Eagles put franchise tag on DeSean Jackson

The Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday put the franchise tag on wide receiver DeSean Jackson.

Jackson, a 2008 second-round pick from California and Long Beach Poly, who led Philadelphia with 961 yards receiving last season, was scheduled to become a free agent on March 13.

“We want DeSean to be an Eagle for the long haul, and this is a step in the right direction to accomplish that,” General Manager Howie Roseman said. “DeSean is a talented player and a proven playmaker in this league, and we look forward to him continuing his career in Philadelphia.”

Jackson made the Pro Bowl in 2009 and 2010, posting totals of 229 catches, 4,085 yards and 21 touchdowns along the way. Last season was a disappointment for Jackson, who caught only four touchdown passes as Philadelphia finished 8-8 and out of the NFC playoffs.

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The Oakland Raiders put the franchise tag on safety Tyvon Branch, guaranteeing him about $6.2 million for 2012 to keep him off the open market in free agency.

Branch, a fourth-round pick in 2008, has started every game the last three seasons and led the Raiders in tackles the last two years.

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Cincinnati Bengals receiver Jerome Simpson could receive a 60-day jail sentence after pleading guilty to a marijuana trafficking charge in Covington, Ky., further clouding his future in the NFL.

A judge will decide next month whether to accept the prosecutors’ recommendation or give him a more lenient sentence.

The four-year veteran is a free agent after completing his contract with the Bengals. His guilty plea could bring a suspension from the league, which would make him less attractive on the free-agent market.

ETC.

St. Louis, Molina agree to deal

Four-time Gold Glove catcher Yadier Molina agreed to a five-year, $75-million contract that kicks in next season and will keep him with the St. Louis Cardinals through the 2017 season. The deal makes Molina, long known for his premier defense and with a much improved bat, the second-highest-paid catcher in the majors.

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Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett will undergo surgery Friday to repair a fractured right orbital bone.

The right-hander was injured Wednesday at the team’s spring-training facility in Bradenton, Fla., while trying to bunt. The failed attempt caromed off his bat and into his face.

There is no immediate timetable for Burnett’s return. The 35-year-old was acquired in a three-player trade with the New York Yankees last month and was expected to join the rotation on a team looking to improve on a 72-90 record last season.

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Cleveland Indians outfielder Grady Sizemore underwent a minimally invasive lower-back procedure and is expected to miss eight to 12 weeks.

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Novak Djokovic defeated fellow Serb Janko Tipsarevic, 6-1, 7-6 (6), to set up a Dubai Championships semifinal against Andy Murray, a rematch of a marathon five-setter at the Australian Open.

Murray, who lost to Djokovic at the Australian Open each of the last two years, defeated fifth-seeded Tomas Berdych, 6-3, 7-5, in the United Arab Emirates.

Roger Federer will face Juan Martin del Potro in the other semifinal. Del Potro beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, 7-6 (1), 6-2, for the second time in two weeks, and Federer improved to 12-0 against Mikhail Youzhny by eliminating him, 6-3, 6-4.

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Andy Roddick reached his second quarterfinal of the year with a 6-4, 7-5 victory over Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan at the Delray Beach (Fla.) International Tennis Championship.

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Fernando Verdasco defeated fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro, 6-4, 7-6 (5), to reach the semifinals of the Mexican Open at Acapulco.

The eighth-seeded Verdasco will next play Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland, who advanced by beating Jeremy Chardy of France, 7-5, 6-1.

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Formula One veteran Rubens Barrichello announced he will join the IndyCar series this season.

Barrichello has reached a one-year deal to race for KV Racing Technology and will make his debut in the season opener March 25 at St. Petersburg, Fla.