Giants' Nicks, out since Week 2, practices and looks ready to face Niners

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks has practiced for the second straight day and there is a chance he will play Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers in a rematch of the NFC title game.

The Giants listed Nicks as questionable in their injury report Friday, but teammates seemed to indicate that his chances of playing were better than 50-50.

Nicks has not played since the second week of the season, when he was sidelined with soreness in the right foot that he broke in the offseason, and swelling in his left knee. He returned to practice on Thursday for the first time in two weeks.

Coach Tom Coughlin said Nicks' status will be better determined Saturday when doctors see whether practicing aggravated either his foot or knee.

Copyright 2012 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and The Associated Press is strictly prohibited.

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Injured stars Mendenhall, Harrison, Polamalu ready to return for Steelers

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers will be at full strength on Sunday for the first time this season.

Running back Rashard Mendenhall, linebacker James Harrison and safety Troy Polamalu completed a full week of practice on Friday. They are all listed as probable and will play Sunday for the Steelers (1-2) against the Philadelphia Eagles (3-1).

Mendenhall and Harrison will make their season debuts; Polamalu will play for the first time since a season-opening loss in Denver.

Harrison had minor surgery on his left knee in August and Polamalu has had a calf injury. Each has been named NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and they have combined to be named All-Pro nine times. Their returns are welcomed on a defense that has blown fourth-quarter leads during each of its losses.

Harrison has not played in a game of any kind since January, so his snaps will be limited.

A two-time 1,000-yard rusher, Mendenhall has recovered from tearing his right ACL on Jan. 1. He has been practicing for more than three weeks.

Copyright 2012 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and The Associated Press is strictly prohibited.

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Revis ready, will play vs. Dolphins; Keller (hamstring) questionable for Jets

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Darrelle Revis is fully recovered from a concussion and will play for the New York Jets after practicing fully for the second straight day.

The All-Pro cornerback is listed as probable on the team's injury report Friday, meaning he'll be back in Rex Ryan's secondary on Sunday in Miami after he missed last week's game at Pittsburgh. Revis suffered what the team called a "minor concussion" in the season opener against Buffalo.

Tight end Dustin Keller (right hamstring) is questionable after missing last week's game, as is defensive back Ellis Lankster (lower back).

Ryan says fullback John Conner (right knee) and linebacker Bryan Thomas (hamstring) are doubtful and unlikely to play. Tight end Konrad Reuland would fill in for Conner if he can't go.

Copyright 2012 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and The Associated Press is strictly prohibited.

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Week 1 look-ahead: Get ready for big returns, no-huddles and less blitzing

Each week during the season, I will give you Six From Sunday as a reaction to the six most interesting storylines that surfaced during the games. But this week we'll look forward to what can be expected in Week 1.

1. Here come the returns: Week 1 spells trouble for special teams -- especially coverage units. Last year in Week 1, there were nine touchdowns scored on special-teams plays. Darren Sproles: 72-yard punt return. Jacoby Jones: 79-yard punt return. Patrick Peterson: 89-yard punt return. Ted Ginn: 55-yard punt return. Eric Decker: 90-yard punt return. Randall Cobb: 108-yard kickoff return. Percy Harvin 103-yard kick return. Ted Ginn: 102-yard kick return. Isaiah Trufant on an 18-yard blocked punt return. Coverage units are full of inexperienced rookies, teams hadn't practiced as much as they did in the years prior to 2011 and it was clear early in the season special teams coaches let returners bring the ball out of the end zone. Get ready for Week 1 fireworks!

2. It's all about the no-huddle attack: The most dominating theme of my camp visits was the amount of time teams spent on their no-huddle offense. The trend is developing a personnel group that can morph into any formation -- like the Patriots with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez -- and eliminate the defense's ability to substitute. New England leads the way, but Denver, Buffalo, Baltimore and Cleveland impressed me with their no-huddle attacks. Rest assured there will be a lot more teams than I mentioned employing the no-huddle.

3. 46-man rosters may be too small: Players with concussion symptoms are going to be removed from games at a higher rate in 2012 and not be allowed to return. That's a good thing for player safety, but it could present a problem: A 46-man active game roster could be depleted. For example, most teams activate seven offensive linemen per game. Two concussions up front and teams will be down to five, enough for each O-line position. Commissioner Roger Goodell said there have been discussions about roster size, and I'm sure the competition committee will further study the impact this season. As one former head coach said, "We need more guys on the active roster and if there's not, it puts more pressure on the active players not to report any [concussion] symptoms they are having."

4. Replacement officials and division games: All games in a 16-game schedule are important -- but none more important than the six division games in Week 1. Last season, four of the division races were settled by a game or less. In Week 1 last year, Baltimore beat Pittsburgh and went on to win the AFC North with the same 12-4 record as the Steelers. I sure hope the people in the press box and at Park Avenue pay special attention to these division games with replacement refs.

5. 12 personnel: Teams always experiment with different personnel groups on offense. Clubs like Philadelphia roll in lots of personnel groups, looking for key matchups. That is a principle of the West Coast offense but a new look is challenging that strategy: The 12 personnel package (1 RB, 2 TE, 2 WR). This isn't a new deployment, but it is starting to be used more than some others. Bill Parcells once told me that he prefers the matchup a second tight end gets over that of a third wide receiver against the nickel corner. After my camp tour I can easily say that 12 personnel will be utilized often in 2012.

6. Less blitzing in 2012: The zone blitz and the pure man-to-man blitz game still have a place in the NFL, but I suspect it is slowing down. Too many quarterbacks are in shotgun, quick-throw schemes designed to get rid of the ball before the heat reaches the passer. There are too many spread sets that neutralize a significant percentage of pressure calls and make it easy for the QB to read where the pressure originates. It will be interesting to watch the Jets, Steelers, Saints, Texans, Cowboys and Packers, in particular, to get a sense of what high-pressure teams will do. My guess is they don't dial up as many blitzes as a year ago.

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Winslow ready for fresh start with Seahawks

Thursday May 24, 2012 - 9:59 PM

RENTON, Wash. -- Kellen Winslow is ready to prove he still has something left for the Seattle Seahawks.

Winslow was excited to join his new team and eager to make an impact. Seattle hopes Winslow can help boost the production from a position that was woefully uninspiring a season ago.

"I fit in with this offense real well," Winslow said Thursday. "Zach [Miller] and I will be -- it'll be a lot of mismatches that they'll have to cover and we've got some talent here, so I'm excited."

Winslow was acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay for a conditional pick in next year's draft on Monday. He was not in the Buccaneers' plans under new coach Greg Schiano.

"Whenever a new regime comes in, it's a little tough because everybody has a clean slate," Winslow said. "I just wasn't part of their vision, and I'm here and I'm happy."

Winslow had spoken with Schiano previously about rejoining the team after not taking part in the Buccaneers' offseason workouts. Winslow flew to Tampa Bay from San Diego on Saturday and received a call late that night from the team.

"They didn't want me to come in Monday and they were looking to trade me," Winslow said.

It didn't take long for a deal to be put together. The Seahawks had kicked the tires on free-agent tight ends Jacob Tamme and Visanthe Shiancoe this offseason and were still looking to address the position after coming up empty in the draft.

"We think it's just a fantastic addition because he can make things happen, he can make plays," coach Pete Carroll said. "Should be a big factor on third down, in the red zone and we'll see how we fit him in.

"We're really fired up to have him in here."

Winslow has played in 16 games in five of the past six seasons and has posted at least 66 catches a year when healthy. Seahawks tight ends combined for only 43 catches last season.

Winslow adds a productive pass-catching threat that Carroll can play on the end of the line or split out wide to put stress on opposing defenses.

"We like guys with special dimensions and he's got them," Carroll said. "He's a real route-runner and a great, great catcher and he does stuff with the ball after he catches it, too."

Copyright 2012 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and The Associated Press is strictly prohibited.

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Andre Johnson gets knee scoped, says he'll be ready by Texans training camp

Posted: 01:48 PM ET May 21, 2012

By Josh Katzowitz | NFL Blogger

Johnson now will get an exdtra two months to rest after undergoing knee surgery.
Texans receiver Andre Johnson couldn't stay healthy last year, missing nine regular-season games with a bum hamstring and ankle that kept him to a mortal 33 catches and two touchdowns.

Johnson apparently still isn't completely healthy.

As multiple reports out of Houston stated Monday, Johnson is not participating in Texans OTAs after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery earlier this month. Johnson said he hyperextended his knee last year vs. the Jaguars.

He called the surgery “nothing to panic about,” and that he had no pain before the surgery and no pain afterward.

That said, Johnson won't plan to return to practice until training camp.

For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @EyeOnNFL on Twitter, and subscribe to our Pick-6 Podcast and NFL newsletter. You can follow Josh Katzowitz on Twitter here: @joshkatzowitz.

Tags: Andre Johnson, Houston Texans, NFL

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Former Boise QB Moore ready to prove himself all over again with Lions

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- By now, Kellen Moore is used to the doubters.

His Boise State team fought for respect throughout his college career, and after leading the Broncos to 50 victories -- a Football Bowl Subdivision record for a starting quarterback -- Moore still went undrafted last month.

He's in camp with the Detroit Lions this weekend after signing on with them as a free agent, and in a way, this is merely the latest chance for poised left-hander to prove himself.

"I think that's like a lot of us -- we like to kind of take an underdog approach," Moore said. "That's the way all sports teams try to take it. You always try and find a way to be the underdog in your mind, and get excited about opportunities."

Moore completed nearly 70 percent of his passes in four years at Boise State -- not bad, considering Idaho was the only other bowl school to offer a scholarship. Last season, he threw for 3,800 yards with 43 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Of course, those aren't the only numbers attached to Moore's profile. The 6-foot, 197-pound Moore will have to overcome concerns about his size and arm strength. He's 3 inches shorter than Matthew Stafford and Shaun Hill, the top two quarterbacks on Detroit's depth chart.

That helps explain why pick after pick went by in the draft without Moore's name being called. By the time it was over, he was ready to put that experience behind him.

"I kind of quit watching toward the end," Moore said. "We were more doing phone conversations and just sorting it all out. ... Obviously, like any kid, your dream is certainly to be drafted. Things happen for a reason, and things come in goofy ways."

Drew Stanton, Detroit's No. 3 quarterback, left as a free agent this offseason, opening a potential spot for somebody such as Moore. Coach Jim Schwartz has been hesitant to read too much into anybody's performance during this three-day rookie minicamp, which started Friday.

"He's left-handed," Schwartz cracked when asked what he's noticed about Moore.

But the Lions brought him in for a reason, and they don't expect him to be overwhelmed by the adjustment to the pros.

"He's used to being a quarterback, he's used to being the center of attention," Schwartz said. "He's started a lot of football games, he's won a lot of football games, that shows through the most about him."

Only one quarterback under 6-foot-2 was drafted this year -- Wisconsin's 5-foot-11 Russell Wilson went to Seattle in the third round -- so the size issue is one Moore will have to face as he tries to forge a career in the NFL. And then there's the challenge of learning a new team's system with little time to waste.

"It's football, and there's a lot of different ways of running an offense," Moore said. "It's just a matter of getting out here, getting to understand the terminology, the way they do things."

If Moore does end up playing for the Lions, he may have a chance to toss a few more passes to Titus Young, one of his former college teammates. The Lions drafted the talkative Young in the second round last year, and he caught 48 passes as a rookie.

"I'm excited to see that kid again," Moore said. "He's a funny, funny guy. It's going to be a lot of fun to be around him again."

After Young's success last season, six more Boise State players were taken in the 2012 draft. Moore wasn't one of them, but the reputation he earned in college has followed him to Allen Park.

"Obviously he has [had] a lot of success -- I think 50 wins in college. And those weren't 50 wins against inferior opponents, he's gone on the road and beaten some big-time teams," Schwartz said. "His talent was there and he's got a good resume. We think he'll fit in well with us."

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Panthers have all seven picks signed, ready for rookie minicamp

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers have signed all seven of their draft picks, including linebacker Luke Kuechly from Boston College, the No. 9 overall choice.

All seven will participate in the team's three-day rookie minicamp beginning Friday afternoon.

Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said, "We are thrilled to have our entire draft class under contract," and that "we look forward to watching these young men come in and compete starting this weekend."

Along with Kuechly, the Panthers signed second-round pick Amini Silatolu, fourth-round selections Frank Alexander and Joe Adams, fifth-round pick Josh Norman, sixth-round pick Brad Nortman and seventh-round pick D.J. Campbell.

The Panthers waived second-year linebacker Phillip Dillard.

The roster now stands at 90 players.

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Breakout stars: Broncos' Thomas at top of list of guys ready to shine

On the play that made him (almost) famous, Demaryius Thomas burned the Steelers in OT. (Getty Images)

It was one of the marquee plays of the 2011 NFL season, and the guy who truly made it was essentially reduced to a footnote, a victim of Tebow-mania.

You might have heard about Tim Tebow throwing a game-winning touchdown pass in overtime to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers last January in the playoffs, but the guy who made it possible, turning an easy throw into an 80-yard TD catch, was the player I see as the Rob Gronkowski-like breakout player of 2012.

Say hello to future star, Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas.

"It's exciting to have somebody think that," Thomas said.

Why not? Thomas has all the tools. He's big. He's fast. He's strong. And he now has a quarterback in Peyton Manning who will see him when he's running open, rather than forcing him to put his hand up every time he crossed the field.

That's the way it was for much of 2011 for Thomas, dealing with Tebow's blind spots in the passing game, while dealing with a broken pinky that limited his ability to catch the football.

I told him that after watching tape of his games, I came to the conclusion that his favorite pattern of all was the many he ran with his hand up, just hoping Tebow would see him.

Thomas laughed. He wasn't going to take a shot at Tebow, even though he did so earlier this year in a radio interview before backtracking because God forbid somebody question Tebow.

This is what he said at the time: "You gotta go back and look at the rest of the games [other than the Steelers game]. I wasn't getting no balls and you had to make some of these plays where some players were open and he is not making the throws. But I don't want to talk bad about Tim, but hey I am happy we got Peyton."

That's because the Broncos will run a real offense, not some gimmicked-up crap that wasn't kind to the receivers.

"I am so excited to get out there in a pro-style offense," Thomas said.

In 11 games, including five starts, Thomas caught 32 passes for 551 yards and four touchdowns last season. But he really came on down the stretch. In December, he had 22 catches for 414 yards and three touchdowns. He followed that up with 10 catches for 297 yards and the one touchdown in two playoff games.

With Manning, in a much more receiver-friendly offense, expect to see the end-of-year numbers for Thomas all season long in 2012. Aside from the addition of Manning, Thomas is healthy for the first time in his Denver career.

Coming out of Georgia Tech, he had a tough rookie season in 2010. He broke his foot in a pre-draft workout, aggravated it early in the season and was limited to just two starts. Last February, he tore his Achilles tendon while doing conditioning drills at Georgia Tech, which kept him on the sidelines for the first month of the season. It didn't help that he fractured his pinkie during the season, playing through the pain.

"I have no problems now," Thomas said.

He has worked with Manning and he's excited about the chance to catch passes from him. Working on route running -- something he has done little of because of his injuries -- will help him improve as a receiver.

"It's so much different now," Thomas said. "If you know what he [Manning] did with the Colts, you know it's different. It's new routes and new terminology. He's so passionate about the game. He's helped me with things like running routes and doing it the way he wants it. You have to know what you are doing or he'll get on you."

Thomas said he sometimes will watch the play that beat the Steelers and think about how important it truly was for the team. It won a huge game in overtime, stamping him as a player to watch in 2012, even if he didn't get the credit he deserved.

He got lost in Tebow-mania, even if that 235 pounds streaking away from the Pittsburgh defense is the image most true football evaluators will remember.

"Once I caught stride, I knew I was going to be hard to catch," Thomas said.

That's what will make him one of the NFL's breakout stars this season.

C.J. Spiller, RB, Bills: I know they just re-signed Fred Jackson and he's healthy again, but he doesn't have the same explosive ability that Spiller has. The Bills need to get Spiller the ball more in 2012, and they will.

Tyron Smith, T, Cowboys: He is moving to the left tackle spot after a dominating rookie season at right tackle. He will be a fixture in the Pro Bowl for years to come.

Jimmy Smith, CB, Ravens: When he was on the field last season, he showed big-time cover skills. Now that he will have an offseason, I look for a huge year from this talented second-year corner.

Joe Haden, CB, Browns: Haden has great man-cover skills and probably could have gone to the Pro Bowl last season. It's too bad his talents get lost in Cleveland.

Nick Fairley and a guy named Suh give the Lions two dominant interior linemen. (Getty Images) Nick Fairley, DT, Lions: In the second half of the 2011 season, he was starting to show why he was a first-round pick. He will be a force next to Ndamukong Suh.

Derek Cox, CB, Jaguars: When he was on the field last year, he was emerging as a good cover corner. He has to stay on the field.

Nate Solder, T, Patriots: When he played as a rookie, he was impressive. Now that he's entrenched as the left tackle with Matt Light retiring, he will be even better. He did some really good things in his 14 starts as a rookie.

Linval Joseph, DT, Giants: He was a force in the second half of the season for the Giants and appears ready to do even more. He is strong and can penetrate.

Patrick Peterson, CB, Cardinals: Yes, he flashed as a return man, but I think he will take a huge step forward as a cover corner this season. You saw more of it in the second half last season.

Richard Sherman, CB, Seahawks: Here's another corner who flashed as a rookie in 2011. He plays with a swagger and his size (6-feet-3) really helps.

Adrian Clayborn, DE, Buccaneers: He plays with a relentless style and had 7? sacks as a rookie. I see double-digits this season and maybe even 15.

Robert Quinn, DE, Rams: He had five sacks as a rookie and playing opposite Chris Long he has the look of a double-digit sack player.

Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Raiders: Surprised to see him here? Don't be. He showed his speed off late last season. With an offseason working with Carson Palmer, watch out in 2012.

Roy Helu, RB, Redskins: Mike Shanahan is known for finding runners and having them put up big numbers in his offense. Helu will be the latest. He had 640 yards as a rookie last season.

Orlando Franklin, T, Broncos: He was good as a run blocker in Denver's run-oriented offense, but I think he will be just as good in pass protection with the move to a more pass-friendly scheme.

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Limping Coughlin downplays injury, ready for Cowboys

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Walking into his news conference to kick off an NFC East showdown week with the Dallas Cowboys, Tom Coughlin couldn't hide the injury.

There was a noticeable limp in his left leg, one seemingly that will bother the 65-year-old New York Giants coach for weeks and might require medical intervention down the road.

Coughlin didn't care. He wasn't going to discuss the extent of the injury sustained in Saturday's game with the Jets when he was slammed into by Giants running back D.J Ware after the running back was hit out of bounds.

All that was important was that the Giants (8-7) are playing Dallas (8-7) Sunday night at MetLife Stadium for the NFC East title and a playoff berth. The loser goes home.

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Kubiak says Johnson closer, not ready to go for Texans

HOUSTON -- Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson will miss his second straight game with a strained left hamstring on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.

Johnson was injured running a route against Atlanta on Dec. 4. He missed last week's 20-19 win at Cincinnati which clinched Houston's first AFC South title and playoff berth.

It is the second injury Johnson has dealt with this season after sitting out six games following surgery to repair an injury to his other hamstring.

Coach Gary Kubiak said Johnson is getting close to being ready to play, but that he wasn't quite healthy enough to go this week.

The Texans (10-3) have won seven in a row heading into Sunday's game.

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News briefs: Saints rookie RB Ingram dealing with 'turf toe'; Ivory ready

METAIRIE, La. -- Mark Ingram pulled a protective walking boot out of his locker and set it on the floor, then acknowledged that he might have to sit out with a sprained toe on his left foot when the Saints play at Tennessee this weekend.

If that turns out to be the case, the consolation for New Orleans is that last season's leading rusher, Chris Ivory, is eagerly awaiting another chance to play.

Ingram missed practice on Wednesday. He said he still hoped to play on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, but also noted he has never had a so-called "turf toe" injury and could not be certain how quickly he would recover.

"At the end of the day, it's like, whatever's best for the team," Ingram said. "If I feel like I can play and bring my best to the table, I'm going to go. But if I can't bring my best to the table, if that's what's best for the team, then I'll sit it down."

Ingram, a 2011 first-round draft choice and former Heisman trophy winner at Alabama, has 122 carries for 474 yards and five touchdowns. He rushed for 54 yards on 16 carries, including a 14-yard touchdown, in a 31-17 victory over Detroit last Sunday night, but hurt his toe during the game.

Ivory, who led the Saints in rushing in 2010 with 716 yards and five touchdowns on 137 carries (an average of 5.2 yards per carry), has played in only two games this season. Full Story

Seahawks' Brock charged with drunken driving

SEATTLE -- Seattle Seahawks defensive end Raheem Brock has been charged with drunken driving, more than a year after he was pulled over and accused of driving 85 to 90 mph on Interstate 5.

The King County prosecutor's office charged the 33-year-old in district court, where he is due to be arraigned Dec. 21.

A state trooper's report says Brock was stopped by a University of Washington police officer early on Nov. 13, 2010, and that a breath test showed his blood-alcohol content to be nearly twice the legal limit.

The report says Brock asked the trooper, "You guys don't take care of your athletes out here?" Brock reportedly said that whenever he was pulled over in Chicago, New Jersey and Philadelphia, police just followed him home.

Moore to remain Jets' consultant for rest of season

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Rex Ryan hoped Tom Moore would stay a while after the offensive guru got to the New York Jets' facility last week.

Well, it turns out the Jets will be seeing lots more of Moore.

Ryan announced that the former Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator will work as a consultant from the team's facility for the rest of this season after operating mostly from his home in South Carolina.

The 73-year-old coach retired after last season with the Colts, but was hired in the offseason to help the Jets' offense and coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. He'll still be a consultant with the Jets, just a bit more hands on.

Broncos LB Miller returns to practice

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Broncos linebacker Von Miller practiced with a cast covering the injured right thumb that sidelined him a week ago.

Miller, who leads NFL rookies with 10.5 sacks, needed surgery to repair ligaments he tore in his right thumb during a game at San Diego on Nov. 27. He missed last week's win over Minnesota, but said he hopes to return Sunday, when the Broncos host Chicago.

Receiver Eddie Royal (concussion) and left tackle Ryan Clady (knee) both missed practice Wednesday. Royal was injured last week in a collision with a teammate during a punt return and Clady aggravated a knee problem late in the game.

Running back Willis McGahee (knee) also was held out of practice but he said afterward that he expects to play on Sunday.

Cards safety Rhodes limited in practice

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Arizona Cardinals safety Kerry Rhodes went through a limited practice, his first workout with the team since he was injured in a game at Minnesota on Oct. 9.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt says Rhodes was able to go through some drills. Whisenhunt says Rhodes' return to game action will depend on how the player's left foot responds to the increased activity.

Rhodes broke a bone in his left foot in the Cardinals' 34-10 loss to the Vikings. Rashad Johnson and Richard Marshall have filled in during the seven games Rhodes has missed.

Jets RG Moore, DL DeVito miss practice

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- New York Jets right guard Brandon Moore and defensive lineman Mike DeVito sat out practice with injuries, while running back Joe McKnight was limited with a hyperextended elbow.

Coach Rex Ryan says Moore is dealing with a sore hip, but expects him to play Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Moore, who has played in 117 consecutive games, had offseason hip surgery that he was still recovering from in the preseason.

DeVito missed the game last Sunday at Washington with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee, and Ryan says he's "very, very doubtful."

McKnight wore a sleeve on his right elbow after hyperextending it against the Redskins. Ryan says his status for Sunday is uncertain. Cornerback and special teamer Ellis Lankster sat out with a sore back.

Bengals place DT Sims on IR

CINCINNATI -- The Bengals have placed defensive tackle Pat Sims on season-ending injured reserve after learning his left ankle was more severely hurt than initially thought.

Sims sat out a 35-7 loss in Pittsburgh with the injury, but hoped to be recovered before the end of the season. Coach Marvin Lewis says additional tests indicated the injury was too severe. Sims wore a protective boot on the left foot Wednesday and declines to talk about the injury, other than to say he is disappointed he won't get a chance to play again.

The Bengals (7-5) have signed defensive tackle Nick Hayden to take his spot. Hayden was Carolina's sixth-round pick in 2008 and started 10 games last season. He was released in the final roster cut before the season.

Chargers place DE Castillo on IR, sign LB Triplett

SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Chargers have placed defensive end Luis Castillo on injured reserve and signed linebacker Nate Triplett to a two-year contract.

Castillo broke his left leg in the season opener on Sept. 11 and the Chargers kept him on the active roster in the hope he'd be healed toward the end of the season.

Triplett spent seven weeks on the Chargers' practice squad in 2010. Triplett signed with Indianapolis last December and played in the Colts' final five games on special teams. He also appeared in Indianapolis' two playoff games. Triplett played in three games this season for Indianapolis.

The Chargers also signed defensive end Damik Scafe to the practice squad.

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Bucs QB Freeman hopes to be ready to face Jags on Sunday

TAMPA, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman says his injured throwing shoulder is improving and that he hopes to be able to play Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Nevertheless the third-year pro was limited practice Wednesday, when he did some light throwing while backup Josh Johnson worked with the first-team offense.

Freeman was injured on Tampa Bay's final offensive play during a 23-17 loss at Tennessee two weeks ago. He sat out last Sunday's 38-19 loss to Carolina, ending a stretch of 36 consecutive starts.

Johnson made his first start since 2009 against the Panthers. The fourth-year pro left the game for one play in the second quarter, and coach Raheem Morris said Wednesday that was because the quarterback separated his non-throwing shoulder and returned after having it popped back into place.

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Browns say McCoy (knee sprain) willl be ready to face Steelers

BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy sprained his right knee in Sunday's loss to Baltimore, but is not expected to miss any time.

McCoy got hurt throwing a screen pass in the first quarter. The second-year QB came out for one play but finished Cleveland's 24-10 loss. Browns coach Pat Shurmur doesn't think McCoy will sit out Thursday's game at Pittsburgh, saying McCoy is "probably just sore."

Shurmur didn't have much to say about McCoy's performance other than "he battled."

Browns running back Peyton Hillis strained his hip against the Ravens. Shurmur said Hillis, who missed five straight games with a hamstring injury, is day to day.

Safety T.J. Ward has been ruled out against the Steelers. It will be the fifth game he has missed with a foot sprain.

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Not ready to buy what agent is selling on Pryor

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. -- Terrelle Pryor signed for free.

The historic moment occurred Tuesday, a few minutes after a fraud of a sham of a joke of a news conference that his manipulating, oily, loud-mouthed superagent called to waste everyone's time. The real news occurred out of sight of cameras and (most) notebooks when Luke Lemoncelli offered his mini-Buckeye helmet to Ohio State's disgraced quarterback as Pryor was whisked away down a Fontainebleau Hotel hallway.

The signed helmet was handed back, signed without -- brace yourselves -- the nation's most famous in-limbo QB asking for a tattoo in return. Let's be kind for a moment: With Pryor's college days over and his professional future less than certain, the market for his autograph has kind of bottomed out. But here's a novel concept: Lemoncelli, a just-graduated high school student, doesn't care.

"I'm going to keep it," said Lemoncelli, who just moved from New Jersey to Florida. "I collect all this stuff."

So does a certain Columbus tattoo parlor owner, kid. That's why that scene may be how we remember Pryor. His mouthpiece Drew Rosenhaus tried his best to hijack the moment in announcing that Pryor essentially had declared for the NFL supplemental draft Tuesday afternoon. That was hardly the news. There's no guarantee Pryor will be a) taken; b) taken high or c) taken as a quarterback.

Or ever take a snap as a professional.

That's why Rosenhaus did his best Rosenhaus, trying to drum up hype for what he termed, "a great, not a good quarterback, a great quarterback in the National Football League." Whatever. The real mystery remains why Pryor is in the situation in the first place. It's easy to draw our own conclusions.

Pryor left Ohio State abruptly last week. On the same day, ESPN reported he had taken more than tattoos and a few bucks for his signature. Pryor reportedly received $20,000-$40,000 during his three years at Ohio State just for being Terrelle. Oh, and there's the appearance that he has driven a used-car lot since coming to Columbus.

Three months away from stepping on the field for his senior year, less than two months from Ohio State's NCAA infractions committee hearing, T.P. bounced. On Tuesday, Rosenhaus tried to draw our attention away from the moral arguments left behind. The ones about paying players, the debate about the level of diligence in the scandal by Ohio State's president, AD and compliance department.

After nine minutes of the badly staged presser, the main message was reinforced: Pryor took care of Pryor. It's a philosophy that Reggie Bush can relate to and one that isn't uncommon. Entitlement R Them.

"For a college student, I understand," Lemoncelli said. "College students don't have a lot of money, know what I mean? I think the NCAA needs to make some new rules for college students with money."

Maybe, but would $3,000 a year have kept Pryor from allegedly making five figures? For that matter, would three large have kept A.J. Green from selling his Georgia jersey for $1,000?

Perhaps those two were sloppier than everyone else. Perhaps the system is broken. Green at least got part of a final season to show off for the NFL. It's clear Pryor is being pushed into this abyss because the NCAA is closing in, but for what? For about 1? minutes of that news conference, Pryor apologized (again, considering he was already suspended for five games) and hinted.

"I never meant to hurt anybody directly with my conduct off the field and I am truly sorry," Pryor said.

We know about some of it. Is there more? There was more from Rosenhaus who quoted his newest client as that client sat right next to him: "Drew, I didn't make this decision. I did not want to leave Ohio State. I wanted to finish at Ohio State, even knowing I would lose five games. I lost that opportunity through my own conduct."

One mystery will be solved. We'll eventually find out the depth of Pryor's wrongdoing when the infractions committee releases its reports months from now. By then, Pryor may be a bigger question on the field than he is off of it.

That's why Rosenhaus manipulated as only he can do. In the space of those nine minutes, he compared Pryor to Cam Newton, claimed his client would run a 4.4 40 for the pros and could "jump through the gym."

"You can't tell me people aren't going to jump on this young man," Rosenhaus said.

Oh, yes we can, if only because the agent seemed so needy trying to rehab Pryor's image. Don't forget that Rosenhaus may have been an inspiration for Jerry Maguire. The difference being that in the movie, Jerry eventually finds his soul. It seems that the real-life Drew would sell his just to get Pryor into the NFL.

Check out this glowing report of Pryor's Tuesday morning workout with Chad Ochocinco at a local high school.

"In the middle of his workout [Ochocinco] came over to me and he says, 'Are you serious, Drew. They're talking about him not being a quarterback? He is as good as any quarterback I've played with.' For anyone who questions his arm strength, give me a break. "

Maybe, but here's what a decidedly more somber Ochocinco was credited with tweeting to Pryor earlier Tuesday.

u ready young grasshopper? Don't blink ...

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Known for taking risks, Glanville ready to take on UFL

HOUSTON -- As the kickoffs flutter and the quarterbacks watch their throws sail in the strong Texas winds, a familiar figure in black presides over a tryout in the shadow of the House of Pain he created nearly 25 years ago.

Wearing dark shades like Elvis, Jerry Glanville moves from hopeful to hopeful and places a reassuring arm around their shoulders. He appears content and invigorated at the same time. Eight years after he nearly died in a fiery stock car crash, the right sleeve of his United Football League polo shirt covers a squared skin graft that was removed from his thigh and reattached to his bicep.

Jerry Glanville believes his surviving a racing crash eight years ago was one step on his divinely mapped path. (Getty Images) Months after the near-death experience, the coach received his calling when former president George W. Bush invited him to visit American troops in Iraq on a trip organized by the NFL Alumni Association. Glanville returned from overseas with a journal filled with pages of phone numbers from family members of the troops. Glanville estimates he called 70 families from the basement of his home in Dawsonville, Ga., to inform them their loved ones were still alive.

"I had no idea why the good Lord saved me," Glanville, 69, said outside a practice field at the Houston Dynamo's training facility. "The only reason I didn't die was He wanted me to go to Iraq. Every one of these [soldiers] from Texas asked me to come back and coach football."

In 2005, he heeded their advice when he returned to coaching for the first time in 12 years as the defensive coordinator at Hawaii. A year later he helped lead the Warriors to a victory in the Hawaii Bowl over Arizona State, before he became the head coach at Portland State -- his first head coaching job since leaving the NFL in 1993.

Glanville, who coached the Houston Oilers from 1986 through 1989 and the Atlanta Falcons from 1990 to 1993, lasted just three years, resigning after winning only nine of 33 games. Now Glanville has a shot at redemption as head coach and general manager of the UFL's Hartford Colonials. With the potential of an NFL lockout dragging into the fall, the coach known for his colorful antics in the late '80s and early '90s, could be thrust back into the public spotlight.

While most of the 119 players at last weekend's tryout have a slim chance of earning a roster spot, Hartford has already signed safety Jacob Patek, who played at Hawaii under Glanville, who served as defensive coordinator in 2005-06. Determined prospects like former Grambling State defensive lineman Melvin Matthews drove several hours early Saturday morning to showcase their talents. Matthews participated in the Redskins' minicamp in 2009, but was released after his weight dropped to 285 pounds due to a three-month bout with ulcers.

"There's not many camps where you get to do football drills," said Matthews, who now weighs 305. "I'm happy they gave us the opportunity to do one-on-ones and show actual football skills."

The workouts were supervised by an 11-man coaching staff that has a combined 139 years of NFL experience -- three years more than the Patriots' 12-man staff. Glanville's cadre of assistants includes offensive line coach Larry Zierlein, wide receivers coach Harold Jackson and defensive line coach Tim Krumrie. Zierlein served in a similar capacity with the Super Bowl XLIII champion Steelers in 2009, while Jackson finished his playing career in 1987 with 10,372 receiving yards. Krumrie served for 15 years as a defensive line coach with the Bengals, Bills and Chiefs.

Glanville has not determined whether the Colonials will run the run-and-shoot offense he pioneered in the NFL until he further evaluates his personnel. Hartford could start No. 1 overall pick Jerrod Johnson or former Redskin and Raider Colt Brennan at quarterback.

At times with the Oilers, Glanville almost ran the run and shoot out of necessity, when the loss of Jamie Williams through free agency left Houston thin at tight end. At others, Glanville depended on a power rushing attack with backs Mike Rozier, Allen Pinkett and Alonzo Highsmith. In 1988, the trio combined for 1,981 yards as the Oilers finished tied for second in the AFC in rushing.

The audacious coach is open to trying anything, as five-time All-Pro linebacker Randy Gradishar can attest. While in Iraq, Glanville convinced Gradishar and Hall of Fame defensive end Deacon Jones to join him for a lavish dinner one night in downtown Baghdad. The contingent received an invitation from an American intelligence official Glanville met at Western Kentucky -- the official served as an academic advisor for the football team there in 1967 when Glanville served as the Hilltoppers' defensive coordinator.

The NFL alums boarded a convoy of seven or eight jeeps around 7 p.m. en route to dinner in a Baghdad "red zone." The vehicles darted through the barricaded and unlit streets, as the passengers stared at the ruins of war-torn buildings. While eating traditional Iraqi cuisine, they spent the evening surrounded by several Kurdish guards carrying M-16s, according to both Glanville and Gradishar.

"They wear machine guns like jewelry," Glanville said.

***

He has not lost his love for racing in spite of a horrifying wreck during qualifying for the Channel-5 205, an ARCA race at the Kentucky Motor Speedway on May 9, 2003. Glanville lost control of his car between turns three and four when the back end of his No. 81 Fricker's-POW MIA Dodge hit the wall at 175 mph. As the car pirouetted before stopping near the infield, Glanville noticed a trail of fire heading toward him from the track.

The impact ruptured the car's fuel cell, causing flames to erupt from the rear passenger side and heavy black smoke to billow into the air. Glanville remained conscious as temperatures of close to 800 degrees melted the car's plexiglass rear windows. Within seconds, more than a dozen emergency workers arrived. One, Glanville says, initially refused to spray him with a flame retardant because of its potential to cause lung cancer.

"'Spray me!' "Glanville pleaded. "I pulled my shield down and he sprayed me three times or I wouldn't be here."

Glanville sprung from the car and crawled on the track with shoes that had turned to goo from the extreme heat. He has no memory of a 20-minute helicopter ride to the University of Kentucky's Albert B. Chandler Hospital. When he regained consciousness in the hospital's burn unit, he was unable to speak and desperately motioned for a pad and a pen from his niece Heather.

"'Get me a suction hose, I'm drowning in my own spit,'" Glanville scribbled. "I shoved it down there and all this black soot came out."

Once he was able to speak, Glanville says he signed for his release from the hospital against the advice of doctors and was discharged that night. The former coach says he took iodine baths to reduce the swelling for several days and underwent skin-graft surgery in Atlanta about a week later. It only took Glanville two months to recover, as he competed on the NHRA drag-racing circuit later that July.

***

If Glanville's sideline demeanor appears different this summer than when he ran the Gritz Blitz in Atlanta or the House in Pain in Houston, his time in Iraq could be why. During the week-long excursion, he flew in a C-130 Hercules with members of the Pennsylvania National Guard, ate meals with the Army Special Forces and received a tour of the palace of Uday and Qusay Hussein from Navy SEALS. When recounting an encounter Gradishar had weeks after his return to the United States, Glanville perks up.

Gradishar, who now serves as the director of corporate communications for Phil Long Dealerships in Colorado, brought an album of the trip to a meeting at KCNC-TV, a CBS-affiliate in Denver. While Gradishar worked at soliciting sponsors for the 229th Army Birthday Ball in Fort Collins, a station employee leafed through the photos. Suddenly, her eyes became glued upon a familiar face: it was her son, a Navy SEAL, whom she hadn't seen in more than a year.

"I almost started crying," said Gradishar, a two-time All-American at Ohio State and 1978 NFL Defensive Player of the Year with the Broncos. "You go halfway across the world, come back and here's a picture of her son fighting in the war. It was just amazing."

UFL commissioner Michael Huyghue has faith in Glanville's abilities as both a teacher and coach, saying that Glanville is "more excited about this opportunity than any he's had because he still wants to do it," even as he approaches 70. Although Glanville repeatedly insists he's "not a hero, the troops are," he has undeniably been changed by the experience. Whether he's around an up-and-coming linebacker or a devoted soldier, there's just something that attracts Glanville to a youngster giving his all.

"You look at the kid next door and he's got his pants hanging off his butt, he's smoking a cigarette, he might have a tattoo and you say to yourself, 'Who is going to lead this country?' " Glanville said. "Guess what? We have the greatest kids in the world."

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