STATE COLLEGE — Penn State's home opener on Saturday will be missing a game-day staple: “Sweet Caroline.”

The Altoona Mirror reports that school officials decided to eliminate the Neil Diamond sing-along hit from the Beaver Stadium playlist because of its lyrics: “Hands, touching hands, reaching out, touching me, touching you.”

The song could be awkward in light of the Jerry Sandusky child-sex scandal.

However, Associate Athletic Director Greg Myford says that while the lyrics were discussed, “Sweet Caroline” had been on the bubble for several years because the song has no real connection to Penn State. He says “it simply became easier to rotate out in order to try something else.”

Diamond has said he wrote the song in tribute to President John F. Kennedy's daughter, Caroline.

PHILADELPHIA — Michael Vick will take his next snap in the season opener for the Philadelphia Eagles. Who replaces him if he gets hurt again remains a question.Vick is back at practice after leaving last Monday's game with injured ribs. He didn't play in Friday's game at Cleveland, but returned to the field Sunday night for Philadelphia's annual practice party at Lincoln Financial Field.

DAVIE, Fla. — Miami Dolphins tackle Jake Long, who battled injuries all last season, is hobbled again.Long left practice Monday after hurting his right knee when he went down in a pile on a pass play. An MRI exam showed the injury wasn't serious, said a person familiar with the diagnosis, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Dolphins didn't comment on the injury.

NEW YORK — The New York Jets have acquired former No. 2 overall pick Jason Smith from the St. Louis Rams for Wayne Hunter in a swap of disappointing right tackles.Kenny Zuckerman, Hunter's agent, confirmed the deal Monday night, telling The Associated Press it was pending physicals on Tuesday.

NEW YORK — The New York Yankees have reacquired outfielder Steve Pearce in a trade with Houston, giving them another right-handed bat on the bench for the stretch drive.