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CLARENCE E. HILL JR. Another hamstring issue is hampering Austin Miles, the Dallas Cowboys? hope for a deep threat.The fourth-year receiver traveled to Minnesota, but did not play after tweaking his hamstring Wednesday, in the final workout of the week.The Cowboys downplayed the injury and said Austin should be ready to practice Monday.Sam Hurd (quadricep), the player Austin is battling for the third receiver spot, missed his second consecutive game.Watkins shinesFourth-year safety Patrick Watkins, something of a forgotten man this preseason, made three significant plays Friday within about 2 minutes.He sniffed out Vikings quarterback Sage Rosenfels? bootleg on a fourth-and-goal with 1:59 left in the first half, blocked a field-goal attempt with nine seconds left and then picked off Rosenfels on the first play of the second half.Watkins wasn?t necessarily on the bubble, especially with rookie Mike Hamlin (wrist) out for six weeks, but his strong showing only helped his cause.Ogletree

Houston WR Kevin Walter did not play in Friday's final preseason game against Tampa Bay due to a hamstring injury. He is considered questionable for the start of the regular season.

The best news Johan Santana could offer was to express confidence that he fully expects to be 'good to go' when spring training begins - and optimism that next season can't possibly be as littered with injuries as this one has been for the Mets.

New York Giants backup defensive tackle Jay Alford is going to miss the season with a knee injury. Alford had surgery on Friday to repair a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Alford was hurt two weeks ago in a preseason game in Chicago against the Bears, tearing his medial collateral ligament and partially tearing his ACL in the third quarter. Dr.

Kansas City Royals manager Trey Hillman will be back next season. Hillman, in his second year as Royals manager, learned this week that general manager Dayton Moore wants him back in 2010 despite the team's struggles this year. Kansas City opened the season 18-11 and had a three-game lead in the AL Central before a series of injuries and inconsistencies sent the team into a free fall. The Royals entered Friday's game against the Angels with the AL's worst record at 51-82.

Chicago Bears running back Kevin Jones will miss the season after tearing ligaments in his left ankle in the preseason finale Thursday against the Cleveland Browns.

The Detroit Lions have acquired safety Ko Simpson from Buffalo for an undisclosed 2010 draft choice. The move Friday came less than a day after the four-year veteran started the exhibition finale against the Lions that Detroit won 17-6. Simpson played all 16 games last season and had 64 tackles. He missed most of 2007 with a leg injury he suffered in the season opener.

The Carolina Panthers can only hope the preseason really doesn't mean anything. If the all the missed tackles, fumbles, injuries, mistakes, and depth issues carry over to the real games, there will be a new NFC South champion in 2009. 'It's nothing to worry about, you know, 0-4,' safety Chris Harris insisted minutes after Carolina closed a winless exhibition slate Thursday with a 21-10 loss to Pittsburgh.

Royals outfielder Jose Guillen will miss the rest of the season because of a right knee injury.

New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, who is nursing a groin injury, will throw in the bullpen Saturday and could be ready to return to the mound Sunday, manager Joe Girardi said.