Ben Roethlisberger's suspension has been reduced from six games to four by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
The Pittsburgh Steelers' star quarterback met with Goodell early Friday and was told he could return on Oct. 17 against Cleveland.
When Roethlisberger was suspended in April for violating the league's personal conduct policy, Goodell said he would review the player's behavior over the next few months. Goodell was satisfied that Roethlisberger has followed the league's guidelines and stayed out of trouble.
Roethlisberger was accused of sexually assaulting a Georgia college student following a night of drinking in a Milledgeville, Ga., bar on March 5. He was not charged by Georgia authorities.
Meanwhile, Byron Leftwich, expected to start during Roethlisberger's suspension, injured his left knee in the first half against Carolina.
Leftwich completed an 18-yard pass to rookie Emmanuel Sanders before being knocked off his feet as running back Mewelde Moore attempted to block safety Marcus Hudson. The play occurred with 10:25 left in the second quarter.
Leftwich was examined by team doctors on a stretcher behind the Steelers' bench, then limped into a nearby tunnel that leads to the locker room. He did not return to the game.
Browns' Hardesty hurts knee • Cleveland Browns rookie running back Montario Hardesty left his exhibition debut because of an injured left knee.
Hardesty, who missed all of training camp with a bone bruise in his right knee, was hurt on a 2-yard carry in the second quarter against the Chicago Bears.
Hardesty stayed on the ground for several minutes before walking to the sideline. The team's medical staff examined him on a trainer's table before taking him to the locker room.
Hardesty ran seven times for 25 yards and a 1-yard touchdown before leaving. He showed nice power on several inside runs, and powered his way into the end zone to tie it 7-7 in the first quarter.
Broncos lose White to ankle injury • Denver Broncos running back LenDale White left the team's final preseason game with an injured ankle.
White was down for a while and walked off the field gingerly in the second quarter at Minnesota after getting hurt on a 9-yard run.
Bryant, Dolphins GM Ireland shake hands • Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland and Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant have made amends.
About an hour before their teams played Thursday night, they shook hands and had what looked like a brief, pleasant conversation.
They spoke for less than a minute, with Ireland patting Bryant's chest when they finished.
Ireland already had apologized to Bryant for having asked whether his mother was a prostitute during a pre-draft interview. This was their first face-to-face meeting since then.
