New England’s Fred Taylor might need ankle surgery

Oft-injured running back Fred Taylor is sidelined again and could need surgery on his right ankle after leading the New England Patriots in rushing this season.

Taylor is expected to miss Sunday’s game at the Denver Broncos after sitting out his second straight day of practice Thursday, when ESPN.com reported that he needs surgery. He would play again this season unless there were complications, the report said.

Patriots spokesman Stacey James said he was not aware that Taylor needed surgery. Taylor’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, did not respond to a phone call and e-mail from the Associated Press.

Taylor, in his first season with New England after spending 11 with the Jacksonville Jaguars, was hurt on his final carry of Sunday’s 27-21 win over the Baltimore Ravens, a three-yard run with 5:09 left in the game. He limped off the field.

Taylor has 201 yards in 45 carries as part of a four-man backfield rotation with Sammy Morris, Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk.

Edwards settles in

Braylon Edwards spent most of his first few hours with the New York Jets meeting his new teammates and coaches and digging into the playbook.

Just over 24 hours after being traded from Cleveland, the wide receiver was on the practice field for the Jets and already feeling like one of the guys.

“It’s just a fresh start for me being in a situation where everything is moving in the right direction,” Edwards said Thursday. “It’s great for me to be a part of something like this. It’s good for me, for my mental, for my physical, and I’m expecting to play well in this system.”

Stafford sits out

Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions are being coy about the quarterback’s injured right knee and his status.

Is the kneecap dislocated?

“Really not sure,” Stafford said Thursday after missing a second straight practice.

Will you play Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers?

“I don’t know,” he said. “We’ll see.”

Detroit Coach Jim Schwartz refused to be remotely forthcoming when asked for an update on his rookie quarterback.

“The injury report will be out at 4 o’clock,” Schwartz said during a terse interview session that lasted about 20 seconds.

Detroit’s injury report listed Stafford as one of its players who did not practice because of a knee injury.

Etc.

All signs are pointing toward Matt Hasselbeck’s returning to quarterback the reeling Seattle Seahawks on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The three-time Pro Bowl passer looked sharp while completing a second consecutive practice. It’s his first work since he broke a rib Sept. 20. . . . Houston rookie linebacker Brian Cushing returned to practice after staying home the day before because of flu symptoms. Coach Gary Kubiak says Cushing is OK and will play Sunday at Arizona.