Woodson Casts His Lot With San Francisco

Free agent cornerback Rod Woodson expects to sign with the San Francisco 49ers within the next two or three weeks, and he told other NFL teams that he’s no longer considering their offers.

“Rod informed various teams that he has decided that he wants to play in San Francisco,” his agent, Eugene Parker, said Thursday. “We have yet to work out all the details so we don’t have a contract, but we have discussed parameters.

“I do know that they would like him there and Rod wants to be there and we should be able to work that out. We expect to be putting something together with the 49ers within the next two or three weeks.”

The timetable for signing with San Francisco has been delayed while the 49ers clear room under the salary cap for Woodson, a seven-time Pro Bowl player in 10 seasons with Pittsburgh and a member of the NFL’s 75th anniversary team.

Woodson recently held a workout at Purdue University in front of representatives from 10 NFL teams, including the 49ers.

Woodson, who has been bothered by injuries the past two season, has said he would prefer to play most of his games on a grass field, both to prolong his career and perhaps ease the possibility of reinjury.

Redskins welcome Hostetler

Washington Redskins fans relish their quarterback controversies:

Sonny vs. Billy, Doug vs. Jay, Gus vs. Heath.

Can Gus vs. Hos be far behind?

The Redskins are willing to take that chance. Though weary from a three-year tug-of-war between Gus Frerotte and Heath Shuler, the team formally welcomed Jeff Hostetler, a 14-year veteran still near the top of his game, to serve as Frerotte’s backup.

“There’s no question (Jeff) will help our football team,” coach Norv Turner said. “He’ll be a great addition to the locker room, in the meeting rooms, on the sideline, and if circumstances present themselves where Jeff is asked to go play, there’s no question in my mind he’ll be ready.”

Lions land Carrier

Free agent safety Mark Carrier, who has spent his first seven seasons with the Chicago Bears, has reached agreement with the Detroit Lions.

Although the Lions did not disclose terms of the deal, WDIV-TV of Detroit reported the contract was worth an estimated $2.4 million over three years.

Tight end stays put

Pat Carter signed a one-year contract with Arizona, returning to the Cardinals, for whom he posted the best receiving statistics by a tight end in seven years.