News briefs: Raiders QB Campbell returns to practice

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Oakland Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell is practicing again. Whether he'll play in Thursday's preseason finale is uncertain.

Campbell worked out Monday for the first time since being carted off the field during a preseason loss to San Francisco on Saturday. He appeared fine during a light 90-minute workout Monday in no pads and showed no lingering effects from the stinger he suffered after being hit by 49ers linebacker Travis LaBoy in the second quarter. Campbell's right wrist, which he injured on the previous series and was more of a concern for the Raiders, also appeared fine.

"He did everything we need to do in practice," Oakland coach Tom Cable said. "I knew after the game that he would be all right, so it was just a matter of him going back to work."

Cable's optimistic viewpoint was in stark contrast to Saturday, when the team and its fans held their collective breath after Campbell went down. He remained prone on the turf for 5 minutes before being helped to his feet and being placed in a cart.

The 28-year-old, acquired from Washington in the offseason to replace JaMarcus Russell as Oakland's starting quarterback, underwent an MRI test on his wrist Sunday. Full story

Bears LB Briggs to miss preseason finale

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs will not play in Thursday's preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns because of a sprained right ankle.

Coach Lovie Smith said that he anticipates the five-time Pro Bowler will be available for the season-opener against Detroit next week.

Briggs was injured in Saturday's 14-9 preseason loss to the Arizona Cardinals. If a question exists about Briggs' availability, linebacker Nick Roach said most players are interchangeable at the position and there is good depth.

Both Briggs and linebacker Brian Urlacher declined comment on their health situations. Briggs quickly walked off the practice field with a noticeable limp. Urlacher missed the Cardinals game and all of the previous week's practices with a left calf strain, but on Monday practiced for the first time since his Aug. 21 injury.

Saints assistant suspended for role in scam

METAIRIE, La. -- New Orleans Saints defensive line coach Travis Jones has been suspended 30 days without pay for his admitted role in a real estate scam involving 40 people in northwestern Texas.

General manager Mickey Loomis says the suspension will begin immediately. Loomis says Jones is cooperating with the federal investigation into the scam and will take part in a program to educate others in the NFL about his experience.

In June, Jones entered a plea of conspiracy to commit mail fraud in U.S. District Court in Texas' Eastern District. Court records show Jones also signed a factual statement admitting his role in the alleged scam, which netted him about $86,000.

'Skins, Rams swap draftees Morris, Davis

ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Redskins and St. Louis Rams swapped 2010 draft picks in a pair of trades.

The Redskins sent sixth-round selection Dennis Morris to the Rams for a conditional, undisclosed draft pick. St. Louis sent fifth-round pick Hall Davis to Washington, also for a conditional, undisclosed pick.

Davis, from Louisiana-Lafayette, was at Redskins Park. He was listed as a defensive end with the Rams, but he would play linebacker with the Redskins.

Washington coach Mike Shanahan said he will look at Davis over the next few days before final cuts are made Saturday.

Morris, from Louisiana Tech, worked at tight end and fullback for the Redskins in training camp. Shanahan said Morris wasn't going to make the 53-man roster.

Eagles acquire FB Scott for Cards CB Calvin

PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Eagles traded fullback Charles Scott to the Arizona Cardinals for cornerback Jorrick Calvin in a swap of rookie draft picks.

Calvin was selected one pick behind Scott in the sixth round. Calvin played one season at Troy but was academically ineligible last year. He had two interceptions and 76 tackles in 12 starts in 2008. Calvin also returned kickoffs and punts.

Scott was a running back at Louisiana State, but was moved to fullback in Philadelphia. He had one carry in three preseason games.

Arizona was in need of a fullback after Nathan Broughton went down with a knee injury in Saturday night's 14-9 victory at Chicago. That left Reagan Maui'a as the only fullback on the roster.

Bengals WR Purify suspended one game

CINCINNATI -- Receiver Maurice Purify has been suspended for the Cincinnati Bengals' season opener because of his offseason arrest at a local night spot. The NFL also fined him an additional game check for violating its personal conduct policy.

Purify signed with the Bengals before the 2008 season as an undrafted free agent from Nebraska. He has spent most of his time on the practice squad, appearing in only five games without catching a pass.

He was arrested following a scuffle at a northern Kentucky night spot in May, charged with a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.

Purify is eligible to play in the final preseason game at Indianapolis on Thursday. He will miss the season opener Sept. 12 at New England.

Broncos release ex-Raiders RB Fargas

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Running back Justin Fargas was released by the Denver Broncos. The Broncos signed the 30-year-old veteran on Aug. 11 to bolster their banged-up backfield after their top three tailbacks went down with injuries in training camp.

Fargas gained just 17 yards on 10 carries in the preseason with his longest carry a 6-yarder.

The Broncos also designated cornerback Tony Carter as waived/injured. He was signed on April 27, 2009, as an undrafted college free agent out of Florida State.

Titans CB Finnegan ready to practice

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee veteran cornerback Cortland Finnegan returned to practice after missing the past three weeks and the first three preseason games with an injured groin and hip flexor.

Finnegan has started 47 of his 61 games in his first four seasons, and the Titans are counting on matching him up against opponents' top receivers this season.

He said Monday he hopes to play Thursday night when the Titans (1-2) cap the preseason against the defending champion New Orleans Saints.

Jets QB Clemens meets with Ryan

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- New York Jets backup quarterback Kellen Clemens says it took him "four or five days" to get over the fact he was given no opportunity to win the No. 2 job behind Mark Sanchez this summer.

The Jets signed Mark Brunell last month to be Sanchez's backup and mentor, pushing Clemens aside to compete for the third-string spot with Kevin O'Connell. Clemens says Monday he entered training camp thinking he had a shot to be the No. 2, but coach Rex Ryan told the media when the team reported in Cortland, N.Y., on Aug. 1 that Brunell was already deemed the backup.

Clemens says he met with Ryan "behind closed doors" to better understand his situation. Ryan now says Clemens has a "pretty strong chance" of making the team.

Clemens has gone from the future of the franchise to trade bait -- or being cut by Saturday's 53-man roster deadline -- in just a few seasons. The second-round pick out of Oregon in 2006 came to the Jets with high expectations, but appeared on his way out this summer after the team signed Brunell.

Dolphins LB Crowder again sidelined

DAVIE, Fla. -- Miami Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder missed the final game last season with a right foot injury that left him on crutches, and he has been sidelined since Aug. 17 because of an unspecified leg injury.

The Dolphins sent Crowder for a second medical opinion, coach Tony Sparano said. It's unclear whether the injury is related to last year's foot problem.

Sparano was noncommittal regarding the chances that Crowder will miss the regular-season opener Sept. 12 at Buffalo.

Tim Dobbins, acquired from San Diego in an offseason trade, has been filling in for Crowder at inside linebacker.

Jim Brown to skip Browns' ceremony

CLEVELAND -- Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown still has a pretty nice stiff arm.

Brown, considered the greatest Brown of them all, informed Cleveland president Mike Holmgren that he will not attend the Sept. 19 ceremony when the team unveils its new ring of honor.

Brown is one of 16 Hall of Famers to be inducted in the ring during halftime of the team's home opener against Kansas City. Brown's decision to skip the event stems from Holmgren removing him as an adviser to owner Randy Lerner. Holmgren, who took over the Browns in December, offered the legendary player a reduced role with the team, a position that Brown declined.

Brown sent a letter to Holmgren that was obtained by the Plain Dealer. In it, Brown says he had no formal contract as an adviser with the Browns, and he believes his agreement with Lerner was violated because a clause in it stated he would answer to no one but the owner.

Lions linebacker Levy might miss opener

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz thought he was finally getting his linebacker corps into shape.

It only took one series of Saturday's preseason game against Cleveland to undo the good work.

DeAndre Levy, Detroit's starting middle linebacker, was seeing his first exhibition-game action because of a back injury, but pulled a groin muscle early in the victory over the Browns. He will at least miss Thursday's final preseason game.

Schwartz, though, acknowledged that there's a chance Levy won't be ready for the Sept. 12 regular-season opener in Chicago. Levy isn't sure.

Record 96 minority coaches partake in fellowship

NEW YORK -- A record 96 minority coaches have taken part in this summer's NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship.

The program, named in honor of former San Francisco 49ers coach Bill Walsh, attracted former Washington tackle Chris Samuels, former Tampa Bay linebacker Derrick Brooks, and ex-Rams receiver Isaac Bruce, all of whom retired this year.

Current head coaches Marvin Lewis of Cincinnati, Mike Tomlin of Pittsburgh, Lovie Smith of Chicago and Raheem Morris of Tampa Bay came through the internship program.

Lewis, last season's coach of the year, interned with the San Francisco 49ers (1988) and Kansas City Chiefs (1991).

Seahawks cut four to reach 75-man limit

RENTON, Wash. -- The Seattle Seahawks waived injured defensive tackle Jonathan Lewis and cut four others to reach the NFL mandated 75-man roster limit.

Along with Lewis, Seattle waived defensive end Ricky Foley, wide receiver Kole Heckendorf, offensive guard Gregg Peat and kicker Clint Stitser. Foley led the Canadian Football League in sacks last season with 12 playing for the B.C. Lions.

Lewis broke his thumb in Saturday's preseason loss to Minnesota.

Bills release three, including OT Calloway

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills have released three players, including offensive tackle Kyle Calloway, the team's rookie seventh-round draft pick.

Also released were defensive tackle Lonnie Harvey and receiver Aaron Rhea, an undrafted rookie signed by the Bills two weeks ago. Calloway, drafted out Iowa, was the second of Buffalo's two seventh-round picks.

The moves allowed the Bills to establish their 75-player roster a day before the NFL deadline. All teams have until Saturday to make their final cuts before setting their 53-player roster.