NFL: Jets' goal is 1,000 yards for Martin

Running for 1,000 yards used to be a bigger milestone in the NFL.

The New York Jets don't really care. Not when they are trying to get Curtis Martin there. With no championships to play for, coach Herman Edwards has made it clear one of the biggest goals for the remainder of the season is to get Martin to 1,000.

Should Martin get it, he will become the first running back to start a career with 11 straight 1,000 yard seasons. Martin needs 294 yards, starting Sunday against New England.

''Ordinarily 1,000 yards is not a big deal in the NFL. It just means you've been healthy enough to carry the ball. But given the adversity that we've had to go through and the fact that he's done it 10 times prior, that's what really makes this mark so special if we can get it for him,'' center Pete Kendall said.

Martin already has reached one milestone, becoming the fourth player in NFL history to run for more than 14,000 yards, a feat accomplished last week against New Orleans. He had 91 yards in that game, but has just one 100-yard game this season, 148 yards against Buffalo in Week 6.

Another Roethlisberger injury

Another week, another injury for Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. He said his right thumb injury ''is pretty painful,'' but he is hopeful it won't severely affect his throwing in Sunday's key AFC North game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The injury, not disclosed until Wednesday, follows injuries to both knees that kept Roethlisberger out of four games. Coach Bill Cowher also said Roethlisberger ''tweaked'' his ankle during a 26-7 loss to Indianapolis on Monday night.

ESPN suspends Irvin

ESPN has suspended Michael Irvin from its upcoming NFL studio shows Sunday and Monday because he failed to inform the network of his legal problems over the Thanksgiving weekend.

On Friday, the former Dallas receiver was cited for misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. He said he did not volunteer the information to ESPN because he had paid a fine and had been released from jail an hour after he was arrested.

Rackers hurts leg

Arizona kicker Neil Rackers pulled a calf muscle in practice and is questionable for Sunday's game at San Francisco.

NFL on TV

Sunday

Tennessee at Indianapolis, 11 a.m., Ch. 2

Dallas at N.Y. Giants, 11 a.m., Ch. 13

Denver at Kansas City, 2:15 p.m., Ch. 2

Oakland at San Diego, 6:30 p.m., ESPN

Monday

Seattle at Philadelphia, 7 p.m., Ch. 4