NFL notes

Dallas quarterback Tony Romo (9) was withheld from practice Tuesday after taking part in fullpad workouts last week. Romo is still recovering from back surgery in December.
Dallas quarterback Tony Romo (9) was withheld from practice Tuesday after taking part in fullpad workouts last week. Romo is still recovering from back surgery in December.

COWBOYS

Romo eases in

OXNARD, Calif. -- Tony Romo sat out a competitive practice for the first time at training camp as the Dallas quarterback continues to ease his way into playing shape coming off back surgery.

Coach Jason Garrett said Romo got "mental work" in the morning walkthrough session.

Garrett said Romo has not had any setbacks. Romo skipped some lighter sessions earlier in camp, but went through the first two full-pad workouts Saturday and Sunday. The team was off Monday.

Romo had surgery for a herniated disk in late December after getting injured against Washington. He missed the finale against Philadelphia. It was the second procedure on Romo's back in eight months.

SAINTS

Byrd back at practice

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. -- Safety Jairus Byrd is practicing with the New Orleans Saints for the first time since his signing in March.

Byrd, who had offseason back surgery, has been taken off of the Saints' physically unable to perform list, allowing him to join practice on Tuesday morning.

The acquisition of Byrd, who was named to the Pro Bowl while with Buffalo last season, was one of New Orleans' most significant moves in free agency, signing a $56 million free-agent contract with New Orleans last March.

Morgan 'fast, healthy'

Joe Morgan's teammates and coaches say the Saints receiver has looked "fast and healthy" in the early days of training camp.

That's an encouraging sign for the Saints passing attack, which made productive use of Morgan as a deep threat two seasons ago.

Although Morgan is in his fourth year in the NFL, he spent two of his first three seasons on injured reserve. Torn knee cartilage sidelined him his rookie season. Last summer, he tore knee ligaments during an intrasquad scrimmage.

Yet in 2012, he showed promise with 379 yards and three touchdowns receiving on just 10 catches.

Coach Sean Payton says Morgan's progress since spring has been "significant."

Morgan says he's nearly 90 percent healthy and eager to compete for a regular role in the offense.

SEAHAWKS

Winston signed

RENTON, Wash. -- When the Seattle Seahawks lost their starting right tackle in free agency during the offseason, the contingency plan seemed straightforward.

After seeing significant playing time as a rookie, Michael Bowie would get first crack at stepping in for Breno Giacomini, with rookie draft pick Justin Britt also competing for the job.

That still might be the final scenario. But the signing of veteran right tackle Eric Winston on Tuesday would indicate the situation is unsettled.

Bowie has been slowed by a shoulder injury suffered on the first day of camp, although he's expected to practice later this week. Britt has looked like a rookie and struggled Tuesday as he was matched up against starting defensive end Cliff Avril.

Winston, the NFLPA president, has started 119 consecutive games and has the experience advantage over Bowie and Britt.

49ERS

Alfonso Smith signed

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers have signed former Arizona Cardinals running back Alfonso Smith to a one-year deal.

The 49ers waived injured guard Fouimalo Fonoti Tuesday to make room for Smith on the roster.

Smith's signing comes after injuries to primary backups Kendall Hunter and LaMichael James in the last week. Hunter is out for the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, and James will be sidelined indefinitely with a left elbow injury.

Smith spent the past four seasons with the Cardinals after a collegiate career at Kentucky. He had 48 carries for 156 yards and two touchdowns in 43 games for Arizona. He also had 13 tackles on special teams.

Fonoti signed with the 49ers as an undrafted free agent out of Michigan State in May.

RAIDERS

Schaub in command

NAPA, Calif. -- The anointed starting quarterback for the Oakland Raiders is strengthening his hold on the position this training camp instead of losing it.

Matt Schaub is showing signs that last year's disastrous season in Houston might have been an aberration as he looks in complete command as Oakland's starter.

The performance comes in stark contrast to what happened with Matt Flynn last summer. Acquired to be the starter in the offseason, Flynn lacked the necessary arm strength in training camp and ultimately lost his job to Terrelle Pryor before getting cut early in the season.

Despite the presence of big-armed rookie Derek Carr, Schaub is showing no signs of giving up the starting position.

DOLPHINS

Offense not perfect

DAVIE, Fla. -- New Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Bill Lazor concedes his unit has been less than perfect in the first four practices of training camp.

The offense has often looked ugly, with workouts marked by fumbled snaps, blocking breakdowns and wildly errant passes. That's not a concern, Lazor said Tuesday, as long as the players learn from their mistakes.

Lazor was hired to upgrade an offense that kept Miami out of the playoffs last year, and while players rave about the system he has installed, there is much work yet to be done. A search remains ongoing for starters at three offensive line positions, and it's unclear how quickly quarterback Ryan Tannehill and the rest of the unit can become comfortable with the new playbook.

STEELERS

Bell sits out

LATROBE, Pa. -- Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell isn't worried about a tweaked hamstring slowing him down at training camp.

Bell sat out Monday's first padded practice as a precaution after feeling a twinge in his hamstring Sunday. He insists it won't be an issue going forward as he tries to improve on one of the best rookie seasons in team history.

Despite missing the first three games with a foot injury, Bell had 1,259 total yards in 2013, breaking Hall of Famer Franco Harris' rookie record set more than 40 years ago.

The 22-year-old gave himself a "C-plus" grade and said he expects to be better this fall. He spent the offseason focusing on his footwork hoping to be more decisive in his cuts going forward.

NFL exhibition

SUNDAY’S GAME

All times Central

NY Giants vs. Buffalo at Canton, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, AUG. 7

Indianapolis at NY Jets, 6 p.m. New England at Washington, 6:30 p.m. San Francisco at Baltimore, 6:30 p.m. Cincinnati at Kansas City, 7 p.m. Seattle at Denver, 8 p.m. Dallas at San Diego, 9 p.m.

FRIDAY, AUG. 8

Miami at Atlanta, 6 p.m. Buffalo at Carolina, 6:30 p.m. Tampa Bay at Jacksonville, 6:30 p.m. Philadelphia at Chicago, 7 p.m. Oakland at Minnesota, 7 p.m. New Orleans at St. Louis, 7 p.m.

Sports on 07/30/2014

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