Wheatley Is Sidelined by a Torn Hamstring

Oakland running back Tyrone Wheatley will sit out Sunday’s home game against Kansas City because of a torn left hamstring. He probably will be out at least two weeks.

He is not a candidate for injured reserve at this time, Coach Norv Turner said, but “if we needed a spot, he would certainly be a consideration.”

Wheatley said after Sunday night’s snowy 25-24 victory at Denver that he heard a pop in his leg after landing awkwardly late in the third quarter.

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Chicago linebacker Brian Urlacher, who has sat out the Bears’ last two games, returned to practice.

Urlacher was supposed to be out four weeks after injuring his calf in a Nov. 14 game, but he’s now listed as questionable for Sunday’s home game against Minnesota and Coach Lovie Smith hinted that Urlacher would play.

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Washington rookie safety Sean Taylor plans to call teammates as witnesses to say he was sober when he was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving Oct. 27.

Taylor pleaded not guilty Wednesday to the charge, and his trial was rescheduled for Jan. 5 at Fairfax, Va. Taylor had been at a birthday party for wide receiver Rod Gardner on Oct. 27.

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Defensive end Alex Brown got a five-year contract extension from the Bears. Terms of the deal, which will keep Brown with the Bears through the 2009 season, were not disclosed.... Buffalo Bill running back Travis Henry could sit out the rest of the season because of a lower right leg injury. Coach Mike Mularkey said tests showed no break to the bone but said Henry was out indefinitely.