San Diego Chargers Coach Norv Turner isn't trying to rush Shawne Merriman back from a nagging knee injury. The main goal, Turner said, is to have his star linebacker healthy for the playoffs -- not the season opener next month.
Merriman felt pain in his knee after playing in the Chargers' exhibition opener Aug. 9. On Thursday, Merriman confirmed he had a torn posterior cruciate ligament. He has visited noted sports surgeon James Andrews and may see two other doctors to weigh his options.
If the ligament is severely torn, he'll undergo season-ending knee surgery. If the tear isn't significant, Merriman could play through the pain and be ready for the season opener against the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 7.
San Francisco 49ers Coach Mike Nolan announced that J.T. O'Sullivan would start at quarterback when the regular season begins next month.
The Detroit Lions have signed quarterback Drew Henson. Terms of the signing, announced on the team's website, were not disclosed.
Henson was signed after second-year quarterback Drew Stanton sprained the thumb on his throwing hand during practice Thursday.
Matt Ryan, making his first exhibition start, opened the second half with a touchdown pass to give Atlanta the lead and the Falcons beat the Tennessee Titans, 17-3, at Atlanta. . . . Tony Romo completed 15 of 19 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown in the Cowboys' 23-22 win over the Houston Texans at Dallas.
The Philadelphia Eagles returned two kicks for touchdowns in the last 1:35 of the first half en route to a 27-17 victory over the New England Patriots at Foxborough, Mass. . . . Aaron Rodgers completed 18 of 22 passes for 193 yards and a touchdown in the Green Bay Packers' 27-24 win over the Broncos at Denver.
TENNIS
Wozniacki, Fish advance to final
Caroline Wozniacki kept up the best month of her career, moving into the final of the Pilot Pen at New Haven, Conn., with a 7-5, 6-4 victory over seventh-seeded Alize Cornet.
The 18-year-old began August by getting her first WTA Tour win in Stockholm, then reached the third round at the Olympics, where she lost to eventual gold medalist Elena Dementieva.
Wozniacki will play top-seeded Anna Chakvetadze, who defeated Amelie Mauresmo, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.
In the men's draw, eighth-seeded Mardy Fish upset top-seeded Fernando Verdasco, 6-0, 1-6, 6-3, to advance to the final. He will play sixth-seeded Marin Cilic, who defeated Luka Gregorc, 6-3, 6-3.
