Peyton Manning expects to be in the starting lineup when the Indianapolis Colts open the season against the Chicago Bears.

The Colts quarterback, who underwent knee surgery in July, was activated Tuesday and went through a pregame workout with the team before the final preseason game Thursday night. He and the rest of the team went through a short practice yesterday before coach Tony Dungy sent them home for the weekend.

"I don't really want to get into daily progress reports of how it went. But it was something that we decided to do last week," Manning said of his increased workload in practice. "We're going to just keep progressing this weekend and going through next week. And hopefully we can just keep feeling better."

He said he felt fine after the pregame routine Thursday night.

"It was good to get back there, doing the same things the rest of the guys were doing," Manning said.

The Colts, 1-4 in the preseason, open against the Bears on Sept. 7 in the new Lucas Oil Stadium.

"Certainly I've been preparing for the season opener for some time from a film standpoint. It's good to get back out there on the field and do more physical activity," Manning said. "I feel I got in some good practices this week. I thought that was important."

ELSEWHERE

Trade: The Carolina Panthers got an experienced backup for starting quarterback Jake Delhomme when they acquired veteran Josh McCown from the Miami Dolphins for a 2009 late-round draft pick. Delhomme, who is returning from ligament-replacement surgery in his right elbow, has recovered well and is scheduled to start the season opener at San Diego on Sept. 7.

Vikings: The NFL suspended Minnesota left tackle Bryant McKinnie for four games without pay for violating the league's personal conduct policy. McKinnie has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from a street brawl outside a Miami nightclub in February.

Texans: Houston released veteran linebacker Rosevelt Colvin and 20 other players, the day before NFL teams must set their 53-man rosters. The Texans signed Colvin in June after he was released by New England.

Bengals: Cincinnati receiver Chad Johnson has legally changed his name to Chad Javon Ocho Cinco in Broward County, Fla., a switch that became official this week, according to several media reports.

Rams: St. Louis released center Donovan Raiola, a Kamehameha Schools and Wisconsin alum.

Eagles: Philadelphia released running back Ryan Moats, a third-round pick in 2005 out of Louisiana Tech.