Around the NFL Wednesday’s news, notes

Steelers: A Nevada judge denied motions by lawyers for Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to dismiss a civil lawsuit alleging he raped a Lake Tahoe casino worker, according to court documents released Wednesday. Washoe District Judge Brent Adams rejected arguments that the suit should be dismissed, saying the woman’s allegations make a “sufficient” claim that if proven, would entitle her to relief. “The court recognizes that a motion to dismiss is only proper where it appears beyond doubt that the plaintiff could prove no set of facts which, if true, would entitle them to relief,” Adams wrote in the order filed late Tuesday. Adams also refused to strike the woman’s complaint, finding that as written, it is not “unnecessarily salacious or graphic,” as argued by Roethlisberger’s lawyers. In other brief orders, the judge also rejected arguments that the suit should be dismissed because it failed to name an “indispensable party” — that being Harrah’s Hotel-Casino — and denied Roethlisberger’s request to expedite discovery, or the sharing of evidence.

Eagles: Michael Vick is back with Nike two years after the company severed ties over the quarterback’s involvement in a dogfighting ring. “Mike has a long-standing, great relationship with Nike, and he looks forward to continuing that relationship,” his agent, Joel Segal, said Wednesday. Segal would not reveal terms of the agreement. Nike did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The endorsement is the latest step forward for Vick as he seeks to rehabilitate his career and his image after serving 18 months in federal prison. On Sunday, Vick played his first regular-season game since December 2006. Vick signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on Aug. 13. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell gave him full reinstatement Sept. 3, saying he could return to the field in Week 3.

Chargers: LaDainian Tomlinson was back at practice Wednesday for the first time since spraining his right ankle in the season opener, an encouraging sign for a San Diego Chargers team that has struggled to run the ball. After missing two straight games for the first time in his brilliant career, Tomlinson hopes he can play Sunday night at Pittsburgh. Not only do the Chargers (2-1) expect the defending Super Bowl champions to be riled up after falling to 1-2, but San Diego hasn’t won in Pittsburgh since upsetting the Steelers in the AFC championship game following the 1994 season. The Chargers have been careful to avoid rushing Tomlinson back. They could either chose to let him play Sunday night or have him sit out a third straight game and then have the bye week to continue to heal.

Cowboys: Cowboys left tackle Flozell Adams was fined by the NFL for the third straight week, the latest for kicking at Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers. Adams was docked $7,500. He was fined $5,000 for an unnecessary roughness penalty in the opener and $12,500 for two plays against the New York Giants. “He just wants to protect the quarterback,” coach Wade Phillips said Wednesday. Running back Felix Jones was fined $5,000 for an attempted leg whip. Jones did not practice Wednesday because of a strained ligament in his left knee. Starting running back Marion Barber practiced, but was limited. Defensive end DeMarcus Ware went through the full workout, but was listed on the injury report with a neck problem.

Associated Press