Marino Cleared to Return to Practice

Now that the Miami Dolphins have shown they can win without Dan Marino, there’s no need to rush him back into the lineup.

Marino will practice Wednesday for the first time since breaking his right ankle Sept. 23, but he’s unlikely to play Sunday at Philadelphia.

“We’ll put him into practice and let him throw a little bit,� Coach Jimmy Johnson said. “As he feels comfortable, we might accelerate it a little bit. But I would not anticipate Dan Marino playing in this game.�

Receiver Fred Barnett, out all season because of a knee injury, has also received medical clearance to rejoin practice. Barnett amazed doctors with his speedy recovery from surgery for torn cartilage and the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee this summer, and he may see limited action against the Eagles, his former team.

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Projected to miss three to four weeks after arthroscopic surgery, New York Jet wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson says his right knee is fine and he is ready to return Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.

But the Jets are cautious.

“He wants to get back on the field and we will put him back on the field when we think it is right,� Coach Rich Kotite said of Johnson, running again after only 11 days. “If it is this week, it’s this week.�

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Pittsburgh Steeler right guard Brenden Stai is expected to sit out four to six weeks because of an injured left elbow that might require surgery. . . . Baltimore defensive end Rob Burnett, considered the Ravens’ top lineman, is out for the season after an MRI exam found ligament damage in his right knee, the team said. Dan Footman, a defensive tackle who left Sunday night’s 26-21 loss at Indianapolis after one play because of a fractured right forearm, underwent surgery and also could be lost for the season. . . . The Kansas City Chiefs signed veteran cornerback Tony Stargell and activated rookie defensive lineman Kerry Hicks from the practice squad. To make roster room, they put wide receiver Victor Bailey and linebacker Tracy Rogers on injured reserve. . . . The Cincinnati Bengals signed defensive end Todd Kelly to a two-year contract and released defensive end Kenny Davidson. . . . Fewer than one in four voters statewide would approve of a plan to use public funds to build or maintain a new stadium for the Seattle Seahawks, according to a poll done for The Spokeman-Review and KHQ-TV in Spokane by the Mason-Dixon/Political Media Research Inc.