Smith Will Return to Cowboys After Sitting Out Two Games

Emmitt Smith will return to the Dallas Cowboy lineup Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles after sitting out two games because of a sprained right knee.

Coach Dave Campo said after practice Friday that Smith would “be ready to play the majority of the game.”

Smith returned to practice Thursday and was back on the field Friday. He was hurt during the Cowboys’ 17-3 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 28.

Smith, the NFL’s second-leading career rusher, did not speak with reporters.

Before missing consecutive games because of injury for the first time in his 12-year NFL career, Smith had missed only two other games because of injury--one in 1994 and another five years later.

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Carolina rookie quarterback Chris Weinke will return to the lineup Sunday when the Panthers play host to the San Francisco 49ers. Panther Coach George Seifert decided after Friday’s practice that Weinke would start.

On Thursday, Seifert expressed concern over whether Weinke had recovered from a strained throwing shoulder that kept him out of last week’s game against the St. Louis Rams. “I think he looked good in practice and strong, and all of the other things that we’ll need,” Seifert said.

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Three Philadelphia Eagle players, whose names were not released, were taken into custody Friday night after at least one of them was caught smoking marijuana, Philadelphia police said.

“They were smoking a joint,” Detective Bill Carey said of the players, who were taken into custody on South Street, a trendy strip of bars and shops. “Three of them were brought in, and it looks like one might be charged. And that’s still up in the air.”

Charges had not been filed against any of the three players as of late Friday.

“I’ve heard the reports, and I’m trying to call our people to find out what’s going on,” said team spokesman Derek Boyko.

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The Tennessee Titans still do not know whether quarterback Steve McNair, slowed by an injured right thumb, will be able to play Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. He threw the ball during individual drills Friday, but did not practice all week.

“Saturday should be a step closer to determining whether he can play,” Coach Jeff Fisher said. “We will see how he is.”

If McNair isn’t ready, Fisher will go to backup Neil O’Donnell.

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The estate of former Miami Dolphin and San Diego Charger linebacker David Griggs won a $10.2-million settlement in his 1995 traffic death.

Lawyers for the family, the state Department of Transportation and a construction firm, Gilbert Southern, negotiated the settlement a week before a trial on damages to be awarded was to begin.

Gilbert Southern will pay $10 million and the state of Florida $200,000.

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Dolphin defensive tackle Daryl Gardener sat out practice again because of a sore back, and the team will make a game-time decision on whether he plays Sunday against the Jets. ... The Chargers released defensive end Mike Pringley to make room on the roster for punt returner Glyn Milburn.