By The Associated Press

The Cincinnati Bengals gave up on Peter Warrick, cutting the former first round pick on Tuesday, the day NFL teams were required to get down to 65 players.

The move came a day after the injury-plagued Warrick asked to be released if the Bengals had written him out of their plans. He has played in only one preseason game because of injuries, failing to catch a pass.

Atlanta, meanwhile, dumped Peerless Price, another one-time top receiver. His problem was inefficiency and salary. And Chicago cut quarterback Chad Hutchinson, who had been the starter for two games, but was demoted to fourth string after two dismal showings in exhibition games.

The fourth overall pick in the 2000 draft, Warrick arrived in Cincinnati looking to transfer his magic from national champion Florida State to the bumbling Bengals. They failed to make the playoffs or have a winning season during his five years, and Warrick had only one notable season.

He caught 79 passes for 819 yards in 2003, carried 18 times for 157 yards, scored eight touchdowns and started looking like the shifty playmaker the Bengals thought they were drafting.

Warrick tore knee cartilage in mid-December 2003, had arthroscopic surgery and missed only one game. It was the start of leg problems that cost him his job and, eventually, his roster spot.

A small crack in a bone by the knee limited him to four games and 11 catches last season, his most exasperating in Cincinnati. He missed the minicamps and the start of training camp while the leg healed.

Warrick played in only one preseason game this year, carrying once on a reverse – he gained 2 yards before slipping – and failing to catch a pass. Then, he sat out practices last week because of a tender hamstring.

“There is some disappointment involved in making this move,” coach Marvin Lewis said. “But I believe it’s in the best interests of the Bengals and Peter to go forward.”

The Bengals also placed starting safety Kim Herring on injured reserve with a shoulder injury and signed safety Ifeanyi Ohalete, cut by Arizona, and former Green Bay linebacker Hannibal Navies.

The Falcons signed Price signed to a $37 million contract with a $10 million signing bonus after getting him from Buffalo in a 2003 trade that cost them a first-round draft pick.

Price was coming off a career season with the Bills, catching 94 passes for 1,252 passes and nine touchdowns in 2002, and was expected to give Michael Vick a go-to receiver.

Eagles

Defensive end Jerome McDougle, shot during a robbery attempt in July, will miss at least six weeks of the regular season.

The Eagles placed McDougle and three other players on the non-football injury or physically unable to perform lists on Tuesday. All four players will be eligible to return between the sixth and ninth weeks of the regular season. The Eagles would then have to decide whether to activate them or put them on injured reserve and lose them for the rest of the year.

McDougle, a former first-round draft pick expected to start at defensive end, and safety/return man J.R. Reed were placed on the non-football injury list Tuesday. Linebacker Greg Richmond and fullback Thomas Tapeh were placed on the physically unable to perform list.

Jets

John Abraham worked out for the first time since signing his $6.7 million tender as the franchise player on Monday.

About the only thing that was different was his number: Abraham switched from No. 94 to No. 56, taking the jersey from rookie Dennis Haley.

He had always wanted to wear 56 – for his birthday, May 6 – but it was always taken in his first five years with the team. With his new number on his back, Abraham had some of his same tricks when it got time to do some drills.

“He looks good, strong, I know he can run,” coach Herman Edwards said. “We had a good talk about the program we’re going to put him on. He wants to play in the opener, he’ll play in the opener, we’ll see how many snaps he can play.”

Giants

Eli Manning threw on the sidelines for the third straight day Tuesday and said his sprained elbow continues to improve. He also confirmed that he sent his MRI results to noted orthopedist Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., to get a second opinion after being examined by Dr. Russell Warren, the Giants’ doctor.

Manning said he canceled a trip to visit Andrews due to concerns over Hurricane Katrina, and that he probably wouldn’t reschedule it because his condition was improving. He said Andrews agreed with Warren’s analysis of the injury.

Rams

Cornerback Terry Fair, who was carted off the field with a neck sprain Monday night, could be ready to play in the opener.

Fair was at the team facility Tuesday after spending the night in a Detroit hospital as a precaution.

“They really feel like next week, after a week off, that he should be all right,” coach Mike Martz said. “We’re all very pleased and happy with the way that situation worked out.

“You look at it on tape and it’s a pretty substantial blow to the head.”

Fair, a 1998 first-round pick of the Lions, signed with St. Louis in April after missing all the last two seasons due to injuries.

Fair was hurt when he led with his helmet while tackling Lions running Kevin Jones. He lay motionless on the turf for several minutes and then strapped to a backboard and carted off late in the first quarter, but as the cart approached the tunnel he lifted his right arm and put his thumb up.

Buccaneers

Charlie Garner’s reunion with Jon Gruden’s offense lasted three games.

The former Philadelphia, San Francisco and Oakland running back was among 16 players released by Tampa Bay, the victim of a knee injury that sidelined him most of last season and didn’t allow him to compete for a job this summer.

Garner, one of the NFL’s most productive backs over the past six years, spent all of camp on the physically unable to perform list. He signed a six-year, $20 million contract that included a $3.7 million signing bonus before last season.

Jaguars

Eight-year veteran linebacker Greg Favors was among eight players released by Jacksonville. Favors tied for the team high in sacks a year ago with 51/2, including a safety. Favors was moved to defensive end last season when the Jaguars incurred a rash of injuries at that position, and started the final 11 games.

With Paul Spicer and Rob Meier returning from season-ending injuries and the Jaguars signing free agent ends Reggie Hayward and Marcellus Wiley, Favors was moved back to his linebacker spot as a backup to Daryl Smith.

Colts

Indianapolis placed linebacker Kendyll Pope on the reserve-suspended for a league-imposed penalty.

Colts coach Tony Dungy, citing confidentiality issues, declined to comment on the length or reason for the suspension. NFL spokesman Gregg Aiello said he could not comment on the matter.

“Kendyll was doing very well, he was doing things we thought he could do and that’s very disappointing to us,” Dungy said.

The Colts were hoping Pope, a second-year player from Florida State, would help solidify their linebacking corps. He spent most of last season on the physically unable to perform list with a torn hip flexor.

Texans

Houston placed tight end Bennie Joppru, who tore a right knee ligament in May, on the physically-unable-to-perform list and released two other players.

Joppru was a second-round pick in 2003 but has yet to play for Houston after missing both of his first two seasons with groin injuries.

Houston trimmed its roster to 65 players by releasing fullback Jarrod Baxter and offensive tackle Garrick Jones.