Seattle’s Dilfer Is Out Indefinitely

Seattle Seahawk starting quarterback Trent Dilfer is out indefinitely because of a sprained ligament in his right knee.

Team officials would not say Sunday when Dilfer could return. Dilfer and Coach Mike Holmgren were both unavailable for comment.

Dilfer injured the medial collateral ligament in his right knee during the second quarter of the Seahawks’ 28-10 exhibition loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday night.

Dilfer signed an $8-million, four-year contract in the off-season and Holmgren selected him as the starter last spring.

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Chris Samuels might be able to return from a sprained left ankle in time for Washington’s first regular-season game.

The All-Pro left tackle is expected to sit out the remaining exhibition games.

X-rays taken Sunday were negative.

The Redskins got a scare Saturday night when Samuels crumpled on a pass play in the second quarter against Carolina. Washington won, 37-30.

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Cincinnati Bengal linebacker Takeo Spikes has a slightly torn chest muscle and will be out two to four weeks.

Spikes got hurt while sacking Buffalo’s Drew Bledsoe in the first quarter of the Bengals’ 24-17 exhibition victory Friday night.

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Kendrick Office returned to practice and to his place as Buffalo’s starting left defensive end.

Office had sat out a week of practice, including the Bills’ first exhibition game against the Bengals, after suffering a concussion during joint practices with the Cleveland Browns on Aug. 2.

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The Bengals released offensive tackle John Jackson.

The 37-year-old Jackson, a 14-year veteran, had an angiogram early in training camp after two stress tests returned slightly abnormal results. The angiogram found nothing wrong with his heart.

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Coach Jon Gruden shrugged off questions about the battle for Tampa Bay’s starting quarterback job, saying there’s no debate over who’s first, second or third.

But things could heat up tonight when the Buccaneers open their exhibition schedule against the Miami Dolphins.

Incumbent Brad Johnson will start, Rob Johnson will go next and fourth-year pro Shaun King will finish.

“Brad’s our starter. I don’t know how else to put it. I’ve said that from the beginning,” Gruden said.