NFL Roundup

Quarterback-thin Niners sign former Giant Palmer

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) -- The San Francisco 49ers signed Jesse Palmer on Tuesday after losing their top two quarterbacks to injuries. -NFL Football-

Palmer, a fourth-round pick out of Florida by the New York Giants in 2001, was released before this season. Used primarily a backup in New York, he completed 63 of 120 passes for 562 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions. -NFL Football-

"I'm just looking forward to coming in and working hard and trying to pick things up as quickly as I can," Palmer said. "I'm ready to do whatever they ask me to do, and whatever I can do to help this team win." -NFL Football-

The 49ers made the move after No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith went down with strained knee ligaments and backup Ken Dorsey hurt his ankle. Cody Pickett, the fourth-stringer at the start of the season, is expected to be San Francisco's fourth starter in five games Sunday against the Giants. -NFL Football-

The Niners earlier traded Tim Rattay, their opening day starter, to Tampa Bay. -NFL Football-

"It's difficult in my position because you are just waiting on injuries and that's often when your opportunity comes at this point into the season," Palmer said. "You never wish anyone ill health, but that's the reality of the business." -NFL Football-

To make room on the roster for Palmer, the 49ers waived free safety Jeremy Thornburg. The team also waived linebacker Roger Cooper from the practice squad. -NFL Football-

Cowboys release Thomas, put Singleton on IR

IRVING, Texas (AP) -- The Dallas Cowboys released running back Anthony Thomas on Tuesday and placed linebacker Al Singleton on injured reserve, ending his season. -NFL Football-

Thomas, signed in the offseason to provide depth behind starter Julius Jones, became expendable with the emergence of rookies Marion Barber and Tyson Thompson. He had two 1,000-yard seasons in four years with Chicago before signing a one-year deal with the Cowboys. -NFL Football-

Thompson caught the attention of coach Bill Parcells with a strong training camp and preseason. Barber has 222 yards and two touchdowns in two games as a replacement for Jones, who is battling an ankle injury. Thompson, an undrafted free agent, is the first Irving native to play for the Cowboys, and Barber is a fourth-round pick out of Minnesota. -NFL Football-

Singleton broke a collarbone in Sunday's 34-13 victory against Arizona. -NFL Football-

The Cowboys also placed defensive end Jay Ratliff (ankle) on injured reserve, and they signed safeties Tony Dixon and Lynn Scott, both former Cowboys. -NFL Football-

Lions sign well-traveled LB Wayne

DETROIT (AP) -- The Detroit Lions on Tuesday signed linebacker Nate Wayne to a one-year contract. -NFL Football-

Wayne signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars on May 16 after he was waived by the Philadelphia Eagles, where he spent the 2003 and 2004 seasons. Jacksonville released him in September. -NFL Football-

In 85 games over seven NFL seasons, the 6-foot, 237-pound linebacker had 545 total tackles, including 352 solo tackles and 16 sacks. Before playing with the Eagles, Wayne played in Denver and Green Bay. -NFL Football-

The Lions also signed wide receiver Glenn Martinez to the practice squad and released wide receiver Adam Herzing from the practice squad. -NFL Football-

Martinez has been active for two games with the Lions this season and caught one pass for 11 yards. -NFL Football-

Packers add three to practice squad

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- Linebacker Atari Bigby was among three players added Tuesday to the Green Bay Packers' practice squad. -NFL Football-

The team released wide receiver Craig Bragg and linebacker Zac Woodfin. -NFL Football-

Bigby, a native of Jamaica, had signed with Miami as a non-drafted free agent out of Central Florida before being waived and then signing with the New York Jets. The Jets waived him Sept. 4. -NFL Football-

Also signed to the practice squad were two other rookie free agents -- fullback Greg Hanoian, out of Syracuse, and wide receiver Reggie Harrell, from Texas Christian. -NFL Football-

Cardinals re-sign Newhouse, release Carter

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) -- The Arizona Cardinals re-signed wide receiver Reggie Newhouse on Tuesday and released cornerback Dyshod Carter. -NFL Football-

The Cardinals released Newhouse on Sept. 3 in the team's final roster cut. He played in three games for Arizona last season, with one reception for 5 yards. -NFL Football-

The move coincides with the uncertain status of wide receiver Anquan Boldin. Boldin left Sunday's loss in Dallas with a right knee injury. An MRI showed it was a bone bruise, rather than a more serious injury the Cardinals had feared. It's not known whether he'll play Sunday against Seattle. -NFL Football-

In another move, the team released safety Adrian Mayes from injured reserve. -NFL Football-

Browns release TE Miller

CLEVELAND (AP) -- The Cleveland Browns on Tuesday released veteran tight end Billy Miller, who did not catch a pass in three games with the team. -NFL Football-

Miller was signed by the Browns one week before the start of the regular season because Steve Heiden was the only healthy tight end on the roster. Aaron Shea returned from a strained chest muscle last month and Miller has seen little action since. -NFL Football-

Miller had 114 receptions for 1,212 yards and seven touchdowns in six seasons with Denver and Houston. He was Houston's leading receiver in 2002, catching 51 passes for 613 yards and three touchdowns. -NFL Football-

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