>>Bears Cut Steltz, Must Be Down To 75 Today

(Lake Forest, IL) -- The Bears are making more moves in an effort to trim the roster. Yesterday, the team terminated the contract of vested veteran safety Craig Steltz. Chicago has until today at 3:00 p.m. to cut the roster down to 75 players. Another round of cuts will be made Saturday to trim to 53 players.

>>Clausen Officially Named Backup QB

(Lake Forest, IL) -- The Bears have officially named Jimmy Clausen as the backup quarterback to Jay Cutler. Jordan Palmer was cut on Sunday, leaving Clausen, Cutler and rookie David Fales on the roster. Head coach Marc Trestman met with the media yesterday to explain his decision.

>>Report: Cowboys' Bryant To Table Contract Negotiations

(Arlington, TX) -- Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant is set to table contract negotiations. ESPNDallas.com reports Bryant plans to end negotiations with the 'Boys if a new deal isn't reached before the start of the regular season September 7th. Bryant said Monday that he doesn't want to talk about it anymore and he "can't be distracted." The two sides have been in discussions about a lucrative, long-term extension for months. The 25-year-old is due to make 1.78-million-dollars this season in the final year of his rookie contract. Bryant recorded 93 catches for 1,233 yards and 13 touchdowns last season and has 25 TD grabs over the last two years.

>>Fox Says Welker In Good Spirits After Latest Concussion

(Englewood, CO) -- Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker is recovering from another concussion. Head coach John Fox says the 33-year-old pass catcher was in good spirits Monday after a hard hit by Houston Texans safety D.J. Swearinger on Saturday. It's the third time since last November that Welker has had to go through the NFL's concussion protocol. Welker needs to be symptom free by next Monday to be eligible to play in the team's regular-season opener Sunday, September 7th against the Indianapolis Colts.

>>Redskins' Meriweather Suspended For Illegal Hit

(Ashburn, VA) -- Washington Redskins safety Brandon Meriweather is going to miss the first two games of the season for a helmet-to-helmet hit. The NFL has suspended Meriweather for his personal foul hit on Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith on Saturday night. The league has fined Meriweather five times for illegal hits to defenseless players, and he was suspended one game for a pair of hits against the Chicago Bears last October. He can still appeal the ruling in an attempt to have it overturned or reduced. Washington opens its season on the road against the Houston Texans September 7th and hosts Jacksonville in Week Two.

>>Seahawks Cut Terrell Thomas

(Renton, WA) -- Cornerback Terrell Thomas is among the latest round of cuts by the Seattle Seahawks. Thomas is joined by offensive lineman Wade Smith in having his contract terminated. Thomas racked up 67 tackles and an interception in 16 games last season. Smith joined the team on August 4th, following a four-year stint in Houston. Seattle also released tackle Corey Brandon, running back Demitrius Bronson, safety Mike Dobson, defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat, wide receiver Kevin Smith and corner Thomas Wolfe.

>>Jets Suspend Dimitri Patterson Indefinitely

(Florham Park, NJ) -- New York Jets defensive back Dimitri Patterson is going to miss more time for his disappearing act over the weekend. The team is suspending Patterson indefinitely as it gathers more information on why he was gone from the team for nearly 48 hours, including Friday's preseason game against the Giants. Head coach Rex Ryan says the corner is frustrated by calf and leg injuries. ESPN reports Patterson called the suspension, and the idea that he went AWOL "comical." General manager John Idzik hinted the suspension won't be for an extended period of time. Patterson nabbed four interceptions in the Jets secondary last season.

>>Vikings Name Matt Cassel Starting Quarterback

(Minneapolis, MN) -- The Minnesota Vikings are going with the veteran over the rookie at quarterback. Head coach Mike Zimmer has named Matt Cassel the starting QB over first-round pick Teddy Bridgewater. Cassel has thrown for 367 yards, two touchdowns and one interception this preseason, while Bridgewater has amassed 266 yards through the air for four scores and no picks. Former first-round draft pick Christian Ponder is expected to be third on the depth chart behind Cassel and Bridgewater. Minnesota opens the 2014 season on the road against the St. Louis Rams on September 7th.