NFL ROUNDUP News and notes

Browns: Running back Reuben Droughns was limited in practice Wednesday because of a sprained foot and is questionable for Sunday's game against the Steelers. Coach Romeo Crennel expected Droughns to wear a protective boot during practice Wednesday, but the seven-year veteran did not have one on during the portion of Cleveland's workout open to the media. Also, quarterback Charlie Frye has a bruise on his left, non-throwing hand. However, the team said he didn't miss any of Wednesday's workout.
Vikings: Fullback Tony Richardson has been lost for the rest of the season. Richardson played with a broken thumb in Sunday's game against Green Bay and then fractured his forearm. The latest injury will probably keep Richardson out for six weeks. Reserve tight end Jeff Dugan will see some time in his place, and tight end Jim Kleinsasser is also a possibility.
Panthers: Defensive tackle Jordan Carstens is out of the hospital nearly a week after being admitted with a blood clot on his left lung. Carstens was released six days after being hospitalized for chest pains. Carstens is still taking blood thinners and is not expected to return this season, but the team hasn't yet put him on injured reserve. He was diagnosed with a kidney problem last year. One of the side effects of the medication he was taking was the possibility of clotting. Carstens started 15 games last season, but played in only one game this year after the return of Kris Jenkins from a knee injury.
Texans: Offensive lineman Fred Weary was back at practice Wednesday, a day after he was shot with a Taser and arrested during a traffic stop. Weary was released from Houston's Central Jail on 1,000 bond and faces a misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest and search, said Houston Police officer Johanna Abad. It wasn't clear when he was released, Abad said. According to a police report, the 29-year-old Weary was pulled over Tuesday in an area near Reliant Stadium where police are on alert because of criminal activity. Police said they noticed Weary "looking very suspicious," and they pulled him over when they saw the Chevy Impala SS he was driving didn't have a front license plate. The 6-foot-4, 308-pound Weary angrily asked why he had been pulled over, police said. After he was asked to step out of his car, Weary remained combative and refused their commands, police said. He was shot with a Taser after stepping toward the officers when he was ordered to put his hands on the vehicle. Also, Pro Bowl kick returner Jerome Mathis practiced Wednesday for the first time this season. But Kubiak said Mathis, recovering from a fractured left foot, isn't ready to play.
Dolphins: Knee trouble has again sidelined tackle Keith Traylor, who will miss Sunday's game. It's unknown when he'll return, coach Nick Saban said. Quarterback Daunte Culpepper participated in some individual drills on the first anniversary of his reconstructive knee surgery, but he continues to focus on rehabilitation. Culpepper will likely be inactive for the sixth game in a row Sunday when Miami plays his former team, the Vikings. Running back Ronnie Brown, nursing a groin injury, also sat out practice but said he expects to play against Minnesota.
Rams: A season-ending injury to cornerback Travis Fisher gave the Rams a roster spot to spend on a season-long trouble spot, kick returner. Willie Ponder, signed Wednesday, is the fourth player the team has tried at that spot. Ponder averaged 23.5 yards per kickoff in six games with the Seahawks, including a 36-yarder against the Rams on Oct. 15. He was released later in October when Seattle needed a roster spot due to an injury to quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.
Bills: Starting guard Chris Villarrial is out this weekend at Houston and could miss the rest of the year because of a severe right ankle injury. Coach Dick Jauron said the Bills are considering Villarrial having season-ending surgery to repair a strained tendon that's bothered the player for most of the season.
Giants: Backup DE Justin Tuck will have surgery on his left foot and miss the rest of the season. The surgery will repair a Lis Franc injury and will include inserting screws into Tuck's foot. Dr. Robert Anderson will perform the surgery Friday at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.
Associated Press
Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.