NFL ROUNDUP News and notes

Bengals: Running back Corey Dillon returned to practice Monday after missing Cincinnati's last game with a strained groin. Dillon has been limited to one complete game this season. He hyper-extended a knee in a pileup in Oakland in the second week of the season and strained his groin a week later. He started against Cleveland on Sept. 28, but had to leave the game because he couldn't cut. Coach Marvin Lewis then rested him during a loss at Buffalo, and Dillon didn't work out last week as the team was off. Lewis said it was too early to tell whether Dillon will be available to play Sunday against Baltimore. Dillon took hand-offs, caught passes and ran some agility drills during the brief time that practice was open to the media. The two injuries have limited Dillon to 164 yards and one touchdown. He is one of only four players in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his first six seasons. Receiver T.J. Houshmanzadeh, who has missed the entire season with a pulled hamstring, and linebacker Riall Johnson, who has missed the last three games with a strained calf, also participated in the 90-minute workout Monday.
Eagles: Donovan McNabb will remain the starting quarterback despite a sprained right thumb that has limited his effectiveness. McNabb, who was hurt Sept. 29 against Buffalo, played with wrapping around his thumb that extended to his wrist. Reserve cornerback Rod Hood will miss Sunday's game against the New York Giants with a hamstring injury. Wide receiver Todd Pinkston received good news from an MRI on Monday for a bruised left knee and is considered day to day.
Vikings: Quarterback Daunte Culpepper will return to the starting lineup this weekend when the Vikings play host to Denver. Culpepper missed the Vikings' previous two games after breaking three small bones -- and partially fracturing a fourth -- in his lower back Sept. 21 at Detroit.
Jaguars: Quarterback Mark Brunell had surgery Monday on his left elbow and will be out at least a few weeks. The surgery was done to alleviate swelling on his throwing elbow. Coach Jack Del Rio said Monday it would be at least two or three weeks before Brunell could throw again. Brunell was injured Sept. 21 when he slid on the artificial turf in Indianapolis. An abrasion on the elbow needed five stitches.
Jets: Coach Herman Edwards said Monday there is a "50-50" chance quarterback Chad Pennington will start against the Eagles Oct. 26. Pennington, out since the pre-season with a broken and dislocated left wrist, will begin doing team drills this week at practice wearing a red, non-contact jersey. Edwards said there is no chance Pennington will start Sunday against Houston.
Broncos: Linebacker Ian Gold will miss the rest of the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Gold was second on the team in tackles with 166 last season and he entered Sunday's game with 39, second to Al Wilson's 48. He also has two interceptions this year, including one for a 12-yard touchdown in the opener against Cincinnati.
Bills: Receiver Eric Moulds could return to practice this week after missing one game with a strained groin. Moulds didn't practice all last week but said Monday that he feels "a lot better." Moulds, Buffalo's leading receiver, was hurt when he fell awkwardly after making a catch that helped set up the Bills' winning drive in a 22-16 victory over Cincinnati on Oct. 5.
Redskins: Tight end Robert Royal has a broken bone in his right hip and will miss at least six weeks. Running back Trung Canidate and cornerback Fred Smoot also could miss next week's game at Buffalo. Canidate has a severe ankle sprain, while Smoot sprained his shoulder in Sunday's 35-13 loss to Tampa Bay.
Lions: Wide receiver/kick-return man Reggie Swinton was claimed off waivers. Swinton was waived by the Packers last Friday after going from Dallas to Green Bay in a trade Sept. 30.
Raiders: Right tackle Lincoln Kennedy's torn left calf still aches, and he can't play. Right guard Mo Collins has an injured knee, and he can't play. To make matters worse, left guard Frank Middleton went down with a severely strained right quadriceps in Sunday's loss at Cleveland -- and he might be sidelined for the season.
-- Associated Press