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All-Pro Linebacker Joey Porter Shot
DENVER -- Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter was seriously wounded in a shooting outside a sports bar early Sunday that left one person dead and five wounded, police said.
Porter's agent Mike Sullivan told ESPN that Porter was shot in the buttocks. Doctors are still evaluating whether to perform surgery to remove the bullet. Sullivan said the injury is serious but not career-threatening.
Police spokesman Sonny Jackson said Porter, 26, who was in Denver for the Colorado State-Colorado football game, was not involved in any confrontation. Porter, a five-year veteran who was selected to last season's Pro Bowl, is a Colorado State graduate.
"He was an innocent bystander. There was no confrontation or altercation that we know of at this time," Jackson said. No arrests were made, and Jackson would not say whether a weapon was recovered.
Denver Health Medical Center would not confirm that Porter was there, citing federal privacy laws that permit patients to block the release of their names.
One of the other five victims, was at the hospital, in fair condition, said Dee Martinez, hospital spokeswoman.
The shooting occurred outside the All Sports Bar in northeast Denver at 1:47 a.m., Jackson said.
James Greer, manager of the All Sports Bar & Grill in northeast Denver, said everyone had left the bar at the time of the shooting.
"Joey had been to the game and he came down here to patronize our business. This is very sad. I hope it doesn't interfere with his playing," Greer said.
He said there had been no fights or arguments before the shooting. One of the victims, Kendal Johnson, was a bar employee. He was treated and released.
The bar, open since May, sits between an area of heavy industry and a residential neighborhood. Greer said three off-duty police officers were working security at the bar earlier in the evening but may have left by the time the shooting occurred.
The dead man was identified as Christopher Wilford, 28. The other victims were identified as Kendal Johnson, Samantha Long, Yvette Marshal and Jeffery Dixon.
Jackson said the shots were fired from outside a fenced-in parking lot where the victims were standing.
Steelers coach Bill Cowher said the team would not place Porter on injured reserve, which would sideline him for the season.
"The bullet entered his left buttocks and is lodged in his right thigh," Cowher said Sunday. "All the preliminary tests are being done and, at this time, it looks as though the bullet did not hit any vital organs. He is resting comfortably in the hospital, and we are in the process of ... trying to fly him back here (Monday)."
Cowher did not speculate how long Porter would be out. Losing Porter for a substantial period would be a major blow to a defense that was the NFL's best in 2001 and ranked seventh overall last season.
"Joey's going to be fine; he'll be back," Cowher said. "He's a special guy, and he'll be back."
Clark Haggans, who played mostly as a rush end in the Steelers' dime defense last season, likely will start Sunday's opener against Baltimore. Haggans also is a former Colorado State player.
Cowher talked to Porter on Sunday and said the linebacker was distraught over getting hurt with the season about to start. The Steelers otherwise came through the preseason with no serious injuries.
"He's as well as can be expected. He feels like he's let the football team down. He was really emotional," Cowher said.
Porter, a third-round draft pick in 1998, played in his first Pro Bowl last season. He became the first player since sacks became an official statistic in 1982 to have nine sacks and four interceptions.
Considered one of the league's best all-around linebackers, Porter also had two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles last season. Against Oakland in the second game of 2002, Porter made 10 solo tackles, had three sacks and intercepted two passes, earning him to AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
"Joey's like a Broadway showman," Haggans said during training camp. "If he has any ability in something he likes to show it. He wants everyone to see it, like it."
(This should be a HUGE loss for the Steelers!)
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Lions Trade for a Running Back
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The running-back depleted Detroit Lions acquired Olandis Gary from the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, giving the team another option for replacing injured starter James Stewart.
"Given the health of our situation at tailback, a trade was a possibility, so we pursued it," Lions coach Steve Mariucci said. "He gives us another veteran back on board.
"We don't know how long James will be out so we felt to shore up that situation, adding a back like Olandis Gary gives us a bit of a security blanket."
Stewart is expected to miss up to six weeks after dislocating his right shoulder in Detroit's preseason finale, a 22-16 loss to Buffalo on Thursday.
In exchange for Gary, the Bills will receive an undisclosed draft pick.
The move made sense for both teams, as the Bills, anticipating the midseason activation of injured rookie Willis McGahee, already were well-stocked at the position behind starter Travis Henry.
Gary, 28, is entering his fifth NFL season and joined the Bills last spring as a free agent after spending his first four years with Denver.
Playing behind Clinton Portis last year, Gary managed just 147 yards rushing in 13 games, including two starts. His best season came as a rookie, when he had 1,159 yards rushing and seven touchdowns in 12 starts with the Broncos.
Gary was expected to get limited playing time in Buffalo, as Henry is coming off a breakout season in which he finished fifth in the league with 1,438 yards rushing last season.
Without Stewart, who led Detroit in rushing the past three seasons, the Lions had no proven backup to step in. Detroit's choices were limited to Shawn Bryson, who's coming off knee surgery; Avon Cobourne, an undrafted free agent out of West Virginia; and Autry Denson, a four-year journeyman who the Lions cut Sunday to make room for Gary.
Mariucci said he will not select a starting running back until later in the week, after he sees Gary practice.
"It's a win-win situation overall for everybody," Gary's agent, Frank Murtha, said. ``Buffalo gets something for Olandis, and he gets a chance to come in and certainly play a significant amount until James returns to health. ... And that was his goal, to get back on the field in an extensive way."
Curiously, the Lions were one of several teams Gary considered before signing with Buffalo last April.
Murtha said Gary chose Buffalo instead of Detroit because of fears the Lions were going to select a running back high in the draft.
The trade was announced as part of the teams' moves to cut their rosters to the NFL maximum 53 players.
The Bills placed third-string quarterback Travis Brown on the injured reserve list, meaning he will miss the season. Brown dislocated his middle finger during Buffalo's 28-24 preseason victory over St. Louis on Aug. 23.
Buffalo also released six players, including defensive end Marcus Jones, a six-year veteran attempting to make a comeback after missing last season with a knee injury.
Jones spent his first six seasons with Tampa Bay before being released by the Buccaneers.
Also released by Buffalo were defensive end Grant Irons, receiver Rodney Wright, defensive back Scott Turner, running back Ken Simonton and quarterback Jason Johnson.
By cutting Johnson and placing Brown on injured reserve, the Bills are left with two quarterbacks, Drew Bledsoe and backup Alex Van Pelt.
The Lions cut 13 players, including nine-year veteran offensive guard Tony Semple and rookie wide receiver David Kircus.
Semple, a fifth-round draft pick in 1994, had the most seniority on the Lions' offense.
"We had to release some veteran guys and that's what I enjoy least about coaching in the National Football League and saying goodbye to a guy like Tony Semple," Mariucci said.
"I told him that I hope he stays in shape, because we may choose to call him back, because he's certainly capable of being on our football team."
Three players who appeared in games for the Lions last season -- tight end Matt Murphy, safety Lamar Campbell and offensive guard Kerlin Blaise -- were cut.
The Lions also released guard Tyrone Hopson, offensive tackle Ben Johnson, defensive ends Jonathan Taylor and Antwan Lake, linebacker Jody Littleton, and cornerback Gerald Dixon.
Veteran defensive tackle Luther Elliss was put on the reserve/non-football injury list and linebacker Brian Williams was put on injured reserve.
(This could be a GREAT pickup and positive move for this team if Olandis stays healthy! )
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Springs Suffers yet ANOTHER injury
Veteran cornerback Shawn Springs, whose impact with the Seattle Seahawks over the past few seasons has been blunted by injuries, is expected to miss up to two months after suffering a broken right shoulder blade in Friday night's preseason finale.
The injury is just the latest setback for Springs, who has missed a dozen games because of various ailments in six previous seasons, and who has been forced to battle chronic hamstring problems. The fracture, which occurred when Springs collided with Denver running back Mike Anderson, will require rest but not surgery.
This is the second time that Springs has suffered a scapula injury. In his sophomore year in college, he fractured his left shoulder blade.
It is expected that first-round draft choice Marcus Trufant will assume the starting job at left cornerback. Fortunately for the Seahawks, cornerback is one of the deepest positions on the team, and new coordinator Ray Rhodes has several options for reconfiguring his third-down packages as well.
This was to have been a significant year for Springs, the Seahawks' first-round choice in 1997, and the third prospect chosen overall in that draft. The former Ohio State standout is entering the final season of his original seven-year contract, one of few NFL players in recent history to go that deep into a long-term deal without a restructuring or extension, and he will be eligible for unrestricted free agency next spring.
Springs, 28, is scheduled to earn a base salary of $2 million in 2003. One reason Seattle officials have not broached extensions in the past is his history of injury. Springs has had hamstring, foot, shoulder and hand injuries in the past and has started all 16 games in just three of six seasons.
He was buoyed in camp, agent Roosevelt Barnes allowed, because he got through the summer virtually unscathed and missed only one day or workouts.
A Pro Bowl performer in 1998, Springs has 351 tackles and 19 interceptions in his six seasons, while appearing in 81 games and starting in all but one of them.
(This doesn't help Seattle and Springs just can't seem to stay healthy! )
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O'Donnell, Edwards among veterans cut
Neil O'Donnell, Frank Winters and Robert Edwards were among the NFL veterans cut Sunday as teams trimmed rosters to the season-limit of 53.
The release of O'Donnell by Tennessee was a surprise because it left the Titans without a veteran backup to quarterback Steve McNair. But the Titans needed the salary cap space because of shortages they must fill at other positions.
``We're scratching and clawing for every dime,'' coach Jeff Fisher said. ``When you've got two players that are similar in ability, you typically have to go with the younger player.''
That younger player is untested Billy Volek, who had a strong preseason.
Oddly, the Titans released O'Donnell in February to get under the salary cap. After the 13-year veteran visited Minnesota, New Orleans and Miami, Tennessee re-signed O'Donnell in late June.
Winters, who was entering his 17th NFL season, joined the Green Bay Packers as a free agent in 1992 and ranked fifth among active NFL players in games played, 231. He played in all 16 games at center in 2002 after injury forced out Mike Flanagan.
Edwards made a remarkable comeback from a severe knee injury to play for Miami last season. He was second in Comeback Player of the Year voting behind Pittsburgh quarterback Tommy Maddox.
``We gave him a shot and he did his part and helped us win games,'' Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt said.
Edwards' career was in serious jeopardy after he shredded his left knee in a beach football game at the 1999 Pro Bowl. A former first-round draft choice by New England, Edwards rushed 20 times for 107 yards and had 18 receptions and scored two touchdowns in 2002.
The Dolphins also put wide receiver Oronde Gadsden on injured reserve and released seven-year veteran receiver Dedric Ward.
Buffalo traded Olandis Gary to the running back-depleted Lions for an undisclosed draft choice.
Gary is entering his fifth NFL season and joined the Bills last spring as a free agent after spending his first four years with Denver. He signed with Buffalo over Detroit, but now heads to the Lions, who lost James Stewart for up to six weeks with a dislocated right shoulder.
``We don't know how long James will be out, so we felt to shore up that situation, adding a back like Olandis Gary gives us a bit of a security blanket,'' Lions coach Steve Mariucci said.
The Bills also placed top draft pick Willis McGahee, the former Miami star, on the non-football injury list. McGahee, recovering after tearing three ligaments in his left knee in the Fiesta Bowl, must miss at least six weeks.
Buffalo released defensive end Marcus Jones, a six-year veteran attempting to make a comeback after missing last season with a knee injury.
Detroit released guard Tony Semple, a fifth-round draft pick in 1994 who had the most seniority on the Lions' offense.
Elsewhere:
_ Shawn Springs will miss the first half of the Seattle Seahawks' season because of a broken bone in his shoulder.
_ Placekicker Mike Hollis and long snapper Ryan Kuehl were placed on injured reserve by the Giants, whose special teams woes continued.
_ Running back Ki-Jana Carter and tight end David Sloan were veterans among 17 players cut by New Orleans. Carter was the top overall pick in the 1995 draft by Cincinnati, but has been plagued by injuries. Sloan started 12 games for the Saints last year, catching 12 passes for 127 yards. In the past eight months, he had surgery on his left toe, left knee and right shoulder.
_ Rickey Dudley, a key component in coach Jon Gruden's multiple tight end sets last season, reached an injury settlement with Tampa Bay. He suffered a high left ankle sprain in the final preseason game and would have been sidelined for six to 10 weeks.
_ Troy Edwards, a 1999 first-round pick of the Steelers, was cut by the Rams. He caught 18 passes for 157 yards for St. Louis last season, but fell behind rookies Kevin Curtis, Shaun McDonald and Mike Furrey in training camp.
_ Jim Flanigan, a 10-year veteran defensive lineman who has played for Chicago and Green Bay, was released by San Francisco. He missed most of training camp with a back injury that also affected his legs.
_ Bengals first-year coach Marvin Lewis broke with the team's tradition and got rid of some high draft picks: safety Lamont Thompson, taken in the second round last year, and tight end Sean Brewer, a third-round pick in 2001.
He also released former first-round pick Reinard Wilson and linebacker Steve Foley, who started 44 games from 1999-2001, but missed last season with a dislocated shoulder.
Wilson was the 14th overall pick in 1997, but had only one strong season with Cincinnati.
_ Running back Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala, once a valuable backup to Jerome Bettis, was cut by Pittsburgh.
``It's been very tough because he's been an integral part of this team,'' coach Bill Cowher said. ``If you look at where we are with Amos (Zereoue) and Jerome and with the emergence of Verron Haynes, it's hard to see, at this point, where he fits on the field.''
DENVER -- Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter was seriously wounded in a shooting outside a sports bar early Sunday that left one person dead and five wounded, police said.
Porter's agent Mike Sullivan told ESPN that Porter was shot in the buttocks. Doctors are still evaluating whether to perform surgery to remove the bullet. Sullivan said the injury is serious but not career-threatening.
Police spokesman Sonny Jackson said Porter, 26, who was in Denver for the Colorado State-Colorado football game, was not involved in any confrontation. Porter, a five-year veteran who was selected to last season's Pro Bowl, is a Colorado State graduate.
"He was an innocent bystander. There was no confrontation or altercation that we know of at this time," Jackson said. No arrests were made, and Jackson would not say whether a weapon was recovered.
Denver Health Medical Center would not confirm that Porter was there, citing federal privacy laws that permit patients to block the release of their names.
One of the other five victims, was at the hospital, in fair condition, said Dee Martinez, hospital spokeswoman.
The shooting occurred outside the All Sports Bar in northeast Denver at 1:47 a.m., Jackson said.
James Greer, manager of the All Sports Bar & Grill in northeast Denver, said everyone had left the bar at the time of the shooting.
"Joey had been to the game and he came down here to patronize our business. This is very sad. I hope it doesn't interfere with his playing," Greer said.
He said there had been no fights or arguments before the shooting. One of the victims, Kendal Johnson, was a bar employee. He was treated and released.
The bar, open since May, sits between an area of heavy industry and a residential neighborhood. Greer said three off-duty police officers were working security at the bar earlier in the evening but may have left by the time the shooting occurred.
The dead man was identified as Christopher Wilford, 28. The other victims were identified as Kendal Johnson, Samantha Long, Yvette Marshal and Jeffery Dixon.
Jackson said the shots were fired from outside a fenced-in parking lot where the victims were standing.
Steelers coach Bill Cowher said the team would not place Porter on injured reserve, which would sideline him for the season.
"The bullet entered his left buttocks and is lodged in his right thigh," Cowher said Sunday. "All the preliminary tests are being done and, at this time, it looks as though the bullet did not hit any vital organs. He is resting comfortably in the hospital, and we are in the process of ... trying to fly him back here (Monday)."
Cowher did not speculate how long Porter would be out. Losing Porter for a substantial period would be a major blow to a defense that was the NFL's best in 2001 and ranked seventh overall last season.
"Joey's going to be fine; he'll be back," Cowher said. "He's a special guy, and he'll be back."
Clark Haggans, who played mostly as a rush end in the Steelers' dime defense last season, likely will start Sunday's opener against Baltimore. Haggans also is a former Colorado State player.
Cowher talked to Porter on Sunday and said the linebacker was distraught over getting hurt with the season about to start. The Steelers otherwise came through the preseason with no serious injuries.
"He's as well as can be expected. He feels like he's let the football team down. He was really emotional," Cowher said.
Porter, a third-round draft pick in 1998, played in his first Pro Bowl last season. He became the first player since sacks became an official statistic in 1982 to have nine sacks and four interceptions.
Considered one of the league's best all-around linebackers, Porter also had two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles last season. Against Oakland in the second game of 2002, Porter made 10 solo tackles, had three sacks and intercepted two passes, earning him to AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
"Joey's like a Broadway showman," Haggans said during training camp. "If he has any ability in something he likes to show it. He wants everyone to see it, like it."
(This should be a HUGE loss for the Steelers!)
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Lions Trade for a Running Back
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The running-back depleted Detroit Lions acquired Olandis Gary from the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, giving the team another option for replacing injured starter James Stewart.
"Given the health of our situation at tailback, a trade was a possibility, so we pursued it," Lions coach Steve Mariucci said. "He gives us another veteran back on board.
"We don't know how long James will be out so we felt to shore up that situation, adding a back like Olandis Gary gives us a bit of a security blanket."
Stewart is expected to miss up to six weeks after dislocating his right shoulder in Detroit's preseason finale, a 22-16 loss to Buffalo on Thursday.
In exchange for Gary, the Bills will receive an undisclosed draft pick.
The move made sense for both teams, as the Bills, anticipating the midseason activation of injured rookie Willis McGahee, already were well-stocked at the position behind starter Travis Henry.
Gary, 28, is entering his fifth NFL season and joined the Bills last spring as a free agent after spending his first four years with Denver.
Playing behind Clinton Portis last year, Gary managed just 147 yards rushing in 13 games, including two starts. His best season came as a rookie, when he had 1,159 yards rushing and seven touchdowns in 12 starts with the Broncos.
Gary was expected to get limited playing time in Buffalo, as Henry is coming off a breakout season in which he finished fifth in the league with 1,438 yards rushing last season.
Without Stewart, who led Detroit in rushing the past three seasons, the Lions had no proven backup to step in. Detroit's choices were limited to Shawn Bryson, who's coming off knee surgery; Avon Cobourne, an undrafted free agent out of West Virginia; and Autry Denson, a four-year journeyman who the Lions cut Sunday to make room for Gary.
Mariucci said he will not select a starting running back until later in the week, after he sees Gary practice.
"It's a win-win situation overall for everybody," Gary's agent, Frank Murtha, said. ``Buffalo gets something for Olandis, and he gets a chance to come in and certainly play a significant amount until James returns to health. ... And that was his goal, to get back on the field in an extensive way."
Curiously, the Lions were one of several teams Gary considered before signing with Buffalo last April.
Murtha said Gary chose Buffalo instead of Detroit because of fears the Lions were going to select a running back high in the draft.
The trade was announced as part of the teams' moves to cut their rosters to the NFL maximum 53 players.
The Bills placed third-string quarterback Travis Brown on the injured reserve list, meaning he will miss the season. Brown dislocated his middle finger during Buffalo's 28-24 preseason victory over St. Louis on Aug. 23.
Buffalo also released six players, including defensive end Marcus Jones, a six-year veteran attempting to make a comeback after missing last season with a knee injury.
Jones spent his first six seasons with Tampa Bay before being released by the Buccaneers.
Also released by Buffalo were defensive end Grant Irons, receiver Rodney Wright, defensive back Scott Turner, running back Ken Simonton and quarterback Jason Johnson.
By cutting Johnson and placing Brown on injured reserve, the Bills are left with two quarterbacks, Drew Bledsoe and backup Alex Van Pelt.
The Lions cut 13 players, including nine-year veteran offensive guard Tony Semple and rookie wide receiver David Kircus.
Semple, a fifth-round draft pick in 1994, had the most seniority on the Lions' offense.
"We had to release some veteran guys and that's what I enjoy least about coaching in the National Football League and saying goodbye to a guy like Tony Semple," Mariucci said.
"I told him that I hope he stays in shape, because we may choose to call him back, because he's certainly capable of being on our football team."
Three players who appeared in games for the Lions last season -- tight end Matt Murphy, safety Lamar Campbell and offensive guard Kerlin Blaise -- were cut.
The Lions also released guard Tyrone Hopson, offensive tackle Ben Johnson, defensive ends Jonathan Taylor and Antwan Lake, linebacker Jody Littleton, and cornerback Gerald Dixon.
Veteran defensive tackle Luther Elliss was put on the reserve/non-football injury list and linebacker Brian Williams was put on injured reserve.
(This could be a GREAT pickup and positive move for this team if Olandis stays healthy! )
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Springs Suffers yet ANOTHER injury
Veteran cornerback Shawn Springs, whose impact with the Seattle Seahawks over the past few seasons has been blunted by injuries, is expected to miss up to two months after suffering a broken right shoulder blade in Friday night's preseason finale.
The injury is just the latest setback for Springs, who has missed a dozen games because of various ailments in six previous seasons, and who has been forced to battle chronic hamstring problems. The fracture, which occurred when Springs collided with Denver running back Mike Anderson, will require rest but not surgery.
This is the second time that Springs has suffered a scapula injury. In his sophomore year in college, he fractured his left shoulder blade.
It is expected that first-round draft choice Marcus Trufant will assume the starting job at left cornerback. Fortunately for the Seahawks, cornerback is one of the deepest positions on the team, and new coordinator Ray Rhodes has several options for reconfiguring his third-down packages as well.
This was to have been a significant year for Springs, the Seahawks' first-round choice in 1997, and the third prospect chosen overall in that draft. The former Ohio State standout is entering the final season of his original seven-year contract, one of few NFL players in recent history to go that deep into a long-term deal without a restructuring or extension, and he will be eligible for unrestricted free agency next spring.
Springs, 28, is scheduled to earn a base salary of $2 million in 2003. One reason Seattle officials have not broached extensions in the past is his history of injury. Springs has had hamstring, foot, shoulder and hand injuries in the past and has started all 16 games in just three of six seasons.
He was buoyed in camp, agent Roosevelt Barnes allowed, because he got through the summer virtually unscathed and missed only one day or workouts.
A Pro Bowl performer in 1998, Springs has 351 tackles and 19 interceptions in his six seasons, while appearing in 81 games and starting in all but one of them.
(This doesn't help Seattle and Springs just can't seem to stay healthy! )
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O'Donnell, Edwards among veterans cut
Neil O'Donnell, Frank Winters and Robert Edwards were among the NFL veterans cut Sunday as teams trimmed rosters to the season-limit of 53.
The release of O'Donnell by Tennessee was a surprise because it left the Titans without a veteran backup to quarterback Steve McNair. But the Titans needed the salary cap space because of shortages they must fill at other positions.
``We're scratching and clawing for every dime,'' coach Jeff Fisher said. ``When you've got two players that are similar in ability, you typically have to go with the younger player.''
That younger player is untested Billy Volek, who had a strong preseason.
Oddly, the Titans released O'Donnell in February to get under the salary cap. After the 13-year veteran visited Minnesota, New Orleans and Miami, Tennessee re-signed O'Donnell in late June.
Winters, who was entering his 17th NFL season, joined the Green Bay Packers as a free agent in 1992 and ranked fifth among active NFL players in games played, 231. He played in all 16 games at center in 2002 after injury forced out Mike Flanagan.
Edwards made a remarkable comeback from a severe knee injury to play for Miami last season. He was second in Comeback Player of the Year voting behind Pittsburgh quarterback Tommy Maddox.
``We gave him a shot and he did his part and helped us win games,'' Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt said.
Edwards' career was in serious jeopardy after he shredded his left knee in a beach football game at the 1999 Pro Bowl. A former first-round draft choice by New England, Edwards rushed 20 times for 107 yards and had 18 receptions and scored two touchdowns in 2002.
The Dolphins also put wide receiver Oronde Gadsden on injured reserve and released seven-year veteran receiver Dedric Ward.
Buffalo traded Olandis Gary to the running back-depleted Lions for an undisclosed draft choice.
Gary is entering his fifth NFL season and joined the Bills last spring as a free agent after spending his first four years with Denver. He signed with Buffalo over Detroit, but now heads to the Lions, who lost James Stewart for up to six weeks with a dislocated right shoulder.
``We don't know how long James will be out, so we felt to shore up that situation, adding a back like Olandis Gary gives us a bit of a security blanket,'' Lions coach Steve Mariucci said.
The Bills also placed top draft pick Willis McGahee, the former Miami star, on the non-football injury list. McGahee, recovering after tearing three ligaments in his left knee in the Fiesta Bowl, must miss at least six weeks.
Buffalo released defensive end Marcus Jones, a six-year veteran attempting to make a comeback after missing last season with a knee injury.
Detroit released guard Tony Semple, a fifth-round draft pick in 1994 who had the most seniority on the Lions' offense.
Elsewhere:
_ Shawn Springs will miss the first half of the Seattle Seahawks' season because of a broken bone in his shoulder.
_ Placekicker Mike Hollis and long snapper Ryan Kuehl were placed on injured reserve by the Giants, whose special teams woes continued.
_ Running back Ki-Jana Carter and tight end David Sloan were veterans among 17 players cut by New Orleans. Carter was the top overall pick in the 1995 draft by Cincinnati, but has been plagued by injuries. Sloan started 12 games for the Saints last year, catching 12 passes for 127 yards. In the past eight months, he had surgery on his left toe, left knee and right shoulder.
_ Rickey Dudley, a key component in coach Jon Gruden's multiple tight end sets last season, reached an injury settlement with Tampa Bay. He suffered a high left ankle sprain in the final preseason game and would have been sidelined for six to 10 weeks.
_ Troy Edwards, a 1999 first-round pick of the Steelers, was cut by the Rams. He caught 18 passes for 157 yards for St. Louis last season, but fell behind rookies Kevin Curtis, Shaun McDonald and Mike Furrey in training camp.
_ Jim Flanigan, a 10-year veteran defensive lineman who has played for Chicago and Green Bay, was released by San Francisco. He missed most of training camp with a back injury that also affected his legs.
_ Bengals first-year coach Marvin Lewis broke with the team's tradition and got rid of some high draft picks: safety Lamont Thompson, taken in the second round last year, and tight end Sean Brewer, a third-round pick in 2001.
He also released former first-round pick Reinard Wilson and linebacker Steve Foley, who started 44 games from 1999-2001, but missed last season with a dislocated shoulder.
Wilson was the 14th overall pick in 1997, but had only one strong season with Cincinnati.
_ Running back Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala, once a valuable backup to Jerome Bettis, was cut by Pittsburgh.
``It's been very tough because he's been an integral part of this team,'' coach Bill Cowher said. ``If you look at where we are with Amos (Zereoue) and Jerome and with the emergence of Verron Haynes, it's hard to see, at this point, where he fits on the field.''
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