NFL

Giants make Shockey highest-paid tight end

NEW YORK - Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey signed a five-year, $31.2-million contract extension on Wednesday.

Shockey's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said the deal makes him the NFL's highest-paid player at his position. It includes a $3-million signing bonus. Shockey, New York's first-round pick in 2002 from the University of Miami, had two years left on his contract.

Shockey has 17 receptions for 251 yards and two touchdowns this season, averaging 14.8 yards a catch, a career best.

BILLS: Starting defensive tackle Ron Edwards was placed on injured reserve, his season over after shoulder surgery.

BROWNS: Wide receiver Braylon Edwards was released from the hospital but might not play for a month while recovering from an infected right arm. It was not known if Edwards has a staph infection, which could sideline him longer.

COWBOYS: Running back Julius Jones (sprained left ankle) and linebacker Dat Nguyen (neck) are questionable for Sunday's game against the New York Giants. Rookie Tyson Thompson or veteran Anthony Thomas likely would start if Jones can't play.

DOLPHINS: Ricky Williams had his first regular-season practice since 2003, and coach Nick Saban said that with Ronnie Brown he considers running back a two-starter position for Sunday's game against the Bucs. "We are going to start both guys, so you can't ask me which one is starting," Saban said. "One might play center and one might play tight end or wideout, but we are starting them both." ... Saban is upset about excessive penalties. But tight end Randy McMichael, who committed a costly taunting penalty at Buffalo on Sunday, said: "I'm going to play my game and do what I do. It's unfortunate it was a penalty, but I've seen worse and done worse. I'm not worried about it."

FALCONS: Quarterback Michael Vick said he expects to play Sunday against New Orleans after his sprained right knee held up in practice.

49ERS: Linebacker Jeff Ulbrich, second in the NFC with 41 tackles, was placed on injured reserve, ending his season. He is scheduled to have surgery today to reattach his biceps muscle to his arm. If he kept playing he could have lost half of the strength in his arm for the rest of his life.

REDSKINS: Coach Joe Gibbs said he was addressing probably "for the last time" the distracting situation of benched linebacker LaVar Arrington. Gibbs disputed Arrington's claim that the coaches haven't explained why Arrington isn't playing. "I've talked to LaVar more than any other player I've ever coached in 30 years, probably three times more," Gibbs said. "I've told him exactly what he needs to do." Arrington reiterated that he doesn't know why he's not playing, though assistant coaches have said he needs to practice better and that he is inconsistent in games.

SAINTS: Running back Deuce McAllister was placed on injured reserve with a right knee injury, ending his season.

SEAHAWKS: Wide receiver Darrell Jackson had surgery to repair cartilage damage in his right knee. He will remain in Florida, where the surgery took place, for another week and have an examination before returning to Seattle.

VIKINGS: Wide receiver Nate Burleson and nickel cornerback Brian Williams each have sprained left knees and will miss Sunday's game at Chicago. They went through warmups Wednesday, the first time Burleson has done that since he was injured in Game 2.

ARENA FOOTBALL: The Storm acquired former University of Florida lineman Thaddeus Bullard from Las Vegas in exchange for lineman Paul LaQuerre. Bullard, 6 feet 4, 270 pounds, had 15 tackles, half a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 11 games last season. The 6-2, 290-pound LaQuerre did not play for the Storm after he was acquired in a March trade with Grand Rapids for receiver/linebacker David Saunders.

Times staff writer Frank Pastor contributed to this report.

[Last modified October 13, 2005, 01:11:19]