From combined dispatches
Coach Tom Cable said Wednesday he spoke with Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis about allegations that Cable has a history of violent behavior toward women.
“What we talked about is between us, and we’ll keep it that way,” he said.
Cable said the conversation came within the past two days and that his job status was not discussed. Cable said he plans to coach the team for the remainder of the season.
The Raiders are undergoing a “serious evaluation” of allegations made to ESPN by Cable’s first wife, Sandy Cable, and former girlfriend, Marie Lutz, that the coach physically abused them at various times during their relationships.
Cable acknowledged striking Sandy Cable with an open hand in a statement Sunday. Cable said the altercation happened more than 20 years ago and was the only time he ever has touched a woman inappropriately. He stood by that statement Wednesday, declining to answer any questions on the topic.
EAGLES: Brian Westbrook is set to return from his latest injury when Philadelphia hosts Dallas in a matchup of the top two teams in the NFC East on Sunday.
Westbrook missed the Eagles’ rout of the Giants last week with a concussion sustained a week earlier in a victory over Washington. Coach Andy Reid said Westbrook, who practiced for the first time since the injury, should be “good to go” against Dallas and will not need to undergo further testing.
TEXANS: Steve Slaton became a key to Houston’s offense as a rookie last year when he ran for a franchise-record 1,282 yards.
This season he’s tied for the NFL lead in lost fumbles and his job as a starter is in jeopardy after Ryan Moats had a career day filling in for him.
Coach Gary Kubiak won’t say who’ll start in Sunday’s AFC South matchup at Indianapolis. Regardless of who starts, coaches and players agree they’ll need Slaton’s playmaking ability against the Colts.
JAGUARS: Two days after ripping his team’s defensive effort, coach Jack Del Rio had his players in full pads.
Jacksonville gave up a franchise-record 305 yards rushing at Tennessee in a 30-13 loss Sunday. Del Rio called the defensive effort insulting, ugly and embarrassing.
Del Rio was so upset about missed tackles that he considered having live tackling drills this week. He reconsidered but only because he was fearful of injury.
CARDINALS: Wide receiver Anquan Boldin and defensive tackle Darnell Dockett sat out Arizona’s practice but say they expect to play in the Cardinals’ game Sunday at Chicago.
Boldin’s sprained right ankle took a shot in Sunday’s 34-21 loss to Carolina. The three-time Pro Bowl pick first injured the ankle against Houston on Oct. 11.
Dockett has been bothered by a sore ankle and neck.
DOLPHINS: Linebacker Channing Crowder returned to practice but was limited after missing one game with a shoulder injury.
Nose tackle Jason Ferguson (elbow) was also limited in preparation for Miami’s game Sunday at New England.
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