Quarterback Matt Leinart agreed Monday to a one-year deal with the Houston Texans, according to agent Tom Condon, two days after he was cut by Arizona. The Texans would not confirm the deal. The team returns to practice Wednesday, leading up to Sunday's season opener against Indianapolis.
The Texans were looking for insurance at backup quarterback after Dan Orlovsky threw two interceptions in Houston's final exhibition game. John David Booty threw two touchdown passes in that game but was released.
Dixon gets call for Steelers • Quarterback Dennis Dixon will start for Pittsburgh in its season opener, Sunday against Atlanta, being picked by coach Mike Tomlin over Charlie Batch. Dixon and Batch are the lone two healthy quarterbacks eligible to play. Ben Roethlisberger is serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy, while Byron Leftwich is out indefinitely because of a sprained knee. Dixon has started one NFL game, an overtime loss in Baltimore last year in which he threw for a touchdown and run for another.
Meanwhile, Roethlisberger was not chosen as a captain in a vote by his teammates. He has been selected the previous two seasons. Wide receiver Hines Ward and tight end Heath Miller will be the offensive captains.
Revis returns • Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis, who ended his holdout of 36 days by signing as four-year deal, is expected to practice today and be ready to play in the season opener Monday night, against Baltimore. The deal reportedly worth is worth at least $46 million, including $32 million guaranteed. Meanwhile, the Jets re-signed fullback Tony Richardson, who was cut over the weekend so that the club could keep free-agent cornerback Brian Jackson. But he was not needed after Revis returned and was cut.
McNabb expected to start • Washington quarterback Donovan McNabb, who has been hindered by a sprained ankle he suffered Aug. 21, appears on pace to make his Redskins regular-season debut Sunday, against Dallas. Also, fullback Mike Sellers has recovered from a sprained knee and should be ready to play Sunday.
Elsewhere • The Chargers signed free-agent quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan to be No. 3 on the depth chart, behind Philip Rivers and Billy Volek. He spent 2009 with the Bengals, playing in three games. ... The 49ers waived quarterback Nate Davis, the team's fifth-round draft pick last year. Coach Mike Singletary had been openly frustrated with Davis' slow development and work habits despite the former Ball State star's dyslexia that makes it difficult to grasp the playbook. The 49ers are down to two quarterbacks — starter Alex Smith and backup David Carr. Singletary has said they could get by with only two. ... The Cowboys still are without two starting offensive linemen — right tackle Marc Colombo and left guard Kyle Kosier have been out several weeks with knee injuries. Colombo is expected to return before Kosier and coach Wade Phillips said Colombo could play Sunday if he practices this week.
