NFL NEWS

Concussions: Browns wide receivers Joshua Cribbs and Mohamed Massaquoi remain sidelined by concussions sustained on helmet-to-helmet hits by Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison. Cleveland coach Eric Mangini said Cribbs and Massaquoi are making progress and he’s hopeful that can be back at practice on Friday. Both players have been around the team this week at the Browns’ facility. Cribbs, who also returns punts and kickoffs, was struck on the left side of his head by Harrison on a running play in Sunday’s game. Massaquoi got drilled by Harrison after dropping a pass over the middle.

49ers: The San Francisco 49ers are pushing back the expected opening date of their planned $1 billion stadium in Santa Clara. Team President Jed York said on Wednesday the stadium would not open until at least 2015 because of problems securing financing. The team had expected to open the stadium in 2014. York said the 49ers would not be able to get needed funding for the stadium from the NFL and other investors until the players’ union and league agree on a new contract. Santa Clara residents voted in June to lease land to the 49ers for a new stadium next to the Great America theme park. The vote allowed the team to move forward with its plans to leave San Francisco. San Francisco officials say the team would not encounter the same financing problems if it chose to stay in the city.

Vikings: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says “workplace conduct” is the main focus in the investigation into allegations of improper behavior against Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre. Goodell said Thursday during a live chat with fans on the league’s website that the Favre situation is being treated seriously.

Associated Press