Grossman Regains Job With Bears

Rex Grossman’s rescue effort returned him to starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears.

Grossman, who replaced struggling rookie Kyle Orton in the second half Sunday night and led the Bears to a 16-3 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, will start Sunday at Green Bay when Chicago can clinch the NFC North.

“He was our starter before he went down and we have a lot of faith in him. We think he gives us our best chance to win,” Coach Lovie Smith said Monday.

Grossman tore a ligament in his knee in the third game last season and didn’t return. This year, he broke his ankle in an Aug. 12 exhibition.

He completed nine of 16 passes for 93 yards in the second half against the Falcons.

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Dallas Cowboy offensive lineman Marco Rivera flew home after spending the night in a Washington-area hospital for further evaluation after landing on his head and straining his neck during Sunday’s loss to the Redskins. Coach Bill Parcells said tests on Rivera were negative.

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Cleveland Brown center Jeff Faine will miss the final two games and might need surgery after tearing his right biceps in Sunday’s victory over the Oakland Raiders, the team said.

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Arizona Cardinal quarterback Kurt Warner had an MRI exam to determine if the torn ligament in his right knee needs surgery but Coach Dennis Green said the 2000 Super Bowl most valuable player was finished for the season anyway.

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The New York Giants signed linebacker Roman Phifer, 37, who played on the New England Patriots’ three Super Bowl championship teams and was not in the league this season.

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Kansas City Chief Coach Dick Vermeil, 69, admitted that he was considering retirement, saying, “That decision will be made within the next three weeks.” ... New Orleans Coach Jim Haslett said that he has no plans to resign despite a 3-11 record.