Rookie running backs Tyrone Wheatley and Rashaan Salaam aren't enjoying their first NFL training camps.
Veteran kicker Eddie Murray's first day at Washington Redskins camp wasn't much better.Wheatley practiced with the New York Giants on Wednesday, one day after ending a 17-day holdout and signing a five-year contract believed to be worth $5.2 million
In the morning workout, he aggravated a muscle in his buttocks after running just two wind sprints.
"I didn't pull it," Wheatley said. "I strained it at home (last week) and I came here today and slipped. I guess I was trying to compensate for when I wasn't here, and I was at home killing myself."
But he was able to practice in the afternoon, and Giants coach Dan Reeves left open the possibility that the 17th pick out of Michigan could play Friday night against New Orleans.
Salaam, who won the Heisman Trophy last year at Colorado, kept the Chicago Bears waiting for two weeks before reporting to camp. Earlier this week when he left practice early, complaining of dehydration, he needed an IV to replenish his fluids.
"My legs just locked up on me," Salaam said Wednesday.
Bears coach Dave Wannstedt was far from sympathetic and scolded Salaam for being out of shape.
"He knows we're going to push him for lost time," Wannstedt said. "He understands what it's going to take, and he understands he's going to have to work, and we're going to have to push him harder than anybody else."
Murray, who became the seventh former Dallas Cowboy to join the Redskins since coach Norv Turner's arrival last year, had a shaky start on his first full practice day.
Chiefs
Kansas City bolstered its receiving corps by signing Webster Slaughter, who turned down a richer offer from Green Bay to play for former coach Marty Schottenheimer.
Slaughter, 30, signed a three-year contract, the financial terms of which were not announced.
Steelers
Rod Woodson, a member of the NFL's 75th anniversary team as a cornerback, said he is thinking about moving to safety in three or four years.
Ronnie Lott did the same thing, and it prolonged his career.
Woodson, who with Lott was a member of the anniversary team, played free safety at Purdue.
Cowboys
Quarterback Troy Aikman continues to display midseason form. During a two-minute drill, Aikman was 6-for-7 on a 65-yard drive that culminated with a 15-yard touchdown throw to Michael Irvin with just under 30 seconds to go.
Irvin also has been near-perfect, dropping less than five passes over the first three weeks of training camp. After making one leaping grab, Irvin turned to fans standing on the sideline and said, "You know I'm good, huh?"
Browns
With Vinny Testaverde hospitalized with a leg infection and an allergic reaction to antibiotics, rookie Eric Zeier will start as quarterback for Monday night's game against the Chicago Bears.
Testaverde was admitted to the Cleveland Clinic on Tuesday night after he suffered an allergic reaction to some antibiotics he received for a gash on his leg. He also was admitted because of the leg infection.
Packers
Steve Israel, signed to provide depth for Green Bay's injury problems at cornerback, skipped team drills because of a pulled thigh muscle.
The Packers claimed Israel on waivers Monday after three seasons with the Rams. He was injured Tuesday on the final play in practice.