JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -Linebacker Mike Peterson and defensive linemen Paul Spicer and Marcus Stroud returned to practice Friday for the Jacksonville Jaguars and are expected to play against Pittsburgh on Monday night.

They remained questionable on the team's injury report, but showed signs of improvement after missing practice Thursday.

The Jags will be without defensive end Reggie Hayward, who ruptured his left Achilles tendon in the season opener against Dallas and was placed on injured reserve.

Peters

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -The Jacksonville Jaguars could be without three defensive starters Monday night against defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh.

Linebacker Mike Peterson, tackle Marcus Stroud and end Paul Spicer missed practice Thursday and were listed as questionable on the team's injury report.

The Jags already will be without defensive end Reggie Hayward, who ruptured his left Achilles tendon in the season opener against Dallas and was placed on injured reserve.

Peterson sprained a knee ligame

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -Few coaches have been as successful as Pittsburgh's Bill Cowher on Monday night. No team has been as successful against him as the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Jaguars have won both games against the Steelers in what historically has been the league's most coveted time slot. They hope to extend their record to 3-0 when the defending Super Bowl champions put their nine-game winning streak on the line in Jacksonville on Monday night.

``It's a big-time game for big-time teams,'' Jags defen

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Brian Williams has pleaded no contest to drunken-driving charges, opening himself up to possible sanctions from the NFL.

Chief Assistant State Attorney Jay Plotkin said Thursday that Williams entered a plea on his first court appearance. He was put on probation for six months and ordered to perform 50 hours of community service.

Those penalties are typical for a first-time offender, Plotkin said.

Williams was arrested early Sept. 2 after his 2006 Ben

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -Jacksonville Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio has been forced to make an early change to his starting defense for the third consecutive season.

Defensive end Reggie Hayward ruptured his left Achilles' tendon in the opener against Dallas and will have season-ending surgery in the next 10 days, a potentially devastating injury for the Jaguars (1-0).

``It's a blow to us, but we've got some guys who can step up at that spot,'' linebacker Mike Peterson said.

Hayward, who signed a five-year, $

And if you don't believe him, then take it from coach Bill Parcells: This remains Bledsoe's team ... ``right now.''

Parcells defended his longtime quarterback Monday, insisting that plenty of others were to blame for a 24-17 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He said Bledsoe will definitely start Sunday night against the Washington Redskins and that calls for him to turn to Romo are premature.

However, Parcells' loyalty to Bledsoe has its limits. By qualifying most of his comments with ``right now,''

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Brian Williams, arrested last weekend on drunken-driving charges, apologized for his actions Friday.

``It's unfortunate that it occurred,'' Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said Friday. ``I'm sure he's embarrassed by it. I'd like for us to deal with it head-on and put it behind us as soon as possible. Dealing with the incident will be plenty of punishment.''

According to league rules, the Jaguars have no authority to fine or suspend Williams for matters invo

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -The Jacksonville Jaguars have committed more than $200 million to their defensive starters, a group that has a combined four Pro Bowl appearances and about the same number of postseason wins.

Coach Jack Del Rio expects both numbers to increase. He built the defense around tackles Marcus Stroud and John Henderson, complementing them with speedy linebackers, capable pass-rushing ends and instinctive and opportunistic defensive backs. His four-year project was challenging, time-consuming,

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -The Jacksonville Jaguars could be without two of their top defensive players in the season opener against Dallas.

Pro Bowl defensive tackle Marcus Stroud sprained his right ankle in practice Wednesday, missed practice Thursday and hobbled around the locker room on crutches and in a protective boot.

Linebacker Mike Peterson returned to practice Thursday, but said he wouldn't know how his injured right knee reacted to drills until Friday.

Stroud and Peterson were listed as questionab

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -The Jacksonville Jaguars believe the key to their season is keeping quarterback Byron Leftwich healthy - something they haven't done in two years.

Leftwich missed seven of the last 25 games because of injuries and was knocked out of two more. Now, he is trying to do his part to prevent it from becoming a trend. He's making quicker reads, speeding up his delivery and vowing to take fewer hits from defensive players.

``I really do believe I have to stay healthy,'' Leftwich said Monday,