Report: Bills awaiting tests on rookie Dareus' ankle injury

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- A person familiar with rookie defensive lineman Marcell Dareus' ankle injury has told The Associated Press that the Buffalo Bills are awaiting tests to determine its severity after the first-round draft pick was hurt in practice.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team hasn't released any information or confirmed Dareus was hurt.

The injury occurred in practice Wednesday, during a portion that is closed to reporters. Dareus was briefly spotted walking on crutches in the locker room after practice.

Dareus was drafted third overall out of Alabama in April and is being counted on to make an immediate impact in improving what was a porous Buffalo defense last year.

The Buffalo News first reported that Dareus hurt his left ankle.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Vikings' Peterson tweaks right ankle in win over Redskins

LANDOVER, Md. -- All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson injured his right ankle during the first half of the Minnesota Vikings' 17-13 victory over the Washington Redskins on Sunday and didn't return.

Peterson said his ankle "got rolled up" when he was tackled on a 1-yard carry late in the second quarter. Neither Peterson nor Vikings interim coach Leslie Frazier would speculate on the running back's prospects for next week's game against the Buffalo Bills.

"We'll know a little more about Adrian tomorrow," Frazier said, "after they do whatever examinations they have to."

The Vikings initially said Peterson was probable to return to the game, then downgraded him to questionable. He had his ankle taped, then stood on the sideline testing it, stepping gingerly at times and attempting short sprints.

"It started to throb a little bit," Peterson said. "I was trying to keep it loose, jogging, but it really didn't help out."

Peterson went over the 1,000-yard mark for the season for the fourth time in his four-year NFL career before he was hurt. He finished the game with six carries for 36 yards, including a 5-run touchdown run on Minnesota's opening drive.

With Peterson out, rookie Toby Gerhart carried the load for the Vikings, rushing for 76 yards on 22 carries. The second-round draft pick had just 86 yards for the season entering the game.

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"Toby Gerhart, man, take my hat off to him and our offensive line, just understanding our situation," Frazier said. "We came in at halftime, we had an idea that Adrian might not be able to go in the second half, and we wanted to emphasize that it wouldn't change our game plan. We were going to trust our offensive line to do what we talked about all week long, and they didn't flinch."

Vikings defensive lineman Ray Edwards left the game in the first half with a left leg injury. He also will be evaluated Monday.

Redskins cornerback Carlos Rogers injured his left hamstring during the second half. An injury to Rogers' right hamstring kept him out of the previous week's overtime victory over the Tennessee Titans.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Browns' McCoy plays with ankle sprain, but leaves in a boot

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Cleveland quarterback Colt McCoy left Jacksonville in a walking boot, the latest injury for the banged-up Browns.

McCoy injured his left ankle on a sack early in the third quarter. He stayed in the game and finished 17 of 28 passing for 241 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. He said X-rays afterward were negative, but he will have more tests Monday in Cleveland.

"I wasn't going to come out of the game," McCoy said. "We evaluated it and it hurt, but it wasn't something that I was going to pull myself out of the game over. I felt like I could still do the things I needed to do. It was bothering me, but I needed to be out there."

McCoy was sacked a season-high six times. Jeremy Mincey got him twice, with the first one doing most of the damage. Coach Eric Mangini even got backup Seneca Wallace warming up on the sideline, but stuck with the rookie who has played well since taking over for starter Jake Delhomme.

Delhomme and Wallace also sprained ankles earlier this season, injuries that led to McCoy taking over the starting job.

"It definitely bothered him and I talked to him throughout the course of the game," Mangini said. "And at one point I had Seneca warm up. (But) he felt like he could continue on."

McCoy scrambled for an 18-yard gain in the fourth, got pushed out of bounds by Don Carey and gingerly jogged back to the huddle.

Mincey sacked McCoy again three plays later, forcing the Browns to settle for a field goal and a 20-17 lead with 2:51 remaining.

It was another wasted chance for the Browns, who scored just 10 points off Jacksonville's six turnovers.

"Offensively, we didn't execute when we had short fields," McCoy said. "You've got to score more than 10 points off six turnovers. That's on us, as an offense and on me for maybe getting us to different plays ... I don't know. We're going to have to go back and look at it.

"If you want to take anything positive out of this, we fought up to the very end. Just because things weren't going well for us, we didn't hang our heads. We kept fighting and trying, down to the very last play."

Cleveland, coming off a loss to the New York Jets in overtime, had a final chance to win in Jacksonville. But Sean Considine tipped McCoy's pass away from Ben Watson at the goal line with a few seconds remaining.

The ball bounced off Watson's chest and landed in Considine's arms.

"They dropped everybody back," McCoy said. "You can't throw short routes because we have no timeouts. You've got to take a shot like that. It's risky."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Ankle injury likely to keep 'Hawks LT Okung off field vs. Giants

RENTON, Wash. -- Making his first NFL start, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Charlie Whitehurst had better be acutely aware of what's happening behind him come Sunday.

The Seahawks will start a completely new left side of the offensive line against the sack-happy New York Giants.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Friday that rookie left tackle Russell Okung is "as doubtful as you can get" as he continues to recover from a high ankle sprain sustained two weeks ago. Seattle also lost left guard Ben Hamilton for the season to a concussion last week.

That leaves the Seahawks having to move guard Chester Pitts to left tackle -- a position he hasn't started at since the 2005 season. Mike Gibson will start at left guard, while Tyler Polumbus, who started Seattle's first three games at left tackle, is questionable because of a knee injury.

Carroll said Polumbus would only play in a backup role, while Pitts missed practice Friday to attend a funeral.

"Russell is as doubtful as you can get, but you never know," Carroll said. "Tyler worked out here today and got some work done. So we'll have to figure it out, that'll be a game-time decision for us to see how (Polumbus) responds all the way to Sunday."

Because of injuries, Seattle could be down five starters between the offensive and defensive lines. The Seahawks are without defensive end Red Bryant, placed on injured reserve this week, and defensive tackle Colin Cole. Fellow tackle Brandon Mebane is questionable because of a lingering calf injury that has cost him the last three games.

About the only positive in Seattle's injury news was wide receiver Mike Williams' return to practice Friday. Williams has been bothered by a bruise just above his knee that limits his range of motion and doesn't allow him to completely bend his knee.

Williams knows there is some unknown with Whitehurst about to make his first start -- and throw his first pass in a regular-season game. But getting some time in practice Friday helped him adjust to some of the differences from Seattle starter Matt Hasselbeck, who's out this week with a concussion.

"To get out there today and get adjusted to his speed, it's different," Williams said about Whitehurst. "He's throwing the ball a little different. It's coming out faster, a lot more zip, almost will knock you over. ... We're excited for him, as an offense, I think as a team."

Williams had just one catch last week against Oakland, after catching 21 passes for more than 200 yards in the previous two games combined. He also dropped a potential touchdown midway through the third quarter that could have cut the Raiders' lead to 13-7.

"I couldn't imagine having to wait another week to get out there and get back on track," Williams said.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Favre unsure of status after re-injuring ankle vs. Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Vikings quarterback Brett Favre struggled to walk through the locker room and to and from his postgame news conference after re-injuring his surgically repaired left ankle in Sunday’s 28-24 loss to the Green Bay Packers. He said he knows by the time he gets off the plane back in Minneapolis, it would be “pretty bad.”

As for his playing status next week against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Favre said, “Who knows? I hope I do. If I can play but not be effective, then it’s not worth playing. I hope I use good judgment. So, we’ll see. I’m not a spring chicken any more. I don’t heal as quickly.”

He went on.

“I know the heart’s in the right place, though,” he said.

Favre said he injured his ankle while being hit on a third-quarter interception by Packers’ linebacker A.J. Hawk –- one of three interceptions. Favre did not wear any type of walking boot or other support after the game. However, he could not put any pressure on his left ankle as he tried to walk down steps from a stage following his news conference.

The 41-year-old quarterback lit up his former team in two games last season, including a four-touchdown performance at Lambeau Field.

Favre wasn't nearly as effective on Sunday night, though his fourth-quarter pass to Percy Harvin nearly capped a dramatic comeback. The play, originally ruled a touchdown, was overturned after an official review.

In addition to his ankle issue, Favre has dealt with tendinitis in his right elbow this season. Favre has started in 291 consecutive games, an NFL record for quarterbacks.

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Bills DT Williams skips practice with ankle injury

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Buffalo Bills starting defensive tackle Kyle Williams missed Thursday's practice because of an ankle injury sustained in practice Wednesday.

Williams' status for Sunday's game at Pittsburgh is unclear, but Bills coach Chan Gailey said the lineman has "a legitimate chance" to play.

The Bills have been gashed by opposing rushing attacks, ranking last in the NFL against the run. They converted to a 3-4 scheme this offseason but appear to be moving back to a four-man front that Williams helps anchor.

Williams has been one of Buffalo's most dependable and versatile lineman since being drafted in 2006 in the fifth round, starting all but five of the 67 games in which he played.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Bears LB Briggs misses another practice with ankle injury

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs sat out his second consecutive practice because of an injured left ankle, throwing his status for Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks into question.

Briggs, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, left last Sunday's victory over the Carolina Panthers after hurting the ankle in the second half. He also sprained his right ankle during the preseason.

Bears coach Lovie Smith said the latest injury "is a little bit of a concern," but added that Briggs "normally comes through at the end of the week."

If Briggs isn't available, the Bears likely will go with Brian Iwuh.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Texans' Johnson hopes to shake ankle injury, play vs. Giants

Andre Johnson practiced Thursday with his ailing right ankle in a brace and said he expects to play in the Houston Texans' game this weekend against the New York Giants.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak said the status of Johnson, who sat out last weekend's victory over the Oakland Raiders, will be a "game-time" decision, but the four-time Pro Bowl receiver said he was anxious to be back on the field.

"I plan on playing, but at the same time, if it was up to me, I would have tried to play last Sunday," Johnson said after Thursday's practice. "Coach Kubiak is in charge of all of that. I'm not sure if they'll have me work out or not before the game. ... I just plan on playing. I'll find out more as the week goes on."

Johnson injured the ankle Sept. 19 during a 30-27 road victory over the Washington Redskins and aggravated it one week later in a 27-13 home loss to the Dallas Cowboys. He missed two practices last week and was listed by Kubiak as a game-time decision, but the receiver didn't play.

"It feels better than it felt a week ago," said Johnson, who was limited in Thursday's practice. "At this point last week, I wasn't able to practice, so me being able to go out there running around ... and I also ran yesterday. It feels better. I mean, of course, it's not 100 percent, but I feel I'm able to go out there and play.

"It's a little soreness here and there at times, but at the same time, I mean, it's not nothing where it's, like, killing me."

Jacoby Jones, who replaced Johnson in the lineup against Oakland, left that game with a strained calf muscle and hasn't practiced this week. Kubiak said Jones' status also is a game-time decision.

Johnson's ability to perform at or near his capabilities will play a role in the decision on whether or not he plays, Kubiak said.

"(There's) going to be a risk whenever he comes back, regardless," the coach said. "We would never put a guy out there that we didn't think could protect himself and play at a level that we think you need to play at. This week will be no different from last week from that standpoint, but he's way ahead of where he was last week at this point."

Kubiak said Johnson "took what we expected for him today. He was limited for practice, but he did practice, and (we'll) see how he comes out of it. It was very encouraging as we work toward the weekend."

Johnson wore a brace Thursday to keep his ankle stable and was pleased with the results.

"I've never played in a brace before," he said. "Today is the first time cutting and stuff in it. That was kind of new for me. I was just trying to get adjusted to that. They're making so more adjustments to it ... trying to make it as comfortable as possible for me. I'll go out there tomorrow and do some more stuff."

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Delhomme's ankle better; QB could play Sunday for Browns

Cleveland Browns quarterback Jake Delhomme said Thursday that his right ankle has steadily improved and he could return for this weekend's meeting with the Atlanta Falcons after missing three games with the injury.

Delhomme sustained a high ankle sprain during the Sept. 12 season opener. He has been inactive the past three games, but he said he was able to move better during practice Wednesday, and as long as he doesn't have any setbacks, he's hoping to face the Falcons.

"(Jake) did more than he did last Wednesday and felt pretty good this morning, which is positive," Browns coach Eric Mangini said Thursday. "He'll do a little more today and then we'll just keep playing it by ear through the week."

Seneca Wallace has filled in for Delhomme the past three weeks, throwing for 554 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions.

Delhomme said it will be up to Cleveland's coaches if he plays, but the 35-year-old took snaps with the starting offense during the portion of practice open to reporters Thursday.

"Both guys will be prepared to play Sunday and (we'll) make sure Jake, if he can, is right to take advantage of that opportunity," Mangini said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Browns will see how Delhomme responds after testing ankle

BEREA, Ohio -- Browns quarterback Jake Delhomme is testing his right ankle again in practice and will start Sunday against Atlanta if it responds favorably to the extra workload.

Cleveland coach Eric Mangini said Wednesday that Delhomme and backup Seneca Wallace, who has started the past three Browns games, would split reps in practice in preparation for the game against the Falcons and that Delhomme situation was work, wait and see.

"I would say that's the approach that we are going with," Mangini said. "However, we have to go through today with more reps. It will be more reps today than it was last week. So, then, how he wakes up tomorrow and what that looks like will give us a better idea if he is ready to go or if we are just a step closer."

Delhomme, signed by the Browns to a two-year contract in March, has been inactive in Cleveland's last three games after badly spraining his right ankle in the season-opening loss Sept. 12 at Tampa Bay. He returned to practice last Thursday on a limited basis, but his injury didn't improve enough for him to play in last week's win against Cincinnati.

Delhomme seemed more mobile during the 30 minutes of practice open to reporters Wednesday.

"His ability to function is at his normal level -- his ability to move, to go through all the normal mechanics of playing QB ...," Mangini said. "You are really just looking at his normal operation at this point to what it was and what things bother him, what things don't bother him, and get a gauge as the week goes on. If (he can't), you play Seneca."

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Delhomme's familiarity with the Falcons -- he played them twice a year during most of his seven-year tenure with the Carolina Panthers, who released him in March -- would be helpful this week, Mangini acknowledged.

"There are some positives there, but things have changed, too," Mangini said. "Over any year to year you get some changes, but it definitely helps to have familiarity with the personnel. He starts at maybe a higher point (than) maybe a lot of us who haven't seen them twice a year."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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