Gabbert draws start for Jags vs. Patriots

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — David Garrard​ is out, Blaine Gabbert​ is in and Todd Bouman​ is once again off the tractor.

Jacksonville's quarterback situation got scrambled a bit Tuesday when coach Jack Del Rio​ ruled Garrard out of Thursday's preseason opener at New England.

Gabbert, the 10th overall pick in April's NFL draft out of Missouri, will start against the Patriots. Gabbert and third-stringer Luke McCown​ will share snaps, but Bouman also will be available.

The Jaguars signed the 39- year-old Bouman, making this his seventh stint with the franchise in the last five years. In 2010, Bouman was literally sitting on a tractor helping his father harvest corn in Minnesota when the Jaguars called.

"We actually made a call to the tractor again and Todd will be joining us this evening," Del Rio said. "Pulled him off the tractor once again."

Garrard tweaked his back during practice Thursday and hasn't done anything on the field since.

Running back Maurice Jones-Drew​, defensive end Aaron Kampman​, defensive tackle Terrance Knighton​ and tight end Marcedes Lewis​ also won't play, Del Rio said.

Crowder retires

MIAMI — Channing Crowder​, one of the league's most notorious trash-talkers, said he has decided to call it a career less than two weeks after being cut by the Dolphins.

"I know I can still play football," said Crowder, 27. "But I decided to hang it up. Now I'm not worried about icing my knees anymore or getting stingers or concussions. I did it long enough. I played football since I was 9 years old."

Last season, Crowder made 33 tackles in 11 games.

Williams passes physical

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — After agreeing to a two-year deal with the Ravens on Monday, running back Ricky Williams​ passed his physical and practiced with his new teammates.

Williams showed up for his Baltimore practice clean-shaven with a tight haircut and wearing a No. 38 purple jersey. It might be the lone session in which he wears No. 38, because he struck a deal with running back Jalen Parmele​ to get back the number he's worn throughout his entire career — No. 34.

Lions call in reinforcements

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The Lions signed running backs Mike Bell and Jerome Harrison​ a few hours after promising rookie Mikel Leshoure suffered a season-ending torn left Achilles tendon.

Bell, a former Bronco who rushed for only 99 yards last season between the Eagles and Browns, didn't hesitate when he got the call in Colorado.

"I wasn't going to wait for a second offer," Bell said. "I got on the first thing smoking toward Detroit."

Harrison figured he would get another chance because it has been less than two years since he broke Jim Brown's Cleveland rushing record with a 286-yard game against the Chiefs.

Footnotes.

Steve Smith injured his finger during practice, but Panthers coach Ron Rivera confirmed it's not broken and isn't anything that will keep the receiver out of any regular-season games.

• The Titans agreed to terms with safety Anthony Smith.

• The Anschutz Entertainment Group was granted a City Council endorsement it had long stressed was necessary to prove to league officials that its plan to build an NFL stadium in downtown Los Angeles has public support.