Football News

ST. LOUIS - Steven Jackson signed a six-year, $44 million contract, ended a 27-day holdout, and was on the field for practice with the St. Louis Rams on Thursday.

NEW YORK - Gene Upshaw, a towering lineman on the football field who went on to win untold millions of dollars for NFL players as their union leader, has died at age 63.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson signed a six-year contract Thursday, one day after ending his holdout on a new deal.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Pittsburgh Steelers signed All-Pro linebacker James Farrior, a pillar of their defense for the last six seasons, to a five-year contract on Thursday.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Pro Football Hall of Famer and longtime head of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) Gene Upshaw has died after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, the NFLPA announced on Thursday. He was 63.

ASHBURN, Va. - They were two Washington Redskins defensive starters with wrecked knees, spending long days together in rehab in the offseason. They supported each other and pushed each other, yet they were also subtly trying to beat each other in the race back to football health.

CINCINNATI - Chris Henry's return hasn't made much of an impact on his Cincinnati Bengals teammates, who have tried many times already to help the troubled receiver change his life. Now, they say it's entirely up to Henry to make good on his latest, unexpected chance.

RENTON, Wash. - Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck did not practice again because of a stiff back on Wednesday, and he may also miss his second consecutive preseason game against San Diego.

INDIANAPOLIS - Peyton Manning proved Tuesday he can stand, walk and talk. Next question: Will the two-time league MVP start in the Colts' season opener?

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Eli Manning was in Super Bowl form for the New York Giants and Domenik Hixon was even better.

TAMPA, Fla. - No Tom Brady equals little offense for the New England Patriots this preseason. With the 2007 MVP sitting out for the second straight week, the defending AFC champions sputtered with backup Matt Cassel running the show in a 27-10 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night.

CINCINNATI - Pro Bowl receiver Chad Johnson strained his left shoulder Sunday night during the Detroit Lions' 27-10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, who now have their top two receivers and their starting tailback limited by injuries.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Brett Favre proved he's a quick study. The New York Jets' new quarterback also showed he has plenty of zip remaining in that rocket right arm.

SEATTLE - Bloodied Rex Grossman hopes this wasn't a knockout blow in his fight for the Bears' quarterback battle.

SAN FRANCISCO - J.T. O'Sullivan might have moved a step closer toward completing his long-shot bid to become the San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback.

DENVER - No scribbled messages on his shoulder pads this time. No trash talk, either. Just Brandon Marshall letting his play do all the debating with a silenced Adam "Pacman" Jones.

NEW ORLEANS - Deuce McAllister made a promising return from his second knee reconstruction in three seasons, but the Saints running back's brief appearance wasn't enough to keep the Houston Texans from staying perfect in the preseason.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin asked to be traded, saying he doesn't feel his situation can be resolved and declaring he has no relationship with coach Ken Whisenhunt.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Rookie running back Tim Hightower had a short touchdown run and Matt Leinart shook off a bad start and threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Steve Breaston, leading the Arizona Cardinals to a 27-17 victory over a punchless Kansas City on Saturday night.

Joe Horn, released by the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday after the team couldn't trade the veteran receiver, said he is relieved he can pursue a job with another team.

ST. LOUIS - The San Diego Chargers' defense made some big stops against the St. Louis Rams despite missing more than half its starters.

ATLANTA - Jim Sorgi eased some concerns at quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Chad Pennington is already giving the Miami Dolphins something they're not used to.

BALTIMORE - Tarvaris Jackson left with a knee injury in the first quarter of Saturday night's preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens, ruining an otherwise productive night for the Vikings quarterback in Minnesota's 23-15 victory.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Brett Favre threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Dustin Keller to cap the second series of his New York Jets debut against the Washington Redskins on Saturday night.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Titans and Oakland Raiders have talented young quarterbacks in Vince Young and JaMarcus Russell.

PHILADELPHIA - Jake Delhomme fired a pass over the middle for a touchdown that was overturned. The result didn't matter so much. Delhomme's surgically repaired right elbow passed the test.

TORONTO - O, Canada, did Trent Edwards ever find his groove during the Buffalo Bills' debut in their new northern home away from home.

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Aaron Rodgers shrugged off a shaky beginning as Brett Favre's replacement.