Manning doubtful for Sunday’s opener

Peyton Manning’s consecutive games streak could be history by Sunday.

Team officials said Monday that the four-time league MVP has been told by doctors not to practice and he will be listed as doubtful for the season opener against Houston. He is still undergoing tests, but no additional surgery has been scheduled.

Manning started training camp on the physically unable to perform list as he rehabilitated from neck surgery performed in May. He wasn’t activated until last Monday, when he returned to practice, albeit with limited work.

When Manning experienced soreness in his back, doctors re-evaluated him and told him to stop working out.

Manning has never missed a regular-season start and his streak of 227 games including playoffs is second for quarterbacks; only Brett Favre made more consecutive starts.

If Manning cannot start, the job will likely fall to Kerry Collins.

Saints extend coach Payton’s contract

Sean Payton plans to stick with the team that gave him his first shot as an NFL head coach for a few more years.

The Saints announced that Payton, who coached New Orleans to its first Super Bowl championship two seasons ago, has agreed to an extension through 2015.

Grossman wins Redskins QB job

Rex Grossman will be the Washington Redskins’ starting quarterback for the season opener against the New York Giants.

Coach Mike Shanahan said Grossman has won the job over John Beck. The two competed throughout training camp and through four preseason games for the No. 1 job.

Bears’ Briggs: Pay me or trade me

Lance Briggs made it clear again he wants to be traded if the Chicago Bears won’t restructure his contract at some point.

A six-time Pro Bowl linebacker, he believes his days with the organization “are numbered” because management is unwilling to renegotiate his contract. The team is not budging with three years left on a six-year, $36 million deal.

Quick kicks

Denver Broncos second-year wide receiver Demaryius Thomas is participating in his first practice since tearing an Achilles tendon during offseason workouts in Atlanta in February. Thomas was expected to start the season on the physically unable to perform list and rejoin the team in October. But he showed enough progress in individual workouts during the preseason for the Broncos to put him on their 53-man roster. … The Cleveland Browns claimed three players on waivers Sunday — linebacker Quinton Spears from Miami, defensive tackle Emmanuel Stephens from Atlanta and quarterback Thaddeus Lewis from St. Louis. … Veteran offensive lineman Brian Waters and New England have agreed on a contract and he reported for his first practice, one week before the Patriots open the season at Miami.

The Carolina Panthers brought back a familiar name, signing offensive linemen Geoff Hangartner. Hangartner spent four seasons with the Panthers from 2005-08, starting 27 games and playing in 54 before signing as a free agent with Buffalo in 2009. … The Atlanta Falcons signed two defensive backs last week – Kelvin Hayden and James Sanders. … The Minnesota Vikings signed linebacker Chad Greenway to a new five-year contract. Greenway led the Vikings in tackles each of the last three years. … Tight end Dante Rosario has signed with the Miami Dolphins, who also added versatile offensive lineman Ryan Cook. … The Kansas City Chiefs have picked up offensive tackle Steve Maneri off waivers from the New England Patriots and released veteran tight end Anthony Becht. … The St. Louis Rams signed tight end Stephen Spach and center Tony Wragge.