Giants’ Brown Expects to Play

Dave Brown expects to start at quarterback for the New York Giants on Sunday against Carolina despite lingering effects from a back injury.

Brown practiced Wednesday, but he was still stiff from the back spasms and bruised back he suffered in the first quarter against Arizona on Sunday.

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Chicago linebacker Bryan Cox, out for the season because of a broken thumb that required surgery Monday, said he would retire if numbness in his right foot doesn’t go away. . . . New Orleans tackle Willie Roaf will be sidelined four weeks because of a partially torn right knee ligament.