Tank says thanks upon return

RAY LEWIS Hurting knee

Suspended defensive tackle Tank Johnson practiced with the Dallas Cowboys for the first time yesterday, disappointed that commissioner Roger Goodell didn't shorten his eight-game ban but glad to be back on the field.

"Me and Roger, we're good friends, man," Johnson said after the workout.

"It's actually very nice of him to allow me to practice because, as far as the career goes, it's kind of important to get going first before you get out there full speed."

Johnson was signed by Dallas after getting cut by Chicago and can't play in a game until Nov. 11.

Ravens in pain

Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis has an injured knee and is one of several key players who could miss tomorrow's game against Buffalo. Lewis will be a game-time decision, coach Brian Billick said. Center Mike Flynn (knee) is listed as questionable; tight end Todd Heap (hamstring), cornerback Chris McAlister (knee), and tight end Daniel Wilcox (foot) didn't practice all week and are expected to be out. Offensive tackles Jonathan Ogden (turf toe) and Adam Terry (sprained ankle) are questionable, and rookie Jared Gaither is preparing to make his second start . . . Following surgery to repair a disk in his neck two weeks ago, receiver Peerless Price became the ninth Bills player to be placed on injured reserve. The Bills also released third-string quarterback Craig Nall for the second time. To replace Price and Nall on the 53-man roster, Buffalo signed receiver Justin Jenkins and quarterback Gibran Hamdan off its practice squad.

Titans must wait

Titans quarterback Vince Young will be a game-time decision tomorrow at Houston after he took one series of snaps with the scout team yesterday. Young had injured his right quadriceps against Tampa Bay and had not practiced all week. Meanwhile, running back Chris Brown was out of practice with a left ankle injury for the third straight day, but he has not been ruled out of the game . . . Defensive end Leonard Little will play tomorrow for the winless Rams at Seattle despite a sore toe. "I can't leave my teammates out there battling by themselves," he said. "I push off with my feet so it's going to be a pain issue." . . . Eagles starting right tackle Jon Runyan sat out practice after bruising his tailbone in a training room fall. Runyan said he slipped while getting into a tub following Thursday's practice and landed on the tub's edge. "The most comfortable position is standing, put it that way," he said . . . Washington center Casey Rabach (probable, groin) and tackle Stephon Heyer (questionable, hamstring) missed practice, but coach Joe Gibbs was optimistic Rabach would anchor the offensive line against Arizona . . . Denver wide receiver Javon Walker could miss six weeks after undergoing surgery on his right knee. The Broncos also might be without cornerback Champ Bailey when they host Pittsburgh tomorrow night because of a strained right quadriceps . . . Tommy Urbanski, a strip club manager paralyzed in a triple shooting, is suing the NFL, the Tennessee Titans, and suspended football player Adam "Pacman" Jones, claiming they are responsible for his injuries.