Boldin hoping to return
Anquan Boldin returned to practice for the Arizona Cardinals on Monday, just over three weeks after he was injured on a vicious hit by the New York Jets’ Eric Smith.
“I’m feeling good enough to put a helmet back on now,” he said after the light workout.
The standout wide receiver was scheduled to see the doctor today and hoped to gain medical clearance to play Sunday, when the Cardinals are at Carolina.
“I feel like I’m ready to go,” he said. “That’s what I’ve been working toward these past couple of weeks, getting back on the field after the bye week.”
Boldin underwent surgery to repair a sinus fracture and wasn’t able to eat solid food until about a week ago. He said he lost 10 pounds, but regained it when he was able to return to eating solid foods and lifting weights.
Favre didn’t break rules
If Brett Favre really did leak inside information about the Green Bay Packers’ offense to help the Detroit Lions beat his former team last month, the three-time MVP’s reputation among his fans in Wisconsin would likely take a hit.
But he – and the Lions coaches who reportedly took his call – wouldn’t have broken any NFL rules.
“We do not have a comment,” league spokesman Greg Aiello said in an e-mail to the Associated Press. “Even if it were true, there would be no violation of league rules.”
Staph ailed Winslow
Calling Kellen Winslow’s critical comments a distraction, Browns coach Romeo Crennel confirmed the tight end was hospitalized for a staph infection. Crennel added he may discipline the emotional Pro Bowler for his conduct following Sunday’s loss to the Washington Redskins.
Winslow spent three nights at the Cleveland Clinic for an illness that he did not disclose until Sunday. He said he didn’t reveal he had staph because the team, which has had an alarming number of staph cases in recent years, “didn’t want it to get out.” Winslow said he came forward to protect his teammates.
Browns’ Hickerson dies
Gene Hickerson, the Cleveland Browns Hall of Fame right guard whose blocking helped Jim Brown, Leroy Kelly and Bobby Mitchell make the shrine, died in Berea, Ohio, after a long illness. He was 73.