The Associated Press

LATROBE, Pa. - Pittsburgh right guard Kendall Simmons will miss the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

Simmons was injured Wednesday, and an MRI exam Thursday morning revealed the tear.

"All these things are part of the game," coach Bill Cowher said. "We're not the only ones going through it, everyone's going through it, and the one thing you don't want to do is alter how you approach the game."

Simmons' agent, Eric Metz, said he will get a second opinion next week from Dr. James Andrews, a noted knee specialist.

"He's holding out hope that there's some way he can brace it up or do something along those lines to get out there and play, but it looks like there's a very slim chance of that," Metz said.

Linebacker Kendrell Bell, who has been bothered by a shoulder injury, will sit out against the Texans. The 2001 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year missed much of the 2002 season because of injuries.

COWBOYS: Keyshawn Johnson won't try to avoid former teammate Warren Sapp when their new teams play each other Saturday night.

Johnson said the public perception is wrong that they didn't like each other as teammates in Tampa Bay the last four seasons.

"That's what you perceive. That's not what I perceive," said Johnson, who will be playing for the Dallas Cowboys at Oakland.

Johnson said their wives are best friends and will be sitting together in Sapp's box Saturday.

What about comments Sapp has made since joining the Raiders questioning how Johnson worked in Tampa Bay?

"That doesn't mean that he doesn't like me," Johnson said. "I didn't like the way he worked around things, so what does that mean? Does that mean I don't like him? I don't like the way Bill Parcells does some things. Does that mean I don't like him? No, that's doesn't mean I don't like him."

COLTS: Rookie safety Bob Sanders missed his 26th practice, giving him the distinction of being the longest holdout since Bill Polian took over as team president in 1998.

The longest previous holdout was Edgerrin James, who missed 25 training camp practices in 1999, when he was the fourth pick in the NFL draft.

Sanders was chosen with the 44th overall selection. The only other unsigned player from this year's draft is San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers, chosen fourth overall.

CHARGERS: Doug Flutie participated in his first full practice since having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Aug. 5.

"It was fun," said Flutie. "It was nice to get back out there and feel like I belong. I was on the outside looking in for about 2 1/2 weeks."

Coach Marty Schottenheimer was impressed with Flutie's work, but wouldn't commit to playing him Saturday night in the team's exhibition game against Arizona.

BEARS: In an effort to improve its pass rush, Chicago has shuffled its defensive ends. Left end Michael Haynes, a 2003 first-round draft pick, has moved to right side, switching with Alex Brown, who's sidelined with a sprained calf.

Typical NFL strategy puts the best pass rusher at right defensive end, but Bears coach Lovie Smith has a different approach.

"Defenses I've been a part of, we've had a lot of success with our best rusher being on the left side," Smith said.

JAGUARS: A test on rookie linebacker Jorge Cordova's knee showed damage to the anterior cruciate ligament, and the third-round draft choice will be out for the season.

BILLS: Punter Brian Moorman was held out of practice because of a strained left hamstring and could miss Buffalo's preseason game Saturday against Tennessee.