CHIEFS Linebacker breaks hand KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Linebacker Demorrio Williams likely will miss the final two Kansas City Chiefs preseason games with a broken bone in his right hand, but expects to be ready for the Sept. 7 opener at New England. Williams, a free agent who signed a five-year contract in March, suffered the injury in practice Tuesday, but did not learn of the severity until a cast was placed on the hand later.
“When I did it, I knew I did something, but I thought I might just have jammed another finger,” Williams said Wednesday. “I ended up going through practice. I didn’t think it was this serious.” From what doctors told him, Williams said, he’ll miss Saturday’s game at Miami and probably the Aug. 28 preseason game with St. Louis. “I will be back for New England,” Williams said. Williams said he was rushing the passer when the injury occurred. “I got pushed in the back and hit the quarterback’s back of his foot and my fingers kind of slid between them,” Williams said. “I didn’t think it was as bad as they said it was.” He said the “cracked bone” is between his little finger and ring finger. He has never played in a cast, but might be forced to do so against the Patriots. Also, starting right tackle Damion Mc-Intosh was held out of practice Wednesday after spraining an ankle Tuesday. Linebackers Donnie Edwards and Napoleon Harris are also in pain, Edwards with hamstring trouble and Harris with a knee. “They haven’t taken a snap yet in the games yet,” Coach Herm Edwards said. “That’s a little bit concerning. They are veteran guys and still have a little time.” Branden Albert, a first-round pick who is projected to start at left tackle, also is out with a foot injury. “This is my third year in a row that the starting offensive line has not practiced together,” Edwards said. Tight end Brad Cottam, shoulder, and cornerback Tyron Brackenridge, hamstring, also did not practice.
RAMS RB ends holdout ST. LOUIS — St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson ended his holdout Wednesday while his agent continues negotiations for a new contract. The 235-pound Jackson, a bruising runner and the centerpiece of the team’s offense, is entering the final year of a five-year, $ 7 million deal he signed as a first-round pick in 2004. His prolonged stand perhaps reflected a realization of his value to an attack that averaged only 16 points last season while going 3-13. The Rams cut off negotiations in late July on the first day of training camp after Jackson’s agent, Eugene Parker, turned down a deal the team said would have put Jackson in the top echelon at his position.
At that time, Jay Zygmunt, the Rams ’ president of football operations, said there would be no further talks until the running back reported.
“This is certainly a step in the right direction,” Coach Scott Linehan said. “We’re hoping we can get this thing squared away real quickly.” Jackson is scheduled for a physical this morning and could make it onto the practice field that day. Jackson had his third consecutive 1, 000-yard season in 2007 despite missing four games with injuries and the Rams had made signing him to a contract extension a priority in the off-season. Zygmunt said the team approached Jackson’s agent not long after the season to discuss a new deal, but negotiations stalled when Jackson switched representatives and signed with Parker in late June. Antonio Pittman, signed by the Rams last season after the Saints drafted him in the fourth round and then released him in their final roster cuts, gained 67 yards on nine carries last week as the stand-in feature back. SEAHAWKS Hasselbeck still out RENTON, Wash. — Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck did not practice again because of a stiff back Wednesday, and he might also miss his second consecutive preseason game against San Diego. Coach Mike Holmgren is trying to ensure Hasselbeck is ready for the regular-season opener Sept. 7 at Buffalo. Hasselbeck first felt his back tighten while completing seven of eight passes for 70 yards and a touchdown in two sharp series of the preseason opener Aug. 8 at Minnesota. That could be the only game action for the three-time Pro Bowler before the opener. Seattle has just one practice day between Monday’s game and the preseason finale against Oakland on Aug. 29. DOLPHINS-BROWNS Cornerback traded DAVIE, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins traded cornerback Travis Daniels to the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday for an undisclosed draft pick. Daniels played in all 16 games last season for Miami, including five starts. He had 27 tackles and an interception. The Dolphins took Daniels with a fourth-round draft pick in 2005. Then-Coach Nick Saban made the pick after coaching Daniels at LSU. Daniels has played cornerback and safety. He started 14 games his rookie season and had 62 tackles and an interception. Daniels recorded 36 tackles and an interception in 2006.
BILLS QB misses practice PITTSFORD, N. Y. — Quarterback Trent Edwards has a swollen bruise above his right kneecap, which forced him to miss practice Wednesday, a day after the Buffalo Bills starter knocked knees in a collision with running back Marshawn Lynch. Walking with a noticeable limp, Edwards was relieved the injury to his lower right quadriceps wasn’t as severe as he initially feared, but added he’s not sure whether he’ll play in Buffalo’s third preseason game at Indianapolis on Sunday. Except for the swelling, Edwards said he’s been informed that there is nothing structurally wrong with his leg or knee. The injury is a setback for Edwards, the 2007 third-round pick out of Stanford, who took over the starting job from J. P. Losman midway through last season.
EAGLES WR to have surgery PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Kevin Curtis will have surgery today to repair a sports hernia and likely will miss the start of the regular season. Coach Andy Reid believes Curtis, the team’s top receiver last season, will be back during the regular season, but no timetable has been set for his return. After signing with the Eagles as a free agent last year, Curtis had a careerhigh 77 catches for a team-best 1, 110 yards and six touchdowns. RAVENS Smith to start OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Troy Smith will be the Baltimore Ravens starting quarterback for Saturday’s preseason game against the St. Louis Rams, Coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday.
The former Heisman Trophy winner might play as much as three quarters as the Ravens want to evaluate him as they try to determine who will be the quarterback in the season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 7.
Former starter Kyle Boller is Smith’s chief competition, yet he might not even play against the Rams. Boller has committed a team-high three turnovers in two preseason games.
Harbaugh emphasized that he hasn’t made up his mind on who will ultimately be the starter, but this is obviously a prime opportunity for Smith to seize the job.
Smith has completed just 8 of 17 passes for 99 yards and no touchdowns with one interception. He has a 41. 1 quarterback rating, which is the lowest among the team’s three quarterbacks.
Smith threw just five passes when he started the Ravens’ 23-15 loss against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, completing three for 25 yards with one interception. Accuracy has been an issue for Smith, who threw two touchdowns with no interceptions as a rookie last season in two starts
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