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Cutler, Forte sharp in victory

Forte
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Forte

Jay Cutler led five first-half scoring drives, Matt Forte gained 109 yards from scrimmage and the Chicago Bears beat the Oakland Raiders in the final dress rehearsal for the regular season with a 34-26 victory on Friday night in Oakland, Calif.

Cutler and Forte connected on a 32-yard touchdown pass, former Raiders running back Michael Bush added a pair of touchdown runs and Alshon Jeffery caught seven passes for 77 yards as the Bears (2-1) broke out to a 27-0 lead in the first half.

A week after falling behind 23-0 in the first half against New Orleans, the Raiders (1-2) looked equally inept at the start against the Bears before backup quarterback Terrelle Pryor provided a spark with a touchdown run and touchdown pass in the third quarter.

Steelers get Felix Jones from Eagles

The Pittsburgh Steelers bolstered their injury-plagued backfield, acquiring running back Felix Jones from Philadelphia for linebacker Adrian Robinson.

The 26-year-old Jones gives the Steelers needed depth at running back. Rookie Le’Veon Bell, Isaac Redman, and LaRod Stephens-Howling are all dealing with injuries.

Jones was the 22nd overall pick in 2008 by Dallas but never stayed healthy enough to become a feature back. He has rushed for 2,728 yards and 11 touchdowns in 64 games.

Jets’ Holmes now on active roster

Santonio Holmes’ comeback appears closer than it did a few days ago.

The veteran wide receiver was moved to the New York Jets’ active roster from the physically unable to perform list, a promising sign that he could be ready for the start of the regular season.

The move means Holmes was cleared by team doctors to practice and passed his physical. He is not expected to play in the team’s preseason game against the Giants tonight. Holmes has been sidelined since last September with a seriously injured left foot that left his playing status uncertain.

Appeal of Houston’s Smith denied

Houston coach Gary Kubiak said the NFL upheld defensive end Antonio Smith’s three-game suspension.

Smith was suspended Wednesday for the last two preseason games and Houston’s season opener for hitting Miami guard Richie Incognito with the Dolphins player’s helmet.

Smith ripped the helmet off Incognito’s head, then hit Incognito on the shoulder with it last Saturday night in the teams’ preseason game.