AFC

Two probable Hall of Famers are expected to return to the field for the Buffalo Bills in Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins at Miami.

Bruce Smith and Thurman Thomas, both unable to play in last week’s loss to the San Diego Chargers, will both suit up and try to keep the Bills from starting the season 0-2. The Bills have not lost their first two games for as long as Thomas has been with team and were last 0-2 in 1986, Smith’s second season.

When Smith and Thomas were both unable to play last week, it marked the first time in 170 games that neither took the field.

Smith, 35, has recovered slowly from off-season knee surgery, and Thomas, 32, sat out because of a strained a calf muscle.

Quarterback Rob Johnson, who suffered a mild concussion against San Diego and was replaced by Doug Flutie, will start.

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Baltimore Raven defensive back Ralph Staten was charged with drunken driving in Lochearn, Md., on Friday following a crash that injured a woman also accused of driving drunk.

The accident occurred about 2:30 a.m. when Danielle Monroe tried to pass Staten, with two other Raven players in both vehicles, Baltimore County police spokesman Kevin Novak said.

The two vehicles made contact and Monroe’s car spun out of control and hit a utility pole, snapping the pole in two, Novak said.

Staten, a second-year player, was not injured. Monroe was in serious condition at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center with a hip injury, according to officials.

“I think I let my friends down. I let my coaches down and I let my teammates down,” Staten said Friday. “I apologize to the female and her family. Hopefully, we can put this behind us.”

Defensive end Kareem Robinson was in Monroe’s car and linebacker Larry Fitzpatrick was in Staten’s car. They were not treated for injuries.

Staten and Monroe were both charged with driving while intoxicated.

Staten was released on his own recognizance. He and the other two players were interviewed by team officials Friday. The Ravens play the New York Jets on Sunday at East Rutherford, N.J.

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Although Jim Harbaugh is expected to start for the Ravens Sunday against the Jets, Coach Ted Marchibroda declined to make it official.

Harbaugh took all his usual repetitions with the first team Friday and showed little discomfort from his previous hyperextended right index finger and right elbow that has tendinitis. Trainer Bill Tessendorf said there was no swelling from Thursday’s practice, the hardest work day this week.

Barring any last-minute setback, Harbaugh says he is ready to go. But the Ravens want to keep Jet Coach Bill Parcells in suspense.