McNabb benched for Grossman

It's Rex Grossman over Donovan McNabb. Again. And this time, it's from the opening kickoff.

The Redskins plan to start Grossman on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys, benching a six-time Pro Bowl quarterback billed as the next John Elway when he came to the franchise in April.

Shanahan said he informed McNabb of the move Thursday after practice, adding he wasn't sure that McNabb would be on the roster next year. The move was made because Shanahan wants to evaluate the other quarterbacks now that the Redskins have been eliminated from the playoffs.

McNabb will drop to third string for the final two games, with John Beck serving as backup.

The 34-year-old McNabb is struggling through his worst season since he was a rookie in 1999, having thrown a career-high 15 interceptions and ranking 25th in the NFL with a 77.1 rating.

Polamalu doesn't practice, may miss Jets game

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu missed practice for a third consecutive day because of a strained right Achilles' tendon and a sore calf and is likely to miss Sunday's game against the Jets.

Steelers players almost never play after sitting out an entire week of practice.

Polamalu apparently aggravated the injury during his 45-yard interception return touchdown against the Bengals on Sunday. He has been skipping Wednesday and Thursday practices for several weeks, but this is the first time he also missed a Friday practice.

If Polamalu can't play, Ryan Clark would shift to strong safety and Ryan Mundy would play free safety.

Linebacker James Harrison (illness) practiced after being out two days. Tight end Heath Miller (concussion), who sat out Thursday's practice with a headache, also practiced.

Cassel still uncertain for Sunday

A doctor will be at Matt Cassel's side in St. Louis on Sunday to provide final advice on whether Kansas City's quarterback should play 11 days after an emergency appendectomy.

Coach Todd Haley says Cassel's availability for the Rams game remained uncertain Friday.

Jags sign Bouman

David Garrard's hamstring injury might be worse than many believed.

The Jacksonville Jaguars re-signed veteran Todd Bouman on Friday, the same day they listed Garrard as questionable for Sunday's critical game at Indianapolis. Garrard tweaked his hamstring in practice Thursday and was limited in practice Friday.

He was getting treatment Friday and unavailable for comment during the team's open locker room session. Former Buffalo Bills quarterback Trent Edwards is Garrard's backup.