PHILADELPHIA — EAGLES Westbrook cleared to play
Just in time for the playoffs, Brian Westbrook makes the Philadelphia Eagles even more dangerous.
Westbrook was cleared to play after recovering from two concussions and is expected to return against the Denver Broncos at home Sunday. The former All-Pro running back has played in just six games this season.
Coach Andy Reid said Wednesday that Westbrook did “perfect” on his testing and is “ready to roll” for the NFC East-leading Eagles (10-4).
“Unless there’s a setback, I think that’s what he’s counting on, the doctors and everybody else,” Reid said.
Westbrook missed the past five games after suffering his second concussion in three weeks against San Diego on Nov. 15. His first career concussion came against Washington on Oct. 26. Westbrook sat out two games before returning prematurely against the Chargers.
Westbrook will likely have a limited role in the offense, sharing plays with halfback LeSean McCoy and fullback Leonard Weaver.
STEELERS
Polamalu out again
PITTSBURGH - Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu didn’t practice again Wednesday because of his injured left knee ligament and doesn’t expect to play Sunday against Baltimore.
Polamalu is “encouraged” by an MRI test he had Tuesday, but he doesn’t anticipate practicing this week. Asked if he needs a week of practice before playing again, he said, “I would think so.”
The five-time Pro Bowl safety has missed nine full games and most of two others with separate ligament injuries in his left knee. He hasn’t played since the opening series against Cincinnati on Nov. 15, though he has been working out in anticipation of a return.
“I’ve tried everything - running, lifting, rehab,” he said Wednesday.
Last week, Polamalu said he hoped to play Jan. 3 in the regular season-ending game in Miami.
Since Polamalu sprained his posterior cruciate ligament, the Steelers (7-7) have won only one of the six games he hasn’t finished. They were 2-2 when he missed four games early in the season.. BILLS Schobel considers retiring
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - Buffalo Bills defensive end Aaron Schobel is contemplating retirement, saying he’s going to go home after the season before making a decision.
“I don’t know my future really, what I’m going to do,” Schobel told two reporters, including The AssociatedPress, following practice Wednesday. Signed through 2013, Schobel’s 75 career sacks rank second on the team list behind Bruce Smith.
The 32-year-old said he fears he’s slowed down in his ninth NFL season since being selected by the Bills in the second round of the 2001 draft. A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Schobel is having a solid year in which he leads the team with seven sacks, his most since registering a career-best 14 in 2006.
Buffalo (5-9) plays at Atlanta on Sunday.
VIKINGS
Harvin visits Mayo Clinic
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - Minnesota Vikings Coach Brad Childress says he’s confident in the team’s plan to manage rookie Percy Harvin’s migraines.
The problem kept Harvin out of one game and limited him to one practice last week. He had only one catch for 10 yards and two kickoff returns for a total of 31 yards in Sunday’s loss at Carolina.
Childress said Wednesday Harvin recently had a “good” visit with specialists at the renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester. The coach downplayed the significance of bulging discs Harvin revealed he has in his neck, saying they’re not herniated.
Childress says he’s happy Harvin will be able to participate fully in practice this week and have a better grasp of the game plan.
The Vikings visit the Chicago Bears on Monday night.
ODDS & ENDS
Backup tight end Darcy Johnson has been placed on injured reserve by the New York Giants with a shoulder injury. The Giants also signed tight end Scott Chandler off the Dallas Cowboys’ practice roster. ... The Arizona Cardinals have placed starting left tackle Mike Gandy on injured reserve after he underwent surgery to repair a sports hernia. The move ends the season for Gandy, who had started 31 consecutive games, counting last season’s playoffs, before the injury kept him out of the Dec.2 victory over Minnesota. ... Buffalo Bills safety Jairus Byrd, who leads the NFL with nine interceptions, was placed on injured reserve, ending his season. ... Oakland Raiders quarterback Charlie Frye has been cleared to play after sustaining a concussion against Denver last week and will start Sunday’s game against his former team, the Cleveland Browns. ... New England Patriots running back Fred Taylor seems set to face his former team after missing 10 games with an ankle injury. Taylor participated fully in practice Wednesday for the first time since being sidelined. The Patriots play Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who released Taylor after 11 seasons in which he became their top career rusher.
Sports, Pages 18 on 12/24/2009