Bettis Practices for First Time in a Month

Jerome Bettis, the Pittsburgh Steeler running back sidelined by a groin injury, returned to practice Thursday for the first time in a month.

Bettis has missed three games since aggravating a groin injury Dec. 2 against Minnesota. He sat out the fourth quarter of that game before missing the next three.

“Still questionable,” Coach Bill Cowher said. “He did more today. We’ll see how he feels [Friday] and go from there. We’ll take it day to day.”

The Steelers play at Cincinnati on Sunday.

“I’m all right, hanging in there, taking it day by day,” Bettis said. “It just hurts. It’s hard to do some things.”

In the first NFL game at the Superdome since fans littered an end zone with plastic bottles, fans will be able to buy bottled beer, provided they leave their seats to get it.

Superdome officials announced the policy change for Sunday night’s game between the New Orleans Saints and the Washington Redskins, the Saints’ first home game since angry fans threw bottles during a Dec. 17 loss to St. Louis.

Those wishing to buy beer in plastic bottles will have to get it at concession stands instead of from vendors walking among the crowd. At the concession stands, sellers will retain the bottle caps so the bottles cannot be re-capped during the game. Vendors will sell beer, but it will be poured from cans into cups. Vendor sales of beer will end at halftime. Sales of beer in bottles will stop at the end of the third quarter.

Tennessee safety Blaine Bishop and defensive tackle Joe Salave’a each had ankle surgery.

Coach Jeff Fisher said doctors had to repair some tendons and ligaments in Salave’a’s ankle. Bishop probably will need at least four weeks to heal after having his ankle arthroscopically repaired.

Kicker Doug Brien signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who will use him against Baltimore if Martin Gramatica can’t kick this week. Gramatica strained his right hamstring during a 48-21 victory over the Saints last week.

The Cleveland Browns put running back Aaron Shea on injured reserve because of a bruised left shoulder.... Detroit quarterback Mike McMahon and running back James Stewart were downgraded to doubtful for Sunday’s game against Chicago.... The Houston Texans, the NFL’s newest franchise, have signed former Packer Matt Snider for its inaugural season next year, Snider’s agent said.