PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : AFC : Hostetler ‘Fine,’ Back at Practice

Jeff Hostetler practiced with the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday and appears on course to play in his team’s next game--Nov. 5 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

“I got a look at him, he was throwing well,” Coach Mike White said. “He seems fine.”

Hostetler sat out the Raiders’ 30-17 victory over Indianapolis last Sunday because of damaged cartilage around his windpipe, suffered at Denver on Oct. 16. Backup Vince Evans passed for 335 yards against the Colts.

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Vinny Testaverde said “the situation stinks” on the Cleveland Browns after the benching that makes him appear the scapegoat for the team’s 3-4 record.

The Browns started 3-1, but consecutive losses to Buffalo, Detroit and Jacksonville led Coach Bill Belichick to decide on Eric Zeier as his quarterback for Sunday’s game in Cincinnati.

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Joel Steed was suspended for using steroids, so the Pittsburgh Steelers signed a replacement nose tackle who went through alcohol rehabilitation.

Bill Johnson, a former Cleveland Brown starter waived last summer after a barroom fight and two drunken-driving convictions in 14 months, might play Sunday against Jacksonville.