Jets plan to go wild with Tebow vs. Bills

Get ready for Tim Tebow and the wildcat.

After months of intrigue surrounding Tebow's role in the New York Jets' offense, the backup quarterback will see some action in the tricky formation during the regular-season opener against the visiting Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

"I think if we don't, everybody's going to be like, 'Wait a second. You guys have been saying things about this wildcat and we haven't even seen one snap of it,' " Ryan said with a laugh. "But, sure we're going to run some wildcat, there's no doubt."

The Jets did not use the wildcat at all during the preseason, when New York failed to score a touchdown in the first three games with starter Mark Sanchez and Tebow. Third-string quarterback Greg McElroy finally led the Jets into the end zone in the preseason finale at Philadelphia on Thursday.

The fact the Jets became the first team since the 1977 Atlanta Falcons to go three preseason games without a TD had many fans and media wondering whether New York's offense was simply inept or just holding back. The Jets appeared to treat the plan for Tebow and the wildcat like a government secret at times, but Ryan and offensive coordinator Tony Sparano also reasoned that there was no need to give opponents any advance film to look at.

"I guess we never appeased whoever by not putting (Tebow) out there," Ryan said. "If that added to it, that wasn't our intent. Our intent was there's no sense showing it in the preseason, just like I'm sure a lot of teams are saving specific things for their openers. We're not different than a lot of teams doing that."

But the Jets are unlike any other team because of the fact they have Tebow on their roster, and their plans for him have been kept mostly under wraps.

■ BEARS - Linebacker Brian Urlacher returned to practice for the first time since July 31, hoping to play in Sunday's opener against Indianapolis at Chicago.

Urlacher did not talk to reporters, but coach Lovie Smith said the eight-time Pro Bowl player looked good considering he had arthroscopic surgery to his left knee Aug. 14.

"He had a good first day back," Smith said. "He's got to get in shape. I'm sure he'll tell you that and a few other things like that. But we didn't have any trouble with him today. He's right on schedule."

Urlacher talked to Fox TV about his condition before practice and said, "I'm playing Sunday. That's a done deal."

Also, Bears signed defensive tackle Amobi Okoye to a one-year contract. Okoye, the 10th overall pick by the Texans in 2007's draft, played for the Bears last season and had four sacks.

He signed a one-year, $2 million contract with Tampa Bay during the offseason, had arthroscopic knee surgery in June and reached an injury settlement Friday.

■ GIANTS - Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks vowed to play in New York's opener against Dallas on Wednesday, despite missing his second straight practice.

Nicks recently returned to the active roster after breaking his right foot in an organized team activity in May. He played a couple of series in the preseason finale against New England.

Meanwhile, three-time Pro Bowl center Shaun O'Hara officially retired as a member of the Giants. O'Hara, who played the final seven years of his 11-year NFL career with the Giants and was a captain of their Super Bowl-winning team in 2008, sat out last season after being cut in a salary-cap move. He had undergone ankle and foot surgeries during that offseason.

■ JAGUARS - Maurice Jones-Drew will begin the season much like he did his NFL career: as a backup and third-down running back. Jacksonville coach Mike Mularkey said Jones-Drew will rotate in on third-down plays Sunday at Minnesota.

The NFL's leading rusher in 2011 also will "get a series" in place of starter Rashad Jennings, Mularkey said.

Jones-Drew ended a 38-day holdout Sunday without a new contract. He asked the team to rework the final two years of his five-year, $31 million contract, but the Jaguars declined.

Also, Jacksonville likely will be without starting cornerback Derek Cox (hamstring) for the opener.

■ CHARGERS - Pro Bowl running back Ryan Mathews said he hopes he can play in Monday's opener at Oakland after going through individual drills for the first time since breaking his collarbone Aug. 9.

Mathews caught passes and did other individual work, but did not participate in team drills. Mathews will have to prove he can take a hit before being able to suit up Monday.

The third-year back, who rushed 1,091 yards last season, was hurt on his first carry in the exhibition opener.

■ BROWNS - Rookie running back Trent Richardson returned to practice for the first time since undergoing knee surgery Aug. 9, a strong sign he will play in Sunday's opener at home against Philadelphia.

With dreadlocks flowing out of his orange helmet, Richardson took snaps with Cleveland's first-team offense during the portion of practice open to the media. He had a black rubber sleeve on his repaired left knee, which has been operated on twice since he helped Alabama win a national championship in January.

■ COLTS - Receiver Austin Collie was cleared to practice and is expected to play in Sunday's opener at Chicago. Last month Collie was diagnosed with his third full-blown concussion in less than 22 months.

Coach Chuck Pagano said the team put Collie through a battery of tests before allowing him back on the field.

■ 49ERS - San Francisco is missing a key member of its talented defense heading into Week 1 after placing outside linebacker Parys Haralson on season-ending injured reserve.

San Francisco signed linebacker Clark Haggans to a one-year contract to help fill the void as the defending NFC West champions prepare for Sunday's season opener at Green Bay.

The 49ers didn't provide details on Haralson's injury, though he is believed to have hurt his left arm during a preseason win at Denver on Aug. 26.

■ CARDINALS - Arizona signed offensive tackle Pat McQuistan, claimed outside linebacker Jamaal Westerman and placed offensive tackle Jeremy Bridges on injured reserve.

The Cardinals already were short on tackles with the loss of Levi Brown for the season with a torn right triceps. The thumb injury to Bridges, sustained in Thursday's preseason finale against Denver, made the need more pressing.

McQuistan was released by the Dallas Cowboys on Friday. The six-year NFL veteran played in 10 regular-season games and both postseason contests for New Orleans last season.

■ PANTHERS - Carolina coach Ron Rivera said his players are approaching their six-day trip to Florida this week like it was a college bowl game.

The Panthers wanted to get away from the distractions of the Democratic National Convention being held in Charlotte, so they decided to practice in Florida to prepare for their season opener at Tampa Bay.

The team leaves today for the IMG Football Academy in Bradenton, Fla.