NFL ROUNDUP \ News and notes

Vikings: Minnesota rookie running back Adrian Peterson is on track to return to the field this week, just in time for a pivotal NFC North game against Detroit. Peterson tore the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee three weeks ago against Green Bay. He missed the last two victories over Oakland and the Giants, but the star rookie had an MRI exam Monday that “shows excellent healing,” coach Brad Childress said. As long as everything goes as planned this week in practice, Childress said he would ease Peterson back against the Lions, splitting carries with veteran Chester Taylor. Despite missing the past two games, Peterson still leads the NFL with 1,081 yards rushing and is second to Philadelphia’s Brian Westbrook with 1,301 yards from scrimmage. The Vikings (5-6) have won three of their last four games to creep back into the playoff picture in the muddled NFC. Detroit (6-5) has lost three in a row after starting the season 6-2.

Bears: Cedric Benson’s season is over. The Chicago Bears’ running back needs surgery after injuring his left ankle Sunday — another setback for the team’s first-round draft choice in 2005. Benson, who took over this season as the Bears’ starter after the trade of Thomas Jones to the Jets, broke free for a 21-yard run in Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos. But he was hurt as he landed while being tackled by Denver safety Hamza Abdullah and later had to be carted off the field following the second-quarter play.

Panthers: All those Carolina fans chanting “We want Moore” during the Panthers’ dismal loss Sunday to New Orleans will have to wait. Embattled coach John Fox said Monday that 44-year-old Vinny Testaverde, if healthy, would start next week against San Francisco ahead of struggling David Carr and fan favorite rookie Matt Moore. Testaverde was supposed to start against the Saints, too, but was a late scratch due to a sore back. “I’m almost a little reluctant to name [a starter],” Fox said, referring to Carolina’s constantly changing QB scenario. “But I think it would be fair to say if Vinny’s healthy, he’ll be the guy.” It was fitting that dense fog hovered around Bank of America Stadium on Monday, a day after the Panthers’ lowest point of a season that has quickly spiraled out of control, leading to questions about Fox’s job security. Sunday’s 31-6 loss to the Saints was Carolina’s fifth straight overall and seventh straight at home dating to last season. It featured brutal quarterback play from Carr, constant boos from fans and effectively eliminated the Panthers (4-7) from playoff contention. Carr was so bad — 10-of-22 for 95 yards, two interceptions and a passer rating of 20.1 — fans started chanting for Moore late in the first half. Fox eventually yanked Carr after his second interception early in the fourth quarter when the game was decided. Moore, signed by Carolina after his release by Dallas before the start of the regular season, completed eight of 14 passes for 66 yards and an interception.

Bills: The banged-up Bills aren’t getting any healthier and could be down yet another starter, defensive end Chris Kelsay, when they play Washington. Kelsay is still wearing a protective boot on his injured left ankle and it might take several days to determine the severity of the injury, coach Dick Jauron said Monday. Kelsay was hurt when he tripped over teammate Kyle Williams trying to make a tackle late in the second quarter. Tests showed Kelsay sustained at least a bone bruise, and Jauron noted the injury is more severe than what he had on the same ankle earlier this season. Kelsay ranks second on the team with two sacks, one of which led to a safety, and has scored a touchdown off an interception.

Lions: The Lions put offensive tackle Jonathan Scott on injured reserve with a hamstring problem, ending his season, and signed Barry Stokes. Scott was injured in Thursday’s loss to the Packers and was replaced at right tackle by Blaine Saipaia. The Lions (6-5) plan to start Damien Woody in Scott’s place instead of previous starter George Foster on Sunday at Minnesota (5-6). Stokes returns to the team that cut him after training camp this year.

Jaguars: The Jaguars lost two of their three tight ends for the season, a significant setback for an offense that uses multiple tight ends in nearly every formation. George Wrighster tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during Sunday’s 36-14 win over Buffalo, and Greg Estandia injured his shoulder. Both players were placed on injured reserve Monday and will have season-ending surgery. The Jaguars filled their roster spots by re-signing tight end Richard Angulo and claiming linebacker Leon Joe off waivers from Buffalo.

Titans: Safety Chris Hope will undergo more tests for a concussion from a hit that left his left arm and left leg twitching before he was able to walk off the field on his own at Cincinnati. Coach Jeff Fisher said Monday that Hope, who returned home from Cincinnati with the team, likely will see a neurologist. “We’re doing tests. I don’t have any information as far as that’s concerned. Hopefully, the tests will probably last a couple of days and we’ll have some results we can share with you,” Fisher said. Hope was hit by one of his own teammates late in the first quarter of the 35-6 loss and was face down for a few minutes. Fisher said the status for right guard Benji Olson, who has missed two straight games and did not practice last week because of a sore back, has not changed. But defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, who has missed each game in the Titans’ three-game skid, is closer to returning. Defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch left the game with sore ribs. He likely won’t practice much this week. Fisher said he expects Vanden Bosch to be available against Houston on Sunday. Defensive end Travis LaBoy (concussion) is expected to return to practice this week, and fullback Ahmard Hall is expected to be cleared to return to play. He broke his forearm during an onside kick Oct. 21 in a 38-36 win at Houston. Vince Young also had a mild ankle sprain, but Fisher said it shouldn’t slow him much in practice.

Associated Press