New England Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel practiced for a second straight day yesterday following the death of his father earlier this week. But the Patriots declined to say whether he'll play against Oakland tomorrow.

Coach Bill Belichick addressed the media briefly before yesterday's practice at San Jose State in San Jose, Calif., and wouldn't describe Cassel's playing status.

"We'll do our thing after practice and let you know," Belichick said.

Cassel briefly left the team on Wednesday after his father, Greg, died Monday night in the Los Angeles area. Cassel was notified of his father's passing on Tuesday, but stayed with the team before flying to Southern California to be with his family.

Though all indications are that Cassel will play against the struggling Raiders, Belichick and the Patriots have yet to say.

New England (8-5) is in a three-way tie with Miami and the Jets for the AFC East lead with three games to go.

Cassel has completed 64 percent of his passes since taking over for the injured Tom Brady in the season opener. He has thrown for 3,052 yards, with 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. If he is unable to play against Oakland, rookie Kevin O'Connell would likely start.

* Buccaneers: QB Jeff Garcia was limited during practice yesterday because of a right calf strain and is listed as questionable for tomorrow's game at Atlanta.

Coach Jon Gruden said he was optimistic that Garcia, who missed part of training camp with a similar injury, will be able to play. If he doesn't, the Buccaneers likely would turn to Luke McCown or Brian Griese.

Garcia was benched following a season-opening loss at New Orleans. He regained the starting job when Griese was injured in Week 5 and has led the Bucs to a 6-2 record since. Last Monday's 38-23 loss to Carolina dropped Tampa Bay (9-4) out of a tie for first place in the NFC South.

* Colts: LB Gary Brackett will miss his second straight game tomorrow with a cracked bone in his lower right leg. Brackett, the team's defensive captain, leads the team with 113 tackles.

RB Joseph Addai did not participate in yesterday's practice and is questionable with a right shoulder injury. Safety Bob Sanders also is listed as questionable with a knee injury, but he fully participated in practice. Center Jeff Saturday, who has missed two straight games since straining his left calf, was not listed on the injury report.

* Seahawks: Star tackle Walter Jones will miss Seattle's final three games following microfracture surgery in his knee.

Coach Mike Holmgren said yesterday the eight-time Pro Bowl blocker had holes drilled into a bone in his left knee on Thursday to regenerate cartilage.

"It will be training camp (before he returns), but he will be fine," Holmgren said after practice.

* Titans: Starting defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch won't play in tomorrow's game at Houston because of a groin injury.

Dave Ball and Jacob Ford are expected to split time at Vanden Bosch's right defensive end spot. The duo has combined to produce 9 sacks this season.

DT Albert Haynesworth (knee) and RBs LenDale White (knee) and Quinton Ganther (knee) will be questionable.

* Vikings: QB Gus Frerotte is doubtful for tomorrow's game against Arizona with a lower back injury.

That means backup Tarvaris Jackson likely will start against the Cardinals as the Vikings look to stay a game ahead of Chicago in the NFC North.

Coach Brad Childress says Frerotte is improving and will continue to be evaluated today and tomorrow. But all signs point to Jackson being under center.

* Redskins: RT Jon Jansen and rookie safety Chris Horton were listed as doubtful for tomorrow's game against the Cincinnati Bengals after not practicing yesterday.

Jansen sprained his left knee in last week's 24-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He took part in some drills on Thursday but was too sore to participate on Friday. Horton has not practiced all week because of a shoulder injury.

* Bears: Chicago signed linebacker Gilbert Gardner and placed running back and special teams player Garrett Wolfe on injured reserve with a pulled hamstring.

Gardner appeared in two games with Detroit before being released Oct. 25. A third-round pick by Indianapolis in 2004, he made 97 tackles in three seasons with the Colts and had 15 special teams tackles in 13 games with the Titans last year.

Wolfe, a second-year pro, appeared in 13 games and was leading the Bears with 21 special teams tackles. He also ran for 69 yards on 15 attempts.