“It was the right decision,’’ Cotchery said. “I worked as hard as I could to give myself a chance to play in this game, but I didn’t make enough progress.’’

Cotchery suffered a slight tear to his left groin in the Jets’ 26-20 overtime win at Cleveland last Sunday. The injury occurred moments before he made a terrific diving catch, hobbling along to finish his route, for a first down in the third quarter.

The team signed wide receiver Patrick Turner from the practice squad to fill in.

Cotchery said there is no pain, but the area is still sensitive. Coach Rex Ryan was encouraged by what he saw from Cotchery, saying he was “looking pretty good.’’

“If we were playing the Super Bowl,’’ Ryan said, “he’d be playing.’’

Titans’ Stewart hit again Tennessee offensive tackle David Stewart, a repeat offender, was fined $20,000 by the NFL for unnecessarily striking an opponent late. Also fined was Buccaneers safety Cody Grimm, who was docked $7,500 for hitting defenseless Panthers receiver Dante Rosario in the head and neck area . . . Buccaneers receiver Mike Williams did not practice after his arrest on a DUI charge early yesterday, however coach Raheem Morris said the rookie will travel to San Francisco and play against the 49ers.

Now or never for Rice Vikings coach Brad Childress said if wide receiver Sidney Rice, who underwent hip surgery three months ago, is not activated for tomorrow’s game against Green Bay then he’ll likely be placed on injured reserve. Rice has been practicing with the team for the last two weeks and must be moved to the active roster by next Wednesday for him to be eligible at all this season . . . Wide receiver/return specialist Joshua Cribbs did practice again, but Browns coach Eric Mangini has not yet ruled him out for tomorrow’s game in Jacksonville. Cribbs dislocated three toes on his right foot in last week’s overtime loss to the Jets, and he did not practice this week.

Polamalu probable Steelers safety Troy Polamalu has returned to practice after sitting out two days with an Achilles’ tendon injury and is listed as probable for tomorrow’s game against Oakland. Also practicing were defensive end Brett Keisel (questionable, hamstring), who has missed nearly all of four games, and linebacker Lawrence Timmons (probable, hip). Guard Chris Kemoeatu (ankle) also is probable after being held out of the New England game Sunday. Safety Will Allen will miss a second successive game with a concussion . . . The Seahawks will likely see the return of left tackle Russell Okung to the lineup at New Orleans after he missed the last three games with a high ankle sprain . . . Panthers running backs Jonathan Stewart and Tyrell Sutton, receiver Brandon LaFell, and guard Travelle Wharton joined quarterback Jimmy Clausen in being ruled out of tomorrow’s game against Baltimore. Mike Goodson is expected to start at running back for Carolina, while Bentley product Mackenzy Bernadeau will fill in for Wharton . . . The Ravens’ Chris Chester was hospitalized because of a skin infection, but coach John Harbaugh said he is hopeful his starting right guard will be able to play . . . Clinton Portis is set to return for the Redskins tomorrow at Tennessee after missing five games with a torn left groin.