Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis made it official, announcing that two long-time offensive starters –running back Rudi Johnson and left tackle Willie Anderson — have been released.

Broncos rookie punter Brett Kern has beat out second-year player Sam Paulescu for Denver’s punting job. Paulescu was cut by the Broncos Saturday. Additionally, the Broncos placed rookie running back Anthony Alridge on IR with a foot injury.

Now that the Cardinals officially have named Kurt Warner their starting quarterback for Week 1 against the 49ers, it sets up an intriguing matchup with Mike Martz’s proteges. Warner turned into an NFL MVP under Martz, now the 49ers’ offensive coordinator. And the 49ers are hoping Martz can do the same for their new quarterback, J.T. O’Sullivan, who learned the Martz system last season in Detroit and used that experience to win the starting job in San Francisco. But Sunday now shapes up as the unofficial Martz Bowl.

Eleventh-year QB Charlie Batch was placed on the Reserve/Injured List after breaking his collarbone in the Steelers’ preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Welcome to the world of fantasy relevance, Chris Perry.

Perry is now the top running back on the Cincinnati Bengals’ depth chart after the release of Rudi Johnson. The move shakes up fantasy rank lists heading into the first week of the regular season.

Running back Rudi Johnson may not be the only long-time offensive starter released by the Bengals on Saturday. According to a report on Bengals.com, Marvin Lewis’ press conference scheduled for 3 p.m. ET was “moved back” amid reports the team approached offensive tackle Willie Anderson to take a pay cut.

Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt announced that veteran quarterback Kurt Warner will start against the 49ers when the team opens the season on Sept. 7. Whisenhunt admitted that he wrestled with the decision, but felt that Warner gives the Cardinals the best opportunity to win now.

The Washington Redskins released the following 22 players Saturday to meet the NFL’s 53-player roster limit: DTs Matthias Askew and Ryan Boschetti, FB Nehemiah Broughton, Ts Devin Clark, Todd Wade and Tavares Washington, Gs Andrew Crummey and Fred Matua, QB Derek Devine, P Derrick Frost, WRs Horace Gant, Maurice Mann, Billy McMullen and Anthony Mix, LBs Curtis Gatewood, David Holloway and Danny Verdun-Wheeler, CBs Cedrick Holt, Matterral Richardson and Byron Westbrook, S Patrick Ghee and RB Marcus Mason.

The NFL has suspended Ravens CB Derrick Martin without pay for the team’s first regular-season game and fined one additional game check for violating the NFL’s Substance Abuse Policy.

The Texans have placed running back Chris Brown on injured reserve, putting the team at the 53 player limit. Brown, 27, has battled back injuries through training camp after signing a two-year contact in the offseason with the Texans.

The New Orleans Saints made 14 roster moves Saturday to reach the NFL-mandated active roster limit of 53.

The San Francisco 49ers made their final cuts Saturday, waiving 21 players and placing one player on injured reserve to reach the 53-man roster limit.

The Jaguars released 19 players Saturday, but wide receivers Troy Williamson and Matt Jones were not among those cut. Jacksonville also placed two players on the Physically Unable to Perform list in DB Chad Nkang and DL Jeremy Mincey.

The release of Rudi Johnson reported earlier by NFL Network’s Adam Schefter is also being confirmed by Johnson’s agent, Peter Schaffer.

The Bengals have told veteran running back Rudi Johnson he will be released today.