In brief: Delhomme out for remainder of season

NFL: Though speculation about Jake Delhomme’s future with the Carolina Panthers ratcheted up after he was placed on injured reserve Thursday, the team’s position on him remains the same, according to general manager Marty Hurney.

“This move doesn’t change anything about his future,” Hurney said. “We feel the same about Jake as we did yesterday before we put him on I.R. We’ve made it clear we have confidence in Jake.”

Delhomme became the 11th Panthers player on injured reserve one day after testing the broken finger on his right (throwing) hand in practice and realizing he wasn’t healed enough to practice or play.

So his season was brought to a close with two games remaining – but that doesn’t mean he won’t return next year.

Regardless of whether he remains with the team, Carolina owes Delhomme $12.675 million in guarantees from the contract extension he was given earlier this year.

•Falcons’ Ryan likely to start: Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (toe) doesn’t believe his limited participation in practice this week will affect whether he starts Sunday against Buffalo.

Coach Mike Smith listed Ryan as “limited” after a two-hour session.

“I’m feeling pretty good. I’m getting a little better every day, which is a good thing,” Ryan said. “I’m just doing everything that I can at this point to get it back to where I can go back out there and play well.”

•Lions lose Stafford for season: The season is over for Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has been placed on injured reserve ahead of what the team calls minor right knee surgery.

Coach Jim Schwartz said the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 draft was to have undergone the surgery after the season. But Stafford was placed on injured reserve after a physical exam indicated he wouldn’t be ready to play in the Jan. 3 season finale against Chicago.

•Colts put Gonzalez on IR: The Indianapolis Colts have put receiver Anthony Gonzalez on injured reserve, ending his season.

Gonzalez sprained ligaments in his right knee in the season opener and later had arthroscopic surgery on the knee, delaying his return.

•Raiders’ Lawton suspended: Oakland Raiders fullback Luke Lawton has been suspended four games without pay by the NFL for violating the league’s policy against performance-enhancing substances.

The 29-year-old Lawton, who has played in 13 games with three starts this season, will miss the Raiders’ final two games this season and lose nearly $63,000 in pay. A free agent next year, he would also have to sit out the first two games of the 2010 regular season with whatever team signs him.

•Saints bring back Carney: Two days after waiving veteran kicker John Carney, the Saints have brought him back as a kicking consultant.

Saints coach Sean Payton said the 45-year-old Carney’s knowledge of the game from his 21 years of playing experience will be invaluable to second-year place-kicker Garrett Hartley.

Angels add closer Rodney to roster

Baseball: Reliever Fernando Rodney has signed a two-year, $11 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels.

The 32-year-old right-hander spent his first seven major league seasons with the Detroit Tigers, including the last two years as their closer. He converted 37 of 38 save opportunities last season, pitching a career-best 752/3 innings.

•Oakland nears deal with Duchscherer: Right-handed starting pitcher Justin Duchscherer has reached a preliminary agreement on a one-year contract that would keep him with the Oakland Athletics, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told the Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement has not been finalized. Duchscherer’s deal is pending a physical, so an announcement by the team might not come until after Christmas.

A two-time All-Star, the 32-year-old Duchscherer missed all of the 2009 season because of an elbow injury and was treated for clinical depression.

•Nationals add Capps: Reliever Matt Capps reached a preliminary agreement on a $3.5 million, one-year contract with the Washington Nationals.

Capps can earn an additional $425,000 in performance bonuses for games finished under the deal.

The pitcher’s agent, Paul Kinzer, said the agreement is subject to a physical that will take place in the first week of January.

Wizards’ Arenas stored guns in locker

NBA: Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas stored unloaded firearms in a container in his locker, according to the team, and the NBA is looking into the situation.

The Wizards issued a statement saying Arenas and the team have notified authorities and the league.

Arenas told the Washington Times he took his guns to the Verizon Center after his daughter was born this month. About a week later, he said he handed them over to team security to give to police.

“I wouldn’t have brought them to D.C. had I known the rules,” Arenas told the newspaper. “After my daughter was born, I was just like, ‘I don’t need these anymore.’ ”