Williams not yet a threat to St. Clair's job

Newly acquired offensive tackle Grant Williams isn't expected to challenge struggling John St. Clair for a starting job on the Rams' line, at least not yet.

"Probably not now," coach Mike Martz said Tuesday. "John's playing pretty well right now, John's going pretty good this week, John's going to be fine.

"But we have to have that third tackle, and that's what he gives us right now, a guy that can go in there and play."

Williams, acquired on Monday from the Patriots for an undisclosed draft pick, practiced with the team for the first time Tuesday. Martz said Williams is the team's third tackle, backing up both the right and left sides.

Elsewhere

COWBOYS: Receiver Raghib Ismail will undergo neck surgery Wednesday to repair damage from a collision with a teammate last week in practice.

Although he's likely to be out for the season, doctors said he should be able to continue his career.

Also, Jeff Robinson, the former Ram signed by the Dallas Cowboys as a deep snapper to solve one of that team's biggest problems, left practice with a right knee injury.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said doctors told him that the initial diagnosis was a ligament injury. Robinson was expected to have an MRI exam Tuesday night.

BRONCOS: Hold those obituaries about Terrell Davis' playing career.

Because of chronic knee injuries, the Denver Broncos running back was placed on the injured-reserve list, which ends his season and more than likely signals the end of his career.

But Davis insisted he was not retiring -- not yet, anyway.

Both Davis and Denver owner Pat Bowlen said the festivities of the past few days -- including Davis' introduction in uniform prior to Monday night's San Francisco-Denver game and his mile-high salute to the fans -- should not be construed as a retirement announcement.

"As Mr. Bowlen said, this is not a retirement party," Davis said Tuesday. "I'm going to do everything I can possibly do to see if I can return to the field again."

He admitted, however, that "barring a miracle, from what I'm hearing, this is it."

STEELERS: Linebacker Kendrall Bell, the 2001 defensive rookie of the year, will miss the rest of the preseason with a sprained left ankle.

Bell damaged ligaments in the ankle during the Steelers' exhibition game in Washington and will wear a cast for about a week. He had the same injury last season and returned to play three weeks later.

Steelers coach Bill Cowher said he hoped Bell will be ready for the Sept. 9 opener at New England.

COLTS: The team is among six others reportedly interested in signing Jamal Anderson, the former Pro Bowl running back's agent said.

James Sims, Anderson's agent, said he spoke with the Colts on Friday and again Tuesday after the team lost two running backs to season-ending knee injuries. He would not identify the other teams.

DOLPHINS: Defensive end David Bowens broke his hand in practice and underwent surgery that will sideline him for about three weeks. Bowens injured the top of his left hand when he hit it against a teammate's helmet Monday night.

The team hopes Bowens can return for the season opener Sept. 8 against Detroit.

-- From wire reports