Big Raider Loss: Gannon Out for Season

Rich Gannon, last year’s league most valuable player, will sit out the rest of the season and have surgery on his throwing shoulder.

The Oakland Raiders put the quarterback on injured reserve Wednesday.

Gannon, 37, tried to throw Tuesday for the first time since getting knocked out of Oakland’s 17-10 loss to Kansas City on Oct. 20. He was able to raise his arm to throw, but couldn’t release the ball, Coach Bill Callahan said.

Gannon, a 16-year veteran, flew home to Minnesota on Wednesday to be examined by the same doctor who performed his shoulder surgery after his 1993 season with Washington. He sat out all of the 1994 season and then was released by the Redskins.

Callahan wouldn’t go as far as saying it is a career-ending injury and expects Gannon to play in 2004 for the Raiders, who are 2-7 and off to their worst start since 1964.

“It’s extremely tough to lose a player of this caliber,” Callahan said. “What he provides this team not only with his play, but his leadership and preparation, to have the MVP of the league miss almost half the season is disappointing. He feels bad. If there’s anybody who wants to get back on the field, it’s Rich Gannon.”

With backup Marques Tuiasosopo also out for the year because of a knee injury, Rick Mirer is expected to be the starter for the last seven games.

The Raiders also put backup center Matt Stinchcomb on injured reserve and elevated rookie linebacker Shurron Pierson from the practice squad. Oakland also claimed defensive tackle Terdell Sands off waivers from Green Bay.

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The New York Jets put veteran receiver Wayne Chrebet on injured reserve because of a mild form of post-concussion syndrome, which he developed after suffering a concussion against the New York Giants on Nov. 2.

Chrebet was hurt in the third quarter when Omar Stoutmire delivered a blow to the back of his head, causing Chrebet to briefly lose consciousness.

But Elliot Pellman, chairman of the Jets’ medical department, determined Chrebet had recovered and allowed him to return to the game.

Several days later, Chrebet complained of headaches and fatigue, and did not play last Sunday against the Raiders.

Pellman said the only way for Chrebet to get better is to rest.

He also expects Chrebet to return to the Jets next season.

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Giant tight end Jeremy Shockey received a second opinion on his sprained left knee and Coach Jim Fassel said Shockey could be back on the field in about three weeks.

“I am not saying it’s better,” Fassel said. “Some guys are quick healers and all that stuff.”

Shockey sprained a ligament in the fourth quarter of the Giants’ 27-7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

The Giants initially said he would be sidelined for six to eight weeks, basically the rest of the regular season.

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After serving a one-game suspension, Cleveland running back William Green was expected to return for this Sunday’s game. Now that doesn’t seem so certain.

Rookie running back Lee Suggs was activated by the Browns, a move that could mean Green will not be back.

Green was suspended by Coach Butch Davis for last week’s game in Kansas City “for conduct detrimental to the team” after being arrested Oct. 27 on charges of driving under the influence and possession of marijuana.

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Anthony Wright will start at quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, jumping from third string to replace the injured Kyle Boller.

Coach Brian Billick said that Wright’s mobility in the pocket earned him the job over Chris Redman, who was sacked five times in the Ravens’ 33-22 loss to St. Louis on Sunday.

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The Jacksonville Jaguars signed Kevin Johnson, the fifth-year veteran who led Cleveland in receptions this season but was released by the Browns on Tuesday.

To make room, Jacksonville released former UCLA standout J.J. Stokes, who had only 13 catches this year and spent a good portion of the season on the inactive list.

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Despite seven turnovers in the last two games, quarterback Brian Griese will make his fourth consecutive start for the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

Jay Fiedler sat out practice Wednesday, still lacking mobility because of a sprained ligament in his left knee, and Coach Dave Wannstedt picked Griese to start against Baltimore.