Byron Leftwich's sore left ankle felt better yesterday, but the quarterback remained questionable for Jacksonville's game today at Houston.

Leftwich missed practice Friday, wore a protective boot and then had an MRI. Results showed "nothing serious," team spokesman Dan Edwards said yesterday.

The fourth-year starter was scheduled to fly with the team to Houston later in the day. Whether he plays against the Texans will be a game-time decision. Backup David Garrard, who went 4-1 last season in place of Leftwich, will start if Leftwich is unable to play.

Leftwich took his normal practice repetitions Wednesday and Thursday, but coach Jack Del Rio said he experienced soreness in his ankle Friday. Leftwich fractured a bone in the same ankle last season and missed the final five games of the regular season before returning for the first-round of the playoffs.

Team officials weren't sure whether Leftwich's soreness was related to last year's injury.

Leftwich has completed 61 percent of his passes for 1,034 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions this season.

CHIEFS

QB GREEN CAN PRACTICE

Kansas City quarterback Trent Green, who was knocked unconscious in the Chiefs' season opener, has been cleared to practice.

Green has missed nearly six weeks while recovering from a severe concussion he sustained Sept. 10 against Cincinnati. The veteran quarterback lay motionless on the field at Arrowhead Stadium for 11 minutes after the blow from Bengals defensive end Robert Geathers, before being carted away on a stretcher.

"Based on what they've seen this week, they're going to let him start practicing and (doing) pretty much everything we do in practice during the week," Chiefs president and general manager Carl Peterson said.

"That does not mean he's been cleared yet to play, but it's a big step," Peterson said.

Green, who had started 81 straight games before the injury, is expected to begin 7-on-7 and 9-on-7 team workouts on Wednesday.

PACKERS

FAVRE BACKS ROBINSON

Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre said earlier this week that the NFL has "turned its back on" Packers receiver Koren Robinson, who has battled substance abuse and was recently suspended for the season after a drunk-driving charge.

During the ban, Robinson is also barred from returning to team headquarters.

"I'm not against banning him for the year," Favre said. "I'd love for him to play, but to boot him out, clean his locker out and say you can't have contact with this team?"

Favre said it doesn't make sense that the policy bans his teammate from the Packers' facilities "and the support group that can help him."

RAIDERS

RB ECHEMANDU READY

The Oakland Raiders activated running back Adimchinobe Echemandu from the practice squad yesterday as insurance if LaMont Jordan or Justin Fargas can't play today against Arizona because of injuries.

Jordan has been slowed during the week with a sore back, while Fargas dislocated his left shoulder last week against Denver. The two have combined for 478 of the Raiders' 559 rushing yards this season.