NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans aren't waiting any longer: Jake Locker is their starting quarterback.

Titans coach Mike Munchak said Monday that Locker will start this season over veteran Matt Hasselbeck, choosing to go with the passer Tennessee hopes to build around after drafting Locker out of Washington in April 2011.

DAVIE, Fla. — Rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill has won the Miami Dolphins' starting job.First-year coach Joe Philbin announced following practice Monday that Tannehill will start the Dolphins' opener Sept. 9 at Houston.

SAN DIEGO — Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant was diagnosed with patellar tendinitis in his right knee after he got hurt Monday during a joint practice session with the San Diego Chargers.Bryant left the field after he slipped coming out of a break during a one-on-one drill, then had an MRI.

BOSTON — Boston Red Sox outfielder Carl Crawford will have season-ending surgery on his left elbow Thursday.Crawford has been playing with pain since coming off the disabled list last month and will have Tommy John surgery.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Injuries could already keep two defensive starters out of the Chiefs' season-opener against Atlanta. Now, a suspension has sidelined their best pass rusher.Pro Bowl linebacker Tamba Hali will miss the Sept. 9 game against the Falcons without pay after violating the NFLs substance-abuse policy, the league said Monday. Hali will be fined an additional game check and be eligible to return in Week 2.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Mike Fisher thinks Nashville is a perfect situation for him, and the Predators apparently feel the same way about the 32-year-old center.General manager David Poile announced an $8.4 million, two-year contract extension with Fisher at a fan event Monday night. Fisher was already under contract for the upcoming season with a $3 million salary and a salary-cap hit of $4.2 million.

METAIRIE, La. — New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis says the club has traded an undisclosed draft choice to Seattle for veteran linebacker Barrett Ruud.The acquisition of Ruud, who is heading into his eighth NFL season, comes on the heels of injuries to three of the Saints' top linebackers.

BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox have fired pitching coach Bob McClure and replaced him with Randy Niemann for the rest of the season.