NFL ROUNDUP \ News and notes

Vikings: Minnesota is dealing with another off-field incident this week after receiver Troy Williamson said he was struck in the face during a charity event sponsored by teammate Darren Sharper. Each year the veteran free safety puts on "Sharperpalooza" in honor of his birthday. This year, he had hip hop superstar Ludacris on hand at a nightclub in the Minneapolis suburb of Maplewood, and donated some of the proceeds to the United Way, the Minnesota AIDS Project and his own foundation. Sharper called the event a success, but it had a somewhat sour ending when Williamson was struck in the face by a security guard shortly after the bar closed early Monday morning. Williamson did not press charges and no arrests were made. "You never want to see any incidents where something bad happens, but whenever you get a lot of people together some things like that can happen," Sharper said Wednesday. Williamson, a No. 7 overall draft choice in 2005 who has struggled mightily with drops this year and fallen out of favor with coach Brad Childress, was not available for comment. Sharper said he spoke with Williamson about the confrontation and the receiver told him, "I just wish it didn't happen." Sharper said confrontations between the public and professional athletes are all too common. "It happens. You can say jealousy plays a part it in that. A lot of things play a part in that," he said. "But it's the nature of being a professional athlete. You have to be leery of people when you're in places like that. You have to just watch yourself." Childress indicated that Williamson will not be disciplined for the incident and is OK to play on Sunday. He did practice on Wednesday. The Vikings (5-6) are getting ready to play the Chicago Bears (9-2), but Sharper was not worried about it distracting the team. He said the team has become accustomed to dealing with off-the-field behavior, including last year's salacious "Love Boat" scandal and Koren Robinson being cut after getting arrested for drunken driving in training camp. "Guys on the team aren't thinking about it too much, and this team especially," Sharper said. "We have been so prone and so used to dealing with distractions from last year and other incidents, guys don't let that bother them when they come to play on Sunday.
Saints: Starting tight end Ernie Conwell was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, ending his season, because he was unable to come back from a right knee injury as quickly as coaches hoped. Conwell tore a medial meniscus in the Oct. 14 game against the Philadelphia Eagles. After sitting out several weeks, he played in Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons, but for only about a dozen plays.
Panthers: Running back DeShaun Foster practiced Wednesday and is questionable for Monday's game at Philadelphia. Foster hyperextended his left elbow in Carolina's win over St. Louis on Nov. 19 and missed last Sunday's loss at Washington. Rookie DeAngelo Williams made his first career start in his place and rushed for 63 yards on 17 carries. Linebacker Na'il Diggs (chest) and guard Mike Wahle (shoulder) missed practice and are also listed as questionable.
Giants: All-Pro DE Osi Umenyiora practiced Wednesday for the first time since injuring a hip against the Cowboys more than a month ago and missing five straight games. Starting cornerback Sam Madison also returned to practice, while weakside linebacker Brandon Short practiced for the second straight week. Madison has missed the last two games since aggravating a hamstring injury against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 12. Short injured a quad against Tampa Bay on Oct. 29 and has been sidelined the last four games. Pro Bowl DE Michael Strahan worked in individual drills for the first time since injuring a foot against Houston on Nov. 5. Umenyiora, Short and Madison are questionable for Sunday's NFC East showdown with Dallas. Strahan is doubtful. Middle linebacker Antonio Pierce didn't practice because of swelling in his knee, but he is expected to play Sunday.
Rams: Mark Setterstrom was in street clothes for the first nine games, a typical fate for a rookie seventh-round pick. All of those weeks on the sideline were evidently well-spent, because he gave the team's battered offensive line a much-needed boost in Sunday's comeback victory over the 49ers. A patchwork unit kept Marc Bulger upright so he could lead the late-game drive that ended the Rams' five-game losing streak. "When you're on your third center and starting a rookie at left guard and our tackle is out of position, there's certainly things they're not going to do as well," Bulger said. "I think they're doing an exceptional job." Especially Setterstrom, who started every game in college during four years at Minnesota. Coach Scott Linehan said he graded out the highest on the entire line. "That's pretty impressive," Linehan said. "He was a big factor in being able to run the football. That's the reason we drafted him, it's the reason he's here." Setterstrom is the fourth player the Rams have tried at left guard. Richie Incognito started the opener before moving to center when Andy McCollum sustained a season-ending knee injury. Todd Steussie had eight starts before moving to left tackle when Orlando Pace was lost with a torn left triceps. Adam Goldberg started the fourth game of the season against the Lions when Pace was out with a concussion and Steussie had to fill in at tackle again. A fifth player, Claude Terrell, was lost in training camp with a wrist injury after starting 10 games at left guard last season.
Associated Press
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