Chargers Sign Brees

Drew Brees, the record-setting quarterback from Purdue, agreed Monday night to a four-year contract with the San Diego Chargers.

The deal is worth roughly $10 million and includes a signing bonus of close to $2 million, a source close to the negotiations said.

Brees, the first pick in the second round of April’s draft, is expected to battle former CFL star Dave Dickenson for the No. 2 spot behind Doug Flutie. Brees, who missed the first 19 practices, is expected to be at today’s practice.

General Manager John Butler spoke with Brees soon after the deal was completed.

“I told him he gets to start the career he’s always dreamed about,” Butler said.

Continued pain in Jeff George’s shoulder will cost the Washington Redskin quarterback at least another week of practice and give Todd Husak the start in Sunday’s exhibition opener at Kansas City.

Redskin Coach Marty Schottenheimer said that if George doesn’t return to practice soon, he may have to simplify the game plan for the Sept. 9 regular-season opener.

George underwent an MRI test Monday, a day after he felt a “sharp pain” while throwing for the first time in six days. Initial readings of the test showed no major injury and confirmed the team’s earlier diagnosis of tendinitis.

After a rare day off, the Denver Broncos returned to the practice field for two-a-days without running back Terrell Davis and fullback Howard Griffith.

Davis was held out of practice because of tightness in his right hamstring and swelling in his right knee. Griffith is bothered by a pinched nerve in his neck, which has caused numbness and weakness in his right arm.

*

New England wide receiver Terry Glenn was again absent from camp. Glenn did not return Sunday after he was suspended by the league for the first four games of the regular season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

Team officials do not know where Glenn is. He can train until the suspension takes effect Sept. 3.

*

Santana Moss’ injury has required doctors to repair rather than remove cartilage from his left knee. That lengthens the recovery period by about eight weeks and means the New York Jet receiver, the team’s top draft pick, might not return until midway through the regular season.

Jacksonville safety Craig Miller retired, four days after being carried off the field on a stretcher following a neck injury.

*

Marc Bulger tossed a three-yard touchdown pass to Jeff Robinson in the fourth quarter and the St. Louis Rams beat the Miami Dolphins, 17-10, in the Hall of Fame game at Canton, Ohio.

Ram quarterback Kurt Warner played only one series as almost all of the front-line players for both teams watched from the sidelines.