NFL roundup: Packers sign Cedric Benson

The Green Bay Packers were in need of a running back and Cedric Benson was in need of a team that wanted him, so the two got together when the Packers signed Benson to a contract, the team announced Sunday.

The length of the contract was not announced, but ESPN.com reported that it's a one-year contract.

Benson, 29, rushed for more than 1,000 yards each of the past three seasons for Cincinnati, but the Bengals showed no interest in re-signing him.

The question is whether he has anything left after seven NFL seasons and averaging 298.3 carries over those last three seasons.

But James Starks, who's listed as the Packers' starting running back, has not performed as well as hoped.

Starks suffered a turf toe injury on Thursday and may be out for a week.

In addition, Brandon Saine (hamstring) has not practiced, Green is coming off knee surgery, and Ryan Grant was not re-signed.

Despite going 15-1 in the regular season last year, the Packers ranked 27th in rushing offense.

---Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chad Johnson was released from jail on Sunday afternoon after being arrested on Saturday for allegedly head-butting his wife and causing a cut, CBSSports.com reported.

Johnson did not comment to a group of reporters waiting outside the facility when he left.

He has not been charged with a crime yet, although his wife told police she wanted to file charges.

Johnson's bond had been set at $2,500 and he had been told by the court to stay away from Lozado.

---Miami Dolphins quarterback David Garrard responded to an internet report that he hurt his knee while playing with his son at home.

Garrard, who has said he will be out two to four weeks, does not know exactly how the knee was injured. He had surgery on Saturday.

Garrard told MassLive.com that he did not injure the knee playing with his son, as was reported by the website.

Garrard was the Dolphins' projected starter before the injury.

---It did not take long for Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Andrew Luck to throw his first touchdown pass.

The No. 1 overall draft pick hit running back Donald Brown for a 63-yard TD on his first pass attempt of the preseason.

Luck took 24 snaps in his debut, completing 10 of 16 passes for 188 yards with two touchdowns in the Colts 38-3 rout over the visiting St. Louis Rams on Sunday.

---The Jacksonville Jaguars released wide receiver Lee Evans, ESPN.com reported Sunday.

Evans, who has 381 career receptions for 6,008 yards and 43 touchdowns, signed a one-year deal with Jacksonville in April.

He played in just nine games for the Baltimore Ravens last year because of an ankle injury but had four receptions for 69 yards in two playoff games.

---Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was taken off the physically-unable-to-perform list, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported Sunday.

The move was made before Sunday's afternoon practice session. Peterson is scheduled to speak with reporters afterward. Peterson had knee surgery in January and has been rehabbing.

Peterson can participate in individual work through Monday, but cannot practice in pads until after that, per the collective bargaining agreement.

---Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher returned to the team Saturday after taking time off for knee soreness and personal reasons and declared on Sunday he will be ready for the season opener.

Urlacher has not practiced since July 31 because of the knee soreness. He sustained a sprained left MCL and PCL during last season's finale on Jan. 1. He did not have surgery and missed the entire offseason.

---Free agent wide receiver Plaxico Burress will work out for the New England Patriots, ESPN reported Sunday.

The Patriots are practicing Sunday afternoon.

Burress has recently been linked to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys, according to NBC Sports' Pro Football Talk. Burress, 34, played in 17 games for the Jets last season, including 16 starts. He caught 45 passes for 612 yards and eight touchdowns.

---Pittsburgh Steelers rookie left tackle Mike Adams told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that the right knee he injured in Thursday's preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles will not require surgery.

However, Adams will likely be out for at least two weeks and is not expected to play again until Aug. 25 at Buffalo.

---Oakland Raiders linebacker Aaron Curry has not yet returned from Los Angeles, where he was getting a second opinion on his injured knees.

Curry told CSN Bay Area on Aug. 5 that he received stem cell treatments after injuring his knees during offseason workouts. His knees were not improving so he left camp at the end of the week to have them re-examined.

He has been on the physically-unable-to-perform list since camp began in late July.

---Green Bay Packers second-year cornerback Davon House is out two to three weeks with a separated left shoulder, the Green Bay Press-Gazette reported Sunday.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said House will rehab the shoulder before deciding whether he can return to the field or need surgery.

House was in line to start at one of the starting spots before the injury happened during a punt in the third quarter of Thursday's 21-13 exhibition loss to the San Diego Chargers.

---The New York Jets waived punter Travis Baltz, the team announced Sunday.

Baltz played collegiately at Maryland before signing as an undrafted free agent with the Indianapolis Colts in 2011. He signed with the Jets in January after getting cut by the Colts.