ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – The Buffalo Bills addressed their injury-depleted quarterback position on Sunday by signing free agent Matt Leinart and trading for Thaddeus Lewis.

Leinart, the 2004 Heisman Trophy at Southern California, spent last year with Oakland after four seasons with Arizona and one with Houston.

Additional Photos

Saints running back Khiry Robinson tries to break away from Houston’s Terrell McClain during Sunday’s preseason game in Houston. New Orleans won, 31-23. Photos by The Associated Press

Vikings tight end John Carlson is tackled by Aldon Smith of the 49ers after a short catch during San Francisco’s 34-14 win Sunday night.

Lewis was in training camp with the Lions after spending the last two seasons with Cleveland. Buffalo sent linebacker Chris White to Detroit.

After releasing Tarvaris Jackson earlier in the offseason, the Bills hoped Kevin Kolb and rookie EJ Manuel would compete for the starting job, but injuries have gotten in the way.

Kolb left Saturday’s game against Washington because of concussion-like symptoms and Manuel, a first-round pick, is out for the rest of the preseason because of a left knee injury. That left undrafted rookie Jeff Tuel as the only healthy quarterback.

Manuel appeared well on his way toward earning the job before he was hurt in Buffalo’s second preseason game. He has not been ruled out for the season opener Sept. 8 against the Patriots, and the Bills are optimistic regarding his return. He had what the team referred to only as a “minor procedure” after injuring his knee.

GIANTS: Free safety Stevie Brown, who led the team with eight interceptions last season, will miss the regular season because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Brown’s injury leaves the Giants without their starting safeties from a year ago, with strong safety Antrel Rolle still out because of a sprained ankle.

PACKERS: Green Bay released incumbent No. 2 quarterback Graham Harrell, making it likely that Vince Young will open the season as Aaron Rodgers’ backup.

RAIDERS: Coach Dennis Allen said quarterback Matt Flynn won’t play in Oakland’s preseason finale Thursday night at Seattle, opening the door for Terrelle Pryor to make his first start.

The two quarterbacks have been engaged in an increasingly tight competition to run the Raiders offense since the beginning of training camp.

Flynn has been the starter throughout camp, but there has been a growing groundswell of support for Pryor as Oakland’s starting offense has struggled.

STEELERS: Rookie linebacker Jarvis Jones was released from the hospital after being treated for a chest injury.

The team said tests were negative, but did not say what tests the first-round pick from Georgia underwent or whether he’ll play in the preseason finale Thursday at Carolina.

Jones was hurt when he fell on the ball at the end of a third-quarter interception Saturday that was overturned against the Kansas City Chiefs.

CARDINALS: Arizona released kicker Dan Carpenter, four days after signing him to compete with Jay Feely.

COLTS: Left tackle Anthony Castonzo will not play in the preseason finale after an MRI confirmed he has a mild sprain of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee.

CHIEFS: Quarterback Ricky Stanzi was among 14 players cut ahead of Tuesday’s deadline to reach the 75-man roster limit.

Stanzi was beaten out for the No. 3 quarterback job by undrafted free agent Tyler Bray. He was just 5 of 12 for 42 yards in the preseason, and did not play in the most recent two games.

SUNDAY’S GAMES

SAINTS 31, TEXANS 23: Houston’s Andre Johnson had 131 yards receiving before halftime in his first extended work of the preseason, but visiting New Orleans rallied in the second half behind two touchdown catches by Andy Tanner.

49ERS 34, VIKINGS 14: Colin Kaepernick shook off a slow start and threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Quinton Patton, and Lavelle Hawkins returned a kickoff 105 yards for a score at San Francisco.

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