EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) New York Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce is out indefinitely after an MRI exam on Friday surprisingly revealed a bulging disk in his neck.

The Giants said their defensive captain underwent the test in New York and was examined by team physician Dr. Russell Warren and Dr. Frank Camissa, chief of the spinal surgical services at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

The 31-year-old Pierce originally sustained a burner when the Giants played Arizona on Oct. 25. He had very little discomfort until practice this week, when the club's medical staff scheduled the MRI exam.

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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) Kyle Orton missed a third consecutive practice Friday because of a sprained left ankle and has only an outside chance of playing Sunday when the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers meet with first place in the AFC West on the line.

Broncos backup Chris Simms again took first-team practice repetitions, as he has all week in the absence of Orton, who was injured during last week's 27-17 loss at Washington. Read More...

PITTSBURGH (AP) Steelers safety Troy Polamalu did not practice all week because of a left knee injury and will not play Sunday in Kansas City. He may miss the Nov. 29 game at Baltimore as well.

Polamalu sat out the Steelers' second through fifth games with a ligament tear, only to injure the same knee during an 18-12 loss to Cincinnati on Sunday. Read More...

BEREA, Ohio (AP) Josh Cribbs' neck is still a little sore, but he doesn't mind sticking it out for Baltimore's Dwan Edwards.

Cribbs said Friday he expects to play in the Cleveland Browns' game at Detroit on Sunday, which will be six days after he was strapped to a backboard and wheeled into an ambulance following a loss to the Ravens on Monday night. Browns coach Eric Mangini said he also expects Cribbs to play. Read More...

GRANBY, Colo. (AP) The death of the mother of New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has been ruled a suicide.

Mina Brees, an attorney from Austin, Texas, died Aug. 7 while visiting Colorado. Grand County coroner Brenda Bock concluded this week that the 59-year-old Brees died of a prescription drug overdose and ruled the death a suicide. Read More...

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) Baltimore Ravens defensive end Dwan Edwards plans to appeal the $5,000 fine he received for a hit delivered to Cleveland Browns wide receiver Joshua Cribbs on Monday night.

Edwards struck Cribbs with a forearm to the facemask on the final play of Baltimore's 16-0 win. Read More...

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis was at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center on Friday to have his concussion evaluated.

Portis saw the same doctors who examined Eagles back Brian Westbrook, who has sustained two concussions in the last month. Portis was hurt two weeks ago against Atlanta. He did not play last week against Denver and has been ruled out for Sunday's game at Dallas. Read More...

NEW ORLEANS (AP) New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush has been held out of practice for the third straight day, and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Tampa Bay.

Bush came out of the St. Louis game with swelling and soreness in his left knee, which was surgically repaired twice in a three-month span a year ago. Read More...

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) Green Bay Packers tight end Spencer Havner has been fined $5,000 for a late hit out of bounds during last week's 17-7 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

Havner was flagged for a 15-yard penalty with 11:21 left in the first half for shoving defensive end Marcus Spears in the Cowboys' bench area at Lambeau Field. Read More...

NEW YORK (AP) The NFL Players Association wants the league to remove the co-chairman of the league's committee on concussions because the union believes he is biased.

Dr. Ira Casson has criticized independent and league-sponsored studies linking NFL careers with heightened risk for dementia and cognitive decline, saying more research is needed. Read More...