Strahan may be a go for struggling Giants

Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan might play for the New York Giants on Sunday in their crucial game against the New Orleans Saints.

Strahan hopes to practice this week for the first time since spraining his right foot against the Houston Texans on Nov. 5. He has missed the last six games, a span that has seen the Giants (7-7) lose five times.

New York can win its last two games and still miss the playoffs.

Strahan did not speak to the media in the Giants locker room Monday. Earlier in the day, he said in a weekly paid radio spot that his chances of playing were 50-50.

Coach Tom Coughlin and Strahan had a long talk before Sunday’s 36-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles before deciding to give Strahan another week off.

McNair likely to start

Steve McNair is expected to start Sunday for the Baltimore Ravens, although his injured right hand might affect his practice time this week.

McNair played only two series in the Ravens’ playoff-clinching 27-17 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. He left shortly after Cleveland linebacker Andra Davis accidentally stepped on his throwing hand, opening a cut that made it difficult for the quarterback to take snaps from center.

Backup Kyle Boller went 13 of 21 for 238 yards and two touchdowns, and Baltimore (11-3) clinched a playoff berth with its seventh win in eight games.

The Ravens are still in the hunt for a first-round bye and the best overall record in the AFC, and now they’ll have McNair available for Sunday’s game at Pittsburgh and the regular-season finale against visiting Buffalo.

Vick, others should play

Atlanta Falcons coach Jim Mora believes quarterback Michael Vick and defensive end John Abraham will start Sunday against the Carolina Panthers even though both players have significant injuries.

Abraham underwent surgery to have a pin placed in his left thumb after he tore ligaments in a loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Mora said Abraham will wear a cast and start against Carolina.

Vick, who limped off the field with a groin injury on the Falcons’ final possession Saturday night, continues to undergo treatment. Matt Schaub will start if Vick can’t.

Atlanta (7-7) has lost three straight home games for the first time since Dan Reeves’ final season in 2003. The Panthers (6-8) dropped their fourth consecutive game last week.

•Carolina’s all-time sacks leader, Mike Rucker, will miss the rest of the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Rucker suffered the season-ending injury late in the first quarter of Sunday’s loss to Pittsburgh.

Jaguar backfield beat up

The Jacksonville Jaguars expect to have rookie running back Maurice Drew back in the lineup Sunday against New England. They’re not sure about Fred Taylor, however.

Drew and Taylor, the duo that has the Jaguars ranked second in the league in rushing, were hurt in Sunday’s 24-17 loss at Tennessee. Taylor reinjured his right hamstring on his second run of the game and Drew jammed his knee in the fourth quarter on a 37-yard reception. Drew hobbled toward the sideline and was helped off the field. X-rays were negative.

Rattay in for Gradkowski

Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden said seventh-year pro Tim Rattay will make his first start of the season, replacing rookie Bruce Gradkowski when the Bucs (3-11) travel to Cleveland (4-10) on Sunday.

“It’s common sense right now based on performance and who gives us a better chance to win a football game,” Gruden said.

49ers shuffle players

The San Francisco 49ers placed starting center Eric Heitmann and new linebacker Jay Foreman on injured reserve.

San Francisco filled the roster spots with safety Deke Cooper and guard Nick Steitz, adding depth for the club’s unlikely playoff run.

The 49ers (6-8) lost Heitmann, who had started 35 consecutive games over the last three seasons, when he broke his leg in last week’s 24-14 victory over Seattle. Foreman, who signed with San Francisco just nine days earlier, played in two games before injuring his knee against the Seahawks.

Bears’ Johnson waits

Chicago Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson continued to await word on a possible punishment after being arrested last week on misdemeanor weapons charges, then going to a nightclub with a friend who was shot to death.

Johnson was arrested for the third time in 18 months Thursday after police found six unregistered firearms in his suburban home.

Johnson was inactive Sunday, when the NFC North champion Bears beat Tampa Bay 34-31 in overtime.