Ward Is Released From Hospital

Pittsburgh Steeler wide receiver Hines Ward is out of the hospital after having an appendectomy.

Ward was taken to UPMC-Presbyterian hospital Friday night after experiencing pain before the Steelers’ flight to Detroit for Saturday’s exhibition game.

Ward’s appendix was removed shortly after he arrived at the hospital and he was released Saturday night.

“It was a very good procedure,” Steeler Coach Bill Cowher said. “It was not ruptured. It was very clean.”

Cowher is cautiously optimistic Ward will play in the season opener Sept. 9 at New England. Ward, who went to the Pro Bowl last season, has played in all 64 regular-season games and two playoff games since the Steelers drafted him in 1998.

If Ward cannot play, rookie Antwaan Randle El is expected to start. Randle El scored a 29-yard touchdown in the Steelers’ 34-22 victory against the Lions.

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Atlanta Falcon quarterback Michael Vick’s bruised right elbow will not keep him from playing in the Falcons’ exhibition finale against Cincinnati.

The Falcons play the Bengals on Thursday night.

Vick, a left-handed passer, did not return after getting sacked in the second quarter of a 21-19 win at Dallas on Saturday night. X-rays taken at Texas Stadium were negative.

Vick completed three of six passes for 17 yards and scrambled once for a first down against the Cowboys. He was not sacked in the first two exhibition games, but was sacked twice Saturday.

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Wide receiver Terry Glenn hopes to make his Packer debut tonight when Green Bay plays the Cleveland Browns. The wide receiver has been sidelined by a sprained left knee, but he participated in the Packers’ Sunday practice.

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New York Giant quarterback Kerry Collins, who injured his shoulder, and halfback Tiki Barber, who injured his hamstring, are expected to be ready for the Giants’ season opener against San Francisco. Both were hurt in the Giants’ 28-7 loss to the New York Jets on Saturday night.

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Steve Spurrier won’t be keeping all of the former Florida players he invited to the Washington Redskin training camp. Former Gator receiver Reidel Anthony was one of seven players cut Sunday.

Anthony, signed as a free agent in March after spending five seasons with Tampa Bay, lost ground at camp to fellow ex-Florida receivers Jacquez Green and Chris Doering. Spurrier has said he expects to keep six receivers, and Rod Gardner, Kevin Lockett, Derrius Thompson, Darnerien McCants, Green and Doering are now the favorites to make the final cut.

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San Francisco 49er starting linebacker Jeff Ulbrich will be out three to six weeks after hyperextending his right knee in Saturday’s 17-10 exhibition loss to Oakland. Ulbrich, a third-year pro, started 14 games last season and finished second on the 49ers with 92 tackles.... Jerry Wunsch, a starter on Tampa Bay’s offensive line the last three seasons, was among 13 players released by the Buccaneers.