Rams QB Warner undergoes surgery

St. Louis St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner successfully underwent surgery Tuesday to stabilize the broken pinkie on the two-time MVP’s throwing hand and will be sidelined at least two months.

“He’ll be gradually introduced to football-related activities,” said Dr. Matthew Matava, the Rams’ head team physician who assisted in the surgery at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. “When we say eight to 10 weeks, we’re speaking about him being back to playing competitively.”

During the 55-minute procedure, surgeons inserted four pins to stabilize the broken pinkie, which Warner injured in the first quarter of Sunday’s 13-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Warner is wearing a bulky splint to protect and immobilize the finger for roughly four weeks, after which time he will begin therapy to restore strength and range of motion. The pins will be removed in five to six weeks, the Rams said.

Also on Tuesday, the Rams signed Scott Covington as the team’s No. 3 quarterback, backing up Warner replacement Jamie Martin and reserve Marc Bulger. Covington will remain with the team until Warner returns.

Jets CB charged

Jacksonville, Fla. New York Jets cornerback Aaron Beasley has been charged with a misdemeanor of simple battery during a bar fight in Jacksonville on July 6. Hank Coxe, Beasley’s attorney, said Tuesday the charge was filed against Beasley over the weekend when the Jets were in Jacksonville for Sunday’s game with the Jaguars. Beasley, a former Jaguar, has a Nov. 25 hearing in Duval County Court, but is not required to attend. Coxe said Beasley was notified that he should surrender on a warrant, but Coxe convinced the judge to recall the arrest warrant. Coxe said he promised he would appear on Beasley’s behalf at the hearing in November.

NFL defends record of minority hiring

New York The NFL, threatened with a lawsuit over its lack of black head coaches, defended the steps it has taken in minority hiring, but acknowledged Tuesday there is room for improvement.

“Progress has been made and we expect that progress to continue,” league spokesman Greg Aiello said.

“We take the issue very seriously and have initiated several programs in recent years under commissioner (Paul) Tagliabue to ensure that our hiring practices are fair, and that all coaches have opportunities to advance.”

Aiello was responding to a report released Monday by a group headed by attorney Johnnie Cochran Jr. Using statistics compiled over the past 15 years, the report noted that black head coaches had been more successful than their white counterparts, but that they weren’t hired commensurate with that success.

“Black coaches are being held to a higher standard,” said Cochran, who suggested the league might be sued if progress isn’t made. “Now is the time for the NFL to step up and make a change.”

To stimulate the hiring of blacks as head coaches, Cochran proposed that Tagliabue “reward at least one team each year for developing a diverse front office” with a draft pick.

Rodgers can avoid jail

Miami Miami Dolphins linebacker Derrick Rodgers can avoid jail time under a plea agreement released Tuesday on charges he kicked and punched his wife and hit a man with a chair at a restaurant. Rodgers would serve five years of probation if he accepts the deal offered to his attorney on Sept. 5. Rodgers would also have to stay away from William Peguero, the man he allegedly hit with a chair, and not have any “violent contact” with his wife, Kareff Rodgers. The deal includes a 26-week domestic battery intervention program, 100 hours of community service, written apologies to the victims, a $500 donation to a domestic violence prevention program and reimbursement for Peguero’s medical bills.

Bucs sign three

Tampa, Fla. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed receiver Charles Lee, offensive lineman Tutan Reyes and long snapper Morris Unutoa to one-year contracts on Tuesday. The team also placed long snapper Mike Solwold (foot) and rookie receiver Marquise Walker (thumb) on injured reserve. Guard Russ Hochstein was released from the 53-man roster, then later re-signed with Tampa Bay’s practice squad.