Sanchez is named starting QB for Jets

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The future is now for the new face of the New York Jets, Mark Sanchez.

Sanchez was selected as the team's starting quarterback by coach Rex Ryan yesterday, making him the first rookie slated to open a season under center for the Jets.

"This comes with a lot of responsibility," Sanchez said. "As happy as I am, I know that this is just the beginning and I'm just excited, really excited, to get to play with such great players."

The fifth overall draft pick out of Southern California beat out Kellen Clemens for the job and will make his regular-season debut at Houston on Sept. 13.

Among past Jets rookie quarterbacks, Joe Namath didn't start until the third game of his first season in 1965. Matt Robinson was the last rookie quarterback to start a game for the Jets in 1977.

Boldin misses practice

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Arizona wide receiver Anquan Boldin sat out practice with a sore right hamstring and probably will miss the Cardinals' game against Green Bay tomorrow night. Coach Ken Whisenhunt said Boldin felt a problem with the hamstring late in practice on Tuesday but an MRI showed no serious injury.

The Cardinals might also be without wide receiver Steve Breaston, who has been sidelined with a bruised knee. If both miss the game, Jerheme Urban would move up to No. 2 receiver behind Larry Fitzgerald.

Ravens' TE sidelined

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Baltimore Ravens tight end L.J. Smith could miss the rest of the preseason with a pulled hamstring, and defensive tackle Kelly Gregg might also be sidelined for an extended stretch because of a shoulder injury.

Smith hurt his leg in Monday's 24-23 win over the New York Jets. He will be held out of Saturday's game against Carolina and might miss the finale against Atlanta on Sept. 3.

Signed as a free agent during the offseason, the former Philadelphia Eagles standout has been tormented by injuries the past two years. He was already dealing with an upper hamstring pull, a hip flexor problem as well as the effects of a sports hernia procedure during the offseason.

Gregg was also injured against the Jets. He had an MRI on Tuesday that revealed no damage, but the Ravens plan to play it safe.

Lions sign Martin, Cundiff

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions signed defensive end Orion Martin and kicker Billy Cundiff. Martin was cut earlier this week by the Dolphins. The Lions will give the rookie from Virginia Tech a chance, perhaps as soon as Saturday in a preseason game against Indianapolis, because they need pass-rushing help. Cundiff, who will kick against the Colts in place of the injured Jason Hanson, played for Dallas during 2002-05 and was in five games with New Orleans in 2006.

Rookie moved to safety

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Sherrod Martin entered training camp as a candidate to snag the No. 3 cornerback job with the Carolina Panthers. Just over three weeks later, the rookie isn't even playing that position anymore.

The combination of falling behind others at cornerback and a slew of injuries at safety has led to the second-round pick moving to the position he played last season at Troy.

Meanwhile, Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams missed practice with a sore knee. The injury doesn't appear serious.

Elsewhere

• With backup Chris Simms hobbled by an ankle injury, the Denver Broncos moved to bolster their depth at quarterback by signing free agent Ingle Martin. The Broncos have not said how long Simms is expected to be sidelined.

Simms suffered a high ankle sprain when Seahawks pass rusher Nick Reed fell on his left ankle during the third quarter of Saturday's 27-13 loss at Seattle.

The loss of Simms left starter Kyle Orton and rookie Tom Brandstater as the only healthy quarterbacks on the Broncos roster.

• The Jacksonville Jaguars signed defensive tackle Jervonte Jackson and waived defensive end Jeremy Mincey. Jackson, a 6-5 300-pounder from Florida Atlantic, signed with Philadelphia as an undrafted rookie in May. He was waived earlier this month.

• The New England Patriots re-signed wide receiver Robert Ortiz. The move came one month after they released him July 23. He also had been cut by the Patriots before last year's training camp.

• Chicago Bears defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek will undergo arthroscopic surgery this week on his right knee. The team reported on its Web site that the procedure will be performed tomorrow.

• St. Louis defensive tackle Adam Carriker was back at practice after an ankle injury, but the 2007 No. 1 pick is working with the third-string defense, at least for now. Carriker hurt his left ankle during a scrimmage Aug. 7, the same ankle that bothered him last season.