Charles Woodson, 39, says he will retire after 18th season

Oakland Raiders safety Charles Woodson announced Monday he will retire following his 18th NFL season, ending a career that included a Heisman Trophy, a Super Bowl title and numerous other honors.

Woodson, 39, said he realized late last month this would be his last season and wanted to announce it before his final home game Thursday against San Diego. “I felt it was only right that Raiders fans, my fans, fans that have watched me play for a long time, I’d let them all know this Thursday night would be the last time in the Coliseum I would be able to run out there in front of our fans at home,” he said at a news conference.

Woodson is fifth all time with 65 interceptions and tied for first with Rod Woodson and Darren Sharper with 13 defensive touchdowns. He is a three-time first-team All-Pro selection.

Panthers’ denial

The Carolina Panthers denied that any member of the team taunted New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. with a baseball bat before Sunday’s game. Spokesman Steven Drummond said the team’s defensive backs regularly bring a bat on the field during pregame warmups to get motivated for opponents. It “represents them bringing the wood and making home run plays on defense,” he said.

Photos emerged Monday on the Internet of practice-squad player Marcus Bell and cornerback Josh Norman holding the bat on the field before the game.

Mathieu out for year

Safety Tyrann Mathieu, one of the inspirational leaders on the Arizona Cardinals defense, is out for the season with a torn ACL.

Coach Bruce Arians revealed the extent of the injury at his Monday news conference.

Mathieu injured his right knee after intercepting a pass in the final minutes of Sunday night’s 40-17 victory at Philadelphia.

It’s the second serious knee injury for Mathieu in his young career. He hurt his left knee in the 2013 season.

Mathieu, known to fans as the “Honey Badger,” was having an outstanding season and was the NFC defensive player of the month for November.

NFL vs. Brady

The NFL told a federal appeals court that Commissioner Roger Goodell was well within his authority to suspend New England quarterback Tom Brady in the Deflategate controversy.

In a brief filed with the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan, which has been hearing an appeal of a judge’s ruling that nullified Brady’s suspension, the league said the collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Players Assn. gives Goodell authority to discipline players for conduct “detrimental to the integrity of the game.” In papers filed earlier this month, the players’ union argued Goodell ignored the CBA when he upheld the suspension in July.

Mariota to miss a game

Tennessee quarterback Marcus Mariota will miss the Titans’ home finale against Houston because of a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee suffered Sunday against the Patriots. Whether the rookie-of-the-year contender is done for the season has yet to be decided, though interim Coach Mike Mularkey said the Titans will err on the side of caution.

Blackmon charged

Suspended Jacksonville receiver Justin Blackmon has been charged with driving under the influence in Ardmore, Okla. Court records show a misdemeanor count was filed Monday against the 25-year-old in Carter County, and that he was released on $850 bond. Blackmon was arrested at about 4:20 a.m. Saturday after an officer smelled alcohol in Blackmon’s vehicle. The arrest report says Blackmon failed a field sobriety test and refused a breath test.

Etc.

Brock Osweiler remains Denver’s starting quarterback pending medical tests on his injured left shoulder, and Peyton Manning will try to return to practice Wednesday, Coach Gary Kubiak said. The Broncos also disclosed that safety David Bruton Jr. played most of Sunday’s game at Pittsburgh with a fractured right fibula. The injury, suffered in the first quarter, will sideline him indefinitely. . . . Indianapolis’ quarterback situation grew more dire when Tennessee signed Alex Tanney from the Colts’ practice squad, and receiver Griff Whalen, the team’s emergency quarterback, went on injured reserve with a fractured rib. With starter Andrew Luck and backup Matt Hasselbeck still battling injuries, third-stringer Charlie Whitehurst is the only healthy quarterback on the roster. . . . Third-string quarterback Brandon Weeden could start for Houston in its potential AFC South title-clincher Sunday against Tennessee. T.J. Yates suffered a season-ending torn ACL Sunday and Brian Hoyer remains in the concussion protocol. . . . Robert Woods, a third-year receiver from USC, is likely to miss the remainder of Buffalo’s season because of a groin injury. . . . Green Bay activated tight end Andrew Quarless, who missed 10 games with a knee injury, and put rookie receiver Ty Montgomery, who’s missed eight games because of an ankle sprain, on season-ending injured reserve. . . . San Diego rookie running back Melvin Gordon has torn cartilage in his left knee and will miss the final two games of the season. . . . Veteran running back Steven Jackson announced on Twitter that he is joining New England, which has suffered several injuries at the position. . . . Dallas Coach Jason Garrett said Kellen Moore will be the team’s fourth starting quarterback this season Sunday at Buffalo, after he replaced Matt Cassel and sparked the offense Saturday in a loss to the New York Jets. . . . Cleveland right guard John Greco will miss the final two games with a knee injury.