NFL Notebook | 49ers lose draft pick because of tampering

NEW YORK — The San Francisco 49ers forfeited their fifth-round pick in next month's draft after commissioner Roger Goodell said they tampered with Chicago linebacker Lance Briggs.

In a statement released by the league Monday, Goodell also said the teams will switch picks in the third round of the April 26-27 draft. Chicago, which had the 12th pick, will get San Francisco's seventh pick and the 49ers will get Chicago's third-round choice.

Goodell said the 49ers violated the anti-tampering policy by contacting Briggs' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, about his client during the 2007 season.

"The 49ers organization respects Commissioner Goodell's ruling today, however we do disagree with it," 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan said in a statement. "This was not a malicious act; we believe that our intent was within the NFL guidelines. Going forward, we will take the necessary steps to ensure we are in compliance with the NFL's interpretation."

Briggs had been designated as Chicago's franchise player, signing a one-year tender that meant he could not leave the Bears. He had been expected to leave as a free agent after last season but instead re-signed with Chicago for $36 million over six years.

Report: Marshall's

injury is serious

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Denver Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall has an injured right arm and the NFL Network reported he could take several months to recover.

Marshall, who caught 102 passes last season, told the Rocky Mountain News he had slipped on a fast-food bag while vacationing at a resort with his mother, father and siblings. He said there was nothing more to read into it than that and described his injury as "a little cut on my arm."

But the NFL Network reported Monday night, citing no sources, Marshall had severed an artery, a vein and a nerve in his forearm along with tendons to five muscles. The NFL Network also reported Marshall told team officials he was wrestling with family members when he got hurt. He had surgery Saturday and the NFL Network reported he is expected to be ready for training camp.

Notes

• Denver signed free-agent center Casey Wiegmann to a two-year deal even though it appears he will enter camp as a backup to Tom Nalen. The team also announced the re-signing of fullback Cecil Sapp.

• Receiver Chad Johnson skipped the start of the Bengals' offseason workouts, seemingly the latest move to show he is unhappy with how he is perceived in Cincinnati. Johnson said in interviews last week he is skipping the voluntary workouts to reinforce his message that he would like to play somewhere else.

• Tennessee started its offseason program without All-Pro defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.

The Titans designated Haynesworth as their franchise player Feb. 20, but he is not under contract. The only way Haynesworth can take part would be to sign the tender worth approximately $7.8 million, which would be 120 percent of his 2007 salary.