AROUND THE NFL News and notes

Bills: Drew Bledsoe is ready to play after shaking off the effects of a blow to the head that briefly knocked him unconscious last week. "I feel good and ready to go," the Buffalo Bills quarterback said Friday after practicing for a second day. Bledsoe missed practice Wednesday after complaining of dizziness, the result of a helmet-to-helmet hit with Keith Hamilton of the New York Giants in the third quarter of the Bills' 24-7 win last Sunday. Bills running back Willis McGahee could make his NFL debut Sunday when Buffalo hosts the New York Jets. Coach Greg Williams said Friday there is a chance the Bills' first-round pick may make an appearance. McGahee has been practicing with the team since mid-October and was activated Nov. 5, but this is the first week Williams has considered putting him in the lineup. The former Miami star underwent knee surgery after being injured during the Hurricanes' loss to Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl in January. Before being hurt, McGahee, selected 23rd overall, was considered a top-three pick.
Texans: David Carr and Domanick Davis did not practice with their teammates again Friday, leaving in doubt their availability this weekend at Jacksonville. As he has been all week, Carr was limited to some light throwing on the side as he rebounds from a right shoulder injury which occurred last month. Rookie Dave Ragone ran the team throughout practice and would start if Carr is unable. Ragone has not taken a regular-season snap yet but became the backup when Tony Banks was lost for the season last Sunday with a broken right hand. The No. 3 quarterback is Mike Quinn, who is just 2-of-3 in his career and hasn't thrown an NFL pass since 1998. Carr agreed that he is feeling better after resting his arm this week, but acknowledged he hasn't thrown all out since last week. Team policy is a player who can't practice on Friday usually isn't made available Sunday, but coach Dom Capers is being more flexible with his starting quarterback and running back.
Chiefs: Running back Larry Johnson pleaded innocent Friday to charges that he threatened a former girlfriend with a gun and hit her. "That didn't happen," Johnson's attorney, Kevin Reagan, said after the player entered his plea via closed-circuit television from jail. Johnson's bond was set at $5,000. "It's all up in the air," Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil said. "I feel sorry for the kid, but I feel it's going to all turn out favorably for him when it's all evaluated." Johnson has played sparingly as a rookie this season, with just nine carries for 33 yards. At Penn State, he won the 2002 Doak Walker Award as the nation's top college running back. He was a first-round draft pick in April.
Redskins: Tim Hasselbeck will start at quarterback for the Redskins against the Giants on Sunday, because Patrick Ramsey is sidelined by a right foot injury. Ramsey wasn't able to practice Friday. Ramsey missed last week's game against New Orleans, then re-injured the foot during practice Wednesday. He needs surgery but hopes to play again this season. Hasselbeck made his first NFL start against the Saints, completing 22 of 42 passes for 231 yards in a 24-20 loss. Also, the Redskins signed offensive lineman Pia Elisara from the practice squad and released offensive lineman Daryl Terrell, who was signed earlier this week.
Bears: Kordell Stewart will be Chicago's quarterback at Green Bay on Sunday, his second straight start. Bears coach Dick Jauron delayed an announcement to keep the Packers guessing but made it official Friday. Stewart got most of the work in practice since Wednesday. He replaced an injured Chris Chandler at halftime of a 19-10 win over Denver two weeks ago, then threw for 284 yards and two touchdowns after starting last week's 28-3 win over Arizona. Chandler has a sore shoulder but has improved this week. Still, he is not the mobile quarterback that Stewart is. Chandler's shoulder has healed enough that he will be the backup quarterback Sunday, ahead of rookie Rex Grossman. Their roles were reversed last week, but Jauron said he'd feel comfortable using Chandler if needed. The Bears should have right tackle Aaron Gibson available to play. Gibson suffered a sprained knee last week but practiced Friday for the first time this week and was upgraded to probable on the injury list. Right guard Chris Villarrial was downgraded to doubtful because of a strained oblique muscle.
Dolphins: Linebacker Zach Thomas said Friday that although his hip still hurts, he expects to play Sunday at New England. Thomas injured his hip during Wednesday's practice when he twisted a muscle. He went through limited work Thursday and felt some improvement Friday. Thomas is still listed as questionable and will be a game-time decision, but he wants to play against the Patriots, who hold a two-game lead over Miami in the AFC East. Thomas leads the Dolphins with 135 tackles. He has started 11 games this season, but missed Miami's Nov. 9 loss at Tennessee. In that game, the Dolphins defense gave up a season-high 31 points. Defensive end David Bowens will likely be active for the first time this season after missing the first 12 games with a knee injury he suffered while changing a light bulb at home.
-- Associated Press