Stubblefield Signs With New England

Dana Stubblefield, a one-time defensive player of the year, signed with the New England Patriots on Thursday.

In 11 NFL seasons, the 33-year-old defensive tackle has played for San Francisco, Washington and Oakland, winning a Super Bowl ring with the 49ers in 1994. He was with the Raiders last season after a second stint with the 49ers.

Stubblefield will be used to help fill the void caused when Ted Washington left as a free agent after last season and to help break in rookie nose tackle Vince Wilfork, the Patriots’ first-round draft pick.

Stubblefield was one of three players who last month was fined three games’ salary for testing positive for the steroid THG last season. The fine will be based on last season’s salary.

He was selected to the Pro Bowl after the 1994, 1995 and 1997 seasons, and was named the league’s defensive player of the year after a career-best 15-sack season in 1997.

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Doug Flutie underwent arthroscopic knee surgery and will be sidelined for two weeks.

The 41-year-old San Diego Charger quarterback had had soreness in his left knee and hadn’t practiced since Saturday.

He tried to return to the team’s afternoon training session Wednesday but was pulled out when the pain returned.

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Miami Dolphin receiver Chris Chambers signed a five-year contract extension worth $30 million. The deal includes $12 million in signing and roster bonuses. He caught 64 passes for 963 yards and an AFC-leading 11 touchdowns last season.

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Jerry Azumah, the Chicago Bears’ Pro Bowl kick returner, will undergo neck surgery for a disk problem and will be sidelined three to four months, the team said.

Azumah, a starting defensive back, led the NFL in kickoff return average last season and ran two back for touchdowns.

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Atlanta Falcon quarterback Michael Vick tweaked his right hamstring and pulled up limping after running into the end zone during a drill in a practice against the Tennessee Titans at Nashville. “It shouldn’t be a problem,” Vick said.... Children 14 and under are invited to join the Chargers for FanFest on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Home Depot Center in Carson. Admission is free, and parking is $2.50 in two campus lots. Information: (310) 630-4016.