NFL Notes: Browns' Lewis finished

BEREA, Ohio — Cleveland running back Jamal Lewis, who announced last month that he planned to retire following this season, was placed on injured reserve Wednesday with post-concussion symptoms, a premature and unceremonious ending to his illustrious NFL career.

Coach Eric Mangini, who declined to mention Lewis' injury in two press conferences this week, said the decision to put Lewis — and safety Brodney Pool — on IR came after consulting with the club's medical team.

Pool sustained at least his fourth known concussion against the Bengals.

The Browns' decision on Lewis and Pool came hours after the NFL implemented stricter instructions for when players should be allowed to return to games or practices after head injuries. Commissioner Roger Goodell sent a memo to the 32 clubs saying a player who gets a concussion should not return to action on the same day if he shows certain signs or symptoms.

Lewis rushed for 10,607 career yards, ranking him 21st on the NFL's all-time list. He was the league's offensive player of the year in 2003, when he rushed for 2,066 yards with Baltimore. But his final season was his worst. He ran for 500 yards on 143 carries — a 3.5 average — and did not score a touchdown.

Meanwhile, Pool faces a difficult decision on his future. The five-year veteran out of Oklahoma suffered another concussion in the third quarter on Sunday and may have to consider giving up the game.

Falcons' Turner still hoping to play

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta running back Michael Turner sat out practice Wednesday but isn't giving up on playing in a crucial game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He aggravated a high ankle sprain Sunday against Tampa Bay.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia's Brian Westbrook remains sidelined with a concussion, and teammate DeSean Jackson's status for the Atlanta game is uncertain after he sustained a head injury. Westbrook, an All-Pro running back, will miss his third straight game after sustaining his second concussion in a three-week span. Jackson, the Eagles' big-play wide receiver, was injured in Sunday's win over Washington.

In other injury news:

• Arizona's Kurt Warner says he had his “best day yet” since sustaining a concussion two games ago. Warner split practice time with backup Matt Leinart on Wednesday.

• Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio ruled cornerback Rashean Mathis out for Sunday's game against Houston. Mathis is nursing a groin injury.

• Buffalo starting cornerback Terrence McGee is questionable for tonight's game against the Jets. He has missed three games with a knee injury. Starting offensive tackle Demetrius Bell will miss his third game because of a knee injury.

• The New York Jets will be without cornerbacks Dwight Lowery (high ankle sprain) and Donald Strickland (concussion) against Buffalo tonight.

• The Bears placed linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa on injured reserve with ligament damage on his right knee.

Panthers may be ready to change QBs

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — There were hints at practice Wednesday that Carolina will have a new quarterback Sunday against Tampa Bay.

Matt Moore practiced with the first team, while an idle Jake Delhomme had his throwing hand wrapped and his index and middle fingers taped together.

Delhomme has thrown a career-high 18 interceptions in 11 games. He said he'd be “hard-pressed to grip a football right now” but wouldn't rule himself out Sunday.

Teammates were preparing for Moore's first start since 2007.

“I think this is a great opportunity for Matt,” receiver Muhsin Muhammad said. “Obviously, we won't do a lot of the things that Jake does well, but we'll do the things that Matt does well.”

Redskins sign former Mav

WASHINGTON — Washington has signed former UNO wide receiver Keith Eloi to their practice squad. Eloi, a rookie, signed with the Redskins as a free agent in May.

Raiders take hits from player, fans

ALAMEDA, Calif. — All-Pro cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha believes the problems with the Oakland Raiders defense are simple — as in the defense is too simple.

The Raiders have traditionally played man-to-man defense, with a single high safety, a four-man rush and little blitzing. Everyone knows just what the Raiders like to do defensively, including the opposition.

“We've got one way of doing it and that's what we do, and teams can get us into some tough situations,” Asomugha said Wednesday.

That's what happened last week when the Raiders allowed 384 yards on just 10 plays in a 24-7 loss at Dallas. Oakland gave up 494 yards overall. For the season, the Raiders (3-8) have allowed an NFL-worst 54 plays that have gone for at least 20 yards.

Meanwhile, disgruntled Raiders fans are making a high-profile plea for owner Al Davis to step down as the team's general manager.

A billboard was posted on the freeway near the Oakland Coliseum this week, saying “MR. DAVIS, DO THE RIGHT THING, PLEASE HIRE A GM.”

The group that put up the billboard says it has gathered 21,000 signatures for a petition asking Davis to step down as general manager. The petition also calls on Davis to hire a new GM, hire a Super Bowl-caliber coach and “agree to refrain from intervention in personnel or football operational matters.”

The Raiders (3-8) have won three Super Bowls under Davis but appear headed to a seventh straight losing season. Oakland's 27-80 record since the start of the 2003 season is the worst in the NFL.

— World-Herald Press Services

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