Vikings' Peterson could see action against Lions
Minnesota Vikings rookie running back Adrian Peterson is on track to return to the field this week, just in time for a pivotal NFC North game against Detroit.
Peterson tore the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee three weeks ago against Green Bay. He missed the last two victories over Oakland and the Giants, but the star rookie had an MRI exam Monday that "shows excellent healing," coach Brad Childress said.
As long as everything goes as planned this week in practice, Childress said he would ease Peterson back against the Lions, splitting carries with veteran Chester Taylor.
Despite missing the past two games, Peterson still leads the NFL with 1,081 yards rushing and is second to Philadelphia's Brian Westbrook with 1,301 yards from scrimmage.
The Vikings (5-6) have won three of their last four games to creep back into the playoff picture in the muddled NFC. Detroit (6-5) has lost three in a row after starting the season 6-2.
Crayton back for Cowboys: Wide receiver Patrick Crayton of the Cowboys (10-1) was back at practice Monday and expects to play in the NFC showdown against Green Bay (10-1) on Thursday night after missing last week's game with a sprained left ankle.
Crayton hurt his ankle during a punt return early in the Nov. 18 game against Washington.
Crayton has 31 catches for 466 yards and 5 touchdowns this season.
Jaguars lose pair: The Jaguars lost two of their three tight ends for the season, a significant setback for an offense that uses multiple tight ends in nearly every formation.
George Wrighster tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during Sunday's 36-14 win over Buffalo, and Greg Estandia injured his shoulder.
Both players were placed on injured reserve Monday and will have season-ending surgery.
Testaverde starts if healthy: Embattled Panthers coach John Fox said Monday that 44-year-old Vinny Testaverde, if healthy, would start this week against San Francisco ahead of struggling David Carr and fan favorite rookie Matt Moore.
Sunday's 31-6 loss to the Saints was Carolina's fifth straight overall and seventh straight at home dating to last season. It featured brutal quarterback play from Carr, constant boos from fans and effectively eliminated the Panthers (4-7) from playoff contention.
Hope needs more tests: Titans safety Chris Hope will undergo more tests for a concussion from a hit that left his left arm and left leg twitching before he was able to walk off the field on his own at Cincinnati.
Hope was hit by one of his own teammates late in the first quarter of the 35-6 loss and was face down for a few minutes.
Rams' injuries mount: Outside linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa could miss the rest of the season with a torn knee ligament, and quarterback Marc Bulger's status for this week is in doubt due to a concussion.
Tinoisamoa hurt his left knee early in the third quarter of Sunday's 24-19 loss to the Seahawks. The injury will not require surgery, but a month is a typical recovery time.
Bulger was injured on a blindside hit by blitzing linebacker Leroy Hill in the first quarter and fumbled. He stayed in the game for four more plays before being taken out and was hospitalized Sunday.