NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Around the NFL
Associated Press
Atlanta Falcons
The team acquired versatile defensive back Domonique Foxworth from the Denver Broncos yesterday for a conditional seventh-round draft choice in 2009.
The Falcons said the draft pick could be higher, based upon Foxworth's playing time.
Dallas Cowboys
The team released cornerback Evan Oglesby, a move that clears a spot on the 53-man roster that could be used to re-sign safety Keith Davis.
Oglesby played eight games for the Cowboys last season, recording two tackles on defense and three on special teams.
The move clears a spot that could be used for Davis, who reached an agreement in principle with the Cowboys.
Detroit Lions
Rudi Johnson didn't need long to find a new home.
Johnson, who was waived by the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday, officially signed with the Detroit Lions yesterday. Johnson will join rookie Kevin Smith as the featured backs in Detroit's new run-oriented offense.
"As soon as I finish talking to you guys, I'm going to bury myself in the playbook," Johnson said after meeting with the media yesterday. "I want to be able to contribute to this team as soon as possible."
Green Bay Packers
Center Scott Wells had a setback with his injured lower back after returning to practice Monday, putting his availability in doubt for the season opener against Minnesota.
Since the end of the Packers' offseason practice program, Wells has been dealing with what has been described as a "trunk" injury involving his lower back muscles, limiting his availability in training camp practices and preseason games.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The club elevated cornerback Isaiah Gardner from the practice squad to the active roster and waived defensive end Brent Hawkins yesterday.
Gardner was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent in April out of Maryland and was waived in final roster cuts Saturday.
The Jaguars also added receiver D'Juan Woods and offensive tackle Cliff Louis to the practice squad and waived cornerback Rashod Moulton from the practice squad. Woods was on the practice squad all of last season.
Kansas City Chiefs
Even though he missed almost all of training camp, rookie Branden Albert may start at left tackle Sunday when the Kansas City Chiefs open their season as 161/2-point underdogs at New England.
Compounding the challenge for the first-round pick out of Virginia, Albert played guard almost his entire college career.
But coach Herm Edwards said not giving the 6-foot-5, 316-pounder the start would appear to be a betrayal of the commitment he's made to turning the roster over to young, developing players.
Oakland Raiders
The team released defensive tackle William Joseph yesterday to create room on the roster for former Hawaii receiver
Ashley Lelie.
Lelie officially signed his one-year contract yesterday, forcing the Raiders to create a roster spot for him. They did it by cutting ties with Joseph, who made little impact after signing as a free agent in the offseason.
Lelie joined the Raiders just days after being cut by the 49ers. He had 10 catches for 115 yards last season for San Francisco while struggling with injuries, including a strained quadriceps.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The squad traded backup guard Dan Buenning to the Chicago Bears for an undisclosed draft pick yesterday, then replaced the fourth-year pro by acquiring center-guard Sean Mahan from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Buenning was a fourth-round draft pick in 2005 and started 23 of 25 games he played in three seasons with Tampa Bay.
Mahan, who started 16 games at center for the Steelers in 2007, was a fifth-round pick of the Bucs in 2003. He appeared in 57 games, including 36 starts, for Tampa Bay from 2003-2006.