The makers of an over-the-counter weight-loss pill have suspended shipments following accusations the product contains but does not list an ingredient banned by the NFL.

"We've received notice of the problem with the NFL," the makers of StarCaps said in a statement released by e-mail yesterday. The statement added that the company is "taking all necessary steps to ensure that our customers receive product that is safe and effective."

Saints players Jamar Nesbit and Deuce McAllister say they tested positive for the diuretic Bumetanide after using StarCaps. Nesbit, who filed suit against StarCaps this week, already served a four-game suspension. McAllister is among six to eight players under investigation by the league for taking a diuretic, which the NFL considers a masking agent for steroids.

A person familiar with the case provided the number of players involved and spoke on condition of anonymity because the players are appealing.

While temporarily suspending shipments and new sales on its Web site, the company stopped short of issuing a recall.

StarCaps attorney Marc Ullman, with the firm Ullman, Shapiro & Ullman in New York, said a recall would be premature until the company received results from lab tests that should be completed in a week or two.

"If the product is adulterated with this substance, it's not something we knew about or wanted to have happen and we need to get to the bottom of what's going on here," Ullman said. "Obviously, we hope our test results indicate there's no contamination."COWBOYS

BEST CHANCE TO WIN WITH JOHNSON AT QB

Jerry Jones is glad Brad Johnson will be the Dallas Cowboys' starting quarterback against the New York Giants and he expects coaches to stick with the 40-year-old backup.

"Our best chance is to have him," Jones said yesterday.

Johnson is 1-1 since Tony Romo broke the pinkie on his throwing hand. He threw three interceptions in the loss and passed for only 122 yards in the win, prompting speculation that third-stringer Brooks Bollinger may go in at the first sign that Johnson is struggling.

"No, I don't see that," Jones said. "That would not be fair to our ability to win the game. We have got a guy who has years and years of making decisions here. We have every reason to believe he can make decisions and make the throws to win this game for us."

Johnson's experience is a big plus, but the Cowboys (5-3) may need Bollinger's better mobility and stronger arm against the division-leading Giants (6-1). However, Bollinger has only been around since Week 2 and has hardly thrown to the first-team receivers.

SEAHAWKS

MORA WON'T DISCUSS UW COACHING SITUATION

Seattle Seahawks assistant coach Jim Mora insists he has just one focus right now, even though many Seattle football fans are wondering whether Mora is taking a serious interest in what's happening a few miles away on the University of Washington campus.

Three days after Washington fired head coach Tyrone Willingham, effective at the end of the season, Mora spoke briefly yesterday, although he did not address the raging speculation about his possible interest in the Huskies' job.

Mora was allowed to talk on condition he only discussed the Seahawks' secondary. When asked why he wouldn't take questions about the Washington job, Mora, who has a contract believed to be worth almost $5 million annually to become the Seahawks head coach next season, held firm.

"I'm interested in preparing for the Philadelphia Eagles," Mora said of the Seahawks' opponent this Sunday, reiterating what he recited before the game with the New York Giants last month. "That's what I'm interested in."

TITANS

DEFENSE GETS A BOOST FOR GAME WITH PACKERS

Tennessee defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch practiced yesterday for a second straight day after sitting out Monday night's 31-21 win over Indianapolis.

The Titans (7-0) also had defensive end Dave Ball and running back Quinton Ganther back at practice after both suffered concussions against the Colts.

Vanden Bosch ran after practice as he recovers from a groin injury and hopes to play Sunday against Green Bay (4-3).

Vince Young was back after missing Wednesday with an illness, but defensive end William Hayes sat out his second straight practice with a similar ailment.

Kick returner Chris Carr missed a second straight day because of a back injury, but coach Jeff Fisher said he expects Carr back in practice today.

"We haven't ruled anybody out," Fisher said.

SHORT SNAPS

The Jacksonville Jaguars placed former Kahuku High and Nebraska guard Chris Naeole, who broke his hand in pregame warm-ups before last Sunday's game against Cleveland, on injured reserve yesterday and signed rookie center/guard Drew Miller off the practice squad to their 53-man roster. ... Running back Steven Jackson practiced for the second straight day yesterday and was optimistic he'd be back in the St. Louis Rams' lineup for Sunday's game against Arizona after missing last week's game with a thigh injury. ... The Atlanta Falcons said rookie left tackle Sam Baker underwent successful back surgery yesterday, but have not announced a timetable for his return.