Joe McKnight, Braylon Edwards are cut by New York Jets

Joe McKnight and Braylon Edwards are suddenly out of work, surprising cuts by the New York Jets on Monday.

For McKnight, a backup running back and the team’s primary kick returner the last two seasons, it’s the latest setback in a tumultuous summer. Edwards’ departure in his third stint with the Jets could put his career in jeopardy.

McKnight, the team’s fourth-round draft pick in 2010 out of USC, was involved in a series of incidents this summer that included an arrest for unpaid traffic warrants, a concussion, migraine headaches, a few questionable posts on Twitter and some tension with the media.

He was active for the first time this preseason on Saturday night after being sidelined by a concussion, but did not play.

Edwards was dealing with a leg injury that kept him out of the game against the New York Giants on Saturday. Edwards was signed just before training camp began last month.

Redskins cut Stallworth

Donte Stallworth was cut by the Washington Redskins, thwarting the veteran receiver’s comeback.

Stallworth was hindered through most of training camp by a hamstring injury. He caught two passes for 33 yards in preseason games.

The 32-year-old Stallworth signed with the Redskins in June, three months after he was seriously burned in a hot air balloon accident in Florida.

Saints lose Smith

New Orleans outside linebacker Will Smith, one of the Saints’ top pass-rushers during the last nine seasons, has a knee injury that will sideline him for the 2013 season, a person familiar with the situation said.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team has not commented publicly on Smith’s injury, which occurred Sunday during an exhibition against Houston.

Smith, drafted 18th overall by New Orleans in 2004, spent his first nine seasons as a defensive end. This year, he switched to outside linebacker in new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan’s 3-4 scheme.

Smith was a projected starter, as was fellow outside linebacker Victor Butler, who also is recovering from knee surgery that will sideline him most or all of the season.

Vikings fullback suspended

Adrian Peterson’s lead blocker will be missing from the Minnesota Vikings for their first three regular-season games.

Pro Bowl fullback Jerome Felton received a three-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on substance abuse, the league announced Monday. No details were disclosed, per the NFL’s confidentiality agreement with the players’ union.

Felton was drafted by Detroit in the fifth round in 2008 out of Furman but bounced between three teams over his first four years in the league until his breakthrough last season with the Vikings, when Peterson rushed for 2,097 yards and won the most valuable player award. Felton signed a three-year contract with the club in March worth as much as $7.5 million, including $2 million guaranteed.

Cooper could still play

Jonathan Cooper’s rookie season might not be over after all.

Arizona Coach Bruce Arians said that the Cardinals’ first-round draft pick could be back for the final six games of the season after undergoing surgery on his broken left leg. The seventh overall pick in the draft was injured in Saturday night’s 24-7 preseason loss to the San Diego Chargers.

Etc.

Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore will miss six to eight weeks with a broken left wrist. ... The Houston Texans expect by the end of this week to have a better idea whether injured safety Ed Reed will play in their season opener. Coach Gary Kubiak said that Reed is in Vail, Colo., visiting the surgeon who performed his April hip surgery to repair a partially-torn labrum. He will receive injections in his hip during the visit and then travel to Atlanta later this week to continue his rehabilitation. ... San Diego Chargers wide receiver Malcom Floyd returned to practice two weeks after straining his right knee in a collision with cornerback Shareece Wright. Floyd hopes to be able to play in the season opener Sept. 9 against Houston.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Anthony Gaitor (knee) and running back Michael Smith (foot) will miss the season after being placed on injured reserve. ... Former Tennessee linebacker Keith Bulluck has been replaced as a TV analyst for the Titans’ preseason finale following his arrest on a felony robbery charge. A cab driver accused Bulluck of taking a $100 bill as the driver waited outside a bar Sunday morning for a paid fare. Bulluck issued a statement calling the incident a misunderstanding in which he took back money when he didn’t get service he wanted. Kerry Collins will replace Bulluck.