NFL notes: Panthers' defense takes care of Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens were guilty of an abundance of mistakes, and the Carolina Panthers were only too happy to take advantage of the miscues.

Ted Ginn Jr. returned a punt 74 yards for a touchdown, and the Carolina defense scored three times in a 34-27 preseason victory Thursday night in Baltimore.

Drayton Florence took an interception 71 yards into the end zone, Thomas Davis scored on a 2-yard fumble return and linebacker Luke Kuechly picked off another of Joe Flacco's passes late in the second quarter to set up a 54-yard field goal by Graham Gano for a 24-7 lead.

Carolina (2-1) had only 67 yards in offense before halftime, yet reeled off 24 straight points after Baltimore (2-1) scored on its first possession.

Star Lotulelei, the Panthers' first-round draft pick and an ex-Utah star, had four tackles and a sack.

Lions 40, Patriots 9 • Reggie Bush wasn't a factor at all in the running game for Detroit on Thursday, but he was more than OK as a receiver.

Bush, the multi-purpose back brought in to provide a spark for host Detroit this season, ran for a single yard on six carries, but he had five catches for 103 yards in a victory over New England.

Hernandez indicted on murder charge

A Massachusetts grand jury has indicted former New England Patriot Aaron Hernandez on a first-degree murder charge in the death of a man whose bullet-riddled body was found in an industrial park.

The indictment was returned Thursday in Attleboro, Mass. It charges Hernandez with the killing of 27-year-old Odin Lloyd, a semi-professional football player who was dating the sister of Hernandez's girlfriend.

Hernandez pleaded not guilty to murder and weapons charges in June.

Around the league

Redskins • Quarterback Robert Griffin III has been fined $10,000 by the NFL for wearing unauthorized apparel, a T-shirt with "Operation Patience" on it. Griffin wore the shirt on the field before Washington's exhibition game Monday night against Pittsburgh. All gear worn on game days must be approved by the league.

Jets • Coach Rex Ryan announced that second-round draft pick Geno Smith will start over Mark Sanchez at quarterback in the Jets' preseason game against the Giants on Saturday. Also, the team signed veteran wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi .

49ers • San Francisco signed nine-year veteran quarterback Seneca Wallace to a one-year contract. While Colt McCoy had appeared to be the favorite to win the No. 2 job coming into training camp, neither he nor Scott Tolzien have separated themselves.

Broncos • Defensive lineman Derek Wolfe put in a full upper body workout in the weight room Thursday, then said he hopes to be back in the lineup by Denver's Sept. 5 opener against Baltimore, less than three weeks after fears that he had suffered a cervical spine injury against Seattle.