Morris Court Date Set
Baltimore Ravens running back Bam Morris rejoined the team on the practice field Wednesday, a day after pleading innocent in a Texas court to charges he violated his 1996 probation on a marijuana conviction.
Although Morris won’t be tried until January, ensuring that the Ravens’ leading rusher will finish the season with the team, coach Ted Marchibroda doesn’t seem to have changed his mind about starting a rookie in Morris’ place.
Marchibroda gave strong indications that Jay Graham will start provided an injury to his left ankle heals in time.
That would give the rookie out of Tennessee his third straight start ahead of Morris, though the four-year veteran is expected to see significant playing time.
Graham ran full speed in practice and said the ankle felt better.
Morris wouldn’t talk about Tuesday’s hearing. State District Judge Sue Pirtle scheduled a Jan. 12 trial to consider whether the 25-year-old running back’s probation should be revoked because of allegations he assaulted a woman in Maryland, drank alcohol and failed to report to his probation officer seven times.
Pirtle could sentence Morris to up to 10 years’ imprisonment and up to a $10,000 fine for the drug conviction.
The judge also could choose to place Morris back on probation.
Lloyd lost to Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers learned Wednesday that Greg Lloyd, their five-time Pro Bowl linebacker, will miss Sunday’s game at Arizona (3-9) with a sprained and infected ankle.
Eye injury career-threatening
New York Giants center Brian Williams has given up hope of playing this season because of an eye injury sustained in training camp. There’s a chance the poke in the eye may end his career.
Williams’ announcement on Wednesday came just minutes before halfback Rodney Hampton, the Giants all-time leading rusher, said he was ready to return from a preseason knee injury.
Hampton’s announcement seemed to catch coach Jim Fassel off guard. Minutes earlier he said the running back was not making progress in recovering from surgery performed before the start of the season.
Williams has been sidelined since the second day of camp when defensive lineman Bernard Holsey poked him in the right eye and fractured his orbit. While his vision is normal looking straight ahead, it doubles when he raises or lowers his eye 25 degrees despite eye surgery.
Bucs extend Brooks’ contract
Linebacker Derrick Brooks, whose contract was to expire at the end of this season, signed a five-year extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Brooks, a third-year pro, is second on the Bucs in tackles with 133 and also has 1.5 sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery. He has started 28 consecutive games and 41 of 44 since being selected in the first round of the 1995 draft.
The new deal extends Brooks’ contract through the 2002 season.
xxxx NFL MATCHUPS Chicago (2-10) at Detroit (6-6) TV: 9:30 a.m., FOX Last meeting: Lions routed Bears 32-7 in Week 3 at Chicago. Key stats: Lions have won 4 of last 5 meetings. Worth watching: Bears LB Bryan Cox vs. RB Barry Sanders. Bears’ best chance of an upset rests on getting the ball to wide receiver Curtis Conway,
Tennessee (6-6) at Dallas (6-6) TV: 1 p.m., NBC Last meeting: Cowboys edged Oilers 20-17 at Dallas in 1994. Key stats: Cowboys have won 11 of last 12 Thanksgiving games when scoring 20 or more points. Worth watching: Tennessee held Buffalo to 1 yard rushing in first half last week in a win. Overall, Oilers allowed only 4 yards rushing. That was lowest since they held San Francisco to 5 yards rushing in 1975. Dallas is ranked 17th in the league.