■ Panthers: Left tackle Jordan Gross returned to practice yesterday for the first time since being knocked unconscious nearly two weeks ago, and said he thinks he'll play Sunday when Carolina meets Tampa Bay.
Right tackle Jeff Otah also was back on the field after missing last week's win over Kansas City with a sprained right ankle. Center Ryan Kalil was the only starting offensive linemen to sit out, with a right-ankle injury.
Gross, who had a streak of 91 consecutive starts in regular-season and playoff games end, was cleared to practice after passing a series of tests after sustaining a concussion against Atlanta on Sept. 28.
■ Bucs: Jeff Garcia still doesn't agree with Jon Gruden's decision to replace him as Tampa Bay's starting quarterback four weeks ago, but now he clearly sees the reason for the move.
"When I watched the film of that New Orleans game … I just didn't have that explosion or getaway that I normally have," Garcia told The Tampa Tribune, referring to his injury-plagued opener. "But now I feel like all that is back. The speed is back, the explosion within the pocket is back, the mobility is back. Right now I'm not favoring anything."
Good thing, because Brian Griese is favoring plenty. Griese, who started the past four games, was unable to throw Wednesday because of an elbow injury sustained in Denver.
Garcia will likely start on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.
■ Cowboys: Cornerback Adam Jones is still in the lineup for Dallas after his latest incident involving police. Coach Wade Phillips said yesterday that Jones will play on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
Phillips also said he had no indication that Jones would be suspended after getting into a scuffle with his bodyguard Tuesday night in the bathroom of an upscale Dallas hotel. Police were called, but no charges were filed.
■ Redskins: Defensive end Jason Taylor practiced yesterday for the first time since the emergency surgery on his left calf.
"It felt good to be out here running around a little bit," he said. "But it's only 17 days since we had it done. We'll see how it responds."
Taylor did not take part in all of the drills, and the team wasn't sure if he would play on Sunday.
was going to be cautious about playing him Sunday against the St. Louis Rams. The leg still has stitches, which Taylor protected during practice by wearing a titanium pad underneath a knee-high black sock.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement