NFL NOTEBOOK Papa John’s blames NFL for lackluster sales Patriots sign Hoyer as Brady’s backup after Garoppolo trade

Tom Brady didn’t go without a backup for long.

New England signed former 49ers quarterback

Brian Hoyer on Wednesday to fill the role, a day after Hoyer was released by San Francisco following its acquisition of Jimmy Garoppolo in a trade with the Patriots.

Hoyer began his career as Brady’s backup in New England in 2009, and has spent time with seven NFL teams during his nine-year career.

He started the first six games this season for the 49ers before being benched for C.J. Beathard. Hoyer now returns to back up a quarterback in Brady that has been one of the most durable signal callers in the league during his career.

Sales growth at Papa John’s is slowing, and the pizza chain is blaming it on the outcry surrounding NFL players kneeling during the national anthem.

The company, which is a sponsor and advertiser of the NFL, said customers have a negative view of the chain’s association with the NFL. The company also cut its earnings growth expectations for the year and Papa John’s stock fell about 10 percent Wednesday.

“NFL leadership has hurt Papa John’s shareholders,” said the chain’s CEO John

Schnatter, in a call with analysts Wednesday. “This should have been nipped in the bud a year and a half ago.”

Panthers need faster receivers, coach says

Carolina coach Ron Rivera said Wednesday the Panthers traded No. 1 receiver Kelvin Benjamin so they could get younger, faster players on the field.

Rivera said that starting receivers Benjamin and Devin Funchess had “similar skill sets,” and the Panthers wanted players who are vertical threats in the game because “we haven’t stretched the field this year.”

Benjamin and Funchess are both considered tall possession receivers, but aren’t incredibly fast.