ATLANTA - The Falcons traded running back T.J. Duckett to the Redskins on Tuesday as part of a three-team deal. Atlanta acquired holdout receiver Ashley Lelie from the Broncos, who received Washington's third-round pick in 2007.
Washington's Clinton Portis partially dislocated his shoulder in the preseason opener and might miss the season opener. Backup Ladell Betts has a sore hamstring.
Atlanta, which has Michael Jenkins and Roddy White, needed a receiver after losing Brian Finneran to a season-ending knee injury early in camp. The deal leaves rookie Jerious Norwood as the main backup to Warrick Dunn.
Lelie, the league's leader in yards per catch the past two seasons who is entering the final season of his contract, was holding out. He had indicated he wanted to be a No. 1 receiver but didn't believe he would get the chance in Denver with Rod Smith coming off a Pro Bowl season and the Broncos acquiring Javon Walker during the offseason.
"It's a win-win situation for everybody," Peter Schaffer, Lelie's agent, said.
BROWNS-PACKERS TRADE: The Browns got defensive back Therrian Fontenot for receiver Carlton Brewster. Last season, Fontenot played in one game on special teams and the rest on the practice squad. Cleveland might be without cornerbacks Gary Baxter and Daylon McCutcheon for the season opener. Brewster, an undrafted free agent in May, caught three passes for 21 yards in two preseason games.
Union leader wishes Gumbel kept quiet
PITTSFORD, N.Y. - Players' union president Troy Vincent said he would have preferred Bryant Gumbel kept his views to himself.
In his closing remarks last week on HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, Gumbel suggested outgoing commissioner Paul Tagliabue show his successor, Roger Goodell, "where he keeps Gene Upshaw's leash." He also referred to Upshaw as a "docile head of the players' union" and the commissioner's "personal pet," who keeps labor peace at the expense of his members.
"He's entitled to speak his mind, and he felt that was his forum to do so," said Vincent, a Bills safety. "But I just thought the timing of things, there's too many good things going on - we just announced a new commissioner - in our sport to have these kind of blemishes.
"Was it a wise choice of words? He made no different comments than what other people have said in the past. So for me to say he crossed the line, to his point, no."
BEARS: Running back Cedric Benson was given an undisclosed punishment for leaving the sideline during Friday's preseason game and missing a postgame meeting. Coach Lovie Smith, however, said the situation won't hurt Benson's attempt to win the starting job. Benson didn't play because of a sprained shoulder, which is expected to keep him out Friday as well.
BILLS: Linebacker Takeo Spikes, who tore his right Achilles' tendon Sept. 25, might make his preseason debut Saturday. A final decision will be made after more practices.
BROWNS: Running back Reuben Droughns practiced a day after pleading not guilty on harassment and assault charges stemming from a May 12 altercation with his wife. His trial was set for Feb. 5, a day after the Super Bowl.
COLTS: Defensive tackle Corey Simon likely will miss the rest of the preseason but hopes to return for the season opener after arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. Simon hasn't practiced since banging his knee Aug. 4. Meanwhile, cornerback and second-round pick Tim Jennings practiced for the first time since spring surgery on his right ankle. And backup quarterback Jim Sorgi's injured right shoulder, sustained Sunday against Seattle, is not as serious as initially feared. He isn't expected Sorgi to miss much time.
JETS: Running back Curtis Martin has renegotiated his contract in case he doesn't play this season, the New York Daily News reported. Martin, scheduled to earn $2.5-million in base salary, will make $475,000 if he's put on injured reserve. But he can recoup the lost salary through performance incentives. Martin, 33, fourth all-time in rushing yards, has a bone-on-bone condition in his surgically repaired right knee and has not practiced during camp.
PACKERS: Receiver Marc Boerigter was released. After four seasons with the Chiefs, he signed during the offseason but caught one pass for 19 yards in two preseason games.
PANTHERS: Receiver Steve Smith, who missed 17 days of practice because of a strained left hamstring, sat out Tuesday with an ingrown toenail. He's questionable for Thursday's game against Miami. Fellow receiver Keyshawn Johnson missed practice for what coach John Fox called personal reasons but is expected to return today.
STEELERS: Receiver Hines Ward sat out the afternoon practice with a strained left hamstring originally sustained Aug. 4. Ward said he wants to go through an entire day's workout pain-free before playing in a game. Today is his last chance for Friday against the Eagles.
