News briefs: Vinatieri kicks in practice, may play vs. Jets

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri, who missed last week's game with a groin injury, practiced Friday and could play against the New York Jets on Sunday.

Vinatieri has not kicked in a game since he was injured in the second half of the Colts' win over the Houston Texans two weeks ago. He did not kick at all last week and did not dress for the Jaguars game.

Colts coach Tony Dungy said Vinatieri kicked well Friday, and the team will see how he does Saturday before making a decision.

"But he's pretty set on kicking. So we'll see what happens," Dungy said.

The Colts said earlier this week they might keep Martin Gramatica, who replaced Vinatieri against the Jaguars, on the roster a few more weeks as insurance.

Dungy said Indy might use Gramatica on kickoffs to protect Vinatieri's injured leg. Full story

Payton, Fox reunite Sunday

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Before taking the head coaching job with the New Orleans Saints, Sean Payton called an old friend for advice.

On Sunday, Payton's buddy will be on the other sideline when the Saints face John Fox's Carolina Panthers in an important NFC South game.

There were no phone calls this week.

"It's hard during the season to ask for advice. The irony is that he's in the same division," Payton said. "He's someone I would still talk with quite a bit, especially in the offseason or at those periodic NFL events that we're all at together. In season, it's a little harder with the schedule and the fact that we're in the same division."

The friendship was formed when Payton joined the New York Giants' coaching staff in 1999, where Fox was the defensive coordinator. A year later, Payton was promoted to offensive coordinator and the Giants reached the Super Bowl that season, losing to Baltimore.

Bears claim DB Maxey

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears claimed defensive back Marcus Maxey off waivers from the Kansas City Chiefs and put wide reciever Airese Currie on injured reserve with a foot injury.

Maxey, drafted by the Chiefs in the fifth round out of Miami this year, was inactive for the first two games this season before being waived.

Currie made his NFL debut with the Bears in the season opener at Green Bay on special teams, but was inactive the last two weeks. He was a fifth-round pick in 2005.