Culpepper is likely to start for Raiders

Josh McCown missed practice Wednesday with a broken big toe on his left foot, meaning Daunte Culpepper will probably get the chance to start at quarterback for Oakland on Sunday against the team that released him in July.

Coach Lane Kiffin said he wanted to wait until later in the week to decide who will start against the Miami Dolphins. McCown said doctors told him he would probably miss a couple of weeks, but he would try to make it back soon enough to practice this week.

For now, it’s Culpepper getting the practice time with the first team.

“I’ll be prepared no matter what my role is,” Culpepper said. “If that’s to start the game and be ready to play, I’ll be ready.”

The winless Atlanta Falcons are dealing with another distraction involving a high-profile player.

Pro Bowl cornerback DeAngelo Hall said he has been fined $100,000 by the team and may have to sit one or two quarters of the next game for his meltdown Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.

The Falcons (0-3) acted quickly after their defensive star was called for three penalties totaling 67 yards in one possession, including two personal fouls, then got into a heated sideline confrontation with Coach Bobby Petrino and one of his assistants.

The penalties led to a Carolina touchdown that tied the score, 17-17, in the third quarter. The Panthers went on to a 27-20 victory.

Plaxico Burress’ sprained right ankle has become more of a concern for the New York Giants.

The receiver, whose five touchdown catches is tied with Randy Moss of New England for most in the NFL, traveled to Charlotte, N.C., to have the ankle examined by noted orthopedist Robert Anderson.

Burress, who missed all four exhibition games, has played in the first three regular-season games but has had little practice.

The Buffalo Bills have gone through so many players already that they ran out of space in their locker room. And that meant clearing out Kevin Everett’s locker -- something Coach Dick Jauron said a week earlier wouldn’t happen.

Jauron wasn’t initially aware the injured tight end’s locker had been cleaned out. After checking with the team’s equipment staff, Jauron said space was an issue.

Tarvaris Jackson’s groin injury limited him in practice, leaving Kelly Holcomb as the expected starter at quarterback for Minnesota on Sunday against Green Bay. . . . Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow didn’t practice because of a partially dislocated left shoulder, an injury sustained during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss in Oakland. He could miss Sunday’s game against Baltimore. . . . Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme’s strained right elbow forced him to miss practice, leaving his status uncertain for Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay. David Carr would get the start if Delhomme can’t play.

Miami linebacker Zach Thomas was back on the practice field on a limited basis. It’s unknown if Thomas will play this weekend against the Oakland Raiders. . . . Indianapolis Colts linebacker Rob Morris was limited in practice but expects to return Sunday against Denver. Morris missed the last two games with an abdominal strain.