NFL ROUNDUP \News and notes

Steelers: Pittsburgh signed eight players who were cut during training camp to their practice squad. Returning to the Steelers were linebacker Patrick Bailey, cornerback Roy Lewis, safety Grant Mason, offensive tackle Jeremy Parquet, defensive tackle Scott Paxson, wide receiver Micah Rucker, tight end Dezmond Sherrod and running back Justin Vincent.

Bengals: Cincinnati released 11th-year defensive tackle Michael Myers, picked up guard Frank Davis and defensive tackle Orien Harris on waivers and placed center Dan Santucci on injured reserve.

49ers: San Francisco claimed linebacker Ahmad Brooks off waiver from Cincinnati, waiving linebacker Dontarrious Thomas to make room on their 53-man roster.

Redskins: There was a truly unusual sight at Washington’s first practice in preparation for Thursday’s season opener against the Giants. Jon Jansen lined up at left guard. As a backup. The player nicknamed Rock, the team’s longest continuous serving veteran who has unquestionably owned the right tackle spot when healthy since 1999, was adjusting to an unexpected demotion. Days before his first regular season game as a head coach, Jim Zorn announced that second-year player Stephon Heyer now has Jansen’s starting job.

Lions: Detroit signed veteran linebacker Ryan Nece and claimed rookie running back Marcus Thomas. The team also signed eight players to the practice squad, including former baseball prospect and Dallas quarterback Drew Henson.

Eagles: Philadelphia brought back linebacker Tank Daniels and released linebacker Rocky Boiman. Daniels, 26, was claimed off waivers from the Giants, who released him Saturday. He played in four regular season games and all four postseason contests last season.

Giants: New York shored up its defensive end position by signing former Eagles first-round pick Jerome McDougle. The Super Bowl champions lost seven-time Pro Bowler Michael Strahan to retirement in June and then had two-time Pro Bowler Osi Umenyiora sidelined with a season-ending knee injury a little more than a week ago in a game against the Jets. New York moved Mathias Kiwanuka from linebacker back to defensive end days after Umenyiora was hurt.

Cowboys: Receivers Danny Amendola and Mike Jefferson were signed to the practice squad, and there is a chance that one or both of them will play in the season opener.

Patriots: John Lynch, the nine-time Pro Bowl safety signed two weeks ago, was released. The Patriots also cut Chad Jackson, their second-round draft pick in 2006 from Florida.

Associated Press