The Associated Press

Dallas coach Bill Parcells shouts directions to tight end James Whalen (right) and the rest of the Cowboys at the team's training camp in San Antonio Wednesday. (Associated Press photo) | ZOOM |

BEREA, Ohio - Kelly Holcomb is dropping out of the Cleveland Browns' heated quarterback derby - at least for today.

Holcomb has to be at the hospital at 7:30 a.m. His wife, Lorie, is having the couple's third child.

"I'm excited, I really am," said Holcomb, who is battling Tim Couch to be the Browns' starting quarterback. "I know my wife is anxious to get it over with."

Holcomb plans to return to camp later in the day.

Browns coach Butch Davis remained noncommittal about who is winning the quarterback competition. He has gone to great lengths not to show any favoritism by praising the performance of both of his QBs on a daily basis.

Davis said he will name his starter for Saturday's exhibition game against Tennessee on Friday. He said his quarterbacks haven't been told yet who will play first, but Couch appeared resigned to beginning the game on the bench.

"I want to (start)," said Couch, who started last week's scrimmage against the Buffalo Bills. "But I'm not really worried if I don't."

Last week, Holcomb, working primarily against Buffalo's second- and third-string defenses, went 12-of-16 for 164 yards and two touchdowns. Couch finished 8-for-13 for 79 yards and one TD.

Holcomb, a career backup, forced a quarterback competition when he threw for 429 yards in a playoff loss to Pittsburgh last season.

Now, with a chance to fulfill a dream of becoming a No. 1 quarterback, he has had to balance job and family demands.

"The birth of my child is more important than a football game," he said.

Holcomb wouldn't say which baby names were the favorites. But he ruled out a few.

"How about Butch?" Holcomb was asked.

"No," he said.

Couch joked that Tim Holcomb had a nice ring to it.

"I don't think he took to well to it," Couch said.

JAGUARS: Jacksonville had its third heat-related injury of the preseason. Wide receiver Donald Hayes dropped to a knee at the end of a 90-minute practice. Hayes, 28, never lost consciousness, but started to spasm from cramps.

Paramedics assisted the Jaguars' medical staff and began giving fluids intravenously to Hayes, who was taken to a hospital. His condition was not immediately released.

"I don't have an answer for it," coach Jack Del Rio said, referring to the three incidents.

EAGLES: Coach Andy Reid said he tried to talk to holdout running back Duce Staley.

"I'm not one to air dirty laundry and get into a duking match through the media. I like to do it face to face," Reid said. "I've made an attempt to call Duce earlier, and I was denied the opportunity to talk to him, so I move on."

Staley, who led the Eagles with 1,029 yards rushing last season, is entering the final year of a contract that will pay him $2.2 million.

49ERS: Quarterback Jeff Garcia will skip San Francisco's exhibition opener against Kansas City on Saturday to rest his sore back. The three-time Pro Bowl player hurt his back in a workout a few days before training camp.

DOLPHINS: Quarterback Jay Fiedler was held out of practice with what the team described as back spasms.

Former Denver quarterback Brian Griese worked out with the offensive starters Wednesday

BUCCANEERS: Derrick Brooks returned to the Bucs after spending eight days with his ailing mother. Brooks, who missed the team's exhibition game against the Jets, said his mother's condition has improved, though he would not be more specific about her illness.

LIONS: Cory Redding is learning to play tackle after spending four years as a defensive end in college at Texas. Redding, last year's Lombardi Award winner as college football's top lineman, will help replace Luther Elliss, who is out for the preseason with a torn chest muscle.

TITANS: Tom Ackerman, the team's only experienced center, had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and will sit out for two weeks. Justin Hartwig was moved to center from guard and will start Saturday's exhibition game against Cleveland.

COWBOYS: Offensive lineman Gennaro DiNapoli signed with Dallas after spending three seasons with Tennessee.

CHIEFS: Offensive tackle Willie Jones was released from the hospital Wednesday, two days after spraining his neck and temporarily losing feeling in his arms and legs during a game.

"He seems to be fine," team spokesman Bob Moore said. "Everything seems to be working."

Jones will return to Kansas City for more medical evaluation.

COLTS: Backup quarterback Brock Huard sat out of the team's summer camp workouts after breaking his finger during short yard drills Tuesday. He is expected to be sidelined at least two weeks.