Former Bruin Foster Out for the Season

Carolina Panther rookie running back DeShaun Foster, a former UCLA standout, is out for the season because of a left knee injury and was put on injured reserve Friday.

Foster, who was the Panthers’ second-round draft choice in April, tore cartilage in his left knee in an exhibition game and has not played.

“DeShaun is obviously a guy that we thought would bring a dimension to our offense that we were excited about,” Coach John Fox said. “When you find out that you are not going to have that possibility for this season, it is disappointing.”

The Panthers also signed quarterback Tim Hasselbeck off their practice squad and ruled Chris Weinke out for Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay because of a concussion.

With Weinke out, rookie Randy Fasani of Stanford is expected to start against the Buccaneers.

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Atlanta Falcon running back T.J. Duckett missed his third practice in a row because of a sore foot, and it will be a game-time decision whether he can play against New Orleans.

Coach Dan Reeves also said a decision on right tackle Todd Weiner will be made a few hours before Sunday’s game.

Fullback Bob Christian practiced for the third consecutive day but remains questionable with a concussion.

Duckett, a first-round draft pick from Michigan State, is questionable for the game. He scored the first touchdown of his career in the second quarter last week, but the 254-pound Duckett tore connective tissue in the arch of his left foot midway through the first quarter.

“It hurts, but I could play on it if I had to,” Duckett said. “We’re just going to wait it out.”

Warrick Dunn will start in Duckett’s place.

The Falcons re-signed Maurice Smith, last year’s leading rusher, after third-stringer Travis Jervey went on injured reserve Tuesday with a torn knee ligament.

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Baltimore Raven linebacker Ray Lewis practiced for the first time in three weeks, but his status for Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh remains questionable.

“Obviously, we’re ahead of where we were last week,” Coach Brian Billick said. “Things are looking better. But it’s going to be the proverbial game-time decision.”

Lewis partially dislocated his left shoulder in the Ravens’ 26-21 win at Cleveland on Oct. 6.

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Miami Dolphin wide receiver Dedric Ward has been dismissed from a lawsuit filed by a woman who claims he and three other NFL players raped her in May 2000.

Clark County District Judge Allan Earl ruled that Ward was not served with the civil complaint in a timely fashion.

The woman filed a lawsuit in December against Ward, Pittsburgh Steeler quarterback Charlie Batch and former NFL players Ron Rice and Tyree Talton.

None of the players was charged with a crime.