Panthers sign Moore

Former Wake star replaces Robinson

The Carolina Panthers ran out of patience with Ryne Robinson's slow recovery from a preseason knee injury Wednesday, placing the kick returner on injured reserve and ending his season.

The Panthers signed former Wake Forest receiver and Charlotte native Kenneth Moore off Detroit's practice squad to take Robinson's roster spot.

Robinson sprained his left knee in training camp on July 31. After missing all of the preseason, he practiced on a limited basis the past several weeks but has not been active for a game.

"It was one of those things where he was making some progress but just not getting over the hump," coach John Fox said. "Time is your best healer, and he just needs a little more time. We'll just make sure we can get him rehabbed so he can get ready for next year."

The move means Mark Jones will continue to return punts and rookie running back Jonathan Stewart will likely remain the kickoff returner.

PANTHERS' HACKETT SIDELINED: Receiver D.J. Hackett is expected to miss Sunday's game against Tampa Bay after he sprained a knee against Kansas City.

Dwayne Jarrett, who has been inactive the past three games since Steve Smith returned from his suspension, will replace Hackett as the No. 3 receiver.

PANTHERS' O-LINE WOES: The injury woes continued on the offensive line, with three of the five starters missing practice.

Left tackle Jordan Gross (concussion), center Ryan Kalil (ankle) and right tackle Jeff Otah (ankle) did agility and rehabilitation drills on an adjacent field during the workout held in a light drizzle.

If all three starters can't play, the Panthers would likely use Frank Omiyale at left tackle, Geoff Hangartner at center and Jeremy Bridges at right tackle.

KITNA'S STRING COULD END: Detroit Lions quarterback Jon Kitna had an MRI exam on his injured back and could miss Sunday's game at Minnesota.

Kitna missed practice Wednesday, three days after leaving the Lions' game against the Chicago Bears with back spasms.

Coach Rod Marinelli said he doesn't know yet whether Kitna will be available Sunday, putting his streak of 36 consecutive starts in jeopardy.

MAN CHARGED IN FATAL SHOOTING OF DENVER'S WILLIAMS: Prosecutors say a grand jury has indicted a suspect on murder charges in the 2007 drive-by shooting of Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams.

Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey said Wednesday that Willie Clark faces 39 counts, including first-degree murder and attempted murder.

COLTS' HARRISON SUED: Marvin Harrison is being sued by a man who says he was shot in the hand and body in April by the Indianapolis Colts star.

Harrison, who was never arrested or charged, is being sued by Dwight Dixon for $100,000 in damages in a suit filed in Philadelphia on Sept. 2. Police are investigating the shooting, the District Attorney's office said Wednesday.

BRADY HAD SURGERY ON KNEE, REPORT SAYS: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady had surgery on his left knee a month after a season-ending injury, according to a published report.

The Boston Globe reported that the surgery was performed Monday in Los Angeles.

'PACMAN' NOT CHARGED IN FIGHT: Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones was involved in a fight with one of his bodyguards at a Dallas hotel, according to Dallas police, the night before attending a previously scheduled team meeting with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. No one was arrested, and no one will be charged in connection with the fight late Tuesday night.

BRIEFLY: The New Orleans Saints placed kicker Martin Gramatica on injured reserve and re-signed sixth-round draft pick Taylor Mehlhaff.

* New York Jets safety Eric Smith will sit out Sunday's game against Cincinnati after the NFL denied his appeal of a one-game suspension and fine for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Arizona's Anquan Boldin.