Sports: Around the NFC

Around the NFC

By Compiled from Times wires

CARDINALS: Rookie running back Thomas Jones will start in Sunday's opener against the Giants. Jones, drafted seventh overall from Virginia, beat out Michael Pittman, who started all four preseason games. Jones, 22, ran for 1,798 yards and 16 touchdowns on 334 carries last season. He is Virginia's all-time leading rusher. Pittman, 25, started two of 10 games last season, rushing for 289 yards and two touchdowns. ... Looking for help along its defensive line, Arizona claimed second-year tackle Russell Davis on waivers from the Bears. To make room, the Cardinals waived running back Clarence Williams, who spent his 1999 rookie season on the practice squad. The 6-foot-4, 294-pound Davis started eight games at defensive end last season and was named all-rookie by three magazines. He had 21 tackles, two sacks and one tackle for loss. Defensive ends Andre Wadsworth (knee surgery) and Simeon Rice (holdout) are not with the team.

COWBOYS: Dallas signed free agent Phillippi Sparks, 31, to a five-year contract, giving the team depth at cornerback. Sparks got a $1.5-million signing bonus and will make about $500,000 this season. The ex-Giants starter missed the final five games of last season with a groin injury. Shortly after the season ended, his final season under contract, he told the Giants he intended to retire. This summer he said he didn't rule out a return to the NFL. A spokesman for his agent, Frank Bauer, said he rejected an offer from the St. Louis Rams. With the Cowboys, Sparks will back up Ryan McNeil and Kareem Larrimore in Sunday's opener against the Eagles. To make room on the 53-man roster, linebacker Chris Bordano was waived. ... Running back Emmitt Smith (strained calf), who didn't play a snap in five preseason games, declared himself ready to play in the opener.

FALCONS: Desperate for help on the defensive line, Atlanta claimed ex-Panthers defensive end Chuck Wiley off waivers. Wiley, who was released Sunday, started 16 games last year as the Panthers' right defensive end. He made 67 tackles but had no sacks. Atlanta's starting right end, Brady Smith (pulled groin) is doubtful for Sunday's opener against the 49ers. Defensive tackle Travis Jasper, filling in for Smith, twisted his right knee and ankle Thursday. ... Ex-Bears cornerback Terry Cousin and ex-Broncos guard Chris Banks also were claimed off waivers.

49ERS: Ex-Gator Terry Jackson, a fifth-round pick last season, will be the first running back off the bench at fullback and halfback.

GIANTS: Free safety Shaun Williams (sprained left big toe) returned to practice for the first time since July 29. The former No. 1 pick expects to be ready for Sunday's season opener against Arizona. That would mean only tight end Pete Mitchell (knee) will miss the Cardinals game.

LIONS: Quarterback Charlie Batch thinks he's ready to start the season Sunday in New Orleans. Coach Bobby Ross agrees. But neither can make the final decision. Batch, who broke a bone in his knee in June mini-camp, practiced then flew to Birmingham, Ala., for a final checkup with Dr. James Andrews. "I feel fine, and if there was a game tomorrow, I would want to play," Batch said. "But I have no idea what Doc Andrews is going to say when I see him (this) morning. I guess he will do another X-ray and run some stability tests, then tell me if I'm clear to play or not." Stoney Case will start if Batch cannot. ... Tight end David Sloan, a Pro Bowler last season, will be back after missing the preseason because of toe surgery. Sloan's return will help ease the blow of Herman Moore's injury. He separated a shoulder Friday and will miss 4-6 games.

PACKERS: Quarterback Brett Favre (right elbow tendinitis) should start the opener against the Jets. "If he doesn't, it will be a shock to me," coach Mike Sherman said. Favre has made 125 straight regular season starts. He threw 50 passes Sunday and threw again Monday. He was not expected to throw in workouts today. ... Running back Ahman Green, (sprained knee) has healed more quickly than expected and could play. ... The trade Green Bay made with Oakland for defensive tackle Chuck Osborne was voided when Osborne failed his physical. ... Eugene McCaslin, who did not play defense at Florida until his senior season, was signed to the practice squad.

SAINTS: New Orleans waived defensive end Uhuru Hamiter, defensive tackle Robert Newkirk, wide receiver Ryan Thelwell and safety Gerald Vaughn to make room for defensive tackle Martin Chase (Ravens), defensive end Marques Douglas (Ravens), cornerback Todd Franz (Lions) and running back Jerald Moore (Raiders). All were claimed off waivers.

VIKINGS: Minnesota released linebacker Pete Bercich and replaced him with linebacker Jim Nelson, who was waived by Green Bay. Bercich, coming off a knee injury that sidelined him last season, recently re-signed with Minnesota as a special teams move.