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NFL Roundup: Incognito files grievance

Miami Dolphins guard Richie Incognito has filed a non-football injury grievance against the club, the NFL Players Association announced Thursday.

Incognito is challenging his status as "indefinitely suspended" for conduct detrimental.

The Dolphins suspended Incognito Nov. 3 after receiving evidence from tackle Jonathan Martin regarding alleged harassment, including a voice message in which Incognito used a racial slur.

"The grievance challenges his suspension for conduct which was alleged to have occurred while he was with the club," the NFLPA said in a statement. "In the grievance, Incognito requests that the hearing be held on an expedited basis so that he can immediately resume playing for the team. The NFL Players Association will continue to protect the rights of all players."

---Veteran safety Ed Reed, who was released by the Houston Texans on Tuesday, agreed to terms on a contract with the New York Jets on Thursday and was on the practice field, the team announced.

It's not known whether Reed will play on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, but he already knows coach Rex Ryan's defense. Reed played for Ryan when Ryan served as a defensive coordinator with the Baltimore Ravens. The following week, the Jets travel to Baltimore.

"He'll be a great signing for us," Ryan said. "He's gonna help this football team, without question."

The Jets released linebacker Ricky Sapp to make room for Reed.

---New England Patriots cornerback Aqib Talib said Thursday that he is close to returning, perhaps as soon as Monday night against the Carolina Panthers.

Talib, who suffered a hip injury in Week 6, officially deemed himself "day to day" and again was on the practice field for the team's full-pads workout.

The Patriots also could get back another key player, running back Shane Vereen (wrist), who is eligible to be activated to the 53-man roster off the injured reserve. Vereen has been out since he was injured in Week 1.

---Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning was back on the practice field Thursday as the team prepares for Sunday night's AFC West showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Manning, who missed Wednesday's practice, has been dealing with a sore ankle.

Manning suffered an ankle sprain in the Broncos' win over the San Diego Chargers on Sunday when he was hit by defensive end Corey Liuget. An MRI test on Monday revealed no other significant damage in the ankle. The 37-year-old veteran has been bothered by sore ankles since the Broncos' loss to the Indianapolis Colts last month.

---Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson missed his second straight day of practice Thursday to help give his ailing knee some rest.

The seventh-year standout receiver has 53 catches for 904 yards and nine touchdowns this season. He was listed on Wednesday's injury report with a knee injury.

The Lions do not plan to play wide receiver Nate Burleson on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers even though he has been practicing this week and feels recovered from his broken arm, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported. Burleson has not played since breaking his arm after Week 3.

---Pop Warner, the nation's largest youth football program, saw participation drop 9.5 percent between 2010 and 2012, and many are citing the concussion crisis that began in the NFL as the main reason, ESPN's "Outside the Lines" reported.

Parents likely curtailed their children's participation after hearing so many stories about the potential side effects of concussions.

According to data provided to "Outside the Lines," Pop Warner lost 23,612 players, thought to be the largest two-year decline since the organization began keeping statistics decades ago. Consistent annual growth led to a record 248,899 players participating in Pop Warner in 2010, but that figure fell to 225,287 by the 2012 season.