Colts sign receiver Baskett

Anthony Gonzalez may be out longer than the Indianapolis Colts first feared, and they have a replacement for him.

Coach Jim Caldwell said the third-year receiver could miss up to two months after spraining ligaments in his right knee during Sunday’s 14-12 victory over Jacksonville.

Indianapolis has signed former Philadelphia receiver Hank Baskett to take Gonzalez’s place, and three-time league most valuable player Peyton Manning hopes he can find his way around the offense fast. The team made the announcement following Thursday’s practice.

“Hopefully, we can catch him up as soon as possible,” Manning said. “It’s a lot of offense to learn in a couple of days, but he’s a veteran, so he could help us.”

The Colts play Miami on Monday night.

Team President Bill Polian said Monday that the Colts would sign a veteran receiver only if Gonzalez was expected to miss more than four weeks. The next day, in an interview on NFL Network, Polian acknowledged Gonzalez was going to get a second opinion on the injured knee.

Losing Gonzalez for an extended period is a big blow to the Colts, who expected their 2007 first-round draft pick to replace Marvin Harrison, the franchise’s career receiving leader, in the starting lineup this season. Harrison was released in a cost-cutting move in February and remains a free agent.

Texans fine Robinson $25,000

Houston Texans cornerback Dunta Robinson has been fined $25,000 by the team for the “pay me Rick” shoes he wore during Sunday’s game.

Robinson was given the fine for conduct detrimental to the team. It was first reported by the Houston Chronicle.

The shoes targeted General Manager Rick Smith. Robinson has been upset that he and the Texans were unable to reach a long-term contract despite signing his franchise tender more than a week ago.

He says he won’t appeal the fine but told the Associated Press on Thursday that he wants to talk to Smith about the money being donated to a Boys and Girls Club or a needy family.

Robinson started Sunday after less than a week of practice and had one tackle in Houston’s 24-7 loss to the New York Jets.

Jaguars’ home opener blacked out

Jacksonville’s home opener has been blacked out for the third time in six years.

Because of the slumping economy and last season’s 5-11 record, the Jaguars saw this one coming months ago. But it became a reality Thursday when team officials didn’t bother asking the league for a ticket-sales extension for Sunday’s game against Arizona (0-1).

The Jaguars (0-1) lost 17,000 season-ticket holders after last season, a significant number that could lead to local television blackouts for every home game in 2009.

Meanwhile, the San Diego Chargers and Detroit Lions were given extensions by the NFL to sell out their home openers and avoid a blackout.

Houshmandzadeh sits out practice

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh sat out his second consecutive practice because of back spasms.

Seahawks receiver Deion Branch was limited but practiced for the first time since he injured his hamstring in practice Sept. 7.

Etc.

The Eagles will honor former quarterback Randall Cunningham by adding him to the team’s honor roll at halftime of their Sept. 27 game against the Kansas City Chiefs. . . . The Detroit Lions have acquired defensive end Turk McBride on a waiver claim from the Kansas City Chiefs.