NFL notes: St. Louis’ Jackson unsure if he’ll play Sunday
St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson missed his second straight practice Thursday with a groin injury and it was unclear whether he will play Sunday against Seattle.
St. Louis coach Steve Spagnuolo acknowledged Jackson’s “still a little bit sore, so it’s day to day. We’ll wait and see what happens.”
If Jackson is unable to play, backup Kenneth Darby will likely get his first NFL start. Darby has been an infrequent contributor since signing with the Rams in 2008, but he scored the go-ahead touchdown against the the Washington Redskins on Sunday on a 12-yard run. St. Louis won 30-16.
Hawks release Pitts
The Seattle Seahawks released offensive lineman Chester Pitts, a day after coach Pete Carroll sounded hopeful Pitts might start this week against St. Louis.
Carroll said it was apparent that Pitts would not be ready for this week and the Seahawks would be short on the offensive line if the move wasn’t made. Pitts experienced soreness in his surgically repaired right knee following Wednesday’s practice.
To make sure the Seahawks have enough linemen for Sunday’s game, Carroll said the prudent move was to release Pitts in the hopes of bringing him back when he’s healthier.
Carroll said Mike Gibson, who was re-signed to the Seahawks practice squad after being released earlier this week, will take Pitts’ spot on the roster.
Rice expects to play
Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice said that his bruised right knee shouldn’t keep him from playing Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Rice hurt his knee in the fourth quarter of last Sunday’s 24-17 win over the Cleveland Browns. Willis McGahee and Le’Ron McClain will get most of the carries if Rice can’t play.
Thomas might sit
New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas was nowhere to be seen during practice the past two days, yet coach Sean Payton was not ready to rule Thomas out for Sunday’s home game against Carolina. Whether the team’s leading rusher comes back from a left ankle injury will be a game-time decision, Payton said.
If Thomas is unable to play on Sunday, rookie Chris Ivory and LaDell Betts are in line to get most of the work against the Panthers.
Quick kicks
New York Jets corner back Darrelle Revis will be inactive for the second straight game, sidelined by a strained left hamstring sustained in the first half of the win over New England in Week 2. … The Jets signed Trevor Pryce, reuniting the former Baltimore Ravens defensive end with coach Rex Ryan. Pryce will play in the team’s game at Buffalo on Sunday, Ryan confirmed, and will likely be used in passing situations against the Bills. … The Bills will be without at least two defensive starters against the Jets this weekend after linebacker Andra Davis and defensive end Marcus Stroud were ruled out because of injuries after missing practice. … Cleveland Browns quarterback Jake Delhomme practiced on Thursday, and coach Eric Mangini said as long as there are no setbacks, the 35-year-old signal caller will start on Sunday at home against the Cincinnati Bengals.