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Washington Redskins: For quarterback Danny Wuerffel, it's two strikes and you're out, at least as far as the Washington Redskins are concerned.

For the second time in seven months, the Redskins have essentially released Wuerffel, cutting him on Saturday morning, club officials told ESPN.com, so that the team could carry an extra running back on its roster. The Redskins allowed Wuerffel to become a free agent at the end of the 2002 season, rather than re-sign him, but brought him back midway through training camp as backup Rob Johnson struggled to get a handle on the Steve Spurrier offense.

Conventional wisdom was that the former University of Florida star, who played under Spurrier in college, might oust Johnson for the No. 2 job behind starter Patrick Ramsey. But the seven-year veteran played poorly in Thurday night's preseason finale, and club officials hinted to ESPN.com on Friday night that Wuerffel might be released so that the Redskins could keep some young backs.

And, frankly, the Redskins are willing to gamble that Wuerffel will not be signed by any other team, and that he will be just a phone call away, if there is an injury that requires bringing him back. The move means that Washington will carry just two quarterbacks on the regular-season roster. The team will carry a third quarterback, likely seventh-round draft pick Gibran Hamdan, on its practice squad.

The beneficiary of Wuerffel's exit was rookie tailback Sultan McCullough, an undrafted free agent from Southern California, who rushed for 102 yards in preseason and who also displayed tremendous long speed. Washington chose McCullough over second-year pro Kenny Watson for the final tailback spot. The team thought about cutting McCullough, then signing him to the practice squad, but feared he would not clear waivers. The Skins will carry two fullbacks in addition to four tailbacks.

Watson had generated some trade interest in the past week and probably will be claimed on waivers. The Redskins will not officially announce their cuts until Sunday afternoon.
-- Len Pasquarelli

N.Y. Giants: Much of the effort the New York Giants put into revamping their special teams units during the offseason was negated on Saturday, when the team was forced to place deep snapper Ryan Kuehl and kicker Mike Hollis on injured reserve.

Kuehl, who was the object of an intense battle between the Giants and Cleveland Browns during the offseason, and who received one of the largest signing bonus ever awarded to a deep snapper, will undergo surgery for tendinitis in his elbow. Hollis is contemplating surgery for a back problem.

The two were signed as free agents in the offseason, along with punter Jeff Feagles and return specialist Brian Mitchell, to revamp New York's shoddy special teams. The club will now use Matt Bryant, its kicker in 2002, for another season. The new deep snapper is Carson Dach, claimed off waivers earlier this week.

New York will withhold announcing its roster moves until Sunday but, for now at least, tailback Ron Dayne remains with the team. There is some chance the former Heisman Trophy winner could be traded over the weekend. And if he stays with the Giants, he may fall to the No. 3 tailback spot on the depth chart, behind Tiki Barber and Dorsey Levens.

Players who acknowledged Saturday that they have been released include former starting fullback Charles Stackhouse, wide receiver Daryl Jones, defensive end Frank Ferrera and tight end Darnell Dinkins.
-- Len Pasquarelli

Jacksonville Jaguars: Eleven-year veteran defensive end Marco Coleman, who started all 16 games in 2002 for the Jacksonville Jaguars, was among 11 players released on Saturday.

Coleman, 33, had 54 tackles and five sacks in 2002. For his career, he has 646 tackles and 61 ½ sacks. There had been much speculation in camp that his job was in jeopardy.

The veterans released by the Jaguars include wide receiver Donald Hayes, cornerback Ike Charlton, fullback Dan Alexander, defensive end Chris Combs and offensive linemen Drew Inzer and Daryl Terrell.

Tight end Matt Cercone, cornerbacks Willie Miles and Jason Olford, and safety Abdullah Howard were the first-year players released.
--Len Pasquarelli

Denver Broncos: Jarious Jackson, the Broncos third quarterback for the past three seasons, said Saturday he is being released by the team.

The Broncos were to announce their final cuts Sunday afternoon, but Jackson and receiver Herb Haygood confirmed Saturday they didn't make the team.

Jackson has been plagued by inconsistency and was entering the final year of his contract.

He became expendable after the arrival of Danny Kanell, a former starter for the New York Giants who played Arena League football and minor league baseball the past two years.
-- The Associated Press

New York Jets: The Jets waived 10 players Saturday, including quarterbacks Marquel Blackwell and Todd Husak.

Running back Raymonn Adams, cornerback Troy Grant, wide receivers Phil McGeoghan and Carlos Rosado, safety Ralph Parent, defensive tackle Salem Simon and offensive tackles Chris Smith and Michael Thompson also were cut.

Blackwell and Husak were expendable after the Jets signed Jamie Martin on Tuesday to help their depth following the loss of Chad Pennington, out 12 weeks with a broken left wrist. Husak signed Monday and played in the exhibition finale against the Eagles on Thursday.

Blackwell, a rookie free agent out of South Florida, started against the Eagles and finished the preseason going 11-of-18 for 154 yards with two touchdowns in three games.

Since the Jets are keeping Pennington on the active roster, they have four quarterbacks: starter Vinny Testaverde, backup Brooks Bollinger, Martin and Pennington.

The Jets also signed free-agent defensive back Jacoby Shepherd on Saturday. Their active roster is at 63 players. The roster must be cut to 53 by Sunday.
-- The Associated Press

Atlanta Falcons: Falcons linebacker Keith Newman was suspended for four games Saturday for violating the NFL's policy on anabolic steroids and related substances.

Newman forfeits $124,704 of his base salary. He is eligible to return to the team on Sept. 29, the day after Atlanta plays at Carolina.

The Falcons signed Newman to back up starter Matt Stewart on the strong side. Sam Rogers, the weak side starter, took some snaps at strong side in the last two weeks.

Newman played his first four seasons in Buffalo. Former Bills coach Wade Phillips, now in his second year as Atlanta's defensive coordinator, selected Newman in the fourth round of 1999 draft.

-- The Associated Press