Browns wide receiver/return specialist Joshua Cribbs was downgraded to out for Cleveland’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. Cribbs, who dislocated three toes on his right foot in last week’s overtime loss to the New York Jets, did not practice this week, but coach Eric Mangini didn’t rule him out until Saturday
The Minnesota Vikings have activated wide receiver Sidney Rice in time to play the Packers. Rice had hip surgery in late August and returned to practice two weeks ago
Clinton Portis is set to return for the Washington Redskins after missing five games with a torn left groin.
The Oakland Raiders have become the final team to vote to give the NFL Players Association the option of decertifying if there is a lockout next year. Union spokesman Carl Francis said the Raiders’ players voted Thursday on the issue. The current collective bargaining agreement expires after the 2010 season
Steelers safety Troy Polamalu has returned to practice after sitting out two days with an Achilles’ tendon injury and is listed as probable for Sunday’s game against Oakland. Also practicing Friday were defensive end Brett Keisel (hamstring), who has missed nearly all of four games, and linebacker Lawrence Timmons (hip).
The Jacksonville Jaguars likely will be without receiver Mike Sims-Walker against Cleveland on Sunday. Sims-Walker was listed as doubtful on Friday’s injury report. He sprained his right ankle against Houston and missed two days of practice this week.
Tampa Bay’s Mike Williams did not practice after his arrest on a DUI charge early Friday, however coach Raheem Morris said the rookie who leads the Buccaneers in receiving will travel to San Francisco and play Sunday against the 49ers. The fourth-round draft pick out of Syracuse was arrested after Florida authorities spotted his black Escalade speeding and weaving in and out of traffic around…
Baltimore Ravens offensive guard Chris Chester has been hospitalized due to a skin infection. Coach John Harbaugh says the starting right guard didn’t practice Friday, but is hopeful Chester will be able to play on Sunday
Jerricho Cotchery is playing it safe and sitting this one out. The New York Jets wide receiver was ruled out Friday for the team’s game against the Houston Texans with a groin injury that held him out of practice all week
Brian St. Pierre will play behind a makeshift offensive line, without Carolina’s top three running backs and minus the Panthers’ No. 3 receiver, when he makes his first NFL start.