IRVING, Texas — Tony Romo laughed at the notion his return to the Dallas lineup will be the complete cure for the struggling Cowboys.

"We will find out on Sunday," Romo said. "A lot of different people may have gotten to a point where they feel we might not have a chance to do what we hoped to do at the beginning of the year. ... I think that is something that can bring a team together."

The Cowboys (5-4) have gone from Super Bowl favorites to third place in the NFC East by losing four of their last six. They are 1-2 since Romo broke the pinkie on his throwing hand, but had the same record in the three games before he got hurt.

Romo, who returned to practice during last week's open date, is ready to get back on the field Sunday night when the Cowboys play the Redskins in Washington. Romo doesn't expect the pinkie to be a problem.

"It's getting better," Romo said yesterday. "Every day it gets a little better and I'm confident that I'll feel pretty good for the game."

Asked what the pinkie might keep him from doing, Romo responded, "I don't know that there will be anything."

Romo said there is a "little bit of pain" taking snaps from center, but described that as "no different than having a little bruise or something. You just play through it."

Romo got hurt on the first play of overtime in the Cowboys' 30-24 loss at Arizona on Oct. 12.

BUCCANEERS

'CADILLAC' PRACTICING, BUT STILL IN LOW GEAR

Tampa Bay's Carnell "Cadillac" Williams took on a new role in practice yesterday: emulating Adrian Peterson.

The Buccaneers hope the next step for the fourth-year tailback, returning from a career-threatening knee injury that's sidelined him more than 13 months, is reverting to running the ball like his old self.

"We're trying to simulate as much real football activity as we can, and he's responding tremendously," coach Jon Gruden said yesterday after Williams participated in his first practice since being activated from the physically unable to perform list.

The 2005 Offensive Rookie of the Year's return comes at a good time for the Bucs (6-3) because leading rushers Earnest Graham (knee) and Warrick Dunn (back) are both nursing injuries heading into Sunday's game against Minnesota.

Although Williams, out since tearing the patellar tendon in his right knee in September 2007, is not ready for a role as a featured back, he could get some playing time this week if all goes well in practice.

"I am totally leaving it to the coaches. I am just out here trying hard and contributing in any way possible to this team," Williams said. "How much I play is up to them."

STEELERS

ROETHLISBERGER TAKING MORE SNAPS TO PREPARE

Apparently, Ben Roethlisberger got the message that practice makes the player.

One day after Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin hinted he needed his quarterback to practice more despite his right shoulder injury, Roethlisberger took the snaps with the starters yesterday.

He plans to do the same thing today and tomorrow.

"I'm practicing today, and every day, unless something happens to me," said Roethlisberger, who has one touchdown and eight interceptions in his last three games.

Something happened to Roethlisberger in the Sept. 7 opener when Houston's Mario Williams planted him into the Heinz Field turf. His right shoulder was slightly separated. The injury has bothered him since, and several times led him to skip practice until the Friday before games.

Tomlin suggested the reduced practice time might be affecting the timing between Roethlisberger and his receivers, even though the quarterback dismissed that notion before going onto the practice field.

"We don't have a lot of new guys out there," Roethlisberger said. "When you're throwing with the receivers that I have, we don't lose too much of it. But it's nice to be out there throwing to them."

ELSEWHERE

Bengals: A Fresno (Calif.) County judge on Monday sentenced Cincinnati defensive lineman Jason Shirley to 30 days in a work program after a jury found him guilty of drunken driving and hit and run. Shirley could face a suspension by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for violating the league's player conduct policy.

Chargers: Running back Michael Bennett signed with San Diego yesterday, hours after being released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Bennett, an eight-year pro, carried only seven times for 12 yards with the Buccaneers. To make room on the 53-man roster, the Chargers released linebacker Derek Smith.

Lions: Detroit coach Rod Marinelli confirmed yesterday that Daunte Culpepper would start at quarterback for the second straight week when the Lions (0-9) play at the Carolina Panthers. "He got one under his belt right now," Marinelli said. "He's coming out here and he's just a worker, man."

Late last night, the Lions cut quarterback Drew Henson and replaced him on the roster with Adam Jennings to bolster their special teams.

Jets: New York's Mike Nugent might get a chance to kick against the New England Patriots tonight. Coach Eric Mangini said he would make a decision between Nugent and Jay Feely before the game. Nugent, limited in practice and listed as questionable, has been out since injuring his right thigh in the season opener at Miami.

Raiders: Oakland interim head coach Tom Cable has taken over the play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Greg Knapp to spark the NFL's lowest-scoring offense. Cable said that he relieved Knapp of his duties before last week's 17-6 loss to the Carolina Panthers and would remain in that role for the rest of the season.