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SAN FRANCISCO - Fullback Fred Beasley could be sidelined until the 49ers' season opener Sept. 12 against the Atlanta Falcons with a high left ankle sprain.

Beasley left San Francisco's 33-30 exhibition loss to the Oakland Raiders on Saturday night in the first quarter. A Pro Bowl player last season, Beasley was hurt blocking upfield on a carry by Kevan Barlow when defensive tackle Ted Washington fell on him.

He was helped off the field, and X-rays on the ankle were negative.

EAGLES: Running back Bruce Perry will miss his rookie season after dislocating a shoulder in an exhibition game against the New England Patriots.

Coach Andy Reid said Sunday that Perry probably will have surgery.

Perry, who was in the running to be a backup behind Brian Westbrook and Correll Buckhalter, caught three passes in Friday's loss to the Patriots.

A seventh-round draft pick, Perry agreed to a four-year contract last month. At Maryland, he ranked fourth on the all-time rushing list despite missing parts of two seasons with injuries.

Reid also said safety Quintin Mikell's sprained ankle will not require surgery, and he might return in two or three weeks.

Also, Philadelphia signed free agent defensive tackle DeMarco McNeil, a 6-foot-1, 301 pound rookie from Auburn, and released receiver Yardon Brantley.

SEAHAWKS: Seattle will have four projected starters on the sideline when it opens preseason play tonight at Green Bay.

Coach Mike Holmgren said injuries will sideline All-Pro offensive guard Steve Hutchinson (calf), wide receiver Koren Robinson (quadricep) and defensive end Grant Wistrom (foot).

Star offensive tackle Walter Jones has yet to sign and report to camp.

Holmgren said fourth-string quarterback Seneca Wallace will play most of the game after starter Matt Hasselbeck makes a brief appearance.

PATRIOTS: Rookie tight end Ben Watson and New England are not close to a deal that would end the 18-day holdout, according to ESPN.com.

BILLS: Defensive tackle Oliver Gibson was waived by Buffalo.

Gibson, a nine-year veteran, was competing for a backup job. He spent the last five seasons with the Bengals, where he was a four-year starter.

STEELERS: Coach Bill Cowher and the Steelers are facing a lawsuit by a former assistant equipment manager who said team officials wrongly accused him of sexually harassing ball boys, according to ESPN.com and the Tribune-Review.

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