NFL: Shockey prepares to battle Giants

Jeremy Shockey acknowledged it will be different for him to play against the New York Giants, the team that drafted him in 2002, but he wants to make sure everyone knows the matchup between the undefeated Giants (5-0) and the unbeaten Saints (4-0) is not about him.

The tight end made four Pro Bowls during his six years in New York. But he was injured and unhappy during the Giants' Super Bowl championship in 2007.

Shockey was traded to New Orleans in 2008 and will face his former team on Sunday. He says there are no vendettas and everyone has moved on. Shockey leads the Saints with 18 receptions this season. He has 162 yards receiving and two touchdowns.

Giants. Eli Manning took only a limited number of snaps at practice due a sore right heel. The New Orleans native will return to the Superdome on Sunday for his first game in the building as a player when he leads the New York (5-0) against the Saints (4-0).

"I'm excited about it," he said. "It's been a long wait."

Titans. Veteran defensive end Jevon Kearse said he didn't stick around to watch the game against Indianapolis after being a healthy scratch, visiting with family instead.

Coach Jeff Fisher didn't fine Kearse and insists the issue is over.

Cutler mum on T.O. Quarterback Jay Cutler would not say whether he'd like the Chicago Bears to acquire Terrell Owens from Buffalo.

Asked if Bears management approached him about Owens, Cutler responded: "I don't think they're going to. I think they'll keep that upstairs."

Steelers. On the same day Troy Polamalu returned to practice after missing four games with a knee injury, Pittsburgh scrambled to replace Aaron Smith, the run-smothering defensive end who was placed on the injured reserve list with a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder. The Steelers re-signed Ra'Shon "Sunny" Harris, a sixth-round draft pick they cut in September.

Smith had 13 tackles, two sacks and a blocked field goal this season. He is eighth in team history with 43 sacks.

Browns. Benched as Cleveland's starting quarterback 10 quarters into the season, Brady Quinn said he has not asked Browns coach Eric Mangini to trade him and that he only put his suburban home up for sale because he wants to downsize and shorten his commute.

Mangini said he has no interest in dealing Quinn.

Jurisprudence. The NFL asked a full federal appeals court to hear the case involving two Minnesota Vikings players, Kevin Williams and Pat Williams, who violated the league's anti-doping policy, saying the issue has to be settled to avoid different standards for players in different states.

Noteworthy. New England signed 40-year-old linebacker Junior Seau, a move that had been rumored for weeks, and released defensive lineman Terdell Sands. . . . Oakland re-signed offensive lineman Langston Walker and waived fullback Oren O'Neal with an injury. Walker, who spent five years in Oakland, was cut by Buffalo before the season. . . .

San Diego released starting strong safety Clinton Hart, a former Eagle, in order to sign defensive tackle Ian Scott, another former Eagle. . . . Dallas native Allen Rossum signed with the Dallas Cowboys, just two days after he was cut by Oakland. . . .

Minnesota receiver Percy Harvin has an unspecified shoulder injury that kept him out of practice. . . . Indianapolis signed kicker Matt Stover one day after Adam Vinatieri had arthroscopic surgery to remove a piece of cartilage in his right knee. The Colts waived starting defensive tackle Ed Johnson.

New York Jets wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery missed practice because of a hamstring injury and his status for Sunday's game against Buffalo is uncertain. . . . Safety Donte Whitner and linebacker Paul Posluszny returned to practice for Buffalo. . . . Seattle defensive back Ken Lucas is at home in Mississippi to bury his father but will play on Sunday against Arizona, Seahawks coach Jim Mora said. . . . Rookie receiver Michael Crabtree will make his NFL debut at Houston on Oct. 25, following the 49ers' bye week. Crabtree signed last week after an extended holdout. . . . Minnesota cut quarterback John David Booty from the practice squad and signed offensive tackle Clint Oldenburg.