Seahawks will sign QB Jackson, no longer interested in Kolb

Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson is set to sign with the Seattle Seahawks, a league source has confirmed to NFL Network insider Michael Lombardi.

Jackson, who will enter his sixth NFL season, has spent his career with the Minnesota Vikings, where he has served as Brett Favre's backup the past two seasons. Jackson has made 20 career starts, with his most significant playing time coming in 2007 when he started 12 games, throwing for 1,911 yards, nine touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

With the Seahawks expected to be without Matt Hasselbeck this season, Jackson -- who played under offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell in Minnesota -- figures to compete with Charlie Whitehurst for Seattle's starting job. The Seahawks also are expected to sign Matt Leinart, who played for coach Pete Carroll in college at Southern California, according to NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora.

La Canfora also reports that, with the signing of Jackson, the Seahawks are effectively out of the trade sweepstakes for Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb, adding that the team had reservations about how steep the price would be in trade and financial compensation.

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Chargers WR Jackson expected to sign tender, report to camp

San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson will sign his franchise tender and report to training camp on time, According to a source.

After being designated with the franchise tag last year, a disgruntled Jackson opted to sit out much of the 2010 season after failing to reach a long-term agreement with the Chargers. Jackson skipped the first 10 games of the season, returning in Week 12. In five games, Jackson had 14 receptions for 248 yards and three touchdowns.

Jackson was one of 10 plaintiffs in the Brady et al v. National Football League et al antitrust case.

Follow Albert Breer on Twitter @albertbreer.

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Vick unsure if Jackson will report when Eagles open camp

PHILADELPHIA -- Michael Vick was one of the first Eagles at team headquarters, lifting weights, catching up with teammates, doing all types of activities inside the state-of-the-art complex that he was banned from during the lockout.

He's ready to report Wednesday to training camp, even without a new contract.

Though Vick's not so sure his top target will join him.

Even with the lockout over, trouble looms for the Philadelphia Eagles after Vick suggested DeSean Jackson could hold out of training camp because the two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver is unhappy with his contract. Jackson enters the final year of his four-year rookie deal, and is set to earn $600,000, way below the market value for a top-flight receiver.

Vick said he doesn't know if Jackson will report to Lehigh University based on a conversation they had Monday.

"DeSean just has some things to think about," Vick said, "and some decisions to make that only himself can make."

Jackson's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, did not immediately return a request for comment. Rosenhaus and client Terrell Owens battled for a new deal with the Eagles in training camp in 2005. T.O. never held out, though he was eventually booted out of camp and, later, off the team.

But wait, there's more.

The Kevin Kolb trade rumors have been building for months, but with the window for deals open, the situation could take more time than most expected, reports Jason La Canfora. More ...

Kevin Kolb, once groomed as the heir apparent to Donovan McNabb, did not attend the voluntary workout Tuesday because he is on the trading block. It seems unlikely he'll be asked to report to camp this week as the Eagles work out a trade.

Kolb started last season as the No. 1 quarterback until a concussion opened the path for Vick's emergence. Vick responded with 21 touchdowns, 3,018 passing yards and was voted to the Pro Bowl. Kolb has been rumored to be traded to Arizona, and it appears his time with the franchise is over. Vick said Kolb, through text messages, is excited about his future.

"We'll see how it all plays out," Vick said, "but we're rooting for him."

Jackson wants a new deal. Kolb wants out. And Vick? Well, he's not demanding a contract extension, but the 2010 NFL Comeback Player of the Year is due one. The Eagles designated Vick with the franchise tag before the lockout, and now have until Sept. 20 to sign him to a multiyear contract or extension.

He's set to earn about $16 million this year. Vick once had a $130 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons that was the NFL's richest.

Vick said he's focused on football and not yet worried about signing a new contract -- or of negotiations becoming a distraction over the first month of the season.

"Everything happens when it's supposed to," he said. "I put that in the hands of God and this organization to make it happen."

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie did not talk to reporters as he walked into the NovaCare facility for a meeting.

Coach Andy Reid, starting his 13th season, is set to take questions on Wednesday when the Eagles open training camp in Bethlehem, Pa. The Eagles practice for the first time on Thursday and hold their first public practice Saturday morning. Camp will break at Lehigh on Aug. 17.

Dozens of Eagles made a pit stop in Philadelphia before departing for camp. Defensive end Trent Cole, running back LeSean McCoy, safety Kurt Coleman and wide receiver Riley Cooper were among the players who popped in for workouts.

"It's been a little different," McCoy said. "I'm excited. I talked to a lot of coaches yesterday. I was happy to talk to them. I'm just geared up and ready to go. It's been a long wait. Not knowing which way it would turn out, I'm definitely glad it turned out in a positive way."

Vick was surprised the lockout dragged on for 18 weeks.

"I thought it would be over soon," he said. "It's tough when you have so many agreements to put in place, so many moving parts. There were too many intelligent people working on everything, the CBA itself, not to get it done. It doesn't surprise me that we're here now, actually on time. It's a credit to those guys on both sides."

Vick had already lost two seasons of his career while incarcerated for 18 months in a federal prison for dogfighting. He was a seldom-used backup his first year in Philadelphia, then saw his career skyrocket after taking over for Kolb in Week 2. He led the Eagles to a 10-6 record and the NFC East title.

He's not wasting any more precious days of his career. Wearing a Nike headband, Vick enthusiastically spoke about handling the responsibility of being the No. 1 quarterback and leading the Eagles to a Super Bowl championship.

"It's more pressure, but that's what I thrive off," he said. "That comes with being a quarterback and being a great one. There's certain things you have to go through and be able to withstand in order to maintain greatness.

"That's what I'm on a quest for."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Jackson confident in his abilities as he moves beyond Vikings

For Tavaris Jackson, it's quite simple. The Minnesota Vikings aren't giving him a chance to be their starting quarterback, so it's time for him to find a new home.

"It's probably time for a change," Jackson told The Star Tribune on Tuesday. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to play up here the last five years. ... (But) I'm not trying to be a backup. I'm trying to go somewhere where I have a chance, and I don't feel like I'd get that chance here. It's time to move on. No hard feelings or anything. It's a business."

When the Vikings selected Jackson in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft, he was viewed as a raw player who had the skills to develop into a star. But Jackson never found consistent success as a starter in 2007 or 2008, and he was moved into the background when the team acquired Brett Favre before the 2009 season.

Favre's retirement ostensibly opened the door for Jackson to return to a starting role in 2011, but the Vikings showed their hand when they drafted Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder 12th overall in April. Minnesota didn't offer Jackson a contract before the NFL lockout, another sign the team had moved on at quarterback.

The decision to draft Ponder was met with derision from some Vikings fans, and Jackson says he can sympathize with how Ponder may feel about that.

"Since Day 1, I don't really think I was really welcome here anyways, because nobody really knew who I was, being from a smaller school," said Jackson, who attended Alabama State. "A lot more things probably play into it, too. It's just the way things are. I can't help that."

Asked to elaborate on his comments about the fans, Jackson added: "Just the way things happened, like the way I was thrown into there, the way where it was me or Brett (Favre) or all this stuff. Just a lot of different things played into it that kind of soured our relationship. Fans are going to be fans."

On-field performance likely also played a role in Jackson's reception from fans. He was 10-11 in 21 starts with the Vikings, including the playoffs, and he threw 24 touchdown passes and 23 interceptions.

The countdown concludes with a two-hour special revealing the top 10 on NFL Network on Sunday, July 3 at 8 p.m. ET. Stay tuned for a reaction show right after.

Jackson, 28, is moving forward, and he has been participating in workouts organized by Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald at the University of Minnesota. He has been moving well in the workouts, according to the Star Tribune, and appears fully healed from the foot injury that put him on injured reserve at the end of last season.

Jackson is talking like a player who knows his career is at the crossroads, and he's trying to do something about it.

"This reminds me of me transferring from Arkansas to Alabama State," he said. "Like (I have a) sour taste left in my mouth. It really, really motivated me to try to get to the NFL, and it really motivated me to try to be the best. I think this situation, the ways things happened here, it adds a lot of fuel to the fire."

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Jackson captures GMC Never Say Never Moment of the Year

DALLAS -- The votes are in, and the winner of the "2010 GMC Never Say Never Moment of the Year" goes to DeSean Jackson, wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles. ESPN's Mike Tirico and two-time Super Bowl champion Deion Sanders presented the trophy to Jackson at the Super Bowl XLV Media Center Wednesday as part of this week's festivities. Jackson's Week 15 performance earned 24 percent of total fan votes for eight finalists at www.NFL.com/GMC. After being hobbled by a foot injury that week, Jackson improbably returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the Eagles' comeback victory over the New York Giants.

"That was the first time in my career that I ever ended a game with a touchdown. I'm just very blessed to be in that position," Jackson said upon accepting the award Wednesday. "Everybody's calling it 'The New Miracle at the Meadowlands,' so I'm just honored to accept this award.

"I couldn't have done it without my teammates and my special teams coach. Jason Avant, he kind of threw himself in there to make a huge block to knock out the snapper to get me into the end zone. It's a great opportunity for me. Thank you for the support and to GMC."

Added Craig Bierley, GMC Advertising and Sales Promotion director: "Jackson's big play perfectly demonstrated the Never Say Never attitude that drives the NFL's best players. It's the same attitude we at GMC bring to work every day to design, build and sell the professional grade vehicles we know our customers want and value."

Jackson wasn't the only winner. In addition, participating fan Robin Phillips of Chico, Texas, was selected at random to win a 2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD, the first offering of the premium Denali line on a heavy-duty GMC pickup. GMC is the official vehicle of the NFL.

"This lucky fan is the latest to find out what the Sierra Denali HD is all about," said Bierley. "This powerful pickup blends Denali's premium features and styling with the Duramax-enabled capability that customers all over truck country have come to expect from GMC."

Donation of Super Bowl Tickets Scores Points for United Way GMC donated 70 Super Bowl XLV tickets to United Way Worldwide to help advance the organization's youth health and wellness goals. The online auction phase of 64 tickets netted $249,000. Phase Two of the United Way auction will include three pairs of tickets to be auctioned live at The NFL Experience at the Dallas Convention Center on Saturday, February 5.

All of the proceeds will go to United Way Worldwide to support the NFL and United Way Hometown Huddle -- a league-wide day of hands-on community service projects designed to give kids more opportunities to get active and healthy.

Now in its 37th year, the NFL-United Way partnership connects NFL PLAY 60 with United Way's goal to increase youth health and wellness. Studies show the obesity rate among children has nearly doubled in the last 10 years, with approximately 9 million American children over 6 years old considered obese and at high risk for health problems such as diabetes and heart disease.

"GMC recognizes how important it is to raise awareness about the issue of childhood obesity and to create new opportunities for young people to lead healthier lifestyles," Bierley said. "By working with the NFL and United Way, GMC is helping make communities stronger."

The eight finalists were selected among 17 of the most memorable moments during the 2010 NFL season. Each week, three nominees were chosen for the GMC Never Say Never Moment of the Week and NFL fans voted for the winner on NFL.com.

A closer look at the nominees:

FINALIST 1, Week 4: Roddy White forces a fumble

Trailing 14-13, Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan threw an interception with less than two minutes remaining in the game. But Atlanta received new life after WR Roddy White hustled to force 49ers CB Nate Clements to fumble during the return. The Falcons recovered and restarted the drive at their own 7-yard line, allowing Ryan to lead Atlanta to a last-second field goal for its second straight dramatic win.

FINALIST 2, Week 5: Jason Campbell leads Oakland to the win

Benched in Week 2, Oakland Raiders QB Jason Campbell waited patiently for a second chance. He got it on Sunday when QB Bruce Gradkowski suffered an injury at the end of the first quarter. Campbell answered the call by leading two long touchdown drives, including the game-winner with less than four minutes to play, giving the Raiders their first victory over the Chargers since 2003.

FINALIST 3, Week 6: Deion Branch sparks a comeback win in return to New England

Nine-year veteran Deion Branch proved you can go home again. Traded by the rebuilding Seahawks back to the Patriots, Branch produced his best game in three years in a hard-fought 23-20 win over the visiting Ravens. Branch finished with 9 receptions for 98 yards, including a critical fourth-quarter touchdown catch, and almost looked like he had never left.

FINALIST 4, Week 10: David Garrard's prayer answered in miracle finish

With the game tied, 24-24, the Jacksonville Jaguars were down to one play, and only a miracle could prevent overtime. Jaguars QB David Garrard dialed up a Hail Mary pass, took the snap with three seconds left, heaved it from his own 45-yard line, and watched it bounce off a Houston defender and into the hands of WR Mike Thomas, giving the Jaguars a win and keeping their hopes alive in the AFC South.

FINALIST 5, Week 11: Ryan Fitzpatrick directs Buffalo to a largest comeback in 13 years

One week after their first victory, things looked bleak again for the Bills, who trailed on the road by 17 points at halftime. But Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick wasn't ready to quit. Fitzpatrick threw three second-half touchdowns to WR Steve Johnson, leading Buffalo to 35 unanswered points and a 49-31 win over the Cincinnati Bengals for its biggest comeback win since 1997.

FINALIST 6, Week 13: Troy Polamalu's sack-fumble leads to a game-winning score

In a battle for first place in the AFC North, the Baltimore Ravens led the Pittsburgh Steelers, 10-6, with just over three minutes remaining the fourth quarter. On second down, S Troy Polamalu came off the edge and sacked Ravens QB Joe Flacco, causing a fumble that was picked up by LB LaMarr Woodley and returned to the Ravens' 9 yard-line. QB Ben Roethlisberger then found RB Isaac Redman for a 9-yard TD to give the Steelers the lead en route to a 13-10 victory.

FINALIST 7, Week 15: DeSean Jackson seals the Eagles' miracle comeback

After trailing 31-10 to the New York Giants with 7:28 remaining, the Philadelphia Eagles fought back and tied the game, which seemed destined for overtime. But WR DeSean Jackson would have none of it. Hobbled by a foot injury all week, Jackson returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the game, giving the Eagles an improbable victory.

FINALIST 8, Week 16: Tim Tebow leads Broncos' comeback

Broncos QB Tim Tebow might have convinced some folks that he is cut out for the NFL, after all. The rookie quarterback overcame deficits of 17 points at halftime and 13 in the fourth quarter to lead Denver to a 24-23 win over the Houston Texans. In the fourth quarter, Tebow passed for a touchdown, then won the game with a 6-yard rushing score.

About GMC
GMC has built trucks since 1902, and is one of the industry's healthiest brands. Today GMC is evolving to offer more fuel-efficient trucks and crossovers, including the Terrain small SUV and Acadia crossover. The new GMC Sierra Heavy Duty pickups are the most capable and powerful trucks in the market. Innovation and engineering excellence are woven into all GMCs, including the Yukon and Yukon XL and full line of Sierra pickups. Today GMC is the only manufacturer offering three full-size hybrid trucks. Details on all GMC models are available at www.gmc.com, on Twitter at @thisisgmc or at facebook.com/gmc.

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Report: Chargers would consider using franchise tag on Jackson

Would the San Diego Chargers consider keeping wide receiver Vincent Jackson after spending most of the season in a contract dispute?

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, yes, but most likely only for one more year.

The newspaper reported there remains almost no way the Chargers will sign Jackson to a long-term deal, but they would consider putting a franchise tag (likely worth approximately $10 million for one season) on him if such a designation remains part of the NFL's next collective bargaining agreement. The current labor deal expires March 4.

The team views Jackson, who has sought as much as $50 million for five seasons, as a risk because of his arrests for DUIs and driving with a suspended license. There is the potential for a long suspension from the NFL if he gets in more trouble off the field.

Jackson illustrated his value in this past Thursday night's victory over the San Francisco 49ers, catching three touchdown passes.

Jackson signed his contract tender for this season on Oct. 29 after Week 7. He missed the next three games because of a team-imposed suspension and being placed on the roster exempt list. By being eligible to play for the final six games (he missed one due to injury), he will accrue his sixth season toward free agency.

Jackson and his agent said at one point that the receiver wouldn't play at all this season because of his unhappiness at not getting a long-term deal. Counting the six games and the Chargers' Week 10 bye, Jackson will earn $240,058 rather than the $3,268,000 he would have made had he signed his tender as a restricted free agent before the season.

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Jackson caps Eagles' historic comeback with electrifying punt return

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Call it "The Great Escape."

Michael Vick engineered it. DeSean Jackson capped it. And the Philadelphia Eagles have control of the NFC East firmly in their hands because of it.

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Jackson scored on a 65-yard punt return on the last play of the game and the Eagles scored a team-record 28 points in the final 7:28 to stun the New York Giants 38-31 and take over first place in the NFC East.

"By far, this is one of the greatest comebacks of my career, being down by such a huge deficit," Vick said after accentuating his candidacy for the MVP award by throwing for two touchdowns and running for another in the incredible late rally that all but clinched the division for the Eagles (10-4).

"We were able to come back in a short period of time," added Vick, who threw for 242 yards and three touchdowns overall and ran for a game-high 130 yards. "It's outstanding. I give a lot of credit to my teammates. I have to thank God for the opportunity but it was, by far, one of the best."

The win gave the Eagles a sweep of the season series with New York (9-5). They need to either win one of their final two home games (Minnesota or Dallas) or have New York lose one of its two road games (Green Bay or Washington).

For Giants fans it brought back memories of "The Fumble" by Joe Pisarcik, the giveaway that allowed another group of Eagles to steal a late win in 1978 when all New York had to do was take a knee.

The loss left Giants coach Tom Coughlin so angry he threw his notes as Jackson backed into the end zone on his only punt return of game.

"I've never been around anything like this in my life," Coughlin said. "It's about as empty as you get to feel in this business, right there."

Until the rally, Jackson was more worried about making the playoffs.

"I probably don't even realize how big it is," said Jackson, who battled a foot injury all week and told coach Andy Reid only to use him on punt returns if the game was on the line.

Reid gave him the signal -- a whistle -- before the last punt to get on the field. The rest is the final chapter in the great escape.

"This is a special one," Reid said. "It was an exciting one. It was as exciting for you guys. It was a great day to be a Philadelphia writer."

Atlanta clinched a playoff spot with the Giants' loss.

Jackson's winning return came with game seemingly headed for overtime with 14 seconds to play.

Rookie Matt Dodge, who had been instructed to punt the ball out of bounds, got a high snap and hurried to get his kick off. He hit a line drive kick that Jackson bobbled at his 35. Once he regained control, Jackson broke through the initial wave of coverage and sped down the right sideline. It was apparent he was about to score, but instead of simply going into the end zone, he danced along the goal line before going in with zeros showing on the clock.

"I always try to do something out of the ordinary," Jackson said. "I probably would have dove in from the 12-yard line if I could. I knew nobody was going to catch me. I look to do things for excitement. The fans pay for that. I just wanted to bring that out of them."

As Jackson scored, the Eagles jumped on each other in a celebration they never could have expected. They were victimized by Eli Manning's four touchdown passes, including an 8-yarder to Kevin Boss with 8:17 to play for a 31-10 lead.

This loss could cripple the Giants' playoff hopes. They need to win out to clinch a postseason berth and the Packers' game will be crucial, especially because the final playoff spot might come down to head to head with New York and Green Bay.

Vick started the comeback with a 65-yard scoring pass to tight end Brent Celek on which the Eagles caught defensive end Justin Tuck in coverage.

New York fell asleep on the ensuing kickoff and Riley Cooper recovered David Akers' onside kick, a play on which the kicker may have been offside. A 13-yard pass to Jackson and a 35-yard run by Vick set up the quarterback's 4-yard TD run with 5:28 to go, cutting the lead to 31-24.

New York had a chance to run out the clock, getting to a second-and-6 at the Eagles 38. However a procedure penalty forced a punt and the Eagles tied the game with an eight-play, 88-yard drive that featured scrambles of 33 and 22 yards by Vick. He eventually capped the series with a 13-yard pass to Jeremy Maclin with 1:16 to go.

"When you are a part of it as long as I have been, you see a lot of crazy things," Giants' 11-year veteran linebacker Keith Bulluck said. "We had control the whole game, but that is why this game is so great. You have to play for 60 minutes, because in those 60 minutes anything can happen."

It did, and the Eagles made it happen in what has been a sensational season for Vick a little more than a year and a half after being released from federal custody for his part in a dogfighting ring.

The Giants dominated the opening half, outgaining the Eagles' top-ranked offense 222-74. Vick was under constant pressure, sacked twice, hit about a half-dozen other times and limited to six completions for 33 yards and only his fifth interception of the season.

Manning was given time by his line and made the most of it, leading New York on touchdown drives of 71, 73 and 8 yards, the last coming when Maclin lost a fumble late in the half and safety Kenny Phillips returned the ball to the Philadelphia 8 with :09 to go.

Manning found Nicks in the right corner 4 seconds later for a 24-3 halftime lead.

Manningham, limited all week in practice because of a hip flexor, showed up big-time on game day, catching touchdown passes of 35 and 33 yards to open a 14-3 lead.

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Philadelphia's defense set up its first three points. Darryl Tapp tipped a pass and Quintin Mikell intercepted at the Giants 45. An 11-yard scramble by Vick and a personal foul gave the Eagles a first down at the 19. They got a 34-yard field goal by Akers.

Manning made up for the mistake on the next series, capping a 73-yard drive with the 33-yard pass to Manningham, who motored the final 20 yards after Dimitri Patterson slipped.

NOTES: The punt return TD was the fourth of Jackson's career. ... The Eagles have rallied to win four of their last five games, outscoring opponents 79-21 in the fourth quarter of that span. It was the ninth time in NFL history a team trailed by 21 points in the fourth quarter and won the game, and the first by the Eagles. Their 28 fourth-quarter points were the most in team history.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Eagles WR Jackson 'ready to roll' vs. Colts, coach says

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Rams RB Jackson ready to go vs. Panthers after finger surgery

ST. LOUIS -- Steven Jackson had surgery Monday for a broken ring finger on his left hand. No big deal: The Rams' running back usually carries the ball in his right hand anyway.

Jackson said Thursday that he will play Sunday when the Carolina Panthers (1-5) visit the Rams (3-4).

"Absolutely, I will definitely be out there Sunday," said Jackson, who had two pins inserted into the finger. "The surgery went fine. Everything went well. It's unfortunate it had to happen. It's on the left hand, so it's not a big deal as if it was my right hand."

Despite missing practice, Steven Jackson should still suit up and is a strong start against a struggling Panthers defense. No reason to panic as of yet. More ...

The pins will be in Jackson's hand for six to eight weeks. Jackson didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday. He said he might work out Friday.

"I don't see why not," Jackson said about practicing Friday. "First thing, we want to make sure infection doesn't happen. Pain is going to occur. That's something we're not trying to avoid. That's not something we're thinking won't happen. Pain will be part of the game Sunday."

Playing with pain or an injury is nothing new for Jackson.

Earlier this season, Jackson sustained a groin injury against the Washington Redskins in Week 3 and wore extra padding in the next two games before healing. Last season, he played with a sore back.

That Jackson plans to play doesn't surprise Rams guard Jacob Bell.

"He's like Brett Favre, man," Bell said. "You got to count in him until he's out. Nothing really stops the guy."

Jackson is a big part of the St. Louis offense.

Jackson became the Rams' all-time leading rusher Sunday at Tampa Bay, where he had his third consecutive 100-yard game, finishing with 110 yards on 22 carries. He moved ahead of Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson when he gained three yards early in the second quarter. Dickerson gained 7,245 yards for the Rams from 1983 to 1987. Jackson stands at 7,324.

Jackson's 617 rushing yards this season rank fourth in the NFL and second in the NFC behind Minnesota's Adrian Peterson (684).

Jackson will look at some different protections for his hand.

"We're going to experiment with a couple of different things," Jackson said. "It will be some sort of soft cast to protect the ring finger. It won't be a club. Something that's functional that will allow me carry the ball, catch the ball and hold the ball. We'll play around with it. We'll see what we come up with."

Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said he believes Jackson will be able to work around the injury.

"I'm sure it's not going all that comfortable having to put something on you and lug a football around and try to shed blockers," Spagnuolo said. "He's dealt with injuries before, so we'll be optimistic."

Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said not practicing this week shouldn't affect Jackson's ability Sunday.

"I guess I've learned that we keep practicing and coaching, and on Sunday, we see who's there," Shurmur said. "Steven has displayed an ability to play extremely well with limited practice. So, that's kind of the approach we're taking at this point."

Shurmur noted that Jackson can play with pain. It won't change any plays Shurmur might want to call for his big back.

"With a warrior-type player like Steven, it's not as much of a concern as it would be a player who's dealing with his first injury," Shurmur said.

Jackson said he'll do his best regardless.

"Just like with any injury, you've got to perform at the level you can," Jackson said.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Rams say RB Jackson day to day after surgery on left ring finger

Steven Jackson set the St. Louis Rams' franchise rushing record over the weekend -- despite playing with a broken finger.

Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said the running back had surgery on his left ring finger Monday. The Rams said two pins were put into the finger, and Jackson's status for this Sunday's home game against the Carolina Panthers was unknown.

"Yes, I had surgery on my ring finger but I shouldn't miss a beat," Jackson wrote on his Twitter page. "I'm not married so I'm covered there too."

Jackson sustained the injury last Sunday during the Rams' 18-17 road loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He rushed for 110 yards, his third consecutive game over the century mark, and passed Eric Dickerson to become the Rams' all-time rushing leader.

"He didn't think it was a big deal," Spagnuolo said of Jackson's reaction to the injury. "He kept playing. ... He's going to be sore. Hopefully, he'll be able to play this week. We'll know more after he gets through it. ... He's just a warrior. He goes out and plays, and we find out later on there's a crack in there."

Jackson's 617 rushing yards rank fourth in the NFL this season and second in the NFC behind Minnesota's Adrian Peterson (684). In his six seasons with the Rams, Jackson has 7,324 yards.

"Wonderful, wonderful thing for him, for this organization, for all the guys along the way that have blocked for him," Spagnuolo said of Jackson breaking the Rams' rushing record. "Hopefully there's a lot more yards to come."

Still, the Rams continued their trend of losing games on the road with Sunday's loss, struggling again in the second half.

The Rams, who have lost six consecutive road games and have one win in their last 16 road games, led 17-6 at halftime but were unable to score again. St. Louis hasn't scored a touchdown in the second half of its last three games and has been outscored 46-3 in the final two quarters during that stretch.

"It's not one thing," Spagnuolo said. "I told the guys in there, 'Don't be deep-thinking this thing.' Should we have won the game 17-12, we would have won it because we would have made one or two plays somewhere in there. That's how close it came down to and there wouldn't be as big of questions.

"Do we have to get better in the second half? Yeah. But we looked at everything this morning: It is scheme? Calls? Did they make any major adjustments? I don't think so, a couple little tweaks here and there. It's a tackle here. It's a completed pass there. It's just simple football stuff."

The Rams will be without safety James Butler against the Panthers after he suffered a knee injury Sunday, Spagnuolo said. The team worked out veteran cornerback Ralph Brown on Monday, a league source told NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Jackson becomes Rams' all-time rushing leader vs. Bucs

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Disgruntled Chargers WR Jackson to report Oct. 29, agent says

Wide receiver Vincent Jackson will report to the San Diego Chargers next week and sign his contract tender, his agent said Thursday.

By reporting Oct. 29, Jackson will be able to serve a three-game, team-imposed suspension on the roster exempt list, then play in the final six games to accrue his sixth season toward unrestricted free agency.

Jackson and his agent, Neil Schwartz, said earlier this fall that the receiver likely wouldn't play this season.

"With the landscape of labor uncertainty, we wanted to create, at this point in time, certainty," Schwartz told The Associated Press on Thursday.

Last week, the NFL Players Association recommended that Jackson and New England Patriots guard Logan Mankins, also a restricted free agent, report to their teams in time to gained an accrued season.

Jackson, a 6-foot-5 Pro Bowl receiver who had two consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, will miss games against the Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans and Denver Broncos while on the roster exempt list. He was placed on the list on Aug. 20 in a hardball tactic by Chargers general manager A.J. Smith.

Jackson will be eligible to return to the struggling Chargers for a Nov. 28 game at Indianapolis. Counting the six games he plays and the bye week, he'll earn $240,058 rather than the $3.268 million he would have made had he signed his tender as a restricted free agent before the season.

The Chargers (2-4) could use Jackson sooner than he'll be available. They might be without quarterback Philip Rivers' top two targets, tight end Antonio Gates (toe) and wideout Malcom Floyd (hamstring), because of injuries when they host the New England Patriots on Sunday. Gates and Floyd missed practice Thursday, as did wide receivers Legedu Naanee (hamstring) and Buster Davis (ribs).

If all four pass-catchers can't play, veteran Patrick Crayton and undrafted rookie Richard Goodman could be the first-team wideouts.

"My thoughts are exclusively on the Patriots," Chargers coach Norv Turner said when asked about Jackson reporting. "If Vincent reports, I'll be excited to see him."

Jackson's original five-year contract expired after last season. But because this is an uncapped year, he would have needed six seasons to become an unrestricted free agent.

Unhappy over not receiving long-term deals during the offseason, Jackson and Chargers left tackle Marcus McNeill refused to sign their tenders. Since they hadn't signed by June 15, the Chargers were entitled to offer them 110 percent of their 2009 salaries, essentially cutting $2.5 million off the tenders.

McNeill, who also had been placed on the roster exempt list by Smith, reported to the team Sept. 25. He served his three-game suspension and then last week agreed to a five-year contract extension worth $48.5 million, with $24.5 million guaranteed, through 2015.

The Chargers' unwillingness to sign Jackson to a long-term deal is believed to stem from the player's off-the-field issues. He was suspended for the season's first three games by the NFL after pleading guilty in February to his second DUI since 2006.

Hours before a playoff loss to the New York Jets last season, Jackson was handcuffed briefly and had his car impounded following a traffic stop. Jackson was pulled over near team headquarters for playing loud music, then cited for driving with a suspended license and expired tags.

Jackson had to catch a ride to the game with Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers. Jackson drew a 15-yard penalty for kicking the red challenge flag thrown onto the field by Jets coach Rex Ryan, one of three personal fouls called against the Chargers during the 17-14 loss.

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Last month, while Jackson was still within his three-game DUI suspension, the league and union brokered a deal under which the player could be traded and have six games worth of suspensions reduced to two.

The window for trading Jackson came and went without the Chargers moving him. Schwartz said he had deals in place with several teams, but that the Chargers were asking for "wholly unreasonable" compensation for another team to acquire Jackson.

Schwartz said another GM told him that Smith seemed to be "squatting" on Jackson.

Smith didn't return calls seeking comment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Rams not interested in trading for Chargers WR Jackson

Despite losing wide receiver Mark Clayton for the season with a knee injury, the St. Louis Rams aren't currently pursuing a trade for San Diego Chargers holdout Vincent Jackson, a league source told NFL.com's Steve Wyche on Tuesday.

Jackson, who still hasn't signed his tender, has been linked to possible trades to the Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings and New England Patriots.

The Rams, for one, plan to move in a different direction.

Clayton, who is scheduled for season-ending surgery on his right knee to repair a torn patellar tendon, was hurt early in Sunday's 44-6 loss to the Detroit Lions. He is the third Rams wide receiver to suffer a season-ending injury in 2010. Donnie Avery and Dominique Curry both suffered torn anterior cruciate ligaments.

With Clayton out, St. Louis' receiving corps was reduced to four players on the active roster -- Danny Amendola, Laurent Robinson, Brandon Gibson and rookie Mardy Gilyard -- with a combined 183 receptions and six touchdowns in 64 career NFL games.

Later Tuesday, the Rams promoted wide receiver Danario Alexander from the practice squad. Alexander was a star at the University of Missouri last season, but he wasn't drafted after undergoing a fourth operation on his left knee in February. When the Rams signed him in August, Alexander said he was still rehabilitating the knee.

Jackson is threatening to sit out the entire 2010 season with the Chargers. There is a possibility that he will sign his contract tender and report to the team by Week 10, because language in the current collective bargaining agreement could place him in the same situation next year.

Week 10 has meaning because being on a roster for at least six weeks virtually assures Jackson of an accrued season -- and unrestricted free agency or a franchise-type tag. That season gives him six in the NFL, and in any new CBA, players would need no more than that to earn unrestricted free agency.

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Jackson's current tender is around $600,000. He is seeking a long-term deal from the Chargers and an annual salary in the $8 million range.

In order for Jackson to be on the roster for six weeks, however, he must report before Week 8 (Oct. 31). That is because Jackson faces a three-game stint on the roster-exempt list whenever he does report, during which time he will not earn time toward an accrued season. He would be eligible to play and earn credit toward an accrued season beginning Week 12 at Indianapolis.

The Rams (2-3) host the San Diego Chargers (2-3) this weekend.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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With Lynch traded, Jackson steps in as Bills' starting RB

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Fred Jackson doesn't have time to question the reasoning behind why the Buffalo Bills traded fellow running back Marshawn Lynch to the Seattle Seahawks -- though he was aware a deal had been in the works.

What matters to Jackson is providing the Bills' sputtering offense a sense of identity now that he has reclaimed the starting job he had in taking over for Lynch midway through last season.

"That's the business side of it, that's what they handle upstairs," Jackson said before practice Wednesday, one day after Lynch was traded to the Seahawks in exchange for draft picks. "All we can do is come out here on the field and play with the guys we have. We have to focus on going out and winning football games."

And that has been the problem for the winless Bills, who are going through another round of upheaval while preparing to host the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2) on Sunday.

Last week, Buffalo shuffled quarterbacks after cutting former starter Trent Edwards, who has since signed with Jacksonville and will serve as the team's backup this weekend. This week, its running backs, as the Bills came to the conclusion that three is, in fact, a crowd.

Lynch's departure frees up more carries for Jackson and rookie first-round pick C.J. Spiller, who has yet to provide the spark he showed in scoring three touchdowns this preseason.

In his first opportunity to discuss the trade, Bills coach Chan Gailey wouldn't provide details into the timing of the move even though Lynch had first asked to be dealt well before the Bills drafted Spiller.

"I don't get into sooner or later, there's a lot of things that go into decisions like this," Gailey said. "You're trying to do what's best for your team. And it worked out that a trade was made, and we're fortunate we have two good players that can carry the load for us the rest of the way."

Gailey said he's leaning on Jackson because, as a fourth-year pro, he has more experience. And he intends to have Spiller more involved. Spiller has scored a touchdown receiving and another on a kickoff return, but he has just 49 yards on 14 carries.

Lynch had received the bulk of the work in starting the past three games, and he led the Bills with 37 carries -- three more than Jackson and Spiller had combined -- for 164 yards. That left Jackson and Spiller splitting limited playing time because Buffalo's offense was either having difficulty sustaining drives or forced to play catch-up by going primarily with a passing attack.

Not much has worked on an offense that has failed to generate 230 yards in three of its four games and is averaging 13.5 first downs.

The Bills all but bottomed out in a 38-14 loss to the New York Jets last weekend. It was a game in which quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick led the team with 74 rushing yards, and Buffalo went 0 of 10 in third-down conversions and finished with 19:31 in time of possession.

Enter Jackson, who had a breakout season last year in finishing with a team-leading and career-best 1,062 rushing yards.

Jackson learned of his promotion upon arriving for team meetings Wednesday and shortly after he wished Lynch well with his new team during a phone conversation.

"Now it's my time to stand up here and try to make plays," Jackson said. "It's going to be a challenge. It always is, but it's a challenge I'm looking forward to."

The trade didn't catch Jackson by surprise because he said Lynch had kept him up to date on the progress of talks over the past few weeks.

Spiller, selected ninth overall out of Clemson, was surprised by the move, saying he believe a three-back rotation had a chance to work. However, Spiller acknowledged he's having difficulty finding his niche.

"I'm still unsure what my role is," he said. "It's kind of disappointing that you don't really know. But at the same time, you know what you can bring to this team. I stay encouraged by that. So you just wait your turn and try to help the team any way you can."

Fitzpatrick wasn't surprised by the trade, given how Buffalo's offense has sputtered and the team is winless.

"Well, there's never a dull moment in the NFL, especially when you're losing," Fitzpatrick said. "It's just one of those things we had talked about, crowded backfield and trying to get everybody touches. Hopefully, it works out for Marshawn, and hopefully, it works out well for us."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Rams earn first back-to-back wins in two years behind Bradford, Jackson

ST. LOUIS -- Steven Jackson was a question mark until the first snap.

There was no way he was going to miss this one for the St. Louis Rams. So, he went out and showed the Seattle Seahawks he could play hurt and still make a big impact.

"I knew I wouldn't be 100 percent, but I knew I had enough to give," said Jackson, who blocked out a strained groin Sunday. "I feel like the team is going in the right direction, and I wanted to be a part of it."

Just because he is a rookie, does not mean that Sam Bradford isn't capable of posting big numbers. He proved that again Sunday. Check out where he landed among the weekly leaders.

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The two-time Pro Bowler had 126 yards rushing and receiving, complementing another strong game by No. 1 pick Sam Bradford and a stout defense in a 20-3 victory Sunday that gave the Rams consecutive wins for the first time in two seasons.

Bradford, who threw two touchdown passes, knew he wouldn't have been nearly as effective without the two-time Pro Bowler in the lineup.

"I never doubted he would be out there," Bradford said. "He's a huge part of this offense. Anytime he's in the huddle, there's no doubt that it boosts the spirits of everyone in the huddle."

Jackson had 70 yards on 22 carries to pass Marshall Faulk for No. 2 on the Rams' rushing list, shaking off an injury that sidelined him the second half of last week's win over the Redskins. He added three catches for 54 yards, including a 49-yarder before Kenneth Darby scored on a 21-yard screen pass.

Officials stopped the game after a 15-yard gain early in the fourth quarter put Jackson ahead of Faulk. Jackson has 6,991 yards in seven seasons with the Rams and trails only Eric Dickerson, who had 7,245 yards from 1983-87.

"From Day 1, I set a tone that I wanted to leave here putting my footprint on this organization," Jackson said. "It's very meaningful, but I ain't in first place."

Bradford completed 23 of 41 passes with one interception as the Rams (2-2) ended a 10-game losing streak against Seattle and topped their win total from last year.

"It feels great," Bradford said. "To get ourselves to 2-2 and just be in the conversation for the division lead, I think that's big for this team."

Big for the Rams to get such poise so soon.

"We got after him pretty good, we chased him around a lot," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. "We're looking at a guy that's going to be a really big-timer."

The last time St. Louis won consecutive games was Weeks 5 and 6 of 2008 under interim head coach Jim Haslett.

Throughout the week, coach Steve Spagnuolo made sure players weren't content with winning just once.

"I was a little concerned that the hunger was gone," Spagnuolo said. "I thought the team came out with the right mind-set."

The Rams sacked Matt Hasselbeck four times, had one interception and forced a fumble. St. Louis' special teams bottled up returner Leon Washington, who had two touchdown returns last week, and Golden Tate, who had been averaging 25 yards on punt returns. There was no daylight for Washington (26.7 yard average) or Tate (6.0 yards) against the Rams.

"Excellent," Spagnuolo said. "I spent time talking about it and I don't know anything about special teams. There was a fire, an intent."

The Seahawks peaked with a 14-play drive in the first half that stalled, leaving them with only a chip-shot field goal by Olindo Mare. The Rams foiled a fake 51-yard attempt near the end of the half when Darby ran down holder Jon Ryan on a would-be roll-out pass to John Carlson.

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Seattle averaged 29 points during its 10-game streak over the Rams dating to 2005, but is 3-18 in its last 21 road games. Two of the victories came in St. Louis.

The Seahawks scored their fewest points since a 44-6 loss Oct. 5, 2008, at the New York Giants.

"I give them credit, but that's not really the issue for us," Hasselbeck said. "We've got to get better and I've got to get better. I know I can and I know we can."

The Rams led 10-3 at the half, but missed a couple of chances in the second quarter that would have made it a much wider gap.

Brandon Fletcher's interception return to the 3 was wasted on Earl Thomas' end zone pick for Seattle, an errant throw that had a dismayed Bradford holding his helmet with both hands on his way to the sideline.

Notes: Rams CB Kevin Dockery injured his right hamstring in the third quarter after sustaining facial lacerations on the Seahawks' foiled fake field goal in the half. ... Seahawks LB Dexter Davis (hamstring) was sidelined in the second half. ... The Rams last held an opponent to single-figure scoring in a 9-7 loss at Washington in Week 2 last season. ... Seattle scored at least 23 points in all 10 of the victories in its streak against St. Louis.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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