News

Indianapolis defensive tackle Corey Simon is likely to miss a couple of more weeks after having arthroscopic surgery on his injured left knee, but was hopeful he could return for the Colts' regular-season opener.

"It was just that, after the second opinion, we thought it was best to go that way," he said. "So we took care of it."

Simon hasn't practiced since banging his knee Aug. 4.

Coach Tony Dungy had only said that the Colts were considering surgery for the former Pro Bowl defensive tackle who signed a five-year deal last September.

At 300 pounds, Simon is the biggest player on a defensive line that is undersized by most NFL standards. Known as a run-stuffer, Simon is expected to play a major role in Indianapolis' defensive tackle rotation that also includes Montae Reagor and Raheem Brock, a converted defensive end who is moving full-time to tackle this season.

Simon plans to sit out Saturday against New Orleans and if he misses the preseason finale Sept. 1 against Cincinnati, it would mark the second straight year he's missed the entire preseason. The Colts first regular season game is against the New York Giants on Sept. 10.

Panthers

Steve Smith missed practice again Tuesday, this time with an ingrown toenail.

Smith, who led the NFL in receiving last season, had already missed 17 days after straining his left hamstring on July 29, the first day of training camp. He returned to practice last week, but sat out Saturday's exhibition game against Jacksonville and did not practice Monday.

He's questionable for Thursday's preseason game against Miami.

"Ideally, I'd want them all in every game. But in this case, we are just making sure he is ready for the season opener when they start counting the games," Fox said. "He's day-to-day, and we'll be cautious."

Fellow starting receiver Keyshawn Johnson also missed practice for what Fox called personal reasons. He's expected to rejoin the team Wednesday.

Linebacker Dan Morgan was held out of contact drills. Fox would only say he "got dinged" against the Jaguars on Saturday.

Steelers

Pro Bowl wide receiver Hines Ward sat out the team's afternoon workout Tuesday due to a strained left hamstring.

Ward missed the practice a day after returning to workouts for the first time in more than two weeks. The reigning Super Bowl MVP was out since Aug. 4 and missed the first two preseason games. He left Monday's practice early when he felt a twinge in the hamstring.

"It is frustrating because I am doing everything (team medical staff) is asking me to do, but it's not healing up the way I want and the recovery time is not what I want it be," Ward said. "This is preseason. You have to be smart about it. I don't want to keep re-aggravating it."

Ward had targeted Friday's preseason game in Philadelphia to make his return to game action, but conceded that appears unlikely. Ward said he would want to go through an entire day's workout pain-free before playing in a game. Wednesday would be his last chance. Bills

Linebacker Courtney Watson, acquired in a trade from New Orleans, was released by Buffalo.

Also cut were offensive tackle Matt Morgan, who missed most of camp with a hip injury, and defensive tackles LaWaylon Brown and Faafetai Tupa'i. It was the second time Brown has been cut by the Bills. He also failed to make the team last summer.

Watson's release was a mild surprise after the Bills acquired him in an attempt to bolster their depth. A former second-round draft pick, he spent most of training camp with the third-stringers and had limited playing time in Buffalo's two preseason games, in which he was credited with just one tackle.

Drafted by the Saints from Notre Dame, Watson had 108 tackles and three sacks in 17 games, including 14 starts, in two seasons with New Orleans. Packers

Wide receiver Marc Boerigter, signed to a one-year deal on March 26, was released Tuesday after catching only one pass for 19 yards in two preseason games. The 28-year-old Boerigter spent four seasons with the Chiefs, and had 39 receptions for 697 yards and eight touchdowns.

Giants

Linebacker LaVar Arrington returned to practice, a day after a swollen right knee forced him to leave a workout. Arrington, who signed a $49 million contract as a free agent in the offseason, expects to play against the Jets on Friday at Giants Stadium.

His knee is a concern. He has had two surgeries on it in recent years.