Chargers Lose Wiley to Injury
Marcellus Wiley, the San Diego Chargers’ $40-million defensive end, has a stress fracture in his left foot and will be out three to four weeks.
Wiley was hurt in practice Wednesday and the injury was diagnosed during tests Thursday, Coach Mike Riley said. Wiley was scheduled for surgery Thursday afternoon to have a screw inserted in his foot.
Al Fontenot, who re-signed with the Chargers even though Wiley’s signing had relegated him to backup, will start in Wiley’s spot at left end in the Chargers’ opener Sunday at home against the Washington Redskins.
“This is not woe-is-me for this team,” said Riley, who presided over last year’s 1-15 squad. “It’s a blow, but it’s not going to affect us going into this ballgame as far as our attitude.”
The Chargers have their bye next weekend, so Wiley might miss a maximum of three games if the team’s prognosis is correct.
Wiley, who attended St. Monica High in Santa Monica, was the Chargers’ top defensive free-agent acquisition in the off-season. He signed the biggest deal in team history, a $40 million, six-year contract that includes a $9-million signing bonus.
Wiley had 101/2 sacks last year for Buffalo, when he replaced Bruce Smith in the Bills’ lineup.
Pro Bowl cornerback Troy Vincent of the Philadelphia Eagles hyperextended his right knee during practice and is questionable for Sunday’s opener against the St. Louis Rams.
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The Tennessee Titans, concerned about finding a backup for All-Pro running back Eddie George, claimed Skip Hicks off waivers and released rookie Dan Alexander, their sixth-round pick out of Nebraska.
Hicks was released by the Chicago Bears, and the Titans had to wait for the former UCLA star to clear waivers. Tennessee also has Mike Green, who set a season rushing record in NFL Europe earlier this year.
In another move, the Titans agreed to terms with All-Pro cornerback Samari Rolle on a six-year contract worth $37.5 million.
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Despite missing another day of practice, cornerback Jason Sehorn probably will play in the New York Giants’ season opener against Denver on Monday night, Coach Jim Fassel said.
Sehorn has not practiced since having his right knee flushed more than a week ago to reduce swelling. Giant receiver Ike Hilliard, who had foot surgery in the off-season, also missed practice and is listed as questionable.
Running back Michael Pittman will spend part of next week in jail while his Arizona Cardinal teammates prepare for their season opener against Washington. The Cardinals have a bye this week.
Pittman was arrested twice last summer after domestic violence incidents. He was suspended for one game without pay and isn’t allowed to visit the team’s facility or to have any contact with coaches. He also was given a five-day jail sentence.
Pittman’s practice Thursday was his last until Sept. 18.
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The Cincinnati Bengals placed defensive end John Copeland, who sustained a hamstring injury in practice Wednesday, on the injured reserve list and filled his roster spot by re-signing defensive end Jevon Langford. Langford is a former Bengal.
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The Dallas Cowboys were able to avoid their first television blackout in almost 11 years despite failing to officially sell out their opener.
While about 800 tickets were still available for Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay at 65,639-seat Texas Stadium, the Cowboys said the local blackout had been lifted.