Panthers’ Sauerbrun Faces Charges

Carolina Panther punter Todd Sauerbrun was arrested Thursday and charged with driving while impaired and released on $1,700 bond.

Sauerbrun also was charged with speeding and driving while his license was revoked, Julia Rush, a spokeswoman for the Mecklenburg County (N.C.) Sheriff’s Department, said.

The All-Pro and Pro Bowl player attended practice but declined to comment. Afterward, Coach John Fox said Sauerbrun would play Saturday at Atlanta.

This season, the Panthers released special teams standout Jarrod Cooper after he was arrested for allegedly giving false information to a police officer. He had two previous drunk driving arrests.

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Pittsburgh Steeler wide receiver Plaxico Burress will sit out Saturday against the New York Giants, missing his fourth consecutive game because of a sore hamstring.

Burress, Pittsburgh’s most reliable downfield receiver, ran pass patterns in practice this week and was optimistic about playing. But he was downgraded from questionable to out Thursday.

The Steelers also might be without running back Duce Staley (hamstring), who sat out the last two days of practice.

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Brian Urlacher probably will sit out Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans because of a hamstring injury that could sideline the Chicago Bears’ star linebacker the rest of the season.

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Drew Henson lasted two quarters as the starting quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys. Three weeks later, he’s not even their top backup.

Henson was dropped to No. 3 this week, with Tony Romo moving up to No. 2. Romo has been with the team since the start of last season without taking a snap in a regular-season game.

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Fifteen seasons may not be enough for Emmitt Smith. The NFL’s career rushing leader sounds as if he would like to come back for a 16th, either with the Arizona Cardinals or with some other team.

“I don’t have no problem playing next year,” he said. “I’m not totally happy with the way I performed in terms of the success of the team and all. But I wanted to make a contribution, and I feel like I have made a contribution, and I think I’ve got a lot in me to make more contributions to this team or wherever it may be if I choose to continue on.”