O'Hara, Seubert -- two stalwarts of Giants O-line -- expected to be cut

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants have told center and player representative Shaun O'Hara and guard Rich Seubert that they will be released.

A source close to each veteran told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the team told the players they would be cut on Thursday in what are salary-cap moves.

The Giants are roughly $10 million over the NFL's new $120.4 million salary cap. The releases of O'Hara ($3.45 million in 2011) and Seubert ($2.25 million) will reduce the problem by roughly $6 million.

O'Hara, 34, who was the starting center since 2004, was limited to six games last season because of ankle and foot injuries. He had surgeries on both in the offseason.

O'Hara, who played at Rutgers and is a local fan favorite, has been the Giants' player representative in recent years and he voted in Washington on Monday on the agreement that ended the 4 1/2-month lockout.

The 32-year-old Seubert probably was the Giants' most valuable lineman last season. He moved from guard to center after both O'Hara and backup Adam Koets were sidelined.

However, Seubert suffered a major knee injury against Washington in the final game of the season when he dislocated his right knee. It was his second major injury. He broke his right leg in a game against Philadelphia in 2003 and did not return until the 2005 season. He needed five surgeries to repair the leg.

It was uncertain whether either O'Hara or Seubert would have been ready for the season, anyway. The Giants could re-sign them, but it is not known, at this point, if either wants to come back.

The moves leave Koets as the only returning center with starting experience, and he also is coming off a major knee injury.

O'Hara, Seubert, guard Chris Snee and tackles David Diehl and Kareem McKenzie once had a streak of starting 32 consecutive games in a run that made them one of the NFL's top offensive lines.

The Giants open the preseason on Aug. 13 at Carolina.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Chargers WR Jackson expected to sign tender, report to camp

San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson will sign his franchise tender and report to training camp on time, According to a source.

After being designated with the franchise tag last year, a disgruntled Jackson opted to sit out much of the 2010 season after failing to reach a long-term agreement with the Chargers. Jackson skipped the first 10 games of the season, returning in Week 12. In five games, Jackson had 14 receptions for 248 yards and three touchdowns.

Jackson was one of 10 plaintiffs in the Brady et al v. National Football League et al antitrust case.

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Report: Assault indictment expected for Bucs' Talib in Texas

Tampa Bay Buccaneeers cornerback Aqib Talib is expected to be indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon by a Dallas County grand jury, the St. Petersburg Times reported Thursday, citing Texas law enforcement authorities.

Police say they believe Talib and his mother, Okolo Talib, shot at Shannon Billings, the boyfriend of the player's sister. Billings wasn't injured.

Talib -- who has denied wrongdoing -- is charged with assault with a deadly weapon, a second-degree felony that is punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison.

The March 21 incident wasn't the first brush with trouble for Talib, a first-round draft pick by the Bucs in 2008.

Talib was charged with simple battery and resisting arrest in connection with an assault on a taxi driver in Tampa in 2009. He was suspended by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for the 2010 season opener as punishment for that incident, and Talib settled out of court with the cab driver.

Talib's troubles date to 2008, when he was involved in a fight with fellow Bucs rookie Cory Boyd at the NFL Rookie Symposium. In May 2009, Talib wound up inadvertently hitting teammate Torrie Cox in the face with his helmet while fighting with Donald Penn during a minicamp workout.

The team has yet to take any disciplinary measures against Talib for the latest incident.

"We have not talked about that," Bucs coach Raheem Morris told WHBO-AM earlier this month. "That has not taken place. We will, but that time has not come yet."

Former Bucs defensive tackle Chris Hovan spoke out about Talib last month, saying he believed team management has been too lenient on his ex-teammate.

"(Talib) has been given too much leeway from Raheem Morris because, I guess, coach Morris (the Bucs' former secondary coach) has favoritism towards him because he played defensive back," said Hovan, who started all but one game for the Bucs between 2005 and 2009. "Again, they are giving this young man way too much leeway. Any other individual would have been cut way before this. But Aqib's got so much talent -- his talent goes through the ceiling. But you can't have these offseason issues and you can't keep covering for this kid because they're saying it's OK for what he is doing."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Cardinals expected to make push for Steelers LBs coach Butler

There is a good possibility that Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers coach Keith Butler will leave the team after the Super Bowl to become the Arizona Cardinals' defensive coordinator, a source with knowledge of the situation said Wednesday.

Butler is presumed to be the defensive coordinator in waiting in Pittsburgh, behind Dick LeBeau. He is very close with Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt (also a former Steelers assistant coach), however, and Butler likely will accept Arizona's defensive coordinator job if he's offered it, according to the source.

The Cardinals cannot speak to Butler until after the Super Bowl, and the Steelers would be very unlikely to block him from going to Arizona should he express a strong desire to do so.

The Steelers expect LeBeau to return as defensive coordinator in 2011 -- and he has expressed a desire to do so -- but he always could opt to retire following the Super Bowl as well. If LeBeau continues to coach, he has said he would only do so in Pittsburgh, where the defense have been dominant under him. The Steelers led the NFL in scoring defense this season.

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Steelers' Miller expected back on field against Panthers

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers expect tight end Heath Miller to play Thursday night against Carolina after missing two games with a concussion.

Miller, hurt Dec. 5 in Baltimore, was expected to return for Sunday's game against the Jets, but developed post-concussion headaches and was held out. His replacement, Matt Spaeth, caught a touchdown pass during Pittsburgh's 22-17 loss.

Miller was injured on a helmet hit by the Ravens' Jameel McClain, who was fined $40,000 by the NFL.

Defensive end Aaron Smith (torn triceps) is being fitted with a shoulder brace so he can resume practicing, although coach Mike Tomlin did not say Monday when that might be. The Steelers practice only once this week.

Smith hasn't played since being injured Oct. 24 in Miami.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Bears QB Cutler expected to start Sunday vs. Seahawks

Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler was cleared to fully participate in practice and is scheduled to start this weekend, a league source told NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora on Tuesday.

Cutler's status has been the dominant topic surrounding the Bears ever since his nine-sack first half during a loss to the New York Giants two weeks ago left him with a concussion. Barring any unforeseen setbacks, Cutler will practice Wednesday and return to the lineup for Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Cutler sat out last Sunday's 23-6 victory over the Carolina Panthers. Backup Todd Collins struggled mightily in that game, completed just 6 of 16 passes for 32 yards with four interceptions.

Bears coach Lovie Smith said Monday that he hoped Cutler could play in the next game, but he quickly tried to have reporters change their line of questioning.

"I'm not going to talk about Jay anymore," Smith said. "There's nothing else for me to tell you about Jay. He's doing better. Wednesday, we'll be able to tell you a little bit more."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Broncos RB Moreno expected to shake injury, play next week

The Denver Broncos don't have running back Knowshon Moreno for Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens, but they fully expect him to play next week, a team source said.

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There was a sense that Moreno would play this week, but he ultimately was ruled out because of a hamstring injury that has sidelined him since Week 2. Moreno has 111 yards on 39 carries in two games this season.

The Broncos, who are averaging an NFL-worst 55 rushing yards per game this season, will host the New York Jets in Week 6.

Without Moreno in the backfield, the Broncos have struggled to run the ball. Correll Buckhalter has 49 yards on 27 carries, and Laurence Maroney, acquired in a trade with the New England Patriots, has managed just 29 yards on 23 carries in two starts for Denver.

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Falcons WR Jenkins expected to play after four-week absence

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Michael Jenkins, who has missed the first four games of the season with a shoulder injury, returned to practice Wednesday and is expected to make his debut this weekend against the Cleveland Browns.

The seven-year veteran injured his shoulder during the preseason.

Jenkins, 28, started nine games for Atlanta last season, recording 50 receptions for 635 yards and one touchdown.

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Saints' Porter expected to miss 3 to 4 weeks after knee surgery

METAIRIE, La. -- Another player who contributed to the New Orleans Saints' Super Bowl run has to be replaced for a few games.

Tracy Porter will be out three to four weeks after arthroscopic surgery to repair the lateral meniscus in his left knee, leaving a team that has already looked vulnerable without one of its starting cornerbacks.

Four regulars were unable to practice Wednesday: Porter, defensive end Will Smith (groin), and running backs Reggie Bush (right fibula) and Pierre Thomas (left ankle). Then there were players -- including strong safeties Roman Harper (hamstring) and Pierson Prioleau (chest) -- who were banged up but practiced on a limited basis with the hope of being able to play at Arizona on Sunday.

"Part of the success that you have in this league has a lot to do with how you respond to injuries and how a team can persevere through some of the unfortunate things that happen," said Prioleau, a special teams captain who started at safety last Sunday in place of Harper but was knocked out of the game on kick coverage.

"It's obvious that we've had to endure some injuries to some key players in key spots on this team, but it's going to show the mark of the team that we are to have the ability to come out and still produce on the field with the guy that's next in line."

In all, 19 players were listed on New Orleans' injury report, although 12 practiced fully.

The Saints (3-1) have found a way to win and are tied for first place in the NFC South. But their performances haven't approached the level of dominance they displayed last season, when they won each of their first six games by double digits.

After opening the season with a five-point win over Minnesota, the Saints edged winless San Francisco with a last second field goal, lost to the Falcons in overtime after missing a field goal that could have won it, and then needed a field goal late in the fourth quarter for a two-point, comeback victory over winless Carolina.

The Saints contend their best football is still ahead, given how many players are out or playing hurt.

Quarterback Drew Brees is playing with a brace on his left knee, which was injured on a hit by Atlanta defensive end John Abraham in Week 3.

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Rookie running back Chris Ivory, who had 12 carries against Carolina, favored his left knee with a pronounced limp as he made his way from the trainer's room to his locker.

Ivory's path to the regular season roster was cleared in training camp by season-ending injuries to Lynell Hamilton and P.J. Hill. Then when Bush went out after Week 2, Ivory began to see significant action the past two games and the Saints signed Ladell Betts, who is now the only running back not listed on the injury report.

Brees said the club's running back situation exemplifies how the Saints have been forced to overcome factors beyond their control as they try to defend their title.

"Did I think at this point that Ladell Betts and Chris Ivory would be our two starting running backs going back to training camp? I don't think they were on the radar at that point," Brees said. "Anytime some of your key components are not on the field, it's going to affect you a little bit and you just kind of wait for the time to put all the pieces to the puzzle back on the field. I feel that the guys that have stepped in have done a very good job."

Saints coach Sean Payton said the Saints worked out two safeties this week -- Macho Harris and Pat Watkins -- but decided against signing either because the club hopes either Harper or Prioleau can play Sunday. When both were out on Sunday, Chris Reis went in at strong safety, only to leave the game with a season-ending shoulder injury. Then Usama Young, already a regular on special teams, had to fill in at strong safety.

Young was drafted as a cornerback and is now a reserve free safety, so moving to strong safety on Sunday required him to contribute on run support more than he is accustomed.

"You've got to be able to have that linebacker's mentality," Young said. "You've got to be able to close some gaps and it happens fast."

After Young tackled DeAngelo Williams for a loss late in the fourth quarter -- a crowd-pleasing play which took Carolina out of range for a winning field goal try -- Young said he briefly thought to himself that he could get used to playing strong safety.

"But when I went home that night I started feeling my neck getting a little tight, the shoulders were hurting and I said, 'Man, being in (on run support) takes it out of you,"' Young said.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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