Gonzalez Hoping to Play in Opener

All-Pro tight end Tony Gonzalez might be able to play in the Kansas City Chiefs’ first game of the season after an MRI exam revealed no serious damage to his sprained left knee.

Chief Coach Dick Vermeil said there were “tiny” tears in the tendons, “the kind you don’t repair and you let heal on their own.”

Gonzalez was injured during practice Tuesday when he was hit as he tried to catch a pass that was thrown behind him.

The Chiefs play their last exhibition game tonight against the St. Louis Rams and open the season at home Sept. 7 against the San Diego Chargers.

“We’re very pleased that it wasn’t serious and that he feels pretty good this morning,” Vermeil said. “A little bit stiff. The trainers felt very good about how the knee responded overnight, so we’re a lot more optimistic about him possibly being ready for San Diego than we were.”

Gonzalez, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, has sat out only one game in six years in the NFL.

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The Jacksonville Jaguars gave starting tight end Kyle Brady a three-year contract extension worth $9.5 million.

Brady, 31, has one year left on his current contract, which will pay him $2.9 million this season. His extension begins next year and includes a $2-million signing bonus.

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The San Francisco 49ers claimed defensive tackle Charles Hill off waivers from Houston.

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An Eden Prairie (Minn.) police officer was fired for allegedly obtaining credit cards in the name of Minnesota Viking running back Michael Bennett and stealing game tickets.

Police department spokeswoman Stephanie Grant said an internal investigation confirmed allegations of “misconduct relating to theft and fraud” against the officer, Brent Griffith.

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The New England Patriots completed an unbeaten exhibition season, rallying to beat the Chicago Bears, 38-23, Wednesday at Foxboro, Mass.

Running back Patrick Pass had two touchdowns and a 59-yard kickoff return, wide receiver Dedrick Ward made five catches for 100 yards and a touchdown, and Leonard Myers returned a fumble 93 yards for a touchdown for New England.

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Channel 5 was forced to cancel a scheduled telecast of Friday night’s San Francisco-San Diego exhibition game because of the Chargers’ territorial rights. Channel 5’s signal reaches San Diego.

The station instead will televise tonight’s game at St. Louis between the Rams and Kansas City Chiefs at 5 p.m.