BROWNS: Versatile running back Jason Wright was placed on injured reserve by the injury-riddled Cleveland Browns on Tuesday. Wright hurt his ankle in Sunday’s 14-0 loss to Cincinnati, the Browns’ fifth straight and the fifth game in a row they failed to score an offensive touchdown. Wright played in every game this season on offense and special teams. He rushed for 85 yards on 23 carries and caught 22 passes for 156 yards and one touchdown.
The Browns (4-11) have been banged up all season and may have to start recently signed quarterback Bruce Gradkowski in Sunday’s finale at Pittsburgh. Quarterback Ken Dorsey hurt his ribs and sustained a mild concussion against the Bengals. He was only playing because both Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn were lost with season-ending injuries.
JAGUARS: Jacksonville Jaguars personnel chief James “Shack” Harris resigned Tuesday, taking the fall for a franchise that flopped this season. Team owner Wayne Weaver promoted Gene Smith to the position. Smith previously served as the team’s executive director of college and pro personnel. Harris received most of the blame for Jacksonville signing receiver Jerry Porter and cornerback Drayton Florence during the offseason. The Jaguars (5-10) paid a combined $23 million guaranteed to Porter and Florence to step into starting roles. Porter was slowed all season by a hamstring injury and finished with 11 catches for 181 yards and a touchdown. Florence was relegated to playing mostly in nickel and dime situations.
SUPER BOWL: Saying “times have changed,” FedEx Corp. announced it will not advertise during Super Bowl 43, set for Tampa Bay, Fla., on Feb. 1. FedEx has run ads during the Super Bowl broadcast for the past 12 years and has had an advertising presence in 18 Super Bowls since 1989. In a posting on the company’s web site Monday, director of advertising Steve Pacheco said, “there is a time to justify such an ad spend and a time to step back.” Some Super Bowl ad slots go for as much as $3 million. On Thursday FedEx said it will cut the compensation of its top executives, and freeze 401(k) contributions for a year, among other cost-saving measures, because of the weakening global economy. “We look very forward to the time when it makes sense for FedEx to advertise in the Super Bowl again,” said Pacheco. “For now, it’s just time for us to call a time out.”
Associated Press
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