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CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Steve Smith had surgery Tuesday on his broken left leg, leaving the Panthers searching for replacements for their top receiver and kick returner. Both candidates, Keary Colbert at receiver and Chris Gamble at returner, are rookies.
Smith, who signed a $27.5-million extension in the offseason, led Carolina last season with career highs in receptions (88), yards receiving (1,110) and touchdowns (seven). He also averaged 28.1 yards on kickoff returns.
He broke his leg late in Carolina's 24-14 loss to Green Bay on Monday when he rolled his ankle as he was being tackled after a catch.
Coach John Fox said he was unsure how long Smith will be out but broken fibula typically take at least eight weeks to heal.
Saints get out of townNEW ORLEANS - The Saints joined the exodus of people fleeing New Orleans and moved their operations to San Antonio, Texas, far from the reach of approaching Hurricane Ivan. The team will practice and hold meetings in San Antonio on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday then return Friday afternoon for Sunday's home game.
BROWNS: Running back Lee Suggs was cleared to practice. He sat out Sunday with a neck stinger suffered two weeks ago in practice when he fell over an offensive lineman during a drill.
COWBOYS: Defensive tackle Daleroy Stewart was released to make room for starting nose tackle Leonardo Carson. Carson was suspended for Sunday's game for violating the league's personal conduct policy. He spent eight days in jail this past summer for trespassing and unlawful imprisonment stemming from a break-in at the home of his ex-girlfriend's sister.
EAGLES: Running back Dorsey Levens and offensive tackle Ian Allen signed. Levens, entering his 11th season, played for the Giants last season, rushing for 197 yards and three touchdowns. Allen, who played in 16 games last season for the Giants, replaces guard Shawn Andrews, who broke his leg Sunday.
49ERS: General manager Terry Donahue received a four-year extension through 2009. Financial terms were not disclosed.
PACKERS: Holdout cornerback Mike McKenzie will meet with coach and general manager Mike Sherman today. Sherman said there will be no adjustment in or promise to sweeten McKenzie's contract. McKenzie, entering the third season of a five-year, $17.1-million deal he signed in January 2002, became upset this offseason when several cornerbacks surpassed him in salary.
SEAHAWKS: Cornerback Tod McBride signed. He started nine games for Atlanta last season.
TITANS: Kicker Gary Anderson was signed to replace Aaron Elling, who was released. The 23-year veteran joins Tennessee after the start of the season for the second straight year. The regular kicker, Joe Nedney, hurt his knee during Week 1 last season and tore his hamstring before this season.
Also, guard Zach Piller might miss the rest of the season after surgery to repair his left biceps, which was ruptured Sunday. He is expected to be out 3-5 months, but the team has not decided whether to put him on injured reserve.
VIKINGS: Tight end Jim Kleinsasser will miss two weeks after an MRI exam revealed damage to his right ACL. The team first believed the injury, sustained Sunday, was a hyperextended knee. Running back Michael Bennett also will miss Monday's game. He sprained his right knee during the preseason but could be ready by Week 3.
Also, cornerbacks Terrance Shaw and Ralph Brown signed two days after backup corner Ken Irvin ruptured his right Achilles' tendon in warmups. Shaw spent the past two seasons with Oakland. Brown started nine of 37 games for the Giants and was cut by Washington this preseason.