Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt is inching closer to acknowledging that Kevin Kolb will be his starting quarterback Sunday at New England.
“We still have time,” Whisenhunt said. “It doesn’t look great for John (Skelton) being able to play, but Kevin’s had a very good week of practice and has played well.”
Skelton, who sprained his right ankle Sunday in the season opener against Seattle, hasn’t practiced this week, although “he did a little bit of work in the rehab stuff” on Thursday, Whisenhunt said.
Skelton, who beat out Kolb for the starting job in preseason, had to be carted off the field in the fourth quarter. Kolb came on and threw for 66 yards on 6-of-8 accuracy in the winning drive, capped by a 6-yard touchdown pass to Andre Roberts.
Skelton hasn’t talked to the media this week.
BOUNTY MEETING
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will meet Monday with Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma to discuss Vilma’s suspension that was temporarily lifted by a court last week.
A person familiar with the plans said that Vilma will be in New York to present his case in the Saints’ bounties scandal for which he was suspended for the 2012 season.
Vilma and three other players were suspended, but an appeals panel ruled last Friday that Goodell must clarify his earlier rulings to ensure no part of his decisions was based on salary cap violations. Goodell still could reinstate the suspensions to Vilma, New Orleans defensive end Will Smith, Browns linebacker Scott Fujita and free agent defensive end Anthony Hargrove for participating in a pay-for-injury program that violates the league’s detrimental conduct policy.
Smith, Fujita and Hargrove are expected to meet with Goodell on Tuesday.
Only Smith played on Sunday, when the Saints lost to Washington. Vilma was placed on the physically unable to perform list, while Fujita sat out Cleveland’s loss to Philadelphia with a leg injury. Hargrove was cut by Green Bay during the preseason.
PACKERS 23, BEARS 10
Green Bay backup tight end Tom Crabtree scored on a fake field goal and the Packers (1-1) intercepted four Jay Cutler passes on their way to a win over division rival Chicago (1-1) at Lambeau Field.
New receiver Brandon Marshall was held to two catches for 24 yards for the Bears, who lost running back Matt Forte to a right ankle injury.
EXTRA POINTS
The Jets will make a decision on cornerback Darrelle Revis’ availability (concussion) before the team travels to Pittsburgh on Saturday. … Dolphins running back Daniel Thomas sat out practice for the second consecutive day because of a concussion, increasing the likelihood Lamar Miller will make his NFL debut against Oakland. … Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus is focused on preparing to play in Buffalo’s home opener against the Chiefs, returning to practice after being excused to be with his family in Alabama to mourn the shooting death of his younger brother. … Vikings running back Adrian Peterson says his left knee has been a little sore and stiff this week after a successful opener for Minnesota. He said the expected discomfort lasted about two days but is “nothing that would hold me back.” … Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield missed practice to attend his brother’s funeral. … The Rams re-signed quarterback Kellen Clemens, released in the final round of cuts before the opener. … Chargers running back Ryan Mathews has been cleared for contact but was limited in practice as San Diego continued preparing for its home opener against the Titans.
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