NFL Capsules: Williams leads Dolphins over Panthers 24-17

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With Ronnie Brown lost for the season, the Miami Dolphins turned to their aging running back.

Ricky Williams showed he’s still got it.

The 32-year-old Williams rushed for 119 yards and scored three touchdowns, and the Dolphins beat the Carolina Panthers 24-17 on Thursday night for their fourth win in six games to get into the AFC playoff picture.

A day after learning Brown is lost for the season to a foot injury, the Dolphins (5-5) continued their surge after an 0-3 start behind Williams. The 2002 NFL rushing champion had a receiving and rushing touchdown in the same game for the first time in his career that included a couple of lost seasons.

"Coach always talks about finishing," Williams said. "Sometimes in this league, in a physical game, it’s difficult to finish. I think in the past we’ve prided ourselves on finishing games and we did a good job tonight."

DeAngelo Williams rushed for 122 yards for the Panthers (4-6), but Jake Delhomme had his streak of three games without an interception snapped. His desperation pass into the end zone was knocked down as time expired.

"We just didn’t tackle well," Carolina defensive tackle Damione Lewis said. "Ricky is a hard running, big tailback, He broke some tackles, and that’s him."

Dolphins coach Tony Sparano hinted his team might abandon the wildcat without Brown, who was placed on injured reserve Wednesday. Miami didn’t use the formation until the second quarter. It coincided with the Dolphins’ first touchdown drive — Chad Henne’s 14-yard touchdown pass to Williams, who wrestled away from linebacker Na’il Diggs.

Miami took a 14-3 halftime lead when Williams took the direct snap at the 1 and got to the end zone ahead of linebacker Jon Beason.

The Panthers got within 17-14 on Steve Smith’s leaping 27-yard touchdown catch and DeAngelo Williams’ 2-point conversion run with 5:18 left. But Ricky Williams bounced to the outside and shook off Sherrod Martin at the Carolina 5 on a 46-yard touchdown run.

Williams also caught two passes for 19 yards and a touchdown. Chad Henne overcame losing his center and the backup and committed no turnovers.

"We struggled at bit during the game, but the defense kept it close to give us an opportunity and give us time to get it together," Williams said.

Still, the Dolphins had to hold off the Panthers. After Williams’ long run, the Panthers got a field goal. They then forced a punt, and Delhomme found Gary Barnidge on passes of 29 and 17 yards. But from the Miami 26, Delhomme’s lob into the end zone was knocked down by Tyrone Culver.

"Guys are fighting their tail off," Delhomme said. "We are just not getting it done. ... We are not winning the close ones."

Early on, Carolina’s offense stalled because of its makeshift offensive line and the return from exile of Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter.

Benched from Sunday’s win over Tampa Bay, Porter served as a captain for the coin toss, then sacked Delhomme on third down on Carolina’s opening drive, leading to John Kasay’s 29-yard field goal.

The Panthers mixed in some of the no-huddle offense on the drive after its effective debut Sunday against Atlanta. They used it sparingly after that, and the offense got bogged down without Pro Bowl left tackle Jordan Gross.

Porter had two of Miami’s three first-half sacks, beating Gross’ replacement Travelle Wharton.

The Dolphins had their own offensive line troubles. Center Jake Grove left in the third quarter with an ankle injury and was replaced by Joe Berger. Nate Garner moved to center when Berger went down early in the fourth. Henne bobbled Garner’s second snap, but recovered.

Berger returned on the next series and was injured again. Henne completed 17 of 29 passes for 172 yards.

DeAngelo Williams’ 50-yard run early in the third seemed to give Carolina life. But the drive ended when Nathan Jones picked off Delhomme’s pass intended for Smith at the Miami 4.

Smith caught seven passes for 87 yards despite getting into a minor car accident on the way to the game.

Delhomme, who had thrown 13 interceptions in his first six games, had gone turnover-free this month. But he was just 19 of 42 for 247 yards, and Carolina fell to 0-4 against the Dolphins. It was a crushing loss for the Panthers, who also began eyeing the playoffs after starting 0-3.

"There’s still a lot of football left and we’re still no way in any stretch out of it," Panthers coach John Fox said.

The loss to Fox’s old offensive coordinator leaves them in tough shape. Dan Henning, fired by Carolina after the 2006 season, found a way to score just enough without Brown.

Williams, the 1998 Heisman Trophy winner, continued his resurgence after a career that included a brief retirement and a drug-related suspension. The time off might be helping him now when many running backs decline after they turn 30.

NOTES: Panthers LB Landon Johnson, filling in for the injured Thomas Davis, left with a knee injury. ... Panthers DE Julius Peppers again played mostly on passing downs only because of a right hand injury. ... Dolphins backup RB Lex Hilliard, who came in without an NFL carry, ran four times for 24 yards. ... The Dolphins and Texans (0-2) are the only teams the Panthers have never beaten.

Stefanie Spielman, wife of NFL star, dies at 42

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Stefanie Spielman, the wife of NFL and Ohio State star Chris Spielman who led a public fight against breast cancer, died Thursday after a lengthy battle with the disease. She was 42.

Stefanie Spielman died at the family’s home in Upper Arlington, surrounded by her family, said WBNS radio in Columbus, where Chris Spielman co-hosts a show.

"Stefanie has gone home to be with the Lord," Chris Spielman said in a statement released by the station. "For that, we celebrate, but with broken hearts. I want to thank everyone for their support over the last 12 years. Together, with your help, hopefully we made a difference in this fight."

Stefanie Spielman was 30 years old and three months pregnant in 1998 when she detected a lump in her breast. She later miscarried and discovered she had cancer. She survived four bouts with cancer before a fifth recurrence in March.

Chris Spielman was playing linebacker with the Buffalo Bills when he decided to give up football for a year to stay home with his wife and children. When his wife lost her hair because of chemotherapy treatments, he shaved his head.

"People say ‘It’s a great thing that you’re doing,"’ Chris Spielman said at the time. "I always say it would be a terrible thing if I didn’t."

The Spielmans became advocates for breast-cancer detection and research, winning several awards for their dedication to the cause. They raised more than $6 million for breast cancer research at Ohio State, where she also had attended school, through the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research.

She helped form a support group for young women with breast cancer, hosted an annual event that honored cancer survivors and created a fund to help breast cancer patients and their families who struggled financially. She was inducted into the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame in 2002 for her work.

"We have lost a leader in the fight against cancer," seven-time Tour de France winner and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong said. "Stefanie was a living example of courage and strength to everyone around her."

Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel called Stefanie Spielman an inspiration.

"Stefanie has inspired the entire Buckeye nation and Columbus community with her courage and strength," Tressel said in a statement. "We will miss her and will always remember the lessons we learned from her. She will always be a special Buckeye."

Two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin, the president and CEO of the Ohio State Alumni Association, said Stefanie Spielman was a compassionate person who "took her personal struggle and used it as a platform to help other women battling breast cancer." He said the Ohio State community was "tremendously saddened" by her death.

Chris Spielman played 10 seasons in the NFL with the Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills before retiring after a violent hit that left him momentarily paralyzed when he was with the Cleveland Browns.

Stefanie Spielman is survived by her husband and their four children, Madison, Noah, Macy and Audrey.

Dungy to lead player advisory forum

NEW YORK — Tony Dungy is taking a lead role in improving communication between the NFL and its players.

Dungy will lead a new NFL player advisory forum that will meet with players about league policies, programs and issues that affect their lives on and off the field. Those subjects will include player health and safety, personal conduct, game rules and procedures, career transition and player development.

Dungy, who retired as coach of the Indianapolis Colts after last season, is a special adviser to commissioner Roger Goodell.

"When I worked on the competition committee we always had meetings with players at the NFL combine to talk about issues important to them," Dungy said, "and then the committee reported back to the commissioner and the league office. I thought that communication always was important and commissioner Goodell wanted to broaden that."

Goodell will attend the meetings, and union officials have been invited to attend. Pro Bowl players Kurt Warner, Ray Lewis and Brian Dawkins are among the players who will take part in the meetings. Dungy envisions as many as 50 players being involved, including a dozen or more before the end of the season. He expects they will come from all age groups.

"We certainly want to talk about player safety, the state of game, discipline and conduct. I’m sure the steroid issue will come up, and the Starcaps issue — to make sure it’s a level playing field for everyone.

"Then we will talk about off-field issues, in terms of post-career, back to school, transitioning back to private life, post-concussion, and what teams are doing and the league is doing."

Goodell emphasized that open lines of communication with the players is essential. With negotiations under way on a new collective bargaining agreement, such forums might even help in that process.

"Players continue to be an invaluable resource in providing direction and insight into a wide range of programs and policies," Goodell said. "Tony’s experience and expertise in working with players make him an ideal leader of the player advisory forum and we appreciate his willingness to take on this important role."

Dungy also has advised Michael Vick during the quarterback’s suspension and his return to the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Since retiring, Dungy also has worked as a commentator for NBC Sports.

"Who better in the world today to lead a forum of NFL players than Tony Dungy?" said Dick Ebersol, chairman of NBC Universal Sports. "Tony is one of the most respected and admired men in pro football history because he lives his life with impeccable character. His influence deservedly extends well beyond the game."

Goodell conducted similar meetings with retired players last year. These programs are an outgrowth of the a player advisory council formed by Goodell and the NFL Players Association in 2006.

"This is extremely important and Tony’s involvement is a big factor for me because he stands for everything that is right about the NFL," Lewis said. "This is an area where we need unity because it’s about players and the league helping each other. I truly believe we can accomplish things that will carry on way beyond us."

-- Barry Wilner

Childress signs extension with Vikings

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — The man who brought Brett Favre to the Minnesota Vikings will be sticking around for a while.

The Vikings signed Brad Childress to a contract extension on Thursday, nine games into what is shaping up as a promising season for the men in purple. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. ESPN.com cited anonymous sources in reporting that the extension will carry through the 2013 season.

"Brad has done a tremendous job leading this football team and we value the positive environment he has created for the Minnesota Vikings on and off the field," Vikings owner Zygi Wilf said in a statement issued by the team. "He has continued to positively impact this team and create a strong foundation for future success."

Childress, in the fourth year of his original five-year, $10 million deal, was hired in 2006 to take over a team in turmoil. The Vikings had become a national punchline for a string of incidents under the loose regime of Mike Tice, including the infamous "Love Boat" scandal and Tice’s admission to scalping Super Bowl tickets that prompted Wilf to institute a code of conduct for the organization.

Childress has restored order and dignity to the franchise, and has done plenty of winning of late, as well. The Vikings have improved each year under his watch. They went 6-10 in 2006, 8-8 in 2007 and 10-6 with an NFC North title last season.

This season, he convinced Favre to come out of retirement one more time to join the Vikings, even going so far as to pick up the quarterback at the airport on the day of his arrival in August.

Favre leads the NFL in quarterback rating, has thrown 17 touchdowns and just three interceptions, and has helped put the Vikings (8-1) in position to compete for the top seed in the NFC.

"I am grateful for the opportunity I was given," Childress said. "I’ve got a good group of guys in the locker room, which I’ve said over and over. I’ve got a great ownership group. Not only am I grateful for them, they’ve been good owners from a standpoint of empowering us with players. They listen. There’s a good dialogue."

The Wilf family has broken the bank to sign big-money players like defensive end Jared Allen, who leads the league in sacks, All-Pro guard Steve Hutchinson and receiver Bernard Berrian.

They have also poured money into upgrading the team’s headquarters in Eden Prairie and steadfastly supported Childress even when he was the subject of criticism by fans early in his tenure.

"They have to buy into the vision of how you see the Minnesota Vikings going forward and we’ve been good enough to be able to fulfill part of that vision," Childress said.

The next step is to do some damage in the playoffs. The Vikings were beaten at home by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round last season, the first time Childress has been a head coach in the postseason.

Thanks to the addition of Favre, the team is much more balanced this season. The Vikings have already built a commanding three-game lead on the Green Bay Packers in the NFC North and are one game behind the New Orleans Saints for the best record in the conference.

Childress, Wilf and the rest of the Vikings organization were unavailable for further comment after the news was announced on Thursday night.

-- Jon Krawczynski

Vikings angered by Metrodome’s lease offer

MINNEAPOLIS — One day after being told by the Minnesota Vikings that extending the lease at the Metrodome was not an option, the team’s landlord made the offer anyway and infuriated the only major tenant left in the stadium.

The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission passed a plan Thursday to offer a two-year extension on the lease, which is set to expire in 2011. It calls for the Vikings to get revenue from any postseason games at the Metrodome, but it also threatens to reinstate a $4 million annual rent if the team does not sign the extension.

The Vikings sent a scathing letter to the commission Wednesday denouncing the plan, which the team calls a "sneak attack" that "sends the wrong message to those aimed at keeping the team in the state of Minnesota."

"They knew it was completely unacceptable, but they advanced it anyway," said Lester Bagley, the Vikings vice president of public affairs/stadium development.

The Vikings, including owners Zygi and Mark Wilf, have been working with the commission to develop a plan for a new stadium on the Metrodome site. With Brett Favre at quarterback and the team off to an 8-1 start in 2009, the team thinks it has more momentum than ever before to try to get a stadium deal done with private and public money and get out of the outdated Metrodome.

MSFC chairman Roy Terwilliger said the top priority is to plan a new stadium that satisfies the Vikings and Thursday’s decision "is just another step in a very long process of figuring out the best way of accomplishing that goal."

The Vikings aren’t willing to wait. Bagley said the commission’s offer "sends a very bad message to the owners, the state and the league about the ability to solve the problem in Minnesota."

The Twins and the University of Minnesota football team have both moved out of the outdated building to shiny new facilities of their own. The Vikings say it is their turn. The team is at the bottom of the league in revenue thanks in large part to their stadium deal and say they need a new building to remain competitive.

Since 2002, the Vikings have been playing in the Metrodome rent-free, a gesture made to acknowledge the building’s difficulty in producing revenue. The threat of reinstating the annual rent payments has strained the discussion.

"What kind of message does that send?" Bagley said. "We want to lock you in for two more years in the most dysfunctional stadium in the league."

Terwilliger said the commission has shown good faith by paying for an architecture and design study for a new facility and by allowing the Vikings to keep the money generated from new sponsorship deals with the Metrodome. He doesn’t think the relationship ended on Thursday.

"It sounds a little more messy and fractured than it probably is," Terwilliger said. "For us to be successful, we have to work together."

Shockey says LeBron not NFL material

CLEVELAND — LeBron James, NFL player. Just a fantasy, says New Orleans Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey.

The Cavaliers’ All-Star forward caused a stir this week by saying he could be "really good" if he committed himself to playing football. The remarks set off debate about James’ football talents and prompted Browns coach Eric Mangini to joke that James should "come on down" and help his 1-8 team.

Cleveland nose tackle Shaun Rogers initially sacked James’ belief. Now Shockey has piled on.

On his Twitter page, Shockey wrote: "Everyone trust me Lebron James could not play in the NFL! espn is crazy to even think he could even make a practice squad. hes a 4.9 40 time."

James was an All-State wide receiver in high school.

Mass. panel OKs $9 million for Patriots footbridge

BOSTON — A Massachusetts panel has given approval to use $9 million in federal stimulus funds for a pedestrian bridge sought by the owner of the New England Patriots.

The span over the north-south highway U.S. Route 1 would help pedestrians cross parking lots outside Gillette Stadium and connect the Patriot Place mall with an office park being proposed by team owner Robert Kraft.

The Metropolitan Planning Organization approved it Thursday by a 13-1 vote.

Critics have questioned giving the money to a billionaire and using funds intended for shovel-ready projects on an office park that won’t be built immediately.

Kraft and his wife have recently stepped up their political donations to Gov. Deval Patrick, who says the state is supporting the footbridge because it will help create jobs.

Injuries

Jets’ Washington expects full recovery from injury

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Leon Washington stepped into the shower and stood there a while as the water washed over him.

It had been three weeks since the New York Jets running back had been able to take one, and it qualified as major progress in his recovery from a broken right leg.

"I’m telling you, it’s the little things in life," the New York Jets running back said with a big smile Thursday. "I’ve been taking bird baths. That felt really good. I think I stayed in there for 30 minutes."

Washington went from zipping around the field to not being able to do the simplest of tasks when he sustained a compound fracture of the tibia and fibula last month in a game at Oakland.

His right leg, which had a rod inserted into the tibia, is in a sleeve and a bulky boot. Washington walks with crutches, and also has a scooter to get around.

"It makes you put a lot of things in perspective," said Washington, speaking at the team’s facility for the first time since the injury.

Washington, an All-Pro last season as a kick returner, expects to fully recover and is "very optimistic" about working out with the team when it begins offseason programs in March.

"Infection is the major setback," Washington said. "Thank God I’m 98 or 99 percent past that point. My wounds are healed."

Doctors told him the injury takes anywhere from six to 12 months to heal. The Jets’ training staff has talked to a number of players who have suffered similar injuries, including Oakland’s Michael Bush and former NFL running back Musa Smith.

"Since I beat the infection part, it’s up to me whether it will be on the six-month side or the 12-month side," he said. "They’re expecting me to have a full recovery and they’re really surprised by my mobility now."

Washington, 27, was injured on his first carry on Oct. 25 when Oakland’s Tommy Kelly rolled up on his leg after a 6-yard run in the first quarter of the Jets’ 38-0 win.

"I heard it pop, an automatic pop like I broke my leg," Washington said. "At that point, I was kind of in shock. I didn’t really feel a lot of pain."

He stayed down for a few minutes, and his teammates didn’t immediately realize the severity of the injury.

"We were changing personnel and I was about to go over there because he was still down, and (Oakland’s) Richard Seymour grabbed me and he was like, ‘Don’t go over there. It’s out. It’s bad,"’ fullback Tony Richardson said. "He pulled me away and I was so glad I didn’t see that."

Coach Rex Ryan thought Washington had just sprained an ankle.

"Then, when they took him across directly, through the Raiders’ sideline, I was like, ‘Man, this must be worse than I think,"’ Ryan said.

Washington said thoughts raced through his mind, such as wondering what exactly was broken and how long he might be sidelined.

"Then I got off to the sideline and I saw blood coming through the sock," he said. "When I saw that, it’s kind of like, ‘OK, that’s a little serious."’

It was a massive loss for the Jets, who relied on Washington as a game-changing playmaker on offense and special teams.

"Obviously, injuries are a part of the business, but to me, Leon’s like a little brother," Richardson said. "You can’t find a man in this locker room who doesn’t love Leon Washington."

Washington returned to the facility recently to rehabilitate the leg. He has also renewed his faith in God, which has helped him deal with the ramifications of the injury, including his uncertain contract status.

He opted to play out the final year of his rookie deal — worth $535,000 — rather than hold out or accept the Jets’ proposed contract extension. Washington, who would be a restricted free agent under the current collective bargaining agreement, was looking for about $6 million a year. He said general manager Mike Tannenbaum told him the team would revisit his contract situation after the season.

Despite all that, Washington has no regrets about how things played out.

"Not at all," he said. "If I would do it all over again and could flash back, it would be the same thing."

Washington said his current rehab consists of strengthening everything around the injury — the quadriceps, hamstrings, knee — until he can walk on his own. He’s also thankful there was no damage to his knee or ankle.

"It’s all bone, so it’s basically just letting that bone heal up," he said. "I’m able to move my knee and my ankle, which is the most important thing. I’m glad to be at that point, so I think I’ll be back on track."

-- Dennis Waszak Jr.

Kampman on concussion: cautious approach is best

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Aaron Kampman says the Green Bay training staff won’t need to keep a sharp eye on him when he returns to the field for Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers.

If he learned anything after playing through a concussion, it’s that a cautious approach is the best one to head injuries.

"The great thing about the medical staff here is they’re always going to err on the side of making sure the player is taken care of," Kampman said. "You hear horror stories of guys being thrust out there, and that’s not the case here."

Kampman is back at practice this week after sustaining a concussion on the fourth play of the game in a Nov. 8 loss at Tampa Bay. The outside linebacker played into the fourth quarter before realizing he had a significant injury and telling his coaches, who took him out.

The Packers held Kampman out of practice all last week and through Sunday’s victory over Dallas, the first time he has missed a game for health reasons since 2003. While Kampman says it was tough to stay on the sidelines instead of playing in the Packers’ biggest victory of the season, he appreciates the team’s cautious approach.

And while Kampman has been open with reporters about his injury and recovery — a sign, perhaps, of increased awareness about the dangers of head injuries in football — he hopes he never has to stand in front of his locker and talk about concussions again.

"Hopefully, this is the last time we have to talk about this," Kampman said.

But it won’t be the last time the Packers deal with the aftermath of a head injury — not even this week.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Thursday that center Scott Wells missed practice after reporting concussion-like symptoms Wednesday.

"He had some symptoms in regards to a concussion that was reported to the medical staff yesterday," McCarthy said. "So we’re obviously being smart with him."

And Kampman’s backup, Brad Jones, was limited in practice Wednesday because of a concussion. He was listed as a full participant in Thursday’s practice.

Head injuries are becoming a major issue around the league, fueled in part by a recent study conducted for the NFL that found retired professional football players may have a higher rate than normal of Alzheimer’s disease or other memory problems.

The concern has filtered down to today’s players.

According to a survey of 160 NFL players conducted by The Associated Press from Nov. 2-15, 30 replied that they have hidden or played down the effects of a concussion. Half said they’ve had at least one concussion playing football; 61 said they missed playing time because of the injury.

Kampman said the team’s medical staff doesn’t need to worry about him hiding a concussion.

"I don’t take that approach," Kampman said. "I wouldn’t have tried to say I was ready to go if I (wasn’t)."

Amid increasing scrutiny of the NFL’s policies on concussions, Kampman has gone out of his way to absolve the Packers’ coaches and medical staff of any responsibility for him playing with a concussion at Tampa.

Kampman said it’s a player’s responsibility to tell coaches when he’s hurt, but acknowledged that can be difficult for the player to figure out when he isn’t thinking clearly.

McCarthy and defensive coordinator Dom Capers said last week that they didn’t know anything was wrong with Kampman until he told someone.

"We all understand the priority of player safety, and once again, that is at the forefront of all these medical decisions," McCarthy said last week. "But it’s also the game of football. When you’re dealing with head injuries, it’s hard to decipher sometimes — did you get dinged or do you have a concussion? There’s lines in everything in life, and no different with levels of injuries."

McCarthy said Kampman was taken out of the game immediately after it became clear that something was wrong.

Kampman was given medical clearance Monday and was able to resume lifting weights, then returned to practice Wednesday. And while Kampman said it felt strange to sit out Sunday’s game, a few fans didn’t seem to notice he was missing.

"So I’m driving out of the stadium, people are like, ‘Great game, Aaron! Great game!"’ Kampman said, laughing.

-- Chris Jenkins

Aaron Ross ready to return

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — After missing the first nine games of the season with a severe hamstring strain, New York Giants cornerback Aaron Ross is poised to make his 2009 debut Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.

Ross continued to practice at full speed Thursday, his third practice since returning to action. While the coaching staff has not made any determination about Ross’ playing status or whether he will be in the starting lineup, Ross just wants to be playing again.

"I’m happy to be out there and I feel real good," said Ross, the third-year defensive back out of Texas. "I’m very excited. Whatever the coaches want me to do, I’m ready. I have about three months saved up in me, so I’m ready.

"The plan is that if I’m healthy all the way to Sunday, then I’ll be out there and playing," Ross said.

Coach Tom Coughlin said he’s being a little cautious with Ross.

"We are just going to go and watch him practice, let him put a few practices together," Coughlin said, adding that Ross did "about less than half" of the regular practice regimen.

Ross made his return to the practice field for one day during the bye week, then began practicing regularly and at full speed in preparation for facing the Falcons.

"Last Wednesday, I felt really rusty," Ross said. "Monday, I felt pretty good and now I feel really good. I have no idea where and when I’m going to play and how they’re going to work me in. But if they call No. 31 (Ross’ jersey number), then I’m going to be ready."

Ross said the training staff worked hard to get him back into playing shape.

"The trainers did a great job of holding me back," Ross said. "Before I could go out there again, I had to strengthen my legs."

He also went to see a trainer from Switzerland who has helped his fiancee, world-class sprinter Sanya Richards, in the past. Richards is currently the No. 1-ranked runner in the world in the 400-meter dash.

"I don

t know his name or how to spell it, but it’s probably the reason why I’m doing better now," Ross said. "It’s really helped."

More than likely, the Giants will stay with Terrell Thomas and Corey Webster starting at cornerback, with Ross perhaps getting chances in nickel and dime formations. But after missing so much time with what was first diagnosed as a hamstring strain that was day to day since training camp, Ross is chomping to be back out there playing.

"I’m rested and my legs are strengthened," said Ross, who was jumping up and down in the locker room to prove he was healthy. "It’s really been an emotional roller coaster. I worked hard in the offseason to get ready for training camp and then I get hurt to start off. I never would have thought it would hold me out for three months. It’s been extremely frustrating.

"But now, I know I’m back. I don’t want to think about it. I don’t want to think I have any limitations. I just want to play."

Norwood returns to practice for Falcons

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta running back Jerious Norwood practiced for first time in nearly five weeks on Thursday, giving the Falcons hope he could play against the Giants if they are without injured starter Michael Turner.

Norwood was limited on the field, but coach Mike Smith is hoping he can play Sunday at the Meadowlands. He’s been sidelined with a hip flexor.

"He was able to participate in practice today, so that was a positive," Smith said. "Now we have to wait and see how he responds to the work that he did today."

Atlanta could be without Turner, a Pro Bowl back who is averaging 5 yards a carry and has scored 10 touchdowns. He left last week’s loss at Carolina with a high ankle sprain.

Turner has missed the last two days of workouts, but was not wearing a walking boot in the locker room following practice.

"It feels OK, but right now it’s too early to tell," Turner said.

Norwood also missed a Week 3 loss at New England with a concussion.

Dolphins lose 2 centers to injury against Panthers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Miami Dolphins are getting thin at center.

Starter Jake Grove left Thursday night’s game against the Carolina Panthers because of an ankle injury early in the third quarter and was questionable to return. Then, backup Joe Berger left with an unspecified injury early in the fourth and it was unclear if he would return.

The Dolphins then moved Nate Garner to center after Garner had started at left guard in place of Justin Smiley. Garner and quarterback Chad Henne got off to a bumpy start with a botched snap on their second play, forcing Henne to dive on the ground to recover the fumble.

Hardwick still not ready to return to Chargers

SAN DIEGO — San Diego Chargers center Nick Hardwick will not play against the Broncos on Sunday in the showdown between AFC West leaders in Denver.

Hardwick, out since having ankle surgery following the season opener, missed practice on Thursday. The former Pro Bowler returned to practice four weeks ago but he hasn’t practiced since a setback last Wednesday.

Several players returned to practice, including tight end Antonio Gates and linebackers Shaun Phillips and Shawne Merriman. Offensive tackle Jeromey Clary hasn’t practiced since leaving Sunday’s win against Philadelphia because of an ankle injury. Coach Norv Turner said Clary might work out on Saturday.

Bush misses second straight practice

METAIRIE, La. — Reggie Bush has missed two practices this week as the Saints try to rest their running back’s left knee.

It’s the same knee Bush had surgery on last December to repair cartilage.

Bush is coming off one of his best games of the season in St. Louis last Sunday, when he gained 98 yards and scored two touchdowns on six rushes and a pair of receptions.

Saints coach Sean Payton says Bush has had some swelling in the knee and is getting some rest. Payton would not say what Bush’s chance of playing are this Sunday in Tampa Bay.

Payton says he hopes Bush can practice Friday, but that the team will be cautious about doing anything that could set him back.

Bush was not available for comment.

Rams’ DE Ah You lost for season with knee injury

ST. LOUIS — St. Louis Rams defensive end C.J. Ah You has been lost for the season with a knee injury.

Coach Steve Spagnuolo said Thursday that Ah You will be placed on injured reserve — the ninth Ram this season and the third defensive lineman.

Spagnuolo says Ah You has a torn anterior cruciate ligament after being injured during Wednesday’s practice. He will require surgery.

The Rams host Arizona this Sunday.

Panthers WR Smith OK after minor car accident

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith will play against the Miami Dolphins after being involved in a car accident on the way to the game.

A team official said somebody "bumped into" Smith’s car Thursday, but said Smith was able to continue to drive to the stadium and is fine.

The four-time Pro Bowl pick has 38 catches for 512 yards and three touchdowns this season. Two of those scores came in Sunday’s win over Atlanta.

Player Moves

Bills sign QB Brohm from Packers’ practice squad

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Quarterback Brian Brohm rejected an offer to stay in Green Bay in order to pursue a fresh start in Buffalo with a team that’s suddenly losing confidence in Trent Edwards.

The Bills plucked Brohm off the Packers’ practice squad on Thursday, signing the 2008 second-round draft pick to a two-year contract. In agreeing to play for the Bills, Brohm said he turned down a last-minute bid by the Packers to keep him.

"The last 24 hours have been good to me. I went from being on the practice squad to having pretty much two offers," he said after his first practice with the Bills. "I just wanted a fresh start, a new start, and I think Buffalo gives me that."

Green Bay signed rookie Mike Reilly to its practice squad to replace Brohm.

The timing of Brohm’s signing comes during a week in which the Bills (3-6) made wholesale changes as they prepare to play at Jacksonville on Sunday.

Coach Dick Jauron was fired on Tuesday and replaced by defensive coordinator Perry Fewell, who will finish the season as interim head coach. Fewell’s first major decision was to bench Edwards for backup Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Edwards, in his second full year as starter, was 1-5 in games he played a majority of the snaps this season. There’s growing indication the third-year player is running out of chances to prove himself.

Fewell said he believes Fitzpatrick provides the Bills the best opportunity to win this week.

Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt criticized Edwards for being too hesitant and making poor decisions.

"A little bit of it is our fault for asking him to do some of the things we have," Van Pelt said. "But the bottom line is we’ve got to find ways to make plays. Sometimes it’s a fine line between forcing the football in there and making the smart decision. And with our guys right now, we felt like we needed to get some of those balls thrown that weren’t."

Edwards hasn’t taken his demotion well. He twice walked away from reporters when they approached him in the locker room Thursday.

Edwards will serve as the backup, with Brohm taking over the No. 3 spot, replacing Gibran Hamdan, who was cut Thursday.

Brohm’s opportunity to make what he called "a new first impression," comes after he became an afterthought in Green Bay. The third quarterback selected in the 2008 draft, Brohm failed to deliver on the impressive numbers he put up during a four-year career at Louisville, where he finished 24-9 and set the Big East Conference record with 9,956 career yards passing.

Inactive as the Packers third quarterback for all 16 games as a rookie, Brohm landed on the team’s practice squad this season after being beaten out for the No. 2 spot by seventh-round draft pick Matt Flynn.

Brohm acknowledged his confidence dropped with his struggles in Green Bay, but noted he’s learned from the experience.

"I felt like I’ve grown as a player," he said. "And hopefully, I can come out here and just show the coaches and scouts here that I have gotten better, and show them what I can do. And hopefully, they like it."

Brohm is reunited with former Louisville teammate Eric Wood, a rookie first-round pick who is the starting right guard.

"It didn’t work out the way he wanted to in Green Bay, certainly, and that’s not how I expected it to happen for him," Wood said. "Basically, everything’s out the window that happened before. He’s only in his second year, so he’s got a lot of potential still."

-- John Wawrow