PITTSBURGH — Ben Roethlisberger is getting time off for good behavior.
He will be back on the field for the Steelers two games earlier than expected after convincing NFL commissioner Roger Goodell he is turning his life around.
The quarterback, accompanied by team president Art Rooney, met with Goodell early Friday and was told he could return Oct. 17 against Cleveland after missing four games. He was suspended in April for six games for violating the league’s personal-conduct policy, but Goodell said he was satisfied Roethlisberger has followed the league’s guidelines and stayed out of trouble.
“You have told me and the Steelers that you are committed to making better decisions,” Goodell said in a letter to the two-time Super Bowl winner. “Your actions over the past several months have been consistent with that promise, and you must continue to honor that commitment.”
Roethlisberger isn’t the only Steelers quarterback who might be out for four weeks.
Byron Leftwich’s strained left knee ligament could sideline him for most or all of the first month of the season, leaving the Steelers with only two healthy quarterbacks — Dennis Dixon and Charlie Batch — for their Sept. 12 opener against Atlanta.
Last of original Texans cut
HOUSTON — The Texans released kicker Kris Brown, the only player remaining from the inaugural 2002 season. Brown lost a competition in training camp to Neil Rackers, a free agent who was signed in the offseason.
Coach Gary Kubiak said Brown was the first player he met with Friday, a sign of respect for the only player who’s appeared in all 128 games in Texans history.
“It was miserable. I don’t know how to put it any differently,” Kubiak said.
The Texans worked out running backs Derrick Ward and Justin Fargas as they look to replenish depth at that position.
Cowboys jettison Crayton
IRVING, Texas — The Cowboys have sent receiver Patrick Crayton to the Chargers and offensive lineman Pat McQuistan to the Dolphins for future considerations.
The trade of Crayton shows that the Cowboys feel comfortable with Dez Bryant’s health.
The former Oklahoma State star missed the entire preseason with a high ankle sprain but is ready for the opener at Washington on Sept. 12. Bryant is expected to take over the roles Crayton had last season — No. 3 receiver and punt returner.
Footnotes.
The Giants acquired quarterback Sage Rosenfels from the Vikings for an undisclosed draft pick.
• Browns rookie running back Montario Hardesty tore his left anterior cruciate ligament in his NFL debut Thursday night and will be out for the season.
• The Saints released former longtime Redskins running back Ladell Betts.
• The Cardinals released outside linebacker Cody Brown, a second-round draft pick out of Connecticut a year ago, and told rookie quarterbacks Max Hall and John Skelton they have made the team. The fate of quarterback Matt Leinart remained uncertain.
• The Eagles acquired veteran offensive lineman Reggie Wells from the Cardinals in exchange for an undisclosed 2011 draft pick, and released running back J.J. Arrington.
