Ndamukong Suh for ejection:Lions publicly criticize

For the first season and a half of his young career, Ndamukong Suh could almost brush off talk about his penalties and fines, saying he would keep doing what was needed to help his Detroit Lions.

On Friday, Suh's team publicly chastised the star defensive tackle after he was ejected during a Thanksgiving loss to Green Bay for stomping at an opposing player.

"The on-field conduct exhibited by Ndamukong Suh that led to his ejection from yesterday's game was unacceptable and failed to meet the high level of sportsmanship we expect from our players," the team said in a statement Friday night. "Ndamukong has made many positive contributions to the Lions on and off the field. We expect his behavior going forward to consistently reflect that high standard of professionalism."

It could be several days before Suh finds out the true cost of his third-quarter stomp in Detroit's 27-15 loss to the Packers on Thursday. An NFL spokesman said Friday that plays from Week 12 looked at for potential discipline won't be reviewed until all games are completed.

Suh was dismissed after tangling with Packers offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith. After being pushed off Dietrich-Smith, Suh stepped down hard with his right foot, appearing to make contact with Dietrich-Smith's right arm.

Suh said he was trying to keep his balance while freeing himself from the brief scuffle. He apologized to teammates, coaches and fans for "allowing the refs to have an opportunity to take me out of this game," but he insisted he didn't intentionally step on anyone.
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is doubtful for Sunday's game at Atlanta because of a high ankle sprain.

Peterson hasn't practiced all week after injuring his left ankle last week against Oakland. He was carted off the sideline Sunday and X-rays were negative. An MRI exam Monday showed a Grade 1 high ankle sprain, the least severe of the three categories, and he had been in a walking boot for three days this week.

Peterson is sixth in the NFL in rushing with 872 yards. He's tied with Philadelphia's LeSean McCoy with a league-leading 12 touchdowns.

Eagles' Vick is questionable

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick threw for a second straight day, did not take part in any practice drills on Friday, and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the New England Patriots.

Vick, bothered by broken ribs, is one of four Eagles players and one of three key starters who could miss the interconference matchup against the AFC East front-runners at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles (4-6) are in must-win mode to stay in contention for a playoff spot.

Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (hamstring), cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (knee) and backup offensive lineman King Dunlap (concussion) could also miss Sunday's game.

Browns' Hillis might play Sunday

Peyton Hillis walked out of the Cleveland Browns' locker room Friday carrying a playbook under his right arm. On Sunday, he hopes he's carrying a football.

At long last.

Cleveland's besieged running back, who has sat out the last six games because of a severely strained left hamstring, could return to the field this week when the Browns (4-6) visit the Cincinnati Bengals (6-4). It's a surprising development considering Browns Coach Pat Shurmur ruled him out when the week began and Hillis did not practice Wednesday or Thursday.

But Hillis has made major progress in the last few days, and is on the brink of a long-awaited, and perhaps dramatic, return.

Roger Goodell soaks up football atmosphere after tumultuous summer

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was happy to be back on a football field Thursday evening rather than being in a courtroom.

Six weeks removed from the end of the NFL lockout of its players, Goodell was all smiles as the Green Bay Packers kicked off the 2011 season against the New Orleans Saints

He worked the sidelines before the game greeting former players, corporate sponsors and signing autographs for fans. He spent several minutes chatting with former Packers Super Bowl MVP quarterback Bart Star in the moments before kickoff.

"It is good to be talking about football again, rather than courts and bargaining agreements," Goodell said in an interview with The Business Journal on the field. "This is a great atmosphere and one that I’m glad we are getting to experience."

Goodell said he was glad the league was able to secure a 10-year collective bargaining agreement with its players because it gave the NFL the security it needed.

"We can now move ahead on major priorities know that we are going to have labor peace for the next decade," he said. "It was a good deal for both sides, one in which we both did not get everything we wanted. But we got something done that was in the best interests of the league.”

Goodell said the new collective bargaining agreement was important to teams, such as the Packers, because it maintained the league’s revenue sharing to allow teams like Green Bay to compete against bigger markets.

"It was important for us as a league to ensure that all of our teams will be successful and I believe the players realized that,” he said. "Green Bay has always been a big part of this league and this agreement will only help them continue to compete in the long run."