The Carolina Panthers released starting running back DeShaun Foster on Thursday, a move that clears salary-cap space and opens the door for DeAngelo Williams to become the featured back.

Carolina's second-round pick in 2002, Foster never rushed for more than 897 yards in six seasons plagued by fumbles.

The move clears about $4.75 million in cap space and comes after the Panthers started shopping Foster in the last few weeks.

COMMITTEE PONDERS PLAYOFF SEEDING CHANGE: The NFL is considering changing the postseason so seeding would be based on records, not division titles.

That won't avoid instances like the one last season when Cleveland missed the playoffs and Tennessee made it by beating Indianapolis' backups. But competition committee members agreed Thursday that changing the seeding guidelines would result in fewer such situations.

BROWNS, LEWIS, AGREE TO DEAL: One great season earned Jamal Lewis at least three more with the Cleveland Browns.

Set to become an unrestricted free agent next week, Lewis agreed to terms on a three-year contract Thursday with the club, a deal that could keep him in an orange helmet until he retires.

MOSS A FREE AGENT?: The New England Patriots did not designate Randy Moss as a franchise player Thursday, but there was no word from the team on whether they had reached a contract agreement with the wide receiver or are allowing him to become a free agent.

Teams had until 4 p.m. to designate one player as a franchise player if they wished.

NEWLY FRANCHISED PLAYERS: The Seattle Seahawks officially made their initial move to keep Pro Bowl cornerback Marcus Trufant from free agency by designating him as their franchise player for 2008 on Thursday.

Seattle used the non-exclusive franchise tag, which allows the Seahawks to match any offer or receive two first-round draft choices if they decide not to match.

* The Dallas Cowboys designated Ken Hamlin their franchise player on Thursday, locking up the Pro Bowl safety through at least next season.

PLAYERS' UNION FILES GRIEVANCE: The NFL players' union filed a grievance against the league Thursday, charging the owners colluded by reducing the debt ceiling for teams by 20 percent. The union said the reduction coincides with what in 2010 could be a year with no salary cap.

TITANS COACH'S DIVORCE: Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher and his wife, Juli, have filed for divorce. According to court documents filed last Friday in Williamson County Chancery Court, the couple separated Feb. 10 on grounds of irreconcilable differences.