Don't expect a 'super' rematch in preseason

You can't call this Tampa II.

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Associated Press

Carolina place-kicker John Kasay (left) and receiver Steve Smith work out during camp. Smith has an injured shoulder, but didn't wear a sling.

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Six months after meeting in the Super Bowl, the Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers begin the preseason the way they ended last season by playing each other.

Just don't refer to it as a rematch of the Super Bowl in Tampa, not when Ben Roethlisberger and Santonio Holmes, Larry Fitzgerald and Kurt Warner will be on the bench tonight for at least three quarters and maybe longer.

"Most of the guys that played a lot in that game probably won't play much at all in this game," Warner said.

"That's more for league hype than it is anything else. It doesn't really matter until the real season kicks off."

No, exhibition games are for trying out the rookies, testing new offensive and defensive alignments and sorting out the roster, not for renewing any grudges.

"It's just another game," Steelers cornerback Deshea Townsend said.

The other games tonight are New England at Philadelphia, with Tom Brady expected to quarterback the Patriots for the first time since the 2008 opener in which he injured his knee; Washington at Baltimore; and Dallas at Oakland.

COLTS: Tight end Dallas Clark is expected to miss Friday night's preseason game against Minnesota and could be out until Monday with a slight concussion.

Clark missed his third consecutive practice Wednesday.

PANTHERS: Receiver Steve Smith was without his sling Wednesday, two days after suffering a right shoulder injury.

Smith attended practice, which included a stint riding a stationary bike while reading a book.

He's expected to miss at least a couple of weeks.

Smith was injured after a collision with Chris Gamble on Monday night.

X-rays were negative, but Smith was in a sling and didn't attend Tuesday's practice.

SAINTS: Veteran linebackers Derrick Brooks and Derek Smith completed workouts Wednesday afternoon, leaving coaches impressed but uncommitted to signing either one of them.

"Those guys are both in great shape," head coach Sean Payton said. "We're not going to do anything right yet."

The club brought the two linebackers in for a look after learning that Mark Simoneau had a torn triceps in his right arm, which will require surgery.

TEXANS: Houston's top draft pick, linebacker Brian Cushing , won't play in Saturday's preseason opener against the Chiefs because of a left knee injury.

EAGLES: Offensive lineman Todd Herremans could miss the preseason with a foot injury.