The Redskins beat the Steelers in the final preseason game of Week 2, but both teams suffered several potentially key injuries.
Vikings’ WR cleared, but will still sit on Friday

USA TODAY SportsThe second-year receiver returned to practice on a limited basis on Thursday, but won’t be travelling with the team to San Francisco.
The league has implemented new concussion guidelines for the 2013 season: Independent neurotrauma specialists are now assigned to each game and are responsible for the treatment of possible head injuries. Once a player is diagnosed with a concussion, they are to be treated and then must pass a series of tests before returning to play.
Read Article >Ravens vs. Panthers preview

Howard Smith-USA TODAY SportsBoth Flacco and Newton figure to get extended playing time in the third preseason game, though, as their teams prepare for the regular season.
The Ravens have plenty of new faces from the team that won the Super Bowl, but Baltimore appears to have picked up right where it left off. Flacco has been solid and the first-team defense has played well, despite replacing several key players.
Read Article >Pats and Lions to meet in Detroit

Jared WickerhamWith most teams using the third week of the preseason as a dress rehearsal for the regular season, Brady, Stafford and other starters will likely play into the second half. That could mean plenty of offense considering this is a matchup of two of the NFL’s top three teams in yards per game from a year ago.
After sitting out last week to rest his bruised knee, Johnson is expected to be active and play against New England.
Read Article >Finding meaning in meaningless football

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY SportsThe preseason continues to be like life: short, empty, and ultimately full of too much Chris Berman. Oh, Chris Berman. You get assigned preseason football and the Home Run Contest, and yet you can’t take the hint.
-1: Kenjon Barner’s final line: 5 rushes for 6 yards, 1 reception for -1 yards, and a muffed punt return. All in front of his own college coach, too.
Read Article >Kirk Cousins avoids foot ligament damage

Brad Mills-USA TODAY SportsCousins’ career line is 33-for-48 for 466 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions in three regular-season games.
• Two Carries, Six Yards: The tragic story of Ricky Bell
Read Article >Steelers O-line struggles in loss

Rob CarrThe Steelers defense played well at times, at least. Coolong highlighted the play of two rookies: Safety Shamarko Thomas and outside linebacker Jarvis Jones. Thomas was arguably the Steelers’ player of the game, notching six tackles including a forced fumble on a vicious hit on Redskins running back Chris Thompson. Jones also forced a fumble and quieted some of his critics in the process.
• Dustin Keller suffers complete knee tear
Read Article >Redskins beat Steelers on Monday Night Football

Brad Mills-USA TODAY SportsMeanwhile, Bell was the biggest injury casualty for the Steelers. He suffered a foot injury as well after missing last week’s preseason game with a sore knee.
The Redskins were favored by 2.5 points in the game and covered the spread.
Read Article >Redskins nose tackle Barry Cofield fractures hand

Patrick SmithAccording to Russell, the index and middle finger on Cofield’s right hand were taped up after he came out of the game, and the initial prognosis is not positive.
• Dustin Keller suffers complete knee tear
Read Article >Twitter has pull-up advice for RGIII
RGIII does so many things, and does them all so well, it’s hard to keep track. We heard something, something about pull-ups during Monday’s preseason game broadcast. And then we saw this.
And then we saw Twitter going crazy with unsolicited exercise advice!
Read Article >RGIII, Dr. James Andrews share a moment


RGIII knows plenty about inspirational sayings, copyright law and the pistol formation. He also knows where his bread is buttered, as the kids these days like to say.
‘Sup, Dr. James Andrews.
Read Article >Kirk Cousins leaves game with a foot injury


Here’s a look at Cousins’ injury.
UPDATE: Cousins is out with a sprained foot, the severity of which is not known at this time.
Read Article >Le’Veon Bell Steelers leaves game with foot injury

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY SportAccording to Burt Lauten of the Steelers’ public relations department, Bell suffered a foot injury and will not return to the game. The severity of Bell’s injury is not yet known.
Bell carried the ball 382 times as a senior at Michigan State and had over 600 rushing attempts during his college career.
Read Article >Debrief: Drawing conclusions

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY SportsSure, it’s easy to laugh at the preseason. And bashing it has now arrived at the point where it’s more annoying than the glorified tryouts the NFL is spreading out over FIVE DAMN DAYS this week. Let’s take a moment to appreciate full-priced exhibition football, before your hipster friends start forming preseason fantasy leagues when they get bored with reinventing bumper pool and Miller High Life.
Based on what we know right now, here are some wildly off-base conclusions to send you to the betting window wearing nothing but a knowing smile (because we’re imaging this betting window at a nude beach in some lawless island nation).
Read Article >Steelers, Redskins game info

Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIREBaas sprains MCL

USA TODAY SportsFleener getting MRI

US PRESSWIREFleener was hurt earlier in the preseason with a concussion, so the injury bug has really taken a liking to the Colts’ second round pick of 2012 out of Stanford University. Coach Chuck Pagano said after the game that he didn’t think Fleener’s knee was of great concern, per PFT.
As Josh Wilson points out at Stampede Blue, Fleener has looked good in camp but fallen apart when the lights are brightest.
Read Article >Redskins host Steelers on Monday night

Larry FrenchBe sure to check out SB Nation’s team blogs, Hogs Haven and Behind The Steel Curtain, for more analysis and highlights from the game.
Add these fine follows to your Twitter timeline:
Read Article >Pam Oliver takes a pass off the face

Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIREOliver was later smiling after getting hit in the face, and for his part Harnish apologized too.
Read Article >Colts beat Giants 20-12 on Sunday night

Brad Penner-USA TODAY SportsThe Giants entered the game as two-point favorites, failing to cover the spread.
• Brady is fine, Manuel is effective and more Friday observations
Read Article >Nice catch, Reggie Wayne


Watch.
Luck’s made some of his usual incredible throws in this game. This was his worst throw of the night, and Wayne bails him out with that catch. Credit to Aaron Ross for dropping the interception too.
Read Article >Victor Cruz injury: Giants heads to locker room

USA TODAY SportsCruz immediately went to the locker room for X-rays after the injury. Before exiting the game, Cruz did not have a single catch.
At this point, the Giants will be waiting for the results of the X-rays. Cruz has been durable throughout his three-year career, catching over 80 passes the past two seasons.
Read Article >Blogger reaction to Cardinals-Cowboys

Norm HallCardinals blog Revenge Of The Birds was happy with the win, of course, but they were less happy with the erratic play of quarterback Carson Palmer:
KD Drummond at Blogging The Boys is pleasantly surprised that the Cowboys gave up only three field goals despite the turnovers and ugly play:
Read Article >How to watch Colts-Giants, preseason Week 2

Andy LyonsWhat we learned Saturday

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY SportsThe second week of the preseason continued with four games on Saturday. There was plenty of action to pay attention to, so let’s get to what you might have missed.
This game wasn’t quite as close as the score would indicate. Both starting quarterbacks played well, as Miami’s Ryan Tannehill completed 10 of 15 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown, while Houston’s Matt Schaub completed 8 of 11 for 92 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Read Article >Colts, Giants clash in preseason

Nick LahamEd Valentine writes Terrell Thomas might finally be healthy on Big Blue View:
Be sure to check out SB Nation’s team blogs, Stampede Blue and Big Blue View, for more analysis and highlights from the game.
Read Article >