Cornerback Samuel back in practice with Patriots

Asante Samuel smiled as he stood at his locker and joked about missing hot summer workouts.

Repeatedly saying he was happy his contract holdout was over -- a one-year, $7.79 million salary may have brightened his mood -- the Patriots cornerback was eager to practice with his teammates who had been in training camp for a month.

The Patriots received a temporary roster exemption for Samuel, then got down to the 75-man limit by Tuesday’s deadline by putting receivers Troy Brown and Chad Jackson and cornerback Eddie Jackson on the physically unable to perform reserve list.

Seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan had constructive talks with the New York Giants twice in the last 24 hours, and he expected to make a decision soon on whether to retire or play.

General Manager Jerry Reese said talks ended with Strahan telling him he expected to arrive at a decision about whether to continue playing within two days.

Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs said he panicked after crashing his new Lamborghini early Monday morning and initially reported his car stolen after abandoning the mangled vehicle.

“When it happened, the first thing I did was, obviously, I panicked,” Briggs said. “Within probably 10 minutes, I called back and accepted responsibility for what I did because it was ridiculous in the first place.”

Former No. 1 NFL draft pick Tim Couch had doping regimens that called for anabolic steroids and human growth hormone, according to documents obtained by Yahoo.com. Couch, cut by the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier this month, told Yahoo.com he used HGH for about a week, under a doctor’s care.

Offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden was added to Baltimore’s active roster after missing most of training camp because of a turf-toe injury. . . . Jacksonville claimed linebacker Roy Manning off waivers and released linebacker Chris Claiborne. . . . Veteran long-snapper Ryan Kuehl of the New York Giants was put on injured reserve with a calf injury. . . . Defensive tackle Corey Simon agreed to terms with Tennessee and will try to resume his career after not playing in 2006. . . . Defensive end Kevin Huntley, receiver Johnnie Morant and quarterback Jeff Otis were cut by Oakland. . . . Denver put receiver Rod Smith, their career receptions and touchdowns leader, on the reserve/physically unable to perform list.