NFL League and Player Capsules: Backup QB Jim Sorgi placed on IR along with Moss
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The New York Giants decided they couldn't wait for backup quarterback Jim Sorgi's injured right shoulder to get better.
Sorgi, veteran receiver Sinorice Moss and rookie linebacker Adrian Tracy were placed on injured reserve Tuesday as the Giants reached the 75-man roster limit.
Moss has been sidelined most of training camp with groin problems, while Tracy, the team's sixth-round draft pick, dislocated an elbow Saturday in a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Giants also moved veteran offensive lineman Kevin Boothe from the active physically unable to perform list to reserve PUP and waived rookie free agent receiver Nyan Boateng.
Sorgi, Moss and Tracy will miss the rest of the season. Boothe must sit out at least the first six weeks.
Sorgi, who was signed in the offseason to back up Eli Manning, tore an anterior capsule in his right shoulder Aug. 16 in the preseason opener against the Jets. He has been unable to throw and has not practiced. He indicated on Monday that he knew his season was in trouble.
"I don't know if their patience is wearing thin, but I'm sure it is," Sorgi said. "It's just a numbers game and getting to be that point. Like I said, it's a tough position for me to be in, and a tough position for them to be in. I don't really have much else to say."
Sorgi came to the Giants after backing up Manning's brother, Peyton, for six seasons in Indianapolis. His last season with the Colts also ended with a shoulder injury, but not the same one.
With Sorgi gone for the year, the backup job falls to second-year pro Rhett Bomar, unless the team signs a veteran.
Moss, who has been with the Giants since 2006, had surgery Tuesday to repair a sports hernia. The operation was performed by Dr. William Meyers at Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia.
Moss played in one of the Giants' first three preseason games and had one catch. He played in eight games in 2009 and 37 in his first five seasons. He has 39 career receptions for 421 yards and three touchdowns.
Tracy had surgery Monday to repair ligament damage. The surgery was performed by Dr. Robert Hotchkiss at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan.
The Giants have lost two of their seven draft choices this season. Safety Chad Jones, the third-round pick, was seriously injured in an automobile accident in New Orleans on June 25 and is on the reserve-non-football injury list.
Boothe underwent surgery in the spring to repair a torn pectoral muscle suffered while he was lifting weights.
Boateng caught one pass in three preseason games.
Redskins' Kelly on IR; good news on McNabb, Portis
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — The Washington Redskins placed Malcolm Kelly on injured reserve Tuesday, robbing the team of a big target receiver because of an ailing hamstring that wasn't to heal anytime soon.
There was better news regarding Donovan McNabb and Clinton Portis. Portis practiced for the first time since spraining his right ankle last week against the New York Jets. McNabb was still sidelined but was no longer wearing a compression stocking over his sprained left ankle, and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan was optimistic that the quarterback would practice next week.
"I expect him to," Shanahan said.
Kelly first pulled his left hamstring working out with McNabb in Arizona the week before training camp begin. Kelly took part in the first practice of camp, but he felt the hamstring tighten up the next day and pulled it again a few days later. He tried to return Monday with the hopes of playing in at least one preseason game, but he pulled the muscle yet again and is now done for the season.
"I like the kid," coach Mike Shanahan said. "But you've got to be on the field."
Kelly was a second-round draft pick out of Oklahoma in 2008, but he caught only three passes in his rookie season because of knee and ankle injuries. He returned to play in all 16 games last year, catching 25 passes for 347 yards.
At 6-foot-4, Kelly was supposed to be the tall receiver to counter 5-foot-10 Santana Moss and 5-foot-11 Joey Galloway. It now seems probable that the Redskins will open the season with only one receiver taller than 6 feet — 6-foot-2 Devin Thomas.
Mike Shanahan said if Kelly had been more forthright about the injury at the start of camp, the team would have put the wideout on the physically unable to perform list, which would have allowed Kelly to return during the season.
"I'm disappointed we didn't put him on the PUP list," Shanahan said. "But when a guy comes in and practices the first day and he says he's fine to go, you can't put him on the PUP list. That's another conversation I had with him."
The sprained ankles of Portis and McNabb had temporarily sidelined the Redskins' starting backfield, but Portis was able to return Tuesday after missing only two days of practice.
"I was surprised he came back as quick as he did," Shanahan said. "He looked pretty good."
McNabb's sprain is more severe, having kept him idle for a week and a half since he was injured in the second preseason game against Baltimore. He watched practice Tuesday wearing a baseball cup with a wrap on his ankle. While teammates are certain McNabb will play in the season opener against the Dallas on Sept. 12, the coach continues to remain cautious — at least publicly.
"How do you know?" Shanahan said. "That's what happens when these guys have got these ankle sprains, you're hoping a guy can go, but you don't know if there's going to be a setback or not. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping, he's doing everything he can in rehab to get himself ready. When he's ready to go, I'll let you guys know."
Even if healthy, neither McNabb nor Portis would have played in this week's game, Thursday against Arizona, because Shanahan prefers to rest his starters in the final preseason game.
-- Joseph White
Seattle sends CB Wilson to Baltimore
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks surprisingly traded starting cornerback Josh Wilson to the Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday in exchange for a conditional 2011 draft pick.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said they felt there was enough depth at the position with Kelly Jennings and rookie Walter Thurmond that they could part with Wilson.
"This was a team that was very aggressive in coming after Josh," Seattle general manager John Schneider said. "They were in a situation where they have a strong need. It has more to do with how Walter has stepped up and how (Marcus Trufant) is playing and some of the younger guys."
The move came just as the Seahawks were wrapping up practice on Tuesday, a practice that Wilson participated in before receiving word of the trade.
Wilson spent his first three seasons with the Seahawks after being a second-round pick out of Maryland in 2007. Wilson started 23 of 28 games the last two seasons and took both of his interceptions a year ago back for touchdowns.
Wilson also has been a standout on special teams, averaging 27 and 25 yards per kickoff return his first two years in the league.
Also playing a role in the deal was Wilson's status as an unrestricted free agent after this season. In Baltimore, he'll fill a need created when cornerback Domonique Foxworth tore up his knee during a pre-camp drill.
"With Josh in terms of the value it was at a level with him being an unrestricted free agent after the season, it was at a point where we felt was definitely fair," Schneider said.
With Wilson gone, Carroll said Jennings will step into the starters role opposite Trufant. Jennings, nicknamed "Slim" because of his slender 180-pound frame, has started 29 of 64 games since being a first-round pick in 2006. But his lack of weight has led to Jennings getting isolated against bigger receivers in the past. He has just one interception in four season.
Thurmond will step into the fifth defensive back spot, less than a year after a devastating knee injury that cost him most of his senior season at Oregon. He'll share some of his nickel duties with safety Jordan Babineaux and Roy Lewis. Running back Leon Washington will become the Seahawks primary kick returner.
"Walter has had a great camp. He's played beautifully," Carroll said. "He's played almost more than anybody else so we've gotten a great look at him and really excited about his contribution."
-- Tim Booth
Seattle restructures contract of LB Leroy Hill
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Linebacker Leroy Hill is taking a major pay cut to play for the Seattle Seahawks in 2010.
Hill, who is facing a one-game suspension for off-the-field issues, will have a base salary of $2.125 million for this season according to the NFL Players Association web site. Hill was previously scheduled to make $6 million in 2010 as part of a six-year deal Hill signed in April 2009 that could have been worth $38 million.
As part of the restructuring, the remaining years on Hill's contract have been wiped out, making him a free agent following this season.
"That was a situation where both sides we had obviously been talking to Leroy through the entire thing," Seahawks general manager John Schneider said on Tuesday. "He had a situation that came up and both sides felt like we could come up with a solution and (Seahawks VP of football administration) John Idzik and Leroy's representatives did a nice job figuring out a solution for the situation that Leroy was involved with."
Hill will miss the Seahawks season opener against San Francisco as part of a one-game suspension handed down by the league for his arrest on a marijuana-possession charge in Georgia. He began 12 months of probation for that in April.
Then Hill was arrested on a domestic violence charge in the Seattle suburb of Issaquah in April. The 27-year-old Hill entered into a stipulated order of continuance at a hearing on his misdemeanor charge of fourth degree assault/domestic violence on Aug. 19. That avoids a trial that could have started this month.
Issauqah prosecutor Lynn Moberly said the five-year starter for the Seahawks will be on what is essentially probation for 18 months and must complete a one-year state-certified domestic violence treatment program — 26 weeks of weekly therapy and counseling, then monthly sessions for six months — plus 25 hours of community service. He is also to have no other criminal law violations and possess no weapons during the period.
The only contact he is allowed with his alleged victim is on the telephone, pending his progress in the domestic violence treatment program and a judge's subsequent review of that limited-contact order.
Hill has missed time during training camp with a sprained knee. Coach Pete Carroll was asked if the restructured deal ensures Hill will be on Seattle's roster when the second week of the season arrives.
"We really like how Leroy plays. We're looking forward to Leroy playing for us," Carroll said.
-- Tim Booth
Ward cut, Bucs trim roster to 75
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Derrick Ward's unproductive stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is over.
The seventh-year running back was released Tuesday when the team trimmed the roster to 75 players. Receiver Terrence Nunn was waived, and linebacker Jon Alston was placed on injured reserve to get down to the limit for the final preseason game.
"Just like any other profession, when it's time for you to depart ... you can't say it's a surprise," Bucs coach Raheem Morris said. "You've got every day to go out there and prove yourself."
Ward signed a four-year, $17 million contract as an unrestricted free agent in 2009, moving to Tampa Bay after five seasons with the New York Giants. He was a 1,000-yard rusher two years ago with the Giants, but struggled to make the transition to a new offense.
In a limited role as a backup to a revitalized Cadillac Williams, who was coming off major knee surgery, Ward rushed for 409 yards and one touchdown while averaging just 3.6 yards per carry in 2009. He was even less productive in three preseason games this year, gaining 2.6 yards per attempt and finishing with 21 carries for 50 yards.
Morris said the decision was just as much about the "resurgence" of Williams, the performance of young backs such as Kareem Huggins, and the versatility of fullback Earnest Graham as Ward's lack of production. The 30-year-old appeared in 14 games, with one start.
Morris called Ward into his office after practice Tuesday and said he and the running back "shook hands, gave each other a hug and said good luck in our future endeavors."
"He was a consummate pro," Morris said, adding that releasing Ward now — rather than during this weekend's final cuts — could enhance the 30-year-old's chances of landing with another team before clubs set rosters for the regular season opener.
Morris also said the move does not mean Huggins, who's from the coach's hometown of Irvington, N.J., and has rushed for a team-best 97 yards on 19 carries this preseason, has won a job.
"Kareem has to go out and play. I look forward to seeing him go out against Houston," the coach said, looking ahead to Thursday night's preseason finale against the Texans. "He still has to prove himself every week. Still has to prove himself against Houston."
-- Fred Goodall
Panthers WR Wright lost for season; Davis on PUP
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers lost a key member of their special teams unit on Tuesday when Wallace Wright was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury that requires surgery.
The Panthers also placed linebacker Thomas Davis on the reserve-physically unable to perform list, waived receivers Dexter Jackson and Oliver Young and placed defensive end Hilee Taylor on injured reserve following knee surgery to get to the NFL limit of 75 players.
One of Carolina's few free-agent signings in the offseason, Wright came from the New York Jets in hopes of leading a turnaround of a Carolina special teams unit that ranked near the bottom of the league in punt and kickoff coverage in 2009. Wright was third in special teams tackles with the Jets last season and was tied for the team lead a year earlier.
"He was a guy we were counting on pretty heavily both at the receiver position and the kicking game," Panthers coach John Fox said.
While he has caught only eight passes in his four-year NFL career, the 6-foot-1, 197-pound Wright had been getting some work with Carolina's starting offense in the preseason. He was hurt Saturday when he was hit hard and fumbled after a catch.
"He worked very hard this offseason and had a tremendous camp," Fox said. "He'll require surgery on his shoulder and that's why he hit the IR list. Of course we're disappointed and so is he."
Fox said receiver Charly Martin, who is working his way back from a broken finger, will have a shot now to make the 53-man roster as a special teams player. Martin also was cleared this week to catch balls again after being hurt on July 30.
Jackson was Tampa Bay's second-round pick in 2008, but the former Appalachian State star had little impact as a return man or receiver and was waived by the Buccaneers last year in final cuts.
Jackson spent the final 12 games last season on Carolina's practice squad, but he and Young failed to get into the receiver rotation at camp.
The Panthers moved Davis to the reserve-PUP list to give them time to see if he can make a speedy recovery from his second torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in six months. The Panthers will get to decide between Week 6 and 9 if Davis, in the final year of his contract, will be able to play late in the season.
Taylor, considered a long shot to make the 53-man roster, underwent arthroscopic knee surgery last week.
-- Mike Cranston
Jets waive O'Connell, Clemens safe with new deal
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Kevin O'Connell is out, and Kellen Clemens is safe.
The New York Jets waived O'Connell on Tuesday, clearing the way for Clemens to make the team as the No. 3 quarterback.
Clemens signed a new deal Tuesday morning, restructuring his $1.1 million tender and taking a pay cut while securing his spot on the roster. He said he was given permission to speak with other teams about a trade during the last week, but decided to stay with the Jets despite some opportunities elsewhere.
"I feel good with where I'm at," said Clemens, who declined to go into specifics about his new one-year contract.
The Jets also claimed linebacker Ricky Foley, a former CFL star, off waivers from Seattle to put them at the 75-player roster limit.
Coach Rex Ryan said Monday that Clemens, entering his fifth season, had a "pretty strong chance" of making the opening day roster. He reiterated that Tuesday, saying Clemens had outperformed O'Connell this summer despite "Hard Knocks" showing an "X'' next to Clemens' name on a depth chart in last week's episode.
"The only way Kellen Clemens was not going to be on this team was if somebody was going to give him a chance to be a starting quarterback," Ryan said. "I would've traded him, and I told Kellen that before."
Clemens said he might have still been cut if he hadn't agreed to take a lesser salary.
"That's the way the roster thing was," Ryan said. "That's the truth. Well, that would be a way, obviously, that he would be cut if he doesn't take it. Absolutely, because you can't have all of your quarterbacks at X-amount of dollars."
O'Connell was acquired last September from Detroit in a trade and was competing with Clemens for the No. 3 job behind starter Mark Sanchez and backup Mark Brunell.
Ryan said the Jets decided to let go of O'Connell now rather than after the preseason finale at Philadelphia on Thursday night because they're already starting to prepare for the regular-season opener against Baltimore.
"So, the more things we put in, we don't need that information going out," Ryan said. "It also gives him an opportunity because there are some teams looking for a quarterback."
O'Connell was a third-round draft pick by New England out of San Diego State in 2008. He was cut last offseason and claimed off waivers by Detroit.
-- Dennis Waszak Jr.
Vikings put Rice on reserve for at least 6 games
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Sidney Rice will be ineligible to play in the first six games of the regular season.
Rice was placed on the reserve physically unable to perform list Tuesday, the NFL's deadline for reducing rosters to 75 players. Players on reserve don't count toward the active total.
Rice had hip surgery last week and is expected to need at least two months of recovery, so the move was not a surprise. After Minnesota's sixth game, at Green Bay on Oct. 24, the team will have three more weeks to decide whether to activate Rice or end his season by putting him on injured reserve.
The Vikings also waived wide receiver Marko Mitchell and offensive tackle Bill Noethlich and placed linebacker J Leman on injured reserve, after he cleared waivers, to get to the 75-man limit. Noethlich played at Southwest Minnesota State.
The big cutdown comes Saturday, when rosters must trimmed to 53 players. And Rice's injury has further complicated some difficult decisions for the weekend.
After he had the procedure in Vail, Colo., the Vikings signed one wide receiver in Javon Walker and traded for another in Greg Camarillo. But the extra depth at that position cost them at another, with cornerback Benny Sapp being sent to Miami in the deal.
Antoine Winfield is set as one starter, with Lito Sheppard and Asher Allen in competition at the other spot. Rookie Chris Cook, however, was poised to beat both of them out with a strong showing during training camp.
Cook hurt his right knee in Saturday's preseason game against Seattle and was absent from practice Monday and Tuesday. His status was not disclosed by the team.
Incumbent starter Cedric Griffin is not expected to be cleared for the Sept. 9 opener at New Orleans, though he is making progress and has looked strong in drills on his own after practice is over. The Vikings' dilemma for Saturday's roster roulette is whether to free up a roster spot by putting Griffin on the PUP list or bank on him being back in a few more weeks but be short while he gets back to full strength.
Rice, meanwhile, said on his Twitter account Tuesday that he had a "great pool workout" with fellow hip-surgery patient Jonny Flynn, the point guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Flynn had his procedure done six weeks ago and is expected to need another two or three months to recover.
As for the rest of the injured, wide receiver Logan Payne didn't practice. Safety Jamarca Sanford, tight end Garrett Mills, defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy and center John Sullivan were absent.
Sullivan's availability for New Orleans is increasingly in doubt. Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said Sullivan will be re-evaluated after Thursday's preseason game against Denver.
"He'll be fine conditioning-wise, because they're still working on him with that, whether it's in the pool or those other things they can do with him," Bevell said. "We'll just have to see if it can hold up."
-- Dave Campbell
Jaguars waive 4, place 2 on IR, sign C Vierling
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars have waived cornerback Josh Gordy, center Cecil Newton, receiver Roren Thomas and defensive end Julius Williams.
The team also signed rookie center Bradley Vierling on Tuesday, and placed defensive tackle D'Anthony Smith and center John Estes on injured reserve.
Smith tore an Achilles' tendon early in training camp. Estes sprained the medial collateral ligament in his right knee on the final day of camp.
None of the cuts was surprising.
Vierling originally signed as an undrafted rookie with Pittsburgh on April 27. He was waived in mid-June. With Newton gone and Estes out, Vierling is likely to get significant playing time in Jacksonville's preseason finale Thursday night.
Seattle acquires OL Polumbus from Detroit
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks have acquired offensive lineman Tyler Polumbus from Detroit in exchange for a conditional 2012 draft pick.
Polumbus arrived at Seahawks headquarters Tuesday afternoon and went through practice with the team.
Polumbus started eight games last year for Denver. He was picked up off waivers by the Lions just six days ago.
In Seattle, Polumbus is reunited with offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates, who Polumbus played under in Denver two seasons ago.
To get to the 75-man roster limit, the Seahawks played defensive back Josh Pinkard on the non-football injury reserve list.
Harris, Bigby start season on reserve for Packers
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — The Green Bay Packers will begin the regular season without two standouts in their secondary.
The Packers have placed cornerback Al Harris and safety Atari Bigby on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, meaning neither player will be eligible to play for the first six weeks of the season.
Bigby had surgery on his left ankle at the beginning of training camp. There had been some hope Harris' surgically repaired left knee would heal in time for the Packers' Sept. 12 opener at Philadelphia.
The Packers also placed running back James Starks on the list, and running back Quinn Porter on injured reserve. The Packers' roster now stands at 75 players.
Cardinals cut roster with injured player moves
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Cardinals have made three moves involving injured players to reach Tuesday's deadline for rosters to be reduced to 75 players.
They placed rookie linebacker O'Brien Schofield on the reserve/non-football injury list and fullback Nehemiah Broughton on injured reserve. Wide receiver Darren Mougey was waived.
Schofield, who played at Wisconsin, slipped to Arizona in the fourth round after he tore the ACL in his left knee practicing for the Senior Bowl. The move means he will be out at least the first six games of the season.
Broughton, who injured a knee in Saturday night's victory at Chicago, is out for the season. Mougey, who has an injured foot, had signed with Arizona in March.
Saints cut Canfield, Tanner
METAIRIE, La. (AP) — The New Orleans Saints have released fourth-string quarterback Sean Canfield and reserve receiver Andy Tanner.
New Orleans needed to cut two players to get its preseason roster down to 75 by Tuesday afternoon as required by NFL rules.
Canfield, a former Oregon State quarterback, was drafted by the Saints in the seventh round of the 2010 draft. If he clears waivers, the Saints could still bring him back on their practice squad during the regular season.
Tanner was signed as a rookie free agent out of Midwestern State.
Frazier released, Steelers cut down to 75 players
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Linebacker Andre Frazier, a member of the Steelers' last two Super Bowl-winning teams, has been waived from the injured reserve list as the team reached the 75-man roster limit.
Rookie offensive guard Chris Scott, who broke a foot in June, was placed on the physically unable to perform list. After six weeks, Scott will be able to practice for three weeks before the Steelers decide whether to add him to their roster.
Released were four players who weren't with the Steelers last season: guard Adrian Jones, cornerback David Pittman, linebacker Brandon Renkart and fullback Dwayne Wright.
Lions trade OT Polumbus, place CB Williams on PUP
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — The Detroit Lions have reached the 75-man roster limit by removing two players.
The Lions traded offensive tackle Tyler Polumbus to Seattle for an undisclosed draft choice on Tuesday, just six days after claiming him from Denver on waivers. They also placed cornerback Jack Williams on the physically unable to perform list.
Williams has been sidelined since injuring a knee in his first game with the Lions last season.
Seattle cuts former North Dakota State receiver
FARGO, N.D. (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks have cut former North Dakota State University wide receiver Kole Heckendorf.
Seattle had claimed Heckendorf off waivers in May. The Seahawks are preparing to set their 53-man regular season roster on Saturday.
Heckendorf signed with the Green Bay Packers in 2009 as a free agent but was released after training camp. He spent last season on the Detroit Lions practice squad.
Eagles put DE Sapp on IR, get DE Egboh on waivers
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Eagles have claimed defensive end Pannel Egboh off waivers from Houston and placed rookie defensive Ricky Sapp on injured reserve.
Egboh signed with San Francisco as a rookie free agent last year after playing four seasons at Stanford, but was cut by the 49ers in September. He spent the final four weeks of last season on Houston's practice squad.
Sapp was a fifth-round pick this year and has been bothered by a knee injury.
Dolphins' Garner placed on injured reserve
DAVIE, Fla. (AP) — Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Nate Garner has been placed on injured reserve with a left foot injury, meaning he'll miss the season.
Garner underwent surgery more than two weeks ago. He started eight games at guard last year and had been listed as a backup tackle during training camp.
Defensive end Phillip Merling was placed on the reserve non-football injury list Tuesday. He suffered an Achilles' tendon injury in July.
Bears place Ta'ufo'ou on waived-injured list
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears have placed fullback Will Ta'ufo'ou on the waived-injured list, giving them 75 active players.
Ta'ufo'ou injured a knee in Saturday's preseason game against Arizona. An undrafted free agent out of California, he spent last season on the Bears' practice squad.
Injuries
Pats place starting CB Leigh Bodden on IR
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The New England Patriots lost a key player Tuesday when Leigh Bodden, their best cornerback, was placed on injured reserve.
Bodden, who led the Patriots with five interceptions last season, went on the season-ending list with a shoulder injury. He had been bothered by a knee injury earlier in training camp and returned to practice last week. He played in Thursday night's 36-35 exhibition loss to the St. Louis Rams.
The Patriots did not say which shoulder Bodden injured.
New England got down to the 75-player roster limit by Tuesday's deadline by releasing defensive back Terrence Johnson and placing three other players on injured reserve: safety Josh Barrett (shoulder), defensive back Brett Lockett (chest) and defensive lineman Darryl Richard (foot).
The loss of Bodden could thrust first-round draft pick Devin McCourty from Rutgers into a starting spot. The other first stringer is expected to be Darius Butler, a second-round pick last year from Connecticut.
Bodden joined the Patriots before the 2009 season as a free agent after five seasons with the Browns and one with the Lions. He started 14 of the 15 games he played, returned one interception for a 53-yard touchdown, forced a fumble and recovered another.
He tied a team record with three interceptions in a 31-14 win over the Jets on Nov. 22.
The Patriots picked up Barrett on waivers from the Broncos on Aug. 6. Lockett played primarily on special teams after being claimed off waivers from Cleveland last Sept. 7. Richard, a seventh-round draft choice last year, spent the season on the practice squad. Johnson is a rookie free agent from California (Pa.) University.
Colts' center hopes to be ready for season opener
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Jeff Saturday spent Tuesday night walking around, signing autographs at Woodland Bowl.
It was just the sight Peyton Manning was hoping to see at his annual bowling tournament.
The four-time Pro Bowl center returned to practice for the first time since Aug. 20, and several hours later said he could be ready to start the season-opener Sept. 12 at Houston.
"I'd hope so," Saturday said during Manning's annual bowling tournament. "That's the goal, but we'll have to see how the knee responds."
Saturday did only limited work at practice Tuesday — his first action since having arthroscopic surgery to remove a "loose body." The Colts have not said which knee he hurt, and coach Jim Caldwell never established a timetable for Saturday's return.
Team owner Jim Irsay later said Saturday would miss two to six weeks.
The Colts certainly would like to have him back in the lineup after their preseason struggles.
Last week at Green Bay, Joseph Addai opened the game with a 49-yard run. After that, the Colts ran 19 times for 32 yards — 1.7 yards per carry. Manning also found himself under more duress than usual against a Packers defense that was missing two of its best players, linebacker Clay Matthews and cornerback Al Harris.
Part of Indy's struggles can be linked to injuries.
Saturday and left tackle Charlie Johnson have missed all three games with a sprained right foot, and right guard Kyle DeVan has been slowed by a hamstring injury though he has continued to practice.
Saturday's return could help with the solution.
"Jeff has really worked to get back to practice this week; that was a major goal," Manning said at a tourney that raises money for his charitable foundation, the Peyback Foundation. "We all know how important he is to the team. Jamey (Richard) has done a heck of a job a couple of times when Jeff's been out, but I'm sure guys like Ryan and Kyle would like to have a familiar voice back in there. It's always kind of calming, especially in a hostile environment like Houston."
He's just as important to Manning, too.
Saturday has nearly as many Pro Bowl selections (four) as games missed (six) since he won the starting in 2000, and he's the second-longest tenured Colt — behind Manning.
But Saturday is not yet 100 percent. There is no guarantee he will be when the Colts play at Houston.
"It was good (to practice), but I'm not back yet," Saturday said. "I'm still working toward that. It's progressing, and I'm working as hard as I can. We've still got nine or 10 days to go, so we'll see."
Manning also said he believes the NFL will make some adjustments regarding the positioning of umpires, something he complained about after last week's preseason game. The Colts were called twice for illegal snaps because Manning wanted the ball before the umpire got back into position.
The four-time league MVP did not elaborate on what would change.
Manning's bowling tourney has raised more than $2 million in seven years and is expected to bring in more than $300,000 this year, too.
Among the celebrities who bowled at this year's event were former NFL stars Kurt Warner, Jerome Bettis and Franco Harris; race-car drivers John and Marco Andretti; former Pacers star Reggie Miller and first-round NBA draft pick Gordon Hayward; college basketball coaches Tom Crean, Matt Painter and Brad Stevens; former Purdue coach Gene Keady; Manning's wife, Ashley; his father, Archie and more than a dozen of Manning's teammates.
-- Michael Marot
Sharper still hoping to play vs. Vikings
METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Darren Sharper is holding out hope he'll be ready to play against the Minnesota Vikings in the Sept. 9 regular season opener, even though he hasn't practiced yet this preseason.
"That's my goal," Sharper said Tuesday. "I think I will be ready."
Head coach Sean Payton said he's not sure when Sharper will return to practice, but noted that Sharper would be among several players who won't travel to Tennessee for Thursday's preseason finale.
Also staying behind are cornerback Tracy Porter; linebackers Jonathan Vilma and Clint Ingram; safety Pierson Prioleau; and offensive tackle Zach Strief.
Porter, Strief and Prioleau all have knee soreness, and Payton has said their injuries are not serious. Vilma pulled his right groin in last Friday's preseason game against San Diego, but does not need surgery and is expected back for the season opener.
Sharper and Ingram have been on the physically-unable-to-perform, or PUP, list throughout preseason because of offseason microfracture surgeries on their left knees.
If they start the season on the PUP list, they cannot play for six weeks.
Sharper said he doesn't want to consider that option right now.
"I feel good and that's not just me saying that because you guys are asking me right now," Sharper said. "I truly, honestly feel good. I'm happy with the healing process. I feel as though it's healed. Now it's just getting in that football shape and getting ready to go."
Payton will have to make a decision by Saturday on whether to keep Sharper and Ingram on the PUP list, place them on the 53-man active roster or release them.
The rehabilitation process from microfracture surgery — a process designed to regenerate cartilage padding the joint — often requires patience.
"You have to make sure you don't rush, especially this type of injury that I'm dealing with," Sharper said. "There's no real reason to rush it right now, because of the fact that we haven't started playing regular season games."
NOTES: Payton said several starters would sit out the game against the Titans simply to rest and avoid risk of injury, including QB Drew Brees and DE Will Smith. ... Payton said Patrick Ramsey will start the first half at quarterback on Thursday, and Chase Daniel is expected to play the second half. ... The coach said rookie TE Jimmy Graham, who returned to practice Monday for the first time since spraining his right ankle on Aug. 12, is likely to play at Tennessee.
-- Brett Martel
Ravens' Cody out 2 weeks after knee surgery
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Ravens coach John Harbaugh says Baltimore rookie Terrence Cody has had surgery on his left his left knee and will be sidelined for two weeks.
The procedure, performed last week to repair a torn lateral meniscus, leaves the nose guard questionable for the Ravens' season opener against the New York Jets on Sept. 13.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh says there's a chance Cody could be back for the opener, but says "for the bigger guys, sometimes it takes a little longer."
Fisher says the good news is the Titans "have a lot of depth on the defensive line right now."
Cody had said last week that he didn't think he would need surgery to address swelling in his knee. The 6-foot-4, 349-pounder from Alabama says that he doesn't have a history of knee issues.
League News
Browns' Rogers fined by NFL
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Shaun Rogers wasn't sure if he caught a break.
The NFL decided Tuesday to only fine the Cleveland Browns' nose tackle and not suspend him for carrying a loaded gun into an airport.
"How's it better?" Rogers said with a laugh. "Well, I'm still losing money. I don't play for free."
The league said Rogers will be fined a one-game check — roughly $400,000 or 1/17th his $6.9 million salary this season — for violating its personal conduct policy. The former Pro Bowler, who has not practiced this summer because of a leg injury that ended his season after 11 games in 2009, is appealing the decision.
Police said Rogers carried a semiautomatic handgun in a carry-on bag into Hopkins International Airport in April. He reached a deal with prosecutors last month and was ordered to enter diversion program to avoid trial on the weapons charge.
Under the terms, the felony gun charge will be dismissed if the 31-year-old Rogers completes the program, which included a gun course and community service.
Rogers said he wasn't concerned about the league's decision and that he would abide by whatever commissioner Roger Goodell judged to be fair. Rogers said he never spoke with Goodell about the incident.
"I'll be straight whatever happens," Rogers said. "I always wanted to play, that was never the question."
Before he made the ruling, Goodell may have factored in that Rogers recently helped police stop a motorist who allegedly was driving under the influence near the Browns' camp. Rogers pulled to the side of the road and waited for officers to arrive on the scene. He was praised by police for his actions.
Rogers' defensive line teammate, Robaire Smith, was also caught with a gun at airport security last year in Michigan. He has not heard from the league about a penalty.
-- Tom Withers
Buccaneers CB Talib suspended 1 game
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay cornerback Aqib Talib will miss the Buccaneers' regular season opener after being suspended one game without pay for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.
The third-year pro also was fined one additional game check stemming from Talib punching a cab driver in August 2009. The suspension was announced Tuesday, two days before the club's preseason finale at Houston.
Talib will sit out the Sept. 12 opener against Cleveland and will be eligible to return to the active roster the following day.
The 24-year-old initially was charged with resisting arrest without violence and simple battery. He later reached a pre-trial intervention agreement on the simple battery charge.
"Since last fall, Aqib has done all that's been asked of him and more, on and especially off the field," Bucs general manager Mark Dominik said in a statement. "We look forward to his return to the field in Week 2."
Arguably the team's best defensive player, Talib was a first-round draft pick in 2008 and led the Bucs with five interceptions last season.
Elsewhere
Jets selling individual upper-bowl seats online
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — The New York Jets began selling individual game tickets online Tuesday for less than 2,000 remaining upper-bowl seats in their $1.6 billion New Meadowlands Stadium.
The roughly 16,000 tickets went on sale to season-ticket holders in the morning exclusively through ticketmaster.com, and were made available to the general public later in the afternoon. Fans can purchase up to eight tickets, with prices ranging from $105-$135, not including regular Ticketmaster fees.
The Jets said Tuesday night that the tickets made available earlier in the day for the first two home games had already sold out.
Matt Higgins, the Jets' executive vice president of business operations, said 96 percent of the stadium's overall seats are sold. He insists the stadium will be sold out by the season opener Sept. 13 — meaning the team will avoid any television blackout possibilities.
"It took a long time and we made several mistakes along the way, but made the changes we needed to make," Higgins said. "Now, we're on the eve of being sold out and we will be sold out by kickoff."
Higgins added that the 96 percent does not include club seats, which do not factor into possible blackout situations.
Higgins said many of the upper-bowl seats became available when fans upgraded from that non-PSL area to other sections that recently went on sale at a discounted rate.
"I think the conventional wisdom was that these (upper-bowl seats) would sell out right away and the PSLs would be harder to sell," Higgins said. "They did sell out very quickly, but I think as we began to explain the benefits that go along with the PSL and take fans on tours of the stadium, there was a lot of movement in the building."
The Giants, who share the stadium with the Jets, recently made roughly 1,400 remaining individual tickets for each of their eight regular-season games available online.
"We made a commitment early on that we would not sell any tickets that could be sold as a PSL on an individual game basis," Higgins said, "so we wouldn't have the scenario of somebody sitting in a PSL seat who paid $10,000 next to somebody who paid $150 for that game.
-- Dennis Waszak Jr.
Dolphins players search field for earring
DAVIE, Fla. (AP) — Several Miami Dolphins crawled across the field after practice Tuesday — not due to exhaustion, but because they were looking for a diamond earring.
Defensive end Kendall Langford said he forgot to take his earrings off before practice and lost one during drills. He said the diamond was nearly 2.5 carats, which is why he was still on the field an hour after practice scanning the grass.
At least nine teammates helped. Some were on hands and knees, and a couple used rakes to comb through the turf. They had a lot of ground to cover, because the Dolphins practice on two fields.
"I've got a great group of guys out here helping me — family-type guys," Langford said.
He declined to say how much the earring cost. One jewelry distributor said it could be worth more than $50,000.
Several fellow defensive linemen were among those assisting Langford in his search.
"He's a teammate. That's what you do," defensive end Ryan Baker said. "It's a fat diamond. It's a shame."
Coach Tony Sparano briefly watched the hunt for the jewelry but did not participate. He said he has never lost earrings at practice — or anywhere else.
"I can't afford them," he said.
Langford finally abandoned the search — temporarily, at least — because he was due at a team meeting. In addition, the grounds crew had started mowing the grass.
-- Steven Wine
Sellout of Cardinals game means live TV broadcast
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Cardinals say Thursday's preseason game against the Washington Redskins is sold out.
That means the game will be broadcast live in the Phoenix area on KNXV-TV, Channel 15.
League rules require that games be sold out 72 hours before kickoff for them to be broadcast live on local TV.
The Cardinals have sold out all 42 games at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale since it opened in 2006.
Even though the game is officially a sellout, a limited number of tickets are still available at the box office, Cardinals training facility in Tempe and Ticketmaster outlets.
Packers P Bryan misses practice, wife in labor
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Chris Bryan was not at Green Bay Packers practice, but that doesn't mean that the team has made a decision on its punting situation.
Special teams coordinator Shawn Slocum says Bryan was pulled out of a team meeting Tuesday morning because his wife may have been going into labor. Slocum said Bryan still might be available for Thursday night's final preseason game at Kansas City.
Bryan, a former Australian-rules football player, is competing with Tim Masthay for the Packers' punting job this season. Masthay generally is believed to have a slight edge on Bryan going into the last preseason game.
