NFL Notes

— CHARGERS

Mathews out 4-6 weeks

SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Chargers will give several running backs a chance to replace last season’s leading rusher, Ryan Mathews, who had surgery Friday on his broken collarbone and is expected to miss four to six weeks.

“I like the guys we have here, and I’m excited about what they’ve been doing,” Coach Norv Turner said.

Mathews was injured on his first carry of the preseason in the first quarter of the Chargers’ game against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night and did not return.

Mathews led the Chargers with 1,091 yards rushing and a 4.9-yard average last season, earning him a trip to the Pro Bowl.

Entering training camp last month, Turner said Mathews was in the best shape of his career and should pile up bigger carry and scoring numbers this year because he’d get additional snaps near the goal line.

“That play could have happened on his 360th carry or his first carry,” Turner said. “Ryan’ll come back healthy. He’s on his way to having a great season. I don’t think this will deter that.”

Turner said several backs, including Ronnie Brown, Jackie Battle and Curtis Brinkley, will play in the three remaining preseason games.

Brown and Battle are veterans who joined the Chargers in recentmonths. Brinkley is in his third year with the Chargers, having averaged 3.5 yards in 32 career carries.

“We have backs in here who are capable of playing and playing at a high level,” Turner said. “This league is crazy. You have guys who have an opportunity when somebody gets hurt and they make the most of it.” SEAHAWKS

Moffit to miss 2-3 weeks

RENTON, Wash. - Seattle Seahawks guard John Moffitt is expected to undergo surgery on his left elbow and miss the next two to three weeks.

Moffitt’s elbow has been causing problems for him recently and forced him to leave practice early Thursday. His left arm was in a sling during Friday’s walkthrough.

Coach Pete Carroll said Moffitt is likely to undergo surgery to clean up some “loose bodies” in his elbow. Deuce Lutui will start in place of Moffitt at right guard for the team’s preseason opener tonight against the Tennessee Titans. Rookies J.R. Sweezy and Rishaw Johnson also are expected to see time at the position.

Carroll said the injury is not likely to force Moffitt to miss the season opener against Arizona.

PANTHERS

Injured Ziemba waived

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - TheCarolina Panthers have waived injured offensive tackle Lee Ziemba and signed free agent guard Andre Ramsey.

A former teammate of Panthers quarterback Cam Newton at Auburn, Ziemba was a seventh-round draft pick by the Panthers in 2011 and helped the Tigers to a national championship. The 6-6, 320-pound Arkansas native played in six games last season in a reserve role, but has struggled recently with knee problems.

Ziemba (Rogers) will revert back to the Panthers’ injured reserve list if he clears waivers.

The 6-5, 322-pound Ramsey went undrafted in 2009 out of Ball State. He spent time with Seattle, Buffalo, Baltimore and the New York Jets. He played last year for the Kansas City Command of the Arena Football League.

DOLPHINS

Knee surgery for Garrard

MIAMI - The agent for David Garrard says the Miami Dolphins quarterback will undergo arthroscopic knee surgery that is expected to sideline him for two to four weeks.

The recovery timetable likely takes Garrard out of the competition to win the starting job for the season opener in four weeks.

Garrard’s knee had been sore for a few days, and following an examination he decided to undergosurgery rather than deal with the issue throughout the season, said his agent, Al Irby.

The decision came with Garrard about to make his Dolphins debut in their exhibition opener Friday night against Tampa Bay.

For now, Garrard’s injury narrows the competition for the starting job down to holdover Matt Moore and first-round draft pick Ryan Tannehill.

BENGALS

Wharton injures knee

CINCINNATI - Left guard Travelle Wharton hurt his right knee on Cincinnati’s third play of the game Friday and left the field on a cart.

Wharton went down while pass blocking during the Bengals’ first possession of a preseason game against the New York Jets. He rolled over in pain and stayed down for several minutes while trainers checked his knee.

He didn’t put any weight on the leg as he was helped to a cart and taken for tests.

Wharton signed as a free agent last March after spending eight seasons with Carolina.

On New York’s next play, Bengals middle linebacker Rey Maualuga appeared to hurt his right ankle and limped off with help, putting his arms around trainers.

Sports, Pages 21 on 08/11/2012

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