CINCINNATI – Aaron Rodgers led Green Bay to a big first half Thursday night, running for 52 yards and two touchdowns for a 27-13 preseason victory.

The MVP quarterback got the Packers moving at full speed. He went 12 of 22 for 154 yards while leading the Packers to 245 yards and a 17-6 halftime lead. He also scrambled six times, scoring on runs of 12 and 5 yards.

Running back Cedric Benson made his Packers debut against his former team and ran six times for 38 yards.

The Bengals played their starters into the third quarter but they couldn’t get a touchdown.

Colts owner says trade may be made

Colts owner Jim Irsay says his team is seriously contemplating a trade – a deal that could include a draft pick.

Irsay wrote on Twitter that “serious” trade winds are blowing though he also noted that often times these deals fall through. Later, he Tweeted that new Colts general manager Ryan Grigson isn’t afraid to roll the dice.

That post followed an earlier one that read simply: “TRADE WINDS BLOWING”

Bears waive Bell

The Bears waived backup running back Kahlil Bell.

Bell ran for 557 yards on 119 attempts and also caught 20 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown with the Bears.

Lorenzo Booker and Armando Allen are expected to compete for the third-string running back job now that Bell is gone.

NFLPA does not OK rule changes

Changes NFL owners wanted for injured reserve and the trade deadline have not been approved by the players’ union, meaning the old rules probably will stay in place this season.

In May, owners voted to tweak IR rules so teams could pick one player to come off injured reserve after Week 8. That player would have to be on the 53-man roster after the final preseason cuts.

Currently, once a player goes on IR, he is out for the season.

Owners also wanted to move the trade deadline back two weeks.

Around the league

The Jets benched struggling right tackle Wayne Hunter and promoted Austin Howard to the starting job for the team’s preseason game against Carolina. … Tennessee cornerback Jason McCourty signed for a reported $43 million. … Buffalo placed defensive tackle Torell Troup (back) on season-ending injured reserve. … NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says possibly using replacement referees for regular-season games is worthwhile to ensure long-term improvements to officiating.