ASHBURN, Va. — Jason Taylor entered the locker room yesterday morning ready to suit up for his first practice of training camp, just like he'd done before each of his past 11 NFL seasons.

This time, however, instead of finding a blue-and-orange Miami Dolphins uniform waiting for him, there was a burgundy-and-gold Washington Redskins outfit with an unfamiliar number.

"Some of the guys in the locker room noticed I was uneasy with it at first," Taylor joked. "I was looking at the helmet and trying to figure out what it was and all that."

Taylor successfully put on the uniform, the first time he'd practiced with the team since being acquired from the Dolphins on Sunday for a second-round pick in 2009 and a sixth-round choice in 2010.

Taylor took the field in a No. 55 jersey, a change from the No. 99 he'd worn since entering the league.

Andre Carter, Taylor's new defensive end partner, already wears No. 99 for the Redskins. Carter was willing to talk about a number swap, but Taylor didn't press the issue.

"I thought about it last night," Taylor said after his first practice yesterday morning. "I talked to my wife and decided we'd let 99 stay in Miami and start a new chapter up here."

Taylor totaled 117 sacks — best among active players — as No. 99 for the Dolphins. The Redskins believe that dominance will continue even though the number has changed.

"People are going to know who No. 55 is real soon," quarterback Jason Campbell said.

BEARS

LINEBACKER URLACHER SIGNS $18M EXTENSION

Six-time Pro Bowl linebacker Brian Urlacher signed a one-year contract extension yesterday with the Chicago Bears on the eve of the team's first training camp practice.

The team did not reveal terms of the deal but reports say it is worth $18 million, including a $6 million signing bonus, a $1 million raise in base salary from 2008 through 2011 and then $8 million in the final year of the deal.

Urlacher had initially signed a nine-year, $56.65 million deal in 2003 but wanted an extension.

BRONCOS

TOP DRAFT PICKS CLADY, ROYAL REMAIN UNSIGNED

The Denver Broncos agreed to a deal with cornerback Jack Williams yesterday, signing all but two of their nine 2008 draft picks.

Terms of Williams' deal were not disclosed.

The only players left to be signed from the draft class are first-round selection Ryan Clady and second-round pick Eddie Royal. Clady is penciled in as the Broncos' starting left tackle and Royal will be relied on for his special teams prowess.

CHARGERS

DE CASTILLO AGREES TO 5-YEAR, $43M EXTENSION

Chargers defensive end Luis Castillo came up with a huge sack yesterday — a huge sack of money, that is.

Castillo agreed to a five-year contract extension through 2014 valued at about $43 million. The deal will pay Castillo a guaranteed $17.5 million in signing and roster bonuses.

"You know I am not usually short of words but today is different," Castillo said. "It's an unbelievable feeling. Three years ago all I looked for was an opportunity, a chance to come into this league and play and prove the kind of player I was and prove the things I could do on that football field. And to be standing here three years later, committed to San Diego for seven more, it's an unbelievable feeling."

EAGLES

QB MCNABB SHOWS NO SIGNS OF SHOULDER INJURY

Donovan McNabb zipped passes to rookies and undrafted no-names, clearly not bothered by a shoulder injury that forced him to miss a few offseason practices.

The five-time Pro Bowl quarterback joined rookies and selected veterans yesterday as the Philadelphia Eagles kicked off training camp at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa. Though McNabb was expected to participate all along, many watched closely to see if the shoulder affected him.

After limiting McNabb's throws in minicamp, the Eagles shut him down during a passing camp in June because of an injury they termed "tendinitis."

"I haven't had any reoccurrence," he said. "It's fine, and I don't expect to have any reoccurrence. It took rest and stretching. In this position I play, it's just repetition and continuing to throw the routes and getting that velocity back that you would throw in game speed."

GIANTS

FIVE YEARS, $11 MILLION FOR TOP PICK PHILLIPS

The New York Giants agreed to terms with first-round choice Kenny Phillips last night, and the Super Bowl champions will be heading to training camp with all their draft picks.

The safety from Miami will earn roughly $11 million over the next five years under terms of the deal, said a person close to the team who requested anonymity because the contract has not been signed.

JETS

DEFENSIVE BACK CARROLL SIGNS AFTER YEAR IN AFL

The New York Jets signed free-agent defensive back Ahmad Carroll, a former first-round pick of Green Bay who was out of the NFL last season, to a contract yesterday.

The Jets waived defensive back Nate Lyles to make room on their roster for Carroll, the 25th overall pick in 2004.

The speedy Carroll played this year in the Arena Football League with the Orlando Predators after being waived by Jacksonville in May 2007, two days after he was arrested on weapon and drug charges.

PATRIOTS

CORNERBACK/RETURNER WHEATLEY SIGNS CONTACT

The New England Patriots signed second-round pick cornerback Terrence Wheatley yesterday, leaving only top pick Jerod Mayo unsigned among their draftees two days before the start of training camp.

Wheatley, the 62nd overall pick in the draft from Colorado, also is a return threat, having gained 1,350 yards on kickoff returns in college.

The Patriots picked Mayo — a linebacker from Tennessee— with the 10th overall selection in the draft.

TEXANS

THREE DRAFT PICKS SIGN; FOUR CUT TO MAKE ROOM

The Houston Texans signed three draft picks yesterday and cleared roster space by releasing four players.

The Texans signed both third-round picks, cornerback Antwaun Molden and running back Steve Slaton, and their fifth-round choice, defensive lineman Frank Okam of Texas. Terms weren't released.

Molden was selected 79th out of Eastern Kentucky. Slaton, the third-leading rusher in West Virginia history despite leaving after his junior season, went to the Texans with the 89th pick. Okam, the 151st pick, had 52 tackles and five sacks last year for the Longhorns.

TITANS

ALL BUT TOP TWO DRAFT PICKS UNDER CONTRACT

The Tennessee Titans agreed to terms on a multiyear contract with rookie tight end Craig Stevens yesterday.

Stevens was a third-round draft pick out of the University of California.

The Titans have now agreed to terms with five of their seven 2008 draft choices, with only running back Chris Johnson and defensive lineman Jason Jones unsigned. Johnson was picked in the first round and Jones in the second.