NFL ROUNDUP News and notes

Vikings: All-Pro defensive tackle Kevin Williams could miss the next two games because of a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee. Coach Mike Tice said Monday that Williams, who has struggled this season coming off knee surgery, has a second-degree sprain and would not play Sunday against Detroit. "I'm not a doctor. They said second degree, so I guess that's worse than first degree, but not as bad as a third degree," Tice said. "I have a third degree." Tice injured his knee when he was knocked over on the sideline on a punt return three weeks ago. "I think he'll be a couple of weeks, whatever the doctors say," Tice said about Williams. "Everybody's different with that injury. Me, I have not missed any time. Some guys miss time. He said to me that he felt better today and there didn't seem to be much swelling in there." Williams was injured in the first quarter of the Vikings' victory over Cleveland on Sunday and watched the rest of the game on the sidelines. It's been a difficult season for the third-year pro, who emerged in his first two seasons, but has not had the same impact so far in 2005. Williams had surgery on his right knee in the offseason, which hampered his conditioning and caused him to come into training camp overweight. The Vikings received better news about injured cornerback Fred Smoot, who has missed the last three games with a broken collarbone but could be ready to return Sunday.
Eagles: Sean Landeta is back. The 43-year-old punter, who is in his 21st season in the league, will be in his second stint with the Eagles. He began his NFL career with the New York Giants in 1985 and last saw action with the St. Louis Rams in 2003 and 2004. He and Doug Flutie, the Patriots' backup quarterback, are the last two NFL players remaining from the old USFL. Also, quarterback Donovan McNabb had season-ending surgery Monday for a sports hernia. Philadelphia coach Andy Reid said McNabb will be "off his feet" for three weeks. Dr. William Meyers operated at Hahnemann Hospital. "He thought it went well," Reid said. "He felt good about it." McNabb, a five-time Pro Bowl player, was shut down after nine games and placed on injured reserve last week. He passed for 2,507 yards, 16 TDs, nine interceptions and had a passer rating of 85.0 this season. The Eagles also are playing without five other starters -- All-Pro wide receiver Terrell Owens (suspended/deactivated), All-Pro cornerback Lito Sheppard (ankle), Pro Bowl tackle Tra Thomas (back), center Hank Fraley (shoulder) and wideout Todd Pinkston (leg).
Cowboys: Linebacker Dat Nguyen is considering retirement after being placed on the season-ending injured reserve list with neck and knee injuries. "He doesn't feel like he can play up to his standard now," coach Bill Parcells said Monday. "I think he's going to consider retirement." Nguyen missed three games this year with a strained neck, starting with the Oct. 9 game against Philadelphia that ended his 43-game starting streak. He played the past four games but didn't start. Nguyen, 30, is in his eighth season. He has 421 career tackles and led the Cowboys in tackles the past two seasons, the first player to do that since Ken Norton Jr. in 1992-93. In addition to the neck injury, Nguyen has had knee problems. The Cowboys signed 12-year veteran Michael Barrow to take the roster spot. Barrow hasn't played this season after being released by Washington in July. Barrow had 148 tackles for the New York Giants in 2003 but didn't play last year because of tendinitis in his knee.
Bills: Safety Lawyer Milloy's status is uncertain for Buffalo's game with Miami on Sunday after he injured his foot Sunday. Offensive lineman Mike Williams' status is also unknown after he strained a muscle in his back in the second quarter and was unable to return in a 13-9 loss to Carolina on Sunday. Coach Mike Mularkey said Monday tests were negative on Milloy's foot, saying the safety merely stubbed a toe. Milloy limped off the field and didn't return after he was hurt late in the fourth quarter, a few plays before Jake Delhomme sealed a winning drive with a 3-yard pass to Michael Gaines.
Titans: Wide receiver Brandon Jones had more tests after his right knee gave out when he tried to turn back for a pass, but coach Jeff Fisher said he believes the injury wasn't season-ending after seeing Jones on Monday. "He's a lot better today," Fisher said of the rookie. "He didn't have the swelling we anticipated." Jones fell to the ground and waved for help late in the first half. Shawntae Spencer picked off the pass and returned it for a touchdown. The third-round draft pick out of Oklahoma has started eight games this season, but he sprained the same knee Oct. 23 in a loss at Arizona. "It was loose and gave out on him," Fisher said. "It scared him. He had not experienced anything like that before."
Dolphins: Nick Saban's remarks won't need any clarification this time. The Miami coach started an uproar a week ago, when he said the team's record "doesn't really matter" -- a comment construed by some as Saban saying he was giving up on the 2005 season, which he categorically denied in a hastily arranged conference call a few hours later. Saban's point that day was essentially what it's been since he was hired to fix the Dolphins: Before the team gets markedly better, he needs to know who can play at a high level. And Saban liked what he saw from a lot of players on Sunday, when Miami went into Oakland and beat the Raiders 33-21. It seems like the players are understanding his message, but just in case, Saban still chose his words "very" carefully Monday -- saying "very" at least 15 times to ridiculously overemphasize the point. "I certainly don't want anything that I say to be taken out of context in any way, shape or form," Saban said. "So, it was a great win. I was very proud of the way the players competed in the game. We played with a tremendous amount of effort and toughness, perseverance."
Associated Press