ASHBURN, Va. -- Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson could return from a left hamstring strain to play against the New York Jets this weekend, Washington coach Jay Gruden said Wednesday.
"I think he's very, very close, and if it's not Sunday, it will definitely be next weekend," Gruden said. "The way he plays, he needs to be 100 percent. He's not good to us at 65 percent, and he knows that."
Jackson, who sustained the injury early in Washington's Week 1 loss to Miami, was limited in practice Wednesday, as well as offensive teammates Trent Williams (spine) and Matt Jones (big toe).
Afterward, Jackson agreed he needs to be fully healed to be impactful as a deep threat on the field.
"I'm a speed guy with a hamstring injury," Jackson said. "It's one of those things that will just have to play out."
If he does return Sunday, it would be excellent timing for the Redskins (2-3), who will face the league's second-best defense in the Jets (3-1).
Jackson led the NFL with 20.9 yards per reception last season, his first with Washington, while also leading the team with 56 catches and 1,169 yards receiving (see full story).
Patriots: Solder out for season
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots offensive lineman Nate Solder was placed on season-ending injured reserve on Wednesday, three days after he left the game against the Dallas Cowboys with an arm injury.
"Nate is a big part of our team and the group in the locker room," receiver Julian Edelman told members of the Indianapolis media on a conference call. "He's a guy that's a true professional. All that means is that other guys have to step up."
Solder missed practice on Wednesday, and the team placed him on IR, according to the NFL transaction circular. The Patriots confirmed the move later Wednesday evening (see full story).
Steelers: Heyward fined for honoring late father
PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cam Heyward says he was fined by the NFL for paying tribute to his late father.
Heyward tweeted on Wednesday that the league penalized him for writing "Iron Head" on his eye black during a game. Heyward's father, Craig, spent a decade as a running back in the NFL and went by the nickname "Ironhead" for his physical style of play. Craig Heyward died in 2006 at the age of 39 following a lengthy battle with cancer.
Heyward tweeted "Got fined for honoring my Dad who bravely fought cancer on my eye black. (hash)NeverGiveUp (hash)CancerSucks"
Heyward said he would like to appeal the fine, though "I don't know where I would get with that."
"It's just sad that I got fined for honoring a man I respect and love," Heyward said. "I'm not trying to go outside the NFL rules. I'm just trying to draw attention to the disease that took my father's life."
Steelers: Roethlisberger returns to practice
PITTSBURGH -- Ben Roethlisberger took a small step toward returning to action and that left his Pittsburgh Steelers' teammates feeling good.
The veteran quarterback was a limited participant in practice Wednesday for the first time since spraining the medial collateral ligament in his left knee Sept. 27 during a win over the Rams at St. Louis.
Roethlisberger took part in non-contact seven-on-seven passing drills. While he is not expected to play in Sunday's game against the visiting Arizona Cardinals, Roethlisberger appears to be on course to beat the original timetable of missing six weeks.
"We're just taking it one day a time," he said.
Lions: LB Levy may miss remainder of season
ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions are losing linebacker DeAndre Levy soon after getting him back.
Lions coach Jim Caldwell says Levy needs hip surgery after having a setback. Levy aggravated the injury Sunday against Arizona in his first game of the season. Caldwell says the team has not yet decided to put Levy on injured reserve.
The winless Lions will likely start linebacker Josh Bynes on Sunday at home against Chicago.
Detroit drafted Levy in 2009 in the third round and signed him to a four-year extension last summer. He has been one of the franchise's top players, earning second-team, all-league honors last season. He ranked second in the NFL with six interceptions in 2013 and has picked off 13 passes in his career.
Colts: Ahmad Bradshaw re-signed
INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis reinforced its ground game Wednesday by re-signing running back Ahmad Bradshaw.
Bradshaw spent the past two seasons with the Colts but finished both years on injured reserve. He played a key role in last season's five-game winning streak then broke his left leg in a 42-20 loss to New England in November. The teams meet again Sunday.
Bradshaw finished 2014 with 90 carries for 425 yards and two TDs and led all NFL running backs with six TD catches.
In May, he pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge in May. Bradshaw has already served a one-game suspension, making him eligible to play against the Patriots (4-0). Indy (3-2) also put running back Tyler Varga on injured reserve with a concussion.