Walker is likely to start if he's healthy

TAMPA -- Right tackle Kenyatta Walker practiced for the second straight day Thursday and likely will play Sunday.

Defensive end Anthony McFarland and safety John Lynch sat out for the second straight day. McFarland and Lynch are questionable.

Benched in the opener, Walker played the next two games before spraining his ankle in the second half against the Rams. He missed two games and is battling Cornell Green for the starting position.

"We're just going to keep looking at it," coach Jon Gruden said. "Kenyatta had a good day physically, and we'll see who starts the game, probably decide who starts Friday or Saturday. ... Kenyatta is a guy that came on before the injury, and if he's physically ready to go we expect him to play and be the starter." As for McFarland and Lynch?

"I think their status is improving a little bit, but we're still listing them as questionable for the Cleveland game," Gruden said.

REWARDING THE FAN: Fans often complain that professional athletes forget the effort they make to attend their events. But two gestures by receiver Keyshawn Johnson may help bridge that gap.

After he scored on a 76-yard pass Sunday in Atlanta, Johnson ran to the back of the end zone, spotted Elisa Galvan, 35, a Bucs fan from Tampa who was among a group of Falcons fans, and attempted to throw the ball to her.

A Falcons fans grabbed the ball, and Johnson shouted, "That was for her. That was for her," Galvan said.

On Johnson's radio show Wednesday, a friend of Galvan's, Ken Oates, called in the story, and Johnson took action.

"I told (him) to tell (Galvan) if she was listening to call the station and I would take care of it," Johnson said.

She called and Johnson gave her two tickets to each remaining home game this season.

"What Keyshawn has done is an extremely thoughtful and generous gesture on his part," Galvan said. "I'm looking forward to going to the games and rooting for him and the team."

WE'VE MET BEFORE: One person who won't need to watch too much film on Browns defensive tackle Gerard Warren is Bucs right guard Cosey Coleman. Coleman, who played at Tennessee, has had memorable Southeastern Conference battles against Warren, a former standout at Florida.

"I played against Gerard Warren for three seasons," Coleman said. "He's a big, physical player, the type of player who is going to try to dominate opposing linemen. As a defensive tackle he's pretty big, about 6 feet 4, 320 pounds, which is very stout for a nose tackle. From what I remember he tries to use his size and strength to overpower you."

HE SAID IT: "We're thinking of moving him to flanker and putting him in motion and letting him run some routes and spread some of that magic around." -- Gruden, joking about his plans for linebacker Derrick Brooks.

NOT SEEING GREEN: First-round draft pick William Green was expected to be a significant contributor in the Browns running game this season.

But the Boston College star has had a slow start after missing a chunk of training camp because of injuries and a contract dispute. He has 44 carries for 97 yards, 2.2 a carry.

Also, little-known back Jamel White has emerged as a dependable runner, leading the team with 52 carries for 262 yards (5 per carry) and a touchdown.

"(Missing part of training camp) set him back, and it's tough to slow down the progress of your team for one player, because you're putting in new protections and new things every week," coach Butch Davis said. "But we think William Green is going to be an outstanding player here."

OTHER INJURIES: Fullback Mike Alstott (left ankle sprain) and safety Dexter Jackson (left knee contusion) are probable.