NFL notes: 49ers' Dorsey tears left biceps muscle
San Francisco 49ers nose tackle Glenn Dorsey has a torn left biceps muscle and will undergo surgery, a person with knowledge of the injury said Saturday.
It's unclear how long he might be sidelined. Dorsey left Friday's practice with the injury. The source said Saturday that Dorsey had torn his biceps and would need an operation, speaking on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced anything about Dorsey's injury or the severity.
More tests and details are expected post-surgery, the source said. Another source, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said it would be premature to speculate that Dorsey will miss the entire 2014 season as more evaluations still must be done.
The Niners had a day off from training camp Saturday.
Losing Dorsey would be a huge blow 11 months after 2013 starting nose tackle Ian Williams went down with a season-ending ankle injury in a Week 2 loss at Seattle. Dorsey quickly emerged as a reliable replacement and stabilizing force for the defensive line.
Williams has undergone multiple surgeries and is currently on the physically unable to perform list. Mike Purcell, an undrafted free agent last year, could be an immediate option to fill the void left by Dorsey as San Francisco gears up for its preseason opener Thursday at Baltimore.
Dorsey was hurt on his 29th birthday. Fellow defensive lineman Ray McDonald played last season with a biceps tear.
In March 2013, Dorsey signed a two-year contract that could pay him up to $7 million with incentives. He played five seasons for Kansas City before joining the 49ers.
Williams earned the starting nose tackle job out of training camp last year with Dorsey a versatile backup, then Williams went down with a season-ending ankle injury on a cut block by Seattle right guard J.R. Sweezy.
Around the league
Browns • More than 20,000 fans came to InfoCision Stadium at the University of Akron to see Johnny Manziel and Brian Hoyer continue their competition for Cleveland's starting quarterback job. Last week, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said the competition remains close and the coaching staff was waiting for one of the QBs to "take off."
Panthers • Rookie wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin was back at practice Saturday morning, showing no lingering signs of a bone bruise in his left knee that kept him out of five days of practice. Benjamin, 23, had been working with the first team alongside Jerricho Cotchery when he banged his knee against the ground in a practice last Sunday. Benjamin caught 54 passes for 1,011 yards and 15 touchdowns last year for Florida State, including the winning touchdown against Auburn in the national championship game.
Saints • Coach Sean Payton says quarterback Drew Brees was held out of New Orleans' intra-squad scrimmage to rest a sore muscle on the left side of his abdomen.
Chiefs • Cornerback Marcus Cooper was forced to watch practice Saturday after tweaking his hamstring during an early portion of the workout. The Chiefs were already missing Pro Bowl safety Eric Berry, who hurt his right heel during Thursday's drill. Backup safety Sanders Commings is out after having surgery on a severe high ankle sprain and for a fracture to his fibula.
Washington • About about 20,000 people were on hand in Richmond, Va., for the team's Fan Appreciation Day. DeSean Jackson did not practice. Coach Jay Gruden said the receiver has "a little soreness in his legs."