Cincinnati had planned to have Smith, the sixth overall pick of the draft, start at right tackle, but he has missed three preseason games.

The Bengals will finish their preseason schedule Thursday with a home game against Indianapolis. It was unclear whether the rookie would be ready to play in that game.

Smith, out of Alabama, was the highest unsigned NFL pick with one week left in the preseason. The Bengals had insisted on paying him less than a player taken later, Oakland's Darrius Heyward-Bey, leading to the impasse.

Smith's contract leaves wide receiver Michael Crabtree, drafted 10th overall by San Francisco, as the only unsigned first-round selection.

The four-year deal includes $21 million guaranteed.

"It was difficult just sitting there waiting. I'm eager to get back to football," Smith, listed at 6-foot-4 and 332 pounds, said after practice. "I don't feel like I'm that far behind."

Bruschi retiring. Linebacker Tedy Bruschi is retiring after a 13-year career marked by an inspiring return to the New England Patriots as a starting linebacker eight months after a stroke.

The 36-year-old Bruschi will announce his retirement at a news conference this morning, a source said. The team declined to comment.

Panthers struggling. Linebacker Jon Beason didn't mince words Saturday night after watching his Carolina teammates allow two long touchdown drives and add to fears that the banged-up Panthers defense isn't ready for the season.

"On the sideline you get that coaches' point of view. The tackling was horrible," said Beason, who had to watch a 17-13 exhibition loss to Baltimore because of a sprained knee.

The Panthers fell to 0-3 in the preseason. They will host the Eagles in the opener Sept. 13.

Known as a run-first team, the Ravens passed at will. Joe Flacco completed 23 of 28 passes for 247 yards and led touchdown drives of 80 and 90 yards.

Michael Lewis hurt. San Francisco strong safety Michael Lewis suffered his second concussion in 11 days in Saturday's night game with Dallas and will be evaluated this week before he can return to the field.

Lewis, a Pro Bowl player with the Eagles in 2004, also suffered a concussion Aug. 18 during a joint practice with the Oakland Raiders.

Hicks impresses. The New York Giants finally may have found someone to replace Plaxico Burress as their deep threat: Hakeem Nicks.

The first-round draft pick from North Carolina caught six passes for 144 yards and touchdowns of 22 and 71 yards in the Giants' 27-25 loss to the Jets on Saturday night.

Bears 27, Broncos 17

DENVER - Quarterback Jay Cutler, who forced a blockbuster trade out of Denver in the spring, returned to Invesco Field and led Chicago to a preseason win.

Cutler directed the Bears on three scoring drives, capped by a 12-play, 98-yarder just before halftime for a 17-3 lead.