SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers signed two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Takeo Spikes yesterday, hours after waiving former starter Brandon Moore.

Spikes is expected to start alongside Patrick Willis, the NFL's reigning defensive rookie of the year, at strong inside linebacker in the team's 3-4 defense.

"It's going to be one of the strongest linebacking corps in the middle with him and Patrick," said defensive end Justin Smith, who teamed with Spikes for two seasons in Cincinnati.

"Great guy. As far as football goes, he's just a leader. He's got that quality about him. He knows his stuff. He pays attention to his film study. He's prepared. He's the type of guy you need on a defense. That's a plus."

Spikes spent 10 seasons with the Bengals, Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles. His season with the Eagles last year ended with a torn rotator cuff in the 14th game. He finished with 85 tackles, including 63 solo stops, and one sack.

Moore started 10 games in 2005 and 11 in 2006, when he led the team in tackles with 114 and sacks with 6 1/2. He lost his starting job last year.

"I think the biggest thing is we've gotten better since then, from a personnel standpoint," 49ers coach Mike Nolan said of Moore's 2006 season. "Obviously (with) Patrick Willis inside, that exposes the guys next to (him) a lot."

Jeff Ulbrich, a University of Hawai'i alum, started the 49ers' exhibition opener Friday night against the Oakland Raiders at inside linebacker next to Willis. Rookie Larry Grant is behind Ulbrich on the depth chart while Dontarrious Thomas, a free-agent pickup, is behind Willis.

Thomas had a team-leading eight tackles in his 49ers debut. He primarily played special teams with the Minnesota Vikings last year.

"I think it showed some glimpses of what I can do," Thomas said. "I'm still learning the defense. It was a solid game."

STEELERS

QB LEFTWICH SIGNS

Pittsburgh signed veteran quarterback Byron Leftwich yesterday, choosing the former Jacksonville Jaguars starter over Daunte Culpepper, a three-time Pro Bowl player.

The Steelers signed the 28-year-old Leftwich after both he and Culpepper worked out yesterday morning at the team's training camp at Saint Vincent College.

Pittsburgh needed a backup for Ben Roethlisberger after veteran Charlie Batch broke his right collarbone in Friday night's 16-10 preseason victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Batch, who is scheduled for surgery today, is expected to miss four to six weeks.

Leftwich was released by Atlanta in February and has played in just nine games the past two seasons because of ankle injuries. A first-round pick of Jacksonville in 2003, he saw action in 15 games that season, making 13 starts. He missed two games in 2004 and five in 2005 with injuries.

The Steelers also activated Pro Bowl nose tackle Casey Hampton from the physically unable to perform list, where he had been since failing his conditioning test July 27.

GIANTS

WR BURRESS SITS OUT

Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress said he won't practice with New York until his troublesome right ankle is healthy.

"Of course I definitely want to be out there," Burress said yesterday after watching the morning workout at the University at Albany. "Like I said, Plaxico Burress has to take care of Plaxico Burress."

Burress, who caught the game-winning pass in the upset of the New England Patriots, has not practiced since the Giants opened training camp July 25. The last time he practiced was before the Super Bowl. He skipped the optional offseason workouts and refused to take part in the veteran minicamp in June because his contract, which will pay him $3.25 million this season, was not renegotiated.

CARDINALS

WR BOLDIN PRACTICES

Anquan Boldin went through a full practice yesterday with Arizona for the first time in more than two weeks and afterward said he expects to play in next weekend's preseason game.

The two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver has been sidelined since July 26, when he strained his right hamstring.

The sixth-year pro showed no ill effects in his return, running crisp routes and catching everything thrown his way.

TEXANS

RB GREEN HURTS GROIN

Houston running back Ahman Green will likely sit out the Texans' preseason game against New Orleans this week with a pulled groin, but coach Gary Kubiak said yesterday the injury isn't serious.

Green was hurt on the Texans' first offensive play in Saturday night's 19-16 preseason win over Denver.

"It doesn't look severe," Kubiak said. "We're pretty fortunate there. I'm going to list him as day to day right now."

BRONCOS

LB BAILEY SPRAINS ANKLE

Denver lost starting linebacker Boss Bailey, its biggest free agent signing, with a sprained right ankle, and his backup, special teams ace Louis Green, with a concussion in the first seven snaps of Saturday night's 19-16 preseason loss at Houston.

Denver already had four key players sitting out in cornerback Champ Bailey (hamstring), center Tom Nalen (knee), safety Hamza Abdullah (groin) and defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson (knee).

Denver coach Mike Shanahan said Bailey, his new strongside linebacker, might miss a couple of weeks.

ELSEWHERE

Browns: Wideout Braylon Edwards was running a sprint in his socks when fellow receiver Donte' Stallworth stepped on the back of his foot and opened a cut that required stitches and a night in the hospital.

Edwards spent Saturday night at the Cleveland Clinic and was released yesterday afternoon. The stay was precautionary and the injury wasn't thought to be serious, Browns coach Romeo Crennel said.

Eagles: Philadelphia guard Shawn Andrews reported to training camp yesterday afternoon after missing the first 17 days for unexcused personal reasons.

Andrews told two area newspapers last week that he was battling depression, which he said started a year ago and had worsened.

The Eagles released veteran defensive tackle Kimo von Oelhoffen, a Moloka'i High alum, and signed rookie defensive tackle Mike Marquardt, who has spent time with both Cincinnati and Carolina this offseason.