by Chris Mooney

There have been some trade talks lately, so I wanted to share what I’ve been reading, along with some player news.

NFL.com’s Adam Schefter reports the Miami Dolphins are trying to trade WR Chris Chambers. Chambers is scheduled to make $5.4 million in base salary this season to go along with his $7.3 million salary-cap number. As productive as Chambers has been -– catching at least 59 passes in each of the past four seasons and 82 two seasons ago –- his financial numbers are not easy for the cap-strapped Dolphins to swallow.

Adam Schefter also reports the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are trying to trade WR Michael Clayton. Clayton has struggled to recapture the form that enabled him to catch 80 passes for 1,193 yards during his rookie season in 2004.

In other player news….

ESPN reports Pittsburgh Steelers WR Hines Ward had surgery Tuesday to repair a broken nose, but it isn’t expected to prevent him from playing in the Sept. 9 opener at Cleveland. HC Mike Tomlin said that he hasn’t ruled Ward out of Thursday night’s exhibition game at Carolina, when the starters are expected to play one quarter. “Hines is Hines. I wouldn’t count Hines out,” Tomlin said of the Steelers’ career leader in receptions. “He’s a player-coach in my mind. He’s not a guy you need to worry about being up at game time.” Ward was apparently injured during Pittsburgh’s 27-13 victory over the Eagles on Sunday night. He did not disclose the injury after the game, when Ward talked to reporters at length with no apparent pain.

The New York Giants’ official website reports Giants RB Reuben Droughns is working at fullback and running back now. RB Derrick Ward may have moved ahead of Droughns for the No. 2 running back spot behing RB Brandon Jacobs.

The Denver Post reports the Broncos have placed WR Rod Smith (hip) on the PUP list. Smith, the team’s all-time leader in nearly every receiving category, will be out at least six weeks, or five games, so he can continue to rehabilitate from off-season hip surgery. Smith would be eligible to play in the Broncos’ sixth game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 21.

The Dallas Morning News reports Cowboys WR Terry Glenn (knee) was back on the practice field today, upping his rehab from right knee surgery. Glenn is expected to practice with his teammates on Saturday. He looked smooth in his work with associate trainer Britt Brown in resistance training. As he walked on to the practice field, several defensive backs started to chant, “Terry, Terry, Terry,” prompting a wave from the veteran receiver.