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NFL
December 25, 2002
LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Bears aren't about to mess with Chris Chandler's head.
Two days after sustaining the fifth concussion of his career, Chandler took most of the snaps at practice Tuesday. But coach Dick Jauron said he still plans to wait until later in the week to decide whether Chandler will start Sunday night's season finale against the Buccaneers.
"(Monday) was a good sign," Jauron said. "I'm optimistic because he practiced (Monday), but we want to watch it very closely. We won't take any risks with it."
Chandler was badly shaken up after being driven into the ground by Carolina defensive tackle Brentson Buckner midway through the second quarter Sunday. Chandler lay on the ground for several minutes and was clearly dazed and disoriented when he got up.
He staggered twice and had to be helped off the field. He wasn't able to talk clearly.
But Jauron said doctors classified the concussion as a mild one, and Chandler didn't show any symptoms of it Tuesday.
If Chandler can't play, backup Henry Burris will start. Burris replaced Chandler on Sunday and was 8-of-22 for 50 yards, struggling for much of the game.
NEW YORK -- Deion Sanders will not be a member of the Raiders. Nor will he return this season.
The Chargers, one of five AFC teams to put in claims, were awarded the former All-Pro cornerback. As a result, Sanders can't return to football with Oakland.
Nor can he play for the Chargers because he will have to be placed on its reserve-retired list, the same list he was on with Washington, which released him Monday.
The only way Sanders could have returned this season was to clear waivers and sign with the team of his choice.
All the teams that claimed Sanders were AFC teams that didn't want to face him in the playoffs, ESPN.com reported. In addition to San Diego, Sanders was claimed by Indianapolis, Tennessee, Pittsburgh and Kansas City.
The 35-year-old Sanders announced Sunday he was considering a comeback.
PATRIOTS: Rookie tight end Daniel Graham will miss the final regular-season game with bruised ribs. The team signed receiver Fred Coleman, tight end Fred Baxter and offensive lineman Matt Knutson.
RAIDERS: Cornerback Charles Woodson had surgery to repair a fractured right fibula and is out for Saturday's game against Kansas City. He also could miss the first two weeks of the playoffs. ... Kicker Sebastian Janikowski pleaded no contest to drunken driving and will be placed on three years of probation.
STEELERS: Quarterback Tommy Maddox is questionable for Sunday's game against the Ravens with an ankle injury, coach Bill Cowher said. Maddox was hurt when Bucs defensive lineman Warren Sapp rolled across his leg after Maddox had thrown a pass. Sapp was penalized for a late hit, but Cowher could not say whether it was intentional. "A flag was thrown so, there was some question as to the intent ... but Warren has not had a history of being that kind of player, so you like to think it was a coincidental thing that took place," Cowher said.
VIKINGS: Owner Red McCombs told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that coach Mike Tice Tice would return nest season.