In the latest catastrophe for the star-crossed Miami Dolphins, receiver David Boston suffered a season-ending knee injury during a Friday afternoon practice with the Texans.
Miami coach Dave Wannstedt said the initial diagnosis was a strained patellar tendon in his left knee, but an MRI exam late Friday in Houston revealed a more severe injury.
“It is anticipated that the injury will require surgery that will sideline him for the season,” Wannstedt said.
Boston, 25, who was acquired in an off-season trade with San Diego, was running a fade route when his left knee buckled under him. There was no contact on the play. He was covered by Texans rookie cornerback Dunta Robinson, who said Boston planted to make a cut and went down, screaming.
Carter grievance expected
The NFL Players Association is expected to file a grievance on behalf of Quincy Carter, who was released Wednesday by the Dallas Cowboys amid reports he failed a drug test.
The terms of the collective-bargaining agreement prevent a team from releasing a player for a failed test. Some people close to the quarterback insist that it was an illegal test.
Pressed on whether Carter had ever signed an agreement that permitted the Cowboys to conduct private testing, which is not allowed, a source told ESPN.com: “It’s not like he signed anything but . . . he basically figured that it was OK. Of course, he was wrong.”
Owner Jerry Jones has insisted the team was in compliance with the NFL testing program.
Kennedy may miss season
Jimmy Kennedy, the Rams’ No. 1 draft pick in 2003, broke his right foot during a non-contact drill Thursday and could miss the entire season. He will have surgery next week for a fractured fifth metatarsal and miss three to four months.
Packers’ McKenzie `dug in’
Drew Rosenhaus, the agent for Green Bay’s holdout cornerback Mike McKenzie, said he spoke to Packers coach Mike Sherman and was told the five-year veteran would be welcomed back. But asked if he sensed whether McKenzie might return to the Packers for this or future seasons, Rosenhaus shook his head: “No, none at all. He’s pretty well dug in.”
Broken finger, good omen
Panthers wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad has a compound fracture of his right ring finger that is expected to keep him out of several practices. In 1999, Muhammad had the same injury to a finger on his other hand. He came back to catch 96 passes for a career-high 1,253 yards, reaching his only Pro Bowl. “Maybe it’s a sign of good things to come,” he said.
Extra points
Michael Vick doesn’t understand all the fuss over his sore right hamstring. “I’ll be fine, man,” he said. “It’s just nagging injuries, things that happen in training camp.” . . . The Jets signed guard Pete Kendall, who was just released by the Cardinals. . . . Retired tight end Shannon Sharpe appeared in an Atlanta court on misdemeanor simple battery charges for removing the mother of one of his children from his home.
