Any NFL teams looking for help in the backfield might be encouraged by the availability of a few running backs who were cut Saturday.

That includes Ron Dayne, Lee Suggs and Najeh Davenport.

Dayne, the 1999 Heisman Trophy winner who entered the Broncos’ training camp as the starter, was released as Denver got down to the 53-man limit. Suggs, traded by Cleveland to the New York Jets, then returned to the Browns when he failed a physical, also was cut.

Green Bay cut veteran back Davenport, who missed much of last season with a broken ankle.

Also cut were Detroit’s Charles Rogers, the second overall draft pick by Detroit three years ago, and Denver’s Darius Watts, both wide receivers.

“I kind of understand. Once I got hurt, the other guys stepped up,” said Dayne, who was surpassed by undrafted rookie Mike Bell and then suffered turf toe in the preseason opener and didn’t play again.

Dayne also was a flop with the New York Giants, who drafted him in 2000 out of Wisconsin

But he could find a taker in Houston, which is coached by former Broncos offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak. The Texans placed their top runner, Domanick Davis, on injured reserve Saturday.

Packers

Davenport was a punishing runner in four seasons in Green Bay, but couldn’t stay healthy. He had nagging injuries in training camp and averaged only 2.7 yards per carry.

Bengals

Another sidelined runner, at least for the first six weeks of the season, is Cincinnati’s Chris Perry. He is on the physically-unable-to-perform list after knee and ankle surgery in the offseason prevented him from playing in the preseason.

Lions

Rogers’ career in Detroit ended with just 36 receptions for 440 yards and four touchdowns along with two broken collarbones and a four-game suspension for violating the league’s drug policy.

Steelers

The Super Bowl champion Steelers kept veteran RB Duce Staley, although he might not suit up much early in the season. Staley dropped to No. 3 on the depth chart.

Texans

Davis, Houston’s top rusher the last three seasons, has been out for a month due to soreness in his left knee caused by a bone bruise. Davis has 3,195 yards and 23 touchdowns in three NFL seasons.

Patriots

With Deion Branch still a holdout, New England acquired Doug Gabriel from Oakland to bolster the receiving corps.

Vikings

WR Todd Pinkston, who spent his first six seasons with the Eagles, signed with Minnesota. Pinkston missed all of last season because of a torn right Achilles’ tendon.

Eagles

In addition to Hank Fraley, the Eagles sent fullback Josh Parry to Seattle for an undisclosed pick in the 2008 draft. They also cut veteran wide receivers Jabar Gaffney and Darnerien McCants.

Raiders

Jeff George’s comeback didn’t last long. George, who has not played in an NFL game since 2001, was released a week after he joined the Raiders.

49ers

Andy Lee beat out 14-year veteran Tom Rouen as the punter, and longtime special-teams stalwart Terry Jackson was released.