Jamal Lewis Is Injured, Feared Lost for Season

Baltimore Raven running back Jamal Lewis tore a ligament in his left knee during practice Wednesday at Westminster, Md., and is likely lost for the season.

Lewis, who ran for 1,364 yards as a rookie last season, walked off the field before the end of the morning practice carrying his knee pad. He was not limping.

The injury was originally diagnosed by Raven trainer Bill Tessendorf to be a bruise, but an MRI revealed a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament and a sprained medial collateral ligament. The ACL will require surgery.

“This is difficult for Jamal. He worked so hard to prepare for this season and he certainly is a very important player for us,” Raven Coach Brian Billick said. “As a team, we have to move forward and find other ways to get the production we lose with Jamal’s absence. We will adjust. We have to adjust.”

Lewis, the fifth overall pick in the 2000 NFL draft, dislocated an elbow early in training camp last season but rebounded to start the final 13 games. His 1,364 yards rushing is a team record, and he caught 27 passes for 296 yards.

Lewis added 338 yards rushing in the playoffs and scored four touchdowns, including one in the Ravens’ 34-7 rout of the New York Giants in the Super Bowl.

Jason Brookins, who has never played in an NFL game, will replace Lewis. He will be backed up by fifth-round draft pick Chris Barnes.

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All-Pro linebacker Derrick Brooks ended a 10-day holdout, returning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers despite not having an agreement on a contract extension.

Brooks joined his teammates for a night practice and received a hero’s welcome from a crowd of about 5,000 that ringed the field and packed the grandstand at the University of Tampa. “It’s been a long day for me. I woke up this morning not really expecting to be here,” Brooks said. “To constantly get good news throughout the day made me feel good.”

The seventh-year pro, the team’s tackles leader the past three seasons, has two years remaining on a contract that pays him a little more than $3 million this season and about $5.5 million in 2002.

The Buccaneers, who have been able to keep the nucleus of a young team together by offering contract extensions to key players before they become free agents, have been trying to redo Brooks’ deal since November.

A lack of progress in talks led to his decision to not report for training camp on July 29.

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Terry Glenn missed practice for the fourth consecutive day and the New England Patriots refused to say whether they would take any action against the receiver.

Glenn’s agent, James Gould, had said the team told him it would suspend Glenn for the season if he didn’t appear at practice Wednesday.

The Patriots have not confirmed that and Coach Bill Belichick said after the second of Wednesday’s two practices that there were “no updates, no news.”

Gould did not return phone calls seeking comment.

On Friday, the NFL suspended Glenn for the first four regular-season games for violating its substance abuse policy. The team didn’t practice Saturday and Glenn has missed all five practices starting with the Sunday afternoon session.

Gould said Tuesday that the Patriots won’t trade Glenn, leaving him a choice between returning to the team or retiring. Glenn’s contract runs through the 2007 season.

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St. Louis Ram defensive tackle Ray Agnew retired after 11 years in the league to take on a dual staff role as director of player development and team pastor. Agnew, 33, had 231/2 sacks, six forced fumbles and one interception during his career. . . . Leonard Davis, a 6-foot-6, 370-pound offensive lineman and the No. 2 pick in the draft, signed a contract with the Arizona Cardinals but missed practice while the league’s Management Council examined the $35-million, six-year document. The contract was approved and Davis is expected to be at practice today. . . . Denver Bronco running back Terrell Davis will not play in Saturday’s exhibition game at Dallas because of soreness in his right knee and tightness in his right hamstring.

Detroit Lion defensive tackle Luther Elliss had arthroscopic surgery to remove bone chips in his left elbow. He is expected to miss three weeks. . . . Washington Redskin center Cory Raymer missed practice because of fluid in his knee. Defensive end Marco Coleman sat out again because of a sore knee. Running back Jamall Dinkins suffered a mild concussion at the morning practice and missed the afternoon session. . . . Dallas receiver and former Iowa standout Bashir Yamini, who had a leaping 18-yard touchdown reception Saturday against the Raiders, tore ligaments in his right knee in practice and is lost for the season. . . . Lightning in the area prompted the Tennessee Titans to move a special teams practice inside at the team’s practice facility in Nashville.