mofome
Banned
Philadelphia Eagles
CB Lito Sheppard (ankle) is out.
Reno Mahe?s status for Sunday is listed as questionable, but the running back returned to practice after missing Sunday?s game because of an ankle injury. Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter is listed as probable after suffering a sprained ankle against the Texans.
San Francisco 49ers
The left side of the 49ers? offensive line remained in a state of flux Wednesday with four players working to fill one and possibly two injury-caused openings.
Guard Larry Allen is out two to four weeks because of a left-knee injury, and tackle Jonas Jennings, who has a sprained right ankle, did not practice. The 49ers are holding out some hope that Jennings, listed as doubtful, can play Sunday in the home opener against the St. Louis Rams.
Jennings will be held out if he?s not able to practice this week, Coach Mike Nolan said.
Rookie outside linebacker Parys Haralson practiced full time for the first time since suffering a foot injury in training camp.
Tight end Vernon Davis (bruised hip) did not practice but is listed as probable.
Linebacker Jamal Brooks (knee), defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy (hand) and linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa (foot) all are listed as questionable by the Rams.
Seattle Seahawks
Deion Branch practiced as a Seahawk on Wednesday. That doesn?t mean his business with the Patriots is entirely finished, though.
New England has filed a grievance against Branch, confirmed Richard Berthelsen, general counsel for the NFL Players Association. The grievance seeks payment of fines relating to Branch?s holdout and the repayment of some bonuses already paid to Branch.
Berthelsen said the Patriots? grievance seeks more than $800,000 total from Branch. That breaks down into about $546,000 in fines for his holdout. Players under contract are subject to a fine of $14,000 per day for not reporting. Then there is about $280,000 the team is seeking in repayment of bonus, which would include a portion of the $1 million bonus Branch received when he signed his rookie contract in 2002.
Berthelsen said these types of grievances are usually decided by an arbitrator in a hearing held in the offseason.
Jean-Philippe Darche was placed on injured reserve Wednesday because of a right hip injury. Darche will be out for the season.
The Seahawks moved quickly to replace Darche, signing seventh-year pro Derek Rackley on Wednesday. Rackley, 29, was the Atlanta Falcons? long snapper until they released him in a cost-cutting move last month.
LB Leroy Hill is questionable for Sunday with a pinched nerve in his left shoulder. He practiced Wednesday, and Mike Holmgren said Hill needs to get his strength back before he can play.
TE Jerramy Stevens will be out for at least two more weeks with his left knee injury.
Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (bruised ribs), tackle Walter Jones (sprained ankle) and guard Floyd "Pork Chop" Womack (dislocated finger) practiced despite being injured against the Lions. They weren?t included on the injury report.
St Louis Rams
Although he was listed as questionable on Wednesday?s injury report, nose tackle Jimmy Kennedy is determined to suit up Sunday in San Francisco, just six days after surgery on his broken right hand. Kennedy was injured on the first series vs. Denver.
Linebackers Pisa Tinoisamoa (foot) and Jamal Brooks (knee) also were questionable. Neither practiced Wednesday.
After the Jaguars signed Montavious Stanley off the practice squad, the Rams brought back defensive tackle Tim Sandidge to fill the open spot. Sandidge, an undrafted rookie out of Virginia Tech, was with the team in training camp before being released.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Starting LG Dan Buenning returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since he sprained an ankle in the final preseason game against Houston. Buenning is listed as questionable for the Atlanta game.
Sean Mahan, last season?s starting right guard, started in Buenning?s place against Baltimore. If Buenning is ready to go Sunday, Mahan could return to the right side in place of the injured Davin Joseph (knee).
Starting MLB Shelton Quarles also is questionable with a groin injury. Barrett Ruud started against Baltimore in Quarles? absence, but Quarles was able to practice Wednesday, although he remains somewhat limited.
TE/LS Dave Moore (rib) is questionable for Sunday?s game. Moore, who did not practice Wednesday, was injured in the third quarter of the Baltimore game and was briefly hospitalized.
In case Moore can?t play Sunday, the Bucs added two players to their practice squad - LS Andrew Economos and TE Keith Heinrich. To make room, FB Rick Razzano was released. TE Doug Jolley also is an option at long snapper.
New York Giants
Guard Chris Snee (ankle) and tight end Jeremy Shockey (ankle) did not practice Wednesday. Snee was listed on the injury report as questionable, and Shockey was probable.
Washington Redskins
The Redskins re-signed safety Curry Burns and placed safety Pierson Prioleau on injured reserve with season-ending knee surgery upcoming.
The team also worked out free agent defensive back Deke Cooper and could opt to sign him as well.
Shawn Springs, who says he does not think he can play Sunday while recovering from abdominal surgery, worked hard with trainers during practice, doing lateral-movement and sprinting drills. Running back Clinton Portis suffered no setbacks on his injured shoulder, Joe Gibbs said, but was rested for much of yesterday?s practice. Defense lineman Renaldo Wynn (ankle) practiced fully and should play, Gibbs said.
Tackle Jon Jansen, who was outspoken about the prevalence of banned substances in the NFL, said he has yet to hear from league officials about a proposed meeting to discuss the topic. "I?m sure I?ll hear from them at some time," Jansen said, "and I?m looking forward to the dialogue."
Baltimore Ravens
Eight Ravens were listed as questionable for Sunday. They are running backs Jamal Lewis (hip) and P.J. Daniels (thigh), tight ends Todd Heap (back) and Daniel Wilcox (back), center Mike Flynn (ankle), safety Ed Reed (thigh), defensive tackle Aubrayo Franklin (thigh) and kicker Matt Stover (back).
Cincinnati Bengals
Sam Adams did not practice and was listed as probable for Sunday?s game with a knee injury.
Robert Geathers was not fined by the NFL for his hit Sunday on Chiefs quarterback Trent Green.
"It is not a foul," senior league vice president Ray Anderson said in a statement Wednesday.
Green slid late and simultaneous to Geathers breaking to tackle him, the league decided after a film review. Geathers also was blocked from behind and "was no longer in complete control of his body," Anderson said.
Wide receiver Antonio Chatman (groin) is out Sunday for the Bengals.
Coach Marvin Lewis listed four players as probable: Adams (knee), wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (heel), left offensive tackle Levi Jones (ankle) and cornerback Deltha O?Neal (knee). Defensive end Frostee Rucker (shoulder) is questionable. None of the five practiced Wednesday.
San Diego Chargers
Four Chargers did not practice ? defensive end Igor Olshansky, tackle Leander Jordan and tight ends Ryan Krause and Aaron Shea. All but Shea (doubtful) are listed as questionable, as is guard Kris Dielman, who did practice.
Cleveland Browns
Joe Jurevicius will not play this weekend against the Bengals. Jurevicius will miss at least this week and perhaps more with a rib injury, though coach Romeo Crennel would not detail the exact injury except to say there were no broken ribs. With Jurevicius out, Joshua Cribbs moves into the third receiver role, and rookie Travis Wilson probably will be active.
Two other players will miss the game Backup defensive tackle Nick Eason has a sprained ankle and backup tight end Darnell Dinkins has a hamstring injury. Daylon McCutcheon was back on the practice field for the first time since arthroscopic surgery on his knee Aug. 1. Crennel would not commit to playing McCutcheon until he sees him in practice this week.
McCutcheon is listed as questionable, along with Brian Russell, who played in the opener with stitches in his elbow.
Denver Broncos
Courtney Brown?s left knee isn?t getting any better and the Broncos are now unsure when the veteran defensive end will be able to return to the field.
After practicing on a limited basis last week, Brown was held out of practice Wednesday and has told team officials the knee is not improving.
Running back Mike Bell (finger), linebacker Patrick Chukwurah (ankle), wide receiver Brandon Marshall (knee) and fullback Cecil Sapp (hamstring) were on the Broncos injury report, but all were listed as probable and are expected to be available to play.
Houston Texans
The Texans swapped second-year running backs with the Green Bay Packers on Wednesday. The Texans acquired Samkon Gado, an undrafted free agent who led the Packers in rushing as a rookie last season, for Vernand Morency, who carried five times for 13 yards against the Eagles.
Wali Lundy will start at Indianapolis on Sunday, and Ron Dayne, signed as a free agent last week after being waived by Denver, moves up a spot to replace Morency, a third-round pick in 2005.
After missing much of the preseason because of a groin injury, right guard Steve McKinney could be back in the lineup when the Texans play at Indianapolis, his former team.
Indianapolis Colts
Ten players were held out of Wednesday?s Colts practice and a total of 19 appear on the team?s mid-week injury report.
However, the only players who have been ruled out of Sunday?s game are running back DeDe Dorsey (ankle) and defensive end Josh Thomas (hip).
Among the players who did not practice were Pro Bowl safety Bob Sanders (knee), defensive tackles Montae Reagor (knee) and Corey Simon (knee), wide receiver Brandon Stokley (ankle), guard Ryan Lilja (knee), linebacker Freddie Keiaho (knee), tight end Ben Hartsock (hamstring) and cornerback Jason David, who had a wisdom tooth extracted.
Sanders, Reagor and David are expected to practice today. There?s a chance Stokley will return for the first time since spraining his left ankle Aug. 13. The team isn?t certain when Simon might return to practice. He ran with trainers Wednesday.
Running back Kory Chapman and defensive lineman Bo Schobel, who were waived last weekend, were re-signed to the practice squad.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars? already thin defensive line may have taken another hit Tuesday when team officials carted defensive end Paul Spicer off the practice field because of a groin injury.
The club listed Spicer as questionable on its Wednesday injury report heading into Monday?s game against Pittsburgh.
In addition, tight end Marcedes Lewis (ankle), reserve safety Gerald Sensabaugh (ankle), middle linebacker Mike Peterson (knee) and defensive tackle Marcus Stroud (ankle) are listed as questionable.
The Jaguars signed rookie defensive tackle Montavious Stanley on Tuesday to add depth in the rotation. If Spicer is unable to play, the Jaguars will likely start either Bobby McCray or Marcellus Wiley at right defensive end.
Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio also expects contributions from rookie free-agent defensive tackle Tony McDaniel, who was inactive for the Dallas game.
Kansas City Chiefs
Willie Roaf and Chiefs president/general manager Carl Peterson have finally had a sit-down, and Roaf?s official status on the team has been changed to reserve/retired.
Peterson said the Chiefs will have a recognition ceremony for Roaf later this year. He was hopeful that Roaf would be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Roaf is expected to hold a news conference today to clear up any questions about his retirement.
Receiver Rod Gardner officially joined the team Wednesday and participated in his first practice as a Chief. Though coach Herm Edwards was impressed, he said it?s too early to anticipate whether Gardner is ready to play.
Right tackle Kevin Sampson returned to practice after sitting last Sunday because of a hamstring injury. Sampson was taken off the injury report, which includes defensive end Tamba Hali (glute) and linebacker Boomer Grigsby (foot). Both players are listed as probable for Sunday?s game at Denver and didn?t participate in team drills.
Miami Dolphins
Defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson missed his second consecutive practice Wednesday for what Nick Saban said was a personal issue that the Dolphins knew about. The Dolphins signed linebacker Mike Labinjo and running back Patrick Cobbs to the practice squad, and cut linebacker Matt Sinclair and fullback Cary Davis. Cornerback Travis Daniels (ankle) practiced on a limited basis Wednesday and is listed as questionable after missing the Steelers game. Reserve guard Joe Berger (foot) is out.
New England Patriots
Tedy Bruschi participated in the Patriots? full-pads practice yesterday.
Although Bruschi remains questionable on the team?s injury report he has now taken part in the last three practices.
Richard Seymour missed practice because of an illness in his family. Rookie tight end Garrett Mills was the only other player not dressed for practice, as he is ailing with the flu and questionable on the injury report.
In addition to Bruschi and Mills, the injury report includes receiver Chad Jackson (questionable, hamstring), offensive tackle Nick Kaczur (questionable, shoulder), quarterback Tom Brady (probable, right shoulder) and receiver Doug Gabriel (probable, hamstring).
New York Jets
The Jets referred all questions about the tampering charge the Patriots filed against them because of their discussions with Deion Branch to the National Football League. When asked about the fact that it was his old friends and colleagues at the Patriots making the allegations, Jets Coach Eric Mangini said: "They have to operate in their best interests, and we need to operate in our best interests. This is business." S Kerry Rhodes (ankle) is fine. OL Trey Teague (ankle) doubtful. CB David Barrett (hip) practiced yesterday but is questionable. WR Tim Dwight (thigh) didn?t practice yesterday and is questionable. G Pete Kendall (thigh) also practiced but is listed as questionable.
Oakland Raiders
Oakland cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (foot) and defensive end Kevin Huntley (foot) are listed as questionable. Quarterback Aaron Brooks (knee), tight ends James Adkisson (knee) and John Madsen (ankle) and linebacker Sam Williams (ankle) are probable.
The Raiders released receiver Burl Toler and signed receiver Leo Bookman as his replacement on the practice squad.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Ben Roethlisberger practiced Wednesday. Roethlisberger had an emergency appendectomy less than two weeks ago, but if he is healthy enough to play, he will get the call.
Troy Polamalu (shoulder) practiced Wednesday, and all indications point to the All-Pro safety playing Monday night in Jacksonville.
Wide receiver Hines Ward (probable) did some light running and stretching at practice yesterday.
Tight end Jerame Tuman (hamstring) is still listed as questionable even though he practiced yesterday. Wide receiver Nate Washington (knee), who also practiced, is probable.
Tennessee Titans
When Titans No. 3 quarterback Billy Volek travels to San Diego this weekend, he might be tempted to check out the real estate. Volek said the Chargers are one of the teams who contacted the Titans after he asked to be traded last month.
Volek said he thinks there?s a chance something could happen next week, after the Titans and Chargers play on Sunday.
The Titans have yet to trade Volek because they haven?t been satisfied with what they?d get in return.
Rookie running back LenDale White, inactive for the opener against the Jets, said Wednesday he?ll be active for Sunday?s game against the Chargers. White was slowed by an ankle injury last week but could have played, Titans Coach Jeff Fisher said.
Now Travis Henry?s availability is in question because of a turf toe condition. He missed Wednesday?s practice and was wearing a protective boot.
Tackle Jacob Bell (toe) and fullback Ahmard Hall (ankle) also were wearing protective boots on Wednesday and did not practice.
Defensive tackle Robaire Smith (hamstring) and guard Benji Olson (hamstring) did not practice and are listed as questionable on the injury report.
Defensive end Antwan Odom (knee) and tight end Erron Kinney (knee) are out.
CB Lito Sheppard (ankle) is out.
Reno Mahe?s status for Sunday is listed as questionable, but the running back returned to practice after missing Sunday?s game because of an ankle injury. Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter is listed as probable after suffering a sprained ankle against the Texans.
San Francisco 49ers
The left side of the 49ers? offensive line remained in a state of flux Wednesday with four players working to fill one and possibly two injury-caused openings.
Guard Larry Allen is out two to four weeks because of a left-knee injury, and tackle Jonas Jennings, who has a sprained right ankle, did not practice. The 49ers are holding out some hope that Jennings, listed as doubtful, can play Sunday in the home opener against the St. Louis Rams.
Jennings will be held out if he?s not able to practice this week, Coach Mike Nolan said.
Rookie outside linebacker Parys Haralson practiced full time for the first time since suffering a foot injury in training camp.
Tight end Vernon Davis (bruised hip) did not practice but is listed as probable.
Linebacker Jamal Brooks (knee), defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy (hand) and linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa (foot) all are listed as questionable by the Rams.
Seattle Seahawks
Deion Branch practiced as a Seahawk on Wednesday. That doesn?t mean his business with the Patriots is entirely finished, though.
New England has filed a grievance against Branch, confirmed Richard Berthelsen, general counsel for the NFL Players Association. The grievance seeks payment of fines relating to Branch?s holdout and the repayment of some bonuses already paid to Branch.
Berthelsen said the Patriots? grievance seeks more than $800,000 total from Branch. That breaks down into about $546,000 in fines for his holdout. Players under contract are subject to a fine of $14,000 per day for not reporting. Then there is about $280,000 the team is seeking in repayment of bonus, which would include a portion of the $1 million bonus Branch received when he signed his rookie contract in 2002.
Berthelsen said these types of grievances are usually decided by an arbitrator in a hearing held in the offseason.
Jean-Philippe Darche was placed on injured reserve Wednesday because of a right hip injury. Darche will be out for the season.
The Seahawks moved quickly to replace Darche, signing seventh-year pro Derek Rackley on Wednesday. Rackley, 29, was the Atlanta Falcons? long snapper until they released him in a cost-cutting move last month.
LB Leroy Hill is questionable for Sunday with a pinched nerve in his left shoulder. He practiced Wednesday, and Mike Holmgren said Hill needs to get his strength back before he can play.
TE Jerramy Stevens will be out for at least two more weeks with his left knee injury.
Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (bruised ribs), tackle Walter Jones (sprained ankle) and guard Floyd "Pork Chop" Womack (dislocated finger) practiced despite being injured against the Lions. They weren?t included on the injury report.
St Louis Rams
Although he was listed as questionable on Wednesday?s injury report, nose tackle Jimmy Kennedy is determined to suit up Sunday in San Francisco, just six days after surgery on his broken right hand. Kennedy was injured on the first series vs. Denver.
Linebackers Pisa Tinoisamoa (foot) and Jamal Brooks (knee) also were questionable. Neither practiced Wednesday.
After the Jaguars signed Montavious Stanley off the practice squad, the Rams brought back defensive tackle Tim Sandidge to fill the open spot. Sandidge, an undrafted rookie out of Virginia Tech, was with the team in training camp before being released.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Starting LG Dan Buenning returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since he sprained an ankle in the final preseason game against Houston. Buenning is listed as questionable for the Atlanta game.
Sean Mahan, last season?s starting right guard, started in Buenning?s place against Baltimore. If Buenning is ready to go Sunday, Mahan could return to the right side in place of the injured Davin Joseph (knee).
Starting MLB Shelton Quarles also is questionable with a groin injury. Barrett Ruud started against Baltimore in Quarles? absence, but Quarles was able to practice Wednesday, although he remains somewhat limited.
TE/LS Dave Moore (rib) is questionable for Sunday?s game. Moore, who did not practice Wednesday, was injured in the third quarter of the Baltimore game and was briefly hospitalized.
In case Moore can?t play Sunday, the Bucs added two players to their practice squad - LS Andrew Economos and TE Keith Heinrich. To make room, FB Rick Razzano was released. TE Doug Jolley also is an option at long snapper.
New York Giants
Guard Chris Snee (ankle) and tight end Jeremy Shockey (ankle) did not practice Wednesday. Snee was listed on the injury report as questionable, and Shockey was probable.
Washington Redskins
The Redskins re-signed safety Curry Burns and placed safety Pierson Prioleau on injured reserve with season-ending knee surgery upcoming.
The team also worked out free agent defensive back Deke Cooper and could opt to sign him as well.
Shawn Springs, who says he does not think he can play Sunday while recovering from abdominal surgery, worked hard with trainers during practice, doing lateral-movement and sprinting drills. Running back Clinton Portis suffered no setbacks on his injured shoulder, Joe Gibbs said, but was rested for much of yesterday?s practice. Defense lineman Renaldo Wynn (ankle) practiced fully and should play, Gibbs said.
Tackle Jon Jansen, who was outspoken about the prevalence of banned substances in the NFL, said he has yet to hear from league officials about a proposed meeting to discuss the topic. "I?m sure I?ll hear from them at some time," Jansen said, "and I?m looking forward to the dialogue."
Baltimore Ravens
Eight Ravens were listed as questionable for Sunday. They are running backs Jamal Lewis (hip) and P.J. Daniels (thigh), tight ends Todd Heap (back) and Daniel Wilcox (back), center Mike Flynn (ankle), safety Ed Reed (thigh), defensive tackle Aubrayo Franklin (thigh) and kicker Matt Stover (back).
Cincinnati Bengals
Sam Adams did not practice and was listed as probable for Sunday?s game with a knee injury.
Robert Geathers was not fined by the NFL for his hit Sunday on Chiefs quarterback Trent Green.
"It is not a foul," senior league vice president Ray Anderson said in a statement Wednesday.
Green slid late and simultaneous to Geathers breaking to tackle him, the league decided after a film review. Geathers also was blocked from behind and "was no longer in complete control of his body," Anderson said.
Wide receiver Antonio Chatman (groin) is out Sunday for the Bengals.
Coach Marvin Lewis listed four players as probable: Adams (knee), wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (heel), left offensive tackle Levi Jones (ankle) and cornerback Deltha O?Neal (knee). Defensive end Frostee Rucker (shoulder) is questionable. None of the five practiced Wednesday.
San Diego Chargers
Four Chargers did not practice ? defensive end Igor Olshansky, tackle Leander Jordan and tight ends Ryan Krause and Aaron Shea. All but Shea (doubtful) are listed as questionable, as is guard Kris Dielman, who did practice.
Cleveland Browns
Joe Jurevicius will not play this weekend against the Bengals. Jurevicius will miss at least this week and perhaps more with a rib injury, though coach Romeo Crennel would not detail the exact injury except to say there were no broken ribs. With Jurevicius out, Joshua Cribbs moves into the third receiver role, and rookie Travis Wilson probably will be active.
Two other players will miss the game Backup defensive tackle Nick Eason has a sprained ankle and backup tight end Darnell Dinkins has a hamstring injury. Daylon McCutcheon was back on the practice field for the first time since arthroscopic surgery on his knee Aug. 1. Crennel would not commit to playing McCutcheon until he sees him in practice this week.
McCutcheon is listed as questionable, along with Brian Russell, who played in the opener with stitches in his elbow.
Denver Broncos
Courtney Brown?s left knee isn?t getting any better and the Broncos are now unsure when the veteran defensive end will be able to return to the field.
After practicing on a limited basis last week, Brown was held out of practice Wednesday and has told team officials the knee is not improving.
Running back Mike Bell (finger), linebacker Patrick Chukwurah (ankle), wide receiver Brandon Marshall (knee) and fullback Cecil Sapp (hamstring) were on the Broncos injury report, but all were listed as probable and are expected to be available to play.
Houston Texans
The Texans swapped second-year running backs with the Green Bay Packers on Wednesday. The Texans acquired Samkon Gado, an undrafted free agent who led the Packers in rushing as a rookie last season, for Vernand Morency, who carried five times for 13 yards against the Eagles.
Wali Lundy will start at Indianapolis on Sunday, and Ron Dayne, signed as a free agent last week after being waived by Denver, moves up a spot to replace Morency, a third-round pick in 2005.
After missing much of the preseason because of a groin injury, right guard Steve McKinney could be back in the lineup when the Texans play at Indianapolis, his former team.
Indianapolis Colts
Ten players were held out of Wednesday?s Colts practice and a total of 19 appear on the team?s mid-week injury report.
However, the only players who have been ruled out of Sunday?s game are running back DeDe Dorsey (ankle) and defensive end Josh Thomas (hip).
Among the players who did not practice were Pro Bowl safety Bob Sanders (knee), defensive tackles Montae Reagor (knee) and Corey Simon (knee), wide receiver Brandon Stokley (ankle), guard Ryan Lilja (knee), linebacker Freddie Keiaho (knee), tight end Ben Hartsock (hamstring) and cornerback Jason David, who had a wisdom tooth extracted.
Sanders, Reagor and David are expected to practice today. There?s a chance Stokley will return for the first time since spraining his left ankle Aug. 13. The team isn?t certain when Simon might return to practice. He ran with trainers Wednesday.
Running back Kory Chapman and defensive lineman Bo Schobel, who were waived last weekend, were re-signed to the practice squad.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars? already thin defensive line may have taken another hit Tuesday when team officials carted defensive end Paul Spicer off the practice field because of a groin injury.
The club listed Spicer as questionable on its Wednesday injury report heading into Monday?s game against Pittsburgh.
In addition, tight end Marcedes Lewis (ankle), reserve safety Gerald Sensabaugh (ankle), middle linebacker Mike Peterson (knee) and defensive tackle Marcus Stroud (ankle) are listed as questionable.
The Jaguars signed rookie defensive tackle Montavious Stanley on Tuesday to add depth in the rotation. If Spicer is unable to play, the Jaguars will likely start either Bobby McCray or Marcellus Wiley at right defensive end.
Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio also expects contributions from rookie free-agent defensive tackle Tony McDaniel, who was inactive for the Dallas game.
Kansas City Chiefs
Willie Roaf and Chiefs president/general manager Carl Peterson have finally had a sit-down, and Roaf?s official status on the team has been changed to reserve/retired.
Peterson said the Chiefs will have a recognition ceremony for Roaf later this year. He was hopeful that Roaf would be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Roaf is expected to hold a news conference today to clear up any questions about his retirement.
Receiver Rod Gardner officially joined the team Wednesday and participated in his first practice as a Chief. Though coach Herm Edwards was impressed, he said it?s too early to anticipate whether Gardner is ready to play.
Right tackle Kevin Sampson returned to practice after sitting last Sunday because of a hamstring injury. Sampson was taken off the injury report, which includes defensive end Tamba Hali (glute) and linebacker Boomer Grigsby (foot). Both players are listed as probable for Sunday?s game at Denver and didn?t participate in team drills.
Miami Dolphins
Defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson missed his second consecutive practice Wednesday for what Nick Saban said was a personal issue that the Dolphins knew about. The Dolphins signed linebacker Mike Labinjo and running back Patrick Cobbs to the practice squad, and cut linebacker Matt Sinclair and fullback Cary Davis. Cornerback Travis Daniels (ankle) practiced on a limited basis Wednesday and is listed as questionable after missing the Steelers game. Reserve guard Joe Berger (foot) is out.
New England Patriots
Tedy Bruschi participated in the Patriots? full-pads practice yesterday.
Although Bruschi remains questionable on the team?s injury report he has now taken part in the last three practices.
Richard Seymour missed practice because of an illness in his family. Rookie tight end Garrett Mills was the only other player not dressed for practice, as he is ailing with the flu and questionable on the injury report.
In addition to Bruschi and Mills, the injury report includes receiver Chad Jackson (questionable, hamstring), offensive tackle Nick Kaczur (questionable, shoulder), quarterback Tom Brady (probable, right shoulder) and receiver Doug Gabriel (probable, hamstring).
New York Jets
The Jets referred all questions about the tampering charge the Patriots filed against them because of their discussions with Deion Branch to the National Football League. When asked about the fact that it was his old friends and colleagues at the Patriots making the allegations, Jets Coach Eric Mangini said: "They have to operate in their best interests, and we need to operate in our best interests. This is business." S Kerry Rhodes (ankle) is fine. OL Trey Teague (ankle) doubtful. CB David Barrett (hip) practiced yesterday but is questionable. WR Tim Dwight (thigh) didn?t practice yesterday and is questionable. G Pete Kendall (thigh) also practiced but is listed as questionable.
Oakland Raiders
Oakland cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (foot) and defensive end Kevin Huntley (foot) are listed as questionable. Quarterback Aaron Brooks (knee), tight ends James Adkisson (knee) and John Madsen (ankle) and linebacker Sam Williams (ankle) are probable.
The Raiders released receiver Burl Toler and signed receiver Leo Bookman as his replacement on the practice squad.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Ben Roethlisberger practiced Wednesday. Roethlisberger had an emergency appendectomy less than two weeks ago, but if he is healthy enough to play, he will get the call.
Troy Polamalu (shoulder) practiced Wednesday, and all indications point to the All-Pro safety playing Monday night in Jacksonville.
Wide receiver Hines Ward (probable) did some light running and stretching at practice yesterday.
Tight end Jerame Tuman (hamstring) is still listed as questionable even though he practiced yesterday. Wide receiver Nate Washington (knee), who also practiced, is probable.
Tennessee Titans
When Titans No. 3 quarterback Billy Volek travels to San Diego this weekend, he might be tempted to check out the real estate. Volek said the Chargers are one of the teams who contacted the Titans after he asked to be traded last month.
Volek said he thinks there?s a chance something could happen next week, after the Titans and Chargers play on Sunday.
The Titans have yet to trade Volek because they haven?t been satisfied with what they?d get in return.
Rookie running back LenDale White, inactive for the opener against the Jets, said Wednesday he?ll be active for Sunday?s game against the Chargers. White was slowed by an ankle injury last week but could have played, Titans Coach Jeff Fisher said.
Now Travis Henry?s availability is in question because of a turf toe condition. He missed Wednesday?s practice and was wearing a protective boot.
Tackle Jacob Bell (toe) and fullback Ahmard Hall (ankle) also were wearing protective boots on Wednesday and did not practice.
Defensive tackle Robaire Smith (hamstring) and guard Benji Olson (hamstring) did not practice and are listed as questionable on the injury report.
Defensive end Antwan Odom (knee) and tight end Erron Kinney (knee) are out.
