NFL Notes: Former Husker Green back with Packers after two-year hiatus

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Ahman Green couldn't hang up his helmet, not after the way things ended in Houston.

Now Green is back with the Green Bay Packers, volunteering to take a reduced role in exchange for the chance to write a new ending to what had been a standout career until he left Green Bay as a free agent in 2007.

Green, who has been out of football since the Texans cut him in February, signed a deal Wednesday to return to the Packers after working out for the team earlier this week.

“If I knew I was done with this sport, it'd have been over,” Green said. “No debating, no arguing, no mulling over, thinking about it. But just something was missing after these past two years that I didn't want to quite finish that way.”

Before signing a four-year, $23 million deal with the Texans in 2007, Green played seven seasons in Green Bay and made four straight Pro Bowl appearances between 2001 and 2004. With 8,162 career yards rushing with the Packers, the former Nebraska college star needs 46 more to surpass Jim Taylor and become the franchise's all-time leading rusher.

Ryan Grant remains the team's starting running back.

“I'm coming here to be that guy like I've always been, but now kind of in a secondary role,” Green said. “Which I have no problem with.”

Colts' Sanders may play Sunday

INDIANAPOLIS — Colts safety Bob Sanders hopes to make his season debut Sunday at St. Louis.

The 2007 NFL defensive player of the year and former Iowa star, who has not played in a game since January, is expected to participate in most of the team's practice work this week. For the first time this season, Sanders was not listed on the team's injury report Wednesday.

“He's improving,” coach Jim Caldwell said. “We anticipate he will be able to do something for us (Sunday).”

Sanders missed all of training camp, all the preseason and the first month of the regular season after surgery on his right knee.

Dolphins' Roth rejoins practice

DAVIE, Fla. — Miami Dolphins linebacker Matt Roth practiced Wednesday for the first time this season, and he might play Sunday against unbeaten New Orleans.

Roth had been sidelined since the start of training camp with a groin injury. Wednesday was the first day he was eligible to come off the reserve-non-football injury list.

“It was fun to get out there and run around — better than pushing a medicine ball,” he said.

In other news:

Ÿ Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield did not practice because of a sprained right foot.

Ÿ Arizona wide receiver Anquan Boldin remains uncertain for Sunday's game with a sprained ankle.

Ÿ Dallas Cowboys running back Marion Barber has a fractured left thumb and linebacker DeMarcus Ware has a stress fracture in his left foot, but both are still expected to play Sunday against Atlanta.

Ÿ Bills quarterback Trent Edwards did not practice because of a concussion, and his status for this week's game is uncertain.

Ÿ Rams receiver Donnie Avery did not practice because of a bruised hip, but he hopes to play Sunday.

Ÿ Chicago Bears strongside linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa needs season-ending surgery to repair ligament damage in his right knee.

Ÿ New York Jets wide receivers Jerricho Cotchery and Brad Smith returned to the practice field, while Braylon Edwards was limited but not expected to miss any time.

Cotchery (left hamstring) and Smith (quadriceps) didn't participate in team drills, but took part in individual drills. Edwards (quad) was injured during Sunday's game but should play Sunday.

Also, Jets safety James Ihedigbo and linebacker Marques Murrell were each fined $5,000 by the NFL for their roles in a scuffle with Buffalo's Derek Fine.

Ÿ Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Andre Smith returned to practice after missing time with a broken left foot.

Ÿ Bills receiver James Hardy practiced for the first time in 10 months as he recovers from left knee surgery.

Ÿ The Kansas City Chiefs have signed free-agent defensive tackle Kenny Smith to their 53-man roster.

Ÿ The Atlanta Falcons have released quarterback D.J. Shockley from their practice squad and signed running back Antone Smith.

Ÿ The Carolina Panthers have signed safety Keith Lewis and placed cornerback Dante Wesley on the reserve-suspended list.

Ÿ The Seattle Seahawks have signed guard Mike Gibson and added him to their active roster off Philadelphia's practice squad.

Ÿ The Arizona Cardinals signed linebacker Brandon Renkart to the practice squad and released linebacker Lee Robinson from the practice squad.

Ÿ The Cleveland Browns have been sacked by the flu, as 12 players, including Pro Bowl nose tackle Shaun Rogers and five other starters, missed practice with flulike symptoms.

Also, the Browns have signed free-agent tight end Michael Gaines; return specialist and part-time quarterback Josh Cribbs missed practice with an unspecified knee injury; and linebacker D'Qwell Jackson has undergone surgery in New York to repair his injured shoulder.

Washington's Zorn almost quit

WASHINGTON — Redskins Coach Jim Zorn considered resigning Sunday night after team management told him that he must relinquish his play-calling responsibilities or lose his job, former congressman Steve Largent, a longtime friend of Zorn, said Wednesday.

“They went to the point of pulling out his contract and said, ‘You have to do whatever the owner tells you to do,'” Largent told KJR radio in Seattle. “His choice was either to resign or to continue on under the current scenario.”

Three people who said they were familiar with Zorn's conversations gave a similar version of what happened.

According to a statement released by the team Wednesday evening, Vinny Cerrato, the Redskins' executive vice president of football operations, said Zorn was not given an ultimatum when he met with the coach at FedEx Field after the team's 14-6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

Titans' Fisher defends move

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Titans coach Jeff Fisher's attempt at levity and a bit of humor by donning Peyton Manning's No. 18 jersey at a charity fundraiser isn't being received well by fans upset over Tennessee's 0-6 start.

The coach isn't backing down.

Fisher said Wednesday he wanted to bring some levity to his introduction of former Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy at a fundraiser for a Christian teen center. Fisher said he thought it went over well and can't help if anyone was offended.

And he'd do it again.

Manning said it would be ridiculous for Fisher to catch any heat for trying to have fun with a speech. — The Associated Press

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