NFL: Oct. 14, 2005

New England Patriots Pro Bowl linebacker Tedy Bruschi, one of the team's inspirational leaders and playmakers, might be coming back. This year. Granted, it's hardly a sure thing. Though Bruschi has been working out and attending team meetings at Patriots headquarters and would like to play this season, his doctors, his wife, Heidi, and Patriots owner Robert Kraft have yet to give him their permission. There are legal and ethical concerns. -- Indianapolis Star

Bill Cowher insists which quarterback starts against the Jacksonville Jaguars will be a game-time decision. That came on a day when Ben Roethlisberger jogged for the first time since being injured in San Diego and backup Tommy Maddox was upgraded to probable on the injury report. If Roethlisberger (knee/doubtful) cannot play, Maddox is healthy and ready to start against the Jaguars. However, Cowher still did not rule out the possibility of Charlie Batch getting his first start in nearly four years. -- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pro Bowl wide receiver Hines Ward (hamstring) did not practice for the second consecutive day and Bill Cowher admitted there is "concern" about his injury. Ward played with the injury in San Diego and caught six passes for 83 yards. -- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has been absolutely giddy since his team's upset of the Eagles. He called it the Cowboys' "best victory in five or six years" and thinks it could be a major turning point for his franchise. What if the Cowboys had lost and dropped to 2-3? "It would have been time for a come-to-Jesus meeting from the head coach on down about our direction," Jones said. "We have expectations." -- Philadelphia Daily News

Kelly Holcomb took the snaps as the Bills' starter Wednesday. But J.P. Losman said he is preparing just as much as in past weeks. -- Buffalo News

The Fred Taylor Watch is back. The Jaguars running back, who injured his ankle late Sunday in a victory over Cincinnati after gaining a season-high 132 yards, was downgraded to questionable Thursday when he was limited in practice. According to NFL guidelines, that means he has a 50-50 chance of playing. -- Florida Times-Union

Thomas Jones ran off the Bears practice fields Thursday afternoon but didn't participate in the workout and remains questionable. Rookie Cedric Benson has received the majority of the reps in his place, with veteran Adrian Peterson picking up a few. Bears coach Lovie Smith said Jones will retain the starting job when he's healthy. -- Chicago Sun-Times

The Saints will use veteran tailback Antowain Smith and Aaron Stecker to fill in for injured starter Deuce McAllister. -- New Orleans Times-Picayune

Steelers RB Duce Staley said he is not 100 percent recovered from knee surgery, but did not say that will be the case the rest of the season. -- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Aaron Rodgers' respect and appreciation for Brett Favre seems to have grown with each passing week. Rodgers did not like recent suggestions from NFL TV commentators that if the 1-4 Packers totally tank the season, Rodgers should get at least a shot at significant playing time and not just mop-up work. -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel