Huddle Up: Cowboys crossing their fingers
An abbreviated look at what’s going on around the NFL on Tuesday, Sept. 6:
• The Cowboys continue to hold out hope that their starting cornerbacks, Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins, will be healthy enough for Week 1 action. So far, neither player has been able to even practice.
• Christian Ponder will be the Vikings' backup quarterback when the regular season opens Sunday, but Minnesota coach Leslie Frazier sounds like he may try to workJoe Webb into his offense.
• With the Ravens signing ex-Cowboys center Andre Gurode, questions naturally arose about starting center Matt Birk's health -- he missed a substantial amount of time this preseason. But Birk says he's not worried.
• Undrafted free agent CB Chris Hawkins spent last season working construction after being cut by Baltimore. In his second year, though, he's earned a spot on the Titans roster.
• Brady Quinn's performance this preseason has earned him the No. 2 QB role in Denver, though Tim Tebow may still see more action in specially-designed packages.
• Donald Jones will get the first shot in Buffalo this season to take over Lee Evans' vacated No. 2 receiver position. Jones will start opposite Stevie Johnson against the Chiefs Sunday.
• The Patriots released James Sanders and Brandon Meriweather, meaning that Josh Barnett and Sergio Brownwill have every opportunity to win a starting safety spot.
