Seahawks’ Payne out for year with knee injury

Logan Payne is going on injured reserve because of a torn knee ligament and Seneca Wallace is out up to a month with a calf injury.

They are the fifth and sixth Seattle Seahawks wide receivers injured this season.

Payne, the second lost for the season, started Sunday’s overtime loss to San Francisco but was hit on his right knee as he planted it on his only catch in the first quarter. Coach Mike Holmgren said the 2007 practice squad player injured his medial collateral ligament.

Wallace was a big part of Sunday’s game plan as an emergency fill-in receiver. But the backup quarterback pulled a calf muscle during pregame warmups and wasn’t available.

Holmgren says the team will be looking to sign or possibly trade for more receivers before Sunday’s game against the also-winless St. Louis Rams.

Cornerback Kelly Jennings has a broken rib but will play against the Rams.

Blown call costs referee

Ed Hochuli’s acknowledgement that he erred on a call late in Sunday’s San Diego-Denver game will mean lower grades for one of the NFL’s highest profile referees.

“Ed has been an outstanding official for many years, but he will be marked down for this call,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said. “Under our evaluation system, an official’s grades impact his status for potentially working the playoffs and ultimately whether or not he is retained.”

The play occurred with the Broncos at the Chargers 1-yard-line in the final minute. Denver quarterback Jay Cutler dropped back to pass, the ball slipped out of his hands, bounced off the grass and into the arms of San Diego linebacker Tim Dobbins.

Hochuli ruled it an incomplete pass. Replay ruled it a fumble, but it was spotted at the 10-yard line, where the ball hit the ground, and given to Denver because the rules did not permit possession to be awarded to San Diego because the whistle had blown.

Denver went on to score, convert a 2-point conversion and win 39-38.

Titans stick with Collins

The Tennessee Titans are sticking with veteran Kerry Collins as their starting quarterback as long as the team keeps winning.

Coach Jeff Fisher said so Monday following the Titans’ 24-7 windy win at Cincinnati. The Titans are 2-0 for the first time since 1999, when they made their lone Super Bowl appearance.

“We’re going to get Vince (Young) back, get his knee back, work with him, get him back involved in the offense,” Fisher said. “But Kerry’s going to go ahead and play for us until either he struggles or whatever else happens.”

Asked if he had relayed the decision to the injured Young, Fisher said he had not talked to the quarterback.

Panthers welcome back Smith

Steve Smith is back with the Carolina Panthers, just in time to join a team full of confidence after a 2-0 start.

The receiver’s two-game suspension for breaking teammate Ken Lucas’ nose in a training camp fight ended Monday.

“He’s ready to roll,” coach John Fox said. “Obviously, he’s excited to be back and excited that we’re 2-0.”