Engram back with Hawks
Bobby Engram was drenched in sweat. He was tired. He looked skinny.
But the Seahawks’ leading receiver of last season was smiling while seated at his locker after Wednesday’s practice. It was his first work with Seattle’s starting offense since a virus and Graves’ disease caused a thyroid condition, an accelerated heart rate and a month of numbing fatigue.
“I’m better,” Engram said, smiling. “Frustrated, but getting better.”
The Seahawks list Engram as questionable for Monday night’s game against Oakland. But his appearance and his words after running a few plays with the scout team and some with his mates on the starting offense suggested he’s pointing toward returning for the Nov. 12 game against St. Louis, if then.
“I’m not talking until I get back on the field,” Engram said, politely shooing away visitors.
D.J. Hackett is getting most of Engram’s duties as slot receiver during his absence.
Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said doctors are testing Engram almost daily to see if his heart rate and other measurables return to normal with a new round of medication. Holmgren estimated Engram has lost eight pounds this month.
“Engram is week to week until he gets his energy back,” Holmgren said. “The intangibles that (he) brings … Engram is one of the leaders of this football team. So he is missed.”
Titans suspend Jones
Tennessee fans got tired of the off-field antics of cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones before he played a game for the team. The Titans finally signaled they are weary, too.
The team suspended Jones, the sixth overall pick in the 2005 draft, for Sunday’s game against Jacksonville. Coach Jeff Fisher hopes the punishment, which includes banning him from practice and what he called “significant financial considerations,” gets Jones’ attention.
Jones was cited last weekend for misdemeanor assault after being accused of spitting on a woman in a nightclub.
Martin will miss season
Curtis Martin tried to outrun the inevitable.
After months of rehabilitation for the New York Jets, reality finally caught up to the NFL’s No. 4 career rusher.
“I think this is as good as my knee gets, where it is right now,” Martin said.
The Jets placed the 33-year-old Martin on the reserve physically-unable-to perform list with a bone-on-bone condition in his right knee, ending his season before it got started and jeopardizing his career.
Injuries hit Saints hard
The New Orleans Saints are dealing with more injuries than they have all season as they prepare to play Tampa Bay, including an ankle sprain that kept Reggie Bush out of practice.
Still, the rookie running back insisted his left ankle is fine, and said he plans to practice today and play Sunday.
Bush was among three key offensive players – including left tackle Jammal Brown (sprained ankle) and wide receiver Joe Horn (strained groin) – held out or limited in practice.
Texans’ Williams ails
Houston Texans No. 1 draft pick Mario Williams did not practice because of a sore arch on his right foot.
Coach Gary Kubiak said Williams will likely sit out or be limited in practice today as a precaution, but he will play on Sunday against the New York Giants.
Around the league
Jacksonville quarterback Byron Leftwich returned to practice and declared himself healthy enough to play Sunday against Tennessee. … Houston claimed cornerback Dexter Wynn off waivers from Philadelphia. … Giants receiver Plaxico Burress left practice early with back spasms and has been listed as probable for this weekend’s game against the Texans.