NFL Notes: Inconvenient truth hurts 49ers’ Gore
Frank Gore’s season is over – and what a hit for the San Francisco offense.
The 49ers placed their star running back on season-ending injured reserve Tuesday. Gore fractured his right hip during the Niners’ 27-6 win at Arizona on Monday night and was scheduled to undergo further tests to determine the severity of the injury. The team made the announcement less than two hours after Mike Singletary’s weekly news conference, then released a statement from the coach.
“It is unfortunate that we had to place Frank on IR,” Singletary said. “He is not only a great football player, but a tremendous leader. He plays with such passion and desire, two traits that will serve him well as he recovers from the injury.”
For now, Brian Westbrook and rookie Anthony Dixon will be called upon to carry a bigger load as the 49ers make a quick turnaround to play at Green Bay on Sunday.
Smith calls arrest ‘misunderstanding’
New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith says his weekend arrest in New Orleans on a domestic abuse charge was the result of “an unfortunate misunderstanding.”
Police say Smith and his wife, Racquel, were arguing just after 2 a.m. Saturday while leaving a nightclub.
Smith was booked with domestic abuse and simple battery. He’s free on $1,000 bond.
In a statement released by the Saints, Smith says what happened was “not a domestic issue” and his wife was not injured as reported. He says he’s confident “that the legal process will bear this out.”
NFL to offer refunds in event of lockout
The NFL will offer full refunds to fans with general admission tickets if games are canceled next season because of a lockout.
Each team will determine its policies for club seats, suites and payments for personal seat licenses, the league said.
Season ticket holders can choose to receive a refund or credits toward future games. Fans with individual game tickets can receive a refund or exchange the tickets for future games, with some restrictions.
Around the league
The Seattle Seahawks signed linebacker David Hawthorne to a one-year extension through the 2011 season. According to the NFL players association database, Hawthorne will make $900,000 in base salary for the 2011 season. It’s a raise of more than $200,000 from what he is making this season. … Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison was fined $25,000 for his penalized hit on Buffalo quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Harrison has four fines this season totaling $125,000. … The Green Bay Packers agreed to a contract extension with cornerback Tramon Williams. According to that report, the deal is worth $33.074 million and extends through 2014. … Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger is wearing a protective boot on his sprained right foot but is expected to play Sunday when Pittsburgh and Baltimore face off for first place in the AFC North. … Detroit QB Shaun Hill appeared to have a splint on the index finger of his throwing hand at practice. Lions coach Jim Schwartz said he wouldn’t comment about the injury because he didn’t want to tip his hand to Chicago, the Lions’ next opponent. … The Packers placed linebacker Brandon Chillar (shoulder) and tight end Spencer Havner (hamstring) on injured reserve.