Colts defensive end Keyunta Dawson, left, and defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock watch from the sideline during training camp. Pitcock practiced for the first time Monday in Terre Haute, Ind., after completing his physical, and he might be called on to fill in for the injured Anthony McFarland.

The Super Bowl champions could be a missing a big contributor on defense for much of the season.

Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Anthony McFarland injured his knee Friday and missed Saturday’s controlled scrimmage.

Colts coach Tony Dungy called the injury serious and said McFarland might need surgery but didn’t give details on how the injury happened or which knee was hurt.

“It’s a long-term injury,” Dungy said. “It’s (surgery) something that we’re contemplating. It’s something that I think is going to happen.”

The 300-pound McFarland, who was obtained in a trade from Tampa last season and helped shore up the Colts’ run defense in the playoffs, left the field early during Friday’s workout. He was sent to Indianapolis for an MRI and has an injured patella tendon.

“He’s not going to be back in the next three or four weeks or anything like that,” Dungy said.

Raheem Brock will start at one defensive tackle spot, but it was unclear who would eventually take McFarland’s role.

Rookie defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock, a third-round draft pick from Ohio State, could fill in.

Pitcock practiced for the first time Monday after missing the first week of camp with a leg injury.

Cowboys

Terrell Owens’ back pain is just spasms and isn’t considered serious.

An MRI taken when Owens missed the Dallas Cowboys’ practice for the second straight day, showed no problems.

The Cowboys had the exam done because the 33-year-old receiver still had muscle stiffness a day after being treated by team trainers. T.O. got more treatment Monday and wasn’t on the field for either of the team’s two practice sessions.

Dolphins

New Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter sought a second opinion before deciding whether to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery that could sideline him for at least two weeks.

Porter has been out of action since Friday because of the injury, which began bothering him during the offseason. He was examined over the weekend and sought a second opinion from Birmingham, Ala.-based specialist Dr. James Andrews.

The Dolphins’ first exhibition game will be Saturday against Jacksonville. Porter would miss most or all of the preseason if he requires surgery.

Another injury concern surfaced when tackle Anthony Alabi limped off the field Monday morning after hurting his left knee. He was to be evaluated.

Browns

Following substantive talks over the weekend, holdout Brady Quinn and the Browns are only $500,000 apart in guaranteed money for the first-round pick.

The major sticking point in negotiations between the Browns and agent Tom Condon are escalator clauses based on playing time for Quinn, who slid to No. 22 in the April draft after being projected as a top 10 selection.

49ers

Starting nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin sprained his left knee and will miss the preseason.

Franklin, who left Baltimore to sign with San Francisco in the offseason, was injured when two offensive linemen rolled onto his leg during a play.

“It’s not as bad as it could have been,” Nolan said. “Missing training camp doesn’t get me excited. … That’s a disappointment, but it’s not that bad.”

Packers

Pro Bowl wide receiver Donald Driver received a contract extension and a raise.

“We added money to get Donald paid like the Pro Bowl receiver he is,” agent Jordan Woy said Monday in an e-mail to the Associated Press.

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported Driver was given a one-year extension through the 2010 season, adding almost $11 million to his existing deal. Most of that money comes in the final year of the new deal, as Driver would make about $7 million in 2010.

Broncos

First-round draft pick Jarvis Moss put a scare into himself and the Broncos when he twisted his left knee while doing a spin move during 1-on-1 pass-rush drills and was taken off the field on a cart.

An MRI exam was negative and Moss returned to the sideline for the afternoon drills, which were moved to an indoor practice facility because of heavy rains.

Panthers

Carolina Panthers safety Mike Minter, the team’s career leader in tackles and one of its most popular players, has decided to retire because of chronic knee pain, a person familiar with the decision said.

The person, speaking to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because an official announcement will be made today, said Minter made the decision over the weekend.