ian Rafferty’s strained calf could keep him out a week or two. Guard Zach Piller partially dislocated his left shoulder and rookie center Chris Valletta sprained a joint in his shoulder. Tackle Jason Mathews strained a groin muscle and Gennaro DiNapoli was excused because of a virus but should be back today.

Indianapolis offensive lineman Tim Ridder apparently tore a knee ligament.

Ridder hurt his knee in the morning practice and had to be assisted off the field.

Defensive back Mustafah Muhammad practiced, returning quicker than expected from a strained hamstring. But running back Jim Finn, linebacker Josh Gentry, guard Larry Moore (knee) and running back Kevin McDougal (quadriceps) probably will be held out of action today.

Tampa Bay All-Pro fullback Mike Alstott will be out at least two weeks after pulling a left hamstring during practice. Receiver Jacquez Green also missed part of the workout because of a hamstring injury.

Santana Moss, the New York Jets’ top draft pick, will undergo knee surgery and be sidelined for at least three weeks. The receiver was hurt Wednesday night during practice on the artificial turf at Hofstra Stadium.

Tyrone Poole, who started 85 of 92 games over the past six seasons, left the Denver Bronco training camp after telling Coach Mike Shanahan that he lacked the necessary desire to compete for a roster spot. Poole signed a one-year deal with the Broncos in May after being cut by the Indianapolis Colts.

Miami Dolphin cornerback Patrick Surtain had arthroscopic surgery to remove torn cartilage in his left knee. Second-year cornerback Ben Kelly will move into the starting lineup until Surtain returns. . . . Doctors gave Jacksonville Jaguar safety Craig Miller a clean bill of health, a day after he was carted off on a stretcher because of a neck injury suffered in practice. . . . New York Giant halfback Tiki Barber will not need surgery to repair his broken left hand. Barber broke his hand in practice Thursday and will not play in the preseason. . . . Jerry Rice will make his debut for the Oakland Raiders tonight against the Dallas Cowboys.