nfl | News & notes

San Francisco 49ers: San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman says wide receiver Michael Crabtree is progressing well in practice and the team hopes he can play against the St. Louis Rams on Sunday.

Roman says that San Francisco’s top wide receiver will be eased into action whenever he returns. The team has remained vague on when that return will happen.

Crabtree gingerly ran several slants and over-the-middle patterns at the start of Thursday’s practice. He never showed any burst — of course, there was no defense, so he never really had to.

The best indication of Crabtree’s progress might be that he’s no longer among the players sitting out practice or limited in workouts, according to the team’s injury report.

Crabtree declined to answer questions from reporters.

New York Jets: Antonio Cromartie has not practiced for the second straight day because of an ailing hip, and the New York Jets cornerback’s status remains uncertain for Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins.

Wide receiver Santonio Holmes (foot and hamstring) and tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. (knee) also did not practice Thursday but were likely given their scheduled rest day. There was no media availability Thursday, and coach Rex Ryan will have updates on injuries Friday.

Cromartie left New York’s loss at Baltimore last Sunday in the fourth quarter after hurting his hip, which bothered him earlier this season.

Wide receiver Jeremy Kerley (elbow), center Nick Mangold (wrist), running back Chris Ivory (ankle) and linebacker Garrett McIntyre (knee) were all limited.

Denver Broncos: John Fox is returning to work on Monday, less than a month after undergoing open-heart surgery, and he plans to coach the Denver Broncos in their game against the Tennessee Titans on Dec. 8.

What hasn’t been determined is whether Fox will coach from the sideline or the booth. Fox Sports first reported Fox’s impending return.

Team owner Pat Bowlen sent his private jet to Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday to bring Fox and his wife, Robin, back to Denver. Fox had been recuperating at his offseason home following aortic valve replacement surgery on Nov. 4.

Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio has coached the team in Fox’s absence.

The Broncos visit the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday in an AFC West showdown of 9-2 teams.

Game blacked out: The first NFL game to be blacked out locally this season will be Sunday’s matchup between the AFC North-leading Cincinnati Bengals and the San Diego Chargers.

The Chargers say more than 5,300 tickets were still unsold at Thursday’s deadline, meaning the game won’t be televised in Southern California.

The Chargers had four blackouts last season, including a loss to the Bengals.

The Chargers were spared the embarrassment of a local TV blackout of a Monday night game against the Indianapolis Colts earlier this season after ESPN and some local sponsors guaranteed the purchase of approximately 8,500 tickets.

Associated Press