NFL: Williams plans another comeback
Bad news for NFL linebackers, good news for soap opera fans: Ricky Williams is planning another comeback.
The suspended running back is eligible to seek reinstatement by the NFL after Oct. 1 and will do so, his attorney said Friday.
In recent years, Williams has made more headlines than first downs, playing in only 12 NFL games since the start of the 2004 season. His current suspension began in April 2006 after he violated the league’s drug policy for the fourth time, and a positive test for marijuana this April delayed his return.
It’s uncertain how quickly the 30-year-old Williams might be cleared to return – or where he would play. He remains under contract with Miami, where he won the NFL rushing title in 2002, but first-year Dolphins coach Cam Cameron has given no indication he wants Williams.
Manning expects to start
Eli Manning returned to practice and, according to multiple team sources, is expected to start Sunday against Green Bay.
The official call won’t be made until Sunday morning, and coach Tom Coughlin remained tight-lipped about the quarterback’s status. But the news all seemed to be good. Despite still nursing a sprained A-C joint in his right shoulder, Manning took about half the snaps in the New York Giants’ final practice before their home opener.
Around the league
After missing practice for two days, Dolphins running back Jesse Chatman, a former Eastern Washington University star, returned for the team’s light practice, increasing his likelihood of playing Sunday against Dallas. Chatman sprained his left knee last Sunday against Washington. … Kevin Everett has slightly moved three fingers on his right hand, potentially another positive sign in the Buffalo tight end’s recovery from a life-threatening spinal-cord injury, a person close to the family told the Associated Press. … Chad Pennington‘s injured right ankle appeared to be better as he dropped back and threw light passes while the New York Jets prepared for their game Sunday against Baltimore. Despite published reports that the Jets had decided on starting backup Kellen Clemens, coach Eric Mangini insisted that hadn’t been determined. … Daunte Culpepper is expected to start at quarterback for Oakland on Sunday against Denver after Josh McCown left practice with a sore foot. … Philadelphia backup quarterback A.J. Feeley had a second operation on his injured non-throwing hand, one day after the hand swelled after practice. His status was not announced. … The NFL has fined Tennessee defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth $5,000 for a hard tackle against Jacksonville’s Maurice Jones-Drew last week.