FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Rodney Harrison's career is almost certainly over after the hard-hitting but injury-plagued safety of the New England Patriots tore his right thigh muscle.

"It appears as though the rehab could take 8 to 10 months," a person familiar with the injury told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team has not made an official announcement.

"For all intents and purposes, his career is over," the person, who confirmed the nature of the injury, said in an e-mail yesterday.

Harrison, a 15-year veteran, two-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion, tore the quadriceps muscle without being hit while chasing quarterback Jay Cutler on the last play of the third quarter of the Patriots' 41-7 win over the Denver Broncos on Monday night.

BROWNS

TE WINSLOW SUSPENDED

The Cleveland Browns suspended tight end Kellen Winslow yesterday for critical comments he made following Sunday's loss at Washington.

Winslow, who spent three days at the Cleveland Clinic earlier this month with an undisclosed illness, revealed he had a staph infection — for the second time — before lashing out at Browns general manager Phil Savage as the Pro Bowler's teammates dressed after their 14-11 loss to the Redskins.

Winslow complained that the team, which has had at least six cases of staph in the past three years, asked him to conceal his illness. He also vented at Savage for not checking on him while he was in the hospital, said he felt the Browns were treating him like a "piece of meat."

Savage shot back with a 352-word statement yesterday, suspending Winslow and calling his comments and behavior "unwarranted, inappropriate."

49ERS

SINGLETARY TO CARRY ON

Mike Singletary replaced his coaching mentor yesterday with a vow to build on what Mike Nolan started with the San Francisco 49ers.

Nolan was fired Monday night after seven games in his fourth consecutive dismal season.

"Right now, the guys realize that we do have something here," Singletary said. "To what degree, I don't know, but we do have something special here. It's a matter of stepping in and being able to bring it together, and that's something I've done all my life."

Singletary, a former linebacker who made the Hall of Fame during his stellar career with the Chicago Bears, also will be a candidate for the permanent job after the season, general manager Scot McCloughan said.

ELSEWHERE

Cowboys: Dallas quarterback Tony Romo said last night his broken right pinkie likely will sideline him again this Sunday. Romo was injured in Dallas' overtime loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 12.

Eagles: Fullback Kyle Eckel signed a two-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles yesterday, and will be the third player used at the position this season.