Owens will receive roster bonus

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said on Tuesday that he will pay wide receiver Terrell Owens the $3 million roster bonus he is due on June 3. "Yes, we are going to have Terrell back,' Jones tells the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Owens will be entering the final year of a three-year, $25 million deal. This news comes as no surprise. There were rumors at this time last year that the Cowboys might release Owens prior to the 2007 season, but his huge year leaves this next round in little doubt.

Neal ready to go

Chargers fullback Lorenzo Neal practiced fully on Wednesday. He underwent surgery on December 10 to have a plate placed in his fractured right fibula. "I'm ready to play," Neal tells the San Diego Union-Tribune. "I'm excited. We've got a chance to go hunting. There's only four teams left. There's only two games. I don't care if you have to carry me off the field. I want to play football." Even if you despise the Chargers, you have to respect a throwback tough guy like Neal. The dude busted his leg barely more than a month ago.

Garrett has second meeting

Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett met with Ravens officials Tuesday morning, his second interview with the team. He is considered the leading candidate for the post vacated when Brian Billick was fired following the season. Garrett is also slated for a second interview with the Falcons on Tuesday, but the Ravens may not let him leave town until they have his signature on a contract.

Bironas looking to get paid

Rob Bironas picked a good season to head into restricted free agency, having led the league with 35 field goals and earned a trip to the Pro Bowl. "On a normal kicker I think you probably just give him a one-year tender and then see what happens," Bironas' agent told the Tennessean. "But when you are talking about a guy who has made as many game-winning kicks as Rob has and is going to the Pro Bowl, I guess that would be a pretty dangerous position for the team, because anything can happen. When a team's season is over and you look position-by-position and say who do we want to bring back and who do we want to lock up for long term, maybe a lot of times they are not looking at the kicker, but in the situation with the Tennessee Titans, Rob has to be one of their top priorities." The Titans certainly have options, including the right to match offers other teams make and the ability to negotiate a long-term deal. One thing is certain: Bironas is looking at a raise from last season's $435,000 salary.

Roby signed

Wide receiver Courtney Roby, a former third-round pick of the Tennessee Titans, was among five free agents signed by the Colts. Roby, who played his high school and college ball in the Hoosier State, has 23 career catches. With Indy Gwyneth Paltrow-thin at wide receiver, he may actually compete for a roster spot next season.

Tomlinson expects to play

Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson has a hyperextended left knee and may be limited throughout the practice week, but he expects to face the Patriots on Sunday. "I think I'll definitely be able to play," he tells the San Diego Union-Tribune. The Chargers will need to lean heavily on LT and Michael Turner if they hope to upset the Patriots. Expect Tomlinson to play and get plenty of carries.

Strahan dealing with sore groin

Giants defensive end Michael Strahan missed some time late in Sunday's win over the Cowboys due to a tight groin. "It was one of those situations I could go out there and risk pulling it, if we had won, which we did, wouldn't have helped next week, or I could let Dave Tollefson go in and play a little bit," he tells the New York Post. Strahan is expected to play against the Packers this weekend. Strahan will undoubtedly play this Sunday, but he shouldn't expect Brett Favre to simply lay down in front of him.

Branch likely will need surgery

Seahawks receiver Deion Branch will likely need to undergo surgery to repair the knee injury he suffered last weekend, according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. He will get a second opinion later in the week. The biggest fear is that Branch tore his ACL, which would knock him out for about six months. That would make him a question mark for training camp.

Williams, Castillo nicked up

Chargers defensive tackle Jamal Williams (ankle) and defensive end Luis Castillo (ribs) could be limited throughout the upcoming practice week, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. Add these two starters to the long list of injured Chargers. We expect both linemen to face the Patriots this Sunday.

Branch not at practice

Seahawks receiver Deion Branch was unable to practice Wednesday, according to the Seattle Times. He missed last week's game with a calf injury. Things are not looking good for Branch and those in playoff fantasy leagues should be moving him down their cheat sheets.

Carriker out six months

Rams defensive tackle Adam Carriker will undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum muscle in his shoulder. "It's a significant injury; you're looking at sixth months," coach Scott Linehan told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Carriker was the team's first-round selection last April and had a solid season, especially since he was switched from defensive end to the interior of the line. He'll miss plenty of offseason activities but should be ready for training camp.

Dorsey ruled out

DeDe Dorsey will sit out the Bengals' regular season finale against the Dolphins because of a high ankle sprain suffered on the first play of Cincy's win over the Browns in Week 16. Kenny Watson is expected to get the bulk of the playing time, with Rudi Johnson also potentially returning. Yeah, because Rudi has been so gritty and gutty all year.

Sorgi set for action

Though Peyton Manning will make his 160th consecutive regular season start in Indy's season finale, Jim Sorgi will handle the bulk of the workload. "I know Jim Sorgi's going to play at least a half," head coach Tony Dungy told the Indianapolis Star. "I don't know how early he'll get in the game, if he'll get in the first half. You play for your team and you really can't worry about anybody else. We've got to get ourselves ready to go and just play the best we can and get ourselves ready for the playoffs." History suggests that Manning will be around for one series, which is what he's played the last two times the Colts have found themselves in a similar Week 17 situation. Sorgi has thrown for 375 yards and four touchdowns in those two games.

Croyle sits above depth chart

Herman Edwards considers Brodie Croyle his No. 1 quarterback entering next season, though that could change depending on what options are available in free agency. Croyle still has a long way to go before we have to take him seriously for fantasy purposes.

Vasher returns

Nate Vasher returned to action on Monday night after missing 10 games with a groin injury. He picked off a pass and caused another during the loss to the Vikings. IDP owners who are looking for d-back help should give Vasher some consideration. He played well on Monday night and will be tested when the Bears face the Packers on Sunday.

Coles to IR?

Laveranues Coles, whose high-ankle sprain allowed him to play just one snap in Week 15, could be headed to injured reserve. According to Newsday, the Jets might consider such a move after Coles re-injured the ankle in a freak accident at the team's hotel last Saturday. Coles has been fighting this and other injuries throughout the second half of the season. High-ankle sprains tend to take several weeks to completely recover from, so it wouldn't be too surprising if the Jets opt to shut down their No. 1 receiver for the season. Stay tuned.

Taylor dinged

Jason Taylor was on crutches with a boot on his foot on Monday, but the defensive end told the Miami Herald his foot was just "nicked" and that he anticipates playing in Week 16 against the Patriots. The Dolphins will need a heckuva lot more than just Taylor if they are to even keep the score respectable against the Pats this weekend.

Glenn has swelling in quadriceps

Terry Glenn did some individual drills last week but hopes to join his teammates in practice this week. Recovering from two knee surgeries, he's dealing with swelling his right quadriceps, according to the Dallas Morning News. He could have the quad drained if it bothers him during the week. Even he makes it back for either of the last two games, it would be surprising if he actually contributed in fantasy terms.

X-rays on Romo's thumb negative

The hand injury Tony Romo sustained Sunday was to his thumb. X-rays came back negative, though offensive coordinator Jason Garrett said it was only as a precaution, according to the Dallas Morning News. While the injury doesn't appear to be too serious, it still could affect his throwing ability during the final couple of weeks.

Battle questionable

49ers receiver Arnaz Battle suffered a sprained ankle in Week 13's game with the Panthers and head coach Mike Nolan classified him to the San Francisco Chronicle as questionable for this Sunday. Losing Battle would be a big blow to the anemic 49ers offense, but it could result in more even more looks for tight end Vernon Davis.