Browns redo contract for defensive end Brown

Berea, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns restructured the contract of defensive end Courtney Brown, a former No. 1 overall draft pick whose career has been slowed by injuries the past two years.

By redoing Brown’s $5.5 million deal for 2003, the Browns will receive nearly $2 million in relief under the salary cap this season, team president Carmen Policy said Friday.

49ers sign first-rounder

Santa Clara, Calif. — First-round draft pick Kwame Harris signed with the San Francisco 49ers Friday, moments after the opening practice of training camp. The offensive tackle from Stanford agreed to a seven-year contract worth $8.939 million. Incumbent left tackle Derrick Deese was placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list as he recovers from offseason leg surgery. Until Deese returns, Harris will take his place.

Rams’ Tercero ailing

Macomb, Ill. — St. Louis Rams rookie offensive guard Scott Tercero, the team’s sixth-round pick, will be sidelined an estimated six weeks because of a knee injury. Tercero, injured in the first of two workouts Friday, will undergo surgery today. Tercero first hurt his knee lifting weights last week, and tore cartilage when he slipped and fell during a non-contact drill. Wide receiver Mike Furrey, an offseason pickup from Northern Iowa who has opened eyes early in camp, will be out perhaps two weeks due to a mild high ankle sprain.

Jags shelve Brackens

Jacksonville, Fla. — The Jaguars placed defensive end Tony Brackens on the physically-unable-to-perform list Friday following complicated knee surgery last year and an appendectomy this summer.

Panthers sign top pick

Spartanburg, S.C. — The Carolina Panthers agreed to contact terms with first-round draft pick Jordan Gross Friday night. The All-America offensive tackle from Utah was the eighth overall pick in the NFL draft.

Bears sign pair

Bourbonnais, Ill. — The Chicago Bears signed first-round draft picks Michael Haynes and Rex Grossman Friday. Haynes, a defensive end out of Penn State selected 14th overall, got a six-year contract. Grossman, a quarterback out of Florida selected 32nd, signed a five-year deal worth $7.6 million.

Vikings ink Williams

Mankato, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings signed first-round draft pick Kevin Williams Friday to a five-year contract. Williams, a defensive tackle from Oklahoma State, was picked ninth overall in the draft. Minnesota also signed second-round pick E.J. Henderson — the 40th selection in the 2003 draft — following back-to-back All-America honors as a junior and senior at Maryland.

Patterson joins Bengals

Cincinnati — Defensive end Elton Patterson, a seventh-round draft choice from Central Florida, signed a three-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. Patterson was a three-year starter at Central Florida with 30.5 sacks.

Steelers sign duo

Pittsburgh — The Pittsburgh Steelers signed second-round draft pick Alonzo Jackson and fifth-round selection Brian St. Pierre Friday.

Grant in Jets’ fold

New York — Free-agent cornerback Troy Grant signed with the New York Jets Friday. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Broncs’ Griffin breaks leg

Denver — Broncos rookie running back Quentin Griffin is expected to miss up to six weeks after breaking his right leg Friday during the first day of training camp. Griffin, Denver’s fourth-round draft pick, broke his fibula after being kicked in the shin.