 |
 |
 |
|
IRVING, Texas -- Terence Newman participated in practice with the Dallas Cowboys for the first time in four weeks Monday, an indication that the Pro Bowl cornerback could be ready to play in the season opener.
| Advertisement |
|||
| |||
While Newman returned to practice, the Cowboys were without two other players because of injuries.
Guard Kyle Kosier needed crutches to get around the team's facility because of the large cast on his sprained right foot, and receiver Isaiah Stanback couldn't lift his arms very high because of a separated left shoulder. Both were hurt Friday night in a 23-22 preseason victory over Houston.
Newman, coming off his first Pro Bowl season, sustained a groin injury July 28, less than a week into the team's training camp in California.
Coach Wade Phillips said Newman "didn't have any trouble" during the two-hour workout Monday, but that the cornerback didn't have to cover any receivers in one-on-one situations.
Without any setbacks, Newman is expected to play in the regular-season opener Sept. 7 at Cleveland. But Phillips said Newman likely won't play Thursday night in the preseason finale against Minnesota. Full story
Pack place Harrell on PUP, cut Wynn
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers placed defensive tackle Justin Harrell on the physically unable to perform list and released running back DeShawn Wynn.
Green Bay also cut fullback Ryan Powdrell, wide receiver Chris Francies and offensive lineman Ryan Considine to trim its roster to 75 players before Tuesday's NFL-mandated deadline.
Harrell was the Packers' first-round pick last season but appeared in only seven regular-season games because of injuries. He sat out the first three preseason games this year with a back injury.
After being placed on the reserve/PUP list, Harrell cannot return to the active roster during the first six weeks of the season. After six weeks, Harrell will be eligible to practice with the team for up to three weeks. If the Packers return Harrell to their active roster later in the year, they will have to make another roster move to make room for him.
Former lineman Cornish dies at 40
DALLAS -- Frank Cornish IV, an offensive lineman on two of the Dallas Cowboys' Super Bowl champion teams in the 1990s, died over the weekend at age 40.
Cornish was pronounced dead Saturday morning at a Grapevine hospital, where he was taken from his home in nearby Southlake. His death was caused by heart disease, the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's office found.
Cornish played in the NFL for six years and was a backup with the Cowboys in the 1992 and 1993 seasons, when they won Super Bowls. He started five games for Dallas those years.
He was drafted in the sixth round by the San Diego Chargers in 1990 and also played for the Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars and Philadelphia Eagles.
Panthers lose WR Carter for season
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- With Steve Smith suspended for the first two games, D.J. Hackett still out with a sore toe and Ryne Robinson recovering from a knee injury, the Carolina Panthers couldn't afford to lose another receiver.
They did anyway Monday, learning that Jason Carter will miss the rest of the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. He was injured in Saturday's 47-3 preseason victory against Washington.
DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart combining for 201 yards and two long touchdowns against the Redskins doesn't mask the growing concern at receiver.
Smith, the team's top target the past three seasons, will miss the regular-season opener at San Diego on Sept. 7 and the home opener at week later against Chicago for sucker-punching teammate Ken Lucas during training camp.
Titans WR Jones apologizes for gun misdemeanor
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee receiver Brandon Jones apologized in court for accidentally carrying a handgun into an airport and could have the misdemeanor charge expunged after six months in a diversion plan.
His attorney, David Raybin, said Jones also paid a $500 fine after his General Sessions Court appearance concerning the June incident.
Jones was trying to catch a flight to Phoenix and had forgotten the .32-caliber gun was in a small pouch inside a bag. He issued an apology at the time, and airport police confiscated the gun.
Jones had 931 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in his first three NFL seasons.
Raiders make flurry of moves
ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Oakland safety Jarrod Cooper was waived and intends to retire, one of a flurry of moves the Raiders made to deal with injuries and an upcoming deadline for roster cuts.
Oakland also waived linebacker Grant Irons and defensive end Greg Spires, and placed receiver Drew Carter, fullback Oren O'Neal and cornerback John Bowie on injured reserve with season-ending injuries. The Raiders also claimed fullback Luke Lawton off waivers and signed defensive backs Marviel Underwood and Nate Lyles.
The Raiders reduced their roster to 77 players, plus international practice squad player Mauricio Lopez, who does not count against roster limits. Oakland needs to be down to 75 players by Tuesday, and then the final cut to 53 comes Saturday.
Cooper had been a valuable special teams player in 3½ seasons in Oakland, but had fallen behind rookie Tyvon Branch. Raiders spokesman John Herrera said Cooper planned to retire but hadn't filed the paperwork yet so he had to be waived. Cooper played seven years in the NFL, going to the Super Bowl with Carolina following the 2003 season.
Patriots DB tries switch to WR
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- In his first three seasons, Ray Ventrone got into just four games for the New England Patriots.
Now the defensive back is also a wide receiver, and he's hoping that might help him get on the field more.
Ventrone is still far down on the depth chart at both positions, but his ability to handle them should help his bid to earn a spot on the roster that gets cut to 75 players on Tuesday before the final cut to 53 on Saturday.
Villanova is not a major breeding ground for NFL players, but Ventrone played well enough in the Wildcats' secondary for New England to sign him as an undrafted free agent in April 2005. He spent the whole season on the Patriots' practice squad and the following season on injured reserve.
Broncos name Webster starting MLB
DENVER -- Niko Koutouvides proved to be the perfect motivator for Nate Webster.
When the Denver Broncos signed Koutouvides to a three-year, $7.5 million contract in March, Webster knew he was in for some competition at middle linebacker.
The proof came Monday when coach Mike Shanahan said Webster had won the starting job.
The signing of Koutouvides allowed the Broncos to move D.J. Williams from middle linebacker to the weak side, his natural position. Denver also signed free agent Boss Bailey to play on the strong side.
QB Henson hopes to save career
ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- If quarterback Drew Henson's long-shot bid with the Detroit Lions ends up as his last shot at professional sports, he's glad it's happening close to home.
The former Michigan star who turned down a chance at the Heisman Trophy for failed careers in pro baseball and football signed with Detroit last week after third-stringer Drew Stanton sprained his thumb.
He sits behind Jon Kitna and Dan Orlovsky on the depth chart and is just hoping to play in Thursday night's preseason finale at Buffalo.
If it doesn't happen, he says he won't regret leaving the Wolverines for the New York Yankees, only to have his can't-miss career as a third baseman stall in Triple-A. He figures he did his best trying to resurrect his football career with the Dallas Cowboys, who dumped him in 2006 after one career start.