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Around the AFC

BENGALS: Whether he earns the starting quarterback spot after his competition with Jon Kitna and Gus Frerotte, Akili Smith is impressing coaches with his improvement. "The last two games have shown his progress," offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski said. "He's light years ahead of where he was last year."

BRONCOS: Tackle Blake Brockermeyer made his long-awaited first appearance on the practice field and said he felt "a little bit rusty." The 6-foot-4, 300-pounder has been sidelined since January after offseason surgery on his right shoulder and left knee. Brockermeyer, who started all 16 regular-season games and a playoff game for the Bears last season, signed as a free agent even though he knew he wouldn't be recovered by the start of training camp.

DOLPHINS: A groin injury has limited running back Robert Edwards to a handful of plays in two preseason games, but that should change Saturday against the Texans. Edwards has been working his way back after three seasons out of football with a torn-up knee. "I can't sit back and relax and try to let (the groin injury) go away," Edwards said. "I'm in a position where I've got to fight through the pain and be on the field so the coaches can see me -- or I might not be here."

JETS: Quarterback Vinny Testaverde says he believes this could be a memorable season for himself and his team, perhaps better than 1998 when he took New York to the AFC title game and made the Pro Bowl. "I don't mean the stats," he said. "That's not what I am trying to say. I don't know if I will ever beat those stats, it was a phenomenal year. I'm talking about seeing the field and throwing accurately and making the right decisions with the football."

STEELERS: His second NFL concussion apparently was one too many for Kordell Stewart, one of more than two dozen players trying out a new helmet designed to reduce head injuries. After sustaining a concussion while getting run out of bounds Sunday by Washington linebacker LaVar Arrington, Stewart began experimenting in practice with a new helmet introduced this year. "We'll try it, see how it goes," Stewart said. "It's supposed to have more padding and all that good stuff." ... Tommy Maddox, last year's backup, took snaps with the No. 1 offense, and coach Bill Cowher said he will start Saturday's game at Detroit if Stewart isn't ready. However, Cowher cautioned that didn't mean Maddox will start the season as the No. 2 quarterback, with former Lions quarterback Charlie Batch as No. 3.

TEXANS: Houston claimed defensive end Erik Flowers, a former first-round draft choice, off waivers. Flowers, the No. 1 pick of the Bills in 2000, played in 15 games last season. He had 37 tackles, two sacks and four quarterback pressures in five starts.

TITANS: Quarterback Steve McNair, still bothered by tightness in his back, didn't practice as officials put him through tests as a precaution. An MRI and X-rays showed no problems, coach Jeff Fisher said as training camp ended with two workouts. He said McNair was given an injection in his lower back to ease swelling. "We feel like this will take care of this," Fisher said. "It's a precautionary deal, and he's just a little uncomfortable and we need to get on it now rather than have to do something in Week 2 or 3. I don't anticipate it being a problem whatsoever."

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