Strahan returns to practice for first time

With the playoffs in doubt, Michael Strahan is back on the field for the New York Giants – at least in practice. The seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end practiced Wednesday for the first time since spraining his right foot in a game against the Houston Texans on Nov. 5.

While he wished everyone a Merry Christmas, Strahan refused to talk to the media about his prospects for playing Sunday against the New Orleans Saints (9-5) in what is just about a must-win game for the Giants (7-7). Officially, Strahan is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game, meaning that he has a 50-50 chance of playing.

New York is tied with Atlanta (7-7) for the second wild-card playoff berth, but even two wins might not assure a postseason berth for New York.

Hall claims end to Owens feud

After Terrell Owens spit in DeAngelo Hall’s face in Saturday night’s game, Hall insisted he’d have nothing to do with the Dallas receiver.

Owens, who was fined $35,000 by the NFL, kept trying to contact Hall, the Falcons’ star cornerback. Former Atlanta and Dallas player Deion Sanders finally convinced Hall to take a three-way telephone call on Monday.

“We had a pretty good conversation,” Hall said. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s over. We got it all out, cleared it all out. It’s over.”

Probation problems could dog Johnson

Tank Johnson got a reprieve from the Chicago Bears after his recent run-in with the law, but the defensive tackle’s legal troubles aren’t over: Cook County officials now say he violated his probation on a 2005 gun charge in Lake County.

Johnson is due in court Friday in the Chicago suburb of Skokie, and the judge’s options include sending him to jail. “The judge has discretion to do various things,” spokeswoman Gale Paradise said, including extending Johnson’s probation or tacking on more community service.

Around the league

Michael Vick said his sore groin has improved, even though he didn’t test the injury as he took a reduced role in practice. He is listed as probable for Sunday’s game against Carolina. … Jacksonville running back Fred Taylor sat out practice with a strained right hamstring and was listed as questionable for Sunday’s crucial game against New England. … The banged-up Carolina Panthers lost another player for the rest of the season when guard Mike Wahle was placed on injured reserve. The Panthers practiced again without quarterback Jake Delhomme, who still can’t grip a football because of a sprained right thumb.