NFL ROUNDUP | News and notes

Steelers: Defensive end Brett Keisel is appealing a $12,500 fine for a low hit on Washington quarterback Jason Campbell during an Aug. 18 preseason game. Campbell bruised a knee and was taken out of the game, but was not seriously hurt. He expects to play Thursday night against Jacksonville in the Redskins’ final exhibition game.

Patriots: Asante Samuel now is ready to build on his outstanding 2006 season. Insisting he’s happy his holdout is over and he has a one-year, $7.79 million contract, the cornerback was at practice Tuesday. Last year, the best of his first four since New England drafted him in 2003, he tied Champ Bailey of Denver for the NFL lead with 10 interceptions and picked off two more passes in the playoffs. “I’ve been a competitor since I was born. Everything I do I want to be the best at,” Samuel said. “I want to leave a legacy. I want Asante Samuel to be a stone in the NFL when I leave this game. I’m going to work hard and leave it out on the line and make plays like I know how to make plays.” The Patriots received a temporary roster exemption for Samuel then got down to the 75-man limit by Tuesday’s deadline by placing wide receivers Troy Brown and Chad Jackson and cornerback Eddie Jackson on the physically unable to perform reserve list, releasing offensive lineman Chris Patrick and putting rookie defensive back Mike Richardson on the injured reserve list with a hand injury, sidelining him for the season. Samuel likely will return to the starting spot that Randall Gay has been filling in training camp.

Titans: DT Corey Simon had his first workout with the team. “Oh gosh, it feels great,” Simon said. “A little rusty, but I felt good just getting out and running around and being with the guys. That’s what you miss most when you’re away from the game. You miss the camaraderie in the locker room, and so it’s great to get back out here.” After spending the first four games of 2006 deactivated, the Colts placed him on the non-football injury/illness list with an undisclosed ailment. The Colts finally released him Aug. 4 after he failed a physical.

Ravens: Ten-time Pro Bowl tackle Jonathan Ogden passed his physical and was added to the active roster after missing most of training camp with turf toe. Ogden practiced Tuesday for the first time since last season. Ogden said he hopes to be ready for the season opener at Cincinnati.

Giants: Veteran long-snapper Ryan Kuehl will miss the season because of a calf injury. It marked the second time in five years with the Giants that Kuehl will miss a season because of an injury. An elbow problem sidelined him in 2003.

Broncos: Denver cut two starters from last year — DE Kenard Lang and punter Paul Ernster. The Broncos also placed wide receiver Rod Smith, their career receptions and touchdowns leader, on the physically unable to perform list on Tuesday. Smith is recovering from offseason hip surgery.

Jaguars: Jacksonville claimed linebacker Roy Manning off waivers and released linebacker Chris Claiborne, who signed a one-year contract Sunday.

Jets: Linebacker Matt Chatham was moved from the active-physically unable to perform list to the reserve-PUP list. Chatham can’t practice with the team or play during the first six weeks of the regular season. Chatham has been hobbled by a foot injury and didn’t participate in training camp or minicamp.

Chiefs: Kevin Sampson, a sometime starter at offensive tackle whose career has been hampered by injuries, was released. Sampson played in 16 games, starting seven, in three years with the Chiefs. His 2006 season ended early when he had back surgery in December.

Colts: Guard Rick DeMulling, a six-year veteran, was cut. DeMulling, a seventh-round draft pick in 2001, started 41 games in three seasons with Indianapolis before leaving as a free agent to sign with the Lions. He returned to the Colts, their only significant free agent acquisition this year, after spending two years in Detroit.

Redskins: Veteran DT Joe Salave’a was released. Salave’a started 13 games for the 2005 team that made the playoffs, but he has been hindered by several injuries — calf, foot, heel, thigh, knee — during each of his three seasons with the Redskins. He has not played in all 16 games in any of his eight NFL seasons.

Associated Press