Panthers WR Steve Smith was involved in a minor car accident on his way to Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte today.

Bengals RB Cedric Benson likely will not play Sunday against the Raiders after missing practice again with a hip injury, according to a league source.

Bengals RB Cedric Benson missed his second consecutive practice because of a hip injury Thursday, making it increasingly more likely that he won’t play this weekend against the Raiders.

Falcons RB Michael Turner did not practice on Thursday, and backup RB Jerious Norwood was limited, according to the team’s official site.

The 49ers’ attempts to have a new stadium constructed in Santa Clara received a major boost Wednesday night when a planning commission recommended, 7-0, that the City Council certify the team’s Environmental Impact Report. Should the City Council do that, which could happen as soon as next month, then the final step would be to hold a public vote on the issue, which could come next year, possibly in June.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell‘s interview about the new NFL Player Advisory Forum will air tonight on NFL Network’s Thursday Night Kickoff Presented by Sears pregame show at 6 p.m. ET.

The Bills acquired QB Brian Brohm off the Packers’ practice squad, signing him to a two-year contract. The Packers matched the Bills’ offer to the 2008 second-round draft pick, but Brohm chose to go to Buffalo.

Mike Shanahan has emerged as the Bills’ “No. 1 candidate” to become their full-time coach after the season, according to a source close to the team.

Mike Shanahan is among several coaching candidates in whom the Bills have interest, but chief operating officer/general manager Russ Brandon has no meeting scheduled with him, league sources told NFL.com’s Vic Carucci.

With Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown out for the season, RB Ricky Williams becomes a fantasy star.

Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown will be placed on injured reserve, ending his season, according to a league source.

Coach Tom Cable has tabbed Bruce Gradkowski the Raiders starting quarterback, benching former No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell according to the team.

aguars CB Rashean Mathis has officially been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Bills.

Vikings coach Brad Childress and the team are very close on a multi-year contract extension, according to a league source.

The Chargers placed backup LB Jyles Tucker on season-ending injured reserve, a league source told NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora.