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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Thomas injury has Ross back as Giants starter; Williams signed

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Veteran Brian Williams, 32, who has played with Minnesota, Jacksonville and Atlanta, was signed by the New York Giants Wednesday to address their urgent needs at the cornerback position.

"He is a veteran who knows how to play," coach Tom Coughlin said of Williams. "He has been a good physical blitzer, and we are in need of someone who can learn quick and go from there."

Williams has played in 128 regular-season games with 99 starts. He has 19 career interceptions. Last season, he played in all 16 games with one start for the Falcons.

To make room for Williams, the Giants waived linebacker Kenny Ingram.

The Giants secondary has been in a state of upheaval during the preseason. Starter Terrell Thomas, last year's leading tackler on the team, was lost for the season with a knee injury suffered during last weekend's preseason game against the Bears. And first-round pick Prince Amukamara is sidelined with a broken foot.

Aaron Ross is another player who will be counted on to fill the gap in New York's secondary.

Ross came to training camp as the somewhat forgotten man among the cornerbacks.

Corey Webster and Thomas were the returning starters and general manager Jerry Reese didn't hesitate to take Amukamara in the first round when the Nebraska cornerback was available with the 19th pick overall.

It left Ross in no man's land. The Giants' first-round pick in 2007 was down on the depth chart and fighting the stigma of being injury-prone the past two seasons. He missed a good part of 2009 with hamstring issues and battled a painful foot injury most of last season.

Three weeks into training camp, though, Ross is no longer an afterthought. With Amukamara and Thomas sidelined, Ross is back in a starting role and anxious to show people what he can do.

"Being out there on the outside and being able to make plays and show the coaches I can make plays, and the fans, the media, it is exciting," said Ross, who has the added motivation of being in the final year of his contract.

Ross said his biggest concern this season is staying healthy. If he does, he has no doubt about his ability to play.

"I am really confident in myself to tell you the truth," Ross said. "I know what I can do. As long as I stay healthy I know that I am fine. Coaches haven't seen me healthy in two years, the fans or you guys. Of course, y'all forget.

"But I know what I can do."

Ross had three interceptions in each of his first two seasons, but has not had one since 2008.

"I think I am a decent player," Ross, 28, said. "They drafted me here for a reason. So, as long as I am healthy, I believe I can be a positive impact on the field."

Ross, who is married to track star and Olympic gold medalist Sanya Richards, is taking added precautions to stay healthy. He used to keep stretching to a minimum. His approach is totally different now.

"I have a guy coming in that stretches me, gets the knots out, pretty much everything," Ross said. "I put everything in the basket and am letting it go."

The injury to Thomas also has given opportunities to players like Michael Coe, rookie Darnell Burks and first-year pro Joe Burnett, who had little chance of making the roster at the start of camp.

"My mindset has always been to prepare to play and try to get comfortable doing everything and when you get the opportunity, be ready," said Coe, a former Arkansas Razorback, who is now No. 3 on the depth chart after spending part of last season with the Giants. "You never know the circumstances. You have to have the mindset of trying to absorb as much as you can.

"I am a lot more comfortable in this defense. It's similar to the one I had in college."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Newest Eagle Smith is 'pretty close' to return from knee injury

The Philadelphia Eagles agreed to terms with former New York Giants wide receiver Steve Smith on a one-year deal Wednesday.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported the deal is worth $2 million guaranteed with "a number of very-hard-to-earn incentives," according to a league source.

The 26-year-old Smith had 220 catches for 2,386 yards and 11 touchdowns in four seasons with the Giants. In his 2009 Pro Bowl season, he caught a franchise-record 107 passes for 1,220 yards and seven touchdowns.

Smith sustained a season-ending left knee injury in the Giants' win over the Vikings at Ford Field in Detroit on Dec. 13 and had microfracture surgery eight days later.

He said Wednesday night he believes he'll be able to play soon.

"I think I'm pretty close," Smith said. "I think I can realistically be out there (the first month). It could be week one. You never know."

Giants coach Tom Coughlin told reporters Wednesday after meeting with Smith that he believed Smith faced a "long haul" before he could play again.

"I would disagree with that," Smith said. "I feel good. I've been running, cutting, doing different things. I haven't had any setbacks."

Smith said he was examined by doctors from both the Giants and Eagles and said both gave him a positive report.

Asked why Coughlin might have indicated that Smith faced a longer rehab than Smith's doctors expressed to him, Smith said, "Maybe Coughlin had a plan up his sleeve when he said that. We'll see what happens when I get out on the field."

Smith said he believes the real reason the Giants didn't want him was financial.

"This was obviously not an easy decision for me or something I ever expected but unfortunately the business aspect proved that the Eagles wanted me to be part of their organization MUCH more than the Giants did," Smith added in a post on his Facebook page.

Smith said he couldn't speculate exactly when he'll be able to return to practice.

"I'm not sure," he said. "If it was up to me, I would say I could go practice tomorrow, but I want to be extra careful and don't want to rush it and have any setbacks. Hopefully, I'll be able to get out there really soon."

Smith enters a crowded wide receiving field with the Eagles, who also have two-time Pro Bowl pick DeSean Jackson; Jeremy Maclin, who caught 70 passes last year but hasn't practiced yet this training camp because of an undisclosed illness; Jason Avant, who caught 50 passes last year; and second-year pro Riley Cooper.

"We feel very good about our current group of receivers and Steve adds another dimension to that position," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "He's played very well against us in the past few years and we're happy to have him on board."

Although he was almost exclusively an inside slot receiver in his four years with the Giants, Smith said he's equally comfortable in any role.

"I feel great inside, outside," he said. "The Giants used me mainly inside, but I feel like I can do both."

Smith is the sixth Pro Bowl player to join the Eagles in last two weeks, following cornerbacks Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Nnamdi Asomugha, defensive end Jason Babin, quarterback Vince Young and running back Ronnie Brown.

"(General Manager) Howie Roseman and I are always keeping our eyes open for good football players and players that we think can help our football team win," Reid said. "And Steve Smith certainly fits that category. He's a Pro Bowl-quality receiver that we will work into our offense as soon as he is ready to go."

The Associated Press contributed to this report

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Texans WR Johnson dislocates finger but avoids serious injury

HOUSTON -- Texans All-Pro wide receiver Andre Johnson will miss "a day or two" of practice after dislocating his left index finger in a morning workout.

Coach Gary Kubiak said Johnson will be OK.

"I think we got lucky," Kubiak said.

Johnson wore a bandage on his finger as he watched the Tuesday afternoon walk-through from the sideline.

Johnson was running a slant route in an individual drill and leaped to catch a pass, with rookie cornerback Roc Carmichael defending. Johnson couldn't make the catch and came down shaking his left hand. He took off his glove, his finger was bleeding and he walked to the sideline, where a trainer examined him.

"As soon as I felt it pop, I felt it out of place and I popped it right back in," Johnson said. "I really wasn't in a lot of pain, or anything like that. It was just more concern about the bleeding and stuff."

Johnson left the field on a cart and went to the hospital. He was back at Reliant Stadium by 1 p.m., eating lunch in the cafeteria with his teammates.

"I wasn't scared," Johnson said. "It's just a dislocated finger. I've had worse. I don't think I'll be worried about a finger keeping me from missing anything."

The 6-foot-3, 223-pound Johnson had 86 catches for 1,216 yards last season, ranking sixth in both categories. He played most of 2010 with a sprained right ankle and underwent surgery in January -- a much more serious injury than this one, he said.

"It's just a finger," Johnson said. "I played with a bum ankle. I don't think a finger is going to keep me out. I'm fine. I'm just letting it heal up, and I'll be right back out there."

Kubiak said he'll wait for doctors to clear Johnson to return to work.

"When he's ready to go, he'll go," Kubiak said. "But it's an opportunity for these younger guys to take some reps."

The NFL free agency cycle is in full effect, with teams and players agreeing to terms fast as training camps open. Get the latest on all the news right here.

Second-year receiver Dorin Dickerson took Johnson's first-team reps for the remainder of practice. Kubiak also said cornerback Jason Allen and guard Wade Smith missed some snaps on Tuesday, due to illness.

Linebacker Brian Cushing has sat out team drills for the first two days as he continues to recover from offseason knee surgery. Cushing had an ice wrap on his knee after Tuesday's morning workout but participated in the afternoon walk-through.

"He's a few days away," Kubiak said of Cushing. "I'll have to let you know from day to day. He's the one guy we had who wasn't quite ready to go on the field (on Monday). We're just trying to take our time to do that."

Kubiak and general manager Rick Smith acknowledged on Tuesday that the team is talking to two free agents - defensive end Ty Warren and fullback Lawrence Vickers.

The 6-5, 300-pound Warren was cut by New England after playing for the Patriots from 2003-09. He spent last season on injured reserve with a hip injury. The 6-foot, 250-pound Vickers has played five seasons with Cleveland. Houston is looking to replace All-Pro fullback Vonta Leach, who helped Arian Foster lead the NFL in rushing in 2010.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Saints rookie Ingram escapes injury in Alabama car accident

New Orleans Saints rookie running back Mark Ingram came away unscathed after a car he was driving collided with an 18-wheeler early Friday morning.

The accident occurred just before 1 a.m. in Huntsville, Ala., according to WAFF-TV.

Ingram took to Twitter to update fans on his well-being.

"Thanks for everyone's prayers and concerns," Ingram tweeted. "I'm perfectly fine, not one scratch!"

According to the accident report, both vehicles were traveling southbound on Leeman Ferry Road approaching Metro Circle in Huntsville. As the truck's driver, Paul Clewis, prepared to turn right onto Metro Circle from Leeman Ferry Road, he said he made a wide turn.

Police said Ingram failed to yield right of way to the truck and hit it on the passenger side of the cab. Ingram told police the truck driver didn't signal before making the turn.

Huntsville police said neither drugs nor alcohol was involved in the crash. Neither Ingram nor Clewis was cited for the accident.

Ingram, the 2009 Heisman Trophy winner, was drafted No. 28 overall in April by the Saints, who gave up a 2011 second-round choice and a 2012 first-round selection to the New England Patriots to trade up for the running back.

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Bucs rookie Bowers denies right knee injury is degenerative

Tampa Bay Buccaneers second-round draft pick Da'Quan Bowers knows that only his play on the field will silence questions about his surgically repaired right knee, but he insists he's ready to compete.

"My knee is great," the defensive end told WDAE-AM on Friday. "It's back to where I needed it to be. You know, It's back to playing shape. You know, I've been rehabbing and working out all throughout the whole summer, even through the lockout. The knee is fine. I'm running, cutting, jumping. Everything's a full go."

Asked if the knee injury was degenerative, as some reports have suggested, Bowers said, "That's not the case," adding that renowned surgeon Dr. James Andrews "has seen much worse knees than mine that went on to have great careers in the NFL."

Bowers has skipped two player-only workouts organized by Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman -- and he failed to attend June's NFL Players Association-run rookie symposium -- but the former Clemson defensive terror says he skipped out to prepare his body for the season ahead.

"I didn't want to miss rehab and training," Bowers explained. "You know, I thought that this was a crucial point coming that the lockout may end in the next couple weeks. I didn't want to put myself behind in the great rehab program I have going for myself, so I decided to skip the symposium and the minicamp.

"I didn't want to miss any rehab time or anything that would slow me down from, you know, being where I needed to be come camp time."

Bowers is motivated to put the injury chatter behind him, and he predicts heady days in Tampa Bay's future.

"Get (the) popcorn ready," he said. "It's gonna be a long ride to the Super Bowl."

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Stafon Johnson continues another comeback from injury

Stafon Johnson apparently has another comeback in him.

The Tennessean reported Thursday that the Titans running back ran at full speed for the first time since August, when a disastrous spate of injuries ended his rookie season.

Johnson made a third-quarter catch during the Titans' Aug. 14 preseason opener, but Seattle Seahawks defensive back Kam Chancellor hit him high and spun him around, forcing the running back to land on his right leg.

The visual was so gruesome that then-Titans coach Jeff Fisher believed the rookie's shoe simply had come off and was being held on by some loose tape. In fact, Johnson wound up with a dislocated right ankle, broken fibula and high ankle sprain -- and a dream deferred.

This after Johnson's senior season at USC ended in September 2009 after a barbell crushed his neck and larynx, leaving him to learn how to talk again and trying to play his way into the NFL as an undrafted free agent.

It has been a long, lonely road back for Johnson, but his recent progress in workouts during the NFL lockout have him encouraged.

"I feel awesome, and I feel great about the opportunity in front of me," said Johnson, who isn't 100 percent yet but is ahead of schedule in his recovery. "I still have some work to do. But I'm really anxious to get back there and prove what I can do once again. I think I proved myself a little bit last year, and now I am just going to go for it and try and finish out a season."

Johnson, who rushed for 1,552 yards and 19 touchdowns in four years at USC, spent last season working with the Titans' training staff and has since teamed with trainer Travelle Gaines at Athletes' Performance in Los Angeles.

"What this kid has been through, he is so darn tough," Gaines said. "The average person would've probably quit by now, but he is back and he is going to be back and stronger than ever."

The 5-foot-11 Johnson has reduced his weight from 237 pounds to 220, and Gaines said: "He's working his butt off. I don’t know how long the lockout is going to last, but he'll be ready to go for the Titans."

Johnson is under contract with the Titans through 2011, but Fisher's departure after last season clouds the running back's future. Johnson believes he has a supporter in new coach Mike Munchak, who was the Titans' offensive line coach last season.

"Coach Munchak knows what I can do," Johnson said. "I feel like I can get a fair shot, and that is all I want. I just want to show everybody I can be back to the running back that I was before and be a great back in the NFL. I've had some bad luck, but I am motivated and confident. I'll be ready to go."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Bucs WR Benn headed to IR after knee injury vs. Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie wideout Arrelious Benn is headed to injured reserve with a knee injury, the team announced Monday.

Benn, who was injured in the second quarter of Sunday's 38-15 win over the Seattle Seahawks, told the St. Petersburg Times he was unsure what happened on the play to cause the injury.

"I have no idea. I don't even want to know," Benn said.

The Bucs stated that fullback Earnest Graham is week-to-week with a neck injury, but did not suffer a concussion in the win.

Graham was injured in the second quarter when he took a hit to the back of the helmet from Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry. Graham was down on the field for several minutes before eventually leaving under his own power.

"I think it was a cheap shot," Bucs wideout Micheal Spurlock told the newspaper. "It is what it is. It's football. Some guys don't have anything to play for, so they might think, 'Oh, we're going to knock you out.' I don't think you should play the game that way, but that's my opinion. It's one of those things where every dog has his day. His is coming."

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Brady back at Pats practice; Branch sits out with knee injury

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady returned to practice on a limited basis Thursday after missing the previous day's practice with the flu.

Brady, listed on the practice report with right shoulder and foot injuries, declined to speak with reporters Thursday, but he worked with teammates in preparation for Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills.

Brandon Deaderick returned to practice on a limited basis after being held out Wednesday because of a shoulder injury. Defensive end Ron Brace (concussion) and defensive tackle Myron Pryor (back) also were limited.

Wide receiver Deion Branch missed Thursday's practice with a lingering knee injury, along with tight end Aaron Hernandez (hip), Mike Wright (concussion), linebackers Jermaine Cunningham (calf) and Tully Banta-Cain (groin), and guard Dan Connolly (concussion).

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Broncos place kicker Prater on IR with groin injury

The Denver Broncos have placed kicker Matt Prater on season-ending injured reserve.

To fill the open roster spot, the Broncos promoted offensive lineman Jeff Byers from the practice squad to the active roster, the team announced Thursday.

Prater has missed the last two games with a groin injury. Steven Hauschka has filled in, connecting on 5 of 6 field-goal attempts in games at Arizona and Oakland.

In his career with the Broncos, Prater has made 71 of 87 field-goal attempts, the best accuracy rate in team history for anyone with a minimum of 50 attempts.

Known for a booming leg, Prater has made nine field-goal tries of 50 or more yards in his career, including two this season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Colts RB Addai expects to play after eight-game injury absence

INDIANAPOLIS -- Colts running back Joseph Addai expects to return Sunday against the Oakland Raiders after missing the past eight games because of a nerve injury in his left shoulder, the first positive news on the injury front for the team in quite a while.

"I feel like it's a great chance. I feel like I'm heading in the right direction," Addai said Thursday, one day after fully participating in practice. "I felt good. I didn't set myself back. Really, I'm just happy to put on a uniform and just get back into it."

Linebacker Clint Session also is likely to play after missing the past seven games with a broken arm and a dislocated elbow. The players' returns coincide with the Colts losing wide receiver Austin Collie for the season. He sustained a concussion last Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Addai has 5,280 yards from scrimmage and 46 touchdowns in five seasons. He rushed for 128 yards and one touchdown against the Washington Redskins on Oct. 17 before hurting the shoulder.

"He understands all the nuances," Colts coach Jim Caldwell said. "He is very, very smart. He's a guy that can make you miss, but also has power and catches the ball out of the backfield. He's also a very good pass protector."

The Colts average 95 rushing yards per game with Addai and 78 without him. They also have a higher average per carry and generally control the clock better when Addai plays.

"He brings so many intangibles," Caldwell said. "He certainly does make a difference."

Caldwell didn't say whether or not Addai would start against the Raiders or how carries would be distributed if he's available. Donald Brown is coming off a career-best 129-yard performance, and the ground game has been effective the past two weeks.

"A lot of it just depends on where he is when we finish the week," Caldwell said. "We'll get a real good sense of that. After we make that assessment, we'll make a determination on how Joe will play for us."

Addai said it has been difficult to watch the team struggle. The Colts were 4-2 with him, but they lost four of their next six without him, before bouncing back to defeat the Tennessee Titans and Jaguars and brighten their playoff possibilities.

"The biggest thing is that you've always got to go back and understand that football does have injuries," Addai said. "Not being able to be out there with your teammates, that's frustrating, but you've always got to take a positive from a negative. The only thing I could do is keep on trying to get better."

Addai was especially happy to see the Colts churn out 155 yards on the ground in their 34-24 win over the Jaguars.

"It's always good when you see us able to run when we're called upon to do that," he said. "Hopefully, it will carry on to the Oakland game. Each game is a confidence builder. We were able to get some runs, get some passes and be an all-around team, just doing things that we couldn't always do in the past."

Addai said the timing of his return is ideal because wins over Oakland and Tennessee would give the Colts the AFC South title and a home playoff game.

"We're sitting in a good situation," he said. "We're in control of our own destiny. It's always good to have people that's been out come back in. I think it will help as far as trying to get up to that next level, and that's getting into the playoffs."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Vikings RB Peterson hopes to shake thigh injury, play vs. Eagles

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- There are just two games left in the Minnesota Vikings' miserable season, and Adrian Peterson is hobbling around with a painful thigh bruise.

With the playoffs out of reach, why risk further injury to the team's most dynamic player? Why not sit him for the final two weeks and make sure he is ready to go next season?

Peterson doesn't see it that way. The Vikings are 5-9 and going nowhere fast, but he wants to be out there with his teammates until the bitter end.

"It's been a roller-coaster season. It hasn't gone the way we planned," Peterson said Thursday. "But I love to play this game. That's why I do what I do. I definitely don't think that way about it. If I can play, I'll definitely be out there on Sunday."

Peterson injured his left thigh two weeks ago when he collided with Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson on a handoff. Peterson missed Monday night's game against the Chicago Bears, the first time he has sat out since missing two games with a knee injury his rookie season in 2007.

"It's nothing like a torn ligament or anything like that," Peterson said. "I don't feel like I can do any further damage to it. It's basically just a quad. Muscles are just tight. Pushing it will probably help it stretch a little more."

Peterson did some running in practice Thursday for the first time this week, and Vikings interim coach Leslie Frazier said the running back has dramatically improved over the last several days. If Peterson can't play, rookie Toby Gerhart will receive the bulk of the work.

The Vikings lost 40-14 to the Bears and have been outscored 61-17 in the last two weeks, showing signs that some are packing it in and thinking about the offseason. Peterson isn't among them. He practiced on a limited basis Thursday and said he hopes to play Sunday night.

Peterson has been one of the few bright spots for a Minnesota team in such a trying season. He has rushed for 1,149 yards and 11 touchdowns and appears to have solved his fumbling problem. After leading the NFL with 16 fumbles over the previous two seasons, Peterson hasn't lost one this year in 280 touches.

"That's a story that's not been written about enough, the kind of year he's having, even though our team is not having a great year," Frazier said. "But Adrian, he is having a Pro Bowl season, there's no question about it."

Brett Favre again missed practice Thursday with a concussion, and Frazier said the 41-year-old quarterback was still experiencing some symptoms from the injury. Favre will go through another concussion test Friday, as will safety Madieu Williams.

Defensive tackle Kevin Williams also missed practice for personal reasons, but Frazier expected him to return Friday.

Frazier said none of the Vikings who had concussions this season played the week after being hurt.

"It can vary from person to person. Some guys respond a little bit better," Frazier said. "But in this era, where we're very cautious when it comes to head injuries, you're just very cautious. But it varies from guy to guy. Some guys have fewer symptoms than another two days later or a day later."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Ivory practices with hamstring injury, set to play vs. Falcons

New Orleans Saints rookie running back Chris Ivory, still bothered by a hamstring injury that he suffered during a Week 14 victory over the St. Louis Rams, believes he will play Monday night against the Atlanta Falcons, The Times-Picayune reported Thursday.

Ivory, who leads the Saints with 683 yards and five rushing touchdowns, was ruled out of last Sunday's loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He was limited in practice Thursday.

"I can't really open up like I would like to," Ivory said. "So I'm not full speed yet. I'd say about 90, 95 percent. So I've kind of got to pace myself at what speed I go in practice, so that I will be ready for Monday.

"Earlier in practice, it was feeling pretty good for the most part," he added. "But as we got to going, I tried to open up, and I'm probably not 100 percent, so once I tried to open up, I felt that grabbing feeling on it ... I think all that will get worked out this week. A little more treatment these next couple days, I think that will help."

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Lions' Stanton suffers shoulder injury; Schwartz mum on starter

Detroit Lions quarterback Drew Stanton has a separated shoulder, reports the Detroit News, citing a source.

Stanton suffered a Grade 3 separation of the AC Joint in his left shoulder in the second quarter of the Lions' 23-20 win over the Buccaneers. The injury is to his non-throwing shoulder and he played through pain for the remainder of the game Sunday, leading the Lions on the game-winning drive in overtime and finishing with 252 yards and one touchdown.

"Drew showed a lot of toughness out there," coach Jim Schwartz said in his news conference Monday. "He suffered a shoulder injury in the second quarter and finished the game with it, played the best game that I've seen him play."

Stanton was backed up by Shaun Hill, who started eight games earlier this season after regular starter Matthew Stafford was injured. Then Hill broke his index finger and was replaced by Stanton, who has started the last three for the Lions.

Hill returned to practice last Wednesday for the first time since injuring his hand. He was impressive in relief of Stafford, throwing for 2,206 yards with 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in nine games, eight as a starter.

On Monday, Schwartz gave no indication of who would be under center against the Dolphins, saying he would wait until "probably Sunday" to make a decision.

He even mentioned Stafford as a possibility.

"We'll keep an open mind on all three guys and by the end of the week we'll have a pretty good plan to go forward," Schwartz said. "Drew definitely played well but we have a lot of other considerations."

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Helmet technology is focus at NFL injury prevention conference

NEW YORK -- Helmet manufacturers, scientists and concussion experts met at a ballroom one block from the NFL's office Wednesday to evaluate leading technology in concussion-preventing equipment during a gathering of the league's Head, Neck and Spine Medical Committee.

The meeting was focused on providing a platform for manufacturers to present their data on various models of helmets -- some with information-gathering sensors inside; some based on transferring heat from inside the helmet; one model with a soft rather than hard shell -- and then the doctors on the committee spending the rest of the afternoon assessing the merits of each. The helmets all were designed to reduce head trauma in different ways, while trying to become lighter, better-fitting and safer at the same time.

"There are different approaches, that is clear," said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who sat in on the meeting.

This session was another step in trying to make the game safer at all levels. The doctors on the committee expressed optimism that substantial gains in helmet safety will be made within the next 10 years, and they expressed enthusiasm about the pace and commitment of science and medicine in regard to assessing and preventing concussions.

Much remains to be learned about how individuals vary in regards to concussions, with the doctors assembled here pointing to certain genetic predilections being at work, perhaps, in some cases to explain why some players bounce up from violent collisions and others suffer concussions from what appear to be far more innocuous hits. Committee member Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz mentioned several times the need to gather more information on concussions by "positional change," and that one design of helmet might make better sense for a receiver, for instance, and another for a lineman ("different helmets by position," as he put it).

As much as some theories and science differ as to the nature of concussions in football and their exact origins, the five member doctors who met the media Wednesday were in agreement on which types of plays were potentially the most dangerous. "One place we agreed on was helmet-to-helmet hits," said Dr. Richard Ellenbogen, a co-chair of the committee.

There also were military and NASCAR doctors present to apprise the committee of the latest developments in sensor technology. Helmets used by those organizations allow doctors to monitor vital signs and collect important data that can be used in studies and research to foster further development.

Goodell said he believes the league's attempts to issues stiffer fines and discipline for illegal hits to the head and neck area -- an issue that several players and coaches have criticized -- are having an impact in curbing that kind of behavior.

"We're getting to the point where people are understanding what we're looking for," Goodell said.

The commissioner also pointed to the stricter return-to-play guidelines for NFL players as having an impact and also said that several team doctors present at the conference told him they have noted several instances this season where players were held out of games when they would have been allowed to play in years past.

The committee doctors also were asked whether or not they believe the league should have an official helmet sponsor -- currently Riddell (one of the several companies represented Wednesday) is the official helmet of the NFL, a right for which it pays. Goodell pointed out that NFL players are eligible to use any helmet that meets government standards set by the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment and that the league puts this sponsorship money into further helmet research and testing.

Competing companies pointed out, however, that Riddell is the only logo that can displayed on any NFL helmet -- players who wear other models don't have the name of the company on the outside of it. Critics have pointed out that with science still inconclusive on any particular helmet model being the most safe, having an official helmet might send mixed signals.

Dr. Hunt Batjer, a committee co-chair, said his "preference" would be for there not to be an official helmet sponsor (Riddell's contract expires in a few years), and Dr. Robert Cantu echoed, "At least in my opinion, it's not a good thing." Dr. Ellenbogen pointed out that decisions such as that were made at a level above the committee's jurisdiction.

The committee also includes Dr. Thom Mayer, the Medical Director of the NFLPA, and former players such as Dallas Cowboys fullback Darryl Johnston, a current NFL Network analyst.

Former Buffalo Bills defensive back Mark Kelso was a representative with one of the helmet manufacturers present. Kelso sustained numerous concussions during his eight-year NFL career and is remembered for the additional soft shell he wore on top of his regular helmet ("The Great Gazoo Helmet," as Kelso refers to it).

Kelso's group is marketing a soft-shell model of helmet, which also includes a composite, lighter face mask. It's technology similar to the helmet addition that Kelso wore, but more state of the art and with the padding forming the entire helmet. There is a harder sheath on the upper level, but the helmet is heavily cushioned and couldn't be used as a weapon in a collision the way a normal helmet could.

This model hasn't yet been approved by NOSCAE, the equipment governing body, but Kelso said the expectation is that will come in the spring. This technology absorbs contact rather than displacing energy during a collision. Kelso said that "independent research" shows when an object in the soft helmet (called The Gladiator) has a helmet-to-helmet collision with an object in a normal helmet, "the energy is displaced more safely for both players."

Dr. Mayer said that the soft-shell technology was "intriguing," but added that term could be applied to all of the presentations that were made Wednesday.

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Favre struggling with shoulder injury; status still unknown

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Brett Favre's sprained throwing shoulder makes it difficult for him to put on a shirt or pull on his socks, so the 41-year-old Minnesota Vikings quarterback will wait a few days before he decides about playing against the New York Giants on Sunday.

Favre said Wednesday that he is unsure if he will be able to extend his NFL record for consecutive games started. He hopes a few more days of rest will provide some clarity for him to make a decision by Friday, but Vikings interim coach Leslie Frazier said he wouldn't be surprised if it goes right up until game time.

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Favre has started in 297 consecutive regular-season games, a record he cherishes more than any other he has achieved over the past 20 seasons. But if that mark ends Sunday, Favre insisted he is fine with that.

"It really hasn't crossed my mind this week that I've got to get out there to keep the streak going," Favre said. "I think the most important streak right now is we've won two in a row."

Favre didn't practice Wednesday and said it was unlikely that he would get much work in this week. He has played through numerous injuries throughout his career to keep the remarkable streak going, a reputation for toughness that has Frazier thinking that Favre will be ready to go again this week.

"Brett Favre is so, so unique when it comes to recovering from injuries," Frazier said. "I'm optimistic that he will be out there playing on Sunday."

In what he says is his final season, Favre has only reinforced his iron-man reputation. He is playing on a left foot that has two broken bones and also has played through tendinitis in his throwing elbow and injuries to his calf, neck, back and chin.

Still, Favre has thrown a league-high 18 interceptions, and his 69.6 passer rating ranks 29th in the league, ahead of just Arizona Cardinals veteran Derek Anderson and Carolina Panthers rookie Jimmy Clausen.

Favre said this injury, a sprained SC joint, is different. He has never had one like it before and isn't sure how he will recover. It happened when he was crunched by Buffalo Bills linebacker Arthur Moats in the third play of the game last Sunday and is even more significant because it is in Favre's throwing shoulder, which rendered him unable to play the rest of the game.

"I know if I pull my shirt over my head right now, I'm going to feel it," Favre said. "And if you think that way in a game: 'Ooh, if I throw this hook, it's going to (hurt), I may want to throw it to the flat first,' then I probably shouldn't play."

Tarvaris Jackson filled in for the rest of the game, throwing two touchdowns and three interceptions in Minnesota's 38-14 victory over Buffalo. If Favre cannot play, Jackson would make the start.

Frazier said team doctors and trainers are still discussing if a painkilling injection would even help Favre. A sprained SC joint is a rare injury in football, and the location -- where the collarbone meets the breastbone -- can make it more difficult to quickly rehabilitate.

Despite the beating he has taken this season, Favre still said he doesn't have any regrets about returning. He sometimes thinks about the toll that it will take on his body five or 10 years down the road.

"I think had I not played this year, I was going to still feel the 19 years I've played for many years to come," Favre said. "I probably haven't helped myself too much this year. But I chose to play, that's part of it. As an older player, you find it harder, as we all do, to recover from certain injuries. But that's the price you pay."

Frazier said it isn't an option to start Favre to keep the streak alive, then pull him for Jackson early in the game.

"Either he can go or he can't go," Frazier said. "We'd like to make that determination, and when he goes in there, we're at full expectation that he'll play for four quarters. That will be the plan. We wouldn't go into it, get a start, play a couple reps and get out. No."

That's fine with Favre.

"I want to see this through, and that means game and season," Favre said. "But I also don't want to jeopardize the team by just doing it for selfish reasons, and I wouldn't do that. Just treat it day to day, and if the streak's over this week, it's over."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Lions: Too early to tell on QB Stafford's latest shoulder injury

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Matthew Stafford threw for two touchdowns and ran for another in Week 9 -- the type of performance the Detroit Lions envisioned when they selected him with the top pick in the 2009 draft.

Then, with the game on the line, Stafford headed to the sideline with yet another injury. Not only did the Lions lose the game, but now they have to face tough questions about whether their franchise quarterback can stay healthy.

"I don't question his durability at all," coach Jim Schwartz said. "He hasn't been able to play as much as he'd like to play, but he hasn't been hampered by hangnails or, you know, headaches or anything like that. He's been hit by 290-pound guys going full speed."

Stafford's status is again uncertain after he injured his right shoulder late in the fourth quarter during a 23-20 overtime loss to the New York Jets last Sunday. He separated the same shoulder in the season opener and missed the next five games. Schwartz said the two injuries aren't related, but the team plans to be careful with Stafford.

None of Detroit's quarterbacks were in the locker room Monday when it was open to reporters, although Stafford later told WJR radio he doesn't think he'll play this weekend at Buffalo.

Schwartz said Stafford had an MRI exam on Monday and that surgery wasn't being discussed, but that it's too early to tell how severe this injury is.

"I think I just, all our tests and consultations and everything else, I just won't comment any more on," Schwartz said. "He'll be thoroughly evaluated."

Rookie wide receiver Michael Moore, who played with Stafford at Georgia, was more than willing to vouch for Stafford's toughness.

"We played Kentucky a couple years ago," Moore said. "He took a shot to the face without a helmet on and he was bleeding out the face, and he came back in the second half and we won the game."

Stafford has started 13 games as a pro, with six touchdown passes and one interception in limited action this season. The Lions (2-6) clearly are improving, but their top quarterback has played only one full game this season.

Stafford also missed six games as a rookie with a banged-up left shoulder and a sore right knee.

If Stafford is out, the Lions don't necessarily know who their starter would be. Drew Stanton relieved him Sunday, but only because Shaun Hill, who started the five games Stafford missed earlier this season, was still recovering from a broken arm that knocked him out of a game three weeks ago against the New York Giants.

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Schwartz said Hill could potentially be ready by this weekend, but the Lions have a lot to consider over the next couple days.

They also may need to bring in new kickers after Jason Hanson hurt his right knee Sunday.

"Jason Hanson could potentially miss some time," Schwartz said.

Hanson's injury forced 307-pound rookie Ndamukong Suh to try an extra point, which hit the right upright, costing the Lions a point they could have used later when the Jets tied the game on a last-second field goal. Suh grew up playing soccer, and Schwartz said he was prepared to kick in an emergency, but the coach said he probably should have called a timeout to give his defensive lineman some time to warm up.

"I put him in a bad position," Schwartz said. "It was a crucial extra point in the game -- probably worth a timeout."

According to the NFL, the last defensive lineman to make an extra point or field goal was Green Bay's Dave Pureifory, who made an extra point on Sept. 29, 1975.

Schwartz also addressed comments by Jets linebacker Bart Scott that the Lions played dirty Sunday. Both teams were penalized 11 times.

"You probably have to consider the source," Schwartz said. "Rather than talk about Bart Scott, let me talk about a really classy guy in Trevor Pryce. Trevor Pryce was the guy that ran into Jason Hanson and got Jason Hanson hurt. Trevor Pryce sought me out after the game to apologize. ... To me, that's a very classy player and I think that speaks a lot about the Jets."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Saints TE Shockey suffers rib injury on 500th career catch

New Orleans Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey left Bank of America Stadium in an ambulance Sunday with injured ribs after scoring a touchdown on his 500th career catch.

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Shockey caught a 7-yard TD pass from Drew Brees late in the first quarter before he was hit hard by the Carolina Panthers' Charles Godfrey. Shockey staggered to his feet, then walked to the Saints' locker room.

Just before halftime, Shockey was spotted walking from the locker room to the back of an ambulance while dressed in street clothes.

The Times-Picayune reported that Shockey returned to the stadium during the second half, with the hospital trip a precautionary measure. The newspaper also reported that Shockey's injury wasn't believed to be serious.

Saints coach Sean Payton said after the game that x-rays on Shockey's ribs were negative, the Times-Picayne reported.

The milestone catch gave Shockey 33 touchdowns in his nine-year NFL career.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Colts WR Gonzalez out for season with left knee injury

The Indianapolis Colts announced Saturday that they have placed wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez on season-ending injured reserve with a left knee injury.

Gonzalez is the 12th Colts player to go on IR this season.

The receiver was Indianapolis's first-round draft pick in 2007, but he has been slowed by a series of injuries the past two seasons. Last year, Gonzalez wound up on injured reserve after spraining ligaments in his right knee in the first quarter of the season opener.

This season, Gonzalez sprained his right ankle in the season opener and didn't return until Monday night's victory over the Houston Texans. That's when he hurt his left knee after apparently being tackled out of bounds.

NFL.com senior writer Steve Wyche reported Friday that the league will not fine Texans safety Bernard Pollard for the hit on Gonzalez. No penalty was called on the play.

To fill Gonzalez's roster spot, the Colts promoted running back Andre Brown from the practice squad. The team needed depth at running back with starter Joseph Addai (neck/shoulder) and backup Mike Hart (ankle) injured, leaving 2009 first-round pick Donald Brown as the probable starter in Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Colts announced later Saturday that Addai, Hart, tight end Brody Eldridge (rib), linebacker Clint Session (elbow) and defensive back Justin Tryon (foot) didn't travel with the team to Philadelphia.

Brown, a fourth-round pick last year, was waived by the New York Giants on Sept. 4, then joined the Denver Broncos off waivers. He played in three games and had just two carries for minus-1 yard, then was released Oct. 16. The Colts claimed him off waivers two days later.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Giants WR/KR Reynaud ruled out vs. Seahawks with injury

Another member of the New York Giants won't make the trip to Seattle for Sunday's game against the Seahawks.

The team announced Saturday that wide receiver/kick returner Darius Reynaud has been downgraded from questionable to out because of a hamstring injury. Reynaud had said Friday that the injury wouldn't prevent him from playing, according to the Star-Ledger.

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Will Blackmon, who joined the Giants last week, likely will return kicks and punts against the Seahawks. He averaged 11 yards per punt return and 21.1 yards per kick return during four seasons with the Green Bay Packers.

Reynaud, whom the Giants acquired in a Sept. 3 trade with the Minnesota Vikings, has averaged just 5.9 yards per punt return and 18.4 yards per kick return this season.

Earlier this week, three other Giants -- offensive tackle William Beatty (foot), running back Madison Hedgecock (hamstring) and center Shaun O'Hara (foot) -- also were declared out for the game.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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