Panthers Cut Former All-Pro Foster

Barry Foster is discovering how short NFL careers can be. Particularly for running backs.

Just three seasons ago, Foster led the AFC in rushing with 1,690 yards for the Pittsburgh Steelers. On Monday, he was cut by the expansion Carolina Panthers after carrying 22 times for 62 yards in exhibitions and missing two games with injuries.

“There was concern about the amount of production in the preseason and how it would extend to the regular season,” coach Dom Capers said. “There are no easy decisions when you reach this time of year and Barry was no exception.”

Foster, just 26, had been scheduled to make about $2.5 million this year, or nearly 7 percent of the $37.1 million cap.

Saints sign former Cougar

New Orleans claimed former Washington State linebacker Ron Childs off waivers after he was cut by Kansas City.

Childs will join another ex-Coug, linebacker Mark Fields, who was the team’s first-round draft choice this year.

Gragg may return

Offensive tackle Scott Gragg, the Giants’ second-round pick out of the University of Montana, could be ready to play in time for New York’s game with Kansas City on Sept. 10.

Gragg is recovering from a stress fracture of his right foot and will have his cast taken off Wednesday.

The Giants cut Kenyon Rasheed, the New York’s starting fullback the last two years. Rasheed, who fell behind Herschel Walker and rookie Charles Way, may be headed to Dallas, where his college coach, Barry Switzer, needs a backup for Daryl Johnston.

Beuerlein will start

Jacksonville coach Tom Coughlin named Steve Beuerlein, the first player chosen by the Jaguars in the expansion draft, as the team’s starting quarterback.

Coughlin chose Beuerlein to start even though former University of Washington standout Mark Brunell came off the bench to direct both Jacksonville victories during the preseason. Beuerlein started all five exhibitions, got most of the work with the first team and had the better numbers.

Turner makes contract pitch

The agent for holdout Pro Bowl safety Eric Turner said he has offered the Cleveland Browns a new, two-year proposal.

“I have not heard anything from them on that proposal and I have not received any new proposal from them,” Mike Sullivan said.

The Browns have offered a one-year deal worth $2.1 million and a three-year deal worth $8 million.

League investigates Marino

Miami quarterback Dan Marino’s recent purchase of Republic Waste Industries stock on the advice of Dolphins owner H. Wayne Huizenga has the NFL concerned about a salary cap violation.

In May, Marino was among approximately 150 Huizenga associates who took advantage of an offer from Huizenga to purchase the stock. Huizenga offered stock and stock warrants to those associates for $4.50 a share in advance of the May 22 purchase.

According to records released this month, Marino invested almost $390,000. Republic closed at $22.25 on Monday. Assuming Marino hasn’t sold yet, that’s a net gain of more than $1.5 million.

Notes

Kansas City has named Rich Gannon as its backup quarterback, relegating 1992 second-round draft choice Matt Blundin to the third string… . St. Louis continued negotiations with Tommy Maddox after the reserve quarterback went unclaimed on waivers… . Carolina signed running back Derrick Moore, who was released by San Francisco, despite having served as the top reserve to Detroit all-pro Barry Sanders for the past two seasons.