McNair Is Not Likely to Return on Sunday

Steve McNair crossed his arms. He stuck his hands in his pockets and even propped a foot on a cooler. The Tennessee Titan quarterback did a lot of things to pass the time at Wednesday’s practice, except pick up a football.

McNair has not thrown a pass since the season opener, when he bruised his right shoulder, and his status for Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars looks doubtful even though the Titans listed him as questionable.

Coach Jeff Fisher said McNair would have to throw Friday to have a chance to play Sunday. But McNair said he’s not sure two or three days will make much difference with the swelling in the shoulder.

McNair had surgery on the shoulder in February for an infection.

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The Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys will play Oct. 7 instead of Oct. 21 at Oakland because the baseball playoffs might need the Coliseum on the later date.

Once baseball officials realized the Oakland Athletics could play an American League Championship Series game Oct. 21 at home, they asked the NFL to move the Cowboy-Raider game.

Baseball’s playoff schedule was set back a week because of last week’s terrorist attacks.

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With Quincy Carter unable to properly grip a toothbrush, much less a football, Anthony Wright moved another step closer to becoming the starting quarterback for the Cowboys.

The thumb on Carter’s throwing hand, injured a week ago, is so stiff that he wasn’t able to participate in any drills.

Coach Dave Campo said there’s still time for Carter to be the starter Sunday against San Diego.

“We do enough on Friday that he should be ready if he’s been paying attention and can get some snaps [today],” Campo said.

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Jeff George ducked reporters again, making a sharp left turn into the training room after he came off the practice field.

The silent treatment began 10 days ago, when the Washington Redskin quarterback was benched in the third quarter of a 30-3 loss at San Diego in the season opener.

George, who voiced his disapproval to Coach Marty Schottenheimer in an animated sideline discussion, refused to talk after the game and has made the side door his favorite exit at Redskin Park ever since.

San Diego Charger cornerback Alex Molden had arthroscopic surgery for torn cartilage in his right knee and could miss at least two games.

Coach Mike Riley said there’s a chance Molden could return Sept. 30 against Cincinnati.

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NFL players and coaches will wear U.S. flag decals and patches for the rest of the season to honor the victims of last week’s terrorist attacks and to salute those involved in rescue operations.

Players will wear a flag decal on the backs of helmets. Players, coaches and other personnel on the sidelines will wear team caps with a flag on the right-side panel.

All game telecasts Sunday will open with a one-minute segment prepared by NFL Films about the attacks and their aftermath. It will be shown in stadiums.

The NFL will distribute one million American flags to fans at games the next two weeks.