Douglas Is Back With the Eagles

Defensive end Hugh Douglas is returning to Philadelphia after a one-year hiatus.

Douglas agreed to a one-year contract for just under $1 million on Monday, the same day he was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Incentives could make the deal worth as much as $3.4 million, said his agent, Drew Rosenhaus.

“Hugh desperately wanted to come back to Philadelphia,� Rosenhaus said.

“He didn’t want to waste any time. He’s looking forward to getting back to the fans he loves so much.�

The Eagles, who confirmed the signing late Monday, lost starting defensive end N.D. Kalu to a season-ending knee injury two weeks ago.

In his last season with the Eagles, Douglas collected 12 1/2 sacks, then parlayed that into a five-year, $27-million free-agent contract with the Jaguars that included a $6-million signing bonus. But things didn’t work out in Jacksonville, and Douglas was cut after getting only 31 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks last year.

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Denver Bronco running back Mike Anderson will sit out the season because of a groin injury sustained last weekend in an exhibition game against Houston.

Denver Coach Mike Shanahan said Anderson tore both muscles in the left groin area off the bone. At this point, a specialist has recommended that Anderson let the injury heal instead of undergoing surgery.

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Minnesota running back Michael Bennett will miss the team’s regular-season opener Sept. 12 against Dallas because of a right knee sprain.

Short-yardage specialist Moe Williams will start the opener.

Also Monday, the Vikings released former pro wrestling star Brock Lesnar.

Lesnar developed faster than expected and impressed his teammates with hard work. But his lack of football experience was too much to overcome in one month of training camp.

“He gave me a hug,� Coach Mike Tice said. “He was very happy for the chance.�

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Charles Woodson’s role with the Oakland Raiders is diminishing with each day he is away from the team.

Even if the holdout cornerback were to show up today, Woodson will not play in Oakland’s exhibition finale Thursday against St. Louis, and he won’t be in the starting lineup for the season opener on Sept. 12 at Pittsburgh, Coach Norv Turner said.

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Washington Coach Joe Gibbs named Mark Brunell the opening-day starter for the Redskins, ending the quarterback battle with last season’s starter, Patrick Ramsey.

Washington traded a third-round draft pick to Jacksonville in the off-season to acquire the 11-year veteran.

Gibbs won all three of his Super Bowls in Washington with experienced quarterbacks -- Joe Theismann, Doug Williams and Mark Rypien. Brunell certainly fits that mold better than Ramsey, who has 16 games in his career compared to 117 by Brunell.

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Shane Matthews signed with the Buffalo Bills, bolstering the team’s banged-up quarterback corps. Matthews, an 11-year veteran, is expected to take over as Drew Bledsoe’s backup, filling in for Travis Brown, who will miss at least four weeks because of a sprained left knee.

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Tight end Kyle Brady will miss the Jaguars’ first two regular-season games and possibly more after injuring his finger in Friday’s game with Green Bay.

Brady will have surgery today to insert a pin into the finger.

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Vinny Testaverde completed 17 of 24 passes for 240 yards and a touchdown and Keyshawn Johnson had eight catches for 81 yards as the Dallas Cowboys beat the Tennessee Titans, 20-17, in an exhibition at Irving, Texas. Former Tennessee running back Eddie George had only three yards in four carries against the Titans, who got touchdown runs from Chris Brown and Antowain Smith.