NFL notes

— COWBOYS Bryant says he’s playing

IRVING, Texas - Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant says he will play with a broken finger Sunday against Pittsburgh and there are signs that it might not be wishful thinking.

Bryant was listed as a limited participant in practice Thursday, an upgrade from a day earlier, when he sat out. Dallas Coach Jason Garrett said he caught some passes in practice after saying before the workout he didn’t think Bryant would.

The third-year pro fractured his left index finger in last weekend’s 20-19 victory at Cincinnati, but he caught a touchdown after getting injured. He will need surgery, but the question remains whether he can try to play through the injury and have surgery after the season.

It didn’t seem like much of a question in Bryant’s mind Thursday.

“Only thing y’all need to know is I’m playing,” he said while ducking in and out of the locker room without stopping for interviews.

Bryant was the last player on the field for the open portion of practice, and he was wearing a padded white glove that had the tip of the finger exposed. Several players said he looked good catching passes.

“There are different ways to catch a ball,” quarterback Tony Romo said. “He can probably tell you better than anybody just how to catch a football. I trust him. If he’s going to put himself in that position, I know he’s going to find a way to play at a certain level.”

Bryant wants to keep playing for two reasons: the Cowboys (7-6) still have a shot at the playoffs, and he’s in the best stretch of his career. The third-year pro has his first 1,000-yard season and has scored in a career best five consecutive games.

Dallas has won four of five, and Bryant has 33 catches for 525 yards and 7 touchdowns in that stretch.

“He certainly has a willingness to play,” Garrett said. “We’ve just got to see if he can function the way he needs to.”

PATRIOTS Branch returns - again

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Deion Branch is back at his New England Patriots locker where his nameplate never was removed after the two times the team released him this season.

The wide receiver re-signed with New England after being cut and missing the past four games. He had been cut for the first time just before the season then was re-signed after two games.

Branch said Thursday he had no intention of playing for another team and wants to retire as a Patriot. But he said he knew he would be back. The Patriots signed him to add depth after wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth suffered a high right ankle sprain in Monday night’s 42-14 victory over the Houston Texans.

Stallworth was injured on his only catch of the game, a 63-yard touchdown pass.

JETS

No wildcat for Tebow

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Tim Tebow’s days of running the New York Jets’ wildcat-style offense appear over for now.

Rex Ryan said the backup quarterback, recovering from two broken ribs, will be active Monday night for the team’s game at Tennessee, but will likely only play in the conventional offense if starter Mark Sanchez goes down with an injury. That means no wildcat or participating as the punt protector on special teams.

“I’d love to help this team in any way,” Tebow said Thursday. “Whether that’s running, throwing [or] whatever I can do, however I can do it.”

Tebow has not played in the Jets’ past three games after being hurt Nov. 11 at Seattle.

“I think he’s improving,” Ryan said. “Improving to where you’re going to run the powers and the counters and all that other stuff? I’m not sure about that.”

Tebow was limited at practice, as he has been in recent weeks.

Ryan said tight end Dustin Keller (ankle), running back Bilal Powell (shoulder, broken toe), linebacker Bryan Thomas (strained pectoral), defensive back Aaron Berry (hamstring) and wide receivers Clyde Gates (concussion) and Stephen Hill (knee) all did not practice. Despite Powell’s toe injury, Ryan thinks he’ll be OK to play Monday night.

Newly reacquired wide receiver Braylon Edwards was limited with a hamstring issue, but passed his physical with the Jets and Ryan expects him to play against the Titans.

GIANTS

CB misses practice

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - New York Giants starting right cornerback Prince Amukamara missed practice Thursday with a strained hamstring and could miss New York’s game at Atlanta Sunday.

Amukamara, who has played in 10 consecutive games and suffered his injury in the fourth quarter against New Orleans last Sunday, has battled back problems and a broken toe since his rookie season last year.

“I was trying to stay on a streak, but I couldn’t do it,” Amukamara said, adding the injury did not feel like a complete tear.

Still, he anticipates a decision on his availability will be made well before kickoff.

“I don’t know the plan,” he said. “I’m preparing with film as if I’m going to go. So, if I do go back, I know what to do.”

Running back Ahmad Bradshaw (knee) and safety Kenny Phillips (knee) also missed practice. Coach Tom Coughlin continued to maintain that the medical staff will determine whether Bradshaw will be available for the Giants (8-5) against the Falcons (11-2).

“He’ll tell you he can go anytime,” Coughlin said of Bradshaw. “It’s between the medical people and Ahmad in terms of how he feels.”

Bradshaw has battled through foot problems much of his career, but Coughlin warned that this injury is much different.

Coughlin sounded frustrated with Phillips’ aggravation after missing the New Orleans game. Phillips, who has a right knee sprain, returned against Washington the week before, but suffered a setback during the loss.

“I really don’t know what to comment about that,” Coughlin said. “He was back, then he had a setback. Now he’s working his way back again. The nature of the injury is such.”

THURSDAY’S GAME

Cincinnati 34, Philadelphia 13

SUNDAY’S GAMES All times Central

Green Bay at Chicago, noon Tampa Bay at New Orleans, noon Minnesota at St. Louis, noon Indianapolis at Houston, noon NY Giants at Atlanta, noon Washington at Cleveland, noon

Jacksonville at Miami, noon

Denver at Baltimore, noon

Carolina at San Diego, 3:05 p.m.

Detroit at Arizona, 3:05 p.m.

Seattle vs. Buffalo at Toronto, 3:05 p.m.

Kansas City at Oakland, 3:25 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Dallas, 3:25 p.m.

San Francisco at New England, 7:20 p.m.

MONDAY’S GAME

NY Jets at Tennessee, 7:30 p.m.

Sports, Pages 23 on 12/14/2012

Upcoming Events