The Kansas City Chiefs received some good news Wednesday when they learned left tackle Damion McIntosh will miss only four to six weeks because of a sprained right knee.

The team initially feared the worst when McIntosh had to be taken off the practice field Monday on a motorized cart. But now he could be back in time to play in the Chiefs’ Sept. 9 season opener at Houston.

If McIntosh is out for the full six weeks, he would miss the team’s first two regular-season games and likely return on Sept. 23 when Minnesota visits Arrowhead Stadium.

The Chiefs signed McIntosh, a seven-year veteran who previously played with San Diego and Miami, before the season in hopes he could fill an ongoing void at left tackle.

In the past two offseasons, the Chiefs have lost perennial Pro Bowl offensive linemen Willie Roaf and Will Shields to retirement. While McIntosh recovers, third-year pro Will Svitek, a former sixth-round draft choice and converted defensive lineman, will be the starter at left tackle.

Steelers

Ben Roethlisberger was limping toward the end of practice Wednesday after a teammate stepped on his left foot. Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin didn’t seem worried about his quarterback.

“I’m sure he’s fine,” Tomlin said.

The Steelers didn’t offer any more information, and they didn’t appear concerned that Roethlisberger would be limited during practice today or might not play in Saturday’s exhibition game against Green Bay. Roethlisberger usually ends practice by signing autographs and chatting with fans, but he left the field immediately in a cart – apparently to have the foot checked.

Buccaneers

Mike Alstott walked off the field at the end of last season, wondering whether he had played his final NFL game. The veteran fullback’s role in Tampa Bay’s offense has diminished in recent years, so he wasn’t sure if he still fit into the Buccaneers plans – or even if he wanted to return for a 12th season.

“When you are on a one year at a time contract you never know what’s going to happen. You never know what direction they are going to want to go in or what direction you’re going to want to go in,” Alstott said.

Broncos

Champ Bailey, owner of 19 interceptions over the last two seasons, is hard to impress. But the Denver defensive star is dazzled by second-year receiver Domenik Hixon, who missed his entire rookie season because of a broken foot.

“I’ll tell you what, man, he’s a guy that we could have used last year,” Bailey said. “He’s got great ability, great talent.”

Texans

Jerome Mathis has been out due to injuries so often since Gary Kubiak took over as coach that seeing him on the field each day at training camp is like seeing a new player.

“Let’s face it, this is as long as Jerome has been on the field with us over a period of time, and that’s a positive,” Kubiak said. “I think Jerome is heading in the right direction.”

Giants

Veteran wide receiver Amani Toomer got a little surprise from coach Tom Coughlin – he’s not playing in the preseason opener against the Panthers.

Toomer said Wednesday he was OK with the decision.

“I really don’t know how to take it because, in a sense, I am trying to get ready for the season,” said Toomer, who had knee surgery in November.