NFL roundup: Suggs' status uncertain for Sunday
The return of Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs to practice Wednesday spurred talk that he's aiming to play in Sunday's game against the Texans in Houston.
However, another report from NFL.com on Thursday indicated that the Ravens and Suggs are uncertain when he'll be game ready and that his status is day to day.
Suggs, who suffered a torn Achilles' tendon in April, wasn't expected to be activated until November, but ESPN.com reported that Suggs wants to be on the field against the Texans.
Sources told ESPN.com that Suggs' family and friends have made travel arrangements to Houston in anticipation of him playing.
The 2011 NFL defensive player of the year is off the reserve/non-football injury list, but coach John Harbaugh earlier cautioned about expecting too much too soon. At Wednesday's practice, Suggs appeared to have gained weight.
--In other news involving the Baltimore defense, safety Ed Reed acknowledged that he has a torn shoulder labrum that might be impacting his performance but said that the injury isn't a big deal.
"I'm not a pitcher," Reed said after practice, according to the team's website. "I can still tackle. I don't play baseball. As long as I'm not throwing, it is what it is. I've been dealing with it. It's all right."
The 11-year veteran and five-time All-Pro isn't listed on the Ravens' injury report. It's unclear when the injury occurred.
--When the Jets play the Patriots on Sunday in New England, Tim Tebow could line up at running back, New York coach Rex Ryan said.
Backup running backs Bilal Powell (shoulder) and Joe McKnight (ankle) are nursing injuries. Both have missed practice time this week, creating a need at the position to back up starter Shonn Greene.
"That's a possibility," Ryan said. "The thing about Tim, with him being a football player like we've always talked about, by playing quarterback he knows all the positions and so, can you plug him in at running back? Can you plug him in at tight end, whatever? I think the answer is yes."
Tebow has played running back a couple of times this season, but most of his 64 rushing yards have come out of the wildcat or shotgun formation.
--Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker, out due to a separated shoulder, is targeting an Oct. 28 return against the Indianapolis Colts.
Locker was back at practice Wednesday for the first time since he suffered the injury to his non-throwing shoulder three weeks ago against Houston. He'll miss Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills, but the Titans (2-4) expect him to play against the Colts the following week, TitanInsider.com reported.
Backup Matt Hasselbeck will make his third consecutive start Sunday in Locker's place.
--Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson missed practice Thursday but insisted that he was just resting his sore ankle.
The Vikings face a busy upcoming stretch, playing the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next Thursday.
"Since I twisted it up and it happened, it's been hurting consistently," Peterson told ESPN Twin cities. "Then we go out and play (against the Washington Redskins), it re-aggravates it, just the cutting and different things you're doing out there. So, it's sore, but you've just got to push through it."
Peterson played last Sunday in the Vikings' 38-26 loss to Washington. He rushed for 79 yards and caught seven passes for 50 yards.
--New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul is ready to face Washington Redskins rookie phenom Robert Griffin III on Sunday. He even offered some words of caution.
"Don't bring it to my side," Pierre-Paul told the New York Daily News. "Go the other way."
Pierre-Paul expects the Redskins' fleet quarterback to try to run at a Giants defense that he believes is faster than any RGIII has seen. Griffin has rushed for 379 yards and six touchdowns in six games.
"Trust me, we chase quarterbacks all the time," Pierre-Paul said. "We turn and run to the ball, no matter what. He may get past us and zoom right past us, but trust me we're right behind him.
--The Aug. 5 death of Garrett Reid, son of Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid, resulted from an heroin overdose, officials announced Thursday.
Northampton (Pa.) County coroner Zachary Lysek listed the the cause of death as "acute opiate (heroin) toxicity" and called it "accidental."
Reid, 29, was discovered in a dorm room at the Eagles' training camp at Lehigh University in Easton, Penn., where he was working for the team as a strength and conditioning coach. He had a history of drug problems but appeared to be turning his life around after serving time in prison.
No signs of suicide of foul play were found at the scene.
