ROUNDUP News and notes

Steelers: cornerback Deshea Townsend has been upgraded to probable despite a sprained neck and is scheduled to start Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. Townsend got a scare last Sunday when he went numb in his neck and spine after hitting Bears quarterback Kyle Orton on a blitz. After a series of tests, no neurological damage was found and Townsend was allowed to return to practice this week. Townsend began the week listed as questionable. Left tackle Marvel Smith will miss his fourth game in five weeks with an injured ankle and will replaced again by rookie Trai Essex. Smith was doubtful earlier in the week, but was downgraded to out after not practicing.
Browns: Cleveland signed tight end Paul Irons from the practice squad, looking to add depth with two tight ends listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Oakland. Irons had been on the practice squad all season after signing with the Browns as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Florida State. He could see action Sunday if either Steve Heiden (ankle) or Aaron Shea (calf) are unavailable. The Browns waived running back Jason Wright to make room for Irons. Wright carried the ball just 11 times for 27 yards but scored the Browns' first rushing touchdown of the season on Nov. 6 against Tennessee.
Lions: Detroit placed linebackers Boss Bailey and Earl Holmes on injured reserve, finishing them for the season. Bailey, who has an ankle injury, missed all of 2004. He's third on the team in tackles this season with 75 in 11 games. Holmes, who has a bad knee, started 10 games this season and was second in tackles with 83. He also forced two fumbles. The Lions added linebacker Matt Grootegoed and receiver Glenn Martinez from the practice squad.
Redskins: Cornerbacks Shawn Springs and Walt Harris returned to practice, while cornerback Carlos Rogers, linebacker LaVar Arrington and safety Matt Bowen sat out ahead of Sunday's NFC East showdown with the Dallas Cowboys. Coach Joe Gibbs remained vague about his injured players, saying that pregame workouts on Sunday might determine who can play and who can't.
Associated Press