FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets traded wide receiver Derrick Mason to the Houston Texans for an undisclosed draft pick.
Mason signed with the team in August to high expectations, with coach Rex Ryan predicting at least 80 catches for him. But he struggled early with 13 receptions for 115 yards and was benched in favor of rookie Jeremy Kerley in New York’s 30-21 loss at New England on Sunday.
Bears hope Peppers will be available for Vikings
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The Chicago Bears hope to have Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers available this week against Minnesota after he mildly sprained his left knee.
Peppers was injured in the first half of Monday’s loss at Detroit and briefly left the game. Coach Lovie Smith said the knee was “still sore” Wednesday, but he will “hopefully” be able to practice Friday and play this week.
Broken leg ends season for 49ers WR Morgan
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Joshua Morgan is done for the season with a broken bone in his lower right leg.
San Francisco placed Morgan, 26, a former Virginia Tech star, on the season-ending injured reserve list Wednesday after he was hurt late in Sunday’s win over Tampa Bay. He finished with 15 catches for 220 yards and one touchdown.
Around the league
• PACKERS: Green Bay right tackle Bryan Bulaga returned to practice after missing two games with an injured left knee, giving the Packers a glimmer of good news as they prepares for life without veteran left tackle Chad Clifton for the foreseeable future. Clifton injured his hamstring during Sunday night’s win at Atlanta.
• SEAHAWKS: Seattle linebacker Aaron Curry was not at practice Wednesday, and his locker was cleaned out. The team had no comment, but some teammates indicated that Curry, the fourth overall pick in 2009, no longer was on the Seahawks. He had fallen out of favor in Seattle, with rookie K.J. Wright taking over the starting strongside linebacker role.
• BROWNS: Cleveland starting cornerback Joe Haden and center Alex Mack are not practicing, and their status for Sunday’s game in Oakland remains unclear. Haden sprained his left knee Oct. 2, and the Browns’ top defensive back hasn’t been cleared to practice. Mack had an appendectomy Oct. 3, one day after playing all 87 snaps against Tennessee despite being ill.
• CARDINALS: Arizona signed safety Sean Considine and released punter Ben Graham. Considine, in his seventh NFL season, played in the first four games for Carolina this year before being released Oct. 4. Considine was a fourth-round draft pick of Philadelphia in 2005.
• CHARGERS: San Diego placed inside linebacker Stephen Cooper on injured reserve with a biceps injury. Cooper was hurt during an exhibition game on Aug. 21, but he ended up playing in the first five games. To take his roster spot, the Chargers signed inside linebacker Gerald Hayes to a one-year contract. Hayes spent his first eight seasons in Arizona.
• GIANTS: New York safety Kenny Phillips was fined $20,000 by the NFL for a hit on defenseless Seattle tight end Zach Miller last Sunday. It’s his second incident this season. Phillips also was fined $10,000 for unnecessarily striking Washington tight end Fred Davis in the head and neck area during the season opener.
• RAVENS: Baltimore center Matt Birk was n fined $5,000 by the NFL for removing a microphone from his shoulder pads during a game against the New York Jets. The NFL requires centers or offensive guards to wear microphones. Birk said he tore his microphone off after it came loose and was jabbing his neck.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.