Rivera says Newton will start opener

Panthers coach Ron Rivera says “there’s no doubt in my mind” that Cam Newton will play in the team’s regular-season opener against the Rams.

Rivera said Tuesday that the 30-year-old quarterback has made “good strides” after suffering a mid-foot sprain in last Thursday night’s preseason game against against the Patriots.

Newton threw on the side field Tuesday but didn’t practice.

Rivera expects Newton will return to practice in earnest when the Panthers begin preparations for the opener against the Rams on Sept. 8.

Like the team’s other starters, Newton will not play in the final preseason game Thursday night against the Steelers.

Jackson breaks finger: DeSean Jackson broke his left ring finger at practice Tuesday, but the Eagles receiver said he should be OK for the team’s regular-season opener against the Redskins on Sept. 8.

Jackson was in visible discomfort after practice. He had a brace on the finger when he left the Eagles’ facility later.

The 32-year-old had been healthy throughout training camp. He didn’t play in the first two preseason games, but was on the field for seven snaps in last week’s third preseason game against the Ravens. He caught zero passes.

Like most starters, he’s unlikely to play in Thursday night’s preseason finale against the Jets.

Jackson, a three-time Pro Bowler, missed 14 games over the last five seasons because of injuries.

Deal for Lloyd? After her 55-yard field goal at a recent Eagles-Ravens joint practice went viral, U.S. women’s soccer team star Carli Lloyd told Fox Sports on Tuesday that she’s “seriously considering” an offer that her trainer James Galanis said Lloyd received from an anonymous NFL team.

“I am having discussions with my husband (Brian Hollins) and James about the reality of playing in the NFL,” Lloyd said. “They both feel that I could do it and should consider it. So I’m seriously considering it, as it’s a challenge . ... I would probably enjoy it.”

Galanis had told Fox that at least three NFL teams approached Lloyd, 37, to come to their training camps. He said one offered her a place on the team for a preseason game Thursday, but Lloyd turned it down because the U.S. women are playing a friendly that night.

Extra points: The 49ers released LB Malcolm Smith after two injury-plagued seasons. Smith, who was MVP of Super Bowl XXXVII as a member of the Seahawks, signed a five-year, $26.5 million contract with the 49ers in 2017. He missed all of 2017 with a torn pectoral and missed four games last season . ... Saints CB P.J. Williams pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of reckless operation of a motor vehicle after he was initially charged with driving while intoxicated in January, NOLA.com reported. Williams, 26, was ordered to pay a $340 fine, according to the report.