BENGALS WR Henry returns CINCINNATI — Receiver Chris Henry is back with the Cincinnati Bengals because their owner has a soft spot for troubled players. Henry signed a two-year deal Tuesday with the team that let him go after he was arrested for the fifth time, a decision that seemed to mark a change in philosophy for owner Mike Brown. Instead, it was an aberration. The Bengals took him back at Brown’s behest. Coach Marvin Lewis, who had no interest in bringing back the troubled receiver, said Brown wanted to give Henry yet another chance. “I obviously know that at the end of the day, that the owner has the final sayso on whether or not he wants to give a guy an opportunity or not,” Lewis said, following an evening practice. “Mike has wanted to give Chris this opportunity, and asks that we do the best job that we can to try to prepare him and get him ready to play football.” The Bengals released Henry after he was accused of punching a college student and breaking his car window with a beer bottle in March. Henry was one of 10 Bengals arrested during a 14-month span — a local judge referred to the receiver as a “one-man crime wave.” The decision to let Henry go seemed to mark a major change for the Bengals owner. “His conduct can no longer be tolerated,” Brown said at the time. “The Bengals tried for an extended period of time to support Chris and his potentially bright career. We had hoped to guide him toward an appropriate standard of personal responsibility that this community would support and that would allow him to play in the NFL.... But those efforts end today, as we move on with what is best for our team.” Brown declined to be interviewed Tuesday about his change of heart. However, during an interview last month, Brown said he still believed in giving players chances to change their lives.
COLTS Manning eyes opener INDIANAPOLIS — Peyton Manning proved Tuesday he can stand, walk and talk. Next question: Will the two-time league MVP start in the Indianapolis Colts’ season opener ? Manning made it to his first practice of the season Tuesday, then ended his self-imposed silence by saying he wanted to play in Indianapolis’ first regular-season game Sept. 7 against Chicago — although he couldn’t provide a guarantee. “I’ve not really had a whole lot to say, to tell you the truth,” he said. “As to when I’ll be back on the practice field, that’s still to be determined. Obviously, the sooner, the better for me. My goal is to be back for the first game.” Indianapolis’ franchise quarterback had been kept out of public view since having surgery to remove an infected bursa sac from his left knee July 14. Team officials said he was staying away to reduce the risk of another infection. Things began changing Monday night when the former Super Bowl MVP arrived at the PeyBack Foundation’s charity bowling event, which was closed to the media. Over the past couple of weeks, local radio talk shows have been filled with questions about whether Manning’s knee was worse than originally diagnosed and whether he might miss the season opener — or additional games — and a local television station showed an apparent photo of Manning at a bowling tournament Monday with a brace over his right knee. By Tuesday morning, Manning was back at practice in his familiar No. 18 jersey, minus a helmet or pads, and wearing a wrap around his left knee. He threw a few passes but spent most of the time chatting with team owner Jim Irsay and Coach Tony Dungy at the new Lucas Oil Stadium. Afterward, Manning took questions for the first time since a conference call July 24, the date his teammates reported to training camp, and he wasted no time in dismissing the growing speculation. “This, maybe, will stop some of the whining going on,” he said. “I just didn’t want to get into these daily progress reports. I’ve done nothing but rehab. I guess we’re sort of in the rumor mill now. I don’t wear a knee brace. I wore this [wrap ] today, really for the first time. “ If we’re to the point of someone putting a cell phone picture on the news, that’s a little disappointing. So I guess I’ll squash that right now. It’s not true. I don’t wear a knee brace.” SEAHAWKS Hasselbeck’s back tightens RENTON, Wash. — A day after he returned to the practice field, Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is again dealing with a balky back. Hasselbeck left Tuesday morning’s practice after about 45 minutes when his back began to tighten up. He returned at the start of the afternoon session to do some stretching with the team, but walked off the field and back into the locker room with the rest of the injured Seahawks. The Pro Bowl quarterback fully participated in a practice Monday for the first time since his back stiffened following Seattle’s first preseason game against Minnesota on Aug. 8. The Seahawks won 34-17. Hasselbeck said after that practice he will play in the Seahawks’ preseason game Monday at San Diego. FALCONS Veteran receiver cut ATLANTA — 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. The Falcons will receive no return on the guaranteed $ 2. 5 million salary in 2008 for the 36-year-old Horn. Horn said he wished he could have produced better numbers for team owner Arthur Blank. Horn was a disappointment in 2007, when he caught only 27 passes for 243 yards and 1 touchdown after signing a four-year, $ 14. 5 million deal. Horn sat out voluntary workouts, did not play in the team’s first two preseason games because of a hamstring injury and asked to be traded. Horn has 603 career receptions for 8, 744 yards and 58 touchdowns. His last of four 1, 000-yard seasons was 2004, when he had 94 catches and set career highs with 1, 399 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns with New Orleans. PATRIOTS Tight end released FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots released 13-year veteran tight end Marcus Pollard on Tuesday. Pollard signed with the Patriots on April 23 after being released by Seattle, where he spent one season. He played his first 10 seasons with Indianapolis and two with Detroit. In 191 games, including 133 starts, Pollard caught 349 passes for 4, 280 yards and 40 touchdowns. Last season, he had 28 catches for 273 yards and 2 touchdowns in 14 games.
VIKINGS Berrian injured EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Bernard Berrian has a sore toe on his right foot that has limited him in practice for the past week. The injury kept him out of Saturday’s exhibition game at Baltimore. After Tuesday’s practice, Berrian said his condition is “a day-to-day thing” and that he’s not sure whether he’ll play Saturday against Pittsburgh. Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson has a sprained right knee and is wearing a custom-made brace in practice, but he didn’t take part in team drills Tuesday.
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