Familiar names sent packing

Any NFL teams looking for help in the backfield might be encouraged by the availability of a few running backs who were cut Saturday.

That includes Ron Dayne, Lee Suggs and Najeh Davenport.

Dayne, the 1999 Heisman Trophy winner who entered Denver’s training camp as the starter, was released as the Broncos got down to the 53-man limit. Suggs, traded by Cleveland to the New York Jets, then returned to the Browns when he failed a physical, also was cut.

Green Bay cut veteran back Najeh Davenport, who missed much of last season with a broken ankle.

Also cut were Detroit’s Charles Rogers, the second overall draft pick by Detroit three years ago, and Denver’s Darius Watts, both wide receivers.

Packers: Wide receiver Rod Gardner, picked up on waivers near the end of last season, was released.

Bengals: Placed running back Chris Perry on the physically-unable-to-perform list.

Steelers: Kept veteran RB Duce Staley, although he might not play much early in the season because of a hamstring injury.

Raiders: Jeff George’s comeback didn’t last long. George, who has not played in an NFL game since 2001, was released a week after he joined the Raiders. Oakland also cut veteran cornerback Duane Starks and linebacker Danny Clark.

Bears: DL Michael Haynes, the team’s 2003 first-round draft pick, was cut.

49ers: Andy Lee beat out 14-year veteran Tom Rouen as the punter, and longtime special-teams stalwart Terry Jackson was released.

Titans: Tennessee released receiver Tyrone Calico, a second-round pick in 2003 who never developed and couldn’t stay healthy. The Titans also cut RB Jarrett Payton, son of the late Hall of Fame back Walter Payton.

Jets: Veteran cornerback Ray Mickens, who re-signed in May to provide experience and depth in the secondary, was released.

Patriots acquire Gabriel

Wide receiver Doug Gabriel was traded from the Oakland Raiders to the New England Patriots.

The Raiders announced the deal, but did not say what they would receive as compensation.

Vikings sign Pinkston

Veteran receiver Todd Pinkston, who was released by the Philadelphia Eagles, signed a contract with the Minnesota Vikings.

Pinkston spent his first six seasons with the Eagles, playing the last four under current Vikings coach Brad Childress when he was an Eagles assistant coach.