NFL League and Player News: Leftwich, Dixon leads Steelers past Giants

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers may be fine without the suspended Ben Roethlisberger for the start of the season.

Byron Leftwich and Dennis Dixon combined to lead three long touchdown drives after Roethlisberger made his preseason debut and the Steelers beat the Giants 24-17 on Saturday night, spoiling New York’s first home game in its new $1.6 billion stadium.

Roethlisberger, suspended for the opening six games of the regular season by commissioner Roger Goodell for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, was solid in his first game since the suspension was announced. He completed six of eight passes for 76 yards and an interception and led the Steelers on a 13-play, 58-yard drive that lasted seven-plus minutes and ended in a 26-yard field goal by Jeff Reed.

This was a quarterback mismatch. The Steelers (2-0) had three good ones while the Giants (1-1) had only third-stringer Rhett Bomar, with starter Eli Manning (stitches) and backup Jim Sorgi (shoulder) sidelined.

Raiders 32, Bears 17

CHICAGO (AP) — Oakland reserve linebacker Slade Norris recovered a muffed punt in the end zone for a go-ahead TD and later blocked a punt for a safety.

Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher, who missed all but one game last season after hurting his wrist in the season opener, injured his calf on the opening drive.

Starting quarterbacks Jason Campbell of the Raiders (2-0) and Jay Cutler of the Bears (0-2) both played the first half in the game.

Campbell was 10 for 20 for 170 yards with a short TD run and an interception. Cutler completed 7 of 15 for 99 yards with a 22-yard TD pass to Johnny Knox and was sacked five times — four of them credited to linebacker Kamerion Wimbley.

Buccaneers 20, Chiefs 15

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Josh Freeman’s preseason is over, and Tampa Bay (1-1) can only hope his injured thumb doesn’t lead to another slow start when the real games begin.

The second-year quarterback fractured the tip of the thumb on his throwing hand and will be sidelined at least until the opening week of the regular season.

Freeman’s backups, Josh Johnson and Rudy Carpenter, each threw for a touchdown. Micheal Spurlock scored on a 53-yard reception in the second quarter, and Carpenter snapped a fourth-quarter tie with a 5-yard throw to Terrance Nunn.

Matt Cassel completed 14 of 19 passes for 125 yards and no interceptions for Kansas City (0-2). His 6-yard TD pass to Jeremy Horne finished a 47-yard scoring drive that rookie Javier Arenas set up with a 53-yard kickoff return.

Ravens 23, Redskins 3

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Baltimore safety Haruki Nakamura took a direct snap on fourth-and-6 and juked his way 51 yards — all the way to the 1 — in the second quarter to set up the only touchdown scored by either first-team offense.

The Redskins (1-1) had two starters leave with knee injuries: Fullback Mike Sellers hurt his left knee while blocking on a running play, and free safety Kareem Moore injured his right knee trying to catch up to Nakamura on the fake punt play.

Also, Donovan McNabb emerged from the locker room after halftime with a large wrap around his lower left leg and ankle. Left tackle Trent Williams, the No. 4 overall draft pick, left with a bruised elbow.

The Ravens improved to 2-0.

Jets 9, Panthers 3

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Mark Sanchez was lucky to avoid two interceptions and failed to get New York (1-1) in the end zone despite great field position.

And he still had the better night of the two starting quarterbacks.

Matt Moore couldn’t lead Carolina (0-2) to any points on a night of dismal offense.

Sanchez was 5 of 10 for 12 yards, a setback after he recovered from an interception on his first pass Monday against the Giants and looked sharp. LaDainian Tomlinson’s 20-yard draw play was the Jets’ top offensive play.

Moore failed to lead a scoring drive for the second straight game. He was 6 of 17 for 57 yards and an interception.

Lions 25, Broncos 20

DENVER (AP) — Many in the crowd came hoping to get a glimpse of Denver’s future in Tim Tebow and instead got a peek at the past when former Bronco Dre’ Bly’s 47-yard interception return set up Detroit’s first touchdown.

Detroit third-stringer Drew Stanton’s 25-yard touchdown run on a quarterback draw with 1:53 left was the difference. Brady Quinn drove the Broncos into Lions territory in the closing seconds before Willie Young stripped the ball away.

Tebow’s home debut will have to wait at least another week. He sat out with bruised ribs he sustained in the exhibition opener a week ago, much to the disappointment of throngs of Broncos fans donning his No. 15 jersey at Invesco Field.

Both teams are 1-1.

Dolphins 27, Jaguars 26

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Eight months after picking apart Jacksonville in the regular season, Chad Henne did it again in a preseason game, completing 11 of 14 passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns in the first half for Miami.

The game was delayed 1 hour, 45 minutes by a thunderstorm.

The Dolphins improved to 2-0, and the Jaguars dropped to 0-2.

Rams 19, Browns 17

CLEVELAND (AP) — Josh Brown made a 28-yard field goal, his fourth field goal of the game, with 3:33 left to lift St. Louis (1-1).

Jake Delhomme, making his home debut for Cleveland (1-1), was accurate and efficient in a steady first-half downpour, completing 12 of 16 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown before he was replaced in the second half by Seneca Wallace.

Packers 27, Seahawks 24

SEATTLE (AP) — Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers was 8 for 11 for 116 yards and two touchdowns in one, easy quarter, and Seattle’s Matt Hasselbeck was 11 for 15 for 127 yards with a score in a redeeming first half before the Packers (1-1) rallied.

Former New York Jets All-Pro Leon Washington, making his debut for Seattle (1-1), scored his first touchdown since breaking two bones in his leg 10 months ago. And Hasselbeck got back his passing form following a largely idle training camp and rough preseason opener last week for Seattle, which could have problems with an unspecified ankle injury to rookie sixth-overall pick Russell Okung.

Injuries

Seahawks lose LT Okung to ankle injury

SEATTLE (AP) — The Seahawks could be without sixth-overall draft choice Russell Okung for a while after he left Seattle’s second preseason game with an ankle injury.

Coach Pete Carroll said after Green Bay beat Seattle 27-24 on Saturday night that the left tackle to whom Seattle just guaranteed $29 million to replace retired All-Pro Walter Jones could have a high right ankle sprain, pending an MRI exam Sunday. Those sometimes take two months or more to heal.

"It’s pretty significant," Carroll said of the loss of the foundation to his changing offensive line. "Obviously we made it as big a priority as we could make it to get him."

Carroll said he didn’t know how Okung got injured, only that it stings the entire team that is banking on improved offensive line play to lead a comeback season from 9-23 the last two years.

He sprained the same ankle in Oklahoma State’s opener against Georgia last season but missed only a few plays. The 6-foot-5, 310-pound stalwart started all 13 games for those college Cowboys last season, though the ankle continued to bother him late into the year.

Mansfield Wrotto, normally a guard, replaced him. Seattle is already without backup tackle Ray Willis for an indefinite time because he is facing knee surgery.

After Okung missed the first eight days of training camp because of a contract impasse, the Seahawks gave him a six-year deal earlier this month that has a maximum value of $58 million.

"That’s a big loss if he can’t come back. We put a lot of time and effort to get this guy right and he’s done everything we’ve asked of him," Carroll said. "We’ll see what it is. I don’t know how long it’s going to take."

Asked if it could be more than a couple of weeks that a more conventional, lower ankle sprain sometimes needs to heal, Carroll said: "It could be. We don’t know that yet. We’ll figure him out. We don’t know him as a healer, either."

For a point of reference at the same position, Seattle was without fill-in left tackle Sean Locklear for six games last season because of a high ankle sprain. Locklear is now starting on the right side but could be headed back to left tackle with Okung’s injury.

Okung was not in the Seahawks’ locker room following the game.

-- Gregg Bell

Falcons lose Meier for season but OK at WR

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have lost a key backup receiver to a season-ending knee injury for the second straight season.

Coach Mike Smith says the team doesn’t need to look for help.

Rookie Kerry Meier, a fifth-round pick from Kansas, injured his right knee in Thursday night’s 28-10 preseason loss to the New England Patriots. No details of the injury were immediately available. He was placed on injured reserve.

The injury came one year after Harry Douglas, who had been projected as the No. 3 receiver, missed the 2009 season following a knee injury in training camp. The team reacted to the loss of Douglas by signing veterans Marty Booker and Robert Ferguson.

Douglas returned to play against the Patriots. Starter Michael Jenkins is out with a shoulder injury but could be ready for the start of the regular season.

"Michael is going to be back around the opening of the season so we feel good where we’re at with our guys," Smith said. "Harry is back, so I don’t anticipate that we need to do anything in terms of our roster."

Meier (6-3, 220) was drafted to give the team another big target for quarterback Matt Ryan.

"It’s very tough for Kerry and for our football team," Smith said. "Kerry had a very solid training camp and was on track to be a contributor this year in a number of areas, not only as a wide receiver but as a special teams player. It’s very unfortunate that we lost him for the season."

Jenkins will miss the full preseason. If he is not ready for the start of the season, veteran Brian Finneran could join Roddy White as the starting receivers.

Douglas, Eric Weems and Troy Bergeron are the other veterans at the position.

Bergeron had a 19-yard touchdown catch from John Parker Wilson against the Patriots.

"That was a bright spot," Smith said. "Troy made a couple of guys miss there."

Douglas, a third-round pick from Louisville in 2008, had 23 catches for 320 yards as a rookie. He also scored touchdowns on a run and a punt return.

Finneran said having Douglas at full strength gives the passing a "big-time" boost.

"Watching Harry run around, he gets those little legs going and his feisty, pit-bull attitude, it’s fun to watch," Finneran said of the 5-foot-10 Douglas.

"It’s exciting to watch him make plays for us. He’s an exciting football player and an impact player for us, too."

Finneran, 34, had 11 catches for 111 yards in 10 games last season. He has 37 career starts and two seasons with more than 50 catches. He has been more of a specialist in recent years, coming in on third downs.

"If they put me in the lineup on first or second down and ask me to make some plays, I’ll be happy to do that, too," he said.

NOTES: The team had its last day with two practices on Saturday. Even with two preseason games remaining, Smith said the team will move to a regular-season practice schedule. ... Smith said the Patriots "were the more physical team" against the Falcons. The coach said he wasn’t happy with his defense’s inability to make a stop on third down and his offense’s difficulty on New England’s side of the field. "That’s a big concern," he said. "You don’t want to be scoring field goals. You want to be scoring touchdowns. Those are the things that we’re going to address." ... Rookie defensive tackle Corey Peters (knee) and defensive lineman Jamaal Anderson (thigh) missed practice.

-- Charles Odum

Schouman’s injury adds to Bills’ tight end woes

PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Bills tight end Derek Schouman will be out three to six weeks with a knee injury, leaving Buffalo with only two healthy tight ends on its roster.

“He’s gonna be out for a while,” coach Chan Gailey said Saturday. “... The guy can’t get a break. He can’t stay on the field and he’s not getting enough reps.”

Schouman was injured Thursday during Buffalo’s 34-21 preseason win over the Indianapolis Colts.

The extent of Schouman’s injury was announced a day after fellow tight end Shawn Nelson was suspended by the NFL for four games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

“I always hate it when that kind of situation happens,” Gailey said. “You hate it for the football team and for the individual involved.”

With Michael Matthews and Jonathan Stupar the only healthy tight ends on the roster, general manager Buddy Nix is exploring all options when it comes to adding another tight end, Gailey said.

Nelson, who is eligible to practice and play in preseason games, addressed the media for the first time Saturday.

“To my team, my family, my church family, the great city of Buffalo, and my fans I want to apologize,” said Nelson, who did not practice. “It’s nothing bad; nothing illegal that happened. There are rumors that it was dealing with some different types of things that myself is not involved in. I’m a guy of character who works hard.”

In other injury news, Gailey said linebacker Reggie Torbor will miss at least three weeks after sustaining an undisclosed injury against the Colts. Defensive tackle Kyle Williams was held out of practice, but Gailey said he was banged up from Thursday’s game and would be fine.

Buccaneers QB Freeman fractures tip of right thumb

TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman fractured the tip of the thumb on his throwing hand during the first quarter of Saturday night’s preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Buccaneers say he will be sidelined until at least the opening week of the regular season.

The second-year pro appeared to hit his hand as he followed through on a pass intended for tight end John Gilmore on second-and-5 from the Chiefs 13. He threw another incompletion on third down to end his team’s first offensive possession, then walked to the sideline holding his right thumb.

The Bucs announced that Freeman is expected return to practice by the opening week of the regular season and play in the Sept. 12 opener against Cleveland.

Freeman remained on the sideline flexing his right hand when backup Josh Johnson took over on the next drive. He had been expected to play 12 to 15 snaps.

Colts lose another defensive back for season

Tebow sits out preseason game against Lions

DENVER — The Denver Broncos are playing it safe with Tim Tebow’s bruised ribs, resting the rookie quarterback in their second preseason game against Detroit.

The University of Florida standout had plenty of company on the sideline as the Broncos were without 16 players, including Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey, linebacker D.J. Williams and wide receiver Brandon Stokley.

Tebow missed two days of practice this week after bruising his ribs on the final play of an exhibition game against Cincinnati last weekend. Tebow was crushed on his left side as he scrambled into the end zone for a 7-yard TD.

Hours before kickoff Saturday night, Tebow sauntered onto the field and did some light stretching. He also threw passes before heading back into the locker room.

Rams’ Feeley hurts thumb

CLEVELAND — St. Louis Rams quarterback A.J. Feeley injured his right thumb in the first quarter during a touchdown drive.

Feeley, starting ahead of rookie Sam Bradford, was hit by Browns linebacker Chris Gocong on a third-down pass. Feeley completed the throw but came up holding his right wrist. He stayed in the game and threw a 9-yard TD pass to tight end Daniel Fells, giving the Rams a 7-0 lead.

Feeley was looked at by trainers when he came to the sideline and was then taken to the Rams’ locker room.

The Rams said only that Feeley hurt his right thumb and his return was questionable.

Bradford came in for St. Louis’ next drive and nearly threw an interception on his first attempt.

Bears’ Urlacher hurt on first series vs. Raiders

CHICAGO — Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher injured a calf on the opening series Saturday night and was ruled out for the remainder of Chicago’s game with the Oakland Raiders.

Urlacher was injured during Oakland’s opening 81-yard TD drive.

Urlacher, who has been selected to six Pro Bowls in his career, played in only one regular-season game a year ago before being placed on injured reserve with a wrist injury suffered in the opener against the Green Bay Packers.

Redskins place WR Furrey on IR with concussion

LANDOVER, Md. — The Washington Redskins have placed receiver Mike Furrey on injured reserve because of a concussion, ruling him out for the season.

The Redskins made the move Saturday before their game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Furrey hasn’t practiced since Aug. 3, only a few days into training camp.

The eight-year veteran signed with the Redskins as a free agent in June. He previously played for St. Louis, Detroit and Cleveland.

Player Moves

Ben Roethlisberger starts for Steelers vs. Giants

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Ben Roethlisberger was solid in his first preseason action with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Playing for the first time since being suspended six games by the NFL for violating its personal conduct policy, Roethlisberger completed six of eight passes for 76 yards and led the Steelers on a long drive in making the start against the New York Giants.

Roethlisberger also threw an interception on the second of his three series before giving way to Byron Leftwich with 7:09 left in the second quarter.

Roethlisberger’s best series was his last, when he led the Steelers on a 13-play, 58-yard drive that lasted 7 minutes, 5 seconds and ended in a 26-yard field goal by Jeff Reed. Roethlisberger hit consecutive passes of 13 yards to Heath Miller and 17 yards to Antwaan Randle-El to get Pittsburgh a first and goal.

Big Ben completed an 8-yard pass to Miller on the Steelers’ second play and he hit Miller for 12 yards on the next play. The opening drive bogged down after that.

A two-time Super Bowl champion, Roethlisberger tried to throw deep to Mike Wallace on the Steelers’ second drive and was intercepted by cornerback Corey Webster.

The quarterback was suspended without pay on April 21 by commissioner Roger Goodell after a 20-year-old college student accused him of sexual assault in Milledgeville, Ga. No charges were filed.

Roethlisberger underwent a behavioral evaluation as part of the suspension, which could be reduced to four games by Goodell, who will review the case again before the regular season.

If he serves all six games, Roethlisberger will be out through the Oct. 24 game against Miami and can return the next day. His first game would be at Super Bowl champion New Orleans in prime time on Oct. 31.

If the suspension is reduced to four games, he would return for a home matchup with the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 17.

Roethlisberger is the first player suspended by Goodell under the conduct policy who hasn’t been arrested or charged with a crime. When he handed down the penalty, Goodell cited a “pattern of behavior” that gave him the right to impose discipline even though no law was broken.

Roethlisberger also is being sued by a woman who accused him of raping her at a Lake Tahoe hotel-casino in 2008. He denied the allegation and wasn’t charged.

Sitting out all six games would cost the two-time Super Bowl winner an estimated $2.8 million of his $102 million total contract.

-- Tom Canavan

Chargers left tackle Tra Thomas retires

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Left tackle Tra Thomas retired on Saturday, leaving the San Diego Chargers woefully thin at a crucial position due to Marcus McNeill's holdout.

League News

Bills tight end Nelson apologizes for suspension

PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills tight end Shawn Nelson apologized Saturday for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, saying he did nothing illegal.

“To my team, my family, my church family, the great city of Buffalo, and my fans I want to apologize,” Nelson said Nelson after practice. “It’s nothing bad; nothing illegal that happened. There are rumors that it was dealing with some different types of things that myself is not involved in.”

Nelson was addressing the media for the first time since receiving a four-game suspension. He did not participate in practice but was deemed healthy by coach Chan Gailey.

Gailey also announced that tight end Derek Schouman will miss three to six weeks after injuring his knee Thursday against the Indianapolis Colts.

Gailey also said linebacker Reggie Torbor will miss at least three weeks after suffering an undisclosed injury against the Colts. Defensive tackle Kyle Williams was held out of practice, but Gailey said he was banged up and would be fine.

Nicks, Taylor ejected from Giants-Steelers game