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There appears to be only a slim chance the Carolina Panthers will have their starting offensive line intact for Sunday's game against New Orleans.
Right tackle Jeff Otah and center Ryan Kalil missed practice again Friday because of ankle sprains and are listed as doubtful on the injury report.
“You're always hopeful,” said coach John Fox. “I still hold out a little hope, even at this point.”
Both players practiced on a limited basis Wednesday, but were unable to do so after that. If they don't play, Jeremy Bridges would start at right tackle and Geoff Hangartner at center.
Running back Jonathan Stewart was added to the injury report because of an illness. He's listed as questionable, but Fox expects him to play.
Receiver D.J. Hackett (sprained knee) was declared out for the second consecutive week and linebacker Adam Seward is questionable (thigh).
Linebacker Thomas Davis (ankle) and receiver Muhsin Muhammad (knee) are probable.
Around the League
DALLAS: Officially, Tony Romo did not practice and is listed on the injury report as questionable for Sunday's game in St. Louis.
But in a radio interview Friday morning, owner and general manager Jerry Jones said it's “very likely that he'll be ready to play,” if the Pro Bowl quarterback can handle the pain from his fractured right pinkie.
“Whatever Jerry says, I'm going with,” coach Wade Phillips said.
DENVER: The NFL fined cornerback Dre' Bly $20,000 on Friday for inappropriate remarks about officials after Denver's 24-17 loss to Jacksonville last weekend. Bly was agitated over an illegal contact call he drew in the third quarter, plus a pass interference call on Broncos safety Marlon McCree in the waning moments of the game.
The Broncos have caught their share of breaks this season, most notably on Ed Hochuli's blown call in a 39-38 win against San Diego, and Bly hinted that things were evening out. “I guess they've been evaluating us and say we won games we shouldn't have won. So, I guess they're going to get a call against us,” Bly said Sunday. He was unavailable for comment Friday.
GREEN BAY: The Packers will remain short-handed in the secondary with cornerback Al Harris declared out against Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
Harris is recovering from a lacerated spleen he suffered Sept.21.
HOUSTON: The Texans activated cornerback Dunta Robinson (South Carolina). Robinson has been out since November, when a collision with a teammate tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and ripped his hamstring off the bone. He returned to practice Wednesday and could play Sunday against Detroit.
MIAMI: Linebacker Joey Porter was fined $20,000 by the NFL for comments critical of referee Hochuli and his crew Sunday in Houston.
On the first play of the Texans' drive for the winning touchdown late in the game, Porter stripped quarterback Matt Schaub. Hochuli ruled the play an incomplete pass rather than a fumble, saying Schaub's arm was moving forward when hit.
“I know for sure that I had both his arms when the ball came out,” Porter said after the game. “I'm looking for an apology or something … I thought we won the game, actually, but they kept getting calls.”
N.Y. GIANTS: Middle linebacker Antonio Pierce missed practice for the third consecutive day with a quad injury and was listed as questionable for Sunday's game against San Francisco.
PITTSBURGH: Pro Bowl running back Willie Parker didn't practice for a third consecutive day and won't play Sunday in Cincinnati.
