Patriots activate Pro Bowl guard Mankins, release two

The New England Patriots announced Saturday that they have activated Logan Mankins for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns, and a source told the Boston Herald that the two-time Pro Bowl guard could start.

Mankins, a 2005 first-round draft pick out of Fresno State, reported to the Patriots this week after holding out for the first seven games of the season in search of a better contract. He didn't receive one, so he signed his restricted free-agent tender Tuesday.

Mankins, a Pro Bowl pick in 2007 and 2009, practiced with the Patriots' first-team offensive line all week, the Boston Globe reported. Mankins has started all 80 NFL games in which he has played.

Backup guard Dan Connolly has started in Mankins' place all season.

To make roster room for Mankins, oft-injured cornerback Terrence Wheatley was released. Also, linebacker Tyrone McKenzie was released from the practice squad, a move the Herald reported came at the player's request.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Packers guard Colledge could sit out vs. Cowboys with stiff back

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Continuity has been a key to the Packers offensive line's success this season.

But an important member of that line might miss Sunday night's game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Starting left guard Daryn Colledge has a stiff lower back, which could mean a rare change on Green Bay's line.

Colledge returned to practice on a full-time basis Friday after being out one day and believes he can play, but he said the decision is up to the Packers' medical staff and coach Mike McCarthy.

"I always feel like I can be out there and make it," Colledge said. "But they're not going to go off of a player's decision. Emotionally, I want to be there for my guys, and I want to be able to play, but for them, it's a real decision to make, and they've got to make that."

The Packers listed Colledge as probable for the game, but he split practice reps with backup Jason Spitz on Friday and isn't sure if his playing streak will continue.

"Spitz had more practice time this week and practiced well," Colledge said. "If they feel he's more prepared and physically ready for the game, then they'll make that decision. If they believe I'm ready to go, then I'll ride it till the wheels fall off."

Colledge has played in 75 consecutive games since his rookie season in 2006. The streak was in jeopardy earlier this season when Colledge suffered a knee injury during a collision with nose tackle B.J. Raji on the practice field. Colledge missed one day of practice, but he made a quick recovery and started in the Packers' 20-17 loss to the Chicago Bears.

"That's a tribute to him and the way he prepares and the way he takes care of his body," Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said Friday. "It's also just a lot about his mental toughness. He doesn't let little injuries affect him."

McCarthy said a determination on Colledge's playing status won't be made until Saturday.

"I think anytime you have an injury and a player comes off of not practicing and then practicing, it's really the next day is the true indication," McCarthy said. "Knowing Daryn's history, I anticipate that he will go."

The Packers have made only one change to the starting five on their offensive line with the season halfway complete. That happened after four games, when Bryan Bulaga, this year's first-round draft pick, took over at right tackle for veteran Mark Tauscher, who suffered a shoulder sprain and isn't fully recovered.

Rodgers has been sacked 16 times through eight games. At the same point last season, Rodgers had been sacked 37 times as the Packers were preparing to start a sixth different offensive line in their ninth game, also against the Cowboys.

"I think the biggest difference between this year and last year is we haven't had to move guys around too much, we're able to keep guys in the same spots," Rodgers said.

Notes: Rodgers (ankle), LB Clay Matthews (shin), DE Cullen Jenkins (calf) and LT Chad Clifton (hamstring/knee) also are probable to play Sunday, the Packers' last game before their bye week. Rodgers was a full participant in practice every day after he twisted his left ankle late during the shutout win over the New York Jets on Sunday. The team played it safe with Matthews, who has an NFL-high 9.5 sacks, and didn't have him practice much this week. "He'll be ready to go Sunday," McCarthy said. ... DE Ryan Pickett (ankle) is questionable, but he felt optimistic after going through all portions of Friday's practice that he will be able to play after missing the last game. ... McCarthy said rookie TE Andrew Quarless (shoulder) had a setback after trying to practice Thursday, and the team listed him as questionable. If Quarless can't play, the Packers will be down to Donald Lee and Tom Crabtree at tight end.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Bears mull switching Chris Williams from tackle to guard

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Poised to return from a hamstring injury, Chris Williams might not have his old job waiting for him.

There's a good chance he will be at left guard rather than left tackle when the Chicago Bears play the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. It would be another switch for a line plagued by injuries and poor play so far this season.

The Bears already have gone with three different starting lineups, and they will have a fourth this week with Williams back and Roberto Garza sidelined.

Offensive coordinator Mike Martz said the Bears were still trying to figure out what to do with Williams now that he's back after missing three games. But with Garza nursing a knee injury that will require surgery, there's an opening at left guard. Putting Williams there would allow the Bears to keep Frank Omiyale at left tackle.

"That's the age-old question," Martz said. "Do you put him in there and affect one position or do you move somebody and affect two? Coaches are always reluctant to do that. We know that he can play anywhere, and we like him and know how effective he is."

The Bears drafted Williams in the first round in 2008 with the idea that he would be their left tackle for years to come.

Although moving Williams inside doesn't necessarily mean the Bears are giving up on him after just seven starts at left tackle, it also would be his third position since last season began. Williams started the first 11 games at right tackle a year ago before moving to his more natural spot on the left.

Williams declined comment Thursday.

Plenty of linemen have thrived after moving from tackle to guard. Teams see it at times as a way to boost a struggling player, but this would seem to be more about finding the right mix than propping up one man. Moving Williams means the Bears can keep Omiyale in place, with J'Marcus Webb at tackle and Edwin Williams at guard on the right.

The idea of moving Chris Williams to guard is raising some eyebrows, even if offensive line coach Mike Tice sees potential there for him.

"If, say hypothetically, he was to go inside, he's a great knee bender," Tice said. "I really think at this stage of his career, he probably wouldn't agree, but at this stage of his career, I think he's probably a better run blocker than anything. I know he doesn't want to do that. But I just evaluate the job he's done and make a determination that way. I can't do it any other way."

The irony is that pass protection was considered Williams' strength coming out of Vanderbilt. He was seen as more of a finesse blocker, not necessarily as someone to plow the way for running backs.

Tice and Martz said they simply want to put the five best linemen on the field with the least amount of disruption and finally settle on a rotation.

Tice hopes they now have one.

"Sunday this week. That's the time," he said. "We're not going to look back. Hopefully, we'll make the right decisions and get the right five guys in there and have the right seven guys suited up so we can sustain injuries and move forward and gain some continuity with the group. We haven't been able to have that. So now, with Chris coming back, I think the chances of us having that are pretty good."

Notes: QB Jay Cutler said his concussion against the New York Giants two weeks ago was his first. But The Tennessean reported in November 2004, when Cutler was a junior at Vanderbilt, that he had suffered three. As a rookie with the Denver Broncos in 2006, Cutler also was knocked dizzy and briefly sidelined during the season finale against the San Francisco 49ers. ... Lance Briggs (ankle) missed his second consecutive practice. CB Charles Tillman was back after sitting out Wednesday with a calf problem.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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