Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel left the field last night favoring his left leg after being sacked on the third play of Kansas City’s exhibition game against visiting Seattle.
The former Patriot was sacked by Brandon Mebane, after which he appeared to have a problem with his leg, but came off unassisted and was replaced by Tyler Thigpen.
Cornerback Brandon Flowers and wide receiver Devard Darling also left in the first half with injuries.
Flowers, whose 28-yard interception return gave the Chiefs a 7-0 lead, left with an apparent shoulder injury. Late in the second quarter, Darling was helped off the field with what appeared to be an injured left leg.
Leftwich the choice
Buccaneers coach
Raheem Morris said that
Byron Leftwich has won the team’s QB derby.
Leftwich beat out Luke McCown, and will start Tampa Bay’s regular-season opener against the Cowboys.
Morris announced the selection after practice, saying that Leftwich had an edge over McCown heading into training camp and held it with steady - if unspectacular - play through three exhibition games.
Vick to play
Eagles coach
Andy Reid said
Michael Vick will play in the team’s final exhibition game, and he might even take some snaps as a conventional quarterback.
How much Vick plays Thursday night against the host Jets has yet to be determined.
Vick was in for six Wildcat plays in Thursday’s game against Jacksonville, throwing four times, running once, and handing the ball off once.
49ers’ Smith retires
Former Pro Bowl offensive tackle
Marvel Smith has retired from the 49ers after being plagued by back problems during training camp. Smith missed practice Friday and the team announced his retirement. Coach
Mike Singletary said Smith did not make the decision lightly and that the team appreciated he told it before the season started . . . Vikings defensive end
Jared Allen is expected to play tomorrow night at Houston after sitting out Minnesota’s last exhibition game with a sprained ankle . . . Quarterback
Carson Palmer reported his left ankle is improving but he doesn’t know whether the Bengals’ medical staff will let him play in the final preseason game. Palmer sprained the ankle in the first exhibition game and has sat out the last two . . . The Bengals released cornerback
Jamar Fletcher, a ninth-year player who appeared in 11 games last season . . . The Dolphins waived receiver
Anthony Armstrong and kicker
Connor Barth.
Roethlisberger shines
Ben Roethlisberger played a nearly flawless first half in his first game since injuring his right foot, and the Steelers beat the Bills, 17-0, in Pittsburgh. Roethlisberger led two scoring drives while going 15 of 19 for 168 yards and 103.5 passer rating before sitting out the second half. Buffalo receiver Terrell Owens missed his third straight game with a sprained toe . . .
Brady Quinn threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to
Braylon Edwards and outplayed
Derek Anderson in perhaps their final auditions for coach
Eric Mangini to be Cleveland’s starting quarterback, and the host Browns beat the Titans, 23-17 . . .
Drew Stanton threw a 21-yard pass to rookie
Dan Gronkowski and a 2-point conversion to
John Standeford with 4:13 left to give the Lions an 18-17 win over the Colts in Detroit. Stanton followed
Daunte Culpepper and
Matthew Stafford, both of whom seemed to make enough plays to keep their competition open going into Detroit’s final exhibition next week.
Peyton Manning connected on 12 of 15 passes for 123 yards in two-plus quarters for the Colts . . .
Drew Brees completed 14 of 17 passes for 179 yards and drove the Saints to TDs on all three drives he played, leading New Orleans to a 45-7 victory over the host Raiders. Before the game the Raiders said they have brought back linebacker
Chris O’Neill and released linebacker
Napoleon Harris.
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