Chapel Hill, N.C. — Marvin Austin, Robert Quinn and Greg Little were supposed to lead North Carolina’s resurgence under Butch Davis this season. Instead, they never even stepped on the field.

And the trouble for the football program is still not over.

The school kicked Austin, a defensive tackle, off the team Monday while the NCAA declared Quinn and Little “permanently ineligible” amid an ongoing investigation into whether players received improper benefits from agents.

Monday was the latest step in what has been a painstaking process that has inched along for weeks. The Tar Heels, who are also being investigated for possible academic violations, began the season with 13 players sidelined. The status of six players remains in question.

College Football

Houston seeks 6th year for QB

Houston — Houston is asking the NCAA for a waiver to allow injured quarterback Case Keenum to play a sixth season.

Keenum was nearing several NCAA career records when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while attempting a tackle in a 31-13 loss Sept. 18 at UCLA.

‘Bama WR Jones’ status uncertain

Tuscaloosa, Ala. — Alabama receiver Julio Jones broke his left hand against South Carolina, and his status for the eighth-ranked Crimson Tide’s game Saturday against Mississippi is uncertain. Also, right tackle D.J. Fluker has a groin injury and will miss at least a week.

Oregon St. WR done for season

Corvallis, Ore. — Oregon State flanker James Rodgers will miss the rest of the season due to a left knee injury.

The senior was injured Saturday in the second quarter of the No. 24 Beavers’ 29-27 victory over Arizona when he was taken down by Wildcat safety Adam Hall.

NFL

Branch sent back to Patriots

Renton, Wash. — Deion Branch is headed back to New England and a reunion with Tom Brady.

Branch, the former Super Bowl MVP wide receiver with the Patriots, was traded Monday night from the Seattle Seahawks to New England. The Seahawks confirmed the trade late Monday night.

Seattle said it will get a fourth-round pick in exchange for Branch getting a reunion with the team that drafted him in 2002.

Sims-Walker trade talks ‘garbage’

Jacksonville, Fla. — Jacksonville Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio called trade reports surrounding receiver Mike Sims-Walker “garbage.”

Del Rio lashed out Monday at reports that suggested Sims-Walker is on the trading block.

Broncos already rule out five

Englewood, Colo. — The Broncos’ beatdown at Baltimore got even worse Monday with word that Denver will be without five key players, including three members of its secondary, when the New York Jets visit Invesco Field next Sunday.

Coach Josh McDaniels already has ruled out safeties Brian Dawkins (knee) and Darcel McBath (ankle) and cornerback Andre’ Goodman (thigh) along with pass-rusher Robert Ayers (leg) and special-teams captain Wesley Woodyard (hamstring).

Gradkowski will start if healthy

Alameda, Calif. — Oakland Raiders coach Tom Cable said Monday that Bruce Gradkowski would remain the starter if his injured right shoulder is healthy enough to play Sunday at San Francisco. Jason Campbell took over for Gradkowski and led two long touchdown drives to help the Raiders rally to beat San Diego on Sunday.

Eagles DT to have elbow surgery

Philadelphia — Eagles coach Andy Reid says defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley needs elbow surgery and is likely out for the year.

Packers’ Rodgers has concussion

Green Bay, Wis. — Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has a concussion and might have to sit out Sunday’s game against Miami.

College Basketball

Penn State forward out for season

State College, Pa. — Penn State forward Sasa Borovnjak will miss this season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

Woods, Wake Forest part ways

Winston-Salem, N.C. — Junior center Tony Woods has received a release from the Wake Forest basketball program.

The school said Monday that Woods asked for a release so he could pursue other options.

NBA

Iverson considering Turkey

Philadelphia — Allen Iverson is talking about Turkey!

Gary Moore, Iverson’s personal manager, said Monday night there are “serious talks” for Iverson to play with a Turkish team. Iverson, the 2001 NBA MVP, is negotiating with Besiktas Cola Turka for at least a one-year deal.

Mavs’ Carlisle back on bench

Dallas — Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle was back on the bench for Monday night’s preseason game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, three days after collapsing at a team practice. Carlisle was hospitalized following a fainting spell during Friday’s team workout and missed Saturday night’s outdoor game against Phoenix in California.