NFL ROUNDUP Training camp news and notes

Lions: Autry Denson knows he needs every chance he can get to make the team. So he should be thrilled to learn he probably will get a few extra carries Saturday. With injuries to Shawn Bryson, Avon Cobourne and Artose Pinner, all battling Denson to back up tailback James Stewart, Denson is expected to log quite a bit of playing time in the Lions' preseason opener against Pittsburgh. "This is a big game for me, but at this point, anything I can do to make an impression is important," Denson said. "I'm going to take any opportunity I can to make things happen." Denson left Notre Dame in 1998 as the school's leading rusher, but has had little success in the NFL. The Lions are his sixth team. He has rushed for just 222 yards. This spring, he played for the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe, and was the league's second-leading rusher with 725 yards in 10 games. Back in North America, he has impressed Lions coach Steve Mariucci. "He's doing some nice things," Mariucci said. "He has definitely caught my eye."
Panthers: Marcos Martos grew up in soccer-crazed Mexico City dreaming of playing in the NFL. Everyone laughed at him, but he didn't listen. Now Martos is a receiver in Carolina's training camp, trying hard to continue bucking his national trend. Martos, who lives in Cancun, spent the past seven years playing for the Barcelona Dragons of NFL Europe. His best season was in 1998, when he caught 20 passes for 257 yards and four touchdowns.
Jaguars: No progress was reported on Day 14 of rookie quarterback Byron Leftwich's holdout, which is now the longest in team history. "My approach is to coach the guys who are here," new coach Jack Del Rio said. "I think there's no question that the longer a guy's out, the more it impacts his ability to contribute." DT Marcus Stroud (knee) and RB Fred Taylor (bone bruise) are the notables who won't play in the preseason opener Saturday at Minnesota. Del Rio says neither injury is serious. Taylor hasn't practiced since last Wednesday.
Bills: Tight ends Dave Moore and Mark Campbell are among several players nursing injuries as the team prepares for its preseason opener at Baltimore on Saturday. Moore and Campbell were held out of practice Thursday. Moore has a strained hamstring and will be a game-time decision, while Campbell (right hamstring) is expected to play, coach Gregg Williams said. Williams said two players won't play -- rookie defensive tackle Lauvale Sape (strained left calf) and rookie offensive tackle Gary Byrd (dislocated kneecap and torn tendon).
Vikings: Corey Chavous is playing strong safety while two young players, Willie Offord and Brian Russell, try to earn the other starting spot. Offord is a free safety, but Russell will play the strong position if he gets the job -- forcing Chavous to move to free. A winner probably won't emerge for a while, so Chavous could wind up switching positions shortly before the regular season begins.
Cowboys: Receiver Joey Galloway left camp after Thursday's practice to return to Ohio for his grandmother's funeral. He'll miss the preseason opener. Coach Bill Parcells said Galloway will return to camp Sunday, rejoining the team after it returns from Arizona. The Cowboys also could be without receiver Reggie Swinton for Saturday night's game. Swinton missed both practices Thursday, a day after injuring his left groin during drills, and his status is uncertain.
Colts: One day after announcing second-string quarterback Brock Huard would be sidelined for two weeks, Coach Tony Dungy added middle linebacker Rob Morris to the team's injury list. Dungy said Thursday that Morris will miss the team's first two preseason games after undergoing minor knee surgery.
Chargers: Wide receiver David Boston returned to practice Thursday after being sidelined nearly a week with a strained side muscle. Boston didn't go full speed, instead using the workout to gauge his recovery. Boston isn't expected to play more than a few downs in the Chargers' exhibition opener at Seattle on Saturday. Before the side muscle problem, Boston had a hip injury.
49ers: The team is not certain of how quarterback Jeff Garcia's back will respond to the latest medical treatment, an epidural shot administered Thursday, and will hold off until next week on making their next evaluation. The epidural is Garcia's third since he suffered the injury in late July while lifting weights. Today, Garcia will stay home while the rest of the team leaves for Kansas City, in preparation for Saturday's exhibition opener against the Chiefs. The tentative plan calls for Garcia to return to practice Monday, but it is unknown whether he will be able to play in the team's next exhibition against the Raiders.