USA TODAY International Edition
Trick kicker gets boot
Lions waive Rugland, keep veteran Akers
DETROIT The Detroit Lions waived Internet kicking sensation Havard Rugland on Tuesday as they reduced their roster to the 75- man limit.
Rugland, 28, signed with the Lions in April, several months after his trick- kick YouTube video went viral.
A 28- year- old native of Norway, Rugland, who had no football experience before his video caught the eye of a New York Jets scout last year, showed marked improvement during his time with Detroit.
He made his three field goal attempts, from 49, 50 and 33 yards, in preseason, handled kickoffs in the second half of most games and was popular in the locker room. But Detroit always intended to use Pro Bowl kicker David Akers as a replacement for Jason Hanson, who retired.
Pack down a back:
Green Bay Packers starting running back DuJuan Harris will be placed on injured reserve and probably is out for the season after injuring the patella tendon in his right knee last week against the Seattle Seahawks.
Rookie Eddie Lacy, a secondround pick out of Alabama, is expected to get the bulk of the carries.
On schedule:
New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz expects to play in the regular- season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.
A day after removing the protective boot from his left foot, Cruz was upbeat about being ready for the Sept. 8 game. He said the only time his injured heel hurts is when he gets out of bed in the morning.
Cruz was injured Aug. 18 against the Indianapolis Colts when his foot was stepped on by a defender. He continues to get treatment, including an exercise of picking up marbles with his feet.
Panthers RB to PUP list: The Carolina Panthers have placed Jonathan Stewart on the physically unable to perform list, meaning the veteran running back will miss at least the first six weeks of the season.
Stewart hasn’t practiced with the Panthers since having offseason surgery on both ankles. He said his right ankle remained a problem.
The move means more playing time for DeAngelo Williams, the franchise’s all- time leading rusher, and opens a roster spot for Tauren Poole or Armond Smith.
Tebow sticks:
New England Patriots backup quarterback Tim Tebow survived the cuts Tuesday. He’s expected to get a fair amount of playing time in the preseason finale Thursday against the visiting Giants. All teams must trim their rosters to 53 players by 6 p. m. ET Saturday.
Saddled:
Cowboys defensive tackle Jay Ratliff will miss at least the first six games of the season after he was placed on the physically unable to perform list with hamstring and groin injuries. He missed 10 games in 2012 with ankle and groin problems.