Associated Press
The NFL notebook …
CLEVELAND ó Browns quarterback Brady Quinn had two pins surgically inserted into his broken right index finger on Wednesday and said he hopes to begin throwing once they are removed next month.
Quinn broke the tip of his finger in a Nov. 17 game at Buffalo and then made the injury worse by playing the following week against Houston.
VIKINGSA Minnesota judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked the NFL’s suspension of Vikings stars Kevin and Pat Williams for violating the league’s anti-doping policy, but the players’ status for Sunday’s game at Detroit remained uncertain.
Hennepin County District Judge Gary Larson issued the temporary restraining order at the players’ request, saying he wanted more time to hear arguments in the case.
REDSKINSRunning back Clinton Portis watched practice from the sideline Wednesday at Redskins Park in Ashburn, Va. It has been a familiar spot for him between games recently.
“Just whole body sore. Getting old,” Portis said during a group interview as his teammates entered the locker room. “It’s rough out there.”
Hampered by injuries throughout the season, Portis ó the NFL’s second-leading rusher ó suffered a neck injury during Sunday’s 23-7 loss to the New York Giants.
STEELERSBen Roethlisberger sat out the final 20 minutes of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice Wednesday after his right leg slipped while he was throwing a pass.
The problem is not believed to be serious, but backup quarterback Bryan Leftwich finished out practice as a precaution.PATRIOTSFormer Patriots wide receiver Deion Branch is confident Tom Brady will make a solid comeback from his season-ending left knee injury.
Branch said Wednesday he talks and exchanges text messages with Brady frequently. And he said the quarterback’s strong mental outlook will allow him to prevail. Brady tore two ligaments in his season opener.
BENGALSQuarterback Carson Palmer plans to test his right elbow in the next few days, giving him a better idea of whether he will need reconstructive surgery.
BILLSQuarterback Trent Edwards missed practice with a groin injury, opening the possibility of J.P. Losman making his first start in more than a year on Sunday, when Buffalo hosts the Dolphins in Toronto.
TITANSTennessee backup quarterback Vince Young sat out practice with an infection in his right thumb.