Eagles’ McNabb on track to return Sunday

PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb returned to practice yesterday and is expected to start Sunday when the Eagles host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

McNabb has been out since breaking his rib in the season opener. He missed two games before the Eagles had their bye this past weekend. McNabb was injured scoring a rushing touchdown Sept. 6 in a win over the Carolina Panthers.

Running back Brian Westbrook, who also sat out the Eagles' last game with a knee injury, was back at Monday's short practice, the team's first since taking a week off for the bye.

Giants' Manning has MRI on heel

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning was having an MRI on his right leg in the wake of his injury Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Manning hurt his right heel in a non-contact injury in the Giants' 27-16 win. Manning still had some swelling and soreness yesterday morning.

Manning was not immediately available for comment. His status for this Sunday's home game against Oakland is uncertain.

Raiders' McFadden out two to four weeks

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Oakland Raiders' struggling offense will be without starting running back Darren McFadden for the next few weeks.

Coach Tom Cable said Monday that McFadden would have surgery today to repair torn cartilage in his knee. McFadden is expected to miss two to four weeks. Cable also said right tackle Cornell Green will miss two to four weeks with a strained calf.

Stafford day to day with twisted knee

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions are publicly holding out hope Matthew Stafford, the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, might be healthy enough to play the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Stafford's right knee was twisted on a sack in the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss against the Chicago Bears. He's listed as day to day. Daunte Culpepper replaced Stafford at Chicago and would likely start Sunday if the rookie can't play.

Titans' Fisher: no change at QB

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher is sticking with veteran Kerry Collins at quarterback rather than switch to Vince Young, looking for a spark as he did in 2006 when the Titans also were winless.

The Titans' four losses are to AFC teams with Indianapolis (4-0) up next, and Fisher said the staff is looking at everything. But Fisher said his reasons for sticking with Collins are simple. That's the quarterback who led the Titans to 13 victories in 2008.

Cowboys' Sensabaugh sidelined a month

IRVING, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys safety Gerald Sensabaugh will have surgery to repair a broken plate in his right thumb and could be out up to a month.

Sensabaugh had a plate implanted after breaking his thumb in college. He cracked the plate Sunday during Dallas' 17-10 loss at Denver.

Also running back Marion Barber's injured thigh tightened up during the Denver game, which is why he played less in the second half. Receiver Roy Williams injured three ribs during the game and will be re-evaluated this week.

Bucs cut Nugent and sign Andrus

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers cut kicker Mike Nugent a day after he missed two field goal attempts in a 16-13 loss to the Washington Redskins. The Bucs signed former Indianapolis kicker Shane Andrus as Nugent's replacement.

The Bucs also released reserve cornerback Marcus Hamilton (University of Virginia). His roster spot could be filled this week when safety Tanard Jackson is eligible to return from a four-game suspension.

Skins' Smith pulled groin on first punt

ASHBURN -- An MRI on Monday confirmed that Hunter Smith pulled a groin on his first punt in Sunday's 16-13 win over Tampa Bay. Coach Jim Zorn said the injury is not severe, but the team is planning to audition punters today Smith has punted 13 times this season for a 43.5-yard average.

Raiders case sent to the DA's office

NAPA, Calif. -- The Napa police have finished their investigation into allegations that Oakland Raiders coach Tom Cable assaulted one of his assistants and forwarded the case to the district attorney's office.

The police launched an investigation in August into claims that Cable assaulted defensive assistant Randy Hanson at the team's training camp hotel in Napa. Hanson was treated for a broken jaw.

Ravens' Gaither could return Sunday

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Jared Gaither could play this Sunday against Cincinnati, depending on the result of an MRI he received yesterday.

Coach John Harbaugh pointed out, though, that it could be two weeks or more before Gaither returns. Gaither had X-rays taken on his neck and shoulders after he was involved in a collision in the backfield Sunday in Baltimore's 27-21 loss to New England.