Associated Press
CHARLOTTE ó The Carolina Panthers will open the preseason with a nationally televised game at the New York Giants on Monday, Aug. 17.
The four-game preseason schedule announced Monday begins with Carolina on ESPN in a rematch of division winners from last season. Carolina will then visit Miami in Week 2 of the preseason. The Panthers close the schedule with home games against Baltimore and Pittsburgh.
The NFL’s preseason schedule features a Super Bowl rematch between the Steelers and Arizona on Aug. 13. The exhibition season begins Aug. 9 in Canton, Ohio, where Buffalo will play Tennessee in the Pro Football Hall of Fame game.
Dallas will play for the first time in its new $1.1 billion stadium Aug. 21, facing the Titans.
GIANTS
NEW YORK ó Plaxico Burress will return to court today in his gun possession case as his lawyers and prosecutors haggle over a plea deal and what punishment the New York Giants star should face for accidentally shooting himself in a crowded nightclub last year.
A law enforcement official with knowledge of the case said that Burress and prosecutors have been in active discussions about a plea deal but remain at odds over the terms, with the District Attorney’s office pushing for a stiffer punishment than what defense lawyers believe Burress deserves. The individual spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions are ongoing.
49ERS
SAN FRANCISCO ó After Pittsburgh didn’t welcome back Marvel Smith this winter, the veteran offensive tackle decided he’d continue his career near his most faithful supporters.
Smith agreed to a two-year deal to return to his native Bay Area with the San Francisco 49ers, who expect him to be their starting right tackle.
Smith spent nine years as a stalwart on the Steelers’ line, starting 108 regular-season games and earning two Super Bowl rings.
BENGALS
CINCINNATI ó Quarterback Carson Palmer considers his throwing elbow fully healed as he begins offseason workouts.
Palmer chose not to have reconstructive surgery for a partially torn ligament and tendon in his right elbow, which sidelined him for 12 games last season. Instead, he decided to see whether rest would heal the injury.
SAINTS
METAIRIE, La. ó New Orleans has re-signed backup quarterback Joey Harrington.
Harrington, who is entering his eighth season, first signed with the Saints early in the 2008 season. A first-round draft choice in 2002 by Detroit, the 30-year-old quarterback served as the Saints’ third-stringer in 12 games but did not play.
TEXANS
HOUSTON ó The Texans have signed free agent defensive tackle Shaun Cody, who has spent his entire four-year career with Detroit.
A career backup, he appeared in each game for the Lions last season with four starts and finished with a career-high 36 tackles.