McGahee practices, could play Sunday

Buffalo Bills Coach Dick Jauron was “guardedly optimistic” that Willis McGahee will play against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday after the running back took part in his first practice in full pads Thursday.

It was McGahee’s second straight day of practice after breaking three ribs in a victory over Green Bay on Nov. 5. Jauron said McGahee was involved in some contact and described the player as moving well while wearing added padding to protect his ribs.

McGahee, who leads the Bills with 579 yards rushing, is still listed as questionable on the injury report. Jauron cautioned that a decision on whether he’ll play will come down to game time Sunday when the Bills play host to the Jaguars.

McGahee, however, expressed surprise when informed of Jauron’s guarded optimism.

“When did he tell you that?” McGahee asked. “Today?”

Asked whether it was a fair assessment, McGahee said: “I guess. To tell you the truth, I don’t even know. I would like to [play].”

McGahee said he’s still experiencing minor soreness. He added he felt fine after taking a few hits in practice while carrying the ball and in blocking situations.

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Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson was questionable for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets after sitting out practice for a second straight day because of a deep thigh bruise.

He was was injured Sunday against Buffalo.

Johnson leads the NFL in receptions with 74, and his 884 yards are third-best in the league.

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San Diego Chargers backup running back Michael Turner is listed as day to day after injuring a hamstring and failing to finish practice.

Linebacker Shaun Phillips (calf) and free safety Marlon McCree (calf) didn’t practice but are expected to play Sunday.

Defensive end Luis Castillo (ankle), though, could be sidelined for his third straight game.

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Warren Sapp is a very picky eater.

The Oakland Raiders’ defensive tackle refuses to eat out on the road for fear of getting sick, and he’s not talking about incidental food poisoning.

Sapp insisted his food was tampered with during his nine-year tenure in Tampa Bay.

“You get your food poisoned,” Sapp said. “They don’t want you out there on Sunday. You don’t think about it. It just got crazy.”

He pointed specifically to three incidents: before the NFC championship game in Philadelphia at the end of the 2002 season, which Tampa Bay won on the way to the Super Bowl title; before a divisional playoff game at Green Bay in January 1998; and at New Orleans, where Tampa Bay played a road game during the 1998 season.

During his time with Tampa Bay, Sapp even went so far as to book two hotel rooms -- one under an alias -- so he could order room service and not worry about his food.

He said he hasn’t had any problems since joining the Raiders before the 2004 season, adding, “I’ve been good out here on the West Coast. I guess they’re more liberal out here.”