Agent: Smith’s appeal to be heard on Wednesday

The NFL will hear Minnesota Vikings running back Onterrio Smith’s appeal of a pending four-game suspension next week.

Smith, who leads the Vikings in rushing and in yards receiving, faces a suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. The appeal hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, said Doug Hendrickson, his agent.

That means there’s a chance Smith can play in Minnesota’s next game at Houston on Oct. 10, although that’s not a guarantee since a decision could come only a day or two after the hearing. Or it could take a week or two, allowing Smith to continue suiting up well into October.

If he is suspended, the Vikings will still have Michael Bennett, their No. 1 back, who is expected back after missing the first three games with a sprained knee.

Winslow put on injured reserve

Rookie tight end Kellen Winslow Jr., out for the season with a broken right leg, was placed on the Cleveland Browns’ crowded injured reserve list Thursday.

Winslow is expected to need four to five months to recover after undergoing a second operation to repair ligament damage in his leg. He is expected to be 100 percent for the start of training camp next July.

Skins receivers coach back

Washington Redskins receivers coach Stan Hixon is back at work, trying to concentrate on football even as his son remains hospitalized in Florida with a head injury.

Hixon rejoined the Redskins, 2 1/2 weeks after leaving the team to attend to his son, Tennessee Tech receiver Drew Hixon, who was injured in a helmet-to-helmet collision in a game against South Florida on Sept. 11.

Drew Hixon was upgraded last week from critical to serious condition but remains unconscious in a Tampa hospital.

Hixon said he hopes his son will be moved next week to a rehabilitation center at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.

McNair doesn’t practice

Steve McNair didn’t practice again and only tossed a ball lightly because of a bruised sternum suffered in a game Sunday. His chest still hurts when he takes a deep breath.

McNair officially is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game with the San Diego Chargers, but coach Jeff Fisher won’t rule out his quarterback playing. McNair admitted he couldn’t play if the game were today.

Around the league

Kansas City kick returner Dante Hall missed practice with a painfully infected lower lip… . Safety Shaun Williams of the New York Giants will be sidelined the rest of the season after surgery on his left knee… . Quarterback Tim Rattay expects to return to the San Francisco starting lineup Sunday after a two-week absence because of an injury.