>>Preseason Opener Could Give Clues About Bears 'D'
The long-anticipated debut of Jared Allen with the Chicago Bears might be pushed back a week.
The grand unveiling of the rebuilt defense figures to come at a later date, too.
Chicago hosts the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday in a preseason opener that still could provide a glimpse even if it's lacking some star power.
Allen missed practices this week with his wife giving birth to the couple's second daughter, throwing his status for this game into doubt.
If he does play, it will probably only be a cameo since starters generally make early exits.
Tight end Martellus Bennett might also miss this one after being suspended indefinitely following an altercation with cornerback Kyle Fuller in practice on Monday.
>>Rams Battle Saints
(St. Louis, MO) -- The Rams begin the preseason tonight on NFL Network. St. Louis meets the New Orleans Saints at the Edward Jones Dome. Kick is slated for 7 p.m.
>>Packers Prep For Preseason Opener
(De Pere, WI) -- The Packers will hold a workout today ahead of their preseason opener on Saturday at the Tennessee Titans. Green Bay will play four exhibition games in all before opening the regular season on September 4th at Seattle.
>>NFL Preseason Wrap Up
(Undated) -- The NFL preseason went into full swing on Thursday night with six games. The slate was highlighted by a rematch of last year's Super Bowl that saw the Broncos pick up a 21-16 win against the Seahawks in Seattle. The Ravens dumped the 49ers 23-3, the Redskins beat up on the Pats 23-6, the Chiefs snuck past the Bengals 41-39, the Cowboys fell to the Chargers 27-7 and the Jets grabbed a 13-10 victory against the Colts.
On the schedule for Friday are another six games. The Falcons host the Dolphins, the Bills head to Carolina to face the Panthers, the Jaguars welcome the Buccaneers to Jacksonville, the Raiders are at the Vikings, the Bears take on the Eagles in the Windy City and the Rams play the Saints at the Edward Jones Dome.
>>Niners Ready For Smith Suspension
(Undated) -- The San Francisco 49ers are getting ready for the league to hand down it's suspension to linebacker Aldon Smith. CSN Bay Area reports the Niners are preparing for a six to eight game ban from commissioner Roger Goodell. Smith has had multiple off-the-field issues this past offseason. He's pleaded no contest to weapons charges and DUI charges. Smith was also under investigation for a false bomb threat at LAX.
