The Associated Press

Charles Woodson's role with Oakland is diminishing with each day he is away from the team.

Even if the holdout cornerback were to show up today, Woodson will not play in Oakland's preseason finale Thursday against St. Louis, and he won't be in the starting lineup for the team's season opener Sept. 12 at Pittsburgh.

If he plays at all against the Steelers, it would be at nickel back, coach Norv Turner said Monday.

COLTS: Indianapolis rookie safety Bob Sanders finally reported to practice Monday, ending a month-long holdout. The second-round pick signed what is believed to be a four-year deal, but did not participate in any drills and is likely to sit out even more practices.

BRONCOS: Denver running back Mike Anderson will miss the season because of a groin injury sustained last weekend in an exhibition game against Houston.

Coach Mike Shanahan said Anderson tore both muscles in the left groin area off the bone. A specialist has recommended that Anderson let the injury heal instead of undergoing surgery.

BROWNS: Less than two weeks after ending training camp with a relatively healthy roster, Cleveland placed four players on injured reserve Monday, including linebacker Brant Boyer and offensive lineman Chad Beasley.

The Browns also will be without starting tight end Steve Heiden for two-to-four weeks after he sprained his knee Saturday.

JAGUARS: Tight end Kyle Brady will miss the first two regular-season games and possibly more after injuring his finger in Friday against Green Bay. Brady will have surgery today to insert a pin into the finger.

VIKINGS: Running back Michael Bennett will miss the team's regular-season opener Sept. 12 against Dallas with a right knee sprain.

Bennett, injured in the third quarter of Friday's exhibition win on a low hit by 49ers safety Erik Totten, underwent an MRI exam Saturday that revealed more damage than originally diagnosed.

BILLS: Travis Brown, Buffalo's backup quarterback, sprained a ligament in his left knee and will miss between four and six weeks. The Bills signed former Bengal Shane Matthews as another backup quarterback.

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