NFL roundup: Bucs' Talib suspended four games

The NFL suspended Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib four games for using Adderall, ESPN.com reported Saturday.

Talib reportedly does not plan to appeal his suspension, which starts Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

"Around the beginning of training camp, I made a mistake by taking an Adderall pill without a prescription," Talib said. "This is especially regrettable because, for the past several months, with Coach (Greg) Schiano's help, I've worked very hard to improve myself -- professionally and personally -- as a player and a man. I am truly sorry to my teammates, coaches and Buccaneers fans, and I'm disappointed in myself."

Talib is eligible to return to the team Nov. 5.

"I have spoken with Aqib, and he knows that he made a poor decision that let our team down," Schiano said. "Certainly, other players will have the opportunity to step up while he serves this suspension."

Talib was also suspended without pay in the 2010 regular-season opener and fined for an additional game for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. That came from an altercation he had with a St. Petersburg, Fla., taxi cab driver during training camp in 2009.

He avoided a suspension for his 2011 arrest in connection with a shooting in Texas. However, those charges were eventually dropped.

---Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall sustained an Achilles tendon injury during Thursday night's loss against the Tennessee Titans, but the injury is minor, NFL.com reported.

Mendenhall left the game and was replaced by Baron Batch, who ran for 22 yards on 10 carries with a touchdown. Pittsburgh was down to its third-string running back because backup Isaac Redman was also hurt.

Mendenhall's status for Pittsburgh's next game at Cincinnati on Oct. 21 will be determined by how his Achilles responds over the weekend.

Mendenhall had recently returned from a knee injury after missing three games.

---Detroit Lions safety Louis Delmas is expected to make his season debut Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles after missing two months because of arthroscopic knee surgery, the Detroit Free Press reported Saturday.

Delmas did not practice on Friday and said he is not 100 percent. He is listed as questionable.

"First game back, so we have to be patient with stuff a little bit," Lions secondary coach Tim Walton said. "It's his first one back, so you don't want to overdo it. You got to let him get back in the flow a little bit."

Delmas had surgery on his left knee Aug. 7 after he was injured during training camp. He returned to practice last week. He also missed the last five games of last season because of a right knee injury.

"That's just like you being sick, not being able to do what you love," Delmas said. "Any athlete or any warrior who's been playing a sport for so long and it's been shortened just because of injuries (would) be very devastated and frustrated. But my teammates have been doing a good job of holding my back and keeping me grounded and letting me know that it's going to be OK. And like I said, it's day by day so hopefully game day I'll be able to participate."

The 1-3 Lions have not gotten good play at safety while Delmas has been out, which has affected the entire defense.

---New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks is expected to play against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday after missing the last three games because of knee and foot injuries.

ESPN New York reported Saturday that Nicks made the team flight to San Francisco and is on track to play.

Nicks has had pain in his surgically repaired right foot and swelling in his left knee.

Nicks, offensive tackle David Diehl (knee) and cornerback Corey Webster (hand/hamstring) were listed as questionable but they made the trip.

Running back Andre Brown (concussion), defensive tackle Rocky Bernard (quad) and safety Kenny Phillips (knee) were the only Giants who did not make the trip to San Francisco.

---New York Jets tight end Dustin Keller and rookie wide receiver Stephen Hill are expected to play Sunday against the visiting Indianapolis Colts, according to ESPN New York.

Keller and Hill have been out with hamstring injuries.

Keller was limited in practice but took 30 to 50 percent of the snaps with the first-team offense. He has not played since Week 1.

Center Nick Mangold said he expects to play even though his injured ankle is not 100 percent.

Also, safety Eric Smith (sprained right knee) is out, and nose tackle Sione Pouha (low back), nose tackle Kenrick Ellis (knee) and wide receiver Clyde Gates (shoulder) are doubtful.

---The Buffalo Bills promoted guard/center David Snow and defensive tackle Jay Ross from the practice squad, NBC Sports' Pro Football Talk reported Saturday.

Buffalo is without three of its starting offensive lineman and defensive lineman Mark Anderson for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Left tackle Cordy Glenn, right guard Kraig Urbik and center Colin Brown have been ruled out for Sunday with injuries. Guard Chad Rinehart and center Eric Wood is listed as questionable.

Anderson is considered out for a "significant time" with a knee injury he sustained against the San Francisco 49ers last week. Defensive end Spencer Johnson is out with an ankle injury. Also, defensive tackle Kyle Williams is questionable with an ankle injury.

Running back Johnny White and safety Delano Howell were dropped from the roster to make room for Snow and Ross.