Strahan ends holdout, agrees to join Giants

Seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan has decided to end his holdout and return for a 15th NFL season with the New York Giants.

The decision came a day before the Giants had to cut their roster to the 53-man limit and a little more than a week before the season opener at Dallas.

Strahan left the West Coast on Friday and planned to be at Giants Stadium on Monday when the team begins preparing for the Dallas Cowboys. He will have four practices before the game.

Leftwich done with Jags

Jacksonville Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said they are parting ways with quarterback Byron Leftwich after four frustrating, injury-filled seasons. They hope to trade him, but are resigned to releasing the former first-round draft pick.

Pats’ Harrison faces ban

The NFL will suspend New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison four games for violating its substance abuse policy, Harrison said.

Although the hard-hitting defensive back said he has never used steroids, “I did admit to the commissioner that I did, in fact, use a banned substance.

“My purpose was never to gain a competitive edge. Rather, my use was to accelerate the process of recovering from injuries.”

On the field

With neither starting quarterback taking a snap – Indianapolis’ Peyton Manning didn’t even put on his uniform – the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Colts 14-6 in the team’s preseason finale at Cincinnati.

•At Atlanta, Matt Prater kicked two fourth-quarter field goals to lead the Falcons to a 13-10 win over Baltimore.