Packers release veteran cornerback Harris

GREEN BAY, Wis.-- The Green Bay Packers have released veteran cornerback Al Harris, cutting short his attempt to return to the field after a serious knee injury.

The 35-year-old Harris is nearly a year removed from a season-ending left knee injury last November. He began this season on the team's physically unable to perform list and returned to practice Oct. 19, giving the Packers a three-week timeline to decide his future.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said the move wasn't an indication that the Packers think Harris' playing days are over.

"I think Al Harris will definitely play again in the National Football League," McCarthy said.

Instead, McCarthy said the decision was made with the team's overall roster in mind.

Tramon Williams has emerged as a potential Pro Bowl-caliber cornerback in Harris' absence, and coaches believe rookie Sam Shields can develop into a top cornerback over the next few years.

And if the team were to activate Harris, they would have to release another player -- a move that might hinder them in other areas, particularly on special teams.

"This is not a physical decision," McCarthy said. "This is a big-picture roster decision."

The Packers activated safety Atari Bigby from the physically unable to perform list on Saturday. McCarthy said the team has not yet made a decision on the future of rookie running back James Starks.

Harris started all 102 games he played in for the Packers over seven seasons (2003-09) after being acquired from Philadelphia. He had 14 interceptions and 108 passes defensed during his time in Green Bay.

McCarthy brushed aside any concerns that the move would have a negative effect in the Packers' locker room.

"You look at all those variables," McCarthy said. "With that, you always trust your leadership in your locker room. Al's a veteran player, a popular player. These are decisions that need to be made at different times of the year. We felt that Al had an opportunity to come back from a serious injury, he did an excellent job with his rehab. As far as the locker room, we trust the leadership in the locker room."

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With the rest of the team celebrating a 45-7 rout of the Dallas Cowboys, Harris told espnmilwaukee.com late Sunday night that he expected to be released. McCarthy said the final decision wasn't made until Monday morning, and that general manager Ted Thompson was trying to reach him to discuss the move.

"Ted and I both have been very up front with Al all the way through the process," McCarthy said. "Time and time again, he knew what his options were, where we felt that he stood and so forth."

McCarthy thanked Harris for his dedication to the team, and Thompson praised him in a statement.

"We want to thank Al for his contributions to the Green Bay Packers," Thompson said. "His hard work, dedication and professionalism have been the keys to his success. During his time here, he has been a valuable member of our organization and our community. We wish him the very best in the future and he will always be a part of the Packer family."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Patriots activate Pro Bowl guard Mankins, release two

The New England Patriots announced Saturday that they have activated Logan Mankins for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns, and a source told the Boston Herald that the two-time Pro Bowl guard could start.

Mankins, a 2005 first-round draft pick out of Fresno State, reported to the Patriots this week after holding out for the first seven games of the season in search of a better contract. He didn't receive one, so he signed his restricted free-agent tender Tuesday.

Mankins, a Pro Bowl pick in 2007 and 2009, practiced with the Patriots' first-team offensive line all week, the Boston Globe reported. Mankins has started all 80 NFL games in which he has played.

Backup guard Dan Connolly has started in Mankins' place all season.

To make roster room for Mankins, oft-injured cornerback Terrence Wheatley was released. Also, linebacker Tyrone McKenzie was released from the practice squad, a move the Herald reported came at the player's request.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Bucs release veteran TE Stevens after drug arrest

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers released backup tight end Jerramy Stevens on Monday, two days after he was arrested and charged with possessing marijuana.

Stevens didn't play in Sunday's 18-17 Bucs victory over the St. Louis Rams.

The Bucs filled the open roster spot by promoting rookie tight end Ryan Purvis from the practice squad. Purvis, who went undrafted out of Boston College, caught five passes for 69 yards and a touchdown in four preseason games.

Stevens was pulled over in his Ford pickup truck on Saturday at 7:05 a.m. for loud music, Tampa police spokeswoman Andrea Davis said Sunday in a news release. The officer said he smelled marijuana inside the vehicle and found 38 grams, or 1 1/3 ounce, of marijuana.

Stevens, 30, was taken to jail and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Stevens previously was convicted of drunken driving in 2007 and pleaded guilty to reckless driving in 2003.

Stevens signed with the Bucs in 2007 after spending the first five years of his career with the Seattle Seahawks. The former first-round draft pick had 15 receptions for 130 yards and one touchdown last season and has 202 catches for 2,217 yards and 22 scores in his career.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Niners grant veteran safety Lewis his release

The San Francisco 49ers have parted with Michael Lewis, two days after the veteran safety reportedly requested his release.

Lewis did not travel with the team to Atlanta this weekend, having left the team Friday for what coach Mike Singletary deemed personal reasons.

The team announced Lewis' release Monday in a press release.

"I want to thank Michael for his hard work and leadership as a 49er," Singletary said. "We wish him and his family all the best."

Lewis and the 49ers' divorce began when the safety lost trust in the 49ers organization, according to a report Saturday in The Sacramento Bee. That mistrust may stem from an NFL Network report last Wednesday that Lewis and veteran LB Takeo Spikes were on the verge of being benched. Singletary denied the report, saying there would be no lineup changes vs. the Falcons, and stayed true to his word, starting Spikes.

Rookie S Taylor Mays started in place of Lewis and made his presence felt. He recovered a blocked Falcons punt in the end zone in the first quarter for a touchdown.

Lewis, 30, has started all 50 games in which he has appeared with the 49ers. He took a pay cut to remain with San Francisco for a fourth season. He played his first five seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.

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Bears release one-time sensation Anderson, sign DE Grant

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears have terminated the contract of defensive end Mark Anderson, who four years ago made a rookie team-record 12 sacks.

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The Bears on Tuesday signed veteran defensive end Charles Grant, who was cut by the New Orleans Saints in March and released by the Miami Dolphins last month before playing in two games with Omaha of the United Football League.

Grant, who signed a one-year deal with the Bears, started 16 games for the Saints last season before an arm injury forced him to miss the playoffs.

Anderson, a fifth-round draft pick in 2006, was a pass-rushing sensation in his first season, but he never developed into the player the Bears expected after that fast beginning.

Grant originally was selected by the Saints in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He has 47 sacks in 118 career games, including 106 starts.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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