nfl roundup News & notes

Bengals: Receiver Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh sat out an intrasquad scrimmage Friday night, giving them time to recover from injuries. Johnson is still hobbled by surgery last month to clean out his right ankle. Houshmandzadeh has been limited by a sore hamstring. Both are expected to be ready for the regular season. Backup Antonio Chatman and rookie Jerome Simpson made diving touchdown catches as part of an offensive showing that pleased coach Marvin Lewis.

Ravens: Cornerback Fabian Washington was suspended one game without pay for violating the NFL’s personal-conduct policy, an punishment stemming from a domestic violence arrest in February involving his girlfriend. Washington is allowed to participate in all preseason practices and games until his suspension begins Aug. 30 and ends after the Ravens’ Sept. 7 season-opener against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium. Washington was arrested at his home in East Manatee County, Fla., following an altercation with his 21-year-old girlfriend.

Broncos: A precautionary MRI turned up nothing wrong with the sore left knee of center Tom Nalen. The 14-year veteran still didn’t take part in practice on Friday. Nalen had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee June 6. The MRI was done Thursday.

Panthers: Receiver Steve Smith was sent home from training camp Friday after he punched teammate Ken Lucas at practice, leaving the starting cornerback holding an ice pack to his left eye before he was carted to the locker room. Panthers coach John Fox said Smith and Lucas returned to Charlotte, about 80 miles away, after the fight. Neither player was present for the team’s second practice Friday night.

49ers: Alex Smith suited up to watch practice Friday. While Shaun Hill and J.T. O’Sullivan led the 49ers through a workout, the former No. 1 draft selection did a few drills and then stood off to the side, still not sure what role he’ll play when the snaps count. Yet after three losing seasons, 30 starts and one embarrassingly public blowout with coach Mike Nolan, Smith claims he’s content to wait his turn while the coaching staff sorts out its unusual three-man quarterback competition. After seven days of heavy throwing in camp, Smith actually was grateful for a chance to rest his surgically repaired right shoulder. Though Hill and O’Sullivan got all the action Friday, Smith says he’s getting plenty of chances under Mike Martz, the fourth offensive coordinator of his career.

Cardinals: Injuries hit two of the three listed centers on the team’s 80-man roster. Starter Al Johnson underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee earlier in the day. Coach Ken Whisenhunt said he hopes to have Johnson back by the season opener Sept. 7 at San Francisco. But reserve guard-center Scott Peters went down with a much more serious injury to his left knee. Peters, a third-year pro out of Arizona State, was carted off the field at practice on Thursday. The team placed Peters on injured reserve Friday, meaning he is out for the season.

Associated Press