The Associated Press

The NFL Players Association has gotten involved in Quincy Carter's release by the Dallas Cowboys.

The union filed a grievance over the release Aug. 4 of the quarterback who started all 16 games and one playoff contest for the Cowboys last season, saying the team had violated the collective bargaining agreement in releasing him.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, however, said he was willing to answer any questions from the union or the NFL's management council about the decision to cut Carter.

"Basically, the decisions were made because of what we wanted to do at that position this year and in the future," Jones said Monday. "They were well, in my view, within the area that I'm comfortable with regarding being able to defend it."

Jones didn't elaborate.

The case would be heard by professor Stephen Burbank of the University of Pennsylvania Law School. The union said the first step probably would be taking depositions from Jones and coach Bill Parcells.

The team has not given a reason for Carter's release, although there were widespread reports he had failed a drug test.

"You don't go from being a starting, playoff quarterback in this league to someone not good enough to make the 80-man roster the next summer," Richard Berthelsen, the union's general counsel, said in a statement.

RAIDERS: Offensive lineman Robert Gallery, Oakland's top draft pick chosen No. 2 overall, went down with what appeared to be a right elbow injury during Monday afternoon's training camp practice.

Gallery was participating in a half-line blocking drill when he got hurt. He was working with the second-team line, but he's expected to be the starting left tackle this season.

Trainers rushed to his side and Gallery yelled in pain, holding his right elbow. He was examined immediately.

PATRIOTS: New England has signed tight end Benjamin Watson, the last choice of the first round, making Philip Rivers of the San Diego Chargers the only first-round draft choice left unsigned. Watson signed after firing his agent, Tom Condon, last week, and hiring Pat Dye Jr.

DOLPHINS: Injury-plagued Miami signed 32-year-old wide receiver Antonio Freeman. Freeman had 14 catches last season for Green Bay.

The Dolphins lost offseason acquisition David Boston Aug. 6 with a torn tendon in his knee. Kendall Newson, who had moved up to third receiver, tore his left Achilles' tendon Saturday night.

CARDINALS: NFL rushing leader Emmitt Smith practiced two days after bruising his thigh in Saturday's 23-6 exhibition loss at Minnesota - an injury originally expected to keep him out for five to seven days. Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is sidelined for at least a week with a sprained left ankle.

COWBOYS: Team representatives and Arlington city officials unveiled plans for an NFL stadium.

The proposed $650 million stadium in Arlington would seat 75,000 under a dome with a retractable roof. It also would feature an interactive Cowboys hall of fame, a museum outlining the team's history, numerous concession stands, video boards and message boards, officials said. The Cowboys have been looking for a new home to replace Texas Stadium in Irving.

INJURIES: The NFL told its coaches they must be more specific than they have been in reporting injuries to players, saying the current wording of the policy "invites action that runs counter to our intent."

Under the new guidelines, approved by commissioner Paul Tagliabue and the league's competition committee, teams must report the specific part of the body that is injured - ankle or thigh, for example, instead of just leg as in the past.

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