Jets give Carter a chance

Herman Edwards believes not giving Quincy Carter a second chance would be a crime.

That’s how the New York Jets’ coach explained the team’s signing Tuesday of the former Dallas starting quarterback who was surprisingly released by the Cowboys three weeks ago.

The fact the Jets were desperate for a backup to Chad Pennington had a little to do with the move, too.

“The worst thing you can do to any individual is not give them hope,” Edwards said after Carter signed a one-year deal. “If a negative situation happens to a person in life, if you won’t give them hope, shame on you.”

Edwards hopes Carter provides a solid option should Pennington get hurt the way he did last summer. Pennington, entering his fifth NFL season, broke his right wrist a year ago in a preseason game and although the Jets had Vinny Testaverde as a backup, they got off to a slow start and never recovered.

Testaverde, coincidentally, now is the starter in Dallas, so in essence the teams traded quarterbacks.

“You know, in this game, we learn that surprises, there are a lot of them,” Carter said before donning a No. 17 jersey and throwing a handful of passes in a lengthy practice session. “I know that things happen and you’ve just got to move on.

“But I was shocked.”

•New York Jets defensive end John Abraham will meet with NFL officials today about a possible second violation of the league’s substance abuse policy.

Abraham already is tested under the policy because of a drunk-driving incident last year. He is not permitted to drink alcoholic beverages, but a recent test result showed a high alcohol content.

“John is currently addressing an issue with the NFL that is confidential,” his agent, Tony Agnone, said. “However, we can say that this issue will not interfere with his ability to be an active member of the New York Jets this season.”

Abraham, a two-time Pro Bowl player, would be subject to a fine amounting to four game checks (about $340,000) if he violated the policy again. A third strike could result in a suspension of at least four games.

Rivers reports to Chargers training camp

Rookie quarterback Philip Rivers officially ended his holdout early and took part in his first practice with the San Diego Chargers.

Rivers, the fourth overall pick in April’s NFL draft, signed a six-year contract worth a reported $40.5 million in base salary and $10 million more in incentives before practice, and then suited up and took part in drills.

“I’m glad to be back here doing the part of football that I love,” said Rivers, who agreed to terms late Monday. “(The holdout) was something that I’m not used to and it’s a tough, long process, but it’s over and I’m excited to be back practicing today.

“You’re a little anxious and uncertain when you’ve been out of practice for that long, but I thought it went well. The guys welcomed me back well, which I’m happy about.”

Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer said if Rivers has a strong week in camp, he may see playing time in Friday night’s exhibition game against the Seattle Seahawks in San Diego.

“If you don’t know me yet, you’ll know that I love to play,” Rivers said. “I’m gonna see how it goes. Coach Schottenheimer and those guys certainly know the best route to take and I’ll be ready to do whatever they choose.”

Rivers was the last first-round pick to sign. His bitter holdout wiped away roughly three weeks of practice and two exhibition games.

Cowboys trade OT to Carolina

The Dallas Cowboys traded offensive tackle Javiar Collins to Carolina for a conditional 2005 draft choice.

Collins was signed by the Cowboys as a free agent defensive tackle from Northwestern in 2001. He was moved to the offensive line midway through his rookie season.

Bills rookie QB injured in practice

Buffalo Bills rookie quarterback J.P. Losman hurt his left ankle during practice and had to be carted off the field.

Bills president Tom Donahoe didn’t update Losman’s condition, as the player was still having tests a half-hour after practice ended. The injury initially appeared serious, as Losman was unable to put any weight on his injured leg as he was helped into a cart and driven to the locker room.

Losman, the second of Buffalo’s two first-round picks, was hurt two hours into practice when he was finishing a run up the right side during a two-minute drill. As he was pulling up, cornerback Troy Vincent laid a shoulder into Losman’s upper body, knocking him over.

Losman got up and immediately started limping, before falling back to the ground. Trainers attended to him for about five minutes on the field, and Vincent came over and shook his hand.

Calling the collision an accident, coach Mike Mularkey said: “Troy’s not going to try to hurt anybody and J.P., he loosened up right there at the end – you can’t do that.”

Vikings sign Ross

Cornerback Derek Ross, who tied for the NFL rookie lead in interceptions two years ago, was signed by the Minnesota Vikings.

New Orleans was the latest team to waive Ross, a third-round pick by Dallas in 2002. Ross started nine games that season and had five interceptions. He also returned kicks.

Patriots release McCrary

The New England Patriots released veteran fullback Fred McCrary. The seven-year veteran joined New England before last season, starting three games before he was sidelined with a season-ending leg injury.

The 6-foot, 247-pound fullback was a sixth-round draft pick of the Philadelphia Eagles out of Mississippi State in 1995.

•The Patriots placed rookie safety Guss Scott on injured reserve.