NFL notes

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The New York Giants were without all three of their big defensive free agent signees in Saturday's 17-3 exhibition loss at Chicago.

Tackles Chris Canty (slight hamstring tear) and Rocky Bernard (hamstring) and linebacker Michael Boley (hip surgery) still have not played.

Canty, a former University of Virginia star, left the Dallas Cowboys to sign with the Giants. Bernard, who came from the Seattle Seahawks, just got off the non-football injury list. He is expected to play this weekend against the New York Jets.

Boley, who left the Atlanta Falcons after four years to sign a five-year, $25 million deal with the Giants, is on the physically unable to perform list.

Buccaneers' Crowell sidelined for season

TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers say linebacker Angelo Crowell will miss the season with a torn biceps muscle.

The seventh-year pro from the University of Virginia was hurt during Saturday night's preseason victory at Jacksonville. The former Buffalo defensive captain signed with the Bucs as a free agent after sitting out all of 2008 because of a knee injury.

Crowell, 28, was slowed much of training camp by a sore hamstring. Third-year pro Quincy Black becomes the likely starter at strongside linebacker.

Crowell spent six seasons in Buffalo after entering the NFL as a third-round draft pick in 2003. He had his best season in 2007, leading the Bills with 140 tackles, two sacks and one interception.

Beason's injury status remains unknown

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Carolina Panthers are providing no information on the status of Pro Bowl linebacker Jon Beason a day after he injured his left knee.

Beason was scheduled to undergo an MRI exam yesterday, and the team would not have an update until today. Beason was injured in the first quarter Saturday at Miami.

The Panthers used the 25th pick in the 2007 draft on Beason, who starred at Miami. He set a team record with 160 tackles his rookie year and was selected to his first Pro Bowl last season.

Bengals' Palmer throws on the side

CINCINNATI - Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer did some light tossing but did not practice with the team. Palmer, who has a sprained left ankle, is questionable for Thursday's preseason game against St. Louis. He missed much of last season with an elbow injury.

Seahawks C Spencer suffers leg injury

SEATTLE - Seahawks starting center Chris Spencer has an injured leg and will have more tests to determine how long he will be out. Spencer hurt his left quadriceps muscle in Saturday night's 27-13 preseason win over Denver.

Seattle already is without nine-time Pro Bowl left tackle Walter Jones (knee surgery) on its jumbled offensive line. It's not known how long the 35-year-old Jones will be sidelined.

Marshall expected to practice tomorrow

SEATTLE - Brandon Marshall's feud with the Broncos continued Saturday, with the disgruntled wide receiver left back in Denver while the rest of the team lost a preseason game at Seattle. Broncos first-year coach Josh McDaniels said he "absolutely" expected Marshall to participate when the Broncos return to practice tomorrow.

The team also left safety Brian Dawkins, 35, home. Dawkins, who joined the Broncos after 13 seasons in Philadelphia, missed a week and a-half of training camp with a broken right hand. He returned to the field a few days ago last week.

Elsewhere

• The Cincinnati Bengals signed rookie kicker Sam Swank from Wake Forest, giving them another option while Shayne Graham (Virginia Tech) recovers from a groin injury. Swank finished his career at Wake Forest as the school's leading scorer.

• The New England Patriots released second-year tight end Tyson DeVree. The 6-6, 245-pound DeVree originally was signed by the Patriots as a rookie free agent out of Colorado in 2008.