Injury roundup: LB Porter, 2 others miss Dolphins' practice

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The winless St. Louis Rams played without both starting offensive tackles in the second half of last weekend's 35-0 loss at San Francisco.

Both could be back, although it might be a stretch for quarterback Marc Bulger to get ready in time for Sunday's home game against the Vikings.

Bulger did some light throwing Wednesday but appeared to be short-arming the ball and did not take any snaps with the first string. He's still on the mend from a bruised rotator cuff that sidelined him last weekend and said there was some pain.

"I'd hate to put 50-50 or 60-40 on it's just because there's too much time between now and the game," Bulger said. "Today, I obviously wouldn't have played because I don't have the juice I need on the ball."

The biggest hurdle will be attempting to judge whether Bulger can take some hits without aggravating the injury. The unbeaten Vikings (4-0) have been punishing opponents, with Jared Allen piling up 4.5 sacks on Monday night alone against the Packers.

Bulger pointed out he's been getting banged around no matter who the Rams have played.

The Rams are averaging just six points per game, last in the NFL, and they've gotten shut out with both Bulger and backup Kyle Boller starting. St. Louis mustered 177 yards of total offense behind Boller last week.

Offensive tackle Alex Barron worked with the first string, fully restored from a disciplinary benching. The other tackle, Jason Smith, got limited repetitions with backups and could return, perhaps as a backup, from a bruised left knee that has sidelined him for two weeks.

Coach Steve Spagnuolo had a chat Monday with Barron, a first-round draft pick in 2005 who the Rams anticipated would step up as a dominant tackle after the departure of seven-time Pro Bowler Orlando Pace.

"I'm not concerned about messages," Spagnuolo said. "It was men working with men, that's all we do. We just kind of put it behind us and we move on."

Barron was whistled for lining up in the backfield on his last play, late in the first half. He was a few feet behind the line of scrimmage and had checked before the play with the linesman to make sure he was OK.

It's not clear whether that was Spagnuolo's only issue with Barron, with neither party providing details.

"We had a conversation and what we talked about it strictly between us," Barron said. "We're ready to move on to Minnesota. You can't have no hard feelings and carry them over, because that's just going to screw up the game this weekend."

Safety Craig Dahl (concussion) was back after getting cleared by the medical staff and would again start in place of James Butler (knee), who Spagnuolo said would be doubtful. Cornerback Ron Bartell (thigh) didn't run at top speed but expected to return after missing a game.

Colts see Sanders, Brackett making progress

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- The Indianapolis Colts defense may finally be getting healthy.

On Wednesday, safety Bob Sanders had his most extensive practice time since training camp started and linebacker Gary Brackett returned to the practice field for the first time since spraining his left knee at Miami in Week 2.

Coach Jim Caldwell wouldn't say definitively if either would play Sunday night at Tennessee, but the Colts clearly expect Brackett to return this week after releasing backup linebacker Jordan Senn. Brackett wasn't even listed on the team's injury report.

"That's correct," Caldwell said if release of Senn means the return of Brackett. "He (Brackett) is back practicing, and we feel good about where he is."

Brackett's anticipated return should give the Colts (4-0) more versatility and depth against the defending AFC South champ, especially if the Titans (0-4) decide to use the wildcat formation.

The prospect of getting Sanders back sometime soon is even better news for Indianapolis.

Sanders, the 2007 NFL defensive player of the year, has not had any significant practice time since offseason surgery on his right knee. Caldwell said he did some "moving around" in Monday's short, noncontact workout and was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

If Sanders can stay healthy, he would add a big-hitting presence to a defense that has allowed just 73 yards rushing and 27 points over the past two weeks against Arizona and Seattle.

"He is ramping up his activity just a little bit," Caldwell said before practice. "He's not in a full practice or anything of that nature."

How soon could Sanders play?

If he sits out this week, Sanders could have essentially three full weeks of practice before Indy's next game Oct. 25 at St. Louis. The Colts have a bye next week.

Three other defensive players sat out Wednesday. Four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney rested his strained right quadriceps. Cornerbacks Kelvin Hayden (hamstring) and Marlin Jackson (knee) did not practice, either.

Indy's other big injury concern this week is left tackle Charlie Johnson, who missed the last part of Sunday's game against Seattle. Johnson said his MRI showed no structural damage, though Johnson sat out Wednesday and Caldwell wasn't sure whether Johnson would play at Tennessee.

Cowboys practice without Williams, Gurode, Jones

IRVING, Texas (AP) -- Cowboys receiver Roy Williams missed practice Wednesday because of a rib injury, while center Andre Gurode and running back Felix Jones were out with knee injuries.

Williams has cartilage damage around three ribs from a hit he took late in a loss to Denver on Sunday. He said Wednesday he's hoping to play Sunday at Kansas City, although he is still in pain when doing things like getting in and out of a car or bed.

Gurode hurt his knee against Denver. Jones missed the Denver game with an injury sustained the previous week.

Hasselbeck back for Seahawks; Will he play?

RENTON, Wash. (AP) -- Matt Hasselbeck has made it through his first Seahawks practice with a broken rib. Playing in Sunday's game against Jacksonville remains another matter.

The three-time Pro Bowl passer gave a tepid "OK" assessment of Wednesday's practice, his first on-field work since he got hurt Sept. 20 on a dive for the goal line in San Francisco.

He says he will do all he can on the field through Friday, and will then let coaches and doctors decide if he's able to return.

Offensive coordinator Greg Knapp said Hasselbeck looked a little bit out of football shape but that his energy was excellent and his throwing motion was fine.

Seneca Wallace would make his third consecutive start if Hasselbeck can't play.

Steelers Parker not optimistic about playing

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Steelers running back Willie Parker isn't optimistic about playing in Detroit.

An injured left big toe kept Parker out of the Steelers' 38-28 victory over San Diego on Sunday and Rashard Mendenhall ran for 165 yards and two touchdowns in his place.

With Mendenhall pushing to replace him as the starter, Parker didn't practice Wednesday because his toe still hasn't healed.

"I'm a competitor and I want to compete and show the world what I've got but, at the same time, I've got to be smart about it," said Parker, who ran for at least 1,200 yards every season from 2005-07. "Right now, I'm not where I need to be."

When Parker last played in Detroit, his 75-yard touchdown run helped the Steelers beat Seattle 21-10 in the Super Bowl in February 2006.

LB Porter, 2 others miss Dolphins' practice

DAVIE, Fla. (AP) -- Linebacker Joey Porter is among three Miami Dolphins defensive players sidelined with injuries as the team begins preparations for Monday night's game against the New York Jets.

Porter, linebacker Akin Ayodele and end Phillip Merling sat out practice Wednesday.

Porter, who missed Sunday's win over Buffalo with a sore right hamstring, did light exercises on the side during practice.

"Joey's progress was a lot more encouraging today," coach Tony Sparano said.

Sparano said Merling, who hurt his left ankle in the fourth quarter against the Bills, is also making progress. Ayodele sat out because of tightness in his back.

Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.