Leinart to Play Saturday

A relieved and ever-smiling Matt Leinart joined the Arizona Cardinals’ training camp on Tuesday in Flagstaff, Ariz., and quickly learned he would be playing at New England in four days.

“My dream has been to play in the NFL,” the quarterback said. “What better way to kick off an NFL career -- whether it’s one play or a couple of series -- than against the Patriots.”

Late Monday night, Leinart signed a six-year contract that guarantees the former Heisman Trophy winner $12 million. Leinart, who could earn as much as $50 million as the 10th overall selection, was the last first-round draft pick to sign.

“I feel good, I’m ready,” he said before his first practice. “This is my job now, and I’ve got to take responsibility for all of that. I’m ready to go. I’m ready to work. I’m ready to get better. I’m ready to catch up with the other guys.”

Coach Dennis Green has yet to determine how much Leinart will play Saturday, but he was confident the rookie would make up for lost time.

Leinart took part in all of the team’s workouts this spring and summer.

Leinart will compete for the No. 2 spot with John Navarre, who had two passes intercepted Saturday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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Running back Lee Suggs is headed back to the Cleveland Browns after New York said he failed his physical, voiding a trade that had sent him to the Jets to help fill in for injured Curtis Martin.

Jets defensive back Derrick Strait was also part of the deal.

It is unclear what part of the checkup the oft-injured Suggs failed.

“We have a whole series of tests that we do, and we were very thorough with the process,” Jets Coach Eric Mangini said. “He just didn’t pass those tests.”

The Browns were confused, with Coach Romeo Crennel hinting that New York might have ulterior motives.

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The Steelers made official what has seemed evident for weeks: Coach Bill Cowher is no longer negotiating an extension to a contract that runs through 2007.

The team announced that it had ceased talks with Cowher, 49, so he can focus on coaching the defending Super Bowl champions. The team, which has had only two coaches in 38 seasons, has long had a policy of not negotiating contracts during a season but wants to renew talks once the season ends.

Cowher’s decision to not sign an extension has created speculation he might retire at the end of the season, possibly returning elsewhere in a few years.

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San Diego Chargers kick returner Darren Sproles will be sidelined for the season because of a broken left leg, and the team also revealed that receiver Vincent Jackson has been hospitalized since Saturday night because of a bruised chest.

The team wouldn’t elaborate on Jackson’s injury, suffered in Saturday’s exhibition against Green Bay.

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Washington Redskins cornerback Shawn Springs underwent surgery in Durham, N.C., to repair a muscle tear in his lower abdomen and is expected to be sidelined three to six weeks.

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Minnesota Vikings rookie linebacker Chad Greenway will miss the season, the result of a knee injury suffered in Monday’s exhibition against Oakland.

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Kicker Adam Vinatieri, the Indianapolis Colts’ biggest off-season acquisition, sat out practice because of a sprained left ankle, suffered while running Monday. He kicks with his right foot.... Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith returned to practice after sitting out more than two weeks because of a strained hamstring, showing no sign that it still bothered him.... Chicago Bears running back Fred Jackson was carted off the field after hurting his right knee late in practice. The team had no comment on his status.... Cincinnati waived defensive tackle Matthias Askew, one of five Bengals arrested in the last three months. Askew was charged last month with resisting arrest, obstructing official business and two parking violations.... Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Randy Starks returned to practice after missing an exhibition game and a practice following his Saturday arrest on a domestic assault charge.