NFL notes

— EAGLES

Center tears ligament

While players around him were constantly shuffled in and out, Jamaal Jackson held the Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive line together.

Now the Eagles have lost their anchor.

Jackson will miss the rest of the season after tearing a knee ligament in Sunday’s victory over Denver.

“It’s obviously a big loss. He’s a good football player,” Coach Andy Reid said Monday.

Jackson, who signed with the Eagles in 2003 as a rookie free agent out of Delaware State, made his 71st consecutive start against the Broncos and had been Philadelphia’s only offensive player to play every snap until he got hurt in the first half.

He had a magnetic resonance imaging Monday that revealed a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

PANTHERS

Report: Fox welcome back

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Injury riddled and out of the playoff race before December, the Carolina Panthers seemed certain to have their first season of at least 10 losses under Coach John Fox.

Instead, they’re playing their best football of the season, just in time for the embattled Fox to have a shot at returning in 2010.

A day after the Panthers (7-8) routed the New York Giants for their third victory in four games, The Charlotte Observer reported Fox and General Manager Marty Hurney will be “offered the opportunity to return next season” by owner Jerry Richardson.

However, the report Monday said Fox will not be given a contract extension. He’s due to make more than $6 million in 2010, the final season of his deal.

BROWNS

No decision on Mangini

BEREA, Ohio - New Cleveland Browns President Mike Holmgren has not decided if Coach Eric Mangini will be back next season.

Holmgren, who signed a five-year contract to try and fix the Browns, said he will wait until he arrives in Cleveland next week before making any changes. Holmgren plans to meet with Mangini after the Browns (4-11) complete their season. He said it would not be fair to discuss Mangini’s status with one game left.

“He’s at the end of finishing his first season, the team is doing well and responding to him,” said Holmgren, who was in Arizona on Monday and spoke to reporters on a conference call.

REDSKINS

Assistant interviewed

ASHBURN, Va. - The Washington Redskins have interviewed one of the team’s assistants for the head coaching position, the head of the group that monitors the Rooney Rule said Monday.

Fritz Pollard Alliance chairman John Wooten said secondary coach Jerry Gray interviewed with owner Dan Snyder several weeks ago for the job that is currently held by Jim Zorn.

Wooten said the interview satisfies the Rooney Rule that requires teams to talk to a minority candidate when filling a head coaching position. Wooten said it didn’t matter that the job is not yet vacant.

COWBOYS

DeCamillis heads home

IRVING, Texas - Dallas Cowboys special teams coach Joe DeCamillis was headed home from Washington on Monday, a day after undergoing an emergency appendectomy that kept him from missing Dallas’ victory over the Redskins.

“Everything went well,” Cowboys Coach Wade Phillips said. “He’s feeling good today. He’s sore. ... He says he’s going to be back tomorrow. It wouldn’t surprise me.” DOLPHINS

Source: Crowder out

DAVIE, Fla. - Miami Dolphins inside linebacker Channing Crowder is ending the season on crutches.

Crowder will miss the rest of the season with a right foot injury, a person familiar with the case said Monday. The person said Crowder underwent a magnetic resonance imaging Monday, but a decision had not yet been made regarding whether he needs surgery.

x-clinched division y-clinched playoff spot FRIDAY’S GAMES San Diego 42, Tennessee 17

SUNDAY’S GAMES Atlanta 31, Buffalo 3 Houston 27, Miami 20 Green Bay 48, Seattle 10 Carolina 41, NY Giants 9 Pittsburgh 23, Baltimore 20 Tampa Bay 20, New Orleans 17, OT Cleveland 23, Oakland 9 Cincinnati 17, Kansas City 10 New England 35, Jacksonville 7 San Francisco 20, Detroit 6 Arizona 31, St. Louis 10 NY Jets 29, Indianapolis 15 Philadelphia 30, Denver 27 Dallas 17, Washington 0MONDAY’S GAME Chicago 36, Minnesota 30, OT SUNDAY, JAN. 3 - All times Central Chicago at Detroit, noon Pittsburgh at Miami, noon New England at Houston, noon Indianapolis at Buffalo, noon San Francisco at St. Louis, noon Atlanta at Tampa Bay, noon New Orleans at Carolina, noon Jacksonville at Cleveland, noon NY Giants at Minnesota, noon Tennessee at Seattle, 3:15 p.m.

Philadelphia at Dallas, 3:15 p.m.

Washington at San Diego, 3:15 p.m.

Kansas City at Denver, 3:15 p.m.

Baltimore at Oakland, 3:15 p.m.

Green Bay at Arizona, 3:15 p.m.

Cincinnati at NY Jets, 7:30 p.m.

Sports, Pages 21 on 12/29/2009

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