>>Bears Still With Questions On Defense

The Chicago Bears now know Jimmy Clausen is their backup quarterback, and they'd like to know their defense can handle mobile quarterbacks.

Clausen's better experience at a younger age and his play in preseason have earned him the backup spot behind Jay Cutler. He last played in 2010, but had a great deal more experience than his competition, Jordan Palmer.

Now coach Marc Trestman hopes to see his defense contain Johnny Manziel and Brian Hoyer when they play at Cleveland on Thursday after struggling to hold Jacksonville's and Seattle's quarterbacks in the pocket the past two preseason games.

>>Bears Cut Down To 75 Players

(Lake Forest, IL) -- The Bears have reached the NFL's mandatory limit of 75 players. The team waived cornerback Isaiah Frey and offensive lineman James Brown yesterday. Frey was a 2012 sixth round pick out of Nevada. Brown signed with the Bears as an undrafted free agent that same year.

>>QB Palmer Signs With Bills

(Orchard Park, NY) -- Former Bears quarterback Jordan Palmer is signing on with the Buffalo Bills, Chicago's Week One opponent. Jay Cutler says the move is not ideal, as he expects Palmer to help Buffalo with information about Chicago's offense. Palmer was cut by Chicago on Sunday.

>>Sam Survives Rams' Roster Cuts

(St. Louis, MO) -- Michael Sam's NFL dream is still alive. He has survived the Rams' roster cuts as the team got down to Tuesday's 75-man limit. Sam is trying to become the first openly gay player in the NFL after being drafted out of Missouri in May. The final 53-man roster is due on Saturday.

>>Bradford On IR Among Rams' Moves

(St. Louis, MO) -- The Rams continue to trim players as Saturday's final 53-man roster limit approaches. To get down to Tuesday's 75-man limit, they placed quarterback Sam Bradford and center Demetrius Rhaney on injured reserve. They also released safety Matt Daniels and defensive end Sammy Brown.

>>Packers Add Raji To Injured Reserve

(Green Bay, WI) -- The Green Bay Packers are down to the league mandated 75-man limit after placing six players on injured reserve. The largest loss is defensive lineman B.J. Raji [[ RAH-jee ]], who was lost for the season last week after suffering a torn bicep. Raji started all 16 games in 2013 and has missed just two starts in the past four years. The Pack also placed receiver Jared Abbrederis, offensive lineman Don Barclay, running back Rajion Neal, linebacker Joe Thomas and guard Andrew Tiller on IR.

>>Cowboys Expect Decision On Josh Brent This Week

(Irving, TX) -- The Dallas Cowboys are expecting NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to decide on Josh Brent's future this week. Jerry Jones wouldn't tell "The Dallas Morning News" what kind of decision he expects Goodell to make. Goodell and Brent met earlier this month on whether the defensive lineman could rejoin the league after serving prison time for a deadly drunk driving crash. The 2012 crash killed teammate Jerry Brown Jr.

>>Patriots Trade Mankins To Bucs For Wright

(Tampa, FL) -- The New England Patriots are parting with a six-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman to add tight end depth. The Pats are sending guard Logan Mankins to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for tight end Tim Wright and an undisclosed draft pick. The 32-year-old Mankins has started all 130 games he has played since New England selected him in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft. Wright transitioned to tight end from wide receiver in his rookie year, catching 54 passes for 571 yards and five touchdowns.

>>Raiders Put CB Hayden On PUP List

(Alameda, CA) -- Oakland Raiders cornerback D.J. Hayden is on the reserve/physically unable to perform list with a foot injury. He will miss at least the first six weeks of the regular season. A first-round draft pick in 2013, injuries limited Hayden to eight games last season.

>>Incognito Reinstated By NFL

(New York, NY) -- Offensive lineman Richie Incognito is being reinstated by the NFL. Multiple reports say the former Miami Dolphin has been cleared to play following last season's suspension for his role in a bullying scandal involving teammate Jonathan Martin. The 31-year-old Incognito visited with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday and several other teams are reportedly interested in his services.

>>Broncos' Prater Suspended Four Games Without Pay

(New York, NY) -- The NFL is suspending Denver Broncos kicker Matt Prater [[ PRAY-ter ]] four games without pay for violating the league's policy on substances of abuse. The "Denver Post" reported over the weekend that the offense is alcohol-related. Prater has been in the NFL's alcohol program since being charged with a DUI in August 2011. He will be eligible to return following the Broncos' October 5th game against the Arizona Cardinals. The 30-year-old Prater connected on 25-of-26 field goal attempts last season. Undrafted rookie Mitch Ewald from Indiana is Prater's backup.

>>Browns' Gordon Court Case Received Continuation

(Raleigh, NC) -- Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon's court case will be later then expected. According to ABC 11 in Raleigh the date has been pushed from August 26th to November 18th. Gordon was charged with a DWI for blowing a .09 in July. He is scheduled to be suspended for the entire upcoming season, but appealed the decision based around testing positive for marijuana.

>>Report: Seahawks, Carroll Both Fined For No-Contact Violations

(New York, NY) -- The NFL is coming down on the Super Bowl champs for rules violations. ESPN reports the Seattle Seahawks and head coach Pete Carroll have both been fined for violating the league's offseason no-contact rules. The Seahawks were fined more than 200-thousand-dollars, while Carroll was fined at least 100-thousand. The Seahawks will also lose two minicamp practices next year. The team was also fined back in 2012 under Carroll for similar violations.

>>Poll Says Players Would Agree To HGH Testing For Guaranteed Contracts

(Undated) -- A majority of NFL players say they would agree to testing for human growth hormone if their contracts were guaranteed. An ESPN.com survey of more than 100 players asked what concessions they would be willing to make in exchange for guaranteed contracts, and 63-percent of respondents said they would submit to HGH testing. Testing for human growth hormone was included in the last collective bargaining agreement, but hasn't been implemented because the union doesn't want commissioner Roger Goodell to have the final say in appeals. The league argues Goodell's authority over appeals is included in the CBA.