NFL teams make decisions on kickers and backup QBs

Decisions on placekickers and backup quarterbacks dominated Saturday's round of NFL moves as the league went to one day of cuts.

Lots of established players such as Kansas City linebacker Tamba Hali, Minnesota defensive linemen Sharrif Floyd and Datone Jones, New York Giants linebacker Mark Herzlich and Chicago defensive end Lamarr Houston and wide receiver Cam Meredith wound up on injured reserve.

Out on the street, at least for now, were the likes of safety T.J. Ward, sent packing by Denver; receiver Victor Cruz, released by Chicago; running back C.J. Spiller, out in Kansas City; three-time All-Pro punter Andy Lee, set free by Carolina; WR-KR Josh Huff, gone from Tampa Bay; running back Matt Jones and safety Will Blackmon, gone from Washington; quarterback Kellen Clemens, released by the Chargers; WR Jeremy Kerley, released by San Francisco; guard Alex Boone, out in Minnesota; and Eric Winston, an offensive lineman let go by Cincinnati.

Among the placekickers winning competitions were Giants rookie Aldrick Rosas over Mike Nugent; Zane Gonzalez, a seventh-round pick, over Cody Parkey in Cleveland; undrafted free agent Younghoe Koo over Josh Lambo with the Chargers; and perhaps seventh-rounder Harrison Butker because Carolina is fielding trade calls for Graham Gano and kept two kickers on the roster.

Geno Smith won the job behind QB Eli Manning with the Giants. Rookie Cooper Rush is the guy behind 2016 Offensive Rookie of the Year Dak Prescott for the Cowboys because Luke McCown and Kellen Moore were released. Veteran Matt Schaub beat out another vet, Matt Simms, to hold the clipboard in Atlanta. Colt McCoy will be staying with the Redskins to back up Kirk Cousins because Nate Sudfeld was cut.