Panthers QB Moore escapes serious injury (AP)
Determined to avoid injuries, Carolina Panthers coach John Fox decided not to play his starters in the final preseason game Thursday in Pittsburgh. But Fox had backup quarterback Matt Moore still in the game late in the third quarter behind a suspect backup offensive line -- until Moore was carted to the locker room after being hit in the legs and sacked by unblocked safety Anthony Smith.

NFL clears 'Pacman' to play for Cowboys (AP)

Adam "Pacman" Jones let out an excited scream when he got the news he had waited so long to hear. Yet that short verbal outburst in a parking lot and a phone call to his mother were about the extent of his celebration after the cornerback-kick returner found out Thursday that he had been fully reinstated by the NFL and cleared to play this season for the Dallas Cowboys.

Saints place rookie WR Arrington on IR (AP)
The New Orleans Saints placed seventh-round draft choice Adrian Arrington on injured reserve Friday and released seven other players. Arrington, a receiver from Michigan, had impressed coaches throughout the spring and summer, but severely sprained his toe during New Orleans' opening preseason game at Arizona.

Broncos WR Marshall's ban cut to 1 game (AP)
Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall had his suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy reduced from three games to one on Thursday. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Marshall for a series of off-field issues. At the time, Marshall was told the suspension could be cut to two games if he stayed out of trouble and kept in touch with a league-appointed counselor.

Texans WR Williams walking again (AP)
For the first time since injuring his neck and spine last week, Texans receiver Harry Williams has walked by himself. Houston television station KRIV reports that Williams walked by himself Thursday morning at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas. He suffered a cracked vertebrate and severe ligament damage in his neck Aug.

Dungy expects Manning to play in opener (AP)
Colts coach Tony Dungy has spent weeks answering questions about Peyton Manning's left knee. After Thursday night's preseason finale, he gave his most definitive answer yet when he said the two-time league MVP should play in the Colts' regular-season opener against Chicago on Sept. 7. "I would be shocked if he's not there (a week from) Sunday," Dungy said.

Quinn sharp as Browns lose to Bears (AP)

As soon as the Cleveland Browns opened the door to the locker room for reporters following the game, quarterback Derek Anderson slipped out a side entrance. He didn't talk, and it remains unclear if Cleveland's injured starter will play in the season opener. If he can't, Brady Quinn will have to handle the job.

Brady, Manning sit as Giants top Pats (AP)

No Tom Brady. No Eli Manning. The New England Patriots and New York Giants took no chances with their quarterbacks in a preseason finale on Thursday night that matched February's Super Bowl opponents. This time there was nothing at stake, except a few jobs before the final roster cutdown on Saturday, and David Carr took advantage.

Culpepper says he's open to joining Pack (AP)
If the Green Bay Packers change their mind about having two rookies back up quarterback Aaron Rodgers this season, veteran free agent Daunte Culpepper is willing to listen. "I have not heard from the Packers since before the draft," Culpepper said in an e-mail to The Associated Press on Thursday night.

Saints reflect on Katrina, Gustav looms (AP)
If the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina wasn't enough to remind Saints offensive lineman Jammal Brown what he went through when New Orleans flooded, the latest storm to threaten the Gulf Coast certainly did. As much as any Saints player, Brown could relate to the anxiety Tropical Storm Gustav was causing in south Louisiana.