TAMPA, Fla. — Raheem Morris is keeping his options open on Tampa Bay’s starting quarterback.
The first-year head coach has been promising a decision before the third preseason game but raised the possibility Sunday the competition between Byron Leftwich and Luke McCown could be extended another week.
Neither player has established himself as the clear-cut No. 1, although Leftwich appeared to be the front-runner before McCown played well in Saturday night’s 24-23 preseason victory at Jacksonville.
“We’ve still got to meet and evaluate,” Morris said, adding that first- round draft pick Josh Freeman and second-year pro Josh Johnson also have contributed to making it tough to settle the quarterback situation before Thursday’s game against Miami.
“To be honest with you, more than one of them stepped outside of their box a little bit and kind of showed some things,” Morris added. “We asked for competition and we’re getting it.”
In two games, Leftwich is 12-of-26 for 124 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. McCown is 10-of-17 for 70 yards, with two TDs and no interceptions.
• Linebacker Angelo Crowell will miss the season with a torn biceps muscle.
Beason banged up
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Halfway through the preseason, injuries are derailing the Panthers’ plans to install a more aggressive defensive scheme.
Jon Beason, Carolina’s middle linebacker, leading tackler and defensive leader, is the latest concern. He left Saturday’s exhibition loss to Miami with a left knee injury. Tackle Maake Kemoeatu is out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon.
Beason’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said the injury was a strained medial collateral ligament, and he was optimistic his client could return for the start of the regular season.
A team spokesman declined to reveal the results of a scheduled MRI exam.
Footnotes.
Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said coach Andy Reid will probably make a decision Tuesday on whether Michael Vick will make his preseason debut Thursday at home against the Jaguars.
• The Patriots released second- year tight end Tyson DeVree, who was originally signed by the Patriots as a rookie free agent from Colorado in 2008. He was a member of the Patriots’ practice squad for nine weeks last season before being signed to the 53-man roster.
• Receiver Chad Ochocinco won’t have to kick extra points anymore after the Bengals signed rookie kicker Sam Swank, giving them another option while Shayne Graham recovers from a groin injury.
The Associated Press
