NFL notes: Portis questionable to face Bucs

ASHBURN - Banged-up running back Clinton Portis will be a game-time decision for the second consecutive week for the Washington Redskins.

Portis is nursing a bruised calf after getting kicked in the second half of last week's loss to Detroit. He's also been hindered by bone spurs in both ankles, but coach Jim Zorn said yesterday the calf is the reason he feels Portis has a "50-50" chance of playing tomorrow against Tampa Bay.

Portis is off to one of the slowest starts of his career, with 183 yards on 47 carries through three games for the Redskins (1-2).

Ladell Betts and Marcus Mason shared the first-team snaps at running back in yesterday's practice. Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth (strained hip muscle) and fullback Mike Sellers (bruised thigh) returned to practice.

Parker listed as doubtful

PITTSBURGH - Steelers running back Willie Parker (turf toe) did not practice for a third consecutive day and is not expected to play against the San Diego Chargers tomorrow night. The Steelers listed Parker as doubtful, but players who do not practice almost never play for them. Parker suffered the injury last Sunday at Cincinnati and did not practice all week.

Pats' Mayo likely won't play

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo (Hampton) is practicing again but is listed as doubtful for tomorrow's game against Baltimore. Nose tackle Vince Wilfork and wide receiver Wes Welker are questionable. Mayo, last year's NFL defensive rookie of the year, practiced for the first time yesterday since straining right knee ligaments in New England's season opener. He had limited participation in the practice after missing two games.

Sheppard, Strickland out

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - New York Jets cornerbacks Lito Sheppard (strained right quadriceps) and Donald Strickland (high ankle sprain) have been ruled out for the team's game at New Orleans. Neither has practiced or played since being injured in New York's victory over New England in Week 2.

Bradshaw likely to play

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - New York Giants halfback Ahmad Bradshaw (Bluefield) returned to practice and likely will play tomorrow at Kansas City. But four other injured players - defensive lineman Chris Canty (U.Va.), cornerback Aaron Ross, wide receiver Domenik Hixon and running back Danny Ware - will sit out.

Texans' Hill has swine flu

HOUSTON - Houston Texans rookie tight end Anthony Hill was hospitalized this week with swine flu in the first confirmed case in an NFL player this season. Hill, a fourth-round pick from North Carolina State, is the only player on the team believed to have swine flu and other players are being monitored.

Elsewhere

• The Denver Broncos are dinged up on the offensive line as left guard Ben Hamilton (hamstring) is listed as doubtful. The team also announced that right tackle Ryan Harris (shoulder) is questionable for tomorrow's game against Dallas. Russ Hochstein filled in for Hamilton last week, and Tyler Polumbus took over for Harris.

• Chicago likely will be without injured linebackers Hunter Hillenmeyer (rib) and Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee) when it hosts Detroit tomorrow. Both were listed as doubtful. Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs (foot) is expected to play even though he was listed as questionable along with defensive end Alex Brown (ankle) and defensive tackle Israel Idonije (knee).

• Quarterback Kyle Boller will make his first start for the St. Louis Rams tomorrow at San Francisco as Marc Bulger rests his injured shoulder. Coach Steve Spagnuolo said that if Bulger dresses for the game, it will be as the third quarterback.

• The Cleveland Browns may be without running back Jamal Lewis (hamstring) and kicker Phil Dawson (calf) for the second consecutive game. Both were listed as doubtful.

Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter (hamstring) is listed as questionable for tomorrow's game against Buffalo. He sat out practice for the third consecutive day.