Miami may have to go on without Brown

The Miami Dolphins’ resurgence may have to continue without running back Ronnie Brown, at least in the short term.

Brown had surgery Friday to stabilize a broken left hand. Other than saying the team’s leading rusher – who happens to be left-handed – and No. 2 overall pick in the 2005 draft will be “evaluated on an ongoing basis,” the Dolphins did not reveal a timetable for his return.

Brown suffered the injury Thursday as Miami (5-6) won its fourth straight game, beating Detroit 27-10 and climbing within two games of the AFC’s wild-card slots. If Brown cannot play Dec. 3 when Miami hosts Jacksonville, then Sammy Morris will likely get the start.

Barber, Coughlin clear air

For the second time in less than a year, New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin had a sitdown with Tiki Barber after the veteran halfback criticized the coaching staff following a loss.

Coughlin said Barber’s complaint that coaches abandoned the running game too early in a loss to Jacksonville should have been made to him directly instead of through the media.

Other than saying the Wednesday night meeting went well, Barber refused to discuss it just two days before the Giants (6-4) were to play the Titans (3-7) in Tennessee.

Favre looks sharp

Brett Favre fired tight spirals in practice Friday and even joked around by playing a little defense against wide receiver Donald Driver.

The play of the 37-year-old quarterback, listed as questionable with groin and a nerve injury in his right elbow, comforted the coaching staff.

Favre had an extra day of rest Thursday because the Packers play at Seattle on Monday night. Favre, who has started 251 consecutive games, was tackled hard by linebacker Tedy Bruschi late in the second quarter of the Packers’ 35-0 loss to the Patriots last Sunday and did not return to the game.

Around the league

The Minnesota Vikings have demoted cornerback Fred Smoot, who has struggled in recent weeks with a groin injury and the death of his half-brother. Rookie Cedric Griffin has leapfrogged the veteran Smoot on the depth chart at right cornerback. Also, Vikings free safety Darren Sharper was fined $15,000 for bumping into an official during last week’s loss at Miami. … St. Louis Rams offensive guard Adam Timmerman, listed as questionable a few days ago due to bruised ribs, said he’ll start this week against the San Francisco 49ers. … The Carolina Panthers placed center Justin Hartwig on injured reserve, ending his disappointing season in which he played sparingly because of injuries. The Panthers gave the former Tennessee Titan a five-year, $17 million free-agent deal in the offseason – one of the richest contracts for a center in the NFL.