Superdome officials say the stadium should be largely cleaned up from Hurricane Katrina and ready for the New Orleans Saints to play at least some of their games there in 2006.
The announcement Thursday came as San Antonio officials said they were working with Saints owner Tom Benson to keep the team in Texas. The state also must respond to the team’s assertions that its state-owned practice facility has been rendered unusable by damages caused by federal agencies in the weeks following the Aug. 29 storm.
The Superdome, severely damaged by high winds, should have a temporary roof in place within 10 days, said Doug Thornton, regional vice president for SMG, which manages the stadium. An environmental assessment of its interior – damaged by rainfall through holes in the roof and its use as a shelter for evacuees – should be finished by Dec. 1, he said.
“We’re working to make the Dome ready for the next season,” Thornton said.
Dolphins: Miami’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs has been rescheduled for tonight because of Hurricane Wilma’s expected arrival in Florida on Sunday.
The game will be televised by CBS affiliates in primary secondary markets in South Florida and Kansas City, but there will be no national telecast.
Moving the game would seem to put Jason Taylor’s streak of 87 consecutive starts in jeopardy. The Dolphins’ defensive end hasn’t practiced this week because of a foot injury, and linebacker Junior Seau is still bothered by an injured calf.
Raiders: Receiver Randy Moss, nursing bruised ribs, a strained groin and a bruised pelvic area, returned to practice in a limited fashion but is still listed as doubtful to play Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.
If Moss cannot play, the Raiders likely will start Jerry Porter and Doug Gabriel at receiver.
Steelers: Wide receiver Hines Ward (hamstring) took part in some of the team’s drills but remains questionable for Sunday’s game at Cincinnati.
“He didn’t do everything, but he did a lot of things,” coach Bill Cowher said.
Titans: Quarterback Steve McNair missed a second consecutive practice, this one for personal reasons. McNair watched practice Wednesday and has been listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals because of a sore back and ankle. Coach Jeff Fisher said McNair’s back was better Thursday but he was excused from practice for personal reasons.
Asked if McNair will practice today, Fisher said, “I think there’s a good chance, yes.”
Cowboys: Running back Julius Jones (ankle) is not practicing fully and remains listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.
“Julius is making some progress, though he’s not where we want him to be right now,” coach Bill Parcells said. “If I thought he could function I would play him. If there was a question about that, then I might wait.”
Falcons: Running back T.J. Duckett (ankle) is listed as questionable for Atlanta’s game Monday night against the New York Jets. Justin Griffith is working at both fullback and tailback this week in practice, anticipating the possibility of giving Dunn a breather for a few series.
“I’m excited,” Griffith said. “But let’s get one thing straight: I am a fullback. That’s what I do.”
The Falcons have an off week after the game, so they are likely to hold out Duckett.
Vikings: Wide receiver Nate Burleson, who has been out of the lineup since spraining the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee against Cincinnati on Sept. 18, is expected to be in uniform Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.
NFL: Los Angeles, which hasn’t had a team since the Raiders and Rams left in 1994, might be close to having a franchise again, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said.
“I feel very optimistic about a football team coming to the city,” Villaraigosa said. “I don’t have a specific timeline, but I can tell you that I do believe a decision will be made sometime later this year or early next year.”
Kansas City at Miami
Today, 5 p.m., Dolphins by 1 1/2
* Last meeting: Chiefs won 48-30 at Kansas City on Sept. 29, 2002.
* What’s this? Priest Holmes at 3.7 yards a carry? Nothing unusual there, except he’s never been below 4.3 in his career. … Trent Green off to another slow start. He has four TD passes, two fewer than five-game mark in 2004. … Chiefs made wholesale changes on D during offseason, but still rank 30th in the league. … DE Jared Allen turning into force off the corner for Chiefs. He has 5.0 sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. … Game marks return to Miami for K.C. cornerback Patrick Surtain, who starred for Dawfins from 1998-2004.
* Prediction: Chiefs 24, Dolphins 20
– Jim Armstrong
