New York Giants quarterback Jim Sorgi frustrated over shoulder injury

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Backup quarterback Jim Sorgi probably will miss the New York Giants' preseason finale against the New England Patriots, and that might put his job in jeopardy.

The seventh-year quarterback's injured right shoulder has improved only slightly over the past two weeks and he has no idea when he will return to practice.
"I don't want to speculate on how long it's going to be," Sorgi said Monday. "I'm trying to take it one day at a time, and I'm happy the team has been this patient with me. Hopefully, they can be a little bit more patient and wait until I get better."

Sorgi tore a muscle in his shoulder two weeks ago in a preseason game against the Jets. The injury prevents his throwing, a major concern with the Giants needing to reach the 53-man roster limit by Saturday.

Sorgi was clearly frustrated Monday.

"I don't know if their patience is wearing thin, but I'm sure it is," Sorgi said. "It's just a numbers game and getting to be that point. Like I said, it's a tough position for me to be in, and a tough position for them to be in. I don't really have much else to say."

Sorgi was signed in the offseason to back up Eli Manning. He spent the previous six seasons in Indianapolis backing up Eli's brother, Peyton.

With Sorgi sidelined, second-year pro Rhett Bomar has been getting the snaps with the second team. He also played the entire second preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with Manning sidelined because of a gash on the left side of his head.

Sorgi was examined by Giants doctors on Sunday. He said the injury, a torn anterior capsule in his throwing arm, had improved a little, but not enough.

"I have never had it so I don't know how it's supposed to feel or how quickly it's supposed to get better," he said. "I know it's different in a quarterback, a thrower, than it is in other positions. We're trying to keep that in mind and it's just the timing of when it happened and the timing of when it's supposed to get better by. It's bad timing for both sides."

Chad Pennington missed last season with the Miami Dolphins with a similar injury.

Sorgi refused to speculate about next week.

"There is no following week," he said. "It all depends on what the team wants to do, and I don't really have much going on and much to say. It's out of my hands."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

Albiol suffers injury blowNew York Giants’ Jim Sorgi can’t throw, surprised he’s so hurt

Jason Campbell of Oakland Raiders has troubling wrist injury, too

In the series before he went down with a stinger Saturday, Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell suffered a wrist injury that has become a bigger worry for the team, coach Tom Cable said.
In a conference call with Bay Area reporters Sunday night, Cable delivered the potentially alarming news, saying Campbell had an MRI and X-rays and would be further evaluated this week.

The Raiders did not consider the stinger that knocked Campbell out of the preseason loss to the 49ers to be serious, Cable said.

The Raiders open the season in two weeks at Tennessee. It appears to be too early to project whether Campbell will be ready to play against the Titans.

If Campbell can't play, Bruce Gradkowski will get the call to open the season.

Campbell was taken off the field on a cart after being hurt on a sack by Travis LaBoy in the second quarter. He was down for about five minutes.

"Usually I recover pretty fast," Campbell said after the game. "Right now there's no timetable. The thing is just to improve and continue to keep getting better. We don't know the timetable or anything, but at the same time, I haven't really missed any time before."

Gradkowski was a sparkplug for Oakland in his preseason debut against San Francisco on Saturday night after Campbell was hurt. Gradkowski gave Oakland's struggling offense life last season when he took over for JaMarcus Russell.

AFC West blog

ESPN.com's Bill Williamson writes about all things AFC West in his division blog.

•Blog network: NFL Nation

Still, Gradkowski has had trouble staying healthy.

Cable also said running back Michael Bush will undergo a procedure on his broken left thumb. Bush was still expected to be Oakland's starter this season, partly because he is more durable than Darren McFadden, who missed the first two preseason games with an injury, and Cable said Bush could play against the Titans.

The injury outbreak to Oakland's skill-position players extends to No. 1 receiver Chaz Schilens, who will return from the arthroscopic knee surgery he had last week in three-six weeks. That makes Schilens questionable for the season opener, which will be played 19 days after his procedure.

In still more injury news, center Samson Satele will return to practice Monday after missing the past week with a sprained ankle. Rookie Jared Veldheer got mixed reviews from Cable for his performance against the Niners.

"I saw a guy playing center for the first time in this league," Cable said. "You got to learn where to put his helmet a little bit more consistently. When he did, it was pretty good stuff. So, there's a lot to grow on. It was actually a pretty good effort by him."

Veldheer will work at both left tackle and center this week, where he is expected to be the backup at both positions.

Cornerback Chris Johnson is also expected to practice after missing the past two games with a hamstring injury. Johnson, who was limited in practice last week, is competing with Stanford Routt for the starting spot across from Pro Bowler Nnamdi Asomugha.

Defensive tackle Desmond Bryant (hyperextended elbow) and cornerback Joey Thomas (concussion) are day to day with injuries sustained Saturday. Defensive linemen Jason Richardson (knee) and Alex Daniels (hamstring) will likely not play in the exhibition finale Thursday against Seattle.

Information from ESPN.com's Billl Williamson and The Associated Press was used in this report.

Source: Oakland Raiders, DT John Henderson agree on dealKaka reveals injury woe

Chicago Bears cut Matt Gutierrez and others

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Bears released quarterback Matt Gutierrez, receiver Zeke Markshausen and defensive tackle Maurice Evans on Monday in adherence to Tuesday's mandatory roster reduction deadline, which limits teams to a maximum of 75 players, according to a team source.
The club will announce other cuts later Monday afternoon.

Gutierrez, 26, has spent time on the rosters with the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots. Gutierrez played in one game last season with the Chiefs, throwing only one pass in all of 2009.

The play of rookie Dan LeFevour on Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals may have played in the club's decision to cut Gutierrez. LeFevour posted a 129.2 passer rating against the Cardinals, while completing 10-of-12 attempts for 100 yards and a touchdown.

LeFevour had struggled during training-camp workouts, but appears to be progressing. Once backup Caleb Hanie returns from a shoulder injury, the club will have to make a decision on whether to keep LeFevour because the Bears still have four quarterbacks on the roster.

It's unlikely the club will keep four quarterbacks, so if it decides it wants to retain LeFevour, the Bears will have to risk putting him on the practice squad.

The club faces a final mandatory roster reduction deadline on Sept. 4 to 53 players.

Michael C. Wright and Jeff Dickerson cover the Bears for ESPNChicago.com and ESPN 1000.

Mata to stay at ValenciaChicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher will miss Saturday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals

Houston Texans TE Owen Daniels wants to play in season opener

HOUSTON -- Houston Texans tight end Owen Daniels cut sharply, caught a short pass and sprinted 20 yards down the middle of an empty practice field.

The 6-foot-3 Daniels, who made the Pro Bowl after the 2008 season, said Thursday he hopes to be ready for the regular season opener against Indianapolis after getting medical clearance to play again.
Daniels tore his right anterior cruciate ligament midway through last season and underwent surgery last November. He visited Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday, and the renowned orthopedist finally declared Daniels' knee fully healed.

Daniels is expected to practice with his team on Monday, ending an arduous 10-month recovery.

"It's going to be interesting, it's going to be strange, but I can't wait," Daniels said. "I don't know if I'll sleep Sunday night. It'll be like my first day of football, back when I was like in third grade."

Daniels was on schedule to be ready for the start of training camp until the spring. He started feeling soreness in the reconstructed knee in April and May, and doctors found a stress fracture in his right kneecap, a potentially career-threatening setback.

"We were blindsided by it, cause we were just going in and expecting to see a little inflammation or what have you," Daniels said. "When the doctor said it was a stress fracture, we were all shocked."

Doctors were puzzled how Daniels could've sustained such a rare injury during his rehab. Daniels said he continued to work as the soreness increased, but doesn't think he was overdoing it.

"I think it was just something that was meant to happen, and the good thing was it could've broken all the way through and broken off," Daniels said. "So we were playing with fire there for a while, really working hard and not knowing what the problem was."

Daniels spent the next two months virtually immobilized, wondering when -- or if -- he'd ever play again.

He consulted with several doctors across the country, and some recommended inserting a screw in his knee, a procedure that might've forced him to miss the 2010 season. Andrews suggested the more conservative route, letting the injury heal on its own.

All Daniels could do was make monotonous visits to the Texans' training room for treatment.

"It was a long time for me, after the stress fracture diagnosis, sitting around," Daniels said. "I couldn't lift any weights, I couldn't jog, I couldn't ride a bike. That really tested my patience. They were doing everything they could for me, though."

Finally, after eight weeks, tests showed that the fracture was improving. Daniels resumed his rehab soon after.

He's still a long way from playing condition, though, and plans to lobby coach Gary Kubiak to let him play in Houston's last preseason game, against Tampa Bay next Thursday.

"I'm trying work as hard as I can," Daniels said. "I'm not in football shape, I can pretty much guarantee that, because I haven't been running around with these guys and banging around. It's different than running routes with a trainer, and running wind sprints, even just pushing a sled. It's a lot different."

Daniels caught 70 passes for 862 yards and two touchdowns in 2008, his best season. He and Andre Johnson formed the most prolific receiver-tight end pairing in the NFL that year, with 185 total receptions and 2,437 yards.

The All-Pro Johnson, who's topped 1,500 receiving yards in the past two seasons, is as happy as anyone to see Daniels back.

"I'm very excited about it," Johnson said. "He's a big part of our offense. I was watching him out here the other day, working out. You can tell he's got some good moves, cause he was getting after it really hard. It'll be great to have him back out here."

Daniels is confident that he can make all the moves on the field that he could two years ago.

"I don't think I'll be able to be the guy that I was if I'm going to think about that type of stuff, or worry about if it might happen again," he said. "I'm not at any greater risk now than anybody else out here, to have that injury again. I'm just going to go with it."

Now that he's so close to returning, Daniels said he values the chance to play football as much as he ever has.

"I've always really appreciated it. I don't think I've ever taken it for granted," he said. "But if there's even a little ounce of that, it's definitely not there anymore.

"I've always loved playing football, and I cherish every moment of being out here, being with the guys and being in that type of an environment. Having that almost taken away from you for a season and a half would've been tough to deal with."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

Houston Texans tight end Owen Daniels signs $3.168 million tenderKaka reveals injury woe

Report: X-rays negative on hand of Indianapolis Colts' Gary Brackett

INDIANAPOLIS -- A person with knowledge of the results has told The Associated Press that Colts linebacker Gary Brackett is not expected to miss significant time after X-rays on his injured right hand were negative.
The person spoke Friday on the condition of anonymity because the team has not disclosed a diagnosis.

Brackett was injured during Thursday night's loss at Green Bay when he appeared to hit his hand on the helmet of teammate Philip Wheeler. He is the Colts' defensive captain and signed a five-year, $33 million contract in March.

Brackett is not likely to play next Thursday against the Bengals because the Colts traditionally bench most of their starters in the preseason finale.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

Indianapolis Colts safety Antoine Bethea agrees to 4-year deal, sources sayBaggies snub Valero bid

Flags have Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts seeking rules review

INDIANAPOLIS -- The NFL finally figured out how to slow down Peyton Manning -- change the rules.

Apparently, the changes are now under further review.

One day after Manning drew two penalties for illegal snaps at Green Bay, coach Jim Caldwell pleaded with league officials to re-evaluate a change that forces players to wait for the umpire to get into his new position before the ball can be put in play.
The league wasted no time in responding to all the complaints.

"The movement of the umpire to the offensive backfield will happen in the regular season," league spokesman Michael Signora said in a statement given to The Associated Press on Friday. "We continue to analyze and review the impact of the change in the preseason, and we may announce some adjustments to the mechanics of the position prior to Week 1."

Colts players and coaches think refinements are an absolute necessity after Thursday night's debacle in Green Bay.

Over the past decade, Indy has been one of the NFL's highest-scoring teams in part because the no-huddle offense. The Colts have been so good running it that receivers and running backs learned to take the ball straight to the umpire to save time, and when defenses dared to make changes, Manning often caught them in the act.

But during the offseason, the NFL's competition committee voted to reposition the umpire behind the deepest player in the offensive backfield. Previously, the umpire stood behind defensive linemen and closer to linebackers, which occasionally had him in the middle of a play.

The reason: Safety.

What the Colts objected to Thursday were the delays between getting the ball spotted and the umpire getting in position to start the play, which visibly frustrated the only four-time MVP in league history.

"The one [illegal snap] on me I thought was ridiculous. Down there by the goal line when you're snapping the ball to keep them from potentially getting a replay," Manning said after the game. "Also, they're unsettled. To throw a 5-yard penalty is absolutely ridiculous in my opinion. So I think that's one thing that will be re-evaluated -- at least a do-over of some sort, or a warning, but a 5-yard penalty, that's ridiculous."

Another concern is consistency.

Instead of simply making calls, things could change from week to week, based on the crews, or even play to play, based on whether the umpire is out of breath. It could even force teams to study how fast each umpire in the league gets into position, so they know when to expect when the ball is put in play.

"We certainly hope not," Caldwell said when asked about the possibility. "We hope that it's going to be one that is pretty uniform throughout, so that we don't have to make any adjustments on a weekly basis depending upon who is calling the game."

The controversy could be coming soon to a stadium near you.

Though Indy relies more extensively on the up-tempo pace than others, all NFL teams could eventually find themselves not only racing against the clock but against the umpire at the end of the half or the game -- if the rules continue to be applied the way they were at Green Bay.

It could cost teams scoring chances and potentially change the game, which is why Caldwell spent Friday making his case to tweak the rule.

"Let me put it this way, I do think it's being evaluated," Caldwell said. "It didn't work well for us last night on a couple of occasions, and so we hope in the evaluation process they'll find some middle ground and give us an opportunity to use our offense like we've done for a number of years."

And that might be enough to appease Manning.

"I don't think very highly of it right now," he said. "Initially, it's still a work in progress, hopefully they mean that and they're still analyzing how it's going to work. It certainly didn't seem like it took some of the things that we do and other things do into account when they made the rule. I'm not a big fan of it right now."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

Indianapolis Colts safety Antoine Bethea agrees to 4-year deal, sources sayMata reveals English interest

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Cornelius Ingram has knee cyst drained

PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia Eagles second-year tight end Cornelius Ingram has had a cyst in the back of his knee drained after undergoing an MRI exam for knee and calf pain.
Team officials say Ingram had the cyst drained Thursday after it was discovered a day earlier by an MRI on his surgically repaired left knee.

Ingram has been hampered by discomfort in the knee and calf during training camp.

The Eagles selected Ingram in the fifth round of the 2009 draft. He had missed his entire senior season at Florida with a torn ACL, then sat out last year when he reinjured the knee.

Ingram will not travel with the team for Friday's preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

Mike Bell expects to make Philadelphia Eagles debut on FridayKaka reveals injury woe

Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher will miss Saturday's game against the Arizona Cardinals

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Chicago Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher will miss his fourth consecutive day of practice Thursday due to the strained left calf muscle he suffered in the first quarter against the Oakland Raiders, and he won't play Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals.

Veteran Hunter Hillenmeyer will start in Urlacher's place against the Cardinals.

Urlacher did work out and run sprints for the Bears training staff on a side field on Thursday.

"Brian Urlacher is getting better, but he won't play this week," coach Lovie Smith said.

At this point, playing Urlacher in the preseason might not be worth the risk, given the fact he's already well-versed in the defensive scheme, not to mention his high value to the unit. Teams usually play their starters for only one series in the preseason finale.

So there's a chance Urlacher won't see action again until the opener.

Michael C. Wright covers the Bears for ESPNChicago.com. ESPNChicago.com's Jeff Dickerson contributed information to this story.

Ronaldo won’t returnChicago Bears’ Olin Kreutz returns to practice field at OTAs

Mike Bell expects to make Philadelphia Eagles debut on Friday

PHILADELPHIA -- Running back Mike Bell expects to make his Eagles debut Friday after battling calf and hamstring problems for most of training camp.
Philadelphia signed Bell to a one-year, $1.7 million deal as a restricted free agent from the Super Bowl champion Saints, envisioning him as the perfect complement to LeSean McCoy. Bell rushed for 654 yards and scored five touchdowns last season.

Coach Andy Reid described him as a "very powerful, strong, physical runner."

"He's got good feet and vision, and catches the ball well, so those are the things that fit into this offense well, and in this day and age in the National Football League you need two or three of those guys, running backs," Reid said.

The Eagles won't get back tight end Cornelius Ingram for their third preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Ingram spent his rookie season on injured reserve and is still battling knee problems.

He was scheduled to have an MRI on Wednesday. Ingram is penciled in as the No. 2 tight end behind Brent Celek.

Rookie Clay Harbor has filled in as Celek's backup, but Reid still wants to see Ingram, maybe in the final preseason game next Thursday against the New York Jets.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

Washington Redskins agree to deal for Jammal Brown of New Orleans SaintsAgent expects Maicon stay

Derek Schouman's injury adds to Buffalo Bills' tight end woes

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

"He's gonna be out for a while," coach Chan Gailey said Saturday. "... The guy can't get a break. He can't stay on the field and he's not getting enough reps."
Schouman was injured Thursday during Buffalo's 34-21 preseason win over the Indianapolis Colts.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

Kaka reveals injury woeShawn Nelson of Buffalo Bills banned for 4 regular-season games

Report: New England Patriots OL Nick Kaczur underwent back surgery, reports The Boston Herald

New England Patriots offensive lineman Nick Kaczur has undergone back surgery within the past seven to 10 days, the Boston Herald reported Saturday, citing sources close to the situation.

On Aug. 6, ESPNBoston.com first reported that, according to an NFL source, Kaczur told teammates he has a significant back injury that could sideline him indefinitely and potentially threaten his 2010 season.

Kaczur, a six-year veteran, was the Patriots' starting left guard on the first day of training camp. He went through the team's first three practices before being knocked out with the back injury.
Kaczur's role was one of the top storylines for the team because Logan Mankins, the Patriots' starting left guard the past five seasons, remained out of camp in a contract dispute.

With Mankins yet to report and Kaczur sidelined, the Patriots have turned to five-year veteran Dan Connolly at left guard. While few would argue that the Patriots aren't hurt by the absence of Mankins -- a two-time Pro Bowler and one of the toughest, most durable players on the team -- the club hasn't missed a beat through two preseason games. Connolly delivered a key block on BenJarvus Green-Ellis' 6-yard touchdown run in the preseason opening win over the New Orleans Saints.

Mike Reiss covers the New England Patriots for ESPNBoston.com.

Report: Wes Welker of New England Patriots healthy enough to take part in training campKaka reveals injury woe

St. Louis Rams QB A.J. Feeley injures right thumb vs. Browns

CLEVELAND -- St. Louis Rams quarterback A.J. Feeley injured his right thumb in the first quarter during a touchdown drive.
Feeley, starting ahead of rookie Sam Bradford, was hit by Browns linebacker Chris Gocong on a third-down pass. Feeley completed the throw but came up holding his right wrist. He stayed in the game and threw a 9-yard TD pass to tight end Daniel Fells, giving the Rams a 7-0 lead.

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

Feeley may have banged his thumb on Gocong's helmet. Feeley had his thumb and elbow wrapped after the game. He said X-rays on both were negative and expects to play Thursday against New England.

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

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Sources: St. Louis Rams very interested in signing Terrell Owens

Mike Shanahan: Headache sidelining Albert Haynesworth

ASHBURN, Va. -- So now Albert Haynesworth has a headache.

The story keeps changing, but one thing remains the same about the Washington Redskins defensive tackle: He still isn't practicing.
Haynesworth was idle again Thursday, standing to the side for the final workout of training camp. During the past three weeks, he made it through only five of 18 full practices.

When Haynesworth dropped out of practice Tuesday, coach Mike Shanahan said he thought it was because the two-time All-Pro was feeling sick. When Haynesworth didn't practice Wednesday, the coach chalked it up to dehydration.

On Thursday, the coach said Haynesworth had given him another explanation for this week's inactivity.

"He felt that his head was bothering him more than it was dehydration, so he wasn't feeling good, basically," Shanahan said. "Just didn't feel very good. More of a headache than anything else."

Shanahan added that he was "not really sure" what was wrong with Haynesworth, echoing what has been a camp of uncertainty for the player with the $100 million contract. Haynesworth missed the first nine days of practice because he failed a conditioning test and then had a sore knee.

Haynesworth isn't talking to reporters about his latest setback, but his teammates have had some fun with his newsworthy training camp. Haynesworth was the target of one of the nighttime skits in which players poke fun at coaches and each other.

"Albert, he laughed more than anybody when they were doing it," Shanahan said. "But you've got to be able to laugh at yourself."

Shanahan has also had to deal with three players who have been cited for various traffic violations. Tight end Fred Davis missed part of Wednesday's practice to plead guilty to driving with a suspended or revoked license and falsely identifying himself to law enforcement, just two of several citations he has received since he was drafted in 2008.

Receiver Malcolm Kelly was found guilty in abstentia Wednesday for making an improper or erratic lane change and driving without an license. Kelly was absent from Thursday's practice for what Shanahan called "personal" reasons.

Rookie left tackle Trent Williams has an upcoming court date for a reckless driving charge, having been clocked at 90 mph in a 55 mph zone.

"You handle it a certain way," Shanahan said. "You sit down with players and talk about being responsible, that they represent this organization, and you expect them to handle themselves in a professional way. You sit down with them, especially young guys that make mistakes, and sometimes older guys that make mistakes, but that's part of the process.

"Once you represent this organization, you want them to represent it in the right way."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

Robinho keen on Barca moveKenny Britt of Tennessee Titans ticketed for driving without license

Shawn Nelson of Buffalo Bills banned for 4 regular-season games

Shawn Nelson's second season as a tight end for the Buffalo Bills will be shortened by four games after he was suspended for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy.
Nelson, drafted in the fourth round last year out of Southern Mississippi, started 12 games as a rookie for the Bills. He caught 17 passes for 156 yards.

Nelson can practice and play throughout the remainder of the Bills' preseason. The Bills were already short-handed at tight end after Derek Schouman hurt his knee in Thursday's 34-21 preseason victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

Nelson' suspension begins Sept. 4, eight days before the Bills' first regular-season game against the Miami Dolphins.

Nelson will also miss games against the Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots and New York Jets.

Nelson's agent, Joel Segal, declined comment when reached by The Associated Press.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Fred Jackson of Buffalo Bills needs further testing on handBenzema feeling rejuvenated

New York Giants' Jim Sorgi can't throw, surprised he's so hurt

ALBANY, N.Y. -- New York Giants backup quarterback Jim Sorgi is unable to make a throwing motion because of the injury to his right shoulder.

Sorgi was still gathering information Friday about the tear in the anterior capsule of his throwing arm, but said the injury he sustained in Monday night's win over the Jets is a lot worse than he originally thought.

He is taking anti-inflammatory medicines to reduce the swelling and hopes to be sidelined only two to three weeks, though he's unsure about a timetable for his return.
The Giants open the season against the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 12.

"I don't know what it all entails, how quickly the rehab and the comeback from it is," Sorgi said as the Giants broke training camp at the University at Albany. "It ended up being a lot worse than I thought it was. It ended up being an injury that is not going to get better in one or two days like I thought it would. I'm just playing it by ear."

Sorgi, who was signed in the offseason to back up starter Eli Manning, said he was limited in making over-the-head movements with his right arm. He can make underhand movements without a problem but said his range of motion declines as he lifts his arm.

"I can tell when I lift my arm up, it's hard to hold it out to the side," said Sorgi, who backed up Peyton Manning for six seasons in Indianapolis before signing with the Giants. "Over-the-head movement is just not going to happen now. I just hope it happens sooner than later."

Sorgi was hurt in the fourth quarter throwing a 34-yard touchdown pass to Victor Cruz. Jets linebacker Lance Laury hit him as he released the ball.

Manning also was hurt in the game, receiving a three-inch gash on the left side of his head when his helmet was knocked off and he was hit by Jets safety Jim Leonhard.

Manning missed the final walkthrough practice on Friday. He went to New York City to have doctors look at the 12 stitches in his head.

Neither Manning nor Sorgi will play Saturday night, when the Giants play the Pittsburgh Steelers in their first home game in their new $1.6 billion stadium.

Coach Tom Coughlin said guards Chris Snee (knee) and Rich Seubert (hand), receiver Ramses Barden (back) and safety Michael Johnson (back) also will miss the game.

Friday's attendance for the final practice was 920, pushing the attendance for camp to 39,875, the fifth-highest in the team's 15 years in Albany. The daily average of 2,492 was the second-highest. The Giants practiced 23 times in 16 days in the camp.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

Eli Manning sits out New York Giants practice, won’t play Saturday vs. Pittsburgh SteelersAlbiol suffers injury blow

NFL upholds Brian Cushing's four-game suspension

METAIRIE, La. -- Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing had his four-game suspension for taking a performance-enhancing drug upheld by the NFL on Thursday, which means he won't be eligible to play until October.

The reigning Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year was suspended in May for testing positive for HCG, a fertility drug that is on the NFL's banned substances list. Cushing claims that he has a unique medical condition that triggered the positive test.
"At the request of Texans owner Bob McNair, commissioner [Roger] Goodell reviewed additional medical information presented on behalf of Brian Cushing," the NFL said in a statement.

"The club and Cushing were notified today that after carefully considering all the information, including a review by outside medical experts, the commissioner finds no basis for changing the decision that Mr. Cushing's suspension for the first four games of the regular season remains in place."

Cushing will miss games against Indianapolis, Washington, Dallas and Oakland before becoming eligible to return Oct. 10, when Houston hosts the New York Giants.

Cushing missed practice Thursday with a foot injury and was not available to comment.

The former first-round draft pick started every game at outside linebacker last season, making 133 tackles and helping solidify the Houston defense. The Texans went 9-7 and just missed the AFC playoffs, their first winning record in their eight-year franchise history.

Xavier Adibi, a third-year pro who started five games in 2008, has backed up Cushing during training camp. The Texans also might move starting weakside linebacker Zac Diles into his place.

"We move forward. One guy goes down, the next guy just steps in," linebacker DeMeco Ryans said. "Expectations don't drop. We just keep pushing."

Cushing's suspension does not apply to the preseason. Houston, which practiced Wednesday and Thursday with defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans in Metaire, La., will play the Saints Saturday at the Louisiana Superdome.

Before the decision was announced by the league office, Texans safety Bernard Pollard talked about Cushing during an interview with ESPN.com.

"Cushing's going to be missed, he's a great piece to this puzzle, but they are not going to stop the games because he's not playing," Pollard said. " . . . We have to back him at whatever he does. That's out teammate, we love our teammate.

"He knows and understands for every decision you make, there are consequences. He has to understand that for everything you do, we have to hold each other accountable. Cush is a great man, he's a great player. And when he comes back we're going to be ready to play ball."

Asked whether he expects Cushing to play, coach Gary Kubiak replied: "I sure hope so."

Information from The Associated Press and ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky was used in this report.

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Mike Tomlin won't say if Ben Roethlisberger will start vs. New York Giants

LATROBE, Pa. -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are keeping their starting quarterback a secret. Again.

Ben Roethlisberger will play in Saturday night's exhibition against the New York Giants -- his first game action since drawing a six-game suspension -- but coach Mike Tomlin wouldn't say Thursday if he will start.
A week ago, Tomlin also didn't announce his starter in advance before Byron Leftwich played into the second quarter of a 23-7 victory over the Lions. Roethlisberger didn't play, but Tomlin said earlier this week he would get in against the Giants.

"It's not finalized of yet, no," Tomlin said. "Similar to last week, some of those decisions are made last minute in the preseason. That's just how it goes."

Roethlisberger worked with the starting offense most of this week at training camp, an indication he will start. The Steelers want Roethlisberger to get some work during the preseason because he cannot play or practice with the team once his suspension begins. His punishment is expected to be cut to four games before the season starts.

Tomlin plans to play the starters for 24 snaps, which should take them into the second quarter. Last week, Tomlin said the starting quarterback would get only eight to 12 snaps, but Leftwich wound up taking twice that amount. Tomlin didn't say if Leftwich would play against New York.

Tomlin wants to see more of former Bills lineman Jonathan Scott at right tackle. That might be a sign that recently signed Flozell Adams is having difficulty making the adjustment from left tackle, the position he played for 13 seasons, to right tackle. Adams allowed a sack against Detroit.

"We just want to see Jonathan Scott," Tomlin said. "We've got some guys that are working, so we want to see them."

Punter Daniel Sepulveda will kick off, a chore normally handled by kicker Jeff Reed. Rookie wide receiver Antonio Brown will return kicks a week after catching a touchdown pass against Detroit. Outside linebacker Jason Worilds, a second round draft pick, will play after sitting out against Detroit because of an injury.

Rookie running back Jonathan Dwyer isn't expected to play because of a shoulder injury, the latest problem that's sidelined him. The sixth-round draft pick was expected to compete to be the backup to Rashard Mendenhall, but has constantly missed practice.

"The reality is he's not on the field, so he's not helping himself," Tomlin said.

The Steelers are all but wrapped up with camp -- only a morning walkthrough on Friday remains -- and Tomlin is hoping they don't lose focus once they return to their practice facility in Pittsburgh next week.

"We're going to lose some of the things that come with training camp, but we are still very much in the development of our football team. Our goals and focus remain the same. We need to determine who are the 53 [players on the season-opening roster] and the roles within them," he said.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Lawrence Jackson of Seattle Seahawks traded to Detroit Lions

RENTON, Wash. -- The Seattle Seahawks traded defensive end and 2008 first-round pick Lawrence Jackson to the Detroit Lions on Wednesday for an undisclosed draft choice in 2011.

A day after Jackson admitted he was in limbo in Seattle, the Seahawks announced they had traded him away. Seattle general manager John Schneider was not on the job when the Seahawks drafted Jackson out of Southern California.
Neither was Pete Carroll, Jackson's former coach at USC, or the rest of Seattle's defensive staff. They are installing schemes that call for ends to be run stuffers or fast pass rushers, and Jackson has so far proven to be neither.

Jackson becomes the latest arrival onto Detroit's revamped defensive line. Veteran tackle Kyle Vanden Bosch and Ndamukong Suh, the second overall pick in April's draft, arrived earlier to help rescue the NFL's worst defense.

In Seattle, former tackle Red Bryant has moved his 335-plus pounds to end on one side of the starting defense. Seattle traded this offseason with Philadelphia for former part-time linebacker Chris Clemons to be its pass-rushing end, then acquired 315-pound defensive tackle and end Kentwan Balmer from San Francisco on Monday.

Jackson, who returned to practice Tuesday after missing a week with a bad hamstring, sensed he lost his place in Seattle's defense this summer. The 6-foot-4, 270-pounder was not big enough to be the run-stopping end and is not yet enough of a proven pass rusher to become a specialist.

"I'm kind of in the middle of both extremes," he said after Tuesday's practice. "Everything is still up in the air right now."

Not anymore. He's headed to the Lions, cast off for a draft pick as Carroll and Schneider continue to turn over half of Seattle's roster since January.

The pick Seattle is getting from Detroit is likely in the same low round next year as the one the Seahawks had just lost to the 49ers to get Balmer, who was drafted one choice behind Jackson in 2008.

Jackson started 24 of 31 games in his two seasons with Seattle. He had a career-high 4 sacks last season.

"Detroit showed strong interest in Lawrence and this provides him an opportunity to move forward while he is still early in his career," Schneider said. "We wish him the best."

The Seahawks filled Jackson's roster spot before Wednesday's practice by signing free-agent defensive tackle Amon Gordon. Gordon went to Mariner High School in the Seattle suburb of Everett before leaving for San Diego prior to his senior year.

The 28-year-old called being back home for the first time since high school "absolutely awesome."

He initially was a 270-pound linebacker at Stanford before he entered the NFL with Cleveland in 2004. He then had microfracture knee surgery and bounced to Denver, Baltimore and Tennessee through 2008. Gordon reached an injury settlement with Philadelphia last year and was with New England for workouts this offseason.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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NFL sources: New York Jets quarterback Kellen Clemens on trading block

CORTLAND, N.Y. -- If it looked like the New York Jets were showcasing quarterback Kellen Clemens on Monday night for a possible trade, it's because they were.

With Mark Sanchez and Mark Brunell locked into the first two quarterback jobs, the Jets are willing to deal Clemens before the start of the regular season, according to league sources.
The Jets found no takers when they tried to trade Clemens before the draft, but the recent arrival of Brunell could make him expendable. Clemens may have improved his value around the league with a solid performance against the New York Giants.

If the Jets don't receive a worthwhile offer, they could keep him as the No. 3 quarterback. But make no mistake: They will answer the phone if another team calls with an offer.

Coach Rex Ryan was unusually short when asked Wednesday why Clemens, not Brunell, was the first quarterback off the bench in the preseason opener.

"We knew we were going to go with Brunell [as the permanent No. 2]. I wanted to play Kellen," Ryan said. "We just threw him in there in that situation. He showed himself well."

Clemens completed 7 of 10 passes for 84 yards. He was replaced by Brunell, who was followed by Kevin O'Connell (two interceptions). The Jets also have Erik Ainge, who is not in camp. He was placed on the non-football illness list, but his future with the team is murky.

"I don't think that was any sort of pecking order or indicator," Clemens said after the game. "I was told they were going to give me a shot earlier on in the game, but I haven't been told that has anything to do with where we [the quarterbacks] are ranked as far as 1-2-3. As far as I know, the No. 1 and 2 spots are pretty locked up."

Clemens is due to make $1.1 million this season (non-guaranteed), which is high for a third-string quarterback. That, too, could factor into a decision to trade him.

Rich Cimini covers the Jets for ESPNNewYork.com. Follow him on Twitter.

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Eli Manning sits out New York Giants practice, won't play Saturday vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Wearing a blue New York Giants hat, Eli Manning threw a few light passes in one-on-one drills but otherwise stood on the side and watched Wednesday's practice.

The quarterback who has played 87 straight regular season games has been ruled out for Saturday's preseason pairing with Pittsburgh. Head coach Tom Coughlin did not know when Manning will resume practicing with a helmet covering the 12 fresh stitches on his forehead.

"Eli will not play this week but I won't go any further than that," Coughlin said after practice. "There is a question as to whether what he can do with a hat on [in practice]. I am not going to rush things. If the doctors say it is OK for him to throw, then he will do some throwing. But he is definitely not going to put the helmet on."
The Giants were forced to practice with just one quarterback -- third-stringer Rhett Bomar. Backup Jim Sorgi sat out practice with a sore shoulder and sore ribs after taking a shot from Jets linebacker Lance Laury on his second touchdown pass to Victor Cruz Monday against the Jets.

Coughlin did not know what Sorgi's status is for the Steelers game but he didn't think the backup's injury was a long-term issue.

"I don't think so but what do I know? I am not predicting anything," Coughlin said. "I am waiting to hear what the doctor says."

Manning is also waiting to see when he can get back to practicing. He hopes to at least throw some balls to receivers in one-on-one and seven-on-seven drills with a baseball hat on.

"That will be the deal, seeing when I can put a helmet back on," Manning said. "Anytime you have stitches, you got to be careful to make sure those things don't break. When it is preseason, you kind of have time to get things healed up and it is about being smart."

Manning underwent a battery of tests at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan on Tuesday and took a concussion baseline test Wednesday morning. Coughlin said his quarterback passed the test.

Manning felt pretty fortunate to escape without serious harm after looking like a human crash test dummy when he collided with Brandon Jacobs on a busted play, then getting pummeled from behind by Jets linebacker Calvin Pace and having his forehead hit safety Jim Leonhard's face mask.

"No headaches, no blurred vision, maybe the first night had a little headache from getting the stitches but when I woke up the next morning I felt pretty good," Manning said. "No other injuries [from the Pace hit]. Neck feels fine. Feels pretty good. Could have been worse. It was more me kind of hitting Leonhard. He didn't come in and hit me. Could have been something to the nose or broken something."

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Manning said the wound is higher than where the helmet padding usually rubs onto his forehead. He politely declined to show what it looks like, saying that there isn't much to see with it bandaged up.

Manning was asked if the Pace hit was the biggest he has taken in his seven-year career.

"I always thought my first game ever versus Philadelphia would be the biggest hit I would ever take," Manning said. "Jerome McDougle gave me a good pop but this is right up there. Kind of a double whammy, and you get a little blood and stuff, it is always a good hit. Let's hope this will be the worst one."

Some of his teammates took time to poke goodhearted fun at Manning. Offensive linemen Shaun O'Hara, David Diehl and Rich Seubert showed up at the cafeteria for lunch all wearing handmade bandages taped to their foreheads.

"I wouldn't expect anything less," Manning cracked. "That first game in the new stadium, I'll have a special memory I'll always be able to look at."

Ohm Youngmisuk covers the Giants for ESPNNewYork.com. Follow him on Twitter.

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Cincinnati Bengals' Rey Maualuga fined but not suspended

GEORGETOWN, Ky. -- Linebacker Rey Maualuga of the Cincinnati Bengals has been fined two game checks by the NFL and will forfeit an additional portion of his signing bonus for 2010 for a drunk-driving violation.

Maualuga was fined by the NFL on Tuesday under the league's substance abuse policy. He will forfeit two weeks' worth of his 2010 bonus, as well.

The second-year player from Southern California pleaded guilty to drunken driving in February and received a suspended sentence. Police said he hit a parking meter and two parked cars in northern Kentucky. He was charged with drunken and careless driving.

The NFL was considering a one-game suspension for Maualuga but decided against it after listening to the arguments of his attorney, David Cornwell, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
The 2009 second-round pick had a productive rookie season for the reigning AFC North champions, recording 63 tackles and one sack.

But the Jan. 29 incident put a blemish on his fast start. He ended up with two years' probation and a revoked driver's license.

He underwent treatment at a Charleston, S.C., facility while working to improve his left ankle that was fractured in December.

Maualuga is the second Bengal to escape suspension this summer. The first was running back Cedric Benson.

Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement last Friday that he's satisfied Benson understands his responsibilities as an NFL player and a public figure. Benson met with Goodell and other league officials two weeks ago.

Police in Austin, Texas, charged Benson with misdemeanor assault last month for allegedly punching a bar employee in the face. Benson has denied the charge.

Information from ESPN.com's James Walker and The Associated Press was used in this report.

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Fred Jackson of Buffalo Bills has broken hand, opener in doubt

PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- Running back Fred Jackson has a broken bone in his left hand, leaving his status uncertain for the Buffalo Bills' season opener.

Wearing a cast covering most of his lower left arm, Jackson revealed after practice Monday he'll be out four to six weeks. Jackson hopes he'll be out no longer than four weeks, which would put him in a position to be ready for Buffalo's opener Sept. 12 against Miami.
"That's what I'm shooting for anyway," Jackson said, speaking to reporters for the first time since he was hurt in a 42-17 preseason-opening loss at Washington on Friday.

Opening the game as the starter, Jackson was hurt two plays in during a 7-yard run. That's when he landed on his hand while attempting to brace himself as he was being pulled down by the facemask by safety Kareem Moore, who was penalized on the play. Jackson said he stayed in for a few more plays before leaving the game to have his hand examined.

Tests taken over weekend confirmed that Jackson broke the fourth metacarpal bone.

"It's a huge disappointment," said Jackson, who finished last season as the Bills' starter and led the team with a career-best 1,062 yards rushing. "Standing on the sideline, you can't do much to help your team."

Jackson wasn't the only running back missing practice. Marshawn Lynch, who split the starting duties last season, walked with a noticeable limp and is out indefinitely after hurting his ankle Friday.

“

It's a huge disappointment. ... Standing on the sideline, you can't do much to help your team.

”-- Bills RB Fred Jackson

The Bills returned to training camp Monday, and prepare to host Indianapolis in a game at Toronto on Thursday.

Coach Chan Gailey isn't scheduled to meet with reporters until after the team's night practice.

The injuries to Jackson and Lynch leave the Bills with an inexperienced backfield. And it puts the team in a position to lean heavily on rookie first-round draft pick C.J. Spiller, who was initially expected to be eased into the three-back rotation.

Spiller's development was delayed after he missed the first seven days of training camp before signing his contract on Aug. 6.

"The mindset is when a man goes down you never want to see it, but you have to prepare yourself as if you're next in line," said Spiller, selected ninth overall out of Clemson. "Now I'm the next guy in line to try to step up into those big shoes and try to fill them for this preseason. I'm going to try to do my best."

The ACC's player of the year last season, Spiller is a speedster who proved to be a versatile threat as a running back, receiver and on special teams at Clemson. He finished his four-year college career with 51 touchdowns, including 32 rushing, and joined Reggie Bush in becoming only the second player to have 3,000 yards rushing, 1,500 yards in kickoff returns, 1,000 yards receiving and 500 yards in punt returns.

Against Washington, Spiller had four carries for 16 yards as part of Buffalo's overall dreadful performance. It was a game in which the Bills offense went 1 for 10 in third-down conversions, their defense gave up three straight touchdown drives in the first half, and their special teams allowed Brandon Banks to score on a 77-yard punt return.

"I feel a whole lot more comfortable going into this game than I did last week," Spiller said. "I've just got to step up."

The Bills were intending to use Spiller in numerous situations, including lining him up in a two-back system alongside either Jackson or Lynch.

Spiller is now expected to share the rushing duties with Chad Simpson, who previously appeared sparingly in 25 games with Indianapolis over the past two years, and undrafted rookie free agent Joique Bell. Buffalo added another running back on Monday by signing Andre Anderson, an undrafted rookie free agent out of Tulane.

The Bills also signed receiver Aaron Rhea, an undrafted rookie free agent out of Stephen F. Austin, and placed linebacker Ryan Manalac on waived/injured.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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2010 NFL training camps: Carolina Panthers WR Steve Smith activated, catches passes

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith has been activated off the physically unable to perform list and has caught live passes for the first time since breaking his left arm.
Smith took part in only non-contact drills without defensive backs at the beginning of Monday's workout, during which he wore a baseball cap. But Smith looked sharp running routes and made a leaping grab of Matt Moore's high pass.

Smith later caught light passes off to the side from backup QB Jimmy Clausen in his most extensive work since he broke his forearm playing flag football in June.

The four-time Pro Bowl selection remains on schedule to play in the regular-season opener. Coach John Fox was noncommittal when asked if Smith would play in a preseason game.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Receiver Percy Harvin returns to practice with Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings receiver Percy Harvin returned to the practice field Monday for the team's first practice since breaking training camp last week in Mankato, Minn.
Harvin left the team after a July 31 practice for personal reasons. He had a death in the family and then found out he had a close friend pass away. He was also suffering from migraine headaches.

Last week, the team placed him on the roster-exempt list and presented him with a letter indicating he needed to report back to the team within five days.

Harvin, according to sources, was in the Minneapolis area Sunday night and showed up at the team facility Monday morning.

He was plagued by migraine problems last season but was able to win the rookie of the year honors on offense.

John Clayton covers the NFL for ESPN.com.

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Bill Belichick says Tom Brady's taped fingers are not a concern

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady participated in the team's Sunday morning walk-through and was wearing white athletic tape around the index and middle fingers on his right throwing hand.

Brady's status was not a concern to coach Bill Belichick, who after his morning news conference said Brady would be fine.

During the news conference, Belichick joked that whatever happened to Brady's fingers -- which might have made contact with a Saints player's helmet during Thursday night's exhibition game -- was not "life-threatening."

Asked if the condition of Brady's fingers could keep the quarterback out of game action, Belichick playfully dodged the questions, referencing the Week 1 injury report.

Mike Reiss covers the Patriots for ESPN Boston. You can follow him on Twitter or leave a question for his weekly mailbag.

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2010 NFL training camps: Baltimore Ravens' Jared Gaither out two weeks with tear in back

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Jared Gaither has a small tear in his back that will sideline him for at least two weeks.
Gaither flew to California recently to visit a back specialist to figure out why he's been dealing with back spasms and cramps for the majority of training camp.

"It's a very small tear, I don't know the medical term for it," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Saturday. "It's not a serious thing, but it's going to keep him out for a couple weeks until it settles down because it's what's causing the spasms apparently.

"So, he's going to have to work as hard as he can and we'll have to try and work it out. I wouldn't hold my breath for about two weeks, three weeks, through camp here, and we'll see where we're at at that point."

With Gaither sidelined, the Ravens have been going with Oniel Cousins at right tackle and he's expected to start there for the rest of the preseason.

Gaither acknowledged earlier in camp that he overdid it by drastically reducing his weight to 311 pounds after playing last season at roughly 340 pounds.

The 6-foot-9 former University of Maryland lineman skipped the majority of Baltimore's offseason program.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Fred Jackson of Buffalo Bills needs further testing on hand

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson will have more tests to determine the severity of a left hand injury that will force the starter to miss at least the remainder of the preseason.

Jackson's agent, Jerome Douglas, told The Associated Press by telephone on Saturday that it's too early to determine whether his client will require surgery on what he referred to as "a bone injury."

Douglas added that depending on what team doctors inform Jackson, it's likely the player will seek a second medical opinion.
"All the diagnostic tests have not been fully performed, but he's going to be out for a little bit," Douglas said, noting that Jackson is scheduled to meet with doctors Saturday.

Jackson was hurt in a 42-17 preseason loss at Washington on Friday night. Following the game, coach Chan Gailey didn't divulge the nature of the injury, and would only say that Jackson will miss Buffalo's final three preseason games.

"We hope to get him back for the first game," Gailey said, referring to Buffalo's regular-season opener against Miami on Sept. 12.

Jackson was hurt during a 7-yard run on Buffalo's second play from scrimmage while being pulled down by the facemask by safety Kareem Moore, who was penalized on the play. Jackson had been using his left hand to stiff-arm Moore, and then landed on the same hand as he fell to the turf.

Jackson did not return. A video on the Bills' website shows Jackson on the sideline wearing a cast on his left hand.

The Bills are off until Monday, when they return to training camp in suburban Rochester. They play Indianapolis in a Thursday night game in Toronto.

It's a game the Bills might be down another running back after Marshawn Lynch hurt his ankle against the Redskins. Referring to Lynch's injury, Gailey said he hoped "it's a lot more short-term than it is long-term."

The Bills have three other running backs on their roster, led by rookie first-round draft pick C.J. Spiller, who was selected ninth overall out of Clemson.

Jackson supplanted Lynch as the starter last season, and finished with a career-best 1,062 yards rushing. Jackson also added 1,014 yards in kickoff returns to become the first NFL player to break the 1,000-yard mark in both categories in the same season.

He opened training camp as the team's starter ahead of Lynch and Spiller.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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New York Jets coach Rex Ryan apologized for 'Hard Knocks' profanity

CORTLAND, N.Y. -- Rex Ryan's mother has already scolded him. A little soap might be next for the New York Jets' foul-mouthed coach.
After a Rex-pletive-filled appearance in the premiere episode of HBO's "Hard Knocks" on Wednesday night, Ryan got a call from Mom. And, then, like a good son, he said he was sorry.

"Sometimes you get rolling and that's what happens," Ryan said Thursday. "I don't know why. I apologize if I offended more people than I usually offend."

Swearing is nothing new for NFL coaches -- or coaches in other sports, for that matter. It's just rare for fans to hear it on national TV. "Hard Knocks" is an uncensored look at the Jets through training camp.

"You don't even realize you're saying it," said Ryan, whose father, Buddy, was known to toss around a choice word or two during his NFL coaching career.

"My mom's the only one really disappointed that I care about."

It didn't bother any of the players, who said that's just who Ryan is.

"Skip the F-bombs and everything else," defensive lineman Sione Pouha said. "You can really feel that this guy is passionate about what he does and is passionate about his players."

The curses aside, some viewers may have been more offended by some explicit scenes in the HBO vampire series "True Blood," which aired just before "Hard Knocks."

"Can't blame that one on me," Ryan said, laughing.

The first episode of the five-part "Hard Knocks" series touched on several topics, including star cornerback Darrelle Revis' holdout, the team's newest stars, players trying to hook on and playful banter between the coaches and the players.

"I watched it in my dorm room," Pouha said. "Had a couple of brownies -- that's probably a $5 fine -- but watched it in the room and the encore as well. It was quite entertaining."

Veteran pass-rusher Jason Taylor, one of the newest Jets, was one of a handful of players who didn't watch.

"We're living it," he said. "We go through training camp all day. The last thing you want to do is watch training camp on TV."

One of the more entertaining scenes included Ryan going up against general manager Mike Tannenbaum in a punt-pass-kick competition. Tannenbaum went head-over-heels while unsuccessfully trying to field a punt.

"There's some people who probably watched it over and over," a smiling Ryan said -- likely referring to Revis' agents.

"I don't know if people get used to seeing coaches and the GM having fun," linebacker Bart Scott said. "You're not used to seeing fun. So, we like to have fun. I think (people) get a greater appreciation of how we go about our business."

NOTES: C Nick Mangold sat out practice after he was smacked in the temple by Pouha on Wednesday. Ryan said it's not a concussion, and the team is just being cautious. ... CB Drew Coleman was wide right on a field goal attempt of 40-plus yards that would have given the team a movie night instead of meetings. Ryan said the players would still get their movie night, but wouldn't tell them until they gather for the meeting.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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2010 NFL training camps: Cleveland Browns' D'Qwell Jackson out a few weeks at least, Eric Mangini says

BEREA, Ohio -- There's another new, gaping hole in the middle of the Cleveland Browns' defense.

They may actually be able to plug it this time.

Starting inside linebacker D'Qwell Jackson will be sidelined for a few weeks -- and possibly longer -- with an injured right pectoral muscle, the second chest muscle injury the dependable four-year veteran has sustained in less than a year.
Browns coach Eric Mangini said Thursday the team will let Jackson's injury "quiet down" for several weeks. He will begin rehab and be re-evaluated.

At this point, there are no plans for surgery, but Jackson is getting a second opinion from Dr. Frank Cordasco, the New York-based surgeon who repaired his left chest muscle in October.

Agent Brian Mackler said he may have a update later on Jackson.

Jackson, who missed Cleveland's final 10 games last season when he tore the muscle away from the bone during a game against Pittsburgh and needed surgery, injured his right muscle during practice Tuesday. He left the field and was visibly upset when he returned to watch the final 30 minutes.

The temporary loss of Jackson will force the Browns to shuffle their linebacking corps, a unit the club strengthened during the offseason by signing free agent Scott Fujita, who won a Super Bowl ring with New Orleans, and acquiring Chris Gocong, a three-year starter with Philadelphia, in a trade.

Gocong has been playing alongside Jackson in the interior of Cleveland's 3-4 alignment during camp. With Jackson out, Eric Barton likely will slide into the middle, a spot he owned until injuring his neck and sitting out the Browns' final eight games last season.

Linebacker is the one position where the Browns can claim to have some depth. They're about to find out how dense it really is.

"This will be a test," Gocong said following the first of two practices Thursday as the Browns got ready for their exhibition opener Saturday in Green Bay. "We're definitely going to move guys around and see what fits where. We're going to have to move some guys around."

Along with Fujita, Gocong and Barton, the Browns could use David Bowens, Kaluka Maiava and Jason Trusnik in the middle.

"We've got a lot of guys who can do a lot of things," Trusnik said.

Mangini has a comfort level with Barton, who was leading the Browns in tackles when he got hurt last year. Mangini and Barton spent three years together in New York, and the coach trusts his knowledge in coordinator Rob Ryan's attacking system and ability to make the right calls.

Mangini knows nothing can replace hands-on experience.

"It's nice to have the guys that we have with the experience that we have here," Mangini said. "Eric Barton has started over 100 games through the course of his career, and Chris with his experience and David Bowens with this experience, Kaluka [Maiava] got some time last year as a young guy, right on down the line. I think it does help."

On paper, Cleveland's defense looks better than last year's group, which finished ranked 31st overall, 28th against the run. Ryan and Mangini are optimistic that his defense will be vastly improved, but they won't know for certain until the season kicks off.

Meanwhile, the Browns will miss more than Jackson's tackling. One of the team's most respected players, he impressed his teammates with a strong off-season of conditioning. Disappointed that the Browns would not sign him to a long-term contract, Jackson signed a one-year tender worth $1.76 million.

He was counting on a big year to parlay into a big, free agent contract next winter. Now, he faces an uncertain future.

"He's not thinking negative about it," said safety Abram Elam, who spoke with Jackson on Wednesday. "He's trying to bring some positive into it. He's optimistic. Last year when we lost D'Qwell, we had to come together and it gave other guys opportunities. We have to do it again."

Notes Punter Dave Zastudil has returned to Ohio after visiting his knee surgeon in Colorado. Mangini said there are no immediate plans for Zastudil to have surgery. He had a torn patellar tendon repaired in his right (plant) leg in December after missing eight games in 2009. ... Mangini plans to play QBs Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace one quarter each on Saturday. ... CB Brandon McDonald practiced after missing two days with a tender ankle. ... RT John St. Clair was carted off after cramping up during post-practice sprints in the swampy heat.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Tony Dungy says Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick has a lot to learn about his image

ATLANTA -- Tony Dungy believes in mentoring and says it puts people on the right path -- including his most famous pupil, Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick.

On a national tour to promote his new book on mentoring, Dungy told The Associated Press on Monday that Vick still has a lot to learn about his image.
Dungy says even if Vick isn't doing something illegal, he still can make better decisions to stay out of harm's way.

Vick hosted a birthday party that ended with a shooting June 25 in Virginia Beach, Va.

"The first thing people have to realize is that probation officers detail everything, and if he is off track even a little, they're going to come down," Dungy said. "They reviewed the situation that went on and moved forward. The NFL did and moved forward. Michael would like to have all the negative publicity back, but it really wasn't the type of thing that people have blown it into. But that's the lesson for him."

Vick is on probation after serving an 18-month federal prison sentence that ended in May 2009 for dogfighting.

According to police in Virginia Beach, Vick was not present when a person was shot. Vick's attorney, Larry Woodward, identified the victim as Quanis Phillips, a co-defendant in the dogfighting ring.

"Tony Dungy can go somewhere and if something happens, I'm not going to get singled out," Dungy said. "Michael Vick goes some place and the same thing happens, and you're the center of attention. You're the focus. Now is it fair? Who knows?

"But that's the bed you've made and you've got to sleep in it and be prepared for that. That's the lesson he's learned."

Dungy shares life lessons in his new book, The Mentor Leader. It went on sale last week, and Dungy spoke at the national offices of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in midtown Atlanta. He will also make stops during the promotional tour this week in Central and South Florida.

Dungy writes at length about his work with Vick.

"Whether Michael manages to regain the status he once had in the league is not nearly as important as the kind of man he becomes," Dungy said. That's what I wrote about him in the book."

During Vick's imprisonment in Leavenworth, Kan., Dungy visited with the former Atlanta Falcons star. Since Vick's release in May 2009, Dungy has stayed in contact with him regularly and talks occasionally with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Eagles coach Andy Reid to ensure Vick is making good decisions off the field.

"He didn't do anything other than maybe put himself in a place where he shouldn't have been," Dungy said. "But people will look at that one incident and forget about the other 364 days and a lot of the good things that have gone on."

Vick is Philadelphia's No. 2 quarterback behind starter Kevin Kolb. Last week at Eagles training camp, Goodell met with Vick -- who does not face any disciplinary actions from the NFL as a result of the birthday bash shooting.

Dungy coached the Indianapolis Colts to the 2006 Super Bowl title.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

Sources: NFL won’t discipline Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael VickAtletico grab Godin

2010 NFL training camps: Eric Mangini cautions Cleveland Browns about social media

BEREA, Ohio -- The only loud tweets Browns coach Eric Mangini wants to hear about are the ones coming out of his whistle.

Mangini talked to Cleveland's players on Monday about the pitfalls of social media sites after Browns cornerback Brandon McDonald recently posted a vulgar message directed at Cincinnati wide receiver Terrell Owens on his Twitter account.
McDonald posted his trash-talking tweet shortly after Owens signed with the Bengals. He said he regrets sending it on the site, which has become popular with pro athletes.

"It started out as a joke and it escalated to what it is now," McDonald said. "I really didn't mean anything by it. It was a bad decision on my part to put that up. One of the things I don't want to do is cause a distraction to this team. The way it's being taken is not how it was meant. I didn't mean to disrespect anyone or cause a distraction to this team. That's the last thing I wanted to do right now."

McDonald's posting to Owens has been removed from his Twitter page.

Owens was asked if he knew about McDonald's message on Sunday before the Bengals played the Dallas Cowboys in the Hall of Fame game.

"Who?" Owens said. "I don't even know who he is. Ronald McDonald?"

McDonald said he only knows Owens "on the field. I don't know him personally."

The Browns will host the Bengals on Oct. 3 and visit Cincinnati on Dec. 19.

Mangini will not ask his players to discontinue using sites like Twitter, Facebook or YouTube. Boise State coach Chris Petersen has banned players from posting on Twitter for the duration of the season so as not to cause a distraction in the Broncos' national title chase.

Mangini appreciates how the social networking sites can be valuable communication pipelines between players, teams and fans. However, he cautioned his players to watch what they say, to represent the organization in a professional manner, and make sure they think twice before striking the "send" key.

"With social media, it's a great way to connect to the fans," Mangini said. "They [players] have a responsibility to do that in a way that represents the organization in the right way and that's their responsibility and they are accountable for it.

"If they don't do it, there are consequences to those actions."

Mangini said McDonald likely will be disciplined.

The Browns have at least 17 players who frequently use Twitter, none more so than Pro Bowl return specialist Josh Cribbs, who keeps his more than 33,000 followers updated with daily observations and his whereabouts off the field.

Cribbs understands the hazards of words being taken out of context.

"I have fun with it. It's a social tool," Cribbs said. "A lot of it is a joke. You joke around with a lot of guys. It's hard to understand texts, that's why you have to really be careful because guys will take it out of context. They won't know one guy is kidding while another guy is serious."

Cribbs said there was no misunderstanding Mangini's talk.

"I always take Coach's messages serious," he said. "When he talks, we listen. We take heed and we change our situation. We change everything about us to fit what Coach is talking about whenever he talks."

Not all the players ceded Mangini's warning.

Rookie cornerback Joe Haden tweeted after practice that Mangini fined a player during a meeting simply because his cell phone rang.

"These fines ain't no joke!" Haden wrote. "Somebody phone alarm went off in the meeting and all Coach Mangini said was that will b $1760!"

Haden may be next in line for punishment from Mangini.

McDonald did not practice Monday but received treatment on an ankle he said felt "weird." He has no plans to curtail his busy tweeting, but will be more careful with what he posts.

"There definitely won't be anything up like that again, but I tweet often," he said.

Mangini joked that he has no plans to join Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and Lions coach Jim Schwartz and open his own Twitter account. It would be pretty boring, he figures.

"In my office," Mangini said, pretending to send a message. "In my office. At practice. In my office. In bed. It wouldn't be very interesting. He's as boring as he seems."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

Perez - Real seeking signings2010 NFL training camps: Twisted knee to sideline Cleveland Browns RB Montario Hardesty

2010 NFL training camps: Starting Cleveland Browns corner Eric Wright injures right leg

BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns starting cornerback Eric Wright has injured his right leg during practice.
Wright got hurt during 7-on-7 drills about halfway through the Browns' morning workout Tuesday. He was attended to on the sideline by trainers, who put an ice wrap on Wright's leg. He limped to the team's training facility for further treatment.

Wright's injury appeared to be to his hamstring.

A second-round pick in 2007, Wright had four interceptions last season. If he is out for any extended period, rookie Joe Haden would likely take his spot.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

City seal Valencia victory2010 NFL training camps: Twisted knee to sideline Cleveland Browns RB Montario Hardesty

2010 NFL training camps: New York Jets prepare for life without Darrelle Revis

CORTLAND, N.Y.-- The New York Jets are preparing for the possibility of life without All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis.

"We're going to prepare like he's not going to be here," coach Rex Ryan said Monday after the morning practice. "If he comes through the door, that's fine. Somebody will kiss him on the lips, probably. But the guys that are here, those are the guys we're getting ready for the season."

It was the first time that Ryan acknowledged the possibility of an extended absence by Revis, whose holdout has reached nine days. The two sides are trying to negotiate a new contract for Revis, who has three years remaining on his current deal, but they appear far apart.
On Friday, general manager Mike Tannenbaum met with Revis' agents at a remote location, a famous diner in Roscoe, N.Y. -- about two hours from Cortland. The agents, Neil Schwartz and Jonathan Feinsod, presented an offer to Tannenbaum. They are awaiting his response. Schwartz says the crew from "Hard Knocks" asked to attend the meeting, but they declined.

Tuesday could be a key date in the stalemate. By rule, if a holdout doesn't report by Aug. 10, he doesn't get credit for 2010 as an accrued season. Basically, that means the player has to wait another year before he qualifies for free agency.

That might cause some players to re-consider their stance, but the Aug. 10 deadline will have no bearing on Revis' thinking, according to sources close to the Jets' star. As one source said, "He's dug in."

A week ago, Ryan said Revis would be in the starting lineup even if he didn't show up until the eve of the regular-season opener. But he backed off on that, saying he was talking "facetiously."

As a contingency plan, the Jets have tweaked their secondary, moving former San Diego Charger Antonio Cromartie to Revis' spot (left cornerback) and opening up the right-corner position to other candidates.

First-round draft pick Kyle Wilson, projected as the nickel back, is working with the first-team defense. He replaced Dwight Lowery, who, oddly enough, told the coaching staff that Wilson deserved to be in the starter's role.

In other news, outside linebacker Jason Taylor left practice with what Ryan described as a "slight" groin pull. Wide receiver Braylon Edwards (sore knee) also was limited. Wide receiver David Clowney returned to camp after missing the weekend due to personal reasons.

Rich Cimini covers the Jets for ESPNNewYork.com. Follow him on Twitter.

Guardado - I’m here to stayDarrelle Revis rejects New York Jets’ offer but will be at minicamp

2010 NFL training camps: Rookies Mike Iupati, Anthony Davis to start, San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Singletary says

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Mike Singletary made it official Monday morning: He already has seen enough of first-round draft picks Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati.
The San Francisco 49ers coach said the two rookies have won starting jobs along the team's offensive line just nine days into training camp.

Davis will now run exclusively with the first-team offense at right tackle and Iupati has moved to first on the depth chart at left guard.

Meanwhile, former starting left guard David Baas could be moving in at center.

Regular center Eric Heitmann hobbled off the field during team drills Monday with a left leg injury and was taken by cart into the locker room.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

Mourinho demands successSanta Clara voters OK new stadium for San Francisco 49ers

2010 NFL training camps: Minnesota Vikings unsure when Percy Harvin will return

MANKATO, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings are still missing wide receiver Percy Harvin.
Harvin was not at practice again Monday morning. Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said he's unsure when Harvin will return while he deals with personal issues. Harvin's grandmother died last Sunday, and he has missed 14 consecutive practices since then.

Center John Sullivan was back after missing last week because of a right calf injury. Running back Adrian Peterson continued to increase his work Monday after missing a few days because of tightness in his left hamstring.

Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe didn't practice again due to an undisclosed injury. Right guard Anthony Herrera was also not participating because of back spasms.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

Minnesota Vikings expect Percy Harvin back at practice next weekHleb set for Barca return

2010 NFL training camps: Denver Broncos LB Jarvis Moss breaks bone in hand, to miss 2 weeks

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The injury-ravaged Denver Broncos suffered yet another blow Friday when outside linebacker Jarvis Moss broke a bone in his right hand during the team's morning workout.

Moss will need surgery to fix the break and will likely miss two weeks of practice.
Moss had been running with the first-team base defense for the second day in place of Elvis Dumervil, whose season is in jeopardy after tearing a chest muscle Wednesday night.

Also, LenDale White, who was signed after tailbacks Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter went down with injuries, walked off with a trainer before the end of practice and didn't return.

And right guard Chris Kuper left practice during a running drill with what appeared to be a sprained right ankle. He limped to the training room and was replaced by Stanley Daniels.

White, signed Wednesday night to add depth at the position, was enjoying an increased workload before he got hurt Friday. It's unclear what was bothering the one-time top draft pick for the Tennessee Titans. He showed no outward signs as an assistant trainer escorted him to the locker room.

During a team drill midway through practice, Moss came off the field to have his hand examined by head trainer Steve Antonopulos. The pair departed shortly afterward for the locker room. An X-ray and examination off-site revealed the extent of the damage.

Moss should be able to participate in games wearing a protective cast once the affected area is allowed time to fuse properly. Broncos safety Brian Dawkins went through a similar scenario last season, fracturing his right hand during the first week of August. Dawkins was back practicing in about two weeks and played in the regular-season opener with a large club-like cast.

Moss joins a growing list of Broncos who have been knocked out of training camp. Safety Josh Barrett (shoulder) and wide receiver Kenny McKinley (knee) already have landed on injured reserve and are gone for the season.

Also, All-Pro left tackle Ryan Clady is recovering from major knee surgery after getting hurt this offseason in a pickup basketball game, and outside linebacker Darrell Reid had offseason knee surgery and is on the physically unable to perform list.

Linebacker D.J. Williams has missed all but the opening practice of camp and a walkthrough for unspecified reasons.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

Kaka facing two months out2010 NFL training camps: New York Jets nose tackle Kris Jenkins cleared to practice

Minnesota Vikings expect Percy Harvin back at practice next week

MANKATO, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings should have wide receiver Percy Harvin back next week.
Coach Brad Childress said after Saturday's practice that he expects Harvin to return in the next couple of days. The Vikings have Sunday off and will be back on the field on Monday. Harvin has missed the entire week following the death of his grandmother.

Starting right guard Anthony Herrera left Saturday's full-pad practice in discomfort because of what Childress called back spasms.

Starting center John Sullivan (right calf) and backup running backs Darius Reynaud (left ankle) and Naufahu Tahi (right calf) were held out again for another day.

Cornerback Benny Sapp was back on the field after missing the whole week following a bout with dehydration.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

Three Cleveland Browns starters skip mandatory minicampValencia swoop for Soldado

2010 NFL training camps: Indianapolis Colts DE Dwight Freeney's ankle problem-free in training camp

ANDERSON, Ind. -- Just when it appeared that Dwight Freeney couldn't gain more respect from his teammates, he found a way.

The Indianapolis Colts' All-Pro defensive end sustained a third-degree ligament tear in his right ankle late in the AFC championship game against the New York Jets last season and was listed as questionable in the days leading up to the Super Bowl against New Orleans.
Freeney played, and even sacked Saints quarterback Drew Brees once. Though his ankle stiffened up in the second half and he wasn't as effective, fellow Pro Bowl defensive end Robert Mathis admired Freeney's effort in the 31-17 loss to New Orleans.

"I was very impressed," Mathis said. "I came to him in the locker room after the game and showed him some love for gutting it out. That was a serious setback, and he just gutted his way through. He got some points for that one."

After healing during the offseason, Freeney has declared himself ready for 2010. He hasn't had any problems in nearly a week of practice during the Colts' training camp at Anderson University.

"I feel pretty good," he said. "I'm out there, I'm working."

Freeney's approach in the days leading up to the Super Bowl stuck with Mathis because he could tell how much the ankle hurt him.

"When you watched him and looked at him, you pretty much didn't have any doubt because with his preparation and the way he was intent on playing, he was going to play," he said. "It was just a matter of how much."

After the Super Bowl, Freeney chose not to have surgery and went into intense rehabilitation.

"That was a long process," he said. "Pretty much, I took 17 hours a day rehabbing the injury. We did a lot of stuff, from oxygen chambers, eating right, chiropractic stuff, acupuncture, and I got it back right."

Mathis says Freeney now looks like the player who was named to Associated Press NFL All-Pro Team for third time last season and tied for third in the league with 13.5 sacks.

"You see him flying off the ball and the patented spin move," Mathis said. "I feel he's back. He's ready to take this season to another level."

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"Dwight's doing well," Colts coach Jim Caldwell said. "He's performing well and looks good. Hopefully, we can keep him healthy."

Freeney got a chance to test himself during a situational practice on Thursday.

"Just going out there and hitting and getting back at it, this is definitely business as usual," he said.

Freeney said the Colts might ease him into the flow at times to make sure he doesn't stress the ankle too much. He said his conditioning is ideal.

"I feel like I am in real good shape right now," he said. "I know this, this is the best I'm going to feel. It is not an issue at all."

Linebacker Gary Brackett said he's never worried about Freeney.

"Dwight is a guy who has been around the block a few times, so he knows what he needs to do to get his body in shape and ready to go for the regular season," Brackett said.

Mathis went to his second straight Pro Bowl after logging 9.5 sacks and 23 quarterback pressures in 14 regular-season games. He's glad to have his partner back.

"You've got to account for 93," he said. "That's just the bottom line, no matter how you cut it. I enjoy playing next to him, and let's keep bringing the heat."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

Hleb set for Barca return2010 NFL training camps: Indianapolis Colts still want Peyton Manning to have top NFL salary