August 2011 4for4 Player News Articles

Cowboys HC Jason Garrett said Dave Rayner, David Buehler, Shayne Graham and Dan Bailey all will get the chance to kick in Thursday’s preseason finale against Miami. Buehler joked they may have to kick on first and second down to make sure everyone gets a crack.

Stay away from the Dallas kickers until one wins the job.

Lions coach Jim Schwartz said running back Jahvid Best will play in Thursday's exhibition finale at Buffalo.

Best hasn't played since suffering a concussion after a helmet-to-helmet hit from Browns cornerback Joe Haden during the Lions' first offensive snap in the second exhibition at Cleveland.

On the heels of a beat reporter saying he "sucked" so far in preseason, Patriots WR Chad Ochocinco was asked how he thought he was picking up the New England offense.

“I’m doing just fine,” Ochocinco said. “I’m not sure why or how it is, but coming from any place where you’ve been 10 years, to come here and learn the verbiage and learn as much as I have the past three weeks, I’ve done extremely well. It’s been fun. It’s been enjoyable.”

“One of those things about being here, being in an organization like this that prides itself on perfection and excellence,” Ochocinco said, “I’m sort of putting pressure on myself to be right and be perfect now. Not later. I’m trying to squeeze everything within a shorter time frame. It may be impossible, but if I can aim to be as perfect as possible, I think I’ll get up to speed.”

On a scale of 1 to 10, Ochocinco ranks his current comfort level in the offense at 7.

“Right now what I’m doing is I’m able to go out and react,” Ochocinco said. “As soon as I hear Tom call something, I’m good, I’m set. But I’m still not in that comfort zone where I can just be me, somewhat exhale and ‘It’s on. Let’s play.’ I think it’s my third week. Let’s be realistic. This is the highest level of football and this is not easy.”

More good news surrounding the Chris Johnson contract negotiations:

Jim Wyatt on Twitter: "Now for Johnson's contract news, and it's better. Sources say there has been positive movement for the 1st time between the Titans and Johnson"

Wide receiver Mark Clayton has rejoined the St. Louis Rams as he agreed to a one-year contract today, according to a league source.

RB Taiwan Jones spent all training camp trying to impress the Oakland Raiders with his speed.

Now they're trying to get the rookie running back to slow down.

Even he admits that might be a pretty tough challenge.

"My biggest problem is when I hear 'Hike!' I just want to go," Jones said Tuesday. "A lot of times you have to be more patient and let the blocks develop. I just have to remind myself to slow down."

After missing a large chunk of camp with a slight hamstring pull, Jones has a lot of ground to make up in a very short time.

Jones looked plenty quick in his debut last weekend against New Orleans when he ran for 81 yards, including a 22-yard touchdown, caught two passes and returned a kickoff.

"I'm not surprised, and I think he can do more," Raiders coach Hue Jackson said. "I think he has a bright future ahead of him but again, that was one outing. He needs to do it consistently in order to be talked about as one of these really good players."

RB Steve Slaton returned to practice Tuesday for the first time since before preseason. He’s been out with a hamstring injury. Slaton, who rushed for almost 1,300 yards as a rookie in 2008, was going to be trade material if the first three backs stayed healthy.

Arian Foster is expected to play in the opener against Indianapolis. Derrick Ward and Ben Tate are competing for playing time behind Foster. Because Slaton hasn’t carried the ball, he’ll probably be waived Friday. After his impressive rookie season, Slaton underwent neck surgery, but the emergence of Foster and Ward last season kept him tied to the bench.

We're not so sure about Foster's availability given John Clayton's recent comments on Twitter (that Foster "has a tear" and could miss 3-4 weeks), so the Texans may retain Slaton as insurance.

The Rams are happy to have Mike Sims-Walker, and the feeling is mutual.

"We've always liked him," general manager Billy Devaney said. "He was nicked a little bit last year with an ankle (injury) that hampered him. He tried to play through it, but you could see that he wasn't 100 percent. The guy scored 14 touchdowns over the last two years, so he's got some ability. That's what we were looking for — a bigger guy that can run a little bit."

"They don't know how excited I am to be here," he said. "This is a blessing. I call it the perfect situation. I wouldn't want to be nowhere else."

Why perfect?

"Sam Bradford. Josh McDaniels. The wide receiver corps that we do have," Sims-Walker said. "Very underrated. I promise you. Very underrated. I train with some of the best receivers in the game. I've seen a lot, I've studied a lot of the best receivers in the game. Trust me, these guys are right there. We've just got to get it together, go out here and grind every day, compete with each other, and we'll be fine."

With Josh McDaniels calling the plays and Sam Bradford throwing the ball, there is a lot of potential the St. Louis offense for one or two receivers to break out. Danny Amendola and Mike Sims-Walker seem to be the best bests, and Lance Kendricks has a lot of upside at TE.

When asked who would lead the Browns in receiving, beat writer Vic Carruci had this to say: "I’d have to go with tight end Evan Moore. He just is too amazing an athlete, with the surest hands of anyone on the team, to not hold that distinction by the end of the year. For instance, on Monday, he effortlessly reached out with his left hand to snag the ball without breaking stride. And while we’re on this topic, although he is a rookie and rookie receivers are prone to struggling as they learn all of the nuances of getting off the line and reading coverages and making the proper adjustments, i think Greg Little has the best chance of having the most catches among the wide receivers."

Dolphins WR Brandon Marshall admits his body was never right following offseason hip surgery, which kept him from participating in the team's offseason program.

When watching film from last season Marshall noticed his explosion was missing. He needed it to return to remain special, so he called his old college trainer, Matt Gates, founder of Fit Speed Inc., to help him get it back.

"I'm excited because this is the first offseason I've really had a chance to work on it," Marshall said. "Every since my rookie season I've been rehabbing some kind of injury. This was the first time I actually spent an offseason getting better at something, and it's paid off. Matt Gates did a great job of getting me that speed, that explosion."

Clayton's full tweet: "Arian Foster tweeted his hamstring MRI and it sure doesn't look like he's been in the lineup when the season starts. He has a tear."

It's not clear whether or not Clayton made the medical diagnosis himself or if he consulted a physician, but he's one of the most trusted NFL reporters around, and his words carry weight. Stay tuned.

Michael Lombardi on the negotiations between the Titans and RB Chris Johnson: "Trust me. They will get a deal."

It's time to start inching Johnson back up those draft boards. There have been positive feelings this week and the Titans are reportedly ready to "open up the bank valut" to lock up their star RB.

The Jaguars aren’t providing much injury information, but there’s some concern about backup RB Rashad Jennings since he was seen on crutches Tuesday from a knee injury suffered in last week’s game. The seriousness of the injury is not known. Deji Karim would be the backup if Jennings can’t play.

Jennings is one of those high-upside backups, but it's a very bad sign that he's on crutches. For now, MJD owners should draft/pick up Karim as his handcuff.

Philadelphia Eagles receiver Jeremy Maclin, who hasn't practiced until Sunday due to a cancer scare, told ESPN's Sal Paolantonio on Tuesday that he will start the team's Week 1 game against the St. Louis Rams.

"I feel fine. I feel ready," Maclin said.

Maclin practiced for the first time on Sunday after being cleared to return to the team earlier this month. Trainer Rick Burkholder had said earlier this month that he expected Maclin to be able to play in the Sept. 11 opener.

"I feel all right conditioning-wise," Maclin told reporters Sunday. "It's just getting back out there and running routes, I haven't done that in a while, so there's definitely some work I need to do, but I think I'll get back to my normal self pretty soon."

"We're confident that the life-threatening stuff is out of the mix," Burkholder said. "Right now, we're going to look at him as having an inflammatory condition that caused him to have the symptoms and the abnormal blood studies."

Burkholder said he and team physician Gary Dorshimer, who treated Maclin, are confident the symptoms will not return.

It appears that Maclin is out of the woods and on track to start in Week 1. He may not get off to a fast start this season, but his draft stock has taken a hit due to this ordeal and he is a good value in the 5th/6th rounds.

In an audible from what was announced on Monday, Bengals running back Cedric Benson is not waiting until the bye week to serve his jail sentence for a 2010 assault charge in Austin, Texas. According to his attorney, Sam Bassett, Benson surrendered himself to the Travis County Jail late Tuesday evening.

Attorneys for both sides said that credit for good behavior, Benson would serve seven days. That means he would be released either late Monday or the morning of Sept. 6. That means he would miss Monday’s practice but would be back by next Wednesday when preparations for the Sept. 11 opener at Cleveland really ramp up.

This shouldn't impact Benson's draft stock at all, as he's not expected to miss any game action. He's still a middle-of-the-road RB3 with a heavy workload.

Colts Anthony Gonzalez has achieved one of his preseason objectives, just not the most critical one.

Heading into training camp last month and in the final year of his contract, the Indianapolis Colts receiver's approach was to embrace and maximize the moment.

"I told myself that as long as I'm here, I'm going to enjoy myself," Gonzalez said Tuesday. "I was going to do everything I could to help this football team. I felt I had a really good camp. The coaches expressed that."

Gonzalez leaned against a wall outside the Colts' locker room and looked at his right leg.

"It's just that I've got this little hamstring injury and they tend to linger for receivers," he said.

It's possible Gonzalez's most recent injury could be the one that ends his association with the Colts.

Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt is full of praise for running back Beanie Wells’ performance in preseason games and in training camp.

Whisenhunt said Wells, elevated to the unquestioned No. 1 at his position with the trade of Tim Hightower, is running the fast, powerful way he did late in his rookie season two years ago.

“Confidence in this game is a big part of it,” Whisenhunt said after practice Tuesday. “He’s running with a lot of confidence. You know he believes he can make plays. I remember the end of his rookie year he was running the same way. He was making some of those runs.

Per a league source, Frank Gore and the 49ers have agreed to terms on a three-year extension.

The extension has $21 million in new money, with $13.5 million guaranteed.

Coupled with his current deal, which pays out $4.9 million in 2011, Gore can earn $25.9 million over four years.

Seahawks TE John Carlson will need surgery for a torn labrum, Pete Carroll said, and is likely out for the season.

Depth at TE may be a concern for Seattle.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello reports that Dolphins WR Brandon Marshall will not be subject to discipline because no charges were filed.

When asked about Regiie Bush, Dolphin HC Tony Sparano responds: "I would think he's going to have the most touches and the most carries."

New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker said Tuesday he feels "OK" after suffering a neck injury while making a tackle in Saturday's preseason loss to the Detroit Lions.

Pressed on whether he'd be able to play in Thursday's preseason finale against the New York Giants, Welker was guarded and suggested he'd leave that decision to New England's medical staff.

"We'll see what doctors and trainers and everybody else says. Whatever they say is what's going to happen," Welker said. "I'm just working hard and trying to get back out there."

"I think anything that has to do with that part of your body, it's always scary," said Welker, able to move his head while addressing reporters. "But we have good doctors, good trainers, so I wasn't too worried about it.

"I don't really recall [if he lost feeling], I just remember making sure everything was all right, and the doctors checking me out. Now I'm just trying to get ready for the next game."

49ers activated WR Michael Crabtree from the physically unable to perform list.

The New England Patriots worked out former Detroit Lions running back Kevin Smith today, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation.

Smith is a former third-round draft pick from Central Florida has rushed for 1,723 career yards and 12 touchdowns.

He has also caught 80 passes for 701 yards.

As a rookie in 2008, Smith led the Lions with 976 rushing yard and eight touchdowns.

Nick Novak is being released, per source. That means Nick Folk has won Jets kicking competition.

One hasn't suited up for any of the Steelers' preseason games. Another has played in all of them but has barely registered a blip -- at least in the box scores.

The third member of the Steelers' "Money" receiving trio, meanwhile, has snagged the spotlight as easily as he has touchdown passes over the past month.

Not to worry, Emmanuel Sanders and Mike Wallace said Monday. They plan on joining Antonio Brown soon enough.

Sanders practiced yesterday, and he is on track to play in the Steelers' final preseason game Thursday night at Carolina.

Sanders, also known as "Young Money," has been sidelined or limited since the early part of training camp with a stress fracture in his left foot -- one that has been slow to heal.

Brown, Sanders' draft classmate and close friend, has emerged as the frontrunner for the No. 3 wide receiver spot behind Hines Ward and Wallace.

Ravens OC Cam Cameron said he doesn't think that there's much separation between Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta, who are competing for the starting job at tight end. "They're different," he said. "I don't know that they're really going to separate each other. They're going to work in unison. You're going to see them both in the game in different packages. In my mind, we've got two starting tight ends, and each brings something unique to our offense. So, we're going to utilize them both and I think we approach them both as starters."

Two weeks ago, Jared Gaither faced a group of reporters — at 6 feet 9, he was more towering over them — and said he was “100 percent” healed from a serious back injury and that he expected to start on the offensive line for the Chiefs.

He spent most of the next week on the sideline, missing practices and two of the Chiefs’ preseason games because of undisclosed injuries. Gaither, signed during training camp after four seasons in Baltimore, rejoined practice last week and made his preseason debut Friday in a 14-10 loss to St. Louis.

Afterward, he stood in the locker room and was asked whether he’d like to amend the declaration that he expected to start.

“I hope that every guy that steps on the field, his desire is to be a starter,” Gaither said. “That won’t ever change for me. I want to work my hardest till I get there.”

Vikings Christian Ponder, the 12th overall draft pick, will start Thursday's game and be followed by Joe Webb as the two of them take their battle for the No. 2 position down to the final week of the preseason. Starter Donovan McNabb's preseason is done. He didn't practice today and won't play on Thursday. The Vikings also released Rhett Bomar earlier today, so it's Ponder and Webb who will split the game. Each is expected to play a half.

John Kasay is on his way to New Orleans and expects to sign with the Saints. New Orleans hasn’t released any information on the severity of Garrett Hartley’s injury, but this clearly isn’t a great sign.

The Indianapolis Colts appear to be regaining its health as the preseason is about to close.

The only players not practicing Monday were wide receivers Anthony Gonzalez (hamstring), Austin Collie (foot) and Blair White (back), offensive lineman Ryan Diem (elbow) and safety Antoine Bethea (hamstring). White remains on the physically unable to perform list.

Mathis, who left in the first quarter of Friday night's preseason loss to Green Bay with a hamstring injury, was back at practice. So was linebacker Gary Brackett, who missed the Packers game with an injury to his right elbow.

"It was just sore . . . precautionary," Brackett said. "We didn't want to go out there and get it re-banged up and start the season (that way). Just being smart. I'll be ready to go Week 1."

NOTICE: wide receivers Anthony Gonzalez (hamstring), Austin Collie (foot) are STILL not practicing.

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is in the process of determining who the Steelers backup quarterback will be after Byron Leftwich broke his arm last week.

Tomlin gave Ben Roethlisberger a day off Monday and split the first-team repetitions between Batch and Dixon, who is entering his fourth season in the league.

"We're determining that," Tomlin said. "We're giving Charlie and Dennis a lot of work. We didn't give Ben a lot of work today and that probably will be how it shakes out in the game. In terms of the pecking order with those two, we'll determine that as we get closer to game time. Then we'll make a determination after that game."

When asked if anything should be read into Batch taking all of the repetitions with the first-team offense Monday, Tomlin said "no."

Batch's track record as a reserve -- most recently his winning performances last season -- make him the likely candidate to be the backup to Ben Roethlisberger in Week 1 after the arm injury to Byron Leftwich.

"I was in the same situation last year, didn't get many preseason opportunities, and all of a sudden, I have to go in there and play," Batch said Monday. "But at the end of the day, no one cares if you have preseason snaps. When the lights are on, they need you to go out there and perform."

For those worried about Greg Jennings’ bruised knee, the Packers star receiver allayed those concerns. After missing Friday night’s preseason win at Indianapolis, he was back to his old self in practice this week, never more so than on a play in 11-on-11 on Monday, when he glided down the sideline past rookie fourth-round pick Davon House for a long touchdown from Matt Flynn.

Update on the Chris Johnson situation. Johnson wants $12m/yr, $30m guar. Tennessee thinks $8m/yr, $20m.

Both parties are expected to talk again today.

The Eagles and quarterback Michael Vick have agreed to a six-year, $100 million deal, a league source confirmed Monday night.

The report was first made by Andrew Brandt of ESPN.

The Eagles franchised Vick in March. He would have made approximately $16 million from the one-year deal, but the Eagles locked him up on Monday, confirming their commitment to Vick as their franchise quarterback.

It was only a matter of time. The Eagles committed to Vick as their guy after trading away Kevin Kolb and of course he's a top-QB option after having a great fantasy season last year. He'll always be an injury risk because he likes to run and move around, but that makes him a double threat as a fantasy QB.

Receiver Michael Crabtree made his return to the 49ers' practice field Monday afternoon.

Crabtree, whom the 49ers have yet to remove from the physically-unable-to-perform list, caught more than 20 passes during warmups from quarterbacks Alex Smith, Colin Kaepernick, Josh McCown and McLeod Bethel-Thompson.

Crabtree even caught a pass from coach Jim Harbaugh before general manager Trent Baalke walked onto the practice field, apparently, to inform Harbaugh that Crabtree was not allowed to physically participate in any aspect of practice until he's removed from the PUP list.

Reserve quarterback Byron Leftwich had surgery this afternoon to repair a fracture in his left arm, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said today after practice.

Leftwich, who was injured in Saturday night's preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons, was the backup to Ben Roethlisberger.

Tomlin said the team would not make a final determination about Leftwich's status with the team for another few days.

"We're going to wait until he comes out of surgery and let it calm down for a couple of days before we make that determination," Tomlin said.

Eagles coach Andy Reid said "good chance" Jeremy Maclin will be ready for Rams but Steve Smith "might be a little bit longer."

While the news on Smith isn't a big surprise, it seems like a pretty quick turnaround for Maclin. He may be be ready for week one, but how much will he play is probably the bigger question. Still, it's good news for owners who took Maclin during a time when his stock was slipping. He's got potential to be a high-end WR2 at least.

Receiver Kenny Britt still isn’t 100 percent, but he’s close. “I say I’m 90-95 percent now,” Britt said Monday. “But I’m definitely feeling better.”

Britt practiced on Monday with the first team and remains on track to play on Thursday at New Orleans. He missed the first three games because of a hamstring injury, and has been limited in practice.

The Cowboys are still trying to solve their kicking situation. The team has plans to bring in veteran Dave Rayner for a workout and quite possibly some others.

Rayner kicked with the Detroit Lions last year where in eight games he converted 81.3 percent of his field goal tries and out of 34 kickoffs had two touchbacks and 31 returned for an average of 20 yards.

The Cowboys have David Buehler, Kai Forbath, Shayne Graham and Dan Bailey in camp. If the team signs Rayner, they have room on the roster for him because the team doesn't have to get down to 80 players until Wednesday.

With a lot of drafts already over, this is something to note if you drafted Buehler...

Bucs coach Raheem Morris says Earnest Graham has the edge as the Bucs' third down back.

Peyton Manning is ready to practice with his teammates. He's still not sure when he'll dress for a game.

On Monday, less than two hours after being activated from the physically unable to perform list, Manning told reporters it was the next step in his recovery from neck surgery in May. He would not provide details about what issues must be resolved before the Sept. 11 season-opener at Houston.

The team said Manning will practice on a "scripted" and controlled basis with teammates this week. He is not expected to play in Thursday night's preseason finale at Cincinnati and he reiterated that point Monday.

The fact that he's practicing is a step in the right direction. It seems unlikely that he would be ready for week one at this point, but stranger things have happened.

Browns WRs Mohamed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie in team drills with 1st-team offense. Jordan Norwood in the slot.

This post is missing the popular name of Greg Little, who appears to be a backup for now.

Titans have placed RB Chris Johnson on Reserve/Did Not Report list.

He can come off the list at any time, hopefully for owners, that's sooner rather than later.

Cardinals CB Greg Toler has a torn left ACL. Going to IR, out for the season.

BREAKING: RB Chester Taylor will be released by Bears, according to league source.

This isn't too much of a surprise because of the addition of Marion Barber in free agency. Barber is expected to get short yardage work and some goal line opportunities with the Bears, a role Taylor had last year. Taylor should pick up with someone else for a similar role.

Redskins TE Chris Cooley: "I'll be back on the practice field next week for sure.. I'm 100% confident I'll play against the Giants [in week 1]."

Peyton Manning activated off PUP list.

We'll have more details as they become available, but it's a sign Manning could be ready by week 1, or if not, soon after. He's been falling a bit in drafts due to the uncertainty.

Tight end Jermaine Gresham, who has been battling a nagging ankle injury, did not practice on Sunday and was joined by defensive tackle Jason Shirley (calf).

Gresham did play in last Thursday’s game against Carolina and had a team-high four receptions for 49 yards.

Eagles head coach said Saturday he wanted to see how Jeremy Maclin and Steve Smith responded to their first practice of the preseason before making any plans about when they would play.

Maclin said Saturday he definitely plans to be ready for the Sept. 11 opener in his hometown of St. Louis.

The situation is more involved for Smith, who is coming back from knee microfracture surgery. By letting him practice, the Eagles were saying they were confident he would play sometime in the first 6 weeks of the season. Had he not practiced, Smith could have gone on the physically unable to perform list for the first 6 weeks, and wouldn't have counted on the 53-man roster. Practicing took away Smith's PUP eligibility.

Trent Edwards and Kyle Boller were locked in a tight competition for the backup spot at quarterback to unquestioned starter Jason Campbell.

That might have changed Sunday night. Boller completed 5 of 7 passes for 69 yards and looked morer poised in the pocket. At one point, he released a deep pass for Hagan, knowing full well he was going to get flattened.

Sure enough, Boller wound up on his back, but Hagan caught the ball and turned it into a 35-yard gain.

Edwards didn’t have the benefit of working with many first- and second-team players, as did Boller. Still, he looked unsure on several plays and was sacked three times. He also lost a fumble out of the shotgun.

Wide receiver Antonio Brown caught touchdown passes of 77 and 44 yards and, in each instance, ran the correct pattern -- something he doesn't always do as he continues to learn his assignments.

Emmanuel Sanders, who has missed the preseason, is a better route-runner and a more polished receiver than Brown, even though both are second-year players.

But offensive coordinator Bruce Arians knows he will have a hard time keeping Brown off the field, even with Sanders, Hines Ward and Mike Wallace in front of him.

Browns coach Pat Shurmur said he's not certain about depth at running back behind Peyton Hillis.

He's encouraged by the progress of Montario Hardesty from knee surgery and rookie Owen Marecic, but concerned by Brandon Jackson's toe injury and rookie Armond Smith's fumbles.

Indy Star beat writer Phil Wilson still likes Joseph Addai as the Colts starter:

Rookie RB Delone Carter continues to impress. But more than just a few fans on Twitter have asked about him being the Colts’ No. 1 option. Then on a radio show last week the first question pertained to if RB Joseph Addai is washed up.

I guess I understand why some don’t see Joe as sexy for the position. He doesn’t have the monster numbers. And you could make the argument if Donald Brown did more, they might not have re-signed Addai. But I will still defend Joe because he has the perfect unselfish temperament to blend in with this offense.

And Manning, I’m guessing, was willing to take less money to make sure the Colts re-signed Addai. So while Carter is impressive, is a different type of power runner the Colts have lacked and need especially in short-yardage situations, Addai will be the starter unless he gets hurt.

Now, if Addai goes down, Brown has more experience but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Carter eventually earn some snaps.

Good news for New Orleans Saints wide receiver Lance Moore, who has been dealing with a groin injury. The injury didn't require surgery.

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton said not kicking extra points during Sunday night's game with Oakland was a precaution because kicker Garrett Hartley tweaked his hip. Payton said he didn't think the injury was serious.

Hartley is one of the better kickers to add to your roster, so this bears watching.

David Buehler is out with a hip flexor and needs to return quickly to have any hope of securing kicking duties for the Dallas Cowboys.

Veteran Shayne Graham made a 38-yard field goal Saturday night against the Vikings, and the rookie from Oklahoma State, Dan Bailey, made two - from 37 and 41 yards. Graham sent three of his six kickoffs into the end zone.

Buehler is doing some light kicking as he recovers from his hip issue, but with one preseason game left, the competition for the kicking job is turning into a two-man race.

Given that Dallas should have a good offense this year, their kicker could prove to be a valuable waiver wire acquisition at some point during the season.

Wide receiver Bernard Berrian seemed to disappear from the Minnesota Vikings offense last season, ignored by quarterback Brett Favre and overshadowed by Percy Harvin and Sidney Rice.

The old Berrian - the one that the Vikings counted on to stretch the field with his elite speed - reappeared in a flash in the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday night.

Berrian spun Cowboys safety Gerald Sensabaugh around with a sharp post-corner route and hauled in a 49-yard touchdown pass from Donovan McNabb for the first touchdown by the Vikings starting offense this season. Berrian had two catches for 64 yards and was targeted four times in the first half of the exhibition game.

The chemistry with McNabb, who unlike Favre was present for training camp as well as the preseason, seems to be much better. New offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said it’s been a point of emphasis to make sure that Berrian doesn’t get marginalized like he did in previous seasons.

It's still hard to get excited about Berrian. However, if he and McNabb continue to click early in the season, he might be worth adding as a free agent.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Byron Leftwich's broken left arm may not cause him to miss the entire 2011 season, though it has not been determined how long he will be out.

The Steelers have not updated Leftwich's condition and probably won't do so until he is fully evaluated.

Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Munchak says wide receiver Kenny Britt may not be able to play full-time in the opener against the Jaguars.

The Minnesota Vikings got some good news on backup running back/returner Lorenzo Booker, who left Saturday night's game because of a back injury.

An MRI revealed a disk that's out of place but, with treatment this week, Booker is expected to be ready for the regular-season opener at San Diego on Sept. 11.

Booker left the game after running a route and collapsing without contact. He won't play in Thursday's preseason finale against Houston.

The depth of the loss created when former New York Giants tight end Kevin Boss signed with Oakland shows itself every day, given no one has stepped up to seize the tight end position in his absence.

Undersized Travis Beckum was the favorite to do so, but has been hobbled by a hamstring issue. He also drew the ire of offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride recently in practice for not only being in a play he didn’t belong in, but then ran the wrong route.

The undersized Beckum (6-3, 234) also has struggled at times in blocking.

Don't bank on Beckum this year.

Dallas Cowboys tight end Martellus Bennett will be out two to four weeks with a right high ankle sprain that he suffered Saturday night vs. the Minnesota Vikings.

Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak sounded optimistic on Sunday about running back Arian Foster’s availability for the regular-season opener against Indianapolis.

Foster left the Texans’ Saturday-night preseason game at San Francisco with a hamstring injury in the first quarter.

"Everything was positive today," Kubiak said. "It looks like we’re dealing kind of with the same thing we were dealing with at the start of camp. Hopefully, (we’ll) get him back on the rehab train and get him ready for opening day. He’ll be day-to-day, but we feel like we’re fortunate."

Foster sat out for 12 days with the same hamstring injury at the beginning of training camp from Aug. 5-17. The reigning NFL rushing champ has two full weeks to recover for the Texans’ Week 1 game against the Colts on Sept. 11.

"Until he’s there, it’s a concern," Kubiak said.

The status of Foster has become fantasy football's most suspenseful story. He's more of a risk now, but still remains in our top five. Over the next two weeks, there will likely be frequent updates on Foster's health.

According to Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Munchak, running back Javon Ringer likely won't play on Thursday night in New Orleans.

The whole preseason has been a classic case of bad timing for Ringer, who would have been in line for a big role due to Chris Johnson's contract situation. In his absence, rookie Jamie Harper has been solid. The Tennessee backfield will likely remain in flux all the way up to opening day.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh said it's "possible" wide receiver Michael Crabtree could practice this week.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi (foot) returned to practice today - in full pads - in preparation for the final preseason game Thursday night in Chicago.

Massaquoi made his first appearance on the field in preseason after suffering a fractured left foot during the offseason.

Massaquoi, who was held out of team drills today, moved well during position work at the start of practice.

Cleveland head coach Pat Shurmur said he hasn't yet decided if Massaquoi will play in Chicago, a game in which the starters usually only play about a series. But Massaquoi is expected to return to the starting lineup as soon as he's ready.

Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Munchak said he's hopeful Kenny Britt will play Thursday in the team's preseason finale against New Orleans.

Britt got some great news when he learned recently he wouldn't be suspended by the league for recent off-the-field troubles. He just needs to show he's healthy to reduce his risk factor, which is lower than it was.

Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said the team is still lining up with veteran runner Derrick Ward as their number two back and Ben Tate as number three.

"I could see us playing 3 guys on gameday," Kubiak said.

Tate clearly has more potential than Ward should Arian Foster be sidelined for any length of time, but Kubiak could easily keep the veteran involved. Ward can't be entirely dismissed as a low round gamble.

The third preseason game usually serves as a team's dress rehearsal for the regular season.

But with Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden still recovering from the fractured lower left eye socket he suffered on Aug. 3 in a blitz pick-up drill against linebacker Quentin Groves, Raiders head coach Hue Jackson was not sure if McFadden would play tonight against New Orleans.

McFadden will be fine for the start of the regular season even if he sits this one out.

The Cleveland Browns are figuring out their running back situation as they prepare for the final preseason game against the Chicago Bears.

The running back spot is still a question for the Browns as they prepare for their final preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field and begin to trim the roster down to 53 players for the Sept. 11 opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Peyton Hillis is the No. 1 option after a season in which he rushed for 1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns on 270 carries and caught 61 passes for 477 yards, but the team is working on finding his back-up.

Veteran Brandon Jackson is currently out of the lineup due to a toe injury and Montario Hardesty is still battling back from a knee injury that ended his rookie season before it really got started.

"I don’t know what to think in terms of the durability there right now," Browns head coach Pat Shurmur said Sunday. “We’ve got a couple guys, a guy that’s coming back from injury and one that’s banged up right now."

Shurmur added, "We’re keeping our eyes open at a lot of positions to possibly help bolster the roster, but we’ll see how that goes as we finish our fourth preseason game."

Miami Dolphins rookie running back Daniel Thomas seems to have lost head coach Tony Sparano’s confidence.

Veteran Reggie Bush was the only back in a one-man backfield for most of the first half, with Thomas not getting a single carry until the second.

When he finally did enter he showed more of a knack as a receiver than a runner, turning his one catch into a 19-yard gain. His longest run was nine yards and he averaged only 2.3 yards per carry.

Sparano got in Thomas’ face after he ran tentatively near the goal line in the Dolphins’ 20-10 win over Carolina last week, and there was a sense Saturday that he has lost trust in his ability to earn the hard yards between the tackles.

Of course, with the Dolphins’ talents at receiver and the much-discussed desire to attack defenses, there have been clear signs Miami might be intent on putting the ball in the air more this year. Whether that’s by design or out of necessity remains undetermined.

Bush is not a true every-down back, but his fantasy value is rising as the Dolphins seem to believe in him more than they do Thomas. Thomas once had the look of a mid-round sleeper. It's getting harder to target him there.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman says running back LeGarrette Blount isn't going to be the team's primary third down back.

It's not a real surprise. Blount could have moved up a bit had he won the job, but instead his fantasy stock remains unchanged.

Last night against Houston, San Francisco 49ers rookie running back Kendall Hunter had a strong evening with 40 yards on eight rushes to seemingly take the lead in the race to become San Francisco's number two runner.

Anthony Dixon did not run as decisively as the smaller Hunter. Dixon rushed for just 15 yards on eight carries.

With all of the turmoil surrounding Frank Gore, Hunter might be worth a late-round flyer if he indeed nails down the backup job.

New Orleans Saints running back Chris Ivory could potentially be healthy enough to play during the first two weeks of the season, but there's no reason to rush him since the Saints have so much depth at the position.

If he goes on the physically unable to perform list, he can't return to practice until after the sixth game.

Ivory will be an afterthought as long as everyone ahead of him stays healthy.

San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore reiterated his primary contract talking points Saturday night: He wants to stay in San Francisco and hopes to get a "fair" deal before the season opener.

But Gore's also acknowledged his unresolved contract status is weighing on him and said he wanted to be "treated right."

"I just hope everything gets taken care of so I can get my mind right, just ready to play ball," Gore said.

Is his mind right, Gore was asked?

"You know, I have my days," he said. "But once I touch the field, I don't think about it."

Gore didn't touch the field in the Niners' 30-7 loss to the Texans on Saturday.

San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh said he told Gore earlier in the week that he wouldn't play in the game. Gore, who played in the first two preseason games, also plans to sit out of Monday's scheduled contract talks between the Niners and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus.

Houston Texans running back Arian Foster says he's doing okay and plans to be back by opening day.

If you didn't have the first pick in your league and thought you couldn't get Foster, there's now a chance you could. Well, probably not if you have the last pick in the first round, but if you are in the top half you might have a shot. He's going to drop some because of his hamstring.

Pittsburgh Steelers backup quarterback Byron Leftwich has a broken upper left arm and likely will go on injured reserve, ending his season.

Leftwich, scheduled again to be the No. 2 quarterback this season, was injured early in the third quarter, on his first series of the game.

However, the Steelers did receive some good news on center Maurkice Pouncey, who limped off the field in the first quarter. Pouncey has a sprained left ankle and should be fine for the start of the regular season Sept. 11.

The injury to Leftwich means that the Steelers will keep both Charlie Batch and Dennis Dixon as quarterbacks behind Roethlisberger. The two had been competing for the third and final spot on the depth chart at the position.

Denver Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams is in danger of missing the regular-season opener against the Oakland Raiders after the weakside linebacker suffered a dislocated right elbow Saturday night in the Broncos’ preseason game against Seattle.

Williams suffered the injury in the first quarter. He was quickly attended to on the field by medical personnel and then taken to the locker room. After the game, Williams’ right arm was heavily bandaged from wrist to halfway up the biceps.

Williams, the Broncos’ leading tackler the past two seasons, is expected to be sidelined three to four weeks, which means he could miss not only the opener Spet. 12 against the Raiders but Game 2 against Cincinnati on Sept. 18.

IDP owners counting on Williams will need to find other options early in the season.

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Lee Evans is wearing a walking boot only as a precaution. The team expects him back on the field soon.

Evans and Joe Flacco were clicking Thursday night, and this is good news for a player who could rebound from a sub-par 2010 season. You could do worse for a draft day flyer at receiver.

Saturday night's clash between the Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars looked like it was going to be decided early after Buffalo's offense, led by quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, finally showed spark and a quick-strike dimension in building a 17-0 lead.

In completing his first 11 attempts, Fitzpatrick threw touchdowns passes on consecutive plays - an 11-yarder to Marcus Easley and a 52-yarder to Stevie Johnson - 65 seconds apart in the second quarter. He finished going 11 of 12 for 165 yards passing in four series through the first half.

Jacksonville rallied, and Buffalo ended up winning in overtime 35-32.

Jaguars quarterback David Garrard overcame a slow start by producing 17 points on his final three series, playing mostly against the second-string Buffalo defense.

Rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert had an inconsistent outing for Jacksonville. He went 6 of 13 for 52 yards with an 11-yard touchdown pass to running back DuJuan Harris and an interception.

Bills running back Fred Jackson backed up his off-the-field comments with a strong showing.

He finished with 33 yards rushing and a 30-yard catch to cap a week that began with Jackson questioning whether the Bills disrespected him by starting C.J. Spiller in a 24-10 loss at Denver last weekend.

They looked like the Bills fantasy owners are hoping to see. Fred Jackson once again showed why he will be hard to get off the field, even if the Bills want to see more from Spiller. Fitzpatrick remains a semi-interesting QB2. As for Jacksonville, it will be awhile before Gabbert takes over from Garrard.

Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub recovered after throwing an interception on the first play of the game, leading Houston on scoring drives in each of its next three series against the rebuilding San Francisco 49ers. The Texans eventually won 30-7.

Safety Troy Nolan made two interceptions for new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, returning the first pick 73 yards for a touchdown to give the Texans 24 straight first-half points after they fell behind 7-0.

Schaub enhanced an already impressive preseason, going 16 for 24 for 180 yards and a touchdown for the unbeaten Texans (3-0).

Alex Smith was 2 for 6 for 17 yards, just 4 more yards in the air than he lost in two sacks, for the 49ers (1-2).

As previously reported, the big story that came out of this game was the hamstring injury to Houston running back Arian Foster. Schaub may not have top-five potential, but he'll be a reasonably safe and productive lower-end QB1. Do the 49ers have some sort of special glasses that make them see something in Alex Smith that no one else can see?

Safety Gerald Sensabaugh had an interception and a hand in a special teams touchdown for Dallas, while quarterback Tony Romo connected often with wide receiver Dez Bryant, and the Cowboys beat Minnesota 23-17.

Testing out the new turf under the replaced roof at the Metrodome in the first game in the building since a snowstorm last December severely damaged the 29-year-old stadium, Donovan McNabb and the rest of Minnesota’s offensive starters were sharp.

But Sensabaugh stopped a long drive by diving to catch a pass batted at the line by Jason Hatcher for an interception at the Dallas 19 in the second quarter.

Just a few minutes earlier, Sensabaugh leaped high at the line and appeared to tip Ryan Longwell’s 47-yard field-goal attempt. Cornerback Orlando Scandrick was in the backfield, too, and was officially credited with the block.

Cornerback Alan Ball picked up the rolling ball and grabbed it again after losing control before running the remaining 20 yards for a score.

Romo went 15 for 20 for 141 yards in one half, firing five passes for 67 yards to Bryant.

Miles Austin was out, which undoubtedly increased Bryant's target total, but it was good to see him and Romo clicking given how much time Romo missed in 2010. Donovan McNabb looked revitalized and even made Bernard Berrian look good. McNabb doesn't offer much potential as a QB2, but he might be useable in an emergency.

Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton led Denver back from a shaky start with two touchdown drives and the Broncos’ defense throttled Tarvaris Jackson in a 23-20 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.

Seattle kicker Jeff Reed tied it at 20 with a 53-yard field goal with 1:16 left in regulation, but Tim Tebow had a 19-yard scramble in leading the Broncos downfield for Steven Haushka’s 51-yarder as time expired.

The Broncos (2-1) sacked Jackson five times, with Von Miller getting two and Elvis Dumervil 1 1/2.

Dumervil missed last season after tearing a chest muscle in training camp shortly after parlaying his 17-sack season into a big contract. The Broncos sputtered without him and chose Miller out of Texas A&M with the second overall draft pick in April. Miller has three sacks in the preseason.

Granted, it was against the Seahawks, but the duo of Dumervil and Miller was very impressive. IDP owners should take note. Jackson played into the 4th quarter and threw for only 93 yards. His signing remains one of the greatest mysteries of the 2011 offseason. Tebow was the only quarterback who played for Denver besides Orton.

Rookie Tommie Campbell, returned an interception 90 yards for a touchdown to help the Tennessee Titans rally to beat the Chicago Bears 14-13.

The Bears (1-2) out gained the Titans (2-1) 416-220, but Tennessee came up with two interceptions. Campbell, a cornerback from Division II California (Pa.) picked off Caleb Hanie’s pass late in the third quarter and ran up the left sideline untouched to put Tennessee ahead to stay.

Chicago’s Jay Cutler played one series into the third quarter and was 13 of 21 for 170 yards with his one interception coming on the opening drive. Matt Forte ran 17 times for 74 yards and a touchdown, but Marion Barber hurt his calf early and did not return.

Forte had lost a little luster with the signing of Barber. If Barber's calf injury lingers, he'll get it back.

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 200 yards and two touchdowns in less than a half, leading the Detroit Lions to a 34-10 preseason victory over the New England Patriots on Saturday night.

New England quarterback Tom Brady struggled, connecting on just over half of his passes for 145 yards with a TD and an interception for New England (2-1).

The Lions and their sellout crowd at Ford Field were clearly fired up for the nationally televised game against the elite Patriots.

Stafford and Detroit’s defensive front were impressive in the third preseason game, one that both teams treated like a real game for much of the first half.

The dazzling performance was another example of how much upside Stafford has if he stays healthy. Detroit's defense showed why they're on the fantasy radar for the first time in years. New England shouldn't have any trouble getting back on track once the regular season starts.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Rudy Carpenter threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to tight end Nathan Overbay with 3:11 remaining, giving Tampa Bay a 17-13 victory over the Miami Dolphins.

Josh Freeman directed a TD drive just before the half to finish on a positive note. Connor Barth kicked a 28-yard field goal for the Bucs (2-1), who overcame 15 penalties in a performance not nearly as crisp as they’d hoped for coming off last week’s sloppy, lopsided loss to New England.

Brandon Marshall scored on a 60-yard reception from Chad Henne, and Dan Carpenter kicked field goals of 21 and 47 yards for the Dolphins (2-1), who were penalized 11 times themselves.

On the night, Marshall had two catches for 90 yards. There is reason to be suspicious of him because of Chad Henne, but if Henne somehow gets his act together on a regular basis, there won't be much risk of Marshall being a fantasy underachiever.

San Diego wide receiver Bryan Walters caught a 14-yard pass from Billy Volek with 3 seconds left to lift the Chargers past the Arizona Cardinals 34-31.

The chemistry that quarterback Kevin Kolb and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald keep talking about was on full display early for the Cardinals. They connected on an 80-yard play for the quarterback’s first touchdown pass with his new team.

Philip Rivers completed 18 of 28 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns for the Chargers (2-1) as both teams played their first units well into the third quarter. Chargers tight end Antonio Gates, in his first game since Dec. 5, caught two passes for 18 yards, including a 13-yarder for a touchdown.

Patrick Peterson, Arizona’s top draft pick, intercepted Rivers’ pass and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown, and Andre Roberts scored on a 34-yard reverse for the Cardinals (1-2).

We are going to see the Fitz we saw with Kurt Warner. He'll be one of the first receivers off the board in most leagues, and he'll justify his draft position. Kolb projects as one of the safer QB2s. As for the Chargers, it was great to see Gates looking good and healthy, and Rivers showed why he is one of the steadiest quarterbacks in the fantasy universe.

Pittsburgh wide receiver Antonio Brown continued his electrifying preseason, catching four passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns in the Steelers’ 34-16 victory over Atlanta.

Brown scored on passes of 77 and 44 yards from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and set up another touchdown with a lengthy kickoff return as Pittsburgh’s starters looked sharp for the second straight week.

Roethlisberger finished 11 of 16 for 214 yards and the two touchdowns in one half.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan squeezed an entire game’s worth of action into two quarters, completing 22 of 42 passes for 210 yards with a touchdown and an interception against a banged-up Pittsburgh secondary missing starting cornerbacks Bryant McFadden and Ike Taylor.

Don't expect this on a regular basis, but it is serious proof the Falcons are opening up their offense. Ryan, who will likely be drafted in rounds 5-7 in most leagues, has the upside to finish among the best players at his position. Roethlisberger does as well, and Antonio Brown may be hard to keep off the field. Brown won't be consistent, but he might produce some quality games.

Denver Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams left Saturday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks with a sprained right elbow.

Williams was injured when he tackled Seattle running back Thomas Clayton after a 2-yard gain with 9:15 left in the first quarter. Williams left the field and went to the Denver locker room.

Williams has led the Broncos in tackling the last two seasons and in three of the last four years.

New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker suffered a neck injury during the Patriots/Lions game, but he said he was okay after the game and wasn't wearing a brace.

The Patriots are a little secretive when it comes to injuries, so Welker saying he's okay is a good sign. It doesn't appear as though it will be a significant issue.

Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said running back Arian Foster "tweaked his hamstring" during Saturday's game in San Francisco against the 49ers.

"We have 15 days, so we’ll just keep our fingers crossed that he recovers," Kubiak said. "We don’t think it’s anything worse than what we were dealing with before. I’m just hoping he’ll be ready for opening day."

Kubiak isn't the only one hoping Foster will be ready. The good news is that it doesn't sound like a long-term serious injury. However, hamstrings can be problematic, and owners drafting Foster would be very wise to secure Ben Tate just in case, although Derrick Ward will be in the mix as well. We'll be moving Foster down a couple of spots in the next rankings update coming today. Foster still has the most upside on our board, but Adrian Peterson & Ray Rice are now safer picks.

Veteran Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Byron Leftwich suffered a broken arm tonight against the Atlanta Falcons. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that the former top-ten draft pick will be out for a while.

The injury leaves the Steelers with three healthy quarterbacks: Ben Roethlisberger, Dennis Dixon, and Charlie Batch.

New England quarterback Tom Brady’s last pass on an ugly night wound up getting his favorite receiver Wes Welker hurt.

Brady threw an interception just before halftime on Saturday night to Ricardo Silva. Welker tackled Silva in the open field, leading with his helmet awkwardly.

He didn’t return after halftime, and the Patriots call him "questionable" to return with a neck injury.

The bigger question is whether the injury is serious.

Another injury to monitor during the week where starters play the most in the preseason.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Kellen Winslow, playing tonight against the Miami Dolphins, has an ankle injury. Apparently, the injury is not too serious, but he's probably done for the night.

Good news for Winslow and the Buccaneers. He'll probably get a lot of rest between now and the season opener, and remains a credible but not sensational fantasy option.

Chicago Bears running back Marion Barber suffered a calf injury during the first half of tonight's contest with the Tennessee Titans and has been ruled out for the game.

Minnesota Vikings running back Toby Gerhart was scratched from Saturday night's game against Dallas after missing the entire week with ankle/Achilles trouble.

Houston Texans running back Arian Foster won't return to tonight's game in San Francisco after injuring his left hamstring. It's the same one he hurt in camp. He won't return against the 49ers.

We'll see how this progresses. For now, Foster remains the best available back on the board, but hamstring injuries can be problematic.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Kellen Winslow, who is seemingly always recovering from knee surgery, may have a new injury to deal with.

Winslow limped off the field in the second quarter of Saturday night’s game against the Dolphins. It’s unclear what he hurt, but it appeared he may have aggravated his knee injury.

We'll keep you advised on this injury. Any missed time for Winslow would be bad news for Josh Freeman.

Houston Texans running back Arian Foster walked to the dressing room tonight in San Francisco with an injury to his left leg, knee or hamstring. He wasn't limping, but he was very careful.

It's too early to overreact to this, but anytime you hear about the top player in fantasy football heading to the dressing room, it needs to be mentioned. Ben Tate came into the game in relief of Foster.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are currently playing the Buffalo Bills and running back Rashad Jennings is questionable to return with a knee sprain.

This is something to keep an eye on in case it is a lingering injury, as the talented Jennings is considered a good handcuff for Maurice Jones-Drew.

In the wake of the news regarding the NFL deciding not to discipline Tampa Bay cornerback Aqib Talib, there is word that there will be no discipline for Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kenny Britt as well.

This helps Britt's stock considerably, as the possibility of a suspension was haunting him. Britt could be a nice bargain depending on where you get him on draft day.

Cincinnati running back Cedric Benson has been excused from practicing the next couple days as his trial for assault charges in May of 2010 starts Monday in Austin.

The NFL has decided not to suspend Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib, who met Tuesday with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

New England Patriots rookie running back Shane Vereen is not likely to play tonight against the Detroit Lions. Vereen practiced this week, but doesn't appear to be quite yet ready for a game.

For Vereen, there is a reason why it’s tough to stick him on the field before he’s ready.

As coach Bill Belichick explained earlier this week, it’s because he can affect the health of other players. If Vereen gets burned on a blitz pick up, it could be QB Tom Brady’s health.

Vereen is someone keeper league owners should monitor, but his 2011 prospects are poor with BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Danny Woodhead, and fellow rookie Stevan Ridley ahead of him on the depth chart.

Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan all but anointed Tim Hightower as his starting running back for the Sept. 11 season opener against the New York Giants, a result both of Hightower’s performance in the first three preseason games and the inability of Ryan Torain to play yet because of a broken bone in his hand.

"He’s done a good job," Shanahan said of Hightower on Saturday. "I’m not going to say he’s our starter, but if you were betting in Vegas, you’d probably go in that direction."

Hightower has carried 25 times for 170 yards and two touchdowns since being acquired in a trade with the Arizona Cardinals at the start of training camp.

Hightower has gone from fantasy afterthought in Arizona to being on the minds of many fantasy owners as a mid-round sleeper. The downside is that Mike Shanahan changes his depth chart frequently and Roy Helu and Ryan Torain could cut into Hightower's upside, but for now, Hightower is worth a gamble on draft day.

Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera has named quarterback Cam Newton the starter for the team's exhibition finale on Thursday but not yet for the season opener against Arizona.

Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan is hopeful running Ryan Torain will be healthy enough to play in the preseason finale against Tampa Bay on Thursday.

Torain was able to fully participate at practice today and should see action against the Bucs.

Torain is behind Tim Hightower and Roy Helu right now, but he's always been a favorite of Mike Shanahan and could close the gap at some point. While he'll probably start the season as a free agent in most fantasy leagues, he could be worth a waiver add if the situation changes in Washington.

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Brent Celek did not practice today because of a hip injury.

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Lee Evans isn't practicing today. His left foot is in a protective boot but Evans doesn't seem to be limping terribly.

Evans had a good rapport on Thursday night with Joe Flacco. Right now, it doesn't appear as though Evans should be downgraded on draft boards due to this, but it is something to monitor.

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey is showing that he might actually make contributions this year. Part of it has to do with how the Raiders are using him.

Heyward-Bey's forte was supposed to be the deep ball because of his speed, but the 6-2, 210-pounder had problems holding onto the ball. So the Raiders are using him on short and intermediate routes in camp, and he appears to be responding positively.

Perhaps the change is working because he has less time to think when the ball is in the air. Instead, he has to react - quickly.

Considering the state of Oakland's receiving corps with Louis Murphy out and Chaz Schilens consistently fighting injuries, a productive Heyward-Bey could play a big role early in the season.

Heyward-Bey might be improving, but he's still undraftable. If he shows anything early, maybe he'll be worth adding as a free agent.

Hurricane Irene has been downgraded, but the big news blowing through the NovaCare Complex was the return of Philadelphia Eagles wide receivers Jeremy Maclin and Steve Smith.

Both practiced for the first time since the start of training camp. Maclin has been out with a virus, but had been cleared of any serious illness last week.

Smith had microfracture knee surgery in December and has been conditioning with the Eagles since he was signed as a free agent a few weeks back.

A good sign for both players and the entire Philadelphia offense. Maclin has the look of a potential draft day steal as he's been sliding in drafts.

The seasons of Cleveland Browns starting left guard Eric Steinbach (disk) and third-down running back Brandon Jackson (toe) are in doubt because of their injuries.

Both players could end up on injured reserve for the season depending on how their injuries progress over the next few days or week.

Browns head coach Pat Shurmur indicated it's uncertain if Steinbach, who has started the past four seasons with the team at left guard, will be able to play this year.

As for Jackson, Shurmur acknowledged he will be out "for an extended period."

Jackson, who was signed as a free agent from Green Bay, suffered the toe injury during the second preseason game against the Lions and is wearing a cast. At first, the injury was described as turf toe, but now, Shurmur is calling it a more generic toe injury.

The Browns will continue to monitor Jackson to see if he can contribute at some point this season. If not, he'll also be a candidate for injured reserve.

Fortunately for the Browns, running back Montario Hardesty is on the mend and passed the first test of his surgically repaired left knee Thursday night in Philadelphia. Hardesty ran five times for 15 yards in one series in the first quarter before Shurmur sat him down.

Hardesty becomes more appealing if Jackson is out for awhile. The lost of Steinbach is a negative for the entire Cleveland offense.

The Cincinnati Bengals fear that tight end Bo Scaife suffered a season-ending shoulder injury Thursday night against Carolina.

Scaife gave the Bengals some depth behind Jermaine Gresham, but had limited fantasy value.

Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning could be back on the active roster in the next two weeks.

If not, the Colts will have to play the first six games without the four-time MVP.

League rules require players on the physically unable to perform list to be activated by the team’s final cutdown, Sept. 3, or to sit out an additional six weeks.

Conventional wisdom suggests Manning will be activated soon, something coach Jim Caldwell acknowledged Friday night after a 24-21 loss to Green Bay.

"I would say that it’s certainly a realistic possibility here and it could happen shortly," Caldwell said.

That’s the closest Caldwell has come to say when Manning might return.

Indy’s franchise quarterback has been on PUP since practice began Aug. 1, and Caldwell has repeatedly said Manning will practice only after the doctors clear him.

The odds are good the Colts will activate Manning, because it's almost impossible to see him missing six games. If he's going to miss any, it will be early in the season.

Quarterback Graham Harrell led Green Bay to 11 points in the final 35 seconds, rallying the defending Super Bowl champs to a 24-21 victory over Indianapolis on Friday night.

Harrell threw an 11-yard TD pass to Ryan Taylor with 35 seconds left, then hooked up with Taylor again on the 2-point conversion to make it 21-21.

After the Packers recovered an onside kick, Harrell set up Mason Crosby for a 50-yard field goal as time expired.

Colts backup Curtis Painter also played well, going 11 of 21 for 171 yards.

Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers was in midseason form, going 19 of 23 for 204 yards with one TD to give Green Bay a 10-0 second-quarter lead.

Rodgers has lit it up in the preseason, much like he did last year. Although Michael Vick goes into the season as the number one fantasy quarterback, Rodgers is fully capable of beating him out for that spot.

Quarterback Sam Bradford led St. Louis to a pair of touchdowns, and the Rams’ defense made life miserable for Kansas City quarterback Matt Cassel as the Rams defeated the Chiefs 14-10 Friday night in Kansas City.

Bradford was 8 of 8 for 76 yards on his first two series, with scoring passes of 6 yards to Mike Sims-Walker and 11 yards to rookie tight end Lance Kendricks. Bradford finished with 95 yards passing in his most significant dress rehearsal before the Rams’ opener against Philadelphia.

When the reigning NFL offensive rookie of the year wasn’t slicing up the Chiefs’ struggling defense, Steven Jackson was pounding it into submission. The big running back carried 15 times for 72 yards as St. Louis coach Steve Spagnuolo played his starters the entire first half.

The Chiefs also played their first team until halftime, with much different results.

Cassel was 6 of 13 for 59 yards and was sacked for an 11-yard loss, while Kansas City’s top-ranked rushing attack produced just 14 yards on six first-half attempts. Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones, who combined for 2,363 yards rushing in 2010, each carried twice for 8 yards.

Bradford wasn't as sharp after his hot start. Nevertheless, it was very encouraging to see him click with Kendricks and Sims-Walker, who are adding a breath of fresh air to the St. Louis passing game. At a minimum, Bradford looks like a very solid QB2. Kansas City can't seem to find any momentum.

In three preseason games – all of which he has started – Tim Hightower has 25 carries for 170 yards, an average of 6.8 yards per carry. He had a 58-yard gain last week against Indianapolis, and has shown the ability to break the big play. Of his 25 rushing attempts, five have gone for 10 or more yards – 20 percent of his attempts. In his three seasons in Arizona, only 11.8 percent of his carries went for 10 or more yards.

Hightower seems already comfortable in Coach Mike Shanahan’s zone-blocking system, which favors running backs who can anticipate an opening and make one cutback to open space. On the touchdown run against Baltimore, the system was on full display. Left tackle Trent Williams threw an excellent block on Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, and receivers blocked well downfield, as Shanahan demands they do.

Don't look now, but with the emergence of Tim Hightower, Mike Tolbert, Beanie Wells and Reggie Bush, there is suddenly a lot of depth in the middle rounds at RB. Any of these guys would make decent RB2-types on the cheap.

Some sort of leg injury that RB Jamaal Charles suffered during Wednesday’s practice may keep him on the sidelines against the Rams. It did not appear to be anything serious, but it’s doubtful that HC Todd Haley will take a chance with his offensive engine.

Dolphins RB Daniel Thomas, the rookie second-round pick, hasn’t had a great camp so far. Tony Sparano and running backs coach Jeff Nixon both scolded him in the last week for not going full-speed in practice and tip-toeing in the backfield. And he has struggled in two preseason games – Thomas had just five rushing yards on four attempts in the first preseason game, and failed to get into the end zone on three straight runs from the 1-yard line against Carolina.

Thomas picked up his performance against the Panthers, finishing with 52 rushing yards and a touchdown. But after struggling in practice this week, Thomas needs to string several strong runs together against the Bucs to get back in the good graces of the coaching staff.

Lions WR Titus Young, a second-round pick this year, has been hampered by a hamstring since the first day of training camp. He progressed steadily this week and practiced with the No. 1 offense today.

“I don’t know if he’s over the hump yet, but he’s close to it,” Schwartz said. “He was able to put a week of practice together and was able to finish practices."

Frank Gore's frustration has grown to the point that those around him say they've never seen the 49ers' running back as frustrated as he's been over the past couple weeks.

One team source said Gore has uncharacteristically "snapped" at some of the team's assistant coaches as his concern has grown over not receiving a contract extension. Gore is signed through the upcoming season at approximately $5 million.

Gore is not pleased he has played more in the exhibition season than in previous years, which puts him more at risk for injury while he awaits a new contract, the source said. Gore said this week he wants a contract extension prior to the start of the regular season so he can concentrate solely on playing football.

When asked who will start Week 1 for the Bills at running back, Chan Gailey wasn't as forthcoming with information. C.J. Spiller started last week's game at Denver but veteran Fred Jackson, who this week voiced his displeasure about his role, was inserted into the game on the second play from scrimmage.

"I'm not saying anything because I don't want Kansas City to know," Gailey said. "It's not for you guys, I know what's going to happen, but I don't want Kansas City to know. We have two great players."

The Cardinals gave up a bounty in trade for Kevin Kolb and signed him to a 5-year extension. That's a gamble on a quarterback who has seven career starts. It's only preseason, but so far, so good. Kolb has been everything coaches hoped. His physical skills are obvious, but he's also picked up the offensive system quickly, and his teammates like him. Keeping him healthy is paramount.

Saints running back Mark Ingram insisted Thursday the knee that kept him out of practice for two days is fine.

Ingram, who has looked strong throughout his rookie training camp, returned to practice Thursday.

Ingram's left knee was encased in a flexible brace at practice, but he said it won't slow him down against the Raiders. Ingram missed some time his senior season at Alabama after knee surgery.

"There's nothing wrong with it," Ingram said. "Just had a little bit of swelling in it, and it was just a matter of stopping it before it turned into anything. It's been doing great for a long time, so it's just a matter of keeping it going well. It's nothing serious; just being precautionary, and it felt great out there today. It doesn't hurt. There's really no pain in it."

Chargers TE Antonio Gates sees the benefit in making his preseason debut Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals.

“The more opportunities to see something, the better off you’ll be when the time comes,” Gates said. “It would definitely help.”

Gates practiced all but one day last week but did not play in Sunday’s game in Dallas. He has practiced every day this week. There is no question he’d play if this weekend were the season opener, but as he and the team try to assure he doesn’t have a setback with his foot it might be smarter that he sits another preseason game.

Said Gates: “I don’t want to determine anything before Saturday.”

A month into his second season with the Dallas Cowboys, WR Dez Bryant has become more than a well-intentioned kid who keeps getting into trouble. He's becoming more of a professional.

He understands what's required from him and what the consequences are if he doesn't live up to those requirements. He's showing up on time for meetings and practices. He knows his playbook and runs crisp routes.

Management had enough faith to clear a starting job for him by releasing Roy Williams. They also took the calculated risk of bringing in WR coach Jimmy Robinson as Bryant's new mentor. The risk was that Bryant had become close with his position coach, Ray Sherman. The calculation was that coach Jason Garrett was sure Robinson was up to the challenge.

It helps that Robinson has an impressive list of receivers who have thrived under his tutelage: Marvin Harrison, Andre Rison, Amani Toomer, Ike Hilliard, Joe Horn and the guys from Green Bay who won the Super Bowl last year, with Robinson as part of that staff.

Indeed, Robinson and Bryant have hit it off well. It's evident in the way Bryant tries to absorb every piece of advice Robinson shares with him on the practice field.

Giants RB Brandon Jacobs feels his football clock ticking. It has been three years since he flattened Redskins safety LaRon Landry in the open field on a running play that he still considers one of the finest of his career. Next July, he will turn 30, the age when most top tailbacks are put out to pasture. And he has two years remaining on the four-year, $25 million extension he signed in 2009 and reworked this summer to help keep Ahmad Bradshaw a Giant.

If he doesn't post solid numbers, Jacobs knows he won't be able to cash in on the $2 million of incentives in his deal - or earn another big contract.

"The nature of the business kind of tells you what you have to do," said Jacobs, who rushed six times for 48 yards Monday night. "The way things go and it being a money-driven business . . . I want to give myself the best chance that I can possibly give myself, and my family, to have another solid three to four years left in this thing."

Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB LeGarrette Blount is expected to carry his team’s workload this season.

It might be why his workload has been so light in the preseason.

Blount has rushed nine times for 19 yards entering Saturday’s game against Miami. Tampa Bay QB Josh Johnson leads the team in rushing with eight carries for 81 yards, while the Bucs have rushed for only 203 yards this preseason.

Conversely, New England rushed for 200 yards last week against Tampa Bay.

“We’re going to try to execute and try to do everything we can to get our running game started,” Blount said. “At the same time, everybody has to still realize it’s the preseason. There are a lot of teams we haven’t game planned against. We just do what we do and do our own thing.

“I know I’m going to playing more. We’ll be way more involved and way more in tune when the season comes. It doesn’t really bother me much that we haven’t been pounding on people.”

The bright side of Andy Dalton’s inexperience is it will spawn more carries for Cedric Benson. The Bengals' offense is built to be run-first anyway. Benson has the sturdiness and downhill style to get stronger throughout the game. He also has vastly underrated initial quickness and the ability to change tempo based on the action around him. On passing downs he’ll be replaced by Brian Leonhard, a solid blocker and screen pass receiver, though if the Bengals were wise, they’d give more touches to the speedy, space-creating Bernard Scott.

Benson’s not actually the main reason this offense is better suited for the ground than air – the front five is. It’s an unathletic but good-sized group that drives in run-blocking but plods in pass protection.

With Chris Johnson contract talks still at a stalemate, HC Mike Munchak acknowledged at some point the Titans will have to consider adding another running back to the mix. But he said the Titans would not trade Johnson, even if Johnson asks for a trade at some point.

“I would think we wouldn’t do anything. We would think he is under contact for two more years; he is going to be a Titan, hopefully longer than that,” Munchak said after practice on Thursday. “I don’t think that is anything we’d give any consideration to. He is with us, one way or the other, and hopefully it is on the field.”

WR Lance Moore has a groin injury and is not expected to play Sunday. Saints HC Sean Payton said Moore's status for the final exhibition is unclear.

Status quo was in full effect Thursday night for the Redskins, the third game of the Washington Redskins Quarterback Competition 2011 between John Beck and Rex Grossman.

Both played four possessions.

Both played with the starting offense.

Both threw a touchdown pass.

And both did nothing to hurt their chances of starting the season opener against the New York Giants.

“I’m going to evaluate them all the way through camp, all the way through the last preseason game, possibly up to the day before we play the Giants,” coach Mike Shanahan said after the Redskins lost, 34-31, to the Baltimore Ravens. “It all depends on if someone separates themselves.”

Rams second-round pick Lance Kendricks has made himself right at home at tight end.

From Day 1 in camp, he got plenty of work with the starting offense, picked up the system quickly and flashed playmaking ability. Kendricks primarily will be used in the slot or motioning out of the backfield and will use his speed, athleticism and sure hands almost like a big wideout.

Ryan Grant has been OK this training camp. Not bad, not great. While he missed the opportunity at a long run against Arizona last week, zigging instead of zagging, the three-year starter still has averaged 4.5 yards per carry. His repaired ankle is fine and, as expected, he’s in tip-top shape.

But Grant’s pay cut may be telling us what we’re seeing in practice — James Starks is the superior back. To stick around, Grant had to take less. If Starks wants the top spot, he can earn it.

In snapshots, Starks has looked better this summer. He’s running with more decisiveness and more power. He has shown improved patience, hitting holes with explosion. With quick whistles, camp practices are tough gauges for running backs. But, when healthy, Starks has not disappointed.

For now, nobody has been named a starter. And as Mike McCarthy has repeated, the Packers (like nearly all NFL teams) will utilize multiple backs this season. But both Grant and Starks feed off of more carries. Someone will be the hot hand.

This echoes what our scout, Rick Tittsler, said after visiting the Packer training camp two weeks ago. Grant may get the first nod, but Mike McCarthy has never been afraid to ride the hot hand, and if that's Starks, then so be it. Starks' stock has been dropping, so it may be a good idea for fantasy owners to grab both players as insurance. One should emerge as a solid RB2/flex play.

Both John Beck and Rex Grossman will get time with the first-team offense tonight as they continue to battle for the starting job. Grossman looked good in his preseason opening performance, and then Beck countered with a strong outing of his own last week. Grossman didn’t look quite as sharp with the second unit last week, but some of that had to do with his supporting cast, coaches say. This is the time to shine as the Redskins go against a top-ranked defense.

Chris Johnson met with Titans GM Mike Reinfeldt in Nashville on Wednesday, but was back in Orlando on Wednesday night without the big-money contract he’s been seeking for more than a year.

“I feel like I came in yesterday and they gave me their points and we gave them all of our points,’’ Johnson said on Thursday, “and we are not seeing eye-to-eye right now.”

“Basically my plan is to continue to handle my part and let Joel handle his part,’’ Johnson said. “All I can do is continue to work out and stay in shape. From them seeing me yesterday, (Reinfeldt) knows I am in great shape, and he said ‘you’re looking good’ and things like that. All I can do right now is keep working out and keep waiting.’’

Johnson, who has two years remaining on his current contract, wants to be paid in the range of the NFL’s elite playmakers. He is seeking a deal that includes roughly $13.5 million per year and more than $35 million guaranteed.

The Titans have said they are willing to make Johnson the highest-paid running back in the NFL. That would put his average salary in the $10 million range.

For the time being, we have moved Johnson down to RB7 in standard scoring formats and RB8 in PPR. The situation could get uglier or resolve itself within the next two weeks; that's a lot of risk to take on with a first round draft pick.

Giants beat writer Bart Hubbuch reports that HC Tom Coughlin indicated Lawrence Tynes is iffy for the season opener, and said the next week will be crucial.

Steer clear of Tynes in fantasy drafts for now.

Titans HC Munchak hopes Chris Johnson’s backup, third-year pro Javon Ringer, will be able to play Saturday against the Bears after missing last week’s game against the Rams because of a hip injury. Ringer missed his sixth straight practice on Wednesday, however.

Rookie Jamie Harper, who leads the Titans in rushing through two games, shared reps with Stafon Johnson and Herb Donaldson on Wednesday.

Vic Carruci of ClevelandBrowns.com: "I feel good about the Browns’ receivers. I’ll admit I wasn’t as confident about them at the start of training camp as I am now. But I think this is, at the very least, a solid receiving corps, and it might even be a little bit better than that. The bottom line is that all of the receivers who have been practicing and playing in the preseason are the right fit for the West Coast offense. They’re bigger, stronger guys who can make tough catches over the middle and athletic catches along the sidelines and in the end zone. Rookie Greg Little is the real deal. There’s also some really good competition, especially between Brian Robiskie and Jordan Norwood. And the bonus will be getting Mohamed Massaquoi back from his foot injury."

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll named Tarvaris Jackson his starter even before a snap was taken in training camp, but Charlie Whitehurst has actually looked more familiar this preseason with new coordinator Darrell Bevell's West Coast offense -- despite Jackson's history with Bevell in Minnesota. "Charlie's functioning beautifully,'' Carroll said this week. "He's farther along that I thought he would be this early. He's very comfortable with what's going on and it just makes us again stronger at the QB spot.''

Asked if RB Mark Ingram has measured up to expectations so far, Saints HC Sean Payton didn't hesitate.

"Absolutely," said Payton, who is conducting practices in Oxnard this week as the Saints prepare for Sunday's exhibition game at Oakland. "You're talking about power, speed. … He runs with good pad level. The leaky yardage for him is forward, not backward. You never know until you get him in camp, but he's been impressive."

C.J. Spiller understands Fred Jackson's frustration and isn't upset with the comment the veteran running back made this week. It's competition, and both want to be on the field.

"Who wouldn't want to be a No. 1 back? The big thing is that everyone is making a big deal about it," Spiller said. "The thing about me and Fred is that we're pushing each other to get better. ... Whoever they go with, the other person has to be right there helping make sure he gets his job done."

Jackson met with running backs coach Curtis Modkins on Tuesday and was informed he would start the Bills' third preseason game against Jacksonville on Saturday. Spiller started last week's game at Denver although Jackson wasn't on the sidelines for long and was in on the second play from scrimmage.

Jackson said he wasn't happy with the lack of first-team reps he's received in practice recently, nor his contract which leaves him as the 23rd-highest paid player on the team, and 40th in the league among running backs.

Tempo has been a key word this summer. The Patriots want to be aggressive and play fast on both sides of the ball. They want to get on top of their opponents, come at them swiftly and often, so the pressure is felt.

QB Tom Brady wants to hurry up and get to the line of scrimmage and create as much stress and confusion as he can for an opposing defense. He wants to make quick reads and deliver the football. He then wants to line back up and do it again.

“Tempo is always something we talk about,” Brady said yesterday. “Coaches really think it’s important. You get into rhythm out there and it’s hard when you have a bad tempo, a slow rhythm to the offense. Guys are walking back to huddle, walking to the line. You have a bad play and you’re walking back to the huddle.

“To me, when we get a good tempo, I like to keep the pressure on the defense rather than give them time to catch their breath. I really enjoy that. That’s why I love being in the two-minute drill as well, it’s mandatory fast tempo. You rush to the line of scrimmage, see the coverage, the ball snaps, you make a throw, and you’re right on to the next play. If we do that well, it can be a great strength for our team.”

If this continues into the regular season look for Brady to have an even better year than expected. Faster tempo = more offensive plays = gaudier stats.

Vikings beat writer Mike Craig on Kyle Rudolph: "No player in camp has looked better than the big kid from Notre Dame. Meanwhile, Shiancoe has missed most of camp with a hamstring injury. He hasn't played in the preseason and probably won't since the team has already ruled him out of the third game on Saturday night. I don't think Rudolph moves ahead of Shiancoe. And in this offense, there's room for two pass-catching tight ends. But I do think Rudolph is earning himself more playing time, whether that means more two tight end sets or some kind of rotation with Shiancoe."

With the offensive scheme installed by Josh McDaniels, the new offensive coordinator, the passes are expected to be spread around more. And WR Danny Amendola has taken to the new offense just fine.

"It's going well," Amendola said after practice. "I'm trying to get better with this offense. I feel like this offense is good for a lot of people. Everybody should get a lot of touches. We'll all get a chance to show what we can do."

Amendola said he likes the way quarterback Sam Bradford is handling the new schemes.

"He really seems to be getting ahold of this offense," Amendola said. "We all acknowledge him as our leader out there and he's doing a good job. He's taken more of a leadership role. We all really look up to him. We rally around him."

Schefter: "Contract talks aren't progressing to Frank Gore's satisfaction. He is getting frustrated because he wants a new deal and the 49ers have not shown an inclination to getting one done. It's a volatile situation right now. Gore doesn't want to play out his current contract and he wants a contract like the one that Carolina gave DeAngelo Williams this summer -- five years, $43 million, including $21 million guaranteed. If he doesn't get a new deal, Gore could wind up requesting a trade."

Just when LaRon Landry thought he was ready to get back into game action with the Washington Redskins, he experienced a setback.

His left Achilles tendon was doing OK and he was targeting a return for Thursday night’s preseason game at Baltimore. But things went wrong during a sprint before last Friday’s game at Indianapolis.

“I was finished accelerating and everything,” Landry said. “I was just trying to idle down and just felt a little pop.”

The pop apparently was in his right hamstring, and now Landry’s availability for the regular-season opener could be in doubt.

Rams RB Steven Jackson may see more goal line opportunities this season.

Josh McDaniels' Denver Broncos ran 30 of 49 times (61.2 percent) on plays from the opponents' 3-yard line and closer. The league average was 64.4 percent for the games when McDaniels was head coach in Denver. The Rams ran the ball 18 of 43 times (41.9 percent) in these situations since 2009.

What turned Darren McFadden from a tentative back derisively nicknamed "McFalldown" by some elements of the fan base into a robust finisher of runs?

The easy answer is being healthy. McFadden had turf-toe injuries on both feet as a rookie and in his second year needed in-season minor knee surgery and postseason shoulder surgery.

But something else was missing, and Raiders coach Hue Jackson approached McFadden in the weight room not long after taking over as offensive coordinator before last season to find out what it was.

Jackson recalled asking McFadden what made him a Heisman Trophy finalist at Arkansas, and McFadden said some of his favorite runs were not in the Oakland playbook.

"He rattled off about three or four runs that he really enjoys, and I said, 'OK, they're in,' " Jackson said. "And he looked at me and said, 'Oh, no they're not.' And I said, 'Yes they are.' And that's what we did. And 1,157 yards later, that's who Darren McFadden is."

Under former coach Tom Cable, the Raiders were strictly a zone-blocking team, a style that calls for running backs to exercise patience before cutting back hard against the grain.

Jackson instituted more gap and power blocking, in part to benefit McFadden.

While Colts WR Austin Collie has declined to discuss his new carbon fiber Kevlar helmet, which has additional padding and weighs just two pounds as opposed to the typical five- to seven-pound models, Hall of Fame motor sports safety pioneer Bill Simpson said the receiver has told him he likes it.

"[Dallas] Clark loved it," said Simpson, who is in a partnership with accomplished auto racing team owner Chip Ganassi on the venture. "It's significantly better in impacts than what they have been using."

Although Cowboys WR Miles Austin has yet to catch a pass in the preseason, receivers coach Jimmy Robinson said he isn't worried about Austin's status.

"I think he will be fine," Robinson said. "Knows how to play, knows how to get ready. Professional in every sense of the word. I have no concerns. I don't think Coach Garrett has any as well."

Terrell Owens said his knee is a couple months away from being completely healed and though no team has contacted him, he still expects to play this season.

"I'm still not 100 percent to be able to go to a team and contribute," Owens told The Associated Press. "When I get to the point to where I'm comfortable and able to run around, I'll feel like those calls should be coming."

Whoa. This is a big change from what Owens said just a week ago, when he said he was targeting "two or three weeks" into the season. Two months would put Owens' return around Week 7 or Week 8. Note that the AP report does not quote T.O. directly, so hopefully he will clarify the report.

49ers RB Kendall Hunter, 5-foot-7 and 199 pounds, is a surprisingly powerful runner who can run capably between the tackles. In contrast to Dixon, he doesn't dance. He is decisive, one-cut-and-turn-on-the-jets back who, with his low center of gravity, can effectively squirt through cracks and, in one notable instance, upended a blitzing safety.

For all his hard running, though, Hunter did topple fairly easily on two of his runs -- both on tackles by Raiders linebacker Travis Goethel. Also, worth repeating: Richard Seymour and Tommy Kelly were on the sideline while Hunter lit up Oakland's backups.

NFL analyst Boomer Esiason had some sharp words for Tim Tebow:

"He can't play. He can't throw," Esiason said at a CBS press event in New York on Tuesday. "I'm not here to insult him. The reality is he was a great college football player, maybe the greatest college football player of his time. But he's not an NFL quarterback right now. Just because he's God-fearing, and a great person off the field, and was a winner with the team that had the best athletes in college football, doesn't mean his game is going to translate to the NFL."

Tebow's throwing mechanics are so poor, Esiason says, he wouldn't be surprised if the Broncos cut him loose. "What (former Broncos coach) Josh McDaniel saw in him God only knows. Maybe God does know — because the rest of us don't," Esiason said.

It appears that Tebow has been demoted to the third string, so Kyle Orton's job is looking safer than ever.

Lions RB Jahvid Best got back on the field for the Lions' practice on Wednesday, during which the players were dressed in helmets and shorts, but no pads.

Detroit's second-year running back was held out of three straight practices as he recovered from concussion-like symptoms.

"He had fresh legs," head coach Jim Schwartz said. "He passed all his stuff. I know we have no real major concerns that he wouldn't pass, but we were able to get him out. It was a non-contact practice today so we were able to get him out and running around, and he looked good."

Dolphins RB Daniel Thomas needs to be more physical.

He needs to run with more explosion.

He needs to get his shoulders squared, his pad level low and his legs churning.

"I would say that's about right," Thomas said "I've just got to lower my pads and trust my blocks and everything like that and I'm trying to get better here at practice and carry it into the next game."

Thomas is getting encouragement to make his adjustments and improvements from those around him. After his first down run failed Friday, quarterback Chad Henne told him in the huddle to hit the hole harder on second down.

And coach Tony Sparano apparently also suggested Thomas run a wee bit harder by getting on the player's case in practice.

"Yeah he was," Thomas said. "He was just telling me I need to get it in there and to stop tippy-toeing and everything like that. It was true though."

Asked where Roy Williams is at, in preparation for the season opener, Bears receivers coach Darryl Drake said, “Not where he needs to be, and he knows that.

“He and I have talked about that. And the good thing about it is, you got Johnny Knox who is fighting and working hard. And believe you and me, [Williams] also understands that Johnny is there, and Johnny is hungry, and Johnny wants his spot back. And if things don’t start changing, then Johnny is going to be in there. Heard it straight from the horse’s mouth.”

Williams said earlier Wednesday that he was being sarcastic about his comments from last week regarding his physical fitness. But Drake didn’t debunk the notion that Williams still isn’t in game shape.

“I understand that Roy’s got some things to do, as far as getting in shape, but that’s not my fault, and that’s not my concern,” Drake said. “My concern is making sure, when we play Atlanta, we got the best guys out there, that is going to give us the best chance to win. And if Johnny Knox is that guy, then he needs to be out there.”

These are strong words from Drake. But keep in mind that Drake coached Williams at Texas, and he knows how to push the receiver.

This appears to be motivational-speak to light a fire under Williams -- the Bears didn't sign him just to bench him at the first sign of trouble. He and Drake have a history so hopefully this will get his motor going so that he can be productive once again in Mike Martz's offense. If not, Johnny Knox will be a tremendous value in the final rounds.

While Peyton Manning is making some progress since neck surgery and has maintained optimism, sources tell ESPN's Chris Mortensen that the team's hierarchy does not believe he will be ready when Indianapolis opens the season Sept. 11 at Houston.

Manning said Saturday he will use the next two weeks to get healthy from offseason neck surgery, a timeline that could jeopardize his streak of 227 consecutive starts. Manning signed a five-year, $90 million contract in July after the 4½-month lockout ended.

"I certainly want to be out there, and it's hard to keep track of the hours I've spent in rehab," Manning said. "I was short-changed a little bit by the lockout and I'm going to need every bit of the next two weeks, and then I can give you more of an update with where I am."

"I have some extra motivation to do what the doubters don't think I can do," said RB Reggie Bush, who has averaged just 8.7 rushes in 60 NFL games. "That was one of the reasons I came here — to have a leadership role and an immediate impact as an explosive player. I'll get a chance to show more of what I can do … to prove that I can be a solid back in every phase."

HC Tony Sparano: "Now somebody's going to say, 'Well, he isn't big enough to be a full-time back.' There's no all-the-time backs in our league anymore. Everybody has a caddy, and that's no different than Reggie. Somebody's going to take some snaps off of him, but we're going to get a few more snaps out of him."

More and more it's sounding like the Dophins intend to utilize Bush as their lead back with Daniel Thomas taking the "caddy" role. In PPR formats, Bush will produce RB2 numbers while healthy, but he should not be drafted as a RB2 due to his propensity for injury.

Redskins tight end Chris Cooley’s left knee has not experienced any recent swelling, and he hopes to begin on-field work next week and be ready to play in the Sept. 11 season opener against the New York Giants.

“This is the best that my knee has felt since last year before I started having soreness,” he said in the Redskins locker room Monday morning. “I can’t imagine not playing against the Giants. … I’m not thinking [about returning] Week 2, Week 3, Week 4. My mindset is completely on Week 1.”

It's not a terrible idea for owners in PPR leagues with large rosters to draft both Washington TEs because at this point, they can both be had rather cheaply. If Cooley can go, he's starter-quality, and if he can't Davis would be ready to step in.

Bengals RB Cedric Benson said Tuesday he hasn’t received a letter from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell yet about a hearing regarding his arrest last month. He’s hoping that means he won’t be facing any discipline because he figures he would have heard by now.

Saints RB Mark Ingram was experiencing some swelling on Tuesday after he practiced fully on Monday, so the team sat him as a precaution. He will likely sit out on Tuesday, too, but should be back within a couple days.

Swelling in the knees isn't good. Proceed with caution.

Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron said that the plan for now is to allow Ray Rice to keep running until he gets tired. When that happens, he’s supposed to let Cameron know and Ricky Williams will enter the game.

“We will leave a lot of it up to Ray Rice and we will be smart too because we want Ray full speed at the end of games,” Cameron said.

If Rice is in charge of his own workload, expect him to see a ton of touches this season. Williams is a clear backup, not a member of a RBBC.

Given OC Rob Chudzinski's background as San Diego's tight ends coach, don't be surprised if tight end Greg Olsen challenges Steve L Smith as the team's leading receiver.

Tight end Antonio Gates led the Chargers in receiving six consecutive seasons until last year, when tailback Darren Sproles caught 59 passes.

There's a lot of optimism surrounding Olsen's stock and his ADP is climbing into fringe TE1 territory. He's a talented pass-catching TE and was underutilized in Chicago. The big question is whether or not Cam Newton can get him the ball.

Expectations are high, externally and internally, for TE Jimmy Graham heading into his second season. He will be taking on a much bigger role now that the Saints have released veteran Jeremy Shockey. Already in the first two preseason games, Graham has been targeted four times on third-down passing plays.

"I am 10 times better than I was last year at this point," Graham said. "But for me, it's still working hard and keep taking those baby steps to be the best I can be. And try to see what my role is going to be this season compared to last season and just be prepared for whatever I might get."

"You know, last year Drew would call a play, then I'm thinking of where I have to be, where I have to go," Graham said. "Now it's me looking down the field, trying to figure out what the defense is now. That's a big step from last year, and I know it's only going to get better."

"It's easy to spot just raw talent, which he obviously is," Brees said. "Then to actually play the tight end position with a knowledge and an understanding of the bigger picture, and understanding that I have an important role in the blocking scheme, I have an important role on certain routes where I'm not getting the ball, I am the go-to guy a lot, and I understand how they are going to start playing me. He is in a position now, especially when you go through a camp like this where he is running around a lot, he is doing a lot of physical things, so he is getting beat up a little bit. You have to fight through a lot of that stuff and understand what it is to play tight end in the NFL.

"He is a guy who loves football. I think that is one of the most important things; he loves the game. He wants to be great, and he is willing to work to do that. That is everything that you would want in a guy. He listens. He's not one of those guys that thinks that he is a better athlete than everybody else, and he can go out there with just raw talent and just beat you. He is starting to understand how important technique and fundamentals are."

Graham's stock dipped a bit in the preseason with the news that he was having trouble with drops, but that seems to be behind him. We have him in the third tier of TEs (Note: Gates is in his own tier) with Vernon Davis and Owen Daniels.

Texans HC Gary Kubiak on Arian Foster: "One thing about the running back position, when you have a great one, they need it 25 times to do what they do."

No worries about anyone cutting into Foster's workload. He's our clear preseason RB1 as long as he's healthy.

Schefter: For now, Titans and Chris Johnson are not close to a deal and are not expected to be much closer by the end of the day. Stalemate continues.

His meeting with Roger Goodell went well, Kenny Britt said, and he expects to learn this week whether he will be punished for some run-ins with the law during the 4½-month NFL lockout.

“He didn’t scold me or anything. He was happy — not happy that I was in there for those situations — but he’s a nice type of guy, a very likable guy,’’ Britt said at Nashville International Airport. “We’ll find out sometime later this week what he decides to do.”

Britt said the commissioner asked about his offseason troubles and made it clear he wanted to do what’s best for the league as well as for Britt and his family.

“He asked me questions about certain situations and I told him what happened,’’ Britt said. “I think it went well. I hope so. I have a smile on my face, I am still breathing. So everything is good.”

Titans guard Jake Scott, the team's NFL Players Association representative, said Monday the union would challenge any fine or suspension for actions during the lockout.

“I'm still hoping nothing happens to me,” Britt said.

If Britt ends up being suspended for 1-2 games, it won't be a big deal for fantasy owners. Britt has been going for a discount in the 6th round or later all offseason and that's a good spot for him with that type of suspension. If Goodell drops the hammer (via a 4-game suspension), then Britt's stock will fall a bit further. The WR also has a hamstring issue, but talent-wise, he's a 3rd/4th-round pick. There are much safer options in the 3rd-5th, but he's a high-upside WR3 in the 6th/7th.

Colts owner Jim Irsay announced via Twitter that the team has agreed to terms with Kerry Collins.

We heard before last week’s Colts preseason game that Curtis Painter and Dan Orlovsky had to improve or risk the Colts bringing in a veteran quarterback. They didn’t improve and now Collins is reunited with Jim Caldwell, who coached him at Penn State.

This is a clear sign that the Colts aren't confident that Peyton Manning will be ready for Week 1. It does give Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie and Dallas Clark owners a reason to feel better because Collins is capable of holding down the fort while Manning recovers.

When coach Raheem Morris singled out receiver Mike Williams for losing individual battles against the Patriots last week, he didn’t just do it in the media.

Williams said Morris personally challenged him to win his one-on-one matchups after he was bottled up by Patriots cornerback Devin McCourty.

Morris “called the receivers out as a group because he called us the leader of the bus,” Williams said. “But he really called me out for real. He told me, ‘(With) man coverage, we’re going to the X.’ That’s where you have to go.”

The ‘X’ is a reference to the split end, the term used for Williams’ position in the Bucs’ offensive scheme.

With the start of the regular season less than three weeks away, Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer still hasn’t officially retired.

When he didn’t show up for the start of training camp, the Bengals placed Palmer on the reserve/did not report list, a move that potentially exposes Palmer to $30,000 per day in fines.

As a result, Palmer’s $11.5 million salary currently doesn’t count toward the cap, which is irrelevant since the Bengals remain many millions under the spending limit.

The end game for both sides remains unclear. Palmer possibly hasn’t officially retired in order to preserve his ability to show up on a moment’s notice, if he decides to do so. By reporting, for example, in the days before the first game of the season, the Bengals would have to decide quickly whether to cut him or to keep him, given that his base salary becomes fully guaranteed as of Week One.

Either way, this thing isn’t over yet. Otherwise, Palmer would simply file his retirement papers, and move on.

One day after Bills running back Fred Jackson got upset about playing behind C.J. Spiller, Bills coach Chan Gailey has assured Jackson of his starting role with the team.

Jackson said he had a “productive talk” with Gailey. Jackson will remain the team’s starter. It sounds like he is a little upset with his contract too, which has long been one of the more team-friendly deals in football.

“I didn’t know what was going on and I like to be told where I stand and not kind of have to guess about it,” Jackson said via the Associated Press. “We will see how things pan out.”

Felix Jones has been impressive through the Cowboys' first two preseason games. And that's a good sign for a team that will use Jones as its featured back this season.

In terms of the shape he's in, it's evident that Jones prepared for that role during the off-season.

“Felix, of course is having, probably the best camp of any player," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones 105.3 The Fan Tuesday [KRLD-FM]. "It’s just good to see him get a chance to show what he’s got. I think the fact that he’s been given the starting job, the responsibility of the starting job, has probably had some impact on him. But Felix has frankly always been an outstanding offensive threat."

As a runner, receiver and pass blocker, the 5-10, 220-pounder seems to possess the total package.

Wide receiver Roy Williams can expect increased scrutiny this week in practice when the Bears begin their Lake Forest portion of training camp Wednesday. Dropping a pass that would have been a first down and failing to catch any passes for the second straight week of preseason are only part of the reason.

Williams received instant appointment to starting status ahead of Johnny Knox, but Knox has three preseason catches, eight returns and generally has maintained a positive attitude about having his job handed to someone who hadn't earned it — even after being embarrassed into playing with fourth-stringers late in Monday's loss to the Giants.

Knox has also outplayed Williams in practices, and Williams brought even more upon himself by saying he might not be in the best playing shape for Mike Martz's offense, one which demands a lot physically of wide receivers.

Pierre Thomas' surgically-repaired ankle has been a non-issue so far during New Orleans Saints training camp.

He hasn't missed a day of practice, and he's been running strong - as evidenced by his 13-yard run to open Saturday night's preseason game at Houston.

Thomas also gained 15 yards on a pass from quarterback Drew Brees against the Texans and finished the game with six carries for 33 yards.

Thomas, who labeled himself "85 percent" healthy at the start of camp because he said he still needed to get his full strength back and get into football shape, said he's now up to "95 percent."

Jack Del Rio said today "David's our starter," which is something he's said throughout the spring, summer and training camp.

Four days after Gabbert looked very rookie-like against the Falcons, Del Rio also answered affirmatively when asked if Garrard would start the season opener.

But that doesn't mean he was pleased by everything he saw from Garrard and the Jaguars offense on Friday against the Falcons.

Asked if Garrard needs to step up his game, Del Rio said yes.

Asked if another week would help that happen, Del Rio said yes, again.

"Yeah I think a different set of circumstances at that time," coach Tony Sparano said. "You know, I mean really different. I don’t think we’re really talking about the same situation right now. This is something three weeks into training camp here or whatever it is, four weeks into training camp and we’re making a decision to do and again Reggie Bush is going to be the first runner out the gate here. I mean he’s going to be the starting running back. That’s what we’re doing so this is a different deal here, different role totally."

Bryant McKinnie signs contract with the Baltimore Ravens. Terms are not know but expected to be one or two year deal.

Lions Running back Jahvid Best and defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch missed their third straight practice today for the Detroit Lions.

Coach Jim Schwartz said Best has been medically cleared to return from the concussion he suffered in Friday's 30-28 exhibition win over the Cleveland Browns and likely will resume practicing Wednesday. But he probably won't play Saturday against the New England Patriots.

"We’ll be in shorts tomorrow, so it’ll be a good chance for him to run and get his legs but not be hitting or get hit," Schwartz said.

Vanden Bosch has a "sore shoulder" from the Browns game and had a doctor's appointment today, Schwartz said, without providing further details. Vanden Bosch had neck surgery that cut short his 2010 season.

Jets Backup QB Mark Brunell (pulled calf) was a no-show at the Tuesday morning walk-through, confirming that his injury is more than just a tweak. But it apparently isn't severe enough for the Jets to start checking out the QB market.

"We're not looking at another quarterback," Rex Ryan said. "We think Brunell will be fine (for the Sept. 11 opener)."

If, for some reason, Brunell isn't ready, rookie Greg McElroy would be the No. 2 QB, behind Mark Sanchez.

Jaguars Jack Del Rio says Aaron Kampman and Maurice Jones-Drew will be held out until the fourth preseason game.

Per Titan RB Chris Johnson: "Flying out to Nashville tonight to meet with Joel and the GM in the morning to see which way were going. Could get better or worst."

Jets RB Shonn Greene (foot) said he's good to go, will practice this afternoon and expects to play vs. Giants.

Running back Frank Gore acknowledged today that he is indeed frustrated by the status of contract negotiations with the 49ers. But he said if he and the 49ers fail to agree on a contract extension, he plans to play out the season and become a free agent in March. Gore said he wanted to finish his career with the 49ers, who drafted him in the third round in 2005, but was prepared to move on if he doesn't get a deal he thinks is fair.

"If it doesn't happen, then I'm going to have to go out there and show everybody that I'm healthy and that I can be the Frank Gore I've always been," he said. "If I have to test the market, that's what I'll have to do."

On Sunday, coach Jim Harbaugh dismissed as "water-cooler talk" two national reports that said that Gore was upset over stalled negotiations. One report called the situation volatile and that Gore could soon request a trade.

Dallas Cowboys third round pick DeMarco Murray (strained hamstring) and Tashard Choice (calf strain) are about to practice with the team for the first time in this training camp. Both players have been cleared to join the team in Tuesday's practice.

The Cowboys have added another kicker to the roster by signing veteran Shayne Graham.

Graham joins David Buehler, Danny Bailey and Kai Forbath, however, Buehler (hip) and Forbath (quadriceps) are injured. Bailey handled the kicking duties in Sunday’s preseason game vs. San Diego but did not have a field goal attempt.

Graham was cut by Washington after missing field goal tries from 29 and 49 yards in the first week of the preseason. He went 12-of-12 last year in New England after replacing Stephen Gostkowski.

Running back Fred Jackson feels like he's in limbo with the Buffalo Bills. Jackson was shocked last Thursday when he was told 2010 first-round pick C.J. Spiller would be starting in front of him in the teams second preseason game.

"I was shocked, I feel like a No. 1 back, and I should be treated like one. As far as what's going on, you would have to ask them. I'm going to come out here and compete. I feel like I have been competing. I feel like I have done everything I can. It's been like that for two or three years, and nothing has changed."

Jackson has two years left on his four-year contract with the Bills. He could ask for a trade if the Bills give Spiller the starting job.

"If that's an avenue I have to take, I would definitely be open to it," Jackson said. "I want to play as much as possible. Like I said, I feel like I'm a No. 1 guy and should be getting touches like a No. 1 guy. Let me know what's going on. I don't feel like I should be kept in the dark on anything. I have no idea. I would like to know where I stand."

Bills coach Chan Gailey was surprised Monday when told about Jackson's reaction and said Jackson was "a little ahead" of Spiller on the depth chart.

"I told him what we were going to do," Gailey said. "Nothing has changed on our thoughts with Fred and where Fred is for our football team. He's a major part of what we're trying to get done here. I would hate for somebody to feel [underappreciated] because it's not true from my standpoint."

"It's very frustrating," Jackson said. "All I can do is continue to do what I've been doing. Hopefully, something changes."

Running Back By Committee is ugly for Fantasy GMs. We cannot envision the Bills parting ways with Jackson.

The Dolphins officially announce the signing of RB Larry Johnson.

This is a bit of a head scratcher but given the Portis try out and now this, clearly the Dolphins wanted to add a veteran presence to the backfield mix.

Running Back Clinton Portis worked out for the Dolphins today.

Cardinals Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt reiterated on Monday there is no immediate rush to sign a new running back, but whoever it is, he will likely be asked to complement Wells, the starter, and prove he is better than Smith, who has moved up the depth chart.

So what type of back are the Cardinals eyeing?

"One that can do a little bit of everything," Whisenhunt said. "Obviously, someone that can help on third down, but be a good first- or second-down back. But it's not something we're just going to do overnight.

"We're going to do some research and try and get the right fit. There may be a player on another team right now that will become available at some point."

Barring a major camp injury, Eagles are not shopping CB Asante Samuel. Ultimately, he spends this season with Philadelphia Eagles.

That's an impressive Eagles secondary for WRs to contend with.

It wasn't fair to read too much into Roy Williams' preseason debut, considering he only played a couple of snaps.

But he played most of the first half against the New York Giants, and he was targeted early on. But he dropped two of the three passes for him, and he remains catchless in two preseason games.

The most costly was the first.

It appeared to be a 16-yard gain. But the Giants challenged the play, and the officials overturned it because he lost the ball as he was going down.

Despite all that, Bears coach Lovie Smith said the veteran receiver is progressing.

If Roy Williams continues his lackadaisical level of play, Johnny Knox will once again emerge.

Bills RB Fred Jackson expressed his unhappiness following practice Monday, saying he feels underappreciated and uncertain of where he stands.

"I feel like a No. 1 back," Jackson said. "I feel like I should be treated like one, know what's going on, know where I stand and what the situation is."

He spoke after the Bills returned to practice following a 24-10 preseason loss at Denver in a game second-year running back C.J. Spiller started and received most of the playing time with the starters.

Jackson said his concerns were not directed at Spiller, but instead at "everybody."

We consider Jackson a nice RB3 option and he's getting a lot of love in mocks with an ADP of the 7th round. Jackson is the better back and it could be a case of saving his legs for the season.

In the story, head coach Chan Gailey said he considers Jackson and Spiller starting backs, but Jackson is "a little bit ahead." This could be a sign the team is close to working Spiller in the offense more than last year.

We have Spiller ranked 49th. He had 74 rushes last year and averaged just 20 yards a game. Seems like he may get more work this year.

Now that Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow has dropped to the bottom of the depth chart in Denver, there’s suddenly scuttlebutt and speculation that Tebow could be run out of town.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen isn’t buying it. He reported earlier tonight on Monday Night Countdown that the Broncos recently gave Tebow a check for $6.7 million, part of the guaranteed money in his first-round rookie deal. Said Mort of Tebow, “They’re not about to trade him, they’re not about to release him.”

Redskins TE Chris Cooley expects to have to manage pain all season in his surgically repaired knee, but he plans on participating in practices during the week.

He takes pride in his durability, having rarely missed a practice in more than five seasons before he broke his leg during a game in 2009.

Cooley is ranked down our list at 29, but he's getting attention in drafts with an ADP of the 14th round. Playing with pain is a sign to look in another direction for a backup TE. He's most likely going to miss time at some point this season.

49ers traded S Taylor Mays to Bengals for an undisclosed draft pick.

Former UGA running back Caleb King has signed with the Minnesota Vikings, his agent Kevin Conner confirmed in a text.

He'll still be behind Adrian Peterson, hard-charging Lorenzo Booker and Toby Gerhart.

Eagles coach Andy Reid on WR Jeremy Maclin: "He obviously has to get in better shape."

Wouldn't commit to him being ready by opening day.

This shouldn't be a surprise. Reports had him losing 15 pounds from mono in the offseason and not being able to work out through training camp. The Eagles claimed he'd be ready by the start of the season, but it didn't take much to realize it may take into the season before he was able to play. Maclin's status as a very solid WR2 is slipping. He's still worth drafting, but the later you can get him the better because he may not pay off until well into the season.

"Rex vs. Becks" will go down to the wire.

Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said Monday he won't announce a starting quarterback for the regular season until "right before" the opener against the New York Giants.

Shanahan says John Beck and Rex Grossman are "very close right now" and that he'd feel "very comfortable" going into the season with either one.

Wide receiver Steve Smith said today that he will be in the lineup Thursday when the Panthers play their third preseason game at Cincinnati, his first action of the preseason that was interrupted by a hand injury two weeks ago.

Smith said the stitches were removed from his left hand last weekend and he will wear a small pad under his glove to protect the injured area.

The veteran wide receiver spent extra time after practice with Legedu Naanee and Wallace Wright catching passes from quarterback Cam Newton and sounded happy about the progress.

Redskins OC Kyle Shanahan said rookie running back Roy Helu took “as big a jump as anybody from week 1 to week 2” of the preseason, and believes Helu will continue to make big plays for the team.

Helu was getting some hype before the lockout, but nowadays it's all about Tim Hightower. But, Helu is a guy to keep in mind late in drafts. The Skins probably aren't going anywhere and at some point they may want to see just what this kid has on a more regular basis. We have Helu rated at 64, but he's got an ADP of the 15th round, so he's getting some attention in drafts. Make sure you have a deep roster spot and can stash him away.

Coach John Fox announced Monday that quarterback Kyle Orton will start the Denver Broncos' Week 1 game against the Oakland Raiders.

The Broncos made the announcement on their Twitter page. The Denver Post reported Monday that Fox hasn't decided yet whether Brady Quinn or Tim Tebow would be Orton's backup.

The announcement comes after Orton's latest strong preseason performance in which he completed 10-of-13 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills. Orton is 12-of-19 for 172 yards and a touchdown in two preseason games.

Obviously, for now, this shatters the dreams of Tim Tebow fans, who were hoping for potential gaudy fantasy passing and rushing numbers this year.
Orton started last season on fire, throwing for 295, 307, 476, 341 and 314 yards his first five games. He threw just 9 picks in 13 games with 3 coming in his final contest. This year, under John Fox, the Broncos are expected to run more, but that won't hold true if they fall behind in games, and a lot of times that's where Orton earned his fantasy worth. Still this year, even with this news, he's not more than a QB2 option. In fact, we rank him 23rd which is high-end QB3 status. He should still be around very late in drafts.

Colts WR Austin Collie (knee) returned for Monday's practice.

Pro Football Weekly is hearing the Seahawks are becoming increasingly concerned over the labrum injury currently keeping TE John Carlson sidelined.

The Seahawks also signed Zach Miller, formerly of Oakland. Not having Carlson in the picture would help Miller's value, but it's still held down a bit based on Tarvaris Jackson at QB.

Lion's running back Jahvid Best, who left Friday's preseason game against Cleveland early, was held out of practice Sunday. He didn't practice on Monday, either, but is not expected to be out for much longer.

"Yeah, he was doing well," Schwartz said. "I think we'll take a conservative approach, but I'd expect him out here pretty soon."

The Oakland Raiders selected former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor with a third-round pick in Monday's supplemental draft, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Oakland picked Pryor with the 18th selection in the third round. By selecting Pryor, the Raiders now will not pick in the third round of the 2012 draft.

A Raiders source told ESPN.com's John Clayton that the team is looking at Pryor more as receiver than a quarterback at the NFL level.

Back at Packers practice from injury: RB James Starks.

All the time Starks has missed, for now, puts Ryan Grant as the team's RB1. But what Starks accomplished last year shouldn't be forgotten. He's not a bad late-round flier.

In the first-team offense's 15 snaps on Saturday, Vikings OC Bill Musgrave deployed five personnel groups. One of them was a two-tight end with rookie Kyle Rudolph standing up in the slot on four snaps.

Redskins tight end Chris Cooley’s left knee has not experienced any recent swelling and he said Monday he hopes to begin on-field work next week and be ready to play in the Sept. 11 season opener against the New York Giants.

“This is the best that my knee has felt since last year before I started having soreness,” he said in the Redskins locker room. “I can’t imagine not playing against the Giants. … I’m not thinking [about returning] Week 2, Week 3, Week 4. My mindset is completely on Week 1.”

Cooley pulled himself out of practice Aug. 4 and did some work before shutting down for two weeks.

Indy Star beat writer Phillip Wilson's take on the Colts RB situation:

Delone Carter is the type of power runner the Colts need. As far as I’m concerned, the RBs are Joseph Addai and Carter. Then you have to choose between Donald Brown, Javarris James, Darren Evans or Chad Spann.

The NFL’s supplemental draft will take place via email at 1 p.m. today, with teams submitting bids on the six players deemed eligible. This draft is conducted in such a low-key fashion that teams even don’t know the draft order until about 30 minutes before it begins. There’ll be no grand announcements when the picks are made.

Terrelle Pryor leads the list of names that also includes: Western Carolina cornerback Torez Jones, Georgia running back Caleb King, Lindenwood University/Allen Wranglers (IFL) defensive end Keenan Mace, and North Carolina defensive end Michael McAdoo.

The draft began in 1977 as way to help players whose college eligibility had changed, usually because of suspensions or academic difficulties, after the regular April draft. Occasionally — emphasis on occasionally — a team has landed a gem, like Cris Carter.

It's unlikely any of these names make a fantasy impact this year, but it's an interesting read if you're a fan of drafting in any capacity - which if you're reading this we assume you are...

Teams essentially bid draft picks in what is similar to a silent auction. So if Team A bids a 4th round pick on Pryor and has the highest bid, they will lose their 4th round pick in the April 2012 draft.

The draft order is also tiered, diving teams into three groups. So just because the Panthers had the first pick this past April, it doesn't mean they will have it for the Supplemental Draft.

Victor Cruz has a real chance to be the third receiver in a very crowded competition.

But if he wants to make something of that chance he’ll have to do much more than the one catch for 10 yards he had last week. Domenik Hixon (4-49) is the favorite for the job, but Cruz does have some explosive potential as he showed last year in the preseason against the Jets.

Right now he hasn’t separated himself from Devin Thomas, Darius Reynaud and the rest of the pack. He has to do it tonight, or he’ll be battling for a different role.

After bouncing back and forth between slot receiver and running back as a rookie, Dexter McCluster’s role is becoming much more defined in his second season.

McCluster is still officially listed on the Chiefs roster as a wide receiver, but his primary offensive role will come at running back.

If anything, McCluster serves as more of a multi-task running back than a third-down back.

The downside to McCluster lining up as a running back is his 5-8, 170-pound frame limiting him in pass protection.

The only sack Matt Cassel suffered in Baltimore came when McCluster missed a cut block that allowed CB Lardarius Webb a free path to the quarterback.

McCluster is best when in open space and the Chiefs feel lining up at RB will give him the best opportunity. He shouldn't cut into Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones touches too much, but as we've seen from Haley you just never know his plan. Right now, though, McCluster probably isn't worth drafting in standard leagues as he should only get a few touches a game. As the story points out, not being able to help pass block will always keep a young RB off the field, especially on third down.

The Jets Rex Ryan sounded a bit uncertain about the status of backup QB Mark Brunell (pulled calf muscle).

Ryan said he's hopeful, but not sure if Brunell will be ready by the Sept. 11 opener against the Cowboys.

"It's hard to say with a calf injury," Ryan said. "I'm not sure how long it will be. I hope he's ready for the first game against Dallas. I'm sure he will be, but ... I'll leave it to the experts."

Immediately after the Washington Redskins’ preseason victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Friday, coach Mike Shanahan said quarterback John Beck “did a good job.” But for the most part, the coach remained tight-lipped on what he thought of Beck’s first live audition for the Redskins’ starting quarterback job.

Two days later, after reviewing film of Beck’s 14-for-17, 140-yard performance, Shanahan praised the quarterback for his execution and decision making.

“I was pleased with John’s play after looking at the film,” Shanahan said of Beck, who spread the ball around to 10 different pass-catchers while pacing the Redskins on drives of 80, 45, 74 and 84 yards.

Beck didn’t throw a touchdown pass, and only one of the drives led to a touchdown (a 1-yard run by Tim Hightower). The others resulted in Graham Gano field goals. Beck was sacked three times. But Shanahan said he didn’t find fault in Beck’s decision to hold onto the ball those three plays.

Chargers WR Malcom Floyd made a sensational leaping catch with a cornerback draped on him in the first quarter but hit the ground hard and was helped off field. It was announced he had a concussion.

While coach Norv Turner said the Chargers would “be careful” with Floyd, the coach said Floyd was “doing extremely well. He cleared up.”

Despite a ranking of 45 among our receivers, Floyd has an ADP of the 9th round. He's getting a lot of attention in a high-powered offense, but we feel he's better as a deeper option on your bench.

Travis Beckum will start at tight end for the Giants Monday night. Beckum weighs around 235 pounds, making him one of the NFL’s slighter at the position.

Monday’s game against the Bears will be an important audition for Beckum, who takes over as No. 1 on the depth chart after Kevin Boss signed with the Raiders.

The Giants are hoping they do not need to significantly alter their offense for Beckum, who missed last week with a hamstring injury and has 21 career catches in two seasons.

Beckum is said to have good pass-catching abilities, but right now he's not much of an option in standard leagues. He's on the rise on our charts, but still only ranks 24th, making him a TE3. Most leagues just don't go that deep with their tight ends.

Titans coach Mike Munchak said QB Matt Hasselbeck will be OK after biting his tongue when hit in the backfield on what wound up to be the quarterback's final play.

Hasselbeck isn't really even a QB2 option on your fantasy team. There are just too many other options with higher potential the way things stand heading into drafts.

Quarterback Philip Rivers led San Diego to scores on two of three drives, then head coach Norv Turner earned his club score another touchdown with two successful challenges on a single series in the Chargers’ 20-7 victory over Dallas.

Rivers went 8 of 11 for 92 yards, with a 7-yard touchdown pass to tight end Randy McMichael.

Dallas’ Tony Romo was 8 of 12 for 58 yards, with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Jason Witten. Romo also threw an interception on an ill-advised pass.

Turner got an interception by Billy Volek overturned, and got a touchdown for Ryan Mathews on a play officials declared him out of bounds inside the 1.

Mathews outperformed Mike Tolbert in this one, but Tolbert is still the favorite for work around the goal line.

New York Jets wide receiver Plaxico Burress caught three passes for 66 yards, including an over-the-shoulder 26-yarder for a touchdown, in his first game in nearly three years to help the New York Jets beat the Cincinnati Bengals 27-7 in a preseason game Sunday night.

Burress, signed last month after serving 20 months in prison on a gun charge, made his debut with the Jets (1-1) a memorable one. He caught a 20-yard pass from Mark Sanchez on the Jets’ first offensive play and another 20-yard grab in the second quarter, but the highlight came on New York’s last offensive play of the first half.

Burress took off down the left sideline, drew separation from defensive back Fred Bennett and hauled in a pass from Sanchez and fell into the end zone to put New York up 17-7.

Sanchez finished 12 of 20 for 173 yards and two touchdowns, the first to Santonio Holmes as the Jets’ starting offense played the entire first half.

The running game, without starter Shonn Greene, stalled during the first two quarters, gaining just 17 yards, as a driving rain fell at the New Meadowlands Stadium. LaDainian Tomlinson had just 16 yards on nine carries.

Cincinnati’s offense struggled badly early as rookie Andy Dalton, the second-round pick out of TCU, threw two interceptions that resulted in scores by New York.

Dalton was 4 of 11 for 29 yards after one quarter, and finished 8 of 19 for 86 yards.

It was an encouraging night for Burress, although it was against the Bengals, who have the look of a team that will be drafting in the top five in 2012. He doesn't have much in the way of upside.

Oakland Raiders tight end Kevin Boss took a helmet to the knee at the end of a reception against the 49ers on Saturday night, and he wound up with an injury that is going to keep him out for an undetermined length of time.

Raiders head coach Hue Jackson said Boss is "week to week."

Jackson said the same thing about wide receiver Chaz Schilens when Schilens suffered a leg injury against the Arizona Cardinals in the first week of the preseason.

Schilens hasn’t practiced with the team ever since. Jackson said Boss’ timetable is comparable to that of Schilens.

This increases the fear factor with Boss, who can be a decent TE2. He'll need to show he'll be able to play early in the season to warrant roster consideration from fantasy owners in deeper leagues.

Oakland Raiders head coach Hue Jackson says quarterback Jason Campbell is expected back at practice Monday after getting kneed in the helmet in an exhibition game.

Campbell left Saturday night’s 17-3 loss to the San Francisco 49ers with a possible concussion. He underwent tests after the game but Jackson said Sunday that he expected Campbell to practice the next day.

Those who believe the Tennessee Titans should pay Chris Johnson his mega-contract, be done with it and get the star running back in camp have been critical of the way general manager Mike Reinfeldt has handled the negotiations.

But Reinfeldt has at least one backer in his corner, and it is a backer that counts – Titans owner Bud Adams.

The Titans still have not made an offer, even though Reinfeldt said he nearly two weeks ago was willing to make Johnson the highest-paid running back in NFL history.

Since that time, the sides still have not done any meaningful negotiating, and no offer has been forthcoming from the Titans to Johnson.

Adams is fine with that stance, especially since Johnson's current contract has two more years to run, and the fact that Johnson has stayed away from camp since it opened on July 30.

“I'm not gonna make any offer with the way he's acting. Life's too short,” Adams said.

While it appears the Titans are standing firm in their stance, indications are that Johnson's camp has dug in their heels as well in their demands. The possibility of the stalemate lasting into the regular season is becoming more likely each day.

This squabble shows no signs of ending, and the longer it drags on the more we'll see Johnson's stock start to slide.

Speaking during Saturday night's PeyBack Classic at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning said he won't play in the Colts' final two preseason games and stopped short of proclaiming he'll be ready for the regular-season opener.

"I certainly want to be out there, and it's hard to keep track of the hours I've spent in rehab," Manning said. "I was short-changed a little bit by the lockout and I'm going to need every bit of the next two weeks, and then I can give you more of an update with where I am.

"I have made progress, but I still have some work to do. When I'm healthy enough, I'll be able to play.''

The best-case scenario is that Manning will be ready for opening day. However, even if he plays, his timing is likely to be off and it may be awhile before we see the Peyton Manning of old. In the past, it wasn't that important to invest in a quality backup if Peyton was your starter. Now it is.

Detroit Lions running back Jahvid Best missed practice Sunday after suffering a concussion during the first series of Friday's preseason game in Cleveland.

Best caught a swing pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford on the first play of the game and took a helmet-to-helmet hit along the sideline from Browns cornerback Joe Haden. He stayed in for two more plays, the second being a fumble, and was then removed from the game.

The second-year running back has dealt with health problems, including two turf toes that limited him as a rookie and a concussion in college that ended his junior season prematurely. Best, who played at Cal, entered the NFL draft after his junior season.

"We'll take it slow with him just based on his situation from a couple years ago and we'll just be very, very cautious with him," Detroit head coach Jim Schwartz said. "But we should have him back on the practice field soon."

Best ought to be okay for the start of the season. He is a bit of a boom or bust pick because of his past durability issues, but if he can stay healthy, he's an unquestioned boomer.

Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Munchak said he expects wide receiver Kenny Britt to play Saturday night against the Chicago Bears.

The third preseason game is the most important one, so it will be good to see Britt trying to build a rapport with Matt Hasselbeck. Britt brings a lot of potential to the table, but owners need to remember he could miss time this year due to off-the-field transgressions.

It was a mixed bag at practice for the Detroit Lions today.

Rookie receiver Titus Young, recovering from a hamstring injury, worked out with the team. Tight end Tony Scheffler didn't play on Friday night against the Cleveland Browns, but he's also back on the field.

However, several Lions are sitting out practice, including running back Jahvid Best and defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch.

Best left Detroit's preseason game against Cleveland on Friday night after taking just two carries.

It is not known why Vanden Bosch isn't participating.

Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera is growing more concerned about whether middle linebacker Jon Beason will be ready for the opening game at Arizona.

Beason, who has never missed a regular season game, has yet to practice due to tendinitis in his left Achilles.

Rivera said the Panthers have three other linebackers that can play the position if Beason is not ready – Dan Connor, Omar Gaither and Thomas Williams.

Owners in IDP leagues should find an alternative to Beason during the early part of the season.

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart was back at practice today.

Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera has named quarterback Cam Newton the starter for Thursday night's game in Cincinnati. However, Newton hasn't yet been named the starter for the season opener.

San Francisco running back Frank Gore’s decision to conduct only a short holdout doesn’t mean he has abandoned his hope for a new long-term deal.

Gore wants DeAngelo Williams money. And since Gore hasn’t gotten what he wants, he’s getting frustrated.

Currently, the two sides are far apart. The situation has been described to as volatile, and the next step could be a trade request.

Gore, 28, has gained more than 6,400 yards on the ground in six NFL seasons. He has a career rushing average of 4.7 yards per carry.

He’s due to earn $4.9 million in 2011, the final year of his contract.

The 49ers are in a tough spot, because Gore is their best player but he's not a young player. This is the type of uncertainty that could make Gore a shakier draft pick. However, if a new contract is somehow ironed out soon, he'll remain a stable fantasy commodity.

While talks between running back Chris Johnson and the Tennessee Titans are at a standstill, negotiations between Frank Gore and 49ers are going slowly and Gore is frustrated.

Unlike Johnson, Gore is in camp. He'll be fine to draft unless that changes.

Washington Redskins running back Ryan Torain (hand) said he remains day to day but wouldn’t answer a question about if he’s been cleared for contact.

"I’m out there taking handoffs and catching the ball and doing what the coaches are asking me to do," he said. "It’s tough being on the sideline but I’m excited to get out there and play."

Torain all but confirmed what coach Mike Shanahan said last week – he’s out for the Baltimore game on Thursday but hopes to play in the preseason finale against Tampa Bay.

Once back in full practice or a game, Torain said regaining his footing, "won’t take long at all. I’ve been staying in shape."

No back who plays for Mike Shanahan can be completely ignored, but right now Torain's stock is pretty low. Maybe things will change down the line.

Cleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur and team president Mike Holmgren said they're excited to see running back Montario Hardesty play Thursday vs. the Philadelphia Eagles.

And fantasy owners need to see Hardesty play, because he's the best potential handcuff to Peyton Hillis. Brandon Jackson showed last year he's a situational player, not an every-down back.

According to Cleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur, wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi won't play on Thursday against the Eagles in Philadelphia.

The Cleveland passing game has really missed Massaquoi, haven't they? Whatever deep flyer potential he may have possessed is long gone.

Cleveland Browns tight end Evan Moore is apparently out for practice today, as he wasn't on the field working out.

Moore is coming off a two-touchdown game Friday night against Detroit, but it's possible he suffered a concussion during the contest. While he's talented, the presence of veteran Ben Watson reduces the possibility of a breakout season.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White is not practicing today. He took a helmet to the thigh Friday against Jacksonville and has a minor bruise.

We mention this because White is a big-name player, but he'll be fine.

Oakland Raiders tight end Kevin Boss suffered a left knee strain during Oakland's 20-7 loss Saturday to San Francisco.

Boss’ injury came at the end of a reception, when a 49ers defender hit him in the knee with his helmet.

"It’s hard to tell," Boss said of how long he’ll be out. "It’s nothing serious, that’s for sure. Take a little time to heal up."

With Boss thinking it's not serious, he'll probably be okay before too long. However, missed time will not help his chances of getting a bigger role in Oakland's passing game.

Oakland Raiders rookie wide receiver Denarius Moore added to his growing legend by catching two passes for 28 yards and returning a kick 48 yards during Saturday's game against San Francisco.

"He’s a bright spot," Oakland head coach Hue Jackson said. "He’s done some really good things. He’s a very solid and good football player. He’s got to be consistent and keep doing it week in and week out. So far, so good."

Quarterback Jason Campbell completed passes to Moore on back-to-back plays in a sign that he knows a good thing when he sees one.

Anytime we hear about Moore, it's something good. With Oakland not having a clear-cut number one receiver, he could be a sleeper and is worth a flyer later in drafts.

Oakland Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell suffered an injury late in the second quarter of last night's Bay Area battle with the San Francisco 49ers.

Linebacker Ahmad Brooks slammed into Campbell around the neck and head region, with Campbell going down hard.

Several trainers tended to Campbell on the field before he was escorted to the bench for further evaluation.

It appeared as if Campbell suffered yet another stinger - he endured three last season, including one against the 49ers in an exhibition game.

However, Campbell said it wasn’t a stinger, but he is set to undergo a test to determine whether he suffered a concussion.

"I am doing all right," Campbell said. "I took a knee to the head. When it happened, everything kind of went dizzy, drop out for a minute. It’s unexpected, something you can’t prepare for. I’m just glad I’ll be all right."

With Campbell saying he's all right and plenty of time between now and opening day, he should be in the lineup for Oakland in week one.

Quarterback Alex Smith threw for 126 yards and an interception in San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh’s home debut, getting showered with a mix of boos and cheers as San Francisco beat Oakland 17-3.

Smith was 8 for 13 and came up empty in the end zone again. He had a pass picked off by defensive end Matt Shaugnessy in the second quarter and could only lead the 49ers (1-1) to a field goal in one half of play.

The 2005 No. 1 overall pick at least left healthy. Oakland starting quarterback Jason Campbell didn’t return after taking a couple of blows on a scramble play in the second quarter.

The Raiders are 0-2.

It's no great surprise to see Smith struggle once again. Although Vernon Davis and Frank Gore should be fine regardless, it's going to be a long year for Braylon Edwards and Michael Crabtree until Colin Kaepernick takes over. At least there would be hope for better days with Kaepernick.

Quarterback Sam Bradford threw an 83-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Gibson on St. Louis’ first play, and Josh Brown kicked a 42-yard field goal as time expired to give the Rams a 17-16 victory over the Tennessee Titans.

Steven Jackson was limited to 10 yards on six carries in his preseason debut for the Rams (2-0), and Sam Bradford had no other big plays in the first half and got banged around a bit.

Tennessee starter Matt Hasselbeck was sharp, going 7 for 9 for 74 yards. Hasselbeck was shaken up on his final play when Brady Poppinga rolled into his legs after a pass, but after walking off didn’t need treatment on the sideline.

Rookie running back Jamie Harper had 83 yards on 11 carries in the first half for Tennessee (1-1). The highlight was a 46-yarder on a cutback run, and he scored for the second straight week.

Bradford took a big shot in the second quarter, but seemed to have dodged a bullet in terms of a major injury. If Gibson keeps delivering the goods he'll be worth a look later in drafts. And if Chris Johnson's contract situation remains unsettled, Harper could push Javon Ringer for playing time.

The Minnesota Vikings were reunited Saturday night with an old friend, new Seattle quarterback Tarvaris Jackson. They didn't treat him very kindly.

Jackson was running for safety most of the night and struggled as the Vikings beat the Seahawks 20-7. He completed 11 of 21 passes for 75 yards and one interception that deflected off receiver Golden Tate’s hands and was returned for a touchdown by cornerback Marcus Sherels.

New Minnesota quarterback Donovan McNabb led a long drive that ended in the first of Ryan Longwell’s two field goals for Minnesota.

McNabb led a 13-play drive that started at the 1 and ended in Longwell’s 36-yard field goal. Longwell added a 34-yarder.

McNabb was 6 of 8 for 81 yards. Tristan Davis added a 35-yard TD run with 2:09 left for Minnesota’s first offensive touchdown of the preseason.

As long as Jackson is under center, Sidney Rice, Mike X Williams, and Zach Miller are all likely to struggle.

Kyle Orton, who has rendered the quarterback drama in Denver a question of who will be his backup, led the Broncos on two touchdown drives in a 24-10 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Saturday night.

After Orton completed 10 of 13 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown, Brady Quinn came in and had an up-and-down performance with the second-stringers, completing 10 of 16 passes for 130 yards, one TD and one interception in the end zone just before halftime. Tim Tebow was 1 for 2 for 10 yards with a sack. He ran once for 7 yards.

The game was marred by an injury to Bills running back Johnny White, who was strapped to a body board and carted off the field after his head was driven into the grass on a clean tackle by linebacker Mario Haggan in the third quarter.

White moved his left hand as he was taken up the tunnel, then was taken via ambulance to a hospital.

Orton won't have the year he had last year due to John Fox's conservative offense, but as long as he holds the job, he could be a decent performer in certain matchups.

Houston Texans running back Arian Foster ran for two touchdowns and fellow back Ben Tate rushed for 95 yards and another score in the first half in Houston’s 27-14 victory over New Orleans.

Foster, the NFL’s leading rusher in 2010, returned after sitting out Houston’s victory in the preseason opener Monday night against the New York Jets because of a sore hamstring.

Tate, a second-round pick in 2010, was seeing his first game action since breaking his ankle in the first preseason game last year. He had a 4-yard TD run and gained 43 yards on another run in the second quarter.

Drew Brees went 7 for 14 for 109 yards in a little more than a quarter for the Saints (1-1). Chase Daniel threw a TD pass to Joseph Morgan, and Mark Ingram scored for New Orleans.

Foster showed why he's the number one back on the board, and also showed that his hamstring is not an issue. Tate's impressive showing could put him on the radar as Foster's handcuff, and Ingram's touchdown offers proof as to why he's considered a nice value pick heading into the season.

Oakland Raiders tight end Kevin Boss was seen on the bench during tonight's game with San Francisco with his left knee heavily wrapped in ice.

Denver Broncos rookie safety Rahim Moore can expect a sizable fine this week after delivering a nasty helmet-to-helmet hit on Bills receiver Donald Jones.

Moore delivered the hit as Jones was reaching high for a pass on a sideline route. Moore appeared to try to lead with the shoulder, but his helmet hit Jones’ helmet first, and Jones’ head slammed to the ground. Jones lay knocked out for a while with his arms frozen in place before becoming alert.

He was able to get up and walk to the locker room under his own power.

Jones started the game at wide receiver in Lee Evans‘ old spot.

Frequent chatter indicates the top running back job for the Buffalo Bills is C.J. Spiller's to lose, not Fred Jackson's.

There's no doubt Spiller brings more home run potential to the table. However, Jackson's involvement probably wouldn't dwindle dramatically. Both could have good games given Buffalo has some easy matchups thanks to a last-place schedule. Keep Spiller on your radar as a mid-round value pick.

The Arizona Cardinals will sign wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald to a record 8-year, $120 million deal that includes close to $50 million guaranteed.

This doesn't impact Fitzgerald in redraft leagues, but keeper league owners don't have to worry about Fitzgerald moving to a new home and a worst situation. Things will be much better in Arizona this year now that Fitzgerald has help in the form of Kevin Kolb and Todd Heap.

Brady Quinn will serve as the number two quarterback for the Denver Broncos tonight against the Buffalo Bills. Tim Tebow is third on the depth chart.

The free fall continues for Tebow, and this situation gets more and more bizarre. Tebow falling behind Kyle Orton? That's understandable given Orton played relatively well for Denver last year. But Quinn?

Indications are no progress has been made in contract negotiations with the Tennessee Titans and holdout running back Chris Johnson, who is still seeking a new long-term deal.

At least the odds of Johnson getting hurt in the preseason are pretty slim. Johnson's value will slide closer to the start of the season if this impasse continues to linger.

It’s actually a little surprising there hasn’t been more concern this month about Peyton Manning’s surgically repaired neck.

He hasn’t practiced in camp and the Colts backup quarterbacks have taken turns looking inept in the preseason. Despite that, it took some odd tweets from Indianapolis owner Jim Irsay to really make the Colts fanbase start to worry.

Prepare for games without Manning? Find a new QB on Twitter? This doesn’t sound good.

The reality, according to Colts president Bill Polian, is that no one knows when Manning will return. That’s not a huge shock considering the unique nature of the injury.

"Bottom line, we truly do not know when he will be ready," Colts president Bill Polian told ESPN Saturday. "Once the nerves regenerate properly, he’ll be ready. When that happens, he’ll be ready to ramp up immediately. It’s impossible to predict."

It's not time to press the panic button yet, but you can bet the finger is getting much closer to the button. If you take Manning, make sure you have a capable backup who can start on a regular basis.

Rookie Arizona Cardinals running back Ryan Williams does indeed have a ruptured patella tendon. He will have surgery and is now officially out for the season.

Get ready for the Beanie Wells show in Arizona. He's the man in by default, although the Cardinals will comb through a vast array of free agents to build up their depth behind Wells.

Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson should make his preseason debut tonight after sitting out last week while a finger continued to heal.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin says he is now at his playing weight.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree is out of his boot but is not running yet. It looks like it will be a couple of more weeks before Crabtree rejoins practice.

His injury situation plus the ineptness of Alex Smith elevates Crabtree's risk factor to a high level. There will come a point in drafts where he is worth the gamble, but right now he has an ADP in the range of the eighth round, and that's way too early to take him.

Green Bay Packers running back Ryan Grant has shown no signs of physical limitations in his comeback from a severe ankle and leg injury last season.

Come Friday night in Indianapolis, look for Packers head coach Mike McCarthy to give Grant a larger number of carries than the eight he has had in the Green Bay Packers' first two exhibition games.

"Running backs are just like quarterbacks," McCarthy said Friday night after the Packers beat the Arizona Cardinals, 28-20, at Lambeau Field. "Running backs need different looks. He needs reps. He'll be the first to tell you that."

Grant rushed five times for 23 yards. Combined with a 3-for-12 effort in Cleveland, Grant is averaging 4.4 per carry (8-35).

Grant should have a nice comeback from his lost 2010 season, but the presence of James Starks and Green Bay's pass-happy offense caps his ceiling. Right now, he's being overdrafted in a lot of leagues. Don't reach to get Grant if you have a draft on the immediate horizon. Let him come to you.

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid says it will be a week or so before wide receiver Jeremy Maclin can practice.

As he assessed his performance in the postgame interview room, Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Cam Newton said he was "in the business of moving the chains."

Business was bad for Newton and the rest of the Panthers' offense Friday.

Maybe not a 400-point-drop-on-Wall Street bad, but bad enough to give pause to anyone who thought Newton was a shoo-in to win the starting quarterback job.

In his first exhibition start, Newton threw behind and below receivers, often failed to set his feet and looked confused at times in the Panthers' 20-10 loss to Miami.

The No. 1 overall pick completed 7 of 14 passes for 66 yards. He only had one completion to a wide receiver - a 2-yard gain to Armanti Edwards on third-and-9 late in the second quarter.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera would prefer to name a Week 1 starting quarterback before next week's game at Cincinnati, and did not indicate a leader in the competition between Newton and Jimmy Clausen.

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay says the Colts are evaluating the quarterback spot, and that Peyton Manning is healing but they have to be prepared for the possibility of being without him early in the season.

If that's the case, according to Irsay, the defense has to pick it up.

Anytime the owner of the team says what he says, it's cause for concern. It's hard to imagine Manning missing games, as he's one of the NFL's most durable players, but the Colts might be slow out of the gate this year as Manning's absence and the lockout could throw their timing off.

The St. Louis Rams expect running back Steven Jackson to make his 2011 preseason debut tonight against the Tennessee Titans.

It's the first time we'll see Jackson working within the Rams' new offense in a game situation. The team rested Jackson to protect a sore hip during the week. Keeping him healthy is critical.

The Rams expect Jackson to catch more passes out of the backfield this season. Jackson expects to have more options running on the perimeter. It's doubtful Jackson will play enough to explore all the offense offers him, but we should see a few glimpses.

With hopes higher for the Rams than they have been in years, Jackson's health is critical. He's still a good fantasy option, but it remains to be seen if he'll fit well in the new scheme.

With Cardinals running back Ryan Williams likely out for the season, Arizona's decision to trade Tim Hightower to the Redskins again will be questioned. At least the timing of it.

Williams likely suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee Friday. Tests will confirm, but it appears he's headed for surgery and a long rehabilitation period.

There already has been a lot of second-guessing, via twitter, about trading Hightower. And the timing of the deal was interesting.

With Hightower gone, the Cardinals have only four running backs in camp. Now it's three. And that counts LaRod Stephens-Howling, who at 5-7 and 185 pounds is not going to replace Beanie Wells should something happen to him.

Coaches are pleased with the development of Alfonso Smith, who was on the practice squad last year, but the team likely will add a back in the coming days. The options aren't attractive. With rosters at 90, most backs are already in camp. You can find flaws in all the ones available, from Tiki Barber to LenDale White to Laurence Maroney.

After the Indianapolis/Washington game Friday night, Colts head coach Jim Caldwell told reporters that wide receiver Reggie Wayne was out of town on a personal issue.

But when will he be back?

The nature of the personal issue is unclear. It’s impossible to rule out that Wayne is merely unhappy with his personal income.

Before training camp opened, Wayne continued his pitch for a new contract, but he said he wouldn’t hold out.

Last year, Wayne skipped a mandatory minicamp due to his desire for a new deal. He then hinted he’d hold out from training camp, but he ultimately showed up.

The Colts usually don’t share chapter-and-verse detail regarding potential distractions and/or disappointments. So it’s hard to tell at this point whether Wayne’s "personal issue" has any link to his ongoing desire to get a new contract.

Wayne, 32, is due to earn a base salary of $5.95 million in 2011.

Wayne is usually pretty level-headed, and this won't be a major concern unless it lingers for awhile. Maybe he just didn't want to catch passes from the goof troop of Curtis Painter and Dan Orlovsky.

Detroit Lions running back Jahvid Best fumbled the ball on his second carry of the game, but head coach Jim Schwartz said Best actually got hurt on his first running attempt.

In Detroit's 30-28 preseason win over the Cleveland Browns, Best was jammed up in the middle on this first attempt and then bounced it right and was tackled at the sideline. One play later, Best was held up at the line of scrimmage and had the ball knocked loose. He was removed from the game at that point.

"I honestly don't have an update," Schwartz said after the game. "He got hit on the sideline on the one and he was a little woozy so we just kept him out of the game the rest of the way."

When asked if Best was tested for a concussion, Schwartz said, "We took him out before we even did that."

"It was nothing bad, but I just wasn't feeling right so they told me to sit down," Best said. "I'm not concerned at all."

Fortunately, this doesn't sound serious, but it is worth mentioning and monitoring.

Cleveland Browns tight end Evan Moore's possible concussion during Friday's preseason game with Detroit is a concern because he had one last year in week two.

Backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor directed two fourth-quarter touchdown drives for Baltimore, the first ending with Jalen Parmele’s go-ahead 10-yard touchdown run with 7:16 remaining as the Ravens defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 31-13.

Taylor later added a 5-yard TD run of his own, a dive to the right pylon that withstood a video review. He finished 5 for 11 for 88 yards.

Kansas City’s Tyler Palko completed eight of 13 passes for 95 yards, but produced 10 points in his three drive - a tying 4-yard touchdown pass to Terrance Copper late in the second quarter and a 12-play march culminating in a tiebreaking 30-yard field goal by Ryan Succop with 6:58 left in the third quarter.

The Ravens played Joe Flacco into the third quarter and he completed 12 of 24 passes for 124 yards, while Chiefs starting quarterback Matt Cassel was 6 for 14 for 73 yards.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton lofted a long pass that fell incomplete on the final play of the first half Friday night, and that’s the closest he came to reaching the end zone.

The top pick of the NFL draft was shut out in his first exhibition-game start, and Newton’s Carolina Panthers lost to the Miami Dolphins 20-10.

Newton played the entire first half, when the Panthers managed only three first downs, had the ball for less than eight minutes and fell behind 17-0. Newton went 7 for 14 for 66 yards, and he ran four times for 18 yards.

Carolina crossed midfield for the first time when Newton ran for 7 yards on the next-to-last play of the half.

Reggie Bush, another former Heisman Trophy winner, played for the first time since joining the Dolphins and totaled 81 yards from scrimmage in three series. He ran eight times for 48 yards, including a 17-yard burst up the middle, and caught two passes for 33 yards.

Miami’s Chad Henne played the entire first half and led the Dolphins to 17 points in five possessions, including 10 points in two series against Panthers reserves. Henne went 15 for 24 for 194 yards, and he had a 17-yard scramble.

Bush won't be Miami's goal line back, but he'll get yards and be productive in PPR leagues as long as he stays healthy. Henne will briefly quiet the critics, and Newton's struggles are another reminder why Carolina's offense will remain run-heavy even though John Fox is gone.

Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers topped off a sharp performance with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Greg Jennings as the defending Super Bowl champions defeated the Arizona Cardinals 28-20.

Rodgers played into the second quarter, completing 9 of 12 passes for 97 yards and the touchdown. Matt Flynn took over for Rodgers and led the Packers to another touchdown before halftime, a 2-yard run by rookie Alex Green.

Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb was 6 for 11 for 80 yards for the Cardinals, who were called for nine penalties in the first half, including several sloppy mistakes on offense.

Richard Bartel threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Stephen Williams and Alfonso Smith added a 1-yard touchdown run to give the Cardinals the lead in the third quarter.

But Flynn threw a 97-yard touchdown to Chastin West on the first play of the fourth quarter, putting the Packers back ahead 21-20. Third-stringer Graham Harrell threw a 6-yard touchdown to Kerry Taylor in the fourth quarter.

The big story from this game is the injury to Arizona rookie running back Ryan Williams. Rodgers and Jennings again showed why they are two of the best players to have at their respective positions.

Quarterback David Garrard did little to solidify his starting spot and rookie Blaine Gabbert was equally unimpressive Friday night for the Jacksonville Jaguars as Jacksonville narrowly the Atlanta Falcons 15-13.

Garrard completed 7 of 12 passes for 99 yards, with an interception in three series. Gabbert, the 10th pick in the April draft, completed 11 of 23 passes for 96 yards in seven series. Gabbert was plagued by several drops, including three on one second-half series that forced the Jaguars to settle for a 54-yard field goal.

Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan’s receiving corps had similar issues, but Harry Douglas turned a short crossing route into a 76-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Ryan finished 7 of 15 for 116 yards.

Ryan, who led the Falcons to a field goal on the team’s opening drive, played the entire first half as Atlanta built a 10-3 lead. Michael Turner ran seven times for 14 yards, and Roddy White had a 13-yard reception. Douglas caught two passes for 87 yards.

The touchdown catch by Douglas is another reminder that Atlanta's offense will be more open than it's been in previous seasons, making Matt Ryan one of the more desirable quarterbacks to get after all of the studs are off the board. It would probably be better for Jacksonville's offense if Garrard starts on opening day.

Quarterback Colt McCoy threw three touchdown passes - two to tight end Evan Moore - in the first half, but Cleveland blew a 15-point lead, losing 30-28 to Detroit in a penalty-filled exhibition.

McCoy finished 10 of 18 for 96 yards, his second straight solid performance running first-year Browns coach Pat Shurmur’s new West Coast offense. McCoy was victimized by a few drops but didn’t force any throws while playing most of the first half.

The Lions trailed by 10 entering the fourth, but got a 20-yard TD pass from Drew Stanton and Dave Rayner’s 48-yard field goal.

The officiating crew had a busy night: The teams were assessed 26 penalties for 211 yards.

Moore caught TDs of 2 and 21 yards, rookie Greg Little grabbed a 13-yarder from McCoy, and rookie Armond Smith had an 81-yard TD run in the third for the Browns.

Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford threw one TD pass to Nate Burleson. Stafford went 6 of 10 for 85 yards in four series.

McCoy, with four touchdowns passes in two preseason games, is doing everything he can to earn consideration as a legitimate QB2.

One week after Rex Grossman’s impressive performance, John Beck answered by leading the Redskins to four straight scores in the first half.

Beck and Grossman are fighting to become Washington’s starting quarterback, and after two weeks, the race appears even.

Grossman was 19 of 26 for 207 yards in a 16-7 win over defending AFC champion Pittsburgh last week. Beck’s answer: 14 of 17 for 140 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions against the defending AFC South champs.

With Beck in the game, the Redskins outgained the Colts 277-41 in the first half, ran more than twice as many plays (41-14) and had two 50-plus yard runs.

Grossman was 7 of 13 for 88 yards with one interception, all in the second half.

Indianapolis looked lethargic and inept in losing its eighth straight preseason game. The Colts are 4-24 since 2005 in games played in August and early September.

Both Washington quarterbacks remain outcasts in the fantasy football community, but it's probably best for fantasy owners drafting Santana Moss if Beck wins the job. There's a chance, albeit a relatively slim one, that he could surprise. Grossman would provide the same old same old.

The Arizona Cardinals think rookie running back Ryan Williams tore a patella tendon in his right knee.

That was the preliminary word from coach Ken Whisenhunt following the Cardinals' 28-20 preseason defeat at Green Bay on Friday night. Williams would miss the 2011 season if that were the case. He would then face a grueling rehabilitation.

This injury could lead to more playing time for LaRod Stephens-Howling. The Cardinals have used Stephens-Howling increasingly over the past couple seasons, sometimes with three wide receivers and another running back.

Beanie Wells is going to have his chance to own the Cardinals running game without having to look over his shoulder for the talented rookie. Stephens-Howling gets a boost as he enters primary backup territory and could eventually find himself starting given Wells' injury history.

A locker-room fight between veteran Chiefs running back Thomas Jones and first-round draft pick Jonathan Baldwin has left the rookie receiver doubtful for the rest of the preseason with a wrist injury, a team source confirmed Friday to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Shonn Greene should be back at Jets practice next week after suffering a "standard, routine" skin infection of his right foot. A source told the Daily News on Thursday night that the organization wasn’t overly concerned about the ailment and expected Greene to be back in a few days.

Rex Ryan confirmed that timetable on Friday after admitting that Greene began to feel pain a few days sgo.

Beat writer Maiocco writes that Vernon Davis "has been the 49ers' best offensive player. Davis will be counted upon to have a huge season in this offense."

Plaxico Burress will start Sunday and play into 2nd quarter with the rest of the starters.

If Shonn Greene's injury lingers or, for any reason, the Jets will turn to LaDainian Tomlinson as its primary back in the regular season, the 11-year veteran would of course be ready.

"I think we just have to wait and see," Tomlinson said. "Obviously, I’ve been in a position where I had to carry however many times I needed to and be the full-time guy. I don’t expect that to be the case; but if it is, that’s what we’re dealt, so you just adjust."

Rex Ryan: "With us, we were going to put him in this other role, not because that it's time in his career to do that. This guy can still be an every-down back, but I just think for our team, it fit us better that he would be in more of a third-down specialist, a reserve back, and let Shonn take the brunt of the snaps. ... But obviously if something were to happen to Shonn on a regular basis, then L.T. would go in there, and we'd feel happy that we had L.T. in there."

Giants say DE Osi Umenyiora will be out 3-4 weeks after knee surgery. A person close to Umenyiora says "it could be 4-6 weeks or longer."

Enough about the toes. That's what the Lions are saying, that's what they're seeing and that's what Jahvid Best is feeling.

Small injuries can make a big difference, and last season the Lions discovered their young running back goes as the toes go. The toes went slowly, and for stretches, so did Best.

They feel great now, no surgery required for that classic NFL ailment — turf toe. Best is hopping and cutting and smiling these days and his timing is pretty good, because the Lions need him more than ever.

"It's a tremendous difference now," Best said. "Last year, just walking around during warm-ups, it was bothering me. Now my expectation is to carry the load, and I definitely feel I can be an every-down back."

Patriots WR Chad Ochocinco wasn’t going anywhere as he listened to Bill Belichick run through a range of information on the sideline of Raymond James Stadium last night.

The receiver stood and listened, paying attention to every detail. After 10 seasons in the NFL, Ochocinco said he needs coaching now more than ever. The once-flashy receiver says he feels like he is starting over and he wasn’t satisfied with his preseason debut as a member of the Patriots last night.

When Ochocinco was asked why he didn’t celebrate after scoring on an 8-yard completion in the first quarter, he said, “I play for Bill Belichick now.’’

“I need Bill to stay in my ear and Tom Brady - all of them,’’ Ochocinco said. “I need them to stay in my ear constantly, especially in the preseason. The more information I can absorb, and become a sponge, and learn from those guys who have been here and understand the system, the more comfortable I get."

Going into camp, the Texans were counting on second-year running back Ben Tate to carry the ball in four preseason games. Tate missed his rookie season because of leg and ankle injuries, and he entered camp eager to show his coaches and teammates what he could do.

Then, Tate injured a hamstring that kept him sidelined until Thursday. Tate returned to practice, carried the ball and announced afterward that he would play against New Orleans.

Coach Gary Kubiak was more cautious, taking a wait-and-see approach.

At 5-11, 219 pounds and able to run a 4.45 40-yard dash, Tate has the ideal size and speed for Kubiak’s zone system, but he must prove he can stay healthy.

Derrick Ward is the RB2 in Houston, for now. Tate needs to stay healthy if he's going to overtake the veteran and earn the right to be Arian Foster's backup.

Giants DE Osi Umenyiora getting arthroscopic surgery on right knee. He'll be out 3-4 weeks.

The Bears are making a strong effort to get a contract extension done with running back Matt Forte. It hasn’t happened and CSNChicago.com has learned that the two sides are thinking dramatically different numbers, so it in fact may not. And GM Jerry Angelo did not display the clear confidence that something in fact will be done sooner rather than later.

“We want to stay focused on the season and we also want to do the right thing by Matt,” Angelo said. “But we’ll just see how things play out.”

By all accounts, Falcons WR Julio Jones is having a great camp.

"Adding Julio will make it a lot easier on us," Roddy White said. "You can't double everybody. In two games, the Saints doubled me and Tony and the other guy had to make plays, and couldn't make them. I think this year we have a guy who can make them. Not only make them, but make them explosive plays. Instead of getting 10 yards, he can get 30- or 40-yard gains."

Jones came to Atlanta during the lockout to spend time with Matt Ryan even though Jones didn't have a contract and was putting himself at risk of injury. The two developed a rapport you can see on the field. They also get together now before practice and throw some routes.

"He was going to be my quarterback, the guy throwing me the ball, and I just wanted to get the timing down," Jones said. "The time me and him had together to get on our timing was going to be short. The sooner I got together with him, the better."

"He's so explosive, so big, fast and strong," White said. "And he's done a great job picking up the offense. He does a lot of things naturally. You don't have to teach guys like that to play football. You just let them go out there and do their thing. They get acclimated real fast and they go."

If the Falcons follow through with their intention to make the offense more pass-oriented, then Jones could very well be the top rookie WR in 2011. With White on the other side and the still-dangerous Tony Gonzalez roaming the middle, Jones will have a chance to make plays. Also, the now-healthy Harry Douglas could be a sleeper in three-WR sets.

Fans got to see the footwork that makes Roy Helu dangerous. Though he came in after Evan Royster, Helu still showed that he offers something no other Redskins back has: explosiveness. But, yes, picking up the blitz remains a problem. It was last week; it was again this week. Part of it is needing to keep his head up; the other part is that even when he does he’s been run through.

Helu is on pace for a roster spot. He gives the Redskins something they don’t have: a back with home run potential. He made defenders miss vs. Pittsburgh.

Helu is no threat to Tim Hightower, at least at this point. Hightower is a good all-around back and the coaching staff loves him. As long as he holds onto the ball, he should be a solid RB3.

Redskins WR Leonard Hankerson definitely has concentration issues; his head turned upfield before he had secured the ball vs. Pittsburgh. But Hankerson had, by far, his best week of camp catching the ball. Did see him bobble one ball, but still hung on. It had nothing to do with gloves; it was all about looking it in and catching it smoother.

Nothing has changed. He’s a No. 4 receiver. He gives the Redskins something they don’t have: a big target.

It didn't take long for Steelers S Troy Polamalu to look like the player he was last season before he injured his Achilles tendon.

In his first appearance since the Super Bowl, Polamalu looked like the 2010 NFL defensive player of the year with a number of dazzling plays in the first half of a 24-14 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The highlight was an interception of a tipped Michael Vick pass in which Polamalu weaved his way for a 36-yard return, holding the ball one-handed and looking as if he wanted to lateral before eventually being tackled low by Vick.

Polamalu made his presence known on several other occasions.

He nearly had another interception on a pass intended for wide receiver Jason Avant, but the ball was tipped by linebacker Lawrence Timmons as Polamalu closed on the receiver. One play earlier, Polamalu came flying to the line of scrimmage and took out pulling guard Todd Herremans, allowing linebacker LaMarr Woodley to stop running back LeSean McCoy (from Pitt) after a 2-yard gain.

In the second quarter, Polamalu made a diving breakup of a pass for tight end Brent Celek.

Maurice Jones-Drew thought hard about having reconstructive surgery on his torn meniscus last August, but pride kept him from sacrificing the significant playing time that procedure and recovery would have cost him. He went under the knife in January instead and solo-rehabbed back in California. He said doctors banned him from running for seven months, but you'd never know it from seeing him out here. Though his participation in practices has been limited, his abilities have not. The burst, the cutting, the acceleration -- which he memorably flashed on a completed deep route -- are all there. "It's just better now because I don't have that pain," he said.

Chad Ochocinco has had a bit of a rough time picking up the Patriots offense, which requires much more on-the-fly interpretation from the quarterback and receiver than what he ran with the Bengals. It would help if Tom Brady and Ochocinco start getting on the same page soon.

Brandon Lloyd might not get as many attempts, but he will be the stud in the Broncos' passing offense. He's one of the few holdovers from the Josh McDaniels days that works. Give McDaniels credit for signing Lloyd and reviving his confidence. Last season he went from wideout afterthought to a player voted by his peers to be one of the top 65 players in the league.

Broncos HC John Fox plans to give opponents heavy doses of Willis McGahee and Knowshon Moreno. After two disappointing seasons, Moreno is having his best camp. A holdout during his rookie season and injuries during last year's camp made Knowshon "No Show" during his first two seasons as a Bronco. This summer, he's lighter but more durable. Moreno and McGahee might not wow teams with their yards-per-attempt numbers, but they will give Fox the base running offense he wants to establish during his first season.

An NFL spokesman said that potential league discipline regarding Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kenny Britt “is pending.”

The issue with Britt and his ability to avoid being suspended, however, lies not in the severity of the incidents so much as with the lockout. Technically, because owners had locked players out of the facilities this off-season, players were not NFL employees at the time of the incidents. So it is possible that Britt could appeal the matter and avoid being punished.

As of late last week, Britt told TitanInsider he had still not heard from the league, but was expecting to at any moment.

“I'm waiting for a phone call, a letter in the mail, anything like that,” Britt told TitanInsider last week. “I keep telling my fiancee to check the mail. But sooner or later, I know it's going to come.”

The NFL is going to have a tough time disciplining players for incidents that took place when there was no employer-employee relationship, but it sounds like they may try. This is a concern for Britt, who is also battling a hamstring injury.

Austin Collie was one of several players who missed practice this afternoon as the Indianapolis Colts resumed training camp at Anderson University.

The veteran wide receiver was having one of his knees examined by team physicians and his absence was not related to the concussion issues that plagued him last season, according to coach Jim Caldwell.

“He should be fine,’’ Caldwell said.

In the Browns’ first preseason game, you can see why fans are starting to get excited about Colt McCoy’s potential. He completed 9-of-10 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown while running Pat Shurmur’s offense to near perfection. He looked comfortable and poised and spread the ball around with little to no hesitation. If he can carry that performance into the regular season, there’s no reason the Browns can’t at least be competitive.

Now, nobody is suggesting that the Browns are playoff bound or that McCoy is heading to the Pro Bowl anytime soon. One preseason game does not a player or team make, and the WCO generally takes a few seasons to master. But for a franchise that has desperately searched for direction for nearly a decade, this is a positive start for Cleveland. And it’s not like McCoy didn’t posses these same attributes in college: his completion percentage never dipped below 65.1 in any of his four seasons at Texas, and he finished his junior season with a comp. percentage of 76.7 and his senior season with a mark of 70.6.

St. Louis running back Steven Jackson plans on playing in the Rams' second preseason game, even though he's missed most of the last two practices because of a sore hip.

Jackson said Wednesday the injury is trivial and that trainers are just being cautious. He plans on fully participating in Thursday's practice.

Jackson joked that he was hurt "getting out of bed, man," followed by his trademark guffaw, then amended that evaluation to "general soreness."

A sore hamstring will keep Cowboys WR Miles Austin from practicing Thursday against San Diego at Valley Ranch, according to a source.

Austin hurt the leg on a catch down the middle of the field during a two-minute drill Tuesday but stayed on through the rest of practice. He has received treatment the last two days and he could return for the Sunday's preseason game vs. the Chargers.

Wideout Mike Sims-Walker (groin) got limited work on Wednesday.

Add the Browns' Brian Robiskie to your list if sleeper WRs.

"I like Brian," HC Pat Shurmur said. "I think he has a chance to be very successful for us."

The third-year pro out of Chagrin Falls High School and Ohio State is listed No. 1 on the depth chart at one of the receiver spots (Josh Cribbs is No. 1 at the other receiver spot while Mohamed Massaquoi recovers from a foot injury) and hopes to improve on last season's 29 catches for 310 yards and three touchdowns. Those 29 receptions were fifth best on the team last season, behind Massaquoi's 36.

Robiskie, who will start Friday night against the Detroit Lions in the second preseason game, already can tell this offense is much more receiver-friendly than that of former coach Eric Mangini.

"It's completely different than what we had last year," said Robiskie, who seemed to be really coming on at the end of last season when he got a chance to play with quarterback Colt McCoy. "The receivers are a lot more involved. For me, it's been a matter of learning it and making sure I'm exact in what I'm doing."

Robiskie made sure he took part in all four off-season workouts organized by McCoy.

"We were already behind the eight ball a little bit with the new offense and new guys coming in, so we wanted to make sure we got a head start and that when we came into camp we could hit the ground running," Robiskie said.

"Anytime you can get together with guys and work on timing routes, work on those basic fundamentals coming into camp, it gives you a head start. It did for us. A lot of the stuff we went over when we got here, we had already worked on."

"I would say Robiskie has been very steady," Shurmur said. "You can say that a lot about what he is. He's just a steady guy in terms of his personality, his performance, being on time and doing the right thing. He's had a steady camp, and I think that speaks well to him."

While rookie Greg Little has been a hot name this summer, he has struggled with drops, while Robiskie has shown good hands. He caught nine passes (for three TDs) in the last three games of 2010 and has a nice rapport with the up-and-coming Colt McCoy.

Roy Williams acknowledged that the biggest thing for him to work on at this point is “my conditioning. Getting my wind right. You have to be able to run in this offense. Run all day long.”

The problem with this is that he is working with a new quarterback and Cutler does not have the familiarity and comfort level with Williams that he had with Knox, even with Knox’s occasional strayings from the plan.

As far as being in game-ready shape: “Ooh, yeah…About that. How many more weeks have we got?” he joked. Told that there were still a couple of weeks, he smiled: “Yeah, I’ll be ready by then.”

That would be a good thing. But not necessarily a given.

“I’m a firm believer in no matter what you do in the offseason, nothing will get you football ready except for playing football,” Williams said. “That’s what I believe. It’s tough. You can run all the hills and mountains that you want to, but when you get out here and play for four seconds and jog back to the huddle, that’s what gets you in shape.”

“Roy’s definitely getting back into shape, taking more plays every day,” Jay Cutler said. “You can see more glimpses of Roy Williams each and every day on film. So hopefully by Monday, he’ll be ready to go.”

Williams was handed a starting job after signing with the Bears and could be a good pick in the middle rounds if he's able to recapture some of that magic he made with Mike Martz in Detroit. But these reports of his poor conditioning are discouraging.

Both OC Joe Philbin and RB coach Jerry Fontenot insist Ryan Grant's old burst is back. It's logical to wonder given the severity of his injury.

"I swear . . . I don't think he looks any different," Philbin said. "He looks like Ryan to me."

Grant will turn 29 in December. Despite entering the NFL in 2005 with the Giants, he has 919 career touches from scrimmage, counting playoffs.

"I know a running back's shelf life isn't real long but I wouldn't consider him old," Philbin said. "He's really only played 2½ years."

Grant reported at 218, about six pounds lighter than a year ago, after losing considerably more weight during his post-surgical rehabilitation.

"In terms of being muscularly developed, he's got a little bit of a ways to go," Fontenot said. "But physically, he's moving around great."

Shane Vereen has taken part in only a few padded sessions before tweaking a hamstring. Vereen even might find himself getting a redshirt year if he’s not back soon.

The outlook for Danny Woodhead would look a bit brighter if Vereen can't go.

Tight end Antonio Gates worked full for a third straight day. That doesn’t mean he will never miss another practice, but it is highly encouraging as he works through his lingering plantar fasciitis.

“We can back off him a little bit and not go crazy with this thing,” Turner said. “He’s had three really impressive days, so he’s made great progress.”

There appears little doubt that Gates will be 100 percent (or close to it) for the season opener. The issue is managing his recovery week to week.

“This was part of the plan,” Gates said of practicing consecutive days. “Rest is also part of the plan. Being healthy for the entire season is also part of the plan.”

Gates represents great value in the 4th round, especially in PPR formats. If he plays a full season, he's a good bet to finish as 2011's #1 fantasy TE.

Louis Murphy has been ruled out for Week 1 after undergoing a procedure on his injured hamstring.

With Murphy and Chaz Schilens sidelined, the door is open for Denarius Moore to move up the depth chart. Jacoby Ford and Darrius Heyward-Bey are the starters, so the talented rookie might be the Raiders' WR3 on opening day.

Blaine Gabbert downplayed his increased repetitions with the first-team offense, but that is just his style.

The reality is, the Jaguars have a very real quarterback competition.

David Garrard is still in the lead and will start Friday against the Atlanta Falcons. He made a beautiful throw tonight against the Falcons, hitting Cecil Shorts on a fade route in the corner of the end zone. But Garrard's grip on the starting job is not as definite as it was heading into camp.

It's become apparent from talking to people in the building and by watching Gabbert throughout camp that he has the ability to be an NFL quarterback -- and soon.

Saints beat writer Jeff Duncan on the RB situation: This is the marquee competition of camp. Rookie Mark Ingram and veteran Pierre Thomas have alternated reps with the first team throughout camp, and both have had their moments. Darren Sproles will man Reggie Bush's old role as the satellite back and steal a few carries to keep defenses honest, but Ingram or Thomas will be the primary ball carrier. The running back spot is similar to wide receiver in Payton's offense. Regardless of who starts, the final number of reps will likely be similar between the two.

If true, this would be a fairly big blow to Ingram's stock. Thomas has had trouble staying healthy, but when he's on the field, he's productive.

In the preseason opener Friday at Kansas City, Dezmon Briscoe led the Bucs with four catches for 60 yards, all in the first half.

Not that anybody in Tampa Bay was surprised. Activated for the final two games last season after No. 2 receiver Arrelious Benn went on injured reserve with a torn ACL, Briscoe, 21, stepped in and stood out. He caught six passes for 93 yards, four of them for first downs. He got deep, hauling in a 54-yarder in the season finale at New Orleans. He also demonstrated great body control, catching a 2-yard fade over Saints cornerback Jabari Greer for a touchdown by dragging both feet in the back of the end zone.

With Benn making a slow recovery from knee surgery, Briscoe has taken control of the starting job opposite Mike Williams. "I had to wait until my opportunity came and make sure I seize it," Briscoe said.

Benn was (and still may be) shaping up as a sleeper, but Briscoe is making the most of his opportunity and may be difficult to usurp as the Bucs' WR2.

With free-agent pickup Willis McGahee in the picture, the Broncos clearly will go with a committee at running back.

McGahee and Knowshon Moreno have been splitting repetitions in the first-team offense. But the expectation, at least at this early juncture, is that the bigger, stronger McGahee may assume more of the power-oriented role in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Moreno is decidedly slimmer and appears quicker in camp. The open question is whether he'll be able to sustain a consistent pounding.

McGahee has more of a burst in the open field than one might expect from a 235-pound runner. Still to be determined is what the pecking order will be. Both Moreno and McGahee have taken first-team reps, depending on the down and distance and the offensive packages.

Eagles trainer Rick Burkholder said "I feel pretty safe" to say that Jeremy Maclin can play in St. Louis on opening day, Sept. 11. "That's our goal."

Burkholder said Maclin will be able to practice in 7 to 10 days, if there are no setbacks following the procedure. He will be able to rejoin the team this weekend for rehab.

RB Jonathan Stewart aggravated his Achilles and was held out of Wednesday's practice as a precaution.

Texans RB Arian Foster returned to practice today. "I’m pretty much 100 percent but I’m just not going to push myself past limit right now," he said.

"The doctors said the timetable was six to eight months, and up to a year, of rehab process. Obviously, they gave someone of my caliber a four- to six-month window. Four months is very ambitious, and that's where I'm at now: four months and four or five days out from surgery," Terrell Owens said after a workout Monday.

"Talking with the doctors, going through my personal training in L.A. and in Pensacola (Fla.), they stressed that I'm way ahead of schedule. I'm giving myself the timetable of maybe two or three weeks into the season that I'll be ready. That's giving myself a grace period, for setbacks. I'm rehabbing my butt off to get back on the field."

Many fantasy owners have written T.O. off, but he's going to land somewhere eventually and get WR1/WR2 targets. He's a physical freak and has proven that he can pick up an offense quickly. Owens isn't a bad WR4 or WR5 to stash on the bench. He'll probably be starter-caliber by midseason, if not sooner.

Don Banks on the Redskins' QB situation: "I don't know if John Beck really is the answer at quarterback in Washington, but I left Redskins camp last week believing that Mike and Kyle Shanahan believe he is. Rex Grossman won't win the starting job unless Beck falls flat on his face this preseason, and Beck will get his candidacy fully underway with this week's start at Indianapolis. Make no mistake: Beck will win the starting job if it's even remotely close. That much is clear after listening to Mike Shanahan rave about the ex-BYU standout."

Here is what Shanahan had to say: "I'm not even worried about the quarterback position. I think it's funny (meaning the doubts), because I know the guy can play. I don't even question that. I know [Beck] can play. John will be fine. He'll play and he'll be a good player, because he's athlete, because he can anticipate throws, and he's extremely bright. I watched him for a year, and I had him as my top (collegiate quarterback) coming out (in 2007). He can do it all. The guy just has never really had a chance in pro football. He hasn't played.''

Eagles starting wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, who had missed camp because of what the media had been calling a “mysterious illness,” revealed on Wednesday that he has been struggling with a cancer scare.

Maclin said that a false test led doctors to believe he had contracted a form of cancer known as lymphoma.

But after further testing, Maclin was given a clean bill of health and is ready to return to the field.

“That’s first and foremost, I want everyone to know I’m fine, I’m healthy,” Maclin said on Wednesday, only an hour after receiving word from his doctor that his final test came back negative. “I was tested for everything, and every single test came back negative. I don’t have mono, I don’t have AIDS, leukemia — all the things people were guessing on, there was nothing. I was being tested for lymphoma and thank God everything has come back negative.

“I wanted my privacy on this until I had answers. I don’t like to talk unless I have all the answers about what I’m talking about. It was frustrating to hear all the rumors about me. It wasn’t until this morning that I finally got my final answer and thankfully I’m healthy and ready to return to football.”

Maclin finally heard the news he was seeking on Wednesday afternoon, when doctors called to tell him he was in the clear.

So, now that cancer has been ruled out, what did sideline the Eagles wideout for all of training camp?

“It was all caused by an inflammatory virus,” Maclin said, “something that just runs its course through your body or you can treat with medicine. I didn’t need medicine. It’s just something I had to deal with.”

It appears that Maclin has put this scare behind him and is ready to return to football. If he is indeed 100% or close to it, he will be a nice pick in the 4th/5th rounds; it may take some time for his value to rebound after all of this.

The Baltimore Ravens’ offensive line is off to a shaky start.

Six-time Pro Bowl center Matt Birk had surgery on his left knee and his status is in doubt. Offensive guard Marshal Yanda is sidelined with back spasms.

Offensive tackles Michael Oher, Oniel Cousins and rookie Jah Reid allowed six sacks during a 13-6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles to open the preseason.

Can the Ravens rebound and have an effective line?

“We’re going to try to be,” offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said. “We really don’t know yet. We are going to know more in the next two or three weeks.”

The O-line is the core of the Ravens' running game and if the unit is struggling, it is going to impact Ray Rice.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was asked how he feels about Felix Jones:

"Think that he's having an outstanding camp. Have always thought that he ought to carry the ball more. Think he will. Think he'll get the ball more out in space. Last year, he played well. He didn't have injury. I think that anytime he gets the ball, he gives us a chance to make the big play. If Felix has a good year, mark this, we'll have a good year."

He was then asked whether or not Jones was a 20-25 carry RB or a 15-carry RB:

"Do you want to call his screen passes or any of his work out of the passing game carries? I think he's a guy who will touch the ball the latter number rather than the earlier number."

We'd like to see Jones get 15-20 touches (carries + catches). If he does, he'll be a sneaky RB2, especially in PPR leagues. It sounds like the Cowboys expect him to get around 15 carries, but it's not clear if that counts his work in the passing game.

The Cardinals are relying on players developed from within to play behind Larry Fitzgerald. Right now, the order on the depth chart is Andre Roberts, Early Doucet and Stephen Williams.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt gets a bit irked when the subject comes up. He said that the whole idea for building a team is developing the players you already have, just as the Cardinals did with Breaston — a fifth-round draft pick in 2007.

"Everybody wants to beat on the drum about a second receiver," Whisenhunt said on Tuesday, "but I think we've got some receivers that we'd like to see what they can do."

Roberts is a speedy player drafted in the third round out of The Citadel a year ago. Doucet is a tough, physical player who plays in the slot, like Anquan Boldin did, and who has been plagued by injuries since his selection in the third round out of LSU in 2008. Williams used a strong training camp to make the team last season as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Akron.

Chris Johnson sits with two years remaining on his contract at salaries of $800,000 and $2 million. Last year, knowing this problem was brewing but unable to reward Johnson with a top of market contract due to the 30% rule – explained here – the Titans bumped Johnson up by $1.5 million. That temporary band-aid has fallen off, with the Titans probably thinking, “no good deed goes unpunished.”

Johnson's camp wants to move this negotiation away from a discussion of top running back contracts to top overall player contracts.

In researching top running back deals, the high end of the market has truly stagnated and lags behind other positions. This is why the Johnson negotiation is so difficult and potentially game changing.

Johnson's stock is falling a bit, but he's still going in the top 6 picks in most formats. The worry isn't necessarily that the holdout will last into the season, but the conventional wisdom with situations like this is that players that holdout aren't in game shape and are more likely to miss time with injury.

Redskins HC Mike Shanahan is standing by John Beck, who will get a chance to start on Friday.

“I’ve been doing this for a few years. I know people that can play,” Mike Shanahan told Dan Graziano of ESPN. “He’s an excellent athlete. He’s got a quick release. He can anticipate throws. He’s a natural leader. Extremely intelligent. So I don’t even worry about what people say. I know John Beck can play in this league. Why hasn’t he played? Why hasn’t he had a chance? I really don’t care what the different thought processes are, but I know John can play in this league. He hasn’t had a chance.”

Despite a report that there would be an announcement on Jeremy Maclin's unidentified illness, neither the Eagles nor the Maclin family had issued an update on the wide receiver's condition as of Tuesday night.

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said during a radio interview that the team expected Maclin to return from St. Louis "shortly" and rejoin the team.

He did not say anything about the wide receiver's being able to practice, nor did he say he would be ready by the start of the season, although Eagles coach Andy Reid has said he was optimistic about Maclin playing by Week 1.

"We totally anticipate Jeremy being part of our football team," Roseman said on 97.5 the Fanatic. "We anticipate him being back here shortly, with us when we get back to NovaCare."

The lack of clarity here is worrisome. Maclin is dropping down draft boards, and if he's able to get healthy and play early in the season, he'll be a good value in the middle rounds. Of course, the risk is that this situation lingers and he misses several games or doesn't play at all.

Despite the rampant rumors, the word in the locker room is that Jeremy Maclin suffers from mononucleosis and/or the lingering effects of it. Maclin disclosed in April that he lost 15 pounds in February with a “mono-like” illness.

Maclin's brother promised more information on Tuesday, but none came.

Maclin has been sliding down our rankings but is still worth a pick in the 6th/7th rounds, where the risk is acceptable.

Arrelious Benn is way ahead of his rehab schedule but, once again, behind the curve in training camp. He was held out of the preseason opener at Kansas City on Friday and will not play against the Patriots on Thursday. His 2011 debut is tentatively planned for the Dolphins game next week.

"You've got to hold him back because you can get fooled and think he's been out 12, 16 months, and it's only been six or seven," said receivers coach Eric Yarber. "We're trying to hold him back, and he's been good about it."

Meanwhile, Dezmon Briscoe has been the talk of camp. He raised eyebrows after coming off the practice squad at the end of last season and was impressive against the Chiefs.

Benn has been cleared to run full speed and is making cuts and turns as if his knee had never seen a scalpel. His muscles are a little sore, and he's still working himself into shape. The expectation is that he will be cleared for contact early next week.

Benn continues to fly under the radar even though he's still expected to start opposite Mike Williams by Week 1. He's worth a flier in the final rounds of deeper leagues.

Ryan Torain (broken left hand) is now cleared to take handoffs in RB drills, a team official said. But the team is limiting contact on his hand for now.

It sounds like the Atlanta Falcons are going to move to a more pass-oriented attack in 2011.

"The play-calling is going to be aggressive," Roddy White said. "We're going to try and get the ball down the field and get some explosive plays. We're going to try to look for a lot of mismatches. Wherever those mismatches are, that's where we're going. A lot of times, it's going to be Harry [Douglas] and he's going to have to dominate games. That's going to help all of us."

The Falcons' mission this offseason was to get more explosive, hence the decision to trade several draft picks to move up 21 spots in the draft to select Julio Jones sixth overall.

"One thing the Packers did was they spread us out and found the mismatches," Harry Douglas said. "Some nights we're going to have to do that."

Added White: "We've got those caliber players. We're so explosive. So many of us can run and make people miss. We've got to get the ball in our hands, just like they do, on shorter routes and turn them into 30-yard gains. That's going to be a big key to our success this year -- getting the dump routes, breaking those tackles and getting the ball up field."

This is one reason why Matt Ryan is a sneaky middle round QB pick with the potential to finish in the top 5. With White, Jones, Douglas, Jason Snelling, Jacquizz Rodgers and the still-effective Tony Gonzalez, he has plenty of weapons to throw to.

Denver coaches decided to work on short-yardage and goal-line situations — and the play calls mostly went run, run, run. This just a few days after the Broncos called a fade pass on first-and-goal in the preseason opener at Dallas last week.

"We looked at some short yardage and goal line live there at the end, just to get the toughness part of it, and the guys answered the bell pretty good," coach John Fox said.

Willis McGahee took snaps ahead of Knowshon Moreno in much of the situational drills, though both running backs worked with the first team.

"They can both do everything. They can both run inside, they can both run outside, they can both catch the ball really well. I enjoy having both of them back there," quarterback Kyle Orton said. "It's really easy to see you need two backs in this league. I don't think there is a good running team out there that only has one back."

It makes sense that McGahee would get the goal line carries based on his experience in that role while with the Ravens. Moreno's draft stock is already a bit depressed because of it.

Based on his performance on the practice field the past two days, quarterback Alex Smith has widened his lead to be the 49ers' starter, coach Jim Harbaugh said Tuesday.

Harbaugh has repeatedly stated that Smith is in the lead but he remains in competition with rookie Colin Kaepernick for the starting job. But after watching Smith practice on Monday and Tuesday, Harbaugh said the picture is coming into better focus.

"There's some separation there," Harbaugh said. "Alex has done a fine job. But Kaep is doing a phenomenal job. He is going to be one heck of a talent and one heck of a player."

Harbaugh also emphasized that the 49ers are looking for a third quarterback behind Smith and Kaepernick. The club worked out Daunte Culpepper on Monday, but they have yet to sign him.

Giants Ahmad Bradshaw feels the best he has “in years.”

Maybe it’s the four-year, $18 million contract he signed earlier this month. Maybe it’s coming off a career-season in which he rushed for 1,235 yards. Maybe it’s an off-season free of OTAs due to the lockout.

“Oh, man, in years. And I feel great,” the Giants running back said. “You know it’s a little bit of everything. I just feel fresh and young again. Like I said, I feel tremendous on my feet.”

Or maybe it’s the new screws the 25 year old had implanted in his feet.

Bradshaw has undergone three surgeries since the end of the 2009 season to implant screws to alleviate pressure and repair ankle issues.

“It just takes a toll. With the screws I have now in my feet make it feel 10 times better,” he said. “The factures were just bad on my feet.”

And now he’s ready to go.

Panthers WR Depth Chart note, WR Legedu Naanee is still working as the No. 2 receiver; Brandon LaFell is No. 3.

Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels could see the first question coming from the reporters surrounding him following the St. Louis Rams' practice Tuesday.

It had to be about the situation at wide receiver. It was.

Here is what you need to know: The Rams trust McDaniels' system enough to diminish widespread public fears over their injury-riddled, largely unproven group of wideouts. They expect promising rookie tight end Lance Kendricks to play a significant role in the offense.

After the Eagles decided to move on from David Akers, a certain sense of security was lost, and won’t really be regained until the rookie out of Nebraska proves himself in a couple big spots. Lehigh is not going to make or break Henery, but he missed too many kicks to leave camp feeling warm and fuzzy about the position.

Andy Reid was asked Tuesday if he is comfortable with the kicker situation, and if he would contemplate bringing in some competition.

“I’m good with it,“ Reid replied. “I know there’s going to be a good day and a bad day and I understand that right now. I always go back and mention the greatest kicker, if not one of the best kickers in Eagles history, was David Akers. And David was released from a team and brought here as a backup and you saw him grow. So it’s important, something you learn from that is give [Henery] an opportunity here; give him an opportunity to grow here and the more balls he kicks under pressure the better.”

Even if Hines Ward puts up the same numbers he did last season, when he put up some of the lowest numbers in 11 years, Ward will move into the unmistakable pantheon of all-time greats.
Ward would have 1,013 catches (8th), 12,457 yards (16th) and 88 touchdowns (10th).

“I think that puts him in the Hall of Fame, first ballot,” said Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians. “Two Super Bowl rings, MVP, thousand catches, all of Swann’s and Stallworth’s records, I think that legitimizes him. I think he already is without it, but I think that legitimizes him.

“And Hines needs something,” Arians continued. “He’s always got to have a chip on his shoulder or a goal just to keep him rolling. I love when he’s frosty and he’s got a chip on his shoulder.”

Well, color Hines frosty. When asked about the 46 catches he needs for 1,000, he turned blue with excitement.

Tight end Reggie Kelly has agreed to contract terms with the Falcons. Contract details weren’t immediately available.

Kelly, who entered the league with Atlanta as a 1999 second-round draft pick, is expected to play a backup role behind starter Tony Gonzalez. Justin Peele, who is Atlanta’s second-string tight end, is recovering from a knee injury.

Kelly, 34, has played the past eight seasons for Cincinnati. He worked out last week for Pittsburgh.

Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said quarterback John Beck will start on Friday against Indianapolist. The coach said Beck is 100 percent and that he was pleased with his play today.

Beck took the first-team snaps during the opening round of 11-on-11 work in practice. Rex Grossman took the first-team snaps later in practice. Beck worked with the first team again during the timed down and distance drills.

The truth is that if the Cardinals saw the wide receiver position as the dire need that many of their fans do, they would have made a deal for a receiver by now.

But coaches like the talent they have at the position. They think Andre Roberts, in his second season, is ready to step into the starting role. They believe Early Doucet is a playmaker, provided he can stay healthy - which he hasn't been able to do in three NFL seasons.

Stephen Williams, a second-year pro, has size, speed and skills. Stuckey has some experience. Isaiah Williams has been impressive in training camp. DeMarco Sampson looks like a real find in the seventh round. And Max Komar made the team last year as an undrafted rookie.

A season ago, Viking RB Toby Gerhart came out of Stanford as a second-round draft pick with gaudy numbers and a reputation for being a power runner. For the first weeks of training camp, the veterans made sure he paid his dues. Williams clobbered him early and often, then talked at length about it. This wasn't college anymore, he said. Time to test the college kid. There was a scuffle with defensive end Ray Edwards. At times it looked as if Gerhart had a horn on his helmet and a target on his back.

Gerhart holds no nostalgia for that camp. Nor does he have any lasting bruises, either literal or figurative. But he will tell you that going through it all made him stronger.

"I was known for being a power runner, and I got tested, early and often, in training camp," he said. "There were dues to be paid, evidently. And I feel I grew from that."

A year ago, by his own admission, Gerhart was a bit tentative, perhaps slowed by the thought process of becoming an NFL back. He recalls obsessing about his footwork, every little detail. He remembers counting his steps while running routes. "I was being really robotic," he said. "You know, one, two, counting my steps rather than just playing football like I've always done."

This time, Gerhart said, it's different. He says he's more relaxed, confident.

Will that translate into more opportunity? It always will be difficult playing behind Peterson. And while the previous coaching regime might have groomed Gerhart as a third-down back, he appears to be penciled in as Peterson's power-running backup. Indeed, Lorenzo Booker could emerge as a third-down option.

This is an interesting piece of news for Adrian Peterson owners (re: Handcuff options).

Jets offensive lineman Rob Turner suffered a broken leg in last night’s preseason loss to the Texanss. He is scheduled to have surgery and will likely be out for 8-10 weeks, according to a source. Gang Green is now thin along the line. Turner was a versatile backup, who started at center for Nick Mangold (stinger) last night. The Jets will likely be in the market for a backup center now.

The 49ers had started practice Monday afternoon, but a group of photographers had their lenses pointed away from action on the field.

They were waiting for an image that never developed - the sight of former NFL quarterback Daunte Culpepper opening the locker-room doors and stepping onto the field in a red-and-gold uniform.

Culpepper worked out at the team's facility in Santa Clara on Monday morning but did not sign with the Niners, who appear to be in dire need of a veteran backup. Alex Smith, entering his seventh season, is the only quarterback on the roster who has taken a regular-season snap.

Titans Receiver Kenny Britt took part in team drills Monday for the first time in training camp and looked completely recovered from his most recent hamstring injury.

Britt, however, said that’s not the case.

“I am still holding back. I know that it is not 100 percent even though I am running,” he said. “Getting in and out of my breaks and when I am running I still feel it, and in the back of my mind I can’t just go out there and run full speed and set myself back and then be out for three more weeks. That would be bad.”

Britt, who sat out the preseason opener against the Vikings, made several nice catches Monday.

The Titans say Britt could play Saturday at St. Louis. Britt, who has been bothered by hamstring injuries on and off for the past two seasons, said he just hopes to be ready for the regular-season opener Sept. 11 at Jacksonville.

Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan said Chris Cooley visited a specialist but would not confirm that Cooley met with Andrews, who has performed surgeries on high-profile athletes from Brett Favre to Sam Bradford to Stephen Strasburg. Shanahan said surgery would not be required.

Andrews is a longtime partner with the Redskins and has worked closely with the team’s training staff for more than a decade.

“He’s getting some rehab on it,” Shanahan said. “He’s working extremely hard, but other than that, I don’t know. He can get some mental reps by looking at the film. We’ve got a lot of meeting time. He’ll probably be working in the weight room the majority of the time, but there’s no sense in putting added pressure on that knee.”

According to a person familiar with the situation, Cooley’s knee is simply aggravated and requires nearly a month of rest. Cooley, who had minor arthroscopic surgery on the knee following last season, has not attended practice since last Wednesday morning and was not on the sidelines for the team’s preseason win over Pittsburgh last Friday.

Fred Davis is having a great camp and is in fantastic shape. He is also in the final year of his contract. If you draft Cooley, Davis is the automatic handcuff....and possible starter.

Chad Henne is the starter. Matt Moore is the backup. That's the way it is going to play -- regardless of what fans want -- for the immediate future. Henne will take all the snaps with the first team offense in Friday night's home preseason opener against Carolina and Moore is not getting any of those opportunities against starters.

"I don't have that in the plan right at this second," coach Tony Sparano said Monday. "Chad is going to get the first team reps right now and Matt will be in with the second group right now."

So let me play traffic cop: Nothing to see here, folks. Move along. Nothing to see here.

At least right now.

Sure, it was just a seven-on-seven drill. But in one practice play Monday at Broncos training camp, wide receiver Eric Decker made a believer out of cornerback Champ Bailey.

Decker, in his second NFL season, beat Bailey for a deep touchdown pass from Kyle Orton, drawing oohs and aahs from the fans watching at Dove Valley team headquarters.

Bailey laughed, saying had there been a pass rush, maybe the result would have been different. But he's clearly sold on the leap Decker has made.

Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson returned to practice this morning after missing the last two days with a sore left shoulder.

Johnson injured his shoulder when he landed hard after catching a touchdown on the opening possession of last week's preseason win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Cornerbacks Chris Houston and Eric Wright remain out with groin injuries, and Titus Young continues to sit because of a hamstring injury.

Young, a second-round pick out of Boise State, has taken part in just one full practice this year.

Maybe it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, given Wes Welker’s history.

The Patriots receiver yesterday said he’s not just fully recovered from major knee surgery last offseason, he’s even faster than he was before his injury.

“I feel great,’’ he said after a full-pads practice, which was held inside the Dana-Farber Field House because of rain. “I feel like I’ve gained a step from two years ago. This is the best I’ve felt in a long time, and I just want to continue to play well and continue to get better and do the things that help the team win.’’

If his play in training camp is any indication, Welker will be as dangerous as he was in his first three seasons with New England, when he totaled 346 receptions.

With Ravens Anquan Boldin and Joe Flacco having a year together to build timing and rapport, their connection should be more potent this fall. Plus, Flacco traveled to Arizona to throw to Boldin during the NFL lockout.

"We definitely feel the chemistry getting better," Boldin said. "We're starting to see the same things. We're on the same page as far as this offense is concerned. I certainly see us having a better year together."

While the Ravens will utilize Evans as a deep threat and rookies Torrey Smith and Tandon Doss as complementary targets, it's Boldin who's being counted on the most.

Plaxico Burress, who sprained his left ankle while running routes at the start of training camp, told ESPN he will be ready to participate in full practice Wednesday when the Jets take the field for the first time following Monday night's game.

"If he's as eager as I am, we've got some trouble on our hands," wideout Santonio Holmes said.

After watching Mark Sanchez hook up with Derrick Mason in last night's game, Plaxico Burress will add another element to the Jets Offense. Based upon his ability to stay healthy and pick up the Jets offense, Burress will help elevate Sanchez' fantasy stock.

In his quest to excel in the West Coast offense, Browns quarterback Colt McCoy couldn't think of anyone better to help teach it to him this off-season than future Hall of Famer Brett Favre.

McCoy called Favre and asked if he could come to his hometown in Hattiesburg, Miss., to work with him on the precision scheme, one that Favre ran for 20 years. Favre obliged, and the two spent about four days together pouring over the offense and throwing passes.

"Since I couldn't get coached, it was a great opportunity to pick the brains of a guy who's played in this system for 20 years," McCoy said through a team spokesperson. "It was a chance for me to get a lot of questions answered. We worked on footwork, progressions, reads and things like that. It was definitely a positive trip."

The quarterback order remained the same for the Panthers on Monday night, with Jimmy Clausen getting the first reps in team drills, followed by Cam Newton.

It figures to stay that way the rest of this week.

Carolina coach Ron Rivera said again he expects to name his starting quarterback next week before the Panthers' third preseason game at Cincinnati on Aug. 25.

Rivera said the game video of Saturday's 20-10 win over the Giants didn't change his assessment of what he saw from the top two quarterbacks. Both did some good things; both made some mistakes, and there were some mistakes from their offensive teammates that caused the quarterbacks to misfire at times.

Texans RB Derrick Ward left Monday's preseason game with a head injury.

Arizona Pro Bowl wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald's deal includes a clause that prevents the Cardinals from slapping their franchise tag on him after this season, according to two sources who have reviewed the contract.

This means that if Fitzgerald is not signed to an extension before his contract expires at the end of this season, he would have the ability to leave Arizona in the off-season, without any restrictions.

The "no-franchise-tag" clause was included in the four-year, $40 million contract extension that Fitzgerald signed in March 2008.

Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe missed practice again and isn't expected to play on Saturday because of the hamstring injury he suffered on Aug. 8.

Asked if the injury is more serious than initially thought, Frazier said, "No, just want to be cautious. We'd like to take a look at the other guys. We kind of know where 'Shianc' is. If it were a game situation, maybe, but no, preseason, we should be all right."

Chicago Bears backup quarterback Caleb Hanie walked off the practice field Monday visibly upset and declined to talk to reporters.

His frustration no doubt stemmed from surrendering his second-team practice reps to rookie Nathan Enderle during the 2 1/2-hour session. In fact, Hanie didn’t get any reps at all during 7-on-7 and full-team drills.

Lovie Smith explained the decision after practice.

"After you play a game, your reps change a little bit based on what you’ve done,’’ Smith said. "We got Nathan Enderle a couple more reps today with the 2s. He did some good things in the game. He hadn’t really gotten a lot of reps in practice right now."

Raiders RB Darren McFadden (orbital bone) going through non-contact drills with football.

Giants and DL Osi Umenyiora remain at a stalemate, but Osi did go to work with the first team today.

Browns quarterback Colt McCoy spent a couple of days during the NFL's lockout learning the West Coast offense from Brett Favre, McCoy confirmed today through a team spokesman.

McCoy reached out to Favre, who learned the West Coast system from Browns President Mike Holmgren during their days together with the Green Bay Packers, for guidance. He visited Favre's home in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

"Since I couldn't get coached, it was a great opportunity to pick the brain of a guy who’s played in the system for 20 years," McCoy said through the spokesman. "It was a chance for me to get a lot of questions answered. We worked on footwork, progressions, reads and things like that. It was definitely a positive trip."

There were encouraging signs Monday, as 49ers WR Michael Crabtree was seen walking briskly from the locker room to the parking lot and back without an orthopedic boot on his left foot. It's the first time Crabtree has been spotted wearing two athletic shoes -- and no orthopedic boot this summer.

Crabtree, who had surgery to repair a stress fracture on his left foot after the 2009 college season, experienced problems with his left foot on June 6 in a 49ers players-organized workout at San Jose State during the lockout. He did not take part in any of the other on-field practice sessions that quarterback Alex Smith organized during the lockout.

According to team sources, Redskins tight end Chris Cooley made a visit to renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews on Thursday to get a second opinion on his bothersome left knee.

“To be honest with you, and I mean this,” he said. “I would be amazed if I didn’t play against the Giants [week 1].”

According to the sources, Andrews’ examinations were just a way of further-evaluating the left knee that Cooley had minor arthroscopic knee surgery on back on January 3.

Jermichael Finley spent Saturday night’s preseason opener at Cleveland watching from the sideline, but the Green Bay Packers tight end won’t be merely a spectator for Friday night’s home preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.

"I felt good. It was just precautionary, holding back,” Finley said Monday after being held out because of what was termed a “glute contusion” by coach Mike McCarthy last week.

Finley, who bruised his backside in practice last week and missed the final two practices before the team departed for Washington, D.C. and Cleveland, said it stopped bothering him a few days ago.

We have Finley ranked 3rd at tight end with a chance to exceed that if he can stay healthy.