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Colts Claim Ex-Buc Rice Off Waivers

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A Tribune wire report

Published: November 13, 2007

With the status of three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney uncertain, the Indianapolis Colts have claimed former Buc Simeon Rice off waivers after he was released by the Denver Broncos, ESPN.com reported.

Freeney injured his left foot in the fourth quarter of Sunday night's 23-21 loss at San Diego, and was undergoing tests Monday to determine the extent of the damage. Freeney, who was carted from the field after a Chargers offensive lineman rolled up his leg, likely will miss Sunday's game against Kansas City.

Rice, 34, was let go by the Broncos on Friday after he requested his release. The league's second-leading active sacker, Rice appeared in six games during his short-lived stint with the Broncos but was unhappy over his lack of playing time and the fact that Denver coaches were using him at the unfamiliar left end position.

In 2001, his first season in Tampa Bay, Rice played under Tony Dungy, when he was the Bucs' head coach, so the two have some history. In his six games with the Broncos, Rice, who underwent offseason surgery to correct a shoulder problem, had only seven tackles and did not record a sack.

The Colts will assume the one-year contract Rice signed with Denver, which was worth $3 million but included a base salary of only $820,000.

Vikes' Peterson Will Miss At Least 1 Game

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - Rookie rushing sensation Adrian Peterson, who just a week earlier set the NFL single-game rushing record with 296 yards against San Diego, will miss at least one game with a torn lateral collateral ligament. But the injury is not deemed serious enough to require surgery or jeopardize Peterson's season.

Coach Brad Childress ruled out Peterson for Sunday's game against Oakland, but wouldn't put a timetable on his recovery beyond that.

Peterson was injured in the third quarter Sunday. Packers cornerback Al Harris hit him in the knee just as Peterson was about to make a cut downfield, and he writhed in pain for several minutes in a scary scene.

Union To Plead Pacman's Case With Goodell

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The NFL Players Association hopes to convince Commissioner Roger Goodell to change his mind and reduce the season-long suspension of Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones, a union attorney said Monday.

"Our main argument is when you compare Jones' suspension to that of other players whose conduct have fallen under the policy, his discipline is quite severe in comparison," attorney Richard Berthelsen said.

The union notified the NFL of its appeal in a letter dated Nov. 8 and asked for a hearing as soon as possible. The NFL declined to comment when asked about the union's appeal Sunday.

Berthelsen said they hope to talk with NFL officials Tuesday and agree on a date quickly. Only seven weeks remain in the regular season. The union would like to see the suspension reduced to 10 games, which Berthelsen said was the inference drawn from the punishment handed down in April.

Bears Unsure Who Will Start At QB Vs. Seattle

LAKE FOREST, Ill. - Rex Grossman came off the bench and rescued the Chicago Bears with a go-ahead touchdown pass, but that doesn't mean he's regained his starting spot.

Coach Lovie Smith said that Brian Griese sprained his left shoulder Sunday in Oakland and needs medical clearance before he can play.

Grossman, benched in favor of Griese after three games because he had six interceptions and one TD pass, hit Bernard Berrian with a 59-yard pass for the go-ahead score with 3:11 to go Sunday against the Raiders.

BILLS: Marshawn Lynch will have further tests on his sprained left ankle, but Coach Dick Jauron hopes the rookie running back will play against New England this weekend.

Jauron said Lynch is sore, but noted initial tests showed no broken bones after the player limped off the field after helping secure a come-from-behind 13-10 win at Miami on Sunday.

CHIEFS: Damon Huard is out and Brodie Croyle is in as starting quarterback. Coach Herm Edwards said the strong-armed Croyle, who came in for a shaken-up Huard against Denver on Sunday, would start at Indianapolis this week as the Chiefs try to snap a two-game losing streak.

LIONS: Quarterback Jon Kitna dismissed questions about a back injury, despite concerns raised by Coach Rod Marinelli.

Marinelli said Monday that Kitna had a lower back injury, but Kitna disagreed.

"I feel as good as I have in five weeks," he said.

RAVENS: Struggling quarterback Steve McNair has developed "substantial soreness" in his non-throwing shoulder, Coach Brian Billick said. That, coupled with McNair's unsightly numbers over the past two weeks, could cause Billick to turn to Kyle Boller on Sunday against Cleveland.

SAINTS: Running back Reggie Bush, who was dazed by a helmet-to-helmet hit against the Rams, and left tackle Jammal Brown, who left the game with a lower leg injury, should be well enough to play Sunday at Houston.

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