NFL Notes: Burress catches touchdown in Jets’ win over Bengals
In East Rutherford, N.J., Plaxico Burress caught three passes, including a terrific over-the-shoulder 26-yarder for a touchdown, in his first game in nearly three years to help the New York Jets beat the Cincinnati Bengals 27-7 in a preseason game Sunday night.
Burress, signed last month after serving 20 months in prison on a gun charge, made his Jets debut memorable. He caught a 20-yard pass from Mark Sanchez on the team’s first offensive play and had another 20-yarder later, but the highlight came on New York’s last play of the first half.
Burress took off down the left sideline, separated from defensive back Fred Bennett and hauled in a pass from Sanchez. Burress fell into the end zone, maintained possession to put New York up 17-7 and bowed to the rain-drenched crowd.
Chargers 20, Cowboys 7
In Arlington, Texas, Tony Romo was sharp. Philip Rivers was sharper. And the most accurate guy of all was San Diego coach Norv Turner.
Rivers led San Diego to scores on two of three drives, then Turner helped his club score another touchdown with two successful challenges on a single series in the Chargers’ preseason victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
Rivers went 8 of 11 for 92 yards, with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Randy McMichael.
Romo was 8 of 12 for 58 yards, with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Jason Witten. Romo also threw an interception.
Turner got an interception by Billy Volek overturned, and got a touchdown for Ryan Mathews on a play officials declared him out of bounds inside the 1.
Newton to start
Cam Newton will start Carolina’s preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Panthers coach Ron Rivera says Newton will play the first three quarters of Thursday night’s preseason game. Rivera says he has not decided if Newton will be the starting quarterback beyond this week.
Newton started and played the entire first half of Friday night’s 20-10 loss to Miami. He finished 7 of 14 for 66 yards. Newton also ran four times for 18 yards.
Around the league
Coach Jim Harbaugh remains confident the San Francisco 49ers will work out a fair new deal for two-time Pro Bowl running back Frank Gore. … Oakland Raiders coach Hue Jackson says quarterback Jason Campbell is expected back at practice today after getting kneed in the helmet in an exhibition game. … The Jacksonville Jaguars waived rookie offensive lineman Rob McGill to make room for tight end Joey Haynos. … The Baltimore Ravens say they have signed former Tennessee Titans offensive lineman Jason Murphy and former New England Patriots tackle Mark LeVoir. … Browns tight end Evan Moore suffered a mild concussion in Cleveland’s preseason loss to Detroit and was held out of practice. … Broncos safety Rahim Moore said he was sorry about injuring Buffalo’s Donald Jones, whom Moore viciously hit and hurt, but he thought it was a clean hit.