Patriots put Seau on injured reserve

The New England Patriots put linebacker Junior Seau on injured reserve Monday after he seriously injured his right arm during Sunday’s victory over Chicago.

The 12-time Pro Bowl selection will sit out the rest of the season after coming out of a brief retirement to join the Patriots this summer.

Seau was hurt with less than nine minutes left in the second quarter, apparently when his right arm hit the back of Cedric Benson’s foot as he tackled the Chicago running back for no gain at the Bears’ 25-yard line. Seau’s arm bent at an awkward angle, and he went to the ground in obvious pain.

Coach Bill Belichick did not say Monday whether Seau’s arm was broken, and the team gave no details of the injury.

*

San Diego Chargers third-string cornerback Cletis Gordon was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. San Diego police took Gordon, a 24-year-old rookie, into custody in downtown’s Gaslamp Quarter about 2:15 a.m., some 10 hours after the Chargers beat the Oakland Raiders. His car was impounded, and he was released on his own recognizance later in the morning.

*

Ricky Proehl’s agent said the veteran receiver signed with Indianapolis, which has been without Brandon Stokley for most of the season. The 38-year-old Proehl agreed to a one-year deal that would be prorated on a $1.2-million base salary, his agent Alan Herman said.... Braylon Edwards blamed “my passion for the game” for his sideline tantrum during the third quarter of Cleveland’s 30-0 loss to Cincinnati. “I don’t feel like I embarrassed my teammates,” he said. “I embarrassed myself to some extent.” ... Denver Coach Mike Shanahan ended speculation by elevating rookie Jay Cutler to starting quarterback for the rest of the year, sending Jake Plummer to the bench.

*

The NFL announced that the kickoff for the New Orleans Saints’ game at Dallas on Dec. 10 has been moved to 5:15 p.m. PST so that it can be televised by NBC. Also, the Buffalo Bills’ game against the host New York Jets that day will now start at 1:15 p.m. PST and will be CBS’ featured game.

*

-- Larry Stewart