Geathers Cleared for Hit on Green

The NFL absolved Cincinnati defensive end James Geathers on Wednesday for his hit on Kansas City quarterback Trent Green, emphasizing quarterbacks are responsible for avoiding hits by sliding.

Green sustained a serious concussion Sunday after a hit by Geathers and will sit out at least two games.

“The injury ... was unfortunate and has drawn much commentary, but it is not a foul,” Ray Anderson, the NFL’s senior vice president, said in a statement.

Anderson said a review of the play in Kansas City showed Green started “a late slide” as Geathers prepared to tackle him. At the same time, Geathers was blocked in the back by a Chiefs player, was no longer in control of his body and twisted to avoid driving his helmet into Green or hitting him helmet to helmet.

Geathers’ right shoulder, however, hit Green’s shoulder and drove Green’s head into the ground.

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger practiced for the first time since the appendectomy that forced him to sit out the regular-season opener and said he hoped to play Monday against Jacksonville.

“It feels normal,” Roethlisberger said. “It feels like nothing’s wrong.”

His midsection remains a little sore, he said, but the discomfort was not expected to be a problem by Monday.

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The Buffalo Bills put veteran free safety Troy Vincent on injured reserve after he aggravated a left hamstring pull suffered in training camp, ending his season.

The Bills also listed linebacker Takeo Spikes as questionable for Sunday’s game at Miami because of a right hamstring injury.

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Cleveland Browns receiver Joe Jurevicius did not suffer any broken ribs against New Orleans but will sit out Sunday’s game against Cincinnati, the team said.

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Carolina Panthers linebacker Dan Morgan will not play Sunday against Minnesota because of a concussion suffered against Atlanta.

All-Pro receiver Steve Smith (hamstring) and center Justin Hartwig (groin) also sat out practice and were listed as questionable.

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The New Orleans Saints signed veteran fullback Corey McIntyre to fill a gap left when fullbacks Keith Joseph (knee) and Mike Karney (calf) were injured at Cleveland.

McIntyre spent the last two seasons with Cleveland.

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The Houston Texans acquired running back Samkon Gado from the Green Bay Packers for running back Vernand Morency.

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The Kansas City Chiefs and free-agent receiver Rod Gardner agreed to terms of a two-year contract. Gardner was released by Green Bay during the exhibition season.

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San Diego Chargers linebacker Steve Foley had a blood-alcohol level over the legal limit during an incident Sept. 3 when he was shot by an off-duty Coronado police officer who suspected him of drunk driving, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Dept. said. The department did not reveal the exact reading.

Sheriff’s investigators are asking the district attorney to consider charging Foley with misdemeanor driving under the influence.

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Former Minnesota Vikings receiver Anthony Carter ended his probation two years early, three years after he pleaded guilty to charges related to domestic battery in West Palm Beach, Fla.

His plea stipulated that he could apply for release from probation after 2 1/2 years.