Owners to Get Update on L.A.

The NFL is scheduled to brief its team owners today in Dearborn, Mich., on the progress of the four competing Los Angeles-area stadium sites. A few of those owners, the members of a stadium committee, got a preview of the presentation Wednesday from the league executives running the process and seemed pleased by what they heard.

“I didn’t feel this way going in, but after this meeting, I think that they’ve got things in pretty good order,” said Dan Rooney, owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. “They’re following their due diligence, they’re talking to everybody, they’re looking.”

Wayne Huizenga, who owns the Miami Dolphins, said it was his understanding that the league planned to adhere to its timetable and zero in on a site by spring. He acknowledged a prior connection to Anaheim, which is competing with the Coliseum, Carson and the Rose Bowl to land an NFL team.

“I personally like Anaheim,” he said, referring to the city rather than the specific stadium concept. “My company [Republic Services] picks up all the trash in that town, so I like that. Orange County, we’ve got a big contract with them.”

Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, said bringing a team back to L.A. was No. 3 on the league’s list of priorities, behind extending the television contracts and labor agreement.

“To let a generation of fans grow up in L.A. without having a passion, without sitting in the stands with their kids the way I did with mine ... I think it’s bad to have that going on,” he said. “It will really come back to bite us in five or 10 years if we haven’t solved it.”

Also Wednesday, Gene Upshaw, executive director of the NFL Players Assn., met with a group of owners to discuss the process of extending the labor agreement. The current contract expires in 2007.

Upshaw said teams such as Washington and Dallas generated more local revenue than other teams and didn’t t have to share that money. The union wants high-revenue teams to contribute more money to the shared pool, a move that would also increase the salary cap and provide more money for players.

-- Sam Farmer

LaDainian Tomlinson sat out practice and will probably sit out today because of a strained groin, but the San Diego Charger running back expects to play against the Oakland Raiders.

Tomlinson has been playing through the injury the last three weeks.

*

Cincinnati defensive tackle Tony Williams had surgery on his left ankle, which was broken and dislocated by a low block by Denver lineman George Foster on Monday night.

Bengal players said the cut block Foster used is legal but unethical. Bronco Coach Mike Shanahan said that the play was common practice.

Although low blocks occur around the league, the Broncos have a reputation for emphasizing them. Jacksonville’s Paul Spicer also is out for the season after taking a low block from a Bronco lineman.

*

Quentin Griffin, Denver’s opening-day starting tailback, was put on injured reserve by the team because of a torn knee ligament suffered against Cincinnati.

*

Receiver Bobby Engram’s left ankle sprain is worse than initially believed, Seattle Seahawk Coach Mike Holmgren said.

The team’s medical staff initially believed Engram sustained a low ankle sprain that would heal quickly. After Engram missed last week’s game at Arizona, Holmgren said it was apparent the injury was higher in the leg.

Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, listed as probable because of a strained right heel, didn’t practice.

*

Second-year running back Willis McGahee will start for the Buffalo Bills on Sunday in place of veteran Travis Henry, Coach Mike Mularkey said.

The Buffalo offense has failed to score more than 20 points in a game this season and has yet to produce a touchdown rushing inside the opponent’s 20-yard-line.

It is last in the NFL with 77 points and its per-game average of 12.8 is next to last.

*

Philadelphia’s leading rusher, Brian Westbrook, did not practice because of a cracked rib and was listed as questionable for Sunday against Baltimore.

Westbrook was injured in the Eagles’ 34-31 overtime victory over Cleveland. The Eagles said the normal recovery time for that kind of injury was at least four weeks but added that Westbrook wouldn’t necessarily be out that long.

*

Miami Dolphin defensive tackle Tim Bowens, who has played in only two games this year because of a herniated disk, went on injured reserve and will sit out the rest of the season after suffering a recurrence of the injury against the St. Louis Rams.

*

Arizona Cardinal receiver Anquan Boldin went through a full workout in pads and had no doubt he would play at Buffalo on Sunday.

He has been sidelined since his right knee locked up during warmups at training camp Aug. 10. He underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair torn cartilage.

Boldin, last season’s NFL rookie of the year, will be upgraded from questionable to probable today, Coach Dennis Green said.