NFL

According to Profootballtalk.com, there is a “growing sense” among NFL and industry insiders that ESPN commentator Jon Gruden will resume coaching in the league next season.

PFT notes that Gruden’s constantly positive commentary (even when commenting on the Raiders) on Monday Night Football may be a strong clue that he wants back in. Rumors have linked Gruden to Notre Dame (he grew up in South Bend), but “few” believe that he wants or has the patience to groom college QBs. The Irish will likely have a first-year starter in 2010 with Jimmy Clausen almost certainly going pro.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

San Diego: Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson missed San Diego Chargers practice Wednesday with a hip injury. Tomlinson, 30, claims the injury is not serious but he is at that stage in his career where injuries will become an issue.

Denver: Broncos WR Brandon Marshall sat out Denver Broncos practice Wednesday with a back injury. Marshall didn’t come out of Denver’s Week 9 loss to Pittsburgh and caught 11 balls for 112 yards, so we doubt the injury is serious. Marshall will play a couple of tough corners this Sunday when the Broncos take on the Redskins, assuming that Dante Hall doesn’t get thrown out of the game.

Philedelphia: The NFL has suspended Eagles CB Joselio Hanson four games for violating the NFL’s policy on steroids and other banned substances. Profootballtalk’s Mike Florio reports that Hanson’s specific violation was taking a banned diuretic. Hanson, tested positive prior to last season’s NFC Championship Game, plays in nickel and dime packages, where the Birds are suddenly ultra thin after losing Ellis Hobbs for the season. Hanson, who has 28 tackles and a pick on the year, can return in Week 14.

San Francisco: San Francisco 49ers WR Isaac Bruce is not expected to play Thursday night against the Bears. He’s fallen down the depth chart anyway and is now behind Josh Morgan, Jason Hill and maybe even Arnaz Battle

Oakland: Raiders WR Chaz Schilens (foot) has resumed practicing without limitations. “I’m kind of messing around with personnel and how I’m going to start it and all that,” coach Tom Cable answered when asked if Schilens or Darren McFadden (knee) would start against the Chiefs. Schilens will probably rotate with rookie Louis Murphy outside.

Washington: Redskins RB Ladell Betts (ankle) missed Redskins practice on Wednesday.
Betts is scheduled to start Sunday against Denver and coach Jim Zorn hasn’t expressed any worry about his status. He should practice on Thursday.

St. Louis: Newly acquired WR Brandon Gibson took “a number of reps” with the Rams’ first-team offense in Wednesday’s practice. The  St. Louis Rams see a lot of potential in Gibson, who was acquired from the Eagles at the trade deadline. He could begin cutting into starting split end Keenan Burton’s snaps as soon as Sunday against New Orleans.