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Panthers' Peppers On Injured Reserve

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The Associated Press

Published: December 27, 2007

Updated: 12/26/2007 11:36 pm

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Julius Peppers' disappointing season is over.

The Carolina Panthers placed the defensive end on injured reserve Wednesday with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee. The injury forced Peppers to miss Saturday's loss to Dallas, ending his consecutive games streak at 78.

Peppers finished with only three sacks in 14 games, ending a streak of three straight years with at least 10 1/2 sacks. He was not elected to the Pro Bowl for the first time since 2003.

The poor year leaves Carolina with a decision to make in the offseason. With one year left on Peppers' contract, the Panthers will likely have to rework his deal before next season to open up salary-cap space.

Before this season, it was assumed Peppers would get a new contract rivaling the six-year, $72 million deal given to Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney.

Peppers, who had a career-high 13 sacks last year, said earlier this month he doesn't believe his low numbers this year will affect his value.

Rookie Charles Johnson, who got his first start against the Cowboys, likely will start in Sunday's season finale at Tampa Bay.

Taking Peppers' place on the roster is kicker Rhys Lloyd, signed from Baltimore's practice squad to give Carolina a stronger leg for kickoffs. John Kasay has a league-low two touchbacks and has put five kickoffs out of bounds.

The Panthers also signed receiver Travis Taylor, who played briefly with St. Louis and Oakland this season. Taylor replaces center Justin Hartwig, who was placed on injured reserve Monday with a knee injury.

Also Wednesday, tackle Jordan Gross (ankle), safety Chris Harris (neck) and quarterback Vinny Testaverde (Achilles') missed practice.

BENGALS: Running back DeDe Dorsey, center Eric Ghiaciuc and safety Madieu Williams will miss Cincinnati's season finale after they were placed on injured reserve.

BRONCOS: Punter Paul Ernster's return to the Broncos lasted just one week. He was waived Wednesday after a poor showing at San Diego on Monday night.

BROWNS: Quarterback Ken Dorsey, who has served as a mentor for Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn this season, signed a three-year contract extension. Also, the Browns signed 13-year veteran Bobby Hamilton to patch up their banged-up defensive line.

DOLPHINS: Cornerback Andre Goodman was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury, and the team signed guard Ikechuku Ndukwe off Baltimore's practice squad.

49ERS: Quarterback Shaun Hill missed practice Wednesday with back spasms, and Coach Mike Nolan isn't sure Hill will play in Sunday's season finale at Cleveland. If he can't play, former Florida State QB Chris Weinke will start.

RAIDERS: Defensive tackle Warren Sapp said he does not expect to be suspended by the NFL after being ejected from Sunday's 49-11 loss to Jacksonville.

Speaking about the incident for the first time, the former Buc defended his actions and blamed the officiating crew for the situation which resulted in Oakland getting hit with four unsportsmanlike conduct penalties late in the first half, three on Sapp.

After the game, referee Jerome Boger said Sapp bumped umpire Garth DeFelice during the argument which was why he was ejected, a claim the seven-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman vehemently denies.

"Come on, I've never touched anybody in any shape, form or anything," Sapp said. "I've never been in a fight in this league. It's not about a fight."

SAINTS: With Reggie Bush (torn ligament in his left knee) and Aaron Stecker (turf toe) missing practice Wednesday, New Orleans may have an undrafted rookie, Pierre Thomas, and two players signed this week - Chris Barclay and Artose Pinner - as the team's only healthy halfbacks.

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