James Gets Surprise Upgrade

Indianapolis Colt running back Edgerrin James was upgraded from doubtful to questionable for Sunday’s game against Green Bay despite missing Wednesday’s practice because of a strained hamstring.

Coach Tony Dungy said today’s practice could help clear up James’ status.

James was injured on a 30-yard touchdown run that sealed the Colts’ 31-17 victory at Tennessee on Sunday.

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Chicago Bear cornerback Charles Tillman will miss seven to 10 weeks because of a fracture in his right leg.

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Atlanta running back Warrick Dunn didn’t practice because of a sprained left knee and was questionable for the Falcons’ game against Arizona on Sunday.

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San Diego Charger quarterback Drew Brees was cleared by the medical staff to start Sunday’s game at Denver after sustaining a mild concussion in last weekend’s loss to the New York Jets.

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Drew Bledsoe, who has lost 12 of his last 16 starts and five in a row, responded sternly to those questioning his leadership of the Buffalo Bills, saying, “I’m the quarterback here. And I’m going to be the quarterback here. The players on the team know that. The coaches know that. And that’s just simply the way it is.”

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Running back Larry Johnson reacted sharply to Coach Dick Vermeil’s comments that the seldom-used Kansas City Chief running back “take the diapers off” if he plays this week in place of injured Priest Holmes (ankle).

“If I need motivation, I’ll talk to my father,” Johnson said. “I don’t need another grown man telling me I need to take the diapers off.”

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The St. Louis Rams’ Aeneas Williams, who switched to free safety last year, will move back to cornerback until starter Travis Fisher (broken forearm) and DeJuan Groce (sprained knee) return.