NFL ROUNDUP

NFL ROUNDUP

Wednesday’s notes

Giants: Two-time Pro Bowl guard Chris Snee is the latest offensive lineman battling injuries. The right guard missed both practices Wednesday with a little swelling in his left knee. Left guard Rich Seubert returned to practice, wearing a cast on his broken left hand. Left tackle David Diehl tweaked an ankle in the evening practice. Receivers Steve Smith and Sinorice Moss were again sidelined with groin injuries. Cornerback Corey Webster was out with a pulled muscle in his buttocks.

Raiders: A judge sent the drug possession case against former Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell to a grand jury Wednesday despite testimony that the codeine drink found at Russell’s home belonged to a longtime friend. Mobile County Sheriff’s Deputy Johnny Thornton testified the orange-colored drink in Russell’s bedroom appeared freshly poured. Investigators said Russell, who was in the bedroom, told them it was his Kool-Aid. Thornton said it later tested positive for codeine.

Bengals: It is unclear how much time running back Brian Leonard will miss because of an injured left foot. Coach Marvin Lewis said Wednesday that he’s optimistic Leonard will be able to play at some point during the season, but it will be a couple more weeks before the team has a better idea how long it will take to heal.

Saints: running back Lynell Hamilton has torn the ACL in his right knee and is expected to miss the entire season. The Saints did get a boost when Reggie Bush returned to practice after missing most of the team drills Tuesday. Bush said he became dehydrated and started cramping up in his legs.

49ers: Kentwan Balmer missed his third consecutive day of practice Wednesday, and now it’s no longer OK with coach Mike Singletary and the team. Singletary gave Balmer a pass Monday and Tuesday to deal with a “personal issue.” Wednesday’s absence was unexcused. Balmer, San Francisco’s first-round draft pick in 2008, is entering the third year of the five-year, $8 million deal he signed as a rookie.

Eagles: Security guards asked a fan to remove a replica of Donovan McNabb’s maroon Washington Redskins jersey he was wearing on the sideline at Eagles training camp Wednesday morning. The fan, 43-year-old Jim Devlin of King of Prussia, Pa.,said that the guard who confronted him said the request had come from coach Andy Reid. A team spokesman denied that, saying Reid was not aware of Devlin’s presence.

Colts: owner Jim Irsay says Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday could miss up to six weeks after having arthroscopic knee surgery Tuesday. Saturday has been the mainstay of the Colts offensive line. He missed only six games since winning the starting job in 2000 and has been to four Pro Bowls.

Bears: signed linebacker Kelvin Smith to a one-year contract and waived Antonio Robinson.

Jets: head coach Rex Ryan says he has a plan he believes will settle the holdout situation with All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis. Ryan says Wednesday that he would cancel practice, get the entire team together and have everyone in the organization meet with Revis and his agents, and whoever else the star player would want there. He says he’s “absolutely serious.” Revis has missed 11 days, including Wednesday, in a contract holdout.

Buccaneers: former linebacker Derrick Brooks is officially retiring from the NFL. The 11-time Pro Bowl selection hasn’t played in the league since being released by the Bucs following the 2008 season. Brooks played 14 seasons, helping transform Tampa Bay from a franchise that had been the laughingstock of the NFL into Super Bowl champions. He was the NFL defensive player of the year in 2002, the season the Bucs won the Super Bowl.

Broncos: have signed veteran free agent Justin Fargas with their top three tailbacks sidelined. The 30-year-old Fargas spent his first seven seasons in Oakland after the Raiders.

Associated Press