NFL Briefs

The New England Patriots signed quarterback Matt Gutierrez to their practice squad on Wednesday, choosing a youngster who knows their system over a more experienced player who would have to learn it.

Gutierrez could be activated for Sunday's game at the New York Jets. After last Sunday's season-ending left knee injury to Tom Brady in the season opening 17-10 win over Kansas City, the Patriots' two quarterbacks are starter Matt Cassel and rookie third-round draft pick Kevin O'Connell.

Veterans Chris Simms and Tim Rattay met with team personnel but didn't work out or take physicals. Simms signed Tuesday with Tennessee.

Asked what the decision not to sign a veteran says about his confidence in Cassel, coach Bill Belichick said Wednesday, "I don't know what else it could say. That's it. He's our quarterback."

Gutierrez joined the Patriots as a rookie free agent out of Idaho State - he transferred from Michigan - before last season and completed the only pass he threw in the five games he played. He was released Aug. 30 in the final cutdown to the 53-player regular-season limit, but remained unsigned.

"Matt is on the practice squad so that changes the options right there," Belichick said. "We felt like that was the best thing we could do in terms of adding a third quarterback on our roster right now."

The Patriots made two other practice squad moves, signing punter Tom Malone and releasing defensive back Mark Dillard.

Rams

The Rams dipped into the past to fill a void at wide receiver, signing former No. 1 pick Eddie Kennison.

Kennison, 35, played for the Rams from 1996-98 after being the 18th overall pick of the '96 draft. He's been out of the NFL since Kansas City released him in February.

The Rams need a replacement for Drew Bennett, who broke his left foot in the first quarter of the opening 38-3 loss at Philadelphia. Bennett will wear a cast for three to four weeks and could be out as long as six weeks.

Kennison was limited by hamstring and shoulder injuries last year and played eight games for the Chiefs, catching 13 passes for 101 yards. He's one of two players in franchise history with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in 2004 and '05.

Kennison had 54 catches, a 17.1-yard average and nine touchdowns in his rookie season in St. Louis, thriving opposite Isaac Bruce, while also averaging 14.6 yards on punt returns with two touchdowns.