NFL Capsules: Spiraling Niners need boost

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Joselio Hanson was suspended four games by the NFL on Wednesday for violating the league's drug policy.

Hanson's attorney, David Cornwell, said in a statement that Hanson did not use steroids but tested positive for a diuretic after last year's NFC title game against Arizona.

"Joselio did not use steroids or any other substance that would enhance his performance," Cornwell said.

While not specifying what product Hanson used, Cornwell said the player "felt 'bloated' after eating Chinese food and ingested a pill that turned out to be a diuretic."

Cornwell said the NFL's policy on diuretics is misguided because it assumes they are used to mask the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

He said he had hoped the league would delay making a decision on Hanson until there was a resolution in another case involving four players who have suspensions pending for taking a banned diuretic.

Two Minnesota Vikings, Kevin Williams and Pat Williams — who are not related — tested positive in 2008 for the diuretic bumetanide, which is banned by the NFL because of its masking capabilities. The players acknowledged taking the over-the-counter weight loss supplement StarCaps, which did not state on the label that it contained bumetanide. Neither player is accused of taking steroids.

The NFL issued four-game suspensions, but both players sued the NFL in state court, arguing the league's testing violated Minnesota laws. The case was moved to federal court, and the NFL players union filed a similar lawsuit on behalf of the Williamses and two New Orleans Saints players also suspended.

In May, a federal judge dismissed the union's lawsuit and several claims in the Williamses' case but sent two claims involving Minnesota workplace laws back to state court. A judge there issued an injunction prohibiting the NFL from suspending the players and has scheduled the trial for March.

That led the NFL to allow New Orleans defensive ends Charles Grant and Will Smith, who had also been issued four-game suspensions for testing positive for bumetanide, to continue playing.

"We also argued that the accommodation allowing the 'StarCaps players' to continue playing supported allowing Joselio to continue playing as well," Cornwell said in his statement. "Our appeal to fairness was rejected."

Cornwell also said that at Hanson's appeal hearing in October it was confirmed that the NFL players association and league have exchanged proposals regarding diuretics "with each party proposing substantial reductions in the discipline to be imposed for the first positive test for diuretics." He said that under both sides' proposals "no player would be suspended for four (4) games for the first positive test for diuretics."

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello declined to discuss Cornwell's statement.

"As Mr. Cornwell knows, the details of the appeals process are confidential," Aiello said in a statement. "Nevertheless, his statement contains multiple inaccuracies and misleading assertions. Our program of testing and discipline for violations remains in place, as the players were reminded in a joint memo from the NFL and NFLPA on September 21."

Another Eagles cornerback, Sheldon Brown, said Wednesday he thinks Hanson is being treated differently than the other players.

"It seems like they're trying to make an example out of somebody so it can't keep continuing to happen," Brown said. "From what I know of Hanson, I don't think it's fair, because he's a class act."

Hanson has recorded 29 tackles and one interception this season as a backup to starters Asante Samuel and Sheldon Brown.

Hanson's suspension came the same day the Eagles placed cornerback and kick returner Ellis Hobbs in injured reserve with a neck injury. Hobbs will require surgery but Eagles coach Andy Reid expects the injury is not career-threatening. Hobbs recorded 14 tackles and averaged 24.1 yards on 20 kickoff returns this season.

To replace Hanson and Hobbs, the Eagles promoted second-year cornerback Jack Ikegwuonu from the practice squad and signed free agent Ramzee Robinson, who was among the Detroit's final cuts in September. The Eagles also added cornerback Stoney Woodson to the practice squad.

A Falcons player gets on the good side of PETA

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Here's a change in Atlanta: A Falcons player showing some love for animals.

Providing quite a contrast to Michael Vick's gruesome dogfighting operation, tight end Tony Gonzalez and his wife, October, posed in the nude for an anti-fur advertisement from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

The newly released ad, which was photographed over the summer in Los Angeles, shows the couple sitting together on green turf for the group's "We'd Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur" campaign. They're following celebrities who have posed in the buff, including Dennis Rodman, Pamela Anderson and Dominique Swain, while others such as Paul McCartney and Charlize Theron have worn clothes in the campaign.

"It looks good," Gonzalez said Wednesday, glancing at the photo on a reporter's cell phone while standing at his locker. "It's something me and my wife talked about. It's something we feel very strongly about. That's a great cause, especially when you educate yourself and find out what is happening out there in the world."

The long-running PETA campaign has relied on star power in an attempt to persuade people not to wear furs or other clothing made from animal skins. The group claims that animals are often beaten, strangled, stomped, electrocuted and even skinned alive.

Gonzalez said he was appalled when he saw pictures and videos provided by the group.

"I've never done something like this before. I'm usually not a political person," said the 10-time Pro Bowler, who holds the NFL record for most receptions by a tight end. "The pictures I saw were pretty gruesome, pretty cruel. If done the right way, maybe. But done the way I saw it, it's definitely inhumane."

Some of Gonzalez's teammates had not seen the new ad until it was shown to them by reporters. But it's likely to be all over the locker room before the week is out.

"Oh yeah," receiver Roddy White said, breaking into a big smile, "we're going to give him a hard time about that."

Bring it on, said the 33-year-old Gonzalez, who's in his first season with the Falcons after spending a dozen years with the Kansas City Chiefs.

"If you do something like this," he said, "you better be prepared for the guys in the locker room. They're going to let you know what they think about it."

Chris Houston studied the picture closely before offering up a tongue-in-cheek critique.

"He's got his Chad (Ochocinco), T.O. thing going on," the cornerback said. Then, he acknowledged, "I'm looking more at her, though."

Gonzalez was still playing for the Chiefs when Vick's dogfighting crimes came to light before the 2007 season, but players such as White remember all the turmoil it caused. When the team reported for its first day of training camp that year, there were animal rights protesters at the front gate and a small plane circling overhead, pulling a banner that said: "New team name? Dog Killers?"

Vick never played another game for the Falcons. He pleaded guilty to federal charges, served 20 months in prison and signed this season with the Philadelphia Eagles after the NFL lifted his suspension. He has played sparingly in a backup role.

The Falcons (5-3) are again in playoff contention after earning a surprising wild-card berth in 2008 with rookie Matt Ryan at quarterback.

"We've got some good stuff going on around here now," White said. "It's not all this negative stuff with helicopters flying over the practice field and things like that."

While prepared to take some good-natured gibes from his teammates, Gonzalez is serious about the anti-fur campaign. He became interested in animal right issues about three years ago and went on a vegan diet during the season, giving up meats or even foods that come from animals.

Gonzalez didn't last long as a vegan. He abandoned it after three or four weeks, saying the diet caused him to "lose a little too much weight." But he became more conscious of the meats he consumed and wound up writing a book about his methods, "The All-Pro Diet."

"I eat a little meat now, but it comes from clean sources: grass-fed cows, free-range chickens, wild fish, stuff like that," he said. "I'm OK with it as long as you do it humanely."

If nothing else, Gonzalez and his wife have provided a different face (and then some) for those animal lovers who might have still harbored a negative image of the Falcons, remembering they were his employer when heinous crimes were being carried out against dogs.

"We're going to get some good publicity out of this thing," White said.

-- Paul Newberry

Steelers' Clark planned to play in Denver

PITTSBURGH — Steelers safety Ryan Clark planned to played in Denver despite nearly losing his life after a game in the high-altitude city two years ago. He also said he's not unhappy coach Mike Tomlin chose to hold him out.

Clark had medical clearance to play even though he lost his spleen, gall bladder and 30 pounds in 2007 after playing in Denver triggered a sickle cell-trait condition that is aggravated by exertion in thin air.

Clark suspected he wouldn't play when Tomlin reduced his practice repetitions last week. Tyrone Carter replaced Clark and had two interceptions in the Steelers' victory, including a 48-yard touchdown return.

"That just means he (Tomlin) is smarter than I am because obviously I'm standing right here now, no ill effects at all," Clark said Wednesday before practicing for Sunday's game against the Bengals. "He told me, 'It won't be on you to make the decision.' That's why I said last week that even if I want to play, I might not."

When the Steelers' schedule was released last spring, Clark and wife Yonka began debating what to do about the Denver game. They finally decided he would try to play if doctors allowed it, but Tomlin wasn't comfortable with the idea — apparently because no doctor could assure him Clark was risk-free.

"I wouldn't have played the whole game," Clark said. "I would have been kind of on a pitch count, maybe play third downs. But I wanted to play."

Nearly all of Clark's teammates urged him to sit out.

"I think it was a smart move by coach," Clark said. "I appreciated the fact that he took it out of my hands. It kind of gave me a way to breathe either way. ... I didn't feel like I chose (not to play) because coach Tomlin made the decision. Also, if I do play and I get sick, I couldn't live with that, either. So I appreciated what he did and now it's time to move on."

During pregame drills, Clark ran wind sprints and exerted himself so the medical staff could monitor his reaction. He reported no problems.

"Got a lot of tests run just so we could have more information how my body would react without a spleen and a gall bladder," Clark said. "I ran laps, I ran sprints, getting things tested, my oxygen level tested. They tried to simulate some form of play, but it's not the same intensity as chasing (Broncos receiver) Brandon Marshall on third down or the anxiety that comes along with that."

Denver is the only NFL city where Clark has had trouble playing because of his condition. He talked before the game with Broncos coach Josh McDaniels, who good-naturedly told Clark that he hoped he got to play in a playoff game in Denver later this season.

"I don't plan on us going out there anyway," Clark said. "We're just going to try to win the rest of them so I don't have to play (there)."

-- Alan Robinson

Lewis won't let Ochocinco send condiments

CINCINNATI — Bengals coach Marvin Lewis has put the kibosh on the condiments.

Coach Dick Jauron said Owens' hip began bothering him during the team's day off on Tuesday, and he noted that the receiver was feeling "very uncomfortable" when he arrived for meetings on Wednesday. It's unclear how Owens was hurt, because he practiced on Monday after the team returned from a four-day break following its bye.

Jauron was unsure whether Owens would be able to practice as the Bills (3-5) prepare to play at the Titans (2-6) on Sunday.

"We're kind of hoping it goes away as quickly as it came," Jauron said. "We really won't know any more until tomorrow."

Owens declined to speak to reporters when he made a brief appearance in the locker room after practice. He's not missed a game this season since signing a one-year deal with the Bills in March, but he did miss Buffalo's final four preseason games because of an injured toe.

One of the NFL's most prolific receivers, Owens has failed to provide a spark to what's been a sputtering offense, which ranks among the NFL's worst. With 23 catches for 281 yards and two touchdowns, including one rushing, Owens' numbers for the first half of the season are his lowest since 1996, his rookie year in San Francisco.

His injury overshadowed other developments as the Bills attempt to make a second-half push to climb back into contention.

Jauron announced Edwards will start against the Titans, having reclaimed his job after missing two games with a concussion. Second-year receiver James Hardy's comeback is complete after he was activated from the reserve/physically-unable-to-perfom list 11 months since tearing a ligament in his left knee.

In switching quarterbacks, Jauron said Edwards "earned the right" to start after the offense continued to struggle under backup Ryan Fitzpatrick, who took over after Edwards was hurt in a 16-13 overtime win at the New York Jets on Oct. 18.

Fitzpatrick rallied the Bills to beat the Jets, and then went 1-1 in two starts, but the offense failed to generate much of an attack in a 20-9 win at Carolina followed by a 31-10 loss to Houston two weeks ago. In those two games, the offense generated a combined 371 yards and 18 first downs.

"Certainly, if you had an offense that scored 40 points a game, I don't know that you'd start fooling with it," Jauron said. "But all that being said, that's not what happened."

Though the offense has struggled no matter who has started, Jauron noted that Edwards showed signs of improvement before he was hurt, and after the Bills had scrapped their no-huddle attack.

Edwards is eager to play after having spent the past two weeks practicing.

Having a chance to watch tape of his first six games, Edwards noticed he was having trouble with his accuracy, footwork and was inconsistent reading opposing defenses.

"Those things can kind of get out of whack when you start losing football games," Edwards said.

He particularly struggled in the three games before he was hurt, a stretch in which he went 50 of 92 for 500 yards with a touchdown and five interceptions.

Hardy was eager to return, too, but it's unclear how he'll fit in on a team that's carrying seven receivers.

"I feel great. This is the best I've ever felt, period," said Hardy, who was cleared after spending the past three weeks practicing with the team. "It's been a long process but I'm glad it's over. Now I'm just ready to get back on this field."

A second-round draft pick out of Indiana last year, Hardy has been out since tearing a ligament in his left knee in a 31-27 loss to the Jets in December. He finished with nine catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games.

To make room on their roster, the Bills waived third-string running back Xavier Omon, a sixth-round draft pick last year.

NOTES: S Donte Whitner, who's missed two games with an ankle injury, isn't sure whether he'll be ready to return this weekend. ... DE Aaron Schobel continues to miss practice since hurting his groin against Houston. ... Other starters missing practice were CB Terrence McGee (knee surgery), LB Keith Ellison (quadriceps) and DT Kyle Williams (right knee).

-- John Wawrow

'Skins' Portis 'very, very doubtful'; Horton to IR

ASHBURN, Va. — Still feeling the effects of a concussion, Redskins running back Clinton Portis was hardly his vivacious, loquacious self when he met with coach Jim Zorn on Wednesday and probably will miss this weekend's game against the Denver Broncos.

Ross, who started 24 of 30 games in his first two seasons with the Giants, hopes to be ready to play when New York (5-4) returns from a bye and plays the Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 22.

"This is my livelihood, this is how I feed myself, my family," Ross said. "Not being able to be out there and do it is very hard. I am very, very, very, very excited to be out there with the guys."

Ross plans to spend the next 10 days undergoing treatment and working on his conditioning.

Second-year pro Terrell Thomas has started in Ross' absence.

Secondary coach Peter Giunta said it was great to have Ross back, but he said the former first-round pick has to get some of the rust off and get his timing back.

"Hopefully, we will get a situation where he can bump people around a little rather than going right into live football the first time he makes any contact," Giunta said. "It's nice to kind of wean him in during the preseason, a few plays here and few plays there and build it up. He doesn't have that opportunity right now, so he'll have to get himself ready. When he puts some pads back on, he'll hit the sled, do some things with leg driving, wrapping up and those kinds of things."

Since Kenny Phillips was lost to a knee injury in September, the Giants have struggled at safety.

Ross played some safety at Texas, but he said would prefer returning as a cornerback.

"I just hope it helps being out there," he said.

Ross pulled his hamstring early in August and then re-injured it just before the team broke training camp.

-- Tom Canavan

Giants put LB Gerris Wilkinson on injured reserve

SAN DIEGO — Running back LaDainian Tomlinson and tight end Antonio Gates were among six San Diego Chargers missing practice due to injuries.

Tomlinson has a bruised hip and Gates has a sore foot. Coach Norv Turner said Wednesday that he expects both back at practice on Thursday as the Chargers continue to prepare for Sunday's home game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Also missing practice were defensive end Travis Johnson (groin), defensive tackle Ogemdi Nwagbuo (ankle), outside linebacker Shaun Phillips (ankle) and outside linebacker Jyles Tucker (ankle).

Player Moves

Browns sign linebacker

BEREA, Ohio — Down two starting inside linebackers, the Cleveland Browns have signed free agent linebacker Josh Stamer.

Stamer has appeared in 86 games during a seven-year career with the New York Giants, Seattle, Buffalo and Tennessee. He was released by the Titans on Sept. 5.

The Browns have lost linebackers D'Qwell Jackson and Eric Barton to season-ending injuries. Cleveland's defense is ranked last in the league in yards allowed.

Barton was placed on injured reserve Tuesday with an unspecified injury. Coach Eric Mangini said Barton was discussing possible surgery with doctors.

David Bowens is likely to start in Barton's spot.

Buccaneers re-sign McCoy, place 2 players on IR

TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have re-signed linebacker Matt McCoy and promoted cornerback Derrick Roberson from the practice squad to the active roster.

The team also said reserve safety Will Allen and backup linebacker Rod Wilson will miss the remainder of the season after being placed on injured reserve Wednesday.

Safety Emanuel Cook was signed to the practice squad.

This will be McCoy's third stint with the Bucs this season. Allen broke his right thumb during Sunday's win over Green Bay. Wilson played mostly on special teams and was sidelined by a hamstring injury.

Broncos sign Moulton to practice squad

DENVER — The Denver Broncos have signed cornerback Rashod Moulton to their practice squad.

He takes the spot that opened when the New York Giants signed cornerback D.J. Johnson to their active roster from Denver's practice squad Wednesday.

Moulton was on the Broncos' practice squad for the last half of last season. He was waived Sept. 4.