Ferguson Optimistic He’ll Be Back Soon

Green Bay receiver Robert Ferguson, who continues his recuperation from a clothesline hit Dec. 19 that temporarily paralyzed his legs and earned Jacksonville’s Donovin Darius a $75,000 fine, is hopeful of returning for the playoffs.

He said Thursday he was still suffering headaches and lingering weakness on one side of his body after the hit by Darius.

But there’s a chance the fourth-year veteran could be back on the practice field as early as next week and possibly play in Green Bay’s first-round game Jan. 8 or 9.

“I think it’s a realistic goal right now,” Ferguson said. “I think it’s probably about a 75%, 80% chance that I could practice next week.”

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Reggie White was remembered as a man of goodness and humor at a private funeral in Charlotte, N.C., attended by many current and former NFL players.

Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre, a longtime teammate of White, was a pallbearer and led a contingent of about 50 members of the Packer organization at the University Park Baptist Church.

“He’s a huge part of our tradition,” Packer President Bob Harlan said. “For us to come here and salute him, I hope it meant something to the family. It meant a great deal to us.”

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Washington receiver Rod Gardner had his SUV stolen early Thursday when he handed the keys over to someone impersonating a valet outside a Washington, D.C., nightclub, according to law enforcement officials.... Arizona safety Ifeanyi Ohalete sued former Washington teammate Clinton Portis for failing to pay $20,000 of the $40,000 promised when Ohalete gave Portis his No. 26 jersey.... Pittsburgh said Tommy Maddox would start at quarterback in place of injured rookie Ben Roethlisberger in Sunday’s regular-season finale against Buffalo. Roethlisberger has bruised ribs.

San Francisco put quarterback Tim Rattay on injured reserve. Rattay strained his forearm in training camp, separated his shoulder in the season opener and tore muscles in his foot earlier this month. Ken Dorsey will start Sunday at New England.... St. Louis put safety Aeneas Williams, bothered by a neck injury much of the season, on injured reserve.... Carolina receiver Keary Colbert, who has been slowed because of a sprained ankle, practiced and is likely to be ready for Sunday’s game against New Orleans.

Miami quarterback A.J. Feeley will miss Sunday’s game against Baltimore because of a rib injury. Sage Rosenfels will start.... Quarterback Daunte Culpepper, tight end Jermaine Wiggins and cornerback Antoine Winfield returned to practice for Minnesota after being sidelined because of an upper respiratory virus.... With Carson Palmer nursing a left knee injury, Jon Kitna will make his third consecutive start at quarterback for Cincinnati on Sunday at Philadelphia.