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NFL notebook: James returns to Colts practice

By Seattle Times news services

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INDIANAPOLIS — Running back Edgerrin James, sidelined two days with a strained hamstring, returned to practice yesterday and could be ready to play when the Indianapolis Colts host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

James, who strained his left hamstring on a late touchdown run last week against Tennessee, took part in individual and team drills before sitting out the final half-hour of practice.

"Edgerrin actually did well, surprisingly well," Colts coach Tony Dungy said. "Based on what I saw today, he could probably play. So if he comes back and doesn't have any side effects and is able to do just what he did today, then I would think he'd probably play."

If James is able to start Sunday, he most likely will split time with backups Dominic Rhodes and James Mungro. Rhodes has seen most of the work with the first offensive unit this week.

Steelers-Dolphins game could be moved

MIAMI — The Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers were investigating the possibility of moving their game up one day to tomorrow because of the looming Hurricane Jeanne.

The Steelers will fly to Florida today, one day ahead of their typical travel schedule.

Dolphins spokesman Harvey Greene said no decision would be made before this morning.

Hurricane Jeanne may hit Florida's east coast this weekend.

Williams' strategy might be bankruptcy
 
MIAMI — The Dolphins might win the right to collect $8.6 million from retired running back Ricky Williams, but lose the rights to him in the process.

A Miami bankruptcy attorney and a former agent both said if Williams were to file bankruptcy he could become a free agent, and the Dolphins could end up with nothing from Williams but a small percentage of the $8.6 million the Dolphins are seeking. Miami would be unable to keep Williams or even trade him.

Miami attorney Jim Fierberg went so far as to call the strategy "brilliant."

"It's a pretty fascinating way for him to get free agency," Fierberg said. "I like that idea, but it's not without risk."

The risk is that Williams might lose all assets except one of his Florida homes. But he might lose that anyway if the Dolphins get the right to seize his assets.

There might not be too many options if the Dolphins continue on their current path. The NFL and Dolphins received an expedited hearing Tuesday in front of arbitrator Richard Bloch.

Arrington out two

to four weeks

ASHBURN, Va. — Washington Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington is expected to miss two to four weeks, including Monday night's game against the Dallas Cowboys, after a sudden flare-up forced him to have surgery on his right knee.

Arrington missed practice to fly to Birmingham, Ala., where a doctor repaired torn cartilage in the knee that has been bothering Arrington since the opening-week victory over Tampa Bay.

The three-time Pro Bowl linebacker also was fined $5,000 by the NFL for a hit on New York Giants tailback Tiki Barber, ESPN.com reported.

Meanwhile, quarterback Mark Brunell was a spectator again during practice because of a strained hamstring. Gibbs stopped short of declaring Patrick Ramsey the starter for the Cowboys game, but the coach said that would be his expectation "from what we know today."

Lewis denies trial

a distraction

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Ravens running back Jamal Lewis overcame reconstructive knee surgery in 2002, going from a limp to league rushing champion in a year.

Despite his history of perseverance, there seem to be as many questions as defenders surrounding Lewis these days. He is off to one of the worst starts for any running back following up a 2,000-yard season, managing just 119 yards (tied for 21st in the NFL) and averaging 2.7 yards per carry (35th) in two games.

Has his Nov. 1 federal trial date for drug-conspiracy charges become too much of a distraction?

"There's no truth to that," Lewis said. "Of course, I have to be concerned about it and, of course, I have to think about it. But I'm not going to take the off-the-field issue on the field."

Notes

• Atlanta Falcons running back Warrick Dunn returned to practice and is expected to play Sunday against Arizona. Dunn sprained his left knee last weekend and missed practice Wednesday.

• Two-time Pro Bowl tight end Jeremy Shockey insisted his lack of comfort with the New York Giants' new offense is not the fault of coach Tom Coughlin. "It's not him, it's just me," Shockey said, a day after complaining the offense was limiting his big-play ability. "I'm not used to doing the things that I'm doing, and I take that as a challenge."

• Tennessee receiver Tyrone Calico worked with the scout team, his first practice since surgery to repair torn knee cartilage Sept. 1.

• Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Paul Spicer will miss the rest of the season with a broken right leg.