Williams’ season is over

Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams underwent surgery Thursday to repair a season-ending injury to his right pectoral muscle.

Williams was hurt Monday night at Pittsburgh, his first game in nearly two years. He was put on injured reserve Wednesday.

Rehabilitation for Williams is expected to take five months. The injury came in his first game since returning from a 1 1/2 -year suspension for violating the NFL drug policy.

A concussion will keep St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger out of Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Bulger, who had been optimistic earlier in the week he’d be back, was ruled out after failing medical tests.

Bulger left in the first quarter of last week’s loss to the Seahawks after absorbing a blindside sack by Leroy Hill, although he stayed in the game for four more plays.

Alex Smith is hoping two weeks of complete rest for his ailing right shoulder will help him avoid surgery and allow him to return for the San Francisco 49ers’ final few games.

“Gripping a football and throwing it as hard as I can, that’s when I feel it the most,” Smith said. “When I follow through, I really feel it in my collarbone.”

The former No. 1 draft pick hopes enough scar tissue will build up around his ligament to give him a comfortable throwing motion, but he won’t know much more until next week.

Raiders quarterback Daunte Culpepper was limited in practice because of a sore quadriceps muscle but is expected to play against Denver. . . . Broncos running back Travis Henry, who partially tore a ligament in his left knee, says he plans to play against the Raiders. “If they need me to [carry it 20 times], I’ll man up and do it. My knee feels real good,” he said. . . .

Donovan McNabb didn’t practice, and the quarterback’s availability for Philadelphia’s game against Seattle is in doubt. McNabb has been sidelined since spraining his ankle and thumb in a win over the Miami Dolphins on Nov. 18. . . . Running back Shaun Alexander practiced for the second consecutive day for the Seahawks and is expected to play against the Eagles. . . .

Minnesota Vikings receiver Troy Williamson missed practice because of headaches stemming from a concussion he sustained Sunday against the New York Giants. Running back Adrian Peterson again split time with Chester Taylor in practice and said he is still getting used to wearing a brace to protect his right knee. Peterson tore a ligament in his right knee three weeks ago at Green Bay. . . . Veteran reserve Anthony Thomas is out indefinitely because of a torn calf muscle, probably leaving the Buffalo Bills with two inexperienced running backs for their game at Washington on Sunday. . . .

Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth sat out practice, a day after he had his most extensive workout since injuring his right hamstring three weeks ago. . . .

Indianapolis linebacker Tyjuan Hagler was cleared to resume a full practice schedule and could be back in the lineup for the Colts’ NFC South matchup with Jacksonville. . . . Quarterback Kellen Clemens might be without his top two targets when the New York Jets take on the winless Miami Dolphins. Jerricho Cotchery has missed practice all week because of an injured right index finger and Laveranues Coles has been limited because of an ankle injury that caused him to miss New York’s game against Dallas on Thanksgiving.