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Fantasy Index Newsblast

Pittsburgh QB Byron Leftwich, who was the likely starter while Ben Roethlisberger serves a for- or six-game suspension, left Thursday's preseason game with a knee injury in the second quarter and did not return. No results were available yet from Leftwich's MRI, but various sources report the injury as a sprain, and probably a serious one. Charlie Batch was in at QB for most of the rest of the game. Batch, who was on the bubble for making the team at all, is now probably the likely starter until Leftwich or Roethlisberger returns, with Dennis Dixon coming for specially designed packages. Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

San Diego is still considering trading disgruntled WR Vincent Jackson, according to a report Thursday. Jackson is looking for a higher salary, and a source said the Chargers may let another team talk with Jackson's agents. Originally Jackson's team said they were looking for a deal in the neighborhood of five years and $50 million, but after potential employers balked, word went out that Jackson would be happy with $7 million and a one-year deal. Seattle, which has spoken with Jackson's agents, is reportedly still interested. With Jackson due to serve a three-game suspension, a deal has to get done by 3 pm Saturday or Jackson could not report to a new team until three games after his suspension is over, making him unavailable for six games. Source: San Diego Union-Tribune.

Jacksonville RB Maurice Jones-Drew said Thursday night he will return to practice Monday, doing "everything I need to do" to get ready for the season opener. Jones-Drew didn't play in the Jaguars' last three preaseason games with an unspecified injury (teams aren't required to give injury reports in the preseason). Source: Florida Times-Union.

Seattle has made it known around the league that WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh is available for trade, according to a report published Thursday, but teams looking for pass catchers are showing little interest. Seattle has emerging WRs -- a revitalized Mike Williams, rookie Golden Tate and late acquisition Brandon Jones -- while Houshmandzadeh, who disappointed last year, has a $7 million salary guaranteed for 2010. Source: NFL.com.

Cleveland rookie RB Montario Hardesty was left on crutches with an injury to his left knee Thursday. Hardesty is scheduled for an MRI Friday. Hardesty was plagued by injuries in college -- a torn ACL in his right knee in 2005, an arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in 2006 -- and sustained a bone bruise to his right knee that kept him out of training camp for 27 days. In Thursday's game, his professional debut, Hardesty ran for 25 yards and a TD on 7 carries. Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Carolina RT Jeff Otah, who had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee early in camp, won't be ready to play by the season opener, according to a report published Thursday. Sources report Otah had a setback during rehab, which may delay his return until Week 3. Source: Charlotte Observer.

Dallas K David Buehler cemented his status with the Cowboys by going 4-for-4 on FG Thursday. Limited last year to kickoffs, Buehler made FG of 40, 45 and 51 yards, plus a game-winner of 31 yards as time expired. Before the last preseason game, Buehler had made only 1 FG of more than 35 yards. Source: Dallas Morning News.

Denver RB LenDale White left the Broncos' last preseason game with an injured ankle and did not return. No word on the extent of the injury to White, who was signed to back up Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter. Regardless of the injury, White will miss the first four games of the season due to a suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. Source: espn.com.

With carries hard to come by during the entire preseason, New York Giants Brandon Jacobs didn't get a single one in Thursday's final exhibition, causing Jacobs to complain to a reporter, "It's almost hard to stay positive in a situation like this, but that's what I've got to do." Source: New Jersey Star-Ledger.

Chicago GM Jerry Angelo said Thursday the Bears will likely keep 4 TEs going into the season. Despite reports that TE Greg Olsen is on the trading block, Angelo said there's no truth to the rumors, and the team is happy with Olsen as well as Desmond Clark, Kellen Davis and free-agent acquisition Brandon Manumaleuna. Angelo said the position will evolve as the season goes on, and the Bears may use a TE as a FB. Source: Chicago Tribune.

A competition that's been running all through training camp between original Texan Kris Brown and free-agent Neil Rackers may have been decided Thursday when Brown missed a crucial 56-yard FG try as the first half of Houston's final preseason game ended. Brown missed 11 FG in 2009, prompting the acquisition of Rackers, but neither kicker had missed an attempt in three prior exhibition games. Source: Associated Press.

Arizona is pondering what to do with QB Matt Leinart, who has loudly expressed his unhappiness over Derek Anderson taking over as the starter. The Cardinals have had trade talks with Buffalo, Oakland and the New York Giants, according to a report Wednesday. With Leinart's value lessened by his benching, combined with his hefty salary and a late start on learning a new offense, a trade could be a tough go. Arizona might just release Leinart (the possibility of which also makes a trade tougher). Or Arizona may just keep him, since the only other two QBs on the roster are untested rookies, and Leinart's trade value would likely increase after this season. Source: Various Sources.

San Francisco TE Vernon Davis and WR Michael Crabtree got into a shouting match at practice Wednesday and had to be separated by coach Mike Singletary. The 49ers held a closed-door meeting and Singletary said the air had been cleared. No word on what the altercation between the two players -- who practiced together for the first time in weeks just Tuesday -- was about, but apparently in what non-football related. Source: San Francisco Chronicle.

The NFL may make lower body pads a mandatory part of a player's uniform as early as 2011, according to a report Wednesday. Players more often than not forego padding to increase speed and flexibility, but the league apparently has decided to stop letting players sacrifice quite so much of their bodies. Source: Nashville Tennessean.

Dallas owner Jerry Jones said Wednesday that WR Dez Bryant, who was held out of preseason action because of a high ankle sprain, won't play in Thursday's final exhibition because no starters will be playing. Bryant, who just returned to practice Tuesday, was lobbying to play this week. Coaches say Bryant looks good, but he needs more conditioning. Source: Dallas Morning News.

Arizona signed DT Darnell Dockett to a four-year extension Wednesday. The new deal keeps Dockett signed through 2015, and is worth an extra $48 million, including $30 million guaranteed. Dockett set a record in Super Bowl XLIII with 3 sacks. Source: Arizona Republic.

NFL umpires have had a new position on the field this year, moving from the middle of the defense to behind the deepest RB -- mostly for safety reasons. But after Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning complained because the umpires weren't getting back into position fast enough (and Manning was penalized for illegal snaps because of it), now the league is moving the umpires back to their old spots for the last five minutes of the game. The move will likely be permanent after the league re-evaluates the policy after this week's preseason games. Source: Associated Press.

Washington signed QB John Beck to a three-year deal Wednesday. The contract, worth $3.35 million, keeps Beck under contract through 2012, and signals that Beck has beaten out Richard Bartel for the No.3 spot benind starter Donovan McNabb and backup Rex Grossman. Source: Washington Times.

Buffalo starting RB Fred Jackson returned to practice Tuesday for the first time since breaking his hand August 13. Jackson says he's ready to play in the September 12 opener, but Bills officials have yet to say one way or the other. Jackson has shed his cast, but is wearing a restrictive brace. Source: Buffalo News.

Denver RB Knowshon Moreno got the other August bookend for his training camp Tuesday, practicing for the first time since suffering a serious hamstring injury on the first day of practice August 1. Moreno wore an orange no-contact vest in practice, and said the injury was about 80 percent healed, making it unlikely he'll appear in Thursday's preseason finale. Source: Denver Post.

Baltimore traded a conditional draft pick to Seattle Tuesday for CB Josh Wilson. With the Ravens secondary depleted by injuries, Wilson will provide an upgrade at nickelback, or may start at the other corner across from Fabian Washington depending on Lardarius Webb's progress rehabbing his knee. The conditional draft pick the Seahawks get will be higher the more Wilson plays. Source: Baltimore Sun.

Oakland RB Michael Bush said via his Twitter account Tuesday that he's had surgery to insert screws in is fractured thumb. Neither Bush nor the Raiders has given a timetable for the RB's return. Source: Oakland Tribune.

Tampa Bay CB Aqib Talib was given a one-game suspension Tuesday for violating the NFL's personal-conduct policy. Talib was disciplined for an incident in August 2009 in which he punched a cab driver; Talib made a plea agreement with prosecutors that required him to take anger management instruction. The league was apparently awaiting the final disposition of Talib's legal case before handing down its own punishment. Source: St. Petersburg Times.

As teams work at paring down their rosters, Minnesota put WR Sidney Rice on the PUP list Tuesday, where he won't count against the Vikings' 53-man roster but won't be able to play for at least the first six weeks of the season. Rice had hip surgery last week to deal with a lingering injury. Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

New England has lost arguably its best corner for the season, placing CB Leigh Bodden on IR Tuesday. According to some sources, Bodden, who had 5 INTs and 56 tackles last season, has a torn rotator cuff. Source: Boston Herald.

Green Bay officially put an important part of its secondary on the shelf for the first six games of the season, placing CB Al Harris and S Atari Bigby on the PUP list Tuesday. Harris is still struggling to recover from a knee injury he sustained in November, while Bigby underwent ankle surgery in early August. Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt declined to say Monday who will be starting at QB for the Cardinals' final preseason game on Thursday. Derek Aanderson, who had been behind Matt Leinart on the depth chart, started the last exhibition game, and Leinart has been criticized for checking off his downfield receivers too soon, but has a much higher completion percentage than Anderson. Source: Arizona Republic.

Buffalo RB Marshawn Lynch is set to return to practice with his teammates for the first time since hurting his ankle more than two weeks ago in a preseason game. Lynch ran sprints at the end of practice Monday, and is aiming to play in Thursday's preseason finale against Detroit. Source: Buffalo News.

Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio said Monday that contrary to widespread reports, RB Maurice Jones-Drew has not had surgery on his left knee, nor does he plan to. Jones-Drew, whom the Jaguars will hold out of the lineup Thursday against Atlanta in order to rest his knee, has only 6 carries for -2 yards in the offseason. Source: Florida Times-Union.

Tampa Bay QB Josh Freeman briefly gripped and threw a football over the weekend, using the hand he broke the thumb on earlier this month, according to a report published Monday. Freeman says he'll be ready to play by the season opener September 12, and Buccaneer officials say he might if he continues his recovery ahead of schedule. Source: St. Petersburg Times.

Philadelphia C Jamaal Jackson, coming back from a torn ACL he sustained last December, won't play in the Eagles' last preseason game, according to a report published Monday, but still has a chance to play in the season opener. Jackson is practicing snaps with the first-team offense. Source: Philadelphia Inquirer.

Miami LB Channing Crowder has missed the last two preseason games, but as of Monday, Dolphins officials had no idea what was the nature of the problem bothering Crowder. Initially the LB was thought to have a strained hip flexor, then medical staffers thought the problem might stem from Crowder's abdomen. Crowder is seeking a second medical opinion, but is thought unlikely to miss the season opener. Source: Miami Herald.

Arizona traded for FB Charles Scott Monday after losing starter Jeremiah Broughton with a torn ACL. Scott will compete with Reagan Maui'a for the starting spot. The Cardinals sent CB Jorrick Calvin, who was unlikely to make the final roster, to the Eagles for Scott. Source: Arizona Republic.

St. Louis has acquired TE-FB Hall Davis, sending DE Hall Davis in return to Washington. Morris practiced with the Rams Monday. Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Cincinnati waived WR Antonio Bryant Sunday, whose five-month stint will cost the Bengals at least $6.95 million. Bryant never fully recovered from a lingering knee injury, and his proposed role on the team essentially disappeared when Cincinnati signed Terrell Owens, but Bryant banked nearly $7 million through signing and roster bonuses. Now Bryant's agent is demanding the Bengals pay Bryant's $1.55 million 2010 salary as well, saying teams are not allowed to cut injured players. Source: Cincinnati Enquirer.

Washington coach Mike Shanahan said Sunday that QB Donovan McNabb may miss the season opener against Dallas due to a sprained left ankle. McNabb, who will be held out of Thursday's final exhibition game, has been out since the second preseason game. Source: Associated Press.

Denver starting QB Kyle Orton took a hit that left him dazed and flat on his back Sunday after the signal-caller attempted to tackle Pittsburgh LB James Harrison returning a fumble. Orton was hurt, but not injured, however, and shouldn't miss any significant action. Backup Tim Tebow took over in the second half, throwing a TD pass and completing 5 of 10 passes without once running or scrambling with the ball. Tebow, by virtue of having been given the controls after halftime, has apparently risen to No.2 on the depth chart ahead of Brady Quinn. Source: Denver Post.

Dallas rookie WR Dez Bryant sent out a tweet Sunday saying, "Back in action Thursday night!!!!!" Bryant missed the last several weeks with a high ankle sprain, but started running routes in practice late last week. Apparently Bryant will be joining the Cowboy starters in the last preseason game Thursday, with coach Wade Phillips saying his first-teamers will play afer a lackluster effort against Houston. Source: Dallas Morning News.

Oakland QB Jason Campbell had tests Sunday that show the neck injury he sustained against the 49ers isn't serious. However, a wrist injury Campbell sufered earlier in the preseason game could be more serious, and the QB's status is uncertain. Source: Oakland Tribune.

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan said Sunday that LB Calvin Pace will have surgery on a broken bone in foot and miss at least the first game of the season. An anonymous source with direct knowledge of Pace's injury says the LB could be out for six weeks. As for a possible replacement, Ryan said he's spoken to free-agent LB Adalius Thomas. Source: New Jersey Star-Ledger.

Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger will meet with NFL commissioner Roger Gooddell sometime this week to appeal the length of his suspension, the league office confirmed Sunday. Roethlisberger is looking to have his six-week suspension for being accused of sexual assault reduced to four games. No word on when exactly the meeting will take place. Source: Associated Press.

The New York Jets released veteran WR Laveranues Coles Sunday as he was attempting a third stint with the team that drafted him. Coles said that team officials told him the Jets were interested in re-signing him after Week 1, making his contract non-guaranteed, but he doesn't want to hang on as a journeyman player and may just retire. Source: New Jersey Star-Ledger.

Houston coach Gary Kubiak said Sunday that RB Steve Slaton suffered a strained toe in Saturday's game and will likely sit out Thursday's preseason finale. Slaton, who starred as a rookie in 2008 but missed several games with injuries in 2009, has already lost the starting job to Arian Foster. Source: Houston Chronicle.

Despite reports elsewhere that Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew recently underwent an arthroscopic procedure to clean out his knee, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Jones-Drew neither had surgery nor needs it, and he should be ready to go for the regular season. Striking down an even stranger rumor, NFL.com's Jason La Canfora reports via Twitter that Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall does not, indeed, have a broken arm. Hey, and while we're at it, allow us to break the following news. Other NFL players who do not currently have broken arms: Drew Brees, Chris Johnson, Peyton Manning, Adrian Peterson ... Source: ESPN, NFL.com.

Those in IDP leagues, take note: Saints LB Jonathan Vilma left Friday night's game with a groin injury and did not return. Vilma did, however, jog to the locker room to begin treatment, so one presumes his pain was not excruciating. Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Kansas City offensive hybrid Dexter McCluster was all over the field Friday night against Philadelphia, rushing eight times for 47 yards, catching three passes (albeit for no net yards) and returning kicks, as highlighted by a 41-yard kickoff return in the first quarter. McCluster may not have a neatly defined role all season, but he should get as much work as he can handle at 5'8" and 170 lbs. Source: Kansas City Star.

The bad news: WR DeSean Jackson left the Eagles' game Friday night with a neck injury, and the offense was largely terrible from QB Kevin Kolb (11/25 for 103 yards, 1 INT, 4 sacks) on down. The good news: Jackson should be fine, and Kansas City's passing was just as hapless. Philadelphia won 20-17. Source: Philadelphia Inquirer.

Indianapolis RB Joseph Addai showed Thursday he belongs on the offense -- breaking a 49-yard run early in the game -- but should steer clear of defense. Addai received a concussion making a TD-saving tackle after QB Peyton Maning fumbled the ball early in the second half. Addai insisted he was fine and could have gone back in if he needed to. Source: Indianapolis Star.

After struggling as a backup, QB Sam Bradford had a sparkling game as a starter Thursday against New England. Bradford went 15 for 22 for 189 yards, with no interceptions. Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers only played in the first half of Thursday's preseason game against Indianapolis, but filled with a game's worth of production. Rodgers threw for 195 yards and 3 TDs, with the last TD coming on a well-executed two-minute drive as the first half was ending. Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Dallas WR Dez Bryant was running routes in practice Thursday for the first time since suffering a high ankle sprain last month. Bryant could be a full practice participant next week, and was already lobbying to be in on some snaps in the last preseason game next week against Miami. Source: Dallas Morning News.

St. Louis WR Donnie Averywas carted off the field Thursday with a right knee injury he suffered while leaping for an incomplete pass. No details were available, but coach Steve Spagnuolo said, "Donnie probably has a significant knee injury. We will know a little bit more when we get the tests." Source: espn.com.

Indianapolis LB Gary Brackett injured his right hand Thursday in a preseason game against Green Bay. It appeared that a teammate crashed into Brackett with his helmet; Bracket was surrounded by trainers until leaving the field with his hand and forearm wrapped in a towel. Source: espn.com.

Chicago announced Thursday that LB Brian Uhrlacher, who missed practice for a fourth straight day, will be held out of Saturday's exhibition game against Arizona. With the third preseason game usually being the last one that starters play a significan role in, Uhrlacher will likely not play until the season opener. Source: Chicago Tribune.

NFL owners met Wednesday and were essentially unanimous in their enthusiasm for expanding the regular season from 16 to 18 games. New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft said, "I think it's a win-win all around." Under the most recent CBO, owners could just impose an 18-game season and keep the four preseason games, though most owners favor cutting exhibition games to two in order to keep to a 20-week schedule. But players and owners need to get a new CBO in place before the 2011 season, and players are leery of the added risk to their bodies with two more games that count at the same time that owners are asking them to take a smaller percentage of revenues. Source: Associated Press.

Houston TE Owen Daniels received medical clearance Wednesday to return to the football for the first time since tearing the ACL in his right knee last November. Daniels was set back again in May when it was discovered he had a stress fracture in his right need. Source: Houston Chronicle.

To fill out the receiving ranks recently thinned by injuries, Minnesota traded for WR Greg Camarillo Wednesday, sending veteran CB Benny Sapp to the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins look for Sapp to add experience to a youth-dominated secondary. Source: Miami Herald.

Denver OT Ryan Clady was on the practice field Wednesday for the first time since partially tearing the patellar tendon in his left knee and having surgery to repair it in April. A Pro Bowler his first two seasons in the league, Clady may not be ready in time for the season opener. Source: Denver Post.

Chicago LB Brian Uhrlacher missed practice for a third straight day Wednesday, increasing the chances he'll be held out of Saturday's preseason game against Arizona. Uhrlacher strained his left calf in last Friday's exhibition game, taking himself out after four plays, but the LB says the injury is minor. Source: Chicago Tribune.

New England and K Stephen Gostkowski have agreed to a new four-year, $14 million extension, according to a report Wednesday. The pact includes $5 million in guaranteed money and will pay Gostkowski an average of almost $3.5 million a year. Source: Boston Herald.

New York Jets QB Mark Sanchez said Tuesday he will be wearing a knee brace during practices as well as games "probably forever." Sanchez wore a brace last season and through college, but had skipped wearing it this preseason. But head coach Rex Ryan said he'd ordered Sanchez to go back to wearing the brace after he saw a defender nearly roll onto the QB's leg during an exhibition game. Source: New Jersey Star-Ledger.

Washington QB Donovan McNabb won't play in Friday's preseason game against the New York Jets due to a sprained ankle he sustained in Saturday's exhibition game. McNabb progressed from wearing a boot Monday to walking on a treadmill Tuesday, but team officials don't expect him to be ready to play this week. Source: Washington Post.

Oakland RB Darren McFadden practiced for the first time Tuesday since August 7, when he pulled up with a sore hamstring. McFadden is slated to be the Raiders' No.1 RB, but entering his third year he has yet to last an entire season without injuries. Source: Associated Press.

Seattle coach Pete Carroll admitted Tuesday that rookie LT Russell Okung has been diagnosed with a high ankle sprain, and there is no timetable for his return. Okung, who was drafted as a desparately needed replacement for retired Pro Bowler Walter Jones, could be out anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Source: Seattle Times.

Panthers backup QB Jimmy Claussen was back at practice Tuesday after missing time earlier this week nursing a sore big toe. Claussen, who had surgery in the offseason on the toe he originally injured last September, said doctors have told him he won't feel 100 percent until after the season, and he plans to play through the pain for the season. Experts say a big toe injury could have a big impact on a QB's throwing motion, and could explain why the highly rated rookie slipped to the second round of the draft. Source: Charlotte Observer.

Houston KR Trindon Holliday will be having surgery to repair torn ligaments in his thumb, ending his season, head coach Gary Kubiak said Tuesday. Holliday, who was the 2009 NCAA 100-meter dash champ, had shown flashes of speed in his first return attempts, but was unable to play through the injury. In place of Holliday, WR Jacoby Jones should resume punt return duties while RB Steve Slaton is likely to over kick returns. Source: Houston Chronicle.

San Diego RB Ryan Mathews had veins in his nose cauterized Tuesday to put an end to the nosebleeds that have plagued him for years. Most recently, in Saturday's exhibition game, Matthews' helmet gave him a bloody nose that caused him to miss a few series. Source: San Diego Union-Tribune.

Atlanta rookie OL Mike Johnson was wearing a brace on his left knee and did not practice Tuesday. Coach Mike Smith refused to comment on Johnson's condition, saying he was spending too much time talking about injuries. Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Minnesota WR Sidney Rice visited a specialist Monday about his injured hip, and reports are circulating that Rice will need surgery that will force him to sit out the first half of the season. The exact nature of Rice's injury hasn't been revealed. The wideout has been on the PUP list since the start of camp, but the Vikings had expected Rice to be ready by the start of the season. Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

The No.1 overall pick in the draft, Sam Bradford, will start at QB in Thursday's preseason game against New England. Starter A.J. Feeley has a sprained thumb and is wearing a brace; he's slated to return to practice next week. Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Oakland WR Chaz Schilens saw a knee specialist Monday and may need surgery, coach Tom Cable said. Schilens has nursing a long-foot injury since last season, and Cable said the knee injury probably stems from overcompensating for his foot. Source: Oakland Tribune.

Minnesota worked out free-agent WR Javon Walker and is close to signing him, according to a report Monday. Walker, who had his best years playing with QB Brett Favre in Green Bay, would be brought in to fill out a receiving corps that his found Percy Harvin and Sidney Rice missing in action. Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

Buffalo was down to one healthy TE -- Jonathon Stupar -- until they signed J.P. Foschi Monday. TE Michael Matthews is headed toward IR after sustaining a foot/ankle injury Monday morning, putting Foschi in a postion to get a good number of touches in Sunday's preseason game. The new TE has a head start on KC's offensive system, having played under coach Gailey at Georgia Tech and at Kansas City. Source: Buffalo News.

New Orleans signed RB DeShawn Wynn Monday as the team prepared to place RB P.J. Hill on IR after Hill tore his triceps. Wynn was with the Green Bay Packers the last three years, but had only 14 receptions over the last two years. Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune.

QB Todd Collins signed a deal with Chicago Monday as he enters his 15th NFL season. Collins held out for a signing bonus to ensure the Bears would give him an opportunity to make the roster and take the job as Jay Cutler's backup instead of just filling out the squad in the preseason while backup Caleb Hanie is out with a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder. Source: Chicago Tribune.

Boomerang QB Brett Favre made his preseason debut Sunday for all of four plays. Minnesota coach Brad Childress had slated Favre to call 10 plays, but after Favre was leveled by a bruising 10-yard sack, Childress decidedly to lift his aging QB. Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

New York GIants QB Eli Manning is planning on returning to practice Monday, but won't be wearing a helmet. Manning sustained a three-inch gash on his head that required stitches last week, which has kept him from wearing a helmut and participating in practice. Manning had the stitches removed Friday, but will only be wearing a ball cap in practice Monday. Source: New Jersey Star-Ledger.

Seattle's No.1 draft pick, LT Russell Okung, will miss two to four weeks with an injured ankle according to reports Sunday. An MRI showed nothing worse than a sprain, but Seahawks officials will be conservative with Okung's return. Source: Seattle Times.

Atlanta traded OL Quinn Ojinnaka to New England for an indisclosed draft choice Sunday. Ojinaka, who started five games at RG last season, has been suspended for the first game of the season for violating the league's personal conduct policy. Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

St. Louis signed WR Danario Alexander Sunday. Alexander first took a physical for the Rams at the beginning of August, but hadn't signed a contract until now. Alexander spent the interval further rehabbing a knee that had surgery performed on it in February. Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Two of Buffalo's 2010 draft picks will miss the season after being placed on IR, and the Bills appear to be down to one healthy tight end in a combination of bad news Sunday. WR Marcus Easley is recovering from knee surgery following an injury early this month, and LB Danny Batten has been out an equal amount of time after hurting his right shoulder in practice. Bills officials said both rookies would miss too much of the regular season to carry them on the roster. Meanwhile, TE Michael Matthews turned an ankle in practice Sunday and had trouble getting off the field after being wrapped. Matthews will be evaluated Monday, but Buffalo is already missing three TEs due to injuries and Shawn Nelson's suspension, leaving Jonathan Stupar as the only healthy TE. Source: Associated Press.

The New York Jets are close to making Nick Mangold the highest-paid C in the league, according to a report Sunday. No terms were available, but an announcement of the deal is said to be set for Monday or Tuesday. The highest-paid C at this point is the Rams' Jason Brown, who has a five-year, $37.5 million contract, with $20 million in guarantees. Source: New Jersey Star-Ledger.

Tampa Bay QB Josh Freeman left Saturday night's preseason game with what was originally believed to be a bruised thumb on his throwing hand, but X-rays subsequently revealed a fracture of the tip of the thumb. Freeman is expected to miss the remainder of the preseason, but he should be healed sufficiently to play in Week 1 of the regular season. Source: Tampa Tribune.

The San Diego Chargers continue to play hardball with holdout WR Vincent Jackson and OT Marcus McNeill, and have reportedly placed both players on their roster exempt list - which mandates that the players sit out a minimum of three regular season games. In Jackson's case, those three games come on top of his previous league-imposed suspension (also three games) for violating Roger Goodell's personal conduct policy. Even if traded, V-Jax is out until Week 7 at earliest. Source: ProFootballTalk.com.

WR Jeremy Maclin took a hit after catching a pass in the second quarter of Friday night's preseason game at Cincinnati and immediately dropped the ball, reached for the upper part of his left arm and signaled to the sidelines for help. Which sounds bad, we know - it looked bad, too - but Maclin apparently suffered only a shoulder contusion, and despite the dramatic reaction should not miss significant time. Source: PhiladelphiaEagles.com.

Proving that he's nothing if not consistent, holdout WR Vincent Jackson, given permission by San Diego "a couple of weeks ago" to seek an acceptable new contract from Seattle, has reportedly asked for $30 million guaranteed as part of a five-year, $50 million deal - numbers that have the Seahawks not much closer to bringing Jackson into their camp than the Chargers are. There appears to be no end in sight for Jackson's holdout, and your guess as to where he'll play when it does end is no worse than ours. Source: San Diego Union-Tribune, Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

Buffalo TE Shawn Nelson will miss the first four games of the regular season after drawing a suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. No word on exactly which substance(s) Nelson may have abused, but probably not milk and cookies. Source: Buffalo News.

With questions surrounding both Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin, Adam Schefter reports that the Vikings gave WR Javon Walker a tryout on Friday. No word yet on how things went, but it's plenty weird to think about Brett Favre throwing to Walker with both players clad in purple and gold. Walker's once-promising career, which began with Favre's Packers, has all but ended over knee problems. Source: ESPN.

Jacksonville TE Zach Miller, presumably no relation to Oakland TE Zach Miller, will be sidelined for at least the next week with an injured foot. Tough break for Miller East, who's been angling to take playing time away from incumbent Marcedes Lewis. Source: Florida Times-Union.

Minnesota WR Sidney Rice, still hampered by a bum hip, admits he may not be ready to play when the Vikings kick off the new season in New Orleans on Thursday, September 9. Still a good week for the Vikes on balance, but this wasn't the news Brett Favre wanted to come back to. Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune.

DT Ndamukong Suh, the No. 2 overall pick in April's draft, was not injured when a woman who was "attempting to turn" failed to see his Land Rover and pulled her Honda Civic directly into a collision with it on Thursday. The woman was treated for minor injuries. Source: Detroit News.

Denver gave a one-year contract extension to QB Kyle Orton Thursday. Orton's deal went from one year at $2.62 million to two years (through 2011) at $11.4 million, with $8.1 millions guaranteed. The move says 1) Orton is definitely the starter in 2010, and 2) rookie QB Tim Tebow's development won't be rushed. Source: Denver Post.

Minnesota WR Percy Harvin was taken to the hospital Thursday after being felled by a migraine during practice. Harvin doubled over, vomited and collapsed, remaining on the ground and trembling for a time. Harvin missed time last year and for two weeks earlier this month with migraines, but this time teammates were able to see how badly he was disabled. Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

The commissioner's office revealed Thursday it won't reduce Houston LB Brian Cushing's four-game suspension. Cushing was penalized for testing positive for hCG, which is on the league’s list of banned substances because it can be used as a masking agent for steroids. No word yet on who will replace Cushing. Source: Houston Chronicle.

An MRI performed on New York Giants backup QB Jim Sorgi Thursday showed damage that will keep him out of action for two to three weeks. Sorgi suffered the injury in Monday's preseason game against the Jets. The injury makes life for the Giants more difficult, with starter Eli Manning unavailable for this weekend's preseason game due to his own injury. Source: New Jersey Star-Ledger.

Oakland placed backup QB Charlie Frye on IR Thursday, ending his season before it started. Frye injured his right wrist during a drill in early August and had surgery Wednesday. That was when the Raiders learned that Sorgi would need four to five months to recover. Jason Campbell has been designated as the starter since before camp began, but Frye's injury makes it likely that Kyle Boller, who signed as a free agent in June, will make the regular-season roster. Source: Oakland Tribune.

The return date for Green Bay S Atari Bigby has been revised upward, according to a report Thursday. Bigby had "cleanout" surgery on an ankle in early August, and the Packers reported he would return to practice in four weeks. But Bigby is due to have his stitches taken out in the next few days, and the safety reports he's being told it could be up to eight weeks before he'll be cleared to play, which would delay him until four games into the season. Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Dallas LG Kyle Kosier will miss four to six weeks after spraining the MCL in his right knee Wednesday. The injury, coupled with RT Marc Columbo's knee surgery two days previous, could mean a Swiss-cheese offensive line in front of QB Tony Romo. Source: Dallas Morning News.

Buffalo S Jairus Byrd is out indeifintely after having the third surgery over the last year on the same groin injury. Byrd, the Bills' starting FS, missed practice Tuesday, but coach Chan Gailey said he hoped Byrd might be ready in time for the season opener. Source: Buffalo News.

San Diego LB Shawne Merriman, who just joined the Chargers at practice on Friday after signing his tender, sat out practice Wednesday when a chronic Achilles injury flared up. No date is set for Merriman's return, but it's fairly certain he'll miss the weekend's preseason game. Source: San Diego Union-Tribune.

Seattle traded DE Lawrence Jackson, a 2008 first-round draft pick, to Detroit on Wednesday in return for an unspecified 2011 draft pick. Jackson, whom Seahawks coach Pete Carroll was attempting to convert into a hybrid DE-LB, said he welcomed the opportunity to play in the Lions' 4-3 defensive scheme. Source: Detroit News.

Ravens CB Lardarius Webb has recovered so quickly from "season-ending" surgery on his torn ACL in December that he cold suit up for practice on Thursday. Webb was spotted taking a conditioning test Wednesday afternoon, but if he passes it is doubtful he would play in Saturday's preseason game. Source: Baltimore Sun.

As expected, New York Giants QB Eli Manning will not play Saturday after sustaining a 3-inch gash in a preseason game Monday. While Manning has no concussion or serious injury, the QB is unable to wear his helmet over the 12 stitches need to sew the gash up. Source: New Jersey Star-Ledger.

QB Brett Favre at long last reported to Minnesota's training camp Tuesday after a trio of Vikings were sent to Mississippi to collect him. A private jet brought Jared Allen, Steve Hutchinson and Ryan Longwell to camp along with Favre, who immediately reported for a physical. The inclusion of Favre would mean the Vikings would have all 22 starters back from last year's 12-4 season. Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

New York Giants QB Eli Manning said Tuesday extensive tests showed no concussion or other serious effects from the collision in Monday's preseason game that resulted in a 12-stitch gash on his forehead. The problem now is that Manning, in order to let the stitches heal, may not be able to wear a helmet for several days, keeping him out of scrimmages or preseason games. Source: New Jersey Star-Ledger.

Cincinnati LB Rey Maualuga received a hefty fine but no suspension from the league Tuesday as punishment for a DUI offense in January. Maualuga had been given a one-game suspension in April, but the LB appealed. Instead he'll forfeit two game checks and a portion of his signing bonus carried over into 2010 -- all told, about $75,000. Source: Cincinnati Enquirer.

QB Matt Gutierrez arrived at the Bears' training camp Tuesday evening and Chicago was expected to announced as the team's newest reserve QB on Wednesday. Chicago has been looking for a backup to Jay Cutler since No.2 QB Caleb Hanie sprained the AC joint in his shoulder. Gutierrez was signed after QBs Todd Collins and Josh McCown turned the job down, most likely due to suspicion the job won't last past the preseason once Hanie returns. Source: Chicago Tribune.

Jacksonville TE Zach Miller reported Tuesday that he has reinjured the same foot that had kept him on the PUP list until two weeks ago. Miller reaggravated the mid-foot sprain when he planted the foot for a block over the weekend, and has been wearing a boot ever since. The TE is set to be reevaluated Thursday. Source: Florida Times-Union.

Rookie Kyle Williams, who looked to have the inside track as San Francisco's kick- and punt-return man, will instead miss several weeks with a sprained big toe, according to a report Tuesday. In the meantime, Ted Ginn, Jr. will handle most of the return duties. Source: San Francisco Chronicle.

Minnesota WR Percy Harvin came back to practice Monday after missing 15 days, participating in a one-hour practice. Harvin left camp August 1 to attend his grandmother's funeral, then was struck down by another spate of migraine headaches. Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

San Francisco signed free-agent RB Brian Westbrook to a one-year deal Monday. Westbrook's deal 9s for $1.2 million with incentives based on team record, days on the roster and touchdowns that could net him $2.5 million. Reportedly the RB was offered more by St. Louis, but preferred a possible playoff team. While with Philadelphia last year, Westbrook suffered two concussions. Source: San Francisco Chronicle.

New Orleans agreed to terms late Monday with RB Ladell Betts. Betts will attempt to take the place of the Saints' third RB, Lynell Hamilton, who sustained a season-ending knee injury last week. Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune.

The New York Giants said QB Eli Manning had no concussion or serious injury after banging heads with RB Brandon Jacobs in Monday's preseason game. Twelve stitches were needed to close a gash on Manning's forehead that was a result of a Manning audible that went mostly unheard by everyone else on the Giants. Source: New Jersey Star-Ledger.

Carolina activated WR Steve Smith off the PUP list Monday now that Smith is considered recovered from the broken arm he sustained while playing flag football in the offseason. Smith ran a few routes and caught a few passes, and looks to be on schedule to make the opener September 12. Source: Charlotte Observer.

Indianapolis S Jamie Silva will miss the 2010 season, the team announced Monday, due to torn ACL he suffered during Sunday's preseason game. Silva was slated mostly for backup and special teams duty. Source: NFL.com.

Seattle traded for DE Kentwan Balmer Monday, acquiring the defensive lineman from San Francisco for what is believed to be a sixth-round draft pick. Balmer, a first-round draft pick in 2008, was excused from practice for two days last week, but was absent without permission the rest of the week. Source: Seattle Times.

Detroit placed LB Jordan Dizon on IR Monday, ending his season after he injured his knee in Saturday's preseason game. Taking Dizon's place on the roster is Lee Campbell, an undrafted LB who was on the Lions' roster earlier this summer. Source: Detroit News.

Chicago offered veteran QB Todd Collins a contract Monday, and Collins reportedly said he wants a day to think it over. With backup QB Caleb Hanie sidelined by a shoulder injury and rookie QB Dan LeFevour looking unlikely to make the team, the Bears have become more active in searching for another QB. Reportedly Chicago talked to both Trent Green and Damon Huard, who each told the Bears they would stay retired. Meanwhile, rookie S Major Wright is set to have surgery on his left index finger Tuesday. Wright injured the finger in Saturday's preseason game, but is expected to be ready by the season opener. Source: Chicago Tribune.

Arizona WR Larry Fitzgerald revealed Sunday he sprained the MCL in his right knee in Saturday night's preseason game. Fitzgerald says he expects to be ready to play by Week 1, but added coach Ken Whisenhunt plans to be conservative about his return. Source: Arizona Republic.

Tennesse rookie RB Stafon Johnson had surgery Sunday on a severely injured ankle that will end his season. In addition to the dislocated ankle, Johnson suffered a broken fibula and a high ankle sprain. Source: Nashville Tennessean.

Dallas RT Marc Colombo left practice early Sunday with a knee injury, and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Colombo will likely need arthroscopic city. Colombo will probably miss two to four weeks, which may force him to miss the start of the season. Cowboys officials are hoping LT Alex Barron will return soon from a sprained ankle, allowing Doug Free to take over at RT until Colombo's return. Source: Dallas Morning News.

Houston rookie RB Ben Tate has a season-ending ankle injury, the Texans announced Sunday. Tate, who injured the ankle Saturday in a preseason game against Arizona, is scheduled to undergo surgery on Tuesday, coach Gary Kubiak said Sunday. Source: Houston Chronicle.

PK Matt Bryant has won the kicking job, Atlanta coach Matt Smith announced Sunday. The Falcons released PK Steven Hauschka a short while before the official announcement. Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

WR Torry Holt, who was looking iffy as far as earning a job in New England's receiving corp, will definitely not be playing for the team this year as the Patriots placed Holt on IR Sunday. Holt has a knee injury that will require surgery this week; odds are increasing that the 34-year-old veteran has played his last game. Source: Boston Herald.

New Orleans coach Sean Payton confirmed Sunday that the Saints are looking to sign a veteran RB to replace injured RB Lynell Hamilton, who tore his ACL last week. With Hamilton headed toward IR, the Saints will likely try to add another RB before Saturday's preseason game against Houston. Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Rookie RB Ben Tate, who left Saturday night's game with a nasty-looking ankle injury, appears likely to miss his entire rookie season. Rumors swirled after the game that Tate had broken the ankle. Source: Houston Chronicle.

49ers WR Michael Crabtree is not expected to play in Sunday's preseason game with a strained neck. Crabtree has never appeared in a preseason game after holding out well into his rookie season in 2009. Source: San Francisco Chronicle.

Rams QB Sam Bradford, the top overall pick of April's draft, took the field to a hearty ovation on Friday ... but heard little other than footsteps the rest of the night. Bradford completed 6 of his 13 passes and took 4 sacks. Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Green Bay RB Ryan Grant left Saturday's preseason opener after taking a hard hit to his head, but showed no symptoms of injury after the game. He will be monitored for signs of a concussion in the coming week. Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Ravens OT Jared Gaither, suffering from back spasms and cramp-like symptoms throughout training camp, has been diagnosed with what head coach John Harbaugh termed a "very small tear" in his back. The injury is not considered serious despite how painful it sounds; Gaither should be able to return to practice within a few weeks - perhaps as few as two, perhaps as many as six. Source: Carroll County Times.

On the same day the San Francisco Chronicle published a story about the spirited competition between RBs Glen Coffee and Anthony Dixon for carries behind starter Frank Gore, Coffee apparently informed the 49ers of his intention to retire from football. Why Coffee may have come to the decision is unknown at present; expect to hear more about the would-be second-year pro over the next couple of days. Source: San Francisco Chronicle.

Philadelphia's new QB, Kevin Kolb, and its former QB, Donovan McNabb, both played well in their preseason openers Friday night, as the Eagles edged Jacksonville and McNabb's new team, Washington, demolished Buffalo. The preseason may not mean much, but it would have for these guys (for a week, anyway) had either of them lost. Source: NFL.com.

Fred Jackson, Buffalo's leading rusher in 2009, sustained what is believed to be a broken left hand in Friday night's preseason opener at Washington, and will be sidelined at least until the team's regular season opener. The injury could prevent Marshawn Lynch from being traded - but Lynch sprained his ankle in the game and may miss time himself. Looks like the depth chart is no longer an obstacle for rookie C.J. Spiller. Source: Buffalo News.

New England has placed DE Ty Warren on injured reserve with a hip injury, ending his season before it really began. Warren has been a solid player for the Patriots through the years, but as HC Bill Belichick notes, "He's missed quite a bit of time the last couple of years, so we've had to deal with that anyway." Source: Boston Globe.

Chargers LB Shawne Merriman ended his holdout Friday, signing the team's tender offer and reporting to training camp. Coming off of two difficult seasons, Merriman told reporters he has "a lot to prove" and his holdout "didn't accomplish anything." San Diego is still without WR Vincent Jackson and OT Marcus McNeill, whose holdouts have always seemed more likely to extend into the regular season than Merriman's did. Source: San Diego Union-Tribune.

QB Brett Favre travelled to Florida Thursday to consult with famed orthopedist Dr. James Andrews to have his surgically repaired ankle examined. Favre has said that whether or not he returns to lead the Minnesota Vikings depends on how his ankle has recovered from the surgery Andrews performed in May. The Vikings are leaving training camp now, which Favre likewise skipped last year before ending his retirement on August 18. Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

New York Giants WR Steve Smith said Thursday he had an MRI earlier this week to examine his injured groin, and the imaging showed only a minor strain. Smith said he expects to return to full practice next week, which would translate into his absence from Monday's preseason game. Source: New Jersey Star-Ledger.

Cleveland LB D'Qwell Jackson has been diagnosed with a strained -- not torn -- right pectoral muscle, Jackson said Thursday. Jackson's doctor told him surgery is not necessary, and the LB should be ready sometime between three to eight weeks. Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Miami CB Will Allen had arthroscopic knee surgery Thursday, but Allen thinks he will be ready to play by the Dolphins' opening game on September 12. Allen said the procedure was "minor" -- a cleanout necessitated by an earlier surgery for a torn ACL in 2009. Source: Miami Herald.

Seattle head coach Pete Carroll said Thursday that LB Leroy Hill will be out for at least two weeks with a sprained knee. Hill hurt the knee Tuesday, but thought the injury was minor until now. Hill is already set to miss the season opener after the league suspended him for a marijuana charge leveled against him in Georgia. Source: Associated Press.

St. Louis signed PK Shaun Suisham Thursday, and Suisham will kick in Saturday's preseason game against Minnesota. Suisham will be taking the placed of Josh Brown, who has been out with a hip injury. Since Brown's injury is not supposed to be serious, Suisham may not stay with the Rams past the preseason. Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

San Diego LB Shawne Merriman should be joining the Chargers soon as he is set to sign his tender offer, according to a report Wednesday. Merriman is said to be planning on Sunday, the Chargers' off day, to sign the offer and reporting to camp next week. Source: San Diego Union-Tribune.

New Orleans officials confirmed Wednesday that RB Lynell Hamilton suffered a torn ACL this week and will be out for the year. The Saints had been figuring on Hamilton to replace Mike Bell as the team's power back, and will likely add a RB to the roster now. Ladell Betts, who visited New Orleans last week, is one possibility. Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Cincinnati RB Brian Leonard will not go on IR but is out indefinitely with the foot injury he suffered in Sunday's preseason game. Coach Marvin Lewis said Wednesday he's optimistic Leonard will play at some point during the season, but he doesn't know when that will be. Source: SI.com.

Tennessee DE William Hayes hobbled around the Titans' locker room wearing a knee brace Wednesday, but was happy to report that his knee injury involved a sprained MCL -- rather than a torn ACL. Hayes suffered the injury during practice Tuesday, but should be ready in time for the season opener. Source: NFL.com.

Buffalo rookie WR Marcus Easley will have surgery on his injured leg and be out indefinitely, head coach Chan Gailey said Wednesday. Gailey would not specify what Easley's injury was. Staying mysterious, Gailey also reported Wednesday that WR James Hardy, who has been moving toward becoming the Bills' No.2 receiver, will be out seven to 10 days with an unspecified injury. Source: Buffalo News.

Former Oakland Raider RB Justin Fargas worked out for Denver team officials Tuesday and passed a physical in preparation for signing a contract and hitting the practice field Wednesday morning. The Broncos have been hit with several injuries amongs its RB corps, including Knowshon Moreno (hamstring), Correll Buckhalter (back) and LenDale White (leg). Source: Denver Post.

Indianapolis C Jeff Saturday, who has been AWOL from training camp of late, had arthroscopic surgery on Tuesday, the team revealed. Colts officials did not give a timetable for Saturday's return, or even say which knee was operated on. Source: Indianapolis Star.

Arizona RB Beanie Wells was back at practice Tuesday, a day after getting carted off the field with bruised ribs. Coach Ken Whisenhunt said Wells had no fractures, but wasn't sure he would play Wells in this weekend's preseason game. Wells is lobbying to play. Source: Arizona Republic.

Cleveland LB D'Qwell Jackson, who has been working to come back from a torn pectoral muscle, left the field Tuesday after apparently injuring the other pectoral muscle. Jackson was extremely upset when he left the field, and was given an MRI exam Tuesday night. The results haven't been revealed yet, but it's possible Jackson may have to give up another season. Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Seattle LB Aaron Curry returned to practice Tuesday after having to sit out 10 days recovering from concussion symptoms. Curry said he played too "soft" and worried about making mistakes last season, and wanted to return to being "just a fast, physical, running-around-hitting-everything kind of guy." Source: Seattle Times.

Arizona RB Beanie Wells injured ribs in a late practice Monday. Wells, who lay on the ground for several minutes after being hit, was given a CT scan that found no fractures. Wells is considered day to day. Source: Arizona Republic.

Minnesota WR Percy Harvin who left camp last week after his grandmother died, was still absent Monday, bringing to 15 the total number of practices he has missed so far. There are reports that Harvin is suffering again from migraines, which can be triggered by stress. Vikings coach Brad Childress had no timetable on Harvin's return. Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

Several changes are transforming the San Francisco offensive line -- some planned and some not. Coach Mike Singletary said Monday that rookies Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati will start at RT and LG, respectively. The unplanned change happened when C Eric Heitmann broke the fibula in his left leg in Monday morning's practice, sidelining him for six to eight weeks. LG David Baas will likely move over from LG to play C. Source: San Francisco Chronicle.

San Diego has been employing plenty of three-TE sets in camp this year, according to a report Monday. The Chargers used three TEs in just 38 plays total last season, but this preseason has seen them lining up TEs wide and in the slot as well as tight in several variations. Source: San Diego Union-Tribune.

New York Jets owner Woody Johnson said Monday his "gut feeling" is that CB Darrelle Revis will not play for the team this year. Revis has not reported to camp as he holds out for a new contract that would make him the highest-paid CB in the league. Source: New Jersey Star-Ledger.

Houston Texans owner Bob McNair met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell Monday to ask for a reduction in LB Brian Cushing's four-game suspension. Cushing was suspended for testing positive for hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), which can be used to mask steroid use. McNair and Cushing maintain that the hCG came from Overtrained Athlete Syndrome, which can cause a hormone spike. Cushing also points to a pituitary problem he was treated for in college. Source: Houston Chronicle.

Green Bay LB Clay Matthews is out for at least two weeks with a hamstring injury, Packers officials said Monday. Matthews injured the hamstring in virtually the same place in last year's training camp, which caused him to miss the rest of the preseason. Matthews says he feels he may have rushed back from the injury too quickly last year, and plans to be more conservative this time. Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Cincinnati RB Brian Leonard is scheduled to see a specialist Tuesday after suffering a significant foot injury in Sunday's Hall of Fame game. The Bengals backup RB underwent tests in Cincinnati on Monday, and there were reports Leonard could miss the entire season. Injuries have thinned the Bengals backfield, and currently Cedric Benson and Bernard Scott are the only healthy RBs, along with FB Joe Tronzo. Cincinnati will likely need to make a roster move to bring another RB into camp. Source: Cincinnati Enquirer.

Dallas TE John Phillips injured his right knee Sunday in the Hall of Fame game. Phillips was set to be examined Monday, but it appears likely he tore his ACL. Phillips had 4 catches for 60 yards in the first half before leaving the game. Source: Dallas Morning News.

Atlanta WR Michael Jenkins will be out of action for four to six weeks after injury his shoulder during an intrasquad scrimmage, the team revealed Sunday. Falcons officials didn't reveal if the shoulder was separated or dislocated. Jenkins is probable to miss the opener. Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Chicago WR Devin Hester has been out since Thurday with a groin pull, according to a report published Sunday. Bears coach Lovie Smith said that the pull is not serious and Hester is considered day-to-day. Source: Chicago Tribune.

Houston owner Bob McNair is scheduled to meet Monday with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to argue on behalf of LB Brian Cushing, the team revealed Sunday. McNair is going to ask that Cushing's suspension -- four games, for violating the league's PED policy -- be shortened or overturned. Cushing has said he never used PEDs, and McNair says he believes him. Source: Houston Chronicle.

Denver LB Elvis Dumervil is scheduled to have surgery on his injured chest Tueday, according to a report Sunday. It's feared that Dumervil's torn pectoral muscle will be severe enought to keep him out of action for the season. Source: Denver Post.

Both Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker left practice with injuries on Saturday, adding to what has been a relentlessly disastrous first week of training camp for the Broncos. Thomas appears to have hurt his left foot - the same one he fractured earlier this offseason - while Decker appears to have sprained his left ankle. Running back Knowshon Moreno is already nursing an injured hamstring, and pass-rushing linebacker Elvis Dumervil may miss the whole season with a torn pectoral. Yikes. Source: Denver Post.

Disgruntled and tormented but no longer formally an outcast, Albert Haynesworth will rejoin his teammates in practice drills Monday after he finally passed Mike Shanahan's custom-designed fitness test on Saturday morning. Haynesworth may not yet be in Shanahan's best graces, but one presumes the passed test is a step in the right direction. Source: Washington Post.

The New York Giants' breakout wide receiver from 2009, formerly known as the other Steve Smith, tweaked his groin Friday and may not practice again for a couple of days. Initial reports suggested Smith would undergo an MRI exam Friday evening, but ESPN New York reports that the Giants concluded that wasn't necessary, as the injury isn't considered to be a big deal. Source: ESPN New York.

Russell Okung (OT, Seattle) and C.J. Spiller (RB, Buffalo) agreed to contracts with their respective teams on Friday, leaving no more holdouts among this year's first-round picks. Okung will reportedly receive $29 million in guaranteed money, Spiller $20.8 million. Source: various.

Houston has made Andre Johnson the highest-paid WR in the NFL by signing him to a two-year contract extension Thursday. The extension has a base of $23.5 million, with a maximum value of $38.5 million; $13 million is guaranteed. Added to the value of what's left on Johnson's contract, the WR will average $10.5 million a year. Johnson, 29, is now under contract with the Texans through 2016. Source: Houston Chronicle.

Dallas DE Marcus Spears will miss four to six weeks with a sprained MCL in his left knee according to a report Thursday. Medical staff say Spears won't need surgery, but will likely need to wear a brace when he returns soon. Source: Dallas Morning News.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell praised the actions of Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger Thursday, saying the disgraced QB has gone "above and beyond" how the league told him to modify his behavior. But Goodell said if there is going to be any reduction of Roethlisberger's suspension -- handed down following allegations of sexual assault against Roethlisberger -- it won't happen until later in the preseason. Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Green Bay S Atari Bigby will need to have ankle surgery, keeping him out of action about five weeks, Packers officials revealed Thursday. The ankle is the same one Bigby had microfracture surgery on in 2008, but Bigby said this operation is a simple "cleanout" procedure. Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Arizona TE Ben Patrick's knee injury was not as bad as Cardinals officials feared, coach Ken Whisenhunt said Thursday. Patrick, who hurt his knee at a Wednesday night practice, suffered no ligament damage and is expected to return before the season starts. Source: Arizona Republic.

Washington DT Albert Haynesworth, who has been unable so far to pass a conditioning test that coach Mike Shanahan has demanded, had an MRI exam Thursday that showed no structural damage. Haynesworth has missed 13 Washington practices so far during training camp. He has had individual workouts, but there is no word when he will be able to participate in a practice with the rest of the team. Source: Washington Post.

After leaving practice early on Wednesday holding his arm, Denver LB Elvis Dumervil was found to have a torn pectoral muscle, the team reported Thursday. The normal recovery time for such an injury is usually four to five months, which probably puts an end to this season for Dumervil. The Broncos now have to decide whether to put the LB, who lead the league in sacks last year, on injured reserve, which would officially keep him out for the year. Source: Denver Post.

In the latest episode of Will He or Won't He, QB Brett Favre said Wednesday if his ankle is healthy, he will play this season. Favre, who had surgery on the ankle in May, said he still isn't satisfied with how it feels. Favre also denied reports of his sending texts to teammates saying he was retiring. Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

New York Giants DE Osi Umenyiora said Wednesday playing this season is more important than having the surgery recommended to repair a nagging hip injury. Umenyiora has lingering problems from a hip flexor he tore four years ago, and now that it has flared up, he's been limited to one practice a day. The DE says he knows he will have to have the surgery eventually if he wants to fulfill his "best-case scenario" of playing four more years. Source: New Jersey Star-Ledger.

Denver added a hometown hero Wednesday, signing RB LenDale White to bolster a depleted backfield. White was signed to a two-year contract after RB Knowshon Moreno suffered a hamstring injury, and his backup Correll Buckhalter pulled a muscle in his back. Source: Denver Post.

Carolina RT Jeff Otah had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Wednesday, but Panther officials insist he will be ready to play when the season starts. A source called the procedure a minor cleanup, but Otah missed the final three games last season after tearing the meniscus in the same knee, and had been placed on the PUP list at the start of camp. Source: Charlotte Observer.

Miami RB Kory Sheets, who was considered likely to become the Dolphins' return man, will instead be unemployed as an Achilles tendon tear ended his season. Sheets was released Wednesday night. Source: Miami Herald.

A day after spraining his ankle, Baltimore WR Derrick Mason said Wednesday he will return "sooner rather than later" from the injury. Mason said the ankle isn't swollen; he has it taped and it feels "a little stiff." Source: Baltimore Sun.

Denver LB Elvis Dumervil left practice early on Wednesday with an apparent arm or shoulder injury. No report was available, but the team trainer accompanied Dumervil to the locker room. Dumervil was holding his right arm tight against his chest, with his hand grasping the neck area of his jersey. Source: Denver Post.

LB Donald Butler, San Diego's No.2 draft pick, tore his Achilles tendon at practice Wednesday and will miss the 2010 season. Butler had been penciled in for special teams, and will most likely will be replaced by James Holt. Source: San Diego Union-Tribune.