Browns’ Richardson progressing

Sidelined and hidden from public view for nearly a month, Browns rookie running back Trent Richardson might play in Cleveland's season opener.

Richardson, who underwent knee surgery Aug. 9, rode a stationary bike before Saturday's practice and remained on the field with his teammates as they began preparing for next week's game against Philadelphia. Browns coach Pat Shurmur said Richardson has been running - and even taking part in contact drills - and that if he's able to practice this week, he'll face the Eagles.

"If he's ready, he'll play," Shurmur said.

The No. 3 pick in April's NFL Draft, Richardson had an arthroscopic procedure done on his left knee last month, his second operation since helping Alabama win the national championship in January. Richardson did not play in any of Cleveland's four exhibition games, and before Saturday the 22-year-old hadn't been seen around Cleveland's training facility except for one day when he came out briefly to sign autographs for fans.

Shurmur and general manager Tom Heckert both said Richardson, who has remained in top physical shape while he's been out, has been rehabilitating inside and making major progress.

In fact, Heckert doesn't think Richardson needs much practice time to play.

"This kid is a little different cat," Heckert said. "I think he's ready to go pretty quick compared to some guys I've been around. Shapewise, you do not have to worry about that at all."

Heckert said the Browns will be careful not to overload Richardson in his first game, but if he's on the field, he's going to carry the ball. "I don't think we're going to let him touch the ball 50 times," Heckert said. "But, hey, if he's ready to go, he's ready to go."

Richardson was not available for comment. A member of the media relations staff said Richardson left the field early to work with trainers. Reporters are permitted to watch only the first 15 minutes of practice.

The Browns are counting on Richardson to improve an offense that scored just 218 points last season. Simply having Richardson on the field will give the Eagles something to consider when they put together a game plan against a Cleveland team they throttled 27-10 in an exhibition Aug. 24.

Richardson, who rushed for 3,130 yards and scored 35 touchdowns in college, didn't disappoint the Browns early in training camp before he got hurt and needed surgery. He showed an exceptional burst of speed, good hands and appears to be the breakaway threat the Browns have coveted for years.

■ JAGUARS - Coach Mike Mularkey has heard rumors that holdout running back Maurice Jones-Drew will report soon but said none of the talk is coming from anyone who matters.

On a conference call with reporters, Mularkey said he has "heard the same things like you have, but nothing from people that need to tell me. Nothing personally from Maurice."

Jones-Drew wants to renegotiate his $31 million contract, which has two years remaining. The Jaguars insist they have plans to rework his deal.

Jones-Drew could show up in time for the opener, which would ensure he wouldn't miss a paycheck.

■ COWBOYS - Tight end Jason Witten, a seven-time Pro Bowler, was on the practice field in pads and said he was hopeful that he will be able to play in the season opener.

Saturday's practice was the first time Witten had been in pads since lacerating his spleen in the preseason opener Aug. 13.

The Cowboys open the season at the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants on Wednesday.

■ SEAHAWKS - Kellen Winslow was acquired by Seattle in the hopes that along with Zach Miller the duo could become a formidable set of tight ends who could add another element to the Seahawks offense.

Those plans drastically changed when Winslow was released by the team, keeping true to the Seahawks' past form of tinkering with their roster even after all training camp cuts are made.

Winslow, 29, was to make $3.3 million in base salary in 2012, following his trade from Tampa Bay to Seattle in May.

The Seahawks gave up a conditional draft pick to the Buccaneers to get Winslow, who said it became clear he didn't fit into new Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano's plans. Even with knee problems in the past, he was expected to be a significant contributor with the Seahawks.

■ CHIEFS - Banged-up Kansas City is in wait-and-see mode with several injured players heading into its season opener against Atlanta on Sept. 9.

Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel said cornerback Brandon Flowers, defensive tackle Anthony Toribio, linebacker Derrick Johnson, backup quarterback Brady Quinn and safety Kendrick Lewis all are making progress, but their availability for Week 1 is uncertain.

Johnson is the most likely to play after hurting his ankle in the Chiefs' preseason finale Thursday night at Green Bay. The injury to the Pro Bowl linebacker was thought to be serious, but Crennel said that Johnson is a "good healer, so we expect he'll be ready to go."

■ VIKINGS-CARDINALS TRADE - Minnesota acquired cornerback A.J. Jefferson from Arizona for a conditional draft pick in 2013.

In bringing in Jefferson, 24, the Vikings continued their approach of adding youthful depth to a rebuilding roster. Cornerback was an area of concern for the coaching staff with Antoine Winfield entering his 14th season and missing the final 10 games of last season due to injury, while Chris Cook has struggled with injuries and off-the-field issues in his first two years in Minnesota.

■ SAINTS - The nearly 10-acre roof of the Superdome became a symbol of Hurricane Katrina's destruction in 2005, but the new, improved roof survived Hurricane Isaac just fine.

Superdome manager Doug Thornton said Isaac did cause some damage to the dome, including some sheet metal damage to exhaust vents. His early estimate of repair costs is $75,000 to $100,000 - a far cry from the $157 million in storm damage repairs covered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency after Katrina.