Smith expects to set new first in rushing
Emmitt Smith is approaching another milestone: 18,000 career yards rushing. No one else has made it to 17,000.
Smith needs 59 yards against Miami on Sunday. The way the Dolphins are defending the run, the goal is reasonable, even on an Arizona Cardinals team that has lost 17 consecutive games on the road.
“That means I’ve run a long ways,” Smith said. “It means a lot. Heck, there has not been a back in the National Football League to go over 18,000, so that’s pretty special.
“It was many years that people said nobody’s going to get to 17, and here I am looking at 18.”
In his 15th season, Smith enters Sunday’s game with an NFL record 17,941 yards rushing, 1,175 more than No. 2 Walter Payton.
“He just continues to make his mark on history,” Arizona offensive tackle L.J. Shelton said. “I’m glad that, hopefully, I will be a part of it when he does it. It’s definitely a big honor to be part of it.”
Rice returns to practice
Jerry Rice’s sprained right ankle healed enough for him to practice, but the Seattle Seahawks receiver is questionable for Sunday’s game at San Francisco.
Rice was injured in the first quarter of last week’s win over Carolina.
Receivers Bobby Engram and Darrell Jackson also are questionable for Sunday’s game with ankle sprains. Alex Bannister, another receiver known more as a special teams standout, is out eight weeks with a broken collarbone.
D.J. Hackett, a rookie receiver on the practice squad, was downgraded from probable to questionable with a left hip pointer.
Around the league
Sheldon Brown signed a six-year extension with Philadelphia, keeping the second-year cornerback with the Eagles through the 2012 season. Brown received a $7.5 million signing bonus and the contract is worth $30 million over the six seasons. … New York Jets linebacker Sam Cowart is listed as probable for Sunday, but coach Herman Edwards and Cowart are uncertain as to his status calling it a “game-time decision.” … Panthers running back Stephen Davis practiced for the second consecutive day, leaving Carolina hopeful he can play Sunday. … Jacksonville starting linebacker Darryl Smith has a partially torn ligament in his left knee and could miss the Jaguars’ Nov. 14 game against Detroit. Running back Fred Taylor, meanwhile, should be ready to play. … Minnesota Vikings linebacker Raonall Smith will miss Monday’s game at Indianapolis because of lingering effects from a concussion. Rookie Dontarrious Thomas will start in his place. Running back Mewelde Moore might miss miss the game with a sprained left ankle.