Ankle injury could sideline Giants' Burress

The New York Giants' Plaxico Burress, whose four touchdown catches are tied for tops in the NFL, is listed as questionable for tomorrow's game against Washington after practicing on a limited basis yesterday. He had missed the previous two practices with an ankle injury.

"I'll talk about the game, I'm not talking about me," Burress said.

Burress didn't seem to limp while catching passes early in the workout, but coach Tom Coughlin said he was unable to complete the practice.

"It is going to be one of those deals depending on how he feels on game day," Coughlin said.

Burress, who didn't play at all in the preseason because of ankle and back injuries, has averaged 17.6 yards on 10 catches and scored four of the team's five touchdowns.

"It is very important for us," Burress said of the game. "I have never started 0-3 and I definitely don't want to start now."

Vikings' starting QB a secret

Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress knows who is going to play quarterback tomorrow against the Kansas City Chiefs. All three quarterbacks know. But Childress is withholding that information from the rest of the team, and the public, for now. The coach said he doesn't want to take away the competitive advantage he feels he has by keeping the decision a secret . . . Jets quarterback Chad Pennington, still recovering from a sprained right ankle that sidelined him last weekend, was listed as questionable for New York's game against Miami. Pennington was injured in the season opener against New England . . . Dolphins middle linebacker Zach Thomas will miss the Jets game after tests revealed he has a mild concussion . . . Baltimore quarterback Steve McNair (groin pull) will start against Arizona . . . Jaguars defensive tackle John Henderson missed his third consecutive practice and was listed as doubtful at Denver. Henderson, a two-time Pro Bowler who has not missed a game in his six-year career, suffered a concussion last week . . . San Francisco put Manny Lawson on injured reserve, ending the linebacker's season two days after he tore a ligament in his left knee . . . Philadelphia tight end L.J. Smith had surgery for an injured groin and won't play when Detroit visits.

Everett returns to Houston

Buffalo tight end Kevin Everett returned to his native Texas to be closer to his family for the next phase of his recovery from a life-threatening spinal cord injury. "Kevin's trip went pretty good. He stayed awake the entire time. He's fine," Eric Armstead, a partner of Everett's agent, Brian Overstreet, said. "He's doing well and he's resting." Everett was transferred from Buffalo to Houston's Memorial Hermann-The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research.