NFL | Finneran suffers a setback
The Falcons receiver and former Villanova star reinjured his knee while rehabbing it.
The Atlanta Falcons do not know whether receiver Brian Finneran will be ready for the 2007 season after he hurt his surgically repaired knee recently while going through rehabilitation after missing the entire 2006 season.
Finneran signed a four-year, $8 million contract in March 2006, including $3 million in guaranteed money. Four months later, he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and suffered cartilage damage and a slight displacement of the kneecap.
Wide receivers coach Hue Jackson said yesterday that the team was awaiting the results of medical tests to determine the severity of the setback.
Finneran, a former Villanova star, played briefly for the Eagles in 1999.
Vick allegations. An animal-control official told Yahoo.com that Falcons quarterback Michael Vick had been seen at his house in Smithfield, Va., while illegal dog fighting was taking place.
Vick has said that he was rarely at the house, where officials have found evidence of dog fighting, and that he never took part in the practice. His cousin lived in the house, which Vick recently agreed to sell.
Kathy Strouse, the animal-control coordinator for the City of Chesapeake, said she was confident that Vick would be tied directly to dog fighting on the property.
Redskins. Chicago signed Brian Westbrook's brother, along with seven other players who attended the team's recent rookie camp. Byron Westbrook is a defensive back from Division III Salisbury University.
Packers. Brett Favre said he planned to skip Green Bay's mandatory minicamp this weekend, but head coach Mike McCarthy apparently has not excused the veteran quarterback.
Favre told the Biloxi (Miss.) Sun-Herald that he was unable to practice while recovering from off-season ankle surgery, but team spokesman Jeff Blumb said that as far as McCarthy was concerned, "the camp is mandatory."
Bears. Defensive tackle Tank Johnson could become the third player suspended by commissioner Roger Goodell when they meet today, three days after Johnson was released from jail.
Jets. New York signed five free agents, including former Virginia Commonwealth basketball star Jesse Pellot-Rosa.
Ravens. Return specialist B.J. Sams was acquitted of driving under the influence and negligent-driving charges in district court in Towson, Md., stemming from an arrest on Oct. 3.