NFL Capsules: Players hope concussion rules ease peer pressure

New Orleans Saints linebacker Scott Fujita is glad to see the NFL changing its concussion policies. Why? Because, he figures, the league is finally getting around to saving players from themselves.

"You almost have to take it out of the players’ hands, because we’re not going to make the most responsible decision," Fujita said.

"If I was in that situation in a playoff game, and I was kind of dinged and not functioning very well on the sideline, I’d like to think that someone might look out for my best interest," he said, "because I don’t think I’d do that for myself."

In dozens of interviews across the NFL this week, The Associated Press found that players voiced nearly unanimous support for the league’s latest moves on head injuries. Like Fujita, they’re grateful to have extra sets of eyes looking out for them — and they’re relieved to have a buffer against peer pressure about missing games or practices.

Put another way: With league- and union-approved independent neurologists now assigned to all 32 clubs, and stricter return-to-play guidelines instituted Wednesday, players hope teammates will be less likely to question their tenacity when they’re kept on the sideline with a concussion.

"One of the things that has been so hard in this league for so long is playing with injuries and what constitutes being ‘tough’ and being ‘courageous’ and what constitutes being stupid and hurting yourself for the long-term," said Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, who sat out last weekend with a concussion. "Anything that eases that part of it is progress, because, again, there’s a mentality in the locker room. ... Sometimes there needs to be an outside force helping."

As Atlanta Falcons center Todd McClure put it: "If you come out (of a game), you’re seen as ‘soft.’ That’s the way it is. I think any type of protection like that to keep a guy out for a game would be big."

Nearly 20 percent of the 160 NFL players surveyed Nov. 2-15 by the AP replied that they have hidden or played down the effects of a concussion. Half of that group said they’ve had at least one concussion playing football; 61 said they missed playing time because a head injury.

A handful of the players AP reporters spoke with this week wondered whether the NFL’s latest efforts could cause some to be even more unwilling to let on when they feel concussion symptoms. If the league is going to force someone to miss game time, this line of thinking goes, then players might be more likely to try to hide a problem, particularly late in the season, with much at stake.

"It might make it worse. It could be a Super Bowl game or a playoff game, where ‘this game means everything.’ For me, it depends on how bad it would be," explained Miami Dolphins guard Donald Thomas, who said he’s never had a concussion. "If I can’t function and I won’t be worth anything to the team, I’ll say, ‘I can’t go.’ But if a man feels he can go. ..."

After all, as Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Farrior said: "It’s just a natural reaction for you to fib a little bit and not give all the doctors all the information, because you want to go out there and play. You don’t want them to come back and tell you you’re not able to play."

The NFL hopes that’s not a popular sentiment.

"That wouldn’t be very smart," league spokesman Greg Aiello said in a telephone interview Friday. "Players need to understand that it’s not their call. They should report the symptoms, and let the doctors handle it."

Farrior’s teammate Hines Ward caused a stir last weekend when he suggested Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger let the team down by sitting out with a concussion, forcing an inexperienced backup to start what turned out to be an overtime loss to the Ravens. Ward later apologized.

Roethlisberger and Warner — the starting QBs in last season’s Super Bowl — are among several prominent players who missed games in recent weeks because of head injuries. They both sat out Sunday despite practicing in the run-up to the games.

Star running backs Brian Westbrook of the Eagles and Clinton Portis of the Redskins skipped multiple games because of concussions — Westbrook returned to action after missing time, then got hurt again, forcing him back to the sideline. Browns running back Jamal Lewis, who already had said this would be his final season, went on injured reserve Wednesday because of a head injury, closing his career.

Some players, such as Rams offensive lineman Jacob Bell, like the idea of the NFL being more proactive, even if new rules can affect personnel decisions.

"They need to do that, because as a player, you’re not going to do it," Bell said. "You think, ‘My headaches are gone. I can focus. I feel fine.’ While in reality, there’s still some stuff going on, and you don’t know how long it’s going to last."

Bell himself got a concussion in the preseason and missed the last three exhibition games because of it. When he returned to action, he had headaches for another week or so.

This week’s games mark the first time that every team will have an outside doctor to consult on head injuries (the neurologists won’t be at stadiums; they’ll be advising in the recovery phase). They’re also the first games to be played since commissioner Roger Goodell outlined new rules about what symptoms must disappear — including dizziness, memory loss, persistent headaches — before a player is allowed back on the field. The old standard essentially held out a player if he lost consciousness.

"They’re really just being extra safe," Packers linebacker Brady Poppinga said, "and (you) have to give them credit for looking out for players."

Any further player-affecting moves on this issue by the league probably wouldn’t come until the offseason, and some might have to be negotiated between owners and the players union in the collective bargaining process. Goodell met last week with competition committee co-chair Rich McKay to begin evaluating possible rules changes, and a panel headed by John Madden is examining reducing offseason work and limiting helmet use and contact in practice and training camps.

"It’s on the radar. So that’s progress. Has anything substantially been done yet? I don’t think so. It’s going to take time," said Ravens center Matt Birk, who has agreed to donate his brain for scientific study when he dies. "But it’s great that there’s a dialogue going on."

If the culture is changing — as the league insists, and many players concur — the transformation is hardly complete.

Panthers cornerback Captain Munnerlyn got a concussion Sunday against the Jets, an injury his team didn’t announce until midweek, when he missed practice. Still hounded by a headache days later, Munnerlyn said he had heard about the altered return-to-play guidelines.

His take?

"I don’t like that," he said Wednesday. "I want to try to play this weekend."

Asked why, Munnerlyn replied: "Because it’s football. It’s my life. I love football so much. I’ve got to go out there and help my team win."

Eagles quarterback Michael Vick says he had one concussion in the NFL, when he was with the Falcons in 2004. He was back in action the very next week.

Does Vick wish he hadn’t returned to the field of play right away?

"No, I didn’t regret it," he replied, "because we won." 

Holmgren would like to talk return to Seahawks

SEATTLE — Mike Holmgren wants to talk to the Seahawks about coming back.

Seattle’s former coach and one-time general manager said Friday during his semi-weekly radio show in Seattle that he’d like to talk to Seahawks owner Paul Allen and chief executive officer Tod Leiweke about becoming the team’s GM and perhaps president.

Those titles became vacant on Thursday when the Seahawks forced Tim Ruskell to resign weeks before his five-year contract was to end.

"Absolutely, I would like to talk to them," Holmgren said on KJR AM from Arizona, where he has one of his homes.

The 61-year-old former Super Bowl-winning coach with Green Bay is the Seahawks’ longest-tenured and winningest coach. He spent 1999-08 remaking Seattle into an NFC champion during the 2005 season and a perennial playoff team until its fall the last two years.

Holmgren acknowledged it was a "weird" circumstance that finds him a candidate to return to the Seahawks one year after he took 2009 off to fulfill a promise he’d made to his wife and family, after his coaching contract with Seattle ended in January.

Cleveland and Buffalo are two other teams that have been linked to interest in Holmgren, who hasn’t decided whether he wants to come back as a coach or as an executive. Other teams could be angling for him soon, too.

None have the inherent advantages present in Seattle, where Holmgren still owns a home, where his family is now rooted — and where Holmgren still has experience with and detailed knowledge of the roster.

"I think I’ve made it pretty clear I’d like to go back to work after this season. I didn’t know where. This is a little bit of a surprising development in Seattle," he said.

"But I’ve also said this, that the people and the team has to want you. The situation has to be right, the opening has to be right. And that’s why I’ve tried to keep an open mind, not get too emotional about it ... This is not news: my family is there, I have a strong attachment to the city and my time there. But I also know things change. You never know. The organization has to feel you’re the right fit.

"If the fit is right, who knows?"

With a teary-eyed Ruskell seated to his left on Thursday, Leiweke was asked if Holmgren was a candidate to replace the architect of Seattle’s 8-19 record the last two seasons.

"I’m just not going to go there," Leiweke said of Holmgren. "I’m just not going to talk about that today."

Leiweke said he expects Jim Mora, who replaced Holmgren in January, is close to Ruskell and has three more years remaining on his contract, to remain Seattle’s coach.

The Seahawks have hired a national search firm to help them find a new GM. Holmgren thinks Leiweke, with his business acumen, is already fulfilling the traditional duties of an NFL team president.

Holmgren said one of his grown daughters did research on the organizational structure of each NFL team before this season. She prepared a book for him that he’s studied to learn which teams have the traditional separation of president, GM and coach and how many are like the Seahawks, which had Ruskell as both the president and GM.

Holmgren said as he talks to teams for a return in 2010 he will be keenly interested in "how the owner and organization wants to set it up ... I’d have to have a fair about of input in the major decisions."

Leiweke said the search to replace Ruskell has already started.

"I will tell you this, that there’s going to be a process," Leiweke said. "We’re going to do a thorough audit of this football team and we’re going to be very, very careful going forward to ensure that we find just the right person to lead the organization."

-- Gregg Bell

Former NFL players visit American Samoa

WASHINGTON — A pair of former NFL players of Samoan descent finished a trip this week to American Samoa, where they helped with tsunami recovery efforts and handed over a check for $50,000 from the league and players association.

Reno Mahe and Gabe Reid both said they were impressed with the resourcefulness of residents in rebuilding from the September tsunami, which killed more than 200 people in Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga. American Samoa is a U.S. territory.

"It’s devastating, people’s houses are all gone," said Mahe, a former running back for the Philadelphia Eagles. "These people don’t take anything for granted, they’re right back out there rebuilding and moving forward. It’s pretty cool to see this. It makes you proud of where you come from, and who you are."

Reid, who was born in American Samoa and played tight end for the Chicago Bears, said that he visited places on the island where stores and gas stations have vanished.

"It almost looks like, in my opinion, what it would have looked like 70-80 years ago," he said. "A lot of the houses are completely wiped out. On some parts of the island, the only thing we see is tents. It’s pretty clean considering the amount of devastation that took place here. One reason why it’s cleaned up is because people have taken ownership."

During their trip, which was organized in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the players helped set up tents for displaced residents. The $50,000 was given to the American Red Cross through the league and players association’s Disaster Relief Fund.

About 30 current NFL players have ties to American Samoa, according to the league, and many players with Samoan backgrounds are also raising funds on their own to help victims.

FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate said in a telephone interview Friday that the returning players are viewed as heroes in their homeland.

"To have them come back and represent the NFL helps connect the survivors of the tsunami with many of their families and friends and the rest of the nation back here," Fugate said. "So they were ambassadors for the NFL, but also for the mainland as a whole."

Mahe believes other NFL players will make the trip.

"I guarantee that about 90 percent of the Polynesian players in the league will be out here when the season’s over," he said. "I’d bet my house on it."

-- Frederic J. Frommer

Jets’ Rhodes fined $5K for tossing ball in stands

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — New York Jets safety Kerry Rhodes has been fined $5,000 by the NFL for throwing a ball into the stands following an interception against Carolina.

After the first of his two interceptions in the Jets’ 17-6 win on Sunday, Rhodes tossed the ball into the crowd after he reached the team’s bench. Earlier in the week Rhodes had been demoted from the starting lineup in favor of Eric Smith.

St. Louis running back Steven Jackson was fined Thursday for a similar infraction after he threw a ball into the stands following a loss to Seattle.

Browns get blackout lifted for Sunday

BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns have avoided a blackout for Sunday’s game against San Diego by joining with a TV station and several local businesses to guarantee a sellout.

The game will be shown in the Cleveland area on WOIO-TV.

The remaining tickets will be distributed to local charities, including the Cleveland Foodbank, the United Way, the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Businesses that helped purchase the tickets also will give them away to customers.

The 1-10 Browns on Thursday received a 24-hour extension to reach a sellout. They were in danger of having their first home blackout since the final game of the 1995 season — the last of the former franchise before it moved to Baltimore.

Injuries

Jets QB Sanchez has sprained right knee

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez might be able to play in New York’s next game after spraining the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

Coach Rex Ryan said an MRI exam on Friday revealed the severity of the injury, suffered in the Jets’ 19-13 win over Buffalo on Thursday night.

"I feel good that it sounds like he’s going to be healthy," Ryan said. "I think that is the best news we could’ve hoped for."

Ryan said Sanchez will initially wear a brace to stabilize the knee, and is optimistic the rookie could be ready to go against the Buccaneers at Tampa Bay on Dec. 13.

"We’ll see how he is during the week," Ryan said, "but it was encouraging news."

Because the Jets played Thursday, they have 10 days before their next game — giving Sanchez extra time to heal.

"It’s almost like a mini-bye," Ryan said.

Sanchez was injured when he dived headfirst on an 8-yard run early in the third quarter. He was examined by trainers for several minutes on the sideline and replaced by Kellen Clemens before he made his way with a slight limp to the locker room.

Sanchez was already nursing a sore left knee after he was hurt in a 17-6 win over Carolina last weekend. Concerned about Sanchez’s sliding abilities, Ryan brought in Yankees manager Joe Girardi for a tutorial Tuesday.

Despite that session, Sanchez went headfirst instead of feetfirst on the play he was injured, and defended his actions after the game.

"In the heat of the moment, I don’t know how else to explain it, I was really trying to get a first down and advance the chains," Sanchez said. "That’s just the way I play."

Ryan was angry and frustrated by Sanchez’s decision, calling him a "knucklehead" after the game. The coach said he hadn’t spoken to Sanchez on Friday, but didn’t back down from his initial comments.

"Everything I mentioned is for the safety of him," Ryan said. "I want him to be around a long time. I think my comments and all that, it’s because I care about him. I care about our football team, I care about him and I want him to be healthy. It’s been proven that some tough guys, when you don’t slide and you’re a quarterback, you get hurt."

Ryan mentioned the late Steve McNair, whose gritty approach left him often injured, and said there are plenty of other examples of players suffering concussions and other injuries.

"If you polled 32 quarterbacks, you may get 30 of them who said, ‘Go for it,’ or 31 of them," Ryan said. "But, he’s my quarterback. He’s our quarterback, and I want him to slide."

Ryan said Sanchez’s sliding problems have been an issue since training camp, and the coaches have since been urging the quarterback to slide instead of dive. Ryan realizes Sanchez’s instinct is to go headfirst.

"Obviously, that’s what he’s more comfortable doing, but in the long run, he’s going to stay healthier longer by sliding," Ryan said. "That’s all I’m trying to do, is get his instincts to, ‘OK, I need to slide.’ If that means a public bashing by me, if you will, this is like one of my sons here. That’s how you approach it."

Sanchez was 7 of 15 for 104 yards and a touchdown pass against Buffalo before leaving. Ryan said he actually didn’t realize Sanchez was out of the game until he looked up and saw Clemens under center.

"I don’t know if I was over there with the defense or what, must’ve been," he said, "but I came back and was like, ‘Where’s Sanchez?"’

Clemens finished the game and was 1 of 2 for 14 yards. In his fourth season, he has actually started fewer games than Sanchez. Clemens started eight games in 2007, but got into just two games last season with Brett Favre here, and then lost the position battle to Sanchez this summer. He should get the bulk of the first-team snaps, at least early on, in practice next week.

"That’ll be huge," he said. "Having a chance to throw to some of these guys and just get some reps in our offense where you can really sit back and evaluate it will be huge going into next game, if I’m playing in the next game. We’ll see how things go."

-- Dennis Waszak Jr.

Eagles WR Jackson out against Falcons

PHILADELPHIA — Wide receiver DeSean Jackson and three other Philadelphia Eagles have been ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Jackson, who leads the Eagles with eight touchdowns this season, suffered a concussion in last week’s win over the Washington Redskins.

"He felt pretty good today, but he’s not all the way back yet," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "He still has some normal headaches. He’s just not ready yet."

Jackson, wide receiver Kevin Curtis (knee), running back Brian Westbrook (concussion) and linebacker Akeem Jordan (knee) were ruled out by Reid after Friday’s practice. Curtis has been out since the second week of the season.

Tight end Brent Celek, who suffered a sprained thumb in last week’s win, practiced this week and Reid said he should play.

Westbrook will miss his third straight game since suffering his second concussion of the season in San Diego. The running back has missed six games.

Westbrook visited doctors in Pittsburgh this week and the news was somewhat encouraging. Still, he remains out indefinitely.

"(Trainer) Rick (Burkholder) has been in contact with the doctors in Pittsburgh," Reid said. "We’ll see what happens next week. He’s been feeling better and that’s a plus."

Jordan is out for the fourth straight week. The starting weakside linebacker returned to practice on a limited basis Wednesday and Thursday, but was not on the field Friday.

"He’s just not quite ready," Reid said. "He had a little bit of swelling there, so we backed off a bit."

Will Witherspoon remains the weakside starter and second-year man Joe Mays is expected to make his second start at middle linebacker.

Jackson’s loss also will be felt in the return game.

Jason Avant, who made two huge catches against the Redskins, including a 46-yarder during a game-tying drive in the fourth quarter, is expected to start opposite rookie Jeremy Maclin at wide receiver.

Seldom-used Reggie Brown, who has just three receptions this year, will be the third receiver.

Maclin also will replace Jackson as the team’s primary punt returner. Jackson has averaged 15.5 yards on 21 returns this year, while Maclin has lost four yards on three returns.

"It’s important when someone goes down for the next person to step up and play well," Reid said. "That’s always been the case."

After Jackson went down last week, Maclin came up big on the Eagles’ game-winning drive against Washington, making two catches that led to David Akers’ field goal to win, 27-24. He’s ready to do so again.

"Chances are the ball will come my way more, obviously. When the opportunity arises you have to seize the moment," the rookie first-round pick said. "In the NFL, careers are short. You have to go for it while you can."

Philadelphia (7-4) is one game behind the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC East. Atlanta (6-5) is five games behind the 11-0 New Orleans Saints — who can clinch the NFC South this week — but the Falcons are in the thick of things for a wild-card berth.

Packers OLB Thompson in hospital with neck stinger

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Jeremy Thompson was hospitalized for testing Friday after suffering a neck injury in a collision with running back Kregg Lumpkin during practice.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Thompson remained conscious after the neck stinger. Thompson, a second-year player out of Wake Forest who plays primarily on special teams, missed the Packers’ first two preseason games because of a shoulder stinger earlier this year.

McCarthy would not initially say whether Thompson was able to move his extremities, but the Packers said in a statement Friday evening that Thompson did not experience any paralysis.

The team classified the injury as a neck sprain and said Thompson would be kept overnight at Bellin Hospital for rest and further evaluation.

Lumpkin said he could see Thompson moving his feet after the two collided on a play.

"I got the ball, I saw an open lane and I cut back, and that’s when I saw Jeremy in the hole," Lumpkin said. "I didn’t lower my head or anything, but his head hit my shoulder pad. When that happened, he just said, ‘Oh no!’ And he fell on the ground. After that, I was just standing there (asking), ‘What really just happened?’

"I just was hoping he’d get back up, and he didn’t."

Lumpkin, a member of the Packers’ practice squad, was visibly shaken up by the incident, which comes three days before Monday night’s home game against Baltimore.

"Just the other week, we were talking — about a lot of stuff, about how things happen," Lumpkin said. "I had no clue that it would happen like this, or that anything would happen today. It’s messing with my head. Me and him are close, we talk about a lot of stuff. It’s tough to say ‘I’m all right.’ That’s somebody I talk to on a regular basis. If he’s still in the hospital (after meetings), I’m going to go over there."

Rookie linebacker Clay Matthews III was optimistic Thompson can recover quickly.

"Hopefully he can come back from that just with a little time off, let it just settle down, and get right back out there," Matthews said. "Hopefully it’s not as serious as we thought. But we’re all praying for him to have a speedy recovery."

Thompson has been getting more snaps on defense in the wake of a season-ending knee injury to Aaron Kampman.

With Matthews starting on the right side, rookie Brad Jones has played the majority of snaps in Kampman’s place on the left side, but Thompson and Brady Poppinga have been playing as well.

"He’s definitely in the game plan this week, so I know I’m going to have to gear up to take a majority of those reps, especially with him and Brady spelling both Brad and I," Matthews said. "But I look forward to the challenge, I think the whole team does. Any time you have an injury like that where a player stays down, it really takes a toll."

-- Chris Jenkins

Injuries mounting for struggling Browns

BEREA, Ohio — All the injuries to the Cleveland Browns this year have left coach Eric Mangini starting over.

"Some stuff you do have to spend time on you wouldn’t typically," Mangini said. "Like learning guys’ names. We’ve had quite a few new faces come through."

More could be on the way.

Cleveland could be down as many as five defensive starters from last week when it faces the Chargers (8-3) on Sunday. Defensive lineman Kenyon Coleman’s right knee injury has ruled him out, cornerback Eric Wright was listed as doubtful on Friday’s injury report with a sore left hamstring and linebacker Kamerion Wimbley was unsure if his knee will allow him to play.

Coleman needs to wear a brace just to walk. Wright walked without a limp, but said he injured the hamstring during practice on Thursday and wasn’t sure if he could play. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan was more optimistic.

"I’m counting on him," Ryan said. "I’m hoping he can be ready to go. With their receiving corps, we need Wright, no question."

The Browns (1-10) already have placed Pro Bowl nose tackle Shaun Rogers and safety Brodney Pool on injured reserve this week, along with Pro Bowl running back Jamal Lewis. Now they could be without their best cornerback as they face a San Diego passing attack ranked ninth in the league. Wright and Pool have combined for all six of the defense’s interceptions this year.

The injuries to the secondary are forcing receiver Mike Furrey into a more prominent role on defense. Furrey has played frequently as a nickel back, but could be in line to start at safety against San Diego.

"I’ve been picking up the defense pretty well over the last six or seven weeks," Furrey said. "With the injuries in the secondary this week, you have to be ready to play in case something else happens. I feel really comfortable."

Wimbley hasn’t missed a game to injury since his senior year at Florida State in 2005, when he missed four games with a sprained knee. He practiced for the first time this week on Friday and was upgraded from doubtful to questionable.

"It was a good start, but we still have to see where it’s at," Wimbley said. "It all depends on how I feel later on."

Ryan said from the start of the season until now, Wright is the only defensive starter to remain in the same place every week.

"And now he’s on a bicycle," Ryan said.

He joked he might call on old pal and Kettering Alter high school coach Ed Domsitz for a few healthy bodies. Alter plays in an Ohio state championship game on Saturday.

"I may have to call him to get some reinforcements," Ryan said. "His team always seems to win."

Cleveland has done little of that this year, and the recent injuries aren’t helping. The Browns enter Sunday’s game ranked 29th against the run and 31st in total defense.

"Our guys love to play," Ryan said. "We have some empty seats in the defensive room, but we have a lot of heart in there. I hate the Detroit game (a 38-37 loss), because that wasn’t us. We’re starting to play better, we’re starting to fight.

"We had that one (bad) game, but we’re starting to understand what we’ve got to do. These guys prepare every week harder than most teams I’ve ever been around. The thing I’ve been impressed with is how hard they’re working to win. No one wants to hear it as fans, but it’s the truth."

Julius Jones ready to return for Seahawks

RENTON, Wash. — The Seahawks declared running back Julius Jones ready to start again on Friday, the same day his backup got hurt in practice.

Coach Jim Mora said Jones has recovered from the bruised lung that had him out of Seattle’s last two games, and had him coughing up blood and miss half the game the week before at Arizona on Nov. 15.

"He’s good to go," Mora said after Jones completed a week of practice and was listed as probable to play Sunday against San Francisco (5-6).

Mora had said this week that Jones would remain the starting running back when he was cleared to play. That was even though backup Justin Forsett had two 100-yard games in the three weeks that Jones has been injured.

Then Friday, Forsett got hurt near the end of practice. He is questionable with a quadriceps injury.

Mora described the injury as a "tweak."

Forsett, a seventh-round draft choice last year out of California, rushed for 130 yards on 22 carries with two touchdowns — all career highs — last weekend as Seattle (4-7) won at St. Louis.

He said he told trainers his leg was bothering him Friday only as a precaution. Forsett added that if it had been a game he would have played on, and said he should be fine to face the 49ers.

Starting defensive lineman Cory Redding (concussion) and special teams fixture D.D. Lewis (knee) are doubtful. Defensive end Lawrence Jackson (groin) is questionable.

Redskins’ RB Portis still dizzy from concussion

ASHBURN, Va. — Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis continues to show symptoms from a concussion and will return to a specialist in Pittsburgh on Monday and Tuesday to evaluate his progress.

Portis was hurt Nov. 8 against Atlanta and will miss his fourth straight game Sunday when the Redskins host New Orleans.

Coach Jim Zorn said Friday that Portis "still has a little dizziness" when performing certain tasks.

Zorn said cornerback DeAngelo Hall remains doubtful for Sunday with a sprained right knee and will likely miss his second straight game.

Zorn is optimistic that defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth will return after missing two games with a sprained left ankle. Haynesworth is listed as questionable on the injury report.

Bears’ Briggs, Pace doubtful for Rams game

CHICAGO — Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs is doubtful for the Chicago Bears’ game against the St. Louis Rams, and left tackle Orlando Pace likely won’t play against his former team Sunday.

Both players were injured in last week’s 36-10 loss to Minnesota.

Losing Briggs (sprained left knee) would be another big blow for a team that is 4-7 after dropping four straight and six of seven. He leads the Bears with 108 tackles and is just about the only bright spot for a defense that gave up 537 yards to the Vikings.

Pace (strained groin) hasn’t played to the level that carried him to seven Pro Bowls in 12 seasons with the Rams after signing a three-year contract with the Bears.

Tight end Desmond Clark (neck), defensive tackle Tommie Harris (knee) and cornerback Charles Tillman (mild concussion) are questionable.

Winfield, Shiancoe questionable for Vikings

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield and tight end Visanthe Shiancoe are among the Minnesota Vikings listed as questionable for Sunday’s game at Arizona.

Winfield has missed the last five games with an injured right foot. Shiancoe hurt his ribs in last week’s victory over Chicago. Shiancoe has eight touchdowns this season and has played in 107 straight regular season games.

Also questionable are backup running back Chester Taylor and right guard Anthony Herrera. Taylor also had a rib injury against Chicago and Herrera could miss his second straight game because of a concussion. Artis Hicks started for Herrera last week.

Panthers’ Williams questionable with ankle injury

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina running back DeAngelo Williams is questionable for the Panthers’ game against Tampa Bay with a sprained ankle.

Williams missed his third straight practice Friday. He leads Carolina with 1,022 yards rushing.

His absence on Sunday would make it hard for the Panthers to establish their running game and take pressure off Matt Moore, who is making his fourth career start and first in two years. Starter Jake Delhomme has a broken finger.

Receiver Dwayne Jarrett (ankle) and cornerback Captain Munnerlyn (concussion) are doubtful. Receiver Muhsin Muhammad (knee) and fullback Brad Hoover (ankle) are probable. Reserve defensive tackle Tank Tyler (knee) won’t play.

Porter questionable with knee injury

DAVIE, Fla. — Linebacker Joey Porter has been added to the Miami Dolphins’ injury report with a sore knee and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against New England.

Porter has been bothered much of the season by an injury to his right knee and hamstring. He sat out Friday’s drills after practicing earlier this week.

Porter has 4½ sacks in the past two games and leads the Dolphins with seven.

Center Jake Grove sat out practice for the third straight day with an ankle injury and is listed as doubtful. He missed last week’s game at Buffalo.

Ricky Williams, who has topped 100 yards rushing in each of the past three games, is listed as probable with a chest injury. He missed no practice time this week.

Jones out against Colts, Gage questionable

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee defensive tackle Jason Jones has been ruled out for the Titans’ game at Indianapolis with a shoulder injury.

Jones will miss his fifth game this season and third in a row because of the shoulder he first injured Sept. 27 against the New York Jets.

Defensive end Jacob Ford (abdomen strain) had limited participation in Friday’s practice and is questionable for Sunday’s game, while rookie defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks (ankle) did not practice and is questionable.

Receiver Justin Gage practiced fully Friday and is listed as questionable after missing the past three games with a back injury.

Player Moves

Panthers put Tyler on IR; claim DT Landri

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers have placed Tank Tyler on injured reserve and claimed fellow defensive tackle Derek Landri off waivers from Jacksonville.

Tyler hurt his knee in last Sunday’s loss to the New York Jets and becomes the 10th Panthers player to be lost for the season.

Carolina wasted little time Friday plucking Landri, who was waived a day earlier. The Jaguars’ fifth-round in 2007, the 6-foot-2, 290-pound Landri had seen his playing time decrease this season after he gained about 20 pounds in an effort to become an every-down defender. He appeared in only seven games with 13 tackles and was on the inactive list the past four weeks.

Tyler played in six games with 13 tackles after being acquired from Kansas City on Oct. 19 for a 2010 fifth-round pick.