Sports: Around the AFC

Around the AFC

Compiled from Times wires

BENGALS: Coach Dick LeBeau called the team's three quarterbacks aside and told them he needs more time to decide on a starter. All three -- Jon Kitna, Gus Frerotte and Akili Smith -- will play Saturday against New Orleans. "He said he doesn't know yet, and it's going to keep going the way it's going," Frerotte said. "And he'll make a decision when he's ready."

BILLS: Defensive end Erik Flowers, Buffalo's first-round pick in 2000, was among nine players cut. Also cut was receiver Jeremy McDaniel, who had 54 catches for 826 yards in 24 games across three seasons with Buffalo. Also released were seven undrafted free agents.

COLTS: Ex-linebacker Jeff Herrod, Indianapolis' leading tackler since its move from Baltimore in 1984, was in jail awaiting extradition to Nevada, on a charge of passing bad checks.

DOLPHINS: Defensive end David Bowens will be sidelined about three weeks after surgery to repair a broken bone in his left hand. Bowens injured the top of his hand when he hit it against a teammate's helmet during practice Monday night. The Dolphins hope Bowens can return for the season opener Sept. 8 against Detroit. "It's not like it's a knee or an ankle or anything that's going to need a lot of rehab," coach Dave Wannstedt said. "They're going to put a cast on it in a couple of weeks when he starts feeling good, and he'll play."

JAGUARS: Cornerback Fernando Bryant seconded Fred Taylor in saying that, based on his conversations with wide receiver Jimmy Smith, he believes the receiver is willing to sit out the entire season, if necessary. Smith has been a holdout all training camp. Bucs receiver Keenan McCardell, a former Jaguar and a good friend of Smith's, said the same thing.

RAVENS: While the team has expressed interest in re-signing fullback Sam Gash, it has been made clear that Alan Ricard will remain the starter. Ricard, a special teams player last year, was pivotal as a lead blocker in the second preseason game. "It's Alan's time," coach Brian Billick said. "He's done nothing to indicate that he's not ready to jump up to that challenge."

STEELERS: Linebacker Kendrell Bell, the 2001 defensive rookie of the year, will miss the rest of the preseason with a sprained left ankle. Bell damaged ligaments in a preseason game Sunday in Washington and will wear a cast for about a week. He had the same injury last season and returned to play three weeks later.

TITANS: Quarterback Steve McNair sat out practice in the afternoon with tightness in his lower back and hip. The team had practiced five times in the previous three days, and McNair couldn't loosen up enough before the latest workout. Both he and coach Jeff Fisher said it was nothing serious. "I've been successful all training camp not having any injuries, but it just tightened up," McNair said.