FOOTBALL NEWS

• NFL players union seeks to block suspensions 12/4/2008, 1:12 p.m. CST
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The NFL Players Association filed a lawsuit Thursday to block five of the six player suspensions for violating the league's anti-doping policy.

• Lawyer: Pierce to testify for grand jury if asked 12/4/2008, 1:07 p.m. CST
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Antonio Pierce didn't know New York Giants teammate Plaxico Burress was carrying a gun last weekend until it accidentally discharged, injuring the receiver in the right thigh, Pierce's attorney said Thursday.

• NFL players union sues to block suspensions 12/4/2008, 9:18 a.m. CST
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The NFL players union is suing to block the suspensions of five players for violating the league's anti-doping policy.

• Judge blocks suspensions of Vikings' Williamses 12/4/2008, 8:14 a.m. CST
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota judge 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.

• Giants: Pierce called trainer after shooting 12/4/2008, 5:19 a.m. CST
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Antonio Pierce telephoned a team trainer for help after star receiver Plaxico Burress accidentally shot himself, the New York Giants revealed, offering new details about the incident.

• Judge blocks suspensions of Vikings' Williamses 12/3/2008, 11:04 p.m. CST
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A 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.

• Browns' Quinn has successful surgery 12/3/2008, 7:12 p.m. CST
CLEVELAND (AP) — 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.

• Cowboys loading up on rest before facing Steelers 12/3/2008, 6:18 p.m. CST
IRVING, Texas (AP) — Going into a tough final month that will determine whether the preseason NFC favorite Dallas Cowboys even make the playoffs, coach Wade Phillips unveiled a new strategy Wednesday: rest.

• Jauron accepts criticism during Bills meltdown 12/3/2008, 5:59 p.m. CST
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Bills coach Dick Jauron isn't showing any signs of flinching for someone who suddenly finds himself on the hot seat.

• Despite investigation, Pierce prepares for Eagles 12/3/2008, 5:53 p.m. CST
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Watching Antonio Pierce in the New York Giants linebacker meeting on Wednesday morning, fellow linebacker Danny Clark didn't sense anything was wrong.

• Welker not upset with hard hit by Steelers safety 12/3/2008, 5:37 p.m. CST
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker doesn't expect an apology from Ryan Clark for leveling him and said the Steelers safety made a good play Sunday.

• Vikings react to suspensions of Williams Wall 12/3/2008, 5:30 p.m. CST
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — Darren Sharper's nightmare has come true.

• Cowboys loading up on rest before facing Steelers 12/3/2008, 5:13 p.m. CST
IRVING, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys seem to think it's more important to be rested than sharp going into Sunday's pivotal game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

• Steelers run game finally picking up ground 12/3/2008, 5:08 p.m. CST
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was a bit annoyed when asked about a slow-go running game that ranks 22nd in the NFL, right where all the teams that aren't going to the playoffs reside.

• Williams fondly remembers season in Toronto 12/3/2008, 5:02 p.m. CST
DAVIE, Fla. (AP) — Ricky Williams' long, strange trip included a one-season stop in Toronto, where he rediscovered the fun in football and revived his roller coaster career.

• Colvin rejoins Patriots to play outside linebacker 12/3/2008, 4:59 p.m. CST
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Rosevelt Colvin spent weekday mornings fixing his daughters' hair and driving them to school in Houston. Sometimes he would be in Indianapolis at the two UPS stores he owns.

• Falcons expect Jackson to play against Saints 12/3/2008, 4:54 p.m. CST
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons expect Grady Jackson to be available for Sunday's game at New Orleans after the defensive tackle was not one of the players suspended by the NFL for violating the league's anti-doping policy.

• Vikings' Williamses to court to block suspensions 12/3/2008, 4:48 p.m. CST
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings' Kevin and Pat Williams have gone to court to block their suspensions for violating the NFL's anti-doping policy.

• Buzz missing from Raiders-Chargers rivalry 12/3/2008, 4:28 p.m. CST
SAN DIEGO (AP) — A season after finishing one game shy of the Super Bowl, the San Diego Chargers are only one game better than the Oakland Raiders.

• GM Savage hoping to finish job with Browns 12/3/2008, 3:39 p.m. CST
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — His future in doubt, Cleveland Browns general manager Phil Savage is moving ahead with plans for 2009 without knowing if he'll be around to see them through.

• Jets' Favre finds lousy weather a chilly challenge 12/3/2008, 2:52 p.m. CST
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Brett Favre has often been regarded as the king of miserable weather, leading his teams through snow, sleet, rain and freezing temperatures with amazing efficiency.

• Giants suspend Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress 12/3/2008, 2:11 p.m. CST
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The New York Giants expect Antonio Pierce to play in Sunday's game against Philadelphia while the team gathers information on the linebacker's involvement in a shooting that led to the season-ending suspension of star receiver Plaxico Burress.

• Is Romo the answer? Cowboys will find out 12/3/2008, 1:24 p.m. CST
(AP) — The Dallas Cowboys will get a better idea Sunday what Tony Romo's return from a broken pinkie has done for their Super Bowl hopes.

• Giants suspend Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress 12/3/2008, 5:24 a.m. CST
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The fallout from Plaxico Burress' self-inflicted gunshot wound may still cause problems for New York Giants middle linebacker Antonio Pierce and affect the team's bid for a second straight Super Bowl title.

• NFL suspends 6 players for doping violations 12/3/2008, 3:16 a.m. CST
NEW YORK (AP) — Unless the courts intervene, the Minnesota Vikings will have to make their stretch run at the NFC North title without their two stalwart defensive tackles.

• Cowboys put 'Pacman' back on 53-man roster 12/2/2008, 5:58 p.m. CST
IRVING, Texas (AP) — Adam "Pacman" Jones is back in the NFL.

• NFL suspends six players for doping violations 12/2/2008, 5:58 p.m. CST
NEW YORK (AP) — Six players, including the heart of the Minnesota Vikings' stout defensive line, were suspended for four games without pay by the NFL on Tuesday for violating the league's anti-doping policy. All six were punished for using a diuretic, which can serve as a masking agent for steroids.

• Giants suspend Super Bowl hero Burresss 12/2/2008, 5:39 p.m. CST
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress is done for the year.

• Browns' Quinn to have surgery 12/2/2008, 2:36 p.m. CST
CLEVELAND (AP) — Brady Quinn has decided to get his fractured finger fixed.

• Burress posts bail, will appear in court in March 12/2/2008, 5:45 a.m. CST
NEW YORK (AP) — It was just 10 months ago that Plaxico Burress became an instant New York sports hero after his clutch performance in the Super Bowl. But on Monday, Burress was hauled out of a police precinct in handcuffs facing two weapons charges that could send him to jail.