Two San Francisco 49ers defenders with concussions could be done for the season.

Safety Michael Lewis sustained his third concussion of the season during Sunday's 45-10 loss to Atlanta and was to have further testing during the off week. Linebacker Jeff Ulbrich, who suffered a concussion on the opening kickoff against St. Louis on Oct. 4, is scheduled to be seen by a neurologist tomorrow.

It will be the first time the 10th-year player has been examined by a neurologist and Ulbrich said yesterday he's not ruling out retirement after sustaining more concussions during his career than he can count.

"I don't know (how many)," said Ulbrich, a University of Hawai'i alum. "I don't even really know what a concussion is. They ask me if it's like seeing stars, but every linebacker in the NFL has five or six of those a game."

Lewis, who sustained two concussions during an 11-day span in the preseason, could be sidelined for a prolonged period.

Ulbrich said he's dealing with his health "day to day" and isn't thinking about his football career beyond tomorrow's test. After that he might be forced to make a big decision.

He acknowledged he's at a point in his life when he needs to think about his long-term health, future and family.

"I have to take all those things into consideration," Ulbrich said.

Meanwhile, injured running back Frank Gore is expected to return to practice this week after missing the past two games with an ankle injury.

Also, top return man Allen Rossum was released by the San Francisco 49ers, creating roster room for newly signed rookie receiver Michael Crabtree.

RAMS

LIMBAUGH BID UNDER FIRE

The Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson attacked the bid by Rush Limbaugh to buy the St. Louis Rams yesterday, saying the conservative radio host's track record on race should exclude him from owning an NFL team.

Sharpton sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, arguing that Limbaugh has been divisive and "anti-NFL" in some of his comments.

Jackson said in a telephone interview that Limbaugh had made his wealth "appealing to the fears of whites" with an unending line of insults against blacks and other minorities.

Limbaugh shot back at Sharpton on his radio show.

"Now, this saddens me as well this disappoints me," Limbaugh said. "I know Rev. Sharpton. Sharpton is better than this."

Limbaugh said last week that he is teaming up with St. Louis Blues hockey team owner Dave Checketts in a bid to buy the Rams. He has declined to discuss details of the offer, citing a confidentiality agreement.

In 2003, Limbaugh worked briefly on ESPN's NFL pregame show. He resigned after saying Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was overrated because the media wanted to see a black quarterback succeed.

Transcripts posted on the radio host's Web site also say that on a January 2007 show, Limbaugh said: "The NFL all too often looks like a game between the Bloods and the Crips without any weapons. There, I said it."

Eli Manning didn't aggravate his heel injury in the New York Giants' win over Oakland.

Manning said yesterday that his right heel feels good and that he hopes to practice every day this week.

The Giants, whose 5-0 record is their best start since winning 10 in a row in 1990, will play Drew Brees and the Saints (4-0) in New Orleans this weekend.

COLTS

PEYTON'S KNEE NOT BAD

Colts coach Jim Caldwell said Peyton Manning's left knee was sore but not seriously injured after Sunday's night victory at Tennessee.

The three-time MVP said after the game he needed treatment on the knee. Manning said he was hurt late in the first half when Titans defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch hit him in the knee. Vanden Bosch drew a 15-yard penalty for the hit.

Caldwell did not elaborate on the injury, saying he had not gotten a report from the doctors. The Colts have a bye week and won't play again until Oct. 25 at St. Louis.

REDSKINS

LT SAMUELS SIDELINED

Washington Redskins left tackle Chris Samuels will miss next week's game against Kansas City, another blow to an already fragile offensive line.

The six-time Pro Bowler suffered a stinger early in Sunday's loss to Carolina.

Samuels had an MRI yesterday to determine the severity of his injury. Coach Jim Zorn said Samuels has "some tingling" and that Samuels needs time to "quiet this thing down."

The Redskins are already without right guard Randy Thomas, lost for the season with an arm injury.

Buffalo Bills coach Dick Jauron says middle linebackers Kawika Mitchell and Marcus Buggs will miss the rest of the season because of knee injuries.

They were hurt in a 6-3 loss to Cleveland on Sunday and Jauron says both require surgery.

Mitchell was carried from the field after hurting his right knee early in the second quarter when he was hit by two Browns linemen while trying to make a tackle.

Buggs injured his left leg covering on a punt return late in the third quarter.

ELSEWHERE

Packers: Green Bay has turned to a familiar face to help shore up its offensive line: veteran tackle Mark Tauscher.

The Packers signed Tauscher yesterday after bringing him in for a workout last week. Tauscher started at right tackle for most of the previous nine seasons for the Packers, but he tore a ligament in his left knee last December.

The Packers (2-2) have given up 20 sacks in four games. Tauscher could compete with current starting right tackle Allen Barbre.

The team also placed cornerback/return specialist Will Blackmon on injured reserve with a knee injury, ending his season.

Lions: Coach Jim Schwartz says he will not take an upcoming bye into consideration when deciding if quarterback Matthew Stafford and receiver Calvin Johnson will play at Green Bay.

Schwartz said yesterday "we're trying to win" when asked if he might rest Stafford and Johnson against the Packers because Detroit is off the following week.

Stafford did not play in Sunday's loss against Pittsburgh after injuring his right knee the previous week.

Johnson started the game, but did not finish because he hurt his right knee. Schwartz says the injury is not significant.

Titans: Tennessee Titans cornerback Nick Harper will be out up to six weeks after surgery on a broken right forearm he sustained Sunday against Indianapolis.

Also, tight end Craig Stevens was released from a hospital yesterday with a concussion. Stevens was knocked out of Sunday night's 31-9 loss to Indianapolis after a helmet-to-helmet collision with a teammate.