Sports: NFL briefs

NFL briefs

By Compiled from Times wires

Colts lineman injures repaired knee

INDIANAPOLIS -- Colts defensive tackle Ellis Johnson, on the mend from knee surgery, reinjured himself.

Johnson was hurt during pass-rush drills and was unable to finish practice Thursday, coach Jim Mora said.

"It doesn't look real encouraging right now," Mora said.

Rookie Josh Williams is expected to make his fifth consecutive start, the third in a row in Johnson's spot. Williams has 28 tackles and 21/2 sacks in his four starts.

Johnson, a Wildwood native and former Gator standout, started 43 consecutive games before damaging cartilage in his right knee on Oct. 22 against New England. He had arthroscopic surgery two days later and missed the past two games.

CHARGERS: Starting cornerback DeRon Jenkins sprained his right ankle during practice, and his status for Sunday's game against the Dolphins is uncertain.

CHIEFS: Between his habit of jumping offside to his reputation for taking plays off, Chester McGlockton comes under criticism when things go wrong for the defense. Times have seldom been worse. The Chiefs were ripped for 49 points and 231 rushing yards in Sunday's loss to Oakland. So McGlockton, the enigmatic defensive tackle, is again being questioned. The Chiefs are rushing to his defense. "He's playing better than last year, and last year he was the first runner-up for a Pro Bowl position," president and general manager Carl Peterson said. "Against Oakland, he was our best defensive lineman. It wasn't even close."

DOLPHINS: Needing to temporarily fill a void at linebacker, Miami waived third-string quarterback Mike Quinn and signed linebacker Tommy Hendricks off the practice squad. With starting middle linebacker Zach Thomas (ankle) out for the third consecutive game and his backup, Larry Izzo (neck), questionable for Sunday's game at San Diego, the Dolphins were forced to make a move.

EAGLES: Cornerback Al Harris spent $200 to fly home to Pompano Beach and cast his vote. Considering that the presidential election hinges on the outcome in Florida, Harris couldn't help but feel a certain degree of pride in investing in his future. "Voting is a big deal where I come from," said Harris, 25. "A lot of old people live around there. I guess that's why."

PATRIOTS: Both Drew Bledsoe ("We'll have to wait until game time") and coach Bill Belichick ("It'll be a game-time decision") hinted there was a chance Bledsoe might play despite the injured thumb on his right (throwing) hand. That chance, though, seems to be slim. At issue, Bledsoe said, is not necessarily the pain "but whether I can take the snaps and throw the ball." Yet the Boston Globe is reporting Bledsoe has ligament damage and will miss two weeks or more.

RAMS: Coach Mike Martz said running back Trung Canidate, who dressed but did not play Sunday, will see action in the first quarter against the New York Giants. "I'm excited where he is right now," Martz said. "So I'm anxious to see him play a little bit." A little bit would be a lot for Canidate, who's been dogged by injuries. He missed most of training camp with a high ankle sprain and has missed all but two games of the regular season with a sprained foot.

SEAHAWKS: Cornerback Willie Williams missed practice for the third consecutive day because of a neck stinger. Coach Mike Holmgren listed Williams as probable for Sunday's game at Jacksonville. If Williams is unavailable, Chris Canty will start. Holmgren called Williams' status a game-day decision. Williams was injured during a loss to Kansas City two weeks ago and aggravated the injury in Sunday's win over San Diego. Listed as questionable are quarterback Brock Huard (concussion) and wide receiver Sean Dawkins (bruised right quadricep).

CARRUTH TRIAL: The third week of jury selection in former player Rae Carruth's murder trial ended with two alternate jurors still to be selected before opening statements and testimony can begin. Court ended after attorneys agreed on a white woman who works as a nurse as the second alternate juror. On Thursday, attorneys selected a white woman who works as a bookkeeper for Kmart as the first alternate juror. "I'm glad we're making progress," lead prosecutor Gentry Caudill said. Defense attorney David Rudolf said he expected the trial to open in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday. The jury is composed of seven white men, three black women and two white women.

NO BLACKOUTS: All 15 games this weekend were sold out in advance of the local blackout deadline and will be televised in the home teams' market area. It was just the second time in the 27-year history of the policy that all games sold out in advance of the deadline, permitting the blackout to be lifted. The only other time it happened was Sept. 6-7, 1998, the opening weekend.