Ware, Cowboys agree

Irving, Texas — Three-time Pro Bowl linebacker DeMarcus Ware finally has his big contract with the Dallas Cowboys. He just won’t be getting paid as much as some of the elite quarterbacks he will be trying to sack.

After months of talks that intensified over the past two weeks, Ware agreed Monday to a $78 million, six-year deal through the 2015 season that guarantees him $40 million.

“I feel like I work really hard and am really deserving of what they’ve given me,” Ware said. “All this is behind me now. It’s time to get to work. You know what it’s time to bring home. I’m not going to say what it is, we’re just going to show you, and I’m going to show you.”

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones called Ware a “cornerstone player” for the Cowboys (4-2), who have gone 12 seasons without winning a playoff game and longer than that since winning three Super Bowl championships in four seasons (1992-95).

The 27-year-old Ware, who was in the final season of the contract he signed after being the 11th overall pick in the 2005 draft, has 57 1/2 sacks while starting all 70 of his regular-season games.

49ers’ Smith to start

Santa Clara, Calif. — Alex Smith is the San Francisco 49ers’ new starting quarterback.

Coach Mike Singletary made the announcement Monday after sitting down with Shaun Hill, who was benched at halftime of the Niners’ 24-21 loss at Houston on Sunday. Smith, who hadn’t played in nearly two years, completed his first six passes and finished 15 of 22 for 206 yards and three touchdown passes to tight end Vernon Davis — and he nearly led the 49ers back from a 21-0 deficit.

Dolphins CB out

Davie, Fla. — Will Allen’s season-ending knee injury will force the Miami Dolphins to go with two rookie cornerbacks beginning Sunday against the New York Jets.

Allen hurt the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the third quarter of the Dolphins’ loss to New Orleans and will require surgery, coach Tony Sparano said Monday.

Backup to start for Bills

Orchard Park, N.Y. — Bills backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick will make his second straight start this weekend while Trent Edwards continues to recover from a concussion.

Coach Dick Jauron made the announcement on Monday, a day after Fitzpatrick helped the Bills (3-4) to their second straight victory, 20-9 at Carolina.

Jets’ RB on IR

Florham Park, N.J. — New York Jets running back Leon Washington has been placed on season-ending injured reserve after having surgery in which a rod was inserted into his broken right leg.

Washington suffered a compound fracture of the tibia and fibula when an Oakland Raiders defender rolled up on his leg after a 6-yard run in the first quarter of the Jets’ 38-0 win Sunday.

Jets WR charged

Cleveland — Authorities say New York Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards has been charged with misdemeanor assault for punching a man outside a Cleveland nightclub.

Cleveland city prosecutor Victor Perez filed the charge Monday. It carries a maximum sentence of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

An arraignment hearing was scheduled for Nov. 17 in Cleveland Municipal Court.