NFL ROUNDUP | News and notes

Bengals: Left tackle Levi Jones had surgery Monday to repair knee cartilage, but the Bengals expect to have him back in a week or two. Jones, a 2002 first-round draft choice, tore cartilage in his right knee during Sunday's loss to Baltimore.
49ers: Kevan Barlow hopes his second start is just as impressive as his debut. With injured Garrison Hearst probably sitting out another week, Barlow will get his second straight start in the 49ers' game at Cincinnati on Sunday. Barlow rushed for a career-best 154 yards on 18 carries, including a 46-yard score in the second half of Sunday's 50-14 victory against Arizona.
Jets: Wide receiver/kick returner Jonathan Carter is most likely out for the year with a sprained left knee. Carter was injured against Buffalo and had an MRI Monday. Coach Herman Edwards said the injury "doesn't look good at this point" and added it would be tough for Carter to come back with three weeks remaining in the season. Also, defensive end John Abraham is out for Sunday's game against Pittsburgh with a strained right groin.
Texans: The rash of injuries continued. Domanick Davis (bruised right thigh) and David Carr (flu, sprained right shoulder) did not play Sunday, and during the game, cornerback Aaron Glenn aggravated a groin injury and outside linebacker Charlie Clemons' season ended with a strained ligament in his left ankle.
Bears: Coach Dick Jauron said all personnel decisions, including one on quarterback Rex Grossman, would not be revealed until Wednesday, at the earliest. The Bears play the Vikings on Sunday.
Giants: Kerry Collins' streak of starting 67 straight games at quarterback probably is going to end because of an ankle injury. Collins was listed as doubtful for Sunday's game in New Orleans, and coach Jim Fassel said Jesse Palmer probably will start for the first time in his three-year career. Collins' streak is two games shy of the team record set by Fran Tarkenton (1967-71) and the third longest among active NFL quarterbacks. Brett Favre has started 186 consecutive games for Green Bay, while Peyton Manning has started 93 straight for Indianapolis.
Redskins: Quarterback Patrick Ramsey is done for the season, placed on injured reserve before he undergoes foot surgery. Ramsey has been bothered by the flare-up of an old fracture on the right edge of his foot. The injury's origins are unknown, but it first became a problem during training camp and was aggravated in the last few weeks.
Lions: Safety Corey Harris and long snapper Bradford Banta were placed on injured reserve after they sustained season-ending injuries in the loss to San Diego. Banta broke his collarbone and Harris tore his right hamstring. Coach Steve Mariucci said the team expects to sign safety Julius Curry off the practice squad to replace Harris. Detroit hoped to sign Jody Littleton, cut in training camp, to replace Banta. Guard Eric Beverly sustained a high ankle sprain and is expected to miss Sunday's game in Kansas City.
Dolphins: Quarterback Jay Fiedler aggravated a knee injury that sidelined him for four games earlier this season. His status is uncertain for the Dolphins' game next Monday night against Philadelphia. Fiedler re-injured his left knee during the third quarter of Sunday's 12-0 loss at New England. He finished the game, but was limping afterward. Defensive end Jason Taylor, bothered by chronic shoulder soreness, underwent an MRI, but is expected to play against Philadelphia. Tackle Tim Bowens, who missed Sunday's game with a strained calf, is improving and may return soon. Linebacker Morlon Greenwood left Sunday's game with a bruised left thigh.
NFL: The league has issued 10 guidelines it hopes will strengthen its year-old policy that at least one minority candidate be interviewed for each head coaching vacancy, The New York Times reported in today's editions. A memo sent by the league's committee on workplace diversity dated Dec. 1 and obtained by the Times lists several provisions for interviewing coaching candidates. These include documenting each interview that is conducted, eliminating telephone-only interviews and involving the team's owner in interviewing finalists for the job. The memo said exceptions will be made if the team has a prior contractual agreement with a member of its coaching staff to become the head coach and files it with the league office when it is signed. Penalties for failing to follow the guidelines could include fines or loss of draft picks.
-- Associated Press