NFL notes: Chargers release Chambers

HOUSTON -- Houston tight end Owen Daniels has a torn knee ligament and will have season-ending surgery to repair the injury.

Daniels, who injured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, was hurt on Houston's second possession in Sunday's 31-10 win at Buffalo when he caught his foot in the turf.

The fourth-year player has 40 receptions for 519 yards and five touchdowns this season. He'll be replaced by Joel Dreessen when the Texans travel to Indianapolis on Sunday.

The surgery was first reported by the Houston Chronicle.

Chargers part ways with Chambers

SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Chargers have released wide receiver Chris Chambers a day after he had a key catch in a 24-16 win over the Oakland Raiders.

Coach Norv Turner said the Chargers released Chambers because of the emergence of Malcom Floyd and the need to sign a linebacker because of an injury to Tim Dobbins on Sunday.

He was obtained at the trading deadline in 2007 from Miami for a second-round draft pick and helped the Chargers reach the AFC title game that season.

Rodgers hobbled, still expects to play

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers came out of Sunday's loss to the Minnesota Vikings with a sprain on one foot and sprained toe on the other.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy says Rodgers could miss time in practice this week but is expected to play Sunday at Tampa Bay without hurting his mobility.

Rodgers has been sacked 31 times overall -- worst in the NFL -- including six by Minnesota on Sunday.

McCarthy also says linebacker Brandon Chillar has and is expected to miss at least two weeks.

Clark must weigh whether to play

PITTSBURGH -- Steelers safety Ryan Clark doesn't want his career to vanish in thin air.

Clark became almost deathly ill after playing in Denver's mile-high altitude two years ago, losing his spleen and gall bladder plus 30 pounds due to medical complications. The Steelers (5-2) play in Denver again Monday, and Clark and coach Mike Tomlin haven't decided if he will suit up.

Clark practiced yesterday as the Steelers returned from a full week off, and he has received medical clearance to play. "I think before we considered anything, we needed to hear, 'OK, Ryan, you're at no extra medical risk to participate in this game than anyone else is,'" Tomlin said.

Broncos' Harris out for one game

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Denver Broncos' first loss under rookie coach Josh McDaniels produced plenty of problems that need fixing and one big injury they'll have to deal with.

McDaniels said right tackle Ryan Harris won't play against Pittsburgh next week after sustaining a toe injury in the Broncos' loss at Baltimore. Harris, a third-year pro from Notre Dame, has started 22 consecutive games for one of the league's best offensive lines.

Clements, Staley out at least one game

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- San Francisco 49ers cornerback Nate Clements has undergone a CT scan on his broken right shoulder blade and left tackle Joe Staley had an MRI exam on his sprained right knee to further determine the damage.

Both players, injured during San Francisco's 18-14 loss at Indianapolis on Sunday, are expected to miss at least Sunday's home game with the Tennessee Titans. They will probably miss the following game Thursday against Chicago as well.

Boldin aims to play with sprained ankle

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Arizona wide receiver Anquan Boldin hopes to play at Chicago this week despite re-aggravating a right ankle sprain.

Boldin re-injured his ankle in the third quarter of a 34-21 loss to Carolina on Sunday and left the game. He is listed as day to day.

The three-time Pro Bowler caught three passes against the Panthers to become the leading receiver in franchise history, with 537 career catches.

Cable says future is with Raiders

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Coach Tom Cable says he believes his future entails coaching the Oakland Raiders despite allegations that he assaulted his former wife and girlfriend.

Cable declined to respond to any specific questions about whether he has an anger management issue following the allegations from his first wife and former girlfriend on ESPN that he physically abused them at various times during their relationships.

Elsewhere

The Buffalo Bills expect to promote James Hardy to their active roster because the second-year receiver has shown he's fully recovered 10 months after having left knee surgery. Hardy spent the first six weeks on the physically unable to perform list.