Hall of Fame tabs nominees

Running back Terrell Davis and offensive lineman Bruce Matthews are among the first-time nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Davis played only seven seasons in Denver but was a key part of the Broncos’ two championship teams. He was the Super Bowl most valuable player for his three touchdowns against Green Bay in 1998.

Matthews’ skill and durability enabled him to play in 14 Pro Bowls during a 19-year career with the Houston Oilers and Tennessee Titans.

Davis and Matthews are being considered with 109 other former players, coaches and contributors.

The list, which was announced Friday, will be reduced to 15 finalists and Cleveland Browns guard Gene Hickerson and Detroit Lions tight end Charlie Sanders, who were selected in August by the Hall of Fame’s senior selection committee.

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Safety Bob Sanders sat out a second day of practice, and the Indianapolis Colts said he was doubtful for Sunday’s game at Denver. Cornerback Marlin Jackson or safety Matt Giordano could start if Sanders is unable to play. Sanders has not played the last four games while recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery.

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Damon Huard, nursing a sore groin, did not practice and may not start Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. Coach Herm Edwards said rookie Brodie Croyle would start if Huard can’t play. Edwards said it could be a game-day decision.

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The NFL has suspended Seahawks starting right tackle Sean Locklear for Sunday’s game for violating its personal conduct policy.

Locklear was arrested Jan. 15 on a charge of assaulting his girlfriend outside a downtown Seattle nightspot. In July, he reached an agreement with prosecutors that avoided a trial.

The suspension is without pay, meaning Locklear forfeits $25,000 -- 1/17th of his $425,000 base salary for this season.

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The Cincinnati Bengals activated receiver Chris Henry, making him available for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Henry had been benched by the Bengals for one game and suspended by the NFL for two more for violating the league’s personal conduct and substance abuse policies.

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Browns center LeCharles Bentley was recently hospitalized because of a staph infection after season-ending knee surgery, raising concerns of contamination at Cleveland’s training facility.

Bentley’s infection is the fifth known case of staph for a Browns player in the last three years.

Since 2003, linebacker Ben Taylor, receiver Braylon Edwards, safety Brian Russell and tight end Kellen Winslow had various strains of staph, bacteria that enter the body through the skin.