Six inducted by the Jets

The New York Jets opened their "Ring of Honor" by inducting Joe Namath, Don Maynard, Weeb Ewbank ? all Pro Football Hall of Famers ? Curtis Martin, Winston Hill and Joe Klecko. Namath led the Jets to victory in the 1969 Super Bowl over the Colts. Maynard was a receiver and Hill was a tackle on that team, and Ewbank was the coach. Martin was a running back for seven seasons and Klecko was a Pro Bowl player at every defensive line position.

Brian Westbrook signing a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers to serve as a back-up to running back Frank Gore. The deal, with a reported $1.25 million (Dh4.5m) guaranteed, gives Westbrook the second chance he has been seeking. He said his top concerns were going to a team that could have a winning season, with a coach he respected, and to a city with a winning tradition. "I think I found all of those things here in San Francisco."

Injuries to running backs Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch mean the Buffalo Bills will rely heavily on rookie CJ Spiller, at least in the pre-season. With Jackson out for a month with a broken left hand and Lynch limping on a sore ankle, Spiller said he was looking forward to the challenge. "I've just got to be ready for however many reps I'm given," he said. "It doesn't matter to me if I have to play the whole game. This is football. This is what I love to do."

The Arizona Cardinals may sideline wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald for the rest of the pre-season because of his sprained right knee. Coach Ken Whisenhunt said the team will take a conservative approach but he expects Fitzgerald to be back for the season opener on September 12. Fitzgerald sprained his knee when he was hit as he made a catch against Houston last weekend. He caught the pass, but took a hard hit from safety Eugene Wilson. * Agencies