ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - Bills running back Willis McGahee could make his debut Sunday against the Jets.
"Willis had a good week of work. He practiced with our offense every day this week," Bills coach Gregg Williams said. "We'll go down to the final warmup before we make a decision."
McGahee has been practicing with the team since mid October and was activated Nov. 5. But this is the first time Williams has considered putting him in the lineup.
The former Miami star had knee surgery after being injured during the Hurricanes' loss to Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl in January. Before being hurt, McGahee, selected 23rd, was considered a top-three pick.
Meanwhile, quarterback Drew Bledsoe is ready to play after shaking off the effects of a blow to the head that briefly knocked him unconscious last week. A week earlier, Bledsoe sustained a mild concussion.
BEARS: Kordell Stewart will make his second straight start at quarterback. Chris Chandler's shoulder has healed enough that he will be the backup, ahead of rookie Rex Grossman. Their roles were reversed Sunday.
CHIEFS: Running back Larry Johnson pleaded innocent to charges he threatened a former girlfriend with a gun and hit her. Johnson, a first-round pick in April, has nine carries for 33 yards. Coach Dick Vermeil expressed confidence in a favorable resolution and said he hadn't ruled out Johnson for Sunday's game. Johnson's bond was set at $5,000, and his next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 7.
DOLPHINS: Linebacker Zach Thomas said although his hip hurts, he expects to play Sunday. Thomas injured his hip in Wednesday's practice when he twisted a muscle.
PACKERS: Edgar Bennett assumed the duties of running backs coach, subbing for Sylvester Croom, who was excused from the team for a few days. Croom left Friday morning for Starkville, Miss., to devote time to his new job as coach at Mississippi State. Plans call for Croom to return to Green Bay on Saturday and be with the team Sunday. Earlier this week, Croom said he would like to finish the season with the Packers but acknowledged the demands will be great in his new job and didn't know how long he could handle both jobs.
REDSKINS: Tim Hasselbeck will start at quarterback Sunday because Patrick Ramsey is out with a right foot injury. Also, offensive lineman Pia Elisara was signed from the practice squad and offensive lineman Daryl Terrell, who was signed earlier this week, was released.
TEXANS: Quarterback David Carr and running back Domanick Davis did not practice with their teammates, leaving their availability for Sunday in doubt. Carr was limited to light throwing as he recovers from a right shoulder injury sustained last month. Tony Banks broke his hand Sunday, so rookie Dave Ragone and would start if Carr is out. Davis, the league's leading rookie running back with 825 yards, did a little running on his bruised right thigh. He was hurt late Sunday when he took a helmet to the leg.
Eagle confirms he received hate mail
PHILADELPHIA - Eagles receiver Freddie Mitchell confirmed he is one of six players who received racially motivated, threatening letters that are being investigated by the FBI.
"It doesn't make any sense. But you know, there's racism everywhere," he said. "I'm not worried about it. It's not a threat to me at all. I don't live in fear.
"I just go out and live day to day. If you live in fear, you know your life will be messed up."
The Giants said they received about 10 letters. Letters sent to Giants Stadium were addressed to CEO John Mara, coach Jim Fassel, and tight end Jeremy Shockey. The first few were opened, but the rest were left sealed and passed on to authorities.
Special agent Robert Hawk of the FBI's Cleveland office said more than 30 "racially hateful letters" were sent to "high-profile people in their respective communities - professional athletes, business leaders, civic leaders, community leaders or organizations."
He confirmed six letters were sent to pro athletes.
Hawk said the contents of the letter "complain about the relationships between black men and white females." He also said the letters direct black males to end relationships with white women "or they're going to be castrated, shot or set on fire."
Mitchell apparently was targeted because of an appearance he made last year on a reality TV program called A Dating Story. The program featured Mitchell and Philadelphia-based model Tiffany Schmid going on a date. Schmid is white.
Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor is the other player who has been identified as a target of the letters. Taylor's wife, Katina, the sister of Zach Thomas, is white.
PHILLIPS RELEASED: Former NFL running back Lawrence Phillips was released from jail after he was charged with sexually assaulting his girlfriend. He posted bail of $767 and is due in court March 2. Police say he assaulted his girlfriend Nov. 27 in Montreal. He also was charged Thursday with making threats. Phillips was released by Calgary of the CFL on Oct. 10 for disrupting practice by arguing with coach Jim Barker.
