LITTLE ROCK — SEAHAWKS Carroll mum

RENTON, Wash. - Seattle Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll expects to have his starting cornerbacks available this Sunday in Chicago.

After that is anyone’s guess.

Carroll said Monday he plans on Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner playing this week against the Bears, despite the possibility they could be facing four-game suspensions for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

Carroll didn’t say much regarding the duo at his regularly scheduled media availability, trying not to violate league rules. But his belief is that Sherman and Browner will be able to play in potentially Seattle’s most important game of the season.

“As of right now, I’m planning on those guys playing,” Carroll said.

ESPN.com first reported Sunday afternoon, following the Seahawks’ 24-21 loss at Miami, that Browner and Sherman are facing suspensions and are in the process of appealing. The team said Sunday night it was aware of the report and according to the league’s collective bargaining agreement, players can continue to play until the appeal is heard and settled.

The team is limited in what it can say regarding the possible suspensions and Carroll eventually said he wouldn’t comment further until there is some resolution.

In a phone interview with Seattle reporters after Carroll’s press conference finished, Browner’s agent Peter Schaffer said that his client only received notice of the failed test last week.

Schaffer added that the league typically schedules appeals within 20 days of the notice being received, depending on circumstances. He did not provide specifics on when Browner’s appeal would take place.

The Seahawks (6-5) are tied with Tampa Bay and Minnesota for the final wild-card spot in the NFC, but hold the tiebreakers.

BUCCANEERS Wright suspended

TAMPA, Fla. - Tampa Bay cornerback Eric Wright has been suspended by the NFL for four games for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.

Wright is the second Tampa Bay starter disciplined for using Adderall. Cornerback Aqib Talib was suspended Oct. 13 for four games and subsequently traded to the New England Patriots while serving the ban.

Wright signed a five-year, $37.5 million contract with the Buccaneers as a free agent in March. He started the first 10 games of the season before sitting out Sunday’s loss to Atlanta because of an Achilles tendon injury.

The player issued a statement through his agent saying he took Adderall “at the end of July for health issues I was experiencing.”

Wright appealed the discipline, which was upheld by the NFL.

COWBOYS LB Carter out

IRVING, Texas - Dallas Cowboys linebacker Bruce Carter is out for the season with a dislocated left elbow, making him the team’s fourth defensive starter to go on injured reserve.

Carter injured the elbow in Thursday’s 38-31 loss to Washington. The Cowboys have lost both inside linebackers with defensive leader Sean Lee suffering a season-ending toe injury last month.

The other defensive starters out for the year are safety Barry Church and defensive end Kenyon Coleman.

The Cowboys said Monday they filled Carter’s roster spot by signing Brady Poppinga, a seven-year veteran who last played for St. Louis in 2011.

Dallas also released receiver Andre Holmes and replaced him with veteran Anthony Armstrong. Miles Austin injured a hip in the Washington game.

SUNDAY’S GAMES

Denver 17, Kansas City 9

Chicago 28, Minnesota 10

Cincinnati 34, Oakland 10

Cleveland 20, Pittsburgh 14

Indianapolis 20, Buffalo 13

Jacksonville 24, Tennessee 19

Atlanta 24, Tampa Bay 23

Miami 24, Seattle 21

Baltimore 16, San Diego 13, OT

St. Louis 31, Arizona 17

San Francisco 31, New Orleans 21

NY Giants 38, Green Bay 10

MONDAY’S GAME

Carolina 30, Philadelphia 22

THURSDAY’S GAME All times Central

New Orleans at Atlanta, 7:20 p.m.

SUNDAY, DEC. 2

Seattle at Chicago, noon

Minnesota at Green Bay, noon

San Francisco at St. Louis, noon

Carolina at Kansas City, noon

Houston at Tennessee, noon

Arizona at NY Jets, noon

Indianapolis at Detroit, noon

Jacksonville at Buffalo, noon

New England at Miami, noon

Tampa Bay at Denver, 3:05 p.m.

Cleveland at Oakland, 3:25 p.m.

Cincinnati at San Diego, 3:25 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Baltimore, 3:25 p.m.

Philadelphia at Dallas, 7:20 p.m.

MONDAY, DEC. 3

NY Giants at Washington, 7:30 p.m.

Sports, Pages 19 on 11/27/2012