NFL ROUNDUP News and notes

Browns: Running back Reuben Droughns was arrested and charged with drunken driving early Tuesday, the State Highway Patrol said. Droughns was pulled over at 1:09 a.m. after a trooper spotted the 27-year-old speeding and weaving in northbound traffic on U.S. 42 in suburban Cleveland, said Sgt. Lance Shearer. Droughns failed a field sobriety test, and after agreeing to take a blood-alcohol test at the patrol's Medina post, he registered a .08 -- the state's legal limit. He was charged with operating a vehicle under the influence and driving 50 mph in a 35-mph zone. Droughns was released without bail and is scheduled to appear in Medina County Municipal Court on Friday. If convicted of the DUI charge, Droughns faces a maximum of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, Shearer said. The Browns acquired Droughns in a trade last March from Denver. He rushed for 1,240 yards and six touchdowns for the Broncos, who acquired defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban and defensive tackle Michael Myers. Droughns has rushed for 530 yards on 125 carries this season. Also, veteran tight end Billy Miller, who did not catch a pass in three games, was released. Miller was signed one week before the start of the regular season because Steve Heiden was the only healthy tight end on the roster. Aaron Shea returned from a strained chest muscle last month and Miller has seen little action since.
49ers: Jesse Palmer was signed as a free agent Tuesday. A fourth-round pick out of Florida by the New York Giants in 2001, Palmer was released before this season. Used primarily a backup in New York, he completed 63 of 120 passes for 562 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions. No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith went down with strained knee ligaments and backup Ken Dorsey hurt his ankle. Cody Pickett, the fourth-stringer at the start of the season, is expected to start Sunday against the Giants. Tim Rattay, the opening day starter, was traded to Tampa Bay. To make room on the roster for Palmer, free safety Jeremy Thornburg was waived. The team also waived linebacker Roger Cooper from the practice squad.
Lions: Linebacker Nate Wayne was signed to a one-year contract. Wayne signed with the Jaguars May 16 after he was waived by the Eagles, where he spent the 2003 and 2004 seasons. Jacksonville released him in September. In 85 games over seven NFL seasons, the 6-foot, 237-pound linebacker had 545 total tackles, including 352 solo tackles and 16 sacks. Before playing with the Eagles, Wayne played in Denver and Green Bay. The Lions also signed wide receiver Glenn Martinez to the practice squad and released wide receiver Adam Herzing from the practice squad.
Cardinals: Wide receiver Reggie Newhouse was re-signed and cornerback Dyshod Carter was released. The Cardinals released Newhouse on Sept. 3 in the team's final roster cut. He played in three games for Arizona last season, with one reception for 5 yards. The move coincides with the uncertain status of wide receiver Anquan Boldin. Boldin left Sunday's loss in Dallas with a right knee injury. An MRI showed it was a bone bruise, rather than a more serious injury the Cardinals had feared. It's not known whether he'll play Sunday against Seattle. In another move, the team released safety Adrian Mayes from injured reserve.
Cowboys: Running back Anthony Thomas was released and linebacker Al Singleton was placed on injured reserve, ending his season. Thomas, signed in the offseason to provide depth behind starter Julius Jones, became expendable with the emergence of rookies Marion Barber and Tyson Thompson. He had two 1,000-yard seasons in four years with Chicago before signing a one-year deal with the Cowboys. Singleton broke a collarbone in Sunday's 34-13 victory against Arizona. The Cowboys also placed defensive end Jay Ratliff (ankle) on injured reserve, and they signed safeties Tony Dixon and Lynn Scott, both former Cowboys.
Bengals: Guard Steven Vieira was waived leaving him eligible to fill an open spot on the practice squad. Vieira, an undrafted rookie from UCLA, severely sprained his foot during minicamp in April and went on the physically unable to perform list.
Broncos: Cornerback Lenny Walls was essentially waived, a surprising move that signaled the team's confidence in fast-improving rookies Darrent Williams and Domonique Foxworth. The Broncos placed Walls, a fourth-year player who began the season as the starter opposite Champ Bailey, on the reserve-injured list, meaning he must be released after he recovers from an injured groin.
Patriots: Free agent fullback Heath Evans was signed and running back Amos Zereoue was released. Evans, in his fifth year, played in six games this season for Miami before being released. Zereoue, a six-year veteran who spent last season with Oakland, was signed by the Patriots on Sept. 28. He ran seven times for 14 yards and caught one pass for five yards for New England.
Vikings: Daunte Culpepper's season officially ended Tuesday when the quarterback was placed on injured reserve. Culpepper tore the anterior cruciate, medial collateral and posterior cruciate ligaments in his right knee in Sunday's loss at Carolina. Surgery hasn't been scheduled yet, but the Vikings are anticipating that the quarterback will be ready for the 2006 season. It's possible, though, that the 28-year-old could be out longer if further damage is discovered during the operation. Brad Johnson will start in his place and Shaun Hill becomes the backup. Minnesota didn't immediately sign another quarterback and coach Mike Tice indicated Monday that the team might not do so right away -- or perhaps even play the rest of the year with just two. The Vikings made one other move Tuesday, releasing wide receiver Jason Anderson from the practice squad and adding wide receiver Kelvin Kight to the practice squad.
Seahawks: Safety Ken Hamlin will be out for the rest of the season because of injuries suffered last month in a fight outside a nightclub. Hamlin was placed on the non-football injury list on Tuesday.
Associated Press