Green doesn't return

Green was banned by the NFL for four games Nov. 13 for violating the league's substance abuse program. The 23-year-old was eligible to rejoin the Browns yesterday.

However, the second-year back, whose fiancee recently was accused of stabbing him in the back Nov. 19, was not at the club's training facility.

The Browns said they were awaiting word from the league on the former Boston College star's status.

"He did not take part in any team related activities today," Browns president Carmen Policy said in a statement. "We are preparing for Monday night's game with St. Louis as though William will not be available. We do not have any further details."

When Green was suspended by the league, the Browns said it involved alcohol. To be suspended for four games, Green had to have already been enrolled in the league's treatment program.

Fletcher out

Miami Dolphins cornerback Jamar Fletcher will miss the rest of the season after breaking his left forearm in a victory over the Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day. The Dolphins placed Fletcher on injured reserve and signed cornerback Jimmy Wyrick to a one-year contract to replace him. Fletcher had nine tackles this season as a backup . . . Colts tight end Dallas Clark will have surgery on his broken right leg today and is likely to miss the rest of the season. Coach Tony Dungy said another examination yesterday also revealed ligament damage on the inside of the leg. Clark hurt his leg during Sunday's 38-34 loss to New England when he landed awkwardly after trying to spin away from a tackle . . . Barring any setbacks, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick likely will make his first start of the season Sunday night against the Carolina Panthers. "The leg feels great, and I'm just looking forward to getting back out there," Vick said yesterday, a day after he played for the first time during Atlanta's 17-13 loss to the Houston Texans. Vick broke his right leg in an exhibition game against the Baltimore Ravens Aug. 16, and what was supposed to be an eight-week recovery took 3 1/2 months.

Chill Bill

Coach Bill Callahan massaged his message a bit after Sunday calling his Oakland Raiders the "dumbest team in America." "I totally respect our players and always have," Callahan said a day after 3-9 Oakland's 22-8 loss to the Denver Broncos. "My problem is not with our players, it's the way we play . . . The status of the Buffalo Bills' Drew Bledsoe is uncertain, although the quarterback is not experiencing any serious effects from a helmet-to-helmet hit. Coach Gregg Williams said Bledsoe was feeling better a day after he briefly lost consciousness and was pulled in the third quarter of Buffalo's 24-7 win over the New York Giants. Williams said Bledsoe is scheduled to work out today to determine whether he can practice once the team returns to the field tomorrow to prepare for this weekend's home game against the New York Jets.