GIANTS: Frank Ferrara is to be the new starting defensive right end, and incumbent Kenny Holmes isn't happy about it. "It's an insult, of course," Holmes said after practicing with the second team. "I have done everything they have asked me to do, changed how you wanted me to be. That's cool. So be it." The one thing Holmes hasn't done since signing a $20-million free-agent contract last year is put up big numbers like he did in Tennessee. In preseason, Holmes has had only one assisted tackle in four games while Ferrara has 13 tackles, a sack, two passes defended and an interception.

LIONS: Offensive tackle Victor Rogers of Colorado will miss his rookie season with an injured ankle. Receiver Germane Crowell (knee) and defensive end Anthony Herron (foot) were put on the reserved and physically unable to perform list, which means they can't play or practice for the first six weeks of the season.

PANTHERS: The team will rely almost exclusively on running back Lamar Smith now that rookie DeShaun Foster will miss about a month with cartilage damage in his left knee. Smith is used to getting a lot of carries. The past two seasons with the Dolphins, he had 622 for 2,147 yards. Smith lacks Foster's breakaway speed, but has a reputation for being a tough inside runner who can wear down a defense.

RAMS: The team is closing practices to the media for the first three weeks starting Monday and ending Sept. 24, the day after the Tampa Bay game, coach Mike Martz said. Since the team moved to St. Louis in 1995, all practices had been open.

REDSKINS: Offensive lineman Rod Jones, an expected starter before a disappointing training camp, is out for the season after rupturing a tendon in his elbow in Saturday night's game at Tampa Bay.

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