Goodell, Upshaw to testify at hearing

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and union chief Gene Upshaw plan to testify Tuesday at a Senate hearing on the NFL’s retirement system and the problems for former players who are disabled from injuries.

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) will lead the hearings before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. Other witnesses will include former Chicago coach and tight end Mike Ditka and Hall of Fame running back Gale Sayers.

Ditka has been sharply critical of the NFL’s pension system, heading a group of former players seeking reform of the process, which is overseen by a board with members appointed by the owners and the NFL Players Assn.

“Football generates billions of dollars in revenue each year,” Dorgan said in a statement released by his office. “But injuries, many of which last a lifetime, are also part of the game. Many players say the NFL’s retirement system seeks to delay, or avoid altogether, paying disability payments to players with long-term injuries.

“The NFL says those complaints are overstated. The committee wants the facts.”

Baltimore Ravens left tackle Jonathan Ogden will almost certainly sit out Sunday’s game against the New York Jets, and the status of injured quarterback Steve McNair remained uncertain as the team began preparing for its home opener.

Ogden aggravated his hyper-extended left big toe during the first half of Monday night’s 27-20 loss to Cincinnati and did not play in the second half.

McNair was pulled in the fourth quarter because of a groin injury, and Coach Brian Billick could not guess whether McNair or backup Kyle Boller would start.

The St. Louis Rams put left tackle Orlando Pace on injured reserve, ending the seven-time Pro Bowl player’s season after one game because of a shoulder injury.

Pace will undergo surgery soon on a torn labrum and torn rotator cuff, and should need six months to recover.

The Rams filled his roster spot by signing tackle Brandon Gorin, who started 18 games for the New England Patriots between 2002-2005, including their Super Bowl victory in 2005.

Receiver David Boston was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, two days after police released results of a urine test that showed the eighth-year pro had a depressant in his system when he was arrested and charged with driving under the influence last month.

The Buccaneers said Boston, who hurt his foot during pregame warmups and did not play in last Sunday’s opener at Seattle, was let go after reaching an injury settlement.

The Oakland Raiders once again aren’t saying who their starting quarterback will be. This time the issue is Josh McCown’s health, not an attempt at a competitive advantage.

Coach Lane Kiffin kept secret his decision to start McCown over Daunte Culpepper in last week’s opener against Detroit, hoping to make the Lions prepare for two quarterbacks.

McCown did not participate in team drills because of an injured right index finger and a sprained right foot. He hurt his finger on the final play of the game when he hit the helmet of offensive lineman Cornell Green on his follow-through.