Faulk Makes More Progress, Could Start

Marshall Faulk could make his first start in a month Sunday for St. Louis against Kansas City.

The all-pro running back has been hampered by a sprained right ankle, playing as a reserve in last week’s 10-3 Ram loss to Philadelphia. He rushed for 29 yards in nine carries and caught four passes for 22 yards in his first game in three weeks.

In practice Friday, Faulk divided the work with rookie Lamar Gordon, who will make his fourth straight start if Faulk isn’t ready.

“I’ll talk to Marshall. He surprised me. He’s made a lot of progress,” Coach Mike Martz said. “We’ll see how he’s doing and if he feels like he’s ready to, we’ll start him.”

*

Quarterback Michael Vick’s shoes are headed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

The Hall called Friday to request the shoes Vick wore in a 30-24 overtime victory at Minnesota last Sunday.

Vick’s 173 yards rushing set a single-game record for NFL quarterbacks. Green Bay’s Tobin Rote established the previous mark of 150 yards in a loss to the Chicago Bears on Nov. 18, 1951.

*

The NFL has denied Baltimore Raven receiver Javin Hunter’s appeal of a four-game suspension for using the banned substance ephedrine.

Hunter will miss the last four regular-season games, but he will be eligible for the playoffs if the Ravens qualify.

*

Miami Dolphin quarterback Ray Lucas returned to practice and will back up Jay Fiedler against the Chicago Bears on Monday night.

Lucas returned to practice for the first time since injuring his shoulder in Sunday’s loss to Buffalo. He had sat out the last two days of practice.

Fiedler will make his first start since breaking his right thumb Oct. 15.

*

Chicago Bear linebacker Brian Urlacher sat out practice again, but his ailing left shoulder has shown signs of improvement.

Urlacher, who hasn’t missed a game in his three seasons, hurt his shoulder two weeks ago against Detroit but still played last Sunday against Green Bay. He was listed as questionable for Monday night’s game at Miami.

“They said he’s improved,” Bear Coach Dick Jauron said. “We’re a little more hopeful than we were earlier in the week.”

*

Tennessee Titan end Jevon Kearse practiced with the defense Friday, but whether he plays against the Indianapolis Colts will be a game-time decision.

Since Kearse broke his left foot in the opener, his work on the practice field had been limited to running on the side or with the scout team.

Quarterback Steve McNair missed his third straight day of practice because of toe and rib injuries. He is expected to play Sunday, as he did last week in a 32-29 overtime victory over the New York Giants despite sitting out practice.

*

The Green Bay Packers could be without four starters Sunday night against Minnesota. Running back Ahman Green, wide receiver Terry Glenn, defensive tackle Gilbert Brown and cornerback Tyrone Williams didn’t practice the entire week, and Coach Mike Sherman said he didn’t know if they would be ready for the game.