Mike Walker was back at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on Wednesday, but the receiver, recovering from a knee sprain and subsequent staph infection, might not be back at practice until Friday or next week.

"It was hard," Walker said. "One week I am playing, and the next week I am watching the game in the hospital. It was real hard. I could not even see the whole game. I kept going back and checking the score."

Walker sprained his knee against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 5, during a game in which he became Jacksonville's first receiver to eclipse 100 yards in a game. His sprain wasn't serious, but his knee felt hot and he developed a fever shortly thereafter. He spent five days in a Jacksonville hospital.

"He's not going to be released to practice yet," Jags Coach Jack Del Rio said. "We should get him back maybe Friday but we think we'll get him back next week. So it's not likely he'll play; in fact he'll probably be out."

Naeole to have surgery

It took Chris Naeole a lot of rehab to get back into playing shape and onto Jacksonville's roster. Just one game after being welcomed into the lineup, his season may be over again.

Naeole broke his hand in pre-game warm-ups Sunday. Del Rio said he will have surgery on the hand today, but has yet to be placed on injured reserve.

Naeole ruptured his quadriceps tendon last year against the New Orleans Saints and was cut during the offseason.

With both their starting guards injured in the first game, the Jags re-signed Naeole last month to help out the offensive line.

Jags K Josh Scobee, who kicked a 53-yard field goal Sunday, also broke his hand. He fell on it wrong after making a tackle.

Jones likely to play

No word was delivered on WR Matt Jones' suspension, which means he likely will be in the Jags' lineup in Cincinnati.

"We're going to continue operating as a football team, as an organization, until we have been notified otherwise," Del Rio said.

Jones was reportedly suspended three games for violating the league's substance abuse policy, but Del Rio said last week the receiver intended to appeal the suspension.