Panthers get 3 injured linemen back (AP)
The Carolina Panthers should have starting defensive tackles Maake Kemoeatu and Damione Lewis back for Saturday's NFC divisional playoff game against Arizona. Kemoeatu, Lewis and right offensive tackle Jeff Otah practiced Wednesday after being sidelined by injuries late in the regular season. "We had a little hiatus, but we got them back.

Saints confirm RB Bush had knee surgery (AP)
The New Orleans Saints have confirmed that running back Reggie Bush had surgery on his left knee, and will require months of rehabilitation. However, Bush is expected to be ready for minicamp in June. The surgery in December entailed drilling small holes in the bone around the knee joint in order to generate soft tissue that mimics the padding effect of cartilage.

2 felonies against ex-Vike Eller dropped (AP)

Two felony charges against Vikings great Carl Eller are being dropped. A judge will rule on two lesser charges stemming from his clash with police last April. An announcement was made Wednesday in Hennepin County District Court. The Star Tribune reports that a judge will now decide whether Eller is guilty of one count of fourth-degree assault on a Minneapolis police officer and one count of refusal...

Brees named AP Offensive Player of Year (AP)

Drew Brees kept his promise -- and then some. Brees assured the New Orleans Saints they wouldn't regret taking a chance on him and his surgically repaired throwing shoulder back in 2006. Since then, he has set new single-season franchise records for yards passing every year. In 2008, he was only 16 yards short of becoming the top single-season passer in NFL history, and his 5,069 yards produced...

DA: Marvin Harrison gun used in shooting (AP)

A gun owned by Indianapolis Colts star Marvin Harrison was used in an April shooting, but investigators still can't determine who pulled the trigger, the city's chief prosecutor said Tuesday. Five of the six bullet casings found at the North Philadelphia shooting scene came from Harrison's weapon, but investigators have conflicting witness accounts of who fired it, Philadelphia District Attorney...

Chargers WR Jackson arrested for DUI (AP)
San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of drunken driving. Jackson failed sobriety tests shortly after 2 a.m. on state Route 52 in San Diego, said California Highway Patrol Officer Ray Scheidnes. He said he didn't know Jackson's blood alcohol level. An officer stopped Jackson after spotting the player braking abruptly, speeding and weaving in a 2008 GMC...

Bengals QB Palmer won't need surgery (AP)
Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer won't need surgery on his right elbow and should be ready for the team's regular offseason workouts. Team spokesman Jack Brennan said Tuesday night the latest MRI on Palmer's elbow indicates the quarterback won't need an operation to repair a ligament and tendon partially torn from the bone.

Browns plan to interview Eagles GM (AP)

Their coaching search on hold and seemingly locked on Eric Mangini, the Cleveland Browns plan to interview Philadelphia Eagles general manager Tom Heckert for their GM opening. The meeting between Browns owner Randy Lerner and Heckert, who has been with the Eagles since 2001, has not yet been scheduled.

Broncos interview Cowboys' Garrett (AP)

Rick Dennison served 14 seasons as Mike Shanahan's disciple, and now he wants to be his replacement. The Denver Broncos offensive coordinator met with team owner Pat Bowlen on Tuesday after expressing interest in the position following Shanahan's firing last week. The Broncos spoke with Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett later in the afternoon.

Source: Jets, Brian Schottenheimer meet (AP)

New York Jets owner Woody Johnson formally met with offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer on Tuesday about the team's coaching vacancy, a person familiar with the search told The Associated Press. Johnson was out of the country last Friday when general manager Mike Tannenbaum began the first round of interviews with Schottenheimer and assistant head coach/offensive line coach Bill Callahan.