Lions Say Sanders Can Play Elsewhere

Detroit Lion Coach Marty Mornhinweg said Friday that the team has informed an agent for Barry Sanders that “if he wants to play football somewhere else, we will accommodate him,” ESPN reported on its Web site.

Mornhinweg was responding to a report that said Sanders’ agents were trying to use Michael Jordan’s return to the NBA as a catalyst for him to return to the NFL, but that the Lions were adamant about him resuming his career in Detroit, if he so desired.

The Lions own the rights to Sanders, who retired after the 1998 season, and would be entitled to compensation if Sanders played for another team.

“We are being told ... there might be an inkling that Barry wants to play again, but somewhere else,” Mornhinweg said. “But I’ve had occasions to speak with Barry, and I just don’t think he’s interested in playing football games--it’s that simple. We have had conversations with other teams, but this isn’t going anywhere.”

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Buffalo Bill rookie running back Travis Henry is being investigated by police for what the Buffalo News reported was a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old girl.

The newspaper, citing unidentified law enforcement officials, reported Friday that Henry allegedly had the encounter Sept. 23 in his home with the girl, who had lied about her age.

Hamburg police captain Daniel Shea told the Associated Press an investigation of Henry was underway, but no charges have been filed. He declined further comment.

Henry was not immediately available for comment because Bills’ players were given the weekend off after Thursday’s 13-10 win against Jacksonville.

Henry’s agent, Timothy McGee, said his client has fully cooperated with police.

“It’s an investigation and we know the facts,” McGee said. “Quite honestly, it’s the magnitude of his status that’s causing the commotion. We feel comfortable that nothing will come out of it.

“There’s nothing wrong with being investigated. Unfortunately, it was made public.”

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Marshall Faulk missed practice because of a bruised right knee for the third consecutive day and might sit out against the New York Jets.

Faulk, the NFL’s MVP last year, was limited to using a treadmill. Coach Mike Martz said he plans to use rookie Trung Canidate on Sunday.

But Martz left the door open just a bit, saying Faulk felt better than “even he had anticipated,” and that a final decision will be made today.

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New England Patriot receiver Terry Glenn could miss Sunday’s game against the Colts because of a hamstring injury.

Glenn, suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the NFL substance-abuse policy, left practice early Thursday and was listed as questionable on Friday’s injury report.

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Minnesota Viking receiver Cris Carter and safety Henry Jones were fined $5,000 each by the NFL.

Carter taunted opponents after a four-yard catch in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 31-26 victory over Detroit. Jones had a helmet-to-helmet hit on Lion quarterback Charlie Batch in the second quarter.