Uncertain McNabb still doesn’t practice

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb sat out practice again Thursday because of ankle and thumb injuries, and it’s uncertain whether he will play against the New England Patriots on Sunday.

McNabb hurt his thumb early in Philadelphia’s victory over Miami, and left the game after he sprained his right ankle in the second quarter. A.J. Feeley led the Eagles (5-5) to a pair of touchdowns and would start against the Patriots if McNabb can’t play.

Coach Andy Reid has said that McNabb doesn’t have to practice this week to play at New England (10-0). The decision on a starter could be made shortly before kickoff.

The Tennessee Titans added former USC wide receiver Mike Williams to the roster and he joined them in time for practice Thursday.

This is the third NFL team for Williams, the 10th pick in the 2005 draft by Detroit. The Lions traded Williams to Oakland earlier this season, but the Raiders released him Oct. 30, two days after Williams dropped a late third-down pass in a loss to Tennessee.

The Titans are familiar with Williams because of offensive coordinator Norm Chow, who coached him at USC.

The Titans have needed help at receiver all season. They lost out to New England in a free-agency chase for Donte’ Stallworth, and they had at least four dropped passes in Monday night’s loss to Denver.

Fullback Kyle Johnson, released by the Denver Broncos on Sept. 1, was re-signed and at practice.

Johnson thought he could get up to speed by Sunday’s game at Chicago.

The acquisition of Johnson may mean a move back to tailback for Mike Bell, who gained 677 yards in that role last season. Bell was switched to fullback this season because of a crowded backfield.

Mike Singletary, assistant head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, has pulled himself from consideration for the Baylor head-coaching opening. He said he wasn’t offered the job at his alma mater.

“For me, it never got to that point,” said Singletary, who met with Baylor officials for five hours Tuesday.

The Hall of Fame linebacker has stirred interest for coaching jobs in the NFL the last two years, and there are expected to be plenty of openings after this season.

“My preference has always been that I wanted to stay in the NFL,” said Singletary, who passed up an opportunity to coach his son, a redshirt outside linebacker at Baylor.

The Pittsburgh Steelers will put down a new grass playing field in time for Monday night’s game against the Miami Dolphins at Heinz Field, but must wait until four area high school championship games today and the South Florida-Pittsburgh game on Saturday are played.

With intermittent rain forecast all week, the Steelers were concerned that the pounding their current field will take this weekend might create a poor playing surface on Monday.