Broncos defensive end Courtney Brown, whose career has been plagued by injuries, will miss the rest of the season and undergo another operation on his troublesome left knee.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2000 draft by Cleveland, Brown had knee surgery in August and hoped to return for the season opener. But he's been inactive for Denver's first four games and on Wednesday was placed on injured reserve.

He was replaced on the roster by former Green Bay defensive lineman Kenny Peterson, who practiced Wednesday.

Brown is one of the five former Cleveland Browns defensive linemen who play in Denver who are known as the ``Browncos,'' along with Kenard Lang, Gerard Warren, Ebenezer Ekuban and Michael Myers.

They all learned Wednesday that their position leader who hasn't played since the AFC title game in January was done for the year.

``What more can you really say but 'We've got your back and we're praying for you and hope you well for the surgery,''' Lang said.

Brown also had surgery on his right knee in 2001 and on his left knee in '02 and '04. He missed 33 games in his final four seasons in Cleveland. He signed with Denver as a free agent in 2005, but dislocated his left elbow during training camp with the Broncos last summer and sat out the regular-season opener against Miami. He finished with 38 tackles and two sacks in 14 games.Lions

Guard Damien Woody will miss the rest of the season with a sprained foot.

Woody was placed on injured reserve Wednesday. He was hurt Sunday at Minnesota, another blow for Detroit (0-5) and its already banged-up offensive line.

Linemen Ross Verba (hamstring) and Rex Tucker (knee) likely will not play Sunday against Buffalo (2-3), leaving the winless Lions with just two starters protecting quarterback Jon Kitna and opening holes for running back Kevin Jones.

Woody signed a six-year, $31 million contract - including a $9 million signing bonus - with the Lions in 2004 after helping New England win two Super Bowls. He played in all 32 games with Detroit the past two seasons after missing just four regular-season games in five seasons with the Patriots.

For the second time this season, the Lions put wide receiver Devale Ellis on the active roster from the practice squad - a move that might make it even harder for Mike Williams to get playing time.Bengals

Chad Johnson couldn't believe this number.

``Eighteen?'' he said, incredulously.

That's right. Johnson hasn't caught a pass longer than 18 yards this season, a shocking turnabout for a Pro Bowl receiver whose big mouth is usually backed up by the big play. For such a receiver, 18 yards is puny.

``You've got to be (kidding) me,'' the receiver said. ``Who do I talk to about that?''

The quarterback, perhaps. Maybe the head coach. Or, maybe it's best just to keep quiet and keep playing the part of decoy in one of the NFL's most respected passing attacks, the role he has assumed so far this season.

Even though his catches and his yards are way down, Johnson hasn't pulled a Terrell Owens or a Kellen Winslow. No look-at-me sideline outburst. No get-me-the-ball locker room harangue.

He blocks, runs his routes and makes his handful of catches each game without complaint, though he's not sure how he's managed to stay so calm for so long.

``That's a good question: I don't know,'' he said. ``I just think I'm not allowed to say anything or I'll get that wonderful label of being selfish, begging for the ball. So I just sit in my little cubbyhole and play on Sunday.''Bills

Starting cornerback Nate Clements missed practice Wednesday because of a sore right quadriceps, and it's uncertain whether he'll play against Detroit this weekend.

Coach Dick Jauron hopes Clements will be able to practice by Friday and ready to play Sunday.

Clements was hurt when he was leg-whipped by a Bears player in a 40-7 loss at Chicago last weekend. Listed as questionable, Clements did not walk with a limp Wednesday, a notable improvement after he had difficulty getting around the locker room Monday.

If Clements is unable to play, Kiwaukee Thomas would start. Buffalo (2-3) is already starting two rookie safeties: first-round draft pick Donte Whitner and fourth-rounder Ko Simpson.

The defense is further banged up with rookie tackle John McCargo out indefinitely after surgery Monday to repair a broken left foot.

Linebacker Takeo Spikes, who's missed four straight games with a hamstring injury, practiced fully, but is still listed as questionable. Starting right guard Chris Villarrial (ankle) is questionable after he missed last weekend's game.Jets

The Jets certainly could use a healthy Curtis Martin in their struggling backfield.

Coach Eric Mangini said he and Martin have discussed the possibility of the NFL's No. 4 career rusher rejoining the team when he's eligible to come off the physically-unable-to-perform list after this weekend's game.

``It's not something we're setting any timetable on,'' Mangini said Wednesday. ``It's more of going through the process, seeing how it feels, getting into more football-specific activities.''

Martin underwent surgery in December on his right knee, but was slow to recover. He was placed on the PUP list before training camp started so he could continue to rehabilitate the knee. Mangini would offer no indication Wednesday on how Martin's rehab is going or when he'll be able to rejoin the team.

According to NFL rules, a player on the PUP list can't be cleared to practice until after Week 6. So, after this weekend's game against Miami, the Jets have three weeks to decide whether to allow him to start practicing. Once Martin is cleared to practice, the team would have three weeks from that date to either place him on the active roster or put him on injured reserve and end his season.Jaguars

Cornerback Ahmad Carroll is closer to home, back in warm weather, working in a familiar defensive scheme and reunited with former college teammate Matt Jones.

Getting waived by Green Bay may have worked out well for the former first-round draft pick.

Carroll signed with the Jaguars on Wednesday, replacing linebacker Mike Peterson on the 53-man roster. Peterson was placed on injured reserve with a torn pectoral muscle.

The speedy Carroll should provide the Jags (3-2) depth at cornerback and maybe boost special teams. The move gives Carroll a chance to start over after two-plus disappointing seasons in Green Bay.

Carroll said he had an offer to play in St. Louis, but chose Jacksonville because it's closer to family and friends in Atlanta and gets him back to weather he's more accustomed to. Having Jones in the same locker room was a factor, too.

``It's almost going to snow in Green Bay because it's 40 degrees,'' said Carroll, the 25th selection in the 2004 draft. ``When I stepped off the airplane (in Jacksonville), I had a coat on.''Giants

Michael Jennings and David Tyree are giving the defense a show this week.The backup receivers are offering their best impersonations of Michael Vick to get the Giants ready for the mobile, strong-armed Falcons quarterback on Sunday in Atlanta.

A former track star at Florida State, Jennings is simulating Vick's speed. Tyree played in an option offense at Syracuse; the Falcons occasionally run that scheme.

``All I know is that we are going to have to stop Michael Vick, and if I can help, I am excited about helping,'' said Jennings, who has caught three passes in limited action this season.

``I know it's just hard for a defense with someone that fast who can throw the ball,'' Jennings said. ``He's real tough. He's a great quarterback. I'm excited. I'll go out there and do my best impersonation. So I'll be No. 7.''Chiefs

Running back Larry Johnson and kick returner Dante Hall both missed practice, but coach Herm Edwards remained hopeful they would play Sunday.

The Chiefs (2-2) already have a long list of injured players, including quarterback Trent Green, who will miss his fourth-straight start as he recovers from a severe concussion.

Johnson hurt his neck when he was tackled by the facemask in the final minutes of a 23-20 victory at Arizona. Hall sustained a hip pointer when he was returning the second-half kickoff against the Cardinals.

``They were both sore,'' Edwards said. ``I anticipate both will practice (Thursday).

Left tackle Kyle Turley, who missed the last two weeks with a sore back, was able to practice some and may be available for Sunday's game at Pittsburgh. Probably out, which makes Johnson's status even more of a concern, is No. 2 running back Michael Bennett.

If Johnson can't play, Dee Brown would probably be the starting running back.Rams

St. Louis sgned linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa to a five-year contract extension. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The 6-foot-1, 235-pound linebacker in his fourth-year out of Hawaii has led the team in tackles for three consecutive years.

``This is the type of thing we want to get done to maintain the continuity of our football team,'' coach Scott Linehan said. ``Certainly, it has to be earned and Pisa has. We're glad to say he'll be a Ram for years to come. I'm very happy about it.''

Through five games this season, he is fourth on the team with 24 tackles and one sack. In his career, Tinoisamoa has started 50 of 53 games. He has 424 tackles, six sacks and five interceptions along with 20 passes defensed, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

``We knew we could have went to the free agent market and just got loads of dough,'' Tinoisamoa said. ``That wasn't important to me. What's important to me is winning and being with a great group of guys who are getting better. We got that.''

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