McNabb to Start Against the 49ers

Donovan McNabb will start in the Philadelphia Eagles’ home opener Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers despite a bruised chest.

The quarterback practiced Friday for the second consecutive day and did not seem bothered by the injury he sustained in the first quarter of Philadelphia’s 14-10 loss Monday night at Atlanta. Coach Andy Reid said McNabb would start “unless something crazy happens.”

McNabb looked fine during running drills, dropping back and making passes with ease. He said Thursday there was “no doubt” he’d start.

“I was being a little bit cautious with him yesterday and he didn’t want any part of that,” Reid said. “He felt good and went out and made all his throws. I was not sure how he was going to do with the deep ball yesterday, but I think he answered that. He threw the ball well.”

San Francisco also has injury problems. Receiver Brandon Lloyd was added to the 49ers’ injury report after straining his hamstring in practice. He is listed as probable. So is left tackle Jonas Jennings, who returned to practice Friday after sitting out the previous session because of a sore knee.

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Ben Roethlisberger practiced, but the Pittsburgh quarterback is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game at Houston.

Coach Bill Cowher said it probably would be a game-time decision. If Roethlisberger can’t play, former starter Tommy Maddox will take his place.

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Running back Mike Anderson ran without pain, showing little indication he had sore ribs as Denver tuned up for Sunday’s home game against San Diego.

“He had a lot of reps in practice today and looked pretty good out there,” Coach Mike Shanahan said. “So unless there’s a setback, he should be ready to go.”

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The NFL lifted the television blackout for Monday night’s New Orleans-New York Giants game at East Rutherford, N.J., allowing it to be viewed locally even though it wasn’t sold out by Friday’s deadline.

So the game and fund-raising telethon for Hurricane Katrina relief will be televised in New York.

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Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck was added to the team’s injury report because of arm soreness, but Coach Mike Holmgren said Hasselbeck would play in the team’s home opener against Atlanta. Hasselbeck is listed as probable on the injury report.... Tampa Bay rookie fullback Rick Razzano was suspended four games for violating the NFL’s policy on anabolic steroids.... With New York out of the running for the 2010 Super Bowl because a new stadium deal fell through, the NFL next month will pick from three cities that lost a bid for the 2009 game -- Atlanta, Houston and Miami.